Morning, January 25
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Bible League: Living His Word
So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said to them, "Have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Who are we and what does it mean to be human? This is, obviously, one of the most important questions one could ever ask. Failure to answer it correctly can severely damage our lives by causing us to live in ways that are at odds with our true nature. Our verses for today are meant to keep us from that. They tell us who we really are: creatures of God made in His image.

The fact that we are creatures of God made in His image means, first of all, that we are dependent upon God for our very existence. We are not God, but images of God. We are really nothing at all apart from Him.

Secondly, although we are creatures of God, we are the creatures of God that have been made in His image. We have a special status above that of the other creatures. As a result, we are able to fellowship with God and respond to His Will.

Thirdly, because we are like God we have the ability to rule over the rest of God's creation and take control of it. This does not mean we can do whatever we want with it, because we are representing God as His vice-regents over the creation.

Finally, we rule as God's vice-regents in fellowship with one another. It takes a lot of people to take control of the earth. No doubt that's why God commanded us to have many children.

The biblical view is a balanced view. It does not elevate us to the status of God above us and it does not demote us to the status of the creatures below us. It does not allow us to think more highly of ourselves than we should and it does not allow us to think less of ourselves than we should.

Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
Exodus 9, 10


Exodus 9 -- Plagues of Livestock, Boils and Hail

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Exodus 10 -- Plagues of Locusts and Darkness

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New Testament Reading
Matthew 18:1-20


Matthew 18 -- Greatest and Least in the Kingdom; Parables of the Lost Sheep, Brother who sins, Unmerciful Servant

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
Then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart.
Insight
Have you ever felt far from God, separated by feeling of failure and personal problems? In his prayer, Solomon underscored the fact that God stands ready to hear his people, to forgive their sins, and to restore their relationship with him.
Challenge
God is waiting and listening for our confessions of guilt and our recommittment to obey him. He hears us when we pour out our needs and problems to him, and he is ready to forgive and restore us to fellowship with him. Don't wait to experience his loving forgiveness.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Isaiah 63:7  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us.

And canst thou not do this? Are there no mercies which thou hast experienced? What though thou art gloomy now, canst thou forget that blessed hour when Jesus met thee, and said, "Come unto me"? Canst thou not remember that rapturous moment when he snapped thy fetters, dashed thy chains to the earth, and said, "I came to break thy bonds and set thee free"? Or if the love of thine espousals be forgotten, there must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of his mercy towards thee? What, didst thou never have a sickness like that which thou art suffering now, and did he not restore thee? Wert thou never poor before, and did he not supply thy wants? Wast thou never in straits before, and did he not deliver thee? Arise, go to the river of thine experience, and pull up a few bulrushes, and plait them into an ark, wherein thine infant- faith may float safely on the stream. Forget not what thy God has done for thee; turn over the book of thy remembrance, and consider the days of old. Canst thou not remember the hill Mizar? Did the Lord never meet with thee at Hermon? Hast thou never climbed the Delectable Mountains? Hast thou never been helped in time of need? Nay, I know thou hast. Go back, then, a little way to the choice mercies of yesterday, and though all may be dark now, light up the lamps of the past, they shall glitter through the darkness, and thou shalt trust in the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away. "Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses, for they have been ever of old."

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Romans 3:22  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

2 Corinthians 5:21  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Galatians 3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE "--

1 Corinthians 1:30  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Titus 3:5,6  He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, • whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Philippians 3:8,9  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, • and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening January 24
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