LSBC Senior High Camp

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

04/26/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Hebrews 13:15 (NIV): Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Praising God is what we do – or at least, it’s what we’re supposed to do. The reality is that often daily struggles or constant life demands can crowd out our praise and worship to God. We do all the “right” things – worship, prayer, reading scripture – but life’s so busy or hard that praise becomes going through the motions.
Sometimes it really is a sacrifice to offer praise. We may not feel like it. We’re struggling. We're weary. Or maybe, we feel like God has let us down. He may seem distant to us, like He doesn't really care about what we’re struggling through or worrying about. Painful life blows and losses may have recently sent us spiraling. We’re still trying to get our feet on the ground and put broken pieces back together again.
So how do we continually offer praise to God? It starts with us making a choice to do so. Each day we find something to praise God for. It may seem like something small – sunshine, a flower, the laughter of a friend, the smell of freshly baked cookies. Then we look for “bigger” things – completing a tough project, restoring a relationship with a friend, better news than we expected from the doctor, being able to pay down a bill. Then perhaps we look for those things we sometimes take for granted – food, shelter, people who care about us, the universe.
Here’s the thing – the more we choose to find something to praise God for, to be grateful for, the more praise and gratitude seep in to our lives and our soul. And the more praise and gratitude seep into our lives the more making that choice to praise becomes a habit. We begin to be able to praise and thank God even when life is hard or unfair or overwhelming. The more we choose to praise God, the more we see how God is working and the more we come to know we’re not alone in this world – God is here with us.
Let’s begin today by finding at least one thing to praise God for, to be grateful for. And as we add days to our week, let us look for more things to praise God for. Let us look for God at work in our lives, the lives of others and in the world. And when our day is long or hard, let’s look a little harder for some way God has been with us and offer praise back to him. This week, let’s choose to see God and to say “thank you”.

04/19/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Colossians 3:16 (CEV): Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

Our verse this week talks about our life with Christ and how to navigate our relationships with others.
Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives. Other versions of this verse use the word “dwell” instead of “fill”. The Hebrew meaning of “dwell” is to “tent” or “set up camp”. So what Colossians is asking us to do is to let the Christ’s message take up residence in our lives. It should be our home base, the place from which we go out into the world, and the place we go back to from the world. Christ’s message should permeate all we do, all we say, and how we live.
What exactly is Christ’s message that lives in us? It’s his teachings, his examples, his stories, his love – all the things we read about him in God’s word. It starts with loving God and loving others. The message of Christ is to care about people and our world in the same way Jesus did – with compassion and care, grace and mercy, forgiveness and second chances. In order to let that message live in us and come out of us, we need the next part of our verse.
Use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. Let’s be honest, sometimes the stuff going on in our lives can distract us from the message of Christ that lives in us. Sometimes all of those things like love, compassion, grace, mercy don’t ooze out of us towards the people around us. We need other believers to encourage us and challenge us to be who God wants us to be. We need others to share with us what they have learned and experienced with Jesus.
And that’s what wisdom really is. It’s the knowledge and experience we have with God and Jesus. It’s what we’ve discovered about them through prayer, through studying scripture, through their guidance and presence in our lives. It’s what we’ve seen about how they take us through all the things life throws at us. Our “wisdom” can be helpful to others around us and we should share it.
Sing songs to God. This is about communicating with God. It can be praising God for the wonders of the universe. It can be thanking God for things you or others have received. But it can also be asking questions of God. It can be telling God you’re sad or scared or angry or wondering if he’s around. The three types of songs our verse mentions – psalms, hymns, spiritual songs – all have something in common – honesty and vulnerability. The authors of such things were open and honest with God. They told God how they felt. They listened for God’s reply. They let God’s reply shape their understanding of him.
This week, check on that tent of Christ’s message in your life. Let it be your home base. Re-anchor it if need be. Share your experience of Jesus with others who need encouragement. Let others encourage you in your faith walk. Communicate with God with the honesty and vulnerability of those psalmists. Journey with God as he journeys with you.

