We are all presented with needs of those around us: our own families, extended families, neighbors, church-sponsored needs, and outward to our communities and other charitable endeavors. Our task is to be good stewards with our resources and contribute with wisdom and prayerful consideration. I am convinced that what I am presenting you with here is a valid need. I encourage you to consider the following scriptures and thoughts and then respond according to your ability to contribute, whether through our project or another similar effort serving orphans.
GOD IS GOOD
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. – Psalms 100:5
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. – Psalm 119:68
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. – Psalm 145:9
IN HIS GOODNESS, GOD CARES FOR THE FATHERLESS
…thou art the helper of the fatherless. – Psalm 10:14
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. – Psalm 68:5
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. – Psalm 146:9
WHEN WE REPRESENT GOD’S REPUTATION, HE BLESSES US
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. -Psalm 37:3
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. – Amos 5:14
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. – Proverbs 11:17
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. – Ephesians 6:8
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. – Romans 2:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. – 2 Corinthians 5:10
WHAT IS OUR PART? (Actions and Heart Attitude)
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. – Hebrews 13:16
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
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. -Proverbs 3:27
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? – 1 John 3:17 (NIV)
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10
HOW DOES GOD HELP US TO DO GOOD?
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:13
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:21
THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN (Luke 10:25-37 NIV)
On one occasion and expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher”, he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself”.
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two sliver coins, and gave then to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'”Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
GUARANTEED SUCCESS!
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. – Hebrews 13:20-21
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. – John 15:16
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. – 1 John 5:14
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. – 1 John 5:15
David Avilla – May 25, 2008
Advocate for Orphans 