Philippians 4:13
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
I just finished exercising brisk walking around my neighborhood. It is really such an achievement to me, overcoming my laziness. I really need to build up my stamina and immune system. The other day at Planetarium, I witnessed Nic skipping up a looooong flight of stairs like a prancing deer. But both Ethan and I were walking slowly, Ethan because of his weight, mine, because of my stamina..ha ha..but we were both in the same state huffing and puffing..well not that much but a bit. At the end of the night, my thigh muscles were aching but Ethan was fine. That was when I realized I needed to exercise more!
Getting out 2 to 3 times a week to exercise is such a chore. If i manage to get out to exercise 3 times a week, I will be so thrilled! Last week I learned that it is my spirit that dominates BOTH my mind and body so I should not allow this lazy mind (which may also sometimes harassed by the devil) to rule me and as a consequence make my body suffer. In order to build my spirit and renew my mind, I need to read scriptures to spur me on like Philippians 4:13.
A few of you have asked how you can help me so I pray you can help me in this area. Can you pass me scriptures that will motivate me to exercise and also send me YouTube movies or articles on doing simple exercises? That would greatly help me and motivate me. For now, Henry is my best motivator. I exercised today because he reminded me so! I really need to get to a position I can stand on my own and just do what is right in God's eyes!
I memorized this from Exodus 15:26
He said "If you listen to the Lord your God, and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring any of the diseases I brought upon the Egyptians for I am the Lord who heals You".
It shows that being away from God can make us sick but to listen to God we need to apply what He says to our lives. Anyway, It feels good letting the sweat trickle down as I write this. The endorphins are being released! Praise God! Thank you for the exercise Lord!
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Hi Liz,
ReplyDeleteExodus 15:26 is indeed an excellent verse to know and remember. Many people use that verse as the unconditional promise of God to heal, but a careful reading shows that it is NOT unconditional (although I am NOT saying God does not heal unconditionally, in fact, his healing is out of His grace, compassion and love). People tend to remember and memorise the last bit, "I am the LORD that heals you" or "I am Jehovah Rapha" meaning God, the Healer, and say that God promises to heal and He cannot lie. But we are making God out to be a liar if we say the verse is an unconditional promise of God to heal.
It is a promise, a conditional promise, and the conditions are: one, we listen to God, two, do what is right in His eyes (NOT our eyes), and three, pay attention and keep his precepts.
Can we ever fulfill all the conditions? Maybe you and I can't, but the important thing is that we set our hearts to it, and effort towards it, and when we fail we ask for forgiveness, and work at it again, and again; and we rest in His good judgment. Theology cannot be founded on our experiences alone; it is always founded on the Word. And so, even if we see a wicked or notorious fellow healed by the Lord, it does not mean God MUST heal, regardless. It is God MAY heal, regardless.
When God made an unconditional promise, He has no choice because He cannot lie (Num 23:19). He is careful with His unconditional promises, but He is God, and so, He is sovereign, and therefore, can have mercy and compassion on whosoever He will have mercy and compassion; and we can believe because of God's revealed character, He exercises His sovereignty with righteousness and justice, and with love and faithfulness. One excellent verse that speaks foundationally about God, which we should know and always remember, is Ps 89:14 - Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your {God's} throne; love and faithfulness go before you {God}.
May God bless you with increasing health, as you eager for understanding of His Word and ways. Anthony Chia.
Hiz,
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you like, you can read this article of mine, put up in 2009, on my blog, on Phil 4:13 - http://high-expressions.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-can-do-all-things-through-him-christ.html
Hi Liz, Glad to hear that you're exercising even if it's requiring great motivation to do it (which I am sure the Lord will provide). I'm trying to train for Nepal in November and have managed to rope in my colleague to walk the stairs at work. We went for the first time today and hopefully we'll encourage each other to continue! Lots of laughter walking together makes the pain much easier to bear. Will be thinking and praying for you when we next hit the stairs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alina! How wonderful to do many flights of steps. I tried it a few times at home and have to walk a few rounds on level ground to cool off before continuing again. Have a great trip to Nepal! :) thanks so much for praying for me.
ReplyDeleteLove
Liz