04/12/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Matthew 6:33 (CEV): But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

At first glance, this verse may seem simple, but it holds a deep and profound meaning. It reminds us that our priorities should always be aligned with God’s will and purpose for our lives. We should strive to live in a way that is pleasing to Him and seek His guidance in all that we do. The verse also emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God. When we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, we can trust that He will provide for all our needs. We do not need to worry or be anxious about the things of this world because we have a God who cares for us.
But the question becomes “How do we put God first?” Here are some ways to put God first.
Read your Bible daily. The Bible is a living, breathing letter from God straight to your heart! Use a reading plan to help you choose passages. Take your time reading the passage you choose. Write down words you’re not sure about to look up. Ask some questions like: Who is God speaking to? What is God asking? How does what God’s asking impact me?
Seek God's presence throughout the day. Consciously invite God into all your situations. Ask God to be with you before you go into a situation. Ask God to be with you while you’re in the middle of the situation. This can be asking for safety while driving to school or work. It can be asking God’s presence as you talk with family, friends, co-workers. It can be asking God’s presence as you work on a project. There’s really no situation in your life that God cannot be a part of. But it’s important for us to intentionally ask for his presence.
Sit in silence. Sometimes we just need to sit silently and listen for God’s voice. This is not easy for most of us because we’ve been conditioned to be “busy” all the time. But to take a few moments and just be silent and reflect on who God is and how he’s there for you is a necessary part of each day. Put your phone away. If possible go somewhere you won’t be distracted. Keep your mind focused on God. And just listen. It’s a great way to refocus during the day.
Spend time with other believers. Meet with them regularly within the church and in small groups. Talk with other believers at school or work. Share your praises and concerns with each other. Pray for each other. Encourage and build each other up.
Talk to God. We can talk to God about anything and everything happening in our lives. We want to seek God's perspective in all our situations. We’ll find that God provides insight, encouragement, comfort, forgiveness, mercy, challenge, marching orders and so many other thigs for us when we share our life with him.
As you go through this week, use some of these ways to keep God first in your life. Let God lead you through each day and watch how your relationship grows as you do life together.

04/05/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERES - Matthew 5:14-15 (NLT): You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

Jesus called himself the light of the world (John 8:12). What made Jesus shine? Certainly his words made him shine. But it wasn’t only his words; it was also his works. He said, “The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me” (John 10:25). Jesus’s works made it crystal clear who he was. His works shone, and they still shine.
Jesus calls us the light of the world – to be shining people. So the question becomes “What makes us shine?” Our words also are very important. What we say to others reveals a lot about who and whose we are. But it’s not just our words, it’s also what we do – our works – that are important. The outward visible things we do make it clear who and whose we are to those around us.
Being shining people is not just about doing a lot of good things. It’s about how we do those good works – our motivation and implementation. We live in a culture that encourages us to do things to be noticed, to receive recognition, and to be appreciated. These kinds of accolades aren’t bad but they can take over our motivation behind doing good things.
Jesus asks us to be shining people out of a sense of service and love. He wants us to approach life with a servant attitude, looking for ways to help others, to show compassion and care to them, to open their eyes to God. Jesus wants us to speak and do because of God’s love for us. That love is a sacrificial kind of love. It asks us to put aside comfort and our own desires and to go places we might not choose, to roll up our sleeves, to get our hands dirty.
This week as we interact with those around us, let’s give thought to what we say and do. Pause for just a moment and ask “How can I serve and love this person? How can I show them who God is?” Let us be shining people so that others might know who and whose we are and join us in God’s family.

03/29/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE: Isaiah 43:11 (NLT): I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.

As we begin Holy Week, our verse from Isaiah reminds us of just who God is – in the world and in our lives.
In a world that offers us many other things and persons who could be “god”, we are reminded that God alone is God. God says “I am the Lord”. It’s the same name God shared with Moses. This is the God who created the universe, who created us just a little lower than himself. This is the God who is in control of all things. Even in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty the world shows us, God is working. He asks us to trust and understand his presence and his timing, to remind ourselves that he is the great I Am.
Our verse also reminds us that God is the Savior. He is the source of redemption and salvation. This week as we travel with Jesus to the cross, we’re reminded of just how much God was willing to sacrifice to give us the gift of salvation. God wants people to come to him so he offers salvation to the world – all of it, everything he created, every person.
But here’s the thing to remember: God is not just THE Savior, he’s also YOUR Savior. There’s a very personal and intimate aspect to our verse this week. God’s not just concerned about saving the world. God cares about offering you rescue, deliverance and hope in the midst of all the things going on in your life. God wants to share everything from your tiniest concern to your biggest fear. Salvation – rescue, deliverance, hope - is not just something out there in the future, it’s also right here, right now. What God is saying to you is this: “Come talk to me. Tell me everything that is going on with you. Let me give you peace, hope, understanding. Let me calm your fears, carry your concerns. Let’s do life together.”
This week, let God’s presence wash over you. Give him all the things going on in your life. Let his love, grace and mercy cover all those things and remind you that he is your Savior and will be with you in every moment.

