Faith Archives – Page 16 of 36

How Have I Found Family? We All Can Find Family.

02.26.2019 by Anne Marie Sopiarz //

Welcome to FACETS of Faith. We are wrapping up our series Have you found your family with our guest contributor, Anne Marie Sopiarz. I (Tracy) met Anne Marie at a Christian Women Business Organization meeting. She was the guest speaker and blessed us with her communication gift during her talk on connection with others. I knew I wanted to share her gift with others, like seed scattered so that others could receive the good gifts God has for us all through what He puts on her heart. With that, enjoy Anne Marie’s contribution to this month’s topic on family. Family. What a complicated word! Ask someone about “family” and you will likely get an emotional response. The response might be a huge smile representing love and thankfulness. The response might be eyes that glance downward revealing deep wounds and hurt at the mention of family.

Family is complicated in my life too! I have a brother who didn’t grow up with us, and my father has been married a few, well lots, of times.

I have friends all around the country whom I consider family, and I am blessed when I look at the beautiful family God has given my husband and me! This little nuclear family includes our adopted daughter who has shaped my understanding of family dramatically.

Most of all, when I think of family I think of the family of God. God is my good Father, and I am His child.

I have been blessed to study the book of Romans in-depth this year through BSF. We dig and dig each week into a handful of verses. We wrestle with each one and let God speak to us. What a gift!

As a result of my study of the book of Romans, I have been struck lately with the truth that we are adopted as God’s children. I am a child of God. If you are a believer, then you are a child of God too.

Adoption is quite the word.

My study of Romans left me considering adoption, but life experience made it come alive.

Last December I sat in the courtroom for another hearing on behalf of our foster daughter. But this one was not just another hearing. It was her “best case” hearing. Basically, our agency was laying out evidence to the judge that our daughter’s “best case” was to be adopted by us– her foster family who has loved and cared for her most of the years of her life. It was gut wrenching and sacred. I was not “allowed” to speak in court, but I sobbed silently in the last row as the judge declared my girl’s standing and placement to be “best” with my husband and me.

She has been ours all along, but with this declaration she becomes a full member of our family, and she inherits full rights as our daughter!

It’s the same for God with you and me, adopted with full rights!

God, our Father, sees each of us as His child.

How does God feel when we let Him claim us as His daughter or son? Probably similar to how I felt in that courtroom!

We are His all along. Once we realize that truth, we can finally be freely loved by God. We get the full benefits of being His child.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Jesus in John 14:18

Behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into His family– calling Him Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

The Greek word for adoption here is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. God, our good, good Father adopts us. We will experience this fully one day (Romans 8:23), but it makes a difference in our life here and now as well. We are His. You are His. You are claimed and adopted. I am claimed. I have been declared His child. What a gift!

I get emotional when I let this truth sink in and when I live out of that place. How about you?

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:4-6 (emphasis added)

There were legal realities God had to deal with, which is why He sent His Son, Jesus, to cover our sins. His justice and law demanded punishment and exclusion from his presence because of our sins. God’s mercy brought our redeemer, Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross and our acceptance of Him as Savior gives us righteousness in Christ. God had to satisfy His justice and His law in order to adopt sinners into his family. This He did by the life, death, and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ.

God our Father cries in the courtroom too. It has been decided. We have been claimed. Let Him claim you. Let Him claim me.

I have Full Rights as His daughter! My prayer is that I sit in it and live from it. How about you? Family to a believer means being a child of God! I thank God for this truth today!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Do you desire to be part of the family of God? He wants nothing more than to adopt you as His son or daughter, dearly loved. He died so you can freely live, both here on earth and in heaven. He sets the lonely in families, where as Christians we call each other brother and sister. If you would like to be adopted into God’s family, say this prayer from your heart:

I believe You, Jesus, died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin. I believe You love me enough to die for me, and You desire my adoption into Your family. I commit to following You as You lead and guide the way like any good parent would do. Show me what is best for my life and help me to live in light of that truth. I know being a Christian comes with blessings but doesn’t eliminate every trial either. The difference, though, is I am never alone as a child of God. Thank You for never leaving me, nor forsaking me. Thank You for helping me navigate each day as You help me every step of the way. Help me to hear Your voice, to listen and to obey the good, loving, Fatherly guidance You have for me. In Jesus’ name, amen!

If you just said the above prayer, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

Have something to say? Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

Thoughts on Dreams, Disappointment, and God’s Sovereignty

01.20.2019 by Kim Findlay //

Welcome to Facets of Faith! This month we are pulling back the curtain to offer a peek inside our lives. Everyone has dreams, things they want to do or experience or accomplish and we’re no different. So we decided to answer the question what do you dream about? and Tracy and Jen have already shared. Be sure to check out what they have to say.

