This Devotional comes from the Parables of Jesus workout program at www.soulstrengthfit.com.

Luke 16:1-9:
The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace, but that a transformed life is evidence of genuine faith.  Jesus wants us to live our lives for God. He wants us to stay deeply rooted in His Word and remain in His presence in all we do.  He tends to our branches, and He expects a fruitful return of His investment because He has willingly paid dearly through the death on the cross. His death covered our sins, and now He wants to see each of us adding to the Kingdom of God with our hearts, our words, and in all that we do.

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional pairs with Workout 1 from Week 5 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

The Rich Fool - pairs with Workout 1
When things go well in your life, when you’ve worked hard, found success, and prospered in some way, do you congratulate yourself or stop and thank God?  Do you attribute your success to intelligence, your hard work, your education or training, but neglect to give thanks to the Lord?  Do you feel humble and dependent on God in times of prosperity as much as you do in times of distress?

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional pairs with Workout 3 from Week 4 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

We are called to follow Jesus’ example, to be gentle and humble in heart.  But to understand and pursue humility, we must understand pride, and recognize how easy it is to fall into prideful thoughts and actions. Part of the problem with pride is that it is easy to see in OTHER people but hard to see in OURSELVES.  It blinds us and gives us a tunnel vision such that we see everything through the lense of “me.”  Max Lucado writes about pride, “The self-centered see everything through self. Their motto? ‘It’s all about me!’ The flight schedule, the traffic, the dress styles, the worship styles, the weather, the work—everything is filtered through the mini-ME in the eye.”  In what ways does pride affect your view of the world, of your circumstances, or of the people around you?

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional is part of week 4 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

When Jesus says, “you are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world,” He is effectively saying, “You’re my plan for bringing transformation.  You are my plan for spreading the gospel.  You are my hands and my feet.”  

Imagine that you are a part of the crowd of people gathered to listen to Jesus on that hillside. He looks at you—not someone else, but you—and says, “You are my plan.” What thoughts immediately come to your mind?  How do you think He wants to use you?

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional pairs with Workout 2 from Week 4 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

The foolish are the ones who don’t know the Lord.  When Jesus returns, many who have considered themselves to be children of God will be shown not to be.  The foolish young women were unable to borrow oil from the wise, and so it will be at the end of time.   No one will be justified because they attended church.  None will be justified because their mother, father, spouse or child had a relationship with Christ.  Salvation and justification must be obtained on our own, How can you help others prepare for the return of Christ? 

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional is part of  Week 4 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

Unless you choose to live by God’s power and for God’s glory, you will never find true fulfillment in life.  How do you live a fulfilled life, the kind of life God intends you to live?

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional pairs with Workout 1 from Week 4 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

Today’s parable will highlight a problem that is applicable to all of us when we assume that because we have served or walked with the Lord faithfully for years we deserve anything from Him.

It’s easy to forget that God owes us nothing, and in fact, without His generous love and grace, we would have nothing - no hope, no future, no salvation.  It’s easy to focus on what others have - and what we don’t have - rather than on what God has generously given us. 

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional pairs with Workout 3 from Week 3 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

As followers of Jesus, we live in a world that doubts, criticizes, or is hostile toward Christ.  As Paul wrote in the book of Philippians, “our citizenship is in heaven,” not here on Earth.  We face not only the opposition or hostility of mere people such as ourselves, but as today’s reading highlights, we face satanic or demonic opposition as well.  What difficulties can this hostile environment cause for Christians?  What difficulties does it cause for you personally?

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.

This Devotional is part of  Week 3 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

Although this may be a very familiar passage for you, listen to it with fresh eyes.  What is God saying to you in this passage today?

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This Devotional pairs with Workout 2 from Week 3 in the Parables of Jesus Fitness program found @ https://www.soulstrengthfit.com

In your life, you are always doing one or the other.  If you’re not praying, you’re giving up.  And if you’re giving up, it’s because you are not praying.  Rather than worrying, Jesus is telling us to pray.  Persistently.  Without giving up.  

What are you worrying about most lately?  Pause right now and turn those worries into prayer.

Be sure to check out SoulStrength Fit for more great faith and fitness content and programs.