Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
The Temptation of Pride
"Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?" --Acts 3:11
When Peter and John came across the lame man at the temple gate, Peter said to him, "Look at us." When the lame man fixed his eyes on them, Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6) And as you'll see later in the passage, all the people later saw the man walking, leaping and praising God, and they ran to Peter and John in awe.
But what Peter said to them should rock our world. Peter said, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we made this man walk?" (v.12) Peter wanted nothing to do with credit. He wanted out of the way. Any praise was deflected before it was uttered. The last thing he wanted was for the people to miss the point of the miracle.
The temptation of pride. Tough for many Christians in the fitness industry. Torn, because the most difficult battle for the gifted Christian athlete isn't the work it takes in the gym, but in the aftermath of pride. Ironic isn't it? Peter and John told the lame man to look at them, but they didn't want to be seen.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: If Christians aren't promoting humility, modesty and meekness in the fitness industry, who will? If not you, who? Are we desperate for others to "look at us" in order to be seen or for them to see Christ? What changes do you need to make in order to be seen less? Knowing that God opposes the proud, in what ways can you follow Peter's example? We know it's odd for a fitness company to NOT be about the body, but then again, our health was important to God long before the fitness industry; an industry that needs revolutionaries to rock its world. Revolutionaries who don't want the crowd to miss the point of the miracle. Will you be one this week?
HEALTH & FITNESS TIP
As summer begins to wane, people are making last-ditch efforts to get in shape. But the key to success may not lie in your routine, or even your diet. To find out what the most important factor is during this time of year, click here.
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Life's Greatest Pleasure
"People will be lovers of themselves." --2 Timothy 3:2
Read: 2 Timothy 3
I happened to run across one of those motivational posters this weekend. You know, the kind with those powerful statements meant to inspire you to be all you can be. Well, even though it wasn't exactly new to me, this one caught my attention nonetheless. It said, "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you can't." Evidently, people agreed because it had about a million "likes" underneath it. And why not? Who doesn't want to show the world? But then it dawned on me: How many times someone has actually said to me, "Jimmy, I don't think you can do that." How 'bout you?
You know, if there's one thing I've noticed about the fitness industry it's that there's a self-placed chip on its shoulder and the delusion that someone is daring to knock it off. For whatever reason, Godly confidence has been replaced with a harsh, in-your-face tone, backed up with visuals. That topic demands a week's worth of devotions, but let me take it further. Even if it was true -- even if the world placed bets against one's "ability" to be do something, in fitness or otherwise -- is proving the world wrong life's greatest pleasure?
The correct answer brings me a long way to this point, and one that we try and get across at PrayFit. Let's not take so much pleasure in doing what others say we can't. Let's take pleasure in doing what God says we can. If they intersect, great. If they don't, even better. Besides, if man says I can't, and God says I shouldn't, I'd rather show Him than show them.
--Jimmy Peña
Discussion: Can you spend so much time in the gym or counting calories trying to "prove" the world wrong (whoever that is) that you actually miss what God is calling you to do with the health you're building? What if the world said, "Believer, I bet you can't invite a perfect stranger to church. I bet you can't give to the homeless person on the corner. I bet you can't be modest." If that's what the world said we couldn't do, I wonder if we'd try to prove it wrong. Would it help us if we realized those things are God's will already? Share your thoughts below.
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>> Click here for the full report.
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For Heaven's Sake
"You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." --1 Corinthians 6:20
Read: 1 Corinthians 6
C.S. Lewis once said, "Aim at Heaven, and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you get neither." Since we know God looks at the heart, what does that mean in terms of our physical health? Truth is, somewhere between vanity and gluttony lies abundant living. And ironically, the mirror exposes that dual reality; that our reflection doesn't matter for Heaven, but our precious care for it can point others there. Our balanced approach to physical fitness can be an indicator to others of not only our gratitude, but also of how serious we take God's commands.
So, whether you're too focused on what the mirror reveals, or you haven't given it enough thought, it's time to pursue abundant health.
For Heaven's sake, it's time.
--Jimmy Peña
PRAYFIT: A WEEK IN REVIEW FAITH
>> PRICELESS: Take joy in working on something that the Lord gave you...
>> TO THE PRAYFIT FAITHFUL: Building a fitter, more faithful nation, one share at a time
>> A SEA OF OBSTACLES: No matter how you got to the water's edge, it is crossable
FITNESS
>> WORKOUT: Looking for a new challenge? Try this weight-based DVD from the PrayFit team
>> SHARING: Tools to get your friends and family healthier and stronger
>> HEALTH NEWS: How much weight do you have to lose to improve your blood sugar control?
>> COMMITMENT: How small changes can add up to big results
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Health as a means of praise. Do you think your church could benefit from this message? Write us today to find out how to bring PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena to your next Sunday service!
HIS IDEA
September 26, 2011Read: Psalm 124
“God’s strong name is our help.” Psalm 124:8
Forget the idea that when we're healthy, we're better at work. Try to ignore the fact that when we take care of ourselves, we're better for our families, kids and spouses. Block all that out for a second. Focus on this short and simple command: "Honor God with your body." Vain, you say? Petty? Too temporary? It would be if it were my idea. But it isn't. It's His.
Yesterday at church, we sang praises. We listened to a sermon about the importance of praise. Then we offered Him praise through the giving of our tithes and offerings. All good. All expected. All right. But then the Pastor returned to the podium, rubbed his oversized stomach and jokingly bragged about the oversized meal and game he was about to enjoy.
Now, maybe I'm sensitive. I admit, perhaps my feelings are exposed because my life's work revolves around health as a way to praise God. But friends, listen up. Our best effort at health is not a good idea because of the benefits it brings, it's a good idea because God said it. In the end, we're not loved because we succeed at it, nor because we plead forgiveness if we fail at it. He loves us regardless. But shouldn't we be doing one or the other?
Join us this week as we put our health in perspective; a heavenly perspective.
--J.P.
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: TOTAL BODY 10 Train most major muscle groups in less time with this bodyweight-driven workout
Recently, a well-respected fitness coach said that losing weight may not be as simple as "move more, eat less." Rather, he says, we should "train harder, eat smarter." While it's true that attention to energy balance -- the old "move more, eat less" mantra -- has some value and can be effective, it is entirely more productive to simply give your best effort day in and day out while continuing to eat a balanced diet that will support your training.
One way to constantly challenge yourself, and therefore effect change in your body, is to outdo your previous performance. And to do that doesn't require a gym -- just the willingness to push. It should be noted that training at higher intensity is relative -- your max effort is entirely unique to your body -- but this workout allows novices as well as experienced trainers to draw equal benefit, training your upper body, abs and legs in 10 minutes flat.
5 push-ups
10 crunches
15 squats
--Set a timer for 10 minutes. Perform these exercises consecutively with no rest in between moves. Do as many rounds as possible of these exercises in the prescribed order in the set 10 minute period. The total number of rounds you complete is your "score" for the day. Partial rounds may count as thirds -- i.e. if you only get through five rounds and then only complete the five push-ups on the sixth round, you've done 5 1/3 rounds. Rest at least 24 hours between workouts. To allow for better recovery, perform this workout no more than three times in a seven-day period.
Advanced Training: If you can complete 10 rounds in 10 minutes, increase the workout length by one minute. Add a minute to the workout each time your number of completed rounds equals the number of minutes trained for sustained progression.
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE
September 6, 2011Read: 1 Corinthians 6
"...you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." --1 Corinthians 6:20
C.S. Lewis once said, "Aim at Heaven, and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you get neither." This week, our focus is our focus. Since we know God looks at the heart, what does that mean in terms of our physical health? Truth is, somewhere between vanity and gluttony lies abundant living. And ironically, the mirror exposes that dual reality; that our reflection doesn't matter for Heaven, but it can point to it. Our balanced approach to physical fitness can be an indicator to others of not only our gratitude, but also of how serious we take God's commands.
So, whether you're too focused on what the mirror reveals, or you haven't given it enough thought, it's time to pursue abundant health. For Heaven's sake, it's time.
--J.P.
Do you need prayer for physical needs? Let us know in the comments section below so we, and the PrayFit community, can lift you up.
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HOPE FOR HEALTH
July 6, 2011Read: 3 John 1
"I hope all is well with you, and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." --3 John 1:2
If you missed it like I did, read the verse again. Yep, that's it. In one verse, God has woven permission for a healthy concern of the body. Never at the expense of what's most important, but when was the last time you and I hoped the same for someone? Oh, we often ask how the kids are, how the job is going, and the progress of one's golf game -- but what about their health? Not the casual, "So how you been" or "How you doin?," but rather a real longing to see your friends and family as healthy on the outside as they are on the inside.
Truth is, we may be as timid to ask as we are to be asked. But either way, it's okay. Because we have both permission and an obligation to hope for health.
--J.P.
PERMISSION, OBLIGATION
Sometimes we as believers hide behind the truth that "God looks upon the heart" when it comes to our physical self. But not caring for the body, or disregarding our health because it won't last, is in fact a "heart problem." Do you believe that somewhere between vanity and gluttony lies healthy, abundant living? And whenever possible, should believers be the example of that middle ground? Leave us your comments below.
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