A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of February 1-7, 2021
MONDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Marriage, or covenant, is the foundation of family life. The human family began with a covenant between the man and the woman. When God conceived the idea of man, He decided that man would be made in His own image. Man was a product of God’s imagination, given earthly substance, and then infused with God’s life (Genesis 2:7). Man became a living soul and was created to live forever. He was created with a covenant of life with God, and therefore was bound by God’s word to live out his life under the authority of God. Covenant is the family way.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Psalm 107:20 ~ He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
February 1: Genesis 33, Mark 4, Esther 9-10, Romans 4
February 2: Genesis 34, Mark 5, Job 1, Romans 5
February 3: Genesis 35, Mark 6, Job 2, Romans 6
February 4: Genesis 36, Mark 7, Job 3, Romans 7
February 5: Genesis 38, Mark 8, Job 4, Romans 8
February 6: Genesis 39, Mark 9, Job 5, Romans 9
February 7: Genesis 40, Mark 10, Job 6, Romans 10
TUESDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
When the man and woman are married, they become one flesh. They are a new breed. Their blood is mingled in such a way that a new bloodline is created. This is a part of the covenant of life. When a man and woman come together in matrimonial union, they become one flesh. Their offspring is the evidence of this. The man and woman are the only creatures capable of this type of reproduction. We may live in an age where people are “redefining” marriage and family, but the word of God can never be redefined. Each person who has ever been born comes into the earth this way.
WEDNESDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
There is no marriage besides that between the man and the woman. Marriage has already been defined by God. This is why marriage is referred to as “holy.” The word “holy” means that it is set apart by God for His use, purpose and protection, and is governed by God’s laws pertaining to life.
When marriage occurs, God takes over. He is the author of all life, and has designed the marriage union between the man and the woman as the Godly foundation for all life. What a marvelous thing to be able to bear and reproduce children, who are also made in God’s image. Because this ability to reproduce has been delegated to man by God, then God must have a way to protect that which He has created. That way is through marriage and family.
THURSDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
What about two people who care deeply about one another, but don’t feel the need for a license, papers, or anything of the like? What about two people of the same sex who want to make a lifetime commitment? These unions are unholy and do not qualify as a marriage.
Heterosexual and homosexual sexual activity without the legal and spiritual bond of marriage is not honored by God. Man may say it’s o.k., but God never will. God is the same and never changes. Since God is holy He has no reason to ever change. What He does through His holiness will last forever, and does not need altering because of the age in which we live.
Any relationship based on fornication or any sin (as in homosexuality) will not be honored by God as the family way and will not last or have lasting value or fruit to the participants.
FRIDAY
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
The family represents man’s immortality. Children are a sign that we were meant to live eternally. When the marriage vow is made, this gives the children a stable environment in which to grow. God cannot enforce His covenant outside of marriage. When He does a thing, it will last.
Marriage began with God and it will continue throughout eternity as the Lord is joined forever with us, His bride. The family that God ordained is a lasting body that will withstand all assaults against it. Whatever God does, it lasts forever.