The word for this week is: “Relationship“.
The thought for this week is: Made in his image, our intimate relationship with God determines the impact of our lives.
Orienteering is a pioneering skill where a compass is used to chart a course. At the beginning of any journey we must set out in the right direction to reach our destination. God has a wonderful purpose for us in this world. To find the life that is worth living, we must understand that we are special and beloved and that God has a specific and wonderful plan for each of us that leads to a life of love, fulfillment and significance. Have you ever wondered what motivated God to design the universe or why he created us? The short answer is that it was love. Even before the world, God loved us and wanted a close personal relationship with us. Our intimacy with him, which is his highest priority for our lives, determines the impact of our lives.
Read Genesis 1 and notice what all God created before he formed the first man. Why do you think God created all these things before he made people? Looking specifically at verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 25, why do you think it was important to God to ensure that everything was “good”? James 1:17 says that everything good that comes to you is from God. When God said, “let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, what do you think he meant? Why would he create us in him image? Do you wonder what God’s will is for your life? He created you in his image for one reason – to have a deep, intimate relationship with you. God created the world with everything that we would ever need so that we could know and love him. That means that neither ability, beauty, intelligence, money or anything else will ever define our lives as successful in God’s eyes. It all comes down to how strong our relationship is with him.
Close by reading John 17:1-5 to understand the definition of eternal life. Also read I Cor. 15:22 and understand how this verse contrasts a life of separation from God with a life of intimacy with God. We were created for a deep relationship with God and the difference that our relationship with God makes in your life cannot be overstated. His highest priority for you is for you to be involved with him in prayer, study of his word and worship and praise. It is only through our fellowship and communion with God that allows us to have a profound effect on the lives of others in an eternal way. Meditate and pray through the following scripture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we praise your glorious name. You have created us in your image so that we can have a deep relationship with you. Allow our relationship to work in our lives in such a way that we might affect the lives of others in an eternal way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
By Rory Barneche