TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 1:26-2:25
So God created man in his own image . . . male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) is said to have painted more portraits of himself than any other artist before him. He began to paint self-portraits at age 13, and later used his own face on a number of other famous portraits. Near the end of his career he thought his face bore a similarity to Jesus Christ, and he used it in a religious engraving called the “Veil of Veronica.”

Dürer saw a likeness between himself and Christ; he saw himself as a reflection of the Son of God. Dürer’s art expressed a conviction that we ought to share: we are made in the image of God. We bear the reflection of God in our human bodies.

Today’s passage is the well-known creation story. It is important, when considering our identity in Christ, to begin at the beginning. Why were we created? How did God fashion us? What was His motivation? In this Genesis passage, God had finished creating the animals and living creatures who inherit His perfect earth.God looked at His creation and declared it “good” (v. 25).

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule.” (v. 26). Note there that God gives a unique vision for His creation of mankind. He chose to create humanity, not the animals or other objects, in “his own image” (v. 27).

What does it mean to be created in the “image” of God? It certainly has implications both physically and spiritually. If we are created in God’s image, then we are to reflect His image in every facet of our being. All parts of our being—body, soul, spirit—were made for His purposes and His pleasure.

But this is a cautionary tale. Man and woman did not remain in the garden. Sin separated them from God. Nevertheless, that image of God, stamped upon them would continue. Sin could not erase the reality of being created in the image of God.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Pull out a coin from your coin purse or pocket. Whose image does it bear? Why? When we want to honor an individual, we put their image or name on a sign, statue, or even money. God has put his image on your life. What does that mean for you? Certainly it should ward off any tendency to cut ourselves down or to attack ourselves with negative thoughts and impulses. God respects us as His creation, worthy of bearing His image. Do you view yourself as worthy of respect?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 45:5-12
It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. - Isaiah 45:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2007, a New York woman was on a walk to get a morning cup of coffee when she saw a painting set out for the trash. Elizabeth Gibson told reporters, “It was a huge, powerful, and beautiful painting. I said to myself, ‘It is wrong to be in the garbage.’” Gibson carried the painting home, unaware of its value. Researching online, she discovered that the painting was titled, “Tres Personajes,” by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, and had been stolen more than 20 years earlier. After returning the painting to its rightful owners, Gibson received a $15,000 reward. The painting was expected to earn as much as one million dollars at auction.

It was fortunate for the owners and for the art world that Gibson recognized the value of the painting. Without her careful eye, the beautiful and valuable creation might have been lost forever. It is sometimes easy for us to fail to recognize the value of creation. Certainly that is the case in today’s passage, where the prophet bemoans man’s tendency to demean the creation of God.

Part of recognizing our worth is the realization that a holy God will not make junk. God and His creation both deserve a place of honor—not set out for the trash but hung on a gallery wall. The passage begins by placing God in His rightful place of honor: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God” (v. 5). Why is this important? Because a correct perception of God will impact the way we perceive ourselves.

If we recognize the strength and power of God, we will see how His love can and will support us (v. 5). We see God’s power in creation (vv. 7, 8). We are warned that we, as the created being, should not argue with our Creator (v. 8). After all, who knows us better than God?

Finally, we are reminded that our true value lies in the fact that we are purposefully created by a Holy God. We are made by His own hands (v. 12), the same hands that created the stars and the heavens. Certainly, we have great value.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You may not have valuable artwork hanging on the walls of your home, and you might have to travel to an art museum in order to see a Renoir or a Van Gogh. At a museum, you will see works by great masters, as well as security guards. Why? Because it is important to guard things we treasure. What about your heart? How do you guard what God has created? Pray today that you will be careful with God’s creation. Ask God to help you avoid thoughts that will seek to harm what He has so carefully and lovingly formed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 44:1-28
This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you. - Isaiah 44:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
Abby Johnson joined Planned Parenthood because she believed that the organization was helping women at a critical time of need. The 29-year-old progressed to become a director of a local Texas chapter of the organization. But last year she was asked to assist in an ultra-sound and viewed first-hand an abortion. “I had never seen an abortion happen on an ultrasound,” she said. Johnson said the experience changed her forever. “I just thought, ‘What am I doing?’” she said. And then, she thought, “Never again.” At the point she saw a living, breathing, heart-beating baby alive in the womb, Johnson was convinced that abortion was something she could no longer support.

