During the early 70’s, my mom and dad served the West Texas region as ‘foster parents’ for children who were waiting adoption. In some situations we received new born babies so early, we were given the responsibility of giving them their name. A huge obligation, but though we ‘fostered’ these young children for months, we never took the step to adopt them.

Perhaps it was because my folks were already feeding 4 boys, and they weren’t sure about feeding five? But the adoption process is more than just signing some papers and putting food on the table. The responsibilities and obligations of adopting a child includes offering security, ensuring stability and providing an inheritance in the family’s estate. As a ‘child of God,’ we go through an adoption process to be in God’s family. Christians understand there is security and stability in Christ, but more importantly the adoption process ensures that we are heirs in our Father’s kingdom. Ask yourself, have I been adopted? Join us Sunday morning as we consider adoption and…”The Adopted.”

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 22, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Praise Him! Praise Him!” – 300

What a beautiful call to worship as we join our voices in praise to our Father; “Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer…” If the truth be known we’re actually sing as edification to one another at the same time we’re singing praise to our God. Are you praising Him today? On Sunday morning will you lift your voice and ‘tell of His excellent greatness?’

“May I Call You Father” – 769

This song fits perfectly with the message of today’s lesson; as adopted children into the family of God we come before Him seeking to call Him our Father. But notice the words we sing; “…I’ve hurt You, Jesus, I’ve hurt You with my sin.” So the question is sincere, with the pain I have caused I humbly ask, can I call God my Father? Within the adoption process the answer is clear…YES!

“Come Share the Lord” – 364

Another great support to this lesson as we sing to remember the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. “We are now a family of which the Lord is head. Though unseen He meets us here in the breaking of the bread.” Though the blood of Jesus, and because of God’s redeeming grace, we are a family. Come share the Lord and recognize the Father of our heavenly family.

“The Love of God” – 133

Written almost 100 years ago, this spiritual song shares a great message of God’s love. Singing we try to put into perspective the vastness of His love. “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky…” Now consider the words of John; “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25

“Redeemed” – 514

How many of us love to proclaim our salvation? Do we show just how happy we are in Jesus? Some would rather not repeat a phrase over and over again while singing, but perhaps this time it’s justified. “Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed, redeemed…His child (through adoption) and forever I am!” Don’t be afraid to proclaim your membership in the family of God.

“Jesus Paid It All” – 922

How much would an adopted child owe for his membership into someone’s family? On the contrary, the adopting parents must ‘pay the price’ for their child. The child isn’t free and yet that little one isn’t charged membership into the family. The same is true in God’s Family; Jesus paid the cost for our adoption process. Who do you owe to be able to ‘stand before the throne of God?’ Jesus paid it ALL…all to Him I owe!

“God’s Family” – 744

In a family there are times when we laugh together, and there are times when we cry together (either out of frustration or sadness). The same is said for the family of God! We sing this song realizing we are adopted into God’s family when we are baptized into His death. Accept His salvation (the adoption) and be part of the family…‘that’s been born again.’

Though this spiritual song was new to me, it was born in the mind of Caroline Sandell Berg in 1858. It’s origin comes from the ‘Song Book for Sunday School’, and as you listen to this choral arrangement, you’ll be able to hear the shades of a lullaby. The YouTube video is from Cal-State University Choir, choral archives, dating back to December, 1962.

“Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh,
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish,
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.”

Consider that third verse; what exactly IS God’s purpose with us? Are we just an experiment that He started several, thousands of years ago? Or is there something more than life and death we can be looking forward to? Are we any better off than a bird that nestles in the trees or a star that flashes in the night sky? As children of God, we believe that He is in control. And we know that our life is under His rule. He can take away, and He often generously gives, but why are we here, what is His purpose?

We take hope in knowing the God loves us and desires all to come to know Him. We read this promise in 2nd Peter chapter 3, verse 8 and 9…“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Remember verse three…His purpose, His loving purpose, His only loving purpose is for His children to come back to Him. As Caroline penned over 150 years ago, ‘…to preserve them (us) pure and holy.’ Do we desire God as much as He desires us? We flourish because of His grace. We are spared from all evil because of His mighty arm. We are children of the heavenly Father with the best ‘refuge’ ever!

Tag: Children of God

The Best Refuge…Ever!