The Crowning Act of Creation

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him. Genesis 1:27.
Here is clearly set forth the origin of the human race; and the divine record is so plainly stated that there is no occasion for erroneous conclusions.
After the earth, with its teeming animal and vegetable life, had been called into existence, man, the crowning work of the Creator, and the one for whom the beautiful earth had been fitted up, was brought upon the stage of action….
As man came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of lofty stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health, and glowed with the light of life and joy. Adam’s height was much greater than that of men who now inhabit the earth. Eve was somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble, and full of beauty.
There is no ground for the supposition that man was evolved, by slow degrees of development, from the lower forms of animal or vegetable life…. He who set the starry worlds on high, and tinted with delicate skill the flowers of the field, who filled the earth and the heavens with the wonders of His power, when He came to crown His glorious work, to place one in the midst to stand as ruler of the fair earth, did not fail to create a being worthy of the hand that gave him life. The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration, traces back its origin, not to a line of developing germs, mollusks, and quadrupeds, but to the great Creator. Though formed from the dust, Adam was “the son of God.”
Next to the angelic beings, the human family, formed in “the image of God,” are the noblest of His created works.
When Adam came from the Creator’s hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker…. It was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image—the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator.
The Faith I Live By p. 29
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Prayer Requests
—–We need prayer for protection. Anonymous
—–please pray for my little shiatsu,,he’s been to the vet because of stomach problems, wasn’t and won’t eat, can’t get him to even take the med the vet prescribed. he is about 8 yrs old and we been thru a lot together, we lost my husband his buddy about three years ago. Mary
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Dear Friends,
I once knew a pastor’s wife who had a way of getting rid of gossips. When someone would come to her with some “juicy tidbit,” she would say, “Let’s kneel down right now and pray for that person.” It didn’t take long before she no longer had to deal with the church gossips. Those who were really concerned about someone were more than willing to spend time with her in prayer for that individual.
How much sorrow would be avoided if we vowed never to repeat a bit of gossip. Even if the story is true, it tends to grow with the repeating until it is nearly unrecognizable. Its poison grows within until former friends are separated, former brethren ostracized. Our Great Creator admonishes us, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.” Lev 19:16 Solomon had much to say about gossiping, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Prov 18:8;11:13; 20:19
Peter shares some insight into this subject, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” 1 Peter 4:12-14 Notice that the sin of gossip is listed alongside the sins of murder and stealing. How important it is, then, to keep that “juicy tidbit” to our self and refrain from wandering from person to person speaking things which we should keep between ourselves and our Dear Saviour alone. He is the Only One Who has the power to do anything about it.
Well does James exclaim, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:2-18
Let us, therefore, refrain our tongue from evil, and our lips that they speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10) Let us determine that we will never spread the poison of gossip to those around us, for “where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” Prov 26:20 Let us make sure that instead of spreading gossip, we take our concerns to the All Powerful One Who can change the situation.
Rose