Recently I faced a very serious physical challenge. I want to report that I have experienced the awesome power
of my God through His miraculous provision of healing. From this incident it has become clear to me (once again)
the need to properly maintain this temple of God. Our bodies are the dwelling place of the Spirit of God and
therefore are important in God’s plan for us and for the earth. Look with me at I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not
know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your
own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Here the apostle Paul is reminding the saints in Corinth a truth that you and I must heed to as well, and that is we
are not our own. Indeed we belong to God because He paid the price; He purchased you and He purchased me.
Now we are His. This is the message God is conveying to you right now. Why? Because He needs for you to fully
understand that maintaining this temple of His - your body - is not an optional matter, it is actually a matter of
stewardship. In Romans 12:1 this truth is developed for you. Read this verse: “I beseech you therefore brethren, by
the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice to God, which Is your reasonable service."
Apparently your physical body is important to God or He would not have had Paul write about it. In fact your body
is an important element in God’s plan for you. This truth was made clear to me when I was lying in the hospital bed
during my season of healing after the stroke. This problem stopped me in my tracks. I was in no condition to work;
my ministry ground to a halt while my temple was undergoing repairs. My life and ministry had to be put on hold
during the restoration process.
I don’t know all there is to know about walking in divine health, but because of what we read in Holy Scripture I
truly believe we can. We can because God has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, (II Peter 1:
3) and included in that little word “all” most surely is the divine blessing for God’s covenant children of living
above sickness and disease and apart from all calamity. The Lord has promised us that we are always led in
triumph,
(II Corinthians 2:14) and that promise must surely include victory over the things that attack our physical bodies.
Let us choose right now to accept the words of God as truth and build our beliefs on them and develop our faith
because of them.
This teaching is not a teaching on divine health; it is a reminder to us all that we are stewards of God’s temple.
And because of that we alone are held responsible for maintaining it properly. How do we do this? Study these
four keys:
1) Be wise in a physical sense through adequate sleep, proper diet, and daily exercise.
2) Release the promised blessings of God on a daily basis over your body – speak the Word of God because His
words
are your medicine, they are your shield, and your victory! (Psalm 107:20) Use verses that promise healing.
3) Put your trust constantly and completely in God – this eliminates stress. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
4) Take a stand against the enemy daily; forbid the evil one from working in your life. (Matthew 18:18)
I was painfully reminded of the importance of maintaining my temple. I encourage you to hear my words and
receive instruction. The writer of Proverbs 24:31 shows you the importance of being careful to learn: “I went by
the field of the lazy man…it was all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was
broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked upon it and received instruction.”
Enjoy God’s very best in your life!