Excellent Exercise
Tanner loves to go for walks and he enjoys running. He still has a lot of puppy in him and abounds with energy. My fun-loving service dog needs exercise. Tanner is typically eager to go outside and I am frequently struck by how happy he seems as we go for a stroll together.
Humans benefit from caring for our bodies and moving them when possible too. It is good for our health and well-being to exercise. Consistent movement can burn calories and help to fight fatigue. I have a cycle set on a table that I pedal with my arms as part of my fitness efforts. If I am diligent to work my muscles, I will become stronger. When I am lax and fail to exercise, I become weak and can even lose some functional ability.
The scriptures acknowledge that bodily exercise is of some profit. There is also instruction that spiritual exercise is of even greater value. We are each given a gift which we are to be exercised in order to benefit others and bring glory to God.
Just as ignoring physical exercise can lead to weakness, neglect of the spiritual disciplines (such as worship, prayer and Bible study), can result in a lack of soul strength.
May we exercise ourselves so we may be strong in body soul and spirit and may that be for the blessing of others and to bring honor to God.
Romans 12:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)
5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
1 Timothy 4:6-8 (King James Version)
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:6-8 (Amplified Bible)
6If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed. 7But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. 8For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.
Humans benefit from caring for our bodies and moving them when possible too. It is good for our health and well-being to exercise. Consistent movement can burn calories and help to fight fatigue. I have a cycle set on a table that I pedal with my arms as part of my fitness efforts. If I am diligent to work my muscles, I will become stronger. When I am lax and fail to exercise, I become weak and can even lose some functional ability.
The scriptures acknowledge that bodily exercise is of some profit. There is also instruction that spiritual exercise is of even greater value. We are each given a gift which we are to be exercised in order to benefit others and bring glory to God.
Just as ignoring physical exercise can lead to weakness, neglect of the spiritual disciplines (such as worship, prayer and Bible study), can result in a lack of soul strength.
May we exercise ourselves so we may be strong in body soul and spirit and may that be for the blessing of others and to bring honor to God.
Romans 12:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)
5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
1 Timothy 4:6-8 (King James Version)
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:6-8 (Amplified Bible)
6If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed. 7But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. 8For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.
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