“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18 NKJV

ü To point people to Christ.

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:10

ü To bring us into holiness.

“Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:4-5) 

ü To honor God.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

How to Get There

1. Discipline.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

2. Exercise.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

3. Diet.

 “Everything is permissible for me”--but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”--but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12-13) 

4. Rest.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

5. God.

“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) 

Your Relationships

ü Am I willing to change?

“And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

ü Am I willing to put others first?

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

ü Am I willing to let go of the past?

“(Love)… keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 

ü Am I willing to love as Jesus did?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) 

How to Get There

1. I will nurture my important relationships.

“Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:13-15) 

2. I will restore my broken relationships.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil…If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18 

3. I will sever any harmful relationships.

 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 

4. I will initiate some meaningful relationships.

 “...You are members of God’s very own family... and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19 LB

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends…” John 15:15 

* All scriptures are from the NIV unless otherwise noted