“Train yourself to be godly, for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

I wonder if Timothy was a fitness freak; you know, maybe he ran marathons and stuff like that. Maybe he got the guys together on a Saturday afternoon and had push-up contests or something. He ate asparagus (plain) and watched his red meat intake. He was probably in his twenties, six foot and two hundred pounds. He had biceps that he had nicknamed “his guns” and the strength to have them shoot bullets. His chest was proportioned to his big shoulders that he could bear most any weight. Of course he had a daily regiment of activities and exercises that kept every muscle in his body toned and extremely fit. All the girls swooned over him; his physique challenged Hercules and Atlas. But there was something different about Timothy and the apostle Paul was the reason. You see; Paul led Timothy to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, trained him and set him over the church that they planted. Paul continued to instruct him through his letters and was assured that Timothy was sincere in his faith and love for his Savior. Timothy may have been the envy of all the young men striving for physical prowess and good looks, but little did they know that Timothy had something much, much more –he had God!
Peter tells us that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and goodness. Godliness is simply letting God live His life through. It’s the righteousness that comes to us, not through following the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Jesus is simply expressed in the love that we have for Him. Therefore, as Jesus said, “If any man love me he will keep my commands.” This gives us the strength and stamina to live godly lives in this corrupt generation. In this world, people have turned things upside down and reversed priorities. They believe that if you feel good physically then you are strengthening your spirit. In other words: one can be strong spiritually if one is physically fit. Wrong! That is so contradictory of the Word of God and does absolutely nothing for our faith. It behooves us, as Christians, to set our priorities right and realize that godliness is better than physical well-being. I know that this sounds out of touch with the present paradigm within Christian circles and I realize that some may be saying that I am only speaking like this because of my own present physical problems, but I have believed this truth even while I was in my twenties and I was awake twenty-three hours a day! Brethren, don’t be fooled by the opinions of the multitude! Although physical well-being may be helpful in this life, godliness helps you not only in this life but in the life to come. And as far as that goes, I know that you’ll prefer to be fit for the life to come.

It is Saturday morning and I have just awakened for the day. Robin headed out for the bazaar and duties of the day are at the front door of my mind. There are a number of things that I need to do today and, like everyone else, I hope to get them all done. Even while I sit here before this computer my mind begins to get cluttered with imaginations and frustrations. Stress is a killer and it doesn’t do your heart any good either. So, before I tie into the day I think I’ll just sit with God for a bit and enjoy this coffee. I’m going to let those minutes just tick away and I’m not going to worry about what I accomplish today or don’t accomplish. It’s not that I am being lazy or apathetic; no, I have learned that the very first part of the day is very important and starting the day off right can assure a pretty successful day at the end of it. I like what Robin does; she will lay in bed for just a few minutes and before she makes a move to get out of it, she’s talking to God. Now, I don’t know what she says but I got a good idea –she is thanking Him for… whatever. What enables me to assume this? Well, when I look at her life and I watch how she handles life and the attitudes of her heart, I can see a woman who is thankful for what she has. I never hear her complain about what she doesn’t have –she’s content! Godliness with contentment is great gain! And this comes from a thankful heart. People who want to be secure and happy must be thankful people; there is no other way. And so, I choose to take these first few minutes of the day and thank God for…well whatever He brings to mind.
I thank God for you. I thank God that you are reading this and my hope is that its small lesson will be a benefit to you. I thank God for everyone whom I have come into contact with during my life because they have played a part in who I am –and I am saved. I thank God for all my experiences, whether good or bad, for they also have helped me to be where I am right now –and right now, I am thankful. I’m thankful that God has surrounded me with great people of God who, in one way or another, make me accountable to God and encourage me to continue on the journey that is set before us all. I thank God that He has answered so many of my prayers during the last twenty years and for always being on time (His time, not mine. ) I thank God for all the folks who pray for me, not just because of the heart issue, but for more of an anointing, a closer walk with God and for spiritual preservation. I am thankful for a Godly spouse. I am thankful for Jesus Christ. I am thankful that He is merciful, kind and faithful. I am thankful that He is the only begotten Son of God and I am thankful that He desires that I come to Heaven to spend eternity with Him. O, I am thankful for that! I thank God that there is a Heaven to go to and because of His promise and love –I am thankful I am going to Heaven.

