Today I will have ridden my stationary bike for 2 hours, walked/run on the tread mill for 30 minutes, punched the heavy bag for 20 minutes and lifted weights for one hour. That is a total of four hours of torture and pain. Yikes!! Trying hard to get on top of this Parkinson’s pain in the butt. I am getting in shape for our bicycle trip in one month as well and losing weight – about 6 pounds in the last two weeks. One thing about it is that I have increased my praying for Jesus to come back soon four fold!

I need to apply this same level of diligence and effort in my pursuit of Godly character and accomplishments for God. It is so easy to say, “Cool, I am saved by grace, no works required, I am headed to heaven, relax, take it easy, enjoy life, don’t get your tail in a knot, take some pain pills and relax. My oh my, how I would love to do that! But-

2 Peter 1:5-6
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

2 Peter 1:8
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:11
for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

There is more to it than just getting in the front door, way more.