During my quiet time with the Lord the other day, He showed me a verse in the Amplified Bible that was a sobering reminder for me. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says: "Remember [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now]." For years, I have been declaring to Satan and his evil cohorts that I am the property of Almighty God, and under His protection. But if I am honest, there are still times in my everyday life that I don't behave like a child of the King.

The apostle Paul reiterates the fact that God's saved ones belong entirely to Him when he says: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV) Paul was warning God's people against sexual immorality, but this principle applies to every area of our life.

Paul also wrote: "So we make it our goal to please Him." (2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV) And here is the bottom line. In all things, our goal should be to do whatever is most pleasing to the Lord. When we choose our entertainment, our goal should be to please God. With our relationships, especially our close relationships, our focus should be on pleasing the Lord. Even where our eating and drinking habits are concerned, our greatest desire should be to please God. As Paul writes, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

If we remember that every command and guideline that the Lord gives us in His Word is for our own protection and benefit, it won't be so difficult for us to do what honors Him most. And Scripture assures us that we will have God's divine power working on our behalf the whole time. As it is written, "God is working in you, giving you the DESIRE and the POWER to do what pleases Him." (Philippians 2:13 NLT) Hallelujah!

Prayer: Lord, I believe that because of my faith in Christ, I belong to You, and I am Your property. Remind me often that I am not my own - I was bought with a heavy and precious price - and Your will is for me to honor You with every part of myself, including my body. Thank You that You have begun a good work in me, and You will continue to perfect and complete it until the day of Christ's return! (Philippians 1:6 AMP)