Tag Archives: Israel

Foreordained Us Unto Adoption

2 Aug

Adoption Symbol

“having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:” Ephesians 1:5-6 (ASV)

Back in 1984 God blessed me with a baby boy. I had waited and prayed, waited and prayed, for many years to conceive a child. The joys and the fears, the excitement and the concerns, all came together into an amazing time of motherhood. Unfortunately, the birth was far from normal and the physical damage caused during delivery precluded me from every carrying a child again.

I longed for another child and my son begged for siblings. After 8 years we began fostering 2 little boys, ages 3 and 5, and 2 years later we were blessed in adoption. What an amazing day for our family.

When my 2 sons were adopted into our family they received all of the privileges and blessings that my birth son received. They received unconditional love, a strong Christian home, The understanding and love of Jesus, Christmas gifts, Easter gifts, Valentine’s Day cards, and several Birthday celebrations: their own, the day they came to live with us, and adoption day! With that adoption also came responsibilities: family rules, family decisions, and working around the house with the rest of us. They became “complete” members of the family, fully equal.

In Genesis it is told that Jacob/Israel was becoming sick and frail in his late years. It was Joseph’s desire that Israel would meet his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 48:1-22). Joseph asked Israel to speak a blessing over his sons, which he did. Israel spoke an “everlasting portion” to the seed of Joseph (Gen 48:4-5). In Israel’s blessing he gave an extra portion of land for Joseph’s children (Gen 48:22) and called Manasseh and Ephraim as if they were his own children. Israel put his name upon them (Gen 48:16) and they became children of the tribes of Israel. He adopted them to himself, as if they were his own sons. They received all that Israel’s own sons received in their inheritance.

We were foreordained (predestined) to adoption to Jesus (Eph 1:5-6). Before the creation of the world, God knew that Jesus would adopt us into His Kingdom for His “pleasure.” Not just because He would be blessed, but because of the blessing we would receive when He accepted us, chose us, made us acceptable before God. He called our name and we responded by asking him to be our Lord and Savior, as He knew we would before the beginning of time. Immediately we were “Adopted” unto Jesus. Joint heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:17). What a glorious moment! What an honor!

We no longer have to worry about whether we are good enough or what will happen if we mess up tomorrow, we are adopted into the family of Christ (Rom 8:15). God has placed His Holy Spirit inside of us, the Spirit of Christ, making us “sons of God” (Gal 4:5-7). With that adoption comes the incredible blessings of belonging, and also the responsibilities of becoming Christ-like to reach those children that He has called us to.

I praise you Lord for the gift you have given me. Let me ever be mindful of the blessings and the responsibilities that come with that Holy Gift. In Jesus’ precious Name!

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-12-14

STONES OF FIRE

28 Jul

When I heard of the Stones of Fire I prayed, “Lord, what are they?”

He said, “They are the tears of God.”

“I don’t understand,” I said, “teach me, Lord.”

 

Stones of fire,

colors so vibrant,

the intensity of God’s Spirit,

fighting to escape the stone’s housing,

yet trapped there,

to please the eye,

of all who gaze.

 

He placed His throne,

and rested his feet,

upon brilliant Sapphire,

purged with fire and time,

blue as the deepest sea,

vast as the clearest sky;

this was the third Heaven.

 

As a lover gives his beloved,

or a father gives his child,

a most precious gift,

God gave His treasure,

a city built upon,

the stones of fire.

 

In His richness He gave all beauty,

to make a sacred court.

 

The foundations of the city,

were of the purest stone,

of Jasper, Sapphire and Chalcedony,

Emerald, Sardonyx and Sardius,

Chrysolite, Beryl and Topaz,

Chrysoprasus, Jacinth and Amethyst.

 

Twelve foundations,

for twelve children to come,

soon to be nations,

then kings and priests.

 

Children to be raised,

in a perfect Eden,

guarded by angels,

perfection at every glance,

ruler of all they could see.

 

Yet, in the third Heaven,

where archangels commune with God,

and gold paves the streets,

as pure as crystal glass,

a cry was heard,

as God shed a tear.

 

The third Heaven wasn’t enough,

for Lucifer.

