Deeply Rooted Ministries

There is this common misconception about Christians that many people outside of the Christian square often seem to miss or overlook. That is that believers are “only pro birth” and not pro-life.

A misconception that Christians only truly care about one thing and that is a child being born even if that means not a good life for the mother or for the child. The reality is, Christians are overwhelmingly pro-life from the womb to the tomb.

Much can be said about how Christians have historically and continually loved and cared for the vulnerable in this world. One way that Christians have this love and care is through adoption.

With the overturning of Roe v Wade, it is anticipated that more children are going to enter into the foster care system and are going to need to be adopted. Adoption is needed across the board as it is estimated that more than 400,000 children are in foster care in the United States and are without a permanent home. That number continues to grow.

Christians have historically been at the forefront of adopting children who are without a family. According to EthicsDaily.com, five percent of practicing Christians in the United States have adopted, which is more than twice the number of all non-Christian adults who have adopted.

In addition, one survey showed that 38 percent of practicing Christians had seriously considered adoption, while only 26 percent of all adults had. When you see a statistic like that, it is understandable why so many Christians have taken the step to adopt.

The Scriptures are full of the beautiful picture of adoption. Adopting a child is a beautiful picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It replicates what happens when God adopts someone when they are saved. One example of this is found in Galatians 4:6-7.

“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” 

When you become a believer in Jesus Christ, something happens where He causes you to no longer be a slave to sin but a child of God. You get to be an heir of God. What is great about adoption is those without a home and a family get the same rights as any child would.

The problem is that, even though there are so many who have the desire to adopt, several factors limit people from going forward in adopting those who are in need. One of the primary factors is the cost of adoption. It is estimated that any given adoption can cost between $2,000 to $5,000. This really limits those who want to seriously pursue adoption.

However, a positive development has happened in Oklahoma that will help cut the costs down for those who adopt, thanks to some strategic legislation that was enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.

Recently Oklahoma State Sen. Julie Daniels said, “This session we passed legislation to give more financial support to those seeking private adoption by providing a 10 percent tax credit for adoption expenses of up to $2,000 for an individual or $4,000 for those filing jointly. It might even be used to cover out-of-pocket expenses of those adopting through DHS.”

When hearing this news, one adopting couple said, “We felt led to open our home to children in foster care, then God called us to adopt three little boys. This wonderful blessing did not come without trials, and a $4,000 child credit would have been extremely helpful with our transition to a family of eight.”

For people looking to adopt, this new tax relief may help them in a significant way.

As Christians, we need to continue our efforts to help others who want to adopt. This means that we must put our money, resources and talents into places that help those who help others adopt, so we can continue to advance the pro-life movement, and love others how Christ loves us. With these actions, we will help children in need and advance life in Oklahoma and beyond.

In 2013, North Dakota became the first state to pass a heartbeat law. This meant that one could not have an abortion if there was evidence of a heartbeat. This bill would usher in a new era in the struggle for the sanctity of human life.

Unfortunately, that bill would later be blocked by the Supreme Court. This did not stop other states from trying to get their own form of a heartbeat bill passed. Twenty one of the 50 states have at least proposed one of these kinds of bills, including Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Baptists are well-known for our commitment the unborn. For our commitment to the Sanctity of Human Life and to seeing the end of legalized abortion. Because of this, there is major work to be done in protecting unborn life.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has made countless statements that he is committed to signing every bill to protect the unborn in our state.

The most recent Oklahoma measure to be approved was Senate Bill 612, which makes performing an abortion a felony, with possible imprisonment for up to 10 years, fines up to one hundred thousand dollars, and or both. This bill also recognizes that the child in the womb is in fact a person.

Other bills under consideration include House Bill 4327, which is styled after the Texas Heartbeat bill that was approved last year and has withstood challenges in the court to date. I personally believe bills such as these are a big win for the unborn and the pro-life movement.

At the same time, we recognize that in this world, we must also change hearts and minds on this issue, not only laws. Abortion is truly a heart issue. Even as we Christians work to see laws passed that end abortion, we must also remain faithful ministers of the Gospel. If we want the biggest change at a national level, hearts must be changed. We recognize that abortion issue is a Gospel issue and that the Gospel brings life.

While legislation can protect the unborn, changed hearts protect each other. Bible-believing Christians know that abortion is the taking of an innocent life. Christians have long held to the idea that we are created in the image of God, and because of that we have value and worth. (Gen. 1:26-28) Being made in His image means that we should treat all persons with love and respect, and this includes the unborn.

When it comes to the heart, it must be changed. The only true change of heart comes with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ comes and takes the only heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26). Changed hearts are motivated hearts, and motived hearts fight for life.

The next time you come across someone who defends legalized abortion, go to their heart, see if they know Jesus, show them the love of Christ, witness to them, and pray that the same God Who changed you can change them.

