Temple of Your Heart

In preparing for the third installment of our small, inadequate attempt at reviewing Tozer, I remembered an old question that some of you have heard me ask. You'll forgive me if I repeat a portion of it: "Would you forfeit your health for the Lord? More specifically, would you give up your fitness lifestyle if God asked you to?"

Maybe you're a runner. An avid runner. Your calendar is marked -- not with holidays and birthdays -- but with 10Ks. Or perhaps you're a fitness junkie. You lift, you sprint, you jump rope, you sweat and you repeat it...six days a week. What if God asked you to give it all up? And no, He doesn't give you His reasoning because He doesn't need to explain Himself to you. All you know is that the one passion you have in life -- that ONE thing that fulfills you and makes you...you -- He wants you to relinquish. No more gym. No more road. How would you feel? Sad, confused, both? What would you do? Well, before you say, "Jimmy, I doubt God would ever ask me to give up something like that," with the help of Tozer, let's look at someone who would beg to differ...

Tozer writes, "The baby (Isaac) represented everything sacred to his father's heart: the promises of God, the covenants, the hopes of the years. As he watched Isaac grow, the heart of the old man was knit closer to the life of his son till at last the relationship bordered upon the perilous. God stepped in to save both father and son, "Take thine son and offer him..." The sacred writer spares us a close-up of the agony that night when the aged man had it out with his God, but possibly not again until One greater than Abraham wrestled in the garden of Gethsemane did such mortal pain visit a human soul. This was Abraham's trial by fire, and he did not fail in the crucible. God let the suffering old man go through with it up to the point where He knew there would be no retreat, and then forbade him to lay a hand upon the boy. And then says in effect, It's all right, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there."

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: The temple of your heart. Does God reign there unchallenged? Has the stitching between our heart for God and our passion for fitness grown indistinguishable? Too many days - let alone workouts - have I spent attempting to allow other things challenge God for His rightful place...

Surrender

When you're down on the mat, and the wrestler has his grip on you - the grip that has made you powerless - fighting isn't the way out of his grasp. Surrender is.

Yesterday we said that the only way to destroy the foe of self - even the self of fitness and health - is by the Cross.  Tomorrow we dive into Tozer's narrative of Abraham and Isaac, but before we do, I need to ask you a question: Are you wrestling with the foe of self? Of fitness? Of health? Of status? Of comparison? Followers? Significance? Perhaps significance as a brand? As a voice?

Tozer says. "The way to deeper knowledge of God is through the lonely valleys of soul poverty. The blessed ones who possess the Kingdom are they who have repudiated every external thing and have rooted from their hearts all sense of possessing. These are the "poor in spirit." But the ancient curse will not go out painlessly. He will not lie down and die in obedience to our command. He must be torn out of our heart like a plant from the soil. He must be expelled from our soil by violence."

Plainly put, if our pursuit of fitness isn't leading us to a deeper knowledge of God, then that ache - the deepening root - that buries itself within our fibers and nourishes our desire for great health needs to be uprooted by force. And guys, it's not painless. It doesn't go away easily. It doesn't lie down in obedience. But it's when we stop fighting, stop comparing, stop striving, stop masking; that's when we overcome the enemy. It's when we tap out - even if it means being in worse physical shape - that we gain all things. It's when we surrender that-  "ours is the Kingdom of Heaven."

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I may have mentioned that Tozer is like Nolan Ryan pitching to me as a 5-year old, well, any disagreements? From the last couple of days, what phrase of Tozer has stood out to you. One that we could spend a week on is "the lonely valleys of soul poverty." What does that mean to you and how can we relate soul poverty to our pursuit of physical stewardship? Is there any connection? I think there is...

Exploring Tozer

Imagine a little boy stepping into the batter's box to face Nolan Ryan in game 7 of the World Series. An oversized helmet hangs over his little eyes as he tries to hit a 100mph pitch with a baseball bat he can hardly lift off the ground. Got the visual? Good. That's how I feel as I sit down to wrap our week around A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God. Although, it's actually not the entire work I'll be taking a swing at, it's just one chapter. Well, I say "chapter" but it's really just a few pages of the chapter. Ok, so let's call it a few lines from a couple of pages of one chapter. Batter up, kid.

