LSBC Senior High Camp

LSBC Senior High Camp **We are not an official page of Lake Springfield Baptist Camp or it's board**

09/06/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Philippians 4:8 (NLT): Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

I heard a speaker say once, “It’s amazing how quickly we can go from calm to chaos—all inside our own heads”. Isn’t that true! So many thoughts come into our minds on any given day. Some thoughts are good, some are bad, and some just mess with our minds, hearts and souls. We can’t always control what thoughts show up, but we can choose which ones get to stay. That’s the invitation of Philippians 4:8—to decide our mental focus instead of drifting wherever fear or distraction leads us.
There is a mental side to discipleship – to following Jesus consistently. We need to train our minds in the same way we train our bodies for strength or our spirits for faith. It’s not something that happens once—it’s a practice that grows through repetition and awareness. When we choose to think differently, we begin to live differently.
Philippians 4:8 gives us a blueprint for forming a truth-based thought life and a practical filter for the peace of God. These eight words aren’t just moral virtues; they’re spiritual checkpoints that help us evaluate what deserves space in our minds. When a thought enters, we can hold it up to these standards and ask whether it aligns with God’s truth:
• True: Is this thought grounded in Scripture, or is it speculation and fear?
• Noble: Does it lift my heart toward what’s honorable, or does it pull me down into cynicism or shame?
• Right: Does this line up with God’s ways and character?
• Pure: Is it life-giving and free from bitterness or guilt?
• Lovely: Does it reflect the beauty of grace, kindness, and compassion?
• Admirable: Would I want someone else to think this about me—or hear me think it about them?
• Excellent or praiseworthy: Would this thought be worthy of repeating before God?
When we use this filter regularly, we’re creating a habit of peace. We’re teaching our mind to recognize the difference between thoughts that bring life and those that drain it. It’s a quiet form of spiritual strength that shapes both our inner calm and our outer responses.
This week, as all those many thoughts enter your mind each day, filter them with these 8 checkpoints. Fix your mind – attach it securely so it doesn’t move – on these things. And as you do this, God will replace your fears, uncertainty, distractions with his peace.

08/30/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Matthew 11:28 (NLT): Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Weariness happens to all of us. It’s different than just being tired. Weariness is being exhausted in strength, endurance, enthusiasm and freshness. When we’re weary, our patience, tolerance and pleasure are often exhausted. Weariness can come at us in different ways: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. When we’re weary, we feel like we are weighed down, life becomes heavy and it’s tough to keep going.
This is where our verse this week comes in. Jesus doesn’t expect us to pretend to be strong when we’re weary and overwhelmed. Instead, Jesus offers us an invitation to come to him. When we are exhausted, when life doesn’t seem to have the same joy it once did, when we lose our enthusiasm for our daily tasks, when our patience and tolerance for those around us, we can go and tell Jesus how we feel, how weary we are, how tough life is at the moment. Jesus cares about how we are doing, how life is going for us. He wants us to share that with him.
When we take Jesus up on his invitation to come to him, he will give us rest. The rest Jesus offers is a refreshing quiet for our minds, hearts and souls. This rest is a relief and freedom from the burdens and weariness of life. It’s a support that offers us a mental and spiritual calm. The rest Jesus offers renews and refreshes us in a way that allows us to rekindle our joy and enthusiasm for life. We are made ready to go into our life and the world again.
If you find yourself weary this week, don’t try to go it alone. Go to Jesus. Tell him what is weighing you down, what is making you weary. Let yourself take a breather in Jesus’ presence. Set your burdens down for a moment. Allow his compassion and care to wash over you. Let his rest provide you with relief, calm and refreshment.

08/23/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Romans 12:6-8 (NLT): In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Our verses this week start out with a powerful and important fact: God has given each one of us gifts for doing certain things well. Every one of us – let me say that again – every one of us – has been given gifts, skills, talents by God. Our task is to use those gifts, skills, and talents to serve God and others. This leaves us with a question though: How do I figure out what may gifts, skills, talents are?
The first step is to ask yourself some questions:
-What is it that I’m good at or that I do well?
-What is it that when you do it, your heart really starts to tick?
-What is it that when you do it, there’s this joy that fills your soul?
-What is it that when you do it, you can’t wait to do it again?
Write down your answers. Pray about them. Reflect on them.
A second way to figure out your gifts/talents/skills is to ask someone what they see in you. Other people often seen things in us that we don’t see in ourselves. Find a person you trust, who you see as a mentor, who you respect and ask them: “What do you think my gifts/talents/skills are?” Listen to their answer. You may not totally agree with it at the moment but hear them out and pray and reflect on what they tell you.
Figuring out our gifts, skills, talents is only the first part of what God calls us to do. We have to find ways to use those gifts, skills, talents to serve God and others. We have to look for and accept opportunities to use our gifts. Doing this is probably going to require some things of us: time, commitment, moving out of our comfort zones, trying new things.
But there is a payoff for discovering and using our gifts. First, we find out more and more about how God specifically created each of us. God takes the time to gift each one of us uniquely and with a purpose in using those gifts. We begin to see how intimate and personal God’s relationship with each of us is. Second, by using our gifts, we find ways to help those around us. We can bring others closer to God. We can encourage them. We can make their lives better. We can show them how God is working in their lives.
This week, think about how God has gifted you. Ask God how you can use that gift to serve him and those around you. Look for and accept the opportunities God puts in your path.

08/16/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Psalm 119:105 (The Message): By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.

Where do you look for guidance in your life? Perhaps it’s family and friends. Perhaps you Google or YouTube to find information. Perhaps you read self-help books. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these methods. But our verse this week reminds us the ultimate source of guidance for our lives is God’s word.
Sometimes the advice or guidance we get from others doesn’t always give us a clear picture of what we should do or where we should head. Often times, that other guidance/advice brings up more questions than it answers. Guidance/advice from other sources can have its own agenda or motives. We may still find ourselves searching in the dark, not sure which direction to go.
The psalmist tells us God’s words help us see where to go. Scripture tells us who God is. We see God as Creator, we see God’s hand guiding people in the past. God’s word tells us how much God loves and cares for us. We see God’s desire to have a relationship with us. Scripture tells us how God wants us to live towards him and towards other people – to love God with our whole being (heart, soul, mind and strength) and to love our neighbor (really everyone) as ourselves. God’s word give us practical ways to live out God’s love in the world today – be kind, merciful, generous, patient, faithful, loving. All of this helps to see where we should go and how to get there.
The psalmist also tells us that God’s word throws a beam of light on our dark path. Now, this beam of light is seldom a floodlight that lets us see for miles and miles down the path. It’s more like a flashlight that shows us a just a few steps at a time. I think God does this so that we continue to rely on him to show us the next set of steps on our path. Sometimes when we can see too far down the path, we stop relying on God, we stop going as quickly to him for guidance. When we have to keep asking God to show us the next set of steps, we’re less likely to veer off God’s path for us and head our own direction.
This week, as we walk our paths, let’s remember to ask God for his guidance. When we need that flashlight for our steps, let’s go to God’s word and allow it to head us in the right direction. With God’s help, may we always be able to see where we’re going.

08/09/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Isaiah 41:10 (NLT): Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Our verse this week is packed with five powerful promises that we can hold onto when life gets hard. God promises that he is always with us. No matter how difficult, lonely or even scary a season of our life is, we are never alone. Even when finding other people to support us, God will always be there. God promises us that he is our God. We have a personal claim of relationship with God. He promises us his faithfulness to us each and every day. God promises to give us strength, an inner power when our physical and emotional reserves run dry. God promises to help us. This is God’s active, practical intervention in our exact time of need. God promises to hold us up with his victorious hand. God provides steady support to us that keeps us from completely falling or collapsing under pressure. This support is wrapped in a victory we have already won.
These are promises God offers to us every day that help guide us through each day’s events and circumstances. Our task is to claim them and rest in them. God doesn’t offer these promises to us just to look good. He offers them because of his love, compassion and care for us. God is always going to be there to guide and lead us, to watch over us and protect us, to encourage and support us, to call and nudge us.
When we claim and rest in these promises, our way through life becomes easier. It’s not that difficult or tough circumstances go away. It’s that we come to realize that God is holding onto us as we go through them. We come to see ourselves in God’s hands – held, supported, watching the path ahead cleared, protected to find moments of rest and peace, receiving what we need at just the right moment. And as we see that, we begin to trust and know that we are not alone.
This week, let us begin each day claiming and resting in the promises of Isaiah 41:10.

08/02/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Ephesians 4:29 (NLT): Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

