*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL* *DATE: FRIDAY, JULY 11TH, 2025* *THEME: PHYSICAL EXERCISE IS PROFITABLE* 🏃 ⛹️ 🏋️ 🚴 🤸 *MEMORISE:* *“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” - (1 Timothy 4:8)* *READ: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)* 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? 20. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. *MESSAGE:* Today's memory verse tells us that the profit from spiritual exercise - which is godliness - far outweighs that of physical exercise but also implies that the little profit from physical exercise cannot be gained from spiritual exercise. To function excellently in this physical realm, you need your body to be active and healthy, hence the need for physical exercise. If you ignore the little profit from physical exercise, no matter how godly you are, you just may shorten your lifespan here on earth by yourself. Many people today want to live a soft life. They do not want to engage in things that will stress their bodies or stretch their muscles. They want life to be soft and easy, even though the Bible says that we should endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ *(2 Timothy 2:3).* You need to be in good physical shape to do the things that God put you on the earth to do. Therefore, you should always find time to exercise your body so that you can remain physically fit for God's use. Nowadays, a lot of people are living endangered lives because they do not exert themselves physically. They move from airconditioned rooms in their houses to airconditioned cars and then airconditioned offices. Many people will not even attend a church without air conditioning. However, doctors advise that it is important to sweat. It is also important to stay under the sun for a while every day, especially around midday, because sunlight has tremendous qualities that are good for the body. Personally, I exert myself physically by going on prayer walks regularly. The walks help me to stay in good shape physically, while the prayers help me to maintain good spiritual health. Beloved, God cares about the health of your body *(3 John 1:2).* He cares about how you treat the container that He has given to you to enable you to fulfil your purpose on earth. Regular exercise will help you manage your weight, and it will help strengthen your bones and muscles. It will also reduce your risk of getting sick and improve your ability to perform your daily activities effectively. Regular exercise will also improve your mental health. If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, or if you work from your home, physical exercise must be part of your daily routine. Do not let your desire for a soft lifestyle shorten your lifespan. *ACTION POINT:* Kickstart a regular physical exercise routine today if you do not have one. *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* Ecclesiastes 5-8 *AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE* *HYMN 7 - I AM THINE O LORD* 1. I am Thine, O Lord I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith And be closer drawn to Thee. *CHORUS:* Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To Thy precious, bleeding side. 2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord By the power of grace divine Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, And my will be lost in Thine. 3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour That before Thy throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God I commune as friend with friend! 4. There are depths of love that I cannot know Till I cross the narrow sea; There are heights of joy that I may not reach Till I rest in peace with Thee.