I came across this . Imagine George Mueller on his knees in a room filled with empty plates , surrounded by children with nothing to eat . Every day he prayed , without asking anyone for funds , and every day God provided . Over his lifetime , Mueller cared for over 10,000 orphans , trusting God alone to meet every need , and his words resonate still . What did he say ? The orphan who has no earthly father has a heavenly one who will not forsake them .
Speaker 1There is a special place in the heart if you may use that term in God , concerning the orphans and the widows , those who are in need of help . So many times I go before the Lord and I say Lord , I don't have an answer , I don't have a solution , I don't know what to do . I feel like I'm just kind of meandering , I'm wandering . Help , right , Remember Peter when he began to sink in the water . He did not pontificate on this huge , eloquent prayer , it was just help . And so many times , orphans and the widows and the elderly it's just like I don't know what to say . Widows and the elderly it's just like I don't know what to say .
Speaker 2I don't know what to do .
Speaker 1Where am I going to go for help ? And then up comes Christ , up comes God to deliver them , and this is why it is such a special place , and God's heard for us to take care of those .
Speaker 2There are some things that never enter your mind , friends , because they're not even remotely feasible . You don't worry about a tsunami in Kansas , you don't worry about a blizzard in Death Valley , you don't worry about a lack of eggs in Ray Comfort's house , and all of that to say , friends , that I've never had to worry about ticks in California until my beautiful wife brought one home on her back from Tennessee .
Speaker 1Wait what she had a tick in her back Rachel's tick .
Speaker 3Should you really talk about this ? Yes , okay , yeah , you can get light disease and the reason why is because I need your help , I know .
Speaker 2And she freaked out . We were in Tennessee , we went frolicking through the fields and I don't know how in the world this thing got on her back . But we were home like yeah , it was , I think , the next day .
Speaker 3This was a number of months ago . I remember this .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , it would have been the same day .
Speaker 3Ticks are caused by clocks .
Speaker 1It's so stupid , it is really dumb .
Speaker 3It's so fucking stupid .
Speaker 2Did you think of that on the spot ? I was holding on to it . Yeah , I'm sure , yeah . So , anyway , the reason why this is important and why I must bring it up , and you are a father who can counsel his daughter . I've been invited to speak in Tennessee and Rachel doesn't want to go .
Speaker 1I don't blame her . Was she the only 10 , you see ?
Speaker 2He's terrified of getting tics again .
Speaker 1I can't imagine he's the only . What Tennessee , tennessee , you're the only 10 I see .
Speaker 2Oh , that's , nice Tick-a-see , tick-a-see .
Speaker 1So what do we do about this ? I think Justin Bieber had Lyme disease from a tick . It's actually very , very serious .
Speaker 2Yeah , it is . And here's what I honestly don't understand why would anyone live anywhere where there are ?
Speaker 3Well , you forget that as you get older , you get a really hairy back . Is that how she got it ? I was not referring to Rachel . I was referring to . Oh , you're in trouble , ray . She's my daughter you're talking about .
Speaker 2Yeah , Thanks , mark . No , but man , I'm freaked out seriously by tics and the concept that if you live in a place where you have tics , you have to constantly check your children . I mean , it's likely your kids are going to end up with Lyme disease and it is it's pretty like there are some massive repercussions from that right .
Speaker 1Yeah , oh , absolutely yeah , yeah , like Justin Bieber couldn't move half of his face .
Speaker 2Oh you know what ? He was paralyzed . I , like Justin Bieber , couldn't move half of his face . Oh , you know what ?
Speaker 3I remember that I think he went online and he did a video . We did a video on it . Oh , we did On Living in Water .
Speaker 1It was a tick from Tennessee .
Speaker 2Maybe it was the same tick , traveling , tick from person to person .
Speaker 3We apologize to our listeners in Tennessee . Yes , we love you , our Tennessean friends .
Speaker 2We will come ticks and all All right . A cool , classy comment . This is from Madison and Parcher . I want to start off by saying thank y'all so much for what you do . My name is Madison and I'm 19 years old . This has become my weekly encouragement while I'm working . I love y'all's sense of humor . While staying true to God's word , someday I would love to visit the studio and meet y'all .
Speaker 1Thank y'all again for my weekly encouragement .
Speaker 3How many y'alls is that ? I was just going to say Are you from Tennessee , Madison ? That's what I want to know . I was going to say I've actually got converted to y'all yeah , y'all , Because when I want to send an email to male and female , I use y'all Efficient , it's convenient .
Speaker 2I love it . Thank you , madison . What an encouragement . And France , by the way , notice someone's missing . I didn't even notice what's his name Os , os , what , yeah , oscar is not here today with us friends , that's why he's not saying anything .
Speaker 3He's playing hooky .
Speaker 2He's playing hooky . Where is he ?
Speaker 1He went somewhere .
Speaker 2He're speaking here . We got some goodies here . This is from our friends Luke and Leah . Luke and Leah Imagine all the Star Wars jokes they hear and their beautiful son Eli . They came by the ministry and here's a picture of them and they sent us a really nice letter , and a very encouraging one as well , and they gave us gifts . Wonderful France , all right , mark , you and I have them . Ray , where's your gift ?
Speaker 3I parked in the parking lot so kind .
Speaker 2It was such a blessing to see them here . I was able to give them a tour of the ministry . Chippers chocolate-covered potato chips Ooh . Chocolate-covered potato chips . They know I love chocolate .
