Are YOU ‘Adopted’? [v293]

JULY 2023

Being ‘chosen’ makes one feel special. Being ‘adopted’ makes one feel really special. So, is there a way to feel ‘SUPER’ SPECIAL?

INTRODUCTION
Last month I discussed when someone is ‘CHOSEN’ for something it makes them feel special, and they tend to try their best to prove to the person that selected them that they made a good choice in choosing them for this ‘position’.

HOWEVER, do you remember what it felt like when you were continually waiting to be ‘chosen’ for something—maybe like a team—and others were being chosen before you? Like the dreaded time at recess or lunch when everyone was lined up in front of two “team captains” and you finally heard your name—but it was last? OR, even worse, there was an uneven number of kids and you, being the ‘odd man out’, didn’t even get to play?

Well, sadly, that is what it is like for some children who are continually waiting for someone to ‘adopt’ them. Then, when they do finally get chosen, sometimes it has been such a long wait, they don’t believe it is even true.

[ VIDEO: Arrius ‘chooses’ Ben-Hur as his son:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbHDk6Uzri4&t=54s ]

HOWEVER, when they do feel ‘confident’ that they HAVE BEEN ‘TRULY’ adopted—that it is “really real”—an overwhelming ‘gratefulness’ wells up inside them that they are ‘wanted’ and they then tend to really ‘SPECIAL’.

An adopted boy, Cole (9 years old), was asked by his adoptive mom, “Has anyone ever made you feel different?” He responded: “I always feel different but not like a weird standout difference—but like a special difference. Like if we’re all beads, I feel like a golden bead among the blue beads.”

[ VIDEO: “How I Feel About Being Adopted”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzuqWzTeR2o&t=31s ]

An adoptive dad asked his adopted daughter (about 6 years old), “Because of adoption I am…” and she responded, “I think I’m different and special.”

This kind of feeling was also a VERY important part of the first-century Roman culture that was depicted in the Ben-Hur movie. The Romans recognized that when a baby was born, “you got what you got,” whether you liked it or not. This would include the sex of the child, birthmarks, etc. Thus, according to Roman law, a naturally born baby could be ‘disowned’ by the family. HOWEVER, people ‘adopting’ a child knew exactly what they were getting, and no one adopted a child unless that specific child was ‘WANTED’ as a family member. So, according to Roman law, an adopted child COULD NOT be disowned. They were ‘PERMANENTLY’ ADDED to the family—forever!

Judah Ben-Hur said, after accepting Arrius’ symbol of adoption, a signet ring: “A strange destiny brought me here to a new life, a new home, and a new father… I shall always wear this ring, as a son of Arrius should, with gratitude, affection, and honor.”

<<< TABLE OF CONTENTS >>>

BEING ‘CHOSEN’
THE “CHOSEN PEOPLE”
THE ’BURDEN’ OF BEING CHOSEN
CHOSEN ‘BY’ GOD

BEING ‘ADOPTED’
FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE ADOPTED
BEN-HUR’S ADOPTION
‘ROMAN’ ADOPTION PRACTICES
‘TODAY’S’ ADOPTION PRACTICES
‘KINDS’ OF ADOPTIONS
ADOPTION ‘PROCESS’
‘GOD’S’ PROCESS OF ADOPTION
SOME ‘SIMILARITIES’
– Adoption Was (for God) And Is (for us) ‘Costly’
– Adoption Was At A Great ‘Cost’
– Adoption Did (for God) And Does (for us) Involve The ‘Legal’ Status Of The Child
– Adoption Made Believers Jesus’ ‘Heirs’
– Adoption Was (for God) And Is (for us) Seriously ‘Planned’
– Adoption Was (for God) And Often Is Now (for us) Taking Us From Very Bad ‘Situations’
– Adoption Means That We Suffer Now And Experience ‘Glory’ Later
ADDITIONAL ‘BENEFITS’
– Adoption Takes Us Out Of ‘Slavery’
– Adoption Was Marked By Moral ‘Transformation’
– Adoption Gives ‘Access’ To God’s Presence
– There Is An ‘Intimate’ Relationship With The Spirit Of God
– No Longer An ‘Alien’
– Blessed To ‘Be A Blessing’
– The Adoption Is Not ‘Complete’
ADOPTION IS REALLY ‘IMPORTANT!
ADOPTION IS NOT “PLAN B”
THE ’SWEETEST’ DOCTRINE
HIGHEST ‘PRIVILEGE’
THE FANTASTIC ‘IMPACT’ OF ADOPTION

BECOMING AN ‘HEIR’
BECOMING ‘GOD’S’ HEIR
‘PREDESTINED’ TO BE AN HEIR
‘GUARANTEE’ OF INHERITANCE
THE ‘GOAL’ OF INHERITANCE
GOD’S ‘EXPECTATIONS’
A BELIEVER’S ‘RESPONSIBILITIES’
RECEIVING ‘FULL’ INHERITANCE

WRAP-UP
BEING ‘ADOPTED’
‘UNPLANNED’ PREGNANCY
ADOPTION IN THE ‘BIBLE’
– Moses
– Esther
– Jesus
GOD ‘ADOPTS’ BELIEVERS
A ‘BELIEVER’S’ INHERITANCE
BEING ‘IN’ CHRIST
A NEW ‘IDENTITY’
‘WHOSE’ YOU ARE
NOT ALL ARE GOD’S ‘CHILDREN’!
‘ASK’ TO BE ADOPTED
FEEL ‘SUPER’ SPECIAL

<<< SUMMARY >>>

The following is a collection of ‘snippets’ from the post that aims to give you the overall ‘gist’ of this post.
[ 10-15 Minute Read ].

BEING ‘CHOSEN’
There are a variety of ‘positions’ one is chosen for during their life. A few are:

– Neighborhood games
– School sports
– Marching band
– Performing Arts group
– Competitive team (Spelling; Math; Debate, Robotics, Chess, etc.)
– Student government
– Job
– Marriage partner
– Community Board
– Jury member
– Political position
– Company board member

Being ‘chosen’ is a big deal. Think about when you were a kid, and teams were being picked at recess for a game. The one thing you did not want to be was the last one chosen because that meant nobody wanted you on their team.

Now think about your first job. With that hiring came a sense of gratitude and self-worth because you were chosen to be a part of the ‘team’ at that company.

Then think about when you got engaged to be married. Whether you were the one proposing or the one being proposed to, that moment was really ‘SPECIAL’ since someone ‘CHOSE’ you to be their spouse and has the desire to live out their entire life with you.

Being chosen is special because it is the result of a deliberate decision rather than an accidental discovery. It is not something that happens by chance. Being chosen is the result of somebody intentionally setting their affection on you. Being chosen means that you are wanted and in turn, you feel ‘special’—and then we tend to really work hard to gain the approval or acceptance of that person that selected us.

THE “CHOSEN PEOPLE”
In the movie “Fiddler on the Roof,” we meet Tevye, a dairyman who lives with his wife and five daughters in a small Russian village. Life is difficult for this Jewish family. Throughout the story, Tevye talks with God and expresses his disappointment with his lot in life. In one of his conversations with God, Tevye says, “I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But once in a while, can’t you choose someone else?”

The Bible affirms that the Jews are God’s “chosen people”: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession” [ Deuteronomy 7:6 ].

The thing is, “chosen people” is not a grant of superiority, but rather a charge of ‘responsibility’. It is an aspiration, not an adjective, and the phrase is precatory, not descriptive. God ordered Jews to be ‘role models’, to teach, by example, His existence, His active presence in the world. However, they have not always done what He had instructed them to do.

The fact that the Jews are God’s chosen people means that they have been held to a higher ‘standard’. From those who are given much, much is required (Luke 12:48), or as God said through one prophet, “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your sins” [ Amos 3:2 ].

Israel’s responsibilities have included keeping and preserving the Law (Joshua 22:5), being “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6), and bringing “renown and praise and honor” to the Lord (Jeremiah 13:11). Their high ‘calling’ is straight from the God who chose them out of all the nations of the earth.
[ more…]

THE ’BURDEN’ OF BEING CHOSEN
Returning to the “Fiddler on the Roof” story, Tevye felt the burden of being chosen—just like the Jews have felt over all these years.

Now, perhaps you have also felt that burden sometimes. Maybe you’re the oldest child, and you think having extra responsibilities is unfair. Or perhaps you have a friend who tends to call only when they need a favor. In many situations, being chosen can feel pretty good. But sometimes it is a burden we would rather not carry.

Well, the New Testament tells us that Jesus “was chosen before the creation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20). The burden He carried was that of all of humanity’s sins. “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One,” the mocking crowd said when Jesus was crucified on the Cross (Luke 23:35).

The thing is, they didn’t realize that the Chosen One did not come to save Himself. He came to save us! That was His burden, and He relieved us of the greatest burden anyone could ever carry—if we will just trust in Him as our Savior and Lord.

CHOSEN ‘BY’ GOD
Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” [ John 15:16a ].

The believer is accepted and appointed because God chose them, not the other way around! Once they have been chosen by God, the Holy Spirit comes to ‘indwell’ them to transform their character and do the WORK ‘in’ them (“sanctification”) that they will need to eventually have the character of Jesus.

Now, the believer obeys God and produces spiritual fruit not because they are striving to earn His favor, but because they are delighting in His grace. The thing is, they cannot gain God’s approval by ANY KIND of good ‘works’, saying all the right things, or trying as hard as they can to avoid sin (which is impossible). The only thing that makes us right with God is the forgiveness and righteousness found in the ‘work’ of Jesus on the Cross. God chooses those who know they need what Jesus did on the Cross:
———
The thing is, the believer has the unwavering ‘confidence’ of a ‘direct’ connection with the Creator of the universe—that WILL NEVER be taken away! They simply get to respond to that security by following God in faith and obedience and producing ‘fruit’ that will last (good works that will be ‘rewarded’ in Heaven).

[ FYI: For more details on the ‘kinds’ of good works that will be rewarded in Heaven, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/heaven-on-earth-v289/ ].

SO, it makes me wonder if YOU are one of the ‘chosen’ having put your trust ‘in’ Jesus for your salvation.

If not, please consider reading a previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post that addressed how to trust ‘in’ Jesus:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/learning-to-t-r-u-s-t-v263/

BEING ‘ADOPTED’
Now, the difference between being chosen and adopted is that to choose someone is to desire, prefer, or to select them, whereas being adopted is to voluntarily take by choice into a relationship—such as a friend, child, or heir—receiving another in place of one’s own, and what is not so naturally.

Adoption is the ‘legal action’ by which a person takes into their family a child not their own with the purpose of treating it as theirs, and giving it all the ‘privileges’ of their own natural child. The adopted child is legally entitled to ALL THE ‘RIGHTS’ of their natural-born child.
[ more…]

FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE ADOPTED
– Actors And Actresses
– Musicians
– Athletes
– Politicians/Entrepreneurs/Writers/Etc.
– Ancients

BEN-HUR’S ADOPTION
So then, referring back to my fictional—but ‘famous’ (11 Academy Awards)—adoption of Judah Ben-Hur, it recounts his life as a Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the first century.

Messala, Ben-Hur’s childhood friend returns home as an ambitious commanding officer of the Roman legion that is occupying Palestine. (Messala’s father was once the Roman governor of Judea).

At first, the childhood friends are delighted to be reunited but soon come to realize that they both have changed substantially—they now hold conflicting and incompatible political and religious views.

Messala and Ben-Hur then have a falling out and the two part ways in anger. (Messala firmly believed in the power and glory of the Empire, and Ben-Hur was equally dedicated to the Jewish faith and the freedom of his people.)

Then, during the arrival of the new Roman Governor Valerius Gratus, Ben-Hur’s sister Tirzah went to watch the Governor’s entrance from the roof of the house. While up there she dislodged some roof tiles, which fell by the horse carrying Governor Gratus. Startled, the horse threw Gratus, injuring him.
———
[ VIDEO: Arrius ‘adopts’ Ben-Hur as his son:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbHDk6Uzri4&t=64s ]

[ NOTE: This is the point of the movie that I wanted to get to for my ‘illustration’ related to adoption. However, for those who would like to know how the movie ends, here you go…
[ more…]

‘ROMAN’ ADOPTION PRACTICES
It’s interesting to note that our current adoption practices are patterned after the Roman laws.

The Greek word translated as “adoption” is “huiothesia,” and it means “to formally and legally declare that someone who is not one’s own child is henceforth to be treated and cared for as one’s own child, including complete rights of inheritance.” Huiothesia literally means, “to place as a son.”

In the first-century Roman culture, the adopted son or daughter had four major changes: a change of family, a change of name, a change of home, and a change of responsibilities. Also, the thing was that adoption was given MORE ‘importance’ than a natural birth!

The Romans recognized that when a baby was born, “you got what you got,” whether you liked it or not. This would include the sex of the child, birthmarks, etc. Thus, according to Roman law, a naturally born baby could be ‘disowned’ from the family. HOWEVER, people adopting a child knew exactly what they were getting. No one adopted a child unless that specific child was wanted as a family member.

So, according to law an adopted child COULD NOT be disowned. They were ‘PERMANENTLY’ ADDED to the family!
[ more…]

‘TODAY’S’ ADOPTION PRACTICES
Merriam-Wester defines adopting as “to take by choice into a relationship; especially: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one’s own child.” It sounds like a simple enough concept, but as those who are familiar with the process will tell you, there’s a lot that goes into adoption. Brushing up on adoption vocabulary certainly isn’t a bad thing, but assuming the process is cut and dry would be a mistake.

Adoption is a way to make sure your child is loved and safe and has access to every opportunity a child should have. Adoption provides a child with a safe, loving home.

For adoptive parents, adoption is a way to grow a family, oftentimes after a long and hurtful struggle with infertility. For a pregnant woman, adoption is a way to provide her baby with the best life imaginable when she knows she isn’t ready to provide that herself. For an adoptee, adoption means a safe, stable home and being surrounded by those that love them enough to put them first. Put simply, adoption means ‘LOVE’!
[ more…]

‘KINDS’ OF ADOPTIONS
– Domestic Infant Adoption
– Embryo Adoption
– Foster Care Adoption
– Foster-to-Adopt
– Relative or Kinship Adoption
– Step-parent Adoption
– International Adoption
– Adult Adoption
– Closed Adoption
– Open Adoption

ADOPTION ‘PROCESS’
The adoption process can create a better future for birth parents, adoptive families, and children.

Adoption can change your life, and there are primarily two ‘situations’ one can find themselves in:

– You are a pregnant woman
– You are a hopeful parent with a strong desire to fulfill your dream of starting a family

In general, there are seven important steps to the adoption process:
[ Source: Considering Adoption: https://consideringadoption.com/ ]

1) Decide The Process That Is Right For You
2) Find The Best Adoption Agency For You
3) Make The Connection That Changes Your Life
4) Develop A Relationship Through Pre-placement Contact
5) Following The Hospital Plan (Completing Placement)
6) Finalizing The Adoption
7) Building A Better Future
[ more…]

‘GOD’S’ PROCESS OF ADOPTION
In the Bible, adoption is one of several family-related terms used to describe the process of ‘salvation’ (being “born again”) and its subsequent benefits. God is a ‘father’ who graciously adopts believers into His spiritual family—‘via’ Jesus—and grants them all the privileges of ‘heirship’. Salvation is MUCH MORE than just forgiveness of sins and deliverance from condemnation. It is also a ‘position’ of great blessing. Believers are ‘CHILDREN’ and ‘HEIRS’ of God—through His gracious choice.

In the Old Testament, the adoption metaphor was used to describe when God declared that He was the Father of the nation Israel, whom He loved as His child (Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 11:1). More specifically, God said to David (and the Messiah), “You are my son; today I have become your Father” (Psalm 2:7); and of David’s descendants, “I will be his father, and he will be My son” (2 Samuel 7:14). Although not precisely adoption passages, the instances of declared ‘sonship’ in the Old Testament provide a theological foundation for Israel’s designation as the children of God, his “chosen people.”

Now, the New Testament cultural environment was much different from that of the Old Testament, since elaborate laws and ceremonies for adoption were part of both Greek and Roman society (as previously mentioned).

However, the most ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ thing about a believer’s ‘adoption’ as a ‘child’ is that God ‘predetermined’ it from eternity! God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will” [ Ephesians 1:4-5 ]. Even more than that, this adoption is not the result of any merit on the part of the believer, but solely the outworking of God’s love and grace (Ephesians 1:7).

SOME ‘SIMILARITIES’
– Adoption Was And Is ‘Costly’
– Adoption Was A ‘Legal Transaction’
– Adoption Made Believers Jesus’ ‘Heirs’
– Adoption Was Earnestly ‘Planned’
– Adoption Removes Us From Very Bad ‘Situations’
– Adoption Means We Suffer Now And Experience ‘Glory’ Later

ADDITIONAL ‘BENEFITS’
– Adoption Takes Us Out Of ‘Slavery’
– Adoption Was Marked By Moral ‘Transformation’
– Adoption Gives ‘Access’ To God’s Presence
– An Intimate Relationship With The ‘Spirit’ Of God
– No Longer An ‘Alien’
– Blessed To ‘Be A Blessing’
– The Adoption Is Not ‘Complete’

ADOPTION IS REALLY ‘IMPORTANT!
There are fewer things more important than ensuring that every child is a part of a loving, nurturing, safe, forever family. Adoption is not just an important thing, but THE important thing. While the goal is always for a child to be parented by and stay with their biological family, that is not always a possibility. This is where adoption shines and offers a light in the darkness. Not only does adoption create families, but it also gives birth parents an avenue through which to see their child flourish when they are not able to parent.

According to PBS, 135,000 are adopted annually in the U.S. alone. There are countless children in the foster care system awaiting adoption. Many of them will age out of the system, having moved from home to home for their whole childhood. Adoption is incredibly important to create families but more so, fill the need for families to accept children who need a home and a loving consistency. It is sad to live in a country where pet adoption is so much more valued and advocated for than the adoption of children.

In open adoption, adoption provides a means for birth parents to see their child grow and have consistent knowledge of their well-being. When they are not able to parent, open adoption gives them the option to maintain a relationship with their child instead of having to choose an alternative. While open adoption terms vary, this type of adoption emphasizes the general importance of adoption as it allows a chance for biological families to remain in the lives of their children.

Adoption is important to both adoptive and birth families for many reasons, but the most encompassing is the need for children to be a part of a family and have consistency throughout their life. It should be unacceptable for a child to go through their childhood stuck in the foster care system. Adoption is undeniably important and is worthy of more advocates and support on a much grander scale.

With all that said, adoption is even MORE ‘IMPORTANT’ to God!

ADOPTION IS NOT “PLAN B”
Have you ever considered the fact that Jesus was adopted? Yes, Jesus’ earthly father Joseph ‘adopted’ Him. In fact, Matthew traces the bloodline of Jesus not through His biological mother, Mary, but through His adoptive father, Joseph.

Even though one might easily pass over this fact as insignificant, this detail reveals something amazing about God’s nature, and He certainly doesn’t need a backup plan. Jesus’ adoption was NOT “Plan B.”

God’s plan of redemption for an imperfect world was set in motion through the very concept of adoption. Not only did He ordain His Son Jesus to be adopted, but He made adoption the only way a human could become a part of His eternal family.

THE ’SWEETEST’ DOCTRINE
Pastor Aaron Menikoff comments that perhaps it might be presumptuous to call adoption the “sweetest” doctrine, but theologians throughout the ages have recognized its preeminence. Baptist theologian John Dagg called it a “blessing of grace [that] rises higher than justification.” A judge, he said, can acquit you; it takes a father to adopt you. Presbyterian theologian Robert Dabney argued that adoption is “the strongest proof” of our justification. Pastor and professor of theology Robert A. Webb may have put it best:

“When we approach Him in the intensity of worship, we gather up all the sweetness involved in Fatherhood and all the tenderness wrapped up in sonship; when calamities overcome us and troubles come in like a flood, we lift up our cry and stretch out our arms to God as a compassionate Father; when the angel of death climbs in at the window of our homes and bears away the objects of our love, we find our dearest solace in reflecting upon the fatherly heart of God; when we look across the swelling flood, it is our Father’s House on the light-covered hills beyond the stars which cheers us amid the crumbling of the earthly tabernacle.”

Now, it isn’t just professional theologians who appreciate this doctrine. The precious reality of adoption sustained Christian slaves in America as they endured the brutality of bondage, and even helped some to risk their lives in search of freedom. They saw God not merely as their sovereign Lord, but as their tender Father.
[ more…]

HIGHEST ‘PRIVILEGE’
Adoption is the gracious act of God wherein He makes justified sinners His beloved children. As I already cited, the Westminster Confession says that to be adopted is to receive God’s name and to have access to God’s throne, His pity, His protection, His provision, His discipline, and His promise to never abandon us.

Most adopted children, after the gavel has been struck, are tempted to question if their new home will last. They wonder if they really belong to their family and if this new home really belongs to them. But when it comes to God’s adoption of His people, there can be no doubt or uncertainty. He is forever their Father. It is, after all, the will of God that makes justified sinners His children (John 1:12). God’s will is perfect, and it cannot be broken.

Adoption is rooted in God’s eternal plan and inexhaustible love. Before mountains rose, rivers ran, or birds flew, God “predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ” [ Ephesians 1:5 ]. His desire to place sinners in His family through the work of His Son precedes even the work of creation. We can only marvel at the kindness of God who would not call us merely His friends (James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8) but also His own sons and daughters. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” [ 1 John 3:1 ].

Theologian J.I. Packer summarized adoption well:
[ more…]

THE FANTASTIC ‘IMPACT’ OF ADOPTION
Adoption for children affects adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, and other birth and family members throughout life, and has always been a superior method of assuring ‘survival’ for children whose parents are unwilling or unable to care for them.

Adoption can affect child development in profound ways. Data collected from studies over the past three decades supports adoption as a superior means of promoting normal development in children permanently separated from birth parents. Most of the time, children progress to become functional and emotionally competent adults. Then, for children suffering severe neglect or abuse early in life, an adoptive family is a remarkable environment for healing emotional and physical trauma and reversing developmental deficits.

Adopted persons generally lead lives that are very similar to their non-adopted peers, and with the increasing occurrence of “open” adoption—and therefore the increased contact adopted persons have with their birth families—it has dramatically decreased the issues primarily faced by the birth mother since it allows her to interact/see their child grow up.

In addition to these things, there are other positives for adoptions. In fact, 90% of adoptees experience positive impacts. These include—but are not limited to—a stable home environment, better mental and behavioral health, and success in personal and educational endeavors.

Overall, adoption has many outcomes for a child, however, the positives FAR ‘outweigh’ the negatives. The thing is, adoption’s positive impacts on the child will LAST A ‘LIFETIME’, allowing them to thrive and grow into a healthy, well-rounded, and independent adult.

Then, if you consider the ‘spiritual’ side of life, being ‘adopted’ by God will LAST ‘FOREVER’ and provides the believer with many things:
[ more…]

BECOMING AN ‘HEIR’
In law, an “heir” is a person who is entitled to receive a share of the deceased’s property, subject to the rules of inheritance in the jurisdiction of which the deceased was a citizen or where the deceased died or owned property at the time of death. Generally, inheritances pass from a parent to a child or children. An inheritance may be either under the terms of a will or by intestate laws if the deceased had no will.

The distribution of inherited wealth has varied greatly among different cultures and legal traditions. In nations using civil law, goes back as far back as the “Code of Hammurabi” (1750 BC). In the U.S. State of Louisiana, the only US state where the legal system is derived from the “Napoleonic Code,” this system is known as “forced heirship” which prohibits disinheritance of adult children except for a few narrowly-defined reasons that a parent is obligated to prove. Other legal traditions, particularly in nations using common law, allow inheritances to be divided however one wishes, or to disinherit any child for any reason.

In the U.S., under a will or a trust, an heir’s rights to an inheritance are concretely described. In addition to that, in the absence of a ‘formal’ Estate Plan, legally, heirs are considered next of kin. This means that if an estate owner dies intestate (without a will or trust), his or her heirs would be entitled to any property and assets in the estate. (Succession order is dictated by state law, but in most cases, it follows spouse, children, descendants, and close relatives.)

[ FYI: For more details about preparing an Estate Plan, with a will and a trust, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/preparing-for-the-future-v286/ ].
———
[ VIDEO: Arrius makes Ben-Hur his ‘heir’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbHDk6Uzri4&t=144s ]

Now, the norm in ancient Israel—where Judah Ben-Hur was born—was that a man’s property was inherited by his sons, the firstborn receiving a double share. If a man had no sons, the line of inheritance was transferred through a scale of family members: from daughters to brothers to uncles and, ultimately, to the nearest kinsman of the deceased.

As expressed ideally in the laws of the Hebrew Bible, the only transference of property in ancient Israel should be through inheritance. Every Israelite family was allocated a plot of land at the original apportionment, was believed that this ancestral plot should remain, if not in the family’s possession, then at least in the possession of the ‘clan’. Thus, there really should never be a ‘sale’ of land.

BECOMING ‘GOD’S’ HEIR
So, being named an “heir” to an estate tends to make one feel a sense of ‘security’ for their future. Now, however much that might reduce one’s ‘stress’ for one’s ‘near’ future—while they are living on earth—I would like to suggest that, WAY more important than that would be one’s need to be ‘SECURE’ for their ‘ETERNITY’!

When one is ‘adopted’ (born again) by God, one of the most important ‘benefits’ of being one of His ‘children’ is that they become one of His ‘HEIRS’! Much like an earthly father leaves his children an inheritance, a believer’s heavenly Father bestows upon them an inheritance as well!

This ‘inheritance’ is kind of special. The Greek verb used is “Klēroō,” which means “to obtain as inheritance” but ALSO “we are an inheritance.” Another way to translate this would be, “We have been made an inheritance.”

So, what does that mean? Well, the believer is Jesus’ inheritance. He ‘purchased’ them on the Cross. He inherits us. However, in addition to that, believers ‘are’ an inheritance; they have ‘obtained’ an inheritance—Jesus inherits them as they inherit Him!
———
AMAZINGLY, believers are “CO-HEIRS” with Jesus (Romans 8:17)! [ The Greek word “sygkleronomos” translates in slightly different ways: “Joint heirs,” “Fellow heirs,” “Co-heirs,” and “Heirs together.” ] This means that believers have been given the privilege of ‘sharing’ in Jesus’ inheritance, together WITH Him. WOW! As adopted sons of God, believers are treated as “firstborn” heirs (Hebrews 12:23). Their inheritance includes salvation (Hebrews 1:14), eternal life (1 Peter 1:4), and even ‘a measure’ of the throne of Jesus (Revelation 3:21).

Also, being a co-heir with Jesus means that “You are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:7). The believer will share in His glory (John 17:22), His riches (2 Corinthians 8:9), and all things (Hebrews 1:2).

Think of what all that means. Everything that God ‘owns’ belongs to us as well—because we ‘belong’ to Him. Our eternal inheritance as co-heirs with Jesus is the result of the amazing grace of God!
[ more…]

‘PREDESTINED’ TO BE AN HEIR
Another AMAZING thing about a believer’s inheritance is that they were ‘chosen, ‘predestined’ to be an heir when they believed! “In 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” [ Ephesians 1:11 ].

It started with God’s purpose: “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” [ 2 Timothy 1:9 ]. He purposed in pledging to the Son of God, in eternity past, a ‘REDEEM’ HUMANITY.

In the Greek, “predestined” is “proorizō,” We get the word “horizon” from it. It is intensified with a preposition at the ‘beginning’. It means “to mark out the boundaries.” God literally ‘chose’ His own people from the ‘beginning’ of time!

So, when you come to the issue of predestination, election, sovereign regeneration, and human responsibility, it is a far more glorious issue than any human being could ever understand. But it doesn’t happen without believing. That’s why the New Testament is filled with the command “to believe” (Romans 10:17).

The believer’s responsibility is not to ‘figure out’ God’s predestined plan. It is to believe—and whoever believes, the Lord will never turn away!

[ NOTE: Next month’s post will focus primarily on the doctrine of “predestination,” and discuss the teachings of the “Doctrines of Grace” (known as the “T.U.L.I.P.” acronym). ]

‘GUARANTEE’ OF INHERITANCE
The Apostle Paul then tells the believer that “Having believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession” [ Ephesians 1:13-14 ].

In the Old Testament, we find that the ‘seal’ is used as a sign of authority. [ Remember the story of Esther when King Ahasuerus ‘sealed’ the fate of all of the Jews when Haman ‘tricked him. (Spoiler Alert: Esther stopped that from happening.) ]

Well, in the New Testament, being sealed with the Spirit is a sign of security, authenticity, ownership, and authority—and we ‘exercise’ all those things as believers.

The Holy Spirit ‘secures’ the believer and their inheritance not only with a seal but a ‘pledge’. Pledge? Yes, it is the Greek word “arrabōn” meaning “a down payment.” The Holy Spirit is the first ‘installment’ of a believer’s inheritance to come. So, as a believer in Jesus, their ‘best life’ is yet to come!

To be sealed with the Holy Spirit is the gracious gift of God, whereby he demonstrates the authenticity of the believer’s relationship with Him and His authority, ownership, and commitment to his people.

