Ringing From My Heart

1 Corinthians 6:15-17

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 

Before we continue in the devotion this morning please understand that the sciptures are dealing with those who have confessed Jesus as their Savior.  He is dealing with Christians, or those who claim to be.

God teaches us today that if we say we are a part of the body of Christ, then we are one body together.  Just as the marriage illustrates and other scriptures define. The two have now become one.  Have you ever noticed that God asks us questions at times through the scriptures in order to turn the cogs in our minds and hearts?  He knew the answer to this question.  He knew where Adam was before He ever asked where he was.  He knew what Cain had done before he ever asked where Abel his brother was.  He wants you to think on these things. He desires that you come to the conclusion of your need, sin, or wisdom.  God is not a force-feeder but He leads you to the banquet.

Don't you just love the last part of our scripture today? "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." When we receive Christ as our Lord, we are no longer an individual.  No, we are now joined unto Jesus.  Wherever we go, whatever we say, whatever we do, we carry Jesus with us.  We should not be guilty of joining ourselves to any other.  

You know what? My wedding band is an inanimate object.  It can't guide me or give me directions (at least not until the iRing is invented). But it can speak to me and for me.  Now listen to me before you hang up and think I've lost it.  The ring on my finger speaks to me of my covenant/promise to my wife.  It speaks to me about the love and oneness I share with her and only her.  We are joined together!  Did you know she also wears a ring just like mine on her finger? (just a bit smaller in size)  Her ring speak as well.  Also these rings speak to others.  It says, "Back off, I'm taken! My heart and life belongs to another."  

If I never had a ring... I have a promise to her and myself.  The ring just signifies the promise made.  Just like your actions signify your oneness with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  You may not have a "Christian Ring" on today, but your actions should be ringing out.  Loud and clear from your heart people should hear, "I'm joined to Christ!  He is my one and only! I LOVE HIM!"

Always On

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The running joke at our house is about a commercial.  Whenever the power goes out we always mention this commercial.  It's an Alabama Power commercial.  The ending is always the same. It says, "Alabama Power... Always On".  Well when the power goes off I always say, "Always On, Huh?"  As long as there are storms, snow and accidents it can never be always on.  Sometimes the power goes out and there you are.  I even asked the boys the other night where they were when the power went out.  One said, "In my bedroom".  The other said, "I was standing next to you dad".  Then I replied, "Nope, you were in the dark".

If your home is like ours when the power goes out it is a time of mourning.  The boys tell of how quiet it is and how it is soooooo boring.  There's no wifi, there's no phone charger, there's no light in the bathroom, there's no fan noise to sleep by.  Oh the suffering, the torment! Then the conversations begin to roll out.  "I wonder what they did in the old days when they had no power?" "What would they do at night?"  I said, "They would go to bed".  

Since the invention of power so much has come about in our world.  The things we are able to do because of power.  My wife's grandad, Pop, has always said he will gladly pay the power bill no matter the cost.  You know why?  He lived when there was no powered air conditioning.  He says he will pay for that cool air any day.  

Think about this today... Are you trying to live in your own power?  As a Christian we shouldn't attempt to live through our own power, but through the power of the Gospel. Through the power of the Holy Ghost of God.  There are even some today trying to become a Christian (be saved) through their own works or power.  Our scripture this morning says that the power of salvation is in the Gospel!  It's in Jesus!  Stop depending on your strength to make it.  Stop trusting in your power, because it will never be "Always On".  No, only the power of Christ is "Always On". What a difference the power can make.  Light can shine in the darkest of places because of the power.