"Working Out and Getting Buffed"

I remember coming through high school and the different sports I was involved in all had one thing in common. They all had a time during practices where you had to go into the weight room and workout. There were competitions that the guys would have with one another over who could bench the most weight or who could curl the most. I never got into those types of competitions, because to be honest I never really cared for lifting weights or doing the whole "getting buff" thing.

Now, mind you I'm no string bean either; I just had my own ideas of working out and though I was considered slim I was very strong for my size and as they say "cut". I chose to do a lot of running and jumping as opposed to lifting. I went to school with guys that could bench press a Volkswagen but couldn't put together a cohesive sentence to save their life.

Paul said, "Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next." 1Ti 4:8 Paul's letting us know that there is nothing wrong with getting in shape by working out and getting buffed as some would call it. He is just bringing our attention to the fact that in the overall scheme of things it really doesn't mean much.

So, by all means get yourself in shape and if you're a weight lifter, keep on lifting those weights; but we must keep in the forefront of our minds that the exercising of our spiritual lives as Paul puts it, is not only going to benefit us now, but most importantly in the world to come.

What's getting stronger? Your flesh or your spirit?

"Disobedience has a ripple effect"

The story of Jonah is perhaps one the most cited stories in the Bible. We hear sermons about Jonah and the whale, or as the Bible puts it in the book of Jonah a great fish. There are debates about whether it was a fish or a whale, arguing that it had to be a fish because they don't digest their food like mammals do; which is what a whale is. They go on and on how Jonah didn't go to Ninevah when God told him to, and that after he was in the belly of the fish/whale for three days he repented and the God had the fish/whale throw him up on land.

I have yet to hear a sermon speaking to the effects of Jonah's disobedience. Have you ever stop to think of the individuals that were on the ship that Jonah boarded to Tarshish. How they had no clue as to what was about to happen to them, and I have no doubt that the captain of the ship knew that the weather was supposed to be favorable to sail.

What about the Ninevahites? Had Jonah not repented and ran to deliver the message to Ninevah once the fish/whale threw him up, would they have had the presence of mind to repent themselves and seek God for mercy?

Do we now see that when the lord speaks to us and we don't obey Him; that we are in fact affecting the lives of others? So, I beg all of us to become the obedient children He wants us to be, because the alternative brings chastening to us and unsolicited hardship to others.

How many do you think you have hindered because of your disobedience?

"First things first..."

You all should know that I don't particularly care for writing politically motivated posts for the simple fact that this site is not designed for that purpose. However, even with that I understand the importance of being civic minded and being aware of the many changes that take place in our communities based on the political climate of the day. Today, January 20, 2009 will be the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States of America, and regardless of anyone personal opinion there is one thing we all as believers must remember first.

We as believers have a mandate to do one thing first, and that is to Pray. We are to pray for those that are in authority regardless if we agree with their politics or not.
1Ti 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2
For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3
For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Have a difference of opinion, great. Prefer one party over another, no problem. Involvement with the political process, absolutely.

Just remember first things first, Pray.