Body builders are known for doing what is called resistance training. It is a type of exercise that is used to increase muscular strength and endurance. Resistance training is when you exercise your muscles via some form of resistance. Whether it’s weights, bands, or simply your own body weight, the resistance helps your muscle to work against gravity. The body builder focuses on specific results such as endurance, strength, and power.
Now, let’s take that concept to the spiritual realm. We each have been given a measure of faith as a gift from God.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…
Ephesians 2:8
Faith is the gift of God. It is not of ourselves; we receive it from Him. It is the special work of the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to who Jesus is and to show us our need of Him and to create within us the capacity to trust Him. God gives us a new heart, the gift of faith.
But faith is like a muscle that needs to be exercised. If we don’t exercise our faith, build our faith, strengthen our faith, it will atrophy. Shrivel up. And we’ll be like the disciples when they were on the boat. Jesus’ question to them in Luke 8:25 makes it clear that you can have this gift of faith and never use it. “Where is your faith?” He asks the disciples, after a storm blew up as they were rowing across the lake.
Jesus had been asleep in the back of the boat, and the disciples panicked! But Jesus awakens, calms the storm, and then asks, “Where is your faith?” In other words, “Why aren’t you exercising the faith I have gifted to you?”
One way we can strengthen our faith is by flexing. What do I mean? Well, flexing is when you concentrate on building a particular muscle in order to increase its strength. That’s where resistance training comes in. When trouble comes our way, it is not meant to take us out but to build our trust in God, the One who will make a way out of no way. So, the afflictions we go through actually work as resistance and help to make us strong.
16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The Apostle Paul knew a lot about affliction and its ability to strengthen our faith. He had suffered through shipwrecks, prison, beatings, tortured, and that’s just a few of his hardships. And on top of all of that, Paul had what he called a “thorn in the flesh.” We don’t know what it was because the Bible doesn’t say what it was. But whatever it was, God did not take it away from Paul. Instead, God told him that His grace was sufficient for whatever Paul was going through.
It's as if God was telling Paul that while troubles will come, you keep focusing on Me and I’ll bring you through. Just keep flexing, Paul. Flex your trust muscle, your prayer muscle, your faith muscle. Just keep flexing!
When we flex, we show the world that God is still able. When we flex, we show the world that our God is sovereign, in control. When we flex, we show the world that in spite of what’s going on in my life, God is still a good God!
So, friends, let the challenges of life challenge you to dig down deeper in your faith, draw you closer to the Lord, and then you’ll be like Stretch Armstrong – when the world pulls on you, you’ll snap back! When problems stretch you, you won’t break, you’ll bounce back!
If we flex in our faith, flex in our prayer, and flex in our trust of God, our church body will get stronger and stronger and stronger! We won’t be tossed to and fro by issues. Circumstances won’t knock us down. Nothing will be able to separate us. We’ll be vibrant, vital, and able to withstand anything that comes our way! We will live into our vision of being a house united, with strong faith, strong families, and a strong future. So, flex, church, flex!
Join me on Sunday as we continue the sermon series on Body Building, building the body of Christ. This Sunday’s title: Flex! If you can’t make it in person, please join us online at www.umcgt.org.
Soltau Concert Series Keltic Rain will be with us this Sunday at 3pm. Come on out and enjoy this family affair as they provide some Celtic music with a twist! There will be light refreshments and high energy. Keltic Rain has performed all over St. Louis and are well known for their annual charity Christmas show at the Sheldon Concert Hall, as well as numerous performances at Irish and Scottish festivals.
Church Picnic Thank you to ALL who helped make the picnic such a blessing! Whether you brought something, moved tables, or blessed us with your presence, we thank you.
Membership Sunday will be September 29. That’s when we will receive new members into the body of Christ and the faith community of Green Trails! If you have been considering joining, transferring your membership, or reaffirming your membership vows, this is your Sunday! No need to let me know in advance, just come on down at the appropriate time, and let’s build the kingdom of God together!
Back to Church Sunday will also be on September 29! This is a national celebration of returning to church. We have Back to School, so why not Back to Church? Summer’s winding down, we’re getting into our Fall rhythms, why not include church as a part of that? It’s the perfect time to invite folks to your church!
WOW is back! Join us on Wednesdays as we discuss the book: Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Peter Scazzero. If you’ve ever had your emotions get the best of you, this class is for you! If you’ve ever experienced grief or loss, this class is for you! How do we deal with our emotions in a healthy, spiritual way? Let’s talk about it! This semester we’re doing a joint class with Union Memorial, so we are offering in-house as well as a Zoom option. The newsletter and website have the Zoom information if you prefer. The in-house gathering will include a potluck meal at 5:45p and the class will go from 6:30-7:30p.
Coffee with the Pastor The next one will be on Tuesday, October 1, from 10:00-11:00am. Stop by the church for a little coffee and conversation with me. I would love for us to talk about questions you might have and get to know one another better! I’ll be upstairs in the lobby, near the coffee pot!
Vision for 2024:
A House United:
Strong Faith, Strong Families, Strong Future!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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