Ministry Through Service

The Greek for the verb form of the word minister is diakoneo meaning to serve or to help. Ministry can occur in numerous ways. It can be accomplished by practical ministry or by spiritual ministry in the church, community, small group or in a one-on-one setting. It could mean serving by giving practical support or finances, or by teaching others biblical truths.

Paul tells us in verse six that it is important for a minister to be instructed in the truths of his/her faith. As ministers, we must know what scripture says about the basics of the Christian faith – the Gospel. We must be able to distinguish between biblical truths and “old wives tales.”  And it’s only through the study of scripture that we can distinguish God’s truth as compared to what the “world” wants us to believe is true.  Only then can we be effective teachers of others.

Spiritual Fitness

This chapter of Timothy also tells us that godliness, or ‘spiritual exercise,’ as it reads in the first edition of the New Living Translation, promises a reward in this life and the next. God wants us to live out our faith daily.  We do this by incorporating spiritual disciplines and practices, as taught in scripture, into our life.

One critical principle or practice is to transform your mind (Romans 12:2) by understanding the fullness of the Gospel message and by adopting the Gospel, and associated scriptures and principles, as a mindset.  When you do this, it will radically change your outlook on life and influence your personal behavior and lifestyle. This in turn will affect how well you are able to minister to others.

Yes, we must train, or exercise, ourselves to be godly.  As an athlete disciplines himself to run and win a race, we must be rigorous and apply self-discipline in studying scripture and applying what we learn to our lives. We must practice our faith personally. The more we believe in the truths of the Bible and incorporate them into our life, the more whole we can become in spirit, mind and body. This in turn will better enable us to minister to others through practical service and teaching.

Questions to Reflect On

Are you effectively ministering to others? If so, how? If not, why not?

How spiritually fit are you?

What spiritual exercises – principles, beliefs or practices of the Christian faith – require attention in your own life?

Resources on Spiritual Exercises & Spiritual Fitness

Spiritual Fitness Assessment

Article – An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises

On July 9th of 2009, I made a blog entry about running shoes and the bible being two pieces of fitness equipment that I most frequently use. The Nike Air Max shoes I blogged about then and that I have enjoyed using for a little less than a year blew a tire so to speak.  Two of the ‘air bubbles’ burst and this resulted in reduced cushioning. My daughter urged me to return them to Nike with a request for a replacement pair.  The replacement shoes arrived this morning.  The runner in me felt compelled to lace them up and take them for a spin… a slow four mile run along my favorite rural route.  So, I then grabbed my iPod and headed out the door.

As usual, my thoughts wandered to many topics while I was running.  One thing I thought about was walking. I wondered how many years of running I still had in my knees and ankles.  I turn 60 later this year and have been running since I was 16.  Thankfully, I made a conscious decision about 15 years ago to pull way back on my running in hopes that I’d be able to keep at it longer than I would otherwise. Who knows, God willing I’ll be able to run throughout my 60′s into my 70′s!

I’ve been meaning to blog about walking with God for a while and on the run, I was inspired to do it today.

The Bible tells us that Noah and Enoch both walked with God.  It doesn’t say they ran with God… but walked with him.  It’s interesting isn’t it? The picture we imagine in our minds of walking with God is certainly different than of running with God. Running suggests a quicker, more hurried pace.  Walking suggests a slower, more relaxed and intentional pace.

David gives his account of walking with God in Psalm 56:13.

“For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light.” Psalm 56:13

What does it meant to walk with God? There are two spiritual exercises that come to mind.  One is that we will obey him.  The other is that we will be in his presence.

Noah was obedient to God when he built the ark.  By his obedience, his family was saved and the entire human was was able to continue here on earth. (See Genesis 6:8-9) Talk about the importance of following God! If you want to be reminded of the value of God’s commandments and of following them, read Psalm 119.  In almost every verse in the chapter, we are reminded of why God’s instructions to us are important.

When we are walking with God, when we are obeying his guidelines, we are also living a Holy life.

“And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.”    Isaiah 35:8

To walk with God is to be obedient to him and his ways.

When we know that we are in God’s presence, we are in a special place spiritually. Lingering in God’s presence while reading the Bible, or praying, or listening to inspiring music, or by walking outside in nature is a great place to be in.  The more I sense his presence, the stronger I feel spiritually. Being in God’s presence enables me to better handle the difficult times and bumpy roads that come my way. As David writes in the Psalm above, walking in God’s presence gives us life.

Another image I have when I think of walking is a path, not unlike the picture I have added in this post. A path is a way we take to get from one place to another. This reminds me that there is one path, one way, to God in heaven – to be assured of an eternal life.  Jesus tells us what path to take in John 16:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  It’s pretty clear here that the only way to be connected with God the Father is through his Son, Jesus.

Finally, the last book of the Bible tells us of an outcome of “walking in God’s way” on earth.  We will walk with God in heaven.

“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.”  Revelation 3:4-5

I don’t know about you, but I want to be walking with God in as many ways as I can. There sure are numerous benefits while we are on earth. And, I want to be dressed in white walking with God in heaven some day.

Questions to Reflect On:

Are you walking with God?

Are you running such a fast-paced life that you don’t leave time for personal time with God?

Helpful Resources:

Article – His Instruction Manual: Our Guidebook for a Healthy Life

Article – Get FITT Spiritually and Physically

Article – An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises

Other Blog Entries About Running

Deep-Rooted in Christ. The Way of Transformation

Throughout the book, Kang uses the metaphor of our spiritual lives being like the life of a tree.  As healthy trees and other thriving living plants require nourishment and the right kind of conditions, so our lives require the best possible spiritual conditions and disciplines to be in place if we are to be able to live the abundant life that God desires us to have.  Kang skillfully writes about such conditions and practices.

Here are two passages taken from the book:

“Our spirits are living; they need care, attention and cultivation. Then they’ll bring forth healthier, more gracious results.”

“How do our souls grow? Our souls thrive on silence.  When does our spirituality build a deeper root system? When we make space for silence; in the quiet they revel and grow.“

The book is broken into 52 short readings of three to four pages. The combination of Kang’s simple writing style and the profound truths about which he writes makes this book a very easy read.  It would probably be best read one section at a time with additional time spent meditating on the scriptures that are referenced and on the truths found in the section.  I, however, found his material so easy to read and so interesting and relevant to my vocation that I read the book in four sittings.  Surely I’ll be rereading the book again at a much slower pace very soon.

And as I finished the book I found myself saying, “If I could implement what he (Kang) has written about, my life would be more fruitful and I’d be so much more effective as a disciple for Christ.”

Kang’s target audience is those in ministry. He writes about his insights of biblical truths that will help people grow in their faith and that will subsequently help them be more effective in ministering to others.

Deep-Rooted in Christ is a valuable read.  For that reason, I’ve suggested it be on the recommended reading list for prospective life coaches who are enrolled in the Christian Coach Institute’s training programs.  As well, churches might want to consider using it as a book study for their lay ministers.

Occasionally I pass along relevant devotions that I receive.   Below are a few lines from tow of  David Wilkerson Today devotions on “The Danger of Guilt.”

Day One

“Guilt can eat away at the spiritual vitality of a Christian like a raging cancer. It causes a person to lose control of life; it leads to a desire to quit or retire from spiritual activity; and, finally, it brings on physical pain and disease. Like cancer, guilt feeds upon itself until all spiritual life is gone, and the end result is weakness and a sense of shame and failure.”

Read this brief devotion about guilt and the importance of the spiritual exercise of forgiveness.  David Wilkerson Today – March 2, 2010

Day Two

“Lay down your guilt, my friend. You don’t need to carry that load another minute. Open up the doors and windows of your heart, and let God’s love in. He forgives you—over and over again! He will give you the power to see your struggle through to victory.  If you ask—if you repent—you are forgiven! Accept it—now!”

Read this second brief devotion online – David Wilkinson Today – March 3, 2010

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”  1 John 1:9

Have a terrific day!