Each Wednesday, I have the honor of gathering with a small group of brilliant men on the beautiful campus of Pepperdine in Malibu. From esteemed university deans to lowly fitness writers, this small group of men pray together, read together and break bread. It's the highlight of my week. And this year we're studying - you guessed it - Tozer.

Well, the chapter I've been hearing from the Lord to write about this week is called, The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing. And if you've read it, you realize the impossible task before me. Nonetheless, there is a blessedness of possessing nothing; even muscle, endurance, strength, breath, and life. I hope you don't miss a day.

-Jimmy Peña

PrayFit Book Club
Today's reading of Tozer

"Before the Lord God made man upon the earth He first prepared for him by creating a world of useful and pleasant things for his sustenance and delight. In the Genesis account of the creation these are called simply "things." They were made for man's uses, but they were meant always to be external to the man and subservient to him. In the deep heart of the man was a shrine where none but God was worthy to come.

Our woes began when God was forced out of His central shrine and "things" were allowed to enter. Within the human heart "things" have taken over. Men have now by nature no peace within their hearts, for God is crowned there no longer, but there in the moral dusk stubborn and aggressive usurpers fight among themselves for first place on the throne.

This is not a mere metaphor, but an accurate analysis of our real spiritual trouble. There is within the human heart a tough fibrous root of fallen life whose nature is to possess, always to possess. It covets "things" with a deep and fierce passion. The roots of our hearts have grown down into things, and we dare not pull up one rootlet lest we die. Things have become necessary to us, a development never originally intended. God's gifts now take the place of God, and the whole course of nature is upset by the monstrous substitution.

Our Lord referred to this tyranny of things when He said to His disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Breaking this truth into fragments for our better understanding, it would seem that there is within each of us an enemy which we tolerate at our peril. Jesus called it "life" and "self," or as we would say, the selflife. Its chief characteristic is its possessiveness: the words "gain" and "profit" suggest this. To allow this enemy to live is in the end to lose everything. To repudiate it and give up all for Christ's sake is to lose nothing at last, but to preserve everything unto life eternal. And possibly also a hint is given here as to the only effective way to destroy this foe: it is by the Cross. "Let him take up his cross and follow me." - A.W Tozer

For Discussion: Tozer wrote this in 1948. You'd think he was writing in 2015. Imagine what he would think about this "selfie" generation. But that aside, have the roots of our hearts toward the pursuit of health grown deeper than God intended? I highly encourage you to read this excerpt again. And this time, try and direct its meaning toward our common denominator here at PrayFit. Has our gift of health taken the place of God? Have the roots of our hearts grown so deep into the body, body parts, physique, performance and health that if we pull one little root out, we feel like we'll die?

Great Lengths

Today many of us will leave work early. Some of us will be making trips to the grocery store yet again.  Others will be boarding planes, departing trains and loading up automobiles. We'll battle the weather, the traffic and time zones. There's something special about Thanksgiving. You know, something tells me the Lord loves to see us listing blessings, enjoying food, family, sharing memories and making new ones. Guys, I sure to hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Among the blessings I will share with Loretta as we give thanks tomorrow will be you. I thank the good Lord for you and I pray that wherever you spend Thanksgiving, you'll be reminded of Jesus and the joy of salvation.

And yes, about the food. If it means listening to your family tell their stories (even if you know how they end); or if it means sharing Jesus with neighbors when you don't know your next opportunity; or if it means agreeing to split that extra helping with someone who has no place to call home; or if it means having one more bite out of respect for aging grandparents or for the spouse hosting the family as the first-time cook, or simply because it's your favorite meal of the year, don't hesitate. For some of us, one of the godliest things we can do on Thanksgiving is "sabotage" our diets.

