Exercise Your Spiritual Muscles

Here we are at the end of 2013, expectantly looking forward to 2014. Many people make new year's resolutions, but I am not usually one of those folks. I've come to realize that most new year's resolutions I make last only about three weeks, at best. Perhaps that is because the beginning of a new year is a lame excuse for making a change in my life. If a change needs to be made, I should not wait for a new year to make it.

That being said, I do want to try to get more exercise this year. I'm even thinking about buying a used treadmill or elliptical to have at home so that I can't use the excuse that I don't have time to go to the gym (I will probably buy it from someone whose resolution last year was forgotten after only a few weeks).

Are you making any similar plans for the coming year? Are you going to try to get healthier this year, either by eating better, or by getting more exercise? What about your spiritual health? Have you even thought about the fact that you may need to be on a healthier spiritual diet, or that you may need to get more spiritual exercise?
God tells us what kind of diet He wants us to feed on: 

• Prayer:

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave ear unto me. Psalm 77:1 (King James Version)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (King James Version) 

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16b (New King James Version)

• Bible Study 

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:103-105 (King James Version) 

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (New King James Version) 

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (New King James Version) 

God also tells us how to exercise spiritually:

• Church Attendance:

And Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ Matthew 16:17-18 (King James Version) 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)

• Good Works

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 (New King James Version)

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40 (New King James Version)

I want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014. My prayer for you and for myself is that we will make a very real effort to get into better physical AND spiritual shape, through good diet and more exercise. I hope you will join me as I pray from Hebrews 12:1-2 (New King James Version): 

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.