By Ricky Smith September 7, 2026

There’s a moment near the end of Genesis chapter 1 that’s easy to read past if you’re moving quickly. God has just spent five and a half days speaking a world into order: light, sky, land, sun, moon, sea creatures, birds, animals. Then, for the first and only time in the whole chapter, the pattern breaks. Instead of the simple “let there be,” God pauses. He says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” It’s the only deliberation in the entire creation account, and it’s easy to miss just how loudly that pause speaks.

This past Sunday we closed out a month of slowly walking through Genesis 1, and we finally arrived at the moment the whole chapter has been building toward: the creation of humanity, in the image of God. If you’ve been with us, you know we’ve said, “and it was good” six times over the past three weeks, and each time I promised you a seventh, better word was coming. Genesis 1:31 delivers it: “very good,” spoken for the first and only time, right after humanity steps onto the scene.

Here’s why that matters for your actual week. So many of us walk around quietly convinced that our worth is something we have to earn, through our performance at work, our kids’ behavior, our body, our bank account, our usefulness to somebody. Genesis 1:26-31 was written into a world that believed something similar, a world where only kings were considered worthy of bearing a god’s image, and everyone else was just useful or expendable. Into that world, God says something radical: every human being, not just the powerful, carries His image. Your worth was never a wage. It was a gift, given before you’d done a single thing to earn or lose it.

That truth doesn’t stay private, either. If every person you meet this week- the cashier, the coworker, the neighbor who’s hard to love- carries that same stamp, then how you treat them matters more than you might think. Loving God and loving our neighbor, the very things we say define us as a church family, start right here, in Genesis 1.

So this week, look at three people. Really look. And remember, before you say a single word: this person is stamped with the image of God, the same as me. Then treat them like it.

By Charles Stanley

People love inspiring stories. Biographies of the down-and-out who make great use of a second chance tend to top bestseller lists. But few people experience something so dramatic in their life—most of us are wonderfully ordinary. Sadly, some believers think that being a “regular Joe” makes their testimony unexciting and therefore less valuable. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A personal testimony is a way of expressing what God has done and is doing in our life. No matter how commonplace our words may sound compared to someone else’s, the Lord will see to it that they impact the hearers who need them.

A 6-year-old girl who trusts in Christ will someday be able to tell her friends of God’s greatness. When she is 80, she’ll be able to share about a lifetime of walking with Jesus. Her testimony may not be “exciting,” but it doesn’t need to be. It will be spiritual gold.

No matter what your story is, God can and will use it. You have no idea how far-reaching your testimony can be. God says that His words will not return to Him void (Isa. 55:11). And the story of Jesus’ saving grace is always inspiring.

Look Up

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After their meal, they lay down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend, “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

Watson replied, “I see millions and millions of stars.”  “What does that tell you?” Holmes asked.

Watson pondered for a minute. “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?”

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke, “Someone has stolen our tent!”

DONATIONS

George: A man came to my house asking for donations for the town swimming pool.
Brian: Did you give him anything?
George: Yes, I gave him one glass of water.

Are You A Fellow Laborer?
1 Cor. 3:9 “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”??

Introduction: What is a fellow laborer? Is it someone who watches as others do all of the work? Is it someone who does all the work? Or Is it someone who works with others to accomplish something? ??Fellowlabourer – a co-laborer, companion in labour, (fellow-) helper (-labourer, -worker),

??I. God Has Called All Of His To Be Laborers – V. 9 ?A. He included everyone that is saved?B. There no such thing as an unemployed Christian?C. The Great Commission is for every man, women, and child.?Mat. 28:19,20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.?D. He has equipped everyone He has called. ??Herman Ostry’s barn floor was under 29 inches of water because of a rising creek. The Amish farmer invited a few friends to a barn raising. He needed to move his entire 17,000-pound barn to a new foundation more than 143 feet away. After one practice lift, 344 volunteers slowly walked the barn up a slight incline, each supporting less than fifty pounds. In just three minutes, the barn was on its new foundation. ?The body of Christ can accomplish great things when we work together.???I. God Has Called All Of His To Be Laborers – V. 9

