A Body That Works........

So,  two and half weeks ago my mom and I started working out at a local gym called “Body that Works”. After the first day, my body did not work so well for over a week. (ha,ha,ha) In fact, the most laughable part of the first week was my inability to utilize the ladies room without handheld objects around me to lower myself to the seat. Obviously I had some extremely sore muscles. (ha,ha,ha) Those of you that have been there are having great empathy for me at this moment. However, the second week was much better and this week was going well, until I kind of sprung my big toe doing jumping jacks. (Try not to think about how that happened! Ha,ha,ha,ha). I did, however, go ahead and pay for the next two months in advance to motivate myself to stay the course! (ha,ha,ha) Also, I am motivated by the improvement I am already seeing in my energy level and that I am gaining more stamina. Balance, well not so much, as I ended up in a rollout flat on my back after trying to do a two point squat stance with leg extended back and arm extended upward. Seriously, I have not laughed at myself so hard in a long time. So those of you that are reading this that live near me.... if you want some cheap entertainment and are willing to work out at 5 a.m. in the mornings you should come.

Do you want to know about the part of this that isn’t fun to me? I know that if I don’t continue going to “A Body That Works” that I will eventually have a body that isn’t working again. I am either at a desk on the computer, in a chair counseling, or driving somewhere to counsel or speak. Therefore, I really don’t get the exercise I need to be healthy for someone my age. So, if I plan on this temple being a vessel for God to use I need to discipline myself for the journey. So, there is no turning back if I am going to be a soldier of Christ fit for duty physically.

But, am I a soldier of Christ fit for duty mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well? This may seem funny to you but to be fit for duty physically is a lot easier than being fit mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Because the only way to be fit in the other 3 arenas is to: Lift the Word of God daily and apply it to life circumstances. I’m not being legalistic with you here. I’m just saying that reading the Word of God and digging into it should be a habit in our life versus a vacancy. Why? Because the Word of God is perfect and complete, giving us all we need to know about God, Christ, Man, Salvation, Godliness, and the Enemy. While all of the Bible is profitable for us, it does not give us exhaustive information on every subject on the face of the earth. However, in every subject on which it speaks it speaks only what is true. And in that truth we have all we need to turn from sin, recognize our Savior, know God, grow in our walk with Him, understand others and ourselves, make good decisions, address marriage issues, parenting issues, work related and ministry issues, sexual issues, the enemy and how to stand against him, and the list could go on and on. HIS WORD IS SUFFICIENT and the end result is we grow in FAITH and it is evidenced by how we live our lives.

So, why is the body of Christ so impotent as Christian soldiers? We are not lifting the Word of God daily; therefore we are not living out lives that reflect kingdom work. So how do you become a Christian soldier that is fit for kingdom service? Word Lifting!

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (ESV)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.   All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

And finally, Costa Rica registration opened up this past week. We have already had to go to a waiting list. How exciting to see God move. Please pray for the team as we begin our preparation time this next week going forward until we leave the country. We have 29 missionary women sponsored to my knowledge as of today. Only 21 to go. Keep giving and praying.

His,
Vickie