What Does Exercise Have To Do With It?

Have you taken a fitness test lately? Can you touch your toes, do a push-up and deep squat? Are you within standard guidelines when it comes to weight and body fat? Are you eating heart healthy, fat conscious, and generally clean and lean? Keeping in shape is a priority for many - but what about a spiritual checkup?

Consistent results take discipline - both in the physical and spiritual realm.

I was listening to a pastor’s message on the Christian radio station in my area and heard a familiar verse that some have used in a mocking - humorous way. But as I listened to his sermon, I began to hear and understand it in a whole new light.

I Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

Another translation puts it this way: "physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things..."

A brisk walk lowers blood pressure, your cholesterol, and reduces stress on the body. Engaging in some form of regular physical exercise will generally add years to your lifespan. Exercise helps to reduce harmful chemicals in our bodies, and provides a form of abreaction (letting off steam), builds up stamina, counteracts the biochemical effects of stress, and reduces the risk of psychological illness.

As Christians, we house the Holy Spirit, and our temple needs to be strong and fit. Our foundation must be built on God's Word and Godly precepts. 

Health and fitness are worthy goals when they are balanced with common sense and right priority. In biblical times physical exercise was not touted as necessary because people generally walked everywhere and performed manual labor on a regular basis. Daily exercise was a lifestyle incorporated into their very existence.

Verse 7 prefaces the previous quoted passage with the following, "... and exercise yourself rather to godliness." Spiritually speaking, when we exercise godliness through prayer, Bible study, and self-control, we keep our spiritual man [woman] healthy. But what good is it if we take care of the physical body, but neglect our spiritual man and coddle our sinful nature?

The eternal value mentioned is found in verse 8.  Paul makes it clear that whatever we are doing for the here and now is indeed profitable – even commendable, but that which is to come, is of more value and lasting.

Taking care of the spirit man, which is incorruptible and lives forever, is far more important than maintaining a corruptible body that will slowly decay in this world.

Exercise is not my god, nor do I place my fate in its hands. Jesus is my God! Sure, I still go to the gym and workout regularly.  I faithfully walk our dog every morning.  I make it a point to stay active, eat right, and get a good night’s sleep. But for me, keeping my spirit woman healthy and fit is a higher, God-ordained priority.

How do you maintain a consistency in your biblical training? What can you do to facilitate a good diet and exercise program in the spiritual realm? When do your godly workouts produce more noticeable results?

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.   Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

What Does Exercise Have To Do With It?

Hidden Dangers: 3 Ways to Inspect Your Foundation

A foundation is a prepared base or support for a structure to be built on. 

In times past, a  foundation stone was laid with great fanfare, often in a public ceremony. Many times during a ground-breaking ceremony, a local dignitary would symbolically put a shovel into the dirt and pose for a picture to commemorate the event.

The foundation is the most important part of any building. The materials and work on a slab foundation is literally “set in stone”, and has no room for errors. In this type of foundation wooden forms are built which then hold the poured concrete. A footing trench is dug around the perimeter to provide added thickness along the end of the slab. These edges are stress prone and the weakest point of the foundation. Usually sand or gravel is spread below where the concrete is poured. This technique prevents the slab from sinking under the weight of the concrete. A vapor barrier is usually installed above the sand or gravel, and wire mesh is placed in the center of the slab with rebar (steel rods) in the footing areas to add rigidity and prevent cracking.

What about your foundation? Does it show fault lines or signs of stress?

Sometimes before the concrete has thoroughly cured, cracks and other imperfections appear, They can weaken the foundation, preventing adequate under-girding of the intended structure. 

It is periodically necessary to take an honest look at your spiritual foundation. As we grow and mature in Christ - we develop a greater ability to discern and evaluate exactly what we believe as it lines up with Scripture. Isaiah 28:10 says this regarding the learning process: "For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."

Here are (3) things you can examine regarding your spiritual foundation:

1. Our spiritual foundation needs to be built upon the Word of God. 

The Apostle Paul took time in Corinth to teach on the concept of the right foundation. In I Corinthians 3:9-14 Paul explains the importance of a sure and righteous foundation: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now, if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”  

2. Our spiritual foundation needs to have Jesus Christ at its center.

JESUS is the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.

Peter quotes Isaiah in I Peter 2:6-7 stating,“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will be no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,“The stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief cornerstone.”

Jesus Himself quoted Psalm 118:22-23 and said, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?"  The Lord Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the church.  He was dismissed and ultimately rejected by the Jews. He came first to the lost sheep of Israel, only to be mocked, insulted and executed by those who heard His message.

3. Our spiritual foundation needs to be grounded in doctrinal truths

Peter preached to the Sanhedrin in boldness and truth in Acts 4:8-12 saying, "...that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation is any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus told the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

In closing - here are two past Blog posts I wrote that confirm the importance of "rebooting" 

your mindset as a new Christian, and how to keep your "spiritual muscles" in top condition:

EXTREME MAKEOVER

EXERCISE PROFITS NOTHING

When we examine our own spiritual foundation, 

will we find these important components?

~ Discipleship opportunities and Bible Study

~ Decision making, obedience and submission to God’s leading

~ Discernment, wisdom and stewardship

~ Fellowship, outreach and ministry

~ Charity, hospitality and good works

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Hidden Dangers: 3 Ways to Inspect Your Foundation

Extreme Makeover - Earthly Edition

I'm sure most of you have seen the ABC hit "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition" on Sunday nights at one time or another.  An eligible contestant is chosen based upon their inspiring story and financial inability to fix-up or remodel their own home. Often it is someone in the community that has a public outreach, NGO, or ministry.

Many times the structure is completely demolished and then rebuilt from the ground up.  A local builder and hundreds of volunteers help make the dream come true for the deserving family.  Companies donate materials, appliances, furniture and decor items for the entire house, often including specially designed upgrades.

The exciting part is when Ty yells out to the waiting crowd, "Move that bus!"  Then the family and all of the onlookers get to see the "new house" for the first time. What a sight to behold!

There's something even more incredible, and that's an Extreme Makeover - Earthly Edition! When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior - you become a "new" dwelling place for God's Spirit.  The Apostle Paul says in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

Demolition can be painful and messy - but it ultimately gives way to bigger and better! 

We're not just talking about a remodeling job here - we're talking NEW from the inside-out!  You now have a new foundation - and Jesus Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone (I Peter 2:6).  Your spirit man is made incorruptible - no longer subject to decay and ruin (I Corinthians 15:53). Your mind is renewed (Romans 12:2) and you exhibit new behaviors (Galatians 5:22).  You begin to see life differently...

Although construction often interrupts day to day activity, DO allow Jesus to continue His work in you!  The prophet Isaiah tells us, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?" (Isaiah 43:19).  God has an Extreme agenda for us that includes an "out of the box" experience. We must embrace our rebirth and walk in the newness of life!

On the show, watching that huge bus move is exhilarating - but even more so, is seeing the NEW you!  Paul declares, "we have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him..." (Colossians 3:10).

During the renovation - be sure to focus on your new digs,and not the old dilapidated one. Your spouse is observing the on-going mess and construction - so just remind them... you're still a "WORK IN PROGRESS"...

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

 

Extreme Makeover - Earthly Edition