Speaker 1Yeah , and chocolate gravy to go with your meat . Lottery tickets . What ? Oh , these look good Wiener schnitzel socks .
Speaker 2No way , all right , thank you guys . We'll have to steal Oscar's . He's not here , so we'll take his goodies . Ray , where's yours ?
Speaker 3In the parking lot it says Lamborghini .
Speaker 1Oh , these are great .
Speaker 2Yeah , mark loves socks . These are good mittens . All right , friends . Now a radically revolutionary resource . This podcast is brought to you by Living Waters TV . That's right . You've heard us really push that recently . It's because it just launched and it's doing well .
Speaker 3Can you give a synopsis of what Living Waters TV is ?
Speaker 2So Living Waters TV is our own streaming platform and a lot of ministries are doing this now . Obviously , we have outlets like YouTube , we have our social media , we have our website Podcast .
Speaker 3We have our website Podcast .
Speaker 2We have our podcast , but , you know , we don't know what could happen in this crazy world we're living in , in terms of one day switching something on and we're gone . I mean , think about that , like , we have a million and a half subscribers on YouTube , almost 300 million views and with a click of a button , we could 3 could 314 here .
Speaker 3Well , the public sees yeah , our analytics tell us is 314 , because we talk about 13 million out and put them in living waters TV well , that's one , that's 1.5 million for just living waters .
Speaker 2But we have living waters , europe . And then there's there's the other , ray Comfort , just witnessing channel and there , and there's the Indian channel , oh , living Waters Hindi .
Speaker 3With one subscriber it's going to take off .
Speaker 2But even Living Waters Español . I mean , we've got almost 400,000 subs there . But anyhow , streaming platform , friends , that way you can interact with us through the platform . We've got lots of good stuff on there . We've got every episode of the Way to Master and exclusive access to the next season . We've got Open the Vault with Nostalgic Array , comfort Throwbacks , kids Corner in partnership with Answers in Genesis . We've got sermons of ours , the National Bible Bee Competition , lots of other stuff . So check it out , friends . And we're constantly adding content , not to mention Living Waters Equip .
Speaker 3What does that mark ? And it's only $5 a month .
Speaker 1Yeah , that's right . Or $50 a year for a discount . Yeah , Living Waters Equip . It's amazing . It's where we brought in Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise to answer questions . No , just kidding , we brought in the top professors , theologians , pastors , I'm just kidding that . I say just kidding .
Speaker 3Just kidding .
Speaker 1People who can answer street-level apologetic questions , right ? How can we trust the Bible over the Bhagavad Gita , right ? And these are people answering , by and large , about three-minute answers to these questions . People like Votie Bauckham and Sean McDowell , ken Ham , kurt Cameron , arkin Hughes , frank Turek , ray Comfort .
Speaker 2Oh yeah .
Speaker 1Ray Comfort .
Speaker 3Ray Marshall Comfort . I'm not embarrassed about my middle name Wait what . I'm not embarrassed about my middle name . Why is everybody embarrassed , but you Well ?
Speaker 1because it means Marshall is an upholder of the law .
Speaker 2What's comfort mean ? Comfort the troops .
Speaker 3It means to encourage and push on and provoke .
Speaker 2So you were destined for this right .
Speaker 3Yes , yeah , and Ray is a female deer . Easy , what is your middle name ?
Speaker 2Francis , francis , francis , mark Anthony , right , that's right yeah .
Speaker 3There was a donkey called Francis years ago .
Speaker 2That's well known . See what I put up with friends . All right , and don't forget yeah , living Waters TV and the Living Waters mug and the Evidence Study Bible . All Living Waters , oh , living Waters dot com .
Speaker 1That was a little too low for his voice .
Speaker 2You're going to substitute Oscar from now on , ray . All right , friends . Today we're talking about the role of the Christian in caring for the orphan and the widow .
Speaker 3I thought it was window .
Speaker 2Clean the window , race prepared for windows . Yeah , so uh . This is big mike mark . Why are you smiling ?
Speaker 1I just I love your transition in between .
Speaker 2Your filler words are yeah , so yeah , so , um , okay , all right , when you're trying to reach for that next thought .
Speaker 3It's always , always yeah , so , and it's there , though , which is wonderful it comes .
Speaker 1What is mine ?
Speaker 2Okay , guys , Wow guys . We'll see , mark , we're going to analyze you too . We're going to get analytical . Haven't thought about it yet . Yeah , all right . So the role of the Christian in caring for the orphan and and the widow . You know it's interesting . We talk about atheism and how they have such a disdain for Christianity and they rail on us . By the way , I still pray Ray for those guys we put on our prayer list .
Speaker 2So do I . What's your list ? Do it , what's my list ? Yeah , oh boy , it's written down . You probably have it in your brain by now .
Speaker 3Pennilet Lawrence Cross , richard Dawkins , david Silverman , jacqueline Glenn , Seth Andrews , aaron Rahm , matt Delahunty , hemant Mitner , sam Harrison , pc .
Speaker 2Myers , what you can't even memorize . Jesus wept .
Speaker 1And you memorize that Jesus Wow . Well good for you guys .
Speaker 2But anyway , with atheists they rag on Christianity . But we've talked about this before when are the big atheist hospitals ?
Speaker 1Yes , exactly .
Speaker 3Hospitals for big atheists . What are you talking about ? Yeah , they're not existing Big atheist hospitals . These are too big . We want them reduced .
Speaker 2Do the legs Extra large ? Atheists .
