Spiritually Fit Today

Spiritually Fit Today

By Back To The BibleReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Spiritually Fit Today episodes

  • What Do You Say to God When You’re Tired of Being Sick? - SFT
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Marci Julin. Marci shares her nearly 20-year health decline—multiple diagnoses, surgeries, hospital stays, a year as an invalid—and how she learned to bring honest lament to God (Psalm 88:1–2), rely on the body of Christ, and receive practical care. This episode explores suffering, spiritual honesty, and how friends and caregivers can show up well.

    Read - Read Psalm 88:1–2 slowly today. Let the plainness of the prayer sink in.

    Reflect - Notice there is no quick fix in these verses—just a suffering person speaking truth to God. Ask: What honest sentence about my pain or situation am I avoiding?

    Respond -Write down one truthful sentence about your body or situation and say it aloud to God today.

    Reveal - Show love practically: deliver a prepared meal or quietly show up and say, “I’ll stay and listen,” then read Psalm 88 together if they want. Avoid unsolicited fixes; offer presence and specific help.

    Contact
    Questions or feedback for Arnie: [email protected]

    Keywords
    chronic illness, chronic pain, Christian podcast, Psalm 88, lament, spiritual care, caregiving, faith and suffering, Marci Julin, Arnie Cole, ministry, depression, endometriosis, hormone imbalance, hospital recovery

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    14 min
  • 4 Ways Every Christian Can Join the Great Commission - SFT

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole, Samuel Chiang and John Rinehimer. In this episode we unpack Matthew 28:18–20 and explore how the Great Commission is an everyday call — from short‑term teams and long‑term service to pastoral training, internships, prayer support, and practical ways retirees and professionals can serve.


    Read - Read Matthew 28:18–20.

    Reflect - Meditate on the phrase “as you are going”: how can mission and discipleship be woven into your normal daily routes and relationships?

    Respond - Begin a 2‑minute daily “mission pause” this week: pray specifically for one unreached people group or one named missionary each morning.

    Reveal - Share Matthew 28 with one friend and invite them to join your mission pause or to learn about a local/short‑term ministry opportunity.

    Resources & contacts
    Arnie Cole — [email protected]
    World Gospel Mission — WGM.org

    Keywords: Great Commission, Matthew 28, missions, short-term mission trips, World Gospel Mission, pastoral training, missionary support, evangelism, prayer, discipleship, Global Pastoral Training Alliance, World Evangelical Alliance

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

    17 min
  • Nobody Warns You About the Cost of Saying Yes to God - SFT
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guests Samuel Chiang, and John Rinehimer. Today the three have a conversation around 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 exploring how grief, sacrifice, and calling coexist in missionary and ministry life.

    Read: Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 noting phrases like “hard-pressed but not crushed” and “perplexed, but not in despair.”

    Reflect: List one or two areas where you feel fragile or tested. Next to each, write evidence (big or small) of how God has provided, sustained, or taught you in that area.

    Respond: Spend 15 minutes this week journaling one recent struggle and one specific way God has met you in it; turn that entry into a short prayer.

    Reveal: Share that short prayer or testimony with a missionary, pastor, or trusted friend and ask how you can pray for them in return.

    If you’d like to connect with Arnie: [email protected]

    Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Samuel Chiang, John Rinehimer, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, jars of clay, missions, missionaries, ministry, grief and calling, Christian podcast, faith in weakness, pastoral care

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
    17 min
  • God Put You Where You Live for a Reason - SFT
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with host Arnie Cole and guests Samuel Chiang and John Rinehimer. In this episode we explore Acts 17:26–27 and the idea that God places people where they live so others might seek and find Him. Samuel and John share practical, cross-cultural advice for loving neighbors who were born in other countries: listen first, be present, avoid treating people like projects, and adapt how you communicate the gospel across different worldviews.

    Read - Acts 17:26–27
    Reflect - Ask: How might God have placed people around me so they could encounter Him? Notice any neighbors, co-workers, or service workers who were born outside your country and consider what their presence says about God’s purposes for your address.

    Respond - Take one simple step this week: introduce yourself to someone nearby and ask one question about them.

    Reveal - Share Acts 17:26–27 with a friend and invite them to join you in praying for a missionary.

    Questions or feedback: [email protected]

    Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Samuel Chiang, John Rinehimer, Acts 17:26-27, neighborhood mission, cross-cultural ministry, listening, disciple-making, 3D Gospel, outreach, evangelism, missional living, community, neighborliness

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
    16 min
  • You Don’t Need a Missionary Resume - SFT

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole, Samuel Chiang, and John Rinehimer. Together, they reflect on Acts 4:13 — ordinary people who had “been with Jesus” were used by God. The conversation shows how everyday skills (accounting, admissions work, hospitality, nursing, mechanics, etc.) plus a life with Jesus become mission-ready and sustainable on the field.


    4 R action steps
    - Read: Read Acts 4:13.
    - Reflect: Where has your ordinary skill already been needed? How has time with Jesus shaped how you use it?
    - Respond: Pick one ordinary skill you have and today find one way to make use of it for God.
    - Reveal: Tell one friend or small group what you offered and invite them to pray with you.

    Contact Arnie: [email protected]

    Keywords: missions, missionaries, Acts 4:13, spiritual formation, calling, World Gospel Mission, World Evangelical Alliance, Bible study, discipleship, everyday skills, global church

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

    15 min
  • God Is Asking You to Go — But Will You Say Yes? - SFT

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. Guests Samuel Chiang and John Rinehimer join Arnie for a conversation rooted in Isaiah 6:8—“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”—exploring what it looks like to answer God’s call before you know the destination. Samuel and John share personal stories of leaving comfortable careers to follow God’s lead, and Arnie challenges listeners to move from polite refusal to wholehearted availability.


