Stewarding Our Bodies for God's Eternal Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Remove Distractions to Embrace Healthy Patterns

Distractions, both obvious and subtle, can easily crowd out the healthy patterns God desires for us, making it difficult to hear His voice and follow His best for our lives. Whether it’s endless scrolling, constant noise, or unhelpful voices, these distractions can keep us from forming habits that honor God with our bodies and minds. Removing these distractions is not about legalism or deprivation, but about creating space for God’s purposes to flourish in us. Consider what “noise” in your life is hindering your ability to pursue God’s best, and take intentional steps to quiet those distractions so you can better steward your embodied existence for His glory. [12:41]

1 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness."

Reflection: What is one specific distraction you can remove or reduce this week to make more room for healthy, God-honoring patterns in your daily life?

Day 2: Steward Your Body to Serve God’s Mission

Our bodies are not the sum total of who we are, but they are the place where discipleship, obedience, and worship take place. God values how we care for our physical selves, and forming healthy patterns—like regular exercise, hydration, nutrition, and sleep—empowers us to be more effective in the mission He has for us. These habits are not about perfection, but about honoring God with the bodies He has given us, so that we can serve others and fulfill our calling with energy and joy. Take stock of your physical habits and consider how they might be helping or hindering your spiritual life and effectiveness for God’s purposes. [21:01]

1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)
"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Reflection: Which area of your physical health—exercise, hydration, nutrition, or sleep—needs the most attention right now so you can better serve God’s mission for your life?

Day 3: Physical Training Has Value, But Godliness Is Supreme

While bodily training is of some value and can yield real benefits in this life, the pursuit of godliness holds promise not only for the present but also for eternity. God calls us to train ourselves for godliness with the same intentionality and discipline we might give to physical health, knowing that spiritual habits—prayer, Scripture, community, and self-examination—prepare us for eternal life with Him. Let your physical routines remind you of the greater importance of spiritual training, and seek to cultivate habits that will bear fruit both now and forever. [37:06]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can intentionally “train” in this week, just as you would with a physical habit, to grow in godliness?

Day 4: Spiritual Patterns Prepare Us for Eternity

Developing spiritual patterns—such as regular prayer, daily engagement with Scripture, weekly Christian community, and honest self-reflection—equips us not just for a fruitful life on earth, but for eternity with God. These habits are not accidental; they require intentional steps of obedience and a willingness to prioritize what matters most. As you form these patterns, remember that your relationship with God is sustained by daily “breathing” in prayer, feeding on His Word, connecting with His people, and checking the health of your soul. These rhythms will prepare you for the day when you meet your Creator face to face. [42:08]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Which spiritual pattern—prayer, Scripture, community, or self-examination—do you sense God inviting you to strengthen this week, and what practical step will you take?

Day 5: Honor God with Your Body and Experience Eternal Dividends

God created your body and calls you to honor Him through how you steward it, knowing that both your physical and spiritual habits can yield dividends—benefits in this life and rewards in eternity. Even as you care for your body, remember that its ultimate purpose is to serve God’s mission and prepare you for everlasting life with Him. The legacy you leave, like those who have gone before us in faithfulness, is shaped by how you invest in both physical and spiritual health. May you seek to honor God with your whole self, trusting that He will use your stewardship for His glory and your eternal good. [43:55]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: In what specific way can you present your body as a living sacrifice to God today, aligning your daily choices with His purposes for your life?

Sermon Summary

Ten years ago, I received a word of wisdom from a mentor, Dave Heidel, that has echoed in my mind ever since: the healthy patterns we form in our lives yield “dividends.” Dave was a man who lived out his God-given mission, caring for prisoners, orphans, and widows, and serving those who had experienced brokenness. But behind his ministry was a commitment to stewarding his body well—through exercise, healthy eating, and intentional living—so that he could serve others more effectively. This principle is not just practical advice; it’s deeply spiritual. God cares about every sphere of our lives, including our physical bodies, which He has fearfully and wonderfully made.

Scripture, particularly Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4, reminds us that our bodies are not incidental to our discipleship. We are called to remove distractions that keep us from healthy patterns—whether that’s endless scrolling, binge-watching TV, or unhelpful voices in our lives. Just as runners throw off extra layers to run their race unhindered, we must cast aside anything that keeps us from stewarding our bodies for God’s mission.

