Devotional for Camp 2008
Presents
Morning Devotions
“Senior Youth Camp 2008”
“Angels on Fire”
Email: truth4thetimes@gmail.com
Philosophy: Preach out the abundance of your own experience
Author: PASTOR CORDELLE WILLIAMS
Table of Contents
1. Wi-Fi……………………………………………………………..3
2. Micro- Processors’…………………………………………….6
3. VIRUS……………………………………………………………9
4. FIREWALL………………………………………………………12
5. BOOT-UP………………………………………………………..15
6. HIBERNATION………………………………………………….17
7. JABEZ……………………………………………………………20
Morning Devotion
Friday 25/07/08 Topic: The wisdom
Text: James 1: 5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”.
The 21st century has given birth to one of the most revolutionary technologies, commonly known as WiFi connections. The mechanism has allowed its users to become or B-mobile when surfing the internet. Because its demands are so high, the average laptops computers and now phones and other known devices all have build into their system this WiFi network.
It is said “in the near future, wireless networking may become so widespread that you can access the Internet just about anywhere at any time, without using wires”. In other words access the World Wide Web would become limitless and within our reach. (Apart from those who pick up unsecured wireless internet).
The advances made will eventually catapult the young mind into an era where knowledge is literally at the fingertips. Nothing would be hidden. From aviation to zoology”, mathematics, geography, music and humanities, all are available within our reach.
However, there is a catch. Though the internet may the most modern means of accessing knowledge, there is no online server humanly speaking where you can access wisdom. On the other hand the good news is that each one of us has a modem fully functionally if we but configure the correct settings to the divine server.
Campers of 2008 our WiFi connections are the protocols, power and procedures of prayer. There is one setting
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. And of course our divine server is God Himself:
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40.28-31
The servant of the Lord in “Messages to young People” has this to say:
The Old and the New Testament Scriptures need to be studied daily. The knowledge of God and the wisdom of God come to the student who is a constant learner of His ways and works. The Bible is to be our light, our educator. When the youth learn to believe that God sends the dew, the rain, and the sunshine from heaven, causing vegetation to flourish; when they realize that all blessings come from Him, and that thanksgiving and praise are due to Him, they will be led to acknowledge God in all their ways, and discharge with fidelity their duties day by day; God will be in all their thoughts. . . . {MYP 189.2}
Prayer for today: Oh that the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom cause me to delight in the Lord Jesus Christ and be conscious of Him not only in this camp but throughout the rest of our lives.
Morning devotion
Saturday 26/7/2008 Topic: Processors
Text: Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
How many of you have seen the movie Knight Rider 2007? What a car! A virtually indestructible chassis, electromagnetic hyper-vacuum disc with an engine that has a turbojet capacity with modified afterburners embodied in a smooth chocolate covering. Features include “Auto Cruise, Auto Pursuit, Auto Collision Avoidance(with over-ride option), and Emergency Eject”. But even with all those features Kit is nothing without its advanced microprocessors.
The micro processing unit allows kit to analyses, compute and evaluate its present environment. Businessmen have pump billions of dollars in the creation of Central Processing Units that enable our modern computers and phones. Yet in all its advances processing units have one mammoth limitation. They are bounded by the law which states: output is proportional or equal to input .i.e. they can only do what they are programmed to do. They cannot choose nor do they have free will.
Unlike processing units we campers of 2008, have the power to choose what our destiny may be. What should our future look like? I will hasten to tell “ higher than human thoughts can conceive is God expectation for you and for me”.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper ……plans to give you hope and a future.
If the God of the universe, the one who merits all praise and adoration has plans for your life, isn’t it fair and good counsel to align you plans with his. Oh youth of today be not doubtful you can be anything legally possible under principles of Divine will. If you but trust in the Lord with all your heart and learn not to your understanding but in everything you put your hand to do, make God the primary focus of your life and he will lead you into a land of great hope and a secure future.
