Pure Religion | The Kingdom of God
Where is the Kingdom of God? Is it a physical place or more so a spiritual realm? I contend that the Kingdom of God is wherever we decide to go as the Spirit of the living God resides in us.
One of the things that Jesus was fond of speaking about was the subject of the Kingdom of God. During the time of His ministry, many were focused on a physical Kingdom rather than the coming of some spiritual move of God. Though I am not a theologian, I believe that most of us reading these pages would agree that the Kingdom of God is wherever we go as believers in Jesus. Are you with me?
One of the first invitations we see in the ministry of Jesus was to “Come and See” (see John 1:39 and John 4:29 for examples). There is an invite or calling that we may experience when we first encounter Jesus. It is a beautiful thing!
… The work of the Kingdom, or the effort of deploying in a Great Commandment mission, will not be without resistance. In fact, as you are met with obstacles or objections, I contend that this is an indication that you are onto something! The way of the Warrior is fraught with danger and is rarely easy. If this were not the case, there would be no need for a Warrior to accomplish the work.
… One day I attended a mission’s meeting at a local church in our community. I know the missions pastor well as I had attended this church in the past and our movement had been supported monthly by this church body.
… I was sitting at a table with a lady that had been on a short-term mission trip with the church in the recent past, and I believe that she was a nurse. She had traveled with a team to provide medical services in the field in Africa, and she had been moved to consider another trip.
We had a nice chat before the start of the meeting, and just prior to kick-off the mission pastor walked up to our table to greet us. The nice lady had mentioned her desire to return to Africa and was looking forward to hearing more about upcoming trips. The mission pastor’s response offended me, “Now we are not going back to work on providing medical aid specifically,” and then looking at me he continued, “Nor are we going to the field to hold babies. We will be focused on evangelism as we carry out the Great Commission.”
Frankly, I was taken back. This mission pastor had never been to the field with me or he would have known that I don’t spend much time, if any, holding babies. I had known him for many years and considered him a wise man, however, I learned that his self-awareness is sometimes a blind spot that he is clueless to.
I of course continued to try and re-engage this pastor to no avail. He could not see the forest for the trees. I decided that our family would not be moving back to this church based on these interactions.
The Great Commission and the Great Commandment is not an either-or proposition. I am concerned for any church today that might consider one above the other because I know Jesus didn’t in Matthew 22. Our service to the poor can be a powerful witness to the infinite love of a mighty King!
God is inviting us into this story as He comes to the rescue for many of these children with no mom or dad. He is asking you to consider being his hands and feet! You can join us at Global Orphan Relief, and we can journey together if you choose as you pray, volunteer, serve in the field, and or financially support the least of these—the orphaned child.
Our first home at the House of Faith Orphanage in Mapampi, Zambia, under construction in 2007.
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 163 volunteers on 26 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005. Scott is the author of Pure Religion, and has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send financial support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children or you can give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.