Thursday, August 04, 2005

Spiritual Exercises

Physical exercise keeps us healthy, strong, and running smoothly. Spiritual exercises help strengthen and develop our Christian walk and faith.

"Study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed." 2 Tim. 2:15

Just the word exercise can send us all into a tizzy. It means hard work, dedication and usually that fresh pain when we start using muscles we have not used in quite some time. "No exercise seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Heb. 12:10. God has given us the exercises of the Spiritual life as a means of receiving His grace. The exercises allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us. Richard Foster in his book "Celebration of Discipline" challenges us to "be among those who believe that the inner transformation of our lives is a goal worthy of our best efforts."

The rewards of physical exercise especially for women are often a slimmer waist, better health and possibly looking better in our clothes. I know I have persevered through physical exercise so I could achieve better health and a toner body. I have learned that I needed to put the same or more effort into my spiritual exercises.

The rewards of practicing the spiritual exercises are many and can be summed up by saying: We will have FREEDOM to know scripture to do God's Will, to express the Character of Christ, and FREEDOM from ourselves (our sinful nature).

Are you ready to develop your walk and devotion to Christ? You may already participate in some of the exercises, are you open to learning new ones? Come along for a great journey as you "taste and see that the Lord is good" Psalms 34:8

LDJ

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