My Adopted Family

My Adopted Family

"Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

(Matthew 12:50)

Being an only child, this scripture has always had a lot of meaning for me. It felt so good to know that I had brothers and sisters in Christ. I was adopted into the family of God. I was under God's will and His blessing. But what did this really mean and what should I do in this family?

Most of my earthly family didn't follow through on doing God's will. They walked their own walk. As the child of an alcoholic father, the name father meant fun, but neither financial responsibility nor dependability. How could I possibly depend on a God I couldn't see or feel?  So this earthly family who did not follow God's will was all I had. Fortunately, God kept sending people into my life who did his will, who were much better examples of family for me, until I figured it out.

If you happen to be in a family who do not truly represent the will or family of God, just ask the Heavenly Father, who is dependable, to help you find His family. You will most likely find them in a church. You will recognize them when you are faced with crises and they demonstrate God's love to you in so many ways, but mostly praying with and for you. They will be bringing you food, taking care of  your children when you  can't, running errands for you, sitting in the hospital with you and all the other servant things God has gifted this family to do.  Most of the time, you don't even have to ask, He just sends them and the Spirit leads them to do the right thing.

This is how we learn unconditional love and witnessing through concern and kindness. This is where we recognize the gifts our Heavenly father has blessed us with. This passage is the foundation of our personal witness. Thanks be to God, His Son and His Holy Spirit for loving us so we can love others and join God's family as His special adopted sons and daughters. Whose life do you need to touch for the Lord? Don't forget to tell them that we were adopted through Christ's work on the Cross and by His Grace, nothing we personally have done except to respond to the call.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."

(Matthew 5:43–45)

Have you ever had someone who was an absolute thorn in your side? A person that when the name was brought up sent prickles up your spine and you puffed up 3 sizes? I hope you handled it better than I did.

My husbands first wife, divorced about 20 years before I came along, never accepted their divorce and decided to remain in his life forever. She was always calling to give advice, manipulating with lies, or wanting something, usually money. It was not only annoying, but also totally inappropriate. Even his family agreed. I could have understood her need to stay in contact if they children together, but this was not the case.

I would blow up every time her name was mentioned and usuallly end up with a headache just thinking about it. The final blow was when he had ignored her e-mails and phone calls and an e-mail was sent to my address, which was only one letter different from his. She was frantic because he was not answering her mail or calls and thought he must be very ill or dying.

I finally had to admit that this was a very sick woman with a lot of major problems, primarily a result of not accepting reality and moving on with her life. My being angry  didn't bother her one bit. It only affected me. I began to understand "vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." My feelings of vengeance only affects me and makes me feel bad.

So I decided to ask God for forgiveness for the awful feelings I had toward her. I began praying for her and asked God to heal us both...me for my anger and her for her obvious mental state.  Praying for those who annoy us does indeed bring us peace. I know that I have no control over the situation, except to pray for God's help and accept his will for my life. 

Thank you, dear heavenly Father, for being the way for me to find peace by helping me to love your other sons and daughters as you love me.

ARE YOU DEAD FROM DREAD?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

(Joshua 1:9 )

That word "DREAD" is so close to the word "DEAD." And if we live in FEAR and DREAD, we are DEAD, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We become immobilized, unable to think rationally or creatively. We become stuck, unable to make decisions or take needed action. And that is not living, especially the full life God has planned for us.


So, when our situation looks dismal and choices seem limited, where do we go? It's easy to just sit around ringing our hands and repeating, "woe is me." And we'll get lots of worldly advice and sympathy. But is that what we want? Do we need more encouragement to feel sorry for ourselves and continue to flounder? NO, we have options.


Christians do not have to fear and dread what others do because we have hope in our Lord. Through the centuries he has proven himself faithful to believers. Think about Job, Moses, or even Christ as he walked down the Via Dolorosa to Calvary.

In Psalm 34:4 , the psalmist says, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."

Even Sir Winston Churchhill told us that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Freedom is available as soon as we surrender and let Christ forgive us, guide us, protect us and love us? Why then is fear and dread holding us back, keeping us from living the full life God has provided?

Does your business reflect hope and faith?

My commitment to blog each day has certainly not been fullfilled. Life seems to fill up my calendar and first thing I know, I'm off track again. So I will begin again. Aren't we blessed to have a "boss" who allows us U-turns and forgives us when we "slip" a little?

Today I attended the DFW Christian Chamber of Commerce as a new member. I was so excited to have a table displaying the Blessings Unlimited line of inspirational home decor and gifts, cards, jewelry, office and desk and children's items. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to meet over lunch with other local area business people who represent Christian principles, ideals and service. I pray this is what my business reflects.

Gift giving season is coming and I have lots of Blessings Unlimited suggestions. Of course our greatest gift is the Lord Himself whose birth we honor during this season. As we plan our seasonal Thanksgiving and Christmas activities, let's be truly grateful for all of our blessings, but especially God's grace and Christ's sacrifice on the cross for us. It's never too early to share these blessings. Are you reflecting this in your business as well as your home life?

What will you be giving your co-workers, business associates, customers, family and friends during this gift giving season? My suggestions will cost money, but your gift of Christ's love, faith and hope is a free gift. Not sure how to share these blessings? Roaring Lambs is presenting it's annual  "Amplyfy Your Faith Conference" on November 13 at the Hope Center in Plano. You can register on line at www.roaringlambsministries.org or call 972.380.0123. At the end of the day you will be prepared to share the blessings of Christ.