How are you working on your strength?

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 

Strength?

The above is from the Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. “Shema” translates as “hear.” Hear, O Israel. This would have been prayed twice daily in Jesus’ time. Jesus quoted it in Mark 12:29-31: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Those get a lot of the focus because your heart and soul have to be “right” with God. But strength? Strength doesn’t get as much focus these days. It’s just not as popular because it requires getting uncomfortable. There are some who would say “biblical” manhood is a bad thing or not necessary. I’d argue that most of the world’s problems would be fewer if there were more men showing biblical strength.

Loving God with...

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Those things are primarily accomplished by loving God with all your strength. Prayer, community, and getting into the Bible are just a few ways to work on your heart and soul.

Hard Questions

But how are you working on your strength? Are you exercising? Are you moving more? Are you putting the right fuel in the tank? Are you getting enough sleep? Recent studies show that if you get 150 minutes a week of cardio, good sleep, and reduced stress, you will live on average a decade longer. That’s a functional decade and not a decade with a walker. Talk about an easy investment!

Can your family count on you to stand firm and be on guard? Can you physically meet the daily challenges of being a man of God? If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” what are you doing to change that? Do you care enough about your God and your family to put in the time and effort to glorify Him and protect them?

Our Challenge

If you’re still reading, then the answer to that question is “yes.” If you’re already doing all of those things to be physically strong, can you do more? Could you find some other men to pour into? If you need help in those areas, find a godly man to help you get started.

There are several MD5 men who would be willing to help—just ask. Get started now and love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength!

Thad Hardin

MD5 Facilitator