Today’s passage is an important one. Not only does it state that God knew and created us in the womb, but the chapter outlines His purpose for our lives. God says not only that He knew and created us, but also that He is eternal. “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God (v. 6). He asks, “Who then is like me?” The answer, of course, is no one.

God is eternal and all-powerful. He is the Creator. We are His creation. That gives us a value, a worth that cannot be denied. We are purposefully made, purposefully created. He reminds us in verse 21: “Remember these things . . . I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you.”

We are made by the God who does not make mistakes. He knows us. He has promised not to forget us. This gives us reason to rejoice. Verse 23 articulates this joy: “Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this.” Verse 24 directs this joy toward the Creator, “the Lord who has made all things.”

When we look for our purpose, it is helpful to remember that God is our personal Creator. He has signed His name to our life. He designed us the way we are. And He has the power to carry us to the end of our lives (vv. 25-28).

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A work of art is more valuable when it is signed. The signature of the artist helps to protect against forgery or misidentification. As a child of the Creator of the universe, you need not live as a forgery, or think you are unworthy of the blessings of the Lord. Spend time today thanking God for His signature upon your life. If you are tempted to relegate yourself to a dustbin of uselessness, pray through the verses in today’s reading again and praise the God who made you, who loves you, and has declared your value.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 10:26-32; 1 Corinthians 13:11-13
Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. - Matthew 10:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
Chandria Murphy was in a state of panic when she discovered her diamond engagement ring was missing. Murphy had stopped to help her mother at her local business giving chair massages to tired shoppers. In order to assist with a last-minute client, Murphy took off her ring and placed it on a table. In the craziness of the day, she forgot it. The next day, she hurried back, but the ring was gone. She checked with security and placed an ad in the paper. Amazingly, the next day Jim Baroch found the ring while shopping. He saw Murphy’s ad and returned it to the rightful owner. How relieved Murphy must have been to have such a valuable treasure found at last!

Did you know that God sees you as a treasure? In our reading from Matthew today, Jesus was addressing the disciples’ fears. He acknowledged their concerns that people might treat His followers badly. In fact, Christians might find themselves attacked or put in life-threatening situations. Jesus counseled them, “So do not be afraid of them” (v. 26). On the surface, this advice does not make sense; of course we would be afraid of potential threats!

But the reason we can avoid fear comes from the value that God ascribes to us as His children. He compares us to sparrows. Although they are not worth much financially, “not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father” (v. 29). Our worth is even greater. God knows us, He cares about us, and He will not let eternal harm befall us. This makes us supremely valuable.

God knows us intimately and fully. First Corinthians 13 describes not only God’s love for us, but also how our love should be extended to others. The verses at the end of this passage show not only God’s love for us but also His knowledge of us. “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (v. 12). No part of our life is hidden; God knows us and values us.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The more you value a relationship, the more you know about a person. For example, do you know the one food that your spouse or best friend hates? Do you know his or her favorite movie? Can you identify their pet peeves? On the contrary, it would be very difficult to answer these questions for someone you’ve just met or an acquaintance you see once in a while. We can have confidence knowing that our God knows us so intimately—and He loves and values us very much.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 5:1-11; John 3:16
But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. The white marble structure in India was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife and queen Mumtz Mahal. She died during childbirth at age 39. Some say her dying request was for her husband to build a beautiful mausoleum in honor of their love. The Taj Mahal took 22 years and 20,000 workers to construct at a cost of 32 million rupees. But for a gift of love, no time, labor, or cost was too much.

Remarkable love often results in remarkable sacrifice. The emperor loved his dying wife so much and grieved so greatly after her death that he wanted to pay tribute to her with something tangible. In an even more magnificent way, God did the same for you. Today’s passage outlines the gospel story that you may have heard many times before. As you read, focus on this expression of divine love.

