Spiritually Fit Today

By Back To The Bible

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today, where every day is a workout for your soul—one step, one choice, one spiritual rep at a time. Join Arnie Cole and guests as we talk about how to improve how we behave... more

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FAQs about Spiritually Fit Today:

How many episodes does Spiritually Fit Today have?

The podcast currently has 221 episodes available.

Spiritually Fit Today episodes:

August 07, 2026 The Legacy That Actually Matters - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Wayne Pederson. In this episode they explore finishing well, the legacy we leave, and why what people remember at the end of life is a life of faith and love for God—not possessions. Wayne shares practical examples from his life and urges that it’s never too late to invest in people and to make faith the central legacy. Memory verse: 2 Timothy 4:7 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Four R action steps
Read — Read 2 Timothy 4:7 and the surrounding passage. Let the apostle Paul’s finish-line perspective shape your priorities.
Reflect — Ask: What do I want said at my funeral? What legacy am I building now? Who needs my influence or reconciliation? Where is God calling me to invest my remaining years?
Respond — Practical next steps: write a brief life story or letter for family, call or send an encouraging note to a younger person, schedule a meaningful conversation, recommit your life to Christ if you haven’t, join a small group or begin mentoring.
Reveal — Share your story and faith with one person this week, give a tangible keepsake (letter, memoir, recorded testimony), or model Christlike love in a public way so others see and are drawn to Jesus.

For resources or to connect with Arnie: [email protected]

Keywords: finish well, legacy, faith legacy, 2 Timothy 4:7, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Wayne Pederson, finish strong, grandparenting, spiritual growth, Christian podcast, legacy planning, finish line, faith in Christ

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...more
13min
August 06, 2026 The Hidden Danger of Doing Faith Alone - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Wayne Pederson. Wayne digs into a common pattern in leaders who fall: isolation, secrecy, and lack of real accountability. He highlights two big protectors of a strong finish, shares real-life examples, and offers practical steps for building an inner circle, practicing spiritual disciplines, and staying centered on Jesus.

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 4:7 ("I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.").

4 R action steps:
Read — Read 2 Timothy 4:7 and Psalm 51:10; immerse yourself in Scripture daily.
Reflect — Journal answers to: Who is in my inner circle? Where might I be hiding? What guardrails am I missing? Share your reflections with a trusted friend.
Respond — Commit to daily Bible reading, prayer, confession, and one concrete step this week (invite 3–5 trusted people into monthly check-ins or start a one-on-one accountability conversation).
Reveal — Demonstrate the truth by honestly sharing one struggle or growth step with a trusted friend, inviting them into mutual accountability, or leading by example in your small group or church.

Connect: [email protected]

Keywords: spiritually fit, finish well, accountability, spiritual renewal, discipleship, Christian podcast, Wayne Pederson, Arnie Cole, 2 Timothy 4:7, spiritual disciplines, mentorship, Christian leadership

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...more
12min
August 05, 2026 Retired or Rewired? Every Christian Needs This - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Wayne Pederson. Arnie and Wayne explore what it means to finish well—moving from “what I have to do” to “what I’m called to do” and embracing a “Retired = Rewired” mindset. Wayne shares his rare cancer journey, recovery, and how that renewed sense of purpose drives him to keep growing, mentoring, and serving in his 70s.

4R Action Steps
- Read: Read 2 Timothy 4:7 and meditate on the phrase “finished the race.”
- Reflect: Ask: What does finishing well look like for me? Am I focused on past regrets or present opportunities? Where might God be calling me to rewire my purpose?
- Respond: Commit to one concrete step this week—daily Bible reading, joining a ministry, mentoring a younger believer, or serving in a local project. Email Arnie with questions or to get involved: [email protected]
- Reveal: Share your testimony or invite someone to study 2 Timothy with you; demonstrate faith by serving or mentoring so others see God’s work in your life.

If this message encouraged you, like, comment, and share with someone who needs a fresh, faithful perspective on finishing well.

Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Wayne Pederson, finish well, finishing strong, retired rewired, Finish Strong Finish Well, 2 Timothy 4:7, spiritual growth, Christian retirement, longevity, faith, mentoring, Bible reading, cancer testimony, MD Anderson

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...more
13min
August 04, 2026 The Silent Drift That Ruins Faith - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Wayne Pederson. In this episode they confront the hard truth about finishing well: failure usually comes quietly over time. Wayne and Arnie unpack three heart-issues, share practical habits that guard the heart, and point us back to the source of strength in Christ.