Speaker 1There's not too many pro-life clinics out there that have been founded by atheists either .
Speaker 3They're just not out there . St Matthew , st John , st Luke's hospitals .
Speaker 2Feed the homeless atheist organization . I mean , you don't see that , but this is almost synonymous with Christianity Doing good works , going out , reaching out , impacting the world in ways like that . But , guys , this is a big deal and Scripture calls us specifically to that , so let's jump into it . I'd love for us to talk about James 1.27 . Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world .
Speaker 3So convicting
. Only twice , I think , does the scripture mention the word religion . Is that right Could be ? Yeah , I hate being called religious . I'd rather be called stumpy than religious .
Speaker 2What about stumpy and religious ?
Speaker 3That's not good , no it's just it has such connotations If someone says you're that religious guys , I don't flick water at people , I don't wear white 90s and run around talking like a sort of strange .
Speaker 2You know yeah .
Speaker 3Christians are not religious .
Speaker 2Yeah , I think you know it becomes one of those things where you kind of look at it from the standpoint of what is the world thinking when that term is used . Because you'll have some that'll say well , religion , I mean , no , we see that word in scripture .
Speaker 3But I think , Ray , to your point , we're living in a day and age , but it throws the word true before on true religion .
Speaker 1You know most of the world . They like to be called spiritual instead of religious . Would you consider yourself to be religious ?
Speaker 2Well , I'm spiritual and that , yeah , it sounds cool , right that's a tom cruise you're gonna hate this , thanks for reminding us of that word ray it took a while to get through to your brain this this is one of the greatest quotes I've I've ever heard when it comes to this text .
Speaker 3That you've sent it up too high .
Speaker 1It is so great . There's nothing better than this book . All right , listen to this . Show me your pocketbook and I will show you your religion . Show me your Google search history and I will show you your religion . You can talk all you want about your beliefs , but without action , your fancy words about faith mean very little . Religion is best shown in the way we spend our time and our finances here on the planet . What you say you believe is not your religion . Your religion is the way you treat the orphans and the widows here on this planet . It's the way you help those who are in need . Wow .
Speaker 2That's beautiful , that's so so powerful . Was that ?
Speaker 1Spurgeon no , google . No , it was the singer from the band Switchfoot . His name's escaping me .
Speaker 3Oh , that's great . Gives a quote like that and it's what's his name .
Speaker 1Gabe .
Speaker 3What's his name , that stumpy guy ?
Speaker 2Oh , that's not nice yeah , stumpy , frumpy and stumpy . You know I love the fact that this verse is in Scripture , in fact , james , you know he goes on to say what verses don't you like being in Scripture ? I don't say a lot .
Speaker 1Wait a minute Pause .
Speaker 2I'm busted ? No , but he says if any among you thinks he's religious and does not bridle his tongue , that's the other place he uses it . He deceives his heart . If you think you're religious , you don't bridle your tongue . So I love those descriptives of you . Say you're religious , you claim to be a person who's in tune with the God of the universe , but if you lack these attributes , then you're not , you know .
Speaker 3If God has hold of the reins , you should be bridled in the tongue .
Speaker 2Is that one of those on the spot ? It was on the spot . Ooh , is that one of those on the spot ? It was on the spot . Brilliant , wow , so humble . So , yeah , we find ourselves as believers , examining ourselves and saying , lord , do I bear the fruit that is in keeping with that of a child of God ? Do I have a heart ? That , first of all , like with the tongue I know that's not our subject , but yeah , it's so telling . Right , you don't bridle your tongue , but you claim to love God . The tongue is telling .
Speaker 1Yeah , you know , I had asked Ryan , my daughter Ella's boyfriend , the other day what did you do last night ? And it just blew me away . He went and visited a group of elderly and he programmed all their phones and answered all their questions concerning their phones how to free up storage , how to do whatever that was put together and I was like Kindred had organized it to happen and I was like so blessed .
Speaker 3Kindred is your church , kindred is my church correct .
Speaker 1Yeah , our church . And what a neat thing to do , right , right , what a neat way to reach out to the widows . And that's what it was . It was a gathering of all widows who didn't know the technology , and he's all . Let me take care of that , wow such a sweet way to demonstrate , and it's .
Speaker 3it's once a widow , an elderly person , gets a grip of the fact that what they've done with the iPhone and iPad et cetera , has made it for people who are a little dumb . I used to say to Sue just stay with it , there's something on there you can push . It'll fix it for you , because they want it to work because , they want you to buy it . So , they've made it easy , so just fiddle around a little , and it's such a good principle .
Speaker 2Ray , it's been cool to see how you've kept up with technology .
Speaker 3You're talking about elderly people . Yeah , Speaking of that , hey Methuselah look at this .
Speaker 2But , ray , you've really I mean you've kind of pushed yourself to keep that going .
Speaker 3Yeah , well , thanks to you because you told me to get a phone . You know , 30 years ago , 20 years ago .
Speaker 2whatever it was , boy , compare that phone to what we have now . I mean , that was one of those the flip you know , and it was just buttons . There wasn't even texting back . Then you think of how many millions of people have been affected .
Speaker 1Because of your prompting to have Ray get a cell phone right , Because of iMovie and because of your ability to edit with YouTube , we have reached millions of people . That is insane .
Speaker 2It's crazy . We get people that get blown away when there's this massive current event and , like within minutes , we have a video up on it . Ray , sometimes you'll create like alternate kind of you know effects from regarding something .