Let’s look at the context of our verse for today. The beginning of Romans 5 describes the result of our justification. Because we are justified, we have “peace” (v. 1) with God. Because we are justified, we have “gained access” to God and have the “hope of the glory of God” (v. 2). Because we are justified, we can “rejoice in our sufferings” (v. 3).

The last part may give us pause. Why does our justification allow us to rejoice even when we are suffering? The passage continues to answer that question. Suffering allows us to become more conformed to the image of Christ. Suffering has by-products; it produces perseverance, character, and hope.

We have hope. Why? Because our justification before God was a supreme act of love. It shows how valuable we are to God, even in our sinful and corrupt state. God’s gift for us was not earned. He loves us unconditionally. His love was proven by the sacrifice of His Son, a gift to justify us. The evidence of His love is not a marble structure, but it is seen in the way our lives reflect His character.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Love impacts our hearts, minds and bodies. For some, it may be difficult to accept that God could love us in this way. We think we have to prove ourselves or do something worthy. The truth is, nothing we do could possibly be impressive enough. God demonstrated His love to us while were still sinners. Thank God for His indescribable gift, and if you have not yet accepted His love by trusting in the gift of His Son Jesus to justify you and save you from your sins, will you do so today?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-9; Colossians 3:1-4
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house. - 1 Peter 2:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the world’s most famous gems is the Hope Diamond. The story goes that a French merchant purchased an enormous 112-3/16-carat diamond. The diamond, most likely from India, was described as having a “beautiful violet” color. The merchant sold the diamond to King Louis XIV of France in 1668. Many of its owners experienced bad luck and even death, which led to the association of the gem with its unfortunate legend. Over the years, the diamond passed through the hands of royalty and wealthy businessmen, and along the way, it was recut and shaped to its present 45.52 carats. Although now a fraction of its original weight, the diamond is still a magnificent treasure on permanent display in the Smithsonian.

Precious stones do not go unnoticed. They are valued, displayed, treasured, and fought over. They are used as a tribute to one’s love when placed in an engagement or anniversary band. So it is noticeable that God compares us, as well as His Son, to living stones “chosen by God and precious to him” (1 Peter 2:4).

In Colossians, our value is linked to Christ. Paul explains that since we have been raised with Christ into a new life (v. 1), our focus should not be on things here on earth, but on eternal things. Our new life, says Paul, is “hidden with Christ in God” (v. 3). To be hidden means that our own selfish desires are submitted to Christ. We are invisible, so that Christ can become visible in our lives.

The word hidden also carries with it the idea of protection. When a gem is very valuable, it is often hidden to protect it from theft or destruction. Our lives, our very identity, is hidden safely in Christ. No one can take or destroy what is safely hidden with God. Scripture tells us that our one gem becomes part of a larger dwelling, “a spiritual house” offering sacrifices acceptable to God. Together, our precious gem becomes transformed into something immensely valuable to our Creator.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our lives and our identities are hidden in Christ—protected and being transformed to be more like Him. Spend time in prayer today asking the Holy Spirit to show you any areas where you are tempted to shine your own light or promote your own identity. Sometimes we do this out of fear or in order to feel in control. Ask the Lord to help you remember that when you are hidden in Christ, you are safe and fully loved.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. - Ephesians 2:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the premier furniture makers of the Arts and Crafts Movement was a woodworker named Gustav Stickley. Born in 1858, Stickley founded a design company with his brother. He put great care into each piece of furniture he created, believing that well-designed objects could help make people’s lives better. As the style grew more popular, many imitators flourished and sold pieces that resembled the real thing. Buyers and appraisers need to tell if a piece of furniture is authentic or merely a copy. A true Stickley is identified by a brand or label, usually placed in an unobtrusive spot. Unsigned pieces, while still desirable, are not nearly as valuable as those bearing the maker’s signature.

In today’s passage, our value is declared by the phrase, “we are God’s workmanship” (v. 10). We have seen that we were created, chosen, and bought with a price. Those already signify our value. In addition, we are considered a cherished creation by God. We are marked by God, designed in His image, and bear His attributes.