Resources Related to Guilt

Article – Forgiveness: A Spiritual Exercise for a Healthier Life

Medals Made of Recycled Material

And here’s a piece of trivia for you. This year’s 549 medals contained metal from recycled TVs, computers, and keyboards that might have otherwise ended up as e-waste.  (More on this here.)  I suspect that over a period of enough time, these medals will likely become tarnished.

Physical Conditioning and Discipline

To be good enough to win an Olympic medal, whether it be bronze, silver or gold, takes a tremendous amount of talent, skill and, for most of the events, a high degree of physical conditioning.  Preparing for an Olympic competition requires  discipline and perseverance. In the end the award that athletes receive is a medal, along with the distinction of being recognized as the world’s best athlete in their respective sport.

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25

Running the Race of Life

Our life as a Christian is like an Olympic athlete training to win a medal. Whereas the prize for the athlete is a medal, our prizes are at least two-fold.

One prize is the abundant life that we are able to live because we are walking day to day with Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The more disciplined we are at incorporating spiritual exercises into our lives on a daily basis, the more rewarding and fulfilling our life can be.  The more we live according to the guidebook that God gives us, the Bible, the sweeter our life can be. God has this “prize” for us on this side of heaven.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Paul encourages the Corinthians to run the race of life with endurance and that the crown we will receive will last forever.  He encourages us to press on, to persevere, to endure.  As athletes require discipline in physical training and in what they eat to be competitive enough to win an Olympic medal, we must be disciplined in various forms of spiritual exercises to win the crown of a full and abundant life.  ( Corinthians 9:24-25 )

The more disciplined and consistent we are in our spiritual exercises, the more abundance we will tend to receive this side of heaven.  This is one reason Jesus died on the cross for you and for me.

The other “prize” that God makes available for us is the crown of eternal life that we’ll spend with Jesus after we leave this earth.  It becomes available to us when we accept Jesus in our heart as our Savior.  Isaiah 35:10 tells us that everlasting joy will crown the heads of those who walk with Jesus in a personal way. Unlike the tarnish that will probably occur with the metal of the Olympic medals, our crown of everlasting life and our joy will continue forever.

I encourage you to be disciplined in applying the principles of the Bible in such a way that you’re experiencing a full and rewarding life – the kind God desires for you.  And I pray that you are confident that you’ll live eternally in the presence of God because of a choice you’ve made to invite Jesus into your heart.

A Few Questions to Consider

What disciplines in your life contribute most to your level of spiritual fitness?

Are you experiencing an abundant life in the way Jesus has made it available for you?

What spiritual exercises could you incorporate into your life to give you a more full life?

Where will you spend eternity after you die?

Additional Resources for Running the Race of Life

Article from this Ministry – An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises… for a Healthier Life

Website Page from this Ministry – Spiritual Exercises and a Spiritual Fitness Assessment

Website – How to be assured of an eternal life with God.

Website Page from this Ministry – Accept Jesus Into Your Heart

Power from God does not come by way of religious-type activity and service.  It comes as a direct result of abiding in God’s presence and being connected to him in a very real and meaningful way.  Jesus tell us this when he says -

“Remain in me and I will remain in you…. apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

Jesus gives us a great example of how he received power from his Father, God.  Shortly before his death on the cross, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He was sorrowful and full of grief-filled emotions as he prepared to do the will of God by dying on the cross for our sins. The “man” in him did not want to die. What did he do? Jesus went away to be alone with God…. to be in earnest prayer with him one-on-one.  When he finished his prayer time with  God, Jesus was prepared, equipped with the strength he needed to be able to die for you and me. Matthew 26:36-46

The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus prayed to his Father that just as he and God were one, that we all would “be in them.” John 17:20-21 This serves as a reminder that God desires us to remain as close as possible to him. He knows that for us to be able to do his perfect will, we need to maintain an intimate relationship with him.

‘Abide in God’s Presence’ is one Spiritual Exercise that is conducive to a healthy life.  The more we are in God’s presence, the more power the Holy Spirit gives us to make healthy choices and to change our behavior. We are able to do things that we otherwise might not be able to do.

Questions to Reflect On:

How close to Jesus are you?

How much time do you spend in prayer with God on a daily basis?

How much time each week do you spend reading the Bible and meditating on what you’ve read?

Scriptures Related to Intimacy:

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3

Helpful Resources

Article – It’s About the Relationship

Blog Posts About Strength

Booklet – Experiencing Intimacy With God, RBC Publications

Website Page – Spiritual Exercises for a Healthier Life

Principles of Exercise

A common acronym in the fitness training arena is FITT. This stands for frequency, intensity, time(or duration) and type. It’s important to address each of these four areas when one is putting together an exercise program. Over the long haul, I believe that the frequency in which an individual engages in exercise is the most important of these. And, when we look at the overall components of fitness, regularity is considered to be one of the key components. The research will show that it is very important to be consistent with exercise if a person desires to become more physically fit. When I work with a client, I try to help them get to the point where they are working out at least three or four days a week. Even if the person is not able to be this consistent, it will certainly pay dividends to be consistently exercising two to three days a week over the long haul.

Spiritual Exercises

Abiding in God’s Presence is one of 18 Spiritual Exercises I have identified that are practices of the Christian faith that may have some relevance to an person’s overall well-being and health.  Reading the Bible, praying and meditating or are different ways that we can be in God’s presence and feel a connection to him. I recommend to my clients that they create time every day for these spiritual practices. As with being consistent and regular with physical activity, consistently spending time with God in a way that is meaningful will pay great dividends as it pertains to one’s faith journey.

The more consistently that you spend some time with God, the more opportunity you will have to hear his small voice and to understand his will for you. Making a practice of reading the Bible is another way that you can hear from God and understand his will for your life.  In fact, I’d have to say that this is the number one way that God speaks to us — through his Word.

Questions to Reflect On:

Have you spent some quiet time with God today? How frequently are you spending time with God? How often do you read the Bible? Are you as consistent in spending time alone with God as you are in engaging in physical activity?

Resources on Spiritual Exercises:

Article – An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises

Article – Get FITT Spiritually and Physically

More blog posts on Spiritual Exercise

Change unhealthy behavior with Wellness Coaching

When I first saw this painting, it really got my attention… especially the nature of the corpse on the ground.  My heart sank for a moment as I  reflected on the souls of people that have not experienced God’s grace as a result of accepting his love.  This picture inspired this blog post.

A War for Our Souls

There is a war going on for the souls of so many, many people. The evil one, or Satan, represented by a demon in the picture above, wants us all to spend eternity in hell and he wants our life on this earth to be a ‘living hell.’  God, on the other hand, represented by the angel, wants us all to live a full and rewarding life and to be with him in heaven for eternity after we leave this earth.  In the painting, God is watching over the battle that is taking place daily in our lives.

This is a life-long, prolonged war that we are in with the devil, not a short-term battle like those fought between opposing forces of two armies that last a period of hours or several days.

Be assured that Satan is roaming around throughout our entire lifetime looking to take us down.  Scripture tells us that ‘our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’  (1 Peter 5:8)  We are also told that he deceives and leads the whole world astray in Revelation 12:9.

If we get caught up in listening to and believing the lies of Satan, it can take away the identity that God wants us to have in his Son, Jesus.  We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we are a new person when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  Satan wants us to believe otherwise.  He wants us to develop thinking patterns that reinforce his lies and to have low self esteem that results from those lies.

How to Engage in the War

The good thing is that the Bible instructs us on methods to engage in the war with Satan. One of 18 ‘Spiritual Exercises’ I’ve identified is that of Thinking Spiritual Thoughts. The Apostle Paul provides us guidance about what our thinking ought to be like on a daily basis.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

We are told in Ephesians 6:14 to “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth.” When we put on the belt of truth we are reminding ourselves of the truths of God found in the Holy Bible. The more we can fix our minds on these truths, day in and day out, the more we will be successful in repelling the lies that Satan sends our way.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:10-12

Our Reward – Full Salvation

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls…. therefore, prepare your minds for action.” (my italics)  1 Peter 1:8-9, 13

God wants you and me to not only live eternally with him but to experience a full and complete life when we are are this side of heaven!

To receive God’s full salvation… the full and complete wholeness that he wants you to experience, including a life of living well, you must guard against the lies of Satan and think on the truths found in God’s Word – the Holy Bible.

Questions to Reflect Upon:

Do you make a practice of monitoring your thinking patterns and are they in line with God’s guidance found in Philippians 4:8

Do you know what God says about you as his child and as a new creation once you’ve received his love by accepting Jesus as your Savior?

Where is your soul headed after you die on earth?

Additional Reading on the War for Our Souls

Article – Thinking Spiritual Thoughts – Renewing Your Mind

Read more about The Armor of God.

Blog Post – The Value of Speaking Positive Affirmations

An Invitation to Join God’s Family

Monterey, California - 1981

Today I went for a short run before the summer heat and humidity rose too much.  The forecast high in Charlotte is 93.  On many of my runs I get ideas for my posts on my blog and that was the case today.

The thought popped into my mind that I have been running over 40 years. It’s actually been 42 years as I started in the 10th grade in Atlanta, Georgia. Through high school, prep school, college and then for a time afterwords, I enjoyed success as a long distance runner… the longer the distance the more competitive I was. My last major run in a competition was the Louisville Marathon in 1985.  Since that time, I’ve run primarily to stay healthy, fit and manage my stress.  I also enjoy it.

As my thoughts during  my run continued, I wondered how many miles I might have run over the years.  I suspected that I could come up with a pretty good estimate because I kept good records when I was competing in school and afterwords for a while.  When I finished my run, showered and ate, I went upstairs to pull my running logs off the shelf of my bookcase.  I used 3-ring spiral notebooks, typically using one page to log my running efforts during each week.

High School Running Log

Looking over the notebooks revealed some neat facts and memories.  On Sunday, September 1, 1968, I ran my 1000th mile.  During three years of high school, I logged 1,914 miles.  The most covered in one day was 18 and the most in a week was 60.  At West Point, I ran during cross country, indoor and outdoor track.  At the peak of my competitiveness, I was averaging close to 8 miles/day and on Thursday, December 13th,  1973, I passed the 10,000 mile mark!

Over the last 25 years or so, my runs have been about 2-3 miles and I’ve gotten out two or three times a week.  By my calculations, I have covered approximately 39,000 miles over these last 42 years.  Wow!  I had no idea.  I am amazed that my joints, especially my knees, have held out.  It’s a good thing that I have not continued with the competitive running.  I can’t imagine that my knees would still be hanging in there if that was the case.

I have had a major shift in my overall motivation for working out and staying in shape in the last handful of years.  It’s so that I can stay healthy which helps me better do the work that God calls me to do.  I know that I am more alert, have more energy and can stay better focused when I work out on a regular basis.  Keeping fit also contributes to reducing my chances of the many lifestyle-related diseases that could set in and hamper my efforts to do things for God.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:10 that “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Certainly, it is a miracle in itself that God designed the human body so that it could run 39,000 miles and more over a lifetime.  He has put our bodies together in unimaginable ways. My Heart has beaten at least 1.8 trillion times over the last 58 years.  Imagine that! Another miracle.

In 1 Timothy 4:7-8 we are reminded by Paul “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.” (New Living Translation – First Edition)

Personalized License Plate

Clearly there is much benefit to being physically fit, but it is even more important to be spiritually fit.  Spiritual exercises like reading the Bible, praying, surrendering to God, serving others and forgiving others are all important aspects of one’s spiritual fitness program.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to run the race that God has set before us and we are to do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. (See Hebrews 12:1-2)  In the middle of the 12th chapter, we are encouraged to mark out a straight path for our feet so those who follow us will not stumble and fail but will become strong.

I’m thankful to God that I’m still able to enjoy my short runs and that while I am on them, He gives me the inspiration and creativity from which I can share spiritual truths with my readers.  I’m also thankful that He has given me the ‘work’ to encourage others of the faith to “remain on a straight path.”  I pray that He is also using me to share the Gospel with those who do not know Him.

In the ‘race’ of your life, don’t give up.  Stay the course. If you are a believer, others are watching you and many need to experience the love of Jesus that flows through you.  Go deeper in your faith.  If you don’t know God in a personal way and are looking for spiritual strength to help you cope with the stressors of life, consider accepting Jesus into your heart and receive His strength, peace and joy.

Questions to Ask Yourself

What ‘work’ has God called you to do? Is your health an obstacle for doing this ‘work?’

How spiritually fit are you? Are you engaged in meaning spiritual exercises throughout each week?

Do you have real peace, joy and hope because you experience Jesus’ love?

Related Material I’ve Written on Spiritual Fitness and The Connection

Article – An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises

Article – Assessing Your Spiritual Fitness

Article – Surrender: A Spiritual Exercise For a Healthier Life

Web Page – 18 Spiritual Exercises for a Healthier Life

Scriptural Basis for the Faith and Health Connection Ministry

“For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?  It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.”  Galatians 5:6-8

Today and the next few days, the riders will be traversing over the Swiss Alps, a gorgeous part of Europe.  I was stationed in southern Germany for one of my Army assignments and we lived about 45 minutes north of Innsbruck in the foothills of the Austrian Alps.  My last day of skiing in Europe was on a Swiss mountainside so I can appreciate that the scenery in that area of the world is breathtaking.  It’s easily the prettiest place I have ever been.

I don’t fully understand the team dynamics and strategy of the Tour, having never competed in this type of event.  My only experience in cycling has come from participating in two mini-triathlons where the cycling leg was only 20 miles.  Today’s stage in the mountains of Switzerland was 126 miles, and the last mountain climb was almost a 3000 foot elevation change.

The fourth place finisher in today’s stage was Bradley Wiggins from Great Britain.  In a post-stage interview the commentator was asking Wiggins to talk about his strategy in the next several days while they would be in the mountains.  In his response, Wiggins repeatedly used the phrase, “It’s a day-by-day thing.”   He must have used this phrase 4 times over a 60 second interview.  He was adamant in making the point that he was not looking beyond the current day’s stage as he determined his strategy for the Tour.  The language he used reminded me of a few verses I read during my devotional times this past week.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus tells us in Luke 11:3,  “Give us each day our daily bread.”  In this prayer to his Father that Jesus models for us, He is asking God for what we need day-by-day.  The prayer for “daily bread” is a petition for daily spiritual nourishment that comes from the abiding communion with Christ so that we  might truly  live perpetually with God.

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus addresses anxiety and worry.  Isn’t it interesting that Jesus also reminds us here to live life day-by-day.  He tells us:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

As the cyclist has adopted an attitude of taking the Tour de France day-by-day, Jesus wants us to trust in Him day-by-day.  He wants us to believe that He will provide for our needs one day at a time.  This is not easy for us because, in our nature, we really want to know that our needs and desires are going to be met.  I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to want to try to “map out” my days and line up all the resources I need for the day.  I sometimes fret and worry about all the details.  Planning is a good thing and it is important to be successful in a ministry or a business, but Jesus wants us to first and foremost, place our trust in Him to provide… to live day-by-day with His help.

Additionally, lot’s of health issues can come from worry and anxiety.  Any physician will tell you of the medical complications that will eventually surface if you are a chronic worrier.  God knows this as well.  That’s just one reason why Jesus exhorts us to put our faith and trust in Him to supply all of our needs.  Trust and faith in Jesus is an essential Spiritual Exercise for living life. Day-by-day.

Questions to Ponder

Do you tend to worry a lot?  Are you chronically anxious?

What would it look like for you to let go of some of your control on life and in your relationships and to trust Jesus more?

Related Articles I’ve Written

An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises for a Healthier Life

Manage Your Stress With God’s Help