Speaker 3Yeah , and you did that with the election . Yeah , we had a winner and a loser video , yeah , and we got the winner . Well , they were both , whatever it was the winner . So we had two videos so we could choose the one , and it worked really good .
Speaker 1It was like midnight or one in the morning or something crazy , where Ray contacts Tanny and says Tanny put up the Trump video . No , I started off with you awake and it was done quietly .
Speaker 2And he says yes , yes , let's do it now yeah , well , you know , I mean we talked about it before , but in paris we got up that video after the crazy opening ceremonies . It's got 2.6 million views wow you know , and it's , it's striking while the iron is hot , but you know that's technology . I know we got off on that .
Speaker 3But talking about what a horrible thing strike while the iron is hot . That's branding . Imagine being a cow standing there .
Speaker 1Is that where that comes ?
Speaker 3from yeah strike , while the iron's hot Well got a snipe .
Speaker 2You talk about it with such authority Authority yes , well , I've got to .
Speaker 3Oh boy , that's probably where it comes from . Etymology will tell us . Mark's going to look at the etymology of strike , while the iron's hot .
Speaker 2So , guys , yeah , visiting widows and orphans . So James is saying this is pure and undefiled religion . Why is that , mark ? Why is it that this he's looking for strike when the iron's hot ? You've just ruined it ? Why is this ? Why is it that James ties this with pure and undefiled religion ? He could have hit on a thousand things . Yeah , visit widows and orphans in their distress .
Speaker 1Yeah , well , it is a reflection of what God has done . You think of what we were ? We were vagabonds , we were homeless , without Christ . We were wandering through this crazy maze that is called life . And Scripture says in Psalm 68 , verse 5 , he's a father to the fatherless , a defender of widows . God , in his holy habitation , right , he looks down amongst the people and what does he see ? Sheep without a shepherd . Right ? What is a sheep without a shepherd ? It's like you're without a father , right ? You're without a leader , you're without guidance , you're without hope and you're without help . So that is exactly what we were .
Speaker 1George Mueller , right , I came across this . Imagine George Mueller on his knees in a room filled with empty plates , surrounded by children with nothing to eat . Every day he prayed , without asking anyone for funds , and every day God provided . Over his lifetime , mueller cared for over 10,000 orphans , trusting God alone to meet every need , and his words resonate still . What did he say ? The orphan who has no earthly father has a heavenly one who will not forsake them .
Speaker 1There is a special place in the heart , if you may use that term , in God concerning the orphans and the widows , those who are in need of help . So many times I go before the Lord and I say , lord , I don't have an answer , I don't have a solution , I don't know what to do . I feel like I'm just kind of meandering , I'm wandering Help . Remember Peter , when he began to sink in the water ? He did not pontificate on this huge , eloquent prayer , it was just help . And so many times , orphans and the widows and the elderly it's just like I don't know what to say , I don't know what to do . Where am I going to go for help ? And then up comes Christ , up comes God to deliver them . This is why it is such a special place in God's heart for us to take care of those .
I am so ashamed of the way I used to treat . I lived in Mexico for a month and I remember on the side of the street there were these kids selling Chick-fil-A gum and I remember going up to the kids and asking them if they're hiring oh , if they're hiring , yeah , it was like a joke and I look back upon that with absolute shame upon my life . Or grabbing hold of change . I remember getting change and tossing it towards somebody who had one leg . Wow , yeah , boy , where the Lord has brought us in the midst of that . I'm embarrassed , I'm ashamed , but I'm moving forward . I'm forging forward and forgetting what lies behind and I'm trusting God to finish the last story of my life .
Speaker 2Yeah , it's amazing how the Lord changes our lives by changing our sensitivity , by way of conviction , the things that we wouldn't have even thought about as being bad or things we shouldn't do . It's like you get saved and it's like a loud alarm blaring lights flashing in terms of the sensitivity of your conscience . But I wish , mark , that we would have it more in this regard . A lot of times , our conscience will prick us if we tell a lie after we get saved , or if we steal something or sexual immorality . But what about that element of ignoring those that God tells us are those we need to care for and look after ? And if we don't , then we may think that we're solid believers , even in connection with the Word of God .
Speaker 1I've often wondered what is the practical side for us to actually do that right ? Because I remember we have a police friend , nate Stauberat , a kindred , who says do not give money to the people on the side of the road . Listen , we have so many organizations here in Southern California , like the Long Beach Rescue Mission and other things like that , that will give direction for jobs and for food and for shelter , and you're preventing that from happening . Well , so we would have bags like homeless bags , if you would , and they discard the homeless bags that are filled with like a beanie , socks , a Bible and white pieces . How do we reach out to the orphans and the widows ?
Speaker 3That's a good point , because on Sunday morning that's the time to go by an off-ramp , by a church , because people are coming out of church and they see someone on the side of the road and you're supposed to be a Christian . There's the Good Samaritan staring you in the face and you've got to give them something . They probably make a lot of money .
Speaker 2I'm often surprised that we don't see more homeless people standing outside of churches on Sunday . Maybe they haven't clued into it or not .
Speaker 3Maybe I've just given a good idea . Oh Homeless people listening , ray's going to take it .
