Mother's Day Miracles
Sermon: Mother’s Day Miracles…* every birth is a miracle 5-13-07
Miracle Moms: Sarai, Rebekah, Rachel, Samson’s mom, Hannah, Elizabeth
SARAH TEACHES US ABOUT WAITING
Gen 11:30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no children. (NBLH) Pero Sarai era estéril; no tenía hijo.
She had a long wait but she didn’t wait long enough for God
Waiting is hard, when we are in a hurry……Waiting is hard, when we do it in the “flesh”
Waiting on God offers no shortcuts
Heb.11:11 (NKJV) By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. (RV60) Por la fe también la misma Sara, siendo estéril, recibió fuerza para concebir; y dio a luz aun fuera del tiempo de la edad, porque creyó que era fiel quien lo había prometido.
*Is this God’s solution or my solution…..Is this my Ishmael or God’s Isaac?
Gal.4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now (RV60) Así que, hermanos, nosotros, como Isaac, somos hijos de la promesa. Pero como entonces el que había nacido según la carne perseguía al que había nacido según el Espírit, así también ahora
Sarah possible @ 15 perhaps married at 15
Sarai 65 when they left for Haran (Gen.12:4);
Sarai 75 when she gave Abraham the Egyptian maidservant Hagar in Canaan (Gen.16:3)
Sarah 76 when Ishmael was born (Gen.16:16)……..61 yr wait for a baby
Sarah was 90 when her own baby Isaac was born (Gen.17:17) …..75 yr wait
Gen 17:17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"
2Kg 6:33 While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, "This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?" (RV60) Aún estaba él hablando con ellos, y he aquí el mensajero que descendía a él; y dijo: Ciertamente este mal de Jehová viene. ¿Para qué he de esperar más a Jehová?
1Pet 3:20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, (DHH) Estos habían sido desobedientes en tiempos antiguos, enlos días de Noé, cuando Dios esperaba con paciencia mientras seconstruía el arca, en la que algunas personas, ocho en total,fueron salvadas por medio del agua
Ps 119:84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?
5:3 In the morning O LORD you hear my voice in the morning I lay my requests before you & wait in expectation
Ps 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Ps 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
Ps 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him
Ps 37:34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you…
Isai 8:17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.
Isai 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Isai 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Tit 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our great God & Savior JC
REBEKAH TEACHS US THE VALUE OF A PRAYER PARTNER
Gen 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. (RV60) Y oró Isaac a Jehová por su mujer, que era estéril; y [el Senor lo escucho] lo aceptó Jehová, y concibió Rebeca su mujer.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
(RV60) Pero el ángel le dijo: Zacarías, no temas; porque tu oración ha sido oída, y tu mujer Elisabet te dará a luz un hijo, y llamarás su nombre Juan.
You never know which will be the turning point prayer…….so keep praying.
God said “not yet….not yet….not yet…..not yet….then one day He said: “YES”
Lk.18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (DHH) Jesús les contó una parábola para enseñarles que debían orar siempre, sin desanimarse. [y no desfallecer, y no desmayar, no tirar la toalla]
1Pet 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (NBLH) Ustedes, maridos, igualmente, convivan de manera comprensiva con sus mujeres, como con un vaso más frágil, puesto que es mujer, dándole honor por ser heredera como ustedes de la gracia de la vida, para que sus oraciones no sean estorbadas.
4 out of every 10 births last year were to single women. In 2005 about 4.1 million babies were born in the US and 1.5 million (37%) of those were to unwed women.
Isai 54:5 For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. (NBLH) Porque tu esposo es tu Hacedor, El SEÑOR de los ejércitos es Su nombre; Y tu Redentor es el Santo de Israel, Que se llama Dios de toda la tierra.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Heb 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
RACHEL TEACHES US ABOUT GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY …..in the midst of a marital mess
Gen 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren (RV60) Y vio Jehová que Lea era menospreciada, y le dio hijos; pero Raquel era estéril. [pero a Raquel la mantuvo estéril]
Some women make a huge mess before they become mothers….yet God can overcome it all! Some children are born into a mess
Some woman make a huge mess after they become mothers……yet God can overcome it all! Some children grow up in a mess
Lev 18:18 "`Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living. (NVI) "No te casarás con la hermana de tu esposa, ni tendrás relaciones sexuales con ella mientras tu esposa viva, para no crear rivalidades entre ellas. See Gen.2:4
The Marital Mess:
29:23 Jabob slept with Leah
29:30 Jacob slept with Rachel, her sister one week later
29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren
Lea gives birth to Rubén (29:32)
Leah gives birth to Simeón (29:33)
Leah gives birth to Leví (29:34)
Leah gives birth to Judá (29:35)….cf Matt.1:2b-16 lineage that led to Jesus!!!
