Youth Camp Devotionals for Thursday

S.A.C.'s Got Talent - Devotional

Spiritual Gifts and Personalities

I. Discover Who You Are
1. An awesome God made us wonderfully
"Psalm 139:14: "Thank you for make me so
wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is
marvelous -- how well I know it."
2. We should thank God for all of our unchange-
able features.
3. We should repent / ask forgiveness for messing
up what God gave us.
4. We should commit our whole self to become the
best we can be in every area. I Cor. 10:31: Do
ALL to the glory of God."

II. We are blessed so we can be a blessing
1. Genesis 12:2: "I will make you into a great
nation. I will bless you and make you famous,
and you will be a blessing to others."

III. Importance of Choices
1. All talents must be developed by discipline and
sacrifice.
2. We can choose to:
a. Waste what we are given (laziness)
b. Spend it on our self
c. Invest it for God and others
3. Only giving to God produces a great return and
fulfillment

Wisdom: "Real" Christians develop their talents; spiritual gifts and character to glorify God and bless others.

It's Time for a Reality Check!
Questions:

What gifts and talents do you have?

In what ways have you used them in ministry?

What is an area you feel passionate about?

How can you use that to serve God?

Is there any special training, etc., that you could take that could help you in those areas?

Is there something you want to do, but don't feel you have the abilities to do?

Is that something God has really put on your heart?

Suggestion: Talk to someone about the areas that you feel passionate about and brainstorm ways you could use those to serve Christ.

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Timothy Track

From Discipline to Character

I Timothy 4:7b-8: "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness -- Godliness is profitable for all things."

I. Discipline is only means to an end (such as
practicing for the Olympics -- "to win the prize",
Phil. 3:14)
a. "Flee from these things" (I Timothy 6:11)

(see verses 4, 5, 9 & 10)"
"Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander and evil sus-picions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."
*Use discipline of abstinence

b. "Pursue righteousness, etc." (v. 11);
*Use disciplines of engagement

II. Become Real -- Christlike -- is a continuous
journey; 2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent -- to be
approved by God"
a. Don't compare yourselves to other Christians
b. Measure yourself against Jesus

III. Godly Character Qualifies You for Leadership
2 Tomthy 2:2
a. "Flee youthful lusts"
b. Pursuit of disciplines leads to a pure heart

Deeper Wisdom: The journey to godly character is an exciting adventure when we keep our eye on the goal.