While we thank God for His work through our local, state and national politicians who try to pass legislation to outlaw abortion, the greatest change for all hearts is when one is changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. There is no other gospel. The only true gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ. No other gospel can replace the one that Paul preached to the people of Galatia. No other gospel comes from God. No other gospel saves. No other gospel is to be proclaimed. Key verse Galatians 1:6.
   
2. The power of the true gospel message changes everything about a Christian’s life. Pauls life shows us our need for Christ. Pauls life shows us what grace from Christ looks like. Pauls life shows us faithfulness to Christ. Key verses Galatians 1:23-34
   
3. A person can only be made right with God by faith alone in Jesus Christ! Being saved by faith means you believe the right things. Being saved by faith means doing the right things. Key verse Galatians 2:20
   
4. Believers in Christ must walk in the Spirit in order to produce food fruit, and kill bad fruit. Walking by the Spirit is key to living a faithful Christian life. Bad fruit comes by walking in the flesh. Good fruit comes by walking in the Spirit. Christ’s death gives confidence that we can walk by the Spirit. Key verses Galatians 5:19-23
   
5. Remembering the Cross means boasting in the work of Christ and not the works of man. Not remembering the cross produces false teachers that boast in themselves. Remembering the Cross produces faithful teachers that boast in Christ. Remembering the Cross helps you live a faithful Christian life. Galatians 6:14

The Christmas season for most usually means the buying and getting of gifts. Every year it seems to start earlier and earlier. For most with families, the stresses of buying for kids, family and others seems to dominate the whole holiday season. With all this busyness going on we forget why we celebrate Christmas to begin with.The gospels provide us with a unique picture of the birth of Jesus Christ. They provide his parents journey and the famous story of the wise men. Most importantly they provide us with unique incite to why he came. Matthew 1:21-23says,“ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place tofulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:“Behold, the virgin shall conceive andbear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”When we think about the birth of Jesus we don’t typically think about the mission of Christ. But if you look at the verses above you can clearly see that Christ’s mission was to save his people from their sins.Since Adam in the garden, all mankind has struggled with sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. As a result, we are all separated from God. This isn’t your typical Christmas cheer, but very bad news. However, scripture teaches us about the good news of what would come from the life of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”. Going back to Matthew we see the fulfillment of the promise in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. He lived that perfect life that you and I never could, and he died the death that you and I deserve. BUT he rose again on the third day proving that he had dominion over sin and death. This holiday season I want you to focus on not just the birth of Jesus, but also his death and what that means for sinners like you and me. Danny Akin recently said, “Christmas makes no sense apart from Easter. If you want to look at the real Christmas tree you should look at the cross on Calvary. That is why He came!” This Christmas season I challenge you to not only look with anticipation to celebrating his birth but remember why he came. To forgive the sins of his people and restore them to God forever. Do you know that truth this season? If not, repent of your sin and enter into his presence today!

Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 

Psalm 139:14 says it so well, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Each person has value because they are made into the image of God, by God. With that in mind, I am thankful that my baby girl is turning 1 year old today. She has brought me such joy, and I couldn’t image life without her.  The first time I saw her she stole my heart, and it has been amazing seeing her grow this past year. I love her smile, her laugh, and her personality, and day by day my love for her grows. Yet as she turns 1 today I cannot help but miss her twin sister Hannah Joy. 

Often in life Joy meets sorrow. This doesn’t mean that I don’t love Isabella, but I often mourn the what ifs in life. The biggest what if in my life in Hannah Joy. Hannah was the one I never got to see smile, laugh, and see her personality, yet as each day goes by my love for her grows. I often think about it like this, when I hold my sweet girl Isabella  my heavenly father is holding Hannah. See life is full of many emotions, and today I am overwhelmed by joy, and still sorrowful that my baby Hannah is not here with me. 

I named her Hannah for a few reasons. Hannah was the mother of Samuel, and she did not have children, and yet that did not keep her from praying to God that she would have a child one day. By the grace of God he gave her a child. Look at these powerful words found in scripture, “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:10-20 

The same words that Hannah echoed were ones that my wife and I echoed when we were praying for a child, and while it took longer than we wanted the Lord gave us a child. Not only did he give us a child, but he gave us two. We found out we were having twins because of a scare one night that led us to go to the hospital.  During our time there they did an ultrasound, and found two healthy heartbeats. We were surprised, but overjoyed of the thought of having twins. But a little over a month later my wife had an ultrasound, and Hannah joy was gone. She not only didn’t have a heartbeat any longer, she was not even  seen on the ultrasound. One of the children we had been praying for went home to be with the Lord. A loss of a child is a pain you will never forget. 