03/22/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Psalm 8:3-5 (CEV): I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?” You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

I have an assignment for you: go outside at night and spend some time looking up at the sky, the stars, the moon. For those of us who live in cities, we’ll have to drive a bit to escape all of the artificial light that surrounds us, but it will be well worth the trip.
As you look at all the stars, those little dots of light – that are actually quite huge – and the moon that changes from sliver to full to sometime magnificent colors over time, pause and really take it all in. Let yourself be filled with awe at what you see. Awe is an emotion of respect and wonder inspired by overwhelming greatness.
Awe is what the psalmist is talking about in the beginning of Psalm 8. He encourages us to be filled with awe when we think of God’s creation. He uses the picture of God’s hands and fingers forming and placing each star in the sky, shaping and placing the moon. We get a picture of the care God took in positioning those objects in the heavens. Each one has a place and a purpose.
And then the psalmist moves from the awe we have when we look at the night sky to the awe we have when we think about God’s relationship with each of us. In the vastness of the universe compared to the stars and moon, we are pretty small and maybe even a little insignificant. And yet, God creates each one of us with the same care and intimacy he used in creating the stars and the moon. God’s hands and fingers shape us and guide us. God places us exactly where we should be. Like the stars and moon, each of us has a purpose.
Psalm 8 is a reminder that God creates us in his image, a reminder that God sees the potential each of us has, a reminder that God has a mission for each of us. It calls us to live in ways that allow others to see God – to treat others with the care and intimacy with which God created the universe and us, to help others find the place and purpose God has for them, to use our hands and fingers to guide and encourage and support those around us. To be created in the image of God is indeed awe inspiring.
This week, allow yourself to ponder and wonder and be filled with awe at the place God has given you in his creation. And then, allow God to use you to show others how much he cares and loves all whom he has created.

03/15/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - John 14:27 (NLT): I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

This is a verse that we are probably familiar with. It talks about the gift of peace, but it also talks about how the gift is given. Let’s start with that part of the verse.
Jesus shares with us that he does not give gifts the way the world does. What does he mean by that? Sometimes the gifts the world gives us or even the gifts we get from others come with strings attached or underlying expectations. It’s like we’re being told “Someday I’ll remind you of this gift and expect something in return”. A job that we want and consider really good – a gift in our eyes – may ask us to cut corners or ethics or convictions to achieve a profit. A gift like a raise or an honor or a thing we receive because of hard work often comes with the expectation of even harder work on our part. Sometimes it can be as simple as a dinner invitation that has the underlying expectation that you will return the favor of an invite.
But the gifts Jesus gives don’t come with strings attached or I.O.U.s or expectations. Jesus’ gifts are as free as the rain and available to everyone. They are given because Jesus loves us and desires for us to know him better and better. His goodness is not dependent on our goodness or our hard work or our deserving. Jesus gives to us freely whether it’s love or grace or salvation or mercy or forgiveness or peace. All we have to do is receive the gift.
In this verse, the gift Jesus offers is peace. This peace is not necessarily the absence of conflict or tension or disagreement in our lives or in the world. It’s a peace of heart and mind which means this peace is not dependent on outside circumstances, on the all the things going on around us. Jesus’ gift of peace comes from the inside of us to impact and give context to what is going on outside of us. It’s a peace this is built on the promises of Jesus, on the experiences we have had with Jesus in the past, on the trust we have in Jesus, and on the certainty we have that Jesus is present with us and working in us and in the world. The peace Jesus gives allows us to worry less, to be less anxious, to see God at work, to be hopeful – even in the midst of all the chaos that may be going on around us.
Our world at the moment is full of chaos, conflict, tension and disagreement. We wouldn’t be human if it didn’t give us pause to wonder what is going on and to perhaps become troubled or even afraid. Your own life may be full of chaos and not very peaceful at the moment and that may bring you stress, uncertainty and fear. When we find ourselves in these places – whether it’s looking at the world or our own lives, ask for the peace Jesus gives – a calming, reassuring belief that Jesus is with you and God is in control of the world, your life and everything else. Let that peace ooze out of you and blanket all the outside stuff going on. Let that peace push aside the worry, anxiety and fear. Grab hold of the gift of peace that Jesus offers freely each and every moment of the day and live in the confidence of the presence of the Savior of the World.

