Girls – Page 27

CATEGORY ARCHIVES: Girls

Greater Love

Posted by Karah

Pause

Listen to a hymn or worship song to begin your quiet time. Ask God to open your eyes to those He places in your path today.

Think about a time when someone reached out to you in kindness or a time when someone failed to do so. What difference does it make when someone cares for another? Journal your response.

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s guardian?’” —Genesis 4:9

Return to Genesis 4:1-10 and skim over the passage. Then, focus on verse 9. Think through these questions:

Read Cain’s response to God in verse 9 aloud. What words would you use to describe his attitude toward God as reflected in that answer?

Cain and Abel were brothers. God had placed them in a relationship that involved mutual respect, love, and care. Cain had a responsibility to honor and protect Abel, and he chose the opposite. In what way has your attitude toward others been like Cain’s?

We live in a world full of people who truly care about others. But as believers, how does the redemption we’ve received from Christ make our compassion toward others different?

The Point

Because of Christ’s redemption, we have the ability to love and care for others with a depth that people don’t have apart from Him.

Respond

As Christians, our lives are not solely about ourselves and our needs. We have a responsibility to love, care for, and share the good news with the world around us.

Ask God to help you notice people who need compassion and kindness. Go out of your way this week to care for them, even when it’s inconvenient or unpleasant.

The early Christians showed God’s love during plagues that swept through the Roman Empire. Look up the selfless ways Christians cared for the sick during the plagues, then consider ways you can show others love because of Christ’s redemptive work in you. Record three ideas you’ll put into practice in your journal.

Behind the Story

God’s question to Cain in verse 9 wasn’t a request for information. God knew what Cain had done and asked the question to give Cain an opportunity to repent. It echoes the question God asked Adam in the garden (Gen. 3:9), tying both acts of disobedience together. Scholars say this is to show us that Cain’s murderous act had its antecedents in Adam’s sin.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Retro Friday

Posted by Karah

Almost all of us have been in the Drama Den or OAP room at some point or another. These rooms are special because the walls contain generations of names and memories from camp. Have you campers ever noticed some parts on the wall that boast the term “Camper Day” and the year? Have you ever wondered what Camper Day is?

Years ago Crestridge used to have one day per session where certain campers were elected by other campers to take over the staff roles. Each cabin chose a camper from their cabin to be their counselor and JET for the day. Cherokee campers were chosen to take over central staff positions – Summer Director, Assistant Director, Village Directors, and so on. For that day, those campers got to see what it was like to be a counselor or central staffer!

Can you imagine? What position do you think YOU would enjoy doing?

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A New Legacy

Posted by Karah

Pause

Romans 2:4 tells us that God’s kindness leads us to repentance. How has God’s kindness affected you? Meditate on His kindness as you begin your time with Him.

Skim over Genesis 4:17-24, then read Genesis 4:25-26 very carefully. Compare Cain and Seth’s legacies. We know that Cain’s sin was multiplied by his descendents. It appears that Seth’s faithfulness was also multiplied by his. If you were designing a symbol to reflect each legacy, what would you use? Write or sketch your thoughts below.

“A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of Yahweh.”

—Genesis 4:26

Enosh: Like the name Adam, Enosh means humanity or humankind. The term is often used in the Old Testament to refer to the frailty or insignificance of humanity. How does Enosh’s birth mark a new and brighter future for humanity?

Call on: From a Hebrew word that can mean cry out for, preach, or proclaim. The phrase is used to denote worship of God. Even in a world riddled with sin, God was still calling people to Himself, seeking out believers who would put their faith and trust in Him.

Yahweh: God’s personal name, as revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:15. How does the use of God’s personal name reflect His desire for a relationship with humanity? How does it point to His redemptive nature? Explain.

The Point

Even though our world is immersed in sin, God is still calling people to Himself.

Behind the Story

The world described in Genesis 4 contrasts sharply with the perfection found in Genesis 1. Instead of the peace and security of the garden, the Genesis 4 world is characterized by violence, murder, and conflict. In this chapter, two groups begin to emerge: those who are indifferent to sin and those who worship the Lord. How is this a fitting description of our world today?

Respond

Prayerfully consider what kind of legacy you’re leaving. If you aren’t a Christian, you’re leaving a legacy of sin and hopelessness, like Cain. Today, will you accept God’s invitation to know Him intimately and leave a legacy of hope and faith to those around you?

If you are a Christian, think about how Seth’s dependence on God became a legacy for the generations that followed. Meditate on this question: If your faith and actions were multiplied to those around you, what kind of faith would you be passing on?