II. God Has Equipped Everyone He Has Called?A. Different Gifts?1. Everyone Can Pray?a. Church b. Pastor c. Missionaries d. Lost?2. Everyone Can Tell?3. Everyone Can Do Something?B. Different Talents?1. God isn’t interested in how many talents we have–he’s interested in how we are using the talent we have.?2. Singing 3. Teaching 4. Encouraging ?C. Different Abilities?1. God measures our service, not by our ability, but by our availability, willingness.?2. Out Going 3. Shy 4. Lazy?D. You Are Never Alone!??There’s no such thing as Christians who do not work. It’s a work of service. You can’t build a home without work. You can’t build a church without work.??I. God Has Called All Of His To Be Laborers – V. 9

III. God Has Equipped Everyone He Has Called?III. God Promises That There Will Be A Pay Day! V. 8 ?A. Rewards On Earth?1. Want the best?–give your best.?2. Blessings?B. Rewards In Heaven?C. Rewards In Eternity??I. God Has Called All Of His To Be Laborers – V. 9
God Has Equipped Everyone He Has Called?III. God Promises That There Will Be A Pay Day! V. 8 ?IV. Are You Willing To Be A Fellow Laborer With God Today??A. What Can You Do??1. In this church?2. At your job??3. In your own home??B. What will you do?

The First Secret of Success

By Steve Goodier

“It’s not what you are that holds you back,” says entrepreneur Denis Waitley, “it’s what you think you are not.” The evidence leans towards this: Those who believe that they will never do well in a particular area probably never will. Those who believe they are not good at anything will forever feel inadequate. But those who believe that it is possible to succeed at what they attempt can surprise themselves. Let me tell you about a man who learned that important lesson:

   Adam was ready to retire. His wife Anna, however, was less enthusiastic. As she explained to a friend, “Adam has never done anything that required physical exertion. He never played golf, mowed the lawn or even washed the windows. When he retires, he will sit in his easy chair and expect me to bring him his food.”

   But to Anna’s surprise, soon after her husband retired, he joined a health club. And one night, when Adam arrived home from exercise class, he announced, “I signed up for the wrestling tournament. I am going to wrestle Friday night.”

   Anna was shocked. “Please don’t do it, Adam,” she begged. “You’re not in shape. You will be so beat up they will have to carry you home!” However, he couldn’t be dissuaded, and she told him that if he went through with his “lame idea,” she was not going to watch.

   True to her word, she stayed away that Friday evening as Adam wrestled. And just as she predicted, two men practically carried Adam home. He lay down on the couch, every muscle strained and bruised. Before she could speak, he sputtered, “Don’t say a word, Anna! This is not the worst of it. I won tonight. I have to wrestle again tomorrow night!”

Adam believed he could do it and he did, though, in this case, he didn’t think through the consequences of winning. As Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves, they have the first secret of
success”: Believe in Yourself.

Nothing changes in your life until you believe you can do things that are important to you. And if you have a low opinion of yourself, nobody else is likely to raise it.

Adopt the “first secret of success” and you might surprise even yourself.

Take Heed When God Speaks

Take heed when God speaks directly to you,

He gives wise advice in what to say and do;

Thank God for His presence deep down inside,

His wisdom is able to lead the steps of our life!

Take heed when God speaks in a still, small voice,

Following His way makes us sing and rejoice;

He’ll never yell, scream, or make a demand,

But instructs our heart in His perfect plan!

Take heed when God speaks, working in our heart,

His Spirit among us will never depart;

He remolds us daily to be more like Him,

His sufficient grace is still forgiving sin!

Take heed when God speaks, His wisdom is unique,

We’re greatly blessed to listen when He speaks;

Thank God for speaking and listening to us,

He deserves glory, & praise amidst our trust!

