EXERCISING YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY

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Just as physical exercise is important for our physical wellbeing, so is spiritual exercise for our spiritual being. Often times Paul likens the Christian faith to an athlete and also a military affair.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

2 Timothy 2:4

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

These figures, in their field, are known for one thing they do to keep fit and successful at what they do; that's EXERCISE. Just as they keep exercise as a habit for them to be fit for their calling and occupation, we believers needs to engage in exercise unto godliness. Such exercises includes:

• Fasting
• Praying
• Fellowship
• Studying of the word of God
• Evangelism
• Giving

This exercise helps us abstain from food and activities that has most of our attention and then channeling our focus and attention to God. It does not just make us spirit conscious but also brings out the God in us and makes us alert to God voice and leading.

Prayer is a means through which God gives us access to communicate and fellowship with Him. In prayer, we obtain His solutions in situations that surrounds us; we gain strength to overcome temptation.

We are enjoined to pray in everything and about everything.

Jesus while on earth never took any of these spiritual exercises for granted, as He knew it is a time of keeping fit spiritually; He knew it is a place where we draw the strength of God to live to fulfill God's will. He engaged in it while He was on earth regularly and so He expects us as believers to do same daily because it helps us prepared.

Prayer shouldn't be seen as a means of getting God to do our will on earth, but rather as a means of getting ourselves aligned to the will of God and getting His will to be done here on earth.

When we exercise our selves daily spiritually, we draw spiritual strength and growth, we also get encouragement and help other believers when we fellowship with them.The early church were encouraged, strengthened and experienced growth and God's love as they engaged in this exercise.

Studying could be said as the application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge. One key word we must take cognizance of is KNOWLEDGE. So many Christians they feel they are too spiritual that they forget that knowledge of there day to day dealings in the world matters a lot.

In God's order of priority, after salvation, He wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth. It is expected of the believer to come to the full knowledge of who they are in Christ and who Christ is in them, least the devil takes advantage of them.

Evangelism means sharing our faith with others with the aim to leading them to salvation. It is a charge given to the followers of Christ before His departure from the earth, therefore extends to the believers today.

It is God's will that all men be saved, and this can only be possible when we engage in the exercising of reaching out and witnessing.

We may experience rejection of our message and persecution, but we must be consistent in it. Yield yourself to the leading of God in sharing the gospel and trust God to see you through.

As His children, we are called to imitate Him. Our generosity in giving is a demonstration of God's character and a response to what He has done for us. It is more blessed to give than to receive. When we are willing to give, we declare that our faith does not depend on material possessions but in God who is always faithful to provide.

It is expedient we practice the art of giving cheerfully, sacrificially and unconditionally.

Take a break today and determine in your heart to touch lives (needy) from today to the end of this Month by giving cheerfully, sacrificially and unconditionally. Someone's THANK YOU, can go a long way in your life

Exercise yourself therefore in giving and experience God's abundance this Month and beyond.

Prayer: Dear Lord, endue me with your strength in my spirit as i commit to exercising myself daily spiritually. Let it become part and parcel of me.

Reflection: True exercising spiritually empowers your spirit and brings your body under control because It is a necessity for the believer. Reach out to others and sharpen one another faith because iron sharpens iron.

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I am @Evegrace

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