The believer is kind of like a child prince who, before his years of maturity, can’t grasp the enormity of his inheritance. That is why the Apostle Paul said, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” [ Ephesians 1:18-21 ].

So, the believer should not get ‘caught up’ in this world, since their inheritance is ‘GUARANTEED’! They should “Fix your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” [ Colossians 3:2 ].

THE ‘GOAL’ OF INHERITANCE
So, what is the ‘purpose’ or goal in all of this? Well, it is not about you getting your own mansion, traversing the New Jerusalem, or counting the jewels. It is about God having made you like His Son so that you fully satisfy His holy desire. You are to Him as His own Son is to Him. THAT will be “your best life”… then!

Again, God is going to finally ‘REDEEM’ His ‘elect’ into glory as His “own possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14). That is always the reason for everything. It is NOT about us, it is ALL ABOUT Him!

The believer should be ‘OVERWHELMED’ that they have been ‘CHOSEN’ to be ‘ADOPTED’ before the foundation of the world, predestined into an ‘INHERITANCE’ of Jesus Himself, and being ‘CO-HEIRS’ with Him…FOREVER!

GOD’S ‘EXPECTATIONS’
So then, what does God expect of His heirs? Well, here are some of the things God desires for His children and heirs to do and think:
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A BELIEVER’S ‘RESPONSIBILITIES’
Now, since God wants His children to be like His Son, Jesus, the believer will use what they inherit in the same way that Jesus does—in a loving, giving way. Specifically, they will:

– Use what they are given to serve God and others (Matthew 20:26-28; 25:31-40).
– Use it productively and profitably, as demonstrated in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-23).
– Be thankful and rejoice in all things (Philippians 4:4-6).

Beyond that, on earth, the believer only “sees through a glass darkly,” but they know that whatever God has in store for them will be very good and will produce the best possible results (Romans 8:28).

RECEIVING ‘FULL’ INHERITANCE
While on earth, the believer will not experience their ‘full’ inheritance. However, one day, the believer will take ‘possession’ of it. Theologian John Calvin wrote of their inheritance:
———
This inheritance IS promised, but NOT TO ‘EVERYONE’! The inheritance of eternal life with God is ‘RESERVED’ for those who ‘believe’ in Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit. The benefits of inheritance in Jesus begin for a person when they ‘accept’ Jesus, and are “born again.”

Have YOU ‘accepted’ Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If not, consider reading this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post about becoming “born again”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/developing-ones-character-v283/ ].

As an heir, the truth is that any ‘material’ wealth or treasure we accumulate here on earth—by ourselves or by inheritance—will one day have to be ‘left behind’ when you die. However, as an heir, one’s ‘SPIRITUAL’ treasure in Heaven IS ‘SECURE’ and CANNOT be stolen or taken away!

WRAP-UP
Being ‘chosen’ is a big deal. Think about when you were a kid, and teams were being picked at recess for a game. The one thing you did not want to be was the last one chosen because that meant nobody wanted you on their team.

Now think about your first job. With that hiring came a sense of gratitude and self-worth because you were chosen to be a part of the ‘team’ at that company.

Then think about when you got engaged to be married. Whether you were the one proposing or the one being proposed to, that moment was ‘SPECIAL’ since someone ‘CHOSE’ you to be their spouse and has the desire to live out their entire life with you.

Being chosen is special because it is the result of a deliberate decision rather than an accidental discovery. It is not something that happens by chance. Being chosen is the result of somebody intentionally setting their affection on you. Being chosen means that you are wanted and in turn, you feel ‘special’—and then we tend to work really hard to gain the approval or acceptance of that person that selected us.

BEING ‘ADOPTED’
Now, the difference between being chosen and adopted is that to choose someone is to desire, prefer, or to select them, whereas being adopted is to voluntarily take by choice into a relationship—such as a friend, child, or heir—receiving another in place of one’s own, and what is not so naturally.

Just remember, love is formed between parents and children through ‘bonding’ experiences—not blood. So yes, adoptive parents CAN love their children just as much as if they were their own biological kids!

Attributed to a gentleman named Bob Constantine, he said: “I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two.”

‘UNPLANNED’ PREGNANCY
An unplanned pregnancy can happen at the ‘wrong’ time in your life, leaving one unprepared for parenting. The thing is, if you are not ready for parenting, adoption can be a selfless act of unconditional love for your baby.

Through adoption, you are choosing to give the priceless gift of a child to a hopeful family who is dreaming of loving a child and receiving a child’s love in return.

According to “Considering Adoption,” when the birth mother chooses to place their baby for adoption, there are five main steps in the adoption process:
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ADOPTION IN THE ‘BIBLE’
Giving children up for adoption can be a loving alternative for parents who may, for various reasons, be unable to care for their own children. It can also be an answer to prayer for many couples who have not been able to have children of their own. Adoption is, for some, a ‘calling’ to multiply their impact as parents by expanding their family with children who are not their own, biologically.

The thing is, as with much of life, answers can be found in the Bible. Adoption is spoken of favorably throughout Scripture sharing beautiful adoption stories.
– Moses
– Esther
– Jesus

GOD ‘ADOPTS’ BELIEVERS
We understand adoption in the ‘natural’ sense. We all know some children that were adopted by people who purposely choose them and raise them as their own.

In the same way, the believer has been ‘chosen’ and ‘adopted’ into the family of God even though they were previously an outsider, unrelated to God in any way. They were ‘serving’ Satan, but God in His great mercy redeemed them and ‘purchased’ them with the ‘blood’ of His own Son.

For the believer, God loves them so much, that He adopted them into His family. Just take that in. You ‘belong’ to God!

Then, the fact that God actually ‘predestinated’ a people to be ‘adopted’ into His family is another display of His amazing grace. When we consider that man, by nature, is a fallen corrupt sinner, a lawbreaker, and commits enmity against God, it is REMARKABLE to consider that He would pardon such ‘rebels’. However, even MORE AMAZING is the fact that believers, by ‘adoption’, become ‘children’ in God’s family and then are made “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17)! Adoption is at the ‘HEART’ of the storyline of the Bible and the ‘heart’ of God.
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A ‘BELIEVER’S’ INHERITANCE
Every dimension of life, whether physical or spiritual, is a testimony to God’s mercy.

When God saved the believer and granted them an eternal inheritance, it was not because they were special or more deserving of His love and grace than any other person—even the “chosen” Jews. It was because He sovereignly ‘chose’ to love them and to extend His great mercy to them.

That is why the Apostle Paul said, “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” [ Ephesians 2:4-5 ]. God “saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy [ Titus 3:5 ].

Then, because of God’s great mercy, He addresses the pitiful ‘condition’ of humanity—totally depraved and unregenerate people. Dead in trespasses, enslaved to sin, cursed to eternal damnation, unable to help themselves, and in desperate need of someone to show them or see compassion. However, that is EXACTLY what the Gospel addresses: God loves sinners and extends mercy to anyone willing to put their trust in Him.

Mercy tempers God’s justice, and the Puritan writer Thomas Watson summarized it well:
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The believer’s eternal inheritance is also ‘doubly’ secure: It Is reserved for them, and they are reserved for it.

When the Apostle Peter wrote his first epistle, attitudes toward believers in the Roman empire were not at all favorable. Because they would not worship the emperor as a god or enter into other sinful pagan practices, believers were looked upon with suspicion and disdain. In addition to that, the emperor Nero blamed them for burning down Rome—an act he perpetrated—so anger and hatred toward the believers was at its peak.

So, because of the circumstances, Peter then wrote to encourage the believers to live out their faith amid persecution, just as Jesus had done when He suffered unjustly (1 Peter 2:21-23). He reminded them that despite the suffering they might endure in this life, God has promised to reward them with an inheritance that is ‘ETERNALLY’ SECURE!

[ FYI: For more details about a believer’s ‘eternal’ existence, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/home-at-last-v290/ ]
[ more…]

BEING ‘IN’ CHRIST
To be “in Christ” is one way of describing what it means to be a believer. Those who are “in Christ” are spiritually united to and identified with Jesus such that all the blessings and the benefits obtained by Him belong to them.

In the book of Ephesians alone, it references the believer as being “in Christ” twenty-seven times and expounds on the rich spiritual blessings that belong to such believers. Though the believer’s union with Christ was predestined by God before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), it is not the ‘state’ into which we are naturally born. In fact, Scripture describes all mankind as being born in a state of separation and alienated from God (Ephesians 2:12).

The ‘union’ with Jesus is not realized until, by the grace of God, they repent of their sin and exercise faith ‘in’ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-10). Through faith ‘in’ Jesus they come to experience a spiritual union with Him wherein they participate in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:5; Ephesians 2:6).

Analogies used to help one picture this spiritual union includes how branches are united to a vine, and how a man is united to a woman in marriage (John 15:5; Ephesians 5:31-32). Below is a list of just some of the amazing benefits which belong to the believers who are “in Christ.”
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A NEW ‘IDENTITY’
Throughout childhood, and especially during adolescence, each of us begins forming a sense of who we are as individuals and as members of society. This is called “identity development,” and it is shaped by a variety of factors, from race and gender to hobbies and religious beliefs.

Two of the components that play a role in identity formation are genetics and family dynamics—which may complicate the process for adopted children. According to “Child Welfare Information Gateway,” identity development may be more difficult for an adopted person with questions such as why they were placed for adoption, what became of their birth parents, do they have siblings, and whether they resemble the birth parents in looks and characteristics. If these questions go unanswered, it could lead to a less complete sense of self which, in turn, can lead to lower self-esteem and other emotional issues.

Now, while the adoptive parents may not be able to answer all of their child’s questions, if their adoption is less open, there are some things they can do to help the adopted child develop a positive self-identity. The following are five ways that “American Adoptions” suggests that adoptive parents can do to encourage their adopted child through the identity development process:
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Believers do not need to struggle with the kind of identity crisis the world has. They have been ‘claimed’ and ‘redeemed’ by Jesus, brought into His Father’s ‘family’, and are being transformed into His likeness. As the Apostle Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” [ Galatians 2:20 ]. This is referred to as being “in Christ.”
———
So, with this ‘new birth’ comes a ‘new identity’. Believers no longer ‘live for’ themselves—and they ‘are’ no longer themselves. They are a new ‘creation’. The Apostle Paul wrote about this new creation to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” [ Galatians 2:20 ]. Being identified with Christ means full and free acceptance by God, the ability to approach Him without condemnation, but with complete forgiveness and righteousness before Him—presented to Him as blameless and perfect (since Jesus’ righteousness has been ‘imputed’ to them). Now, that’s AMAZING ‘GRACE’!

[ FYI: For more details about God’s “amazing grace,” view these previous posts:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/amazing-grace-v239/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/growing-in-grace-v240/
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/outworkings-of-grace-v241/ ]

‘WHOSE’ YOU ARE
Because this world is crazy and ‘upside-down’, the believer sometimes forgets ‘WHOSE’ they are. Then, when they feel like they don’t know whose they are, it is primarily because they have forgotten what Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” [ John 15:5 ].

Again, the believer is God’s “child,” and He has given His children a promise: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” [ 1 Peter 5:6-7 ].

SO, for the believer, they must remember ‘whose’ they are! They can’t allow themselves to be the Devil’s next ‘triumph’! Remember, the Devil will flee when one resists him and submits themselves to God [ i.e. Jesus’ example in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) ]. Again, believer, remember ‘WHOSE’ you are!:
———
So then, back to ‘WHO’ YOU ARE. Well, you are either a ‘child’ of God or you are not. If you ARE a believer then you are not ‘your own’—you belong to God. You are not ‘alone’ and the Holy Spirit will ‘lead’ you.

HOWEVER, if you are NOT a believer, God is ‘standing’ at the ready for you to repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

NOT ALL ARE GOD’S ‘CHILDREN’!
Jesus made it very clear that NOT ALL are ‘children’ of God. “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” [ 1 John 3:9-10 ].

Adoption is a ‘change’ of families through a legal ‘declaration’. If all were in God’s family, then the concept of adoption concerning salvation would be meaningless. HOWEVER, according to God’s purpose, He ‘predestinated’ a people to be adopted into His family based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His choice was not based on human merit but according to the good pleasure of His will. As it stands, NONE of us ‘deserve’ Heaven. It is given by His ‘GRACE’.

When one believes ‘in’ Jesus as their Savior, they can then call God their “Father,” and the believer CAN have a ‘personal’ relationship with Him: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father” [ Romans 8:14-15 ]. What a blessing to be on such intimate terms with the sovereign God of the universe to be able to call Him, “Daddy”!

‘ASK’ TO BE ADOPTED
King David wrote almost half of all of the Psalms in the Bible—expressing many kinds of ‘laments’. Probably the most ‘intense’ one was Psalm 51. This was written after his affair with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah.

King David ‘pours himself out’ before God, recognizing himself as a sinner and asking for God’s forgiveness. This—and other Psalms—serve to remind one that no matter what we have done, God WANTS to forgive one for any and all of their sins:
———
There are few people that have committed adultery and then murder in their lives. However, what this Psalm is saying is that God WILL forgive ANYONE who, with a ‘contrite’ heart, ASKS Him for forgiveness, restoration, and to ‘ADOPT’ them into His forever ‘family’!

SO, if you are an unbeliever with a ‘heavy heart’ about something(s) you have done, just ASK God to ‘FREE’ you from them and for Him to ‘adopt’ you!

In the Bible, there is a parable that Jesus told about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying in the Temple. He notes that the tax collector didn’t even dare to lift his eyes toward Heaven as he prayed. Instead he “beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’”—and Jesus said that the tax collector “went home justified,” he had been “born again” and ‘reconciled’ by God. (Luke 18:9-14). THIS is what one NEEDS TO DO to be ‘adopted’ into God’s family.

FEEL ‘SUPER’ SPECIAL
Being ‘chosen’ is a big deal. Whether it was when you were a kid being picked at recess for a game, your first job, or when you got married, that moment was ‘SPECIAL’ since someone ‘CHOSE’ you.

Many adopted children say that when they found out that a family ‘adopted’ them, they felt an overwhelming ‘gratefulness’ well up inside them that they are ‘WANTED’, and that made them feel ‘really’ SPECIAL.

As a reminder, I mentioned that adopted boy, Cole, responded to his adoptive mom that he feels “like a special difference. Like if we’re all beads, I feel like a golden bead among the blue beads,” and that adopted daughter told her adoptive dad that “Because of adoption, I think I’m different and special.”

As another reminder, according to Roman law, a naturally born baby could be ‘disowned’ by the family. HOWEVER, people ‘adopting’ a child knew exactly what they were getting, and no one adopted a child unless that specific child was ‘WANTED’ as a family member. So, according to Roman law, an adopted child COULD NOT be disowned. They were ‘PERMANENTLY’ ADDED to the family—forever!

Judah Ben-Hur said, after accepting Arrius’ symbol of adoption, a signet ring: “A strange destiny brought me here to a new life, a new home, and a new father… I shall always wear this ring, as a son of Arrius should, with gratitude, affection, and honor.”

This is exactly the ‘feeling’ God WANTS to give ANYONE who truly ‘desires’ to become one of His ‘SUPER’ SPECIAL ‘adopted’ ‘children’!

Now, human adoption’s positive impact on the child will LAST A ‘LIFETIME’, allowing them to thrive and grow into a healthy, well-rounded, and independent adult. HOWEVER, being ‘adopted’ by God will make the person one of His ‘HEIRS’ and it will LAST ‘FOREVER’!

Knowing this, a believer tends to be ‘OVERWHELMED’ that they have been ‘CHOSEN’ to be ‘ADOPTED’ before the foundation of the world, predestined into an ‘INHERITANCE’ of Jesus Himself, and was chosen to be a ‘CO-HEIR’ with Him… FOREVER!

Just like a human adopted child, they want to feel special, wanted, part of a family, and not be concerned with having to go back to a foster home or be ‘disowned’. The thing is, THIS is EXACTLY what God wants to do for you—and a WHOLE LOT MORE!

SO, JUST ASK!!!

<<< END OF SUMMARY >>>

<<< ALL THE DETAILS >>>

The following is a comprehensive presentation of the topic that follows the ‘headings’ laid out in the Summary.

BEING ‘CHOSEN’
There are a variety of ‘positions’ one is chosen for during their life. A few are:

Now think about your first job. With that hiring came a sense of gratitude and self-worth because you were chosen to be a part of the ‘team’ at that company.

The miraculous history of the Jews further demonstrates the everlasting nature of God’s Covenant with them. While other nations, people, groups, and civilizations have risen, fallen, and in some cases totally disappeared, the Jewish people have persisted, not only in their existence but, more importantly, in their distinct identity as God’s “chosen people.” The Jews can trace their existence back almost 4,000 years. No other group currently living in, or claiming of right to, the Holy Land even comes close to this. The ability of the Jews to defy the seemingly inevitable pattern of civilizations eventually dying out and disappearing speaks to the continuance of God’s covenant with the Jews!

The ultimate goal of God’s choice of the Jews as His chosen people was to produce the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be the Savior of the world. Jesus had to come from some nation or people, so God chose Israel. God first promised the Savior/Messiah after Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3). Later, God specified that the Messiah would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12). Later still, He narrowed the Messiah’s ancestry to the line of David (2 Samuel 7). Throughout their history, the people of Israel were aware of their “chosen” status before God (see 1 Kings 3:8; 8:53; Psalm 105:43; Isaiah 43:4; 65:9; and Amos 3:2). The fact that God has an eternal future for Israel is evident in that five-sixths of the Bible bears directly or indirectly upon them—Jesus being the central figure who brought the Jews and Gentiles together (Ephesians 2:14).

Now, even though Israel has ‘disobeyed’ many times—and was punished for those times—God will never ‘fully’ reject them (Leviticus 26:44-45). In short, God will never abandon His chosen people no matter what they do—but it’s going to be ‘costly’ for them. [ Again, that’s what the “Great Tribulation” is all about. ]

So, the last ‘chapter’ of this long and turbulent ‘romance’ has yet to be written. This is why Israel is VERY ‘SPECIAL’ to God and why He is “very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion” [ Zechariah 1:14; 8:2a ]. Zechariah continues by saying that God “will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there My house will be rebuilt” [ Zechariah 1:16b ]. So, when God will finally be finished ‘dealing’ with His chosen people—at the end of the Great Tribulation when Jesus returns for His Second Coming—He will give to them everything He had promised them originally.

THE ’BURDEN’ OF BEING CHOSEN
Returning to the “Fiddler on the Roof” story, Tevye felt the burden of being chosen—just like the Jews have felt over all these years.

CHOSEN ‘BY’ GOD
Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” [ John 15:16a ].

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus”
[ Romans 3:22-26 ].

Now, here’s the best part: Once God has ‘chosen’ you, He WILL NEVER un-choose you! Your girlfriend or boyfriend might break up with you, or the coach might bench you for the rest of the season, you might get fired from your dream job or get divorced from your spouse. However, when you are ‘chosen’ by God, it is a DONE ‘DEAL’!

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
[ Romans 8:31-39 ].

The thing is, the believer has the unwavering ‘confidence’ of a ‘direct’ connection with the Creator of the universe—that WILL NEVER be taken away! They simply get to respond to that security by following God in faith and obedience and producing ‘fruit’ that will last (good works that will be ‘rewarded’ in Heaven).

[ FYI: For more details on the ‘kinds’ of good works that will be rewarded in Heaven, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/heaven-on-earth-v289/ ].

SO, it makes me wonder if YOU are one of the ‘chosen’ having put your trust ‘in’ Jesus for your salvation.

If not, please consider reading a previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post that addressed how to trust ‘in’ Jesus:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/learning-to-t-r-u-s-t-v263/

A first-grade teacher was discussing a picture of a family with her class. One of the children in the picture had a different hair color than did the other family members.

A little girl in the class suggested maybe that was because the boy had been adopted. “I know all about adoptions,” she exclaimed, “because I was adopted.”
Another little boy in the class asked, “What does it mean that you are adopted?” The little girl said that “It means that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.”

Now, I have read that some people have a bad ‘taste’ for adoption, thinking that some women are ‘pressured’ into (or out of) adoption, that adoption ‘facilitators’ make absorbent fees, and that sometimes the adoptive parents are no better than the original parents.

Well, of course, in ANY ‘industry’ there are ‘bad apples’ and things do not go as one would wish, However, starting the 1980s, more government services have been added yearly, and many more adoption agencies—coordinated with pregnancy centers—have been opened. In addition to that, much of the funding for these organizations comes from ‘other’ sources like foundations and individual donations. So, since they are not financially dependent upon the decision anyone makes, they don’t have to pressure either the birth mother or the adopting family, and can also be unbiased in their counseling of both ‘parties’. There is also a huge amount of reliable information available online to help both the birth mother/dad and the prospective parents with their adoption ‘journey’.

There has also been a huge amount of effort and money invested by the Department of Human Services in developing a much better adoption ‘process’ that includes more detailed background checks, consents, designation, court proceedings, the legal basis for terminating parental rights, safe haven laws, fees and expenses regulations, eligibility requirements, and home study requirements for the prospective parents.

Another thing that has helped tremendously in combating the past negativism, pessimism, and the ‘stigma’ about adoptions is all the wonderful stories that have come out about very ‘successful’ people that were adopted. This tends to prove that the birth mothers made the right choice in putting their baby up for adoption since there have been MANY examples conclusively manifesting in a much better life for their baby and are very infrequently ‘troubled’ about themselves being adopted—especially with the availability of the new ‘open’ (or semi-open) adoptions, where the birth mother is NOT ‘cut off’ from their child.

To demonstrate that adoption is NOT the ‘issue’ it used to be, the following list of ‘famous’ people that were adopted proves that an adopted child can grow up to be as successful as they want at whatever they have been gifted with:

FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE ADOPTED
Actors And Actresses:
– Marilyn Monroe
– Dean Cain
– Kristin Chenoweth
– Gary Coleman
– Lana Condor
– Andy Dick
– Jamie Foxx
– Melissa Gilbert
– Keegan-Michael Key
– Ray Liotta
– George Lopez
– Frances McDormand
– Jack Nicholson
– Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi
– Nicole Richie
– Ruth Westheimer (“Dr. Ruth”)
– Charlie Chaplin
– Steve McQueen
– Eartha Kitt
– Ingrid Bergman
– Michael Bay
– Kelly Preston
– Lee Majors
– Richard Burton
– Tallulah Bankhead
– Priscilla Presley
– George Lopez

Musicians:
– JC Chasez
– Keyshia Cole
– Trace Cyrus
– Debbie Harry
– Faith Hill
– John Lennon
– Run D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels)
– Tim McGraw
– Sarah McLachlan
– Liz Phair
– 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson)
– Skrillex (Sonny John Moore)
– Ice T
– Eric Clapton
– Willie Nelson
– Louis Armstrong
– Bo Diddley
– Apl.de.ap

Athletes:
– Lance Armstrong
– Simone Biles
– Daunte Culpepper
– Ric Flair
– Scott Hamilton
– Colin Kaepernick
– Alonzo Mourning
– Michael Oher
– Babe Ruth

Politicians/Entrepreneurs/Writers/Etc.
– Michael Bay
– Jeff Bezos
– Bill Clinton
– Larry Ellison
– Gerald Ford
– Newt Gingrich
– John Hancock
– Jesse Jackson
– Steve Jobs
– Nelson Mandela
– Malcolm X
– Edgar Allan Poe
– Nancy Reagan
– Eleanor Roosevelt
– Dave Thomas
– Leo Tolstoy
– J. R. R. Tolkien
– Truman Capote
– James Baldwin
– John Hancock
– George Washington Carver
– Harry Carey
– Christina Crawford
– L’Wren Scott
– Maya Angelou

Ancients:
– Aristotle
– Sacagawea
– Augustus
– Tiberius Julius Caesar
– Marcus Aurelius
– Nero

[ Sources: “Ranker.com,” “Ongig.com,” and “Adoption.com” ]

BEN-HUR’S ‘ADOPTION’
So then, referring back to my fictional—but ‘famous’ (11 Academy Awards)—adoption of Judah Ben-Hur, it recounts his life as a Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the first century.

Messala, Ben-Hur’s childhood friend returns home as an ambitious commanding officer of the Roman legion that is occupying Palestine. (Messala’s father was once the Roman governor of Judea).

Messala and Roman troops enter Ben-Hur’s home and take the family prisoner. Messala goes up on the roof and discovers that it was indeed an accident, that several of tiles were loose on the roof. Despite this knowledge, Messala decided to declare the entire Ben-Hur family guilty of attacking the Governor (stating that to condemn an old friend would help to raise his stature and make him feared).

Without a trial, Ben-Hur is sent to the galleys—an almost certain death sentence—while Ben-Hur’s mother and sister Tirzah are imprisoned.

Ben-Hur managed to briefly escape and confronted Messala over his knowledge that the family was innocent. He threatened to kill Messala but backed down when Messala told him that it would result in the death of Ben-Hur’s mother and sister. Before being led away, Ben-Hur told Messala that he would pray Messala lived long enough for him to return and seek revenge. Messala was dismissive that Ben-Hur would survive to do that.

On a forced march across the desert, thirst and exhaustion nearly kill Ben-Hur. When the soldiers guarding Ben-Hur and the other prisoners stopped to rest in Nazareth, they specifically ordered that Ben-Hur not receive any water. However, a Jewish Rabbi (Jesus) would have none of that, and gave Ben-Hur some water. A Roman centurion was about to object when Jesus stood up and stared at him. After a couple of seconds, the Roman backed away, unsure of what happened but knowing that he didn’t want to ‘mess with’ this Rabbi.

After three years chained to an oar in the belly of a Roman warship as a galley slave, Ben-Hur finds himself assigned to the flagship of the Roman navy. Roman Consul Quintus Arrius has been charged with destroying a fleet of Macedonian pirates. However, when the Roman fleet encounters the Macedonians, Arrius’ ship is rammed and begins to sink. Arrius, fearing the battle ended in defeat, contemplates committing suicide. However, Ben-Hur, in the heat of battle, prevents Arrius from doing so, and saves his life.

Ben-Hur and Arrius are later rescued, and Arrius is credited with the Roman fleet’s victory. He becomes a Roman hero. Out of gratitude, he takes Ben-Hur into his home and treats him like the son he never had.

Several years pass and Ben-Hur learns the Roman ways and becomes a champion charioteer in Rome’s famous Coliseum.

Arrius then becomes convinced that Ben-Hur is innocent of trying to kill the Governor. Arrius petitions the Emperor and the Senate to drop the charges. However, the Emperor and the Senate will not free Ben-Hur outright but give Ben-Hur to Arrius as his slave.

Later, out of pride for what Ben-Hur has become, Arrius legally ‘ADOPTS’ him as HIS ‘SON’!

[ VIDEO: Arrius ‘adopts’ Ben-Hur as his son:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbHDk6Uzri4&t=64s ]

[ NOTE: This is the point of the movie that I wanted to get to for my ‘illustration’ related to adoption. However, for those who would like to know how the movie ends, here you go…

Despite his newfound wealth and status in the Empire, Ben-Hur longs for home in Jerusalem, and with the blessing of Arrius, departs for Judea.

Arriving in Judea, Ben-Hur meets Balthazar of Alexandria, one of the Magi who visited Jesus shortly after his birth. He also meets Sheik Ilderim, an Arabic sheik who brought his horses to race in the circus.

Arriving in Jerusalem, Ben-Hur goes to see Messala and demands the release of his mother and sister. He tells Messala that if his mother and sister are released to him, he will forgo the vengeance that he swore he would take against Messala. Messala tries to stall him by saying that he needs the approval of Gratus to do so, and Ben-Hur tells him to get that approval by the next day.

Returning to the family estate, Ben-Hur finds his ‘love interest’ Esther, Simonides, and Malluch all living in the house. Esther reveals to Ben-Hur that the marriage was called off since she was forced to remain in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Messala’s aide was sent to the prison to free the women. When they arrive, it is found that the two women have contracted leprosy during their long stay. They are freed and the cell is burned. The two women return to their house one last time and tell Esther to tell Ben-Hur that his mother and sister are dead. Not wanting Ben-Hur to see them in their current condition—and knowing that under Mosaic law he would have to reject them—Esther makes up a story that she had seen the bodies of Tirzah and his mother shortly after their initial imprisonment, and Ben-Hur storms off in anger.

Ben-Hur realizes that the only way to get even with Messala is to enter a chariot race with him. He agrees to drive Sheik Ilderim’s horses in the race. Messala races with a chariot fitted with blades on the hubs, and during the race, Messala is then able to use these blades to destroy a couple of chariots and force their riders out of the race. However, when he tries to do the same with Ben-Hur’s chariot, his plan backfires, and Messala’s chariot is destroyed. Messala is then thrown from the chariot, dragged along the ground, and then trampled by another team of horses.

Messala refuses to allow doctors to operate on him until Ben-Hur comes to see him. Ben-Hur does see him in the final moments before he dies, Messala tells Ben-Hur that his mother and sister are still alive and are in the Valley of the Lepers.

