WORKING OUT
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed (Hebrews 12:12-13 New King James Bible).
It’s been proven regular exercise keeps us strong, healthy, as well as being a vital component in how young and limber we feel. Working out regularly along with eating right helps us maintain our bodies enabling us to live longer lives. It gives us better sleep, we feel better about ourselves, and exercise helps combat depression and boredom. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to be good stewards of our physical bodies. It takes discipline and desire to persevere and gain strength. If we want to work out, it also takes commitment to discipline ourselves to do it.
We must take care of our spiritual self just as well. Spending time with God, studying His Word, being filled fresh daily with the Holy Spirit all work together in keeping our spiritual bodies strong and healthy. Being spiritually fit also helps keep the armor on the Lord has given us. By daily spiritual exercise we become stronger spiritually, physically and mentally. Working out our spiritual health gives us the extra motivation we need to stay physically healthy, giving us the strength we need to be mentally healthy. God gives vitality!
A few months ago, the Lord gave me a wake-up call, telling me to take better care of myself, both physically and spiritually. He showed me areas of trouble within my physical body, and He called me from a place of serving to a place of rest at His feet. It has been difficult, but I have heeded His voice, and I am beginning to see the benefits and blessings from my obedience. It is not easy to be disciplined, yet God gives endurance, strength and the ability to maintain self-control. Together, with Christ, it is possible.
Let’s Pray: Dear Most Heavenly Father, You are awesome! You have fearfully and wonderfully made each and every one of us, knitting us together in the womb, numbering the hairs on our heads and writing our stories before we could even speak! You are faithful and merciful, loving and so very worthy of our praise! We give You glory, honor and we bow in worship at Your feet! Father, thank You for the blessing of this day, this day in which we can begin to understand what exercise of our spiritual and physical bodies can do for us! Grant us spirits of stewardship, Father, that we may become good stewards of our bodies. Teach us with what to nourish ourselves; what spiritual foods to eat and what physical. Whatever habits, lifestyles, activities that we partake in that do not please You, reveal that to us and show us Your path. Father, we desire to have strong hands and knees, we desire to walk on Your straight path and we desire for our lameness to be healed. We pray for Your guidance. Father, we love You and we give You ourselves as an offering today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Attitude of Worship: I am not a fan of exercise, but I have learned the importance of working out. Even if all you can do is walk, walk up and down your driveway until you’re ready to walk down the block. Spiritually, get that bible out and begin reading it, and as you read, ask God to grant you insights, and to speak to you through His word. Pray every day and invest in Spirit-filled praise and worship music to help you praise the Lord. Begin to weed out the secular things in your life that do not bring honor or glory to God and replace it with Godly things and you will see yourself becoming stronger.
Additional Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:27; Proverbs 14:30; Daniel 1:8-15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Life is tons of discipline.” ~Robert Frost