Mindy Lee Hopman

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 (NASB)

Adopted 

I grew up with two siblings, so naturally, I wanted to have three children of my own.  After my son and daughter were born, my husband graciously opened his arms to the 150-acre school campus where we lived/worked and said, “In addition to our own, you may love on all of these students.”

At the time, there were 320 boarding students, 600 domestic students, and we all represented over 70 nations, so I loved on each one who came across my path.

I gave hugs and encouragement to all, and became “Mom Hopman” to a few who will always hold a special place in my heart, and be a part of our family.

Over the years, God has placed me in the lives of students and women to encourage, teach Biblical truths, and lead towards the heart and home of our Heavenly Father.

There are always those who are easy to love, and honestly, there are some who are more difficult to love. Regardless, our Heavenly Father helps me to see hearts from His perspective.

When Jesus becomes the desire of our souls, our hearts move out of the shadow of darkness and into the Light of His loving family. In Christ, dead hearts become alive.

We are no longer captivated by sin; rather, we are captivated by His love.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and you were dead in your trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NASB)

New Family // New Identity 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:14-15 (NASB)

Regardless of our country of origin on earth, in Him we are adopted into one family, and our family has an eternal home.

Priveledges of Being His Child

1.  We may call Him Father.  

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may 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 (NASB)

God gave the world the gift of His Son to redeem both Jew and Gentile, “so that we might receive adoption as sons,” (Galatians 4:5).  Jesus, born through the womb of a woman into a manger not a palace, came to the world in God’s perfect timing.

God’s timing is perfect. He is the Author of this story, from the beginning, through the middle, and to the end. We have the opportunity to choose to surrender to Him and let Him lead. And as He is leading this dance we call “life,” we may rest our heads on our loving Father’s chest knowing we are cared for and adored by the King of kings.

2. We receive His love and adoration.  

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 (NASB)

Isn’t this wonderful news? Even when we seem unloveable, God meets us right where we are. He knows us completely, yet He loves us unconditionally!

…but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NASB)

We spend time with those we love. The greatest gift a parent can give a child is time.  God has all the time in the world for His children.  He will listen all day long to us.  We spend our time with Him because we love Him.

3.  We are kept for Christ. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NASB)

As a shepherd looks for one lost sheep, God pursues us to become a part of His family and keeps us as His own once we arrive. He is The Good Shepherd.  May this peace guard our hearts as we are one with Him.

I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. John 17:11 (NASB)

4.  Our citizenship has changed.

Trust in Christ shifts our citizenship from this world to the kingdom of heaven. In Him, the promise is made complete for both Jews and Gentiles. When we inherit His name, we inherit His kingdom.

…also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11 (NASB)

Always remember, our Heavenly Father is purposeful, not whimsical in His ways, in order to carry out His good and perfect will.

…and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:17 (NASB)

Difficult Times are Temporary

When we identify as one in Christ, we acknowledge and identify with his suffering as well. Jesus went through difficult times; you and I will go through difficult times. In fact, right now, we are in a very difficult time, but it is temporary. 

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. John 15:18 (NASB)

Christ suffered for the world. The world did not like Him, which means the world may not like us. We will suffer too, but it will not compare the suffering Christ went through for us. 

God’s Word reminds us that our battle in this world is so much bigger than what we can see! It is not against flesh and blood.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) 

This World is Not Our Home

For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Hebrews 13:14 (NASB)

Jesus overcame the world, and in Him, so will we.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NASB)

Jesus is our Living Hope whom we may place our trust for today. We cannot place our trust in what we can see, because everything we can see with our finite eyes is slowly being taken away.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (NASB)

The Gift: I am adopted because God is compassionate. 

For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him. 2 Chronicles 30:10b (NASB)

God wants us to return to a relationship with Him. He loves each one of us and adores us because we are His very own.  

Heavenly Father,
I praise You for who you are. You are a good, good Father. Thank you for pursuing me.  Thank you for reaching out to me with Your loving arms and taking me into Your tender embrace. I am grateful to be called your daughter.  Thank you for each person You have placed in my life to love and encourage.  May I continue to lead others to You – the One who offers unconditional love as well as the kingdom of heaven.  May they experience the joy found in Your presence, because You are always present.
In Your precious name, Jesus, I pray,
Amen

Gratefully Yours,