Speaker 2Part-time job , ray's part-time Is that reconverted , but I remember there was a pastor that dressed up homeless person , remember , and he sat outside of his church and then he went up to the pulpit after everybody had come in dressed as a homeless guy and people were just in shock because they're recording those that just ignored him . But then there were some that tried to help him . But yeah , I mean it is . Look , it is a challenge in the US , as we're talking right now specifically about the homeless , because are there really people who are genuinely poor because they can't find work or because you know they fell on hard times ? I mean , how often does that really happen ? And is it laziness ? Is it drug abuse ? Is it ? You know ? I mean , ray , you used to go to MacArthur Park and minister to the homeless there , but did you ever find that challenge of like am I enabling them ? Or what was your heart behind that when you did ?
Speaker 3it . Yeah , I was just there to preach the gospel . But yeah , you are enabling them when you take them free food every day which was what I used to do , but it was for the sake of the gospel . And Jesus fed the 5,000 , and so I was feeding these people . But I was a bit dumb . I was very naive in those days .
Speaker 3You almost got killed there a few times yeah well , the guy told me don't give out money when you're preaching , because that's what I used to do . I'd hold up a dollar and he said , no , no , don't do that , they'll kill you for it . And he thank you .
Speaker 2Thank you for that . So you just arrived to the US and just waltzed over to MacArthur Park . No , I drove .
Speaker 3No , I felt directed by the Lord . Very , very clearly . It's in the book Out of the Comfort Zone Even how MacArthur Park was named when I was in New Zealand and I knew exactly where I was to go . Amazing , it was very interesting .
But , I'm like Mark is saying , like you're saying , it's very difficult for a Christian , because I go to the local college twice a day and I have to get around this woman who's lying on the sidewalk homeless with all this stuff around her . Often I'll give her an in-and-out card , but then I'll listen to her talking filthy language on her iPhone as I go past . What's she doing with an iPhone , sort of thing .
Speaker 3So it's a difficult thing because every time I ride past her and just go around her feet throughout . She may be just lying there because it's right by the off ramp and she may get quite a lot of money from just lying there . Yeah .
Speaker 2Yeah , you know , mark , it's a really good question . I mean , the way I look at it is like this I think the in and out cards , the subway cards which you know , all of us have carried with us at different times throughout the years I think it's the best gesture under the circumstances in terms skewed mindset and they see Christians as uncaring and unloving . This can at least be a gesture of our love and care , but connected with the gospel . Everyone has to eat , right , and we take people out to eat that are our friends and have money and can afford it . I just look at it that way I'm treating you to a meal and I'm giving you a gospel tract with it , or I'm sharing the gospel with you .
Speaker 2Now we have that video of me in Huntington where I was witnessing to that homeless guy and then I blessed him financially and this guy was in tears . You do have those out there that are genuine . So I just think we try to find a segue with the gospel , but with widows and orphans that's a different matter , in that we know that there are kids that are not orphans today in the sense of being in an orphanage , but they're in foster care and we're going to be talking about adoption in another episode , but we can get into their lives . My cousin has this thing . She works for a hospital , she's a nurse . Has this thing she works for a hospital , she's a nurse .
Speaker 2But they have this program where they take kids that are in foster care and they take them to Disneyland for a day and they have , like you know , chaperones that go with them and love on them . And Julia's gone . I think the last three years my cousin asked Julia if she would go with them and she comes back and every time we're just a puddle of tears that she tells us about these kids and just how they cling . They cling to her like this little boy .
Speaker 3She was going to leave .
Speaker 1Oh , here we go .
Speaker 2Okay . But Julia you know , it became the end of the day . I mean , this boy was like clinging to her all day and he just like burst into tears . He didn't want to leave her , you know , and she went and recently visited him , you know , at the foster home and loved on him and you just think of what that does to a child .
Speaker 2You know we're always looking at things from our perspective . But imagine being a child . You're torn away from your parents , there's abuse , whatever You're in all these different foster homes , and then someone loves on you and they go to the extra mile and they go and see you and visit you again .
Speaker 1So can you just show up to a foster I'm ignorant , right ? Can you just show up to a foster home and say , hey , anybody want to play Frisbee ?
Speaker 2Yeah probably not , but they have programs , so like this one was she connected with them through this program that ministers to kids , like that , and then she was able to make a connection through that organization with the kid in the family ?
Speaker 1What a great idea .
Speaker 2Yeah , and you've heard of those big brother , big sister programs where kids that need mentoring or whatever so many opportunities like that , or even within our churches to figure out who the widows are and to do stuff like that for them . Hey , can I come over once a month and do some yard work for ?
Speaker 3you .
Speaker 2You know , can I help you with your technology ? I love that idea . You know even to just go visit them . You know people that . You know people that get up into their 80s and even beyond .
Speaker 1You'll be surprised like how much it means to them to have someone just come and visit them , absolutely so what do you think the best idea , the best place to get started with that is look at your neighborhood , my neighbors right across the street . If there's an elderly person inside my neighborhood , go and knock on the door , get to know them . Ray , you did this with Helen , right , and you would visit her and you would bring her food .
Speaker 3Well , she didn't visit . She was just across the road .
Speaker 2So Ray tell us about Helen .
Speaker 3Helen was a widow , yeah we used to get in the car and go and visit her across the road .
Speaker 2Hit traffic all the way hey can we come and visit you ?
Speaker 3Yeah , helen , we just befriended her and found out she was a widow and so we started taking her meals on a regular basis , because that's better than a plate and it was like a joke .
And then we started looking after her . She got elderly it was for seven years and we'd go and help her do things and take her to the hospital and things like that . But she was very sweet .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , I remember Helen , she was a dear lady . But yeah , I remember Helen , she was a dear lady . But yeah , and at the same time , I think , when we think of orphans , we're thinking of people with no mother and father . But you know , the term orphan can also apply to not having a mother or a father , you know ? And so , as Christians , everybody has a mother .