Once distractions are removed, we are called to form physical patterns that empower our effectiveness on earth. Exercise, hydration, nutrition, and sleep are not just health tips—they are ways we honor God with our bodies, the very place where discipleship, obedience, and worship happen. Our bodies are the vessels through which we serve, love, and glorify God. While physical training is of some value, as Paul says, it is godliness that holds value for both this life and the life to come.

Therefore, we must also form spiritual patterns that equip us for eternity. Prayer, daily intake of Scripture, weekly Christian community, and regular self-examination are disciplines that shape us for the eternal life God has promised. No matter how well we care for our bodies, they will one day fail us. But the godliness we cultivate will yield dividends that last forever, as we look forward to resurrection and eternal life with our Creator. May we honor God with our bodies and our spirits, experiencing both earthly and eternal dividends.

Key Takeaways

1. Stewardship of the Body Enables Mission God has uniquely designed each of us with a mission, and our physical health is not separate from that calling. When we care for our bodies—through exercise, nutrition, hydration, and rest—we are equipping ourselves to serve others and fulfill God’s purposes more effectively. Our bodies are the place where discipleship and obedience take shape, and neglecting them can hinder our spiritual impact. [21:01]
2. Removing Distractions is Essential for Spiritual and Physical Health Distractions—whether digital, social, or internal—can drown out God’s voice and keep us from healthy patterns. Just as runners shed unnecessary layers to run freely, we must intentionally remove the noise and clutter that keep us from God’s best. This may require radical steps, like unplugging devices or setting boundaries, to create space for what truly matters. [12:41]
3. Physical Patterns Yield Earthly Dividends, but Godliness Yields Eternal Ones Scripture affirms that bodily training is valuable, but it is godliness that holds promise for both this life and the next. Forming healthy physical habits brings real benefits—energy, clarity, and resilience—but these are temporary. The spiritual disciplines we cultivate, however, prepare us for eternity and shape our character in ways that last forever. [35:59]
4. Spiritual Disciplines Must Be Intentional and Regular We never drift into godliness; it requires deliberate, ongoing effort. Prayer, daily engagement with Scripture, weekly community, and regular self-examination are not optional add-ons but essential rhythms for spiritual health. Like physical training, these disciplines may not always feel easy, but they are the means by which God transforms us and prepares us for His purposes. [38:41]
5. Our Hope is in Resurrection, Not in Perfect Health No matter how well we steward our bodies, they will eventually fail. Yet, our ultimate hope is not in physical longevity but in the resurrection promised through Christ. The godliness we pursue now will yield dividends in eternity, as we are raised with glorified bodies to enjoy God’s presence forever. This perspective frees us to pursue health as stewardship, not as an idol. [43:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - Remembering Dave Heidel’s Legacy
[01:13] - Living Out God’s Mission
[02:14] - The Word “Dividends” and Healthy Living
[03:54] - God’s Care for Our Physical Lives
[05:53] - Three Steps to Stewarding Our Bodies
[06:44] - Paul’s Wisdom to Timothy
[08:46] - Removing Distractions from Healthy Patterns
[12:41] - Identifying and Eliminating Noise
[17:12] - Forming Physical Patterns for Effectiveness
[21:01] - Our Bodies as the Place of Discipleship
[25:11] - Practical Steps: Exercise, Hydration, Nutrition, Sleep
[32:36] - Planning for Healthy Sleep
[35:59] - The Greater Value of Godliness
[38:41] - Spiritual Patterns for Eternal Life
[43:09] - The Hope of Resurrection and Eternal Dividends

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) — > Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, what is the difference between bodily training and training for godliness?
What kinds of distractions or “irreverent, silly myths” does Paul warn Timothy to avoid? ([09:51])
In the sermon, what are some examples given of distractions that can keep us from healthy patterns? ([12:41])
What four areas of physical stewardship did the pastor highlight as important for serving God’s mission? ([25:11])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul say that godliness “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come,” while bodily training is only “of some value”? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for us? ([35:59])
The pastor shared stories about his mentor Dave Heidel and his own life. How do these stories help us understand the connection between physical health and spiritual effectiveness? ([21:01])
What does it mean to “remove distractions” in the context of following Jesus? How might this look different for each person? ([12:41])
Why do you think spiritual disciplines like prayer, Scripture, and community require intentionality and regularity, rather than just happening naturally? ([38:41])