After Messala’s death, Ben-Hur comes to believe that Messala was once a good person who had been corrupted by Rome. As a result, he turns against the Roman Empire, asking his adoptive father’s friend Pontius Pilate to return his ring to his adoptive father. Pilate warned Ben-Hur that, as the representative of Caesar, it was his duty to crush all enemies of Rome, so it would be best if he left Judea.

Both Balthazar and Esther attempt to console Ben-Hur, imploring him to come listen to a certain young Rabbi who was teaching in the area. Ben-Hur rebuffs them both.

Ben-Hur then finds his sister and mother in the Valley of the Lepers. By then, Tirzah was dying of leprosy. Taking his mother and sister, Ben-Hur sets out to find the young Rabbi (Jesus) in the hopes that He could heal them from the disease. However, by then Jesus has been arrested and had just been condemned to death by Pilate. When bystanders see the ill Miriam and Tirzah they react violently, throwing objects at them to force them away.

Then, during Jesus’ ‘march’ to Calvary, Ben-Hur gets a clear look at Him and realizes that this was the same man who showed kindness to him as he was being taken to the galleys. Ben-Hur then attempts to repay the kindness by offering Jesus some water, but a Roman soldier kicks the water away before Jesus could drink it.

Ben-Hur then follows the procession to Calvary and is one of the many people to witness the crucifixion and death of Jesus. In the moments just before Jesus dies, he shares a ‘vision’ with Ben-Hur to convince him that it was His will that this all happen and that Ben-Hur should allow the crucifixion to proceed. As Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do,” Ben-Hur feels he is ‘freed’ from all of his anger and hatred—totally eliminated! (At the very moment that Jesus dies both Miriam and Tirzah are cured of their leprosy.)

Then, when Ben-Hur returns to his home, he is joyfully reunited with his mother and his sister—whom were both healed. He embraces both of them and then, with much love, Esther. ]

[ FYI: Links to buying or renting this epic masterpiece are in the “Resources” section below. ]

‘ROMAN’ ADOPTION PRACTICES
It’s interesting to note that our current adoption practices are patterned after the Roman laws.

So, according to law an adopted child COULD NOT be disowned. They were ‘PERMANENTLY’ ADDED to the family!

The Roman historian William M. Ramsay wrote:

“A formerly prevalent Greek law had persisted under the Roman Empire… It actually lays down the principle that a man can never put away an adopted son, and that he cannot put away a real son without good ground. It is remarkable that the adopted son should have a stronger position than the son by birth, yet it was so.”

So, according to the Roman legal system, the person who was adopted into a family gained all the legal rights of a legitimate son in the new family, but he lost all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities in his old family. He was now an equal with the other sons and daughters in his new family. He was a ‘co-heir’ with them. He was regarded as a ‘new person’ who had a ‘new life’ in a ‘new family’ and in a ‘new home’. (As Judah Ben-Hur commented after Arrius gave him the signet ring.)

Another wonderful thing about the Roman law was that the old life of the adopted son was completely wiped out. All of his debts were canceled, and his past now had nothing to do with him. He was a new ‘creation’.

Adoption is a way to make sure your child is loved and safe and has access to every opportunity a child should have. Adoption provides a child with a safe, loving home.

No two adoptions look the same, and there are many factors that can play a role in how your adoption journey is shaped; the kind of child you want to adopt, where you choose to adopt your child, and the structure of your family will all have an affect on the process.

Adoption can be exhilarating, scary, confusing, and hopeful, all at the same time. Deciding to adopt a child is easy for some; indeed, there are many people who report that they have wanted to form a family via adoption for as long as they can remember. For others, however, the decision is more complicated.

Many pursue adoption after trying unsuccessfully to have a biological child; in these cases, they may worry that adoption is “second best” or face confusing feelings of grief or shame. Others may feel excited to adopt but find the process to be slow, costly, or confusing. Prospective adopters often find that keeping their expectations realistic, educating themselves about adoption as much as possible, and seeking support from those who have been there are the best tools for navigating the long road to their future family.

‘KINDS’ OF ADOPTIONS
The ‘primary’ kinds of adoptions are:

– Domestic Infant Adoption
Domestic infant adoption is the voluntary placement of a baby for adoption by his or her birth mother. By pursuing this type of adoption, you can bond with your baby from birth and create a meaningful relationship with the birth family.

– Embryo Adoption
Thanks to advances in reproductive medicine and technology, the newest form of adoption also allows adoptive parents to experience the joys of pregnancy. If you want to genetically carry the baby you are adopting, with an embryo adoption, that is entirely possible.

– Foster Care Adoption
When you adopt a child from foster care, you are opening your heart to a child in need of love, care, and a family. There are some unique characteristics of foster care adoption compared to other types of adoption.

– Foster-to-Adopt
This is a form of adoption where a child will be placed in your home for your family to foster, but with the expectation that they will become legally free and available to be adopted by you.

– Relative or Kinship Adoption
Sometimes people adopt members of their own family. One of the most common instances is when an aunt adopts her nieces and nephews because her sibling is unable to care for them. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, in any instance where children cannot safely remain at home with their parents, this is the first type of adoption considered.

– Step-parent Adoption
This type of adoption allows a step-parent to adopt their step-child. It helps legalize a lifelong parent-child relationship between a step-parent and their spouse’s child. The step-parent is given financial and legal responsibility for the child. After step-parent adoption, the non-custodial or other parent becomes free from parenting responsibilities such as child support.

¬– International Adoption
Adopting a child from another country can be complicated and expensive. Some countries have significantly reduced the number of children that are available to be adopted, and others have eliminated international adoption entirely.

– Adult Adoption
Adult adoption allows families to formalize longstanding relationships and provides adoptive parents and adoptees with legal benefits and protections.

– Closed Adoption
A closed adoption involves no contact between the adoptive parents and the birth parents of the child. This means no personal information will be shared between you and the birth family of the child.

– Open Adoption
Open adoption is the opposite of a closed one. It allows for some contact or association between the adoptive parents and the birth parents of the child. It includes identifying information and contact details. It includes sharing pictures or letters, phone or video calls, and open contact between the child and both sets of parents.

ADOPTION ‘PROCESS’
The adoption process can create a better future for birth parents, adoptive families, and children.

Adoption can change your life, and there are primarily two ‘situations’ one can find themselves in:

– You are a pregnant woman
– You are a hopeful parent with a strong desire to fulfill your dream of starting a family

In general, there are seven important steps to the adoption process:
[ Source: Considering Adoption: https://consideringadoption.com/ ]

STEP1: Decide The Process That Is Right For You
Adopting a child is one of the biggest choices you will ever make. It is completely normal to feel excited, scared, and everything in between when you are thinking about the adoption process. How can you go from nervousness and uncertainty to confidence and hope? By learning about the benefits of the adoption process and understanding how it works for you.

Adoption creates control out of crisis. For women experiencing unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, adoption provides structure, support, and safety. Through agency support, adoption financial assistance, access to resources and more, adoption can empower women to make a brave, loving choice for their babies. Similarly, hopeful parents caught in the cycle of grief, frustration, and hopelessness brought on by infertility can breathe fresh hope into their dreams of starting a family through adoption.

Adoption creates loving families. Family is more than biology—it is love. If you have dreamt of starting a family and found that more “traditional” means won’t be a part of your story—or if you feel a sense of calling to the adoption process—then this could be the shape of your family’s journey. And it’s only possible because a woman makes a brave, loving choice to do what is best for herself and her baby. Coming together, adoptive families and birth parents do something amazing.

Adoption creates bright futures. Children who are adopted are deeply loved. They are the star of their parent’s lives. Through the adoption process, children experience the love, security, and opportunity that a wonderful family can provide.

STEP 2: Find The Best Adoption Agency For You
The simple truth is that the adoption process is complex. There are many requirements, regulations, laws, filing deadlines, and ‘mountains’ of paperwork—so how in the world do you do it? Well, with the support, guidance, and services from an adoption agency.

Choosing the best adoption agency might be the most important decision you make in the entire adoption process. The right agency can help you experience the best version of your adoption process. The wrong agency can cause headaches, long wait times, dashed hopes, and even legal problems.

Every situation is unique. What is best for you may not necessarily be best for someone else. But, with that being said, there are some characteristics that all of the best adoption agencies have.

Here’s what to look for when it comes to choosing your agency for the adoption process:

– Stability: Larger, national agencies tend to operate with more stability. That’s good for you. Years like 2020 taught us that anything can happen. Unfortunately, many small adoption agencies (and even some larger ones) were not prepared for that. They shut down or became unreliable. When you’re considering an agency, ask about their year-over-year placement numbers, how long they have been operating, and how many clients they work with at once. With a larger agency, prospective birth parents will have more adoptive family profiles to look through, adoptive parents will have shorter wait times, and everybody will have more confidence.

– Experience: A social worker who has helped complete more adoptions will be more prepared to help you have a successful adoption process. But, there’s another layer of experience. How does the adoption agency you’re considering include the experiences of adoptive families, birth parents, and adoptees on its staff? Representation matters, and agencies with staff made up of people who have personally experienced adoption can offer the best support.

– Availability: You’re going to have some late-night and early-morning needs. Will your agency answer the phone? Some agencies cut off during office hours, but the best agencies will be there for you 24/7. That’s what you need during the adoption process.

STEP 3: Make The Connection That Changes Your Life
Women facing an unplanned pregnancy can find and choose a family who will love, protect, and cherish their baby for their entire life.

The adoption process does not work like it used to. There is no “giving a baby up” for adoption and wondering what happened to them. In the modern-day adoption process, the prospective birth mother is in charge. She gets to choose a family she believes will be perfect for her family.

If you’re a prospective birth mother, you can make this choice. The adoption process involves picking the family you think will be best for your baby. Your adoption agency will help you do this.

You will look through adoptive family profiles (these usually have letters, photos, and, sometimes, videos) until you find the perfect family. Depending on the agency you work with, you might have only a few profiles, or you could have dozens. This is another reason that many women choose larger, national adoption agencies for their adoption process.

For adoptive families, receiving an adoption opportunity can go a few different ways.

– You can be selected as a prospective birth mother in a private adoption
– You can be placed with a child through the foster care system
– You can receive a referral for an international adoption placement

How this goes for you depends, of course, on the type of adoption you choose. Regardless, the moment you say “yes” to an adoption opportunity is the moment your life changes forever.

STEP 4: Develop A Relationship Through Pre-Placement Contact
The majority of adoptions today are open. That’s surprising for many—but it is true. If you choose to start the adoption process, then the odds are that you will find yourself participating in some form of communication with the other ‘side’—whether you are a prospective birth mother or a hopeful adoptive parent.

Open adoption is a relationship. Like every relationship, the closeness will be different in each situation. Some people talk weekly, while others may check in month-to-month, and still others less frequently than that. Open adoption creates a lasting connection between the birth parents, adoptive family, and child that has significant benefits for everyone involved in the adoption process.

The benefits of open adoptions are:

– The majority of birth parents and adoptive families in open adoptions report positive experiences, and those with more openness tend to be more satisfied with the adoption process
– Research has shown that children who have ongoing contact with their birth parents are more satisfied with their adoptions than those without contact
– Openness allows adopted children to better understand the reasons for their adoption, promotes more positive feelings toward their birth mother, provides them with information that aids in identity formation, and more

The modern-day adoption process is almost always open. But, if you are a prospective birth parent, you do have the final say. Your adoption process can be as open (or closed) as you want it to be.

STEP 5: Following The Hospital Plan (Completing Placement)
When you are a prospective birth mother, you will create a hospital plan for this part of the adoption process. Your adoption agency will help you make the plan, pick a hospital, receive the financial assistance you need to cover all medical expenses, and more.

Adoptive families also need to be ready to follow this plan by staying patient,
staying calm, being encouraging, and getting ready.

You are about to meet and hold your baby for the first time. It is a life-changing moment for everyone!

STEP 6: Finalizing The Adoption
Placement is not the end of the adoption process. The adoptive family still needs to complete their adoption finalization.

It is a little different for everyone, but there are basically three steps:

– Complete your post-placement visits
– Attend your finalization hearing
– Request the follow-up paperwork, like an amended birth certificate

Your adoption agency and attorney will be there to walk you through these three steps as you complete the adoption process.

STEP 7: Build A Better Future
Adoption is about many people. It is about birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees—all to build a better future for the child. You deserve to experience happiness, to see your dreams fulfilled, and to become who you are meant to be.

Life after the adoption process (much like all of life) is full of ups and downs.

– Women who place their babies for adoption can experience difficult emotions, even when they know that adoption was the best choice
– Parents raising children through adoption may encounter unique conversations about heritage and identity
– Children who were adopted can have stories full of distinctive joys and struggles

Through all of it, the right adoption agency will be there to provide post-placement support. Sometimes this looks like educational materials; other times it may be references to helpful professionals and more.

No matter what form it takes, your adoption agency will continue providing support after the adoption process is over. With that support, you can have everything you need to build a bright future and create the life you deserve.

So, is adoption always easy? No. But, is adoption always worth it? Absolutely!

The present reality of the believer’s adoption into the family of God is the ‘release’ from the slavery of sin and the law, and a new position as a free ‘heir’ of God (like Ben-Hur became). Entering into salvation brings the rights and privileges of free ‘sonship’: “For 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’” [ Romans 8:15 ].

The Apostle Paul then tells the Galatians that believers are redeemed from the law such that now have an ‘INTIMACY’ with God the Father—via the ‘Spirit’ of adoption (the Holy Spirit)—who teaches them to call out to God as their “Abba, Father.” The “Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15-17) reveals the adopted sons of God in Christ (Romans 8:1823). They receive the Spirit of adoption when they accept, by faith, the grace that has been offered to them ‘in’ Jesus (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:23; Luke 10:27).

So then, the Spirit of adoption allows the believer to “come boldly before the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16) as a beloved child runs to his father in times of trouble. Because of the Spirit of adoption, the believer can enjoy serving God without fear or obligation—so then, serving in their Father’s Kingdom becomes life’s highest ambition (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The Apostle Paul then reminds his readers of six grace-filled features enjoyed since the days of the patriarchs: adoption, glory, covenants, the law, worship, and promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen (Romans 9:4-5).

Stunningly, “adoption” gets the first mention in this list of gifts. Though Israel’s corporate adoption lacked the substance and security of the full adoption ‘in’ Jesus, Israel’s sonship provides the historical/theological parentage for the perfect adoption to come in their Messiah.

In contrast to—and the solution for—Israel’s disobedience, Jesus secured and confirmed faith, obedience, and worship for the adopted sons of God. Theologian and pastor Sinclair Ferguson said of this: “Only when the Father is known through the Son by the Holy Spirit is adoption a fully coherent notion.” Israel’s adoption planted the ‘seed’ for the anticipated fully-bloomed adoptive blessings that would be secured by Jesus.

With compelling brevity, theologian J. I. Packer offers this three-word summary of the Gospel: “Adoption through propitiation.” He then exclaims, “I do not ever expect to find a richer or more pregnant summary of the Gospel than that.” God’s righteous anger against sinners is fully satisfied by His righteous Son’s substitutionary death and vindicating resurrection/exaltation (Romans 1:3-4; 4:25; 1 Timothy 3:16). By divine grace, as Jesus ‘absorbs’ God’s wrath in our place, He turns the Father’s countenance toward us in full forgiveness (Numbers 6:22-24). What wondrous reconciliation!

Jesus’ propitiatory work on our behalf surges with exceedingly greater blessing—the glories and riches of adoption. As Scripture affirms, forgiven sinners do not enter God’s Kingdom as mere paupers. They become royal ‘sons’, members of the family of God, siblings of the King of kings—brothers of whom he is not ashamed (Heb. 2:11).

Packer is not alone in his thoughts. Reformed theologian John Calvin’s theology of salvation has been dubbed the “Gospel of Adoption.” Another theologian, John Owen, described adoption as the “great and fountain privilege” of salvation in Jesus. More recently theologian John Murray labeled adoption the “apex of grace and privilege.”

Pastor David B. Garner said that “Biblical motifs for salvation are not left in the cosmic courtroom, but… boldly and intimately proceed into the home and fatherly heart of God. God is not exclusively Judge; he is a gracious Father—the believer stands not merely as an acquitted criminal, but as an adopted son.”

Jesus took on human flesh in a gracious redeeming act possessing a stated purpose—adoption! Adoption is a primary reason for Jesus coming to earth: “To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” [ Galatians 4:5 ], purposed before time (Ephesians 1), and prefigured in corporate Israel’s experience (Romans 9). Jesus came, suffered, and died for our full and final ‘adoption’.

The Gospel, as the Apostle Paul sees it, IS ‘adoption’.

The Puritans mined adoption’s deep pastoral treasures. They use the truth of adoption to transform God’s needy children through powerful comforts. Thomas Hooker showed how adoption comforts them in the face of their unworthiness, outward poverty, the contempt of the world, infirmities, afflictions, persecutions, and dangers. When oppressed with sin, buffeted by Satan, enticed by the world, or alarmed by fears of death, believers are able to take refuge in their precious, heavenly Father, saying with [Samuel] Willard, “Am I not still a child? And if so, then I am sure, that though He corrects me (and I deserve it, nor will I refuse to submit myself patiently unto it) yet He cannot take away His lovingkindness from me.” In adoption they discovered—and we must discover afresh by the Spirit of adoption—marvelous assurance and comfort for the darkest of days.

The glorious contours of adoption for the family of God offer resources that are as sweet as they are spectacular. Forgiven and sanctified saints are the adopted sons of God—adorned with royal, familial privileges, interminable comfort, and stunning glory.

SOME ‘SIMILARITIES’
There are a few ‘similarities’ between what God did in adoption and what happens in an adoption today:

– Adoption Was And Is ‘Costly’
All parents know the cost of bringing a child into your home—and it is not just economic. There is a great emotional cost as well. One expert noted that these costs don’t stop when they reach ‘legal’ age. There are costs in time and stress for the rest of your life. However, there is something very deep and right about the embrace of this cost for the life of a child!

Spiritually, to redeem means to obtain or to set free by paying the ‘price’ for the sins of the person, and it cost God the price of his Son’s life to fulfill His ‘requirements’ (Galatians 4:4-5).

Here is an illustration that Pastor Greg Ogden shared that might help explain what God/Jesus did for us:

“One night in a small rural town, a small house caught on fire. In a few seconds the roof and the timbers were engulfed in flames. Unfortunately, there was no fire engine in this remote place and the town’s people stood around helplessly.

Suddenly, a young man burst on the scene and cried out… isn’t someone going to try to save them?

When no one responded he jumped through the flames and into the house. A moment later he emerged with a child under each arm. He had carefully covered the children under his coat to prevent them from being burned, but he himself was badly burned.

The parents of the two children perished in the flames. There was much sympathy in the town for the two children who survived. Later, two petitions were submitted to the court for adoption. One was the town mayor. He had money, position, and everything that the children might need to make sure they were provided with the best of everything.

The other man who petitioned the court was the young man who has risked his life to save them. When the judge asked this man why the court should allow him to adopt the children, he did not answer with words. Instead, he held up his hands that bore the scars from his burns. The scars on his hands make his convincing case.”

Even though God owns the universe, there was still a cost – a cost that couldn’t be counted in dollars; a cost more valuable than all the world’s silver and gold—His only Son, Jesus. “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” [ 1 Peter 1:18-19 ].

– Adoption Was A ‘Legal Transaction’
All of us know about the adoption of children since it is a very frequent occurrence in our culture. Though adoption has been practiced for centuries, there was no legal recognition in the U.S. until 1850 and none in England until 1926.

Adoption, in strict terms, is a ‘legal’ process. However, adoption is more meaningful and more significant than just the legal perspective. Adoption represents a ‘relationship’. So, there is a substantial difference between legal and promise in practice and principle. Where law focuses on legal facets, ‘promise’ celebrates the unconditional ‘gift’ of love.

So, today, the legal ‘transactions’ of the parents—who legally take responsibility for a child who was not originally born to them—precede the child experiencing the ‘feeling’ of family.

Spiritually, God’s adoption of someone is a consequence of the ‘legal’ act of justification, alongside redemption and reconciliation—and Jesus satisfied all of the Father’s legal ‘demands’.

The Apostle Paul noted that “When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” [ Galatians 4:4-5 ].

Subject to the law? What is that all about? Well, you might expect that if God decided to visit our planet He would come down like a celebrity. He was God. He made it all. He didn’t have to subject Himself to anything or anyone. However, to accomplish the task he set out to do, it was necessary.

The purchase price for buying back the enslaved human race was extreme. Remember, God is perfectly just, and you would not want it any other way.

A God who just turned His head on their atrocities would be considered ‘soft on crime’—unacceptable even to our flawed sense of justice. But, because God is just, He had to require appropriate and adequate payment for the sins of humanity.

So, what payment would be enough? What would be satisfactory? Well, first Jesus had to prove His own innocence. He subjected Himself to the law and obeyed it perfectly. That is the only way He could qualify to be a ‘substitute’ for humanity’s sins.

An illustration might help here:

Once during the civil war, a slave chose to offer himself as a substitute for military service for his beloved master’s son.

The son was young and not physically strong and since the slave had no obligation to military service, he could offer himself as a substitute.

The slave was killed in action; he literally gave his life for the life of his master’s son. Only because the slave was not subject to military service was, he eligible to offer himself as a substitute.

Jesus could offer Himself as a substitute for humanity because He had no obligation to die for His own sins. Only because Jesus had no requirement to pay for His own sin could he volunteer to make our ‘payment’.

Jesus was the perfect substitute. Because of God the Father’s infinite love for His Son, Jesus could satisfy the infinite price for human sin. God the Father’s immeasurable abhorrence for sin could only be appeased by the ultimate sacrifice of an infinitely perfect ‘substitute’.

– Adoption Made Believers Jesus’ ‘Heirs’
The Apostle Paul said that, “Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything He has belongs to you” [ Galatians 4:6-7 ].

Here’s a great illustration about being an ‘heir’:

“There was an elderly man who had a disabled son. One day the elderly Father died and the disabled son was left being cared for by the servants. While his father was still living he had an artist paint a picture of his son and being a proud father, he had hung it on the wall all the years of his life.

Now the disabled son was dying and family members could not wait, for they were eager to gain the wealth of the Father from the son’s death.

The son finally died and the dad’s attorney was carrying out the wishes of the father. Because of the faithfulness of the servants taking care of the elderly man’s disabled son, he’d instructed that they be given the opportunity to choose one thing from the house as a gift.

Some quickly chose furniture and jewelry and yet the son’s nurse asked only for the painting of the son that had hung proudly on the wall.

As the attorney was taking it from the wall he found an envelope was taped to its back, with the words “Last will and testament and it gave the Father’s name.”

The attorney stopped all that was going on in the house and began to read the words written by a loving father. Tears began to stream down his face as the old man’s faithful attorney began to read the will.

Family members and servants were growing impatient and asked well what does it say? The attorney replied to them simply it says: “He who loves my son, is heir to ALL that I have.”

That is essentially what God the Father said: “He who loves My Son is heir to all that I have.”

Here is a thought I would like you to consider: God ‘owes’ everything, right? So then, when you become a ‘child’ of God and an heir to all of His wealth, can you even begin to imagine what that will mean to you?

Think about it. How much of your ‘identity’ is caught up in who your family is? Someone has well said, “Where you came from determines to a large degree where you are going.” (Well, that was not necessarily true for Ben-Hur after being a slave in the galley of a ship.)

The ‘Good News’ of Jesus is all about just that. It is about the transition from slavery to freedom by birth, adoption, and parenthood. Just think about Jesus, the Son of God, born of a woman, born under the Law, coming to ‘buy’ one’s freedom. He submitted Himself to the Law, living under it faithfully and then paying the price for our breaking it, though He NEVER DID!

Jesus redeems the believer by paying the ‘legal’ price for them. They receive the adoption as children of God, and Jesus receives the punishment for their sinfulness.

[ NOTE: As I suggested in a previous post, a will/trust is REALLY IMPORTANT to pass on what you have accumulated to heirs. I detail how a human parent wants their children to inherit what they have, and that is the way God does it, too!
(https://markbesh.wordpress.com/preparing-for-the-future-v286/) ].

– Adoption Was Earnestly ‘Planned’
Now, there is something uniquely precious about having children by birth. That is the ‘best’ plan. However, there is also something uniquely ‘precious’, about adopting children. Your choice to adopt children may be sequentially second, but does not have to be secondary. It can be as significant as having your own children by birth.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment, impulsive act on God’s part. Adoption was NOT second best, “Plan B.” God pre-planned (“chose”) a believer’s adoption before the creation of the world! “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” [ Ephesians 1:4-5 ].

Now, yes, God did create a world that ‘allowed’ for sin—via free will—and He knew we would. This way the full range of God’s glory of His mercy and grace could be known by His adopted children.

– Adoption Removes Us From Very Bad ‘Situations’
God did not find us all ‘bundled up’ on the front step and irresistibly cute. He found us ugly and evil and rebellious. We were not ‘attractive’ and we would not be easy children to deal with. What’s worse, we were then “children of wrath.”

Therefore, all of God’s adoptions crossed a greater moral and cultural divide than any of our human adoptions could. The distance between what we are, and what God is, is infinitely greater than any distance between us and a child we might adopt. God crossed the greatest cultural barrier to redeem and adopt us.

Consider too, the Israelites were adopted out of a terrible ‘situation’. They were slaves in Egypt. But not only that, they were often also rebellious against God. “Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea” [ Psalm 106:7 ].

Therefore, the ‘pattern’ was set. Adoptions do not just come from nice, healthy, safe, auspicious situations. BUT, God can and does ‘redeem’ these situations.

– Adoption Means We Suffer Now And Experience ‘Glory’ Later
When Jesus died for the believer, the price was paid. Then, when they trust Him as their Savior and Lord, they are legally and permanently adopted into God’s family.

Then, God’s purpose for adoption is not to leave any of His children in a state of groaning and suffering. He raised Jesus from the dead with a new body, and He promises that part of the believer’s adoption will be a new resurrection body with no more disabilities and no more groaning. Therefore, what they wait for is the ‘full’ experience of their adoption—the resurrection of their bodies in Heaven. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” [ Romans 8:18 ].

This is especially relevant for parents of children with “disabilities.” They know the “groaning” of this life. However, they groan in ‘hope’ because they know they are adopted by God and destined for an eternal future of health and wholeness, and joy. They know it will all be worth it!

ADDITIONAL ‘BENEFITS’

– Adoption Takes Us Out Of ‘Slavery’
The Apostle Paul said, “God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as His very own children” [ Galatians 4:5 ].

The new relationship a believer has with God gives them ‘freedom’—they are no longer ‘slaves’. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” [ Romans 8:15 ]. (This is just what happened to Judah Ben-Hur. He went from bondage to freedom and slave to son.)

God delivers humanity from a terrible spirit—“the spirit of bondage.” How? Well, He actually adopts the believer as a ‘child’ and the Holy Spirit bears witness of that. The Holy Spirit also quickens their hearts with the perfect knowledge and the complete confidence that they are children of God. He spreads the knowledge that God loves them and He spreads it through their being.

The Bible says, “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” [ Romans 5:5 ], who “sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5). “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” [ Ephesians 1:13 ].

God adopted the believer out of slavery and their adoption is permanent!

– Adoption Was Marked By Moral ‘Transformation’
God does not leave His children without help to bear the moral image of the family. The believer can know that His help will be there for them as they are brought under the means of grace that God uses to awaken and transform His children.

– Adoption Gives ‘Access’ To God’s Presence
Now, Jesus the ‘man’ is no longer here on earth anymore. His disciples watched on a hilltop outside Jerusalem as He literally ascended into the clouds. The Bible tells us that He is in Heaven right now, sitting at the right hand of God the Father.

However, before He left, the told His disciples that He would send His Spirit to live ‘in’ them. This also happens to EVERY believer today! The Holy Spirit ‘indwells’ them. “And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all” [ Romans 8:9 ].

The believer is a child of God with all the privileges of sonship, of access to God, of entering into His presence anytime and anyplace. This relationship enables the believer to break the bondage of fear.

God’s love for the adopted Child is as great as God’s sovereign power. God will do everything for the believer who is His adopted child.

– An Intimate Relationship With The ‘Spirit’ Of God
The believer receives this “Spirit of adoption”––a sense of consciousness, awareness, and knowledge––believing then that they are a ‘child’ of God. The indwelling Spirit gives the realization of this ‘sonship’ to the believer’s present experience. The Apostle Paul reminds them that “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” [ Galatians 4:6 ].

– No Longer An ‘Alien’
Thankfully, God does not leave the believer in the condition of ‘aliens’ when He adopts them. He gives them the experience of being embraced by His ‘family’. What is remarkable is that the believer can call God, “Abba”—a very ‘intimate,’ affectionate, and enduring use of “Daddy.”

God also works to awaken deep affections in adopted children to be shown by their parents that are far more than legal outcomes. Like the children in the family, they can also cry, “Daddy.”

– Blessed To ‘Be A Blessing’
The blessings God gives the believer are intended to be shared with all, beginning with the inestimable blessing of salvation from sin and including all the other good things the Lord has given to them. So many of us have been given so much: material goods, adequate incomes, families, friends, jobs, homes—and that’s just for starters.

