The Biggest Loser

Be a part of the NBC phenomenon. Drop weight and change your life. I know a lady whose sister, Sharon, lost over 200 pounds. That’s what I weigh. Total. Our society is completely caught up in this – it really is a – phenomenon. So much effort is put into getting and staying in shape. Hey, round is a shape. Seriously, huge amounts of time and money are thrown into the fitness industry in an attempt to keep the physical man alive a little longer. What about the spiritual man? What would the church look like if we put the energy into our spirit man that we put into our physical man? We're talking some buff disciples.

From Hebrews chapter twelve: 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Not too much in life is easy. We often have a rough road to travel. This is not complaining, it’s just the truth. I see two words in the above scripture that are important. First word: Endure. Suffer and continue and carry on. When was the last time you sweat it out spiritually?

Second word: Later. Afterward. In a while. Not right now. Not instantly. The harvest comes later. The reward comes later, after we have endured. Sometimes the reward comes much later.

Once again the challenge is keep it up. Don’t quit now. Today is a good day to not give up.