2Kg.21:19-24 OT example godly kids (Josiah) from ungodly parents (Amon)
Rachel gives her servant Bilha to Jacob and she gives birth to Dan (30:6)
Bilhah gives birth to Neftalí (30:8)
Leah gives Zilpa to Jacob and gives birth to Gad (30:11)
Zilpah gives birth to Aser (30:12)
Leah gives birth to Isacar (30:18), hires Jacob from Rachel for her son’s mandrakes/mandrágoras
(superstitiously viewed in the ancient world as “love-apples,” an aphrodisiac or fertility-inducing narcotic) but only God can give life (6,17,20,22)
Leah gives birth to Zabulón (30:20)
Leah gives birth to Dina (30:21)
* Rachel gives birth to José (30:24)
* Rachel gives birth to Ben-oni / Benjamin (35:18)
Isa.61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (DHH) a dar a los afligidos de Sión una corona en vez de ceniza, perfume de alegría en vez de llanto, cantos de alabanza en vez de desesperación. Los llamarán "robles victoriosos", plantados por el Señor para mostrar su gloria.
SAMSON’S MOM TEACHES US ABOUT A MOM’S HEARTACHES
Judg 13:2 [Samson’s mom] A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless. 3 The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.
(RV60) Y había un hombre de Zora, de la tribu de Dan, el cual se llamaba Manoa; y su mujer
era estéril, y nunca había tenido hijos. 3 A esta mujer apareció el ángel de Jehová, y le dijo: He
aquí que tú eres estéril, y nunca has tenido hijos; pero concebirás y darás a luz un hijo.
it’s not easy being a mom…..kids bring your greatest joy but also your greatest pain
Great start (miraculous birth) and great finish (right relationship with God) but with a tragic period in between (weakness for pagan women 3 – phil woman & prostitute & Deliliah)
13:24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him
14:1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife." 3 His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me. She's the right one for me."
16:1 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.
16:4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was “Dalila”
16:21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. (RV60) Los filisteos lo prendieron y le sacaron los ojos; y llevándolo a Gaza, lo ataron con cadenas de bronce y lo pusieron a girar el molino en la prisión.
16:28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." (LBA) Sansón invocó al Señor y dijo: Señor Dios, te ruego que te acuerdes de mí, y te suplico que me des fuerzas sólo esta vez, oh Dios, para vengarme ahora de los filisteos por mis dos ojos.
16:31 he led Israel 20 years
Heb.11:32 Hall of Faith
Testimonies:
Cathy – Joey left about Christmas and hasn’t come back
Irma – son on drugs and you see him ruining and wasting his life
7th Day Slumber lead singer (his poor poor mom paid $1,000 day/30 days rehab and he was high on the 31st…….found him overdosed…..
HANNAH TEACHES US ABOUT BEING MISUNDERSTOOD
only God truly understands the depth of your pain
1Sam.1:5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. (NIV) Pero a Ana le daba una porción especial,[2] pues la amaba a pesar de que el Señor la había hecho estéril. 6 Penina, su rival, solía atormentarla para que se enojara, ya que el Señor la había hecho estéril.
2Cor 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, (DHH) Alabado sea el Dios y Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, puesél es el Padre que nos tiene compasión y el Dios que siempre nosconsuela.
Jame 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
1Sam 1:2,5-20 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" 9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." 12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." 15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." 17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."
* Misunderstood by her husband……..* Misunderstood by her priest
Prov 14:10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. (DHH) El
corazón conoce sus propias amarguras, y no comparte sus alegrías con ningún extraño.
Ps 13:2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts & every day have sorrow in my heart? How
long will my enemy triumph over me? DHH ¿Hasta cuándo mi alma y mi corazón
habrán de sufrir y estar tristes todo el día?
Ps 55:4 My heart is in anguish within me….(NBLH) Angustiado está mi corazón dentro de mí
Ps 109:22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. (NIV) profundamente
herido está mi corazón.
Ps 102:4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. (RV60) Mi
corazón está herido, y seco como la hierba, Por lo cual me olvido de comer mi pan.
