For a Purpose Series

God had promised Abraham a son through whom the world would be blessed.How could He now ask Abraham to sacrifice him on an altar? Could Abraham risk following God's direction and still believe in God's promised purpose for his son, Isaac? Through reasons unknown to him, righteous Job's possessions and his children were taken from him. Then Job became ill. His body was covered with painful sores. Would Job maintain his faith in a faithful God or would he curse God and die as his wife suggested? God told Jeremiah to warn his people that they would be conquered and taken captive because of their disobedience. No one listened. When Jeremiah's prophecy came true, did Jeremiah wonder if he had done all God called him to do to prevent the tragedy? How could Peter be Jesus' most enthusiastic disciple and then deny he even knew Him when the chips were down? Jesus was crucified and buried. Peter felt his life was over, too, but three days later, the risen Jesus met Peter face to face. This is the story for all who need a second chance.

"Look carefully, then, how you walk! Live purposefully, worthily, and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise, sensible, and intelligent people." (Ephesians 5:15) The stories in this book illustrate the relationship between attitudes and actions. Each character is tagged with a description of his basic life attitude. The story then tells how this works out in life. The characters are Gullible Eve, Foolish Lot, Greedy Achan, Rebellious Samson, and Conceited Nebuchadnezzar. During their lifetimes, each had the opportunity to ask for God's help. Only one allowed God to change his attitude and thereby discovered the narrow path that leads to life. Two discovered that same path but not in time to change their earthly course. Two persisted in the way they were, with no change. These choices are also open to all of us. The book is appropriate for families and individuals age 12 and older.

Do you think Mary of Bethany thought of herself as an important person? Her sister Martha, after all, was the "doer" in the family. Abigail and Priscilla were housewives, but Deborah was a military leader. Did that make her more important? Do you feel special in your family or are you just somebody's sister like Miriam, Moses' sister? God made each of us different from every other person He created. Why? Wouldn't we get along better if we were all gifted the same way? Or would that make the world just plain boring? Could it be that we each have a special purpose in life? Have you found the purpose God planned especially for you?

Bereft of family and country during his crucial teen years, could Joseph be true to his upbringing? Would Moses, living in wealth and opportunity, even remember his family still in slavery? Living in the temple, would little Samuel choose to embrace the vacillating morality around him or to listen to God call him? After winning the king's beauty pageant and becoming his new wife, would Esther risk all to reveal who she really was? Written primarily for children ten years and up, Adopted for a Purpose is also an encouragement to both birth parents and those who adopt, as it affirms and underscores God's care and unique purposes in adoption.