Camp Out

On Saturday we had almost 40 youth come to the church to participate in the camp out, it is not what you would think to be a normal camp out.  We played volleyball, soccer, and some other games before it got dark.  Then we had a treasure hunt once it was dark.  There were four teams and it was a lot of fun watching them run around and trying to figure out the clues and to do small tasks before going to the next clue.  They really enjoyed the treasure hunt and the items we hid were themes from The Prodigal Son.  After the treasure hunt we talked about The Prodigal Son.  We had some dinner and hung out with them until around midnight and then went to sleep.  It was a lot of fun and it is my prayer that many of them begin coming regularly on Saturdays for the youth meeting. 

The other day I was reading in Jeremiah 30 and 31 about God telling His people that their wound was incurable and grievous.  Then the Lord tells His people that He will restore them to health and heal their wounds.  Then I remembered the passage in Romans 7 that mentions it is the Lord Jesus Christ who saves us.  Then I recalled in 1 John 1:9 that it is God who forgives our sin and it is he that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  Then I remembered 1 Thess 5:23 that says it is God who will sanctify us completely and keep our spirit, soul, and body blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that it is He who is faithful to do it.  God desires to transform us and it is only by His Spirit that we are transformed and enjoy fellowship with the Son and the Father.  His desire is to present us, the bride, blameless to Christ.  He receives the glory when He does the transforming.  I do not believe I have fully understood this but my eyes are being opened.