03/07/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Psalm 19:1-4 (CEV): The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. They don't speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world.

My Old Testament professor would tell us that every day God says to the sun, “Let’s get up and do it again”. This is pretty much what our verses this week tell us – no matter how much chaos the world seems to be in, God begins each day again.
My guess is that we don’t always pay much attention to the continual days and nights we receive. We just assume they will be there. Psalm 19 reminds us that we can rely on the fact that each day informs the next and each night announces to the next. It’s an assurance from God that we don’t always notice and be in awe of.
It’s about God continuing his relationship with us. Each day and each night are proof of that. Each day provides us the opportunity to live a little more for God, to follow his instructions better, and to share his love more. Each night gives us the chance to thank God for our day, to own our shortcomings and be forgiven, and to share our hopes for tomorrow and ask for guidance. Each day and night tells us that God is not done with creation yet – and that includes you and me. God has more in mind, more to accomplish, more people to reach. And we play a part in that. God has purpose and plans for us each and every day and night.
This week, I encourage us to really notice each day and each night. Watch for where God is and what God is doing each moment. Offer yourself to God to use in each moment. Remind those around you that each day and each night is a promise that God is still here working, watching, guiding. Look up and see the wonders of God the heavens tell us!

03/01/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Isaiah 43:1 (NRSV): Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

Our verse this week is one of hope and promise. It reminds us of who God is and who we are to God.
The command to “do not fear” is a hard one to understand. We all have things we worry or fret about and even some that we’re scared of. Things like grades, finances, job security, relationships, health, family, friends, etc. Sometimes when God says “don’t be afraid”, it’s like he doesn’t understand everything we go through. But what God is asking when he tells us not to fear, is to trust him. God is asking us to trust that God sees the whole, big picture of our lives. We only see a little bit in front of us. God sees our whole story. He knows the complete picture and he guides us towards it. When God tells us not to fear, he’s also telling us “I got you” and “I’m going with you through this”.
One of the things that can calm your fear is remembering that God has redeemed you. Redeeming is a buying back or regaining possession of something. It usually involves some sort of exchange of payment in order to regain possession. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has regained possession of you. God was willing to exchange Jesus’ life for yours so that God could have you back again. That’s how important you are to God.
God calls us by name. Think about that for a moment. There are billions of people in the world and God calls each one by their name – how amazing is that! When we’re called by our name, it means we’re seen, we’re known, we’re heard, we’re loved. God calling you by your name means God knows you. He can pick you out among the billions and billions of people on earth. Being called by name means we have a relationship with the one who calls us by name.
We all want to have a sense of belonging and identity in our lives. We find that in God - we belong to him. We are his greatest creation. We are who he chose to be his people. Knowing that we belong to God, and that nothing can separate us from that love, gives us hope and strength and courage as we go through our daily lives. We don’t have to handle things alone, we don’t have to be overcome by our fears and worries. God says (put your name here), “I’m with you, I’m holding you, I’m guiding you, I got you, you are mine”.
This week when your worries and fears creep in, remember in this verse. Remind yourself you belong to God. Listen for him to call your name. Rest in the assurance that God is always with you.

02/15/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Genesis 1:1 (NIV): In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Our relationship with God begins with these ten words. This verse is the foundation for all the other words God speaks through the Bible and the words God speaks to us. This verse gives you and me roots and routes.
You and I have a past rooted in the God whose image we bear. We are reminded that we are lovingly created by God and placed in an environment fine-tuned for our needs. We did not just come into existence. Rather God made each of us to be who we were meant to be. As Genesis continues, we find the history of creation, sin, the beginnings of human society and God’s wondrous plan of redemption – of bringing all of creation including you and me back to him. Our ability to navigate life is rooted in the God who lovingly created the universe and us, who guides and leads us, who walks with us.
Genesis 1:1 gives us routes – a way to go forward in the world. Since we have a past, then we have a future. Because we are created in God’s image, we have eternal potential. We have a Creator God who knows each one of us and loves each one of us. He has purpose and a plan for each one of us. Our time on earth is not just a detour until we get to heaven. Our time on earth is part of God’s plan to bring creation back to him. Our task is to show the world who God is, how much God loves, and what God’s plan is. Because of the God who created us, we have places to go and things to do here and now.
This week as you ponder these ten words that begin Scripture and your relationship with God, let what they mean really sink into your days. Remember who it was that created you and that you have a purpose in God’s plan. Let God show you or re-show what that purpose is. Ask God to use you however he needs to this week. Continue on the journey God began “in the beginning”.

