INTRODUCTION
Our nation is physically separated from one another but united by stress and worry. Every day seems to be a battle of the mind and will to do what is right and have a healthy outlook. Your spiritual life is important and must be given attention if you are going to thrive. In this collection of talks, we will explore how to maintain spiritual fitness. We will discover that spiritual health helps bring all the other facets of life back into balance.
“The LORD will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry.” —Isaiah 58:11
Memory Verse:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26
We are going to cope with the stress and worry swirling around us, either positively or negatively, and we need “hope to cope”! During this collection of talks, we will explore how we can find that hope and soothe our souls in the following areas:
September 13 Soothing Your Soul through Spiritual Habits
September 20 Soothing Your Soul through Prayer
September 27 Soothing Your Soul through Biblical Money Management
October 4 Soothing Your Soul through Connection
October 11 Soothing Your Soul through Spiritual Health
Text: I Timothy 4:7-9 (CSB, New Testament)
Today’s Takeaway:
You are responsible for your own spiritual fitness.
SOOTHING YOUR SOUL WEEK 1: Soothing Your Soul through Spiritual Habits
THREE HABITS FOR SPIRITUAL FITNESS
I.
IN THE WORD AND PRAYER
“
This habit demonstrates that God is first in your
A. The
“Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up.” —Luke 18:1
“Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation,” —I Peter 2:2
B. The
“But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.” —Luke 5:15-16
“The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” —Acts 17:11
C. The
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8a
“How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” —Psalm 1:1-3
Soothing Your Soul Next Step #1:
Schedule your quiet time with God this week.
II.
IN OBEDIENT GIVING
“
This habit demonstrates that God is first in your
A. The
“Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” —Leviticus 27:30
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” —Matthew 6:21
B. The
“Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering,” —1 Corinthians 16:1-2a
“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.” —2 Corinthians 9:7
C. The
“Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; 10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” —Proverbs 3:9-10
Soothing Your Soul Next Step #2:
Make sure that God is first in your budget and that you are obedient in your giving.
III.
TO A GROUP
“
This habit demonstrates that God is first in your
A. The
“Gather the people—men, women, dependents, and the resident aliens within your city gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and be careful to follow all the words of this law.” —Deuteronomy 31:12
“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” —Proverbs 27:17
B. The
“So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” —Acts 2:41-42
“not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” —Hebrews 10:25
C. The
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Soothing Your Soul Next Step #3:
Sign up for a group today!
Go to www.cityunited.church/community to learn more.
CONCLUSION:
Will you be a F.I.T. follower of Jesus Christ?
MY SPIRITUAL FITNESS COVENANT
“…exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” —1 Timothy 4:7b
Download Your F.I.T. Card here
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:
Read Isaiah 58:11 again. What is most comforting to you after reading this promise from
God’s Word?
Pastor Gary emphasized being spiritually F.I.T. Which of these 3 spiritual habits are you
doing well in? Which ones do you need to put some work into this week?
Make it a point to put the Soothing Your Soul Next Steps into action this week.
Download and sign your “My Spiritual Fitness Covenant” card this week and put it
somewhere you will see it often.
Missing a fill-in? No problem! Just select the email option below and the notes will arrive to you all filled in.