THE TEMPLE OF GOD - FRIDAY 23RD MARCH 2018

THEME: THE TEMPLE OF GOD

MEMORISE:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19

READ: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

MESSAGE:
From the beginning, God’s plan has always been to have continuous fellowship with mankind. Looking at God’s interaction with Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3, we see that He normally visited them at a certain time of the day to have fellowship with them. However, in the dispensation of the New Testament, because the Almighty has better things in store for us, He has chosen not to visit, but rather to dwell in us.

How privileged and blessed we are! The Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul expounded on this truth in today’s Bible reading. As a Christian, you need to recognise that your body is sacred dwelling place of the Almighty.

You also need to know that because you have been redeemed by the precious Blood of Jesus, you have been purchased by God at a very high price. You therefore do not have any claim over your body anymore, and consequently, you have no right to pervert, misuse or engage your body in anything that is contrary to the will of God.

God expects us to exercise responsible stewardship over our bodies. He expects us to do everything necessary to glorify Him with our bodies and make them suitable for His worship. 1 Corinthians 3:17 says,

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

This is an important statement with very serious implications. A lot of people in the world today, especially youths, view their body as their, and so they believe they can do anything they like with it. They have chosen to tread the path of defiling their bodies, which should be the temple of God, through ungodly lifestyles and association with evil companions.

Obviously, this is the reason why early death is trending in the upwards in the world today. Those who choose to abuse their bodies with unhealthy foods, alcohol, sexual immorality, hard drugs and other dangerous substances usually fall sick and end up dying prematurely. Some develop emotional or psychological problems that eventually lead to instability, loss of sanity, depression and even suicide. Defiling your body has such terrible consequences.

You need to trust God on His recommendations for the wellbeing of your body. Keep your body away from anything that contaminate or pollute it. Don’t yield to any contrary peer group pressure. Those who keep their body pure are directly inviting the presence of God into their lives, and they will receive divine visitation from above. It is a great privilege and honour to embody the presence of the Almighty.

ACTION POINT:

Examine the people and things you have been granting access to your body: do they pass God’s purity test?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 9-10, Galatians 5:16-6:18.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heavens 23rd March 2018, Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries