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?

Moving Forward...

123RF Stock Photo

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s Providence. ~Augustine 

Christmas was rough.   Things were different this year.  My Dad was in and out of the hospital during the holiday season.  My Mom and I spent hours in the ER and drove across town numerous times to visit him.  Our family had to adjust to different schedules and make sacrifices.  That’s what family does when someone is hurting and needs extended care.

I make plans loosely.  I don’t concern myself with, “what about tomorrow?”  I have learned to stay flexible when it comes to schedules and the unpredictable.

I say all this to say, “Do not fret about the future… it will fret enough for itself.”  (Matthew 6:34)

As we move into a new year, keep in mind that God often uses difficult times to draw us unto Himself.  My New Year’s resolution is to purpose to spend more time in His Word and in prayer.  Surely these past few weeks has laid a foundation for that practice.  I am more committed than ever to stay connected to Him in meaningful ways. 

I am determined to nurture the Mary half and squelch the Martha half in me as I move forward.  Each one has an important part in my spiritual well-being, but right now in this moment in time I need to sit at the Master’s feet.

2014 will be a year like no other.  Each year has trials and triumphs, tribulations and trouble.  No matter what – God will prevail.   I need only to defer to His leading and walk in the steps He has ordained for me.

I press forward – that I may grasp all that Christ Jesus has for me, knowing that He has first ordained that which He has given me.  (Philippians 3:12)

I get frustrated and impatient at times… we all do.  But one thing is sure:  people take precedence over plans.  God has ordained the family unit and we are to take care of each other in a manner that brings glory to Him.  It matters not that you receive no thanks or that the recipient of your actions don’t take notice.  It is a labor of love, not a drudgery of duty.

Let this New Year awaken a drowsy Spirit and a lackluster desire to be all that you can be for God.  Move forward in confidence.  

Don’t dwell on what is past.  Look for God’s signposts as you purpose to do His Will.  It will be different this year.  (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Enjoy these Blog posts from past New Years -

A Sure Foundation for the New Year

A New Year - Time For a Change

Happy New Year - A Fresh Start

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.

Moving Forward...

Springtime means new growth - are you growing?

Rebirth - Renewal - Regrowth

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.  ~Ruth Stout

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.   ~Percy Bysshe Shelley, 
"The Sensitive Plant"

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?  ~Edward Giobbi

Springtime is nearly here and seasons change according to plan...

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years..."  (Genesis 1:14)

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,  And a time to die;  A time to plant,  And a time to pluck what is planted"   (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Gardening has always been a favorite past-time for hobby enthusiasts.  Whether it's vegetables or flowers - a considerable amount of time and effort must go into gardening in order to reap its bountiful rewards.

 Gardening 101:  Soil, Seeds, Water, Sun and Weeds.

~  Soil  needs to be tilled (turned over) to aerate and loosen up.  You can analyze for proper ph and determine whether critical nutrients are present or not.  Using compost, manure or rich organic top soil will improve the soil's makeup and maximize growing conditions.

~  Planting  seeds and seedlings  properly help guarantee a bounty of vegetables or flowers.  Plant seeds at the recommended depth and spacing per seed packet instructions. When working with seedlings, a "gentle touch" is what is needed.  Be careful not to break off new shoots or delicate roots.

~  Watering  should be light and consistent with new plantings. Once plants are established, watering less is actually better as it forces roots deeper, resulting in stronger plants.

~  Sunlight  is crucial to plant growth and the process of photosynthesis.  Six to eight hours of direct sunlight is optimal.  Some vegetables and flowers require less, or prefer significant shade.  Carefully follow directions on packets or seedling trays before planting.

~  Weed  little, but often.  Keeping up with small weeds is easier than trying to weed a massive quantity at one time.  Mulch, grass, leaves or hay also retard weed growth.

These are just some of the basics of gardening.  For more information, or a listing of dates for your gardening zone, visit the Gardening page on  The Old Farmer's Almanac

God's Word contains many Scripture passages pertaining to sowing and reaping, seasons, planting and harvesting.  Some of them speak of nature, and some speak of spiritual things.  Either way - these universal principles apply.

Galatians 6:7-9 says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Regarding wisdom in business - Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 11: 4, "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap."  Verse 6, "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."

In Matthew 13:1-23 Jesus tells the parable of the soils.  He spoke about the seed that was sown  and where it fell.  Then He explained to his disciples what the parable meant, ending with the statement, "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

The Apostle Paul shares with us in II Corinthians 9:6 the principle of giving: "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

Paul later shares, "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God."  (II Corinthians 9:10-11)

Finally, in Isaiah 61:11 the prophet foretells the coming of the Messiah, "For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."

What is your favorite thing to do in your garden?  What are your most cherished flowers?  Do you have a vegetable garden, and what do you grow?  How does spending time in your garden renew or restore your soul?

Enjoy Anne Murray singing  "In the Garden

Springtime means new growth - are you growing?