I quickly remembered in Scripture the story where David losses a child himself and was quickly reminded of theses words, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:23b While I will not see Hannah on this earth, I will see her in heaven one day. Not only will I see her in heaven one day I get to be her dad and I get to be the dad to my Isabella Hope on this earth. See Often in life Joy meets sorrow, but when you are in Christ Joy overshadows the darkness of days. 

See I didn’t say how that Joy reigned in my life during those dark times, and those moments of darkness. It is because Christ is the source of my joy. John 15:11 says, These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John Piper says it like this, “ Fullness of joy in the age to come means so much joy that all competing, contrary emotions will be gone.” While this is hard to grasp when I put my joy in Christ the overwhelming sorrow, and hurt seems small in comparison. The beauty of Christian joy is that is doesn’t depend on circumstances. This is why when tragedy strikes you can set your eyes upon Jesus, and everything else seems so small. While days like today are hard, they are full of so much joy, because of Christ, and what he has done for me on the cross. I am thankful for the words that follow in John 16:20-33 that say, “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.1 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. iIn the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

Often in life Joy meets sorrow but Christians should take note that Jesus has overcome the world! That means your joy can be full. 

• I love the quote by Kevin DeYoung it says, “The will of God for your life is pretty straightforward: Be holy like Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, for the glory of God.” While the quote is powerful it doesn’t get to the heart of how sanctification works. Recently, I have been thinking more and more about sanctification. Often we hear a lot of things about justification or glorification, but not a lot on sanctification. I began reading a book by David Powlison called, How Does Sanctification Work? In the book, He gives five simple truths of how sanctification works. In this short article, I want to explain how I believe these truths can help you become more like Christ.
• The first truth is God, himself, changes you. This is what I believe to be the most important aspect about sanctification. As Christians we are to depend on God to change us. As believers we have the Holy Spirit in us that helps us conform to the image of Christ. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” I love what one commentator said about this verse, he says, “by his indwelling presence in you, in individual believers and in the community as a whole, God directs, strengthens, and sustains eventhe will-to-work.” The indwelling of the Spirit of God causes a radical shift from our formal selves. Giving us the ability to now with his strength, become more like Christ.
• The second truth is the Word of truth changes you. Two passages come to mind, when thinking about this truth. The first is John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” The word sanctify means to be set apart. The word of God sets us apart from the world. It teaches us everything we need to know about life and Godliness. Without the word of God, we can never truly understand what sanctification actually looks like. Another passage that comes tomind is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” As fallen individuals we need to be taught the word of God. This verse gives us an outline of how this takes place. God teaches us through his word how to be like him. He shows us our errors, and where we may need correction. Thus it results is Godliness. In the sanctification process, Christians need the full council of God.
• The third truth is wise people change you. Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Christians today have a wide varietyof access to good biblical teaching. However, I believe this must start in your own local church. Ibelieve God puts faithful elders and teachers in your own local context to teach you about himself. These wise individuals not only teach you, about God but model what it looks like to be a faithful follower of Christ. In addition to your own local church, seek out other Godly men and women who can help you become more like Christ. I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to seminary and learn from great men of God, while this is not in everyone’s plans there are great teachers of the word of God that can help you grow in your faith. You can do this by finding time to read a book or check out the many other resources that are available to us.
• The fourth truth is suffering, struggle and troubles change you. Contrary to popular beliefthe Christian life is not without suffering, struggling, and troubles. Currently in the life of my church we have experienced as a various trials. However, I have seen God work in all of those ways to glorify himself. Romans 8:28 is a verse that always comes to mind it says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” I love what Douglas Moo says about this verse he says, “Essentially, it promises that nothing will touch our lives that is not under the control and direction of our loving heavenly Father. Everything we do and say, everything people do to us or say about us, every experience we will ever have—all are sovereignly used by God for our good. We will not always understand how the things we experience work to good, and we certainly will not always enjoy them. But we do know that nothing comes into our lives that God does not allow and use for his own beneficent purposes. Paul’s overarching purpose in Romans 5–8 is to give us assurance for the life to come. But verses like 8:28 show that he also wants to give us assurance for the present life as well. God has ordained not only the ends but the means.” Whatever we may be going through in our lives, God will use it for a purpose. As we walk through life trials will come our way. We must trust that God will use those events to grow us into his likeness.
• The fifth truth is you will be changed. I believe each and every one of these truths teach us how sanctification works. Sanctification starts with God. We cannot live the Christian life without his Spirit in us. Without that relationship true sanctification will never happen. You must be rooted in the word of God.
• I challenge you to ask yourself these few questions. Do you have a relationship with God? Are you consistently in the word of God? Are you surrounding yourself with wise council? Are you connected to the local church? Do you have accountability with other believers? Are you benefiting from the great teachings we have access to? Do you see life’s biggest struggles as opportunity to grow closer to the lord? Do you have change in your life? If not, I challenge you, to see what you may be missing