"or things to make you go hhhmmmm!"
Wayne Grudem in his book Systematic Theology defined adoption as "an act of God whereby He makes us members of His family." (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, page 736)
"If you are a Christian and you are not convinced of God's love for you then I would recommend you confine yourself to this topic. Confine yourself to your study to this passage and other passages that reference adoption. Confine yourself for a season of time to the study of the doctrine of adoption."
(from sermon by C.J. Mahaney)
"At its very core and essence, adoption is a reflection of the Father heart of God. . . . Adoption is a window into the heart of God. A true biblical understanding of adoption reveals the richness of the concept. The deeper individuals have insight and revelation into the Doctrine of Adoption, the more they are overwhelmed with its magnitude, scope, inclusion, and therefore its true cost and responsibility. Adoption, by its very nature, references a relationship that is not natural therefore requiring effort, energy, kindness, mercy, compassion and desire to initiate and process the adoption. Adoption is the highest privilege than can be bestowed on a person, as they are lovingly included and invited into God's family. Through the Doctrine of Adoption, we see an extraordinary manifestation of God's mercy and love to His people."
(A Master's Thesis by Gary M Senna, The Doctrine of Adoption, Reformed Theological Seminary)
"The gospel and adoption are beautifully woven together by the gracious hand of God. In Christ, God has shown His love to us as our Father. He has reached down His hand of mercy to us in the loneliness of our sin, and he has raised us up as members of His family. Consequently, one of the clearest displays of the gospel in this life is when redeemed men and women extend a hand of mercy to children in need and bring them into their families."
(David Platt, in the forward to Oprhanology, by Merida and Morton)
"We must recognize that God has placed in us the call to go to the orphan to ease his and her suffering." (Orphanology, by Tony Merida and Rick Morton, page 47)
"There are at least four biblical convictions that should drive us to display radical love for the fatherless:
God is concerned for all people made in His image.
God has special concern for the fatherless.
God commands His people to share His concern for the fatherless.
He is pro-adoption"
(Orphanology, by Tony Merida and Rick Morton, page 60)
"Ministries of mercy should be created for the orphan and the sojourner as well as the widow."
(Orphanology, by Tony Merida and Rick Morton, page 66)
"It is a completely foreign thought to me to be 16 years old and on my own without support."
(Orphanology, by Tony Merida and Rick Morton, page 139)
"When it comes to caring for the people on God's heart, indifference is a sin." (Tom Davis, Fields of the Fatherless)
"You have enough time to do everything God wants you to do." (Weird, by Craig Groeschel, page 26)
"When is the last time you stopped long enough to embrace a matters-the-most moment?"
(Weird, by Craig Groeschel, page 28)
"So maybe the question is not 'What's in your wallet?' but 'What's in your heart?'"
(Weird, by Craig Groeschel, page 73)
There are three lines we need to cross as Christians.
Line #1 – I believe in God and the gospel of Christ enough to benefit from it.
Line #2 – I believe in God and Christ's gospel enough to contribute comfortably.
Line #3 – I believe in God and Christ's gospel enough to give my life to it.
(The Christian Atheist, by Craig Groeschel, pages 236-237)
If 25% of all churches in the U.S. had just ONE family adopt a child in foster care, there would be no more waiting children.
If less than 8% of people who claim to be Christians worldwide adopted an orphan, orphanages would be EMPTY.
Adoption is a beautiful picture of God's love and acceptance of those who trust Him. God chose us to be a part of His heavenly family forever. By grace, we were adopted into His Kingdom through the death of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5-6). Because of God's immeasurable love for us, we are able to freely love others. Adoption on earth is a representation of that heavenly model of love. By bringing a child into your family through adoption, you are giving the child full rights and privileges and unconditional love as heirs in your own family.
Throughout Scripture God makes it evident that He wants us to put a priority on loving and caring for – the poor, the orphan, and the widow. These are the people He calls the "fatherless" and God is calling us all into the "fields of the fatherless." While not everyone is called to adopt, God's plan is to love, care, and provide for these vulnerable groups through believers. God has blessed us so that we can use our resources, time, and love to care for the fatherless.
(taken from the website: www.acfellowship.org)
"Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance." - Mother Teresa
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."— Unknown