The sermon was on part of the story of Ruth. He also used the verse James 1:27.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
The book of James. This is the book that God had me pour over when I was pregnant with Eliana. A book I studied not really sure what God was preparing me for. I didn't know I was heading into what would be the most difficult times of my life (to date). I'm encouraged at the ways He has used this book to remind me, prod me and comfort me.
OK, back to the sermon. The pastor described this as the heart of the gospel. This is pure religion - caring for orphans and widows. He went on to say that if you aren't caring for them, your faith is not real. A bold statement to be true. There are so many ways we can care for these who are so close to God's heart. The pastor also stated that genuine religion will lead you to love and sacrifice for those in need.
Adoption is such a beautiful picture of what God has done for us. Where would we be without Jesus? We would be lost and alone in our sins with no hope, no comfort and no healing. Yet, while we were still sinners, God sent His son to die for us and He adopted us into His family! Thank you God for doing this for me!
He shared a powerful story of a couple who was planning to adopt a child. When it became known late in the pregnancy that the child had significant birth defects and might not live long after birth, they were given a choice. As this couple prayed and sought God's will, there was a dream. In the dream, there was a massive football stadium filled with people. Loud and cheering people. One by one, babies were brought into the stadium - beautiful babies. "Who wants this one?" People would volunteer to come forward and take the child. This continued until a child was brought in that was not beautiful, but was ugly, deformed and scarred. "Who wants this one?" The crowd was silent and still. No one wanted this child. Finally standing up on the front row, Jesus walked forward and said "I want this one." Then she looked again at the child and got a closer look. She was surprised to see that the child no one seemed to want, was her. He stood up for her. He stood up for me. He stood up for you too!
He loves us just as we are - not because of who we are or what we have done. He loves us because of who He is - He is love.
An orphan ministry is being started at this church. That was another sweet thing to my heart and I've signed up to be involved. I know God has a plan for planting this passion in my heart and I want to be available to where He will have me help.
For those of you who have known me or read my blog for at least 6 months, you will remember Tonya. Beautiful Tonya.
She is an orphan with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe. I have loved and prayed for this sweet girl for 1.75 years. Yes, I remember when I started praying for her. God placed her on my heart. She has a precious family that is working hard so that they can hopefully go get her soon! They need help in meeting the financial challenges associated with international adoption. I'm planning on posting a give-away/drawing for two beautiful handmade scrapbooks. I'll post hopefully in the next day or two. I'm trying to figure out how to get a chip-in on my blog and as soon as that is ironed out, I'll post the details. Please be on the look-out and I hope you'll share it with your friends. This is one of many ways that we can show our love of God, by supporting this family in their adoption.
If you want to hear this sermon for yourself, you can find it here. It is entitled "I am Adopted" and the date is 6/4/2010
http://www.summitrdu.com/sermons
Please join me in praying for orphans. Lets all ask God where and how He wants us to serve orphans and widow. We know this is pleasing to Him.
Blessings
Leslie
Posts
Oh Leslie!!! How my heart overflows with emotions for you. How God is starting to give you a glimpse of His plan for you!!! All of your prayers, countless tears and feelings are begining to all make a bit of sense as God has such a purpose for you in His timing. Gives me goosebumps to know what He is up to. I am thrilled that you feel Him in such a real way now!
ReplyDeleteLove you sweet Leslie!
Kristina
It was an awesome sermon! It was another tug on my heart in a place that the Holy Spirit has been speaking to a lot lately. :) My heart & J's as well.
ReplyDeleteI am speachless from your post, I really enjoyed this as normal, and yes I too will pray for all Gods children... XOXO
ReplyDeleteI am praying with you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteKristin
Oh, Leslie, what you shared brought tears. The title started my tears and the dream the preacher shared just made them run faster. Fatherless..........these words touch my heart deep. There is so much promotion of Father's Day going on right now. They remind me of the absence of my beloved. They make me want to shout that my boys aren't fatherless, they just have two fathers in Heaven, God and their earthly daddy. My boys see it differently. They feel the void even greater. They know we are different from other families. They feel fatherless. Yet their ears prick up when they hear scripture on the fatherless. They tell me with excitement, "That's me, Mom!" and listen intently to what God's Word has to say.
ReplyDeleteI remember showing the boys the website and finding Tonya's picture and to see their little faces realize these children had no mom or dad and that others were trying to raise money to adopt them. I could see they felt a kinship with these orphans and it wouldn't surprise me if they adopt when they are adults.
I am so excited that an orphan ministry has started at the church. I feel you were called there "for such a time as this" kind of like the widows ministry the Lord has called me to. Thank you again for posting Tonya's sweet picture as a reminder to keep praying.
I love ya, girl, and am so glad that God is being very "vocal" to you right now. You are definately having a growth spurt:)
Many hugs,