Our daughters were baptized on Sunday. In the reformed tradition, we believe that God's promises are for us and our children, and that baptism is a sign that he will be at work in their lives calling them into covenant relationship with him, even before they realize it. Well enough of the theological, lets get to the personal.
As a pastor, I had the privilege of baptizing my new daughters. Frankly, I was fairly nervous about doing it. Our youngest is fairly shy and withdrawn and having water placed on your head in front of an entire church could be a fairly scary thing. But her response was exhilarating. There was no fear, but a calm peace, even a sense of excitement, and after I handed her back to Jen, she kept smiling and saying, "Momma, wa," and making the sign of the cross on her head. She was ecstatic to be included into the family of God. Oh that more people would exhibit the kind of euphoria at being part of God's church forever. It truly is something to be very emotive about.
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thrilled with Butter Beans
Have you ever thought you struck it rich when you found a....butter bean in your soup bowl? Tonight, both our Ethiopian girls were thrilled with their multi-bean soup. They were eating away, until suddenly they stopped and gave giggles of excitement. I looked over at each of them to see their eyes as wide as they could open and then staring at it saying "Daddieee, Daddieee." They goggled it down, so I dug through the soup bowl found a few more and snuck them into the bowl each time they were looking away. The same response every time they looked back.
This makes me realize just how much we take for granted and how difficult it is for us to get excited in America. It takes something really big. But what about the little things, the clean water, the fresh fruit, the fact that we never have to go hungry, at least not most of us. Warm houses, Clothes without holes, good healthcare. All of these and so many more should cause of equal amounts of glee and give us plenty of reasons to thank God for his generous provisions.
This makes me realize just how much we take for granted and how difficult it is for us to get excited in America. It takes something really big. But what about the little things, the clean water, the fresh fruit, the fact that we never have to go hungry, at least not most of us. Warm houses, Clothes without holes, good healthcare. All of these and so many more should cause of equal amounts of glee and give us plenty of reasons to thank God for his generous provisions.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Baptism and Adoption Liturgy
Mark Ruiter modified this liturgy from the CRC Grey Psalter Hymnal to relate baptism and adoption together. We used this liturgy on April 18, 2010 to baptize Amariah Ruiter and GraceLynn and FaithAnne Roberts. Feel free to use it or modify it.
Hear the words of Jesus:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20)
And the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)
Through adoption these children have a new identity. They are no longer orphans; they full members of the Ruiter and Roberts families. They have all of the rights, responsibilities and benefits of the rest of their children.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Excited over the little things
Today is Easter Sunday. this morning my new girls came into our room after getting dressed. They were excited about their new dress. They showed everything - the sweater, the shoes, the bow, it was all so exciting and they wanted us to see it all and to tell them that it was beautiful. Which we did.
This little interaction got me thinking? Why do we as people lose our excitement over the little things in life? Why do we as Christians, lose our excitement over Christ and his gifts? What would it be like if every believer had the kind of excitement for God and his gifts that my girls exhibited this morning? These are just thoughts mulling through my mind. I hope to post more of my thoughts on these later, but would love to hear your thoughts as well.
This little interaction got me thinking? Why do we as people lose our excitement over the little things in life? Why do we as Christians, lose our excitement over Christ and his gifts? What would it be like if every believer had the kind of excitement for God and his gifts that my girls exhibited this morning? These are just thoughts mulling through my mind. I hope to post more of my thoughts on these later, but would love to hear your thoughts as well.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Ethiopian Church
An Ethiopian Eunuch, the Queen of Sheba, Cush, and other references are plentiful in the Scriptures. Ethiopia is a land rich in Bible history and Christian history and that is what we found as we traveled through the country last month. Our first stop was in the Coptic orthodox churches of Lalibela. A word about the Coptic orthodox first. They trace themselves to the early church. The liturgy is very high, much like the Greek Orthodox church next door, but there are theological differences that stem from the Council of Chalcedon 451 A.D. The Coptic orthodox never accepted the Chalcedonian formula that Christ had 2 distinct natures: Fully God and fully human, not mingled, but also not separate.
So what did we find in the Ethiopian churches and among the people?
Our first time meeting the Girls
This is my first shot at doing my own video. This is from the first few moments of meeting our girls. I will upload a few other videos of our travels in the coming day.
you can view the file directly on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3xx4pEb8VE
you can view the file directly on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3xx4pEb8VE
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Yemrehanna Kristos church, Bilbilla
While in Ethiopia we saw some really cool churches. This one was built under an overhang. It is an example of Ethiopian Cave Churches. The exterior block wall in the first picture was added in the past few years for security purposes. Behind the wall is this beautiful olive wood and marble church which floats on top of the marshy ground. The rock details in the windows are wonderfully intricate and each one is different. Behind the church are the bones of countless pilgrims who came to die in the dark recesses of the cave.
How did God do that?
How did God do that? I found myself asking that question over and over again on our trip. One such occasion was in Awassa. Jen and I received the opportunity of meeting with our daughters’ birth mother. For 20 minutes we were allowed to ask her questions and she to ask us questions. (Everything through a translator.) The time was wonderful, we got to take pictures with her, hear some of her story and enjoy her presence.
