We were all once lost, now found. Once strangers, now children. Once slaves, now heirs. We are a part of a brand new family, new tribe and new story. You are being callled out by the One who has come to know you and our Spirit is calling out Abba Father! The gospel is this: that While we were still orphans, Christ became a substitute orphan for us. He took on the humiliation as a slave and the horror of death. In our place he hung on a tree as the sinless human. God lifted Jesus out of death, and gave him the universe as his inheritance. We are unable to grasp the home that is awaiting for us and how glorious and harmonious it is. Dont sell the inheritance for a mess of pottage. Do not get comfortable with this orphanage universe and be easily entertained to the point of losing sight of Christ . We have the need for a crucified Christ, we endure suffering because we know that it is only in his shed blood and pierced flesh that the universe will be restored. We are conformed to Christ image from our adoption.
What God calls a blessing, we often grumble at as a curse because it disrupts our life plans. This was convicting for me. Barrenness is part of the curse, but it is not condemnation for you. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! God delights in answering prayers, where our groaning is too deep for words. He intercedes for you and brings prayers into conformity with God's will for your Christ conformity. Be weary of becoming envious, bitter, or covetous. Instead of mistrusting God's goodness and being unable to rejoice with those who rejoice, seek repentance. Cling to Christ and your community. God doesnt often explain his providence to us, but He asks us to trust him to endure and to know he is silently working towards something joyous.
Anyway I will go into Joseph- Moore went into how Joseph adopting Jesus, protecting and providing for him. We too, are called to do that. Parenting requires sacrifice. when we welcome children from abusive homes, abortions, disappointing times we are announcing something about Jesus and his kingdom! Let us affirm life through Christ! We need to be prayerful to care for a child who is wounded or disabled before entering into parenthood. Families may be disapproving but gently love them and encourage them.
Finances. Risks. Limited Information. Interruptions. Setbacks. Paperwork. Expensive. Emotions. Note these, but do not be anxious, for God takes care of all.
Boy or girl, young or older, parents are to bring up the children in the instruction of the Lord and form the character and eternal destiny for them. Even if the kid seems less adoptable- we too were once hostile to God, yet he loved us. Through deeply wounded times and being traumatized, while we were weak, God died for the ungodly. Our new family is not based of the flesh or skin color, but a Spirit who blows invisibly where he wills, showing in less visible characteristics- peace, joy, love, righteousness, gentleness, kindness, self control.
it takes a village. pastors need to proclaim adoption in churches. Churches will then pray and look for others interests above their own. the church can preach the gospel and care for the vulnerable. we can encourage and equip the adoption of infants and children. we can provide funds and prayer support.
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