{"id":422,"date":"2010-03-07T12:51:01","date_gmt":"2010-03-07T19:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/?p=422"},"modified":"2011-06-29T06:43:51","modified_gmt":"2011-06-29T13:43:51","slug":"exercising-the-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/?p=422","title":{"rendered":"“Exercising the Soul”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n[Translate]<\/a>\"\"\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Lord has blessed us with another beautiful day! Let me ask you, did you wake up
\nthinking, \u201cThis is a day that the Lord has made?\u201d I know that sometimes (with one eye
\nopen) it\u2019s more like: \u201cWhere\u2019s the coffee?\u201d Regardless your morning routine, as part of
\ngetting your day off to a good start, don\u2019t forget to give thanks to the Lord! For all that
\nawaits you this day, is a gift to you from God.<\/p>\n

Most of us have some form of exercise in the morning (or at least we should). We
\ntypically identify this with getting our body in good shape, improving our circulation
\nsystem, and taking care of our heart \u2013 a way to help keep our body fit and our mind
\nsharp. Some folks do this by walking \u2013 a good form of exercise. However, have you
\never thought about exercising your soul? You might be thinking, \u201cThat\u2019s a bit of a
\nstrange question! How does one exercise one\u2019s soul?\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps the more important question is, \u201cWhat is the soul?\u201d Typically, before we
\nexercise anything, we need to know a bit about what it is. Our first thoughts about the
\nsoul might lead us to quickly conclude that our soul is our being, or spirit, or life.
\nI\u2019ll tell you up front, I do not have an exact answer to this question, but I sense the
\nanswer is complex, and worth further study by any disciple of Christ. However, I do
\nwant to err on the side of the Truth found in the Bible, and what it teaches us, versus our
\ntendency as humans to speculate\u2026 So let\u2019s continue.<\/p>\n

If you ask any number of people this same question \u2013 What is the soul? — you will likely
\nget any number of answers. As a curious fact, persons replying to this question are
\ncompelled to immediately elaborate on their initial answer, as if to qualify their first
\nthought. It would seem that the soul is something that needs more consideration. This
\nmight call attention to our \u201cneed to expound\u201d (human nature), when begin to consider
\nthat no single, exact, simple explanation of \u201cwhat the soul is\u201d truly satisfies one\u2019s mind \u2013
\nperhaps better stated \u2013 \u201csatisfies the understanding of one\u2019s soul\u201d.<\/p>\n

We might conclude from this that the soul is something separate from our intellect \u2013 and
\nthat our soul is different from our body.<\/p>\n

The consequence of our intellect not being satisfied with a single answer (or set of
\nanswers) to explain the soul, must have something to do with the very calling by our soul
\nfor more understanding from this same intellect. Our intellect can discern with some
\naccuracy (assess\/calculate\/conclude) what can be determined through our experiences
\nand senses, but it has a hard time dealing with that which is unresolved by sensual
\nperceptions, such as faith, hope, love, trust, and so on\u2026 This can be as baffling, as trying
\nto \u201ccomprehend\u201d infinity.<\/p>\n

Some might conclude that such unresolved perceptions are the responsibility of one\u2019s
\nspirit. \u2013 calling on the spirit\u2019s ability to handle such matters. From this we might derive
\nthat the soul is spirit and the spirit is the soul, but is this really the case? For is says in 1
\nCorinthians15:44, \u201dIt is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a
\nnatural body, and there is a spiritual body.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does this imply that we don\u2019t have to be concerned about our soul? This is hardly the
\ncase, for the natural body (soul) and the spiritual body are highly related to our mind, our
\nheart, and our conscience \u2013 and there are eternal consequences to these relationships.
\nThis can be perplexing\u2026 For the intellectual side of us wants to define the soul; the
\nspirit side of us convicts the soul; The emotional, heart side of us desires to understand
\nthe soul; and the lustful side of us allows the use of the soul. Can these be correlated?
\nThe answer is yes, but not exclusively in a worldly realm. How shall we view these
\naspects of our so-called humanity, and the connections to our salvation and eternal life?
\nIt\u2019s time for us to turn our focus toward the Lord. For as Believers in Christ, we think
\nabout Him, we are convicted by Him, we trust in Him, we love Him, we fear Him, we
\npraise Him, we glorify Him, and in all this — we know He has an eternal plan for our
\nlives that is based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With such an acknowledgement in our
\nlives (faith), we can seek the guidance of our Lord on such questions of the soul —
\nturning to God for the answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your
\nworks, And that my soul knows very well.\u201d (Psalm 139:14)<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Word has hundreds of references to the meaning of the soul as a breathing body,
\nanimal life, and the functions and qualities of we have as human beings. We might
\nconclude from this that there are considerations for the soul of mortality and immortality.
\nHowever, we cannot escape the fact that there are eternal ramifications for our mortal
\nactions here on earth, and the impact these have to our soul. Indeed, we ought to be
\nconcerned about our soul.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him
\nwho is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.\u201d (Matthew 10:28)<\/p>\n

From this we can infer (revealed to us) that our soul is something very precious, worth
\ntaking care of, and although we are unworthy, our soul is worth preserving in holy
\nrighteousness as faithful servants of Christ. As such, our \u201ccomplete being\u201d needs to
\nfollow the example of Christ.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on
\nimmortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed
\nup in victory.\u201d (1 Corinthians 15:54)<\/p>\n

