January 4, 2021
Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.
New International Version (NIV)
                We are noticing a family resemblance in our grandchildren.  One day they look so much like their dads and the next day they look like their moms.  Sometimes,  we even glimpse a great grandparent in them, for a moment.  This should not surprise us because they carry the DNA of the generations before.  In the end, they will just look like themselves, I suppose. 

                So who looks like God?  We don’t really know the appearance of God.  Artists renderings give us some ideas.  Whom does God resemble?  Well, he is incomparable.  No one is exactly like God.  But of all the things, inanimate and animate which God created, only humankind was created in God’s image.  We were created by our Creator to image him in the world. 

                I know.  Something seems to have been lost in translation.  Surely it is an after-effect of the fall that we do not always resemble God to others.  Jesus and the New Testament writers describe salvation as a restoration of what we lost of the image of God.  Paul told the church in Rome that we are predestined to become like Jesus.  John said that when Jesus appears, we will be like him for we will see him as he is.   How are we doing? 

                My mom’s family’s home church is FBC Amarillo.  The whole ceiling is a beautiful painting.  Through the years, they say it lost some of its lustre.  They brought in an artist to restore what had been lost.  When he finished it was magnificent, again, right down to the “eye of God” painted in one spot.  This is what God is trying to do to us.  Right now, though, we need patience, because we are all in process. 

                What if we saw others as created in the image of God?  We sometimes magnify our differences and demonize others who disagree with us.  But if we look closely enough, we will recognize even in the most broken people, even in ourselves, a picture of what God intended.  This realization could change the way we see others and talk about them.  
Pray with me:         
Father, thank you for creating us, all of us, in your image.  You know how we tend to love our own and forget the rest.  Please help us to see others, all others as created in your image.  Let your love transform us into loving people.  We ask God today that you would continue the significant work of restoring what has been lost.  Thank you that you who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus’ return.  In his name we pray.  Amen.  
Scripture memorization for this week:    
Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
New International Version (NIV)
Our 2021 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations Bible reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:
https://www.tallowood.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Read-Through-Bible-Download.pdf
We would love for you to join us as we read through the 66 marvelous books of the Bible in one year, while still having the flexibility of reading 5 days per week.  In addition, I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  We will also memorize 2 scriptures each week.  As we journal together this year,  Robby Gallaty’s H.E.A.R. plan is a good resource: Highlight a verse that stands out to you, Explain what it means, Apply that truth to your life and Respond to what you’ve read with an action or prayer.
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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