Weekend, June 18, 2022
Adopted As His Own
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15 NLT).
Growing up, I didn’t know my biological father. But my mother married a man named Oscar Laurie, who adopted me formally. He treated me as a father should treat a son. He disciplined me when I went astray. He did the best that he could in helping me to be a good boy. But tragically my mom left him, and I didn’t see him for the rest of my childhood.
However, I did have the privilege of reconnecting with him as a young adult, after I become a Christian and a pastor. I also had the privilege of leading him to the Lord.
Just as Oscar Laurie adopted me, God has adopted you, if you have put your faith in Christ. The Bible says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14 NLT).
Are you a child of God? That comes through believing in Jesus Christ. He can pardon you of every sin you have ever committed. Maybe you’re thinking, “I’ve messed up and made mistakes. I have sinned.”
You don’t have to be controlled by your past. And you don’t have to be crippled by it, either. You can put it behind. You can become a new person in Jesus Christ.
This is your moment to come into a relationship with the God who loves you. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to come to this earth, die on the cross for your sin, and rise from the dead. Now He stands at the door of your life and knocks. And if you hear His voice and open the door, He will come in.
Are you worn out and exhausted? Are you filled with sadness and depression? There is hope. But this hope is not in religion or in rules and regulations. It is hope in Jesus Christ coming to live inside of you.
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Grief is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Pastor Greg Laurie experienced this truth when his son Christopher passed away suddenly. Discover comfort and healing in times of pain as you read his book Hope for Hurting Hearts. Receive your copy as our gift for your donation of any amount to Harvest Ministries this month.