You might choose to conclude that exercising the soul is what we do every day as we
\napproach God in faith and love \u2013 understanding that His love, grace, and mercy flow
\nthrough our lives. Another way to look at this is that our soul is the object of the Holy
\nSpirit, where in our current state of humanity, we have chosen to accept Christ in our
\nlives, repent of our sins, and be obedient to God. In this regard, our soul is the recipient
\nof our obedience to God and the salvation that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
\nPerhaps it makes more sense to say, \u201cIt is God that exercises our soul\u201d, for we are His \u2013
\neven unto death.<\/p>\n

\u201cBehold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is
\nMine; The soul who sins shall die.\u201d (Ezekiel 18:4)<\/p>\n

We must realize that it is God that is in control, and we are to be good stewards of the
\nsoul given us. We ought not to take for granted that which God has created. For God
\nmade all living beings, including all creatures of the earth, and He chose to give us life.
\n\u201cAnd the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
\nnostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.\u201d (Genesis 2:7)<\/p>\n

Regardless our understanding (or intellectual doctrinal bias) of these relationships of
\nspirit, body, soul, and mind — when we put our faith and trust in God, we know that
\nour soul is comforted \u2013 we may not be able to explain it in theological terms \u2013 we just
\nknow it! This is the consequence of the soul superseding the mind. This is the trust we
\nhave in God that comes from the faith we have placed in Jesus Christ, which calls us for a
\npurpose, and helps us to understand the things we can comprehend, and all that we cannot
\ncomprehend. In total, this is the sanctifying process we find ourselves in \u2013 that of
\ngrowing in Christ.<\/p>\n

This is part of the mystery of our being transformed in Christ, for it says in Romans 12:2,
\n\u201cDo not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
\nrenewing of your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Realize that in this life, our soul plays a significant role in carrying out the commandment
\nthat Jesus gave in Matthew 22:37. \u201cJesus said to him, \u2018You shall love the Lord your
\nGod with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.\u2019\u201d (Matthew
\n22:37)<\/p>\n

Take this commandment seriously in your Christian walk in life. Take to heart the
\nsignificance of your soul, and God\u2019s desire for you to mindfully present yourselves in full
\ndevotion to Him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies
\na living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.\u201d (Romans
\n12:1)<\/p>\n

To reflect on the questions addressed at the start of this message\u2026 Is your soul worth
\nexercising? What is your soul? Perhaps the above has served to stimulate your thinking
\nand understanding of the soul as it relates to your being \u2013 your life \u2013 a life that God
\nbreathed into existence.<\/p>\n

In closing, let me show you a soulful object in the night sky that astronomers call \u201cThe
\nSoul Nebula\u201d. This is an emission nebula named ic1848. This object has been optimally
\nplaced by God next to \u201cThe Heart Nebula\u201d, named ic1805. Below is a wide-field astroimage
\nof this heavenly object, which is sometimes referred to as \u201cThe Fetus Nebula\u201d.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The \u201cSoul\u201d nebula is a glorious object for us to behold, as it represents the sanctity of
\nlife.<\/p>\n

The astro-\u00a0image above was taken last year from my Sagrada Observatory here in Las Cruces.
\nIn fact, this particular image is a mosaic of 4 individual images seamlessly brought
\ntogether to show the scope of this rather large object.<\/p>\n

As a point of interest, I took the liberty to show the similarities in the Soul Nebula image
\nabove, to that of the human photo below. I think it\u2019s a striking comparison and a
\nreminder that we are all witness to God\u2019s Creation \u2013 both in the heavens, and here on
\nearth. This little guy pictured below is only 54 days old! God\u2019s creation is amazing!
\nOne question you might have\u2026 Does this little creature have a soul? This may be better
\nleft for another discussion, or perhaps left to these questions: What does your heart tell
\nyou? What do you feel in your soul?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Just like you, God knew you before you were in your mother\u2019s womb. \u201cBefore I formed
\nyou in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you
\na prophet to the nations.\u201d (Jeremiah 1:5) This verse in Jeremiah affirms our
\nunderstanding of the omniscience of God. Yes\u2026 Just as God knew Jeremiah, He knows
\neverything about you and me \u2013 and just as God had a plan for Jeremiah — God has set
\nyou aside for a special task.<\/p>\n

As you get ready for the week ahead, exercising your soul, recommit to be obedient to
\nGod, and make it your commitment that \u201cYou shall love the LORD your God with all
\nyour heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

May the Lord place someone in your path this week to share the Good News of Jesus
\nChrist. Amen!<\/p>\n

Have a great week!<\/p>\n

Your brother in Christ,
\nMike Sherick<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Translate] <\/p>\n

The Lord has blessed us with another beautiful day! Let me ask you, did you wake up thinking, \u201cThis is a day that the Lord has made?\u201d I know that sometimes (with one eye open) it\u2019s more like: \u201cWhere\u2019s the coffee?\u201d Regardless your morning routine, as part of getting your day […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=422"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1327,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422\/revisions\/1327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.imagingtheheavens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}