ELISABETH TEACHES US THAT WE ARE ALL THE SAME We struggle w/ same issues
Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. (RV60) Ambos eran justos delante de Dios, y andaban irreprensibles en todos los mandamientos y ordenanzas del Señor. 7 Pero no tenían hijo, porque Elisabet era estéril, y ambos eran ya de edad avanzada.
Lk. 1:36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
Common struggles: trust, fear, failure, relationships, priorities, self-worth,
You can have a great relationship with your God and a great marital relationship with your husband……..but even that won’t spare you from heavy burdens/trials
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IF GOD CHOOSES TO LEAVE A WOMAN CHILDLESS IT TEACHES US ABOUT THE THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST
1Chr 2:30 The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children. 32 The sons of Jada, Shammai's brother: Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children. (DHH) Los hijos de Nadab fueron Séled y Apaim. Séled murió sinhijos. 32 Los hijos de Jadá, hermano de Samai, fueron Jéter yJonatán. Jéter murió sin hijos.
2Cor 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (RV60) Y me ha dicho: Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad. Por tanto, de buena gana me gloriaré más bien en mis debilidades, para que repose sobre mí el poder de Cristo.
Phil.4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
NIV No digo esto porque esté necesitado, pues he aprendido a estar satisfecho [contentarme] en
cualquier situación en que me encuentre. 12 Sé lo que es vivir en la pobreza, y lo que es vivir en
la abundancia. He aprendido a vivir en todas y cada una de las circunstancias, tanto a quedar
saciado como a pasar hambre, a tener de sobra como a sufrir escasez. 13 Todo lo puedo en
Cristo que me fortalece.
Ps 32:11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad… (NBLH) Alégrense en el SEÑOR y regocíjense, justos;
Den voces de júbilo todos ustedes, los rectos de corazón.
Hab 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (NVI) aun así, yo me regocijaré en el Señor, ¡me alegraré en Dios, mi libertador! [Salvador]
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (NVI) Alégrense siempre en el Señor. Insisto: ¡Alégrense!
#1 WAIT FOR A MIRACLE
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Hannah, Samson’s mom, Elisabeth,
# CONSIDER ADOPTION
From more than 100 countries for publication this spring, and found that in a world of 2.2 billion children under age 18, fewer than 12 per 100,000 are being adopted. In other words, in a total global population of 6.5 billion, there are annually only about 260,000 adoptions of all kinds—including those within countries, across borders and of step-children—almost half of the total in the United States, with China and Russia distant second and third.
Esth 2:15 When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.
Rom 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Rom 9:4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
Eph 1:5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
#3 In vitro Fertilization (Wendy’s testimony) fecundación in vitro
niño probeta = test tube baby
You asked me to put on paper what feelings I went through during our journey to become parents. I actually put a timeline together and just looking at the timeline, I am in awe over how the Lord worked in our lives. My timeline included approximately when we purposefully began trying to have children, our attempts to become pregnant via fertility doctors, and our proceeding to finally go down the path of adoption and all the amazing circumstances of our lives as a couple and finally as parents.
The Lord placed in my heart a very strong desire to be a mother. For this reason, I can’t think of a time when I didn’t imagine myself getting married and being a mom. Therefore, it never entered my mind that I would struggle having children. This problem did not exist in our family so there was no doubt that I would be able to conceive. Imagine my disbelief when this finally became a reality. The doctors labeled me as a person with “unexplained infertility” although I realize now that my “unexplained” circumstance was actually explained. By this I mean, I know that the Lord had a purpose, and still does, for our circumstances. I just thank Him for allowing me to finally stop struggling with our situation and let Him take control of our life.
During our six year struggle, I went through many different feelings which included despair, disbelief, anger, heart ache, deep sadness and sometimes acceptance. Because the Lord kept prompting events in my life which I knew were not circumstantial, I understood that His hand was in my life and that His timing would be perfect; however, I nevertheless would struggle with impatience and a lack of understanding. I tried to do what I thought was the Lord’s will in our lives (mainly speaking of infertility doctors and treatments), but I was always met with an uneasy, confused and joyless spirit. My struggles seemed never ending. I couldn’t watch a children’s play or any kind of children’s performance at church, tv, school, the mall or anywhere without sobbing. I imagined my situation to last an eternity, and I continued in this cycle of acceptance and despair, heartache, deep sadness and emotional weariness. It wasn’t until we finally devoted our lives to the path of adoption that we finally found peace and joy in this area of our life.