 

He was the most perfect creation,

to ever walk in the Heavens of God.

He was the most beautiful of all angels,

adorned in the precious stones,

that Heaven was founded on.

 

His voice sang the arias,

as an orchestra,

he was the most anointed,

the most wise,

until his beauty,

beguiled his own heart,

and iniquity became his god.

 

Refusing to serve,

demanding the highest kingdom,

Lucifer fell,

cast from the splendor of Heaven,

pulled down by the weight,

cursed with the fire,

that charged the beauty,

of the precious stones,

he proudly wore.

 

Down in a wilderness,

walked 12 nations,

trying to purge their lives,

of desire and deceit.

 

Set over an Ephod,

secured to the Breastplate,

carried on the shoulders,

of the High Priest,

were 12 stones.

Each stone for a nation,

in four rows of three,

according to their birth.

 

On the top was the Sardius, Topaz and Carbuncle,

then was the Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond,

next was the Ligure, Agate and Amethyst,

last was the Beryl, Onyx and Jasper,

held at the top and the sides,

by pure gold.

 

Once again God’s pride,

was adorned by His precious gift.

All seemed well until the days,

man’s faith-filled leader,

took time with God.

 

And in their time,

of precious communion,

the Ephod was laid aside,

as the nations of promise,

build a golden glistening calf,

they could see.

 

Moses heard the cry,

as God shed a tear.

 

Jealousy raged,

in the vibrant foundations,

of Heaven.

 

And Moses cried out,

for the souls of the lost,

as iniquity reigned once again,

in the earth.

 

Stones of fire,

shown again,

in the crowns of the kings,

that ruled over the nations.

Crowns of the righteous,

killed by the crowns of the wicked,

coveting the beauty,

of the precious glowing stones.

 

Then, in that last day,

as the Mystery Babylon,

walks the corrupted streets,

of earth,

no one will buy her merchandise.

Not the gold or silver,

precious stones or fine linen,

not the horses, chariots or slaves,

not the souls of men.

 

Finally the nations will see,

that the soul cannot share,

the beauty meant for the eye.

Beauty meant to be enjoyed,

to enhance,

to appreciate.

 

The stones of fire,

a wedding gift,

from the God of creation,

changed into a god,

by the lusts of man.

Gazing on their fiery beauty,

we wonder at the value,

the prestige,

and forget the covenant of love,

for which they stand.

 

The birth of a child,

the birth of a nation,

a covenant of love,

sealed by the signet,

of a fiery stone.

 

A marriage of two people,

two nations,

two entities;

destined to find perfection,

in the confines of Heaven.

 

So they wait,

undefiled,

in the third Heaven,

where angels and cherubim,

commune with,

the one true God.

 

 

Written 12/6/98

Daughter of Zion

11 Jul

 

woman-bowing-down-prayer

Micah 4:8-10  And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. [9] Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. [10] Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. . . . . [13]  Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

 

Why do you weep,

Daughter of Zion?

Have you forgotten who you are?

At the hem of your garment,

Cling the children of Israel,

Dare they see your tears?

 

Why do you cry out,

Daughter of Zion?

Your voice was created,

To put your enemy,

In his place,

Beneath your feet,

Far from the children,

You protect.

 

Let your tears be saved,

For intercession,

And your crying out,

To birth a new mission,

That your children,

Will take forth.

 

Forget not that you are birthed,

Of royalty.

A king and a priest.

Stand your station,

And raise your head high.

 

Forget not that you were birthed,

To counsel.

Prepared to call forth,

The promises and armies,

Of God.

 

Reclaim the territory,

Stolen by the enemy,

The cities and the lands,

That once were a testimony,

To the One true God.

 

Stand in faith,

And watch the evil,

Slither away,

As the hand of the Lord,

Forbids its sting.

 

Stand up,

Daughter of Zion,

With dignity

And righteous pride,

For what is yours.

 

Don’t let the momentary pain,

The enemy has wrought,

Overcome the truth,

Of who you are.

 

Stand up,

Daughter of Zion.

For into your hand,

Have I placed the hope,

Of the Nations.

 

Stand Up!