Core Development
John 7:38 KJV He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Inspired by a New Year’s resolution, a gym promotion, or just wanting to get in shape, an exercise regimen is frequently adopted with anticipation for promising results. Often there is a desire to lose here, gain there, and somehow transform the body’s look to something more closely resembling one of those guys or gals on the posters. Quite often there is a temptation to just focus on the lifts that will accentuate certain body parts without consideration for the body as a whole. For there to be optimal results with health to all of the body, however, there is a need to include a steady focus on the core muscles, the stomach, lower and upper back and pelvic muscles. It is possible to have large chest, arm and leg muscles but still be at high risk for injury and have bad posture and poor balance if the core muscles aren’t adequately developed.
There can likewise be a strong motivation to develop in a strong relationship with God, often with great inspiration from very gifted ministers who have effectively developed in their faith and in their ability to display their spiritual muscles. It may be very tempting to delve into one particular area of doctrine or spiritual focus with great anticipation for rewarding results, but there is one area that should receive consistent attention if there is to be resistance to injury, a healthy posture and proper balance. There is a core that stems around our belly from which Jesus said will ‘flow rivers of living water’, and there is a necessity for this area to be exercised and strengthened on a daily basis. As the infilling of the Spirit is utilized through speaking with other tongues in a personal time of prayer and fellowship with the Father, there is a building up of those core muscles and an empowering that will affect the rest of the body as a whole. From these times of dedicated exercise of what has been freely given to us by the Holy Spirit will come revelation, understanding and wisdom as the Spirit is given an opportunity to influence and direct the mind and body also. As prayers are lifted up from a heart that has been strengthened in faith by exposure to the Word, there will also be a qualifying and enabling application of the Spirit’s power.
An incredibly effective exercise is available to us today through the enabling power of the Spirit. Our core can be strengthened, protected and balanced and enabled for healthy productivity in the kingdom.
