Have you noticed the great migration? Former joggers have left the pavement for rooms filled with elliptical machines, stair-climbers and a host of stationary bikes. Pilates, resistance and load exercises, low intensity low impact workouts are becoming more and more popular within every age group.
Why? Doctors have found that as the body ages, years of constant pounding and stress often result in crippling damage. Conversely, a disciplined program of low-impact stretching, breathing, walking and resistance exercises can result in:
1. increased brain power;
2. elimination of stress;
3. increased energy;
4. convenient opportunity to exercise more;
5. improved relationships;
6. stronger immune system;
7. healthier heart;
8. increased appetite for healthy foods;
9. over-all increase in performance;
10. improved movement;
Let’s look at these in the light of God’s Word, the Bible, and see how our “spiritual exercises” WILL benefit. Take a moment to look up the verses. You might want to keep them on hand – it’s always nice to refer back to the Trainers Manual:
1. increased brain power; Philippians 4:8,9; Psalms 1:1,3
2. elimination of stress; Philippians 4:6,7; 1 Pet 5:7
3. increased energy; Colossians 1:10,14
4. convenient opportunity to exercise more; Hebrews 13:5; Jeremiah 33:3;
5. improved relationships; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:29
6. stronger immune system; Psalm 119:11
7. healthier heart; Psalm 31:23,24
8. increased appetite for healthy foods; Isaiah 55:1,3; 2 Timothy 3:16,17
9. over-all increase in performance; Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 40:29,31
10. improved movement; Philippians 4:13; Romans 12:5,8
“And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, WHO WILL ALSO DO IT.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24
Until Wednesday, God Bless
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Laurie,
ReplyDeleteNice incite loved every word and passage, however, we would be remiss to not cover the differences as well as the similarities. First Timothy 4:7-8
Working-out and our well-being has its place, but must be kept in perspective.
Physical exercise does have benefits...
1. Makes for a well-rounded development
2. Enhances the use of our bodies
3. Extends the time we can glorify God
-There is some value for a healthy routine of physical exercise-
Physical exercise does have limitations...
1. Beauty is falsehearted
2. Attraction can be incongruous
3. Strength will eventually fail
-Physical exercise alone cannot meet all our needs, and will eventually fail us-
Godly exercise -
Godly exercise does have promise for the life that is now...
1. Daily renewal for the inner man
2. True peace, joy, and hope
3. Winsome personality
4. Extended family
-These are wonderful benefits that godly exercise offers in this life!-
Godly exercise does have promise for the life to come…
1. Eternal life in the age to come
2. Everlasting fellowship with God
-Here is where godly exercise truly excels over bodily exercise!-
Both bodily exercise and godly exercise therefore have their needs and value.
Understanding their respective usefulness is important.
Supposition
Whether young or old, physical fitness has a place in our lives as Christians...
1. Taking care of our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit
2. Making good use of our bodily members as instruments of righteousness
3. Improving the quality and length of service we can offer the Lord in this life
However, physical fitness without godly exercise is vanity...
a. The outer man will eventually fail us
b. The inner man is the true measure of character and spirituality
Maintaining a proper balance will help us to be truly
"Physically Fit, Spiritually Alive."
Excellent points! Thanks so much for filling in the blanks with the Truth of God's Word! I am grateful for Romans chapter 8 to know that Paul wrestled daily with the physical man and the spiritual man. He was also humble enough to relate it to those to whom he ministered. His humanity, as recorded in God's Word and inspired by God, is an encouragement to me today. Let Jesus be seen in me. Only one life - will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last!
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