How "Radical" is our Christian Sacrifice??

Hebrews 10: 32-36

³² But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³ sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴ For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.



If you have been following this blog, you may recall me mentioning the Bible Orphan Ministry.  Stephanie and I were blessed with the opportunity to spend time with them during our mission to Ukraine.  This is a group of brothers and sisters that many of us, I am certain, can learn from regarding Christian service.  They have faced many trials during their service; recently, they experienced a pretty large trial - you can read about it by going here. 

There is much more to this story, but I am not a liberty to share.  What I can say is that their recent trials have made me consider the passage above and others related to the topic of what Kingdom service is and how obedient am I with regard to what my Father in Heaven commands. 

Please visit their blog, and learn about how they serve the Lord.
Pray for them...
Donate to their Kingdom work...
Contact them and encourage them...


So, ask yourself, "How radical is my Christian sacrifice?"  Do not compare yourself to other Chrisitans; compare your service against what God commands.  I commend the following message to you.  Yes, it is 65 minutes long, but isn't being subjected to Truth worth every second? 

I place the video below, but you can also go here to view it




Hebrews 12:1-2

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

If You Were Mine Adoption Workshop

If you are what you consider to be an acceptable driving distance from Lancaster County, PA, and you want to learn more about adoption, then this is for you:

Greetings Everyone!

 

Please give prayerful consideration in helping us support the following event. How can you help?

 

(1) PRAY that the Lord would use this workshop to raise up His Children to serve His Kingdom with regard to the orphan.

 

(2) Consider the following questions, and consider attending this workshop (for those local to our home area)!

 

· Is adoption part of God's plan for your family?

· Do you know what God's Word says about Him being the Author of Adoption?

· What are God's expectations for His children (the Church) regarding care for the orphan/fatherless?

· What questions should you ask in choosing an adoption agency?

· What financing options are available?

· What paperwork is involved with the process?

· What can you expect once you bring your child(ren) home?

 

'If You Were Mine' is a DVD based workshop created by Hope for Orphans that explores the 8 basic steps of the adoption process.

 

Come join us for this two-day workshop as we explore what God wants us to do in response to His call to care for orphans. Through this biblical and practical video workshop, we’ll learn the processes, challenges, and joys of adoption. It’s a workshop you’ll not want to miss.

 

When:

Fri, 02/17/2012 - 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 8:30am - 4:15pm

 

Where:

Lancaster Evangelical Free Church (LEFC)

419 Pierson Road

Lititz, PA 17543

 

Friday check-in begins at 6:30 pm

Saturday check-in begins at 8:30 am (only necessary for families who did not check in on Friday evening)

 

For more information and to register, please go to:

http://www.team127.com/if-you-were-mine-workshop-2012

 

 

EE Mission Day 29 - "Trolls" or "Neighbors"

1 Peter 1:3-9 - Born Again to a Living Hope

 ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.



During this adoption mission (preparation, travel, and soon to be homecoming, Lord willing), we have been and will continue to be blessed with trials.  Relative to the trials other brothers and sisters face in this world, ours have been mild in comparison.  Yet, we are thankful for these trials, as they are ordained in order to draw us closer to our Father in Heaven...

One category of trial has to do with blogging.  I knew that when we decided to share our story (thoughts, feelings, convictions, events), it could potentially spark some comments that would communicate disagreement.  I am okay with that...

With that said, there is a category of commentators, known in the blogosphere as "trolls", that only seem to offer comments that appear to arise from malice; containing many errors of reason (i.e., logical fallacies).  So, why do I categorize these types of comments as a trial?  Well, one reason is that comments like these create temptation to pull out the stops in conjuring up a logically solid, emotionally charged counter-attack.

Well, you might say, what is wrong with that?  Well...


In Matthew 5, Jesus states the following:

Retaliation

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 5:9 Greek huioi; see Preface
2. Matthew 5:16 Or house. Let your light so shine before others that
3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts insert without cause
4. Matthew 5:22 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)
5. Matthew 5:22 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30
6. Matthew 5:26 Greek kodrantes, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
7. Matthew 5:37 Or the evil one
8. Matthew 5:40 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
9. Matthew 5:47 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

Cross references:

1. Matthew 5:1 : ch. 15:29
2. Matthew 5:1 : Luke 4:20
3. Matthew 5:2 : Ps. 78:2
4. Matthew 5:3 : For ver. 3-12, [Luke 6:20-23]
5. Matthew 5:3 : [Isa. 61:1; 66:2]
6. Matthew 5:3 : [Luke 12:32]
7. Matthew 5:4 : Isa. 61:2, 3; John 16:20; 2 Cor. 1:7; 7:10; Rev. 21:4; [James 4:9, 10]
8. Matthew 5:5 : Ps. 37:11
9. Matthew 5:5 : Ps. 37:11
10. Matthew 5:6 : Ps. 42:2; Isa. 55:1, 2; John 7:37
11. Matthew 5:6 : 2 Tim. 2:22; [ch. 6:33]
12. Matthew 5:7 : ch. 18:33; 25:34-36; Prov. 19:17; Luke 6:36; 2 Tim. 1:16; Heb. 6:10
13. Matthew 5:8 : Ps. 24:4; 2 Tim. 2:22; [1 Pet. 1:22]
14. Matthew 5:8 : Heb. 12:14; 1 John 3:2, 3; Rev. 22:4; [1 Cor. 13:12]
15. Matthew 5:9 : James 3:18
16. Matthew 5:9 : 1 John 3:1
17. Matthew 5:9 : Rom. 8:14
18. Matthew 5:10 : 2 Tim. 2:12; James 5:11; 1 Pet. 3:14
19. Matthew 5:10 : [See ver. 3 above]; [Luke 12:32]
20. Matthew 5:11 : Heb. 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:14
21. Matthew 5:11 : John 15:21
22. Matthew 5:12 : Acts 5:41; Rom. 5:3; 2 Cor. 12:10; Col. 1:11, 24; Heb. 10:34; James 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:13
23. Matthew 5:12 : See ch. 21:35
24. Matthew 5:13 : Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34
25. Matthew 5:14 : Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2:15; [John 8:12]
26. Matthew 5:15 : Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33
27. Matthew 5:16 : Philem. 6; 1 Pet. 2:12
28. Matthew 5:16 : John 15:8; 2 Cor. 9:13; Phil. 1:11; [ch. 9:8]
29. Matthew 5:17 : Rom. 3:31
30. Matthew 5:17 : ch. 7:12
31. Matthew 5:17 : [Rom. 10:4; 13:8; Gal. 3:24]
32. Matthew 5:18 : Luke 16:17; [ch. 24:35]
33. Matthew 5:19 : [1 Cor. 3:12-15]
34. Matthew 5:19 : [Gal. 3:10; James 2:10]
35. Matthew 5:19 : ch. 11:11; 18:1-4
36. Matthew 5:19 : ch. 11:11; 18:1-4
37. Matthew 5:20 : [Rom. 10:3; Phil. 3:9]
38. Matthew 5:20 : John 3:5
39. Matthew 5:21 : ver. 33; [ver. 27, 31, 38, 43]
40. Matthew 5:21 : Cited from Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17; [ch. 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 13:9; James 2:11]
41. Matthew 5:21 : [Deut. 16:18]
42. Matthew 5:22 : 1 John 3:15
43. Matthew 5:22 : [See ver. 21 above]; [Deut. 16:18]
44. Matthew 5:22 : ch. 18:9; Mark 9:43; James 3:6; [ver. 29]
45. Matthew 5:23 : [ch. 6:15; Mark 11:25]
46. Matthew 5:23 : ch. 8:4; 23:18
47. Matthew 5:25 : Luke 12:58, 59
48. Matthew 5:26 : [ch. 18:34, 35]
49. Matthew 5:27 : See ver. 21
50. Matthew 5:27 : Cited from Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18
51. Matthew 5:28 : Job 31:1; Prov. 6:25; [2 Sam. 11:2]
52. Matthew 5:29 : ch. 18:8, 9; Mark 9:43-48
53. Matthew 5:29 : [ch. 13:41; Luke 17:1]
54. Matthew 5:29 : ch. 10:28; 23:15, 33; Luke 12:5; [ver. 22]
55. Matthew 5:30 : [See ver. 29 above]; ch. 18:8, 9; Mark 9:43-48
56. Matthew 5:30 : [See ver. 29 above]; [ch. 13:41; Luke 17:1]
57. Matthew 5:30 : [See ver. 29 above]; ch. 10:28; 23:15, 33; Luke 12:5; [ver. 22]
58. Matthew 5:31 : [See ver. 27 above]; See ver. 21
59. Matthew 5:31 : ch. 19:7; Jer. 3:1; Cited from Deut. 24:1
60. Matthew 5:32 : ch. 19:9; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; [1 Cor. 7:10, 11]
61. Matthew 5:32 : Rom. 7:3
62. Matthew 5:33 : [See ver. 27 above]; See ver. 21
63. Matthew 5:33 : Lev. 19:12; 1 Tim. 1:10
64. Matthew 5:33 : Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21; Eccles. 5:4
65. Matthew 5:34 : James 5:12
66. Matthew 5:34 : ch. 23:22; Isa. 66:1; Acts 7:49; See Rev. 4:2
67. Matthew 5:35 : Ps. 48:2
68. Matthew 5:37 : [Prov. 10:19]
69. Matthew 5:38 : [See ver. 27 above]; See ver. 21
70. Matthew 5:38 : Cited from Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
71. Matthew 5:39 : 1 Pet. 2:23
72. Matthew 5:39 : For ver. 39-42, see Luke 6:29, 30; [Rom. 12:17]
73. Matthew 5:39 : ch. 26:67; Isa. 50:6; Lam. 3:30
74. Matthew 5:40 : [See ver. 39 above]; 1 Pet. 2:23
75. Matthew 5:41 : ch. 27:32
76. Matthew 5:42 : Ps. 37:21; Prov. 21:26
77. Matthew 5:42 : Deut. 15:8; Ps. 37:26; 112:5; Luke 6:34, 35
78. Matthew 5:43 : See ver. 21
79. Matthew 5:43 : Cited from Lev. 19:18; See ch. 19:19
80. Matthew 5:44 : Luke 6:27, 28; Rom. 12:20; [Ex. 23:4; Job 31:29, 30; Ps. 7:4]
81. Matthew 5:44 : Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; 2 Tim. 4:16; 1 Pet. 3:9
82. Matthew 5:45 : Luke 6:35; [Eph. 5:1; Phil. 2:15]
83. Matthew 5:45 : Acts 14:17
84. Matthew 5:46 : Luke 6:32
85. Matthew 5:47 : ch. 6:7, 32
86. Matthew 5:48 : [Luke 6:36]
87. Matthew 5:48 : ch. 19:21; 1 Cor. 2:6 (Gk.); Phil. 3:15 (Gk.); Col. 1:28; 4:12 (Gk.); James 1:4; 3:2; See Gen. 17:1
88. Matthew 5:48 : [Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15]

