Training for What Lasts
02/07/2026
“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 4:8 (NIV)
Paul writes this to a young pastor living in a very real, very demanding world. Timothy knew discipline. He knew responsibility. And he knew pressure. So Paul doesn’t dismiss physical training or effort, he simply puts it in its proper place.
Physical training matters. It strengthens the body, sharpens focus, and builds endurance. But it has limits. Muscles weaken. Stamina fades. Time catches up with all of us.
Godliness, though, is different. It shapes who we are when no one is watching. It forms how we respond when life presses in. It steadies us when circumstances shake us. Godliness doesn’t just prepare us for someday, it sustains us today. It influences our marriages, our leadership, our decisions, our peace, and our purpose.
Think about how much time we intentionally give to what improves the outside of our lives, our schedules, skills, health, finances. None of those are bad. But Paul is inviting us to invest just as intentionally, if not more so, in what forms the inside. Prayer. Scripture. Obedience. Worship. Humility. Trust.
Godliness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being practiced. It’s daily training of the heart. Learning to listen to God’s voice, choosing faith over fear, and allowing the Spirit to shape us more into the likeness of Christ.
And here’s the promise Paul reminds us of: this kind of training carries value now and forever. It produces fruit in this life and prepares us for the life to come. Nothing else offers that kind of return.
Simple action steps for today:
• Take inventory of where you’re investing your energy, what’s shaping you most?
• Set aside intentional time today to train your heart: prayer, Scripture, or quiet reflection.
• Ask God to help you grow in one specific area of godliness this week.
Today’s challenge:
Choose one small, intentional practice that trains your soul, not just your schedule, and commit to it.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for caring about every part of my life. Help me to value what You value. Teach me to train my heart in godliness, not out of obligation, but out of love for You. Shape me in ways that last, now and for eternity. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“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 4:8 (NIV)
Paul writes this to a young pastor living in a very real, very demanding world. Timothy knew discipline. He knew responsibility. And he knew pressure. So Paul doesn’t dismiss physical training or effort, he simply puts it in its proper place.
Physical training matters. It strengthens the body, sharpens focus, and builds endurance. But it has limits. Muscles weaken. Stamina fades. Time catches up with all of us.
Godliness, though, is different. It shapes who we are when no one is watching. It forms how we respond when life presses in. It steadies us when circumstances shake us. Godliness doesn’t just prepare us for someday, it sustains us today. It influences our marriages, our leadership, our decisions, our peace, and our purpose.
Think about how much time we intentionally give to what improves the outside of our lives, our schedules, skills, health, finances. None of those are bad. But Paul is inviting us to invest just as intentionally, if not more so, in what forms the inside. Prayer. Scripture. Obedience. Worship. Humility. Trust.
Godliness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being practiced. It’s daily training of the heart. Learning to listen to God’s voice, choosing faith over fear, and allowing the Spirit to shape us more into the likeness of Christ.
And here’s the promise Paul reminds us of: this kind of training carries value now and forever. It produces fruit in this life and prepares us for the life to come. Nothing else offers that kind of return.
Simple action steps for today:
• Take inventory of where you’re investing your energy, what’s shaping you most?
• Set aside intentional time today to train your heart: prayer, Scripture, or quiet reflection.
• Ask God to help you grow in one specific area of godliness this week.
Today’s challenge:
Choose one small, intentional practice that trains your soul, not just your schedule, and commit to it.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for caring about every part of my life. Help me to value what You value. Teach me to train my heart in godliness, not out of obligation, but out of love for You. Shape me in ways that last, now and for eternity. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
No Comments