WE'VE GOT A CRISIS. ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP?

A few weeks ago, our church started partnering with an organization I'm extremely passionate about, AZ 1:27.  AZ 1:27 partners with churches in the state of Arizona in equipping, encouraging and moving people to adopt and take in foster children.  This video was shown in my church a few weeks ago:


DirectorCarter-Video from Blinktank on Vimeo.

This video broke my heart in countless ways.  It is heart breaking, to me, that it has gotten to the point where government officials have to ask the church for help.  Personally, that is embarrassing.

14,000 children in the state of Arizona live in foster homes.  That number alone is humbling and makes us want to "do something."  But often that little whisper to "do something" turns into nothing and we continue on with our lives.  Our perfect, in-the-box, American Dream, comfortable, Christian lives.  Where we allow God to work on our hearts when we want, where life works in the time frame we want.  And to me, the fact that the government is reaching out to the church-goers of the state of Arizona is mind-boggling to me.  Insanity.

To me, James 1:27 is extremely clear.  "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."  It does not say "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction in Africa once in a lifetime."  It does not say "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction when we're ready."  It does not say "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to visit orphans and widows if God tells us to."  No.  It is plain and simple.  We are to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.  When?  All the time.  Where?  In Africa, in your community, through foster care, through adoption, whatever is the clear path for you.  This is what the Lord defines as religion, which means it should be as normal to us as praying and reading the Word.  

In comes our sermon yesterday.  Seriously worth the 30 minutes to sit down and watch this today if you are a follower of Christ. 


Foster Care & Adoption- from Redemption Gilbert on Vimeo.

"We need to be real careful when we say 'I can't afford to care for an orphan.'  Because what are we saying?  'I don't believe their Daddy is going to send the check.'  He's a Father to the Fatherless, and when we say we can't take an orphan into our home because of finances then we need to be clear about what we are saying:  'I believe God is a deadbeat dad who will not come through with the child support.'"

We have a crisis in America, and we have a crisis in the world.  Children are being left behind, and the Church is not following their call.  In fact, it is getting so bad that the Lord is using the government to push us to pure religion.  I must say, everyone talks about how if only the government would allow them to give them one piece of advice... well.  Here you go.  The government has asked for our help, are we willing to help?  The Lord has called you clearly.  Are you willing to help?  I promise you, in giving money, praying fervently, doing foster care, or adopting children, you are not only being praised by Jesus Christ Himself, but you will be blessed immensely.  You just wait and see.