Barbara's Bakin' N bits

Spiritual Hygiene

"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

(1 Timothy 4:7-8) We are bombarded these days with diet plans, exercise programs, health foods, beauty aids, etc.--all aimed at improving our lives or lifestyles. These may profit a "little," and should not be ignored, but we must never allow a preoccupation with physical things to negate our true priorities. Spiritual hygiene is much more important than physical hygiene. As infants, we should "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby"

(1 Peter 2:2). For adults, "strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age" (Hebrews 5:14)--those who are no longer "unskillful in the word of righteousness" (v. 13). We are to be "nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine"

(1 Timothy 4:6), and admonished to profess "sound literally 'healthy' doctrine" (Titus 1:9; 2:1) and healthy "faith" (1:13; 2:2), as well as healthy "charity" and "patience" (2:2), and use healthy "speech" (2:8). Exercise must not be ignored, but it should be "exercise . . . unto godliness"

(1 Timothy 4:7), enabling us to "discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). It may take the form of chastisement, which "yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness"(12:11). And, of course, cleanliness is important. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9). Christ gave Himself "that he might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:26-27). JDM

I love these devotions and this one is so true for todays living, so many run on old wives tales, and what grandma said, instead of looking to the word of God and see what he has to say, The Days of Praise are them most vivid and accurate daily devotionals I have ever see, always KJV scripture too, if you want to order some for your church or to come in your email daily just go sign up.

http://www.icr.org/article/4733/