God's Holy Fire: 'Sacred People'

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
— 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NLT

Key Thought

As beautiful as the promise of yesterday was (Ephesians 2:22), the underlined part of today's scripture is a chilling and ominous warning. Since God builds us together into his dwelling place in the Spirit and makes us his holy temple, then we must value our congregation and the people who are part of that congregation. Those who destroy a congregation by sowing discord, creating animosity, or spreading gossip and rumors must hear God's clear warning: You destroy his temple, and you will be destroyed! Why? Because the temple, the folks that make up a congregation of the Lord's people, are holy and precious to God. In a world that focuses on the negative and that cherishes the next juicy morsel of gossip, we must take a positive approach to life because we know the great value of those who belong to God!

Today's Prayer

O Father, please forgive me for not valuing your children and your congregation of your people as you do. Give me a deep appreciation of my brothers and sisters for whom Jesus died, a deep connection to those who share in your Holy Spirit, and a deep reverence for what is holy and precious to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NLT — For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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