Daily Devotionals

Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life

Devotional: May 21st

First it was a simple weight bench. Then came the membership to the local gym. Then there was the stepper. A nasty device that demanded fast footwork to make it work. Then came the Chuck Norris approved get-rid-of-your-gut-and-make-your-biceps-pop machine. Then came the treadmill to walk off those pounds when the weather did not want to cooperate. Then we added the heavy bag for me to work out on.

The newest addition to the collection is an inobtrusive little device that sets in our living room. We saw it advertized right around Thanksgiving. My wife watched the infomercial and decided that was the piece of equipment that would transform her life. So we now have the Bun and Thigh Roller. Sounds more like a cooking utensil for making chicken and dumplings.

The sad thing is that all these devices work quite well...IF THEY ARE USED!!! My wife and I are a lot like the rest of the American public. If there was a pill that involved sitting and eating in order to shed pounds sensibly we would buy it. That's the problem with all those devices. They require exercise; actual physical exertion.

Funny thing is there are a lot of fat Christians who just keep taking in the nourishment week after week without realizing that God intends it to be used for more than personal benefit. The average church has only a precious few who leave the banquet table and actually do the work God has called us to do. The problem is, it's not optional. Salvation depends on spiritual exercise.

"Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and disputing." Philippians 2:12-14 Salvation does not go to the pew sitters. Salvation is for those who "work out" daily.