Let nothing be done through selfish ambition

Philippians 2:1-4
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

This verses kinda stuck to my heart as I pondered about Youth camp this morning. A resounding, "let nothing be done through selfish ambition" plagued me, and reminded me the focus we should have about camps. Tempted as we are, to think camp IS for us, we are to remember we should do all to the glory of God, which certainly includes, CAMPS! Why would this verse surface, out of nowwhere, when I havent really touched the new testament letters for quite some time for reading, would be the thought of going in as group leader once again. And for many other youths, as servants of the living God. May we not be deceived to think camp as a platform to extol our greatness-- rather, a place to demostrate the very person of our Lord Jesus in our lives! and to God be the glory! "but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Thats the very Spirit we should have! Not just in camps, but developed in our lives. And guess why did Paul say that, "If there be any consolation in Christ, any comfort of love, ... "? The preceding verses of chapter one says, "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Paul was suffering, in chains. And his consolation was that the church would... what? "fulfill [his] joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind"! How often we've been distracted from this command, when we "let [everything] be done through selfish ambitions or conceit". The consolation of our sufferings is the thought of being able to serve with a same love, same mind and one accord, as Christians. The words of Jesus ring, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all". Through camp, may every human pride be humbled, and every greatness of our Lord be glorified and magnified! (:

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

As we busy ourselves this week and the next and even the next, in fact, as we busy serving the Lord with our lives, may the Words which rebuked Saul and explained by the prophet Hosea remind us that God ultimately desires a heart that loves God. You can do anything that seems worthy of even God's approval, but without a sincere love for God, but a motive like the Scribes and Pharisees, God is not moved. However, if our desire is to please the God we love, whatever we do will be sweet offering before the Lord! "... not just to serve, but to love Thee with all of our hearts!"

My prayer for this camp: That the God of Heavens will stir the hearts of His saints, send a revival into our hearts, and consecrate His children to be faithful servants for His kingdom! (: