From Orphan to Heir: The Basics of God’s Adoption - Ep 17
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on Episode 17 of the Milk to Meat Discipleship Podcast.
Listen to the full podcast on all podcasts platforms (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Cliffview App)
5-Day Devotional: Embraced by the Father
Day 1: Chosen Before Time
Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6
Devotional: Before the universe existed, God knew you. This wasn't passive awareness—it was active, intentional love. Paul reminds us that God predestined us for adoption not because we earned it, but because of "the kind intention of His will." You weren't an accident or afterthought. Like an intricate Lego build requires purposeful design, God crafted you with precision and placed you in this exact moment in history. Your identity isn't found in cultural trends or personal achievements, but in being chosen by the Creator. Today, reject the lie that you're here by chance. You are on purpose, for a purpose. Let this truth anchor your identity when the world tries to redefine who you are.
Day 2: The Cost of Love
Reading: Romans 5:6-8
Devotional: Adoption into God's family wasn't cheap—it cost Jesus His life and the Father His Son. While salvation is a free gift to us, it was purchased at the highest price imaginable. Imagine someone offering you a mansion and you responding with a dollar bill. Our good works are equally insufficient compared to Christ's sacrifice. We bring nothing but our need; He brings everything we lack. This isn't a transaction where we negotiate terms—it's grace that transforms spiritual orphans into beloved children. The cross declares that you're worth everything to God. Your value isn't determined by your performance but by His sacrifice. Today, stop trying to earn what's already been freely given. Simply receive.
Day 3: Permanent Belonging
Reading: Hebrews 13:5-6
Devotional: In a world of shifting loyalties and conditional relationships, God makes an absolute promise: "I will never leave you or forsake you." This isn't spin or political posturing—it's the unchanging word of an unchanging God. Adoption secures permanent belonging with no fear of abandonment. You cannot be un-adopted from God's family. His commitment doesn't depend on your performance, feelings, or circumstances. When everything else proves unstable, this promise remains concrete. We were created with a God-shaped space in our hearts, and nothing else will satisfy that longing for belonging—not sports teams, careers, or relationships. Only in God's family do we find the security our souls crave. Today, rest in this unshakeable truth: you belong to Him, permanently.
Day 4: Proactive Love
Reading: 1 John 4:9-10, 19
Devotional: God's love doesn't wait for us to clean up our act. He moves toward us while we're still messy, broken, and lost. This is the beauty of adoption—He takes us as we are, where we are, and then transforms us. We don't love Him first; He loved us first. His love is proactive and intentional, not reactive or conditional. Like a father running to embrace a wayward child, God pursues us with relentless grace. Before you could even recognize your need, He was already working out your rescue. This should revolutionize how you view yourself and others. If God loved you in your mess, extend that same grace to those around you. Today, reflect on areas where you're waiting to "be ready" for God. He's already ready for you.
Day 5: Living as Family
Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
Devotional: Adoption doesn't just change our relationship with God—it changes our relationship with every other believer. We're not isolated individuals; we're one family, one body. Denominational differences fade in light of this profound unity. Every believer, regardless of background, is your spiritual sibling. This family identity should shape how we treat one another—with patience, forgiveness, and love. God didn't adopt you to live in isolation but to thrive in community. Your spiritual family needs your unique gifts and calling. Remember, God placed you in this specific time because you're equipped to handle what's coming and to excel in advancing His kingdom. Today, identify one way you can actively participate in God's family. Reach out, serve, encourage—live as the beloved child and sibling you are.
For further discussion or questions about discipleship, contact: milktomeatdiscipleship@gmail.com
Listen to the full podcast on all podcasts platforms (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Cliffview App)
5-Day Devotional: Embraced by the Father
Day 1: Chosen Before Time
Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6
Devotional: Before the universe existed, God knew you. This wasn't passive awareness—it was active, intentional love. Paul reminds us that God predestined us for adoption not because we earned it, but because of "the kind intention of His will." You weren't an accident or afterthought. Like an intricate Lego build requires purposeful design, God crafted you with precision and placed you in this exact moment in history. Your identity isn't found in cultural trends or personal achievements, but in being chosen by the Creator. Today, reject the lie that you're here by chance. You are on purpose, for a purpose. Let this truth anchor your identity when the world tries to redefine who you are.
Day 2: The Cost of Love
Reading: Romans 5:6-8
Devotional: Adoption into God's family wasn't cheap—it cost Jesus His life and the Father His Son. While salvation is a free gift to us, it was purchased at the highest price imaginable. Imagine someone offering you a mansion and you responding with a dollar bill. Our good works are equally insufficient compared to Christ's sacrifice. We bring nothing but our need; He brings everything we lack. This isn't a transaction where we negotiate terms—it's grace that transforms spiritual orphans into beloved children. The cross declares that you're worth everything to God. Your value isn't determined by your performance but by His sacrifice. Today, stop trying to earn what's already been freely given. Simply receive.
Day 3: Permanent Belonging
Reading: Hebrews 13:5-6
Devotional: In a world of shifting loyalties and conditional relationships, God makes an absolute promise: "I will never leave you or forsake you." This isn't spin or political posturing—it's the unchanging word of an unchanging God. Adoption secures permanent belonging with no fear of abandonment. You cannot be un-adopted from God's family. His commitment doesn't depend on your performance, feelings, or circumstances. When everything else proves unstable, this promise remains concrete. We were created with a God-shaped space in our hearts, and nothing else will satisfy that longing for belonging—not sports teams, careers, or relationships. Only in God's family do we find the security our souls crave. Today, rest in this unshakeable truth: you belong to Him, permanently.
Day 4: Proactive Love
Reading: 1 John 4:9-10, 19
Devotional: God's love doesn't wait for us to clean up our act. He moves toward us while we're still messy, broken, and lost. This is the beauty of adoption—He takes us as we are, where we are, and then transforms us. We don't love Him first; He loved us first. His love is proactive and intentional, not reactive or conditional. Like a father running to embrace a wayward child, God pursues us with relentless grace. Before you could even recognize your need, He was already working out your rescue. This should revolutionize how you view yourself and others. If God loved you in your mess, extend that same grace to those around you. Today, reflect on areas where you're waiting to "be ready" for God. He's already ready for you.
Day 5: Living as Family
Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
Devotional: Adoption doesn't just change our relationship with God—it changes our relationship with every other believer. We're not isolated individuals; we're one family, one body. Denominational differences fade in light of this profound unity. Every believer, regardless of background, is your spiritual sibling. This family identity should shape how we treat one another—with patience, forgiveness, and love. God didn't adopt you to live in isolation but to thrive in community. Your spiritual family needs your unique gifts and calling. Remember, God placed you in this specific time because you're equipped to handle what's coming and to excel in advancing His kingdom. Today, identify one way you can actively participate in God's family. Reach out, serve, encourage—live as the beloved child and sibling you are.
For further discussion or questions about discipleship, contact: milktomeatdiscipleship@gmail.com
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