Mr. Universe
Theme of the Week: A Spiritual Workout
Rod Nichols
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should" (1 Corinthians 9:27). Bonus Reading:1 Corinthians 9:24–27
After I graduated from college and until I was 24, I was "skinny as a bean pole," as my grandmother used to say. Then I began weight training and within a couple years had built a muscular body.
I learned over time that it was essential to really push the muscles in order to build them. Consistency was also a huge key, as I had to lift weights three to four times a week. Without consistency I would lose the fruit of my previous efforts.
When I became a Christian in 1994, I found that building my faith in Jesus was remarkably like weight lifting. If I only opened my Bible at Sunday services, I would remain a 98-pound spiritual weakling. However, as I read and meditated over God's Word every day and prayed that the Holy Spirit would speak to me through the Bible, I built a muscular spiritual body.
Becoming a Mr. Universe in the spiritual realm requires daily training to build up the faith muscles. I train at least an hour every day in the Word and in prayer.
Now that I'm middle aged, I don't have that muscular body any more, but in the spiritual realm I'm a real contender.
—Rod Nichols, Washington pastor
Thought to Apply: Care for your body as though you were going to live forever. Care for your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.
—Augustine of Hippo
My Response: How healthy is my workout regimen of Scripture reading and prayer?
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Lord, give me power to live a disciplined spiritual life that will keep our relationship strong.
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