Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 Message By: Pastor Terry Welham Series: Just In Time! “TIME TO HIT THE GYM!" ♱♱♱♱♱♱♱♱ “A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away;” (Ecclesiastes 3:6 NKJV) “…Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit…So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8 LB) 1.) WE MUST BE MOTIVATED TO BE SPIRITUALLY FIT ➢ Motivate • stimulate (someone’s) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something: stimulate, encourage, spur (on), excite, inspirit, prompt, inspire, influence, activate “ Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me,…” (John 4:34, The Message) ”I desire to do your will, my God; your law is written on my heart.” (Psalms 40:8, NIV) 2.) WE MUST BE A DISCIPLINED DISCIPLE TO BE SPIRITUALLY FIT “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master…” (Matthew 10:25, ESV) “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1, NLT) ➢ Disciple • a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher: adherent, believer, devotee; pupil, student, learner ➢ Discipline • train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior: training, teaching, instruction, regulation, direction, strictness; routine, regimen, drill “Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27, The Message) 3.) WE MUST BE SPIRITUALLY FIT TO STAND " And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” (Ephesians 6:10-12, The Message) "Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground…” (Ephesians 6:13–14 NLT) Life Group Questions: Why is being spiritually fit important? What is your motivation to become spiritually fit? How would you describe your present spiritual training plan? How many “exercises” are you practicing, and how often do you do them? Compared to a year ago, how is your spiritual training progressing? What disciplines in your life need to be thrown away? How will you stand your ground?