Friday, June 10, 2016

Earth Day - Part 5

                                                                                     
Friday, June 10, 2016
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Genesis 1:1(NLT)
We are created in the image of God, who is triune (Father, Son, and Spirit). 
WE HAVE A BODY THAT IS ERECT:  so we can stand straight in response to our created nature.
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.  
Genesis 1:26a (NLT)
We correspond to the image and likeness of God, and He expects us to respond to the impulse and call of His heart.  We were made that way, and He said it was good!
WE HAVE A SPIRIT THAT IS ETERNAL
They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”  Genesis 1:26b (NLT)
We are not like the animals.  We are created above them, but lower than the angels.  Ecclesiastes(3.1) indicates man's spirit returns to God, while animals return to the dust.  The image of God is one of dominion and eternal life.  Our spirit is created to live forever. 
WE HAVE A SOUL THAT IS EXPRESSIVE
In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 
Genesis 1:27b (NLT)
I am convinced there should never be a struggle for women's or man's rights.  We are created equal, but different.  We were created to complement each other, and fulfill each other.  Men and women can appreciate fine art, a sunset, a baby's first word.  Animals exhibit some characteristics of personality, but only women and men can know God.  You were created for Him.  And He said it was good! 
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”  And God blessed them...  Genesis 1.28(NLT)
WE ARE TO ENJOY THE BLESSING
God intended for us to really enjoy life.  There is so much good that can be a part of daily living.  All of it is to be in the context of a right relationship with God.  Without that there will be no blessing, only wandering.  Helen Keller was blind and deaf from the age of two.  She was once asked by a young boy, Isn't it the worst thing in the world to be blind?  She replied smiling, Not half so bad as to have two good eyes and see nothing! 
WE ARE TO EMPLOY THE BLESSING
God made it plain that the earth is to be cultivated, populated and tamed in His name. 
You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.  Psalm 8:6-8(NLT)
Dr. Morris stated it well:  This command, therefore, established man as God's steward over the created world and all things therein.[2]
We are to love God by enjoying and caring for this world of rich blessing.  He said we could.  And He said it was good!  In fact, God looked around after He got done with all of it, and He said it was very good. 

For You Today

Look around, Christian; look closely and see what joy Christ offers you.  He said it was all good!
You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today…have a blessed day!
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[1] Title Image: By NASA/ GSFC/ NOAA/ USGS [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
[2]Morris, Ibid, 77

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