Image bearer

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:1‭, ‬27 ESV

We have forgotten we were created by God, we have forgotten He created male and female in His image, we have forgotten that God loves mankind.

God has not, mankind's identity has been stolen, we are created as individuals to reflect the glory of God.

Each of us are created with a purpose.

We have devalued life so much and forgotten God that taking a life is an easy task for a godless society that we do not morn or become furious at the loss of life anymore.

Racial tensions, despising authority, murder on demand authorised from our government are things we have become immune to.

God has not. We play god and unless we turn back God the author of life, life as we know it will be over.

For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!

Romans 5:6‭, ‬10 HCSB

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Colossians 1:3‭, ‬15‭-‬18‭, ‬21‭-‬23 NKJV

Do you highly exalt the name of Jesus?

What do I mean, you say?

Do you talk with Him, walk with Him, praise Him, listen to Him, tell others about Him, honor Him in things you do and say,obey Him, do you carefully seek Him when you read the Bible?

Do you realize the power He has? Jesus has separated light and darkness, He has conquered sin and death, He has taken the wrath of God the Father upon Himself for us, He has spanned the great gulf and reconciled us to His Father.

By His name the lame walk again, the blind see, the deaf hear, the sick are healed and the dead are raised.

By the name of Jesus time was split, nations have fallen and been raised, He has changed the hearts of billions and crushed the demonic rebellion in heaven.

His name makes His children's hearts jump with joy and the devil's children angry and mad, His name is used to curse by the devil's children and bless by His children. Mention His name and watch those around you respond accordingly.

One day Jesus is coming back to gather His bride, and time as we know it will be changed, every person ever born will stand before Him, and confess Him to be Lord . Those who have confessed Him as Lord and Savior will spend eternity with Him in heaven , those who have not spend eternity without Him in a place created for the devil and his demons .

There is no other name than Jesus, in which man can be saved, there is no other name that holds the power that His name holds, there is no other name that bears the image of God in human form than the name of Jesus.

So do you exalt the name of Jesus?

For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.  So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:11-12 HCSB

For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 HCSB

But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? ” “I am,”  said Jesus, “and all of you   will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Mark 14:61-62 HCSB

Repent and live!

We are quick to call to a day of prayer and fasting in our churches and even in our nation still.

What we are not quick to do, is call for a day of repentance. Prayer, worship and fasting without a repentant heart is worthless it is vanity and pride and will not be heard by God for He is Holy and will not regard iniquity in our hearts.

Repentance is the first step in salvation when we acknowledge our sin and repent, it is also required of us to come before God repentance is required when we sin against God.

Daniel chapter 9 tells us Daniel repented for himself and his people, because they sinned greatly against God, Psalm 51 David repented of his sins and turned back to God.

The Church today needs to repent, we as the body of Christ have gotten so far off message we no longer speak of repentance, consequences or judgment.

Make no mistake restoration and healing will not come without repentance.

This Christmas as we celebrate Christ let us remember what He said. As we share Jesus with those around us.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news! ”

Mark 1:15

Israel, (we) return to Yahweh your God, for you have stumbled in your sin. Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord . Say to Him: “Forgive all our sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips. Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer proclaim, ‘Our gods! ’ to the work of our hands. For the fatherless receives compassion in You.” I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger will have turned from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His new branches will spread, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance, like the forest of Lebanon. The people will return and live beneath his shade. They will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim, why should I have anything more to do with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing pine tree; your fruit comes from Me. Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hosea 14:1-9