Boundless God: Love, Welcome, and Forgiveness at Camp Palisades

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Immeasurable Goodness in Creation

From the very beginning, God’s goodness is revealed in the act of creation, where He brings order, beauty, and life out of chaos. Humanity is given a unique connection to creation and to God Himself, entrusted with the responsibility to care for the world and to recognize the boundless goodness that surrounds us. Even when life feels disordered or overwhelming, God’s creative power and goodness remain present, inviting us to see His hand at work in every detail of our lives and in the world around us. [42:44]

Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31 (NIV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Reflection: Where do you see God’s goodness in creation today, and how can you intentionally care for and celebrate that goodness in your daily life?

Day 2: God’s Love Beyond Measure

God’s love is limitless and inclusive, offered to all people regardless of background, status, or past mistakes. Through Jesus, God’s love is not a condemning force but a saving one, reaching out to everyone with the promise of eternal life. This love breaks down barriers and invites us to see ourselves and others not by our failures, but by the grace that God freely gives, calling us to live out that same boundless love in our relationships. [46:36]

John 3:11-17 (NIV)
11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God’s non-condemning, boundless love through you today, and what is one specific way you can show it?

Day 3: God’s Welcome Without Borders

God’s welcome is for all, tearing down the walls and fences that humans build to separate and exclude. In Christ, we are no longer strangers or outsiders but are made fellow citizens and members of God’s household, called to extend that same radical welcome to others. When we gather in true community, we reflect God’s heart by including those who are different, breaking down barriers of denomination, background, or belief, and serving together in unity. [50:42]

Ephesians 2:11-22 (NIV)
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Reflection: Is there someone you have unintentionally excluded or kept at a distance? How can you take a step to welcome them into your community or circle this week?

Day 4: God’s Forgiveness That Restores

God’s forgiveness is abundant and always available, restoring those who have wandered far and welcoming them back with open arms. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God waits and watches for our return, not with condemnation or lectures, but with compassion, celebration, and full restoration to beloved status. No matter how far we have strayed or how unworthy we may feel, God’s forgiveness reclaims us as His children and invites us to extend that same grace to others. [54:24]

Luke 15:11-24 (NIV)
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to accept God’s forgiveness or offer it to someone else? What would it look like to take a step toward restoration today?

Day 5: Reflecting God’s Boundless Attributes to the World

We are called to reflect God’s goodness, love, welcome, and forgiveness to a hurting world, becoming beacons of hope and light in our communities. Even with our flaws and failures, God’s grace empowers us to share His boundless attributes with others, breaking down barriers and offering hope where there is darkness. As we go about our daily lives, we have the opportunity to be a blessing, giving others a reason to believe in God’s love through our actions and presence. [56:48]

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can reflect God’s goodness, love, welcome, or forgiveness to someone in your life or community this week?

Sermon Summary

After a season of travel, camp, and community gatherings, it is a joy to be together again, sharing in the blessings of fellowship, good food, and the presence of God. These past weeks have been filled with opportunities to serve, to celebrate, and to witness God’s hand at work—whether at our men’s breakfast, the humanitarian dinner, or the summer sessions at Camp Palisades. Each of these moments reminds us that church is not just a building, but a living community where we lift each other up in times of need and rejoice together in times of joy.

At Camp Palisades, we explored the theme “Boundless: God Beyond Measure,” focusing on four limitless attributes of God—goodness, love, welcome, and forgiveness. Through scripture, conversation, and shared experience, we saw how God’s goodness brings order and beauty out of chaos, how His love is offered freely to all, and how His welcome tears down the fences we so often build to keep others out. The story of Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3 reminded us that God’s love is not reserved for the privileged or the righteous, but is given so that all might have eternal life. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save—a truth that challenges us to reflect His grace rather than judgment.

We also reflected on Paul’s words in Ephesians, which call us to remember that we were once outsiders, now made members of God’s household. This radical welcome is not just a theological idea, but a call to action: to break down barriers, to invite others in, and to serve side by side, as we did at the humanitarian dinner. Finally, the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 brought home the message of forgiveness beyond measure. The father’s open arms, his refusal to condemn, and his restoration of his son’s place in the family reveal the heart of God—a heart that waits, watches, and welcomes us home, no matter how far we have wandered.