Happy Thanksgiving. Much love from my home to yours.

- Jimmy

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP:
We're joining the fun of cyber weekend beginning Friday. We're offering a Lifetime Membership opportunity through Monday. No monthly dues for small group curriculum, exercise physiology, nutrition and culinary advice from Dana Angelo White of the Food Network and personalized time with...me! (Ok, that last point may not add much value, but I hope you join the iPrayFit Membership. All proceeds go to charity. If 100 people join, we will be able to help an entire community gain access to clean water...FOR LIFE.

The Weak of Thanksgiving

In all things, give thanks. (A show of hands of those who find that to be one of the most difficult, curious, or at times seemingly impossible messages we can find in God's word.) Yesterday we began listing our blessings and what we're thankful for, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your comments. Truly, if the week of Thanksgiving reminds us of anything, it would be our ultimate and utter dependence on the Lord. When we imagine what all we have, we acknowledge that none of it is earned or deserved; from the air we breathe, to the cars we drive, to the family and friends joining us at the table. All blessings, all gifts, all God.

But then come the weaknesses of life. Those don't always make our list, right? In this selfie generation and especially in the fitness industry, we don't like to talk about our weaknesses. We'd rather boast, gloat, and promote ourselves. But friends, thankfulness and contentment aren't found in self-confidence, self-talk, self-esteem, self-sufficiency or self-assurance. If anything is self-evident, it's that we need a little 'self' control. The Biblical truth? God doesn't applaud our self-reliance.

So, pause on this: One of our greatest strengths is realizing just how weak we are. If that's tough for us to admit, chances are we'd feel really uncomfortable around Paul. After all, it was Paul who said, "I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for His glory." Friends, make no mistake, our weakness drives us (and those around us) to the Lord. And that's one of the ways we can give thanks in all things. Call it divine irony. The tough stuff of life brings us to our knees, which just so happens to be the only place of strength.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: How has God used your weakness for His glory? Can you look back at a time when illness or other weaknesses drew you nearer to Him? If you're a Christian in the fitness industry and you struggle with humility, constantly trying to impress others with perceived strengths, try and remember that our greatest impact on others won't come when we're pretentious, but rather when we have a good, tight grip on the obvious: our smallness.

Saved. Alone.

Over 100 years ago, a very successful lawyer and real estate mogul, Horatio Spafford, lost a lot in the great Chicago fire of 1870, but years later he lost much, much more. The fire left thousands homeless, and Horatio and his family spent years helping those less fortunate. Exhausted, Horatio and his wife, along with their four daughters planned a cruise to Europe. But just prior to pushing off, Horatio was called upon to stay for business. Still, he sent his family on their much-needed vacation.

The ship - the Ville du Havre - along with his kids, didn’t make it to England. Horatio learned of the tragedy through the now famous and urgent telegram from his wife. It read simply, "Saved. Alone."

I'm probably not the first person to do a poor job of summarizing the story of Horatio Spafford, but I was reminded of it yesterday as I turned a corner, talking to the Lord about my needs and concerns, I came across a homeless woman; mid-thirties, sunburned, sitting next to what looked like years of life in a shopping cart. I smiled. She didn't. As I continued to walk, I thought to myself, "I'm worried about web traffic. She lives in traffic."

This week is a good reminder to hug those close to us, and to help those less fortunate. And 130 years later, Horatio can help us do just that. You may not recognize his name, but you know his famous hymn. As he boarded a ship to find his wife, he wrote these words:

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, 
When sorrows like sea billows roll; 
Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say, 
It is well, it is well with my soul!”

Good words for us to remember and repeat as we give thanks, if for no other reason than being saved alone.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Saved alone. Is grace sufficient? Truth is -if it were all we had - it would still be enough. On top of it, God allows a lifetime of blessings. Let's start to name them. For me, I'm thankful for my salvation, my wife, my healing, and all of you. What about you? Give me your top 4 in the comment section. Let's make a list!

