“God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
As God was creating this earth, He called each of His creations good, and when He came to the creation of humans, He deemed them very good. So, we have this beautiful earth and the crown of God’s creation: man and woman. Scripture tells us He blessed them and gave them the power and authority to rule and dominate the earth. Humans became co-rulers with God to govern and take care of God’s creation, to establish God’s rule and reign on and over, the earth. Earth became an extension of heaven with humans at the center.
God didn’t just create humans and say, “Go do your thing, live anyhow you see fit.” No! Scripture tells us that humans were created in the image and likeness of God. Humans were created to look and behave like God. It is in our looking like Him that we are able to act like Him, and the more we act and behave like Him, the more we look more like Him.
We were never created to be apart from God, or act independently from Him. We were never created to be far from Him. In God, for God, and with God our lives derive meaning.
I am 32 years old, by God’s grace, and for the first 21 years of my life I lived far from God. My life was in chaos. Undiluted chaos. Every aspect of my life was falling apart. Nothing was working right for me. Fear and anxiety ruled me. I was a pawn in the hands of the enemy, with the wrong people in my life.
But on March 4, 2012, when I encountered Jesus, my life changed. I mean, literally my life changed. I look back now and I am in awe of our amazing and good Father. I was always bearing His image, but I wasn’t living as an image bearer of God.
It is when we live daily as image bearers of God that our lives find meaning.
More than anything you and I can become in this world, we were created for God, to give Him pleasure. We were created to live in unity and consistent communion with Him. Not apart, but with, in, and through Him.
God is our first community member.
It is through community with Him that we can form and sustain other communities.
God has provided us with His Word that shows us whose are and who we can become in Jesus. We have godly communities who spur us on in this heavenly race. Daily, as we choose to do His will, we see ourselves in ever-growing fellowship and communion with Him. A community is only worthwhile when the members are actively involved in the good of one another. God always has our best interest at heart, it is left for us to reciprocate by choosing to daily live according to His will.
Dear Father, we will never understand Your love for us, but we pray that our lives give You pleasure every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love,
Week 1 Challenge:
To develop a relationship with someone, you need to spend time with them. Developing a relationship with God is no different. This week, plan when you will spend time reading God’s Word and praying. For some of us, morning is best, before our day gets started. For others, it might be during the day or in the evening, when everyone is in bed and the house is quiet. The time of day doesn’t matter; the time spent with God does. This week, let’s work on cultivating community with God.
Week 1 Reading Plan
Week 1 Memory Verse
It’s not too late to join us for this study, Not Made to Be Alone. This four-week study focuses on what it means to live in community and how we can cultivate biblical community in our lives. It’s not an easy thing, but together, as we study God’s heart for us, we can learn to live in community with those around us!
We would love for you to join us! Click the image below to find out more!
DID YOU KNOW?! 100% of the proceeds from your order go straight back to the ministry, helping us fight biblical illiteracy around the world and equip women with God’s Word in 40+ languages! Thank YOU for your investment and support!
Read more about our mission and the languages we reach here.
—
More from Love God Greatly:
