Child of the Father

Pause

Take a moment and walk outside and look up at the sky. Repeat these words to yourself: I’m a child of God. I’m loved. I’m forgiven. I’m free. When you return, write them down on a note and put it on your bedroom mirror or car dashboard as a helpful reminder.

Think about the difference between being a child and being a slave. In the space provided, sketch the images or list the words that come to mind as you ponder each concept.

Child                                                                Slave

Now, read Galatians 4:1-7. Pay special attention to any references to adoption, sons, or heirs.

“So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

—Galatians 4:7

• What’s the difference between a master/slave relationship and a father/child relationship? What rights or benefits do children have that slaves don’t?
• What does it mean to be God’s heir? Why is that important?

Respond

• The word “Abba” in verse 6 means “Daddy” and reflects intimacy and tenderness. That’s the kind of relationship God wants to have with His children. Spend some time with your Abba today. Tell Him everything that’s on your mind and pour out your heart as children do with their fathers. Thank Him that sin is no longer who you are. Record your conversation as a letter in the space provided.

Behind the Story

Under Roman law, an adopted child was considered equal to all other biological children in the family. Even if the child had formerly been a slave, if adopted, a son could inherit legal rights to his father’s property. As Christians, we are co-heirs with Jesus with all rights to all of God’s resources.

The Point

God redeemed us from the enslavement of sin and set us free to be His children.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Costly Redemption

Pause

Quiet your mind and heart as you prepare to study God’s Word. Listen to a worship song that helps you focus.

Think about your most precious possession. How much is this worth? If someone took it, what would you pay to get it back? Write your response.

Read 1 Peter 1:18-21. In your Bible, underline the words “silver or gold” and “precious blood of Christ.” In the margin, write My value to God.

“For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.”

—1 Peter 1:18-19

Ask yourself:

• What is the “empty way of life” referred to in verse 18? Explain.

• What are some examples of this empty way of life you see in our world today? In your life (past or present)?

• If God has redeemed you from this way of life, He has set you free. You don’t have to live that way anymore. How do you find yourself slipping back into the habits of your before-Christ life sometimes?

Respond

• Re-read 1 Peter 1:18-19. What would change about the way you think about yourself if you fully grasped your worth to God? He purchased your freedom from sin with the highest treasure: Jesus’ own life. How would living in the power of this truth change your daily life? Jot down a few ideas.

• Look at the list of “empty ways of life” you sometimes find yourself slipping back into. Pray over them, asking God to help you better understand the price He paid to set you free from their bondage. List two actions you’ll take this week to walk away from these things.

Behind the Story

In some translations of 1 Peter 1:18, the word “ransom” is used rather than redeem. A ransom is paid for the release of a captive, a concept that would have been familiar to Peter’s first century audience. Slaves could sometimes pay a ransom and be released from their master. God released us from slavery to sin at a costly price: Jesus’ death.

The Point

God redeemed His people with the highest currency of Heaven: Jesus’ blood.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Over and Above

Pause

Take some time and ponder this quote from Josh McDowell:

“If Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be, and He did die on a cross at a point of time in history, then, for all history past and all history future it is relevant because that is the very focal point for forgiveness and redemption.”

It’s not uncommon to hear about professional athletes having to pay enormous fines for bad behavior. Read Ephesians 1:7-10. How big is the penalty for our sin against God? What price did God pay to buy us back?

“We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

—Ephesians 1:7-8

Redemption: “Bought back;” carries the idea of being released from slavery. How is sin slavery?

Through His blood: It is through Jesus’ death—in our place—on the cross that God frees us from sin and its power. This redemption was costly. Have you ever minimized the cost of God’s redemption? Why?

Lavished: To give something extravagant or be exceptionally generous. In Christ, God has shown us abundant and extravagant grace. Understanding the enormity of what God has freely done for you, what words would you use to praise Him?

Respond

Take some time to reflect on your words of praise for God’s lavish grace toward sinners. Toward you. By giving His Son, God secured your forgiveness from sin. Journal a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for your salvation.

Behind the Story

In the Old Testament, it was required that an innocent animal had to be sacrificed to atone for the sins of the people. This pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the “innocent Lamb” whose blood would atone for the sins of those who believe. This reminds us that God’s forgiveness might come freely, but it did not come cheaply. God, in His holiness, cannot “wink” at sin. Justice demands that restitution (full payment) must be made.

The Point

Salvation may be a free gift, but it isn’t cheap. God paid a great price to buy us back from sin

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Redeemer God

Pause

Slowly read Job 19:25-27. Everything in Job’s life was uncertain, except God. As you read, underline or circle words that reveal Job’s faith in the unchanging character of God. What does Job know?

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

—Job 19:25

• From all appearances, it seemed that God had truly let Job down. In Job 19:6, Job even claimed God had wronged him. How, then, can God also be Job’s Redeemer?

• Part of the definition of redeemer is someone who acts on behalf of those in need or pleads their case. In this sense, how is God our Redeemer?

• Even in his affliction, Job was sure of God and his power to redeem Job and the situation—that God was able to do what he could not. Does that describe you? Why or why not?

Respond

• You may be in the middle of a situation in which you feel like God has abandoned you. In these situations, it’s easy to confuse your feelings with what you know is true about God ‘s character. Look at verse 25 and remind yourself of the truth Job proclaimed about God even when he felt abandoned. Below, write your own statement of what you know about God’s character—and will trust rather than your own feelings.

• For further study, read Proverbs 23:10-11 which describes God’s work of justice as a Redeemer. Also, listen to “The Silence of God” by Andrew Peterson.

Memory Verse

Memorize Job 19: 25. If you learn best by listening, read Job 19:25 aloud to yourself several times or create a voice memo on your phone you can play back several times during the day.

Behind the Story

Job’s story is presented in the Bible as a kind of test case for faith. Will Job’s faith endure if God allows Satan to take away all that is precious, including his wealth, his children, and his health? Job even lost his reputation, as his dear friends insisted that his predicament had to have been the result of some hidden sin. This is why Job claimed God as His “Redeemer.” The original word in the Hebrew often meant a “lawyer”, someone who would defend the defenseless. Job believed that one day God would defend him against the baseless charges of his accusers.

The Point

God is our Advocate, the one who defends His people and will make all things right. We can depend on Him even in times of great affliction.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Staff Picture

In honor of staff and SALT applications opening this week, here’s a look back at some of the staff in the 1970’s! This picture was taken of the Camp Ridgecrest for Boys staff in 1973. See anyone you recognize? Comment below!

Posted in Boys | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply