3 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Believer, 2 Outdated Fitness Myths to Avoid, and 1 Powerful Lesson that Will Change Your Perspective

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Welcome to One Day Out, a weekly newsletter to help deepen your faith, enhance your health, and guide you in pursuing a purpose-filled life.

Opening Prayer

Lord, protect me from the things of this world that pull me away from your presence. Help me to put you first before all else. You are the author and perfecter of my faith, and I pray that your presence and love consume me like a raging fire. Lord, help me to see clearly the will You have for my life and be obedient to what you put on my heart. I do it all for your glory and honor so that You may increase and I may decrease.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

3 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Believer

When I gave my life to Christ in July of 2022, I felt like I had been reborn (because I had been). I was so on fire for the Lord and I felt like all of the anxiety, worry, pain, doubt, and fear I had been feeling would be gone forever.

While God has given us His word to equip us with all that we need to combat those things, it doesn’t mean that things won’t get hard. In fact, being a Christian is supposed to be hard.

Paul himself said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, 'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' The journey hasn’t been as easy as I thought it would be, but just like Paul, I’ve learned that it’s through our struggles that God’s strength is made evident. And along the way, I’ve learned a few things I wish I had known from the start.

1. You’re going to lose friends

   As I’ve grown in my faith, I can no longer tolerate being around people who make sexual jokes, want to go out and get drunk every weekend, and engage in behaviors that pull me further from the life God has called me to live. I’ve realized that our environments shape who we are, and I want to be surrounded by people who encourage me to walk in holiness and reflect Christ in all I do. That will mean letting go of relationships with people who are not aligned with the values I’m striving to live by, even if it’s difficult.

2. Be ready for lots of hard conversations

   Standing firm in your faith will challenge those around you, and not everyone will understand or accept the changes in your life. These conversations might be uncomfortable, but they’re essential for growth. You may have to speak up about why your choices and lifestyle no longer align with the old habits and friendships.

   While it’s tough, these conversations give you the chance to live out your faith boldly and to show others the love of Christ, even when they don’t agree. Truthfully, I have not always engaged in those conversations or stood firm in my faith; but moving forward, I am committed to engaging in those hard conversations with love.

3. Being a Christian is about so much more than just going to church on Sunday.

   It’s about living out your faith every day, in every decision, and in every relationship. Following Christ isn’t just about a Sunday ritual; it’s about reflecting Him in all areas of your life—at work, at home, and with others. It’s about being intentional in how we live, love, and serve, and recognizing that our faith should shape everything we do, not just a small part of our week.

The Lord has convicted me of lots the ways in which I need to grow recently, and these are 3 things that I need to be reminded of and wanted to share with you.

I have been so focused on studying theology recently that it has taken away from spending quiet time with the Lord and giving Him praise. Beginning and ending my day in His presence has brought so much comfort and peace.

A life with Jesus isn’t supposed to be easy. Embrace the journey.

2 Dumb Fitness Myths to Avoid

1. More Protein = More Muscle

   I am guilty of being the meathead that slams 5 protein shakes a day thinking that is what will build muscle. Spoiler alert: it won’t. While protein is crucial for muscle repair and growth, it’s not just about the quantity. It’s about the timing, consistency, and balance of your overall nutrition.

   You need to combine adequate protein with proper strength training, rest, and other nutrients to see real progress. Simply loading up on protein without the right strategy won’t get you the results you’re after.

2. High Reps Are Best for Toning

   The idea that high-rep, low-weight exercises "tone" muscles is a myth. Muscle definition is achieved through a combination of fat loss and muscle growth, which requires progressive overload, not just light weights.

   To build muscle and improve definition, you should focus on moderate-to-heavy weights with 6-12 reps to stimulate muscle growth, while also incorporating a healthy diet and cardio to reduce body fat. Ultimately, muscle "toning" is about building lean muscle and lowering fat, not just performing high-rep exercises.

1 Mindset Shift that Changes Everything

Last night I was at a men’s night at my church with 800 other guys worshipping, giving praise, and hearing from God’s word on what it means to be a man. One of the pastors read from Genesis 1, the creation story.

The message He was getting across to us through the Word of God was that God is infinite, we are finite.

It’s sad to think about all of the people in society who think they can manifest their own reality. Essentially, that is making themselves God. Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (NIV)

He is the Creator, we are creation, as the Pastor explained.

When we understand that we are not in control, it shifts our perspective on life. We stop trying to force our own will and start trusting in God's perfect plan for us.

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Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you for all of the blessings in which I too often take for granted. Place other believers in my life to help me on my walk, and give me the courage to live my faith boldly so that others may experience eternal life with You in Heaven. Help me to be your hands and feet and continue to fulfill the great commission and make disciples.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Know others who want to grow in their faith, optimize their health, and live a biblically sound life according to God’s word? Share this and let’s grow His Kingdom!

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