Mankind Created in God's Image
Genesis 1:27, 31a “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them… God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Philippians 2:1-4 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”. Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” RESOURCE
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6sHEKAJQo/?igshid=tut369dkiqi0
If you’d like to watch the entire conversation/sermon, entitled Become the Bridge: A Conversation with Pastor Steven Furtick and Pastor John Gray, click here.
LET US PRAY: Father in heaven, Creator of our bodies, lover of our souls, hear our prayer. You have made us – every man, woman, and child – in your image. You have formed us of bone and sinew, heart and lungs, and skin of many shades.
And you have called us good. We confess that we have distorted your good and holy image with our sin – thoughts, actions, and intentions that do not reflect the beauty, goodness, and truth of You, our Maker. We have not recognized our black and brown brothers and sisters as remarkably and wondrously made. We have not loved our neighbors of color as ourselves. Lord, we repent. Forgive us, God, for not considering others above ourselves. Forgive us, Jesus, for looking long into our own interests while turning our hearts and eyes away from the suffering and injustice people of color endure. Forgive us, Spirit, for not mourning with those who mourn, for being quick to speak and slow to listen. Lord, we repent. Search us, O Lord. Root out the sin in us that causes You grief and others harm. Grant us a godly grief that leads to repentance, and lead us in the life-giving way of Jesus. Help us to hate evil and love good. Teach us to stand with people of color in establishing justice at the gates of our cities, the doors of our homes, and the words of our lips.
Lord, hear our prayer. (Source: She Reads Truth) After reading today’s scriptures and prayer, and watching the resource, reflect…
In today’s resource, what do you agree with?
What do you disagree with?
What questions does this devotion bring up for you?
How do you feel God speaking to you through today’s devotion?
Be sure to journal your thoughts. We will have a collective discussion at the end of this 2-week series. If you come across an article or a video link or a prayer that is relevant to this discussion about loving our neighbors, feel free to submit it to me. Thank you!