An Adoption Story

[cmc]

Galatians 4:4-7

Adoption. The very word will cause an orphan's heart to swell with hope--the hope of belonging, sharing a common name, and receiving love. No wonder Paul used such an engaging metaphor to illustrate the importance of Jesus' birth. The world was then and is still filled with people desperate for the intimacy of Father and family.

New Testament writers used a lot of imagery about kinship. For instance, they wrote about sons, heirs, and brothers and sisters of Christ (Matt. 12:50; Gal. 4:7). The words remind readers that those who have received Jesus as Savior are set apart. No longer are believers "sons of disobedience" or "children of wrath," but rather, they have been given a new name: children of God (Eph. 2:2-3; 1 John 3:1). And with that distinction come special privileges, such as the right to call upon the Father.

God loves every person ever created, but like any parent, He offers His children "family-only" benefits. He responds to their prayers (Luke 18:1-8). He provides for their needs (Matt. 6:31-33). He holds a protective hand over them (Prov. 18:10). In a word, He is perfect. And this amazing Father desires to build a personal relationship with each one who is willing to be part of His family.

An orphanage is frequently a place of little hope, since only a few kids receive adoption offers. Not so with God. His family is open to all. The process is simple--no forms to fill out and no waiting period. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and choose to surrender your life to His will. Welcome to the family!

Dr. Charles Stanley

[Fulldresser4]

Thanks...my sister in Christ!

[toad]

I have adoption growing in my heart daily.......I know that I know that I have been adopted by God into the family of His chosen People.......God did for me what I could not do for myself.

I wrote this five years ago about my sister Susan. Share this with me.....

"Praise 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. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

EPHESIANS 1:3-6 NIV



October 25th is my sisters birthday. I remember the first time I saw her, it was 1951 and I was five years old. Our parents were part of the military occupation forces that were stationed in Germany after world war two. As I recall, we lived in the upstairs section of a large home. Other Americans lived in the down stairs part. There was a big yard with a tall wall around it. We had a big Doberman Pinscher that stayed chained to the front of the house, and I’ve heard my parents say that he did not like anyone who was not in uniform. He did like me so I must have been an exception. Anyway, I was playing down the street when all of a sudden our German maid came and told me that I had to come home. I remember that I did not want to stop playing, so she picked me up, put me under her arm like a loaf of bread, and carried me home. When I got home to my surprise I had a baby sister. Our farther worked at the Army medical dispensary, and Susan had been born that day. She was a gift from God to our family. Susan is adopted and is the only other sibling I have. We never hid the fact that she was adopted, and always told her that she was special to us. And she was, she was my baby sister, and I was not alone as a child. The unconditional love that was taught to my family by our grandparents was demonstrated in Susan and many other family members who were and are special to us. We have all been treated the same, with love. What memories we have growing up together and all being part of the family. I know what adoption is about. I know how it feels to be special. Jesus came as a Jew and came first to the Jews. After the cross and the work that was finished there, any who believe in Jesus are adopted into the family of God……we are also special. I am grateful for a loving God, and a loving family. Today God is doing for me what I could not do for myself………………toad

[Fulldresser4]

Hi Brother Toad...what a beautiful story. And I just had a thought...your doberman must have known you would someday be in uniform...dogs can sense stuff that we humans can't, you know..