Faith Workout

TODAY'S STEPS
READ:  1 John 4

REFLECT:  How can we know...that we know God?
 
RESPOND:  
1 - Evaluate your daily routine.  Identify any regular habits that tend to distract you from the message of Christ.
2 - Evaluate your goals.  Identify any that are merely designed to create comfort and/or fame for yourself.
3 - List regular habits and goals that help you hear and share the message of Christ.

*Share your thoughts on comments and with your Faith Rx'd Chapter.

"So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth." (1 John 3:7 - The Message)

Faith WOD

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  1 Corinthians 9:19-27

REFLECT:  What was Paul's primary goal?

RESPOND:  Identify your primary goal in living close to the world.

*Share your thoughts on Comments.

"I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."

Faith WOD

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Colossians 4

REFLECT: What are practical ways in which God can use the wisdom, circumstances, and talents he has given you to glorify Him?

RESPOND:  Think of the next 3 months.  Continue to ask God for direction in using your life for His glory. 
1 - Create a personal vision statement for your career or academic pursuits.
2 - Include any specific goals you hope to achieve.
3 - Spend time in prayer that God will use your efforts for His glory.

*Share your thoughts on Comments.

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
  
*We will begin our next "Journey" on Monday, April 22nd.  We will go through the book of Nehemiah.  For background information, read this helpful synopsis from John MacArthur:  Introduction.

Faith WOD

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  1 Corinthians 10:23-33

REFLECT: How does this passage challenge us as believers in our daily interactions with others?

RESPOND:  Think of the next 3 months.  Continue to ask God for direction in using your life for His glory. 
1 - Create a personal vision statement for your physical fitness.  Why do you train?
2 - Include any specific goals you hope to achieve.
3 - Spend time in prayer that God will use your efforts for His glory.

*Share your thoughts on Comments.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³² Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God."
  
*We will begin our next "Journey" on Monday, April 22nd.  We will go through the book of Nehemiah.  For background information, read this helpful synopsis from John MacArthur:  Introduction.

Faith WOD

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Ephesians 5:21 - 6:4

REFLECT: How does God challenge us spiritually within the context of our family?

RESPOND:  Think of the next 3 months.  Continue to ask God for direction in using your life for His glory. 
1 - Review your personal vision statement for spiritual growth from yesterday's WOD. 
2 - Expand the statement to include how you can be useful as a spiritual leader for those in your family.
3 - Include any specific goals you hope to achieve. 
*Family can be defined however it applies to your current life situation.

*Share your thoughts on Comments.

"...Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
  
*Our next "Journey" will be through the book of Nehemiah.  For background information, read this helpful synopsis from John MacArthur:  Introduction

Faith WOD

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  1 Timothy 4

REFLECT: How does God challenge us to grow spiritually?

RESPOND:  Think of the next 3 months.  Ask God for direction in using your life for His glory during this time. Then, write a vision statement for your personal spiritual growth.  The statement should describe WHY you study, pray, and make an effort to grow in the Lord.  Include any specific goals you hope to achieve.

*Share your thoughts on Comments.

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
  
*Our next "Journey" will be through the book of Nehemiah.  For background information, read this helpful synopsis from John MacArthur:  Introduction

Faith WOD

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Luke 2:39-52

REFLECT: In what ways did Jesus "increase?"

RESPOND:  Think of the next 3 months.  How does God want to use your life for His glory during this time? Spend time in prayer and meditation about the needs He has placed around you.

*Share your experience on Comments.

"And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."
  
*Our next "Journey" will be through the book of Nehemiah.  For background information, read this helpful synopsis from John MacArthur:  Introduction

Faith Weekend WOD - 1/11/2013 to 1/13/2013

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Matthew 10

REFLECT:  Who is in your spiritual sphere of influence?  Write a prayer of praise that is inspired by the words of this passage.

RESOLVE: Think of the next 3 months. Designate 3 individuals God has placed in your sphere of influence.  Pray for them this weekend, and write down HOW you can help them spiritually.