As a believer, you are a glimmer of hope in a dark world, just as Seth’s line was. What choices will you make today to proclaim the name of the Lord in your actions, words, and thoughts? Jot down three.

Construction Update

Posted by Karah

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out the blog this week!

This week the Choctaw cabins are getting really close to being completed! Choctaws, I can’t wait for you to see the view from your cabins. It’s incredible.

We’re also really excited about the progress at the pool. We had some sunny, warm weather this past weekend so we’re getting really excited about the thought of swimming in the pool this summer!

Finally, the Dining Hall is still going up so fast. The structure of the roof is being put in place. We can’t wait for singing songs, screaming our village cheers, and sharing laughter at meals in here this summer!

Thanks for checking in, and please continue to pray for good weather so our progress can move forward as efficiently as possible!

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A New Hope

Posted by Karah

Pause

Think about a situation that seemed hopeless (and maybe still does). Praise God that all hope rests in Him. Rest in that hope as you begin today’s devotion.

Remember when it seemed like Frodo wouldn’t get the ring to Mordor? Remember when the White Witch killed Aslan and it seemed all hope was lost for Narnia?

Today, we come to a point in God’s story where it feels like all hope is lost. God’s perfect creation was shattered. Adam and Eve had been banished from the garden. Abel was dead, and Cain and his lineage of sin had spiraled out of control, wanderers with no respect for God. God had promised redemption would come from the woman’s offspring, and that seemed impossible. Or was it?

Read Genesis 4:25-26 in your Bible. Ponder these questions:

How did Seth’s birth bring renewed hope to Eve? Explain.

Now, read Luke 3:23-38. Pay close attention to verse 38.

In light of this lineage, how did Seth’s birth bring renewed hope to the entire world? Explain.

When have you or someone you know experienced something that you thought not even God could redeem? How has God shown you otherwise?

Why is it good news that God’s plan of redemption cannot be thwarted?

The Point

God’s redemptive plan isn’t limited by the sinful failures of humanity.

Respond

Think about those situations in your life that feel hopeless or impossible. Place your hope in God and His plan to make all things new. Journal your prayer.

Maybe you’re not a Christian and think your life is too messed up for God to redeem. You aren’t hopeless. Place your faith in Jesus for salvation today. See “The Gospel” on page 2 for more information.

Spend some time in prayer, asking God for the faith to trust His plan, even when it doesn’t make sense.

Behind the Story

The name Seth sounds like the Hebrew word for granted and the two are probably related. In Genesis 4:25, Eve attributed Seth’s birth to God’s mercy. God had granted her another son in place of the righteous Abel. Through Seth, God would fulfill His promise that Eve would be “the mother of all the living” (Gen. 3:20).

Retro Friday

Posted by Karah

Several Retro Friday posts ago, we learned that there used to be a skill at Crestridge called “Lessons in Loveliness”. Can anyone guess what other skills used to take place at camp? Any guesses?

Did anyone guess that in the early 70s we had Go-Karts for a skill? Well it’s true! For a few years, we didn’t have a horseback program so it was replaced by Go-Karting. It took place in the horseback ring too. Eventually, the Go-Kart days ended and we brought back the horses. Although, Go-Karts might have been fun, it would be hard to imagine Crestridge without the beloved horses!

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Faith

Posted by Karah

Pause

What is faith? Take a moment to consider the importance of faith as you prepare to spend time with God today.

Reread Genesis 4:1-12, focusing on verses 1-4. Pay close attention to the words used to describe Cain and Abel’s offerings. Ask yourself:

How were the two offerings different?

Why is it important that Cain only gave “some” of his crops, but Abel gave the firstborn of his flocks? What does that say about Cain’s attitude toward God?

Now, read Hebrews 11:4 in your Bible.

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By this he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.” —Hebrews 11:4

Think through these questions:

According to this verse, why was Abel’s sacrifice accepted? What does that mean?

Abel’s sacrifice was accepted because of his faith, but Cain’s was rejected. What does that reveal about Cain’s attitude toward God?

What does this teach you about the importance of faith? Explain.

The Point

Faith was—and is—the key to pleasing God.

Respond

God’s acceptance of Abel’s gift centered on the attitude of the giver. Abel approached God with faith, holding nothing back from God, willing to sacrifice in order to honor and obey God.

Evaluate your attitude toward God. Are you holding something back from God? Have you submitted every part of your life to Him in order to honor and obey Him? Do so today.

Spend some time in prayer, asking God to help you to live in faith, like Abel did.