It is of great importance that we trust in God, for too many of us young people abuse the law of choice. It is said with the power of choice or the free will to choose comes equal or more responsibility. We must dare not say “ since mommy is not around I can do I see fit (negatively speaking) nor we such we utter from our lips “ since I reach legal age I can do I please”. Young people God is not mocked whatever you sow we shall reap.
If we endeavor to be ambassadors for Christ, shall we starve our mind of the words of God and in exchange soak our souls with the books and music which debase our hearts instead of bringing us closing to Jehovah.
Young leaders for Christ enflamed with the desire to serve God, can any who bear the slogan “angels on fire” carelessly choose to debase their character by falling under the influences of immoral men and women? I do not think so. In all you activities and displays I remind that God has great and prosperous plan for you.
In the book messages to young people this is what Ellen G White says:
God wants the youth to become men of earnest mind, to be prepared for action in His noble work, and fitted to bear responsibilities. God calls for young men with hearts uncorrupted, strong and brave, and determined to fight manfully in the struggle before them, that they may glorify God, and bless humanity. If the youth would but make the Bible their study, would but calm their impetuous desires, and listen to the voice of their Creator and Redeemer, they would not only be at peace with God, but would find themselves ennobled and elevated. (MYP Chapter 2 A call to the youth)
Prayer for today “ Lord help me to make to right choices in my life that I may be a youth of honor , integrity and virtue. Amen
Morning Devotion
Monday 27/07/08 Topic: The Trojan horse
Text: 1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
How many of you have heard of spyware and adware. These malwares are created and designed to target your perfect HP notebook with the intention of corrupting the files of your device. Microsoft companies along with Norton, Macafee and Avast have earned their living by designed software that will counteract the extremely potential danger of malicious software. Some of these malwares are commonly known as viruses, worms and Trojan horse.
Viruses are created by computer programmers, and once downloaded or transferred to your PC, they lie dormant in the archives until they are activated under the optimum environment. When activated they roam your computer clogging, duplicating and destroying the memory of your computer. Unless you rid your system of such virus it would be only a matter of time for your computer to shut down completely.
Studying viruses I was able to exact three important lessons which I will amplify today. Firstly, the creators of the virus have only one thing in mind, the destruction of your computer. Secondly, they wait until the right environment is seen. And thirdly they duplicate causing ongoing destruction.
Campers allow me to draw you an allusion the good God is heaven created us fearfully and wonderfully. As a matter a fact in Psalm 8: 3-6
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, (I ask) 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? ….you crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.
In other words the capacity of our minds, our cerebral cortex goes far beyond the modern sophistications and features of a computer, yet in like manner our files can be corrupted if we are infected with the GYV Global young Virus.
How can we get contract GYV? GYV is everywhere. It is found in the sexual pornographic and violent clips and photos and deeply subliminal encoded music on the web, books cd’s et. Cetra.
On Fridays devotion we spoke the revolutionary advances of the WWW. World Wide Web. Yet not everything one sees on the internet edifies the soul. They are place their by malicious men who seek to destroy the purity of your minds in their pursuit of money. These are the forbidden zones and if we dear guard the avenues of our souls we must trample therein.
These results of entertaining ourselves in watching photos and scenes that are forbidden may not be seen immediately, but that is how the virus works. It waits until opportune time and gives the right circumstance and environment your own tongue will betray you and your conduct and conversation will not according to God’s will. There is but one principle virus Sin and when multiplies the manifestations include
Lust, a lying tongue, a destructive spirit, an appetite to destroy the temple of God by the use that which is harmful to our bodies, a disobedient heart, a selfish attitude and a reckless desire.
That is why in the mist of all the temptations of our adversary the devil God calls us “ angels of fire”
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms
When the youth attempt to break away from Satan's control, he will redouble his temptations. Taking advantage of their ignorance and inexperience, he attempts to obscure the distinction between right and wrong. He comes to them with temptations, in the hope that they will yield. Thus he hopes to discourage them. But those who have planted their feet firmly on the Rock of Ages will not yield to his devices. They will remember that God is their Father and Christ their Helper. MYP
Prayer for today: Lord, keep me faithful against the viruses of the enemy
Morning Devotion
Tuesday 28/07/08 Topic: Firewall
Text: Matt 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
A firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network, and then either blocks it or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings.