Primarily, the believer has been given the greatest ‘blessings’: faith, hope, and love, as well as the means of grace and the hope of glory.

God intends to bless all peoples, and He started with Abraham. But He made it clear in doing so that Abraham, and the people of Israel after him, were to be the ‘instruments’ through whom God would eventually bring a way of salvation that would be for everyone on earth. “I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” [ Genesis 12:2b-3 ].

This should remind the believer that everything they have received from God is ultimately to be used for the benefit of other people—especially those who do not yet know Him, the GREATEST ‘blessing’ of all!

So, believer, don’t forget that you have been blessed to be a blessing!

– The Adoption Is ‘Not Complete’
“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us” [ Romans 8:22-23 ].

This is in the future and will happen when the believer has received their glorified body at the Second Coming of Jesus. They will then possess all that their adoption as God’s children involves.

Adoption is an important ‘feature’ of Reformation theology as demonstrated by article 12 of the Westminster Confession of Faith:

“All those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a Father: yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.”

The thing is, the believer HAS NOT received it all yet! There is more to come! In fact, MUCH ‘MORE’!

With all that said, adoption is even MORE ‘IMPORTANT’ to God!

Slaves William and Ellen Craft clung to the doctrine of adoption when they ran away from their masters: “When the time had arrived for us to start, we blew out the lights, knelt down, and prayed to our Heavenly Father mercifully to assist us, as he did his people of old, to escape from cruel bondage; and we shall ever feel that God heard and answered our prayer.”

The Crafts knew what every Christian should know: adoption is at the heart of the storyline of the Bible. Adam and Eve embraced God as their holy and heavenly Father. They enjoyed His care and provision. He even walked in their midst (Gen. 3:8). But Adam severed that relationship when he sinned, leading God to cast them out of the garden, away from His presence (Genesis 3:24; Romans 5:12). Adoption is at the ‘heart’ of the storyline of the Bible.

When Adam’s descendants through Abraham wound up slaves in Egypt, something tremendous happened. God didn’t just save them from Pharaoh; He called Israel His own son (Exodus 4:23). God was at work, bringing a ‘fallen’ people near Him. He brought them into the land He had promised to Abraham and pledged that if they would serve Him, that He would once again walk among them—just as He did in Eden (Leviticus 26:12).

Sadly, Israel failed. They repeatedly rejected God’s law and His love. David knew God was a compassionate Father to those who feared Him, but no one feared Him as they should (Psalm 103:13).

What God did next still sends a thrill up the Christian’s spine. The perfect, sovereign, just Creator—the eternal Father—sent His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, into the world. Jesus gave up His life, bearing His Father’s wrath as He suffered and died on the cross. Yet by this tragedy, God accomplished the unthinkable—He accomplished atonement for His people. In the application of that atonement, He justifies sinners (Romans 3:24) and gives them new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17). Not only that, but the Father welcomes them into His family (Galatians 3:26; 4:4-7). Is there better news?

We live in a world full of people longing for a home, a place to belong, and a seat at the table. God the Father, through God the Son, and by the power of God the Spirit, does so much more. He gives repentant sinners His very name and makes them His heirs (Romans 8:17).

Now, this doctrine SHOULD BE ‘SWEET’ for the believer for many reasons. First, the doctrine of adoption is closely related to the doctrine of assurance. All who have “received the Spirit of adoption” have God’s Spirit testifying within them that they are “children of God” (Romans 8:15-16). The doctrine of assurance is as wonderful and mysterious as a father’s undying love for his prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). If you struggle with the assurance of your salvation, run to God who adopted you. The blood of Christ did more than justify you—it also made God your Father.

Second, the doctrine of adoption helps us understand and appreciate the Church. If you have ever traveled abroad and spent time with believers in other countries, you likely rejoiced about all you have in common. Regardless of language and cultural differences, you share the same love of God, view of the world, and hope of a new heaven and earth. Why? Because they are your brothers and sisters. You have a global ‘family’.

Not only has God given you a global Church, but He calls you into a local church. When Jesus told His disciples that following Him would mean losing everything, He encouraged them with the promise of a new family:

“Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life’”
[ Mark 10:29-30 ].

The Christian life is hard, but it comes with a home—a local church. This is a family of justified sinners who are now your ‘family’. If you struggle with feelings of loneliness, not only can you remember God is your Father, but you can also remember that you are part of a local church filled with your spiritual siblings and parents.

Third, the doctrine of adoption is a motivation to act. God will warm your hearts with the truth that when believers were weak and ungodly, Jesus died for us, providing them with ‘adoption’ into the family of God (Romans 5:6-11). Most Christian adoptive parents figure out that adoption is nothing but the dimmest reflection of the love that God has lavished on them.

Meditate on the doctrine of adoption. The Spirit will make it sweet to you. More than that, He will lead you to act. You may not adopt an orphan, but you will most certainly give of yourself to others, expecting nothing in return. This is the doctrine of adoption at work.

Theologian J.I. Packer summarized adoption well:

“[Adoption] is the highest privilege that the gospel offers: higher even than justification… That justification—by which we mean God’s forgiveness of the past together with his acceptance for the future—is the primary and fundamental blessing of the gospel is not in question. Justification is the primary blessing, because it meets our primary spiritual need. We all stand by nature under God’s judgment; his law condemns us; guilt gnaws at us, making us restless, miserable, and in our lucid moments afraid; we have no peace in ourselves because we have no peace with our Maker. So we need the forgiveness of our sins, and assurance of a restored relationship with God, more than we need anything else in the world; and this the gospel offer us before it offers us anything else… But contrast this, now, with adoption. Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into his family and fellowship—he establishes us as his children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater.”

Then, if you consider the ‘spiritual’ side of life, being ‘adopted’ by God will LAST ‘FOREVER’ and provides the believer with many things:

– Forgiveness of sins
– Salvation
– Heavenly blessings
– A new ‘identity’
– Sanctification (becoming more like Jesus every day)
– The ‘indwelling’ of the Holy Spirit (to lead and comfort them in this life)
– A ‘guaranteed’ home in Heaven
– A “co-heir” of all that Jesus possesses (everything)
– Being co-regents with Jesus in the Kingdom to come
– An ‘intimate’ relationship NOW with the Creator of the universe

Now, THAT is ‘FANTASTIC’!

[ FYI: For more details about preparing an Estate Plan, with a will and a trust, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/preparing-for-the-future-v286/ ].

Now, returning to the era of my ‘focus’ of this post—the first century—inheritance law in ancient Rome was governed by the civil law of the “Twelve Tables,” the laws passed by the Roman assemblies, which tended to be very strict, and the law of the praetor, which tended to often be more flexible. The resulting system was extremely complicated and was one of the central concerns of the whole legal system.

In the case of intestacy, Roman inheritance law had no concept of primogeniture and treated male and female children equally. However, in most cases, intestacy was avoided by employing a will. Roman law recognized very broad freedom of testation, but wills had to strictly follow correct formulae and phrases to be valid. The will had to name an heir. In addition to this, it could name a legal guardian for underage children, manumit slaves, and leave legacies to third parties. Over time a separate system of “fideicommissa” (“trusts”), which allowed greater flexibility, developed alongside the system of wills.

Since Roman consuls—like Quintus Arrius—were the highest elected official in the Roman Republic (just below the Emperor), they were allowed to just ‘designate’ heirs by just saying it: “Titius heres esto” (“Be thou, ‘so-and-so’ my heir”) or “Titium heredem esse iubeo” (“I order that ‘so-and-so’ be my heir”).

[ VIDEO: Arrius makes Ben-Hur his ‘heir’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbHDk6Uzri4&t=144s ]

So, how does that happen? Why would one even be ‘eligible’ for something like this? Well, it is just because of God’s amazing love for His children, and He just wants to bestow as many ‘blessings’ (especially the Kingdom) on “those who love Him” (James 2:5)!

When God made His covenant with Abram, He promised him the Land—a ‘temporal’ inheritance. However, under the New Covenant, God has given to those who become His ‘children’, “the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).

The Apostle Peter describes this inheritance further by saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven for you” [ 1 Peter 1:3-4 ]. Wow!

So, according to Peter, the believer’s inheritance is distinguished by four important qualities: imperishable, unspoiled, unfading, and reserved:

– One’s inheritance in Jesus is ‘imperishable’. What we have in Him is not subject to corruption or decay. In contrast, everything on earth is in the process of decaying, rusting, or falling apart (Matthew 6:19-20).

– One’s inheritance in Jesus is ‘unspoiled’. What we have in Him is free from anything that would deform, debase, or degrade (Hebrews 7:26).

– One’s inheritance in Jesus is ‘unfading’. What we have in Him is an enduring possession. Our inheritance is not of this world. Its glorious intensity will never diminish. God says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).

– One’s inheritance in Jesus is ‘reserved’. What we have in Him is being kept in Heaven for the believer. Their crown of glory has their name on it (2 Corinthians 1:22). In fact, “when you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” [ Ephesians 1:13c-14a ].

So, as God’s children, “adopted” into His family, believers have been assured an ‘inheritance’: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings so that we may also share in His glory” [ Romans 8:17 ].

The Greek term translated “heirs” in Romans 8:17 refers to “those who receive their allotted possession by right of sonship.” In other words, because God has made us His children (see John 1:12), we have FULL ‘RIGHTS’ to receive His inheritance. We are His ‘beneficiaries’ (Matthew 25:34; Galatians 3:29; Colossians 1:12; 3:24).

Now, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is the natural “heir” of God the Father. “God said to Him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’” (Hebrews 5:5; cf. Psalm 2:7). Jesus has been “appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2)— everything that God rules over, which includes the earth and the physical universe, and later the New Heaven and New Earth. The ‘WHOLE’ UNIVERSE. Everything that is ‘currently’ in existence and ‘will be’ in existence!

[ FYI: For more details about the “New Heavens and the New Earth,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/home-at-last-v290/ ]

God’s great purpose and will is MIND-BOGGLING! Jesus has inherited ALL ‘THINGS’—the entire universe—and He will share His inheritance with His brothers and sisters—believers—those “many sons” God is bringing to glory (Hebrews 2:8-10)!

AMAZINGLY, believers are “CO-HEIRS” with Jesus (Romans 8:17)! [ The Greek word “sygkleronomos” translates in slightly different ways: “Joint heirs,” “Fellow heirs,” “Co-heirs,” and “Heirs together.” ] This means that believers have been given the privilege of ‘sharing’ in Jesus’ inheritance, together WITH Him. WOW! As adopted sons of God, believers are treated as “firstborn” heirs (Hebrews 12:23). Their inheritance includes salvation (Hebrews 1:14), eternal life (1 Peter 1:4), and even ‘a measure’ of the throne of Jesus (Revelation 3:21).

The musical play “Annie” contains a wonderful illustration of becoming an heir of God. When Annie moves from the orphanage to the Warbucks Mansion, it is an incredible change for her. She leaves behind a spiteful, alcoholic caretaker and enters a relationship with a caring father. She goes from having no possessions to having a fortune at her disposal. The ‘hard-knock’ life is overcome by the brightness of a sunny tomorrow. Seen from a believer’s perspective, Annie pictures what being a co-heir with Jesus will mean: “We share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory” (Romans 8:17).

God took unbelievers, poor ‘orphans’ in this world, and made them a part of His family—believers—through faith in Jesus. He has showered them with blessings and promised them an eternal inheritance, based on the worthiness of Jesus Himself!

Theologian William Barclay commented on this awesome inheritance:

“Once we were [under] the absolute control of our own sinful human nature; but God, in his mercy, has brought us into his absolute possession. The old life has no more rights over us; God has an absolute right. The past is cancelled and its debts are wiped out; we begin a new life with God and become heirs of all his riches. If that is so, we become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. That which Christ inherits, we also inherit. If Christ had to suffer, we also inherit that suffering; but if Christ was raised to life and glory, we also inherit that life and glory.

“It was Paul’s picture that when a man became a Christian he entered into the very family of God.”

Theologian Matthew Henry also commented that:

“I reckon—logizomai. It is not a rash and sudden determination, but the product of a very serious and deliberate consideration. He had reasoned the case within himself, weighed the arguments on both sides, and thus at last resolves the point. O how vastly different is the sentence of the word from the sentiment of the world concerning the sufferings of this present time! I reckon, as an arithmetician that is balancing an account. He first sums up what is disbursed for Christ in the sufferings of this present time, and finds they come to very little; he then sums up what is secured to us by Christ in the glory that shall be revealed, and this he finds to be an infinite sum, transcending all conception, the disbursement abundantly made up and the losses infinitely countervailed.”

The believer’s responsibility is not to ‘figure out’ God’s predestined plan. It is to believe—and whoever believes, the Lord will never turn away!

[ NOTE: Next month’s post will focus primarily on the doctrine of “predestination,” and discuss the teachings of the “Doctrines of Grace” (known as the “T.U.L.I.P.” acronym). ]

Well, in the New Testament, being sealed with the Spirit is a sign of security, authenticity, ownership, and authority—and we ‘exercise’ all those things as believers.

GOD’S ‘EXPECTATIONS’
So then, what does God expect of His heirs? Well, here are some of the things God desires for His children and heirs to do and think:

– Be meek (Matthew 5:5).
– Keep the commandments (Matthew 19:16-17).
– Give to and serve those in need (Matthew 25:34-36).
– Believe, have faith (Galatians 3:9).
– Avoid the works of the flesh (Matthew 5:19-21).
– Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).
– Be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).
– Be willing to suffer with Christ (Romans 8:17)
– be willing to give up things in this life (Matthew 19:29).
– Become pure as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
– Overcome (Revelation 21:7)

“We do not have the full enjoyment of it at present… We walk… in hope, and we do not see the thing as if it were present, but we see it by faith… Although, then, the world gives itself liberty to trample us under foot, as they say; although our Lord keeps us tried with many temptations; although he humbles us in such a way that it may seem we are as sheep appointed to the slaughter, so that we are continually at death’s door, yet we are not destitute of a good remedy. And why Seeing that the Holy Spirit reigns in our hearts, we have something for which to give praise even in the midst of all our temptations… [Therefore,] we should rejoice, mourn, grieve, give thanks, be content, wait.”

When the believer understands the glory that awaits them, they are better able to endure whatever comes their way in this life. Then they can give God praise even during trials because we have His guarantee that they will receive all He has promised: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

So, to encourage the believer here on earth, the Apostle John gives them a brief portion but beautiful description of their final inheritance: “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” [ Revelation 21:4 ].

God and man will dwell together. Everything will be made new. The bejeweled city, New Jerusalem, will be our residence. The river of life will issue from God’s throne. The healing tree of life with twelve kinds of fruit will grow there, too. There will be no night there because the eternal light of the Lamb will fill the new heaven and new earth and shine upon all the heirs of God.

[ FYI: For more details about the “New Jerusalem,” view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/home-at-last-v290/ ].

So, for the believer, it is this promise, the hope of sharing in community with God forever, that sustains them throughout whatever trials they face during this lifetime. “So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” [ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ].

This inheritance IS promised, but NOT TO ‘EVERYONE’! The inheritance of eternal life with God is ‘RESERVED’ for those who ‘believe’ in Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit. The benefits of inheritance in Jesus begin for a person when they ‘accept’ Jesus, and are “born again.”

Now think about your first job. With that hiring came a sense of gratitude and self-worth because you were chosen to be a part of the ‘team’ at that company.

Being chosen is special because it is the result of a deliberate decision rather than an accidental discovery. It is not something that happens by chance. Being chosen is the result of somebody intentionally setting their affection on you. Being chosen means that you are wanted and in turn, you feel ‘special’—and then we tend to work really hard to gain the approval or acceptance of that person that selected us.

A first-grade teacher was discussing a picture of a family with her class. One of the children in the picture had a different hair color than did the other family members.

A little girl in the class suggested maybe that was because the boy had been adopted. “I know all about adoptions,” she exclaimed, “because I was adopted.” Another little boy in the class asked, “What does it mean that you are adopted?” The little girl said that “It means that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.”

Merriam-Wester defines adopting as “to take by choice into a relationship; especially: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one’s own child.” It sounds like a simple enough concept, but as those who are familiar with the process will tell you, there’s a lot that goes into adoption. Brushing up on adoption vocabulary certainly isn’t a bad thing, but assuming the process is cut and dry would be a mistake.

Adoption is a way to make sure your child is loved and safe and has access to every opportunity a child should have. Adoption provides a child with a safe, loving home.

Now, no two adoptions look the same, and there are many factors that can play a role in how one’s adoption journey is shaped—the kind of child you want to adopt, where you choose to adopt your child, and the structure of your family will all affect the process.

So, is adoption always easy? Well, no. HOWEVER, adoption is absolutely always WORTH IT!

Attributed to a gentleman named Bob Constantine, he said: “I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two.”

Through adoption, you are choosing to give the priceless gift of a child to a hopeful family who is dreaming of loving a child and receiving a child’s love in return.

According to “Considering Adoption,” when the birth mother chooses to place their baby for adoption, there are five main steps in the adoption process:

– Know that adoption is right for you and your baby
– Contact an adoption agency that provides 24/7 support, a national scope, and includes staff with personal and professional adoption experience
– Create your adoption plan with your adoption specialist and find the perfect parents for your baby
– Create your hospital plan for labor and delivery
– Give birth and complete your adoption paperwork

Now, adoption is sometimes referred to as “giving your baby up,” but this IS NOT the case. You are not “giving up” on your child, you are choosing to give your child a brighter and more fulfilling future—since you have determined that you will not be able to do so. When you choose to place your baby for adoption, you are choosing to give your baby unconditional love and opportunities that you may not be able to provide for them right now.

Raising a child requires resources and time that some prospective birth parents do not have. However, there are hundreds of families who have the resources, time, and desire to raise a child.

Adoption is a selfless ‘gift’ that a birth mother gives to her child and to her child’s adoptive parents. She may not be at the right time in her life to give her child the love that the deserves, but she knows that there are families who have immense love to share with her child.

Women experiencing unplanned pregnancies still want what they believe is best for their children, and all children deserve to live their best possible lives. A prospective birth mother can give her child the opportunities and experiences that she envisions by choosing the perfect family that is ready and willing to provide those things for a child.

There are many ‘pros’ of adoption for the birth mother. A few are:

– Peace of mind in knowing you chose the best family for your baby
– Open adoption allows you to see your child grow up
– Knowing that your child is in a safe and loving home
– Financial freedom to focus on yourself and your future

Now, there are also many advantages for the children who are adopted. They grow up in a family that the birth mother lovingly and selflessly chooses for them. Other advantages include:

– They have committed parents and a stable home
– They have opportunities and resources that you may not have been able to provide for them at your stage in life
– Have greater health
– More one-on-one attention from a parent
– Are more involved in extracurricular activities
– Are as well-adjusted as their peers

The birth mother will know that the child will know that you made a loving decision to choose the best life possible for them. Their child will be grateful for the birth mother’s courageous decision and thankful that so many people care about them.

Then, there are advantages for adopting families:

– Receiving the joy and blessing of adding a child to their family
– Ability to fulfill dreams of raising a child
– Provide a loving home to a child
– Opportunity to meet and form a relationship with the birth parents

Now, every adoption experience is different and unique. A good adoption agency will help the birth mother through every challenge of the adoption process so they can focus on the amazing benefits they are giving themselves and their baby.

An adoption agency with a national scope can provide hundreds of adoptive family profiles for the birth mother to choose the perfect family for their baby. When the adoption agency staff includes birth mothers, adoptees, and adoptive parents, then the birth mother can be confident that they have access to specialists who know the ins and outs of adoption from all perspectives. These two features in an adoption agency can help the birth mother have a fulfilling and positive adoption experience.

[ NOTE: One very reputable national agency is “Bethany Christian Services.” More details about them and a few other agencies are in the “Resources” section below. ]

The thing is, as with much of life, answers can be found in the Bible. Adoption is spoken of favorably throughout Scripture sharing beautiful adoption stories.

– Moses
The Pharaoh had ordered the killing of every Hebrew son. Fearful for her son’s life, Jochebed hid baby Moses. However, when she could no longer hide her son anymore, she had to come up with a plan to save her precious child. Trusting that God would help her and save Moses, she placed him in a basket made of bulrushes and placed him on the bank of the Nile.

As hoped, the daughter of the Pharaoh found the little one when she came to wash at the river. She took the baby into her family to raise him as her own, giving him the name Moses. Later on, Moses grew to be a faithful servant of God. He is most commonly known for leading the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea where he then received the ten commandments.

We can see from the tale of Moses that even though Jochebed’s decision was not easy, she knew what the best choice was for her son. Because of her brave decision, Moses went on to serve God and his people as an important leader and prophet.

– Esther
Tragedy struck Esther at an early age. Following the death of both parents, she became an orphan. Luckily for Esther, her cousin, Mordecai, invited her into his family through adoption. At this point, she was given a new chance at life.

Years down the road, she ended up falling in love and marrying the king who was enchanted by her beauty. However, after a disagreement with Mordecai, the king decided to not only assassinate Mordecai, but also, the entire Jewish community.

At this point, Esther was forced to bravely plead with her husband to spare her people. She knew that simply going before the king without invitation might mean losing her own life. But, after pleading for the safety of the Jewish people, the king listened to her and removed the death sentence.

In this story, we see how God was able to work through Esther and bring deliverance to the Jewish people. All of this would not have been possible if it were not for Mordecai. Without the love of her adoptive parent, Esther wouldn’t have been given a fair chance and could not have freed her people years later.

– Jesus
Although Jesus was born ‘of’ the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, Joseph ‘adopted’ Jesus as if he was his own. Together he and Mary raised Jesus Christ and became part of the story that changed the world.

In Joseph’s faithfulness and obedience to the Lord, he cared for, supported, and loved baby Jesus just as a natural father would. In this incredible example, we see the extent to which an adoptive parent loves an adopted child as their own.

[ Note: From early Old Testament passages, God ‘dictates’ the lineage of Jesus, to show His sovereignty. He said that Jesus the Savior would be born through the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah. Now, this is not the lineage of Mary, Jesus’ biological mother, this was the lineage of Joseph, Jesus’ ‘adoptive’ father! So, God DOES seriously consider adoption to be important by ‘qualifying’ Joseph as Jesus’ earth father! God does not make mistakes, and He certainly doesn’t need a backup plan. Through this footnote in history we see that for Jesus, adoption was not “Plan B.”]

GOD ‘ADOPTS’ BELIEVERS
We understand adoption in the ‘natural’ sense. We all know some children that were adopted by people who purposely choose them and raise them as their own.

For the believer, God loves them so much, that He adopted them into His family. Just take that in. You ‘belong’ to God!

Adoption is the gracious act of God wherein He makes justified sinners His beloved ‘children’. As I already cited, the Westminster Confession says that to be adopted is to receive God’s name and to have access to God’s throne, His pity, His protection, His provision, His discipline, and His promise to NEVER ‘abandon’ us (Deuteronomy 31:8b).

Most adopted children, after the ‘gavel’ has been struck, are tempted to question if their new home will last. They wonder if they really belong to their family and if this new home really ‘belongs’ to them. However, when it comes to God’s adoption of His people, there can be NO ‘DOUBT’ or uncertainty. He is forever their Father. It is, after all, the will of God that makes justified sinners His children (John 1:12). God’s will is perfect, and it cannot be broken.

Adoption is rooted in God’s eternal plan and inexhaustible love. Before mountains rose, rivers ran, or birds flew, God “predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ” [ Ephesians 1:5 ]. His desire to place sinners in His family through the work of His Son precedes even the work of creation. We can only marvel at the kindness of God who would not call us merely His friends (James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8) but also His own sons and daughters. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” [ 1 John 3:1 ].

I am restating here what theologian J.I. Packer said, since, I believe, he summarized ‘adoption’ so well:

A ‘BELIEVER’S’ INHERITANCE
Every dimension of life, whether physical or spiritual, is a testimony to God’s mercy.

Mercy tempers God’s justice, and the Puritan writer Thomas Watson summarized it well:

“Mercy sweetens all God’s other attributes… When thought water was bitter, and Israel could not drink, Moses cast a tree into the waters, and then they were made sweet. How bitter and dreadful were the other attributes of God, did not mercy sweeten them! Mercy sets God’s power [at] work to help us; it makes his justice become our friend; it shall avenge our quarrels.”

The very fact that God permits us to live at all speaks of His mercy. “It is [because] of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness” [ Lamentations 3:22-23 ].

So, no matter one’s situation, God’s mercy is MORE THAN ‘SUFFICIENT’.

Unlike earthly treasures, a believer’s eternal inheritance can NEVER be ‘taken away’ from them.

Despite the benefits of bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and a myriad of other financial investment opportunities, every earthly inheritance and eventually will be lost. If someone does not steal it, or if it doesn’t lose its value in a stock market crash or recession, death will separate it from you. It is inevitable!

That is why Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where Moss and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” [ Matthew 6:19-20 ].

The influence of sin and corruption does not apply only to finances, it affects everything else, too. The Apostle Paul said that “The creation was subjected to futility… In hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption to the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” [ Romans 8:20-22 ]. Nothing on earth escapes sin’s ‘corruption’.

However, the believer’s eternal inheritance IS NOT like earthly treasures. It is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4). “Imperishable” means it is incorruptible and unable to decay. (The Greek word used describes a land that was never ravaged or plundered by an invading army.) “Undefiled” speaks of something that is polluted by sin. “Undefiled” suggest a supernatural beauty that time cannot impair. (Peter uses the same word and 1 Peter 5:4 to speak of the unfading crown of glory faithful church leaders will receive when Jesus returns.)

The believer’s inheritance is unique among treasures. No one can steal it, and nothing can corrupt or diminish it in any way! It is only the believers that will enjoy its fullest throughout all eternity!

One amazing privilege a believer has is to be the beneficiary of a rich and exciting spiritual inheritance. Jesus gave us a glimpse of its magnitude when He said, “The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” [ Matthew 25:34 ]. The Kingdom is part of the believer’s inheritance!

The thing is, this inheritance is ‘shared’ by EVERY ‘child’ of God! Jesus “is the mediator of a New Covenant, so that… Those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” [ Hebrews 9:15 ]. Jesus ‘commissioned’ the Apostle Paul to preach to the Gentiles “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from that domination of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Him” [ Acts 26:18 ].

I’m thinking that really no one would be able to fully understand “all that God has prepared for those who love Him” [ 1 Corinthians 2:9 ]! (Well, at least me.)

Contemplating their eternal inheritance should give the believer joy that transcends any temporal circumstance.

God’s joy is the special privilege of every believer regardless of their circumstances. Even though they might suffer untold heartache, amid the severest trials God wants them to know profound joy. That is why the Apostle Peter said, “To the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of his glory, you may rejoice with exultation” [ 1 Peter 4:13 ].

Peter identifies five elements of the Christian life that should bring the believer joy amid trials: Protected inheritance; Proven faith; Promised honor; Personal fellowship; and Present deliverance (1 Peter 1:6-9).

The Greek word that is translated as “greatly rejoice” is not the usual Greek word for “rejoice.” Here Peter used a more expressive and intense word that speaks of one who is happy in a profound spiritual sense rather than in a temporal or circumstantial sense. That is the quality of joy that God grants to those who trust in Him and who look beyond their temporal trials to the glory of their eternal inheritance.

The believer’s eternal inheritance is also ‘doubly’ secure: It Is reserved for them, and they are reserved for it.

[ FYI: For more details about a believer’s ‘eternal’ existence, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/home-at-last-v290/ ]

“Reserved” indicates an inheritance that already ‘exists’, is presently ‘protected’, and will be ‘continually’ protected. The place of its protection is Heaven, where “where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” [ Matthew 6:20 ], and where “nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” [ Revelation 21:27 ]. There is NO ‘SAFER’ PLACE in the UNIVERSE!

So, not only is the believers’ inheritance ‘protected’ for them, but they are also protected ‘for’ it. That is what Peter meant when he said that it is “reserved in Heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” [ 1 Peter 1:4-5 ]. The omnipotent, sovereign power of God will continually protect the believer until His work is fully accomplished in their lives. Then, He will grant them ‘glorification’—the fullness of the salvation for which He redeemed them!

The believer need not fear the loss of their inheritance. Instead, they can rejoice in the protection of their gracious God.

– In Christ, the believer is ‘adopted’ into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5). We are made ‘children’ of God with Jesus Christ as, not only our Lord and Savior but also our elder ‘brother’ (Romans 8:29).

– In Christ, the believer is accepted by God (Ephesians 1:7)

– In Christ, the believer experiences the eternal and unbreakable love of God (Romans 8:38-39)

– In Christ, the believer experiences the peace of God which transcends understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7-9)

– In Christ, God has promised to meet all of the believer’s needs, both material and spiritual (Philippians 4:11–13; 2 Peter 1:3-4)

– In Christ, the believer is justified and sanctified in the sight of God. They have had our sins imputed to Christ and Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:18–19)

– In Christ, the believer belongs to the Church, which is referred to in Scripture as the “body” of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). They are also united to one another (John 17:20–21). They are the very “bride” of Christ.

