I Climbed into the Trash Can - A Christmas Story

I Crawled into the Trash Can – A Christmas Story

Are you in a Christmas cleaning and decorating frenzy like me?  (I imagine you nodding your head up and down)  Sure!  We want our home to be comfortable and cozy, inspiring holiday warmth for our family and guests.  And for this we work and toil willingly.  Well, for the most part.  Unfortunately, that is exactly how I wound up crawling into the trash can.

 

As my holiday schedule expanded, I fell somewhat behind in my Christmas preparations.  The poinsettia that should have been carefully positioned at my front door looked remarkably like a rotted pumpkin.  Yes, the pumpkin I had hollowed and planted with flowers for Thanksgiving was now far from fresh.  In fact, it was oozing by my front door.  Not a pretty sight; a Martha Stewart no, no.

I went to work to resolve this holiday dilemma.  Scooping out the bright yellow and orange flowers from the pumpkin, I then placed them into a pot for the back yard.  Brian, my husband, was unanimously delegated by me to pick up the pumpkin and chuck it into the outdoor trash can.  Next was the intensive sweeping and cleaning away of soil, leaves and messy ooze that had accumulated on the front path. 

As I finally swooshed the very last dust pan full of debris into the large green outdoors trash can, in fell the dusting brush.  Can you say bummer?  I said, “Y U C K!”  I was half tempted to leave it there.  After all, it was old, soiled and of very little value.  Still, duty called.

At 5’-1”, it was impossible for me to bend down into the can to reach the bottom where the brush had landed.  Instead, I would have to lower the trash can down on its side and on to the ground, crawl inside, and grab the brush.  Simple enough I know.

But do you know what had previously been in that trash can; cut grass, palm fronds, no problem.  But let’s not forget the doggie doodie; lots and lots of doggie doodie!  And yet, inside I go to get the job done and make the world a better place for Christmas.

Strange as it may sound, at the moment I entered the trash can, the thought of Christ leaving perfect heaven and coming into this sin filled world, jarred my mind.  He was not too proud to climb into the filth I had created, reach in and pull me free.  In fact, in John 10:10 Jesus said:

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

I climbed into the filthy trash can as a small contribution to holiday cheer.  Holy Jesus entered this world, full of sin, to provide a change of destiny to any who would believe on Him. He is your escape from hell and your promise of heaven.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 

As His own creation, you are of great value to the heart of God.  You are neither too filthy nor used up, past or present, for Christ to reach out and save you from your sin.  All you need do is ask.

“Jesus, forgive me of all my sins.  Come into my heart and live.  Make Your home there.  Change me; rearrange me, according to Your will.  Thank you for forgiveness and my future home in heaven.  Now, help me live for You.  In Jesus name, amen."

Clean, bake, decorate; crawl into the trash can if necessary but remember the true meaning of Christmas; the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Camels Always Rest on their Knees

Camels Always Rest on their Knees

Are you tired and worn out from busyness and a crowed schedule?  Are you weary from the trials and challenges you face day to day?  Does it feel as though you are carrying an overload of weight on your shoulders and no one is available or willing to shoulder the weight with you?

Before you say, “that’s life!” consider the words of Jesus from Matthew 11:28-30,

28  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

The definition of rest from verse 28 is:

a)  To cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to

recover and collect his strength.

a)  To keep quiet.

b)  Of calm and patient expectation.

The definition of rest from verse 29 is:

a)  Intermission

b)  Cessation of any motion, business or labor

c)  Recreation

The illustration for rest from the Arabic is to kneel down as a camel.  Camels always rest on their knees.

As you read this excerpt from an older edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you.  What did you see?  How will you apply it?

The Camel

Of all carriages, camels are the cheapest and quickest. Each camel is loaded in proportion to his strength.  The large camels generally carry a thousand, or even twelve hundred pounds weight, and the smallest from six to seven hundred.

At the first signal, the camels will bend their knees and lie down to be loaded, which saves their conductor the trouble of raising the goods to a great height. As soon as they are loaded, they rife spontaneously and without any assistance. One of them is mounted by their conductor, who goes before, and regulates the march of all the followers.

The camel requires neither whip nor spur. But, when they begin to be tired their courage is supported, or rather their fatigue is charmed, by singing, or by the sound of some instrument. Their conductors take a turn at singing and, when they want to prolong the journey, they give the animals but one hour's rest upon their knees; after which, resuming their song, they proceed on their march for several hours more and the singing is continued till they arrive at another resting place, when the camels again lie down; and their loads, by unloosing the ropes, are allowed to glide off on each side of the animals. Thus they sleep on their bellies in the middle of their baggage, which, next morning is fixed on their backs with equal quickness and facility as it had been detached' the evening before.

What can we learn about rest from the camel?

A.                 Make Christ your Conductor

·    Let Him call you to labors, burdens and works.  Never take on what is not placed upon you by Him.  If you have, release it. 

·    Is the Lord leading you or have you gotten ahead? 

·    Is the Lord regulating your pace?  Don’t be fooled!  “A chicken with its head cut off” is not the standard speed of the Lord’s servants.

B.                 Rest is Found in Worship

·    Make your life, your work, your responsibilities an act of worship, accomplished for the Lord.  When what we do is truly done for Him that brings rest. 

·    Lifting your voice in song and praise when in the midst of troubles places your focus on your greatest strength and asset, the Lord.  That brings rest and the endurance to continue.

C.                Rest is Found in Prayer

·    Relinquishing control to God and asking for His power to be unleashed in your circumstances brings rest.

·    The Apostle James, the half-brother of Jesus, was actually nicknamed 'Old Camel Knees' because he was known as a man of prayer.  James learned to rest on his knees.  He wrote: James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 

Yes, Camels always rest on their knees. 

If you are weary today, fall to your knees and rest.

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

When delivering a large, beautiful pumpkin to my girlfriend a couple of days after Halloween, her neighbor asked inquisitively, “What’s the pumpkin for?  After all, Halloween was over.  I responded, THANKSGIVING!   “Oh yeah”, was his reply.

It breaks my heart that our culture seems to move from celebrating Halloween then straight on to Christmas.  What happened to Thanksgiving? 

Nearly four hundred years ago, a people desperate to freely worship God, left all they knew behind in order to seek a country where this freedom would be possible.  For this prospect and privilege, these courageous people we call “Pilgrims”, suffered losses and all manner of discomfort. 

Their first winter was devastating.  At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. Still, with determination, they worked with their hands in order to carve out a new life from a wild, nearly uncultivated land.

The first Thanksgiving celebrated the goodness of God for His provision of both freedom of worship and plentiful sustenance.  The Pilgrim’s gave God the glory along with their heartfelt gratitude for these provisions.  All of these years later, we continue to reap the benefits of the determination and single mindedness of the Pilgrim’s.  How?  We may freely worship the Lord our God. 

Have you made worshiping the Lord your determination this Thanksgiving?  Find a way to focus on the focus; giving God thanks.  Might I suggest compiling a list of personal points of gratitude to be shared around your Thanksgiving table?  Why not pray on your knees together, individually offering thanks?  Try singing a favorite hymn or praise song after prayer.   

After all, Thanksgiving is not merely turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie  but a religious remembrance of the freedom to worship God, and a giving of thanks for His provision day by day.

Let’s overcome the temptation to skip from Halloween and move straight on to Christmas.  Let’s pause to celebrate our worthy God on this worthy day called Thanksgiving.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Esther 6:1-2 Continued

Esther 6:1-2 Continued

1  That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to

     bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read

     before the king.

2  And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Big-thawn and Teh’- resh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus (Akh-ash-vay-rosh).

 

A.               The Records of Chronicles

In Eastern courts, there are scribes or officers whose duty it is to keep a journal of every occurrence worthy of notice. A book of this kind, abounding with anecdotes, is full of interest. It has been a custom with Eastern kings, in all ages, frequently to cause the annals of the kingdom to be read to them. It is resorted to, not merely as a pastime to while away the tedium of an hour, but as a source of instruction to the monarch, by reviewing the important incidents of his own life, as well as those of his ancestors.

A more instructive and interesting work could not be brought before the king; because the Persians composed these records in verse, and were generally the work of the most eminent poets of the empire.  They are written in this way to the present time.

I.     God Records

The Lord God keeps annals of every person and his every act in life. 

Psalms 56:8  You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

Psalm 33:13-15

13  From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14  from his dwelling-place he watches all who live on earth—

15  he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Psalm 11:4  The LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

Proverbs 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Isaiah 29:15  Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?"

• One day, these records will be read and judgments will be dispensed; some for honor and some dishonor.  And with these records God will judge mankind with perfect justice.  He will judge all of the sin of man and if that sin is not covered by propitiation the punishment will be eternal death which is hell.

1Corinthians. 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

1Peter 4:5  Man will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4

4   Indeed your former companions may think it very strange that you no longer join with them in their riotous excesses, and accordingly say all sorts of abusive things about you.

5  They are the ones who will have to answer for their behavior before the One who is prepared to judge all men, living or dead.

Revelation 20:15  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

• How did mankind fall into estrangement or separation from God?  Sin.  Sin separates man from holy God, making it possible for an approach.   How did God reach out to all of mankind to restore its estrangement to Himself?  Propitiation.

What is propitiation:  A blood sacrifice provided through God’s love to remove the estrangement of a sinner to Himself.  How, by covering sin with His own righteousness thereby turning God’s wrath away from the sinner and drawing him close.

• Have you ever experienced an estrangement; a separation or division in a relationship that was very dear to you?  I have – twice – and my heart physically ached inside.  With an earnest desire to repair the rift, each time I cried out and reached out in hope of a response that would result in restoration.

• I can only imagine the deep yearning of the heart of God who longs to bring each person (you) out of estrangement and into a close relationship with Himself.   

• Have you believed in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the only means of forgiveness of your sins?  In that day, what will the record show?

 

Esther 6:1-2 Part 1

Esther 6:1-2  Part1

I.     Reading the Book of Records

1  That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to

     bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read

     before the king.

2  And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

A.               Providence of God’s Timing

It is said that 6 years had past since Mordecai’s honorable actions saved the king’s life but the deferment of his reward once again reflects upon the providence of God and His timing for the utmost good of mankind.  And further, when God might be more glorified in the preservation of his people or destruction of their enemies.

a.             God’s glory should be paramount to every Christian.  It is certainly paramount to God.   Why? Reason number one is simply because HE IS GLORIOUS; the awe of His person, His achievements, His beauty that inspires feelings of wonder or joy, His worthiness of praise.  Reason number 2 is that He might draw mankind into His eternal salvation.  Consequently, at times, He uses our lives to bring Him glory.

Spurgeon:  The salvation of men is a grand aim, but it must always be in subordination to the glory of the Lord, that his arm may be revealed, and that all flesh may see.

b.             We can see the providence and glory of God in the story of Lazarus.   See John 11:3-7

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, lay sick.  Therefore the sisters sent a message to Jesus, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

4  When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of  God may be glorified through it."  

5  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

6  So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

                7  Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

c.             Stayed two more days!  Stayed two more days!  How could Jesus turn away from this urgent need?  Surely NOW was the time to act.

Have you ever felt this way?  Have you ever cried to the Lord with a similar complaint?  I need an answer NOW!  Hasten Your reply and its results!  But God’s providential timing is perfect for meeting your need and more importantly, magnifying His glory.

What Happened to Lazarus?  After four days in the tomb, Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus.  John 11:45 says that: Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. God’s providence, God’s Glory!

David stated in confidence of God, Ps 31:15 My times (my experiences, perpetual fortune, continuing future) are in your hands!

Spurgeon:  What becomes of us is of small consequence compared with bringing glory to His great name.

d.                Ask Yourself: 

·    Will you accept and even receive comforted by the fact that God’s timing for YOU is perfect?

·    Are you willing for the Lord to use you and your present circumstances until it will bring Him the most glory?

My Times are in Your Hands

One of my dear friends received several pieces of bad news today; one worst than the next.  Have you ever felt like your life was falling to pieces all in a few short hours?  Christians, in times like these we must steady ourselves and look to the strength and hope we have in the perfect character of our God.  His love never fails!

When King David was pressed with serious troubles and enemies threatening him all around, he stated in confidence of God:  My times (my experiences, perpetual fortune, and continuing future) are in Your hands! Psalm 31:15

Being "handled" by God is the sweetest privilege in this life.  Let Him have His glory in your circumstance and He will see you through.

Looking UpWORD,

Venita 

UpWORD Call Minsitries Mission Statement

 Mission Statement

UpWORD Call Ministries exists to inspire and promote passion for and intimacy with Jesus Christ through the teaching and study of God’s Word.  Our aim is to assist in the advancement of spiritual maturity, a deepened commitment to Christ, and the spiritual and practical equipping of believers in their personal walks and service to the Lord. 

Also central to this mission is the preaching of the Gospel to the unsaved.  We recognize the admonition of our Lord to proclaim the Good News and endeavor to do so with a sense of urgency in these last days.

Specialized Fields

Retreat & Conference Teaching

Leadership Training

Teaching on Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Leading of Afterglows

Women Approved (Course on How to Study Inductively)

Inductive Homework Lessons

The Beginning....

Christopher Columbus Said, "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore".  Stepping down from my 5-1/2 year position as Bible Study Coordinator for Revival Christian Fellowship, letting go of doing what I have been doing for over 20 years in total, to do something new and unsure was for me an act of faith.

It has been a long time dream of mine to write books which reflect my teaching style in order to minister, challenge, and encourage others to pursue hard after the Lord.  But, I would certainly not take on this endeavor without the Lord’s definite leading.  A real stirring for writing and beginning the work began to build in my heart over a year ago. It felt as though the Lord were cornering me with the challenge to BELIEVE in the unseen; the work of His Spirit to accomplish the impossible.  He can do what is impossible if He wills.  All I have to do is let go and let Him.   

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I will document some of the steps that have brought me to where I am now with an upstart ministry called upWORD Call Ministries and share what the Lord is doing currently as well.  But, my greatest desire for this blog is to provide short, inspiring, biblical devotions which include practical helps all in my straight shooting style.  After all, being a Christian it is an upward climb and we all need a leg up from time to time!  I pray the devotions will be that for many of you.

 

Until next time…

Keep moving upWORD!

Ministry Launch

Coming Thursday, Oct. 28th, my new blog launch for UPWORD Call Ministries.  I plan to share devotions and look at scripture in light of walking committed and zealous for the Lord.  Further, I intend to detail the progression of this ministry launch as the Lord makes it all He wants it to be.  For the ministry vision and its start up details, join me Thursday!!!

I hope you will be blessed and encouraged as you follow me in this venture of faith and invite your friends to join along as well.

Moving UPWORD!
Venita

(1) Venita page (Upwordcall) on Twitter

(1) Venita page (Upwordcall) on Twitter