I knew I was going to love the message coming from the pulpit this past Sunday.
Our Associate Pastor titled the sermon “Training Like Michael Phelps”.
Now as someone who has been involved in the field of fitness for many years,
my attention was fixed the minute I knew the verse chosen to start the ball rolling.
“…rather, 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. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
1 Timothy 4:7b-10
Anytime the sermon is based on a verse that God has used to speak to me before, I know He will build into that which He has already started- He is faithful to finish what He starts. As a Personal Trainer who really desires God more than anything, I have a special place in my heart for this verse. God used it to balance my thinking.
As a former competitive bodybuilder and power-lifter, I spent many days, nights and hours in the gym. I loved training and eventually competing.
I ran head long into my eternal destiny changing relationship with the Lord, through a fellow competitive bodybuilder, and began the ultimate transformation process of a lifetime while training for my first national level competition.
I know many woman can’t relate to a lot of the weight lifting sports, but the heart of an athlete is always the same, regardless of the sport. Often the sport picks the athlete. It’s a match of genetics and will merging to rise up to the challenge and be the best one can be. Passion, desire and focus unite to win.
I know what it’s like to be driven, focused and passionate.
When I met the Lord, He turned my life from one that was passionate towards the things of this world to a life that was passionate toward the unseen things of His Kingdom.
Did it happen overnight?
No.
There are so many ways God used the lessons from competitive training
as well as training others to prepare me for my Christian walk.
I think our Pastor Randy reminded me of some of those lessons learned,
and that – as any athlete, coach or trainer knows-
the reminding is good.
He put before the congregation the question:
What are you training for?
Oh, we trainers are always thinking, talking and prioritizing goal setting,
so I am all over this like gold on Phelps.
He started the message by naming many of the athletes who competed in the early Olympic games.
He shared some interesting facts about these competitors.
But the fact is, none of names, records or even some events rang a bell to any of us now.
Even the very first of all recorded Olympic Champions: Coroebus of Elis, remains …er, faceless.
See the fact is, and the point he was emphasizing, is that these athletes are training for that which is considered valuable now; esteemed today. But if the Lord tarries and a similar message is given forth by say Randy’s great, great, great, great grand-son and he mentions Michael Phelps, is it possible that the same blank, bemused expressions would stare back at the pulpit?
Randy mentioned how Michael Phelps eats, sleeps, trains, and breathes for one purpose.
He lives to excel in one sport-swimming.
What are you living to excel in?
Is it that which is temporary or eternal?
Although we as multi -tasking, real life, faith-filled people have a lot of things we need to do,
he reminded us that we have one goal that unites us in Christ.
Our goal to be like Him who has called us.
We are called to godliness.
He encouraged us to train as single event Olympians
toward the one goal which is devotion to God himself in all things,
by excelling in godliness.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12: 1
Hebrews 12: 1
We are training for the prize which is guaranteed.
Christ Himself is our Goal and Gold.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12: 2
One more thought and verse that encourages me in all that I was reminded of in the message.
Our coach, Jesus not only has given us His example but also ALL the power we need to
carry out our Olympic Faith Training.
It’s right there in His Word…
One more thought and verse that encourages me in all that I was reminded of in the message.
Our coach, Jesus not only has given us His example but also ALL the power we need to
carry out our Olympic Faith Training.
It’s right there in His Word…
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3
If you need a spiritual BOOST- hop over and check out the message for yourself!
Me? I will be doing my Godliness Training-
Laps in the prayer pool, Holy Spirit sprints, Pick Up Your Mat and walk…to the gym,
Sit Up and sin no more….OK, you get the picture! 🙂
Here is the link to the actual message Pastor Randy Curtis
preached this past Sunday:
If you check it out, let me know-
I’d love to hear what you thought about it!
This is my first time linking up with Michelle at Hear it, Use it!
Great communities here:
Great communities here:
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
I always feel so blessed when a message seems to speak directly to me! When you’re passionate about something, you don’t mind working hard at it. God knows what passions lie undiscovered, and He knows how deeply He must go to refine us. He has a call for each of us! When we believe that we are here for a reason, we can release and let go of any doubts, reservations, or fear and grab hold of the talents we were destined to have. :)Blessings Dawn!Denise
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Denise, I know that so much more could be said about the message he preached but really if I go on and on of all the wonderful fireworks it set off in my head, no one would read the post! LOL. Guess God just wanted me to remember I am on the right track and I need to stay there and not grow weary, because I was VERY pumped up, to say the least!
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Dawn: I downloaded it. I promise to get back to you after I hear it.
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What a great message. I've also been thinking about the great lessons we can learn from the Olympic stories. Even the surprise winners who persevered against the odds. For us too if we continue to work out our salvation with trembling and fear, we'll complete the race and hear those wonderful words “well done good and faithful servant” – that's the only medal that counts in the end. Thanks for sharing!
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