– In Christ, the believer shares in the benefits of His life, death, resurrection, and ascension such that, not only are we recipients of Christ’s life and righteousness, but we have been freed from the power and penalty of sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57), new creatures with new spiritual natures (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). They are being progressively transformed into His image and likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). Finally, in Christ, they eagerly anticipate receiving glorified resurrected bodies and reigning with Him forever in the new heavens and the new earth (Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10).

“Give Them Options
As an adoptive family, your child may not always share your tastes and hobbies. When reasonable, allow your child to make choices about the foods they like to eat, the clothes they like to wear, and the things they like to do. Expose your child to a variety of opportunities and encourage them to pursue their individual interests. Ask them to teach you something new, and get involved in the activities they choose—by supporting the things that matter to them, you are encouraging them to be confident in their emerging identity.

Recognize Their Strengths
Compliment your child’s natural abilities and celebrate their achievements, whether they are academic, artistic, athletic, or otherwise. Suggest opportunities for your child to further explore his or her talents, even if they differ from your own.

Seek Out Diversity
Surround your child with positive people from a variety of backgrounds. Develop relationships with racially and culturally diverse children and adults, as well as nontraditional families — and especially seek out other adoptive families. This inclusivity will give your child a sense of belonging while also illustrating that all people have value and that differences should be celebrated.

Respect Their Birth Parents
Remember that your child’s birth parents have contributed significantly to who your child is as a person. Experts agree that it is overwhelmingly beneficial to maintain a relationship with your child’s birth parents, but even in situations when this is not possible, you should always make your child’s birth parents an important part of your family’s conversations about adoption. Reinforce that adoption was a positive choice that your child’s birth mother made out of love, and tell your child how much you respect and admire her strength for choosing adoption.

Talk And Listen To Your Child
Talk positively and openly about adoption, as well as any other issues that may impact your child’s sense of identity. Give your child plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to express their own thoughts and feelings without making judgments. Constructive conversations like these will help your child develop a healthy self-esteem, as well as a positive view of adoption.

Ultimately, each person develops his or her sense of identity by discovering their interests, talents, passions, and beliefs on their own—and your child is no exception. The best thing you can do for your child through this process is to be there for them; they will be more secure in their identity simply knowing that you love them and support them exactly as they are.”

Sadly, in addition to adopted children, a majority of people in the world today are suffering from an identity ‘crisis’. Collectively and individually, people today don’t have a strong sense of who they are, what they want, or how to achieve it. They drift through life, following the whims and fads of the world, instead of accepting responsibility and pursuing maturity (so, in some cases, it is even harder for the adoptive parents to help their adopted child).

Many people in our society are on a seemingly endless and often frantic quest for personal identity and self-worth. Identity crises are common at almost every age level. They are carrying around the ‘labels’ of divorced, bankrupt, bipolar, abused, immigrant, or disabled as their key identity. Others tend to be proud and label themselves as rich, powerful, or important. Yet, each of these fails to properly describe one’s ‘true’ identity.

That is tragic, yet understandable, since the Bible begins by telling us that God created man to bear His image (identity) and enjoy His fellowship forever. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed Him, they violated that purpose and plunged the entire human race ‘into’ sin. That created, within man, a spiritual ‘void’ and an identity crisis of unimaginable proportions. Throughout the ages, people have tried to fill that void with a myriad of substitutes, but ultimately it ends in despair.

Now, despite that bleak picture, a ‘true sense’ of identity is available to every believer in Jesus. It comes from knowing that God Himself personally ‘chose’ and ‘adopted’ the believer to be His ‘child’!

Believers do not need to struggle with the kind of identity crisis the world has. They have been ‘claimed’ and ‘redeemed’ by Jesus, brought into His Father’s ‘family’, and are being transformed into His likeness. As the Apostle Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” [ Galatians 2:20 ]. This is referred to as being “in Christ.”

That glorious truth describes the spiritual state of every believer. We are no longer isolated and alone—Jesus ‘bought’ them with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) and ‘grafted’ them into His family (Romans 11:17). So, if one is “in Christ,” they have a NEW ‘IDENTITY’ and have begun a new ‘life’: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” [ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ].

So, with this ‘new birth’ comes a ‘new identity’. Believers no longer ‘live for’ themselves—and they ‘are’ no longer themselves. They are a new ‘creation’. The Apostle Paul wrote about this new creation to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” [ Galatians 2:20 ]. Being identified with Christ means full and free acceptance by God, the ability to approach Him without condemnation, but with complete forgiveness and righteousness before Him—presented to Him as blameless and perfect (since Jesus’ righteousness has been ‘imputed’ to them). Now, that’s AMAZING ‘GRACE’!

– You have the breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4)
– Are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
– The apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8)
– You are lavished in His love (1 John 3:1)
– In Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
– You belong (Romans 8:9)
– You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
– You are loved (Romans 8:38-39)
– You are His (Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 2:9)
– You are a child of God (John 1:12)

[ For more details on one’s ‘identity’ in Jesus, view this previous “Life’s Deep Thoughts” post:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/new-identity-v220/ ].

The Apostle Paul tells us how this all ‘works’: “Now 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” [ Romans 8:17 ].

So, using the ‘arithmetic’ of planet Earth, if multiple heirs receive an equal share of an inheritance, then each heir only gets a certain fraction of the whole amount. However, Heaven’s arithmetic is different. Every adopted child of God receives the FULL inheritance of the full estate! No one is left out and nothing is left out. Everything Jesus gets we get, and Jesus gets EVERYTHING!

Jesus has always been the heir of all things: “In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things” [ Hebrews 1:2 ]. Now, because the believer has been adopted into God’s family, they are now co-heirs with Jesus. This is the ‘epitome’ of GRACE! Not only does God ‘save’ us, but He also lavishes us with Jesus’ ‘inheritance’! UNBELIEVABLE!

So then, back to ‘WHO’ YOU ARE. Well, you are either a ‘child’ of God or you are not. If you ARE a believer then you are not ‘your own’—you belong to God. You are not ‘alone’ and the Holy Spirit will ‘lead’ you.

HOWEVER, if you are NOT a believer, God is ‘standing’ at the ready for you to repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight… Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit”
[ Psalm 51:1-4b, 7,10-12 ]

Baptist minister G. Campbell Morgan said that “This great song, pulsating with the agony of a sin-stricken soul, helps us to understand the stupendous wonder of the everlasting mercy of our God.”

[ Note: Also consider reading Psalm 32, 51, 69, 78, 86, 109, and 122. ]

There are few people that have committed adultery and then murder in their lives. However, what this Psalm is saying is that God WILL forgive ANYONE who, with a ‘contrite’ heart, ASKS Him for forgiveness, restoration, and to ‘ADOPT’ them into His forever ‘family’!

SO, if you are an unbeliever with a ‘heavy heart’ about something(s) you have done, just ASK God to ‘FREE’ you from them and for Him to ‘adopt’ you!

Judah Ben-Hur said, after accepting Arrius’ symbol of adoption, a signet ring: “A strange destiny brought me here to a new life, a new home, and a new father… I shall always wear this ring, as a son of Arrius should, with gratitude, affection, and honor.”

This is exactly the ‘feeling’ God WANTS to give ANYONE who truly ‘desires’ to become one of His ‘SUPER’ SPECIAL ‘adopted’ ‘children’!

SO, JUST ASK!!!

[ Excerpts by: Berry Kercheville; Micah Meurer; Compassion International; Got Questions; Katala Peterson; June Ring; Brian Luwis; Christian Adoptions Alliance; John Piper; David Garner; Lasserre Bradley, Jr.; Greg Ogden; Wil Pounds; Aaron Menikoff; Wikipedia; Mike Bennett; William E. Brown; Frank E. Hirsch; Alyssa J Howard; Lita Jordan; Taylor Tsakopulos; Considering Adoption; F. J. Squire; Robin McKinley; John MacArthur; Adoption Choice ]

RELATED POSTS:

“Are You ‘Adopted’?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/are-you-adopted-v293/

“Why ‘Jerusalem’?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/why-jerusalem-v291/

“‘Home’ At Last!”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/home-at-last-v290/

“‘Heaven’ On Earth?”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/heaven-on-earth-v289/

“There’s No Place Like ‘Home’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/theres-no-place-like-home-v288/

“Preparing For The ‘Future’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/preparing-for-the-future-v286/

“‘HOW’ To Prepare To Meet Someone Important”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/how-to-prepare-to-meet-someone-important-v276/

“‘WHEN’ Will Something Important Happen”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/when-will-something-important-happen-v274/

“‘WHERE You Return To”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/where-you-return-to-v273/

“A Sense Of ‘Urgency’”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/a-sense-of-urgency-v269/

“Learning To ‘T.R.U.S.T.”:
https://markbesh.wordpress.com/learning-to-t-r-u-s-t-v263/

‘PRAYER’ OF REPENTANCE
In the Bible, there is a parable that Jesus told about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying the Temple. He notes that the tax collector didn’t even dare to lift his eyes toward Heaven as he prayed. Instead he “beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’”—and Jesus said that the tax collector “went home justified,” he had been “born again” and ‘reconciled’ by God. (Luke 18:9-14).

If you are ‘sensing’ something like that right now, let me strongly encourage you to HUMBLE YOURSELF, CRY OUT to God, and PLEAD for Him to mercifully ‘SAVE’ YOU! None of us have a ‘claim’ on our salvation, nor do we have any ‘works’ that would cause us to deserve it or earn it—it is purely a gift of Divine grace—and all any of us can do is ask. So, CONFESS YOUR SINS and acknowledge to God that you have no hope for Heaven apart from what He provides through Jesus. [ See Psalm 51 ].

There is no ‘formula’ or certain words for this. So just talk to God, in your own words—He knows your ‘heart’. If you are genuinely sincere, and God does respond to your plea, one will usually have a sense of joy and peace.

Jesus said, “He that comes to Me, I will not cast out” [ John 6:37 ].

[ FYI: This is a great sermon on the “Call to Repentance” by John MacArthur from his book “The Gospel According to Jesus”: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-22/the-call-to-repentance (Transcript: http://www.spiritedesign.com/TheCallToRepentance-JohnMacArthur(Jul-27-2019).pdf) ].

[ NOTE: If you have ‘tasted the kindness of the Lord’, please e-mail me—I would love to CELEBRATE with you, and help you get started on your ‘journey’ with Jesus! ].

<<< RESOURCES >>>

“Ben-Hur (1959)” [ Official Blu-Ray Trailer ]

When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge. [ But, finds redemption. )

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR1ZHKw09n8

PRIME VIDEO: https://www.amazon.com/Ben-Hur-Charlton-Heston/dp/B0091VZVKS/

“BEN-HUR (2016)” [ Official Movie Trailer ]

BEN-HUR is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption. Based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

[ Paramount Pictures ]

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLJdzky63BA

PRIME VIDEO: https://www.amazon.com/Ben-Hur-Jack-Huston/dp/B01K5BTJH8/

“Blessed by Adoption: One Mom’s Stories, Scriptures, and Prayers to Comfort You and Remind You That You’re Not Alone”
By: Hillary Froning

If you are considering adoption, or are already headed down that path, this book of stories, scriptures, and prayers will inspire and encourage you along the way.

Author Hillary Froning opens her heart and shares the story of how she and her husband, Rich Froning, adopted three precious children. Like talking to a close friend, Blessed by Adoption features short essays, Bible verses, and prayers that will move you and comfort you on your path to adoption. The book also features reflections to help you process your thoughts and feelings, as well as writing space for journaling about your adoption journey.

Blessed by Adoption includes:
30 essays by Hillary Froning about her adoption process, including finding a birth mom, completing home studies, hospital stays, telling friends and family, and all the blessings and challenges along the way
Bible verses and prayers to comfort you at every stage of adoption
Writing prompts and lined journaling pages to help you reflect on your adoption journey

“Choose Life: Answering Key Claims of Abortion Defenders with Compassion”
By: John K Goodrich and Jeanette Hagen Pifer

You’re pro-life. But can you explain why?

You already believe in choosing life. But when the counterarguments are coming at you from every angle—legal, biological, medical, ethical, moral, philosophical, and biblical—how do you defend the pro-life view? And as you defend it . . . how do you speak with wisdom, humility, and compassion?

Now more than ever, the times call for a balance of truth and mercy. There are good, wise, and thoughtful rebuttals of every claim made by pro-abortion advocates. Collected here in one place, Choose Life offers you reasonable responses from leading experts in their respective fields. The authors are accomplished women and men from all walks of life. They’ll help you know what to say—and why to say it—when you’re faced with claims like:

“The courts have already settled the issue.”
“The fetus is not a person.”
“My body, my choice.”
“I shouldn’t have to raise an unwanted child.”
“My circumstances justify ending my pregnancy.”
“Abortions are helpful to women and society.”
“The pro-life movement doesn’t care about social justice.”

It’s time to set aside the strident fist-shaking and hurled insults. Learn to make the pro-life case with intelligent arguments and compassionate love—just the way a Christian should.

“CHOSEN by The Spirit of Adoption: Re-Covering the Fatherless”
By: Michael D. Fisher

Leaders come in all capacities—from pastors, to biological and adopting parents, and even to mentors. This book, CHOSEN by The Spirit of Adoption, will both gird you with an understanding of God’s involvement in connecting people to people and guide you into skillfully parenting or mentoring anyone, especially people whose lives may have been shattered by different forms of abuse (i.e., neglect, abandonment, rejection, violence, betrayal, shame and the list goes on). This book unveils the amazing virtue of God’s love as Father God, a love that has been shared time and time again to inspire diverse kinds of people to confront their own brokenness and empower them to put their own lives back together again. Consider this book as a roadmap gifted to you by God to practically guide you in your efforts of transporting that special someone towards his or her destiny. Are you up for the challenge?

“Chosen for Greatness: How Adoption Changes the World”
By: Paul Batura

The history of adoption is the history of the world itself. Children taken in by new families have grown up to dramatically reshape the world in ways most of us do not fully appreciate.

Chosen for Greatness profiles 16 well-known adoptees who were given the opportunity to change history for the better when they were taken in by their new families. Their contributions and accomplishments span the spectrum from science to sports, religion to entertainment, technology to politics. These adoptees didn’t accomplish what they did in spite of being adopted; rather, it was their adoption that played a positive and critical role on the road to their success. This unique book is an inspiration for the hundreds of thousands of US families who adopt each year and will forever change the way everyone understands the incredible global tradition of adoption. With a foreword by Eric Metaxas and an afterword by Larry King.

LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Greatness-Adoption-Changes-World/dp/1621575853/

“I Choose This Day: Mournings and Miracles of Adoption”
By: Sharon Fieker

She includes the challenges and blessings surrounding her pregnancy. The heartache of ‘not knowing’ what happened to her baby and the beautiful story that unfolds as she meets her birth daughter are inspirational. When going through difficult times, Sharon sometimes wondered how God could allow such troubling things to happen. Her story demonstrates how He had a plan for her-one filled with hope. He also allowed her free will to make her own choices. If you’re facing or have faced an unplanned pregnancy, you will benefit from reading I Choose this Day: Mournings and Miracles of Adoption.

“IN ANOTHER HOME: Choosing Adoption”
By: Josie L. Jones

Seventeen-year-old, Noelle, kept secret from her family that she was pregnant for four months. A friend revealed the pregnancy and more to Noelle’s mother. Both mother and daughter journey in an incredible true story of selecting an adopting family, the joys of childbirth, and experiencing an open adoption based on Noelle’s desire. The story, told by the unborn baby’s grandmother, details heart-impacting emotion as she mothers her own daughter and looks to the Lord for direction with every step. Even though they encountered bumps in the road, the adopting family has kept their commitments which has led to a strong, loving relationship between the adopted child and the birth family. Difficult choices unquestionably include sacrifice, but not withholding peace and joy. Josie hopes by sharing her story that others will discover how wonderful adoption can be and how intimately our Lord wants to walk with us.

“The Whole Life Adoption Book: Realistic Advice for Building a Healthy Adoptive Family”
By: Thomas Atwood and Jayne Schooler

Authors Jayne E. Schooler and Thomas C. Atwood share insights into every aspect of adoption. This powerful resource addresses the needs and concerns facing adoptive parents, while offering encouragement for the journey ahead.

“Sons in the Son: The Riches and Reach of Adoption in Christ”
By: David B. Garner

Rarely addressed throughout church history, the doctrine of adoption has seen fresh attention in recent years. Although valuable, contemporary studies have focused primarily on etymological, cultural, and pastoral considerations, giving little to no attention to vital systematic theological concerns.

In this groundbreaking work, Professor David Garner examines the function of adoption in Pauline thought: its relationship to the doctrines of Christ, the Holy Spirit, eschatology, and union with Christ, as well as its primary place among the other benefits of salvation.

Adoption frames Pauline soteriology, Garner argues, and defines the Trinitarian, familial context of redemption in Christ, the Son of God. Properly understood, adoption’s paradigm-shifting implications extend deep and far.

Endorsed by Joel R. Beeke, Dan Cruver, Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Howard Griffith, Nancy Guthrie, Russell Moore, Harry L. Reeder, and Guy Prentiss Waters.

“Thinking about Adoption: A Practical and Theological Handbook for Christians Discerning the Call to Parent by Adoption”
By: Karelynne Gerber Ayayo

“Is God calling me to become an adoptive parent?” “Which path to adoption would be best?” Through simple introductions to the various kinds of adoption, thoughtful presentations of relevant biblical teaching and theological principles, and the sharing of the stories of ten adoptive families, Thinking About Adoption: A Practical and Theological Handbook for Christians Discerning the Call to Parent by Adoption is a must-read resource for Christians seeking answers to these questions. Read and reflect individually, as a couple, or in fellowship with other believers, and discover what God may (or may not) have for you!

“God’s Spirit of Adoption: The long-lost key to your highest calling in Christ”
By: John Nicholas Prassas

How do you fulfill your highest calling in Christ? The long-lost key is what the apostle Paul called God’s ‘Spirit of Adoption.’ This supernatural gift enables you to live as a genuine child of God – the world’s highest calling of all. Neglected for centuries, this life-changing ministry of the Holy Spirit can: * Fill you with faith, hope and love * Dramatically change how you see yourself, see God and see others * Boost your confidence in God’s amazing grace and provision * Liberate you from fear, bondage and dysfunction * Help you approach each day with vision and joy * Empower you to touch lives and make a difference in the world This long-overdue book explains what Jesus meant when he promised, “I will not leave you as orphans” and explores why Paul was so adamant about believers experiencing God’s Spirit of adoption – and why we’ve missed out on it for so long. This insight won’t just change what you think or what you know, it will change who you are: transforming you from spiritual orphan into a genuine son or daughter of the King. Briskly written at just 35 pages, this little book imparts huge portions of historical perspective, personal prayer and powerful encouragement – including a fascinating chapter on the author’s relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. and revelation regarding God’s ‘Halo Effect’ available to every believer today.

“This book invites us to experience what I call the author’s ‘joyful revelation’ of belonging to God’s family….with historical perspective, acceptance of God’s grace, and encouragement to take our own personal journey with God and gain our own supernatural sense of love, identity and purpose.” – Amazon review by K. Emmett

“The Inheritance Of The Redeemed: Claiming The Spiritual Treasures That Are Yours In Christ”
By: Erwin W Lutzer

The Incredible Inheritance You Have In Christ—Right Now!

When you accept Christ as your Savior, you enter into a special family, and have an inheritance to be enjoyed now, and even more so in the future. To put it simply: God has lavished upon you the wealth of heaven.

God’s resources bring victory over discouragement, temptation, and worry. Pastor Lutzer has searched the Bible to find our spiritual treasures, “The Holy Spirit is ready and willing to empower any believer, removing the obstacles to spiritual growth so you can begin each day with faith in His presence and ministry.”

You’ll discover:

– Your invaluable adoption in Christ
– Your spiritual empowerment by the Holy Spirit
– Your immediate access to God’s throne room
– Many other gifts, which are yours at this very moment

Be amazed all over again. You’re richer than you think!

“Who Am I?: Identity in Christ”
By: Jerry Bridges

The profound, glorious, liberating realities of the Christian’s union with Christ.
Perhaps the most fundamental question of human existence is: “Who am I?” To answer that question, best-selling author Jerry Bridges turns to Scripture to unpack for the Christian eight clear, interlocking, illuminating answers:

– I Am a Creature
– I Am in Christ
– I Am Justified
– I Am an Adopted Son of God
– I Am a New Creation
– I Am a Saint
– I Am a Servant of Jesus Christ
– I Am Not Yet Perfect

A direct, simple, honest presentation of biblical truth, Who Am I? demonstrates for believers in Christ that they can and should rightfully claim for themselves an unshakeable, lifelong, personal foundation of confidence in one thing and one thing alone: the gospel of a victorious, resurrected Savior.

“Hello, My Name Is: Discovering Your True Identity”
By: Matthew West

The world goes out of its way to make you believe you are not good enough. Maybe you aren’t sure you like where you’ve been, or who you’ve become. Maybe someone has made you believe a lie about who you are by speaking damaging words to you. The discovery of our true identities does not begin by looking within ourselves, but by looking to the One who made us. Hello, My Name Is will inspire you to not wear the nametag that someone else gave you, but to wear the name of who God says you are.

Your name may be “Lonely” . . . He calls you Friend.
Your name may be “Failure” . . . He calls you Redeemed.
Your name may be “Broken” . . . He calls you Beloved.

It is time to tear off the false nametags that cover up your true identity. Understanding who you are begins with knowing Whose you are so you can embrace your destiny as a child of the one true King.

“Hello, My Name Is will silence the lies of the enemy so you can hear God whisper, ‘You are mine. You are wanted. You are so incredibly loved.'” — Lysa Terkeurst, New York Times best-selling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

“Hello, My Name Is gets to the heart of an issue that haunts the homeless and the hero, the kid and the king, the disabled and the diva — our identity.” — Randy Frazee, Senior Minister at Oak Hills Church, author of The Heart of the Story

“Matthew West brings the rare combination of songwriter an pastor to his ministry. He is a modern-day King David, creating Psalms that touch the heart of God and God’s children. Now, as an added blessing to us all, he has compiled his thoughts into a book. A person can almost hear Matthew sing through the pages. I’m deeply grateful for this work, this singer, this friend.” — Max Lucado, New York Times best-selling author

“Matthew West has always written honestly in his songs and stories. In his latest book, Hello, My Name Is, Matthew may offer his greatest truth yet: how to discover our God-given identity while building a closer relationship with our Lord. I gained a lot of insight while reading this book, and I know you will as well.” — Scotty McCreery, ACM, BMI, and CMT award-winning country music entertainer and author of Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream

“Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ”
By: John F. MacArthur

A COVER-UP OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS…

Centuries ago, English translators perpetrated a fraud in the New Testament, and it’s been purposely hidden and covered up ever since. Your own Bible is probably included in the cover-up!

In this book, which includes a study guide for personal or group use, John MacArthur unveils the essential and clarifying revelation that may be keeping you from a fulfilling―and correct―relationship with God. It’s powerful. It’s controversial. And with new eyes you’ll see the riches of your salvation in a radically new way.

What does it mean to be a Christian the way Jesus defined it? MacArthur says it all boils down to one word: SLAVE

“We have been bought with a price. We belong to Christ. We are His own possession.”

Endorsements:

“Dr. John MacArthur is never afraid to tell the truth and in this book he does just that. The Christian’s great privilege is to be the slave of Christ. Dr. MacArthur makes it clear that this is one of the Bible’s most succinct ways of describing our discipleship. This is a powerful exposition of Scripture, a convincing corrective to shallow Christianity, a masterful work of pastoral encouragement…a devotional classic.” – Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“John MacArthur expertly and lucidly explains that Jesus frees us from bondage into a royal slavery that we might be His possession. Those who would be His children must, paradoxically, be willing to be His slaves.” – Dr. R.C. Sproul

“Dr. John MacArthur’s teaching on ‘slavery’ resonates in the deepest recesses of my ‘inner-man.’ As an African-American pastor, I have been there. That is why the thought of someone writing about slavery as being a ‘God-send’ was the most ludicrous, unconscionable thing that I could have ever imagined…until I read this book. Now I see that becoming a slave is a biblical command, completely redefining the idea of freedom in Christ. I don’t want to simply be a ‘follower’ or even just a ‘servant’…but a ‘slave’.” – The Rev. Dr. Dallas H. Wilson, Jr., Vicar, St. John’s Episcopal Chapel, Charleston, SC

“Bethany Christian Services”

We believe every child deserves to be safe, loved, and connected through family. Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive.

When children are in need of a family, we respond. In the U.S., we protect vulnerable children through essential services, including pregnancy counseling, foster care, emergency care, and adoption. We believe family is the essential human care structure, and we work to provide every child the support, safety, and connection they deserve.

WEBSITE: https://bethany.org/

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1inTIqO6rLgg_-cwJ_AZtw

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN: https://bethany.org/locations/us/mi/southeast-michigan

DETROIT OFFICE: https://bethany.org/locations/us/mi/detroit

“Adoption Associates”

Adoption Associates provides compassion and support to women who are experiencing unplanned pregnancies and want to plan adoption.

We help couples who want to adopt an infant. We are here to help you learn about adoption in Michigan, provide adoption services, and assist with your needs along the way.

WEBSITE: https://adoptionassociates.net/

“Adoption In Michigan”

Whether you’re considering placing a baby for adoption or hoping to adopt a child into your own forever family, an adoption agency in Michigan will be one of your best resources for support. The adoption process in Michigan can differ from other states, so working with professionals and getting all the information you can up front is in your best interest.

[ Adoption.com ]

ARTICLE: https://adoption.com/michigan

“Lifesong For Orphans”

Every Child Deserves The Love Of A Family

Through adoption financial assistance, like matching grants, interest-free loans, and adoption crowdfunding pages, we help you bridge the gap in adoption fundraising

Some to Adopt, Some to Care, Some to Give

Lifesong seeks to mobilize the Church to care for the orphan, where each member can provide a unique and special service: some to adopt, some to care, some to give.

With caring people like you and church partnerships, we support children through global orphan care ministries, Christian adoptive families, and foster care initiatives.

WEBSITE: https://lifesong.org/adoption/

“Chosen For Life Ministries”

Chosen for Life Ministries began ten years ago when a small group of people began to dream of a ministry that could raise awareness and provide support for adoptive families. A lot has happened over the last ten years, but we believe that there is still more to be done.

OUR MISSION
We help churches, communities, and families care well for foster and adopted children.

OUR VISION
Everyone will find their role in caring for foster, adopted, and vulnerable children.

WEBSITE: http://chosenforlifeministries.org/

“Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption”

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption believes that every child deserves a safe, loving and permanent family. Whether you are an adoption professional, a prospective adoptive parent or someone simply interested in learning more about the process, this guide offers valuable information and resources to help you make a difference in the life of a child.

WEBSITE: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/

“The Tim Tebow Foundation”

The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. We strive to fight for the Most Vulnerable People in the world—the MVP—through our work in our four main focuses in Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation, Orphan Care + Prevention, Profound Medical Needs, and Special Needs Ministry.

TTF’s Adoption Aid program, part of our Orphan Care + Prevention initiative, assists families making the courageous decision to adopt children with special needs from all over the world. In partnership with Show Hope and Lifesong for Orphans, the foundation provides monthly grants to help cover adoption costs for families internationally adopting a child with special needs. After the adoption process, we have the honor to walk with them as we continue to love on them as our own TTF family.

WEBSITE: https://timtebowfoundation.org/

“Choosing Adoption”

[ Adoption Network ]

WEBSITE: https://adoptionnetwork.com/birth-mothers/understanding-adoption/choosing-adoption/

“Chosen: You Belong”
By: Kimberly Rae

Positive, Joyful, Affirming – for Christian families who adopt.
Children need to feel loved, wanted, and accepted. Adopted children may wonder if they really belong, what to do about curious questions, or even why God allowed this. Chosen addresses all of the above, in specialized sections for different stages.

The whimsical, fun pictures in this book will make your child smile, and the words will fill them with truth to hold in their heart all their lives.

Chosen is in 3 parts, each with purpose.

Main Book
Read-to-me, Early Readers (geared toward ages 3-7)
Positive, joyful, reassuring

Extra Stuff
Middle Readers (geared toward ages 5-8)
Ideas, showing love, verses, and how to deal with Curious Carla.

For Difficult Days
Advanced Readers (geared toward ages 7-10)
If a child struggles with the harder questions that hurt, such as why God allowed this or how to deal with enduring feelings of rejection or abandonment. Chosen resources parents and children with the words, ideas, and opportunities to express the love and acceptance both need.

It made me feel loved. – Kirra, adopted daughter

The pictures are so bright and beautiful and the words are perfect. – Judy, adoptive mom

Emphasis on the importance of family and family acceptance is great. Reading this gave us a warm, happy feeling. – James and Wanda, adoptive parents

“A Chosen Life Adoption Grant”

Giving The Gift Of Family
Providing financial assistance through adoption grants

How We Help
You and your husband decide to adopt, and are filled with joy and excitement as you start your journey. Then you begin counting the costs and may doubt whether adoption is the right decision. At A Chosen Life we are here to help you by providing grants in the amount of $5,000 to aid with adoption costs.