Speaker 3What ? Everybody has a mother . Just thought I'd point that out to you Remember that book ?
Speaker 2Are you my Mother With the little bird that goes everywhere ?
Speaker 1So being an orphan , though right , it refers to , obviously , somebody who's younger , right , because I mean your mother and father have passed right , maybe it's mother and father , my mother . It would relate directly towards somebody who is typically in need . It's still in a place where I need the help of mom or dad A dependent .
Speaker 2Yeah , exactly , they're a minor in need of the care of a father or a mother . But that whole element of not just figuring out who's a widow in your neighborhood or who's a widow in your church , but figuring out who's an orphan , in that you know a young man whose father had died , or a young girl whose mother had died , or you know vice versa , or whatever , opening our homes like can you imagine what it's like for a child who's lost his father or mother , like on a holiday , and maybe the widow who's now got no husband and the child has no father . So you have a widow and an orphan in the same house , in a sense . And holidays roll around . Man , holidays must be so painful for people who don't have loved ones or loved ones who've passed away or who don't have family in the area . You know opening our homes and bringing people in , having them over for Thanksgiving , having them over for Christmas , and sometimes it's hard because you know we want to have our family tradition in our time .
Speaker 2But forget all that Like open our homes Forget the family ?
Speaker 3Who cares about the family ? Get rid of the family .
Speaker 2Start neglecting your family . To care for widows and orphans .
Speaker 3I got a thought here . If I may mention it , the Bible says in Isaiah 117 , which you know for sure a plea for the widow , because widows are very vulnerable and they need defending .
Speaker 3Defend the widow , I think it says in another place . As I was researching for this , I found a video where a lady she was in her 60s was scammed and she was very brave to come and talk about it , because if you talk about being scammed , you're saying look , I'm vulnerable , I'm naive , I'm stupid . And it turned out that she had been widowed for 15 years and this guy befriended her and over a period of three months , began to say nice things to her I really love you and I want to take care of you . And she gave him $39,000 . Oh no , and her house .
Speaker 3No no kidding and she was such a sweet lady and she was so vulnerable and people like me defending . Because you've got a woman who suddenly loses her husband , he's the breadwinner , he may have looked after the finances . Suddenly she's got all the finances plus money , left her in a will and she doesn't know how to handle it . And then she's got the conscience when someone's needing money , like this guy who was so nice and so nice looking , wanted money and he was just a con artist . And she said these guys are so good and you tend to think how naive . But I look back 15 years ago and somebody contacted me and said he had cancer and that he needed help . And so I thought I'm not , I'm not naive , I'm going to call the church . That he said he's from and check . And I called the church and they said , yes , this is his name , this is his wife's name , he has this cancer . So it was all authentic . And so over a period of time I gave him eleven thousand dollars and at one point of time and it was it was like it would go for a month or something and he'd say , man , I've got this terrible need . I don't know what I should do . My wife's in tears . He said he was showing 180 to a guy on a sidewalk with his laptop and the guy got angry and hit him and it dropped and broke the screen . So I sent him my laptop . That was a con man . That was all lies . And you say how could I fall for that ? How could I actually call and verify his name and his wife's name and that he had cancer ? It's very easy .
Speaker 3Just think about it . You go on any church website . You'll find someone in that church who was named and they're asking for prayer from him . Please pray for Fred Smith and his wife Edith . He's got prostate cancer and he really needs prayer . Please pray . So they'd just call up any vulnerable ministry , say I love your ministry , which is what this guy said and he said my name's Fred Smith and my wife so-and-so you can call my church . So you call the church and say , yeah , fred's got cancer . He's a sweet guy , please pray for him . And they just assume this identity and identity with your wife and so you can con anyone , especially Christians that have got a tender conscience and thinking I should be kind here . So we need to defend the widows because they are vulnerable , because they're not intelligent like people like me .
Speaker 2Yeah , I mean , you know .
Speaker 22 Timothy talks about that those who creep into households and make captive of gullible women and you know there is that vulnerability when , when women are in that position . And how awesome for those of you listening right now that are in places where you have careers that can help people in situations like that . Attorneys , you know you have some widows that are dealing with difficult situations where someone's trying to take advantage of them and they need legal protection , man , to be able to give your time over to that , to help serve them in that way . You know we have friends that are in the medical field , mark , that go out of their way to be there for others to help diagnose them or , you know , to help tell them what they need to do or to give them treatment if they can . And so thinking outside the box and saying you know , what can we do to be there and to think of how much it blesses us in doing that , think about what that means to them and how that impacts them .
Speaker 1Yeah , we tend to focus in on what we cannot do , like I can't feed all of them , I can't serve all of them .
Speaker 2It's like well , what is that starfish ? Illustration of the guy throwing one starfish into the ocean . You can't save them all , but I saved this one . But of the guy throwing one starfish into the ocean you can't save them all , but I saved this one , but I saved this one , I saved this one , he probably didn't want to be thrown into the ocean . He wanted to be with his friends Leave me alone .
Speaker 1I can't swim you idiot , you create a little orphan starfish and throw him away from the family . Okay , listen , 1 John 3 , 17 . If anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need , yet closes his heart against him , how does God's love abide in him ? Right ? So you are given a very tangible action with your abilities . That's what you just did . Right ? If you're a dentist , serve in the realm of dentistry . Right ? If you're an orthopedic surgeon , fix knees . I don't know , but there's something that you can do .
