From orphan to adopted: Marinate on that!

God the Papa

I’m being challenged by the Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study using Derwin L. Gray’s book Limitless Life. Chapter four of the book is titled, From Orphan to Adopted:

“We roam through life lost, looking for a love and identity that no human, no job, no amount of money could ever provide. Our Papa in heaven is the only One who can provide us with the love and, ultimately, the identity we have been created forโ€”a child of God.”ย  Derwin L. Gray

In this chapter, Derwin discusses how orphans feel anonymous, abandoned, and afraid. Then he goes on to describe three keys to “taking on the new label of ‘Adopted'”:

  1. Embrace the Friendship of God
  2. Accept and Imitate the Forgiveness of God
  3. Accept the Adopting Love of God

Throughout the book, Derwin presents important ideas that are highlighted in boxed areas titled, “Marinate on That”. Here’s an idea that’s marinating in my mind and soul:

” . . . did you realize that whatever we magnify, we worship? And whatever we worship, we resemble? If we wallow in self-pity, we will become more pitiful and limit our lives. If we stay in Jesus and meditate on what He’s accomplished on our behalf, we magnify His great work, and as we do this, we worship Him. The result is that daily we are transformed into His image, releasing His limitless life through us.”

This week a counselor pointed out to me that I’m living in the shadow of bitterness over some things that happened to me in the past. People I respected and trusted betrayed me; people who are brothers and sisters in Christ. If I focus on the hurt and betrayal, I will continue to be bitter, and in the process I will lose out on God’s best for my life. Instead, Jesus wants me to focus on HIM. I don’t need to live in the shadow of bitterness any longer. I am choosing instead to live in Jesus and meditate on what He’s accomplished on my behalf:

  1. Jesus died for my sin (I Cor. 15:1-10)
  2. When I confess my sin and forsake it, Jesus forgives me and cleanses me (I John 1:9)
  3. Jesus loves me (John 3:16)
  4. Jesus wants the best for me (Jeremiah 29:11)
  5. I will have hard times in my life, but Jesus will walk with me through them. (Isaiah 43:1-4)
  6. No matter what, Jesus will NEVER leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5,6)
  7. Jesus is trustworthy; He will not betray me (Psalm 34)

Are you living in the shadows? Will you join me as I step out into the glorious light of Jesus Christ and revel in the love and delight of God the Papa?

16 Comments

  1. Godinterest.com on June 4, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Thanks for sharing. Thought provoking read. Feel free to share your inspirational posts at Godinterest (the Pinterest for Christians). God Bless Your Ministry

    • Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 6:34 am

      I appreciate you stopping by and inviting me to share my posts.

  2. nubcube on June 5, 2014 at 6:28 am

    I read that in the book about the things we magnify and I was reminded that the word magnify is another word for worship-“Magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together” I want to live magnifying the Lord and allowing His perspective to de-magnify other things in my life that will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 6:33 am

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your desire to magnify the Lord.

  3. sabrinaebert on June 5, 2014 at 7:04 am

    Sadly we have people who claim to be in Christ hurt us…the Bible warns us about this. I smile nice and am glad that you have sought release and freedom from this hurt. When we let go of it, it truly does wonders. In the spiritual realm I am stepping out with you, hand in hand into His glorious light…we are daughters of a King! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 7:55 am

      Sabrina,
      Thanks for your encouragement, for stepping out with me. I appreciate you, sister ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. nancysilvers2013 on June 5, 2014 at 7:32 am

    I absolutely LOVE God’s timing! He KNEW you would be discussing this with a counselor AND reading this chapter this week. I’m praising God for your steps toward healing in this!! Thank you for sharing such a tremendous testimony to God’s grace!

    • Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 7:56 am

      Nancy,
      Yes, God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for rejoicing with me.

  5. Kim Labar on June 5, 2014 at 7:36 am

    I’ve really wrestled with some hurts recently by my church, following my dad’s illness. I’m thankful that from the very beginning, God has impressed upon me to use it as a lesson towards others who are hurting. I sure could have turned the other way and been hateful, bitter, etc–Praise God for His amazing grace!!! Thank you for sharing!!! This one really spoke to me!!!

    • Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 7:59 am

      Kim,
      I appreciate you stopping by and encouraging me. I’m glad we can share with each other and cheer each other on in our walk with God. Keep making those good choices ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Jackie Garger on June 5, 2014 at 8:53 am

    Ruth, I too carry hurts and bitterness and find it hard to forgive, although I know that forgiveness will let me be free! Why is it so hard to forgive? Is it our pride? Do we want to wallow in our self-pity? Do we enjoy our pity parties that we throw for ourselves that much that we can’t seem to get past these hurts and bitterness? I hope to find peace in letting myself be the image that God wanted me to be. Thanks for sharing, it sure hit home! Hugs!

  7. Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 8:57 am

    Jackie,
    Thanks for sharing your struggles. We don’t want to forgive because we are hurting and we want the person who hurt us to suffer too. The only problem is that if we hang onto our bitterness, we trap ourselves, not anyone else.
    I’m glad you’re choosing to forgive. It’s a choice we have to make, sometimes many, many times. Hugs back at you ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Marilyn on June 5, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Ruth thanks for sharing how important forgiving someone who hurts you is. I had to do that many years ago after my husband was badly hurt by a past minister. I had to forgive but forgetting was hard. This hurt has affected my husband as a Christian and it is something I had to learn to let go and trust God to lead where I could not see. What you said we trap ourselves no one else, the other person probably has forgot or doesn’t care. God is amazing to provide answers at just the exact time, like reading these chapters and have it co inside with your counsellor. Praising God as you journey with Him and trust in His leading. Blessings and hugs.
    Marilyn

  9. Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Marilyn,
    Thanks for sharing how this message is real in your own life. Yes, God is amazing in his timing. Thanks for journeying with me. Hugs back at you ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Daily Bliss on June 5, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    Thank you for sharing. I am going to join you .. I love the Bible verses that relates to the intimate relationship with Jesus. It puts it right to the heart. I always want to grow in my relationship. I am now realizing He is always there. I am now worshiping Him more.
    I am going to follow you also – ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Ruth L. Snyder on June 5, 2014 at 4:10 pm

      You’re welcome ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for joining me on the journey. Let’s keep pursuing a close relationship with Jesus Christ and Papa God.

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