Exercise

Exercise. Just the word makes me tired! It brings to mind thoughts of hard work and slow progress. It reminds me that I ought to be on that treadmill I begged my husband for and now serves as a “catch-all” in the corner of our bedroom! Unfortunately, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak!

Isn’t that the way it is with anything that is significant in our lives? It takes effort and discipline to maintain our physical health. Interestingly enough, it also takes effort and discipline to maintain our spiritual health. I know this to be true for myself, but I’m not the first to figure it out.

Paul tells us in 1Timothy 4:7b to “exercise yourself toward godliness.” He figured out a long time ago that in order to be spiritually fit, there would need to be some hard work involved! We are not our own. We have been purchased, and do you know with what? Christ’s life for ours….His life for mine. Christ has paid the ultimate sacrifice for us; not so that we can waste away waiting for heaven to swallow us up, but so that we can serve Him.

He has a plan; and in order to be ready for the task, we must be fit! To put it simply, being spiritually fit requires a daily commitment to spending time in His word and spending time in His presence. And there you have it . . . a fitness plan like no other with eternal rewards and benefits! If you miss a day or fall off the routine completely, just pick yourself up and get going again. Just make sure you get going!

Memory Verse:
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come!”
-1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Lord, I desire to be spiritually fit. I know that it requires great discipline, but I am certain that it is worth it! Help me to seek You every day and I pray for Your gentle nudge when I am tempted to deviate from the plan or give up. I will commit to…”

Contributing Writer:
DeeDee Sharon