My guess is that most of us have been taught since we were little that there were certain words we should not say – those “bad” words we would get in trouble for. And, we were probably taught not to be rude or disrespectful to others. So, it would be easy to read our verse this week and say “I’ve got this one down”.
But I think the real key to this verse is the second half of it – “let everything you say be good, helpful and encouraging to those who hear it”. We might not be as quick to pat ourselves on the back now, so let’s start here.
Let everything we say be good. We live in a culture where pointing out the negative and bad of others has become commonplace. And it’s really easy to fall into that being our main way of speaking. Perhaps the way to overcome this is to make ourselves say one positive thing about someone for every negative thing we say. Doing this makes us look for the positive in others. And the more we look for the positive, the more we find it, and the more our attitude, opinion, and treatment of others will change.
Let everything we say be helpful. When someone has done something wrong or failed at something or is just struggling with something, our pointing it out is not the most helpful thing we can do. That other person doesn’t need to be reminded of a shortcoming or problem. We want to be helpful. Maybe we’ve gone through the same thing and there was a solution that worked – share it. Maybe you know someone who could help – tell them and put the two together. Maybe you know how to do the task the other is struggling with – teach them how to do it.
Let everything we say be encouraging. We are all still growing and learning how to navigate this life. And it’s a lot easier to do this when we believe there is someone in our corner. Point out to others their successes and triumphs. Remind them when they’ve done thing right. Help them remember when they made it through a struggle. Reassure them they are growing, learning and headed in the right direction.
I think Paul shares this verse to remind us that we do not do life by ourselves – we’re in this together. And when we do life together, it will be easier if we speak in good, helpful and encouraging ways to one another. This week, let us all pause for just a second before we speak, and share words that build up those around us.

07/26/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (CEV): You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.

Temptation – not always a subject we like to talk about. But it is something all of us have to deal with in our faith journey. The word translated “temptation” here gives both the sense of giving into sin and the spiritual tests that God gives us to help us grow in our faith. Paul wrote this passage to the Corinthian church to warn them about the dangers of overconfidence and giving into sin. When we think we are too strong to fall, we let our guard down and temptation can come at us hard. But when we acknowledge our weakness, we invite God’s power into our lives and the situations we’re facing.
The Bible tells us that we will often face temptations and tests that are way more than we can handle on our own. The good news is that we don't have to. The core promise of this verse is completely anchored in God's faithfulness, not our own human willpower.
You are not alone: "You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted". Whatever you are facing—whether it's anxiety, anger, jealousy, power, ambition, addictions—you are not the first to experience it. The human struggle with temptation is universal. Knowing others have gone through the same things you are gives you other people to confide in, to seek help from, to be reassured by, to remind you of God’s desires for you.
God sets the limits: "God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much". God carefully calibrates our spiritual tests and he knows exactly how much pressure we can take. God wants us to grow in our faith, he doesn’t want us to get to the point that we give up and walk away. God also ensures that Satan does not have absolute control over us. When we turn to God, Satan flees.
The Exit Strategy: "and he will show you how to escape from your temptations". God's escape routes aren't always dramatic – think Jonah and the whale or the fourth man in the fire. More times than not, God’s escape plans are much more ordinary but no less powerful. These escapes might look like a sudden change of subject or a timely text or phone call or a scripture that comes to mind, or the courage to say "no" and walk away.
This week when you feel the tight grip of temptation, don’t rely entirely on your own strength to fight it. Pause and intentionally look for the "way out" God has prepared. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to that escape route and give you the strength to choose it.

07/19/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT): Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Paul wrote these words as a mentor to young Timothy, who was facing the heavy responsibility of leading a church. The people could have easily dismissed Timothy because of his age. However, Paul instructed him to bypass insecurity by letting his lifestyle speak louder than his years. This call to action isn't just for church leaders or young adults; it applies to every believer right in our daily lives. Paul gives us five distinct areas to check our spiritual pulse:
Speech: How do we talk with others? Are our words building others up, or tearing them down? As we speak with others we want to be encouraging, optimistic, hopeful, supportive. When we do need to correct others, we want to do so in a loving, caring way. And even when we completely disagree with someone, we are still called to love them and speak in a way that shows that love.
Conduct: How do we act both publicly and privately? Our actions are important because they also give witness to who we say we follow. We want to act in ways that are kind and polite to everyone. We want to show care and compassion. Our everyday behavior should reflect the character of Jesus.
Love: Do you put the needs of others before your own? Christ-like love is selfless, sacrificial, and patient. We want to live generous lives with others, and we do that by seeing the people around us. We can share our time and presence with others. We can share some of our “extra” when it comes to possessions and finances.
Faith: Do you trust God even when circumstances are difficult or confusing? Do we give God thanks when life is going well? As we move through life we want giving God credit for what he’s done, is doing and will do in our lives. We want to tell others how God has brought us through tough times. We want to speak of how God is currently working in us. And we want to exhibit confidence that God will continue to be with us in the future.
Purity: Are your thoughts and motives consecrated to God? We have to be careful what we let into our minds and hearts. What we watch, read, listen to, the people we hang with needs to be helpful to building our faith. We may have to walk away from some things – and even people – who pull us away from God. Striving for integrity in a messy world makes you a beacon of light.
We don't need a specific title or a certain amount of life experience to positively influence the people around us. By focusing on these five areas, our lives can become a living testimony that points others directly to the love and grace of God.

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