By following your calling to adopt a child, you are giving the gift of life. Do not let doubt or anxiety about money deter you from your dream of having a family. Complete our application to start the adoption grant process. Or donate to our non-profit and help families bring a child into their homes and lives.

WEBSITE: https://achosenlifeadoption.org/

“Heartbeat International”

Welcome to The Largest Worldwide Network of Pregnancy Help Organizations

Comprehensive Support
Heartbeat’s Ministry Services team is here to invest in you, whether it is spiritual growth, workday stewardship, effective boardroom practices or launching a new vision. From pregnancy help centers and clinics, to housing and even non-profit adoption agencies, our mission is to support your life-affirming mission. Whether your ministry is just starting out or is well established and seeking even more effectiveness, our role is to come alongside you every step of the way. We’re here to serve you as you seek God’s best in your work.

Ministry Solutions Designed for Pregnancy Help

WEBSITE: https://www.heartbeatinternational.org/

“Holt International”

Every child deserves a loving home.

Why choose Holt for your adoption?

We pioneered international adoption 65 years ago and we remain the leaders today, upholding the highest ethical standards as we unite loving, permanent families with children who truly need them. We are a Hague-accredited agency and we work with families of all backgrounds, including families of diverse religions, ages and marital status. Before pursuing adoption, we always explore the possibility of helping a child remain or reunite with their birth family. We also stand by adoptees and their families for their entire lives — providing quality care to children waiting to join families, as well as post-adoption resources, education and support to families and adult adoptees. You can rest assured that we are doing adoption the right way. Contact us at adopt@holtinternational.org or at 1-888-355-4658 to learn more about adopting through Holt!

WEBSITE: https://www.holtinternational.org/adoption/

“The White Rose Resistance”

EVERY PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO BE BORN.
The White Rose is a non-profit organization whose mission is to be a voice for unborn children.

Our purpose is to educate and expose culture to the evil of abortion until every person has the right to be born.

WEBSITE: https://thewhiterose.life/

“ANOTHER WAY PREGNANCY CENTER”

We exist so no woman or couple feels the need for abortion. Programs offered through our center focus on sexual integrity, fetal development, ultrasounds, parenting, adoption resources, material support, and opportunities for personal growth and restoration.

OUR VISION
We are a Christ-centered ministry committed to the sanctity of human life and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We envision a community where the gift of life is celebrated and abortion is unthinkable.

SUPPORT
Donate baby and maternity items to our boutique. Volunteer as a client advocate, receptionist, ultrasound technician or more. Hold a Baby Bottle Drive at your church to raise money for AWPC. These are just a few ways you can be part of our team.

WEBSITE: https://awpcfriends.org/

“COMPASSION PREGNANCY CENTER”

We will provide real answers for your real questions. Contact us now for free and confidential services in a non-judgmental and safe atmosphere. Our medical center specializes in helping those experiencing unplanned pregnancy by providing pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds, as well as education and mentoring. You deserve respect, options information, and truth so that you can make your informed choice.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
You are not alone. We will walk alongside you and offer Free and Confidential Services to support you.

Know Your Options
You have options. This is a big decision. Take a little bit of time to get all the information you need to make your best choice.

Facing an unplanned pregnancy and unsure what to do?
We are here to talk about the tough questions and help you determine the right choice for you.

WEBSITE: https://compassionpregnancy.org/

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

SPECIAL ‘GENERAL’ RESOURCE

“ApologetiX Songbook”
(An interactive PDF)

It features the lyrics to every song on every CD and every “download” from 1993-2020

Special features:

indexed by title, original song, original artist, subject, and Bible verse
each song’s page has icons showing what albums it appears on
each song’s page has a commentary from lyricist J. Jackson
each album’s page includes liner notes and track listing
print any pages you like or use for slides in church
photos from ApologetiX’s debut concert in 1992
discography of out-of-print cassettes
downloadable in PDF format

New features in this edition:

all song commentaries from J. Jackson updated and expanded
also indexed by year when original song spoofed was a hit
J.’s original handwritten rough lyrics to 40 ApX classics
scads of photos from ApX 25th-anniversary concerts
list of 40 ApX parodies most likely to be redone
over 200 new parodies and journal entries
list of the first ApX concerts in each state
six new full-length feature articles
DVD discography and synopses
never-before-seen rare photos
lyrics for over 700 parodies
over 1000 pages!

Interactive features:

click on any page number in indexes or TOC to go to that page
click on any album icon to go to its liner notes and track listings
click on any song title on an album page to go to that song

Note: This e-book is a download-only and doesn’t include sheet music.

The songbook is available for a donation of $50 or more. After we receive your donation, we’ll send you a follow-up email with the link.

Get the Songbook for a donation:
http://www.apologetix.com/store/store.php#songbook

Songbook Demo Video: https://rumble.com/vfazhl-apologetix-songbook-2020-demo.html

“THE SEARCH FOR MEANING” WEBSITE

This site presents discussions on the 12 most commonly asked questions about the Christian faith.

The 12 discussions are accessed by the “tabs” at the bottom of the page. The tabs are numbered 1-12. Roll your mouse over them and you will see the question displayed at the right. Click on the number to select that question.

Within each question (i.e. tabs 1-12), there are subtopics (or dialogues) to select that appear as smaller tabs underneath the numbered tabs. Roll your mouse over them and the title of these topics is also displayed to the right. Click on the open rectangle to select that dialogue.

For each question (1-12), a link to related resources and an optional flowchart is provided. To access this material, click on the respective words, “Related Resources” or “Options Flowchart.”

To play a more detailed discussion of the subject, between two people, select the desired dialogue and click on “Play Audio Dialogue.”

In the upper right-hand corner of the page, there is an icon that looks like binoculars looking at a question mark. Click on this icon to return to the homepage.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Related Resources” page, there is an icon that looks like some books. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the resources for all of the questions. There also are additional “appendices” for most of the questions.

In the upper right-hand corner of a “Flowchart” page, there is an icon that looks like an Org chart. Click on this icon to get to an “overview” page that has links to all of the flowcharts.

http://4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q1_d1_1of10.html

[ Content by: Bill Kraftson and Lamar Smith; Website by Mark Besh ]

“FRUITS OF THE BEATITUDES” WEBSITE
(The ATTITUDES of Jesus that produce the CHARACTER of Jesus)

CLICK ON THE LINK to view:
http://fruitsofthebeatitudes.org/

FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/FruitsOfTheBeatitudes/

[ Mark Besh ]

[ P.S.: If you would like to investigate further about what it really means to “believe,” visit the following link:
http://4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q10_d1_1of10.html ].

<<< ARTICLES >>>

“10 Benefits of Adoption According to a San Diego Family Law Attorney”

Love:
Every child is entitled to a loving family for the entirety of life.

When you choose to adopt, you are choosing to emotionally bond yourself with love to a child and them to you, which has positive effects for both. The parental relationship provided by adoption will allow a child to thrive. A birth parent may not have the ability to provide the love a child needs.

Support:
Every child needs support through their life as well. Supporting a child is more than physical needs. An adoptive parent provides a child with emotional support through all of life’s ups and downs.

A child who is adopted is provided the ability to thrive in life.

Resources:
Children who are adopted typically do not have the right amount of resources in the current situation that they need. Birth parents will make a selfless decision to give up their child for adoption sometimes based on their lack of resources.

As an adoptive parent, you are providing the child with financial resources and support. Birth parents usually are not financially capable of such needed provision and you are allowing for a lifestyle that every child should have.

Education:
A child also deserves that chance for a great education and an opportunity to reach whatever goal they set. Not only does adopting a child give them a chance at an education, but the financial security and support will push the child to accomplish more. Plus, it can provide the birth parents the opportunity to finish their education

Social Relationships:
Life in the Foster care system can be difficult for children to grow socially, especially if the child moves from home to home frequently. A child who remains in foster care is less likely to develop long term relationships.

When you adopt, you give a child the ability to make stables relationships through a school setting or near their home. This will drastically help the child to make long term friendships which will positively impact the child.

Opportunities:
As for birth parents, putting a child up for adoption rather than other methods is saving a life. Not only does that child get to have opportunities, but you are allowing for those opportunities to be carried through by a better-equipped family.

It also can provide opportunities for a birth parent as they may be able to attend school and acquire an education.

Growth:
Parents who adopt receive an experience that continues to grow in positive ways not only for themselves but for the child as well. A child has the ability to grow in a family where they will be loved, supported, and most of all wanted.

Traditions:
When an adopted child becomes a part of a family, parents can pass down traditions, spread culture and faith. Children should understand the heritage and family rites of passage. In an open adoption, the child can still have access to their birth family so they can learn where they came from as well as how they were raised.

Gratitude:
If a family adopts a child, they will have feelings of gratitude. People often find fulfillment from helping a child in need, especially those who are in seriously negative situations.

The child will also have gratitude especially if they are rescued from their current situation.

Experience:
Raising a child is an overall amazing experience that any person should be able to enjoy. Adoption makes that possible for every individual who desires to be a parent.

If you are planning on bringing another loved one into the family, it can be a smooth process without hassle. Minella Law Group is swift and professional in handling the adoption legalities, we can assist you with your stepparent adoptions or independent adoptions.

Being primarily a law firm that handles divorce, it brings us so much joy to bring families together! Adoptions are the one area where we can celebrate the union and the joy brought to a child.

[ Kathy Minella ]

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D36hnGWeKs

“5 Reasons Why Adoption Is SO Important”

My heart was broken by the thought of so many children without loving homes, but I had no idea what to do about it. I was young and definitely not ready to start a family of my own. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that adoption would play an important role in my life. Over the years, I learned about adoption and foster care, and I always wondered if adopting would be part of my family’s story someday. I even worked for the organization, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) whose mission is to find a safe, loving home for every child! The more I learned and surrounded myself with adoptive parents, the more I realized just how important adoption is.

Maybe you’ve had a similar experience. Maybe you find yourself with an unintended pregnancy, or maybe you’re brand-new to the conversation and wondering “Why exactly is adoption SO important”? The broad answer I always come back to is this: people. Lives are impacted by adoption every single day and all over the world. My hope is that the more we learn and communicate, the better we will all be at navigating this difficult journey.

There are a lot of reasons adoption is important! Too many to list actually, but I did make a list of the top five. Spoiler alert: they’re all about people and relationships. Adoption is such a delicate undertaking with so many lives and emotions on the line. You’ll see in this list that the value of all parties is extremely important, but the child is always the top priority. If we all are able to place the child’s needs at the very front of every decision, I believe our families, lives, relationships, and communities will all be much stronger!

If you are unfamiliar with the adoption triad, the term is commonly used to include the three parties involved in every adoption: the child, the adoptive parent(s), and the birth mother. Because adoption includes all three members of the triad, it’s necessary and important to consider the value that all three bring to the table. [more…]

[ Ashley Greeno ]

ARTICLE: https://adoption.com/5-reasons-why-adoption-is-so-important/

“What’s it like to “Give a Child Up” for Open Adoption?”

Learn the beautiful open adoption story of Megan, her son Cole, and his adoptive parents Tony & Amy and how they have built a life-long open and honest relationship.

If you’re thinking, “I want to give my child up for adoption but I want to know who will adopt him,” or just curious about what it’s like to “give a child up” for open adoption, it’s important to know that open adoption allows you to build a life-long relationship with your child and the adoptive family you choose.

Here are three things you need to know about open adoption:

While adoption was once kept completely anonymous, open adoption has become the most common type of adoption. Today, 95% of all adoptions have some amount of openness.
Open adoption means you get to stay connected with your child and the adoptive family for years to come.
The amount of openness in your adoption is completely up to you, as is the type of communication you choose to utilize.

“I’m putting a child up for adoption but want to see who they end up with.”
Adoption is no longer viewed as a negative act that should remain anonymous. Since the 1980s, it’s quite the opposite. Birth mothers like yourself and adoptive families hopeful for the opportunity to grow their own family are choosing to stay connected and share an open relationship during and after the adoption process.

By choosing adoption, you’re making the selfless, loving decision to give your child the chance to have the life he or she deserves with a family more able to provide a safe, nurturing home. That makes you a hero.

Just because you’re “giving up” your baby for adoption doesn’t mean you’re “giving up” on them. You’re doing what you feel is best for your child. Through open adoption, you can find your child the perfect home with an amazing adoptive family but still maintain an open connection and build a life-long relationship through various forms of open communication.

[ American Adoptions ]

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFjkWIiWPvw

“They Loved Me Enough To Place Me For Adoption”

Adoptee Diana recounts her respect for her birth parents decision to place her for adoption out of love.

Need to learn how to place your baby for adoption? Call 1-800-ADOPTION

[ American Adoptions ]

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m5ov2JMLIM

“Why Did You Choose Adoption A Birthmother’s Adoption Story”

Birthmother, Samantha, shares her story of placing her child for adoption with Adoption Choice.

[ Adoption Choice ]

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuu6gxP5rQ0&t=3s

“Chosen | Heartwarming Christian family movie starring Dean Cain and Kevin Sorbo”

A multi-plot film centered on adoption and foster care, Chosen follows six different families as they each discover an intertwined journey of healing, unity, and new beginnings.

There are not many films that portray adoption and foster parenting in a positive light. CHOSEN does just that! Starring Eddie McClintock, Kevin Sorbo, Dean Cain and Erin Montgomery this multi-plot film tells several incredible true to life stories of how one community makes a difference in the lives of foster kids.

CHOSEN is a multi-plot movie that was created to empower people of faith to get involved. On any given day in Ohio, nearly 16,000 children are being cared for in foster care. This number is expected to increase as the number of foster parents are decreasing.

[ Deep C Digital – JCFilms ]

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNFhE-UxZvM

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ42dI50oGw

“Here’s how adoption creates a better future“

How The Adoption Process Works
The adoption process is beautiful because it brings people together to give a baby a life filled with love and opportunity.

From deciding if adoption is right for you, to choosing your agency and finding a match, we’ve broken the adoption process down into 6 steps. Here’s how to place a baby for adoption, and here’s how to adopt a baby.

3 Reasons People Choose American Adoptions:

MORE ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES
We work with all types of waiting families across the country, giving you hundreds of hopeful parents to choose from. Why is this important for you? It gives you a better chance of finding your perfect match.
BETTER ADOPTION MATCHES
Your child deserves the best life you can imagine. That’s why we work with the best adoptive families in the country, using advanced screening and matching methods to help you find the right one for your baby.
THE BEST ADOPTION EXPERIENCE
Our staff includes people who have personally been through the adoption process. We’ve been where you are – which means we provide better support to make this process as easy as possible for you. [more…]

ARTICLE: https://www.americanadoptions.com/

“Benefits of Adoption [And How They Affect You]“

There are benefits of adoption for everyone involved:

Birth parents giving their baby the best life possible

Adoptive parents being able to start or add to their family

Adoptees getting the gift of a loving and supportive family

Adoption isn’t an easy thing to do, but most things worth doing aren’t easy. And while everyone involved in the adoption process will experience unique challenges, there will also be unique adoption benefits. These are not temporary advantages but rather life-changing positives that come with being a part of something so important. If that sounds like something you want to experience, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time.

American Adoptions is proud of the benefits of adoption our agency can bring, and we are happy to explain them anytime. If you want to learn more about modern benefits of adoption, get free information online now.

In the meantime, learn a bit more about this topic below. [more…]

ARTICLE: https://www.americanadoptions.com/adoption/adoption_benefits

“8 Reasons Why Women “Give a Child Up” for Adoption“

Reasons to Make an Adoption Plan

When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you have three options:

Parent your child

Terminate your pregnancy

Place your child for adoption

The decision of what to do will always be up to you — and you alone. However, there are many unplanned pregnancy options counselors available to walk you through each of these processes to help you determine what’s best for you and your pregnancy. We encourage you to speak to one of our trained counselors at 1-800-ADOPTION to discuss your options in more detail.

At American Adoptions, a common question we get is, “What are the reasons to give your child up for adoption?” The answer is different for every woman. Whether you want to give your baby an amazing life with well-prepared adoptive parents, or you want to continue working toward your own goals before becoming a parent, there are many reasons to place a baby for adoption.

Whether you’re a pregnant woman researching your unplanned pregnancy options, or a prospective adoptive parent wanting to learn more about whom exactly birth parents are, we encourage you to consider some of the reasons to place a baby for adoption that other prospective birth mothers have had: [more…]

ARTICLE: https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/reasons-to-give-your-child-up-for-adoption

“How Do Children Feel About Being Adopted?”

What it Feels Like to be Adopted [Your Guide to Adopted Children’s Feelings]
By placing your baby for adoption, you can give them a lifetime of love and opportunity.

Through adoption, you can give your baby two loving parents who have been longing and preparing for a child for years. Choose those parents here.

Your child will grow up in a safe, stable, comfortable home, where they will have every opportunity you want for them.

Your child will know that the amazing life they have with their family is because of your brave decision. You will be their hero.

You can get more information about adoption and how the process works by calling 1-800-ADOPTION now. [more…]

ARTICLE: https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/growing_up_adopted_study_highlights_health_happiness_of_adopted_children

“In Their Own Words: Birth Mothers Describe Their Reasons For Choosing Adoption“

As an adoption attorney, I have had the fortune of witnessing the miracles of domestic adoption on a daily basis. In domestic adoption, a birth mother chooses the perfect parent(s) she wants to adopt her child. She may have had a wonderful childhood that she feels she cannot replicate for her child or she may have had a very difficult childhood and wants to break the cycle for her baby. Whatever her reasons, she is a modern day hero who acts out of love for her child to ensure that her baby has a wonderful life full of love, stability and inspiration.

Prospective parents often ask me why birth mothers place their babies for adoption. I have complied a small sample of responses to this question written by birth mothers in our program. Their short direct responses provide great insight into why a birth mother places her baby for adoption. [more…]

[ AdoptHelp ]

ARTICLE: https://www.adopthelp.com/in-their-own-words-birth-mothers-describe-their-reasons-for-choosing-adoption/

“The Surprising Reason I Chose Adoption | A Birth Mother’s Story“

Placing my son for adoption went against everything I had planned for my life.
I was 24 years old, working full-time as an RN, and I wanted nothing more than to be a wife and mom. So when I found myself with an unplanned pregnancy as a single woman, adoption and being a birth mother never entered my mind. I was going to be the best parent I could be, no matter what.

Still, I was nervous and uncertain at my first doctor’s appointment. It wasn’t acceptable in my circles for girls to be pregnant without a husband.

The doctor came into the exam room and said words I’ll never forget:

“I see from your chart that this pregnancy wasn’t planned, but you know what? I’m still going to say congratulations, because life is beautiful. Any time a baby is conceived, that life is beautiful. So congratulations.“

He was the first person to say congratulations, and it meant the world to have somebody else celebrate this child. But then he said words that would change the course of my life—

“Have you ever thought about adoption?“ [more…]

[ Lifesong For Orphans ]

ARTICLE: https://lifesong.org/2023/05/a-birth-mother-story/

“Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy?“

You likely have many questions and fears. Discover the answers you need. Speak to a Bethany counselor at 1.800.BETHANY

Considering adoption?
If you’re considering adoption, you’re in the right place. We help many expectant parents like you every year.

FAQs about adoption

[ Bethany Christian Service ]

ARTICLE: https://bethany.org/get-help/pregnancy/facing-an-unplanned-pregnancy

“Christian Views On Adoption”

What is the Christian understanding of adoption? The WSC defines adoption as an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.” Where do we find adoption in the Bible? The concept of adoption is found throughout the Old Testament but not made clear until we come to the New Testament. In the New Testament, primarily through the writings of the Apostle Paul, we are introduced to adoption as the explanation of how God saved us and how we became part of His family. This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell sits with Dr. Josh Philpot to candidly discuss how his family came to be through physical adoption and how physical adoption is a wonderful and beautiful picture of God choosing us and bringing us into His family through adoption.

Dr. Philpot shares that after marrying, he and his wife Jennifer were planning to have children a couple of years down the road into the marriage. Around the same time they were discussing their family planning, they heard sermons from Ephesians 1 on adoption. Ephesians 1 teaches that God chose us before the foundation of the world and how, in His love, He predestined us for adoption as sons to the Father through Jesus Christ. Dr. Philpot shares that he had never thought of adoption in those terms as being God’s idea, God’s plan. Those sermons really impacted him and his wife so much that it occurred to them that they ought to consider adoption at the same time they were considering biological children. What ended up taking place, however, in God’s providence, was the opening of one door and the closing of the other. Dr. Philpot shares how they had the privilege and the blessing to adopt four children and bring them into their family.

Dr. Philpot goes on to discuss the ins and outs of physical adoption. He shares with us about initial pain and sadness, the difficulties that can come, and the costliness and financial challenges associated with adoption. But, more importantly, Dr. Philpot shares the joys and delights associated with the realness of their family. Additionally, he shares some cautions about adoption, saying that maybe not everyone is called to adopt. Yet, even if we are not, there are other ways we can support it.

He tells us it’s truly amazing to consider how physical adoption today mirrors the gospel. He believes it helps to give a fuller understanding of what God has really done in saving us. He encourages us to consider what God has done in calling us out of darkness and into light and into His family. The benefits and the privileges are far greater than we will ever understand or realize in this lifetime. But physical adoption gives us a visible and real picture of that truth.

[ Straight Truth Podcast ]

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vWmY8G5g_k&t=9s

“Christian Adoption Guide”

The Christian faith has long been a love-centered faith. Adoption is part of that love.

This guide will discuss the Christian view of adoption, what Christian scriptures say about adoption, adoption stories from the Bible, and Christian-based adoption agencies and forums.

Are you interested in growing your family through domestic infant adoption? Click here to connect with an adoption professional who can answer your questions. [more…]

[ Adoption.com – Meghan Rivard ]

ARTICLE: https://adoption.com/christian-adoption-guide/

“TIPS FOR CHOOSING A FOSTER CARE OR ADOPTION AGENCY”

The Knowledge You Need as You Begin Your Journey

Before You Begin
Depending on where you live, there may be many options for foster care or adoption agencies. And you may feel overwhelmed by the process of choosing an agency.

First, let us congratulate you for deciding to foster or adopt. By beginning this journey, you are one step closer to changing a child’s story. And while it may not be easy, you will make a significant difference in the lives of others.

Choosing an agency is a personal decision, so we cannot recommend which one you should work with. However, consider doing the following steps as you prayerfully begin your search.

Contents
CHAPTER ONE
Initial Research
CHAPTER TWO
State vs. Private Agencies
CHAPTER THREE
Selecting a Foster Care Agency
CHAPTER FOUR
Selecting an Adoption Agency
CHAPTER FIVE
Finding Community and Support
CHAPTER SIX
Additional Resources

[more…]

[ Focus On The Family ]

ARTICLE: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/tips-for-choosing-a-foster-care-or-adoption-agency/

“Do You Want to Adopt a Child?” [ Compassion International ]

It’s not easy to adopt a child. Here’s one of the fastest, most affordable and most gratifying alternatives to adoption.

While it’s not always possible to adopt a child due to financial constraints and legal red tape, almost anybody can sponsor a child through Compassion International. Thousands of children around the world are living in poverty, and they are hoping and praying to be sponsored by a generous person like you.

Do You Want to Adopt a Kid?
Adopt a child or sponsor one? Only you can decide.

When you adopt a child, you become a legal guardian. If your adopted child lives overseas, she must leave her native country to come live with you. You are responsible for all your child’s needs. Sponsoring a child is different because it allows children to remain with extended family and friends in their home countries. You provide vital financial assistance, and you have the opportunity to write letters and develop a close relationship. You can even visit your sponsored child if you want! Child sponsorship can be an excellent alternative to adopting a child for some people.

Even though Compassion can’t help you adopt a child, we can help you change a child’s life and provide hope for the future and for all eternity.

Rather than adopt a child, consider sponsoring a child through Compassion. You’ll be providing relief from poverty and demonstrating the love of Jesus. Through Compassion, your child sponsorship support may provide:

– Food and clean water as needed
– Educational opportunities
– Health care (regular health checkups, immunizations, medicine and more)
– The opportunity to experience God’s love and learn about Jesus
– An intimate relationship with you through letters, photos and prayers. You can even visit your sponsored child in his or her native country!

When you sponsor a child, you are linked with one particular child who will know your name, write to you and treasure the thought that you care.

Your cost? Only $43 a month, which is much less than the cost to adopt a kid. Even better, you can sponsor a child through Compassion right now. Simply click one of the children’s pictures to the left. You will see additional details about that child, then you will have the option to sponsor him or her.

The whole process is quick and easy. Remember, when you sponsor a child, you’re not just doing something good — you’re providing love, hope and joy to a child in need. Please click on a photo now to bring happiness to a child’s heart.

Sponsoring a Child: A Transformative Alternative to Adoption
Adopting a child is a beautiful act of love, yet it can often involve complex processes and considerable costs. It is natural for individuals to explore “how to adopt a child from another country” or to ask “how can I adopt a child.” We’ve heard these questions many times over. If you’ve looked into “how to adopt internationally” or specifically “how to adopt a baby from Africa”, you might have found that international child adoption comes with lengthy procedures and huge financial responsibilities. Here at Compassion International, we provide one of the most impactful alternatives to adoption—child sponsorship.

Child sponsorship is more than just a financial commitment; it’s a relationship that instills hope, nurtures potential, and delivers the practical help that a child needs to break free from the cycle of poverty. It shares beautiful similarities to aspects of adoption like love, care, and long-term commitment even though it differs in key ways. Through sponsorship, children stay within their familiar cultural context, close to their extended family, friends, and communities. The sponsorship support fosters their growth without uprooting them from their native lands.

This avenue aligns with the desires of many who ask, “how can I adopt a child” but face the complex international child adoption process or restrictive adoption laws. By choosing to sponsor a child, you contribute to their education, health, nutrition, and spiritual growth. This holistic approach ensures the child experiences God’s love while also learning about Jesus Christ. Additionally, you can develop a personal relationship with your sponsored child through letters, photos, prayers, and potentially even visiting them in their home country.

The cost of sponsorship stands at only $43 a month—a fraction of the resources required for international child adoption, making it one of the most affordable alternatives to adoption. The process is simple and immediate; you can start sponsoring a child right away by choosing from the profiles available on our site.

In essence, if you’re wondering how to adopt a child from another country, consider child sponsorship as a viable, transformative, and impactful alternative. By sponsoring a child, you not only provide tangible resources for their growth but also impart love, hope, and joy that can forever change their life. Ready to make a difference? Click on a child’s photo now, and bring happiness to a heart today.

[ Compassion International ]

ARTICLE: https://www.compassion.com/child-development/adopt-a-child/

“10 Ways to Choose a Child to Sponsor”

YOU WANT TO SPONSOR A CHILD BUT YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.
“Exactly how does one go about choosing a child?” It’s a daunting prospect when you consider the affect your sponsorship can have on the child and the child’s family.

How do you choose whom to help and whom someone else must help?

Here are 10 suggestions.

Choose a child who has been waiting the longest.
There are children who have been waiting for months and months, hoping and praying that the Lord will bring them a sponsor. Are you the answer to their prayers?
Let your kids pick.
When many of us talk about sponsorship, one of the things we point out is how it has transformed the lives of our kids. Our kids have learned caring, sharing and empathy. They’ve learned to write letters. Sponsorship has piqued their interest in the world around them.

Give your children ownership in the sponsorship process. Let them choose.

The thought and care they put into the decision just may surprise you.

Consider a child who is mentally or physically challenged.
Do you have a heart for children living with a medical condition? Perhaps it’s a population you work with. Consider taking your ministry global and sponsor a child who is mentally or physically challenged.

Your sponsorship will help that child access treatment and support. Your letters and prayers will bring him or her hope.

Browse compassion.com.
We have thousands of unsponsored children here on compassion.com. Look around a bit. You may find a child who grabs your heart.
Pray.
Isn’t it ultimately God who leads us down the right path? Pray for guidance. Pray that God will bring you to that one child whom you are perfectly and ideally able to love, nurture and encourage.
Choose by country.
Is there a particular location you are interested in? Is God repeatedly drawing your heart to a certain region? If so, you may want to choose a child based on where he or she lives.

Warning: Whichever country you choose, you will come to care for it deeply.

Drought in Ethiopia, hurricanes in Haiti, flooding in Bangladesh — these will no longer be just headlines in a newspaper for you. Your heart will be tied to that part of the world.

Choose by age.
Are you interested in corresponding with an older child, a youth on the verge of adulthood, a teenager or pre-teen? Perhaps you want a child who is the same age or is close in age to one of your own children.
Choose by cause.
– Orphaned child
– Affected by HIV/AIDS
– With a higher risk of exploitation or abuse
Find a child who shares your birthday.
Kids think it’s cool to share a birthday — your Compassion kid will, too. It’s a special link to share with another person.
Let us decide.
If you are ready to sponsor but prefer not to choose, we can select a child for you.

Call us at (800) 336-7676. Or choose our online “Select a Child for Me” option.

Special thanks to sponsor Lisa Miles for contributing to this article.

GIVE WITH CONFIDENCE
With Compassion, your donation is used wisely to help children around the world.

Lock IconWe use industry-standard communication protocols to ensure your personal information is encrypted and transmitted without risk.

