Balance and Rest

How many days per week are you working out? I will admit I do at least something everyday, but beware of overworking certain muscle groups ( in other words, for instance, don't work out your biceps every day). I will work my arms one day, my back another, and my legs and abs yet another. Then I rotate. I keep rotating so each body part gets rest. We all need rest don't we? But, bad things that happen when we're overworked. We're tired, we're cranky, we hurt ourselves. Its a need of balance. But word of warning: don't try to balance your faith/relationship with Jesus. Don't just throw Him into your week and rotate Him out. He needs to be so important to us that He's in our every second, balancing the rest for us. We'll be so much stronger if we do things for Him and listen to Him.

Spiritual Muscles

"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."   1 Timothy 4:8

I'm sure we'll all agree exercise is good for us. From it we get energy and strength to serve God each day. But its value doesn't come close to the value of godliness. We need to make it a habit of exercising our spiritual muscles too! Exercise does give you benefits in this short life on Earth, but the benefits of godliness will leave you speechless. "However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him."  2 Corinthians 2:9.
You may not know where to start to exercise your spiritual muscles. Sometimes its hard to know where to start. Ask God to show a need you can fill. Ask your church where they need help. See if the "new person" wants to go to the gym or bible study with you. You could make dinner for someone suffering a loss, or someone welcoming a new baby. There are so many things you can do to help someone! God loves watching his children do loving things for each other, especially people most would overlook. God blesses us everyday, so lets follow the example and bless others. Let me know how you worked your spiritual muscles :)

Not Our Own

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A lot of people believe they have the right to do as they please with their body. They claim its freedom, but is it? Is it freedom being a slave to a desire?

I must admit, I have always fought an addiction to junk food. It doesn't seem like it would be that serious- its only food right? But it became a matter of self control (for me) and taking care of the only body God gave me. I actually started feeling guilty over what I was eating. After seeing all that had happened to people's health just over the food they were eating, I just felt this wasn't how I should be doing things.

When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us, buying us at a price. We're no longer our own.  If you live in a building owned by someone else-you try to take care of it, following the set rules and such. Because our body belongs to God, we need to take care of it.

Be Thankful!

In everything: BE THANKFUL! Thank Jesus for your problems. Let HIM make friends with them and turn them into something wonderful! Thank Him for your weak body! We weren’t made it do it on our own.

I don’t necessarily like what I can’t do, and sometimes, it’s hard to admit I can’t do it! Especially when I’m sick or after a break. But I’m always amazed at what I can do when I ask for His help. When I am on the treadmill, it’s “our” time. Whether its worship or prayer time, it’s always our time, and before I know it- a mile is done! Time goes so fast, and sometimes we’re not done, so I add another mile. If you don’t like running- I do this thru weight lifting too.

Our weak bodies, are another example, or more evidence, of our dependence and need for the Lord. But with time spent with Jesus, running, swimming, weight lifting, or whatever I do that day… I know that He’s shaping me into the creation He intended me to be and for the job He’ll have me do.

My day changes after time spent with Jesus too!  My mood changes, I’m using His strength for my day now! It’s like your car- it needs filled with gas to go- I need filled up too. He isn’t limited by time, and some days I can’t figure out how I got everything done, but when I take the time, even a few minutes, He molds my day, He takes care of what I can’t do and it’s wonderful. <3

"Lord, thank you for our weaknesses. Thank you for your strength that gets us through our days and makes them wonderful. Help us to keep our thoughts fixed on you, and mold us and our day to your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

The best thing you can do...

The best thing I've ever started doing is alone time with Jesus.
Its hard most days, and honestly some days it doesn't happen the way I'd like. But find a special place... your place. Just like a husand and wife have "their" place.... find your place with Him. Don't just talk, but listen too. If you feel up to it, grab a pen and a notebook and write down what He says. At first, especially, your mind will wander. Don't stress. He knows you're human, but give it a try. Make it a habit. Its a wonderful habit to have.