EXERCISE
1 Timothy 4:7-8
But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Personal Challenge
It is one thing to set up and adhere to a physical exercise regimen. Believe me, I have done this as part of this new year and it has been challenging. But where the real personal challenge kicks in is trying to set up a spiritual exercise regimen. Although attending church and liturgy on a regular basis, reading the scriptures daily, and praying multiple times throughout the day are all good and necessary things to do in this spiritual exercise journey, but they are just the foundation. We must also build on that foundation by fasting when we can, giving to the church, helping the needy, or any number of other things for good. The real, strengthening part of this exercise comes in how we treat those around us, with love and respect, how we manage our thoughts, desires, and passions, and how we behave when no one else is looking, or better yet, within our internal being. Without adding these aspects to our spiritual exercise regimen we will never grow into the image of our God. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!
But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Personal Challenge
It is one thing to set up and adhere to a physical exercise regimen. Believe me, I have done this as part of this new year and it has been challenging. But where the real personal challenge kicks in is trying to set up a spiritual exercise regimen. Although attending church and liturgy on a regular basis, reading the scriptures daily, and praying multiple times throughout the day are all good and necessary things to do in this spiritual exercise journey, but they are just the foundation. We must also build on that foundation by fasting when we can, giving to the church, helping the needy, or any number of other things for good. The real, strengthening part of this exercise comes in how we treat those around us, with love and respect, how we manage our thoughts, desires, and passions, and how we behave when no one else is looking, or better yet, within our internal being. Without adding these aspects to our spiritual exercise regimen we will never grow into the image of our God. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!
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