Physical Exercise: Is it Worth Your Time? – DAY #14: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional
Physical Exercise: Is it Worth Your Time?
1 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV, But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
I think firstly we have to put in context the relationship of Paul the writer and Timothy the recipient of the letter. Paul is an older, more mature man whose days of youth were behind him. He has the benefit of having lived through that time thus enabling him to reflect and advise the young man that he's mentoring. Timothy is a young man, probably extremely healthy and in great physical shape. Since he is a meek young man, he's able to receive instruction and glean wisdom from his mentor, Paul.
Based upon the relationship of these two men and the Scriptures, I see two life directives: Priority and Balance.
It is of greater priority to sow to your spirit man and to your soul than to your body by exercising. Exercising ourselves towards godliness will increase our stature in the kingdom of God. Educating and training oneself sets an individual up for a lifetime career of earning a living.
I think firstly we have to put in context the relationship of Paul the writer and Timothy the recipient of the letter. Paul is an older, more mature man whose days of youth were behind him. He has the benefit of having lived through that time thus enabling him to reflect and advise the young man that he's mentoring. Timothy is a young man, probably extremely healthy and in great physical shape. Since he is a meek young man, he's able to receive instruction and glean wisdom from his mentor, Paul.
Based upon the relationship of these two men and the Scriptures, I see two life directives: Priority and Balance.
It is of greater priority to sow to your spirit man and to your soul than to your body by exercising. Exercising ourselves towards godliness will increase our stature in the kingdom of God. Educating and training oneself sets an individual up for a lifetime career of earning a living.
We know that as we age our body declines, muscle mass and bone density decrease as well as many other things that occur as part of the aging process. The balance act of physical exercise is a lifetime commitment. Although the Scripture says bodily exercise only profits a little, it does profit.
When we tailor our exercise and activities to our age we make our bodies stronger, improve our circulation and maybe even lose or maintain our weight. Anyone who has been an athlete will tell you it's best to stay in shape, as opposed to always trying to get in shape. We know that if the Lord delays His return, our physical bodies will eventually fail us or we will die, but until that happens we should choose to exercise our bodies in appreciation to our Heavenly Father for the vessel He blessed us with.
REFLECTION QUESTION: Faith without corresponding action has no value at all. What action(s) aligns with your prayer of faith (what you have asked God for)?
ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:
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