Friday –November 10, 2006, 4:30pm: I begin my yard work of cleaning gutters and raking leaves before the rain came. I completed my work and was satisfied. Saturday morning the winds brought so many leaves into my yard that it looked as though I hadn’t raked in years!

Saturday –November 11, 2006, 1:20pm: I get a call from Andrew Mullins. He is at the church and discovers the basement is under an inch of water. 2:20pm: I go to the church and realize that the boiler is the cause and not only is the church under water but the problem is the furnace and that means no heat!

Saturday –November 11, 2006, 4:15pm: Sunday School is cancelled. But Jesus is in my heart. and Jesus is at my side. and His Word speaks encouragement to my soul!

There is only one thing that defeats discouragement in this day and age –that’s Jesus! He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled…” Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in all things be thankful…” Peter tells us to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. Now, you may be thinking that leaves in the yard and water in the basement are little things compared to what you may be going through. A long time illness can be very discouraging, a sudden loss of a loved one is discouraging, a broken relationship is discouraging, loss of income is discouraging; and these are real problems. True these problems of mine are very insignificant compared to some of the trials some of you are going through, but I have only two things to say to you about that. First, God, who is the God of the mountain, is also the God of the valley. Trials may be big or small to us, but to God they are the same. God can just as easily heal cancer as to bring home a lost pet puppy. He can restore a relationship just as easily as He can help a football player kick a field goal. To God all trials are the same –He cares for what you are going through just as he cares for what someone else is going through. He won’t neglect you while caring for others. Secondly, God allows us to go through very small and seemingly insignificant problems to teach us that He can bring us through them. Then, when we go through the small ones with Him we can know that He will be with us in the big ones. God who is faithful will never leave us nor forsake us. And when God is with us we can… do all things. Remember saints: we are saved by hope and hope does not disappoint!

Direct T.V. has an advertisement that encourages their subscribers who already enjoy great television (that’s a matter of opinion ) to spread the word and make referrals to their friends. If it should be that someone purchases Direct T.V. through these referrals, then a reward of $100 is to be had. The narration states it this way: Hey, you are already enjoying good T.V. you might as well share the news with your friends and get paid for it. Well, if I could speak for the Lord at this moment I would like to remind you that you are already enjoying a great salvation and abundant life, you might as well share the News with your friends and get a reward for it. You know salvation is free but there are rewards awaiting those who serve Christ in this life. Paul told the Thessalonians that they were indeed his crown, joy and glory when he stands in the presence of the Lord. Solomon said that he who wins a soul is wise and Daniel said that those who are wise shall shine like the stars in heaven. But really, enough about us. Let’s get to the reward! Jesus said, Behold, I come quickly and My reward is with Me!”
When all is said and done and we find ourselves in heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ we all shall be held in great anticipation of the reward that will be ours. Jesus Christ will judge our service. He will weigh the motivations of our hearts and He will make sound judgments of the attitudes of our hearts. How all this will take place I do not know, but what I do know is that all His judgments are just and true. Therefore, each of us will receive that great Reward. And what is that great Reward? What is it that we are longing for and desiring to possess? Him! Yes, that’s right; God will reward us with Himself. The prayer of Jesus will be answered and we shall be in Him even as He is in us. He prayed, “Father, I pray that they are one even as we are one.” Peter, through the Holy Spirit said that we are partakers of the divine nature through the precious promises that He has given us. Brother and Sister, God is all that you and I should ever want and desire here on earth –why should it be any different when we reach heaven? I don’t want to go to heaven if God only visits there and I’m sure that you wouldn’t either. God, in all His beauty and majesty, shall be our God and we shall be His people! Rejoice saints of God, your Redemption draweth nigh and His reward is with Him.