“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. During the recent quarantine, the majority of us have been working on our homes and/or doing home-improvement projects — everything from building a shelf to constructing full additions.  I guess that being home for such a long period of time is allowing people to do all those little projects that they might not typically have time for.

In American society, our homes are such an important place. It’s not only our sanctuary and where our family dwells, it also tells people a little bit about us. Our homes can even become both a status symbol and an idol.

We can actually focus so much on our home and pour so many of our resources (time, energy, and finances) into them that they can replace God. 

Anything that receives more of our resources and more of our focus than God is probably an idol in our lives. “The idols of the nations are but silver and gold, The work of man’s hands.” Psalm 135:15.

Don’t misunderstand me. Working on our homes is a good and godly thing. We are called to be good stewards of everything that God gives us and our home is a gift from God. All homes (whether it’s a 3,500 square foot mansion, a 3,500 square foot old, dilapidated home, or an 800 square foot shack), are a gift from God. If we were able to obtain it and it is a good thing, it is from the hand of God.  We must treasure gifts from God. We must care for them and steward them well. “For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)” Hebrews 3:3-4.

Just like our earthly tents. “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1.

Our bodies, like the homes we and our families live in, are gifts from God. Regardless of what they look like, how big or small, or even how rundown, they’re given to us by God. Our bodies deteriorate when not cared for properly.

Unfortunately, the world and the enemy deceive us into thinking that it’s normal to be out of shape as we get older.  Yes, like our homes, our bodies do deteriorate over time. But the more we neglect them and the less we strive to keep them in shape, the worst they’ll get.

If we’re going to serve God and glorify him to advance the kingdom, we have to take care of our earthly bodies and steward them well.  We need to eat right and get the proper amount of rest and exercise. This is how we can be fully effective for God.

But stewarding our bodies doesn’t stop there. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells in us. He resides within our hearts. We need to be feeding, getting the appropriate rest, and exercising our spiritual bodies as well. “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Romans 8:9.

Our spiritual bodies need to be fed with the Bread of Life and the Living Water (Jesus). We need peace and rest, found only in God and His promises. We need to study the scriptures daily and exercise our minds.

Now is the time to be working on our homes. But it is also time to work on our physical bodies. It will help ensure that we are able to serve God for as long as He desires. And to ensure that we are strong and well enough to do anything that He might ask. So, I pose a challenge. Let’s continue working on our homes, but work on our physical bodies/spiritual too.

It is also a perfect time to work on our spiritual bodies as well (the dwelling of the Holy Spirit). What better time to pray more, study the scriptures more, or to just lean into God and find rest?

Lord, I pray that today we would be lead to work on the things that really matter. I pray that we would begin to work on our physical bodies, that you might be glorified in them. I pray that they might be in the best shape possible for your use. “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2.

And, I pray that we would work on our spiritual bodies as well. Let’s make them a better, cleaner, more equipped, and peaceful dwelling place for the Holy Spirit to reside. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16. Father, forgive us for where we have been poor stewards of these homes. Help us to sign the deeds of these dwellings over to you for your use and purposes. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1. I pray this in Jesus precious and holy name. Amen.

Let’s work on our bodies/minds, caring for them in a manner that is befitting of the dwelling place for our Holy Spirit.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you will go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God desires, through the shed blood of Jesus, to forgive you. And, they both desire to come and live with you in a personal relationship. “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23. This is the greatest relationship you could ever have.

Please pray this prayer and once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer for you.

Luv Ya!