When I was little . . .

I dreamed about being a ballerina. I loved to watch people dance and ballet was an absolute favorite. I took ballet for a bit but my body (and probably discipline) didn’t fit the mold. My dream faded as reality took over and I towered over the other little girls in my class.

A few years later another dream took shape. In 6th grade, I entered the Young Author’s Contest and dreamed of writing stories for others to read. I loved creating characters and situations that required tenacity and resilience, even though I didn’t yet grasp the meaning those two words.

Unlike my short-lived dream of twirling about a stage, this dream of writing didn’t end. In fact, it grew. I wrote stories throughout middle school, processing the world that I engaged in but struggled to understand. In high school I took a creative writing class and, while I struggled to do the assignments, I loved the act of creating.

Writing Held On

Fast forward a few years and the longing to write held on. I entered ministry in my late 20’s and began to exercise my gift of writing for the kids we served. I created original stories of bugs meeting the Master Gardener and going on grand adventures; stories of pups who needed friends and found the ultimate one in Jesus; mysteries that held clues hidden in Scripture; and a secret world that could only be entered through a window. I wrote weekly lessons and teacher devotions. I even did some curriculum work with a couple of publishing houses and had the joy of seeing my name in print.

And yet . . .and yet there was something stirring in me, a longing that wasn’t fully satisfied. I wanted to write and share what was uniquely mine but the words, the story, felt just out of reach —like an itch I couldn’t quite scratch

During this time I married, had kids (though not exactly in that order), became a stepmom, and did the things that most 20-somethings do: went to work, paid the bills, made dinner (most often the frozen -TV kind), cleaned house-ish, hung out with friends . . .all the while wondering if my writing dream would ever come true.

A Different Way

March of 2005 rolled around and that normal, everydayness ended. A fire destroyed my home and my little girl, Emma, died from smoke inhalation. I remember walking through the halls of the hospital as reality settled like a dark and heavy fog.

This. I thought to myself. This is my story. A story I didn’t want nor never expected.

I wonder about that, actually. I wonder how many times we sit and dream and think about our futures, what we want to see happen in our lives. We go about our daily business with plans and ideas and steps to take. As followers of Jesus, we hope and we pray that what we want lines up with what God plans. We trust and try to believe that what we want for our lives is God’s plan as well.

But what if it isn’t? What if the dreams we dream end up looking different than we thought, than what we expected?

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

I think about who God is and to me, this seems consistent with His character, what I read about in His Word. Don’t you think?

A New Perspective

The Israelites knew a Messiah was coming —the One who would rule and rescue them. They looked for a king . . .

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!.” Isaiah 9:6-7

. . . and instead arrived as a baby.

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12

He took the lost and broken, and through them spoke hope and truth.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

He took what someone had and multiplied it to feed thousands (John 6).

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd? . . .Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. “ John 6:8-9, 11

He used a drunkard to save a small group of people (Noah), a murderer to save a nation (Moses), a prostitute who offered refuge to Israelite spies (Rahab), a widow to restore hope (Ruth), an adulterer to write the Psalms (David) a tax collector to write a Gospel, a a fisherman to build a church (Peter), a former persecutor of Christian to be one of His greatest witnesses (Paul).

I can’t imagine they thought their lives would end up as they did, either.

Surely He can use my broken heart to tell of His goodness and love as my dream to write becomes His gift to heal.

My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.” Psalm 71:7-8

What dream might God be using in a different way in your life? Are you willing to allow the shift? Join the conversation by sharing below or over on our Facebook page.

I’m Dreaming of…a Significant Life

01.08.2019 by Jennifer Howe //

Welcome, friend! We’re excited you’ve taken time out of your busy-busy to peek at the Facets’ thoughts. Thanks for making the cyber-trek and the time. This month is an opportunity to think about our dreams. Tracy offered 7 ways to realize your dreams, a fantastic read. Next week, Kim will offer her thoughts. Don’t miss Tuesdays when posts go live; or better, subscribe to receive the posts in your inbox.

Once upon a time I (Jennifer) was a “resolutionist.” But I was like so many who set lofty resolutions for a new year and break them by the third week, or day, or hour into the goals. I lost interest in breaking promises to myself. (Tell me I’m not alone, friend!) When someone introduced me to My One Word—BOOM!—I had a new way to think. Soon I was dreaming of the possibilities in the word, and I still do. This year’s word came from an intimate conversation with God about who I am in his eyes. No doubt, I always want to hear encouraging whispers to my heart from my Daddy-God. (One day I’ll share more about this year’s word, but not today.)

