no pain no gain

We would not hesitate to apply this phrase to the benefits of physical discipline. They also apply to the spiritual disciplines: "No pain, no gain."

We would think nothing of going to the gym and working out hard. We do it to see improvements, loss of weight, greater muscle and bone mass. And we keep it up in order to not lose the gains we have made.

Spiritual disciplines are no different. And they return eternal gains plus the blessings of the Holy Spirit.

MP spoke yesterday of our church being a missional church. This take intentional spiritual discipline. That's what he expects. He expects that we will determine to be intentional. We will have to put ourselves out there, doing things like Turbo Tuesdays at Hogg. (We meet and eat lunch with junior high student every other week during lunch for the school year.) Also we could be a presence in Heights activities. We will be involved in a Futbol Festival at Hogg one Saturday and cheering Houston Marathoners by our church in January.

All these things involve being present in body and spirit, working hard, and praying to God for the fruit. There is spiritual discipline involved in these activities. We do not do them for personal growth but there will be growth.

DW works with Living Waters, a year long Sunday afternoon commitment. She does it to help but she certainly experiences spiritual growth in the process. This God's discipline and it is for our spiritual gain.