I BELONG NOT TO EVERYBODY

Dearly Beloved, I BELONG NOT TO EVERYBODY “You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don’t you? You do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ISV). On May 29, 2015, in his inaugural speech as the newly sworn-in fifth executive president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari inter alia said, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” This statement instantly became famous and many people gave it several interpretations. However, less than twenty-four hours after the statement was made, there was an emanated picture of a seemingly couple where the husband was querying his wife why she was not faithful to him and the wife was answering, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” The originator of the picture and people that were spreading it on social media were undoubtedly making fun out of the statement. Unfortunately, there have been many other funny pictures and captions relating to this statement. While this message is not intended to give the meaning or application of the said statement, it is clear that it is not meant for fun or unfaithfulness in the part of any spouse or any other person in a serious relationship. Nonetheless, the statement should remind you as a Christian about an important fact that you do not belong to everybody or nobody. In fact, you do not belong to yourself. You belong to God. You have been bought for a price, and you must, therefore, glorify God with your body (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The implication of this for a Christian is that the Christian must abstain from things that will dishonor God in his/her actions and words, and he/she must always present him/herself as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (see Romans 12:1). You cannot use your body as if it belongs to you or any other element outside you. Everything about you must always glorify God. Apostle Paul explained this thus: “If we live, we live to honor the Lord; and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8 ISV. See also 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:9). This fact settles all arguments about what we put on, what we put into our mouth, and how we live our lives. I belong NOT to everybody or nobody. I belong to Somebody. I belong to my God! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always be conscious of the fact that you belong to God.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 06Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it! But it's much easier when you surrender to his plan for your life! - Author Unknown ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to surrender to your plan for my life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 05Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is essential that we use our words with great wisdom and care. Consider carefully the words you choose. Will they be seasoned with the balm of grace or with the poison of anger? - Bill Crowder ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always use your words with great wisdom and care.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 04Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Nothing in this world can quench thirst for more and satisfy our need except in the Lord Jesus Christ, as we drink from His living water daily we will be refreshed and satisfied. - Akintoye Akintunde ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them’” (John 7:37-38 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the refreshed and satisfied living water of Christ to quench your spiritual thirst.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 03Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY You create stress in your life by getting angry, and you can instantly remove that stress by granting forgiveness. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be quick to forgive instead of being angry.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 02Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Once we acknowledge our sin and accept Christ’s offer to take it away, we no longer have to carry the weight of our guilt. - Julie Ackerman Link ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always confess your sins and even forsake them.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 01Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY We need not fear but can have hope because the LORD is the Beginning and the End of all things who is in control of our past, present and future. - Yemi Ladokun ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:17-18 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Fear not, but commit your ways to the Lord, the Beginning and the End, this new month. ******************* PRAYER FOR THE MONTH In this month of June, because your times are in the hands of the LORD, He will deliver you from the hands of your enemies and give you total victory from those who pursue you in Jesus' name. Amen. (adapted from Psalm 31:15) - Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi