Message summary: Today we encourage you to recognize that your life, both physical and spiritual, requires exercise. 

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"Train yourself to be godly. For 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" (1 Timothy 4:7b,8).  "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24,25).

Friday afternoon I visited with a young man and encouraged him in his faith. He visited our church several weeks ago and I inquired if he might want to visit again. He told me he would like to come on Sunday but his girlfriend wants to go to her gym. He immediately corrected himself by saying "her church" in place of "her gym". I responded with a smile and commented, "Well, church is essentially like a gym for our spiritual strengthening"!

It is a place where believers gather to exercise their faith. We sing songs of worship that reinforce our beliefs, hear messages from God's Word that instruct and build us up. We may witness a baptism or child dedication. Of course we also enjoy our fellowship with other believers.

A gym, short for gymnasium, is an indoor venue for exercise and sports. The word is derived from the ancient Greek term "gymnasion". This word means discipline, training, exercise.

The first daily Scripture portion is an allusion to sports. Paul writes, "Train yourself to be godly". The Amplified uses an expression that has blessed me over the years, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit]".

"Train" translates the Greek word "gymnaze" from which we get the English words gymnasium and gymnastics. It indicates a present, ongoing action we participate in and is strongly enjoined upon us.

Surely the apostle Paul is speaking here of spiritual development and the disciplines we practice as we participate in our growth in godliness. This includes Bible reading and study, Scripture memorization, prayer and praise, church participation, witnessing for Christ, Christian service and other forms of spiritual discipline.

The verse continues, "Physical training is of some value". Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit so properly caring for our physical nature is a means of glorifying God.

But comparatively speaking physical training is of little value in relation to spiritual training expressed in the phrase, "Godliness has value for all things". Godliness impacts every area of our personal life: our family, our church, our work and our society at large. And this godliness holds "promise for both the present life and the life to come".

The Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament resource has a powerful thought on this point: "It is not the self-centered aesthetic struggle of the individual for his own moral and religious perfection, but the training necessary for the unhindered pursuit of God's purposes. This exercise was a vigorous development and application of all Paul's strength and ability that he might bring glory to God with every thought and action."

Today we encourage you to recognize that your life, both physical and spiritual requires exercise. We must "exercise self-control in all things" (1 Corinthians 9:25) and "train ourselves to be godly". A foundational component of this exercise is the implementation of God's Word to our hearts so that its truths are carried out in our actions. Remember, in pursuit of godliness, we must always be exercising!

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13