Behind the Story

The Bible doesn’t specifically state why God rejected Cain’s offering and accepted Abel’s, but it certainly gives us clues, like those found in Hebrews 11:4. Some theologians believe God accepted Abel’s offering because it was a blood sacrifice and Cain’s wasn’t. Other scholars believe Cain’s sacrifice wasn’t accepted because he didn’t give God his best, while Abel did. Hebrews 11, however, seems to suggest that it was neither the nature of the sacrifice or the quality of it that mattered—it was the faith in which it was given. Furthermore, 1 John 3:12 tells us that Cain’s works were evil, while his brother’s were righteous.

Construction Update

Posted by Karah

We’ve gotten a lot of snow here this week at camp! While the snow is beautiful and fun, it slows down progress a bit. Regardless, things are still moving along really well!

Here we see that the Dining Hall is going up so fast. The walls on the second level are up, and we’ll continue to see a lot of rapid progress on the Dining Hall.

Below, we see that the Chapel is still moving along as well. They are preparing pour the concrete for the foundation.

That’s all we really have for you this week, but stay tuned to keep getting more construction updates! In the meantime, look how pretty camp is in the snow!

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Chaos

Posted by Karah

Pause

This week, you’ll study Genesis 4 in-depth. Read over the entire chapter, prayerfully asking God to open your mind to what He has to teach you.

Last week you learned that God’s perfect world was no longer perfect. Sin had entered the world and left its mark on everything. In Genesis 4, we find a world mired in sin and characterized by murder, malice, and antagonism. Read Genesis 4:1-12 in your Bible.

“If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

—Genesis 4:7

Reread verses 6-7, then fill in the blanks on the chart below.

Verse Cain’s Attitude God’s Response

Genesis 4:5-6

Genesis 4:8-9a

Genesis 4:9b-12

Ask yourself:

Look at verse 7. If you were writing it in your own words, what would you say?

How did God demonstrate His redemptive nature to Cain in this passage?

God gave Cain a chance to do what was right, but Cain chose to let sin fester in his heart, which led to murder. When have you chosen to allow sin to fester in your heart?

The Point

God always seeks to offer redemption, but people often choose their own destruction.

Respond

Even in a world where sin had been given free reign, God was reaching out and inviting people to turn away from sin and follow Him. Praise Him for how He has done the same thing in your life! Be specific in your praises.

Consider how easily a bad attitude can lead to destructive sin. In what ways does your attitude need to change? What will you do today to make your attitude more honoring to God?

For further study, read 1 Peter 5:8-9. Journal about how these verses compare with Genesis 4:6-7.

Behind the Story

Cain’s destructive downfall began with a poor attitude, which escalated into destructive sin. In these verses, God is closely involved with Cain, instructing him and responding to his every move. However, even with God’s clear warning and wise advice, there is no evidence that Cain ever repented of his attitude or his sin. His poor choices continued to affect his family for generations

Broken

Posted by Karah

Pause

Have you ever broken something really valuable or lost something that was really important to you? Recall the way you felt when you realized what you had done.

With that in mind, read Genesis 3:1-7 in your Bible.

“Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” —Genesis 3:6

In an instant, sin entered the world. God had set a boundary, and Adam and Eve had chosen to live in opposition to Him.

Consider these questions:

Look at Satan’s interaction with Eve in verses 1-4. How did he tempt Eve to further question God’s goodness and the truth of His word? Why do you think questioning these things leads to sin? Explain.

Prior to this, God had been the One who determined what was right and wrong, but Eve took on that role in verse 6. If God is the Author and Main Character of Scripture, why is it wrong to usurp that role? Explain.

Adam and Eve’s sin didn’t just affect them; it affected the entire human race. How do you know this to be true? Explain.

Read verse 7. Satan had said that disobeying God would cause Adam and Eve’s eyes to be opened to all wisdom, but instead of power, that knowledge brought fear and shame into their lives. How does choosing to sin against God still do that today?

The Point

In Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin entered the world. As a result, the intimate relationship God wanted to have with all humanity seemed irrecoverably damaged.

Respond

Think back to the way you felt when you lost or broke something that was important to you. Now, stop to really mourn for what was lost in the garden and the depth of your own sinfulness. Be honest with God and repent of any sin in your life.

For further study of the affect of Adam and Eve’s sin on us, read Romans 5:12-21.

Behind the Story

In Genesis 3:1-6, Satan played on Adam and Eve’s God-given desires. The need to eat, appreciate beauty, and gain knowledge and wisdom were all legitimate needs that God had already provided a way to be met—by trusting Him. But instead, Adam and Eve chose to go outside of God’s will and find their own way to meet those needs. We sin when we tell God that the way He has provided to meet our needs is not good enough.