Paul explains that in our natural state, we “were dead” (v. 1), and this was the way we “used to live” (v. 2). Even now, we sometimes cling to “the ways of this world” (v. 2). In this sinful state, Paul explains, “we were by nature objects of wrath” (v. 3). While we are cherished by God, we should recognize that the Almighty cannot abide our sinfulness. He is perfection. Mere mortals would tremble in the presence of this great judge.

Author C. S. Lewis explained it this way: “God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from.” The comfort, as we have learned, is that our value and identity, does not rest in our own ability. We have been remade, perfected by God. “We are God’s workmanship” (v. 10). We are not a fake imitation—we are the real thing.

With that in mind, we should bear the marks of our Creator, doing the good works He has intended for us.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you clinging to this world and its ways? One way to check this is to ask yourself how you measure your worth. By your bank account? By your popularity? By the lack of wrinkles on your face? God does not measure us this way. Scripture says that man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart (see 1 Sam. 16:7). What will God see when He examines your heart today? Will He see His signature—or do you resemble a forgery, pretending to be a child of God without any of the evidence in your life?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 2:1-13
Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. - Philippians 2:15-16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many visitors to Los Angeles make their way to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On Hollywood Boulevard, embedded in the sidewalk, are more than 2,000 stars engraved with the names of celebrities from music, television, and theater. The first eight stars were dedicated in 1958. The celebrities, real and fictional, who have had a star placed in their honor include former President Ronald Reagan, Mickey Mouse, John Wayne, and Diana Ross.

It is ironic that these stars are on the ground, in a place where ordinary human beings can walk on top of them. In today’s passage, God clearly explains the value He places upon our lives. He immortalizes us not on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but as stars in the universe, held high for all to see. Our value in Christ extends far beyond mortal fame. By humbling ourselves to God, we are truly exalted.

The Philippians passage is an oft-quoted favorite. It describes the example we have in Christ who, “being in very nature God” (2:6), humbled Himself by taking on the “nature of a servant” (v. 7). Jesus Christ did not claim all His rights and privileges on earth. Instead, He was born as a baby of humble means. His arrival was not heralded in newspapers or photographed by the paparazzi.

The significance of His humility is noted in verse 9. “Therefore”—because of this—we read that “God exalted him to the highest place” (v. 9). God gave Him the “name that is above every name” (v. 9). No name—no person—is higher than Jesus Christ.

What does this mean for us? It gives us extraordinary, immeasurable value. It places us in a place of honor. Through Christ’s transformation, we become “blameless and pure” (v. 15). Through His love, we will “shine like stars in the universe.” We can never view our lives as insignificant. As children of God, chosen and redeemed by the Son of God, we have immeasurable value and will be given a position of high honor.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Before you go to bed tonight, step outside and take a look at the stars. If the night is not too cloudy, you will see a vast array of tiny dots of light. For millennia, people have charted their path according to the stars, using them to guide ships and continental treks. As you gaze at God’s creation, realize that your life, too, is a star shining for all to see. Can others look to you for an example of how to live? Does your life reflect the glory of God and lead others on a path toward Him?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 John 3:1-24
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us! - 1 John 3:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Online dating has changed the way millions of men and women approach romance. Instead of spotting your potential loved one across a crowded room, people now scroll through a variety of potential candidates on a computer screen. The single person looking for love enters his or her personal data into a computerized Web site or online dating program. The program will screen those characteristics, finding the closest matches. Web sites like e-Harmony and Match.com claim that their techniques have produced hundreds of thousands of marriages and long-term relationships. No wonder they are popular! Don’t we all hunger to find our one true love?

Everyone wants to feel loved in a special and intimate way. A good deal of our self worth comes from knowing that someone knows us and loves us. Famed psychologist Abraham Maslow described our need for love as an important platform in his pyramid, the Hierarchy of Needs. We all need to be loved.

In today’s passage, John describes the way God loves us. Chapter 3 emphasizes the type of love God gives us. It is not stingy or reserved. It is “great” and “lavish” (v. 1). This is an effusive love, an over-the-top type of love. God’s love toward us is amazing. We also know that we are His children, and we are not yet in our final state.