Daema is a beautiful woman of very short stature compared to my wife and I. During the conversation she asked about our other children and we showed her a picture of the five of them and told her their names. The translator then asked if we were Christians since all the names were bible names. To which I replied that I was a protestant pastor. Immediately she lifted her hands toward heaven and started thanking God. As it was explained to us, she too was a protestant believer and had been praying that God would send her children to a Christian family, and now here she was with a pastor. How did God do that? How did he took two little girls in need of a home, hear a mother’s prayer, match them to a family half-way around the globe that exceeded this mother’s desires and now let us share in that joy with her. How did God do that? Only he knows, but I am sure glad he did.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
I'm a new papa
Just a few minutes ago I received word that the Ethiopian courts approved our adoption petition for 2 girls. I am now the proud father of 5 girls and 2 boys. What an exciting day it is. We will be traveling at the end of the month to Ethiopia to pick them up.
During this process, what has struck me most is the parallels to God's language of adoption for believers. These girls didn't choose me, we chose them. They weren't Roberts' and yet now they are in every respect my daughters, loved as much, welcome as much, given as much as I give my other children. They are mine. And that is exactly how God sees us, beloved children. Praise God for such wonderful imagery and truth.
During this process, what has struck me most is the parallels to God's language of adoption for believers. These girls didn't choose me, we chose them. They weren't Roberts' and yet now they are in every respect my daughters, loved as much, welcome as much, given as much as I give my other children. They are mine. And that is exactly how God sees us, beloved children. Praise God for such wonderful imagery and truth.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Where's Jesus? the story of Moses striking the rock, again (Numbers 20:10-12)
Do you remember the Where's Waldo books? On each and every page, Waldo is hidden in the picture. Such is the case with the Scriptures. In each and every story, Jesus is present, either literally or in a prefigured state. Such is the case with our text today. Kerry Hasenbalg does an excellent job of showing us Jesus both in the striking of the rock and how that relates to our calling today. I will quote from her devotional Hope for the Journey- an adoption companion, pg 15:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Why we are adopting...
A good friend of mine, Mark Ruiter, wrote this in response to a common misconception that adoption is another way to grow your family. Here are his thoughts and mine:
In May 2008 Rockelle and I starting talking and praying about adopting a child. Some people might ask “Why? When you have two beautiful children, at 38 years old, would you consider this?”
The answer is that we have been convicted that as followers of Christ we are called to it...Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.”
I offer as evidence of this calling, various scripture passages.
Throughout the Old Testament God calls the Israelites to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. In Deuteronomy 10:18-21 God says:
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
And in Deuteronomy 14:28-29:
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
In Deuteronomy 27:19:
19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
In Psalm 68:5-6:
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
In Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Through the Old Testament prophets he calls us to Justice
As in Amos 5:21-24
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
And in Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
In Malachi 3:5
5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
As you can see, God both commands his people to care for the widow and orphan, and brings judgment on those who deny justice or help for them.
In the Gospels, Jesus continues as found in Mark 12:38-40
38As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
In Matthew 22:37-40
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In Matthew 23:23-24
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
In Matthew 25:34-40
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Mark 10:17-24
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
John 13:34-35
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Strong words from Jesus that leave little room for interpretation.
The writings of the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit continue in the same vein.
In Romans 12:13
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In James 1:27
27Religion 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 2:14-17
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 3:16-18
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If 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? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Finally adoption is one of the best possible images of our own salvation. Once we were destitute and completely without hope before an angry God, now we stand before Him as forgiven adopted Sons and Daughters, with all of the rights and responsibilities bestowed on a child of The King.
Deuteronomy 26:18
18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.
Deuteronomy 28:10
10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.
Isaiah 62:2-4
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married);
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
Romans 8:15-16
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 3:26-29
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Titus 3:3-7
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 1:3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.” ...Read more
In May 2008 Rockelle and I starting talking and praying about adopting a child. Some people might ask “Why? When you have two beautiful children, at 38 years old, would you consider this?”
The answer is that we have been convicted that as followers of Christ we are called to it...Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.”
I offer as evidence of this calling, various scripture passages.
Throughout the Old Testament God calls the Israelites to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. In Deuteronomy 10:18-21 God says:
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
And in Deuteronomy 14:28-29:
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
In Deuteronomy 27:19:
19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
In Psalm 68:5-6:
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
In Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Through the Old Testament prophets he calls us to Justice
As in Amos 5:21-24
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
And in Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
In Malachi 3:5
5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
As you can see, God both commands his people to care for the widow and orphan, and brings judgment on those who deny justice or help for them.
In the Gospels, Jesus continues as found in Mark 12:38-40
38As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
In Matthew 22:37-40
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In Matthew 23:23-24
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
In Matthew 25:34-40
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Mark 10:17-24
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
John 13:34-35
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Strong words from Jesus that leave little room for interpretation.
The writings of the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit continue in the same vein.
In Romans 12:13
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In James 1:27
27Religion 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 2:14-17
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 3:16-18
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If 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? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Finally adoption is one of the best possible images of our own salvation. Once we were destitute and completely without hope before an angry God, now we stand before Him as forgiven adopted Sons and Daughters, with all of the rights and responsibilities bestowed on a child of The King.
Deuteronomy 26:18
18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.
Deuteronomy 28:10
10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.
Isaiah 62:2-4
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married);
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
Romans 8:15-16
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 3:26-29
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Titus 3:3-7
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 1:3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.” ...Read more
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sold out for Jesus?
See this great post by a young family sold out to Christ and willing to abandon their life for the sake of those in need. This is one amazing story of Adoption and how God works to change people into his hands and his feet.
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