Wednesday, May 7, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Acts 13

While preparing for a race, I was worried that my body wasn’t physically ready. I wasn’t sure I had the stamina to finish in time and didn’t want to disqualify my whole team. In order to run a good race, I needed the practice, the discipline, and the strength necessary to compete with the other athletes. 

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 
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. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.  

Just like training for an actual race, our minds and bodies need preparation to carry out God's purpose. Taking care of our physical bodies and maintaining our health through exercise, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and even our sex lives requires discipline. Whether we are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, a lack of proper rest, or not getting the physical movement we need, God offers a way to help us get back on track.

This is not something that happens instantly, but is developed over time with proper training. Unfortunately, as is the case with other spiritual disciplines, improving our physical bodies won’t always be easy or comfortable. Lifestyle changes require work, and that can be overwhelming. 

Sadly, it is also easy to forget that we are created in the image of God – fearfully and wonderfully made. When I trained for my race, I often told myself I couldn’t do it, but that was a lie. I needed to sort out my trash talk and tell myself the truth. Rather than seeing myself through my own eyes, I needed to see myself as God views me. This gave me purpose in every step that I took toward the finish line. 

Your body is God’s temple. Have you been honoring him with your choices? You don’t have to do it all at once. Take it step by step, making one small improvement at a time, always keeping your eyes on the eternal prize. 

Questions:
Why are you making these current lifestyle choices? What goals do you have for your physical body? 

What trash talk do you find yourself using? 

What truth do you need to tell yourself to carry out your God-given purpose? 

Next Steps: 
Set a small goal for yourself, something that you can accomplish in the next day or two. Celebrate when you reach your goal, then make a new one! 

This week, when you start to feel overwhelmed or weary, pause and say a simple prayer like: "God, please refresh me and help me keep going." Let that moment be a reset and a reminder that you're not running this race alone.

Prayer: 
God, I pray over my purpose. I pray that the trash talk will fall away. Speak truth over me as I carry out my purpose. I need you to change the way that I think as I take care of my physical body. My body is your temple. Help me to discipline it so that I may run this race well and effectively carry out your purpose for my life. Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:
John 8:31-32
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This post was written by Becca Roberts, a West attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.