"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

 *THE STORE IS OPEN!  THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

Faith WOD - 1/4/2013

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Psalm 89

REFLECT:  Why did God create us?  What is our true purpose?  Say, or write, a prayer of praise that is inspired by the words of this passage.

RESOLVE: Write a phrase from the passage that affirms God's purpose for your life.

"Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
⁶ For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
⁷ a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?"

Faith WOD - 1/3/2013

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  1 Peter 2:9-25

REFLECT:  Why did God create us?  What is our true purpose?  Say, or write, a prayer of praise that is inspired by the words of this passage.

RESOLVE: Write a phrase from the passage that affirms God's purpose for your life.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

Faith WOD - 1/2/2013

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Ephesians 2

REFLECT:  Why did God create us?  What is our true purpose?  Say, or write, a prayer of praise that is inspired by the words of this passage.

RENEW: Write a phrase from the passage that best reminds you of God's purpose for your life.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Faith WOD - 1/1/2013

Praise God for giving us the New Year to use for His glory!  We look forward to growing in our faith alongside one another in 2013.  As we begin the New Year, we are preparing for our next "Journey."  Let's continue to reflect on our goals, purpose, and mission.

TODAY'S STEPS

READ:  Isaiah 43

REFLECT:  Why did God create us?  What is our true purpose?  Say, or write, a prayer of praise that is inspired by the words of this passage.

RENEW: Write a phrase from the passage that best reminds you of God's purpose for your life.

"But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

*Share thoughts on Comments.

Faith WOD - 12/31/2012

Turn the clock forward one year.  If you could change your life into whatever you want it to be - what would it look like?

Imagine that money, time, or resources are not a hindrance.  Be as honest as you can possibly be with yourself.  What would you have in your life?  What would you be doing?  Who would you be with?

*Share thoughts on Comments.

^"I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. ¹² Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. ¹³ You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Faith WOD - 3/29/2012

After setting & reviewing our goals - what about the things we CANNOT control?

List 3 things that are directly involved with your goals over which you have NO control.

*Share thoughts on Comments.

"To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. ² All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.  ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans...⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:1-3, 9)

Faith WOD - 3/28/2012

Review your physical fitness goals.

Then, meditate on our third theme verse: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)

How does this mindset help you achieve your physical goals?

*Share thoughts on Comments.

Spiritual WOD - 3/27/2012

Review your social and intellectual goals (Fellowship & Career/Academic).

Then, meditate on our second theme verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight..” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

How do your goals involve the Lord's guidance in these areas?

*Share thoughts on Comments.

Spiritual WOD - 3/26/2012

"And Jesus grew in wisdom"(Luke 2:52)

Goal-Setting - Step #6 (Career/Academic Goals)

1 - Record 3 tangible ways you plan to improve your career or academics in the next 3 months

2 - Record 3 long-term goals

*Share one of your goals on Comments.

"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well.'" (Martin Luther King Jr. - March 18, 1968, to a crowd of street sweepers in Memphis, TN)

Spiritual Weekend WOD - 3/24/2012 to 3/25/2012

Before moving to the last category, let's review our spiritual goals (personal faith, family faith, outreach).

1 - Meditate on our first theme verse: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3:3-4)

2 - Consider how your goals encourage commitment to "love and faithfulness."

3 - Commit the passage to memory.

*Share thoughts on Comments.

Spiritual WOD - 3/23/2012

Goal-Setting - Step #5 (Fellowship Goals)

1 - Record 3 tangible ways you plan to make your friendships grow closer in the next 3 months

2 - Record (or adjust) 3 long-term fellowship goals

*Share one of your goals/plans on Comments.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

Spiritual WOD - 3/22/2012

"And Jesus grew...in stature." (Luke 2:52)

Goal-Setting - Step #4 (Physical Fitness)

1 - Record 3 specific physical fitness goals you want to achieve within the next 3 months

2 - Record (or adjust) 3 long-term physical fitness goals

*Share goals on Comments.

“Resisting adversity causes some folks to break, others to break records."

What does the Bible say about physical fitness?