"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)Fellowship and Sharing Our Faith: Strength and Endurance Training
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:23
As we wrap up our blog series "spiritual workout"- we should realize the importance of our personal training in godliness and its benefits for our daily living.
Today's post is a combination of the last two elements of spiritual training... fellowship and sharing our faith. I feel like these work together in building strong "spiritual muscles".
When we think of our relationships with other believers, we should think of the "church". No, not the physical building but the body of Christ! Our Christian relationship is not one just between "us" as individuals and God- it is a body- with many members. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
We have been adopted into a "family"- many believers... spiritually connected"... gathered together through God... to honor, obey and praise Him! We are a group called from every place and age... from every people to establish the kingdom of God.... To tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We are called to grow together... strengthen ourselves and each other... mature as a community... then go out and make other disciples by being witnesses... representatives for Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20).
God uses us... the church... as His "tools" on earth to accomplish His plan- building His kingdom. There are no instant results... no quick solutions... we have to be committed to the work... training ourselves, spiritually, through studying God's Word, prayer, worship, fellowship and sharing our faith. God's plan is perfect! He has His timing to change hearts and minds. To effectively participate in His plan we must be spiritually fit in godliness... patient... willing to endure... ready to serve- working according to His schedule!
TEAM ETERNITY: Taking our training to another level in Christ!
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athlete's race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win! All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I am running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else about it and then missing out myself.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
