3How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. 4Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. 5Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) 6He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
--Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
Celebration! I like those. They evoke memories of happy times. When I turned ten, my mother invited all my little girl friends over from the neighborhood. We played games; we ate cake and ice cream. I got tons of gifts and we gave out party favors. Everyone got a gift that day. A picture was taken of all us girls in our little party dresses lined up on the couch downstairs and it was submitted to the newspaper. My birthday was stamped on history. I’m sure if you look in the archives, (if they go back that far,) it’s there somewhere, indelibly marked in microfiche.
That day of my party, my adolescent brain couldn’t process that my friends were having just as great a time as I was. We played games and enjoyed each other. I remember that I felt loved and special.
In my Christian walk, I’ve had no trouble accepting God’s lavish gift-giving. But it’s been as if I had blinders on as to what the giver was feeling. God wants, desires, for us to enter into the celebration. And who is giving the gifts? His beloved Son. And what is He giving? Himself. How more lavish a present than life itself, which is what Jesus gave to me by His own hand? As the recipient of that gift, I certainly feel loved and special. But what was God feeling? He wants, desires, for me to enter into the celebration.
Celebration! God is throwing a birthday party this Christmas. And in His all-inclusive way, He is celebrating us, His guests, as well as His Son in the manger. We enter in giving Him the gift of our worship, and He hands us a gift that surpasses anything we could give Him. Eternal life in the presence of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
Wouldn’t it have been horrible if my mother had thrown me a party, and my little friends never showed up?
Heavenly Father, Thank You for throwing this party. I praise You for the lavish gift-giving, but more than that, I praise Your Son who is the one lavishing at His hand. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. Thank You, Abba, for celebrating me in honor of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Adoption - Ephesians 1:5
3How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. 4Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. 5Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) 6He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
--Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
I’ve known parents who have adopted children. Some even have their own biological children as well. To talk to these parents has given me insight into their decision that has led to this special love. A love I cannot fathom.
The adoption process is long and arduous. Painful at times. The planning involved after making that first decision must be grueling as the parents sift through legal paperwork. Some choose who they think would be the perfect baby for their family, only to be rejected either by the agency or the birth mother. How heartbreaking it must be to hope a particular child will become your own, only to have her ripped from your heart. I cannot imagine the pain.
But then, when all the red tape cooperates and delivers their tiny package with a perfect bow, the joy must be amazing. To take that child into their home and raise him as their own, to integrate him into their lifestyle, requires a unique love. And most parents manage this seamlessly, sometimes to the point that if you didn’t know them well, you’d think that child had been in the family from day one.
Long, long ago, before even the world was a gleam in my Father’s eye, he decided to adopt me. He did this “according to His pleasure and will” as the NIV put it. By the time I came along, all pink and wrinkled, He’d already done the paperwork. The legal documents were signed, with one line left for my signature. God loved me so much, that He penned the document to require that I accept adoption into His family, much like our legal system today where an agency or the birth mother must okay the transaction.
What pain I could have caused Him if I had refused to sign. He already loved me, had plans for me, He was even preparing a house for me in anticipation of the day we’d be together forever. If I hadn’t “signed” that document, I would have ripped myself from His heart. I would have caused him unimaginable pain if I had refused his offer of adoption.
But I didn’t refuse. I became his child in October of 1973 through Jesus Christ. When I accepted the Savior, I signed on the dotted line. Then, God wrapped me in His arms, took me into His Kingdom, and said “Welcome home.”
I believe God wishes all to sign His document. But, obviously some will refuse, not realizing that it’s the best thing they can do for themselves. If they only realized the pleasure that God had in planning for their adoption, if they only knew the pain they caused by refusing, how then could then turn Him down?
Heavenly Father, Thank you for adopting me into Your kingdom. Thank you for integrating me into your family. Let me never forget how I came to be in Your home, and forgive me when I am sometimes ungrateful or resentful. In Jesus Name, Amen.
--Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
I’ve known parents who have adopted children. Some even have their own biological children as well. To talk to these parents has given me insight into their decision that has led to this special love. A love I cannot fathom.
The adoption process is long and arduous. Painful at times. The planning involved after making that first decision must be grueling as the parents sift through legal paperwork. Some choose who they think would be the perfect baby for their family, only to be rejected either by the agency or the birth mother. How heartbreaking it must be to hope a particular child will become your own, only to have her ripped from your heart. I cannot imagine the pain.
But then, when all the red tape cooperates and delivers their tiny package with a perfect bow, the joy must be amazing. To take that child into their home and raise him as their own, to integrate him into their lifestyle, requires a unique love. And most parents manage this seamlessly, sometimes to the point that if you didn’t know them well, you’d think that child had been in the family from day one.
Long, long ago, before even the world was a gleam in my Father’s eye, he decided to adopt me. He did this “according to His pleasure and will” as the NIV put it. By the time I came along, all pink and wrinkled, He’d already done the paperwork. The legal documents were signed, with one line left for my signature. God loved me so much, that He penned the document to require that I accept adoption into His family, much like our legal system today where an agency or the birth mother must okay the transaction.
What pain I could have caused Him if I had refused to sign. He already loved me, had plans for me, He was even preparing a house for me in anticipation of the day we’d be together forever. If I hadn’t “signed” that document, I would have ripped myself from His heart. I would have caused him unimaginable pain if I had refused his offer of adoption.
