Fellow sojourners, because of the work of Jesus on the cross and the power of God who raised him from the dead, we are already more than conquerors! We can live strong because Christ has made us strong. We can defeat sin in our life because Jesus has already made the enemy a spectacle by dying for our sins. Live a forgiven life by forgiving others. Joy bubbles up when we remove the things that are holding it down. It's already there! We can make wise choices when we ask God for wisdom. Our heart is content as we absorb what the Lord has already supplied.

            Stepping It Up will equip us as growing followers of Christ to 1) Decontaminate our life, 2) Increase healthy habits, and 3) Build spiritual and physical strength and stamina. Life in Christ is certainly not a sprint; it is a marathon - a long-term commitment toward holy, powerful living. We are told to "keep the pace" with the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:25). Not driven for success, but led along toward peace and purpose that glorifies God. The Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind is alive within our bodies (2 Timothy 1:17). Let us "work it out" so that what has been poured into us will more and more overflow onto those around us!

            Each workout session is created to span a week. Speed and efficiency will not win you a prize. My prayer for each participant of Stepping It Up is for God to engage you deeply over time. The Holy Spirit leads his people. He never rushes or pushes. Please resist the urge to "get it done", "get it out of the way", or the other extreme, put it off till the last minute. Pace yourself throughout the week. It'll be worth it!

Stepping It Up in the Physical:

As God begins to move in our lives through scripture and prayer 

(see Stepping It Up in scripture and prayer in the left column), our bodies should reflect his work! What area needs reshaped? Eating, exercising, sickness, how we talk, rest, etc... take time to commit to pray about it in specific ways.

Working It Out in the Physical:

God's power shows up in our weakness. We choose however. We live in weakness or we embrace his power. Exercise God's strength in you to impact the area of weakness! Consider these four steps towards a stronger life and body:

1. Repentance - acknowledging going against God's best for you and turning away from disobedience.
2. Renew - Dismiss (one) wrong way of thinking about your body and counter it with Biblical thoughts.
3. Releasing - Recognize (one) old heavy habit and start replacing it with healthy choices that foster closer relationships with God, others, and yourself.
4. Relax - Sit up straight and breathe deeply three times slowly. Doesn't that feel good? This increases oxygen to your body, organs, and brain and expels tension from muscles, chest, and neck.

The goal of this ongoing exercise is to begin detoxifying our body, soul, and spirit from the world's toxic input so that our connection to the "power source" (God) is free and clear!