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WEEK 07 – Workout

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WEEK 07 – Workout

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WEEK 07 -How Workout can make you more like Christ

This week we’re talking about “WORKOUT”.

1 Timothy 4:8 says that “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Paul again says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 – “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

Paul is talking about SELF-DISCIPLINE & DEVELOPING GODLY CHARACTER.

And I have witnessed first hand how powerful physical training can be when used with the purpose and perspective of developing SELF-DISCIPLINE & CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER.

As long as it’s intentional, fitness can become “Character-Based Fitness”, where you discipline your body, and therefor become more disciplined spiritually as well.

Physical training is almost 100% mental. Your mind is the thing that tells you to quit, and it’s your mind where you overcome and tell yourself to keep going.

No matter what limits you think you have, you can almost always push past them and find that they weren’t really your limit after all. You had so much more inside of you. And when you lean the Lord’s strength, there is truly so much further you can go compared to the limits we place on ourselves.

You see, when you force yourself to do a workout that you don’t want to do, or when you don’t think you can possibly keep going and you push through anyways, you are dying to yourself, and developing a habit (or nature) of dying to yourself and pushing through.

You’re telling your “flesh”, “Listen dude, you’re so not in control here anymore.” (Like Titus 2:11-14)

When you force yourself to run an extra mile when you’re already tired and want to quit, you are training yourself to not give up on your family when times get hard, to not give into temptation when it strikes, etc.

You’re prepared in advance. And when those tough times hit and you want to quit in real life, you can say to yourself, “I’ve been here before. I know exactly what to do. It’s all mental. I can chose to lean on the Lord and persevere and press on.”

If you’re intentional about it, you can use physical training as a way to develop Christ-like character and overcome temptation: endurance, perseverance, self-control, self-discipline, depending on the Lord’s strength.

And not only that, but you put yourself in a position to be able to help others physically.

If someone needs carried, you can carry them.

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

-Hebrews 12:12-13

The story of the 4 men carrying their paralytic friend to Jesus

LCA holds “Workout” as one of our 10 “CORE Disciplines” or “No Matter What’s”, because of this.

Just like Paul said, we are beating our bodies, keeping our selves in submission, training ourselves in godliness, mastered by nothing but Jesus.

So when you’re working out, remind yourself on a regular basis, “I’m doing this because God is first, and not me. I’m doing this because the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. I’m doing this because God has given me a spirit of power, love, & self-discipline. I’m doing this because my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I’m doing this because my flesh is not the master here. I’m doing this so that when times get hard, and I’m tempted to give up, I’ll keep pressing into Jesus and never give up. And I’m doing this so that I can be prepared for whatever God calls me to.”

Whatever your reason is in your own words, always have a reason and a “why” for why you do something.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF –

1. This week in your devotional time, ask the Lord how developing physical discipline relates to developing spiritual disciplines in your life.
   
   
2. Where in your life are you letting laziness or the flesh lead? Where are you mastered by something? Where could you benefit from a little bit more self-discipline?
   
   
3. If you already workout on a regular basis, how can you inject this motivation of developing Christ-like character into your fitness routine? What is the result after you’ve done so?
   
   
4. If you don’t already workout on a regular basis, what could you do to add a physical fitness routine to your lifestyle? There are lots of resources for you in the LCA Workout Program.
   
   
5. How could becoming more disciplined physically make you more prepared and capable in leading yourself? In leading others?

SCRIPTURE –

1 Timothy 4:8 / 1 Corinthians 9:27 / Hebrews 12:12-13 / 1 Corinthians 6:12 / 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 / Romans 12:1 / Hebrews 12:11-12

QUOTES –

“God created it. Jesus died for it. The Spirit lives in it. I better take care of it.

-Rick Warren

WEEKLY FOCUS –

This week, read through each one of these Scriptures each morning.

Think about what it means to develop spiritual disciplines through physical ones.

Ask God if there are any areas you need to surrender or change in order to develop in this area.

Let this theme guide your God time all week, and even your thoughts and conversation with Him through out your days, all week long.

Let Him speak to you about this idea of developing spiritual disciplines & Christ-like character through workout & physical disciplines, and see what He says.

We’d love to hear your feedback, so hop into the devos conversation thread in SLACK & we’re excited to see what the Lord speaks to you this week.

BLESSINGS!

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