But I didn’t refuse. I became his child in October of 1973 through Jesus Christ. When I accepted the Savior, I signed on the dotted line. Then, God wrapped me in His arms, took me into His Kingdom, and said “Welcome home.”
I believe God wishes all to sign His document. But, obviously some will refuse, not realizing that it’s the best thing they can do for themselves. If they only realized the pleasure that God had in planning for their adoption, if they only knew the pain they caused by refusing, how then could then turn Him down?
Heavenly Father, Thank you for adopting me into Your kingdom. Thank you for integrating me into your family. Let me never forget how I came to be in Your home, and forgive me when I am sometimes ungrateful or resentful. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Friday, December 09, 2005
The Focus Of His Love - Ephesians 1:4
3How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. 4Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. 5Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) 6He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
--Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
You know how long I’ve loved my husband? I didn’t know it then, but I fell in love with him when I called his house one day and his mother said he was in the garage looking at a baby bird in a nest. I’d known him several months at that point, considered him a good friend. We hung out after choir at church, sometimes talking for hours. But when I learned what a truly gentle person he was, that was the seed that planted a growing love in my heart.
His story is different from mine. He’ll tell you that he fell in love with me when he saw me in the choir. In fact, that’s why he joined. He loved me long before I knew I loved him. He waited patiently for me to be done with the worldly attentions I was getting as a seventeen-year-old almost grown woman. He endured hours of conversation concerning my teen angst over the latest boyfriend. He bided his time, while serving as my anchor in a crazy world.
You know how long I’ve loved God? Almost as long as I’ve loved my husband. But, just as in that case, He loved me long before I made the commitment. Well, okay. There’s no way I could have loved Him when He first loved me. I wasn’t even around then! The earth wasn’t even here. There was nothing but void. And yet, there was God. And He was thinking about me. And he was thinking about you.
I’ve been very blessed in my life. My parents were loving people who concentrated on their children. I formed deep relationships with best friends. My husband chose me before I knew he existed. And my Lord settled on me as the focus of His love. Some people, maybe you, missed out on those first three. But when you consider that God created a whole world just for you, that He loved you enough to scientifically create just the right atmosphere for you to be able to breathe and live—to thrive—all the other pales in comparison.
What does God want in return? Again, He’s only thinking of me. He wants me to be made whole and holy by his love. The New International Version (NIV) says it like this: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Am I holy and blameless? Well, no. Are you? You can’t be because “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”—Romans 3:23. That began with the very first two human beings on the earth, Adam and Eve. But, because God focused on me, and actually chose me to be holy and blameless, He sent His Son to stand in for me, to die so I wouldn’t have to, so I—so you—can live eternally in His presence. “God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin.”—Romans 3:25*. And in God’s infinite wisdom, “God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.”—Romans 3:26b*.
Heavenly Father, It’s almost too much to think about. How can You love me so much that You would create a world where I could thrive. And when I sin and fall short, You’ve provided me with a way out. Why did You choose me as a focus of Your love? I guess I’ll find that out someday. But for now, I’ll enjoy Your attention and do my best to focus my love on You. Thank You, Lord, for even helping me with that. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*From The Message
--Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
You know how long I’ve loved my husband? I didn’t know it then, but I fell in love with him when I called his house one day and his mother said he was in the garage looking at a baby bird in a nest. I’d known him several months at that point, considered him a good friend. We hung out after choir at church, sometimes talking for hours. But when I learned what a truly gentle person he was, that was the seed that planted a growing love in my heart.
His story is different from mine. He’ll tell you that he fell in love with me when he saw me in the choir. In fact, that’s why he joined. He loved me long before I knew I loved him. He waited patiently for me to be done with the worldly attentions I was getting as a seventeen-year-old almost grown woman. He endured hours of conversation concerning my teen angst over the latest boyfriend. He bided his time, while serving as my anchor in a crazy world.
You know how long I’ve loved God? Almost as long as I’ve loved my husband. But, just as in that case, He loved me long before I made the commitment. Well, okay. There’s no way I could have loved Him when He first loved me. I wasn’t even around then! The earth wasn’t even here. There was nothing but void. And yet, there was God. And He was thinking about me. And he was thinking about you.
I’ve been very blessed in my life. My parents were loving people who concentrated on their children. I formed deep relationships with best friends. My husband chose me before I knew he existed. And my Lord settled on me as the focus of His love. Some people, maybe you, missed out on those first three. But when you consider that God created a whole world just for you, that He loved you enough to scientifically create just the right atmosphere for you to be able to breathe and live—to thrive—all the other pales in comparison.
What does God want in return? Again, He’s only thinking of me. He wants me to be made whole and holy by his love. The New International Version (NIV) says it like this: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Am I holy and blameless? Well, no. Are you? You can’t be because “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”—Romans 3:23. That began with the very first two human beings on the earth, Adam and Eve. But, because God focused on me, and actually chose me to be holy and blameless, He sent His Son to stand in for me, to die so I wouldn’t have to, so I—so you—can live eternally in His presence. “God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin.”—Romans 3:25*. And in God’s infinite wisdom, “God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.”—Romans 3:26b*.
Heavenly Father, It’s almost too much to think about. How can You love me so much that You would create a world where I could thrive. And when I sin and fall short, You’ve provided me with a way out. Why did You choose me as a focus of Your love? I guess I’ll find that out someday. But for now, I’ll enjoy Your attention and do my best to focus my love on You. Thank You, Lord, for even helping me with that. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*From The Message
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)