What is the Christian’s hope?
The Christian’s Hope. The Christian hopes and works for: The Regeneration of the Individual through faith in Christ (John 3:5,14-21). This is an inward change wrought in the soul by the grace of God. While this is a work of God, the responsibility for it rests with man. God does not desire the death of the sinner.
What does the Bible say about hope in the future?
HOPE IN THE FUTURE LIFE Christianity is not small in its anticipations, its desires, its aspirations and its plans. It speaks of a large hope for the future, so large that many men fail to comprehend its magnificence (John 11:23-26; Mark 16:11).
What does it mean to have trustful Hope in God?
The righteous, who have this trustful hope in God, have a general confidence in God’s protection and help (Jeremiah 29:11) and are free from fear and anxiety (Psalm 46:2-3). The New Testament idea of hope is the recognition that in Christ is found the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3).
Why was Advika set apart?
Born deaf and blind and taken to an orphanage in Calcutta, Advika was set apart because of her disabilities and never received a bindi on her forehead. She was told she wasn’t worthy to be a Hindu. All too often, it is in this rejection where the story ends for children like Advika.
Why is international adoption so complicated?
Particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, international adoption can be complicated by global uncertainty – delayed travel and geopolitical disagreements and lack of diplomacy. These delays and confusions have left many children and families waiting much longer than expected to travel in order to be united. Furthermore, the global pandemic has certainly taken a toil on children around the world, leaving many more orphaned and in need.
Why is Advika’s story so hopeful?
Instead, Advika’s story contains hope and a future because one Christian family sought after this sweet girl who needed the love and acceptance of a family. Today, Advika is flourishing in her family, surrounded by love, security, and the gospel. Advika today is not only a daughter, but also a big sister to another little girl with vision impairment whom her family adopted.
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Is international adoption declining?
Over the last several years, international adoption has been on a sharp decline. Covid-19 exacerbated this trend and put a damper on many families considering adopting internationally. While some of the decline can be attributed to positive trends including healthy domestic interventions both by in-country churches and the government, the decline in international adoptions leaves a void of permanence for those children whose best available option is intercountry adoption. Some U.S. organizations have even stopped doing international adoptions altogether.
Did Donghai learn sign language?
Deaf from birth and placed in an orphanage, Donghai never believed he would learn to communicate, let alone be adopted into a family. He was wrong on both accounts. Donghai was adopted, but he was also told of the good news of Jesus and learned how to communicate in sign language. Donghai has now committed his life to go back to the deaf community in China to offer hope.
Who is Herbie Newell?
Herbie Newell is the President of Lifeline Children’s Services, the largest Evangelical Christian adoption agency in the United States. The organization serves vulnerable children and families through private domestic and international adoption, family restoration, and pregnancy counseling.
What does it mean to be without hope?
By contrast, those who do not place their trust in God are said to be without hope ( Ephesians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ). Along with faith and love, hope is an enduring virtue of the Christian life ( 1 Corinthians 13:13 ), and love springs from hope ( Colossians 1:4-5 ). Hope produces joy and peace in believers through the power …
How is hope produced?
Hope is produced by endurance through suffering ( Romans 5:2-5) and is the inspiration behind endurance ( 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:11 ). Those who hope in Christ will see Christ exalted in life and in death ( Philippians 1:20 ).
What is the hope of Christians?
Hope of Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:24-25 ). It is the future hope of the resurrection of the dead ( Acts 23:6 ), the promises given to Israel ( Acts 26:6-7 ), the redemption of the body and of the whole creation ( Romans 8:23-25 ), eternal glory ( Colossians 1:27 ), …
What is the New Testament hope?
The New Testament idea of hope is the recognition that in Christ is found the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises ( Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3 ). Christian hope is rooted in faith in the divine salvation in Christ ( Galatians 5:5 ). Hope of Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:24-25 ).
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Not Pursuing Adoption as a Means To Heal from Infertility
People begin the adoption journey for numerous reasons, but I would say that one of the most common reasons is a result of infertility. As one might assume, infertility changes people. It is traumatic, exhausting and a significant benchmark in the lives of those who experience it.
Adoption Is Not a Business
Adoptions transpire in many different ways, and although there are business-like components to an adoption, it is critical to note that the premise of adoption is not a business. There are many adoption agencies that seem to highlight or advertise how many children have been placed for adoption.
Open Adoption Is Not Scary and Post-Placement Is Vital
When families begin exploring adoption options, they are typically taught that there are essentially three different types of adoption: open, closed, or semi-open. While a hopeful adoptive parent may not be able to predict what a potential expectant parent may prefer, they should be open to all options to accommodate the expectant parents.
Ethical Practices Are the Norm
Anytime an entity is run like a business, there are risks for unethical practices. Businesses are run by humans, and sometimes humans make wrong decisions. It is my hope for the adoption community that ethical practices are the norm and that there is no tolerance for coercion, persuasion, financial misdoing, or trafficking.
Positive Adoption Language
The way society perceives, relates to, and understands adoption is mostly a reflection of all of us who are members of the adoption community. Perhaps one of the most influential ways we can add positivity to the future of the adoption community is through positive adoption language.
A Prognosis of the Future
As adoption continues to change within society, we are all charged with great responsibility as members of the adoption community. Now more than ever, people speak out when they see something wrong or off within adoption. Thanks to social media platforms, this is now easier than ever.
Why is hope a dead hope?
Natural (common) hope is often a dead hope because it is based on flimsy foundations. The terminally ill patient hopes for some miraculous cure so that he need not die within a few months. Newlyweds hope for a nice house, healthy children, and financial security. The hostages in Lebanon hope for more peaceful relations between Iran and other countries of the world. The Cryonics Society freezes bodies at the time of death, and hopes to resuscitate them after a medical cure for the disease is discovered. For the unbeliever, hope lies in the changing circumstances of life, and in the solutions that man can offer. The philosophy is this: “Sooner or later, things will have to improve.” And, “if you hang on long enough, your luck will have to change.”
What motivated the Apostle Paul?
The thing that kept on motivating the Apostle Paul was his earnest hope. We read about it in Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectations and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness . . . Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.” Paul, because of his hope, was confident that whether he would be released from prison—or face death—the cause of Christ would be advanced. Even death was not a frightening experience, because of his hope. We will pursue this truth further in the paragraphs that follow.
What is the difference between faith and hope?
There is a distinction between “faith” and “hope.” Faith relates more to the past. Hope looks ahead to the future. We speak of hope for tomorrow. We never hope for yesterday. A little boy stood with his father, looking at a group of puppies in the window of a pet shop. Dad said, “Which one would you take if you had your choice?” One of the puppies was wagging his tail, and the little fellow pointed to that particular puppy, and said, “I’d like the one with the happy ending.” Hope has to do with the future and especially with a happy ending.
Why do we need hope?
The present hurts of life, and uncertainty about what the future holds , create a constant need for hope. Most human beings long for something better. Hope is an essential ingredient for a balanced outlook on life. Take away hope from a person who meets with disappointment or tragedy, and he despairs of life. Our bodies and minds are constructed to withstand enormous amounts of pressure. We can survive the heat of the tropics and the icy winds of winter. We can go through long seasons of illness and bodily pain. We can face financial reverses and material losses. We can face all these things—if we don’t lose one ingredient—hope.
What does Jesus mean by "sleep"?
The word “sleep”: Jesus told His disciples that He was returning to the village of Bethany to wake Lazarus out of sleep ( John 11:11 ). Dead saints are described as those “who sleep in Jesus” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 ). Sleep is only for a while. We expect to awake out of sleep, refreshed for a new day. So it is with death for believers.
How has the world shrunk?
Today, Africa is our next door neighbor. A century ago, airplanes were unknown and automobiles were a novelty. Today space vehicles have carried men to the moon. When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, more than one hundred million people from all parts of the world watched him. What happens in Singapore or Hong Kong or Cairo or Bogota is flashed on newscasts just a few minutes later. The world has shrunk in size because airplanes now fly from one continent to another in just a few short hours. Millions of people travel from city to city or country to country daily.
How many references are there to Jesus coming again?
There are more than 300 references in the New Testament to our Lord’s Second Coming. If those references were spaced equi-distantly throughout the 27 books of the New Testament, on the average, one out of every 25 verses would be saying, “Jesus is coming again.” Nobody knows when He will return, but there are some major signs which say something about the nearness of His coming.