Looking back now I can see how the Lord’s will was always so present and true in my life and just so ready for me to grasp it into my being and allow it to lead me. How could I not have known that my confusion was not His leading for me because He is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33)? How could I have not realized all along that He was ready and willing to give me His peace? I was so ready to grasp the world’s ideal and solution for a happy family that I didn’t stop to think that this was not the Lord’s will for my life. (Matthew 16:24-25; John 14:25).
This time of reflection has allowed me to remember that through my trials and tribulations the Lord was able to produce a patience in me once I stopped struggling and learned to wait on the Lord for His perfect timing. It taught me that the Lord was good waiting for me and therefore allowed me to begin to learn to hope because I’ve seen how he has worked in my life in the past. It has taught me to have faith because even though I may not know what the Lord is doing, I can rely on Him. I pray that I can remember this lesson in every circumstance of my life, but I know one thing is for sure, if I need some remembering, He will certainly bring me back to a place of re-learning. God is so good!!!
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WENDY’S STORY
Hadley – $14,000 (they tried for 2 yrs before invitrio fertilization)
*William (saved his bro/sis), Buddy,
Friend who had triples but none survived due to infection of 1 passed to 2 others
Others that had tried 6-7 times
Orian (natural)
*Hardest point was birth of Jairus
WAITING VV
Gene 8:10 He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark.
Exod 24:14 He said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them."
Num 9:8 Moses answered them, Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you
Josh 18:3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?
Judg 6:18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."
And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return."
Ruth 3:18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
1Sam 10:8 "Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do."
1Sam 13:8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter.
1Sam 14:9 If they say to us, `Wait there until we come to you,' we will stay where we are and not go up to them.
1Sam 20:19 The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel.
2Sam 18:14 Joab said, "I'm not going to wait like this for you." So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree.
2Kg 6:33 While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, "This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?"
Jehoram rightly viewed the Lord as the instigator of the siege and famine in Samaria and declared that he saw no hope that the Lord would reverse this situation.
When Joram did arrive he asked Elisha why he should wait . . . any longer for God to act. Apparently Elisha had told Joram that God had said he should not surrender to Ben-Hadad but should wait for divine deliverance. Since that help was not forthcoming Joram had decided to take matters into his own hands. As he had done many times before he was disobeying the orders of his Lord through Elisha, acting as an unfaithful administrator (1 Sam. 15:11). Since, as Joram stated, the disaster (the siege and the famine) was from the Lord, the king should have obeyed Him
Mientras Israel persistió en sus pecados, Dios levantó a Ben-adad para que le sirviera de adversario y lo hiciera retornar a Él. El sitio de los sirios de Ben-adad fue tan severo que causó hambruna e Israel recurrió al canibalismo, y Joram culpó a Eliseo de la tragedia.
Job 7:2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages
Job 14:14 If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.
Job 29:21 "Men listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
Job 29:23 They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.
Job 32:4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.
Job 32:11 I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,
Ps 38:15 I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.
Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
Ps 106:13 But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel.
Ps 119:166 I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands.
Ps 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Ps.130:6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Prov 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Prov 20:22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
Isai 26:8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.
Isai 38:13 I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me.
Isai 51:5 My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.
Lame 3:24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Lame 3:26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Dani 12:12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
Hose 12:6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Jona 4:5 Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.
Mica 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Zeph 3:8 Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify.
I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them
all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.
Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 12:36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
Rom 8:19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
Rom 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
1Cor 1:7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
1Cor 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
1Thes 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Heb 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Jame 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Rev 6:11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
COMPASSION VV
Exod 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
Neh 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
Ps 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Ps 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Ps 111:4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
Ps 116:5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
Ps 119:156 Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws.
Ps 145:8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Isai 63:7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us-- yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
Jer 31:20 Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,"
declares the LORD.
Lam 3:22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail
Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Jona 4:2 He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
Matt 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matt 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matt 15:32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
Matt 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Mark 1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Mark 8:2 "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.
Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
Roma 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
Adoption Options Adoptions can be divided into a number of different categories, the broadest being related (when the child is adopted by a family member or stepparent) or nonrelated. Approximately half of all adoptions in the United States are related. In nonrelated adoptions, there are two main categories: domestic (when a child is adopted within the same country) and international. The wait time for international adoptions is typically shorter. There is greater opportunity to specify the age and gender of a child, and there are fewer restrictions for who may adopt. Common drawbacks are that the children are rarely newborns, there is more legal paperwork, and the process can be quite costly — although the fees are often more predictable. Most international adoptions are closed adoptions, meaning the identity of the birth mother is unknown to the adoptive family. This can be a disadvantage to the child’s emotional development and to her physical development when medical history is unknown. In open adoptions, there is a relationship between the birth mother and the adoptive family, before and/or after birth. These agreements range from simply leaving records open for the child to investigate later, to regular pictures and updates, to scheduled visits and contact. Regardless of the arrangement, persons from all sides of the process benefit when the terms are secured in writing. Most adoption professionals consider open adoptions a healthier situation for the child and both sets of parents. Most independent adoptions are open. A birth mother and an adoptive family choose each other and make an adoption plan that is completed by an attorney. Birth mothers and the adoptive families can determine their own terms for the adoption, offering less privacy but more peace of mind. Although they are often faster, less expensive and allow for more freedom — especially from the birth mother’s viewpoint — independent adoptions are illegal in a few states. Families in all states may identify their own adoption plans and then bring it to an agency to complete. Agencies may be public (funded by the state) or private (profit and nonprofit). Public agencies place children who are wards of the state due to abandonment, abuse or neglect. They are the least expensive with the shortest waiting time of all adoptions. However, most children placed by public agencies have special needs, and few are healthy newborns. Families may have the option of foster parenting before completing the adoption. Private agencies can place these children, but they may also place children who have been brought to the agency by the mother before or after birth (giving her the opportunity to choose the family who will adopt her child). Private agencies are more selective of both birth mothers and adoptive families. But while waiting for both parents’ custody relinquishment, children may be placed in foster care or risky placements, and families may lose significant amounts of money when placements fail. Profit agencies may place children more quickly but they are more expensive than nonprofit agencies. You should choose only a reputable agency that is licensed in the state in which it operates. In a transracial adoption, children are placed with an adoptive family of another race. This type of adoption may fall under any of the categories previously listed and amounts to roughly 8 percent of all adoptions. A new option available to parents, and especially attractive to infertile couples, is “embryo adoption.” Couples who are attempting pregnancy by in vitro fertilization often create more zygotes than are used, which are subsequently frozen for storage. The genetic parents may choose to place these zygotes for “adoption,” making them available to another couple for pregnancy through an embryo adoption agency. The transfer of the zygote is not legally an adoption but a property transfer. But after acquiring the embryos, they are implanted via in vitro fertilization into the adoptive mother, making her also the legal birth mother — able to experience pregnancy, childbirth and nursing.
Her name is Grace. She's very cute, and her parents love her very much — both sets of them. Grace is a special girl. The woman she lives with in Southern California, Elizabeth, is her legal and biological mother. Elizabeth is not, however, her genetic mother. Grace's genetic mom lives in the Midwest. Grace's story is one of God's love, providence and, well ... grace. It is also, however, a cautionary tale of what can happen when medicine and science outrun moral reasoning.
A moral dilemma
Grace began life as all humans do, as an embryo [embrión]. But Grace was created outside the womb in a process called in vitro fertilization — she's a "test-tube" baby. The sperm [el esperma] and egg of a husband and wife were brought together in a laboratory, where Grace was conceived. In fact, more than 20 other eggs were fertilized at that time. That married couple in the Midwest was undergoing fertility treatment; several of the fertilized eggs were transplanted back into the mother's womb, and she later gave birth.
The remaining embryos were frozen in tanks of liquid nitrogen. After the mother gave birth, the university hospital where the remaining embryos were stored asked the parents what they would like to do with them. And then the realization hit. Any one of those frozen embryos could have been their newborn child. They were in fact the child's brothers and sisters, since they were biologically human and created from the same batch of sperm and eggs.
That family faced a dilemma. What to do with the remaining embryos? Destroying them was out of the question.
