"Exercise"
Jeremiah 33:1-34:22
I Timothy 4:1-16
Psalm 89:1-13
Proverbs 25:23-24
Exercise. How does that word hit you? To me I end up with the feeling of "yeah... I know I should, but..." I do enjoy sports, though. That's probably more because of my competitive nature than it is for the good of exercise. Some people love to exercise. Those endorphines kick in, and there's a rush of energy there. While in the past I have attempted to make steps toward improving exercise, I don't know that I've ever found that endorphin stage yet... Or maybe I'm endorphin-intolerant...
"Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually and practice being a better Christian, because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too." I Timothy 4:7-8
The process of exercise is one of putting your body to work by applying resistance. By nature your body doesn't want to jog, but jogging exercises the muscles and cardio-vascular system. It's not a lot different in keeping spiritually fit. The way our spiritual lives are exercised is in places of resistance. In places where our flesh doesn't necessarily want to be. For example, Spiritual exercise is getting up earlier to insure time in the Word. It is being godly in ungodly surroundings. It's ministering in difficult places, maybe even with difficult individuals.
It's been a few years since we've done it, but I used to enjoy playing basketball with some guys at the church in the early morning. It was fun even though I'm not good at basketball. I miss most of my shots, and if I'm not careful I foul guys a lot because I'm still learning to understand the game. Everyone is at a different level of experience and skill, but I'm grateful that they had the patience to allow me to play, To try to get better, to exercise. The same principle should apply to the Christian walk. I shouldn't quit because I make a mistake. I need to commit to the process of exercise. Those with perfectionist personalities can really struggle with this, because they want to get it right the first time. If they don't they feel like quitting.
The struggle with inadequacy can also paralyze Christian growth. My biggest problem in basketball is probably being out of shape. So should I not play because I'm not in shape? No, because if I quit, I wont get in shape. In the Christian walk, I may be working on my anger. If I find myself in a situation where I lose my temper and quit, I've lost my chance to work through this issue.
It takes discipline to commit to the Christian walk. It takes exercise to grow. The process we struggle through is actually one that encourages others. "Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts... Be sure to use the abilities God has given you through his prophets when the elders of the church laid their hands upon your head. Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." I Tim. 4:12, 14-16
Get your spiritual workout in today. Use every situation as an opportunity to grow in Christ. Those around you desperately need you to be who God created you to be. That can only happen through your exercise.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
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