Pure Religion. What is it? Going to church on Sunday? Listening to Christian music? Obeying a bunch of do's and don'ts? Being good? I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you none of that is pure religion.
I've been doing a study in the book of James the past few months which has been life-changing. If you're interested in a step-on-your-toes, in-your- face type of study, head to James; he doesn't disappoint.
Here's what God says pure religion is: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
Look after the orphans and widows, look after the orphans and widows...was I doing that? No. Not even a little. I was crushed. Do you know how many times in the Bible God tells-not asks-us to look after the poor, the oppressed, the widows, orphans and prisoners? I don't think my dropping off a few bags of clothes to the Goodwill was going to cut it for this one. I was sick. Panicked. Then I bought a book called "Orphan Justice". Ever heard of it? Holy Moly. Between this book and the book of James I was a wreck.
Here's what I came across next, "Show me your faith without deed, and I will show you my faith by what I do...You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did." James 2: 18, 22.
That was it. God had spoken. I was to do something. Do being the key word. It all came back to faith in action. I can't claim something and then not act on it. I can't claim to love my husband but never show him. I can't claim to be a teacher, but never prepare lessons and actually teach. I can't claim to be a Christian but not have faith in Jesus Christ and then ACT ON IT. Actions don't save us...good deeds don't get us to Heaven. Right and right. However, if we are saved then our "works will reveal that we are redeemed". We should be compelled to do something.
For me this doing is orphans. For you, it may be something else. However it should be something. We should all be doing something. So, I write this blog in search of help, not judgment. Please-(saracastic eye-roll here) I've been giving clothes to Goodwill as my service for years with the intentions of cleaning out my closet-not helping someone. Sigh. Not judgment. I ask for your heart and your help.
God's given me a passion for children who don't have a voice in our world; the lost, the hungry, the helpless. They need help.
Interested? Then maybe you can think about becoming a child sponsor through World Vision. I've recently become a Child Ambassador through this awesome organization. That basically means my job is to partner children with sponsors.
Here's how:
1. Choose a child. Here is my link to children who are currently in need of a sponsor:
http://tiny.cc/worldvision4392
Find a child, country, age, gender that fits you.
2. Sign-up. It's $35 a month. For me it's a few less stops to Sheetz for my caffeine...which I now just finagle Sheetz money out of my husband.
3. In 7-10 days of World Vision receiving your info you will receive a Welcome Kit which will tell you how to make the most of this experience.
You will receive a letter from your child within 6 weeks and continued correspondence throughout your sponsorship.
4. You can (but aren't obligated) write letters, send pictures and even small gifts (stickers, pencils, etc.).
5. Your money partners with other sponsors' money and goes toward clean water, education, medical care, and the development of their village so they become self-sufficient and no longer need support from the outside.
Consider it! Look through the pictures and read the information on the World Vision link below. You will literally change the life of a child through this partnership. And through this...it will change yours.
There are so many ways to put our faith in action. This is what I feel called to do. If you're interested in more information please e-mail me at leavaverchak@gmail.com.
I've only given you the basics. You can learn more at:
http://tiny.cc/worldvision4392
Lea :)
I've been doing a study in the book of James the past few months which has been life-changing. If you're interested in a step-on-your-toes, in-your- face type of study, head to James; he doesn't disappoint.
Here's what God says pure religion is: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
Look after the orphans and widows, look after the orphans and widows...was I doing that? No. Not even a little. I was crushed. Do you know how many times in the Bible God tells-not asks-us to look after the poor, the oppressed, the widows, orphans and prisoners? I don't think my dropping off a few bags of clothes to the Goodwill was going to cut it for this one. I was sick. Panicked. Then I bought a book called "Orphan Justice". Ever heard of it? Holy Moly. Between this book and the book of James I was a wreck.
Here's what I came across next, "Show me your faith without deed, and I will show you my faith by what I do...You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did." James 2: 18, 22.
That was it. God had spoken. I was to do something. Do being the key word. It all came back to faith in action. I can't claim something and then not act on it. I can't claim to love my husband but never show him. I can't claim to be a teacher, but never prepare lessons and actually teach. I can't claim to be a Christian but not have faith in Jesus Christ and then ACT ON IT. Actions don't save us...good deeds don't get us to Heaven. Right and right. However, if we are saved then our "works will reveal that we are redeemed". We should be compelled to do something.
For me this doing is orphans. For you, it may be something else. However it should be something. We should all be doing something. So, I write this blog in search of help, not judgment. Please-(saracastic eye-roll here) I've been giving clothes to Goodwill as my service for years with the intentions of cleaning out my closet-not helping someone. Sigh. Not judgment. I ask for your heart and your help.
God's given me a passion for children who don't have a voice in our world; the lost, the hungry, the helpless. They need help.
Interested? Then maybe you can think about becoming a child sponsor through World Vision. I've recently become a Child Ambassador through this awesome organization. That basically means my job is to partner children with sponsors.
Here's how:
1. Choose a child. Here is my link to children who are currently in need of a sponsor:
http://tiny.cc/worldvision4392
Find a child, country, age, gender that fits you.
2. Sign-up. It's $35 a month. For me it's a few less stops to Sheetz for my caffeine...which I now just finagle Sheetz money out of my husband.
3. In 7-10 days of World Vision receiving your info you will receive a Welcome Kit which will tell you how to make the most of this experience.
You will receive a letter from your child within 6 weeks and continued correspondence throughout your sponsorship.
4. You can (but aren't obligated) write letters, send pictures and even small gifts (stickers, pencils, etc.).
5. Your money partners with other sponsors' money and goes toward clean water, education, medical care, and the development of their village so they become self-sufficient and no longer need support from the outside.
Consider it! Look through the pictures and read the information on the World Vision link below. You will literally change the life of a child through this partnership. And through this...it will change yours.
There are so many ways to put our faith in action. This is what I feel called to do. If you're interested in more information please e-mail me at leavaverchak@gmail.com.
I've only given you the basics. You can learn more at:
http://tiny.cc/worldvision4392
Lea :)