    Read - Read Isaiah 6:8 (or Isaiah 6a) slowly and aloud. Notice the voice of the Lord and Isaiah’s immediate answer.

    Reflect - Ask: What did Isaiah say yes to despite not knowing a destination, role, or timeline? Sit with the discomfort of saying “yes” before you see the map and journal what that reveals about your trust and priorities.

    Respond - Write down the single place you’re most afraid God might send you and spend five minutes praying for the courage to be willing.

    Reveal - Share Isaiah 6:8 and your chosen place with one friend or a small group. Invite them to pray for you and hold you accountable to the single next step you committed to.

    For more from Spiritually Fit Today, connect with Arnie at [email protected]. Keywords: missions, Isaiah 6:8, send me, missionary call, Great Commission, discipleship, evangelism, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Samuel Chiang, John Rinehimer, mission field, call to serve, faith in action

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

    14 min
  • You Started as the Prodigal—Did You Become the Older Brother? - SFT
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Reno Collier. In this episode Arnie and Reno dig into Philippians 3:8–9, unpacking how pride can quietly turn a prodigal into the “older brother,” derail recovery and ministry, and erode real relationships. Reno shares honest stories about surrender, humility, and the danger of celebrating our own progress instead of God’s work.

    Take action with the 4 R’s:
    Read — Read Philippians 3:8–9 aloud and let Paul’s perspective on righteousness sink in.
    Reflect — Ask: Where have I started to feel “I’ve got this”? Which relationships reveal that pride? Sit with that answer.
    Respond — Do the three reps: 1) Name one person you’ve been prideful toward; 2) Ask them a real question and then listen; 3) Before bed, say Paul’s truth in your words: “This isn’t my righteousness; I didn’t earn this,” until you believe it.
    Reveal — Demonstrate humility by sharing a short testimony that credits Jesus (not you) or by serving someone without seeking recognition.

    Questions or feedback for Arnie: [email protected]

    If this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope. Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Philippians 3, humility, pride, recovery, sobriety, prodigal son, older brother, Reno Collier, Arnie Cole, Christian podcast, spiritual growth, daily devotion, faith, surrender, spiritual fitness

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
    15 min
  • Why Do Broken People Feel Safer Outside Church? - SFT
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today. Hosts Arnie Cole and comedian Reno Collier explore why broken people often feel safer in coffee shops than in church, unpack John 1:14, and share honest stories about recovery rooms, authenticity, community, and what it looks like when grace and truth move close.

    4 R Action Steps
    - Read: Read John 1:14 slowly.
    - Reflect: Ask yourself — When I was at my worst, where did I feel safest? How does grace and truth show up where I am?
    - Respond: Tell one safe person one true statement about where you actually are. If you’re carrying something, reach out to a pastor, counselor, or trusted friend.
    - Reveal: Demonstrate this passage by being the first to be honest in your community.

    Need to connect? Email Arnie: [email protected]

    Keywords: church hurt, John 1:14, grace and truth, recovery, authenticity, community, spiritual practice, faith podcast, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Reno Collier, honest faith, spiritual growth, prayer

    Subscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft
    14 min
  • The Surprising Way to Escape Your Own Dark Thoughts - SFT

    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Reno Collier. In this episode we work through Galatians 6:2—"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"—exploring the difference between mentoring and discipleship, why listening and serving matter, and a practical three-step assignment to actually help someone in need.


    4 R Actions
    Read — Read Galatians 6:2.
    Reflect — Ask: who near you is carrying weight right now? Consider the difference between mentoring (telling) and discipleship (listening, bearing weight with love and zero judgment).
    Respond — Choose one specific thing they’re carrying and commit to helping with that task on a specific day this week.
    Reveal — Show the truth of this passage by actually doing the agreed task, offering calm, nonjudgmental presence, and celebrating that you served in alignment with Jesus rather than controlling the outcome.


    Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Reno Collier, Galatians 6:2, carry each other's burdens, discipleship vs mentoring, Christian podcast, spiritual growth, service, recovery, faith, Holy Spirit

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

    11 min
  • The Chapter of Your Story You’re Too Ashamed to Tell - SFT
    Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Reno Collier. In this episode discuss 1 Timothy 1:15–16 and wrestle with the chapter of our lives we tend to hide. Reno shares how honesty, recovery, and testimony turned his worst chapters into a platform for hope. Arnie guides a practical, faith-centered next step you can use this week.

    Read - Read 1 Timothy 1:15–16 (Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…).

    Reflect - Ask: What chapter of my story do I always edit out? Is that shame or humility? How might God display mercy through my worst chapter as he did Paul’s?

    Respond - Internalize this lesson by handwriting one sentence that names the chapter you skip. Keep it simple and honest.

    Reveal - Name one real person who needs to hear that sentence and tell them that one sentence. Let your honest testimony point to Jesus and to what he has done in you.

    Want to follow up or share how this exercise went? Email Arnie at [email protected].

    Keywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Reno Collier, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Christian testimony, shame and humility, recovery testimony, 12-step and faith, sharing your story, evangelism, spiritual growth, Bible reflection, Christian podcast

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

About Spiritually Fit Today

From the publisher's feed

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 as a Christ followers. Because how we act tomorrow depends on getting spiritually fit today.