The term firewall originally means a wall to confine a fire or potential fire with a building. Later it was applied the internet world with the purpose of preventing piracy and hackers from entering your computer. If they should gain access to the device they will have the opportunity to implant malicious software which contains viruses such as worms and Trojan horses. In addition to safeguard your computer, firewall help protect other computers by prevents your device to send viruses encrypted in emails, and other messaging.
Angels of fire who dare say no to evil vices of the world should not at any point let their guard down. Haven’t we learned from the mistake of David who should have being diligent and watchful, yet he delved in the illicit practices because he turned off his firewall settings.
So likewise, young people who are bombarded daily by the wiles of the enemy are charged to resist the devil by verifying the firewall is on at all times. But in so doing we are not alone. Heaven has made reservation for any individual who needs help from God. Heaven has availed itself to safeguard the purity and virtue of our souls. Hence the problem is never with God but with us. If we fail to walk with God, it suggests our desire to flee from Him rather than Him abandoning us.
God is sadden when any of His child, especially those who grew up knowing Him, serving Him, radiantly shining for Him abandon the faith and lose their way because they succumb to the temptations of the devil, because they allow their “frienimies” to pressure them into acts that betray the principles and precepts which were inculcated at home; church and youth events like these.
Paul’s admonition for us is
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
What is the firewall of our Christian experience? It is the full armor of God; that is
1. Belt of truth
2. Breastplate of righteousness
3. Shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
4. The helmet of salvation
5. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God; and may be fitted and ready to share the gospel of peace
In closing Ellen G White in Messages to young people
The reason that so grave mistakes are made by the youth is that they do not learn from the experience of those who have lived longer than they have. Let those students who are away from their homes, no longer under the direct influence of their parents, remember that the eye of their Heavenly Father is upon them. He loves the youth. He knows their necessities, He understands their temptations. He sees in them great possibilities, and is ready to help them to reach the highest standard, if they will realize their need and seek Him for help. {MYP 413.3}
Prayer for today: Lord help me to never lose sight of my purpose; to serve you and my studying your word, communicating with you may I draw strength to keep me faithful in times of testing. Amen
Morning Devotion
Wednesday 29 /07/08 Topic: Boot-up
Text: Eze 11:19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
“Computer freeze” is a common set back that can impede the user from maximize time and work. Most often the computer has too many programs opened or the archives need to be defragged. If this be the case memory space is almost exhausted and there is nothing you can do but reboot the system. In the reboot system the device take caution and give the option of starting your computer moods such as Safe mood, Normal mood or enabled debugging mood etc.
When this happens the drivers of the operational system are reloaded and the computer returns to its original functionality. Ever error and problems are corrected at this moment.
When I think of this I am reminded of God of the Potters’ House. At the potters house the vessel became marred in the potters hands. In other words we make mistakes, mistakes which set up back. Some youth are so overcome with the guilt of past error that they never set foot in the church again, never whisper of prayer of consecration anymore.
In light of that they should take note that hands in which they were marred were not human hands
5 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Man may condemn you even at the point and after conversion but whereas man judges the outer appearance Jehovah judges the heart.
1. For my Jesus is able to make me over again. He will carry me to the crucibles of life so that we may be strengthen, he will mold and fashion according to his divine purpose.
2. So I may not be the angel that I am but He still working on me. Other can so as they please but Jehovah is still working on me.
3. When Jesus comes He will scan our drivers, drivers of honesty, truth and justice. What will the angels record before God?
