So each summer at Beach Project around the end of June, the staff leaves. The way project is set up is in four different "levels" - the first level is the CAMPUS OUTREACH STAFF - below them are TEAM LEADERS - below them are ROOM LEADERS (what I am) - and then finally there are DISCIPLES. Each "level" is led by the level above them.
When the Staff leaves for the summer, Beach Project is completely run by the Team Leaders, so they call in different men to come and give the "talks" that we hear each week. This summer, on Monday nights we focus on one aspect of the Gospel (our sinful state, the person of Jesus, our response to Jesus, etc.) - on Wednesday nights we have "Growing Your Faith Training". Here we discuss practical applications to help us grow in our own walk with God (reading and studying God's word, prayer, etc.) - Thursday nights are Evangelism training nights. That speaks for itself in that we learn on this night, how to share our faith. Sunday nights we have Vision time (we try to develop a vision for our lives and for the world - basically... consider the "big picture") and then we have a time to plan our weeks.
This past Monday, Amado Ortiz (he's a Jacksonville State graduate and a member of my church Grace Fellowship) was asked to come down and give a talk on justification and adoption... it was AMAZING. I would love to sit here and type out everything I took away from that talk, but we both know that I don't have the time to type and you probably don't have the time to sit and read it. But, I do want to share on thing that I have been thinking about since the talk...
"... knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18-19
There are so many different passages in the Bible that talk about those of us who have been reconciled to God through Christ are children of God...
"... just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intentions of His will." Ephesians 1:4-5
Can you believe it? I can't... the Creator of the Universe... is big enough and holy enough to have an intimate relationship with me like a Father. He could have stopped at justification and that would have been more than we deserved.... we deserve hell. But He didn't... He adopted us into His family... we are heirs with Christ! I love the passage in 1 Peter, because it shows a glimpse of God's love for us. He didn't purchase us with silver, gold.... perishable things.... but He purchased us with the blood of HIS SON!
"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God..." 1 John 3:1
I'll close with this... my sister Sarah had an amazing opportunity to go to China for two weeks on a mission trip where she worked in orphanages. I've posed a picture of one of the orphans she was able to give her life away to for two weeks... as you look at the picture, think of what it would mean to that child to be adopted. For the first time to be loved, held, sang to, rocked, etc.... and then imagine the love our Father in Heaven lavishes on us as we enter into His family as sons and daughters through His perfect Son... Jesus.
2 comments:
oh.. anna lee. i got so much from this blog. i love you so very much and i can't wait until you get home.
LeeLee, my fiance got a shout out! I am so glad his talk impacted you.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15
How sweet it is that we can run to Him. And Amado teaching us the background on adoption, the rights that overrule standard birthrights when you are adopted into a family.
I'm raising the roof right now, just a single raise...you know, as if to say "Amen, sister!"
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