Tuesday, February 11, 2020

30 LETTERS TO MY CHURCH on DISCIPLESHIP - LETTER 16




LETTER 16 - DISCIPLE EXERCISES IN THE SPIRITUAL GYMNASIUM

My mentor, Jesus, taught me that I must exercise in the spiritual gymnasium. The game-changer for me was when I read Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. That was in 1982.

Few books have caused me to do something in response to what I read. Foster's was one of them.

I already knew that I must, as a disciple, be disciplined. I must discipline myself to dwell in the Lord's house, seeking His presence. I must abide in Jesus, like a branch, connected to the vine. What Foster gave me was that disciples of Christ must exercise spiritually, and that spiritual exercising was the way I abide in Him.

For example, praying connects me with Jesus. He gives Himself to me, as I pray.

I am not doing spiritual exercises to earn God's love. But, because I love Him, and He has loved me, I desire to grow in Him. More accurately, I long to have Christ formed, in me. (Galatians 4:19)

I understand this to be the apostle Paul's idea when he writes, Train yourself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7). What struck me about this verse was that the Greek word for "train" is gumnaze. Gymnasium! 

1 Corinthians 9:25 reads, Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. The Greek word for "compete" is agonizomenos. Agonize! Which means, to compete in the gymnastic games. Again, I am not competing for God's love. He loves me. I compete to be empowered, led, relevant, and anointed.

After reading Foster I began to up my level of competing. I do worship reps in God's gymnasium. I do prayer reps, Bible reps, serving reps, solitude reps, listening reps, giving reps, thanksgiving reps, to grow stronger and be competitive in life.

As Jesus' disciple, I long to be fit for His service.

I want this for you, too.

Love,

PJ


DECLARATIONS

I am a spiritual athlete!

I train, every day, in God's Gym.

I am growing in spiritual fitness.

I am a competitor for the souls of women and men.

I can feel my spirit getting stronger and stronger.

I live and love the connected-to-Jesus life!