http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%204-7&version=NIV
Okay friends - here is why reading the whole Bible will rock you faith - because you get to see a glimpse of God's larger purpose and plan in everything he does. Our Creator is such a purposeful and wise creator. As I read Genesis 1-3, I found myself worshiping.
I worshiped at the power of the voice of God.
I worshiped at the fact that the Creator of light continues to create light from darkness in lives daily (2 Cor. 4:6).
I worshiped that the one who breathes and life is created is till breathing life into us each day.
I worshiped that God rested, that he blessed rest and called it Holy.
I worshiped that God created Man and Woman for one another - with distinct difference that created a perfect complimentary relationship.
And I worshiped that God created us in his own image - that he molded us with great care - and gave us the great priviledge to reflect him.
And then I mourned - I mourned at sin, I mourned at the loss of the garden - and I continued to mourn today as I read chapters 4-7. I mourned at how deep and dark man's sin so quickly became. I mourned that God regretted his creation.
And I mourned something that jumped out at me like it never had before. This is what I read - "When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image;" (5:3)
What? No, that can't be right. I was created in God's image. I want the right to say that. I want to look in the mirror and know that in some way people see God when they see me. I want to look at my friends Kelly and Jenifer and Chad and Joseph and everyone in our class and believe we are reflecting God to one another. But the truth can't be denied. I am a descendant of Adam - and so I bear not the image of God, but the image of man.
So is that it for me? Too bad, I lose. Did my garden-losing ancestor's screw up the chance for me to be an image bearer? Not so my friends. See, we have the whole story from beginning to end. Even as he created man in his image, God had a plan. Even as he watched Eve pick that apple, God knew he would redeem her choice. Even as he watched sin increase throughout the earth to the point of regretting his creation, he had a plan of redemption. He had a plan of redemption that first became evident with Noah and a promise in a rainbow. Here's the rest of the story:
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
Here the story is reaching completion. Through Christ our Creator is creating new life and new light. Here is why we can still be a reflection of the image of God to one another. And I have to say, there is no greater beauty, nothing more handsome, then the reflection of God in the faces of my precious brothers and sisters in Christ - and at that, I worship.
What verses struck you as you read today? We would love to hear your thoughts, insights, and inspirations.
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
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The long suffering and mercy of God. Methuselah is recorded as being the oldest man to have ever lived. He lived 969 years old. He was the son of Enoch, whome prophesied about the Coming of the Lord. Enoch was taken up to heaven.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Methuselah live so long? It seems his father Enoch knew what was coming upon the earth so he named his son, Methuselah. This name means, "When I die, judgment comes"
As it turns out, Methuselah lived right up until the great flood. When he died the flood came. With him being the oldest man to ever live, it shows the mercy and longsuffering of God to those who were living on the earth. God is both holy and merciful not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance. Today, this same God is waiting for people to come to Him before it is to late