"Have YOU Been Adopted?"

There is a sweet couple in our church who has just adopted a son from China. I would love to show you his sweet little face, but I've not asked their permission to do so....so I won't. They are writing a Blog throughout their journey and adventures of being in China as well as welcoming a new life into their hearts and home. I have to say that I've literally fallen in love with this family through these writings! My husband and I know them through church as well as volunteering at our church mission. But, there's just something real and special when you are welcomed into their own personal world through their writings. I hope that many of you, who may read the Blogs I share, will have that same sense of being drawn closer to me in knowing that I am real and I am human....making me a real human. :-) Although, I may not be the most outgoing person in the face to face world.....I give you my heart and soul in my writing.

Enough about me.....

This couple knew from the beginning that they were being led by God Himself when they began this process. As with any adoption, I'm sure there were times of feeling anxious and overwhelmed by it all. But, when they saw their son's face, in person, for the very first time.....I'm almost sure that the sheer joy and blessing of that very moment made them realize - - God is AWESOME and it all was worth it!! I love it how that very day they titled it "Gotcha Day!" They had one full day with this precious child, sent from God, and then they were given the decision as to whether or not to keep him as their own. They did not decline, and officially and lovingly received this sweet little boy into their hearts and family!

And now?
Now comes the FUN stuff. . . Life, living, adjusting, accepting. . . all done with a heart of thankfulness to a God who knew....who cared......and who loved. I have encouraged this couple to continue on with their Blogging of their many wonderful stories. And I'm looking forward to each and everyone of them too!!

Some may wonder why did you title this Blog "Have YOU Been Adopted?"
I hope it did make you wonder. :-)
For this entire story is also very symbolic of what God Himself has done for you - child of God!
Or it is very symbolic of what God Himself can DO for you - child without God!

You see....we were ALL once (and some may still be) an orphan! We all know that the very word "orphan" brings sad thoughts to our minds - - for it is one in need of someone to love them, to provide for them, and to take care of them. And that's where our Heavenly Father - The One and Only True and Living God Almighty steps in and says "I love YOU, I have provided for YOU, and I want to take care of YOU."

Friend, know that God Himself knows all about you, for he created you, and still loves you with an everlasting love. Just as this sweet couple has heard of the difficulties and hardships this little boy has lived in his short life - they too love him with an everlasting - love - no matter what!
Second, He has provided for you a salvation, that none other can provide, through his Son Jesus Himself in paying all of the debts we ourself owe. Just as this little boy had no way to pay his way into the hearts and home of a loving family, therefore relying on the grace and love of two people to pay it for him. (Kinda the same thinking in a way anyways). 
And lastly, God does care and he cares in such ways that continue to amaze and astonish us daily! I'm betting this little one, when old enough, will look back and be amazed and astonished at the genuine care and well being that they have given him.....simply because they loved HIM.

Friend, YOU may be an orphan today and not even know it. Or maybe you are aware and are in great need of someone to love you, provide for you, and care for you as only our Heavenly Father can. Know, today, this very thing. . . God has chosen YOU to be HIS child both now and forever and always. How do I know that? Because God says he wants no one to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9. He also has provided for YOU, as stated above through his Son Jesus paying our full debt, that we owe ourselves, for our sins. And in that knowledge of our sins, God has provided a way unto him...the only way and no other way. And today, you can receive this way and be welcomed into the eternal family of God as an adopted child!

What must I do then?
It's as simple and easy as A, B, C!! Nothing more and nothing less!!
A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour!
B= Believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead!
C= Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and call upon Him as your Lord and Savior to save YOU!

Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

THAT'S IT!!!!

Galatians 4: 4-7 - "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Friend, he chose you, he redeems you, and he makes you his adopted and forever child of God!!!

So....again, I will ask - - Have YOU been adopted?
If you haven't......what better time than TODAY to become adopted!
Say YES to the BEST!!!

"Peace, Peace, and More Peace!"

As I was asking God today what to share in the Blogs he gives me, I kept coming back to today's message in church. So in not going any other way but God's....I will once again share with you the points taken.

Have you ever stop and thought about Mary, the mother of Jesus, and what was asked of her at such an early age? With the angel, Gabriel, coming and delivering the news to her that she, a virgin, would become pregnant? But not just pregnant with a child . . . She would bare the living Son of God from her womb! Did all that she would face, not only in the coming days but in the years ahead, possibly run frantically through her mind? Ridicule, gossip, slander, disbelief, criticism from others even possibly from her own family? For Mary was brought up in a very conservative Jewish home and things such as this simply had never existed. Mary would face, most likely, all of these things and much more. . . years of hardships and trials. But Mary, in her heart, believed and trusted God for his provision and care. And in that absolute trust - God blessed her with peace. In Luke 1: 38 Mary responds with "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."

Mary had total trust in the utter reliability of God. She knew he alone would carry her through and be ALL that she needed. Even though Mary had such faith, she would still have to go through the storms of life. For God did not take her out of the storms, but rather was there with her through each and every moment providing what was needed......confirmation, comfort, blessing, guidance, a path, a plan, and provision.

Friend, do not get peace mixed up with what we conceive as happiness today. For many can be fooled into thinking peace is happiness and happiness is a feeling. Our definition of happiness can sometimes consist of temporary feelings, situations, emotions. But feelings are up and down and unpredictable just as well situations and circumstances. None of which are solid and lasting. But God's definition of happiness can be much different. He says happiness is a soul satisfying serenity regardless of what is happening around us! That is exactly what Mary had.... a soul satisfying serenity that this was God's plan for her life and she would accept sight unseen.

You may ask - How can I have that kind of peace today in my world??
First know that it's available for anyone!! You don't buy it, achieve it, or inherit it.
Ready for this?
You trust.

Sound familiar?
I shared the very same formula previously in my last Blog for hope!
That's right.

1.) Hope and Peace share the very same perscription > > Trusting with an absolute trust in the utter and complete reliability of God who cares for you.
Trusting in his promises for you. Trusting in what he says will be even when we do not see it, hear it, or feel it. Trusting that God himself is the highest authority and he rules and overrules ALL. Trusting that he is your everything - - Counselor, Healer, Provision........ALL. In God and God alone you are and you will be taken care of....no matter what.

2.) Peace is NOT tied to circumstances!
If this were true, as mentioned above, our peace would be fleeting, here today gone tomorrow, unpredictable. Too many times we get caught up in saying
If only my spouse was _______.   Did  _______.   Acted like _____. 
If only my child(ren) were like ________. Did ______. Acted  like _____.
If only my family were like ________. Did ______. Acted like ______.
       (and the list goes on.....)
Then....THEN we could be happy and have peace!!!
My friend, again....thankfully our peace is NOT tied to circumstances.

3.) What our peace IS tied to is a person.....the person of G O D.
God and God alone will supply ALL your needs. Carry you through your storms. His person, his ways, his Word are trustworthy. For he is......faithful.

When we trust, it leads to surrender. And surrender leads to obedience.
Friend, surrender all your frettings to God as well as all your plans and watch how he works it all out for your very own good! And not only surrender, but obey his Words and his guidance he gives you.

And child of God....if you are saying "Peace isn't there." It could be that it's a matter of trust. Ask yourself : Where am I not trusting God in my life? What am I not trusting him with?
Just as sure as I know that God loves YOU.....he will most certainly accept your prayer of asking forgiveness for not trusting as he has asked us to. And....help you to once again began trusting with an absolute trust allowing his true PEACE to flow.

Let this Christmas be a time of HOPE and PEACE in your life.
Trusting in the complete and utter reliability of our God who knows and has promised to carry you through. :)