4 R Action Steps
Read — Read 2 Timothy 4:7 and Proverbs 4:23. Make daily time in Scripture the priority to reset your desires and decisions.
Reflect — Ask: Which of the three (lust, materialism, pride) most tempts me? What small compromises have formed my habits? Who notices and loves me enough to speak into my life?
Respond — Practical next steps: set clear boundaries (avoid compromising situations), limit social media and other distractions, build spiritual disciplines (daily Bible + prayer), join or form an accountability/mentoring group, confess and repent when needed.
Reveal — Demonstrate this truth by sharing your struggle with a trusted friend or mentee, leading a short discussion using 2 Timothy 4:7 and Proverbs 4:23, and modeling humility and service in your daily life.

Want to connect or ask about mentoring and accountability resources? Email Arnie Cole at [email protected]

Keywords: finishing well, guard your heart, lust, materialism, pride, 2 Timothy 4:7, Proverbs 4:23, spiritual disciplines, accountability, mentoring, humility, social media temptation, Christian podcast, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Wayne Pederson

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12min
August 03, 2026 The Shocking Reason Most Christians Don't Finish Strong - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie welcomes longtime ministry leader Wayne Pederson to discuss how to "finish well" using 2 Timothy 4:7 ("I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"). Drawing on Robert Clinton’s sobering study of ministry leadership and Wayne’s experience leading at Moody Radio, NRB and Reach Beyond, they explore common dangers in the fourth quarter of life.

Practical 4 R action steps
- Read: Read 2 Timothy 4:6–8 and reflect on Paul’s finish-line perspective.
- Reflect: Ask: Where am I vulnerable—materialism, pride, burnout, or discouragement? What patterns from youth or midlife might threaten my later years?
- Respond: Recommit to spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, prayer), build accountability, simplify commitments, “retire to” meaningful influence (serve, mentor, board work), and invest in family and relationships.
- Reveal: Share this verse and your reflections with a friend or mentee; model transparency about struggles and invite someone to walk with you toward finishing well.

Connect with Arnie Cole: [email protected]

Keywords: spiritually fit, finish well, finish strong, 2 Timothy 4:7, Arnie Cole, Wayne Pederson, Christian leadership, ministry longevity, Robert Clinton study, spiritual disciplines, retire to something, mentorship, faithfulness

Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
...more
13min
July 31, 2026 Be Proof That Good Christians Exist - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Cara Whitney. In this episode Arnie and Cara reflect on 2 Timothy 2:13 — "If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself" — and offer a practical, pastoral response for anyone burned by the church: become the living proof that God is faithful by overcoming evil with good.

Act on the 4 R’s
Read: Read 2 Timothy 2:13 and let its promise of God’s faithfulness stand against personal hurt.
Reflect: Ask how past wounds affect your trust in God and whether your faith is based on people or on Christ alone.
Respond: Take one deliberate step this week to be the contrast — one visible act of kindness or grace where people expect nothing good from a Christian (no strings attached).
Reveal: Let that action be a tangible demonstration of the gospel — share your testimony briefly when appropriate, or simply show consistent, sacrificial care that points others to Jesus.

Resources & contact
Have questions or want to share how this exercise went? Email Arnie at [email protected]

Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Cara Whitney, 2 Timothy 2:13, church hurt, evangelism, Christian podcast, overcome evil with good, testimony, spiritual growth, discipleship

Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
...more
12min
July 30, 2026 Christians Need to Hear This About Forgiveness - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Cara Whitney. In this episode they wrestle honestly with forgiveness—what it is and isn’t—how to set healthy boundaries without bitterness, and how God’s faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:13) steadies us when we’re faithless. Practical examples and pastoral wisdom guide listeners through forgiving without becoming a doormat, protecting your heart, and blessing others even as you keep appropriate distance.

Read - Read 2 Timothy 2:13 all week. Memorize the phrase, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful.”
Reflect - Ask: Where am I holding a bitter root? What story am I telling myself about this person? How does God’s faithfulness change how I view them?
Respond - Do the “Boundary + Blessing” exercise: write one boundary you will keep with the person who hurt you, and one specific way you will wish them well (a quiet prayer, practical help, or blessing).
Reveal - Demonstrate this passage by sharing a brief testimony of how God’s faithfulness helped you forgive, by praying for someone who hurt you, or by initiating a humble, loving conversation that models reconciliation and restraint.

