James 1:27 says, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.”
John 14:18 says, “No, I will not abandon you as orphans–I will come to you.”
Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ “
Galatians 4:4-7 says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
The command is simple and straightforward – – take care of orphans. But the facts are even more straightforward – – the Christian church has not done a great job. Christians are missing something when the “coolest” thing about adoption right now is that celebrities are the ones adopting.
Adoption is the heart of God. If it were not for adoption, we would not be saved. We were not in relationship with the Lord because we sinned in the garden of Eden. But thanks to God for sending his Son to die on the cross, we have now been adopted to become sons, no HEIRS as the scripture points out, of God.
November is Adoption Awareness Month and that is what what we need to be doing – – bringing awareness to an issue that Christians long ago started ignoring. November 8th is Orphan Sunday. Here is one way you can learn more and teach others more about God’s heart for orphans and adoption.
Here is a little from the website:
On Orphan Sunday, Christians stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress.
From many sources, one voice. Hundreds of events across America and beyond, all sharing a single goal: that God’s great love for the orphan will find echo in our lives as well.
Each as they are led. Sermons and small groups, concerts and prayer gatherings—each rousing believers with God’s call to care for the orphan…and what we can do in response.
November 8, 2009. Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to rouse church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan.
In California, it will be live @ 2pm (check out the website for the link to watch over high speed internet). We would encourage you to gather some friends and family and watch – – and allow the Lord to speak to you and see what you are supposed to do to support orphans and adoption. We think you might be surprised with how the Lord wants to work in your life!