My Little Corner of the World

My little corner of the world. Where I rehab, where I fight, where I "train." You'll notice my old belt on the wall. But mostly, this is where I come face-to-face with my smallness, frailty and dependence. And it's here guys, that beginning today, I will be dedicating my training to kids with special needs and digging wells for those that don't have access to clean water through the #iPrayFitProject. If you'd like to sponsor me or join me, there's room in my little corner.

But many of you remember me from my mainstream fitness days, some of you remember my first devotion in 2009; others remember the books and DVDs, and still some of you remember all the surgeries, the illnesses and loss of ability. But may we be known for what we did with it all, and that's what The iPrayFit Project is all about.

Because frankly, being remembered isn't my goal; at least not anymore. Truth is, I just want God to know me and for my circumstances to be used for His glory. I'm reminded of a portion of a poem called, "The Indispensable Man" by Saxon White Kessinger. I urge you to read it when you're feeling important. He writes, "

Sometime when you're feeling important;
Sometime when your ego 's in bloom;
Sometime when you take it for granted,
You're the best qualified in the room:
Sometime when you feel that your going,
Would leave an un-fillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions,
And see how they humble your soul.  
Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that's remaining,
Is a measure of how much you'll be missed.

Truthfully, being remembered isn't the goal - because I won't be, nor do I need to be - I just want my little corner of the world to be a place where God is glorified and where He uses me to serve others. If you forget everything I've ever written, let that be the last to go.

- Jimmy Peña

Honoring Our Veterans

Today, we pause to humbly offer our gratitude to those who have served or are currently in uniform for the cause of freedom at home and abroad. The dangers you face and the sacrifices you and your families make are gestures that are not lost on us.

If you know a veteran, reach out to say thanks. If you see one, take the time to offer a word of encouragement. If you are one, then we hope that you are blessed today. Join us in prayers of protection for those who so dutifully protect us or leave a few words of affirmation in the comments section below.

Veterans, today we honor you. Thank you for your service.

Our Hope Is In You

Heavenly Father, today we’ll elect a new president in the USA—a great honor and important matter. Grant us wisdom as we prepare to exercise this privilege; but that’s not all we need as we get ready for Election Day.

Father, settle our hearts by your Spirit, fix our gaze on Jesus, and fuel our trust in you. If you command us (and you do) not to be anxious about the core issues of life—eating, drinking, and clothing, certainly you expect us not to be anxious about who will warm the seat of the oval office. Keep us perpetually aware of the warm-seated throne of heaven.

Because you’re not nervous, we shouldn’t be fear-full. May we do less politicking for our candidate today, and more praising of our God. As our Father, you know what we need in America, just like you know what is needed in Uganda, the Sudan, Switzerland, Israel and China, for you will be exalted among the nations—all of them.

We don’t understand all your reasons for choosing to seat certain kings and remove others (Dan. 2:21). The secret things—the mysteries of providence belong to you (Deut. 29:29). But we do know that you’ve already installed Jesus, as the true and eternal King; and we know that peace and laughter, not unrest and consternation, fill the courts of heaven (Psalm 2:4-6).

So in all of our seeking, we intend to seek first your kingdom and the righteousness of your kingdom—in the polling booth tomorrow, by loving our friends who vote differently than us, and by trusting you for the outcome. Our hope is in you, Father, not in chariots, horses or men. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and loving name.

- Scotty Smith

The Common Touch

If you've spent any time here on PrayFit, you've realized by now that we love America's pastime. We agree with Babe Ruth when he said, "Baseball is the greatest game God ever saw fit to let man invent."  And after watching the World Series last night, I remembered another reason I love it so much.

Ever notice that the managers wear the same uniform as the players? Think about it. There's not another sport like it. Ever see a football coach with a helmet? Or a basketball coach wearing a tank-top and shorts? No, baseball is the only sport where its managers blend in with the team.

I think Jesus could relate, because He chose to relate. Rather than standout among us, He blended in with us. Though He created the universe, His appearance was universal. He became our up-close-and-personal Savior. In order to reach us, He let us touch Him.