ARTICLE: https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/10-ways-to-choose-a-child-to-sponsor.htm

“Requirements to Adopt a Child”

Can I Adopt with American Adoptions?

Parenting, no matter how you get there, is an immense responsibility. It’s also a joy, to be sure. But the weight of it — shaping a child’s life, providing safety and comfort, creating opportunity — is significant. It makes sense, with this level of responsibility in mind, that there would be some requirements to adopt a child.

If you are considering adoption, one of your first steps is learning about these requirements. They may be different depending on where you live, which agency you work with and which type of adoption you are pursuing. This guide to adoption requirements will help you figure it all out. You can also call 1-800-ADOPTION or click here to get help from an adoption professional now.

As a national adoption agency, American Adoptions adheres to each state’s private domestic adoption laws and requirements. Like most agencies, we also have our own specific requirements. That may sound strict, but here’s the truth: adoption requirements are important to make sure that everyone, birth mother, adoptive family and child, only end up in the best situations.

Each state has its own unique laws and adoption requirements. Our database on adoption information for each state can help you learn more about your specific state laws. It’s also a good idea to speak with an adoption specialist about your state’s laws, as these laws are always subject to change.

First, let’s look at some of the questions we are commonly asked about the requirements to adopt a child through our agency.

Prospective birth mothers reading this, you can find a complete guide to the requirements for placing your child for adoption if you click this link. You can also connect with a professional today. [more…]

ARTICLE: https://www.americanadoptions.com/adopt/requirements_to_adopt

“Adoption Laws By State”

Adoption is, for the most part, controlled by state law, and these laws vary considerably from state to state. Before pursuing an adoption, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with your state’s policies regarding advertising for birth parents, birth mother expenses, consents to adoption, adoption subsidies, and more. If you will be adopting a child born in a different state, you may need to know about both states’ laws. When you’re ready to begin the adoption process, be sure to hire an adoption attorney and/or an adoption agency who is very knowledgeable about your state’s adoption laws.

View adoption laws and find qualified adoption professionals in your state by choosing from the list below. [more…]

ARTICLE: https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/adoption-laws-by-state/

“5 Things You Need to Know About Adoption”

When most people reference the changing of the family structure, it’s usually a negative connotation—signifying the disintegration of the traditional family. But there’s another force at work changing the family make–up that is as positive as it is powerful, and Christians are among the most likely groups to address this cause. It’s called the adoption movement, but then again, it’s nothing new. Christians have long understood loving the orphan to be part of the mandate of following Jesus.

To commemorate National Adoption Awareness Month, Barna Group presents five things you should know about adoption—what Jedd Medefind, author of the forthcoming Barna FRAME Becoming Home (releasing January 2014) calls one of the most important ways Christians can demonstrate their love for God to a skeptical culture.

Strengthen your message, train your team and grow your church with cultural insights and practical resources, all in one place.

1) Today, there are more than 150 million orphans worldwide.
An orphan is defined as a child with at least one deceased parent, and there are 150 million in the world today. There are also 18 million “double orphans,” those who’ve lost both parents, in need of a home. That’s enough to fill a Super Bowl stadium—not just once, but 180 times.

2) While one–quarter of all adults say they have seriously considered adoption, only 2% have actually done so.
Adoption serves one of the world’s greatest needs, but while it’s deeply meaningful, it’s not always easy, for many reasons. And the gap between those considering adoption and those who go actually adopt reflects the many challenges that crop up to prevent needy children from finding homes. Adoption expenses are certainly a factor, but there’s also the emotional toll of the adoption process, the risk factors of behavioral or health issues and more that may deter prospective parents from following through on their inclination to adopt.

3) Practicing Christians are more than twice as likely to adopt than the general population.
While Christians have built a reputation for many of the things they are against, adoption and foster care are emerging as a cause they are for. While only 2% of all Americans have adopted, this rises to 5% among practicing Christians. Practicing Christians are much more likely than others to have seriously considered adoption—38% of practicing Christians say they have, compared to 26% of all adults.

4) The global weight of adoption efforts is carried by just 2% of Americans.
As some of the most privileged people in the world, it’s no surprise that Americans are leading adoption efforts internationally. But when this is put into statistical perspective, this disproportion becomes far more striking: Since American adoptions comprise nearly half of all adoptions worldwide, this means the global weight of adoption efforts rests on the shoulders of the 2% of American adoptive parents.

5) The typical adoptive family is a multi–ethnic one.
The majority of adoptive parents are non–Hispanic white adults (73%), yet non–Hispanic white adopted children are actually the minority (37%). This results in not only a multi–ethnic family portrait, but increasingly multi–ethnic churches as well. This trend may pave the way for renewed cross–ethnic hospitality and reconciliation within today’s Christian community, which remains one of the most ethnically divided parts of U.S. society.

[ Barna Group ]

ARTICLE: https://www.barna.com/research/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-adoption/

“What the Bible Teaches Us about Adoption”

On a chilly March day, my husband and I held up our right hands and swore: to care for our adopted daughter the rest of her life. Two years later we did the same for our son. There are many ways to make a family. And maybe because adoption has always been God’s Plan A, I love it even more.

Where is adoption first mentioned in the Bible?
The first time adoption is mentioned directly in the Bible is in Exodus 2. Israel’s great leader who brought them out of captivity and into the Promised Land was adopted. Before Moses was even born, a wicked Pharaoh decreed that all Jewish boys who were born should be thrown into the Nile River.

Have you ever stopped think about such an evil act? We like to focus on the fact that Moses was saved, but how many babies died? How many innocent lives were taken before they were able to even have a chance at life?

Moses was born into a world where being a baby was a dangerous thing. It’s beautiful that God’s solution to this killing of babies was adoption. Moses was put into the river, and could have died. But instead, our sovereign, loving God orchestrated it so he would be saved.

Moses was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter. She asked her handmaiden to go and retrieve the infant. Moses was then brought to live in the palace. (Exodus 2:5-10; Acts 7:21)

What is the biblical definition of adoption?
According to Bible Study Tools, adoption is the “Act of leaving one’s natural family and entering into the privileges and responsibilities of another.” In the New Testament many of the apostles used this term to describe our salvation. [ more…]

[ Sarah Frazer ]

ARTICLE: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-the-bible-say-about-adoption.html

“SEEING GOD IN ADOPTION; A CHRISTIAN VIEW OF ADOPTION”

By: Rebecca Stahr MacDougall, MSW, LCSW
Presented at: NACSW Convention 2009 October, 2009 Indianapolis, IN

Abstract
Adoption is a scriptural metaphor that emphasizes the permanence of our relationship with God, the rights we have as His children and His redemption of us. The presenter will share some of the treasures she has gleaned as an adoption social worker, from watching God at work in adoption, hoping to give participants a fresh glimpse of God.

God is at work in every area of life, in every part of the world but, for many years, my life has been adoption and that is where I have seen God at work. My personal life is deeply affected by adoption because our three children were adopted. This summer our oldest daughter turned 21 so I have stored up over 20 years of very personal and deep thoughts about adoption. My professional life and ministry is adoption and last year marked 25 years of working with people who are touched by adoption. Adoption has saturated exactly half my life and this been a significant milestone for me. I decided to mark it by writing down some of the treasured thoughts that I have pondered over the years, lessons I’ve learned about God through adoption. When one lives and breathes adoption every day for twenty‐ five years, at home and at work, I guess it’s natural to always see an illustration that relates to adoption. It’s always a treasure when one learns a new truth about God or discovers His presence in a quiet moment of Bible study or prayer or a moment of life so these are precious, personal thoughts that I share with you. I hope they will encourage you to see God in your moments and places in life. My appreciation of adoption has been heightened as I’ve explored the dynamics of adoption and theology. I believe that God has a special love for adoption and that, in loving adoption, and those that are touched by adoption, I am loving what God loves

In the field of adoption we refer to the adoption triad. Let me illustrate the triad with you. At the top is the adopted person, usually adopted as an infant or a child. On the bottom, supporting that child are the adoptive family and the birth family. Usually everyone in this triad comes to adoption through a loss and through these losses, a new and permanent union is made in adoption bringing new life and new possibilities. Grief and loss then are at the core of adoption and reverberate through each member of the triad’s life. God dearly loves each person in this triad and he understands the loss and the grief of each person. He loves each person.

Loving What God Loves
Several years ago I was tired and struggling with my “calling” when, as part of a Missions Emphasis Sunday, I heard a sermon that challenged me to Love what God Loves. Mark Jobe grew up in a small village in the north of Spain and came to Chicago to study for the ministry, planning to return to Europe. He hated the city but as he sought God’s call for his life, he learned to love what God loves and God gave him a great love for the City of Chicago. In 1986 Mark took a church in the inner city, in a gang infested neighborhood, a dying church with 17 people. The New Life Community Church grew to eight different locations, with 10 different services in two languages, with over 2200 people, bringing New Life to their communities.

That morning, I sat through the service a second time. I want to love what God loves. God began to speak to my heart about what God loves and the calling he had given me. [ more…]

PDF: https://www.nacsw.org/Publications/Proceedings2009/MacDougallRSeeingGod.pdf

“ADOPTED BY GOD & FOREVER FREE–THAT IS MINE IN CHRIST”

The redeemed are never for sale in any slave market again. They belong to the Lord Jesus forever. But, as each of us learns by going through life, there is one slight problem: our will to choose.

We have been chosen, we have all of God, but He asks us to now have all of us.

Remember the great truth at the end of I Cor. 6:20, where Paul says that: because we were bought (redeemed) at such a great price we should “glorify God”? That is the purpose that drives the redeemed. We want to offer every moment of life to the Lord, and bring them under the gracious Lordship of Christ. Whether we eat or drink, whatever we do: we want to do it all for the glory of God.

The plan to make our lives lived out for God’s glory is presented in Romans. Turn back to Romans 6 with me. As we turn to Romans 6, the flow of the chapters in Romans is so instructive:

Chapter 3 reminds us we all are sinners.
Chapter 4 declares that faith is the key to life in Christ.
Chapter 5 describes the greatest doctrine of salvation: justification.

Then we get to chapter 6:6, and Paul picks right up where Christ Jesus left off. Paul said that we who are redeemed by Christ’s blood must no longer allow ourselves to go back to slavery to sin.

Romans 6:6 (NKJV) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

[ John Barnett ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfaJAhgfzA4

“What does it mean that Christians are adopted by God?”

To adopt someone is to make that person a legal son or daughter. Adoption is one of the metaphors used in the Bible to explain how Christians are brought into the family of God. Jesus came “that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:5), and He was successful: “You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children” (Romans 8:15, NLT).

The Bible also uses the metaphor of being “born again” into God’s family (John 3:3), which seems to be at odds with the concept of adoption because, normally, either a person is born into a family or adopted, not both. We shouldn’t make too much of the difference, however, because both of these concepts are metaphors and should not be played against each other.

Adoption was not common in the Jewish world. A person’s standing was based on his birth. This is the reason that, if a man died, his brother was supposed to marry the widow. The first son to be born of the new marriage would be legally considered the son of the dead brother so that his family line would continue. There was never any thought of the widow adopting a son to carry on the family name. In John 3, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, and He uses the Jewish concept of being born again (or born from above) to explain how one is brought into God’s family.

In the Roman world, adoption was a significant and common practice. Today, we can write a will and leave our wealth and property to anyone we want, male or female. In the Roman world, with few exceptions, a man had to pass his wealth on to his son(s). If a man had no sons or if he felt that his sons were incapable of managing his wealth or were unworthy of it, he would have to adopt someone who would make a worthy son. These adoptions were not infant adoptions as is common today. Older boys and adult men were normally adopted. In some cases, the adoptee might even be older than the man who was adopting him. When the adoption was legally approved, the adoptee would have all his debts cancelled and he would receive a new name. He would be the legal son of his adoptive father and entitled to all the rights and benefits of a son. A father could disown his natural-born son, but an adoption was irreversible.

In the book Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ and the movie starring Charleton Heston, we see a vivid portrayal of Roman adoption. In the movie, Judah Ben-Hur (a Jew) has been imprisoned on a Roman galley ship as a rower. When the ship sinks in battle, Judah escapes and saves the life of a Roman commander, Arrius. Arrius’s only son has been killed, and he ultimately adopts Judah, who is pardoned for his supposed crimes. He is also given a new name, “young Arrius,” and has all the rights of inheritance. In the scene where the adoption is announced, Arrius takes off his ancestral signet ring and gives it to young Arrius. Young Arrius says that he has received “a new life, a new home, a new father.”

Paul, writing to Roman audiences, uses the metaphor of adoption, which a Roman audience would have understood. Galatians 4:3–7 says, “So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.” In this passage, Christians are born enslaved, but Jesus buys them out of slavery and they are adopted by the Father and given the Spirit, so now they are heirs.

When we come to faith in Christ, our debts are cancelled, we are given a new name, and we are given all the rights that heirs of God possess. One difference from Roman adoption is that Christians are not adopted because God thinks they will make worthy heirs. God adopts people who are completely unworthy, because He adopts on the basis of His grace.

So, Christians have been born into God’s family (using a Jewish metaphor) and adopted into God’s family (using a Roman metaphor). The end result is the same; Christians are forever part of God’s family.

[ Got Questions ]

“Adoption & Union with Christ”

To belong to the family of God is not something that we earn. It is a gift, one that we can all too easily take for granted. In this message, R.C. Sproul explains the special privilege that Christians have of being brought into God’s family through our adoption and union with Jesus Christ.

[ R.C. Sproul ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLrDCtaeJ4c

“The Blessings of Our Adoption | Romans 8:12-29”

The privileges of the Christian life – the blessings of our adoption.

Let us focus our gaze on the privilege that’s given to us in Christ, by the Father and through the Holy Spirit, that we are not only justified (we are guilty sinners that have been justified), but we are also prodigals who have been brought back into the family of God; and we have this privilege of adoption.

[ Dr. Sinclair Ferguson ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58xtP08W8Ug

“Adopted Into God’s Family”

Every once in a while, I am asked, “What’s it like to be adopted?”

I was two days old when my parents chose me to be their son. Being adopted is an amazing thing. I was taken from a situation that probably would not have turned out well and was given the opportunity to grow up in a loving Christian home. I became a member of a new family. I had a new identity, a new name, a new opportunity, and eventually a new inheritance. I was chosen! 

Adoption into God’s family is all of that and infinitely more. Scripture is very clear—a Christian is a chosen child of God (Ephesians 1:4–5). [more…]

[ Answers In Genesis – Rod Martin ]

ARTICLE: https://answersingenesis.org/christianity/adopted-into-gods-family/

“Adoption: David and Mephibosheth”

“…like one of the king’s sons” 2 Samuel 9:11b

Read 2 Samuel 9

Adoption is something we understand in our society. A family decides to take in a child either because they have no children of their own, or because they want to add to their family. It may be an infant or an older child. The normal process is that the parent searches for the child. The child doesn’t take the initiative and demand entrance into the family.

Likewise, adoption as a theological term is focused on the personal relationships salvation brings. Grudem says, “Adoption is an act of God whereby He makes us members of His family.”

One of the most beautiful examples of adoption is found in the account of King David’s grace extended to Mephibosheth, the disabled son of Jonathan. Here we see a strong and powerful king stoop down to reach out to someone who is everything he is not. He does it because of covenant mercy.

In this account in 2 Samuel, we see King David takes the initiative to search out relatives of Jonathan. He is under no obligation. He is pondering his love for Jonathan and remembering his covenant. He seeks out a descendant of Jonathan merely because he wants to show him favour. David had promised both Saul and Jonathan that he wouldn’t destroy their descendants, as was the custom of kings to put away rivals to the throne. We find those in 1 Sam. 20:12-17, 41-42, 1 Sam. 23:16-181 Sam. 24:20-22. Read.

He wonders, “Is there anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” In verse 3 he calls it “the kindness of God.” This word kindness can also be translated covenant-faithfulness or grace. A covenant is a contract between two parties. Grace, according to Chuck Swindoll, “…can mean unmerited favour—extending special favour to someone who doesn’t deserve it, who hasn’t earned it, and can never repay it.” [more…]

ARTICLE: https://piathompson.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/adoption-david-and-mephibosheth/

“Lesson 13 Adoption”

The highest privilege of the Christian life is to be considered a beloved child of God. We were orphans who came into the world without God a Father and now have been adopted through Jesus Christ, who the Father addressed, “You are my Son, marked and chosen by love, the delight of our life.” We are now included in God”s delight.

[ Greg Ogden ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9o1tNWDFHI

“The Needed Gift Of Adoption And Sanctification”

From 2014DEC28 – FTF-13 – Opening & Enjoying the Greatest Christmas Gift Of All – The One God Gave

[ John Barnett ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm3fYhleK68

“WHY FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION MATTERS TO ME AS A CHRISTIAN”

The importance of foster care and adoption is clear. As Christians, we are instructed to love and care for others. So, how will you make a difference?

Adoption forever changed my future even before I was born and continues to shape me in wonderful ways even today. Besides what I read in a book or saw in movies or on television shows, my first real introduction to adoption was as a teenager. [more…]

[ CHUCK JOHNSON ]

ARTICLE: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/foster-care/why-foster-care-matters-to-me/

“Chosen Child”

I didn’t give you the gift of life
but in my heart I know
The love I feel is deep and real
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true.
No, I didn’t give you
the gift of life
Life gave me the gift of
YOU

[ Author unknown ]

“24 Reasons for Choosing Adoption over Abortion [How Adoption Changes Lives]”

What to Consider When Comparing Adoption and Abortion

If you’re debating whether abortion or adoption is right for your unplanned pregnancy, you can get free support now by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

Only you can decide which unplanned pregnancy option is right for you.

Adoption creates a better future for everyone involved, and through open adoption, you can maintain a life-long connection with your child.

Abortion takes away the chance to watch your child grow. [more…]

[ American Adoptions ]

ARTICLE: https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/reasons-for-adoption-instead-of-abortion

“ABORTION PROS AND CONS: 5 PRO-LIFE ARGUMENTS”

Pro-lifers have an opportunity as cultural tension rises to share abortion pros and cons in compassion, truth and love.

Abortion is arguably one of the most heated debates in America right now. With the Supreme Court having overturned Roe v. Wade, tensions are undoubtedly rising. We now have a unique opportunity to sharing the truth of life with love and respect to those for abortion. Consider Ephesians 4:15:

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Rather than leading with frustration, the key in sharing pro-life views is to prepare for the inevitable conversations surrounding the pros and cons of abortion. Studies suggest that 60% of information presented to someone is forgotten – so truth and compassion must shine through memorably when discussing such a sensitive topic. We want to leave all conversations as followers of Christ having made the other person feel loved, valued and heard. And this especially applies to abortion, because it’s so personal for many people.

Abortion proponents typically believe a fetus is not a human; therefore, it isn’t murder. Because of that, losing abortion rights recognizably creates fear about the loss of women’s equality – something this country has fought so hard to preserve. But, specific, healthy conversations can reframe points of view entirely. Here are a few abortion pros and cons and how we can approach each one as followers of Christ and advocates for life. [more…]

[ Focus On The Family – KAYLEE CAMERON ]

ARTICLE: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/abortion-pros-and-cons-5-pro-life-arguments/

“A Voice For The Unborn”

[ Seth Gruber ]

WEBSITE: https://sethgruber.com/

“The White Rose Resistance”

[ Seth Gruber ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPuufJuOeN8

“The White Rose Resistance – Guest Seth Gruber”

We see in God’s Word that He cares deeply about the life of children, and He makes no distinction between life inside or outside of the womb.

[ Real Life with Jack Hibbs ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q3ojakFRLE

“Predestined for Adoption to the Praise of His Glory”

[ John Piper ]

SERMON: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E15ILjACbiQ

“Our Glorious Inheritance in Christ”
Joshua 13:33

Allegedly, a reporter once asked John D. Rockefeller, who at the time was one of the wealthiest men in America, “How much money is enough?” to which Rockefeller supposedly answered, “A little more than I have.” Such a response is fascinating but not the least bit surprising. Even though we don’t care to admit it, most of us are consumed with the endless endeavor of consuming a little more. It is indeed a vicious cycle of consumerism that can only be broken when we become content with what the Lord has provided and what the Lord has taken away, in His sovereign wisdom.

I recently completed a study of the book of Joshua, and while midway through, I came upon a magnificent passage amidst the record of the division of land among the twelve tribes. In 13:33, it is recorded: “But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.” As a pastor in the twenty-first century and in the spiritual line of the Levitical priesthood, I was deeply humbled and delighted to read of the glorious inheritance of the Lord’s ministers in the Old Testament. Although the Lord commanded the other tribes to give the Levites cities in which to dwell, thus demonstrating the Lord’s care for the physical well being of His ministers (Josh. 21), their inheritance was far greater than that of the other tribes — they were given the Lord Himself as their inheritance. Their lives were dedicated to the Lord God Almighty, and with beautiful accord, the Lord God Almighty dedicated Himself to them.

In similar fashion, at the very beginning of the historic formation of God’s covenant with Abraham, the Lord God Almighty came to His servant in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Gen. 15:1 NKJV). There is a reason Abram did not need to be afraid, neither of the vision nor of anything else — for God Himself was his shield, his Guardian, his Protector, and, what is more, his exceedingly great reward. The Lord God Almighty declared that He Himself would be Abraham’s reward. Nothing could be more glorious, and indeed nothing could be more humbling. By His same grace, God has placed us in the spiritual line of Abraham, making us his true heirs of that same, exceedingly great reward, leaving us with no desire to ask for more.

[ Burk Parsons ]

“Taking Possession of Our Inheritance”

A Sermon
(No. 2086)
Delivered on Lord’s-day Morning, May 12th, 1889, by
C. H. SPURGEON,
At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington.

“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” – Jos 1:2, 3

UNDER the leadership of Moses the children of Israel had been journeying towards the land of promise. Owing to their waywardness, what might have been done in less than a month occupied many years. They wandered up and down in the wilderness, sometimes close on the border of their inheritance, and anon lost in the great desert. Alas! many of God’s people are still in this unsatisfactory condition: they have come out of Egypt, the depths have swallowed up their adversaries, and they are on the way to the promised heritage; but they have not yet entered into rest. They will, we trust, ultimately reach the peace of God which passeth all understanding, for they have faith sufficient to prove them to be God’s people, and, therefore, the Lord will surely bring them in; but, assuredly, they make a great deal of marching for very small progress. For lack of faith they go about, when, with a step, they might possess the promised Canaan. [more…]

[ Charles Spurgeon ]

SERMON: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2086.cfm

“Are Eternal Rewards and Inheritance the Same?”

Are my eternal rewards and my eternal inheritance the same thing? One seems to imply that we can get more (our rewards). The other seems more static and more out of our hands (our inheritance). So, are these rewards and our inheritance different things, or are they the same thing? This is a perceptive question from our APJ listeners, and particularly from a listener named Nathan who lives in Schenectady, New York. “Pastor John, I have read and really enjoyed your book Reading the Bible Supernaturally. I believe my question is the beginning fruit of a deeper grace to look long and linger over passages of Scripture. My question is on 1 Peter 1:4, where the apostle refers to an ‘inheritance’ which is ‘reserved’ for us in heaven. This got me thinking about Matthew 6:20, where Jesus commands us to ‘lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.’ My question is about the relationship between the inheritance Peter refers to as being reserved for us right now and the treasure Jesus tells us to lay up for ourselves over time. One seems static, the other dynamic. Are they the same? Are they different? If they are different, how do they relate?”

This is a great question. I love this kind of question because it makes me try to relate different parts of Scripture to each other to see how they might illuminate one another. And I’ve never in my life — that I can remember — tried to connect these two verses. And so, it was a very, very challenging and encouraging question for me. [more…]

[ John Piper ]

ARTICLE: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/are-eternal-rewards-and-inheritance-the-same

“How was God Himself the inheritance of the Levites?”

Deuteronomy 18:1–2 says that the Levites had a very special inheritance from God: “The Levitical priests—indeed, the whole tribe of Levi—are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the Lord, for that is their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them.” The other tribes of Israel received a land inheritance in Canaan, but the Levites received no land. Instead, the Levites were given certain cities within the other tribes’ territories.

The Levites’ inheritance was God Himself in the sense that they were the ones chosen to oversee the worship of the entire nation of Israel. The Levites were responsible for the tabernacle and its implements as well as overseeing the sacrifices and offerings of the people.

The priests were provided for through their service. Deuteronomy 18:3–4 offers a summary of the Law’s provisions: “This is the share due the priests from the people who sacrifice a bull or a sheep: the shoulder, the internal organs and the meat from the head. You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep.”

The fuller explanation of this teaching is found in Numbers 18. “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. . . . They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites’” (verses 21, 23–24).

God was the unique inheritance to the Levites. He was the focus of their service, the source of their sustenance, and the significance of their calling. Their inheritance included cities, daily food, and a constant vocation, but it did not include the same type of land inheritance given to the other tribes of Israel.

[ Got Questions ]

“Adoption into God’s Family”
Romans 8:15

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a marvelous statement of gospel doctrine and practice. He writes to remind the believers in Ephesus of the glorious realities of their salvation and the great responsibilities that fall on them to walk “worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1).

For Paul, there can be no reflection on these themes except in the context of praise and adoration of the God from whom all the blessings of salvation flow. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he says at the outset of his letter, “who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing” (Eph. 1:3). Here Paul uses the word bless in the form of an adjective, a verb, and a noun. God is blessed. He has blessed us. He has given us every blessing. In Christ, God has done for us what we could never have done for ourselves, and He deserves all the glory for it.

Among the blessings God bestows on us in Christ is the blessing of adoption. We have been brought into God’s family and made God’s children. From God we have received “the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Rom. 8:15). As far as our status is concerned, we are no longer “strangers and aliens” to the people of God but “members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). The Christians in Ephesus may have no natural affinity to the descendants of Abraham, but God in His grace has addressed the issue of their spiritual alienation from His covenant by making them His sons and daughters.

In the opening section of Ephesians, our attention is drawn to four issues in connection with our adoption. The first is that we were predestined to our new status. “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Eph. 1:5). God’s adoption of us was initiated by God Himself, and the decision to make us His children was made before either we or the world existed. There is a determination — a purpose — on the part of God to enlarge His family by bringing rebels and sinners like us into it. It is one thing for human parents to decide to adopt someone who will fit into the family and enhance it; God, however, purposes to adopt those who are the very opposite of Himself. The second aspect of adoption is that it is “to the praise of his glorious grace” (Eph. 1:6). Our adoption into God’s family is not so much something that confers a benefit on us; in the first instance, it is something that enhances the reputation of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has opted to become our God and Father too. All the praise is His. Our adoption arises out of His choice, and focuses on His glory and praise. We did not deserve it and could not achieve it. But God, by His mercy and favor, conveys this blessing on us that He will be praised throughout endless ages of eternity.

A third focus of Paul’s doctrine of adoption is that it is in Christ. Some eighty times Paul uses the couplet “in Christ” or “in him” in the course of his letters. There is no spiritual blessing outside of Christ. But once we are in Him, there is no spiritual blessing that is not ours. Notice the concentration of emphasis on this in Ephesians 1:3–6: we are blessed “in Christ” (v. 3); chosen “in him” (v. 4); predestined “through Jesus Christ” (v. 5); blessed in the Beloved (v. 6). The whole complex of our adoption finds its center and its meaning in Jesus Christ.

Moreover, if we want to know that we have been adopted into the family of God, then we must look to Jesus Christ. God has no focal point or ground upon which to secure our status as His adopted children except what He has done in His only begotten Son. He sent the one Son He had from all eternity into the world with the purpose of enlarging His family, so that He would bring many sons with Him into glory (Heb. 2:10). To be adopted is to be able to stand where Jesus always stood, looking at God and calling Him “Abba.” Jesus, who always addressed God as “My Father,” teaches His people to say, “Our Father.”

What a glorious, magnificent, aweinspiring, and humbling doctrine. We who were enemies of God are made the sons of God, only because the Son of God was set apart to be regarded as the enemy; He was made a curse for us, so that the blessing of Abraham would come on the Gentiles (Gal. 3:14) — the blessing in which God says, “You are Mine.”

Finally, we are adopted so that we will, in fact, bear the family likeness. We are chosen to be holy and blameless (Eph. 1:4). These are the characteristics of the children of God. They are set apart to be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Phil. 2:15). There can be no adoption without a conferring of the family likeness and the implanting of a new impulse toward holiness and godliness.

It used to thrill me when my children were younger to hear one of our boys say, “I want to be like my dad.” I know of nothing that better evidences our adoption into God’s family than to wish, more than anything else in the world, that we could be more like our Father. That’s why He adopted us, after all.

[ Ligonier Ministries ]

“Our Inheritance in Christ”

What is the Apostle Paul actually talking about when he brings up the topic of inheritance? Pastor Dan walks us through the two meanings of inheritance as used in Ephesians: God’s inheritance and our inheritance.

Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV)

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Paul is writing to Gentile Christians in Ephesus. This passage was written to assure Gentile believers, that when Christ comes again, they will receive the same spiritual inheritance as those Jews who had already believed in Christ. So let’s look at what Paul says about this inheritance – what it is, how we received it, and why we received it.

