Healthy Gospel Living (Copy)
Today’s Verses:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
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.
For the first couple of days this week, our devotional theme will be “Healthy Living as Worship.” It’s a little different than usual, so that makes it essential. Well, I think so!
Saint Paul’s words in First Corinthians today direct our thoughts to knowing that we are not only children of God, but also that as we live, our very lives and bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. As we all know, America is dealing with a “bad health” epidemic. The cases of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity seem to grow daily. We have to ask ourselves - does our Lord want us to be sick with diabetes or the issues associated with being overweight? No. Our God wants us in the best condition possible, so we work in His kingdom on earth the best way possible! He wants us to serve Him by serving others, and when we’re sick, we’re not in the mood to share Jesus with others.
Today, Saint Paul reminds us of our lives as Christians. God wants the best for us, and serving Him requires us to be at our best. This thought builds on my weekend sermon about the importance that all of us have to share the Gospel message with all people, especially those we interact with daily. As I preached, we can express our love for God through our words and our actions towards others. If we’re snooty or angry, what does that show others about our faith in Jesus Christ? When we are dealing with some of the leading causes of poor health, does that motivate us to be glad and proactive in being Gospel messengers? Trust me - when I was morbidly obese, the last thing I wanted to speak to people about was my faith. All I wanted was another doughnut or vegan junk food.
Let us make a choice to get healthier so we can be better stewards of the blessed faith we have in Jesus. We live as forgiven sinners, and that message of forgiveness is essential for people to hear. Have a great Monday!
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, as we begin our week, drive my heart to be better stewards of the body I have so I can tell the wonderful message about our Lord Jesus Christ to the people I meet. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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