Stop The Cycle of Sin

Posted by Melissa

What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. How many times have you heard that little proverb? The problem? That saying is true.

Think about it. When has a decision to do one wrong thing led to a whole cycle of wrong in your life? What did you learn about yourself? How did you feel? Did everything spiral out of control? Explain.

Concentrate on verse 15 as you read 2 Samuel 11:6-17.

What was the first sin David committed?

How did he try to cover it up?

What was Uriah’s reaction when David tried to set his first cover-up plan into motion?

How is Uriah’s response an honorable response?

How does his honorable response compare to David’s behavior?

How did one sinful choice in David’s life spiral out of control?

What does this series of events in David’s life teach you about sin in your life?

What steps will you take today to stop the cycle of sin in your life?

David’s decision to sleep with Bathsheba led to a cycle of sin that overtook his life. Trying to cover up that first sin led to deception, lies, and eventually murder. David, the man after God’s own heart, had chosen to sin. Before he knew it, sin ruled his life. That’s what sin does. It destroys and generally leads to more sin and more consequences. Before we know it, one sinful choice has spiraled out of control and now sin rules every part of our lives.

If that describes you today, there is a way out of sin’s trap. Let it go. Admit your sin to God, turn away from it, and let His forgiveness and restoration play out in your life. Let Him control your life rather than a cycle of sin you can’t escape from.

In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies. —2 Samuel 11:15


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No Immunity

Posted by Melissa

Read 2 Samuel 11:2-5.

I won’t ever do that!, we say to ourselves as we look at someone else’s sin. What are the sins you’ve promised yourself you’d never commit? Lying? Becoming addicted to pornography? Premarital sex? Treating some people better than others? Saying one thing and doing the opposite?

The thing is, none of us are immune to sin. Actually, sin is hardwired into us, thanks to the sin nature we inherited from Adam and Eve. It’s easy for us to stand at a distance and point our fingers and say, “I’ll never do that!” But the truth is, we’re all capable of all sin at any given moment.

Nothing proves that truth more than today’s Scripture passage. Earlier, in 1 Samuel 13:14, David had been described as a man who was loyal to God, a man after God’s own heart. Yet in today’s passage he chose to sleep with Bathsheba, who was someone else’s wife. David was the king and a man after God’s own heart. And what he had done was wrong. At this point in his life, when he was given the opportunity, he chose to sin. David wasn’t immune to sin, and neither are you.

But as a believer, you can also choose not to sin. Christ has given you the strength and power to choose right over wrong, but you have to make that choice. Recognize that you aren’t immune to sin. Then, take steps to decide how you’ll react when opportunities to sin come along, because they will. You aren’t immune to sin, but you can overcome it with Christ’s help. The question is, will you let Him help you?

David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. Now she had just been purifying herself from her uncleanness. Afterward, she returned home. —2 Samuel 11:4


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Build Up Each Other

Posted by Melissa

Did you hear about . . . ? There they go again. It’s the Monday morning gossip time before school. You know you shouldn’t listen, but you don’t want to be in the dark either. But if they’re talking about other people, they may talk about YOU when you’re not around. This really has to stop, but how?

Read Ephesians 4:29-32. Look carefully at verse 32.

According to these verses, what type of conversation should you avoid?

What is the only good reason for talking about someone?

How is it possible to grieve the Holy Spirit?

What are the negative attitudes mentioned in these verses that must be removed from your life?

What does it mean to “be kind and compassionate” in your everyday life?

What are some actions you should take if you want to be like Jesus?

Why should you make an effort to forgive others?

Words are one of the most powerful things we possess. Words can build up or destroy. In Ephesians, we receive specific instructions on how to use our words: only to build each other up and to be kind and compassionate to one another. You may not be there yet. You may need to cut ties with some people you know to give yourself the opportunity to have these types of conversations. In the end it will be worth it as God leads you to more positive relationships.

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
—Ephesians 4:32


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It’s Time For An Attitude Check

Posted by Melissa

What a day! First you overslept and had to run to catch the bus. Then, you found out you made a D on a math test. Again. You heard your best friend Marisol is moving out of state. Then you remembered you had promised to take your next door neighbor to youth group tonight. How are you supposed to be friendly and excited about church when you have had such a terrible day?

Read Galatians 5:22-26. Pay attention to verse 22.

What are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?

If you belong to Christ, what areas of the flesh should you get rid of in your life?

If you live by the Spirit, what attitudes should you avoid?

Name some practical ways to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

What are some obstacles that prevent the Spirit from being in control of your life?

Look at the words that describe the fruit of the Spirit. Which ones do you struggle with the most?

Which ones best describe you?

The fruit of the spirit’s not a….(what’s your favorite verse?)

The fruit of the Spirit. What a challenge! How can we live for God and be the type of person described in these verses? Consider kindness. How can kindness be a natural part of your life? It may not come naturally, but it IS possible. Pray and ask God to give you the strength to overcome weaknesses that may keep you from having the fruit of the Spirit. Even when you have a bad day, God can give you the power to live for Him and communicate His kindness and love to others.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith. —Galatians 5:22


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Reminiscing…

Posted by Sharon

After Christmas, about 25 Camp Crestridge Staff got together at camp to reminisce about the summer of 2010.  The reunion involved going to Fun Depot, playing in the snow, eating some good food, playing games, laughing, remembering what God did in our lives through camp and remembering all the fun we had with our campers.  It was a great time to be together.  Thanks to all you staff who came!

Visit our Facebook Fan Page to see more pictures!


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December’s Assignment Winner

Posted by Karah

As snow falls here at camp, we can’t help but try and hold on to Christmas just a tad bit longer. In our last attempt to enjoy some holiday festivities from this past year, we will share December’s Secret Assignment winner with you.

Ragan Story and her hall of friends at Liberty University sport their Sock War bands, while looking fierce in Ninja attire. Way to go, ladies!

Make sure to check back regularly for our weekly devotions and for January’s Secret Assignment.  Happy New Year!


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Make A Difference

Posted by Melissa

A glass of lemonade on a hot day. An umbrella in the pouring rain. A cheeseburger and fries when you haven’t eaten all day. What do these items have in common?

Sometimes the smallest offer of kindness to meet our needs makes a difference in our day. Do we think about those who make the effort to supply our needs of food, safety, and shelter? Are we eager to help meet the needs of others?

Read Acts 27:24–28:2. Look closely at verse 2.

What was the soldiers’ plan for the prisoners during the storm?

What actions did the centurion take to save the prisoners? Why?

What did the local people do for the prisoners when they came ashore?

What risks did these people take in order to help the prisoners?

Has there been a time when you made an effort to meet the needs of someone else? What was it?

What risks are you willing to take to provide for someone you don’t know?

When a storm surrounded a ship of prisoners, the soldiers in charge wanted to take the easy way out so they wouldn’t be responsible if the prisoners escaped. All soldiers but one. The centurion cared about Paul and helped the prisoners survive. On shore, the people of Malta showed they cared about the needs of others. They made an effort to help total strangers. They welcomed the shipwrecked prisoners, no questions asked.

Do you go out of your way to help others? Are you aware of those who need food, shelter, or friendship? As you become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, God will lead you in the right direction.

The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. —Acts 28:2

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.


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Join The Family

Posted by Melissa

You’re in line to see one of your favorite groups in concert. Seats are general admission, meaning first come, first serve, and you aren’t very hopeful that you will get good seats. Then, the arena manager calls your name. He pulls you out of line and takes you backstage. It seems that the lead singer’s dad and your dad went to school together. As a surprise, your dad made a call and you now have front row seats. Wow! What did you do to deserve this?

Read 2 Samuel 9:7-13. Concentrate on verse 7.

What did David tell Mephibosheth he would do for him?

How did Mephibosheth react to the news?

What prevented Mephibosheth from providing for his own needs?

In what way did David treat Mephibosheth as a member of his family?

Have you ever made an effort to treat someone as part of your family? If so, how did this person react?

How does God treat us as part of His family?

David allowed Mephibosheth to eat at his table and to be treated as one of his family. Mephibosheth had nothing to offer in return. David honored him because of his past relationship with Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father. God offers us a place in His family as well. We don’t have to earn it or have special connections. Jesus paid the price for our sins so we can have a personal relationship with Him. All we need to do is accept His forgiveness and take our place as a child of God.

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.” —2 Samuel 9:7

Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.


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Merry Christmas from the Camps

Posted by Karah

We know that every family has their own set of traditions, so we wanted to share some camp Christmas traditions. Most of you know all about our summer traditions, but what if camp had traditions in the off-season? You are being shown a never-before-seen look into our reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”. We would enjoy hearing what some of your family traditions are. You can share them by commenting here, or you can write on our facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/CampCrestridge ). From all of us here at camp, have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Merry Christmas from the Camps from Ridgecrest Summer Camps on Vimeo.



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Pay It Forward

Posted by Phil

Read 2 Samuel 9:1-3.

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE. When David searched for the family of Saul and Jonathan, his goal wasn’t to hurt them, but rather to care for them. David and Jonathan had been dear friends, and Jonathan had even saved David’s life by telling him he was in danger—even though Jonathan’s father, King Saul, was the one who wanted David dead. During that time, Jonathan asked David to express love for his family, regardless of what happened in the future. (See 1 Sam. 20:13-17.)

Fast forward to 2 Samuel 9:1. David made a special effort to find the family of Saul and Jonathan so he could make good on Jonathan’s request and show kindness to his family. Even though Saul and Jonathan had died (1 Sam. 31:2-6), David remembered the kindness Jonathan had shown to him and was determined to pay it forward to Jonathan’s family. It would have been easy for David to conveniently forget his promise and overlook a chance to be kind to someone, but he didn’t.

What about you? Think about times when others have expressed kindness to you, not for a reward but because they cared about you. Consider situations when your parents or other family members have made an effort to do something special for you.

Kindness is a powerful way to express love to your family, friends at Camp Crestridge, or even a stranger. You can make someone’s day through an act of kindness. And sometimes, being kind to someone is a choice.

Make that choice today.

David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from Saul’s family I can show kindness to because of Jonathan?” —2 Samuel 9:1


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