“Training For Godliness”
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Physical training
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11) “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b,8).
Brooksyne and I are diligently trying to get into better physical shape. It’s something we are always working at but with varying degrees of diligence and success! We are walking daily throughout the beautiful countryside and really trying to be careful in our diet. Brooksyne also attends a special exercise program for women several times a week.
The daily Scripture portion says, “physical training is of some value.” Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit and we believe that properly taking care of our physical nature is a means of glorifying God.
But comparatively speaking physical training is of little value in relation to spiritual training. “Godliness has value for all things.” Godliness impacts every area of our personal life, our family, our church, our work and our society at large. And this godliness holds “promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
That’s why we need to “train ourselves to be godly.” Surely the apostle Paul is speaking here of the spiritual development and disciplines we volitionally participate in that contribute to a growth in godliness such as Bible reading and study, Scripture memorization, prayer and praise, church participation and service.
“Train” translates the Greek word (gumnaze) from which we get the English word “gym”. It is in the present, active, imperative, which indicates a present, ongoing action we participate in and is strongly enjoined upon us.
A study resource book I use has a powerful thought on this point: “It is not the self-centered ascetic struggle of the individual for his own moral and religious perfection, but the training necessary for the unhindered pursuit of God’s purposes. This exercise was a vigorous development and application of all Paul’s strength and ability that he might bring glory to God with every thought and action.” *
Today we encourage you to “train yourself to be godly!” A foundational component of this training is the implementation of God’s Word to our hearts so that it is carried out in our actions. Remember, in regard to the pursuit of godliness we are always in training!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord, help me today to be aware of the importance of training for godliness and faithfully practice those disciplines that will make me strong in You. Amen.
* Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament
Scripture memory verses from each book of the Bible: Here is a pdf file of the suggested Scripture verses to memorize from each book of the Bible. This should open fine on most computers and be suitable for printing out, copying and distributing if desired. Open here
Upon written request we will also send you these 66 Scripture verses printed on individual business-sized cards. These are great as an aid to memorization.
Make your request by writing to:
Daily Encouragement Net
495 Kraybill Church Road
Mount Joy, PA 17552
A Personal Testimony: We were both blessed as we prepared these verses for this article and personally reminded of the power of committing God’s Word to memory. Over twenty years ago we shared these verses in the church we pastored in northern PA and participated in the memorization as well. We had practically forgotten all about it, but when we looked up the verses based upon the references that our friend Linda had sent us we were both encouraged at how many came back and we could finish the verse after seeing the reference or first several words.
Today’s main photo was taken this last summer during our family reunion in Branson. I actually had another photo up to illustrate physical training but Brooksyne felt it might be slightly inappropriate. I suppose no one will feel that way about our physical training photo!
Supplemental Resources
“Word Of God Speak” (Audio)
“Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet” (Audio)
“Be Strong And Take Courage” (Audio)
I am not sure where this comes from but it’s worth sharing for a smile. We may be getting more exercise then we realized. (I don’t know the source of this list. It came to me as an email forward many years ago). Enjoy and smile!
“Physical training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4: 
Physical exercise is good for you. This unique training program recognizes and utilizes the exercise value of routine daily tasks.
1) Beating around the bush
2) Jumping to conclusions
3) Climbing the walls
4) Swallowing my pride
5) Passing the buck
6) Throwing my weight around
7) Dragging my heels
Pushing my luck
9) Making mountains out of molehills
10) Hitting the nail on the head
11) Wading through paperwork
12) Bending over backwards
13) Jumping on the bandwagon
14) Balancing the books
15) Running around in circles
16) Eating crow
17) Tooting my own horn
1 Climbing the ladder of success
19) Pulling out the stops
20) Adding fuel to the fire
21) Opening a can of worms
22) Putting my foot in my mouth
23) Starting the ball rolling
24) Going over the edge
25) Picking up the pieces.
Finally today: I enjoy a satire blog over at Tom in the Box. They have a great spoof on today’s verse. It also illustrates how not to interpret the Scriptures!
These daily encouragement messages are brought to you by Drivers Wellness, an initiative of Transport for Christ.
Transport For Christ (TFC) provides recognizable, consistent and high quality support for drivers and the trucking industry through…
* 24/7 chapels staffed by trained chaplains at strategic travel plazas all across the US and Canada. Here is a listing of our chapels.
* Chaplains available at companies and terminals.
* A national network of churches willing to help truckers in need.
* OTR working drivers trained as chaplains who can help wherever they are.
Our chaplains are prepared to address issues such as…
* conflict resolution
* marriage and family issues
* stress management
* crisis intervention
* spiritual issues
* any other need the chaplain can help with
Transport for Christ is focused on the needs of truck drivers and the trucking industry. If we are capable of meeting a need we will…if not, we will work to find a way!
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Drivers Wellness is an initiative of Transport For Christ
“Living securely today anchored in God’s solid foundation”
