January 1, 2016:  SOAP #2220:  

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Observation:   When men create gods, they have a tendency to give their gods many human likenesses.  Their man-made gods often have faces and bodies fashioned like humans.  Many times these gods have a special ability that man would like to have, life flying.  Satan likes to take truth and twist it.  Instead of gods being made in man’s image, the truth is that man was made in God’s image and likeness.  Instead of god resembling man; the truth is that man resembles the true God!

Application:   Whenever I see a penny lying on the ground, I pick it up.  It does not have much value and I could easily pass it by, BUT it carries four important words: In God We Trust.  Those words are so valuable that I will reach into a dirty place to pick up the penny, clean it up, and put it with currency of much greater value than the penny.  How much more should I care about the unborn baby in its mother’s womb: it carries the image and likeness of my God!   How much more should I care about the poor:  they carry the image and likeness of my God!   How much more should I care about the person who is down and out:  he carries the image and likeness of my God!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, this year may I be quick to recognize and value your likeness and image in those around me, even in those not expressing your character through their actions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!