Speaker 1Fix elbows , surgeon , fix knees , I don't know . But there's something that you can do . Fix elbows , that's right . But what can you do ? What is your gifting right ? And even before you realize what your gifting is maybe you're young , easy , you were really great at this right . You went to so many doors , door to door , and you were inviting people , not to church , but inviting people to invite you into their house to clean , to serve , to paint , to pull weeds , and you were not taking any money in return . Do you remember ?
Speaker 3what you said , exactly , eze , yeah .
Speaker 2So yeah , we did door-to-door through the church where Mark and I used to pastor together it was 850 doors . We did almost 1,000 doors .
Speaker 1That's one big house , Same house man .
Speaker 2We mapped out the area and we were training people too in the church how to do it . And so , yeah , knock on the door , they'd open the door . Hey , my name is easy . I'm a pastor from a christian church here in the area . This is my friend , so , and so we're not here today to get you to come to our church or to sell you anything . We just want to let you know we have a program that's set up to serve the community . You know , you're doing some yard work , putting up a fence . Uh , you're doing some painting , whatever . We have a team of people that would love to come out and help you . There's absolutely no charge and no donations accepted . We just wanna be a blessing to you , man . I still remember I said it so many times .
Speaker 2And then we give them a card , say here it is just please let us know . And the card had info for the church too . And then we did a questionnaire and shared the gospel with them . But I can't tell you how many people just stood there with their jaw hitting the ground .
Speaker 3Why can't you tell us we're friends , what's your problem ? Just tell us .
Speaker 2Don't hide anything from us , you guys are professional good story interrupters and they would just their jaw hitting the ground . Go wait . Are you serious Like no , you don't charge for that . Like no donations accepted . Are you serious Like no , you don't charge for that Like no donations accepted and it opened the door for the gospel and friends . This is the thing we want to remind you that there is a correlation between good works and the gospel , and scripture talks about that . Right , ray , you always .
Speaker 3But so is the will of God that by your well-doing you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men .
Speaker 21 Timothy 1 . Yeah , but right , I mean , and we do that , and they revile you as evildoers , right , but by your good works . They can look and see wow , what is this ? What's this all about ? They glorify God , yeah , and Mark isn't the joy in this for us as believers , even in relaying it to those that we're looking after the widows ?
Speaker 1orphans , whoever , we're not doing this to earn our salvation . Yeah , we don't serve God to gain His acceptance . We are accepted . Therefore , we serve God , and if you have not experienced the joy of financially giving money to somebody in need or serving somebody in a capacity where they can't even say thank you in return to some degree , you're really missing out . Right , we are called to care , dj Bonhoeffer . He worded it like this the church is the church only when it exists for others not dominating , but helping and for serving . You exist to be a blessing to other people . And I heard one pastor pray and he worded it like this Lord , I pray that you would bless me , lord , so that I could be a blessing to other people Right , and what is that ?
Speaker 1Randy Elkhorn quote that we say God has not blessed me financially to raise my standard of living , but to raise my standard of giving Right . It could very well be that you have a bountiful blessing , perhaps of finances , just to give that over to somebody else or something else . And it's such a blessing to do it anonymously , because only God gets the credit when you're able to do that .
Speaker 2Yeah , make me a conduit , lord . That's right , make me a conduit , and that should be the motive for wanting to be financially blessed . That should always be the Christian's motive , lord , that I can give , that I can be a blessing , and that's something that should always be tied in with god's munificence , if you would I love that word munificence that the richness of his bounty in lavishing us with goodness as his people right I mean right ray shouldn't this be a reflection of that , in terms of of what we do ? And and what do you tell the person right now , who's who's struggling ?
Speaker 3I didn't , I didn't stop there because I knew you were going to say yes , no , I was trying to say , not to say yes , yeah , I totally agree .
Speaker 2What do you say to the person right now , though , who's struggling in that regard of like ? But finances are tight , but time is tight . I'm so busy , I have so much to do . What would you say to them in terms of being rich and good works ?
Speaker 3It . I just I'm so busy , I have so much to do . What would you say to them in terms of being rich in good works ? It's just part of the gospel
. So is the will of God that , by your welding , put aside ignorance of foolish men . And Jesus said let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven . So you've got to make time to do good works , and if you can't spend time because you're busy trimming hedges , you can give out things like in and out cards , which I find just such a blessing to do . I look forward to it .
Speaker 1Yeah , you know we are waiting to give out of our abundance , but anybody can give out of their abundance . If you're giving out of your abundance because it's in the abundance , you're never going to feel it . But I just finished 2 Samuel today and in the very last chapter you know the great King David . He talks about purchasing the threshing floor and he says you know , basically , god forbid I ever offer anything to the Lord , that which doesn't cost me anything . When you give , when you serve , you should feel it . There should be ministry attached to the giving right . So you give 10% and it's no big deal to you . Well then , try giving 20% and giving 10% . For some people maybe that's too much for them . Right , each man stands and falls before their own maker . But when you give , man feel the giving . When you give , it's such a blessing because God always comes through and provides .
Speaker 2I'm so glad , mark , you brought David up . You remember , after David had collected funds for the building of the temple and they brought in so much that they couldn't take . They don't want to take anymore . It was just too much . I mean , think of that problem . They've given to , but he says , lord , who am I and who are my people that we were able to give so abundantly ? And then he talks about how , from your own , we have given to you . It's that realization and understanding that , whether it's our finances or it's our time , all of that's gifted to us from the Lord . It belongs to Him .
