A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Wednesday, February 6, 2008  Physical training  Listen to this message on your audio player. "Training For Godliness" "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11) "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). Brooksyne and I are diligently trying to get into better physical shape. It's something we are always working at but with varying degrees of diligence and success! We are walking daily throughout the beautiful countryside and really trying to be careful in our diet. Brooksyne also attends a special exercise program for women several times a week. The daily Scripture portion says, "physical training is of some value." Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit and we believe that properly taking care of our physical nature is a means of glorifying God.  That's why we need to "train ourselves to be godly." Surely the apostle Paul is speaking here of the spiritual development and disciplines we volitionally participate in that contribute to a growth in godliness such as Bible reading and study, Scripture memorization, prayer and praise, church participation and service. "Train" translates the Greek word (gumnaze) from which we get the English word "gym". It is in the present, active, imperative, which indicates a present, ongoing action we participate in and is strongly enjoined upon us. A study resource book I use has a powerful thought on this point: "It is not the self-centered ascetic 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 "train yourself to be godly!" A foundational component of this training is the implementation of God's Word to our hearts so that it is carried out in our actions. Remember, in regard to the pursuit of godliness we are always in training! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Lord, help me today to be aware of the importance of training for godliness and faithfully practice those disciplines that will make me strong in You. Amen. * Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament  Scripture memory verses from each book of the Bible: Here is a pdf file of the suggested Scripture verses to memorize from each book of the Bible. This should open fine on most computers and be suitable for printing out, copying and distributing if desired. Open here  Upon written request we will also send you these 66 Scripture verses printed on individual business-sized cards. These are great as an aid to memorization. Make your request by writing to: Daily Encouragement Net 495 Kraybill Church Road Mount Joy, PA 17552 A Personal Testimony: We were both blessed as we prepared these verses for this article and personally reminded of the power of committing God's Word to memory. Over twenty years ago we shared these verses in the church we pastored in northern PA and participated in the memorization as well. We had practically forgotten all about it, but when we looked up the verses based upon the references that our friend Linda had sent us we were both encouraged at how many came back and we could finish the verse after seeing the reference or first several words.  Last night we had a home Bible study with our small group and one of the long term Pennsylvania Dutch in the group brought over some fastnaughts. So much for our dietary disciplines last night! Today's main photo was taken this last summer during our family reunion in Branson. I actually had another photo up to illustrate physical training but Brooksyne felt it might be slightly inappropriate. I suppose no one will feel that way about our physical training photo! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Word Of God Speak" (Audio) "Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet" (Audio) "Be Strong And Take Courage" (Audio) Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. I am not sure where this comes from but it's worth sharing for a smile. We may be getting more exercise then we realized. (I don't know the source of this list. It came to me as an email forward many years ago). Enjoy and smile! MY EXERCISE PROGRAM "Physical training is of some value" (1 Timothy 4:8) Physical exercise is good for you. This unique training program recognizes and utilizes the exercise value of routine daily tasks. 1) Beating around the bush 2) Jumping to conclusions 3) Climbing the walls 4) Swallowing my pride 5) Passing the buck 6) Throwing my weight around 7) Dragging my heels 8) Pushing my luck 9) Making mountains out of molehills 10) Hitting the nail on the head 11) Wading through paperwork 12) Bending over backwards 13) Jumping on the bandwagon 14) Balancing the books 15) Running around in circles 16) Eating crow 17) Tooting my own horn 18) Climbing the ladder of success 19) Pulling out the stops 20) Adding fuel to the fire 21) Opening a can of worms 22) Putting my foot in my mouth 23) Starting the ball rolling 24) Going over the edge 25) Picking up the pieces. Finally today: I enjoy a satire blog over at Tom in the Box. They have a great spoof on today's verse. It also illustrates how not to interpret the Scriptures! |
Administration Information  Stephen, Brooksyne and Ester Weber  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings 2/8/2008 $1305.00)Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church.  Musical playlists Classic hymns mix Christian eclectic mix Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  |
