Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
I truly believe that evolution is the greatest lie in western history. Evolution tells us that mankind evolved from monkeys over time, which means mankind has no purpose. We are here by accident, a chance anonymity. Scripture tells us the exact opposite. It states that we were created intentionally and specifically by God. As one country preacher said, “You can say what you want to about your family tree but there’s no monkey swingin’ from mine!” I want you to know today that you are not the random accident of an evolutionary process. You are the special creation of the Lord God of Heaven! Psalm 139:13-14 says He knit you together in your mother’s womb and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. I like to say we are here by God’s divine design!
Know that you are here on purpose for a purpose. Let me write that again….YOU ARE HERE ON PURPOSE FOR A PURPOSE. This purpose is to know and love God. Being created in His image means mankind has certain characteristics that are like God; for example the ability to love and the ability to reason. However, sin marred this image in us and now we are separated from God by our sin and cannot display His glory apart from His transforming grace. Whenever we turn from sin and trust in Christ, God saves us and begins to recover that original design for which we were created. He fills us with His true love and wisdom so that we can display His glorious image. Now, we are Children of God and He does not judge us based on our imperfections or inadequacies, He sees His Spirit in us and the purpose for which we were created and born again!
Romans 8:29 tells us that those whom He foreknew He also predestined to become conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. Know today that you were created in His image and are now saved so that you might fully display that image. Created on purpose for a purpose….sounds pretty awesome doesn’t it?! Never forget the ultimate reason for your existence, and allow the image of Christ to shine through you today.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for creating me. I believe I am fearfully and wonderfully made by you. Also, Lord thank you for saving me and giving my life purpose. Help me today to display your glorious image in all I say and do. In Jesus name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Romans 1:20 – For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.