As we think about the fact that Genesis 1:26-30 tells us that we are created in the image of God, we are reminded that God created us to have a relationship with us. God is not far off, distant, elusive, and hidden. Rather, what the story of Scripture reveals is that God is the one who is always searching for us. This was true from the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden it is not Adam who was searching for God, rather it was God who came to the garden searching for Adam. As long as we hide from God we will never see that He nailed Himself to the cross for our sins. Christ came and took upon Himself, the form of man (not animal or plant). He did this to make a statement about our dignity, and makes a statement about the relationship He desires to have with each of us. Christ came that we might be born anew (John 3:3-5) this will restore us to our rightful place at Christ side, Christ came that we might repent of our sins and walk in the new life that He offers as we follow His steps. Christ came … READ MORE

When we speak of being made in the image of God it is not just our looks or our physical make up that are like God. As humans we are God’s counterpart in that God gave humanity total dominion over the earth. God created humans with a freedom of choice to make the decisions necessary to have this dominion. Sin has tempted us to use that privilege of dominion for selfish pleasure. Personal communion with God is what being made in the image of God is all about. It is a relationship in which we become God’s counterpart, His representative and His glory to the earth. It is our duty as His counterparts to figure out how God would act in our place. When God gave humans dominion over the world, He gave us the earthshaking power and freedom to shape our world. We have been charged with the care of creation, and charged with the opportunity and responsibility to act like God acts in creation. . . to use our gifts, energy, wisdom, strength, and creativity .. to benefit God’s creation. Today people are not making decisions to better humanity or creation, but rather to protect their own self-interest. … READ MORE

Genesis 1:26-30 challenges the diminished notions we have about human value. We live in a society that desperately needs to understand that each person is uniquely valued and blessed by God. How wonderful it would be if each child started life knowing how incredibly precious they are. This is not an effort to deify man, but rather it is an effort to teach us God’s estimation of each of us. Until we judge ourselves as God judges us, relationships will continue to fail, and the moral and ethical dilemmas we face in regards for respect of human dignity will only continue to increase. According to Psalm 8:1-9 we are told that God has crowned us with glory and honor and has given us dominion over the earth. God has created us with certain creative abilities, and certain authoritative abilities, that allows us to co-rule this realm He has created with Him. Take these thoughts with you today, as you tackle the World. You will find hope and perspective in the midst of your circumstances.… READ MORE