52/365: One Life, One Body

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ~Romans 12:1

We get one shot at life. One trip around the bases. God has given us an amazing machine, the human body, which we use to experience His creation.

The key to getting the most out of the man God made you to be is learning self-discipline.

"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through." ~Zig Ziglar

If you fall prey to temptation or give in to weak moments of the flesh, then likely you are missing self-discipline. The best way to overcome this is to view your discipline as a contest which must be won.

GO DEEPER: 1 Corinthians 6: 18-20

NEXT STEP: Honor God with your body and stay ready to use it for the service of others. Is this something you can commit to do?

Ethan Rogers

on 02/22/2023 at 03:58 PM

I need to spend some time with this one and read it as an engineering project. Thank you God

Nick W

on 02/21/2023 at 10:03 PM

This is a challenging one today! There was a time where I lived a very spartan (and single) lifestyle. I exercised 3-4 hours 6 days a week. I constantly reminded myself that food is fuel - not fun. I looked great, and felt great, but I was utterly alone, and had all the time in the world for that lifestyle (which in my case was all vanity). Now, nearly 15 years later, I'm thirty pounds overweight, I eat fa(s)t food three or four times a month, and almost never exercise at all. I hear what God is saying - I need to establish a routine of "temple upkeep" and stop filling it with garbage. As difficult as it sounds, the only way to ever accomplish it is to just get started, and by God's grace, I will!

on 02/21/2023 at 08:02 PM

I changed my eating habits last year. It is amazing how I feel. That being said there are other areas that I struggle with self discipline. Truly the spirit IS willing but my flesh is weak. However my focus has been on my identity in Christ instead of my weaknesses and that is making a huge difference. Thank you for the devotional today. To all my brothers I would say don’t give up God isn’t finished yet.

Joseph Helms

on 02/21/2023 at 07:49 PM

God really moves us in ways we can’t imagine but we need to know that we can conquer temptation even though a lot of us fall short

Kevin Miller

on 02/21/2023 at 07:27 PM

This is so true. God wants to move into our lives and bless us but we have to be willing. Many times the ways of God are contrary to the world. Who knows best? The creator or the beings He created? Discipline is still hard

Old Dude

on 02/21/2023 at 05:51 PM

"Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life" ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Barry Percival

on 02/21/2023 at 04:01 PM

You have only one spiritual home. How you keep this home is on you. Is it in shambles and needs repair or a mansion that everyone would love to be around? I pray that one day my body could be one tenth of a mansion.

Delray Sheen

on 02/21/2023 at 03:15 PM

Brother Tommy, thank you, your words moved me. I see tht I hv been the ungrateful man with my body. I've become unbalanced, my spirit is strong but my body is another story. It seems like a whole new world the world of health. Thank u kickstart for putting this vital reminder within me. I will approach as I did when I first started reading the Word, little by little but consistent and steadfast. Please pray God helps me on this path .

Tommy Williamson

on 02/21/2023 at 02:58 PM

As I was reading this devotion I had a thought come to mind. What if you were lost in life with no where to go, no home, no job, no nobody to really love you. Suddenly some walks up to you offers to change your entire life in a minute. They offer you a great job, buy you a nice fully furnished home, buys all your food, pays all your utilities and offer you love and friendship would you accept it then let the house get run down and filled with filth and trash. That is exactly what the Lord offers us in life. He has given us a temple now he wants us to maintain it both physically and more importantly spiritually. Let us each try our best to keep our temples clean, free of trash and filth, let us keep them well maintained.

Chris C

on 02/21/2023 at 02:57 PM

Michael, praying that God's Holy Spirit will guide you back into healthy habits and sustain you. Amen.

michael f vinning

on 02/21/2023 at 02:24 PM

Man those 30 years I spent in active addiction did more harm to my body than I ever knew, feeling it now though. Now at age 51 it feels virtually impossible to change old habits, like not exercising or eating right!! Could use prayers to that end

Ashley Jarvis

on 02/21/2023 at 02:15 PM

I read this mornings scripture as a reminder that we can only keep what we give away. I’ve sought comfort, strength, peace, and all of the many blessings God offers when focused on Him. But only when blessed with the opportunity to be of service to another have I felt those at their full potential. We are called to be channels of God’s love to others. First, we must clear the log jam that once blocked us from receiving Gods love. Once cleared, it rushes in just like a damned up wall would. Then, it becomes a process of learning how to allow that love to flow through us. I must continue to learn how to extend Grace, not judge, be humble. I must keep my eyes and ears open in search of who today God places in my path to be of service to. God, help me to be a channel of your Love today, amen 🙏🏻

on 02/21/2023 at 02:02 PM

Preach! The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Self discipline, coupled with living on mission for Jesus Christ is my daily intention!

Brandon Pembleton

on 02/21/2023 at 02:00 PM

Discipline equals freedom. Discipline in faith and health tied together in all things. To me discipline is the keystone in the arch of faith and health. It bridges the arch together and makes it super strong. Without that keystone in place the arch collapses quickly. So I must remain disciplined in all areas of my life. Do the next right thing. Be it relationships, family, friends, work, and health. That constant little checklist of is this a good choice towards a path with God and service of others for me is the discipline I desire and want. It may sound like a lot of work but in reality it truly is a lot of freedom. Freedom from the pains and angst of worldly things. Thank you God for the discipline you instill in me. I am deeply grateful. I love you God amen 🙏

on 02/21/2023 at 01:50 PM

I truly needed this one today. Thank you Lord!! I commit my body as a living sacrifice for your kingdom.

dixonsoccer

on 02/21/2023 at 12:51 PM

This hit hard today from our reading. 19 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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Elliott

on 02/21/2023 at 12:47 PM

Man!!! Self discipline is something that I struggle with every minute of the day! I am the cowardly lion when it comes to discipline, I do know that to achieve something, I first need to tell myself mentally that proper nutrition is important for the body of Jesus. sometimes I feel as if I don't belong here, that I have no purpose. that's because I am undisciplined, I need to remember that I am renting this body from Jesus. He tells in the Bible Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of god, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you". 🙏

james

on 02/21/2023 at 12:01 PM

speaks volumes

Robert McFaddin

on 02/21/2023 at 11:59 AM

Started an extended fast yesterday. I want to beat my body into submission. I want to get focused on God and seek Him like never before. I want to use the weight loss that comes with fasting as a springboard into healthier living.

Matt Patterson

on 02/21/2023 at 11:39 AM

this speaks volumes

52/365: One Life, One Body

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