Working out in the
Word-2-22-16
A lot of people begin work
out regiments at this time of year to fix their physical weaknesses and
strengthen their designs to have a healthy body. They change their eating habits;
they buy new jogging suits and shoes; all to perfect their idea of how they
should look, feel or live. Sometimes it is to fit the mold they think the world
has given them to fit into. Either way the enrollments in new fitness centers
climbs in January and February as people actually seem to work harder at
getting physically.
But what about our spiritual
fitness, is there a goal to get spiritually fit in your plan? We hear pastors
ask us to read through the Bible each year, some with a promise of a free t
shirt, or a special certificate as a prize to encourage us to step it up a
notch and grow stronger in Christ through the reading of the Word. The funny
thing is we react the same in pattern as with the work out goals of our body,
our minds are on board but the time the effort we put into it does not always follow
through. In other words we may want to do the right thing but we do not always
do it.
God desires our hearts;
He cries out with a simple knock on the door, “I am here and waiting for you My
child…”
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent.20 Behold, I stand
at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.21 To him that
overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame,
and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelations 3:19-21
Just because we feel like we have failed at the daily reading does
not mean we have t stop there. Just because we did not start today in prayer on
our knees does not mean God is not there; He is still waiting to hear our heart’s
cry. He is waiting to hear our plans for ‘fixing’ ourselves so that He can give
us the plan to overcome our selves.
Love the Lord all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are
loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. So be strong and courageous
all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalm 31:23-24
When we start any get fit quick program we will find it difficult,
or impossible to complete. You cannot get fit quick, not in the physical body
or the spirit. Just because we accept Christ does not mean we have made it to
the top of the health meter. We need a daily dose of exercise to improve our
stamina, our strength and our endurance and in doing so we will gain a healthy
body. In the same way we need a good Godly work out daily to get strong in the
Word, and in Christ.
What do I mean by being strong in the Word and in Christ?
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We read the Bible daily and think on it
as we go through the day so that we are strong enough to stand knowing He is
with us. Ephesians 6:1-23
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We need to pray every day too! Some this comes naturally to and some not so much. I have written a book that can help
those who are not in the habit of daily prayer to get started. It gives you a
brief idea of what to pray for each day, how to pray, and why to pray. There
really is a lot of good that comes from taking the time to visit with our Lord
God daily especially in the beginning of your work schedule. You will find your
whole day fits together much better, but if it doesn’t it will be easier to
handle. God has a knack for that!
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Then just as with our physical health we
join a group of people to support us in our regiment or journey to a better
body, God wants us to join other believers to glean from the Word and one
another… together we get stronger!
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And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people
do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is
drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
It is so important for us to gather together as we grow in the
Lord. It is so much more important today than it was yesterday because the days
are short and the night is long; give your life to the strengthening of your
spiritual life and your physical life will improve also.
I find it is a true thing that if I get all my ducks in a row with
God that the rest of it falls into place.
33 Seek
the Kingdom of God
You will keep in perfect peace all
who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3
He will grant us perfect peace if our eyes are
kept on Him! If peace, perfect peace is in our hearts and minds, and it would have
to be for it to be perfect; then we can conquer all our fears! We can make it
to the gym regularly, increasing as we go not all of a sudden.
When you begin a daily prayer, reading time do
not expect to jump into an hour of prayer right away, we are not used to that.
That kind of jump makes many people fail at staying the course. They have that
dive in mentality but they forget that they do not know how to swim! If I
suddenly start benching a hundred pounds I am going to injure myself. If I
suddenly start trying to pray for an hour before I have learned how to begin I
may do less for my spiritual walk than I think. Think for a moment if you
suddenly stop everything and pray for an hour a day how long will things stay
that way? Be honest. You have to create a habit of talking to God each day,
begin today. Say “Good Morning Lord, thank you for today! Help me to do your
will in all that I do today. In Jesus Name amen.”
Add to it tomorrow and you will find each day
your prayer time, and spiritual strength will grow. Add in what you learned in the
Word, the needs of others and yourselves and before you know it you will find a
spiritually strengthening habit of daily prayer that you can use for life! Draw
from the life giving living water today! Read, pray, rejoice!
Good morning Lord, thank you for today! Help us
to get fit in Your Word today and every day gaining more study, more enjoyment
and more growth as we take the time to read and pray in Your Word, In Jesus
name, amen.
Suggested reading: Isaiah 26:1-21, Matthew 6:1-34, Ephesians 6:1-23
and Psalm 31:1-24