As we go from here, the challenge is clear: will we build fences, or will we reflect the boundless love, goodness, welcome, and forgiveness of God? Even with our flaws and failures, God’s arms remain open, and we are called to be a source of hope and light in a divided and hurting world.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Love Is Without Boundaries God’s love is not limited by our backgrounds, failures, or social status. It is a love that seeks out the lost, welcomes the outsider, and offers eternal life to all who believe. This challenges us to examine the ways we might restrict love and to open our hearts to those we might otherwise overlook. [46:36]
2. We Are Called to Radical Welcome Paul’s reminder that we were once strangers calls us to extend true hospitality, breaking down the fences—literal and figurative—that separate us from others. Welcoming others is not just about being polite; it is about embodying the inclusive heart of God, who makes all people members of His household. [49:06]
3. Forgiveness Restores, Not Condemns The father in the parable of the prodigal son does not demand repayment or offer condemnation, but restores his son’s place with compassion and celebration. God’s forgiveness is not transactional; it is a gift that restores our identity and belonging, inviting us to extend the same grace to others. [54:24]
4. Our Lives Reflect God’s Boundless Nature We are called to reflect God’s goodness, love, welcome, and forgiveness in our daily lives. Even with our imperfections, we can be beacons of hope, showing others the character of God through our actions and attitudes. This is not always easy, but it is the calling and privilege of those who have experienced God’s boundless grace. [56:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:28] - Community Updates and Announcements
[31:57] - Upcoming Conversation Series on Peace
[33:37] - Prayers for Our Church Family
[36:06] - Prayers for the World and Leaders
[37:28] - Reflections on Returning Home
[39:05] - Celebrating Fellowship and Service
[41:28] - Camp Palisades: A Ministry Overview
[42:44] - Exploring “Boundless” at Camp
[44:51] - God’s Love Beyond Measure (John 3)
[46:36] - Jesus Came to Save, Not Condemn
[49:06] - God’s Welcome Beyond Measure (Ephesians 2)
[50:42] - Breaking Down Fences in Community
[52:10] - God’s Forgiveness Beyond Measure (Luke 15)
[54:24] - The Father’s Compassion and Restoration
[56:48] - Living Out God’s Boundless Love
[57:54] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[59:35] - Campfire Song and Benediction
[61:12] - Reflections on Camp Worship
[64:41] - Final Blessing and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-2, 31 (NIV) — > In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

John 3:11-17 (NIV) — > Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Ephesians 2:11-22 (NIV) — > Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision”... remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ... Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household...

Luke 15:11-24 (NIV) — > Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them... But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him... For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Observation Questions

In John 3:16-17, what does Jesus say is the reason God sent him into the world? How does this contrast with what some people expect from God? ([46:36])
According to Ephesians 2, what were believers before they were brought into God’s family, and what are they now? ([49:06])
In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), what actions does the father take when his son returns home? What does he not do? ([54:24])
The sermon described several events (like the humanitarian dinner and camp) where people from different backgrounds came together. What was the purpose of these gatherings? ([39:05])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “God’s love is not reserved for the privileged or the righteous, but is given so that all might have eternal life.” Why is this message so important for both insiders and outsiders in the church? ([46:36])
Paul reminds the Ephesians that they were once outsiders. How might remembering our own “outsider” status change the way we treat others who are new or different in our community? ([49:06])
The father in the prodigal son story doesn’t demand repayment or punishment. What does this teach us about the nature of God’s forgiveness, and how does it challenge our own attitudes toward those who have hurt us? ([54:24])
The sermon asks, “Will we build fences, or will we reflect the boundless love, goodness, welcome, and forgiveness of God?” What are some “fences” that churches or individuals might build, and why? ([56:48])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “reflect the boundless love, goodness, welcome, and forgiveness of God.” Think of a recent situation where you had the choice to either build a fence or open your arms to someone. What did you do, and what would you do differently now? ([56:48])
Are there people in your life or community that you find hard to welcome or forgive? What is one practical step you could take this week to break down a “fence” between you and them? ([49:06])
The father in the parable was watching and waiting for his son to return. Is there someone you need to be more patient with, or someone you need to reach out to with compassion, even if they have hurt or disappointed you? ([54:24])
The sermon mentioned that God’s love is not limited by our backgrounds, failures, or social status. Are there ways you have limited your love for others based on their background or past? How can you change that? ([46:36])
At the humanitarian dinner, people from different churches and backgrounds came together to serve. What is one way you can join with others in your community to serve those in need, even if they are different from you? ([39:05])
The sermon said, “Even with our flaws and failures, God’s arms remain open.” How does knowing this affect the way you see yourself and your own mistakes? How can you extend that same grace to others? ([57:54])
The theme at camp was “Boundless: God Beyond Measure.” What is one area of your life where you need to trust more in God’s boundless goodness or love? What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area this week? ([42:44])