- Jimmy Peña

The First Step

He took his promised pay; hell-bent to show them that he could make it on his own. At first, maybe life was grand; money to spend and plenty of friends. But it wasn't until he lost it all that he realized just how lost he was. But while it took many steps for him to get to the place of real despair, I like to imagine his first step home.

He knew the awful stench that he'd been noticing every day wasn't coming from the pigs, and the memory of the house where he grew up was becoming far too distant. He stands, drives the shovel into the muddy slush and says, "I'm going home."

Maybe not to a foreign land, but spiritually and even physically, you and I have made decisions that have taken us away...
"I can go without reading my Bible each day. What can it hurt?" 
"I don't have to go to church on Sunday to worship. I can talk to God on the golf course, in the gym or even from my chair."
"I pray all day, why do I need to carve out time to sit and listen to God?"

Or maybe...
"My health is isn't worth protecting."
"I'm too far gone to try now."
"I'm too old. Nobody needs me at this point. What possible good can I do?"

Or perhaps...
"I work hard, so why not show off a little. I can be proud of my work. A little pride never hurt."
"I'm in the fitness industry, and to keep up with my social media competition I need to compromise in certain areas."

Before long, we're a long way off. But what I love about the story is that while his decisions made him a prodigal, no decision took away his title: son. Foolish? Yes. Poor decisions? Absolutely. But he was already forgiven, still family, forever blood. All he had to do was come home for the party.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What's your "first step" toward home look like?

Your Servant Is Listening

I've been taking meetings this week for the launch of the iPrayFit Project, and I find myself praying for God's will and protection more than ever before. Have you ever been in such a place? I just want Him to be pleased. As I sit around listening to all sorts of voices around the room, all I want to hear is His.

In 1 Samuel, young Samuel was awakened by God three times, but he thought Eli was calling him. And as we learned from the text, when Eli finally understood what was happening, he instructed Samuel to answer God with, "Yes, Lord, your servant is listening."

Makes me wonder: Could we already be as fit as necessary to accomplish God's will for our lives, but so focused on being as fit as possible that we miss it? Or on the other hand, some of us need to be as fit as possible in order to be as fit as necessary! Whichever the case, are we really listening?

Anyway, Samuel ended his life as well as he started. His mom, Hannah, had trouble conceiving him but the Bible says that God remembered her. And because of that, she named her baby "Samuel" which means "The Lord hears". Maybe it's just me, but I think it's neat how the very first words from young Samuel (The Lord hears) were, "Yes Lord. Your servant is listening."

Samuel ended up being one of the most obedient and effective men in the Bible. A priest, judge, a prophet and an anointer of kings. And, appropriate for us at PrayFit, he was the one that God told, "Do not look at his outer appearance...For the Lord does not see what man sees. Man looks at the outer appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 

Friends, I don't want us to ever miss what God has for any aspect of our lives. I want us to hear what God wants, and for us to put everything we have to use for His glory. For some, that may mean more focus on physical stewardship, it may mean less, or it may mean putting to better use the gifts you already have to serve others. In any case, I'm honored to be listening with you. We're here, Lord. Listening for You.

- Jimmy Peña

Those Watching

I mentioned this on social media over the weekend, but this pic reminds me of Hebrews 12, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses..."

This is how I want to train; with this mindset. Why we take bodily stewardship as seriously as we take modesty and humility, and why it's a battle each and every day. Why we want to use our health to serve the less fortunate. Not to be seen, but because of who's watching.

This is the heart behind a 2017 initiative being launched soon. The iPrayFit Project is the most exciting endeavor God has ever placed on our hearts. I personally have never been more humbled or thrilled at a mountain. We've had a few books and DVD's, but all of that was only to prepare us for this. All the illness, all the tough times, everything; all for this time. Can I ask you to pray for me and Loretta as we move forward with this? Nothing would mean more to me. And as you do, list your prayer requests and we will lift your name.

