The Best Exercise

Wednesday, July 7, 2021
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Listen while you read: "All People That On Earth Do Dwell"1 (Lyrics)

1 Timothy 4:8 – Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. (NLT)

If having one would help me to keep track of my health, then why not buy it?

What initially attracted me wasn't its sleek style or the many things that it could do. Its functions included a watch with an alarm, and I've been a sucker for a watch since I was nine years old. But since my wife and I have been on a health kick, I was also attracted by its benefits.

Fitbit is an American company known for making products which are wireless and track such things as steps, heart rate, rigorous activity, sleep quality, calories, and other personal metrics. An added feature is that it syncs with my iPhone and alerts me when I have a text message, calendar notification, or incoming call.

Until I was 40 years of age, I could eat anything that I wanted without consequence. Not so now. As I get older, I realize that I must take care of myself (and my wife) if I want to increase my chances of staying here a little longer. Because my wife has more health concerns than I do, I had no problem justifying spending the money for a Fitbit if it would help us.

Paul commends physical exercise and good health. After all, God made our bodies and expects us to treat them with care. For believers, our bodies house His Spirit and are a temple. They are also living sacrifices.

As good as physical exercise and proper eating are, there is better exercise: spiritual. Physical exercise is good for this life only; spiritual exercise is good for both this life and the next. In fact, without proper spiritual exercise, we won't enjoy what the life to come offers.

Spiritual exercise helps me to enjoy the abundant life, which Jesus says that I can have now:

  • life lived daily with confidence and assurance;
  • confidence that God loves me and has accepted me into His family;
  • assurance that nothing or no one can take me from His hand;
  • life lived without condemnation because Jesus has taken my sin.

Spiritual exercise isn't easy, but it's always beneficial. I'll never lose when I devour God's Word, bathe in prayer, commune with other believers, love everyone unconditionally, serve others with kindness, forgive my enemies (and friends), and care for God's world.

Let us all exercise physically, but let us not miss the benefits of spiritual exercise.

Prayer: Father, give us the stamina to exercise spiritually every day. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen Martin.


    Thank you, Martin, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.


    WOW, Martin! Exactly what I needed for today! Thanks for sharing the inspiration and hope. Best to you both.


    Thank you, Martin, makes me think of what we can do spiritually when physically handicapped. Blessings to you and your wife.


    Thankyou Martin
    I enjoyed this and the benefits of spiritual exercise is encouraging and needed daily.
    God bless.


    Martin, reading your devotional is like engaging in a conversation;
    that’s something I’m missing so much with the restrictions related to Covid.
    Thanks for allowing me to share in your walk with Christ.


    Good morning Martin,
    Thank you for your thoughts on the importance of both spiritual and physical exercise in our lives. Both types of exercise take effort and help us to grow in different ways. Blessings.


    Hi Martin,
    Thank you so much for your devotional today! I agree with you, we need to exercise – physically and spiritually. That is why I write to encourage you to combine the two!! We are to praise and serve God with our whole being – body, mind, heart, and soul. Being whole and holy!


    Greetings Martin,
    Very good advice in your devotional. Physical exercise is important especially during this time of the pandemic when there are fewer things to get out and about to, but our spiritual exercise and interest is of prime importance. Following the word of God is the best route to go in our daily activity to bring joy and satisfaction not only to us but also to our loving Lord. I’m sure it pleases Him when we seek His word.
    Blessings for the writings you do for our daily devotionals.


    Thanks for the challenge to exercise spiritually as well as physically. I am 89 years old and grateful for the health and strength that I have. I have never done a lot of training physically, but I have a couple of things that may interest you. I played basketball in high school and always kept an interest in some physical activity. About 6 years ago this fall I started Bible Study Fellowship and a song based on Psalm 119:105 got in my head and heart. I decided that I should read more than my lessons, so I started a schedule on reading through the Bible. I can truly testify that this is good spiritual exercise for me. Thank you again for your encouragement in this.
    Keep up your plan of physical and spiritual exercise and keep on writing your devotionals.


    I have found being alone at this stage in my life that fitbit has really spoken to me about my actions daily.
    Yes, I am losing weight put on by a nibble here and there, too large portions, and family meals at every turn to celebrate with treats in food not in health.
    But without my daily devotion and touch with God, Jesus’ words, and hope eternal, I would not be a whole person and maybe we need a fitbit for our faith as well.
    My son has been supportive of me in this and he and my daughter are helpful by encouraging me by their actions as well.
    I pray for them spiritually but see glimmers of this in new ways in their lives.
    God bless you.
    (Ontario, Canada)


    Good words indeed Martin, thank you for writing and reminding that we need both, physical as well as spiritual exercise.
    Blessings.


    Dear Martin,
    It is truly amazing how God works these devotionals, one to another. My doctor had just been talking to me about getting more exercise, and your devotion was here for the physical and the Spiritual encouragement. Thank you, and God’s timing.

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