By David Jeremiah

How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach
unless they are sent? Romans 10:14-15

The story of the Church is interwoven with the history of missions. It’s the record of an endless parade of characters who have been sent—and who have willingly gone. Take, for example, Robert Morrison, who was born in Scotland in 1782. He became a Christian as a teenager and joined a prayer meeting that met every Monday in his father’s workshop. The London Missionary Society sent him out in 1807 as the first Protestant missionary to China, and his story is more exciting than a movie.

Morrison served 27 years and saw less than a dozen people come to Christ during the entirety of his ministry. Yet he opened the door and paved the way for the millions of conversions that have reshaped the story of modern China.

The priority of the Church is the Great Commission, to go into the world and preach the Gospel. We must share Christ wherever we are, and we must keep sending others to go where we cannot. You may feel the results may sometimes seem meager, but don’t be discouraged. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you. —Mother Teresa

By Rev. Billy Graham

One of the great bonuses of being a Christian is the great hope that extends beyond the grave into the glory of God’s tomorrow.

A little girl was running toward a cemetery as the darkness of evening began to fall. She passed a friend who asked her if she was not afraid to go through the graveyard at night.

“Oh, no,” she said, “I’m not afraid. My home is just on the other side!”

We Christians are not afraid of the night of death because our heavenly home is “just on the other side.”

The resurrection of Christ changed the midnight of bereavement into a sunrise of reunion; it changed the midnight of disappointment into a sunrise of joy; it changed the midnight of fear to a sunrise of peace. Today faith and confidence in the resurrected Christ can change your fear to hope and your disappointment to joy.

Prayer for the day: Whatever I fear the most, Lord Jesus, I put into Your loving hands, knowing You will give me peace and courage.

By Lane McGullion

I learned a valuable lesson recently – never trust a pastor that says “Hey, can you help me with an illustration?” At least, be sure to ask questions before blindly agreeing. The venue for this life lesson was a father/son camping trip. Our Minister to Adults was slated to give the devotion that night. He asked me that fateful question and I said, “Sure, whatever you need.” Oh boy, was that a mistake.

We all gathered around the campfire that night with our sons, who were much more interested in finding anything remotely flammable to throw in the fire. After coaxing the budding arsonists away from the flames, the devotion began. The topic was about building “spiritual muscles.” That’s when I started to regret not asking more questions.

Our Minister to Adults asked his five volunteers to join him near the campfire and form a line. At the count of three, we were instructed to get shirtless and give the group our best Mr. Universe “pose down.” Before anyone had time to object, the countdown began. Shirts started flying, so, of course, I had to play along.

I’ve never been mistaken for Arnold Schwarzenegger, so this kind of activity was sure to open me up to some light-hearted ribbing. Well, let me tell you, Arnold would have been proud of our effort. You’d have thought we were all seasoned bodybuilders. Muscles clenched, faces grimaced, and the crowd went wild.

Fortunately for me, our speaker had also chosen an older gentleman to participate and he stole the show. He was wearing a wooly sweater and when he took it off, well, he was as wooly as the sweater. I don’t know if bodybuilding has a senior wolfman division, but this guy would be a shoo-in.

The idea behind the illustration was that guys spend a lot more time focused on physical strength than building spiritual muscle. Paul puts the two in perspective – 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

According to Paul, we shouldn’t neglect the physical; it’s perfectly fine to hit the gym and get in shape. however, the time we spend building our physical bodies should pale in comparison to the commitment to building our spiritual strength.

Hmm, I wonder what a spiritual pose down would look like. I’m going to think on that for a while so I can get the mental image of the geriatric Sasquatch out of my mind.

Father, help us to spend as much time concerned about our inner selves as the outer.
Allow us to see our bodies as the temporary shells that they are.
Give us a passion for building the spiritual strength required to serve You and bring You glory. Amen

The Wonder Years

Well, I’ve finally reached “The Wonder Years.”

Wonder where my car is parked?

Wonder where I left my phone?

Wonder where my glasses are?

Wonder what day it is?