Spiritual Exercise

Spiritual Exercise

1 Timothy 4: ⁶ If you give these instructions to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, as you feed yourself spiritually on the words of faith and of the true teaching which you have followed. ⁷ But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. ⁸ Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future. ⁹ This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed. ¹⁰ We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe.

 

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Tired of being a weakling, I joined a gym. I could barely lift any weight, so I stood around until I perceived people were not looking at me. “You need to work out with us” were the words I was surprised and horrified to hear. A group of powerlifters taught me the technique of lifting while introducing me to a regiment.

 

• I was embarrassed, but had to start somewhere.
• I was undisciplined and needed something to make me continue with a regiment.
• I struggled and worked hard and eventually saw some results.

 

Paul gives Timothy a regiment to follow. He likened the regiment to that of physical exercise. He urged Timothy to feed his spirit regularly with faith and true teaching. He gave him a diet to stay away from certain unhealthy spiritual foods like “godless legends.” Then he give him the spiritual exercise routine, namely struggle and work hard.

 

My Observations

• Spiritual exercise takes me through problem after problem after problem, until I can get strong enough to let GOD handle them.
• Admitting I am weak in many areas gives me the prayers I can say to GOD to grow me.
• My hope in GOD is strengthened after each trial is completed.

 

Spiritual workouts are difficult because I am not in control of the trials. BUT GOD has an answer. HE wants me to prepare for trials by feeding myself with HIS words of faith and truth. HE also wants me to focus on the present, knowing only HE can bring me through “this” trial or “that” one.

 

GOD wants me to grow up but this takes a regiment to keep my mind clear from things that would guide me away from HIS hope. HE allows trials to come into my life, not to break me, but to establish muscles of faith, truth and hope. I am glad GOD cares enough to grow me spiritually.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer compares spiritual exercise to physical exercise?
• Have you ever done something that took a regiment of discipline and got some benefit out of it?
• Will you get on a regiment  that will benefit you in this present life and eternally by focusing in on GOD’s word and looking at trials as exercise to help you grow in the LORD today?

Exercise Worth Doing

 Exercise Worth Doing

Romans 5: Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! ³ We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, ⁴ endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope. ⁵ This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.

 

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Malnourishment set in because I did not like most food. In gym class I could not do most of the exercises because I was too weak. I tried climbing the rope, but did not make it far. “Why are we climbing ropes anyway?” I thought to myself. This exercise was not worth doing.

 

• There were some circumstances I avoided because I felt it was not worth it.
• There were some situations I did not want to face because I was too embarrassed or proud.
• There were some troubles I faced and did not want many people to know about it.

 

Paul switches from explaining the Law of Moses to talking about how JESUS has brought us by faith into the experience of GOD’s grace. He emphasizes that since we have peace with GOD we can excitedly share hope to many people. We can also see our trouble differently. Trouble is our new exercise that brings on GOD’s approval when we excitedly share it with the same hope.

 

• GOD knows I will face difficult times.
• GOD knows the way out of difficulty is through the prayers of many.
• GOD wants me to share my trouble with those who will pray with me and for me.

 

Sharing trouble is not fun, especially if there are a lot of them for a long, long, long time. BUT GOD knows this exercise of sharing brings on endurance. HE needs people who can endure long enough to bring others to HIM. The world is busy trying to emphasize trouble and keep people focused on “their” cure.

 

GOD wants the focus. HE knows that when I see my trouble as exercise, HE approves my faith as righteousness and fills me with the HOLY SPIRIT. This is exciting enough to share with the world. Yes, I face many troubles, but I am glad GOD approves of me, even if I am afraid, ashamed or worried.

 

• Are you in trouble and afraid to share your troubles with a group you feel will judge you?
• Are you tired of facing, yet another, trouble?
• Will you take a fresh look at your trouble to see if GOD is giving you an exercise in an area of your life HE wants to strengthen so you can joyously share HIM no matter what storm comes?

Holder of Life

Mark 9: And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

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“You can extend your life by 10 years” is what the personal trainer said to me as he challenged me to do another rep. Eat right, sleep right, exercise right were all terms used to say I would live longer.

• Sometimes I think I can “extend” my life.
• Sometimes I think I am in control of “my” life.
• Sometimes I think death is an arbitrary date that I have control over.

JESUS clearly knew who HE was speaking about when HE said this simple statement. HE knew when people would live and when they would die.

• GOD says to me “There is a day and time appointed for you.”
• GOD says to me “Death has no power over you when you love ME.”
• GOD says to me “Everlasting life is what I came to the world to give you.”

When JESUS rose, HE got up with great power. HE had overcome ALL sin. Belief in HIS power enables me to have everlasting life with HIM in HIS kingdom. HE holds my life in HIS hands.

• Are you trying to “extend” your life?
• Do you think you are in control of your life?
• Will you give your life to JESUS and let HIM guide you today?