I praise the Lord for His Grace and Mercy in letting me ponder a little on just who these authors are.  I mean, they are human beings created in His image, that have a story to tell from their experiences.  If given a chance to interview these people, some of the questions I would ask would include, but not be limited to:

(1)  Why do we exist?

(2)  What is wrong with the world?

(3)  How is what's wrong with the world made right?

(4)  Do you believe in a god?  If so, tell me about your god.

(5)  Do you profess to be a Christian?  If so, share your testimony.  If not, tell me what you understand about Christianity and why you reject it.

(6)  Tell me about the experiences in your life (both the joyous and the painful) that have helped shape your view of the world.  For example, if you are against adoption, tell me what helped shape that position.

(7)  What do you think you know about me that suggests you can apply what you think or know about one family to my household?

(8)  How may I pray for you?

Colossians 4:2-6 - Further Instructions

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.



I am hopeful that this kind of dialog could exist.  I am not looking for compromise; I am looking to love my neighbor, in the name of Christ.  I know why I am in this world; yet understand why I am not to be of this world.

I am not looking for everyone to agree with or support what is stated on this blog.  I am not looking to bring glory to myself or anyone else.  I answer to Truth; which is found in His Word.

John 1 - The Word Became Flesh

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

EE Mission Day 9 - Fellowship with new friends

Back at the end of the summer, two families were here for adoption in the current region we are staying. During that time, I made contact with one of the families, and they were adopting from the same orphanage Gayle is located. These families were here several weeks and met some amazing people. This information was passed along to us, and we were blessed to meet and worship with these same brothers and sisters in Christ. In addition, we are also in the same region as the Eubanks (another Recee's Rainbow family). They joined us as well.

We attended worship at Calvary Chapel.  The pastor preached the sermon in Russian, and his wife translated it to English. It was refreshing and convicting.  One nice part of this chruch is that they preach from the Bible expositionally; book by book, verse by verse.

Also, a gentleman got up and talked about his recent experience of attending a new bible school. He talked about certain events and decisions that led him to the school, and also talked about some of the sacrifices/hardships. Much of what he was saying could be applied to any situation God calls us to. He mentioned that when God puts something on our heart we must respond by taking the next step. You can't just simply ignore it. God put adoption on our hearts, and gave us the courage to take that next step. We are now living that next step, Praise God!

After the service and time of fellowship, we decided to go out for a late lunch with one of the couples and a sweet young man that was in their care. Three of us walked and took the metro, and the remaining four went by car. I was excited to ride the metro, because this will save us a lot of money with our visits to the orphanage ($40 per day for driver vs. $1 per day for metro). We were so thankful for their time, and we enjoyed a meal at a local Mexican restaurant.

Pastor and other church leaders praying before the service

EE Mission Day 3 - A Very Special Visit

If you have been to this blog before, you may have noticed this button along the side:



Grab This!

I strongly encourage you to click on this to go to their blog.  Make time to read about their Kingdom work with orphans.  They bring the greatest gift to these children; the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Pray for them.  Consider donating to their work.  Send them a message of encouragement.

