Girlfriends in God - Aug. 22, 2008

August 22, 2008
Adopted
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth
“In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…” (Ephesians 1:5 NIV)

Friend to Friend
Debbie took her 13-year-old son to the dermatologist to have a few suspicious moles examined.   The doctor asked her, “Is there anyone on your or your husband’s side of the family who has had melanoma or any other types of skin cancer?”

“No, I can’t think of any,” she replied.  Then he proceeded to ask a few other questions about their family history.

After the exam, her son, Jason, looked up at her and said, “Mom, when the doctor asked about your family history, it doesn’t matter. I’m adopted!”

“You’re right, Jason,” she said.  “I totally forgot.”

Debbie went through five years of infertility treatment and two years of waiting to adopt a child.  Eight months after she adopted Jason, she found out she was pregnant with Jordan.  Amazingly, these boys have looked almost like twins for much of their lives.  As the boys have grown into young men, I cannot even tell them apart.

It was an extraordinary moment for Jason as he realized that his mom had totally forgotten he was adopted. He was simply her son, period. Ephesians 1:5 says that we have been adopted as sons through Jesus Christ.  God has chosen us to be His own, adopted into His family, co-heirs with Christ.  I think that God, like Debbie, probably forgets we’re adopted.  He just sees us as His children.

Let’s Pray
Dear Abba Father, how precious it is that we can call You “Daddy.”  Thank You for choosing me to be Your child.  I am so grateful that I belong to a big loving family of believers and I can’t wait until we have our family reunion in eternity with You.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
What does it mean to you to know that you are adopted into God’s family?

What does it mean to you to know that He chose you?

Read the following verses and note what else you learn about your adoption.

Romans 8:17
Galatians 4:7
Ephesians 1:11
Ephesians 2:19
1 John 3:1-2

More from the Girlfriends
Today’s devotion was taken from Sharon’s new devotional book, Extraordinary Moments with God.  Come with Sharon as she dusts for God’s fingerprints that change ordinary days into extraordinary moments.  As you explore this treasury of stories highlighting “God moments” in the lives of fellow travelers, you too will begin to sense His presence in extraordinary ways.  If you would like a handy laminated card with more verses like the ones in today’s devotion, click on Sharon’s resource page and look at the Identity in Christ prayer card.