In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.I remember when, some time ago, I started weight training again in the morning after a 10-year lapse. After a long break, the first workout is a bit painful, since you are using parts of your body that you haven't used in a long time.
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
(1 Tim. 4:6-8)
The first workout is something your body doesn't let you forget soon, either; your chest, forearms, back of your arms, stomach, and legs ache with pain for days afterward.
However, with each workout, you feel the strength return to each muscle group that you exercise. Accompanying those strength gains is confidence in knowing that you will not easily be injured and you can easily do those things that need to be done.
Around the house you can clean out the garage, shovel the driveway, or reach up and pick up something without hurting your back. On the other hand, you can have more fun playing with your kids, or trying new sports, etc.
I was recently inspired by my sister's father-in-law in Oregon. He was bucked off his horse and kicked—yet he sustained only minor injuries.
The inspiration lies in the fact that he is getting close to 80 years old! His doctor commented that, "if you were not so strong, you would have sustained some major injuries."
First Timothy tells us that physical exercise is good, and I believe it. But the Word emphasizes the need for spiritual exercise more than physical. Why? Well, we are spirits with souls; the body is merely a house or a shell for our spirit to reside in (1 Thess. 5:23).
It may sound strange, but we will someday leave the bodies we now live in. They'll go back to dust. All the weight training, swimming, and jogging won't mean much when we get into God's presence. That is only for this world, but spiritual strength is something we can take directly with us.
So how do we begin our spiritual strengthening?
We do this by setting aside time every day to study, meditate, and pray the Word of God. Just as in the physical, if we stray from spiritual discipline, we will lose our spiritual strength.
I've noticed this in my own life. As I am in the Word, flowing with the Father, my spiritual strength cannot be stopped:
- My prayers for the sick are powerful; healing is quick.
- I quickly put demonic powers in their places.
- I can clearly hear God's voice on the various decisions I have to make throughout the week.
- God can do the same for you! If you aren't already, start your spiritual body building today.
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He was trained for ministry in the Assemblies of God in the United States as well as under Rhema Bible Training Center's Bob Yandian, and served for 6 years as a missionary in Asia. He has started and runs several businesses in Japan, Korea, and the United States referring to himself as a Faith Professional who is passionate about Jesus.
