"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion 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." James 1:26,27
Here we find some words often repeated by people who attempt to justify themselves before God based upon their works. I cannot number how many people have told me that because they help people, they are right before God. But on the other hand, I cannot number how many people have told me that because they don't do things the way the world does them, they are right before God.
If we are really honest with ourselves, we rather like to sticking to one thing or the other. We like that if we just help people out just enough, it eases our conscience just enough that we can sleep at night. Or, we like that if our lives have become different from the world in some way, then in some way we feel 'ok' in our religion.
The truth of the matter is this: relying merely upon personal holiness or our love for our fellow man is not pure religion - in fact, you can have a measure of both of the above and never come to true and saving faith. I pray that each person reading this post might know what is true and saving faith.
However, when I, as a Christian, come to this text in the book of James, I cannot simply shrugg my shoulders and walk away. Dear friends, if the Spirit of Christ is dwelling in your heart, then you cannot ignore His Word in regard to helping the helpless! The very heart behind loving orphans is because God, our Father, has adopted us and made us His own. The very reason behind helping the helpless is because God, in His infinite mercy helps us when we are helpless. Oh that the heart of God might be mightily seen in His Church!
All of the above is an introduction to an opportunity with which we have been blessed. As you have seen in past blog posts, we have been working with Simon in getting an orphanage up and running. God willing, in January the children are going to be moving in. In Kenya, there is an unmet need in regards to orphans. Due to the post election violence in 2007, there are many children who lost one or both of their parents. This problem is only added to the increase of AIDs fatalities in East Africa. There are many children without parents and without hope in this nation.
Just last week, a widow in Kijabe died from HIV / AIDs. She left behind 3 children: a 13 year old, a 12 year old, and a 6 year old. Both of the older children are in boarding school and are being taken care of, however, the 6 year old was left with an extended family who is unable to provide for him.
This is George Njau:
In January, he will be moving just outside of Naivasha, into the orphanage with which we have been working. God has provided a sponsor for George. But there are thousands children just like him who could move into the orphanage, but they lack someone to help sponsor them. The orphanage is looking for people who are willing to sponsor a child for $40 per month - this will cover all of their expenses: food, uniforms for school, education, shoes, books, housing, etc.
God is a Father to the fatherless! We thank God for all that He is doing! Let us not forget that we are the body of Christ, we are His hands and feet. God is a Father to the fatherless through you!
Here we find some words often repeated by people who attempt to justify themselves before God based upon their works. I cannot number how many people have told me that because they help people, they are right before God. But on the other hand, I cannot number how many people have told me that because they don't do things the way the world does them, they are right before God.
If we are really honest with ourselves, we rather like to sticking to one thing or the other. We like that if we just help people out just enough, it eases our conscience just enough that we can sleep at night. Or, we like that if our lives have become different from the world in some way, then in some way we feel 'ok' in our religion.
The truth of the matter is this: relying merely upon personal holiness or our love for our fellow man is not pure religion - in fact, you can have a measure of both of the above and never come to true and saving faith. I pray that each person reading this post might know what is true and saving faith.
However, when I, as a Christian, come to this text in the book of James, I cannot simply shrugg my shoulders and walk away. Dear friends, if the Spirit of Christ is dwelling in your heart, then you cannot ignore His Word in regard to helping the helpless! The very heart behind loving orphans is because God, our Father, has adopted us and made us His own. The very reason behind helping the helpless is because God, in His infinite mercy helps us when we are helpless. Oh that the heart of God might be mightily seen in His Church!
All of the above is an introduction to an opportunity with which we have been blessed. As you have seen in past blog posts, we have been working with Simon in getting an orphanage up and running. God willing, in January the children are going to be moving in. In Kenya, there is an unmet need in regards to orphans. Due to the post election violence in 2007, there are many children who lost one or both of their parents. This problem is only added to the increase of AIDs fatalities in East Africa. There are many children without parents and without hope in this nation.
Just last week, a widow in Kijabe died from HIV / AIDs. She left behind 3 children: a 13 year old, a 12 year old, and a 6 year old. Both of the older children are in boarding school and are being taken care of, however, the 6 year old was left with an extended family who is unable to provide for him.
This is George Njau:
In January, he will be moving just outside of Naivasha, into the orphanage with which we have been working. God has provided a sponsor for George. But there are thousands children just like him who could move into the orphanage, but they lack someone to help sponsor them. The orphanage is looking for people who are willing to sponsor a child for $40 per month - this will cover all of their expenses: food, uniforms for school, education, shoes, books, housing, etc.
God is a Father to the fatherless! We thank God for all that He is doing! Let us not forget that we are the body of Christ, we are His hands and feet. God is a Father to the fatherless through you!
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