02/09/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - Proverbs 30:5 (NIV): Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Our verse this week reminds us of who God is how God relates to us, and how we can find strength and courage to face what the world throws at us.
We are reminded that God’s word is flawless. Flawless has several meanings. It means something is perfect and pure. Flawless also means something that has been tested and withstood those tests and thus we can be confident about it. Flawless can also mean exquisite, like with a gem or a painting. It is extremely beautiful, finely crafted and intensely felt. God’s word, his promises are perfect and pure so we know we can trust them. God’s word, his promises have been tested by the faithful who came before and by us so we can be confident that God is with us. God’s word, his promises are finely crafted to provide help, protection, comfort, encouragement, accountability, challenge, etc., in every circumstance and situation. When we immerse ourselves in God’s word we can be intensely aware that God is guiding and leading us through life.
We are reminded that God is our shield. This means God covers us in our battles with Satan and the world. In ancient times, a soldier would put his shield in front of him to be protected from the blows and weapons of his enemy. Soldiers also put their shields in front of them as they went into battle to knock the enemy away and be able to advance. Sometimes groups of soldiers would get together, the soldiers on the outside would form a perimeter putting their shields in front of them, and the soldiers in the middle would put their shields above them. By doing this the entire group was protected from their enemy and could move forward through attacks. When we put our lives in God’s hands and live by his words, we are completely covered and protected from what Satan can throw at us. God goes before us as our shield and knocks the enemy out of our way so we are not harmed.
We are reminded that God is our refuge. A refuge provides shelter and safety. When our lives get out of focus or off track, when the world around us is chaotic, we can go to God through his word and through prayer and find a place of refuge. In the shelter and safety of God, we find rest, refocus, preparation, encouragement and strength. In God’s refuge, we can take the time to re-center our lives, prepare and be made ready to go back into the world.
This week, immerse yourself in God’s word, in his promises. Let them shield you. Let them give you refuge. Let them guide you. God created us to be in relationship with him and he wants to be the center of all we do and are and become.

02/01/2026

WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE - 1 Corinthians 12:5-7 (CEV): There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do. The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.

Finding and using the gifts God has given us plays a big part in our life of faith. Our verses this week give us reminders about finding our gifts and using them.
Frist, there are different ways to serve God. The list of how you can serve God and others is endless. And none of these different ways is better than another. Some people are great speakers, some are great writers. Some people use their creativity in art and music. Some people are great at making others feel comfortable and welcomed. Some are great at getting to the root of things in conversation. Some are great at sharing wisdom. Each and every gift, each and every way to serve God and others is important. The point is this: God has given you gifts – ways – to serve him and to serve others. What is important is that each of us finds our way to serve.
Second, we all have different gifts. Each of us needs to discover what our gifts are and we can do this in several ways. You can take a gifts inventory or test. These inventories will show what your primary gifts are. They also show gifts that you may be able to develop through opportunities and use. Another way to discover your gifts is to ask others what they see as your gifts. Others often time notice our gifts before we do. They may also point out potential gifts we haven’t considered. Another way is to look at what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. Think about what you do that really brings you joy – those things you can’t wait to do. Think about what you’re passionate about – what makes your heart beat a little faster. These can be signs of your gifts.
Third, we each have a special way of serving others. Once we have found our gifts, we have to find ways to use them to serve God and others. Ask yourself a couple of questions: “How can I use this gift to serve God?” and “How can I use this gift to serve others?” Your answers to these questions may not be the same as anyone else’s answers and that’s ok because you’re looking to find your way of serving.
The answers to those questions will involve some work on our part. We will have to accept opportunities to use our gifts. We will have to be willing to use our time and energy to do, to act, to be present with others. Using our gifts may mean stepping out of our comfort zones. We may have to try new things. Finding our places to serve is sometimes a trial and error kind of thing. We won’t really find our ways to serve without trying different ways.
Most importantly, God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do. God already knows what gifts he has given you. And God will put opportunities and people in your path to let you use your gifts. We have to trust God and follow his lead. If we’re willing to trust God and use the gifts he’s given us, we will go on the adventure of a lifetime as God uses us to show others who he is and bring them closer to God.
This week, take some time to look at the gifts God has given you. Think through how you might use those gifts to serve God and others. Then, go out and be God’s servant in the world.

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