Waiting on God
Switch to Southern California. Elizabeth and her husband, Zach*, had been trying for many years to conceive children and had undergone fertility treatments of many kinds. Finally, they were called into their doctor's office in January 1997. The call sounded serious. "I was waiting for him to tell me I had cancer," Elizabeth says. The news, as far as Elizabeth was concerned, was worse. They could never have children. "I was so devastated, I thought it would have been better if he'd told me I had cancer," she recalls. "I couldn't believe I was never going to feel a baby kick inside me. It goes beyond just wanting a child." Their doctor proposed in vitro fertilization, but it would have to be with a donated egg. "I wasn't too sure about that," Elizabeth says. Her church denomination believed that in vitro fertilization was ethical only if the sperm and egg came from a married couple. Months passed. Elizabeth and Zach in the meantime went through the full background check, a "home study," required to legally adopt in California. Elizabeth made this entry in her journal on Nov. 19, 1997: "I've been praying that God would take this desire [to have a baby] away from me if He doesn't want it to work out." Shortly after that journal entry, Elizabeth and Zach attended a Christmas play with Ron Stoddart, a lawyer friend who worked for Christian Adoption and Family Services in Brea, Calif. One line in that play struck both Elizabeth and Ron. "In the intricate design of each flake of snow we find the Creator reflecting the uniqueness of the individual person." Snowflake. Frozen embryo! If Elizabeth and Zach used a frozen embryo, they would not violate the husband/wife bond, Elizabeth would be able to experience pregnancy and childbirth, and a child being held in a "frozen orphanage," as Ron calls it, would have a chance at life. But Elizabeth and Zach insisted that if they were to go forward with the procedure, the embryo would have to be legally adopted as any other child would be, and it would have to be an open adoption, meaning the child would know who her genetic family was and would remain in contact with them in some form.
No coincidences
Elizabeth and Zach had been in touch with Focus on the Family and had met Sydna Massé, then the head of Focus' Crisis Pregnancy Ministries. They told her about their idea of adopting a frozen embryo. Sydna recalls having lunch with Elizabeth and Zach, after which she gave them a handmade afghan blanket, which had been donated to Focus to give to "a special child." "I know God is going to give you a child," Sydna told them, "so I want to be the first to present you with a baby gift." Unknown to any of the three, the family in the Midwest had been in touch with counselors at Focus on the Family. One later approached Sydna with a real stumper: He knew a mother in the Midwest who had 20 frozen embryos she wanted to place for adoption. Sydna was excited. "I have just the referral for you!" she said.
A miracle
The two couples were introduced and arrangements were made to send the embryos to California. Elizabeth spoke on the phone with the genetic mother on New Year's Day, 1998. "I was nervous for maybe the first second," Elizabeth recalls, "and then we just hit it off. As we've gotten to know each other, we just find more and more similarities with each other." Twenty frozen embryos were shipped to California. The doctor first chose 12 of the 20 to thaw. Only three survived the thawing process, and they were transferred to Elizabeth's womb in March 1998. None implanted in the wall of the uterus; Elizabeth was not pregnant. Only eight embryos remained. They would try again Easter weekend. Only three of the eight survived that thawing, and they too were transferred into Elizabeth. "Easter weekend is when we celebrate new life," Elizabeth says. "Grace came back to life that weekend when she was transferred into me."
The rest of the story
Grace was born Dec. 31, 1998. As she grows she'll get to know her genetic siblings in the Midwest. And for her genetic parents, there is also a form of God's forgiveness. If Elizabeth had gotten pregnant on the first try, they might still have frozen children waiting to be born. But in God's sovereignty, all of the 20 remaining embryos were used, and He chose one to create Grace. "We didn't set out to be crusaders," Zach says. "We just wanted a baby. But if you said we could go back and have our own genetic kids but not have Grace, we'd say no way."
On the Medical and Legal Frontier
As medicine and science delve ever deeper into solving problems of infertility, they have raced ahead of both legal and ethical thinking on the subject. For example, while no one knows exactly how many frozen embryos are in storage in North America, some estimate there to be as many as 100,000 human embryos held in cryogenic banks. One concrete number to consider: In 1996, the last year for which complete records are available, doctors conducted 8,661 transfers of frozen embryos, using an average of 3.5 embryos per transfer, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. But doctors frequently fertilize as many as 30 eggs at a time during in vitro procedures. The remaining 20-plus embryos are then either destroyed or, more frequently, frozen. According to many doctors, theologians and medical ethicists, those frozen embryos are fully human.