Have a good week everyone. Grow in grace.
- Jimmy

When Fear Is A Friend

"Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God..." --1 Peter 2:17 

You may have anticipated today's entry -- for the other shoe to drop. Well, you'd be right, because there is a healthy kind of fear. Back in my heavy lifting days, after the warm-up and light sets, we'd gradually load more and more plates to the bar. As I wrapped my wrists and knees for the heavy stuff, the fire of fear would build inside me.

By the time I put my belt on and chalked-up, it was an inferno. A slap across my face and a deep inhale through the nose, and I'd get under the bar for battle. Indeed, I respected the bar too much not to respect it. Plainly said, fear dictated my posture for the moment, kept me sharp, alert, strong. Fear was a friend.

When the Bible talks about fearing the Lord, it's not referring to a scary fear -- it's talking about a reverence, an awe, a holy respect that brings wisdom. When we seek Him daily in prayer and Bible study, we gain wisdom from a love that's born through awesome fear. As Christians with a mind for health, our fear of the Lord should dictate our posture -- first in our kneeling and quiet times, and then in how we conduct ourselves in humility and diligence. Our fear of the Lord is what separates us from other fitness enthusiasts or athletes. In other words, we respect Him too much not to. Fear keeps us sharp, alert, strong. Make no mistake, fear can be a friend.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: How else can fear be healthy? What do we fear more, not getting the approval and applause of others or not having God's approval? Is our life as health-minded believers a posture that proves it?

Fear Less

With it being "Fear Week," I thought I'd take us down some memory lanes. Like the time Loretta and I joined some friends at Universal Studios. To be honest, we're not huge fans of Halloween, but we enjoyed getting out with the gang. After dinner together, the dozen of us like Scooby-Doo and friends, gathered our collective courage and dared the various mazes designed to haunt and scare. Like, Zoinks!

Of course, I was hesitant. Not fully healed and still unable to twist or turn, I was fine to sit it out and meet everyone at the end. And I would have too were it not for my pesky friends. But in truth, a few things helped my decision to dare it. First, our group had private security in all directions to help keep us together. And second, the characters whose job it was to frighten us along each path were not allowed to touch us. Spook us, yes. Lunge at us, absolutely. But as long as I kept calm, I could walk in a straight line without fear; no need to react, wince or balk.

So like -- "gangway!" -- off we went. As we entered each maze, I literally found myself going through both a physical and mental checklist. First, I stood up tall, drew my core in tight and thought to myself 'nobody can touch you Jimmy. Don't react, don't wince, don't balk, just walk.'

Well, I foiled them. And halfway through the night I wrote this entry. As the skeletons in the closet attempted to trap me and the shadowy unknown tried to paralyze me, I thought of each of you. I figured, during a week designed to playfully frighten us, let's unmask fear -- the good fear, bad fear and the beginning-of-wisdom kind of fear. Hopefully when all is said and done, we can echo the psalmist when he wrote, "When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal men do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4)
Let's have a good week in this maze of grace. Oh, and one more thing, let's remember to stick together.

- Jimmy Peña

The Worshipping Heart

A banner verse in this our so-called 'faith and fitness' industry is Psalm 139:14, "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I thought of this recently while I happened across a popular social media account using the verse to sell a t-shirt. The caption said something about how we can be sure of ourselves, show off our work and be proud. But let's look at the verse for a second.

"I will praise you." In other words, the outflow, the attention, the adoration, the praise is appropriately leaving the Psalmist. Nowhere in that verse is there any sense of a longing for attention from the writer.  

"Fearfully and wonderfully." Adverbs that divinely and miraculously qualify the verb, made. 

Made. Created, done, finished, completed, approved.

Fearfully and wonderfully made. In other words, completely dependent upon; nothing until made something. The created (that's us) totally releasing all honor and glory to the Creator (God) for the most basic of reasons: being nothing without Him. 

A.W. Tozer says, "The worshipping heart does not create its Object." Guys, the fact that we're fearfully and wonderfully made says something profound about us, but not nearly as profound as what it says about God.

