Commit, Plan, Self-Discipline

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:25

Our bodies are one of God’s gifts to us, and as believer’s, our bodies are God’s dwelling places. Physically training our bodies is one way God helps us learn to be self-disciplined to train ourselves against sin.

Training physically takes commitment, planning and self-discipline. Training against sin and growing in godliness requires those same things. Train your body - for health and godliness.

• Commitment: Decide today whom or what you are going to serve - ease and convenience or the Lord and training in godliness and health.
• Planning: Without a plan, any form of training is ridiculously difficult. Just as you should plan when, where and how to grow spiritually, plan when, where and what you will do for physical training.
• Self-discipline: Plan according to your own personality and needs so that you can and will stick with it. Pray and ask God for help finding an accountability partner. Exercise self-discipline, and if you fail one day, there is grace. Get back to it the next day!

Finally, while godliness and health are both beneficial, they are not the goal. The ultimate goal is to glorify God in every moment of our existence. Make that your goal, to glorify Him spiritually and physically because He alone is good and worthy of ALL worship and praise.

Gracious God, I praise You because You are always good and You said that what You created is good. Thank You for the body You gave me. Please help me take care of my so that You will be honored and glorified in all that I do. Help me train against sinfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

(This post was modified from the post that appeared on October 14, 2013.)