The second part of verse 2 is important. God’s love promises to transform us. When God appears, we will be made like Him. His love will “purify” us (v. 3). This purity excludes sin. John warns us to keep in mind the final transformation that God promises to us as His children to motivate our behavior now. We are not to be like those who do not know Him. We are to love others, as God has loved us (v. 10).

God’s dramatic love for us required great sacrifice (v. 16). Our love for others should mimic His sacrifice. Our words and our actions should be marked and transformed by love (v. 18). How great a love God has given us!

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
All of us are searching for love. Sometimes, though, we look for it in the wrong places. We may even start to feel bad about ourselves because we are not loved as we think we should be. Whether you are single or married, an adult or a child, you know how important it is to experience love. Today, take time to thank God for the lavish way He loves you, and look for opportunities to extend this extravagant, sacrificial love to others in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 139:1-10
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. - Psalm 139:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
A medical imaging method using X-rays is called “full body scan” or computed tomography. This type of full-body X-ray is used to scan the entire body looking for potential health problems. While not fully supported by everybody in the medical community or the FDA, these full body scans seem appealing to someone worried about his or her health. What better way to prevent illness than to be able to peer inside one’s body, to look under the skin, and to see everything that is happening? If doctors were able to know the inner working of our bodies, wouldn’t that be to our advantage?

The Bible speaks of an even better, intimate knowledge of who we are inside and out, not just physically but also spiritually. Today and tomorrow, we will look at Psalm 139. This song of praise focuses on the way God knows and loves us.

In today’s passage, David talks about God’s knowledge of who he is. “You have searched me and you know me” (v. 1). To search implies effort. When something is lost, we search for it. We may retrace our steps, send out groups of people, and track clues. All of these things imply active engagement. God feels that way about us. He searches our heart. He knows us intimately.

God knows when we “sit” and “rise” (v. 2). God knows our “thoughts” and our “ways (v. 3). Even before we utter a word, God knows what we are going to say. This intimate knowledge is not oppressive, but freeing. Because God knows us intimately, we feel safe. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,” exclaims David (v. 6).

He then uses expansive poetic imagery to prove how thorough and widespread God’s love is for us. He says that if we go to the “heavens” or down to the “depths” (v. 8), God is aware of exactly where we are. The “darkness” and the “light” do not hide us. He knows us. The Creator of the universe has created us, knows us, searches us intimately, and still loves us profoundly.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Stretch out your hand and look at it closely. Examine your fingernails, your wrinkles, the veins on your hand. Do you have any freckles on your hand? Which one of your fingers is the longest? Turning over to look at your palms, examine the lines that criss-cross it. What shapes do they make? As you look at yourself this intimately and closely, know that God, your Creator, already knows these things about you and much more. Thank Him today for His knowledge of who you are. You are known and loved.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 139:11-24
For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. - Psalm 139:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
With the help of ultrasound imaging, scientists today know more than ever about the way life begins. For example, did you know that twenty days after conception, before most women know they are pregnant, the fetus has a beating heart? A doctor who performed the first blood transfusion to an unborn baby said, “By thirty days, the baby has a brain of unmistakable human proportions, eyes, ears, mouth, kidneys, liver, an umbilical cord, and a heart pumping blood he has made himself.” Certainly, our lives are woven in miraculous ways.

But God has known you longer than anyone else, including your parents? In this psalm, David rejoices in the fact that God knows us eternally. As today’s verse describes, God knew us while we were being formed in the womb. God created not just our human form: our eyes, lips, and heart. He created who we are, “our innermost being” (v. 13).

God saw who we would be before we were created. “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (v. 16). Not only did God know who you would become, and that you might inherit your father’s eyes or your mother’s ability to whistle, He actually knew what would happen to you in every moment of existence. Your life is held safely in His hand.

This type of foreknowledge invites troubling thoughts as well. David seems to wrestle with this idea, as he acknowledges that God’s knowledge of who we were means that the amount of His thoughts are innumerable (v. 18). How can we conceive the mind of God?