What it is

Verse 11 tells us literally “we were claimed as his portion” but it is rendered in a variety of ways in our Bible….

(ESV) In him we have obtained an inheritance,

(NAS) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,

(NKJ) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance,

(NLT) we have received an inheritance from God,

(NIV) In him we were also chosen,

(NET) In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession,

So which is it? Have we been claimed as God’s inheritance, or have we received an inheritance from God? The answer is both. **The word “inheritance” is used in this chapter both of God’s portion in his people (11) and of the everlasting portion which he has reserved for them (18). [ more…]

[ Dan Sonnenberg ]

ARTICLE : https://www.stonebridge-epc.org/2012/05/20/our-inheritance-in-christ-eph-1-11-17-sonnenberg/

“The Gift Of Predestination l The Inheritance Of The Redeemed”

For His glory, God takes the initiative in salvation. You are listening to “The Gift Of Predestination,” sermon 1 of the series, “The Inheritance Of The Redeemed.”

From before creation, God predestined Christians to salvation and instigated a plan to redeem us out of a world filled with sin. He did all of this for the praise of His glorious grace.

[ Erwin Lutzer ]

TEACHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKuOrnx7AvE

“What does the Bible say about parents leaving an inheritance for their children?”

Inheritance was the gift of honor and support given by a patriarch to his sons (and sometimes daughters). It was meant for the provision and status of the family. Most of the occurrences of inheritance in the first half of the Old Testament refer to God bestowing the Promised Land on the Israelites—the Heavenly Father providing for His sons and daughters. Because the land was given by God to the individual families, the people were not allowed to dispose of their land permanently. If they needed to sell it, it was to be returned during the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:23-38). The Bible laid out specific guidelines for inheriting family property: the eldest son was to inherit a double portion (Deuteronomy 21:15-17); if there were no sons, daughters were allowed to inherit their father’s land (Numbers 27:8); in the absence of direct heirs, a favored servant or a more distant kinsman could inherit the land (Genesis 15:2; Numbers 27:9-11). At no time could the land pass to another tribe. The point of passing on the land was to ensure the extended family had a means of support and survival. Inheritance was assumed, and only Proverbs 13:22 speaks of it as a particular virtue.

The New Testament does not speak of a physical inheritance but rather a spiritual inheritance. In fact, in Luke 12:13-21, Jesus downplays the importance of an earthly inheritance, explaining that it can lead to greed and an obsession with wealth. It is far better to store up treasures in heaven. Our inheritance, like the Israelites’, is from God (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18). And, like Abraham (Hebrews 11:8, 13), we will not receive our inheritance in this lifetime (1 Peter 1:4). What is this inheritance? Psalm 37:11 and Matthew 5:5 say it’s the whole earth. James 2:5 says it’s the kingdom of God, and Hebrews 11:16 calls it a heavenly country. First Corinthians 2:9 says it is so wonderful, that “eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” And Revelation 21 describes a new heaven and new earth where God will dwell among His people and take away tears, mourning, pain, and death.

As believers, we are not bound to the Old Testament Law. Instead, we are to follow the two greatest commandments—love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-36). The Old Testament offers practical examples as to how to fulfill the greatest commandments. In regards to inheritance, it’s the example of parents ensuring their family is cared for after their death. In modern times, this doesn’t necessarily mean land, or even material possessions. It can include imparting a good character, ensuring children have an education, or training them in a profession. But, when most people think of parents leaving an inheritance for their children, it is in regards to material possessions. The Bible definitely supports the idea of parents leaving their material possessions/wealth/property to their children. At the same time, parents should not feel obligated to save up everything for their children’s inheritance, neglecting themselves in the process. It should never be a matter of guilt or obligation. Rather, it should be an act of love, a final way of expressing your love and appreciation to children. Most important, however, is the parents’ responsibility to make sure children are aware of the inheritance they will receive if they follow Christ. Parents are to teach their children about God’s expectations (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4) and bring their children to Christ (Mark 10:14). In this way, parents can provide for their children in the greatest way possible.

[ Got Questions ]

“What to Do With an Inheritance”

Are you ready for the greatest wealth transfer in history? Ready or not, it’s already happening!

It’s estimated that $70 trillion worth of assets will pass down from older to younger generations over the next two decades.1 That is a lot of money—and some of it might be heading your way. But if you’re not careful, it’s easy to let an inheritance go to waste. In fact, more than one-third of all inheritors see no change or even a decline in their wealth after getting an inheritance.2

Did you catch that? Some folks are worse off after they inherit a financial windfall. Instead of using part of their inheritance to get out of debt or invest for the future, they blow it all on a few fancy vacations or a spending spree at the mall. Before they know it, that money is gone, and they have nothing to show for it.

Folks, don’t let that be your story. Your inheritance has the potential to change your family tree forever—so make it count! [more…]

[ Ramsey Solutions ]

ARTICLE: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/what-to-do-inheritance

<<< SONGS >>>

“Adopted” (Official Live Video)

[Verse 1]
What love is this that calms our hearts
Whispers the promise into the dark
That we are loved, yes, we are loved
Until forever

[Verse 2]
Though we were homeless, in need of rest
Gave us a name, and daily bread
How we are loved, yes, we are loved
Until forever

[Chorus]
So we are loved, we are known
We are adopted, we are adopted
No longer lost, You have brought us home
Now we are adopted, we are adopted

[Verse 3]
What joy is ours to be so held
We weren’t abandoned and all is well
How we are loved, yes, we are loved
Until forever

[Chorus]
So we are loved, and we are known
We are adopted, we are adopted
No longer lost, You have brought us home
We are adopted, we are adopted

[Bridge]
You have made us sons and daughters
And forever You are Father, oh-oh-oh-ohh
You have made us sons and daughters
And forever (And forever You are Father)
Sing You have made, yeah-eh
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
You have made, woah-oh, woah-oh
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever, yah (And forever You are Father)
You’re our Father

[Chorus]
Sing we are loved (We are loved)
We are known (We are known)
Sing we are adopted (We are adopted)
We are adopted (We are adopted)
No longer lost (No longer lost, You have brought us home)
Sing we are adopted (We are adopted)
We are adopted (We are adopted)

[Spontaneous]
Oh-ohh-oh-oh-ohh
You know us by name
You called our names
Oh-ohh-oh-oh-ohh
This is Your promise and I’ll hold
This is Your promise and I’ll hold
This is His promise and I’ll hold
This is His promise and I’ll hold
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ahh

[Bridge]
That He has made us sons and daughters
And forever You are Father
Can we sing that together?
You have made us sons and daughters
And forever (And forever You are Father)
This is Your promise and I’ll hold
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
This is His promise and I’ll hold
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
Can we lift that [truth?] tonight?
Sing You have made (You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
Sing You have made, yeah-eh-eh-eh-ehh
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)

[Spontaneous]
This is His promise
This is our hope
We’re never lost
This is His promise
And this is our hope
That we’re never lost
This is His promise
This is His promise
This is our hope

[Bridge]
Sing You have made, You have made us
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
Sing You have made (You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
Let’s sing that again, You have made, yeah-eh, yeah-yeah
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
God, You have made, yeah-eh-ehh
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)

[Spoken]
So when we were doing pop-up worship, God kind of made ways for us to have conversations with people that were far from Him; and we would get to kind of ask and dialogue with them like: “You know, why do you think there’s such a space between you and God?” and I promise you like nine times out of ten the same answer came up which is that they felt like they did something so bad, that they couldn’t come back..

Like, [there?] was like you don’t, know, you don’t know and that, and I try to be an open person, so I’m like: “You [think?] somebody cool like, what happened?” And it was just this like arresting idea that whatever I did was so bad; that I can’t come back.

And the Bible talks about that because that’s kind of a Servant-Master mentality, right? Like if we don’t do the right thing then we don’t serve our master well. But the Bible says something to, kind of [come back?] that it says: That we no longer have to call Him “Master” as if we’re only servants but we can call Him “Abba, Father”. And a father doesn’t care how many times you mess up, he doesn’t care how many times you fall.

There’s even a story in the prodigal son where it says: That as the son was coming back and he was walking back towards the father’s house, that the father saw him from afar off, and ran to him. He was walking, the father was running.

And tonight I think that God wants to rest that promise in our hearts.

[Outro]
Sing You have made us sons and daughters
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever, yeah (And forever You are Father)
Sing You have made (You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
This is Your promise and I know
(You have made us sons and daughters)
This is Your promise and I’ll hold, yeah
(And forever You are Father)
Sing, You have made, woah-oh, oh-woah
(You have made us sons and daughters)
And forever (And forever You are Father)
Come on, just us
Sing You have made (You have made us sons and daughters)

[ Casey J – “The Gathering” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwodmdJXb5E

“Adopted”

VERSE 1:
O what a blessing eternally mine
My sins forgiven my souls been redeemed Now by the Father received and adopted, I am a child and an heir of The King.

VERSE 2:
Perfectly purchased redemption my song Cleansing and ceiling atoned by his blood
At Calvary’s cross spotless pardon was given Claimed by the Father’s unwavering love

Chorus:
I am Adopted, O Wonderful Love Heir to the kingdom purchased above Tell it my soul rejoicing I sing!
I am a child and an heir to the King

VERSE 3:
O what a Father, how tender your grace
O what a Savior enduring my cross
Thoʼ I have (doubted), rejected, and grieved Him, Still You pursue me and call me Your own.

Chorus:
I am Adopted, O Wonderful Love Heir to the kingdom purchased above Tell it my soul rejoicing I sing!
I am a child and an heir to the King

VERSE 4:
When I have finished the race that Iʼve run, sufferings endured and awaiting your call there I will see you the first to love me
ever rejoicing and finally home

[ Jimmy McNeal ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8eJLM96ttQ

“From God’s Arms To My Arms To Yours”

With so many wrong decisions in my past, I’m not quite sure
if I can ever hope to trust my judgement anymore.
But lately I’ve been thinking, ’cause it’s all I’ve had to do.
And in my heart I feel that I should give this child to you.

(Chorus)
And maybe you can tell your baby,
when you love him so, that he’s been loved before;
By someone who delivered your son
From God’s arms, to my arms, to yours.

If you choose to tell him, and if he wants to know,
How the one who gave him life could bear to let him go;
Just tell him there were sleepless nights; I prayed and paced the floors
And knew the only peace I’d find is if this child was yours.

(Chorus)

Now I know that you don’t have to do this,
But could you kiss him once for me
The first time that he ties his shoes, or falls and skins his knee?
And could you hold him twice as long when he makes his mistakes,
And tell him that he’s not alone, sometimes that’s all it takes.
I know how much he’ll ache.

This may not be the answer for another girl like me;
But I’m not on a soapbox saying how we all should be.
I’m just trusting in my feelings and I’m trusting God above,
And I’m trusting you can give this baby
Both his mothers’ love.

[ Michael Mclean feat. Felicia Sorenson ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYGdTZNJoWY

“Everything To Me”

I must have felt your tears
When they took me from your arms
I’m sure I must have heard you say goodbye
Lonely and afraid had you made a big mistake
Could an ocean even hold the tears you cried

But you had dreams for me
You wanted the best for me
And you made the only choice you could that night

You gave life to me
A brand new world to see
Like playing baseball in the yard with dad at night
Mom reading Goodnight Moon
And praying in my room
So if you worry if your choice was right
You gave me up but you gave everything to me

And if I saw you on the street
Would you know that it was me
And would your eyes be blue or green like mine
Would we share a warm embrace
Would you know me in your heart
Or would you smile and let me walk on by
Knowing you had dreams for me
You wanted the best for me
And I hope that you’d be proud of who I am

You gave life to me
A chance to find my dreams
And a chance to fall in love
You should have seen her shining face
On our wedding day
Oh is this the dream you had in mind
When you gave me up
You gave everything to me

And when I see you there
Watching from heaven’s gates
Into your arms
I’m gonna run
And when you look in my eyes
You can see my whole life
See who I was
And who I’ve become

[ Mark Schultz – “Broken & Beautiful” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPYaRJOWznk

“When Love Takes You In”

I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true
You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in

And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in

[ Steven Curtis Chapman – “When Love Takes You In” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beZ5hF-qZDY

“So Far to Find You”

You were broken, abandoned
And crying all alone
We were waiting and praying
And longing to bring you home
And then we saw your face
In a moment you were wrapped up in our hearts
We took a step of faith
And now here we are

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you
Will you take my love and give up the fight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you

From a world away, I journeyed
Just to hold your hand
You will never be alone again
I’ve come so far to find you
So far to find you

You were fighting and fearful
You were hiding your heart away
But I was trying so hard to show you
‘Cause there were no words that I could say
If you could see my heart
You would know that all I want to do
Is care for you

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you
Will you take my love and give up the fight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you

Here in your eyes I see
Reflections of myself
How I’m the child that’s really running
But I can hear a voice that’s whispering my name
Saying come to me, don’t run from me
I’m all you need and I am calling

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
(I have come so far)
Will you take my love and give up the fight
(I have come so far)

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you
Will you take my love and give up the fight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you

From Heaven’s throne
Down to a rugged cross I came
It was My love for you that brought Me all the way
So far to find you
So far to find you

You were broken, abandoned
And crying all alone

[ Casting Crowns – “Come To The Well” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooYWCAG3veo

“Adopted”

[ Patterson & Kim ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7PZPr9dE4g

“Adopted”

[ Michael & Angela Souders ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX8jMh2ApO0

<<< APOLOGETIX SONGS >>>

“Heir Of Our God”
(Parody of “Hair of the Dog” by Nazareth)

God makes a swell Savior
Ask Him to adopt you
See, Romans — it’s not jokin’
Verse 8:16 — it must be true
I’ve read God’s promise — Hell just vomits
At First John verse 3:1 and 2

Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best

Zechariah prophesies it
2:8 — God, He speaks to me
In Galatians, Paul states it
Twenty-sixth line in chapter three
I’ve read God’s promise — Hell can’t harm us
First John 5:18 tells you

Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best

Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best (a son of the Best)
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best (a son of the Best)
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best (a son of the Best)
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a … a son of the Best
Now they’re messin’ with a son of the Best (a son of the Best)

[ ApologetiX – “Rock’s in Their Heads” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAA0IXDfCOY

“Head Over Here”
(Parody of “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears)

I watch a few sheep when I’m alone
My flock is out to pasture
But today I saw a crazy thing — a shrub that’s in flames
Oh, it gained my attention
It keeps existing though it isn’t burned up
Eternal combustion
I must investigate this new wild species of brush
Oh, it’s flaming with fire, oh, yes, yes, amazing fire

Something’s happenin’ so I’ll head over here
I’d better find out — why it never was seared
Something happenin’ and I tremble with fear
I don’t think my heart can take this start, but, but
I’ll go anyway, go anyway, go anyway

Amazing fire — I’m watching it burn (Yeah!)
It’s not an illusion
It won’t turn into ashes just how long will it last?
Now, now, now, what fuels its ignition?
(Hmmm … what’s the matter with it?)
My mother and my father used to be in Egypt
(Lookee here in Exodus what chapter 2 says)
And me I was adopted
(But that was done when I still was a baby)
It’s hard in Egypt land when you come from Abraham
(Lookee here in Exodus what chapter 3 says)
Oh, I should know

Something happened so I headed for here
I had to hide out — so I went over here
Some things happened and I spent 40 years
I don’t think my heart can take this start, but, but
I’ll go anyway, go anyway, go anyway
And this is my full disclosure
I’m not a–lyin’ or out of my mind Yes, and I’m — totally sober
La — la la la la — la la la la la
La — la — la — la — la — la
La — la la la la — la la la la la
La — la — la — la — la — la
REPEAT (2X)

In my hindsight
One little bush, one little man
It’s funny now — time flies

[ ApologetiX – “I Know You Are, but What Am I?” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VLkPcCO4to

“Matching Punches”
(Parody of “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” by Smashing Pumpkins)

The world is an empire — Satan’s domain
Seeks to destroy you — pull you down to the flames
And what I get? Am I afraid
To face the fire and die in Jesus’ name?
Even though I know — I’m opposed by foes
Who are cruel and cold — I feel bold

In spite of their rage I am filled with a radical faith
In spite of my age I am filled with a radical faith
And someone could say I was lost yet now I’ve been saved
Despite my mistakes I am filled with a radical faith

And I will make it — not being bullied anymore
You’d better face it — the devil wants your soul
You gotta hold on — he’ll run away
You gotta choose God — and read 4:7 James
Even though I know — I’ll expose my soul
To the cruel and cold — I feel bold

Tell me I’m so lowly scum
I’ll tell you ‘bout God’s only Son
Jesus loves His chosen ones
And Hell can never overcome
Jesus died for everyone — for you

In spite of their rage I am filled with a radical
In spite of my age I am filled with a radical
Despite my mistakes I am filled with a radical faith
Tell me I’m some lowly scum
I’ll tell you ‘bout the Father’s love
Jesus died for everyone — for you

And I still believe and I cannot be swayed
And I still believe and I am not afraid
And I still believe that a man must be brave
And I still believe that a man must be saved

[ ApologetiX – “Apoplectic” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyVTTmm-i38

“Feelin’ Stronger in the Faith”
(Parody of “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” by Chicago)

I do believe in You, and I know You’re redeeming me
Oh yeah, oh yeah
And now I realize I’m not all that I’m s’posed to be
Oh yeah, oh yeah

And though I’m not too good at walkin’ in this grace
I do believe I’m feelin’ stronger in the faith

I know You really died to get Your sheep to the other side
Oh yeah, oh yeah
So now that Christ has come, Your chosen ones can live on and on
Oh yeah, oh yeah

And though I’m not too good at walkin’ in this grace
I do believe I’m feelin’ stronger in the faith
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh

After blood You shed for me
Ooh, daily now I can praise You easily
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I know that on Calvary (ahhhh)
The worst thing to happen to You (ahhhh)
Was the best thing to happen to me (ahhhh)
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Feelin’ stronger in the faith
Feelin’ stronger in the faith
Feelin’ stronger in the faith (No turnin’ back now)
Feelin’ stronger in the faith (No turnin’ back now)
Feelin’ stronger in the faith (No turnin’ back now)
Feelin’ stronger in the faith (No turnin’ back now)
Feelin’ stronger in the faith (No turnin’ back now)
Feelin’ stronger in the faith (No turnin’ back now)

[ ApologetiX – “Unconditional Releases” album ]

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV0tCAIN3KE

“Psalms Come True”
(Parody of “Song Sung Blue” by Neil Diamond)

Psalms Come True (1992)
Psalms come true — number 37
Psalms come true — God will make it happen
Do not fret; He’s not done yet — wait on Him
Keep His way and He will lift you up
To your inheritance, to your inheritance

Psalms come true — all your steps are chosen
Psalms come true — God already knows them
When you’re down, He’s still around — He holds your hand
And even if you fall into a pit
He’ll pull you out again, He’ll pull you out again

Do not fret — He’s not done yet — wait on Him
Keep His way and He will lift you up
To your inheritance, to your inheritance

Psalms (psalms) come (come) true (true)
God is the supplier
Psalms (psalms) come (come) true (true)
Of your heart’s desires
Just commit — your way to Him — He’ll bring it to pass
And He will give you all your heart desires
And you can count on that

Psalms (psalms) come (come) true (true)
Psalms (psalms) come (come) true (true)
Do not fret — He’s not done yet — wait on Him …

[ ApologetiX – “Rare, Not Well Done” album ]

SONG: https://www.spiritedesign.com/Psalms_Come_True(ApologetiX).mp3

“Good News/Bad News”

This is a Gospel presentation and personal testimony of J. Jackson, lead vocalist of ApologetiX from their 20th-anniversary concert. It is available on 20:20 Vision.

VIDEO (audio only): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q21Jnaq-EL8

<<< DEEP THOUGHTS >>>

“Adoption is when a child grew in mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.”
[ Unknown ]

“I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two.”
[ Bob Constantine ]

“I didn’t give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn’t give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.”
[ Author unknown ]

“There are no unwanted children, just unfound families.”
[ The National Adoption Center ]

“The adoption took time. The love arrived instantly.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Longing for a child to love,
I’d wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me was meant for you.
I think how happy we will be,
Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.
I dream of all the joy you’ll bring,
Imagining even the littlest things.
The way it will feel to hold you tight,
And tuck you in every night.
The drawings on the refrigerator door,
And childhood toys across the floor,
The favorite stories read again and again,
And hours of games with make-believe friends.
The day you took my outstretched hand,
A journey ended, but our lives began.
Still mesmerized by your sweet face,
Still warmed inside by our first embrace.
I promised to give you a happy home,
And a loving family all your own.
A house you’ve now made complete,
With laughter, smiles and tiny feet.
A parent is one who guides the way,
Know I will be there everyday.
Rest easy as each night you sleep,
A lifetime of love is yours to keep.
Longing for a child to love,
I’d wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
A part of me belonged to you.”
[ Teri Harrison ]

“I think adoption is a blessing all around when it’s done right.”
[ Hugh Jackman ]

“Not flesh of my flesh.
Not bone of my bone. But still miraculously my own.
And never forget for a minute.
You were not born under my heart.
You were born in my heart.”
[ Author unknown ]

“I am so very special
I have been from the start
Before they held me in their arms
my family held me in their hearts.
And like a single drop of rain
that on still waters fall
My life and love will ripples make
and touch the lives of all.
So read this precious story
as step by step I grow.
I am a blessing and gift
as each page here will show.”
[ Author unknown ]

“My birth mother brought me into this world, but it was my adoptive parents who gave me life.”
[ Christina Romo ]

“You first came to us in an envelope
With letters, forms and such
Just two tiny little pictures
With nothing warm to touch.
You grew in our imagination
In our hearts and in our minds.
You brought us greater joy
Than we ever thought we’d find.
A phone call started labor pains
Which lasted ’til we met
Strangers brought together
A day we won’t forget.
You bloomed as you were planned
In our hearts, our lives, our home.
Our child of chance, of plan, of will
You’re now our very own.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Time and experience have taught me a priceless lesson: Any child you take for your own becomes your own if you give of yourself to that child. I have born two children and had seven others by adoption, and they are all my children, equally beloved and precious.”
[ Dale Evans ]

“Tonight as you lie sleeping
For the first time in your bed,
There must be something lasting
And profound that should be said.
But as your face is gazed upon
Framed by your soft, blond hair
No words can tell or quite express
The feelings that we share.
The wait is finally over
You’re home, at last, to stay.
And there will always be the memories
Of the joy that filled this day.
With a love that’s running over
By the sight of you alone
Welcome home, dear cherished one,
At long last … welcome home!”
[ Author unknown ]

“By choice, we have become a family, first in our hearts, and finally in breath and being. Great expectations are good; great experiences are better.”
[ Richard Fischer ]

“A child born to another woman calls me mommy. The magnitude of that tragedy and the depth of that privilege are not lost on me.”
[ Jody Landers ]

“They may not have my eyes, they may not have my smile, but they have all my heart.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother
Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun
The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears
One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?
Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.”
[ Julie Anderson ]

“My Mother gave me my talents and traits.
My Mam taught me to embrace them.

My Mother gave me my fears and doubts.
My Mam taught me to face them.

My Mother gave me my clumsy ways.
My Mam picked me up from the mud.

My Mother gave me my bright blue eyes.
My Mam taught me to see the good.

I am not angry that my Mother gave me away.
I know it was to give me the best.

Adoption is building a family through dedication and love.
For the family I have, I am blessed.”
[ Author unknown; From “Mother Daughter Poems” ]

“We do not need to know the beginning of a child’s story to change the ending.”
[ Fi Newood ]

“It’s important to realize that we adopt not because we are rescuers. No. We adopt because we are rescued.”
[ David Platt ]

“While adoption does not undo the past, adopting a child, and more specifically an older child, gives an adoptive family the privilege of writing the parts of the child’s story that have not yet been written.”
[ Caitlin Snyder ]

“To a mother I never knew,
From a son who desperately misses you.

There were so many times I would imagine you,
But you would never appear.

And there were so many times I would cry for you,
Tear after tear.

I have even begged for you,
On both knees,
To please come save me, Mama,
Please, please, please.

And even as the years passed by,
I would never lose hope,
Because it was hope
That kept this little boy afloat.

I would daydream about the moment
When I would finally meet you,
And how I would cry and be speechless
Just to finally see you.

With my own two eyes,
Exactly how I had dreamed,
Angelic and beautiful
And as loving as you seemed.

But I’m all grown up now
With a son of my own,
And I try to give to him
What I’ve always wanted in a home.

I teach my son,
From the lessons that I’ve learned.
I teach him that love can’t be bought,
It can only be earned.

I’ve learned that sometimes love
Is so much harder to show than to say.
That’s how I know you truly loved me, Mama,
Because you’re not here with me today.

I can only imagine
The selfless love that it took
To say goodbye to your child
And take one last look.

To let him go,
In hopes that he can live a better life.
The pain must’ve felt
Like a dull serrated knife.

I miss you every day, Mama,
And I hope to see you soon.
But if not,
Then I’ll see you in my dreams tomorrow afternoon.”
[ Author unknown; From “Missing You Poems” ]

“The circumstances surrounding your birth are not as important as the opportunity to live.”
[ Lailah Gifty Akita ]

“Every child deserves a home and love. Period.”
[ Dave Thomas ]

“I remember my pregnancy with you
I fell in love with your every move, and with the sound of your beating heart.
I held your precious body in my arms for the first time and took in your sweet, angelic presence.
Nothing could prepare me for what would lie ahead.
Nothing could prevent my heart from breaking, but it had to be done.
I tried to be strong, but my strength failed me.
I never knew it would be so difficult to write my own name.
I cried and was grateful for all the precious memories you’ve given me.
It was a new beginning for you.
The healing was beginning for me.
Time went forward, I learned and grew as I slowly let go of you.
My heart was healed, my life was blessed and my prayers were answered.
Still, there are days when I cry.
I will never stop thinking about you.
Still I wonder about the person you are now and the person you’ve yet to become.
I pray that you will always know of the love I have for you.
It’s only through the grace of God that you were mine for a time.
He gave you to me, I lovingly obeyed his plans for you.”
[ Author unknown; From “Missing You Poems” ]

“The world may not change if you adopt a child, but for that child their world will change.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Adoption is the most intentional process on Earth.”
[ Jody Cantrell Dyer ]

“Adoption is the visible gospel.”
[ John Piper ]

“Life is eternity’s sunrise.”
[ Mark Besh ]

RELATED SCRIPTURE VERSES:

Chosen:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/chosen

Chosen By God:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/chosen-by-god

Adopted:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/adopted

Adopted By God:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/adopted-by-god

God’s Children:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/gods-children

Benefits Of Adoption:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/benefits-of-adoption

Heir:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/heir

Inheritance:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/inheritance

New Identity:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/new-identity

“A quick summary of the Christian “Gospel”:
JESUS’ PROPITIATION made our SINS FORGIVEN and IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS to us so that we have GOD’S ACCEPTANCE into His Heaven and receive ETERNAL LIFE.”
[ Mark Besh ]

Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ’pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing. I would like to give credit where credit is due!

<<< FOCUS VERSES >>>

“You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.”
[ Deuteronomy 7:6 ]

“It is [because] of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.”
[ Lamentations 3:22-23 ]

“You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your sins.”
[ Amos 3:2 ].

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where Moss and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”
[ Matthew 6:19-20 ]

“The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blast of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’”
[ Matthew 25:34 ]

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”
[ John 15:16a ]

“To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from that domination of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Him.”
[ Acts 26:18 ]

“For 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.’”
[ Romans 8:15 ]

“Now 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.”
[ Romans 8:17 ]

“The creation was subjected to futility… In hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption to the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.”
[ Romans 8:20-22 ]

“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us.”
[ Romans 8:22-23 ]

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.’”
[ 1 Corinthians 2:9 ]

“So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
[ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ]

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
[ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ]

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
[ Galatians 2:20 ]

“When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.”
[ Galatians 4:4-5 ]

“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything He has belongs to you.”
[ Galatians 4:6-7 ]

“Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.”
[ Ephesians 1:4-5 ]

“In 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.”
[ Ephesians 1:11 ]

“Having believed, you were sealed in Him”—in Christ—“with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession.”
[ Ephesians 1:13-14 ]

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
[ Ephesians 1:18-21 ]

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
[ Ephesians 2:4-5 ]

“Fix your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”
[ Colossians 3:2 ]

“He who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”
[ 2 Timothy 1:9 ]

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.”
[ Titus 3:5 ]

“In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things.”
[ Hebrews 1:2 ]

“Therefore, He is the mediator of a New Covenant, in order that… Those who have been call may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” [ Hebrews 9:15 ]

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
[ 1 Peter 1:3-5 ]

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”
[ 1 Peter 1:18-19 ]

“To the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of his glory, you may rejoice with exultation.”
[ 1 Peter 4:13 ]

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
[ 1 Peter 5:6-7 ]

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
[ 1 John 3:1 ]

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” [ Revelation 21:4 ]

“Nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
[ Revelation 21:27 ]

If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

Disclaimer: All the above jokes and inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright is used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness throughout the world.

Mark

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