Many considerations
One thing many doctors do not think about is the emotional impact on parents when they learn they have frozen embryos remaining, according to Dr. Joe McIlhaney, an ob/gyn and founder of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health in Austin, Texas. "Most [fertility] programs don't even discuss this with patients," he says. "That patient gets pregnant and then realizes any one of those other embryos could have been this baby." That realization, he says, hits hard. "There's a sense of desperation, a sense of guilt that they didn't investigate this more." McIlhaney says that patients considering in vitro fertilization must clearly state their beliefs before the doctor ever begins. "First, it's not necessary to fertilize so many eggs," he says. "To plan not to transfer all embryos back to the mother or to plan to kill them shows great disdain for what those embryos are." McIlhaney says couples should state they don't want a single embryo destroyed unless medically it is incompatible with life. (Such embryos usually miscarry spontaneously.) "The doctor should fertilize only the number of eggs that will be put back in the woman's body during the present cycle or in future cycles," he says. Generally, no more than two or three embryos should be transferred each time. From a legal standpoint, both the genetic parents and the receiving couple must do their homework, according to Ron Stoddart of Christian Adoption and Family Services in Brea, Calif. Stoddart founded the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program in response to the growing controversy over what to do with frozen embryos. "If we believe the embryos are preborn babies and are entitled to the same legal protection as a born child, then an [adoption] home study is in order," he says. This also gives the genetic parents greater control over where the embryos are placed. For the receiving family, Stoddart cautions, "Don't live in a fantasy. You must tell the child he's adopted. With a frozen embryo, it's tempting not to tell him because you carried him and gave birth to him." This is true even if the adoption is "closed," that is, neither set of parents knows the other. In such cases, it is especially important to work with a reputable agency. The agency will know the medical background of the genetic parents. "Whatever you do," he warns, "do not buy a frozen embryo, and do not work through 'facilitators' or search [for donors] using the Internet. "Be sure to get something in writing from the genetic parents to transfer the embryos, sort of like 'transferring title,' " Stoddart says. Stoddart sees an additional opportunity arising from the legal and medical conundrum, however. "Right now the law is way behind in areas of reproductive technologies," he says. No state fully recognizes a frozen embryo as a human being, although Stoddart says some case law is developing in that direction. And as more case law develops, this provides more legal protection for the unborn with regard to abortion. "The danger legislators see is if they give embryos the same rights as a person, this conflicts with their abortion statutes," he says. "But we want to give any unborn embryo the same rights as a baby."
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Exod 23:26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
1Sam 2:5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
Job 24:21 They prey on the barren and childless woman, and to the widow show no kindness.
Semen, secreción de las glándulas genitales masculinas que contiene las células reproductoras
28:1 [Isaac told Jacob] “Don’t marry a Cananite woman”
Ps 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Mk 12:20 Now there were 7 brothers. The first one married & died without leaving any children.
Sermon: Miraculous Mothers
Genesis 11:30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.
Lesson: Sarah teaches us about _________
Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
Lesson: Rebekah teaches about a ____________
Genesis 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren
Rachel teaches us about God’s ______________
Judges 13:2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless. 3 The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.
Samson’s mom teaches us about _____________
1 Samuel 1:5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.
Hannah teaches us about being _____________
Luke 1:6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. Elizabeth teaches us that _______________
Sermón: Madres Milagrosas
Génesis 11:30 Pero Sarai era estéril; no tenía hijo.
Sarah nos enseña acerca de __________
Génesis 25:21 Y oró Isaac a Jehová por su mujer, que era estéril; y [el Senor lo escucho] lo aceptó Jehová, y concibió Rebeca su mujer.
Rebeca nos enseña acerca de ______________
Génesis 29:31 Y vio Jehová que Lea era menospreciada, y le dio hijos; pero Raquel era estéril. [pero a Raquel la mantuvo estéril]
Raquel nos enseña acerca de ___________ Jueces 13:2 Y había un hombre de Zora, de la tribu de Dan, el cual se llamaba Manoa; y su mujer era estéril, y nunca había tenido hijos. 3 A esta mujer apareció el ángel de Jehová, y le dijo: He aquí que tú eres estéril, y nunca has tenido hijos; pero concebirás y darás a luz un hijo. La madre de Sanson nos enseña acerca de ________________ 1 Samuel 1:5 (NIV) Pero a Ana le daba una porción especial, pues la amaba a pesar de que el Señor la había hecho estéril. 6 Penina, su rival, solía atormentarla para que se enojara, ya que el Señor la había hecho estéril. Ana nos enseña acerca de ser ______________ Lucas 1:6 Ambos eran justos delante de Dios, y andaban irreprensibles en todos los mandamientos y ordenanzas del Señor. 7 Pero no tenían hijo, porque Elisabet era estéril, y ambos eran ya de edad avanzada. Elisabet nos enseña acerca de que todos ____________