Daily Exercise

Psalm 96: ¹ Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

⁴ For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.

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On top of the hotel was a tiny track. I was only a few years out of college and felt I was still in decent shape. Remembering my days on the high school track team, I warmed up then jumped on the track. To my surprise I was sluggish and slow.

• The longer I skip exercising the harder it is for me.
• The more time I spend not exercising the more my muscles forget.
• The greater period I spend away from exercising the harder it is mentally and physically to get back into it.

One day the SPIRIT moved me to speak about CHRIST to someone. I hadn’t spoken a word about HIM or HIS salvation in years! “Should I talk about me? Should I argue with this stranger on their stance? How should I even mention GOD?” were the flood of thoughts that scared me away from speaking about GOD. I said a couple of words and walked away disappointed. I was SPIRITUALLY out of shape.

• GOD wants me to stop using church cliché’s and start speaking about HIM with my mouth.
• GOD wants me to sing a new song about HIM meaning I need a new adventure rather than looking back at the old.
• GOD wants me to declare HIS glory among all peoples, not just the ones I feel comfortable with.

I heard a church term “Always speak about GOD and sometimes use words” but I can’t seem to find that phrase in the Bible. GOD wants me to boldly declare HIS name and praise HIM for everything HE has done, is doing and will do! He doesn’t want me to sing a song about HIM and sometimes use words or praise HIM and sometimes use words. HE wants me to use the words that flood from a heart of gratitude!

GOD wants me to exercise daily by telling people about HIM and HIS greatness. My heart needs to be focused on what HE has done versus looking at the next complaint I can lay at HIS feet. I praise GOD from whom all blessings flow. I praise HIM as a creature here below. I Praise HIM above ye heavenly host. I praise FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST! amen

• Are you afraid to speak about GOD?
• Do you shrink back when speaking about HIS graciousness?
• Are you too busy condemning someone about their sin to tell them about GOD’s mercy on you?
• Will you stop using church terms and open your mouth by giving ‘your’ testimony about how great GOD is?

Spiritual personal trainer

1 Peter 1: ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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“Are you going to the general graduation” a friend asked me. “You better believe it” I exclaimed! I wanted to sit and savor every moment because I was finished! My college experience was now complete and I didn’t have to face sleepless nights studying again.

I could now look back and see how painful it was to go through many situations and failures. Whatever went wrong actually helped prepare me for “the real world.”

• When I am in pain I only want relief.
• When I am in a circumstance I can’t see anything else but that circumstance.
• When I am in a world of hurt I beg for liberation and want to give up!

Each trial I have faced seemed like it would never be over but looking back at them I can honestly say I needed them.  Struggles don’t feel good but, just like exercise, builds me up in ways I can’t express.

• GOD knows how much pain I can handle and motivates me to hang in a little longer.
• GOD knows how much suffering I can take and says to me keep going you’re almost there.
• GOD knows how much anguish I can face so and HE uses difficult circumstances to develop spiritual muscles.

Faith is like a muscle, the more it’s used the stronger it gets. Trials, while uncomfortable and unwelcome, build my character, perseverance, endurance and patience. GOD has placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT in me to comfort me and lead me “through” trials, refining my faith so it shines as bright as purified gold.

• Are you going through trials?
• Is it difficult for you to keep going?
• Can you stop looking at the trial for a moment and ask “what am I being prepared for?”
• Won’t you begin seeking the new ministry GOD is giving you no matter how young or old you are?

I trained my “hope” to be solid!

1 Timothy 4: ⁸ 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. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

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“One more rep” my spotter hollered as my exhausted arms could take no more. It was only a few weeks before the bodybuilding competition and each muscle had to be right. I looked down at my calves and thought “I wonder how implants would look?”

• Exercise is great for the body.
• There is benefit to working out and eating right.
• The more I exercise the better I sleep which only helps my day.

Diet and exercise season is right around the corner. After the overindulgent holidays are over we quickly try to work off the pounds to “look good” for the summer. This has some benefit so how can I apply the principles of working out to godliness?

• Training for godliness takes a little work.
• Training for godliness means reading and pondering the truths of CHRIST.
• Training for godliness means praying confessional prayers to our LORD and savior.
• Training for godliness means serving others in spite of my troubles.
• Training for godliness means believing GOD loves me and died just for me.
• Training for godliness gives me hope.

During my training, GOD will use trials and trouble to make me stronger. Each trial is like another rep and each troubled night is like a diet. Over the years, I have noticed a certain closeness with GOD during trials and trouble.

I have also noticed each time I emerge out of a trial or trouble, I am so much stronger in faith than when I went in. HE shows me that HE is in control and the more I believe in HIM “during” trials the stronger my faith will grow.

• Are you tired of your faith fading in and out?
• Do you want true faith that can stare in the face of adversity?
• Can you begin training your “hope” while exercising your body this season?