Questions or prayer requests: [email protected]

Keywords: forgiveness, boundaries, bitterness, faithfulness, 2 Timothy 2:13, Christian forgiveness, reconciliation, spiritual growth, soul care, Cara Whitney, Arnie Cole, Spiritually Fit Today

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...more
11min
July 29, 2026 One Decision Could Save Your Faith - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and Cara Whitney. In this episode Arnie and Cara talk honestly about being hurt by other Christians, the temptation to withdraw from the body of believers, and how to stay rooted in Jesus instead of settling into victimhood. They unpack the truth of the scripture “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” and give practical next steps for recovery, trust, and wise boundaries.

4 R action steps
- Read: Read 2 Timothy 2:13 (“If we are faithless, he remains faithful…”) and sit with the assurance that God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on human perfection.
- Reflect: Ask, Where am I tempted to walk away? How does this verse shape my trust in God amid disappointment from others?
- Respond: Pray about the hurt, journal one honest reflection, and take one small step this week toward healing — reach out to a trusted believer (text, call, or coffee) and set appropriate boundaries.
- Reveal: Share one honest part of your story with a safe person, demonstrate forgiveness when possible, and model humility by acknowledging your own need for grace.

Connect with Arnie: [email protected]

Keywords: hurt by Christians, Christian community, spiritual resilience, 2 Timothy 2:13, faithfulness of God, forgiveness, boundaries, recover from church hurt, Cara Whitney, Arnie Cole, Spiritually Fit Today

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...more
12min
July 28, 2026 Don't Blame God for What Christians Did - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and his guest Cara Whitney. In this episode Arnie and Cara explore a common spiritual trap: confusing the messenger with the message. Using 2 Timothy 2:13 ("If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself") they unpack how the enemy uses hurting or hypocritical Christians to push others away from Christ, how to protect your faith, extend grace without being naive, and set healthy boundaries when believers fail.

4 R Actions to apply this episode
- Read: Read 2 Timothy 2:13 aloud. Then draw a line down a page — left column: write only the facts of what the person did; right column: write who God actually is and what He has done for you.
- Reflect: Ask yourself which wounds were caused by people and which affect God’s character. Consider your role in the conflict and where grace is needed.
- Respond: Commit to forgiveness as a choice, set appropriate boundaries, and journal one practical step you will take this week to protect your spiritual life (prayer, counseling, or limiting contact).
- Reveal: Share the two-column exercise and 2 Timothy 2:13 with one friend or small group; model forgiveness and explain how separating messenger from message strengthened your faith.

Need to reach Arnie: [email protected]

Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Cara Whitney, faith, forgiveness, Christian hypocrisy, 2 Timothy 2:13, don't confuse the messenger with the message, spiritual resilience, boundaries, evangelism

Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
...more
16min
July 27, 2026 Church Hurt Is Real… But Don't Leave Jesus - SFT
Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and his guest Cara Whitney. In this episode Arnie and Cara talk honestly about Christians behaving poorly, the real pain of church hurt, and how losing faith because of other people doesn’t have to be the end of your story. They center on 2 Timothy 2:13 — “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” — and explore how God’s faithfulness outlasts human failure. Cara shares personal stories from growing up on a cattle farm, a career in radio, and coming to faith as an adult, and offers practical ways to move forward without abandoning faith.

Take action with the 4 R’s:
Read — Read 2 Timothy 2:13 aloud and sit with the phrase “he remains faithful.” Journal what God’s faithfulness means to you today.
Reflect — Name the wound: privately write down one specific hurt caused by a fellow believer and who was involved. Don’t fix it now; just tell the truth to yourself and to God.
Respond — Pray the truth of 2 Timothy 2:13, set healthy boundaries where needed, and take one small step toward healing (confide in a trusted friend, join a support group, or seek pastoral/counseling help).
Reveal — Share the verse and your short, honest story with one person this week. Use your vulnerability to point someone else to God’s faithfulness and to model grace in action.

Want to connect or request prayer? Email Arnie at [email protected]

Keywords: church hurt, Christians behaving badly, spiritual abuse, 2 Timothy 2:13, faithfulness of God, forgiveness, healing from church hurt, Cara Whitney, Arnie Cole, Christianity podcast, spiritual growth, faith recovery, evangelism, pastoral care

Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
...more
15min

FAQs about Spiritually Fit Today:

How many episodes does Spiritually Fit Today have?

The podcast currently has 221 episodes available.