WORKOUTS THAT ARE TO BE A LIFESTYLE!

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. —I Timothy 4:7-8

             It is amazing how many gyms exist in the U.S. where people go to workout and seek to get in shape or be in shape.  I read where 19% of the population, about 64 million, hold gym memberships.  Yet, only about 44-50% go to the gym twice each week.  52% of gym memberships belong to women, 48% belong to men.

             I think this is an interesting parallel to the church.  A large percentage of Jesus followers may show up on a Sunday and maybe another time during the week, but what about the rest of the time.  Do we workout spiritually more than those two times or is that it?  If that is it, then just like attending a gym twice each week will not build you up much physically, so too if we are only attending a church a couple times each week, then we surely will not be maturing or growing strong spiritually.  Just holding a membership without putting it into practice, of course, does us no good— physically or spiritually.

Surely, “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  There is a place for physical training and we should exercise as it could extend our life here to serve our Lord— “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures” (Psalm 90:10).  Yes, keeping our strength up could increase longevity.

But more importantly, not to neglect physical training, but to “train yourself to be godly.”  This is not just a couple times each week, no this is a lifestyle.  Exercising physically should be regular, but exercising spiritually should be a lifestyle, day by day, moment by moment.  We are told to “train yourself to be godly.”  This is not an option for the follower/disciple of Jesus.  So may we be doing so to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10) to serve Him in the work He has for us (Ephesians 2:10).  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp1h1f9gK-Y&list=RDpp1h1f9gK-Y&start_radio=1