Why does God allow us to struggle? Why do we face enemies (vv. 19-22). Why do we wrestle with illness or depression? God knows this too, right? David concludes that God’s ways are higher than ours. Even when we are tempted to question God’s ways, we must rest in the knowledge that He undoubtedly knows us and what is best for us, far more than we can know ourselves (vv. 23-24).

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many of our questions about our life’s plan will remain unanswered until eternity. Thankfully, God has given us the examples recorded in Scripture to remind us that we are not alone, and that He is faithful. If you are struggling with events in your life, read through the books of Job and Psalms to see how God works to comfort and protect His children. Pray today that God will allow you to rest your anxious thoughts in Him. He knows you, your past and your future, and He is a good and loving God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jeremiah 31:1-14
I have loved you with an everlasting love. - Jeremiah 31:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the classic movie Love Affair, a man and a woman fall in love while onboard a ship. They make an appointment to meet six months later atop the Empire State Building. In the meantime, tragedy strikes. The woman, Terry McKay, is struck by a car and told she might be crippled. The man, a French painter named Michel Marnet, goes to meet her, but she does not show up. While the two are separated, they never forget their love for one another. Finally, they meet by accident and Michel learns the real reason Terry did not keep their appointment. He assures her that their love is meant to be, and that he will stay with her whatever the diagnosis may be. The story struck such a chord that it has been remade several times, most notably as An Affair to Remember.

Most of us yearn for this type of never-ending, romantic love. We see in our today’s passage in Jeremiah that God loves us exactly like that. The only difference is that unlike Michel, God already knows exactly who we are and what we are struggling with; nothing is hidden from Him.

The third verse is worth memorizing: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Here God speaks to His people who have been plagued with problems and doubt and disobedience. They have worshiped other gods. Yet, despite their sins, God makes this astounding pledge. He loves them. And He will “build them up again” (v. 4).

He describes the joy and life they will know again with “tambourines” and “vineyards” and “joy.” He is their redeemer (v. 11). He will pay the price to buy them back from their oppressors and to restore them.

“Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well” (v. 13). This is a passage of hope for us. Ultimately due to His own redemptive work, God promises to restore us. The story does not end with times of trouble. His everlasting love will keep us to the end.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The wedding ring is often used to symbolize everlasting love. Do you realize that married or not, you have been promised a love like this? Write out the third verse and put it somewhere you will read it often this week. Remember that whether or not you wear a physical token of love, you have been promised God’s eternal love. You have been bought with a price. You have been guaranteed a hopeful future. Your life is in the hands of One much greater than you. You are not alone.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 17:22-31
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him. - Acts 17:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
Tracing one’s family tree is a popular hobby for many Americans. In fact, in 2001, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution declaring October as Family History Month. It stated, “Within the last month some 14,167,329 people researched their family history and 24 million people have used the Web and e-mail to locate or hunt for family or friends.” Kim Farah, a spokesperson for the Family History Library, says that it touches a fundamental need: “It crosses faith and cultures. The positive benefits of knowing our heritage . . . gives us a sense of responsibility and self-esteem.”

As believers, our self-esteem can and should be directly linked to our relationship to God. In today’s passage, Paul is giving a speech in Athens, a city filled with idols (v. 16). Paul stressed the distinction between being religious and knowing the true God, and he detailed how his own God was the one true God who created the heaven and the earth (vv. 23-24).

This God is not “served by human hands” (v. 25). In other words, God does not need us in order to survive. He made us and made the world—what could He need? Yet, in this passage, Paul revealed what God desires. God made all of this “so that men would seek him” (v. 27). God loves us, but He does not manipulate our minds and hearts. He made us, and it is His desire that we would want to know Him, to find Him, and to have a relationship with Him. He does not view us as puppets on His string.

