For several months now I've been telling my husband and friends how much I want to get in shape and really get into a healthy routine. I really have been quite vocal about it. So guess what one of my Christmas gifts was this year? A month with a personal trainer. Pretty cool. On the surface I was excited, but inside, I was thinking yikes, now I really have to do this. Now I haven't really exercised consistently for a long time. So that first session with the trainer was hard for me even though he didn't give me a ton to do. The week following was even harder because my trainer wasn't there with me, I was sore and everything just felt foreign to me. Even so, I stuck with it and as I finished up that first week, I was surprised at how much easier the exercises were for me to do AND I was even looking forward to that time by about day 5.
I just had my second session on Tuesday after two weeks of working out on my own. By this time, I wasn't having any difficulty with the exercise and routine he had given me. But when my trainer arrived for the next session, he changed up the workout a bunch. First, he added more difficult exercises. Then he added more weight on some of them and finally, he had me workout longer. Needless to say, I kind of felt like we were back at that first session. It was hard and my body was weak and tired as we finished. But even as tired as I was, IT WAS AWESOME because I made it through and I know that as I work through this week doing that new regimen, I'm making strides forward in my health and establishing new, better life habits.
So why am I telling you all this? Well it occurred to me yesterday that my experience with my personal trainer wasn't much different than my experience with Bible reading once I finally made a decision and commitment to do it, and even my reading habits today. There were a lot of years where I gave lip service to reading the Bible for sure. I thought the Bible was great; I'd tell people that and I knew I should be reading but somehow, I just never got around to it, or when I did, it would be very sporadic, nothing consistent. I think it's because I was approaching reading my Bible as optional. In other words, my attitude was something like if I have time today I'll read my Bible and then I'd fill my time with other things. Or in the morning I'd tell myself I'll read my Bible tonight and then I was too tired or whatever. But then, something changed and I knew that I had to stop putting God's Word on the back burner. When I finally made that decision, it was exciting, but also a little scary because I wasn't sure I could do it (kind of like my exercise). At first, it was hard. I stumbled and missed a good number of days and felt like I didn't know what I was doing or some days, even why. But I kept pressing on, and I continue to press on, and what I've found is that when I'm consistently in the Word, reading and considering it and asking what does God have for me today, it's easier to understand and apply and I have a desire to come back and read more. But just like my exercise routine, I need to continually be "upping my weight" and when I take that step and dig in deeper or push myself to read more, it's hard--at least for the short term.
So wherever you're at today with your Bible reading, hang in there and stay with it. You're gonna hit some rough spots, miss days and maybe even have some dry spells, but God's Word never returns void. Plus, you're not alone. All of us here at Powered by 4 are right in there with you. Have a great weekend!! Tami W.
Thanks for your encouragement Tami. You described me exactly. I'm now 9 days into the P4 program and look forward to it each day.
I'm in my 60's; 30 yrs ago a brother led me to recommit my life. Praise GOD!!! He led me in a study of Timothy and I have been reading the bible with regularity since. Your powered by four has been a big encourager this past year.God chose to save my life from an almost certain death accident; changed my outlook with even more conviction to have the Holy Spirit fill me and work through me (2Cor.4:7).I'll let the Holy Spirit be my "PERSONAL FITNESS" trainer forever!!!God's blessing. Denny
Hi Tammi
I can relate to all that you have mentioned in respect to the physical fitness and the bible reading. I know what my problem is. I lack consistency. I have been praying about this and I have made a conscious decision to try and maintain consistency in my spiritual and personal endeavours. Could you pray for me as well so that I can overcome the lack of consistency in my life. Thank you for your encouragement. Keep up the good work.
Nadz
Denny; I like your "PERSONAL FITNESS" trainer! What a great outlook.
Tami;
I can certainly relate in not always getting my reading done. However, the Holy Spirit has always encouraged me, along with P4, to not give up. Therefore, I will not.
I have a question: In Luke 7:16 and Luke 8:25 Fear is mentioned. I am assuming this type of fear is reverance and respect for the Lord. Would this be true?
Then in Luke 8:37b the people of Gararene "were seized with great fear". What type of fear is this?: terror, trepidation, alarm...
Thank you for all of your encouragement.
PS
The questions are a great help to me.
Tammi, thanks for your candid approach to this subject. This really hit home with me. At the same time I am trying to get more consistency in reading God's Word I am trying also to get fit and lose some weight. Both of these activities have been hard for me in the past because I love to eat and enjoy food of all kinds and I am not that active and have to really work at being fit. So I will make these activities as well as scripture reading "not an option". What a novel idea. Thanks for the encouragement. I really enjoy listening to Dr. Kroll and yourself most every week day morning. Thanks again and pray for me.
HI, THANK U FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH CONSISTENCY. IT'S LIKE, WHENEVER I START TO READ MY BIBLE, I BREAK IN BETWEEN AND THAT WORRIES ME. PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW THE LORD PERSONALLY AND THAT CAN HAPPEN ONLY WHEN I READ MY BIBLE AND STUDY THE WORD OF GOD. I KNOW THAT I'M LACKING SOMETHING. THANKS FOR SHARING WITH US.
HAWA
Nadene, we will definitely be praying that your new commitment to be more consistent will take hold. Thanks for sharing. Tami
Hawa, thanks for sharing your request with us. We at Back to the Bible will remember you as we pray. Tami
Debbie, Tami asked me to respond to your question, so here are my thoughts.
We typically make a distinction between the "fear of the Lord" (awe) and all other fears. And maybe we shouldn't. In his fictional novel, The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Graham portrays two animals in the commanding presence of The Piper. Mr. Graham imagines the following conversation: "Rat," the mole found breath to whisper, shaking, "Are you afraid?" "Afraid?" murmured the rate, his eyes shining with unutterable love. "Afraid, of Him? Oh, never, never. And yet, and yet, O Mole, I am afraid." And, crouching to the earth, they bowed their heads."
As we can see from this story, the real difference is not so much in how we feel as in how we respond. When face-to-face with the awesomeness of God, the fear this generates should cause us to fall down and worship, giving glory to God (Luke 7:16). For others, however, this only hardens their rebelliousness and causes them to reject the One whom they associate with their fear (Luke 8:37). So, in the end, it's not the fear that's different, it's the people's response.
Allen, Biblical Correspondent for Back to the Bible
By Chris Hawa, I have that weekness also, but don't ever feel bad because Gods a gentle loving forgiving God. What I do every morning is pray on my knees and then we'll know that the grass will wither the flowers will fade and the word of our God will stand forever Isaiah 40:8. It helps our hearts stay focused during the day. GOD BLESS
Tami, Just reading your comment and the responses to you-about physical fitness and staying committed to it, as well as, staying committed to reading the Bible and praying- has been encouraging to me. Just seeing that others struggle in the same way I do - helps me to know- I'm not the only one who fails in these areas! But- I am asking for prayer. I do want this year to be one of complete obedience and commitment to my relationship with CHRIST. I have been miserable and failed -for far too long!! I just pray that 2009 will be the year I WAKE-UP and do what I should! Thanks for your ministry and encouragement!! God Bless! Kay
We at Back to the Bible will be praying for you, Kay. Thanks for sharing. Tami