Tag Archives: Joseph

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

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VISION

6 Oct

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

Studying the old and new testaments makes it clear that not everyone wants or seeks a vision, but many choose to live a day-by-day mundane life. It seems that only those who became leaders had any desire to look past the next crop cycle or traditional holiday.

The half million that followed Moses around and around the wilderness lost their vision of leaving Egypt for their homeland the moments the cucumbers, melons, leeks and onions ran out. Vision Change – let’s go back to slavery and familiar hardships because we understood them AND the food was better. Gracious!

David’s army’s vision was to do whatever David told them to do; try to stay alive, and maybe, someday, see David as King. Most men in the Bible tended crops or flocks. Most women prepared meals, made clothing and raised children; day-by-day-by-day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were content to sit at the temple all day, every day, discussing their beliefs with each other.

Clearly scripture indicates that God gives us ALL dreams and visions. By putting our faith in action we can make those dreams and visions a reality. Why do so many choose the “ordinary life”? There is story after story in the Bible of ordinary people doing exceptional things. Many of those stories speak of visitations by an angel, or a prophet; some even heard the voice of God. Does it take a supernatural experience for an ordinary person to step-up to the skills God placed in them at birth?

Joseph began having dreams as a boy; he was born to a life as a shepherd. When Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, even though he didn’t understand what they meant, his brothers began to hate him; even his father scolded him. Did Moses dream of his future when he was a boy? Did King David??

What happens to people that keeps them from following the dreams and visions that God places deep inside of them as children? Why do we choose to be content with the ordinary when we have been called to be extraordinary? Are we so afraid of failure before people that we won’t take a chance at success before God?

God took Esther and saved a nation through fasting and prayer. God took Rahab and saved the spies sent by Joshua; against the direct order of the King of Jericho, also saving Rahab’s family, by clever maneuvers. God took Noah and built an ark with carpentry skills God spoke to him; skills never used before, to build something called a boat in a time when it never rained. God took Peter, an impulsive and ambitious fisherman, and built a church. Ordinary people – given a great vision.

Just imagine what would happen if we all responded to God’s dreams and visions as the boy Samuel responded to the voice of God, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” How long did Samuel have to wait for the vision God called him to? How many years did Joseph wait for his vision and promise to come to pass? How many years did Moses wait before he was called to his position, and then again how much longer before God allowed him to find the Promised Land? How many years from the day that David was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel before he was anointed King of Israel in Hebron? How many years have you waited?

In 1998, 12 years ago, God gave me a vision; we call it Shiloh Spiritual Growth Ministries. A year ago God gave us more of the pieces of the vision. We work daily with the portion of the vision God has allowed us to begin; we wait. We know one day God will say, “It’s time,” and our full vision will begin to unfold. What has God placed in your heart that you have been pushing aside, feeling that it is only a silly dream?

Father, help us to always hear Your voice, see Your visions and dream Your dreams. Speak, for thy servants listen.

By Linda J Humes

Written 4-25-2010

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HUMBLE BIRTH

10 Sep

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.     Luke 2:4-7 KJV

 

It wasn’t that they had to travel,

travel was a way of life -

travel to the place of sacrifice -

travel to the special feasts.


It wasn’t the taxation,

that too had become a way of life.

It wasn’t the number of people -

traveling to their father’s lands -

waiting - walking - crowding.


It wasn’t being heavy with child -

ready for the precious birth -

difficult to ride -

impossible to walk.


It was that all had come together on this momentous occasion,

even with careful preparation -

not really prepared -

for the events to come.


And in all the disappointment of the evening,

the kindness of a stranger -

a humble and rugged resting place -

became the catalyst of a birth.


As the night grew its darkest,

the light pierced the sky -

to announce the hope -

of generations to come.



Cutting the sky, as the pillar of fire,

drawing those with the pureness of heart -

the star spoke the joy -

of the new life to come.


In His earliest moments of life,

He the same as others -

tiny perfect fingers -

tiny perfect toes -

the miracle of birth every parent admires.


Yet, with the sameness came the new,

the anointed glow -

with the very first breath -

drawing God’s servants -

from near and far.



A humble start - for the humbling of the heart.

No wealth or grandeur - the capture of pride.

The kindness of a stranger - to instill mercy.



And the family of flesh mixed with the family of Spirit -

surrounding - comforting

to build a solid foundation of love.


It didn’t happen the way they had wanted -

Mary and Joseph -

but it was the plan of God.



Not one moment of His precious life was wasted,

every moment etched the path of tomorrow’s grace.



So tiny - so frail,

a King was born -

a King sent to gather the humble -

to exhort the meek -

to teach love to all who would listen -

to live - and - to die -

for every precious child -

that has graced God’s earth.

 

 

Written 12-21-97

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