God's Heart for the Humbled (Part 1 - Joseph)

Here at Venture, we believe that God's heart is with the humbled.  He cares deeply for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed.  There are two main reasons God's heart is with the humbled: (1) He is compassionate beyond understanding and (2) He wants to make it clear to the world that when He does something it is Him doing it, not people.  So, we are going to take some time and take a tour of the Bible to see God's heart for the humbled.

One of the first times we see God's heart for the humbled is in the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50).  In this story, the second youngest of Jacob's twelve sons is made the favorite by his dad and hated by his brothers.  So his brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt where he is falsely accused of sleeping with his master's wife and thrown into prison.  He is a great example of someone who had been humbled.  It seemed as though his dreams would never come true and he was living in prison because of a false charge.

But, Scripture says that "the LORD was with Joseph" (Gen 39:2, 3, 21, 23).  And that was all Joseph needed.  How good is it to know that God is with the humbled?  We may work so hard to help them, and we are commanded too, but His presence with them is more than we could ever do. 

And, in Joseph's case, God's presence changed everything.  Because Joseph was made the number two ruler in all of Egypt and was used by God to save Egypt and the surrounding nations from a seven year famine.  Here we see God's heart for the humbled, that what the world may mean for evil, God intends to use for good (Gen 50:20).  He is with those who have been humbled, heartbroken, rejected, and thrown in prison.  And if His heart is for them, shouldn't ours?

Devlin McGuire
Venture Corps Chaplain
devlinmcguire.blogspot.com

Colossians 2: 2-9a

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.

Join Venture Corps in praying for Japan as they face the aftermath of the recent earthquake and tsunami.

Heavenly Father,
We pray that the people of Japan will see your glory and grace. We pray that your goodness would shine on them like a spotlight in this time of darkness. May their nation come together in these tragic events. We pray that in you they will find comfort and strength
In the beautiful name of Jesus,
Amen

Prayer

We thank you God for your love. We thank you for your sacrifice. We thank you for your love that rushes over us. Flood us with you, Lord. Teach us to follow you closely, Lord. May our hearts be one with yours. We thank you that you are beautiful and that only you make us beautiful too. We pray for freedom from sin and oppressors and for more love. May love be our first and only response. Be near and ever approaching.

Exposed

In a world where darkness is prominent and loneliness is eminent at some point in every life, Venture Corps has found this consolation: God has granted us the privilege of being vessels of light; casting out darkness and loneliness with his light. Every small and huge thing that God allows us to do lights the world a bit more. Every wall that’s built and bed that’s purchased brings heaven a bit closer as our God-given light shines in the midst of darkness. Ephesians five says this:

“6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Today, praise God for the light that he has granted you. Today, look for more ways to shine on those around you.

we’ve been quiet - that’s about to change

Venture Corps in the last few months has hit a lull, or so it seems. While we’ve had a busy first year plus some (check out the Venture Corps Timeline) our personal lives have been busy too. Many of us involved in Venture have had many life changing events occur including marriage, babies, change in regional residence, family trials, and all the other stuff that comes with life and time. But through all these things we’ve grown wiser, older, and even more impassioned.

We've been quiet, but that's definitly about to change.

We’re back, and we’re in it to finish - so we can get started!

This summer we will be completing the construction of the JCM* house, acquiring the appropriate papers to certify JCM* as a children’s home, inviting the children (orphans & street kids) to their new home, and starting programs for self-sustainability, project sponsorship, and community/child development. It’s exciting and really scary. But we’re Venture Corps and we’re ready for the next step of our venture.