Speaker 2And so to give back to others from it should be the heart of the Christian .
Speaker 1Our giving should be a reflex of His giving to us .
Speaker 2Yeah , I love this . He has no idea what I said .
Speaker 1That was an AB .
Speaker 2Earl , what's your name ? Who are you ?
Speaker 1I will give you $10 if you can tell me what I said .
Speaker 2Okay , then make it $20 . Okay , you ready yeah .
Speaker 1All right , galatians .
Speaker 2Was that high speed . Galatians 6 , 9 to 10 . And let us not grow weary while doing good , for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart . Therefore , as we have opportunity , let us do good to all , especially to those who are of the household of faith . That's right .
Speaker 2And that's our calling to do , as often as possible , as much as we have opportunity , do good to all , and especially the household of the faith . I mean we need to be considering that , yeah , the body of Christ is our family and we need to be thinking about looking after our own , the widows , the orphans in our church .
Speaker 3And John Wesley said do all the good you can , do all the people who can and all the times you can , as long as you ever can . I was just going to read that .
Speaker 1You did . Yeah , it's right here . Oh , but I was going to accompany it with , but I wasn't listening . If anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need , yet closes his heart against him , how does God's love abide in him , little children ?
Speaker 3let us not love in word or talk , but in deed and in truth . I think you're the one who quoted that . Yeah , you weren't listening . No , I love that and that's a convicting one . You can't go out and interview an illicit . How ?
Speaker 2old , are you Mark ? No , I love that and that's a convicting one , you know , because we do get that be warmed and filled kind of mentality , because we're busy , we're running around . I'll pray for you , brother . But look , I love where , with the Great Commission in Luke , jesus said you know , the fields are wide unto harvest , pray to the Lord of the harvest to send the laborers . And the fields are wide unto harvest , pray to the Lord of the harvest to send the laborers . And then he said , right after that , I send you . After he said , ask him to send .
Speaker 2Then he said I send you , and so we have to think about that . We're called to pray , but we're called to be the answer to that very prayer . Lord , bless them financially . Oh , I have finances . Okay , here you go .
Speaker 1That reminds me of this scripture If anyone has the world's goods and sees his , brother .
Speaker 2This is powerful in Proverbs 19 , 17 .
Speaker 2He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord and he will pay back what he has given . I love that . It just shows the heart of God . Like you're giving unto the Lord , and that should be our heart , lord . They may be a scam artist , right ? I mean , again , we have to vet people . We have to be careful At the end . Unto the Lord , and that should be our heart , lord . They may be a scam artist , right ? I mean , again , we have to vet people . We have to be careful At the end of the day . You don't know , here's a homeless guy . Is he genuinely , you know , falling on hard times , is he not , lord ? That's between you and them , but I'm giving unto you .
Speaker 2You know this is for you and for your glory .
Speaker 2And then you know you think of Matthew 25 , 35 to 40 , where Jesus talked about , for I was hungry and you gave me no food . I was thirsty and you gave me no drink . I was a stranger and you took oh , this is the positive parts and you took me in . I was naked and you clothed me . I was sick and you visited me . I was in prison and you came to me . Surely , I say to you , and as much as you did it to one of the least of these , my brethren , you did it to me , Wow .
Speaker 3Are you going to read the negative part , saying that was the positive part ? I know I was reading them like negative because my brain was so I was hungry and you gave me food .
Speaker 2I was thirsty and you gave me drink . I was a stranger and you took me in .
Speaker 3Yeah .
Speaker 2I was naked and you clothed me , and so on . Good works can do the work of a thousand sermons . Wow , that's good , yeah , and yet combined with the gospel , because there are those that go out and do good works and they don't say anything about Christ .
Speaker 3Oh , that's horrible .
Speaker 2Doesn't that give you a sick feeling , the thought that you just did . Oh , I'm so grateful , thank you . Okay , have a nice day .
Speaker 3Yeah , here's an in-and-out card . Repent right now .
Speaker 2Charles Spurgeon said the widow , the orphan , the poor , the sick , the desponding , the aged and the outcast are the special objects of divine compassion . Whoa , and that needs to be our heart , Jonathan Edwards . True religion in great part consists in holy affections , those tender affections which incline our hearts toward God , but also those affections that incline us toward our neighbor , especially the needy , like widows and orphans . And , george Whitefield , do not forget widows and orphans . Their prayers bring down God's blessings upon you . I am joyfully convicted , Me too , man . I just held back tears again .
Speaker 3Wonderful and we did it Oscar-less .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 2That's why I'm joyfully convinced Oscar's , our orphan , here . All right , friends , thank you for joining us again . We hope you're convicted , but also encouraged , right ? I mean , look , god gives us conviction so that we can be realigned with him . And that's what we truly want as believers . We want to be aligned with the Lord , and so let's spend some time in good repentance saying Lord , how much do I think about the orphan , how much do I think about the widow , how much do I put into trying to serve them and be the fragrance of Christ to them ? So let us do that . Don't forget Living Waters TV . Don't forget the Living Waters mug and the Adventist Study Bible , all at livingwaterscom . And friends , we'll be back . Keep sending us your comments , podcasts at livingwaterscom , and do give us ratings everywhere . Why are you guys staring at me like I'm strange ?
Speaker 2Oh , thank you for joining us , friends , we'll see you here next time on the Living Waters podcast , where we have no idea what we're doing .