You and I aren't "creating" when we train. We're not making, or building, and we're most certainly not improving God's work. But every move, every step, every rep, set, pose and stretch is a glorious unfolding and an instantaneous, miraculous unveiling.
Just...not of us.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: The worshipping heart does not create its Object. What makes our workouts worship is not the effort or the byproducts, but the target of our affection. Is my workout worship? Is yours?

Just Like Jesus

In exercise physiology, there's an undisputed, irrefutable, underlying principle. It doesn't matter whether you're an old-school lifter, avid runner, swimmer, weekend warrior in crossfit or otherwise, here it is: the body will only change according to the level at which it is stressed. The principle is called the "overload principle." Speaking as a one-time weightlifter - from the time you pick up a weight - do more today than you did yesterday, and you're more likely to change. Plainly said, make an adjustment, alter the environment, shock and confuse the system (and no, Tony Horton didn't invent that) but something to cause you - to force you - to do just a little bit more to achieve the same or greater output. That's the principle of overload. If you're able to apply it, it's a wonderful gift. The fact that I can't apply it any longer I hope doesn't disqualify me from writing about it.

I thought about the overload principle yesterday when Pastor Shawn Thornton told us his simple prayer that he's prayed everyday for nearly 40 years. "God, let me be more like Jesus today than I was yesterday. Amen." What a simple prayer, right? But doesn't that sum up the journey? Living and loving like Jesus as much as another day will allow. Of course, the pastor admitted - like Paul - we don't always do that. Some weeks it's 2 steps forward, 3 steps back. 

As the former fitness director for Joe Weider at Muscle & Fitness Magazine, men from all around the world would write to me and ask how they can get 18-inch arms. My simple answer? Train for the 20-inch variety. Then I'd give them strategies to accomplish it. Basically, they had to train beyond their goal in order to achieve their goal. Otherwise, they'd always fall short. And even if they achieved their objective, to maintain it, they'd have to apply the principle of overload again, and again, and again, forever. I am willing to bet that the majority of guys that wanted nothing more than to have 18-inch arms back in 1998 either never got there, never stayed there or they're still trying. I'm not knocking them, I represent them.

I say all of that because as I get older, and the more mistakes I make and the more ways I know I've failed the Lord, the more I realize that it's the Holy Spirit that anoints our wounds and encourages us and challenges us, reminds, convicts, and leads us each and every single day. The old gospel hymn, "If ever I've loved Thee, My Jesus tis now" can be new each day. And the fact that God sees Jesus when He looks at us and not our sin, well, that's the fuel, the means, the motivation, the power by which we apply the overload principle to our spiritual lives. If you're a weightlifter, the excellent motivator to hit the gym again today is new muscle. For sinners, the motivator to hit our knees each day is new mercy. 

God, let me be, let me speak, let me listen, let me pray, let me think, let me react, let me walk, let me look more like Jesus today than I did yesterday. Thankfully, gracefully, unlike our physical goals that disappear with time, the closer we  get to glory, the more His goal for us - to be just like Jesus - is coming true.

-Jimmy Peña

Prayer Requests: For some, today is the first day back to training and applying the principle of overload. But no matter who you are or where you're at physically, God is at work in you like He is in me. What can we help you pray about as we start a new week? Something physical, spiritual? Let us know, and let's go the Lord together.

A Life Worked Out

“Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.”

— — Philippians 2:12-18 (the msg)

Dr. Charles Stanley said a few years ago, "There's no name that carries more quality, none more Heavenly, or has the power and the energy than the name of Jesus." He went on to say that those who claim Jesus as Savior must also claim Him as Lord of their lives; as the Boss. Because, "Jesus" he continued,  "has the right to call every single play in our lives." Wow. I can't have Him as Savior of my soul and not the Lord in charge of my life.

In Philippians 2:12, Paul says, "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling." He wasn't talking about working their way to Heaven through works, but he was talking about living a life worthy of the calling after salvation. In other words, Jesus is Savior, make sure He's Lord. Work it out. What a powerful passage (the message Bible has a wonderful interpretation, part of which I included above, and I challenge you to read it.)

 You know, I've been taking my training up a notch as you all know, trying to get ready for the iPrayFit Project, and this weekend I did all sorts of new things. Some light weight, extended time on the bike (with my old belt on of course) and even some back work, believe it or not. And I show this pic not only because I have a new back, and I'm working it out (yes, with fear and trembling), but it requires of me a different lifestyle. The kind of weight that I lift or the modified way I get around these days sends a message to those around me. Something is different. There's a reason why I do the things I do.

The message? By grace we have Heaven, and our message to those around us on earth needs to be that we're looking forward to it. That we're working it out. Are we forgiving, loving, showing grace, helping, serving, being stewards? What did Paul say? "Be energetic in your life of salvation." Indeed the Christian life is a life worked out.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Isn't grace good? We can't budge it. It crashes down on us and puts our little faith to work with whatever we have. Who's working life out today?

The Heart I Got

In our recent discipleship class at church, I learned about a man named Bill Wohl. Bill had a new heart. Days after receiving it, he opened a letter from Michael Brady's family. Michael Brady gave Bill his heart after Michael died doing what he loved. His heart was removed and transplanted into the heart of another man, this Bill Wohl.

According to the story, when Bill opened the letter from the Brady family, he couldn't believe what he read. But a little about Bill will help lay the reasons why. See, Bill was a type A, overweight, money-obsessed businessman pursuing a jet-setter lifestyle. That was Bill with his old heart.

Michael's family wrote Bill and included pictures of Michael and some background information. Michael was a 36-year old, good-looking, super-fit stuntman who died on the job. Bill thought, "Are you kidding me? That's whose heart I got?"

Today Bill works part time, spending most of his new-found energy winning speed and performance medals in swimming, cycling and track. This is Bill with his new heart.

As we begin a new week, let's remember that when we accepted Jesus, He gave us a new heart; His. Our response should mirror Bill's. "Are you kidding me? That's whose heart I got?"

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: New week, new heart. What will we do with it? We woke up today with fresh mercy and grace. Grace, of course, is God giving us what we don't deserve and mercy, of course, is not getting what we do deserve. That's why we strive. (Try finding a more compelling reason. I assure you, you can't.) What can we pray for today? What does your week have in store? Let's pray. I'll start. "Unspoken."

The Sweetest Frame

Young Edward's parents owned a local pub where some of the biggest hearted, sweetest and most giving people on earth could be found toasting a few each night. Ed would often be found playing in the streets just outside the watering hole; "left to his own devices" legend has it. But little Ed stayed out of trouble, learning to use his hands in cabinet making and for years paid the bills.

But Edward would no doubt find his true calling. For 26 years, he pastored the local Baptist church and was adored by his congregation. When the people he shepherded offered him the church as a gift, Edward famously replied, "I do not want the chapel, I only want the pulpit; and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that." 

You may not be familiar with the story of Edward Mote. After all, he was born way back in 1797. But Edward had it right. He knew that despite his upbringing, God was calling him to something deeper and more meaningful, and he wanted everyone he encountered to know it. 

Most scholars believe Edward was often talking about our physical body and other temporary gifts as examples of what NOT to trust in. Which is why I think Ed would fit in nicely at PrayFit. Or more appropriately, I think we'd all enjoy a seat in his old church. After all, we know the words to something he wrote:        

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Thanks Pastor. The pulpit is still yours. 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame. Friends, may that be our default reaction this week. And if you know the song, sing it.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Is your hope built on solid ground? Aren't we glad that our hope isn't in the meals we prepped last night, or the training plan we've scheduled this week? (Or in the byproducts of what all of that produces?) If it were, we wouldn't be standing for long. Have a great week everyone. Let's pray together. Let's stand on solid ground as a family. What are you in need of prayer for, and let's go to the cross together.