Follow Me or We Must Do More

 My title for today's blog  is “Follow Me” or “We Must Do More”. (Kind of reminds me of the old Rocky and Bullwinkle show.) I believe we are at a turning point in Christianity. Christ is coming soon. As the last day draws nearer, we must do more. To do that we must follow Christ.

John 21:15-23
¹⁵ After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?^[a]”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
¹⁶ Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
¹⁷ A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
¹⁸ “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others^[b] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
²⁰ Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” ²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
²² Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” ²³ So the rumor spread among the community of believers^[c] that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

There are  three things that Christ calls Peter to. These are things He also calls us to.
First, Jesus calls for the care of his flock. This passage opens up with Christ asking Peter if he loves Him. Three times he asks, three times Peter responds, yes Lord I love you. Three times Christ tell Peter to care for His flock.

1 Peter 5:2-4
² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. ⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Second, Jesus calls for complete surrender. Starting with verse 18 Jesus begins to explain what will happen to Peter in the future.  At the end Jesus says, “follow me”. In a way this is Christ saying, yes bad things are coming for you but don’t worry about it. Surrender to my will for your life.” Don’t focus on what is coming, focus on Christ.

1 John 3:16
¹⁶ We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Third, Jesus calls for focus on the task. At the end of this section of scripture we see Peter getting annoyed with Christ. He looks over his shoulder and says, “but what about him?” Jesus responds by saying “don’t worry about Him, you follow me”.

2 Peter 1:12-15
¹² Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. ¹³ And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.^{[a] 14} For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life,^{[b] 15} so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

Isn’t this what Christ did? Jesus cared for His sheep. Jesus surrendered to the will of the father. Jesus stayed focused on the task. Like Peter, Christ calls each of us to Love His flock, to surrender to His will, and to focus on the task that is laid before us. Surly this is the heartbeat of adoption. See one of the things Jesus was doing was preparing Peter for his call to the Gentiles.(Acts 10) In the end it was all about loving God’s people. A part of loving people is loving orphans.

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.

Find a way to care for orphans...or help those that are!
Darren

Orphan Sunday

The Christan Alliance for Orphans has set Nov. 6, 2011 as orphan Sunday. Please consider getting your church involved. This year we are encouraging world wide involvement. If you or your church are planning to hold an event or if you need more information, please send me a message here. We would love to include your event on the national site list.

www.orphansunday.org

"Defend the cause of the fatherless." Is 1:17

One Day. One Voice. One Purpose.

Darren
Mission 1:27 Director
Orphan Sunday Supporter

Hope for Every Orphan

Mom and I attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans seminar last week. What an awesome time to be with others of like passion. It was truly a stirring event. How my heart groans to reach orphans. This is why we chose Mission 1:27 (www.mission127.com) as the name of our ministry. We want to exemplify Christ's love for the orphan. We want to meet your needs and show you the love of Christ.

Right now I have more than 10 projects waiting to be funded. Nine out of the ten can be met for $150. Yet even if I were able to meet all of these needs today. It would still not be enough. My heart would still break for you and the millions of others around the world. Your plight is desperate. We set in our homes with all of the trappings of this life. You sit in a home with barely enough to eat and little if any to your name. I sit at my desk day after day thinking, I must do more. I know God is in all that He has led mom and I to do over the last year, but sometimes, like your adoption, the process is very slow.

I know that God is able and that funding will come both for Mission 1:27 and your adoption. I love you with all my heart.

The last words of Malachi have come true for you. God has turned the heart of your father toward you! (Malachi 4:6) Holding you tomorrow could not be soon enough. I pray that God will grant us His divine blessing and provision as we continue to walk the path He has laid before us.

Lord you hear our hearts cry. Let us touch the lives of these orphans!

Love,
Daddy

The Light at the End of Paperwork

Wow, I did not realize that I have not posted for so long. Life is busy. A week ago monday we received our completed Home Study. With that in hand we were able to send in our I-800A, the form that goes to the US seeking permission to bring a child into the country. We also were able to apply for a grant. Our US fees are now due. God has been so faithful to provide for every financial need so far. We are believing for Him to do it again. We need an additional $800 for this and other fees that are coming due. 

The dosieer paperwork is also completed. The only thing we are waiting for is the I-800A approval to come in. Then we will be finished and the real wait begins. I'm praying for a miracle in this. Mom and I want so much to bring you home soon. We continue to pray for the right child at the right time. It has been a long and sometimes frustrating process, but mom and I know it will all be worth it when you are held in our arms for the first time.

Though we may still have a wait, at least we can see the light at the end of the paperwork.

I Love You,
Daddy