Exercise your Faith!

Hey fit partners! In this May's partner letter we talked about exercising our bodies and the amazing benefits of doing something each day to move our cells and muscles. Now let’s discuss exercising our faith~

Just as we strengthen our bodies for daily physical living, we need to strengthen our faith for spiritual living. Why do we need faith?

Our faith pleases God.
Hebrews 11:6-"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him"

Faith is heaven’s currency! What is faith? Faith is a powerful substance-
Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Our awesome God created the world with faith filled words!

So faith is not seen but believed and confidently hoped in! The original Hebrew or Bible word 'hope' means “a confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness”, not just a mere 'wish'.

How do we receive and build our faith?
Romans 10:17-So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Our faith is built by hearing and hearing the Word taught and as we read God’s instruction book, our Bible!

Many times God tells us that we walk or live by faith!
2 Corinthians 5:7- For we live by faith, not by sight.
Romans 1:17- For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.
Galatians 2:20- I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Habakkuk 2:4- Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

Here are my favorite healthy tips on exercising and strengthening your faith~

1 Meditate on God’s Word or His promises in the Bible with daily Bible readings and teachings. Joshua 1:8- This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

2. Pray or talk to God about anything and often! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, Matthew 21:22-And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

3. Believe and declare the specific promise you need over your circumstance, stand on it until it comes to pass. Romans 10:6-11- But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”, 2 Corinthians 4:13- Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak.

4. Do not worry-God cannot work while we are working and stressing because He wants to receive all the glory for what He can do for you. Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7- Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

5. Share your cares with other believers. Galatians 6:2-Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. James 5:16- Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

6. Encourage other believers by sharing your experience, strength and hope. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

7. Stand firm in your faith. 1 Corinthians 16:13- Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.

8. Resist the devil’s accusations and schemes. James 4:7- Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

9. Be confident in your identity and authority in Christ! Ephesians 2:5-6- even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Luke 10:19-listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.

10. Actively serve God and others in your church. 1 Peter 4:10-11 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

11. Understand God tests our faith in situations. James 1:12-"God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him"

12. Pray in your heavenly prayer language or speak in tongues- Jude 20-But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit

13. Actively practice trusting God at his Word! Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on. your own understanding; in all your ways submit to. Him, and He will make your paths straight

Practice these spiritual stretches daily! Your faith has made you whole (Matthew 9:22) and As you have believed let it be done for you- Jesus (Matthew 8:13). Abraham believed God and it was credited to him Righteousness (Genesis 15:6)

Don’t get stuck, keep up the good work. Keep on keeping on with your fitness routines, let’s stay physically and spiritually fit!

Have a super fit super blessed day with Jesus! Let us know how we may pray for you. Happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,
Kate@katesfaithandfitness.org