Funny?

I wanted to share something I noticed while I was talking with a friend not too long ago (If you are a Facebook user, you might have noticed as well).
I post many statuses throughout the days and weeks telling of little things I'm doing. Things like watching movies, who I'm hanging out with, a verse, quotes, or whatever. These statuses of mine usually receive many comments and "likes" from various friends of mine. This, however, is not what troubles me. I have been posting a link to our Sponsor children page on my facebook over the last couple weeks. There has not been one comment from anyone (a few "likes" from others in our Faith Family), but not one from anyone who isn't already supporting these kids. It is very discouraging to me that people tend to stay away from those things that convict them or are of no importance to them. In reality, this is very important! James 1:27 talks about caring for the orphans and widows in their distress. We are all called to this, whether it's adopting or sponsoring. Praise the Lord that 2 of the children have been sponsored so far, but that 2 is out of 20. And that is nothing compared to the other 147 million orphans in the world. It saddens me that people do not realize the needs of these children. They are real and they are HUNGRY!

I just want it to be clear that I'm not pointing out one person in particular or judging anyone. I'm simply sharing my frustration. I have full faith in God that he is going to supply for these children. How wonderful to be a part of something like this! Please pray about it and check out our page! (: To God be the Glory!

147 Million Orphans...Minus 3?

This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person. 18 My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring. 1 John 3:16-18

This has become one of my favorite verses, along with James 1:27, over the past couple months. This is what love is; to care for others. Not just with our words, but with our actions. I have come back to that verse often, especially, in the last couple days.

God has presented me with a responsibility. This responsibility is to stand and speak on behalf of 3 orphans who were left behind. Sisay, a 13 year old girl, and her two younger siblings. My Auntie Drea posted about Sisay while they were in Ethiopia picking up the 3 new additions to their family; Meskerem, Eyob, and Samuel. Sisay and Meskerem had become very good friends. Since Meski is now home with her forever family, the two had to part and say goodbye. Sisay and her siblings have not been adopted because she is older and it's a package deal. As soon as our friend Tonya read Drea's post, she texted me saying, "Taylor! Your family needs to adopt Sisay!" I, not know what she was talking about, read the post with tears in my eyes. Since that night, the siblings have not left my heart. I began praying without ceasing. Praying that God would move to bring their forever family and asked if I would be used.

All 7 of the Thiele's arrived safely on Friday evening to greet their other 4 children. After everyone had made it to the van, our friend Seggy began to pray for them. He ofcourse thanked God for them, the work they are doing for these children, and bringing them home safely. What happened next I did not expect. Seggy began to pray for Sisay and her siblings and I began to bawl. The Holy Spirit overwhelmed me with compassion.

Later that night I was sitting on the couch with my momma. She was on the phone with my Auntie Drea when I began to sob, yet again. My mom asked me what was wrong. I told her that I was sad and she asked why. Trying to push past the tears, I managed to tell her, "I'm sad for Sisay and her siblings. I just feel like they're ours." She said, "You do? Well I will be praying too." While I was talking to my mom, I was also texting Tonya. I was telling her that I was still upset and overwhelmed about Sisay. She told me to have faith and keep praying for God's will. She was praying for my family as well. I sent her a text that said, "I have so much faith I am ready to go to Africa right now!" At the same time, I received a text from her that said, "You will go to Africa to pick up your sister!" Crazy, right? But what happened next, I really wasn't prepared for. Just as we were concluding our conversation, she received a message from Seggy. He told Tonya that he had been praying for Sisay since we first learned about her. He also said that he was praying for my family. That we would step out in faith and trust God in this situation. When Tonya called me and told me this, I began to bawl again. I was so amazed at how God continued to speak to me about Sisay and her siblings. He kept saying, "Taylor, they're yours." I am still in awe of what God is showing me.

Okay, great, we're all set to go right? Not really. I know and God knows that there has to be change of hearts in my parents. To them, this would just sounds crazy. But I'm on board because God has continually shown himself to me. I faithfully asked God to work on my parents hearts so that they could clearly see this opportunity God has laid before us. On Sunday night I had the opportunity to tell my parents how my heart is breaking for these kids. I told them that I would continue to pray for Sisay and her siblings, as well as, my parents. And I actually got to pray with them on the spot! They told me that they would continue praying as well. How exciting!

So now what? I did what God told me. I've continued to pray for the orphans, I took a stand and talked to my parents, and I encouraged them to pray. The rest is God; Yahweh is faithful to fulfill his promises. Now, I ask you to stand with me in prayer. I fully believe that God will answer in his perfect timing.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt it in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefor I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." - Mark 11:22-24

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Here is a video of a family who stepped out in faith because God spoke to one girl.

Do You Love God?

I just want to share about a topic that has been on my heart alot lately. Giving to the poor. It's a pretty controversial subject even amongst believers, but I'm still going to share what I believe is true.

Matthew 22:35-40 says: One Pharisee, who was an expert in the law of Moses, asked Jesus this question to test him: 36"Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?" 37 Jesus answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' 40 All the laws and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands."

As it says, the Pharisee was an expert in the law. The Pharisees had 600+ laws that they would live by which they considered religion. The definition of religion is man's attempt at reaching God. So in this, Jesus is basically telling them, "Throw away your laws. It isn't about religion. You are commanded to love." Love means relationship so we are to have a relationship with God. Even though the relationship starts with the forgiveness of sins through belief and recognition of Jesus Christ, it's not supposed to stop there. When you love someone, you work at the relationship. Which brings up another point: love is NOT a feeling, it is a choice. We choose to love God because He first loved us.
Notice, the second command is like it. This means that they go hand-in-hand.

1 John 4:7-8 says: Dear friends, we should love eachother, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God's child and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

You can't love others if you don't love God. You can't love God if you don't love others. It isn't an option, it IS a command. This means our love for others will require sacrifice.

John 13:34-35 says: "I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love eachother as I have loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love eachother."

Jesus gives us this command shortly before he went to the cross as the ultimate sacrifice. His sacrifice was because he loves us. From this we should realize that when he tells us to love others as he has loved us, that it obviously means sacrifice. He also says they "will know that you are my followers if you love eachother." The world WILL see God when we love eachother. It can also be said that when we show love for others it shows our love for God. How we love others DEFINES our love for God. So how do we do it?

James 1:26-27 says: People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their "religion" is worth nothing. 27 Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence.

The word "care" that he uses here means "to take in." It doesn't just mean be aware of them and care that they are in need. This means to take them in and actually help them. I don't know about you, but this passage scares me a little. Only because we don't always understand it. It means that if we are not doing these things, our "religion" or "love" is not acceptable.

1 John 3:16-18 says: This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person. 18 My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring."

This needs no explanation and there really isn't any watered down version of God's command. It simply is. But here is also a bit of encouragement as well as a warning.

James 1:9-11 says: Believers who are poor should take pride that God has made them spiritually rich. 10 Those who are rich should take pride that God has shown them that they are spiritually poor. The rich will die like a wild flower in the grass. 11 The sun rises with burning heat and dries up the plants. The flower falls off, and its beauty is gone. In the same way the rich will die while they are still taking care of business.

Here he is saying that we should not be afraid to give. We will be spiritually rich and God will be glorified. But if we are rich and remain comfortable, we will lack spiritually and will not show God's love.
When we give we should not boast to gain approval from man because that is not honoring to God. But we should tell others to encourage them to do the same.

I pray that your eyes will be opened and that you have a new understanding of these commandments.