The question this month at Facets asks me to think intentionally about my big dreams. I know I have little “everyday dreams” that basically amount to wishes. A question has been echoing since this topic was chosen: What do I want in this life—what do I really, really want?

Having begun the journey of my word for 2019, a fat, juicy tendril is growing off the main vine. Turns out, what I want most is a significant life. I don’t mean popular in the culture or high in status. That’s not me, but I’m an Enneagram 1, the Reformer, if that tells you anything. What I know is this: I’m full of strengths and talents that can be used to help and bless others. Guess where the best parts of me (and you) come from? They are gifts from God. Since he has gifted them, it’s only fitting to acknowledge that and use them in service to him and those around me.

When I answer the question that way, I immediately think of Jesus’ teaching about the fruitful, significant life that really comes from the Lord. Take a look at John 15 with me; we may both find real, significant life. Jesus is with his inner circle, the disciples, and I imagine a walk through a vineyard becoming “a teachable moment.”

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John 15 ESV

He sets up the characters: God the Father is the “vinedresser,” the one who tends every part of the vine; Jesus is “the true vine,” which assumes there are others; and the followers are the branches connected to the vine. The Father works in the vineyard; he removes fruitless branches and prunes the fruit-bearing ones. Why? Because big, leafy grapevines are pretty but not what they’re grown for. Hard pruning causes a vine to produce fruit!

This applies to our lives: if we say we are disciples, we place ourselves in that “branch” place. If our lives reflect the close following the disciples did—listening to, trusting, and obeying Jesus’ teaching—we can be called “clean” too. That’s the beginning of real life, eternal life, the significant kind. And it doesn’t have to be a dream. Actualizing real life is simply choosing Jesus. (If you’re confused at this point, let’s talk!)

Jesus continues:

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15 ESV

Abide. That means to live in; to remain. The vitality in a branch comes from connection to the healthy vine. A leafy branch off the vine produces exactly nothing. That is not life.

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15 ESV

Jesus is the vine, and his disciples are connected branches. Life flows from the vine outward, and beautiful fruit grows. Healthy branches are connected, and they should stay there. Dr. J. Vernon McGee reminds us

If we are in Christ, we should stay there. The connection can be broken, as Jesus warned Peter in the foot washing moment; we can have nothing to do with God. ¹

Abiding is a choice.

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15 ESV

The vine’s lifeblood is in the abiding. If we remain connected to Jesus, and if his words remain in our minds and hearts (as evidenced by our thoughts, words, and actions)—then something important happens. Intimate relationship with Jesus and choosing to learn and embrace his words leads to a couple of things: a regular, two-way prayer conversation with God and prayers that reflect his heart and (often) his will. In other words, we ask for things he loves to say yes to; we want what God wants!

Over time my thoughts, words, and actions can look more like Jesus and less like selfish Jen. Look, little grapes are growing! At least, I really want that to be true. (Yeah, I still make a colossal mess of things at times. *Sigh*) I’m thankful the disciples are so obviously and gloriously imperfect in everyday life with Jesus, and then the Spirit filling them changes everything. It gives me hope.

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15 ESV

Wait. What? If we stay connected, and if we keep his word fresh in our minds, God is glorified. Other people see the life as good fruit on our little pruned-branch selves. We don’t grow it; it flows from the life we receive through connection with Jesus. Then other branches connect to the vine because of what they’ve seen. (Often “fruit” in the New Testament points toward a disciple’s significant impact on others knowing and trusting Jesus for life.) No one chooses to connect to Jesus because of our perfection (we are flawed); they come because of HIS perfection!

And then what? Then we don’t just say we follow Jesus—we prove we follow Jesus.

Friend, that’s the significant life I want, the dream I have unfolding little by little. I hope to live a transforming life in which others see or hear about Jesus and want him. On a good day, I think I spot grapes plumping up. Other days, I imagine the pruning shears doing necessary work. Either way, I dream of abiding and having a life that is exciting and joy-filled and beautiful. (Jesus, let’s do this thing!)

Now one of my “everyday dreams” is to hear your thoughts and dreams! What’s your biggest, way-out-there, God-sized dream? Share in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. Thanks, friend!

¹ https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/mcgee_j_vernon/Jhn/John.cfm#John_15_6_11. Jan 07, 2019.

Scripture sourced from bible.com.