The Overwhelming Importance Of Keeping Our Bodies Clean And Holy…Because Holy God Resides There!

17 Feb 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Corinthians 3:16.       Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

And the great deluge of snow has finally stopped. It did so sometime during the evening hours…and now it’s clean up time! And to enable us to do that in a somewhat easy manner, the Lord has seen fit to gift us with a bright and sunshiny Family Day Provincial Holiday Monday! Isn’t He a good God? For sure He is! Remember too that after the last snowstorm on Thursday, we also had a bright and sunshiny Friday to clean up. (smile) The problem today though is that there’s a strong wind that’s causing some havoc, blowing the snow all about the place, so that as soon as you’ve finished cleaning one spot, it’s very likely for the wind to blow more snow back there. But it’s a matter of simply pressing forward, until you’ve done all you can. 

By the way, here’s another reason that our God is good: He chose the Family Day long weekend to aggravate our souls bodies and minds. Can you imagine if this was a regular Monday and everybody needed to go to work. There would be even more chaos than we already have. But the Lord in His LOVING-KINDNESS chose a day when most of us would be at home celebrating Family Day, which is a public holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February, that gives people a day off to spend with their families. It was introduced in 2008 to give provincially regulated workers a long weekend in February and most provincially regulated employees receive the day off with pay. 

Many of the other Provinces have the same holiday, but not all call it Family Day. For example in Manitoba it’s Louis Riel Day, named after a Métis (Indigenous) leader who fought to protect French and aboriginal rights. Meanwhile, in the Province of Nova Scotia, it’s called Heritage Day. Unfortunately, Family Day is not a federally mandated holiday, so federal workers, such as post office employees and public servants, work on Family Day. So please don’t say our God is not good, for even in the midst of chaos and disaster, He still eases our path with His awesome grace and undeserving mercy. 

And having said all of that, what shall we talk about scripturally today eh? (smile) Soon come. Let me check the Good Library…. And we’re back, a minute later. The Good Book opened to 1 Corinthians Chapter 3, where we find these interesting and rather appropriate words for these decadent and sinful times. Bruh Paul writes: ‘Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile (destroys) the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.’ (1 Cor. 3:16-17) 

And truthfully, many of us know that we are supposed to be God’s temple, because His Holy Spirit dwells within us, therefore we ought to keep our bodies as holy and clean from sin and it’s associates. However, with the busyness of our society and the many distractions steadily hurled at us, it becomes somewhat difficult to do, even if we remember it. But remember it we must my faithful brethren, for it affects our very lives, our cordial relationship with Almighty God. 

Now, Bruh Paul also wrote something similar to the Roman church, where he proclaims: ‘For they that are after the flesh do mind (set their minds on) the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.’ (Rom. 8:5-8) 

 And that’s the gospel truth my people! If we’re living carnally, for and in our flesh, then we certainly cannot please God. However, here’s the good news as Bruh Paul continues: ‘But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit if life because of righteousness.’ (Rom. 8:9-10) Yes friends, let’s praise the Lord that the Spirit of His Son Jesus Christ does dwell in us, and we are going to do our best to live by it’s guidance. 

But here’s one more interesting scripture we ought to pay attention to today, that’s this one from Bruh Paul to the Galatians: ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.’ (Gal. 6:7-8) Now that’s a scripture we should always keep front and centre in our lives: God sees it all because He looks at our hearts and not our outward doings, therefore we cannot fool Him, by saying one thing while doing another, as so many of us still foolishly try to do. 

So, let’s go now to the throne of grace in confident humility, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us with our many earthly problems. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And it’s all well and good to pray, but if we do not make changes in our lives in accordance with God’s will, then no divine aid will be forthcoming. Let’s remember that and act accordingly. Much LOVE!

…the Spirit of God lives in His temple…our bodies…therefore we need to keep them as clean and holy as possible…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   22 May 2023 Romans 8:6.

22 May 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Romans 8:6.         For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

And this Monday has turned out to be a tad cool, but mainly sunshiny with a li’l overhead cloud. However, it most definitely has not spoiled or quelled the celebration of the Victoria Day holiday, in honour of the long reigning British monarch, Queen Victoria. And I’m chickling here because many of us don’t like the monarchy, especially with the recent crowing of King Charles 111, but just try and take away the holiday named after a British monarch nuh, and see how they rebel. 

But that’s just our human nature; we might dislike something strongly, but once it benefits us, it’s not easy to take it away. Our fleshly lusts always seem to outweigh our emotional or spiritual convictions. (smile) That’s why Bruh Paul wrote thus to church at Rome. ‘For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh (set their minds on fleshly things); but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.’ (Rom. 8:5-8) 

That says a whole lot there friends! But before delving deeper into the subject, let’s first clarify what we mean by carnal or fleshly lusts. One commentary explains it thus: ‘Carnal feelings and desires are sexual and physical, without any spiritual element. Their ruling passion is that of carnal LOVE.’ Yes, and for our scriptural purposes the scholars explain: ‘To be carnally minded means to have one’s life dominated by the sin nature, (our inherent human instincts and desires). To be spiritual minded is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.’ 

‘For he that soweth to his flesh of the flesh shall reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.’ (Gal. 6:8) And that’s why, if we live by our human instincts and desires, we cannot please God, because God wants us being guided by His Holy Spirit, in reverence, obedience, faithfulness and trust in Him. That’s what He desires of Christians, that’s us, the followers of Jesus Christ. 

And if we are Christians, then according to Bruh Paul: ‘But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.’ (Rom. 8:9-10) The scholars explain that our bodies are still mortal and are subject not only to death, but also to temptation of sin. While the Spirit of life anticipates verse 11, which speaks of being resurrected in a new body with Christ, if you belong to Him.

 And in his letter to the Galatians, Bruh Paul spells it out in a little more detail, getting down to the practical side of things. ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest (evident), which are these; Adultery. Fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (licentiousness), Idolatry, witchcraft (sorcery), hatred, variance (contentions),emulations (jealousies), wrath, strife (selfish ambitions), seditions (dissensions), heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revilings and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.’ (Gal. 5:16-21) 

And what does all of that mean? Let’s hear from the scholars. Walking in the Spirit means ‘That Christians are to live with the Spirit’s help. How does one “live by the Spirit?’ (1) The Christian must believe that the Spirit is with him, having been sent by God into his heart (4:6). (2) In every spiritual confrontation the believer must yield to the Spirit, that is, submit his own desires to those of the Spirit. (3) One must depend on the Spirit for help, enabling him to live a God-pleasing life (vs. 5) (4) The believer should anticipate the effects of the Spirit’s help in his daily life. Thus the believer who “lives by the Spirit,” will not fulfill (accomplish, carry out) the lust (strong desires) of the flesh (sinful nature).’ 

Ah friends, it’s not easy living by the Spirit when the devil and his evil cronies are always on our case, trying to drag us down, but as in most things, we can only get better and stronger by experience, that’s by being patient and persevering in living sincerely for Christ. As our time under the rule of the Spirit grows, then so will our faith and ability to live for Christ grow. So, let’s not ever give up. And to help us do that, let’s go right now to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, asking for help to keep walking in the Spirit. 

As one voice: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now, let’s go out and do what we know we need to do nuh, so that the heavenly grace and mercy, which our world needs so badly, can flow down to us! Much LOVE!

… the true believer need not fear the lusts of the flesh…for God has given us a spirit of power, LOVE and a disciplined mind… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