The Alpha of Godliness

UV 3042/10000 The Alpha of Godliness
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

I Timothy 4 v 8

To maintain my physical fitness and health, I do as many as a dozen different exercises. Like there are a huge variety of physical exercises to improve our fitness levels, there are numerous spiritual exercises for practicing godliness. Jesus often retreated away from crowded areas to spend time alone with His Father. We too can imitate Jesus and it will greatly benefit us. Prayer is one of the best forms of exercising godliness. We are communicating without any restrictions or barriers with our Heavenly Father. Spending time in praise and worship is another godly exercise. Using our divine delegated authority to engage in spiritual warfare against the principalities, powers and empires of darkness is a powerful spiritual exercise.

Spending time in silence is another godly exercise. We refrain from speaking for some time so that we gain a heart of wisdom. Fasting and praying is another spiritual discipline that helps us tame our appetite and touch the very heart of God. Prostrating like Moses and Joshua in times of great despair or frustration is an useful spiritual exercise. Praying in the spirit with all kinds of sounds and actions is an exercise that will benefit us tremendously in the spiritual sense. Giving to the needy and helpless as well as to the missions we have a burden for are a form of godly exercise that rids us of selfishness, greed and insecurity. Doing acts of kindness and service to others have a tremendous impact on our minds and spirits.
Meditating on the word of God, running it over and over in our minds, trying to find out its deeper meaning is a powerful exercise. Spending time in fellowship with believers are a source of mutual encouragement and edification. Praying for the sanctification of our tongues is a very beneficial exercise that builds us up in godliness. Sacrificing the superficial and unnecessary aspects of our lives is a profitable exercise. Inspiring, sharing, teaching, encouraging and helping others is an effective exercise that enhances not just us but others too in godly disciplines. Practising thankfulness and gratitude for blessings and grace received this far is a very wholesome exercise of our spirits and minds. Consciously, repenting and humbling oneself before the Lord have a cleansing effect on us. For most of these exercises, we need to set aside time daily to practice as it will benefit us not just spiritually but holistically or in all aspects of our lives.