  I just re-engaged my exercise routine after weeks off…ugh! I had to start all over again. It’s almost as if I’d never worked out, and my body is feeling the pain! We’re told that proper diet and exercise are keys to a good quality of life. EXERCISE is activity that requires physical effort, carried out especially to sustain or improve health and fitness. Exercise is also a task or activity done to practice or test a skill. Most of us know the benefits of regular physical exercise include heart health, endurance, flexibility, and strength. These are also great internal qualities that require disciplined effort and undergoing specific life situations to develop and sustain. The bible says bodily exercise has limited value, but godliness profits us both in this life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
Paul reprimanded the Hebrew leaders about their deficiency in the arena of Spiritual diet and exercise. They were under-developed and needed to start over. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.“ (Hebrews 5:12-14, KJV) This word for the exercise of these perceptive faculties is the Greek gymnazo
to train, or exert intensely like a professional ancient Greek athlete in a sport. It presumes the full discipline and effort necessary to be in ‘top working condition’ (full agility, skill, and endurance). This is gained only from constant rigorous training with graduated resistance. That’s why lessons and trials at times are frequent and become increasingly difficult. They build our Spiritual muscles and give us strength, agility and flexibility for God’s purposes. Paul, while being falsely accused and under trial of Governor Felix, was unmoved. Because of years of internal training he’d, “exercised himself to have and maintain a clear conscience, void of offense toward both God and man.”(Acts 24:16) In trials he demonstrated amazing maturity. What is being worked in or out of your life exercising in the Lord’s Gym?
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WEDNESDAY’S WORD – COMMODITY – 8/23/2023
“I wish Americans thought more like Europeans when it comes to money and work. We think work is the most valued commodity. Really the most valued commodity is time.” – Bryan
