THE POWER TO CHANGE

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Don’t Try — Train

Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:6–8 (NLT)

We are not trying to be different people, but we are training to be different people. Dallas Willard

Spiritual Fitness

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV).

I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. Acts 20:24 (NIV)

Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.1 Corinthians 9:24–25 (NLT)

1. Mind The Gap

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. 1 Peter 1:14–15 (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22–25 (NIV)

2. Develop A Daily Habit  

So you must remain in life-union with Me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to Mine. John 15:4 (TPT)

3. A Healthy Diet

Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! 1 Timothy 4:7 (MSG) 

One who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6 (NLT)

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV)

4. Just Keep Breathing

The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21–22 (NIV) 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

5. Partner Up

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1:3–4 (NIV)

6. Physical Health

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV)

Your body was a willing horse when it was in the service of the devil; let it not be a sluggish hack now that it draws the chariot of Christ. C.H. Spurgeon

7. Fail Back On Grace

He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians12:9 (NIV)

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