Faithful Fitness

Faithful Fitness (Updated)


'Faithful Fitness' was originally posted on this site on January 13, 2013.  This is an updated version of that original post.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.


Making healthy choices on a consistent basis is a significant challenge for many of us. The world offers many temptations in the form of food (comfort), amusement (distractions) and substances (escape) that can degrade or destroy our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Unfortunately, many Christians struggle with these issues just as much as those without Christ.

The real issue here is a spiritual one! We seek comfort and satisfaction in ‘things’ that are not capable of meeting our most fundamental need: intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

We will never achieve sustainable

victory over these temptations

if we battle them in the

perceived strength of our own abilities.

The core concepts of Faithful Fitness are intended to focus on the whole person: spirit, soul and body!

• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ideally these concepts are applied to all areas of life:

• Relationships – To God, spouse, children, family, friends, enemies, coworkers, acquaintances, etc.
• Responsibilities – As a Christian, spouse, parent, family member, friend, employee, citizen, etc.
• Rest – Found in prayer, meditation on God’s Word, downtime, sleep, fun, vacation, hobbies, etc.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


Faithful Fitness is a Christ centered approach to making healthy choices about life. A significant component of this approach is to honor God by taking care of our bodies. This is very important because our bodies were created by God in His image (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-14).

Three Biblical principles form the foundation for healthy, balanced, God honoring choices:

Tending the Temple
Our bodies are an amazing creation of God. God dwells inside every Christian; He expects us to take care of His temple.

• As Christians, unhealthy choices are disrespectful and dishonoring to God. We make decisions that don’t reflect reality; our bodies don’t belong to us, they belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20).
• Christians are the temple of God. When we defile our bodies, we are defiling the temple of God. There are serious consequences for neglecting or abusing our bodies (2 Corinthians 6:16).
• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Tending the Temple means caring for our bodies

as the holy temples of God that they are.

Demonstrated Discipline
When we commit to doing something intended to honor God, He expects us to do it.

• The wrong approach to honoring God is to rely on our own will power, determination or strength. We are to submit to God and succeed by His grace and power (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• We must be disciplined in our pursuit of God and our commitments to Him. God will reward our faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6). Discipline in our promises to God avoids His discipline.
• James 5:12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

Demonstrated Discipline means

honoring our commitments to God, no excuses.

Reasonable Restraint
God created us with the capacity to experience great pleasure. However, some things are strictly forbidden by God. For other things, excessive indulgence or impulsive behavior becomes sinful.

• The problem is, sometimes after we enjoy a ‘taste’ of something, we do not keep a God honoring view of what is reasonable and what is extreme (James 1:14-15).
• It is OK for some people to enjoy occasional, moderate treats (a special desert or snack, extra portion of a food you ‘love’, etc.) The key is not going overboard or getting off track. Each person, based on their relationship with God, must determine their own limits (Romans 14).
• Proverbs 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Reasonable Restraint means

satisfying our cravings in Christ

and adhering to God honoring limits.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”


In the weakness of our flesh, we all fall short. But in His strength and for His glory, we can live a God honoring life.

Keys to Success

• Rely on God for success, not yourself.
• Recognize God’s sovereignty, but don’t relinquish your responsibilities.
• Pray, read your Bible, serve others, be accountable to other Christians: repeat, repeat …
• Don’t compromise: God doesn’t, you shouldn’t either.
• Set realistic goals and boundaries.

Dangers to Avoid

• Vanity – the healthier you get, the better you look and feel. The better you look and feel, the more you focus on yourself rather than God.
• Guilt – stumbles become excuses to compromise and get focused on yourself.
• Pride – Losing your focus on God and giving yourself credit for the good things He has done in your life.
• During the course of everyday life, forgetting that your body is His temple.
• Taking breaks from your commitments or temporarily ignoring the boundaries you have set.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.