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to identify and remove distractions that keep us from healthy patterns. What is one specific distraction (digital, social, or internal) in your life that you sense God is asking you to address? What practical step could you take this week to reduce or remove it? ([12:41])
Of the four physical patterns mentioned—exercise, hydration, nutrition, and sleep—which one is currently the biggest challenge for you? What is one small, realistic change you could make to better steward your body for God’s mission? ([25:11])
The pastor said, “Our bodies are where discipleship, obedience, and worship happen.” How does this perspective change the way you view your daily routines and habits? ([21:01])
Think about your current spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, Christian community, self-examination). Which of these is most consistent in your life? Which one needs more intentionality? What’s one way you could strengthen that area this month? ([38:41])
The sermon reminded us that “we never drift into godliness.” What tends to get in the way of you forming regular spiritual habits? How can your small group help you stay accountable? ([38:41])
The pastor shared that our hope is not in perfect health, but in the resurrection and eternal life with Christ. How does this truth free you from anxiety or perfectionism about your body or health? ([43:09])
If you were to look back a year from now, what “dividends” would you hope to see in your life as a result of better stewardship of your body and spirit? What would be a sign that you are living more fully into God’s mission for you? ([02:14])

Sermon Clips

The question is not, do you like it? The question is, is it distracting you from God's best for you? For some of us, maybe guys, particularly, football could be the thing. Football all day Saturday. You got college football all day Sunday, you got NFL football. You got it on Monday, you got it on Thursday. And for you, it could say, well, I got my fantasy football guy on that team. I got to see how it plays out. Could be a distraction for you. [00:13:47] (31 seconds) #DistractionBlocksBlessing

There may be some noise that, to be honest with you, the evil one is using to keep you away from God's best for you. Maybe it's podcasts and you say, oh, well, it's educational. I'm coming to grips with what some of the podcasters are talking about. It could just be noise it could be people that you actually interact with in real life. It could be unhelpful voices. [00:14:40] (24 seconds) #DiscernNoiseFromTruth

Maybe it's as simple as, you know what, I'm going to unplug the TV for a week. Let's see how it goes with the additional margin that I have in my life. Maybe you say, oh, I don't think I could unplug the TV for a week. And if that's you, that might be the step God's calling you to. [00:15:39] (18 seconds) #UnplugToFindMargin

Our bodies are not an unimportant part of us. God has created us as people who have a body. We are not our body. That's not the sum total of who we are. But God has given us as people a body inhabited by our soul so that we can obey God in those ways. Our bodies are the place where discipleship happens. [00:20:27] (34 seconds) #PrayerLikeBreathing

Maybe for you, the thing that you like to do is jogging or running. Anybody like to get out there and do some jogging? Okay. Like getting some run ins, get out on the trail. That's my go to. I know we got a runner over here. This guy is fast, ladies and gentlemen. Okay. He's winning cross country races. I love that. Well, getting out there and running is a great thing. It can be a more intense workout. You can get those heart points in even faster if that's something that your joints can handle at your stage of life. [00:25:57] (30 seconds) #RunToHonorGod

A good rule of thumb is in the area of nutrition, be eating the things that your body actually wants, that it actually needs, not just the things that your taste buds may tell you are really good. When you go to the grocery store on an empty stomach and you think, man, those peanut butter Nutter bars, yeah, I need to stock up on those, okay? That's a weakness of mine, by the way. [00:29:13] (26 seconds) #CutAddedSugars

The question that I have for each one of you now that we've had that crash course in those four areas is, is your body helping or hindering your spiritual life right now? The way that you're stewarding your body, is it helping or hindering your spiritual life right now? And if you believe that in one of those four areas you are being hindered or being held back, I want to encourage you to take that appropriate step, which maybe is to start moving a little bit more, to start hydrating a little bit more, to eat right and to sleep right? [00:34:38] (44 seconds) #EmbodiedDiscipleship

Prayer should be, can be, is something that should be to us, like breathing, breathing. Every moment of the day we need to be exposed to and filled with oxygen. And I think it's like four minutes. If you go for four minutes without oxygen, that's it for you. And in a similar way, our relationship with God must be something that we facilitate and enjoy every moment of the day. [00:39:38] (30 seconds) #OverflowWithGod

Am I filled to overflowing in my relationship with God so that I'm overflowing and blessing others? Or am I in a dangerous spot where I'm in some senses in need of a spiritual emergency room visit, Prayer, scripture, community, and overall health. And as we do these things, as we form these spiritual patterns, we will be prepared for the eternity that we have with God. [00:42:11] (33 seconds)

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