1. We can (and should!) invite Him to be part of each activity that fills our day.  No matter where we are or what we’re doing, we can come to God in prayer. In this way, we are able to pray without ceasing.  

Colossians 3:17 tells us: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  

Brining prayer and focused Bible study to workouts shows us that we really can pray in the midst of any activity throughout our busy day.

We honor God by taking care of these bodies He has given us.  We should take care of our strength and health so that we can be ready in all situations to be used by God.  When we feel strong and healthy, and when we take care of ourselves physically, we are more capable of demonstrating the patience, endurance, and perseverance required to be our best self for God’s glory. 

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.”

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthins 7:2

It is a privilege, a joy, and a duty to honor God with the bodies He has given us.  My view of exercise changes when I see it through this lense. It’s not about vanity or fitting in with the world’s standards of beauty, it’s about taking care of this amazing gift God has graciously given me.  I know that I will be held accountable for what I did with all of God’s gifts.  Did I use them, care for them and help them flourish, or did I bury them away and give them no attention.  You have the opportunity to make exercise a form of praise and thanksgiving when you do it for and with the Lord.

Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

We build this strength when we do things that may feel hard or unpleasant (like getting in a workout when you’d rather relax and watch netflix!).  

The more we use these characteristics, the more we will grow and develop them.   Like trying to build a muscle, we grow in strength, in self-discipline, and endurance when we use these characteristics and put them to work.   And when we’re not feeling particularly strong or self-disciplined?  Thankfully, we can be assured our strength and self-discipline comes from God!  We have it - we just need to tap into the source and utilize it!

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Exercise has been shown to be one of  the most effective ways to improve memory and attention.  Exercise that gets your heart rate up leads directly and immediately to improved focus and concentration.  Part of the reason exercise enhances memory, cognition, and attention has to do with blood flow. Research shows that when we exercise, blood pressure and blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better.  Now let’s apply this improved cognition, memory, and attention to scripture!  Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote, “Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs.”

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” 

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Deuteronomy 11:18 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”