When you rise in the morning, do you feel your helplessness, and your need of strength from God? And do you humbly, heartily make known your wants to your heavenly Father? If so, angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of unconsciously doing wrong, and exerting an influence which will lead others to do wrong, your guardian angel will be by your side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your words for you, and influencing your actions. {MYP 90.1}
Prayer for today
Morning Devotion
Thursday 30 /07/08 Topic: hibernation mood
Text Matt 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
In earlier versions of Windows, standby saves your work to memory and puts your mobile PC into a power-saving state. Hibernate also puts your mobile PC into a power-saving state but saves your work to your hard disk so that you can safely turn off your mobile PC.
Creators of windows have added the hibernation feature to safeguard the user from losing data. When the battery is at critical low level, the computers prepare to go in hibernation mood in a effort to conserve energy. While in this mood, it appears as if the computer is shut down, blocking out all the interferences that may cause it to work at this weak, fragile moment.
Have you heard of leaders whether young or old who suffer spiritual burn out, lethargy and fatigue? It matters not whether we run on Duracell, Every ready or rechargeable batteries, it is human nature that we become weary at any given point in life. The danger is not surged form the fact we need to be spiritual recharge from time to time but rather our response to weakness.
I have witness young people shut down spiritually because of the laissez-faire attitude. Instead of taking stock of their lives when they realize that they forsaken in many ways the virtues and laws of righteousness, they continue in on their way to destruction. When that happens it appears as if they have known little of the Bible, have insufficient knowledge of worship and talents are lost and forgotten. All the work that should have been saved is lost in the valley of forgetfulness.
Let this not be the fate of every angel on fire for the Lord today! That is why Jesus has offered us this means of conservation and recharge:
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
The need for spiritual growth demands us to approach God in the quiet moments of our lives. Far away from the noise and activities we are called to enter in our secret chambers and ardently, fervently wrestling with God until you gain divine favor and you replenish you spiritual life force.
While we are within our closet, we must learn to wait and hope in the Lord that what he says will surely come to pass for He declare:
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
In closing Ellen G White says in Messages to Young People:
Jesus is the light of the world, and you are to fashion your life after His. You will find help in Christ to form a strong, symmetrical, beautiful character. The Lord has a work for each of us to do. He does not provide that we shall be sustained by the influence of human praise and petting; He means that every soul shall stand in the strength of the Lord. God designs that we shall work, not in a despairing manner, but with strong faith and hope. As we search the Scriptures, and are enlightened to behold the wonderful condescension of the Father in giving Jesus to the world, that all who believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life, we should rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Prayer for today : Lord me to find rest in you that I may be replenish in my moments of weakness.
Bonus Feature
Devotion
Theme: change that name!
Text Proverbs 22:1
Introduction: logo (Dell, Acer, Hp ipod)
A The story of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4:9,10
The Dilemma
1. Judas: a betrayer
2. Jacob: a supplanter
3. Jabez: shall cause misfortune
Power Point Jesus: Pentateuch-Shiloh, Ruth-Kidman Redeemer, Book of wisdom-Lilly of the Valley, Major Prophets-Wonderful Counsellor, Minor Prophets-Messaih, Synoptic Gospels-Burden Bearer, Pastoral Epistle Advocate, Revelation-the alpha and the omega
B. Ask God to bless him (specific prayers definite answers)
The solution
1. Enlarge my territory ( vocation, calling, ministry) don’t settle for mediocrity, there is no limitation with God. Excel by asserting your highest potential. If you want to be a missionary be the best salt of the earth and light of the world.
2. Be with me oh God. This is a spiritual war. Unless God be with you, your fate will be not greater than the sons of Sceva who taught they could take out demon in the Book of Acts. However they were beaten and ran naked for their lives.
Hands of God (means of protection and a safeguard against the perils of this world)
3. Keep me from evil. Jehovah gives us the power to overcome the struggles of life. The worst thing an agent of God (Angel on fire) can do is to be a stumbling block to someone. As ambassadors we must be ever careful, while we tell other about Jesus we ourselves do no know Him.
In all this Jabez became more honorable than all his brothers
All of these devotions are authored by Pastor Cordelle Williams. Under the restriction placed therein this document cannot be altered or deleted without the permission of the writer.
Notes