This week a prayer was answered as we held a baby that was not and was ours. The Clarks, our son-in-law and daughter, received a baby they had applied for through adoption. Nancy and I became grandparents again. When the agency called, Willie and Hannah headed to the hospital and soon were given a newborn baby. They named him Samuel because they had been praying for this child much like Hannah had prayed for Samuel in 1 Samuel 1. Monday he officially became a Clark and we his grandparents.
I couldn't help but think of the believer's adoption in regard to salvation. Spiritually speaking a person who repents of their sin and has faith in Christ alone as Savior is completely forgiven (Rom 5:1). While justification speaks of the debt of that sin being legally cancelled, adoption, on the other hand, speaks of a loving Father who takes the alienated sinner as a son, making him heir and giving him all the rights of a full son.
What a wonderful eternal truth this is for the believer to meditate on. Spiritually speaking, God chose us just as a family chooses to adopt. "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, " (Eph_1:5). Praise be to God.
"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." (Gal 4;4-7 NASB)
Baby Dedication Sunday, Oct. 9: Parents interested in dedicating children should contact Pastor Mark soon about details of the service. This is the final service the Gustafsons will be with us before they return to Ukraine.
Special missions gifts: Our VBS raised $766.38 for Viva North America (Recommended by the Pratts). Funds went to Latin America to help children living on the street from 3 - 18 years of age. Viva feeds, helps get schooling and shares the gospel of Christ with them. Also $500 was sent to assist a fall conference on World Evangelism in Odessa, Ukraine helping to bring dozens of pastors/leaders to it.