“For in him we live and move and have our being” (v. 28). Our heritage is directly linked to the divine Creator. It is natural for offspring to want to know their parents. It is natural, then, that since we are God’s offspring, we will want to find our image in Him. Only in God—not in our own accomplishments, possessions, personality, or family history—can we find the source of our true identity.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What part of you resembles your ancestors? You might have your mother’s eyes or your grandfather’s nose; those attributes are an unmistakable link to your heritage. Spend some time today considering what attributes you have that link you to God, your heavenly Father. Your list might include patience with a difficult loved one, generosity toward the needy, or forgiveness of someone who hurt you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you as you mature to look more like your Father every day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 8:9-17
We are heirs—heirs to God and coheirs with Christ . . . that we may also share in his glory. - Romans 8:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
At one time, William Clark was the second-richest man in the United States, his fortune rivaled only by that of John Rockefeller. The bulk of his fortune passed to his daughter Huguette. Now nearly 104 years old, Huguette has no direct heirs, and almost no one—including the staff of her various homes— even knows where she is. Though she has made charitable contributions through the years, no one knows how she intends to dispense of her immense fortune when she dies.

Our passage today talks about an inheritance even more magnificent than anything imagined by William Clark. And in this case, we know who the heirs are—it’s us! “We are heirs—heirs to God and coheirs with Christ” (v. 17).

This section of Romans 8 begins with a reminder about control. We are no longer to be dominated by our old sinful nature (v. 9). We are risen with Christ, spiritually freed from the power of death and sin as we look forward to the full resurrection of our bodies and life with God eternally. We now live through His Spirit (v. 11).

This gift of moving from the control of death into life means that “we have an obligation” (v. 12). We must live in a way that reflects appropriately on who we are, on our new name. We are not to continue to live in our old ways, but to live in a manner that reflects who we are as children of God (v. 14). Our new adoptive state is not one of distance from a heavenly Father who is too lofty to bother with us. Our new relationship with God is an intimate, loved, caring one. We are true sons and daughters.

As a result of our adoption into God’s family, we are heirs to the kingdom. And we should live as royal sons and daughters of the Most High Creator. We have been given a name of honor and much wealth. We have a future and a hope that is unique to those in our position. We must realize who we are and not be tempted to live in the squalor and sin and depravity of our old lives.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What will you leave to someone else as an inheritance? Some of the things we inherit are tangible. Other things are intangible. Make a list today of the things, both tangible and intangible, that you would like to pass on to others after your death. Certainly sharing your faith in Christ is the greatest inheritance you can give to those you love. If your friends or children do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, consider today how you can share this gift with them, a gift that will last for eternity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:1-18
Yet to all who received him . . . he gave the right to become children of God. - John 1:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Children who grow up in the White House certainly have a unique childhood experience. Their home has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and six levels. It includes 28 fireplaces, eight staircases, and three elevators. Instead of a parent cooking the meals, their home has five full-time chefs. Just because they are children of the President, however, doesn’t mean they always treat their home like a prized palace. For example, Tad Lincoln herded goats into a sitting room while his mother was giving an official tour. Teddy Roosevelt’s son Quentin got into trouble for running a toy wagon through a priceless painting. Amy Carter caused a stir when she read a book during a formal state dinner.

In our passage today we see more about what it means to be the children of God, with certain rights and privileges. John 1 recounts who God was at the very beginning. In fact, God was the beginning (1:1). There was no one or nothing else before Him. Through God “all things were made” (v. 2). Not only did God create physical light, He also sent Jesus as the “true light” (v. 9).

But the world did not recognize Him (v. 10). Many remained willfully blinded in darkness. But to these people who received the Son, God bestowed an incredible gift (v. 12). John says that God gave them the right to become children of God.

When we become children of God, we are elevated to an extremely lofty position. We did not grow up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but our Father is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (v. 14) so that we could one day inherit resurrected flesh and make our eternal dwelling with God. As His children, we have an experience of salvation that is not to be taken lightly.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As a child of God, you can turn to Him with your most private and pressing needs. Just as President Obama’s daughters can come to the president for help with their homework or problems with friends, we can beseech the Most High for help with our lives. In fact, God desires this kind of daily interaction with His children. What worries are pressing on your heart today? What burdens are you trying to carry on your own? Won’t you tell your Father right now? He can help you.