DEVOTION FOR TODAY

My pastor, Bishop Winston Iwo made a profound statement one Sunday. He said, I am the branch. I am not the vine. Jesus is the vine. I should not pretend to be the vine. John 15:1-4. As simple as that statement is, we often forget what we are. No wonder we get confused most times. How do you explain a situation where a man lives for 65 years as a man only to discover he is a woman? How long does it take to know the gender of any person? These days, you can know from the womb. So why are some people confused? If you know the driving distance from Port Harcourt to Yenagoa is maximum one hour forty minutes and you are still trying to get to Yenagoa after five hours since you set out, common sense which is no more common should tell you that you are heading in the wrong direction. That is when to either use a GPS or ask those who know the way. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 shows us what our body is and how to treat it. 1. Your body is given to you by God. You really don't own it. It belongs to God. Treat it as God's gift to you. He gave us a body to give us the basis for being here. Without your body, you will be an alien here. 2. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Since God is Spirit, He can only function here through human bodies. That's why He made man so He can function here through man. You exist because of Him. If you refuse to serve His purpose, you really have no right being here. Just as the branch of the tree can't exist unless it is connected to the stem so you cease to exist in God's world if you disconnect from Him. 3. Your body has a price tag that only God can afford. No matter what you try to pay for its comfort, it will never satisfy. Only God can satisfy your bodies cries and cravings. You treat your body well when you glorify God with your body. Just do what God tells you to do and you glorify Him with your body. Then, you have reason to still be here. If you refuse to partner with God by giving Him your body and all that comes with your being here, get ready to exit the stage of life. Partner with me to reach 30 million souls in 50 nations this year. Bishop Michael O. Amamieye - www.aggressivefaith.org.