This past Monday, along with another adoptive family we had met up with, Stephanie and I met up with 4 members of the Bible Orphan Ministry team - Pastor Misha, Alla, Oksana, and Nadya.  What a Joy to meet fellow brothers and sisters from another country, and for it to seem as if we had known them for a long time.  What a testimony to God's gift of fellowship!  You can read their perspective of the day by going HERE

I hope we see them again; maybe with a team from our church going on a mission to help them with orphan care...

I had, and still have, alot to learn about true Christian fellowship.  The Lord provided this visit on Monday as a gift that I hope will leave an eternal impression.

Breaking Bread at a cafeteria serving authentic Ukrainian home cooking!

Brothers united in Christ!

Sisters united in Christ!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Orphan "Everyday"

Hebrews 13:8-16

⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ⁹Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. ¹⁰We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. ¹¹For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹²So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. ¹³Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. ¹⁴For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.


Posing a reflective question to the "man in the mirror" (i.e., me)...

Yesterday was "Orphan Sunday"; a day where the visible church turns its "spotlight" on the mission that is caring for the orphan/fatherless.

So, how does the 1-day "event" that is Orphan Sunday become part of our daily lifestyle?

Maybe I should go back and really, really ponder what Jesus means when He says "Follow Me"...

O.R.P.H.A.N. Ministry - Observing God's Word

Back on October 19th, I posted an introducing a vision for coordinating a ministry related to Orphan and Adoptive/Foster Family Care; using the acrostic O.R.P.H.A.N.  With this post, we'll take a look at:



Observing God's Truth regarding Adoption, the orphan, and His commands to the Church


WHY?  Let's see what the One, True, Living God reveals through His Word   

• God is the Author of Adoption

Romans 8:15 - ¹⁵For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Romans 8:23 - ²³And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 9:4 - ⁴They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.

Galatians 4:4-5 - ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Ephesians 1:3-6 - ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

• God Loves and Defends the Orphan

Deut 10:18 - ¹⁸ He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

Psalm 10:14 - ¹⁴But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
   that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
   you have been the helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 68:5-6 - ⁵ Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
   is God in his holy habitation.
⁶God settles the solitary in a home;
   he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
   but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Jeremiah 49:11 - ¹¹ Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive;
   and let your widows trust in me."

Hosea 14:3 - ³ Assyria shall not save us;
    we will not ride on horses;
and we will say no more, 'Our God,'
   to the work of our hands.
In you the orphan finds mercy."

Deut 24:17 - ¹⁷ "You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge,

Psalm 10:17-18 - ¹⁷O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
   you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
¹⁸to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
   so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 146:9 - ⁹ The LORD watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
   but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Proverbs 23:10-11 - ¹⁰ Do not move an ancient landmark
   or enter the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹for their Redeemer is strong;
   he will plead their cause against you.

• We are to love Our Neighbor

Matthew 22:36-40 - ³⁶"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" ³⁷And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Romans 13:8-10 - ⁸ Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁰Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Galatians 5:13-15 -  ¹³For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁵But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

James 2:8-9 - ⁸If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. ⁹But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

•  The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20 - ¹⁶Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

•  God Commands His people to care for the orphan

Deut 14:29 - ²⁹And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.

Deut 16:11 - ¹¹And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your towns, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, at the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell there.

Deut 16:14 - ¹⁴ You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns.

Deut 24:19-21 - ¹⁹ "When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. ²⁰When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. ²¹When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.

Deut 26:12-13 - ¹²"When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, ¹³then you shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.

Psalm 82:3 - ³ Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

Isaiah 1:17 - ¹⁷learn to do good;
seek justice,
   correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
   plead the widow’s cause.

Jeremiah 7:5-7 - ⁵"For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, ⁶if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, ⁷ then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

James 1:27 - ²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

•  God opposes those who would harm the orphan

Exodus 22:22-24 - ²² You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. ²³If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, ²⁴and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

Deut 27:19 - ¹⁹ "'Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

Jeremiah 5:28 - ²⁸ they have grown fat and sleek.
They know no bounds in deeds of evil;
    they judge not with justice
the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper,
   and they do not defend the rights of the needy.

Jeremiah 22:3 - ³Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Zechariah 7:10 - ¹⁰ do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart."

Malachi 3:5 -  ⁵"Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

HOW can we observe God's Word?

• Reading, studying, and applying Scripture

• By sitting under preaching and teaching that reveals God’s heart for the orphan and fatherless.  

• Forming and/or participating in Bible Study/Small Groups that address the orphan crisis and our command to care for the orphan

• Resources related to the Doctrine of Adoption and application within the context of the Great Commission

Have any other ideas or examples to add?  Please consider leaving a comment.