EPISODE 166: BELONG

BE IN THE WORD:

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. (I Cor 6:19)

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:4-5)

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (I John 3:1)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (I Peter 3:8-12)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:29-32)

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:8)

And you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. (1 Corinthians 3:23)

For there stood by me this night the angel of God to whom I belong and whom I serve. (Acts 27:23)

BE EDUCATED:

  1. What is the Church. A short article written by Focus on the Family describing what the church is, looks like, and what it isn’t.
  2. Huffington Post article about baptisms and belonging to God.

BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS:

  1. Does your life reflect that fact that you belong to the family of God? Are you involved in anything with the body of Christ? Are you a disciple? Are you talking about your faith?
  2. How can you better belong to your fellow believers?
  3. Do you know your gift set? Personality? Do you know how to even be an active contributor? If not, start learning so you can start belonging and contributing.
  4. To what things do you feel like you belong right now? Are there sins or circumstances or difficulties that you feel slave to? Do these things overshadow the Truth that you belong to God? Make a list of those things, journal it and then like Paul, declare that You belong to God and God is who you serve. Make it your prayer and remind yourself of it daily if you have to.

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