Prayer

Faithfull Father, I pray in the name of Jesus that Your Word, Your Truths, and the power of Your Spirit will encourage and enable many to live a life of Faithful Fitness for Your Glory! Replace the guilt, shame and frustration that result from our failures with the peace, joy and love that reside in Your presence. Amen.

According to Your Word

According to Your Word


Do you have a phrase, saying, quote or slogan that pretty much sums up your view on life? If so, you may frequently find yourself ‘using’ it when someone is telling you about their problems, complaining about someone else or challenging your position on something. Those who know you well will associate this phrase with you (they’ve heard you say it many times over the years). If your friends or family members hear someone else use the same phrase, they will immediately think of you.

Occasionally people use these phrases when trying to sound witty or to express genuine concern; other times they are just being rude, indifferent or blunt. But regardless of the motivation or circumstance, more often than not, these recurring pronouncements can provide true insight into a person’s attitudes and/or beliefs.

How many of the dozen examples below can you directly associate with someone you know?

• You can’t keep a good man down.
• Rules were made to be broken.
• Every cloud has a silver lining.
• You better take care of yourself, nobody else will.
• Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger.
• When you get knocked down, you better get back up.
• Lead, follow or get out of the way.
• Don’t cry over spilt milk.
• If you’re gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.
• It takes two to tango.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• It’s my way or the highway.

What does each one of these phrases mean to you? Do you say one of these or something similar on a regular basis? What does is communicate to others when you do so? If you end up on the receiving end of someone else using one of the phrases, you may feel encouraged, frustrated, hurt, supported, enlightened, disregarded, accepted, disillusioned, etc. 


When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to be the virgin mother of Jesus, the Son of God, her response included a very powerful phrase.

• Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Although Mary was speaking directly to Gabriel, her response was directed toward God. In a beautiful demonstration of heartfelt surrender, she was saying, ‘Since God is my Lord and I am His slave, whatever He says is what I want!’ And since our Lord selected her to be Christ’s mother, I think I can safely presume that this phrase really did reveal the desire of her heart to live in a way that was pleasing to God.

Mary’s slogan was, 'According to Your Word.’


The primary points emphasized in Psalm 119 are contemplations, confidence, comfort and completeness connected to the Word of God. And although we are not certain who wrote the 119th Psalm, the author expressed the same sentiment as Mary. With that focus, speaking directly to the Lord, the psalmist used the phrase ‘according to Your word’ twelve times in 176 verses (NKJV).

How many of the twelve verses below should we be applying directly and consistently to our lives?

Psalm 119:

• 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
• The path to holiness is attentiveness to and application of God’s Word!
• 25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
• When you feel like life isn’t worth living, ask God to restore your life by the truths from His Word!
• 28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.
• If you are grieving over sin in your life, God’s Word can lift you above your guilt!
• 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word.
• We all need God’s kindnesses, we are rescued by His Word!
• 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.
• When you beg for God’s favor, His pity is connected to the promises in His Word!
• 65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.
• As you acknowledge blessings from your Lord, don’t act surprised; His Word repeatedly declares His love for you!
• 76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant.
• Seek comfort from your Master, pray for the true rest found in God’s grace as expressed in His Word!
• 107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
• When you are suffering, ask God to enable you to live the life that He promises in His Word for His children!
• 116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
• When life is hard, ask God to carry you with the power of His Word; and openly rejoice as He does!
• 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
• Ask the Lord to stand with you and set you free, eternal life is found in His Word!
• 169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.
• Humble yourself before the Lord and ask Him to hear you, ask for understanding as you contemplate His Word!
• 170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
• Pray that God will listen to your requests, but trust that He will act according to His Word! 

God often uses repetition

to reinforce our understanding and

to reemphasize certain truths.

 

Could, ‘According to Your Word’

be the phrase that people need to hear

repeatedly coming from you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father: save us, guide us, equip us, protect us, provide for us and use us, according to Your Word. May we live faithfully, according to Your Word. Empower us to live a life that glorifies Your Name according to Your Word. May the lost be found according to Your Word. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.