February 25, 2010
The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES.BY GOD.  For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Adoption is a most daunting task: from paperwork to legal work, background checks to bank checks, if the selection doesn’t discourage you the inspection most certainly will.

Often times a couple’s adoption journey begins to feel much like one’s own private road to Ee-may-is.  Confused and alone two people once so sure it was of the Lord now wondering if they haven’t taken the wrong path.

If that’s you today, please take heart.  Just like those two wondering wanderers depicted in Luke 24: Jesus is always right there with us.  And in our obedience to Him, He’s most ready, willing and able to lighten our load.

Ever the Brother He’ll slow the pace so that we might keep up: Ever the Teacher He’ll explain scripture so that we might brighten up: And ever the Comforter He’ll stay by our side so that we may lighten up.

God is the defender of the Fatherless, He is their rescuer, their sustainer, their Father.  If He’s calling you to adopt, He’ll be right there with you.  And if God is with you, who can be against you?

If you have EARS to HEAR the cry of the child, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org.   For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

February 24, 2010
A Fast of God’s Choosing
Isaiah 58: 5

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES.BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

For most of us the idea of fasting involves giving something up – usually food and or drink – for a specific amount of time. For Christians the goal is to get close to God; get His attention if you will or listen to Him. That’s the idea we get from Esther before she speaks to the King about purging her people. Same for Daniel as he fasts three weeks before he’s given a vision for his. The list goes on and includes David, Elijah even Jesus as well as many others.

But in Isaiah Chapter 58 God has a different take. Angry with His rebellious children, God tells them they can fast all they want and it won’t matter to Him because of their disobedience.

Instead He challenges them to fast by doing something: for the poor; for the oppressed; for the hungry; for the naked; for the homeless; for the stranger.

In short, God foreshadows what Jesus will teach years later in Matthew chapter 25: that which you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.

Interesting thought isn’t it? Next time you’re led to fast to get close to God: instead of doing without, maybe He’s asking you to do: for Him.

If you have EARS to HEAR the cry of the child, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

This year somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 hundred kids will be born in New York State and every United State – who in exactly 18 years will exit out of the Child Welfare System never knowing the unconditional, merciful, grace-filled life of being in a family.

Oh, they may know it from afar – in their dreams; they may even see it up close – in foster care: but for each of those 15 hundred kids , 2028 will be much like 2009, and 2008, and 2007. And the beat goes on.

That’s because on average the numbers don’t change from year to year. For every child who gets adopted out of the system there’s another child who simply ages out; and both unfortunately are replaced in number and space by children entering in.

How do we change this dismal picture?

Two steps really: one, let the church step up and adopt all the fatherless festering in the Child Welfare System. If every church in America adopted one child, just one child, the pool would be empty.

Step two, don’t let at-risk kids in danger of being sucked in to the System achieve that cultural-filling prophecy. If every church in America committed to praying for all the Moms, Dads, Aunt’s, Uncles, and Grand-Parents as well, those who put these kids in danger in the first place; oh, what God would do.

Scripture says the poor we will always have among us: it says no such thing about the fatherless.

There’s a marvelous painting in the lobby of a nursing home I recently had the privilege of visiting.

It depicts an elderly gentleman sitting in a rocking chair reading his Bible to a group of children.

As I stopped to look at it, amazed to see such a stark admission of Faith in a publicly supported facility, I couldn’t help but think “I don’t care what the mission statement of this home reads, whoever put up this painting not only knows God, but also understands His design for the family”.

God’s word is very clear about the role of Christians as they age. Teach; your children, and your children’s children; about God.

The book of Joel begins “Hear this ye old men, and give ear, hath this been in your days or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation”.

Deuteronomy six echoes this message, as does Joshua two and four. The Psalmist sings the message, Paul preaches it and the wise man of Proverbs cries it out.

Those who are old still have an assignment. Wouldn’t it be great if senior centers and nursing homes all around the world were holding Bible studies every day – led by residents for its visitors– teaching your children, and mine, all about Jesus.

That’s the picture hanging in at least one nursing home: and that’s the picture the Bible paints.

Chuck Colson is spot on when he asks, “If there are so many Christians in the U.S. why aren’t we affecting our world?” Indeed: Why is God not welcome in our schools? Why is abortion still legal? Why is pornography taking over the media? Why are so many orphans uncared for and why are so many poor people ignored?

I certainly don’t know for sure, but my guess is that the Body of Christ is woefully out of shape. Like fading athletes who remember how to perform but just can’t anymore, the Church knows it should be taking more stands, but has lost its game.

Collectively we’ve lost our intensity, our drive, and if you’ll pardon the expression, our spirit. We seem to be more than content to obey man’s laws instead of Gods, seek man’s approval instead of Gods, and hear man’s wisdom instead of Gods.

So how do we get our game back? Heeding Jesus advice to the church at Ephesus and returning to our first love should do it. As diet and exercise are to physical fitness, Bible study and prayer are to spiritual fitness. Reading and meditating on the Word of God and asking Him for wisdom puts us right within the Will of God: and then all’s we have to do is listen, and obey – God.