Jacked Up

I found this to be an amusing title for this week's devotional. Sometimes, the Lord will give me phrases like this, I write them down, and then later He'll share with me what He wants me to write about. So, when I asked the Lord what He would have me write about today, the phrase "Jacked Up" came back to my mind.

Let's first look at the definition of "jacked"

|jack•ed|

Definition:

1. physically or mentally stimulated from the effects of a drug or stimulant.

2. (of a person) having very well-developed muscles.

Adjective: jacked up

Now that you understand what being "jacked up"means, let's discuss how this term can impact our lives both physically and spiritually. If you were to reference this slang around a gym, you will see it refers to someone on steroids, or other performance enhancing drug. I want to discuss how the Holy Spirit is meant to be used as an enhancer to our daily lives!

SIDE EFFECTS

Look at it this way, if you are in love with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life, there is no drug that can compare to His Presence! It's a stimulant you never want to come down from. The good news is, you don't have to! All the side effects are great! There is no crash or headache, or negative effect to allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life. The side effects to walking in the Holy Spirit include: love, joy, peace, healing, abundance, and prosperity to name a few. I could go on and on and on about what an amazing ride it is to be on a journey with the Holy Spirit.

EXERCISE IS KEY

Let's dig a little deeper and explore how being "jacked up" in the spirit affects your physical and spiritual muscles. In the same way that you train your physical body, you MUST train your spirit!

2 TIMOTHY 2:5 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

The same is true spiritually, you can sit there and wish you had the strength, the faith, the excitement, that other Christians have, and see how God is blessing them and desire that KIND OF LIFE, but wishful thinking is not going to get you there, you have to put your faith in action you have to exercise your spiritual muscles.

HEBREWS 6:12 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Exercise is key if you want to have a strong and healthy body. You can dream about being chiseled, athletic and lean, but if you do nothing but eat chips and binge-watch Netflix, you'll probably wind up having the body of a couch potato. Change will never happen unless you get moving!

The same can be said about your spirit. If you never exercise your spiritual muscles or step out in faith, you will continue to feel weak and unable to face the enemy. You MUST dive into the Word and pray continually. Seek wisdom and counsel about how to grow in your relationship with the Lord. We are meant to be warriors, strong and courageous; not wimpy and tired pew sitters who never do to anything for the Kingdom of God!

HEBREWS 5:14 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

To interpret this scripture, God is LITERALLY saying it is time to grow up and take responsibility for yourself. He is not going to continue to spoonfeed you. You're going to have to pick up the fork of his word and START feeding yourself!!!

And before any of you over 50 crowd try to argue that you're too old to change, I'm here to tell you that it is possible to change your physical and spiritual self, at any age.

1 CORINTHIANS 9:26-27 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE - TREAT IT LIKE ONE!

We are to be pro-active, both physically and spiritually. Our body is designed by God, and we must take care of it! He says in His word our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

ROMANS 12:1 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

To make it plain, the Holy Spirit dwells within your earthly body. Therefore, you're supposed to take care of your temple, both Physically and Spiritually. I believe, the only reason the Lord would allow me to share this type of Word with you is because I strive to live this life every day. I am only qualified to teach this, because I choose to be JACKED UP on Jesus Christ! I exercise spiritually, and physically every day by continually being in His word, and I do physical exercise, stay active and eat healthy. I choose to take care of my temple as instructed in His Word. I encourage each of you to do the same!

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

PROVERBS 10:4 4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Those who choose to obey this word of God, then the scripture below will be fulfilled in your life!

WAITING ON THE LORD DOESN'T MEAN DO NOTHING!

ISAIAH 40:31 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Do not confuse this scripture by thinking that waiting on the Lord means that are to do you nothing. It's actually quite the opposite! When you are pro-active in obeying the Word, you are actively and diligently waiting on the fulfillment of that Word to come to pass in your life. Now re-read this scripture with a new perspective!

ISAIAH 40:31 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

I hope this message motivates you to get moving, both spiritually and physically. Into a better life, into a more fulfilling life, into being HIGH on Jesus all the time. Pick up the Bible before bed instead of watching that Netflix series. Get up an hour early before work and go for a walk. Join a small group. Be proactive about your faith and your physical health!

PRAYER

Father, I pray over your people. Impart such a hunger inside them to become pro-active, both physically and spiritually. As they obey your word, transform them, physically spiritually and emotionally. Strengthen them with power and might, in the inner man that will manifest on the outside. Show them that they do have a measure of faith to make that first step toward being JACKED UP on JESUS!

Thank You that each step will become easier and easier as they grow stronger and stronger, to become the mighty men and women of Almighty God!

In Jesus' Name, Amen