Sermon Clips

But all of the work and all of the people it takes to make camp, it's not just for those whitewater adventures. The work that happens at camp is special because it's impactful and it's eternal. We see lives changed and we see hearts that are filled with hope. This year our theme for Camp Palisades was boundless God beyond measure and each day we explore a different attribute of God that is truly limitless. [00:42:36] (35 seconds) #EternalImpact

Where there is no order, God created design and function. Where there is chaos, God created beauty and life. The second day we focus on God's love beyond measure and that's where our scripture reading for today came from John chapter 3 verses 11 to 17 and within the context of that reading we know that this is Jesus speaking directly to Nicodemus. Remember that the Pharisee, the Jewish leader who visited Jesus at night to avoid being seen by his fellow religious leaders. [00:44:04] (40 seconds) #CreationAndPurpose

This section of scripture, this response to that contains perhaps the most memorized and most cherished verse in all of the bible. John 3:16 brings a message of hope to all people regardless of established, regardless of their wealth or their social influence, regardless of where they were from or how they are, where they are. That love offers eternal life, is for anyone and everyone who chooses to believe. [00:46:05] (36 seconds) #LoveBeyondMeasure

But we didn't stop there because verse 17 reveals even more of Christ's purpose, his mission on earth and reveals then even more of the nature of God. God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. God didn't send his son to condemn the world but to save the world, a world marred by war and destruction, by greed and by power and corruption and by deceit. [00:46:41] (36 seconds) #HopeForEveryone

``When we want to judge, God wants us to welcome. When we want to close the door, God says to tear down the wall. When we want to say that your past or your sin defines who you are now, God says it's not your sin or your past that defines you but it's his grace that defines you. When we struggle to open our arms to welcome those who are different, God's been waiting the whole time with his arms outstretched. [00:48:28] (31 seconds) #GraceNotJudgment

We didn't need a minimum fence, we didn't need a Catholic fence, we didn't need LDS fence, we simply gathered to serve those in need around us. Our final day at camp brought these concepts together as we read from Luke chapter 15 about God's forgiveness that is beyond measure and this is a familiar text but one that I think continually reveals more and more about who God is. [00:50:50] (34 seconds) #FaithInAction

How else would he have seen his son from so far off if he wasn't intentionally watching for him? And that son having farted away everything and finding himself with literally nothing to his name came back ready to pay and to be a servant in his father's home but the father wasn't mad, he didn't have a lecture, he wasn't there to condemn or to judge but to call his son back. [00:54:32] (31 seconds) #WaitingWithOpenArms

He also talks about the meaning of the robe and the ring and that reading especially the symbol, the status. The father didn't require the son to do anything to regain his place in the family or as an heir and as a beloved and the father had his servants go and prepare the best meat for what was lost was found and what was dead was alive again and what a way to conclude camp. [00:55:03] (33 seconds) #UnconditionalLove

God's goodness and His love and welcome and forgiveness are not for us to measure. We're called to share those attributes with others, to reflect the light of love like God to all of creation and to be a beacon of hope in a hurting room. So what will you be this week? Will you build fences to keep others out, maybe creating a false sense of order or security? [00:56:34] (42 seconds) #NoMoreFences

There is something special about singing on the kids. Realize that bounteousness of God. And maybe for the first time in their lives, experience the flimsy. And for that, I am grateful. We're going to go ahead and close now. You have been given every good gift for proclaiming God's presence and God's love. And as you have been blessed, now go to be a blessing in God's name. [01:04:20] (49 seconds) #BeTheHope

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