Free & Fit - Free & Fit Advent Challenge Day 23- Proverbial Prayers & Planks - Advent Devotions from Proverbs with a Word, Proverb & Exercise Everyday - Monday 23rd December 2024
Free & Fit Advent Challenge Day 23- Proverbial Prayers & Planks - Advent Devotions from Proverbs with a Word, Proverb & Exercise Everyday - Monday 23rd December 2024
Today’s Word on December 23rd is Teach - How can we really have confidence when we do something wrong? How can we escape ourselves after our deepest regrets? The Psalmist, often attributed to be King David in Psalm 51, gives us hope in how to respond in such circumstances.
When he has committed murder and adultery he turns to the Lord fully repentant, seeking healing from guilt and forgiveness for his shame. He does not hide from it, nor seek to escape it and he approaches God in confidence.
King David says: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.” The Psalmist is seeking to be able to live again, to be set free from sin and to live a life for Jesus Christ. This is true for both you and I, we too, can be set free and live a life for Jesus Christ.
Todays Proverb is Proverbs Twenty Three verse One it says "When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:"
In the Amplified it translates as ““When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is [set] before you;”
Proverbs 23:1 AMP
Today’s Movement is the Calf Stretch - this is good as an exercise to target calf muscles and improve flexibility. It is a daily practice for most athletes across different sports.
Full Reflection:
Full Workout:
Full Verse:
Reflection & Prayer:
Glorifying Extravagance over Gods Excellence!
George Matheson set into the hymnody of the Church this wonderful para- dox of fulfillment through self-denial:
“Force me to render up my sword,
And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within Thine arms,
And strong shall be my hand.”
Jesus was the ultimate example of solitude. He would, at times when faced by multiple thousands of people, go and retreat to pray. He would do so through going on to a mountain top as to get closer to heaven. The reverse of his worries, he would place God at the top and his concerns at the bottom. We too can deny ourselves, pick up our Cross and follow Jesus.
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant,
who walks in darkness and has no light,
yet trusts in the name of the LORD
and relies upon his God? (Isa. 50:10)
To conclude our journey into Christs Birth this Christmas, let us ponder these powerful words of St John of the Cross:
“Oh, then, spiritual soul, when you see your appetites darkened, your inclinations dry and constrained, your faculties incapacitated for any interi- or exercise, do not be afflicted; think of this as a grace, since God is freeing you from yourself and taking from you your own activity.”
The point is that it is quite possible to fear, obey, trust, and rely upon the Lord and still “walk in darkness and have no light.” We are living in obedience but we may have entered a dark night of the soul.
St. John of the Cross indicates that during this experience there is a gracious protection from sin and wonderful outcome in the Birth of Christ and in the Kingdom of God. “...a person at the time of these darknesses...will see clearly how little the appetites and faculties are distracted with useless and harmful things and how secure he is from vainglory, from pride and presumption, from an empty and false joy, and from many other evils. By walking in darkness the soul...advances rapidly, because it thus gains the virtues.
Closing with Simplicity & Solitude:
Tis the gift to be simple, ‘Tis the gift to be free,
‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight
‘Till by turning, turning we come round right.
Joseph Brackett
Verses for Salvation
“But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Romans 10:8-10 NIV
Prayer for Salvation
Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:26 NLT
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