We all know that exercise is good for the heart. Aerobic exercise, the kind that causes the
heart rate to rise and stay at an elevated level for a period of time, is most beneficial for the cardiovascular system. I’ve been a runner for over 44 years. During that time my heart and my entire cardiovascular system certainly has benefited from all the running. I am confident that all the time I have spent on the road and treadmill has benefited my physical health.
Psalm 119:32 says “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Like the author of this Psalm, I have discovered over the years that as my lifestyle is consistent with God’s commands, I have found more and more freedom deep in my heart. This freedom and joy has given me an even greater desire to follow the principles of God. I want to “run” in the path that He has laid out for me in the Bible.
As much benefit as moderate physical activity like running is for us, the spiritual exercise of obeying God’s commandments has even greater benefits for our hearts. The freedom, joy and inner peace that comes from “running” alongside God is indescribable.
What benefits have you enjoyed from “running” in the path of God’s commands?
Have a terrific day!
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Most of us can imagine what a typical physical workout might look like. We’d first stretch
a little to warm up the muscles we would be using in the rest of our session. Then there would be some type of cardiovascular or aerobic workout - repeated, nonstop contractions of a major muscle group over a period of 15 to 60 minutes or even more that would elevate your heart rate to a level that is measurably above your resting heart rate. That might be followed by resistance exercises to strengthen the muscles. If you were in a gym you’d perhaps use some equipment designed for that purpose performing two sets of 10-15 repetitions of about ten exercises working the major muscle groups. To end the workout, you’d want to again stretch out the muscles that were used. The workout might last an hour or an hour and a half. If you were working with a fitness professional, he would consider the FITT principle in developing your workout plan. He’d want to determine the frequency(F) of your workouts, the intensity(I) or how hard you’d perform the exercises, the duration or amount of time(T) you’d engage in the various exercises and the various types(T) of exercises you should perform. These are all basic considerations when working out physically.
How would working out spiritually or working out with God look? First Timothy 4:7-8 says “spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” ( First Edition of the New Living Translation of the Bible) In the context of how this word is used here perhaps your consider this as a definition of spiritual exercise - “It’s any belief or intentional behavior that helps one become more like Jesus, draw closer to Him, know Him better or that follows the principles or commandments of God.”
Over the course of the next several weeks, I’ll be writing more on this topic. In the meantime, I have a few questions for you.
What types of ’spiritual exercises’ are you including in your day to day activities to be spiritually fit?
What are you doing to work out your spiritual muscles?
Have a great week!
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We all know the value of walking. 
It’s a great way to exercise as it puts minimal stress on the joints, requires little special equipment other than a good pair of shoes and you can do it virtually anywhere. A regular walking program can help you maintain a healthy weight and manage your stress.
As important as regular exercise like walking is for us, our spiritual walk is even more important as 1st Timothy 4:8 tells us “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.”
A vital ’spiritual exercise’ is obeying God’s principles… his commandments. In the New Living Translation of Psalm 119, words for commandments, principles, and precepts are found over 150 times in the 176 verses as the author tells us the value of “walking” according to his guidelines. The psalmist speaks to one of those benefits as he writes in Psalm 119:45 “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”
When we live according to His principles we can experience freedom. If we are a follower of Jesus, we understand the importance of living in a way that lines up with God’s commandments. When we are not regularly following His principles, deep in our spirit there is conflict and often guilt. Over time, this guilt can impact on aspects of our health. But when we are living our life “devoted to His commandments” we “walk in freedom.”
Are you walking in the freedom that comes from knowing and obeying God’s principles? It’s a special path that He wants all of us to be on.
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Are you weak? Do you need more energy to run your race? Is your strength depleted? God can help.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” That’s this weeks scripture found in Isaiah 40:29. What a reassuring message! Life can make us weary… it can deplete us from the strength we need to get out of bed and do the things we are required to do. Yes, we can work out by lifting weights and taking our fitness walk. Those activities can provide us a level of fitness that enable our bodies to function physically, yet we also need additional inner strength to be able to function well. Since our mind, body and spirit are interconnected, how we feel spiritually or emotionally can effect or physical energy level. That’s where God can help.
A meaningful and personal relationship with God can give us inner energy and strength that can sustain us. Engaging in spiritual exercises like prayer, reading the Bible and abiding in God’s presence can help us tap into special power that only God can provide. When we believe and trust what we read in scripture and in how God works, our hope is bolstered. This strong belief and hope, grounded in scripture, can give us strength. It’s the same strength that the Psalmist writes about in Psalm 138:3 when he says “As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”
So, I’ll ask the questions again - Are you weak? Do you need more energy to run your race? Is your strength depleted? Curl up on a couch or your recliner or drop to your knees and spend some one-on-one time with God. Get to know Him better and see if He doesn’t bring you more inner strength.
Go have an awesome day!
See more scriptures on health, strength and stress
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The Methodist church across the street has this
message in their board outside.
“A Resolution for 2008 - Exercise Your Heart”
What does this mean to you?
Let’s make a list here. I’ll start.
Forgive someone.
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This morning I conducted a first session for a new personal training client. As we were walking during the 1 mile walk assessment to determine her cardiovascular fitness level she asked me what a good walking pace would be for a solid workout. I mentioned that a 15 minutes/mile pace would be something she could shoot for.
As we wrapped up the session we spoke briefly about goals and “targets” for the training and gained a commitment from her that she would look on the positive side of her efforts and to not focus on what fitness level she was currently at. We then briefly talked about some spiritual or faith-related “targets” to help her.
A strong believer, she understands the importance of mixing her faith with her intentions and actions to become more fit. I had previously challenged her to pick out three scriptures that spoke to her personally about her intentions to become more physically active. She had done her homework and written these out. I reminded her of the importance of speaking these scriptures out loud and that this would help to mix her spirit with God’s Holy Spirit that is inside her.
Just as this new client of mine has done, if you are attempting a behavior change to impact upon your health and fitness level, I encourage you to integrate your personal faith into your efforts. Think Biblical truths about who you are and how God is helping you. Pick out a few scriptures that are meaningful and write them out. Perhaps put them on a 3×5 card and keep them visible to refer to them, even consider memorizing them. This is a form of spiritual exercise that if practiced regularly will help you in your behavior change efforts.
Well, it’s going to be another near-100 degree day in Charlotte. I’ll be drinking a lot of water and staying inside when I can.
Be healthy and be fit!
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The last two days for me have been terrific! I attribute this to a practice I have incorporated into my morning physical exercise. I have read out loud personal affirmations that I have typed and printed out. A few weeks ago I started to browse through my Bible, beginning with the book of Matthew, to find verses I had previously underlined. These verses must have made an impact on me at one time or another. I wrote out these scriptures in the form of a personal affirmation. A partial list is at at this link so you can get the idea. These are God’s truths as they speak to me personally. Reading these personal confessions out loud has a tremendous effect. It gets God’s truth deep into my spirit. It helps to mix my spirit with His Holy Spirit that lives in me. It helps to renew my mind. It sets my mind on things above. And it gets me thinking about God and Jesus and who I am in God… my true identity. As I have taken time to do this each of the last two days, it has prepared me for the day and circumstances that lie ahead of me. I challenge you to try this. Don’t just take my list and use it but create your own confessions. Perhaps use the same technique I used if you have made it a practice of underlining scriptures. Or you might look into the books of Proverbs or Psalm to pick out relevant verses that you find meaningful. If you do this, I’ll bet that you notice a difference in how the day goes. Let me know……. and have a great day in the Lord!! Posted to Faith and Health Connection BLOG
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It was 93 degrees and humid… sweat was dr
