Psalms 139:7-10 Where can I go from YOUR SPIRIT? Where can I flee from YOUR presence? If I go up to the heavens, YOU are there; if I make my bed in the depths, YOU are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there YOUR hand will guide me, YOUR hand will hold me fast. [New International translation]
Matthew 28:20 [A]nd, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Jeremiah 23: 23-24 Am I a GOD who is only in one place and cannot see what they are doing? Can anyone hide from me? Am I not everywhere in all heaven and earth? [Living Bible]
Definition: Omnipresence: The prefix “omni” comes from the Latin word “all.” So to say GOD is omnipresent is to say GOD is in all places or everywhere and at the same time.
Summary
Sometimes we forget about the Omnipresence of GOD---that GOD is everywhere. GOD’s Omnipresence can be a source of comfort and concern. In Matthew 28:20, JESUS comforts the disciple. After giving them their “marching orders,” their “mission,” or what is often called “The great commission,” HE then reassures them that they need not be afraid because HE would be with them ALWAYS. HE was promising to be their EMANUEL (which means “GOD is with us”) wherever they went---“even to the end of the world.”
David, who spent a period of his life fleeing from Saul, knew what it was like to try to hide. David also knew what it was like to try to hide something from GOD. When David tried to hide his sin of sleeping with another man’s wife (Bathsheba) and causing the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, David’s “cover up” never worked with GOD. GOD saw it all. When David was hiding from Saul and GOD protected David, GOD’s presence was a comfort. When David was convicted of his sin with Bathsheba by the Prophet Nathan, David knew then that nothing was hidden from GOD. While others may be fooled by our outward actions, we can hide nothing from GOD. The only way that David could “get right” with GOD was to confess his sins and repent from the depths of his heart.
As Jeremiah reminds us there is no hiding place. GOD is everywhere.
Exercise Everywhere
Sometimes we make things more complicated that they need to be. Some of the reasons that people give for not exercising is that “they don’t have time” or “can’t afford to take time to go to the gym,” or “cannot afford a gym membership.” However, these are simply just excuses because you can exercise almost anywhere.
Exercises That Can Be Done Almost Anywhere:
- Chair Squats: Stand with your feet slightly shoulder width apart in front of a sturdy straight back chair. If you are concerned about the chair moving, position the back of the chair against a wall. Cross your arms in front of you and about chest high. Without moving your arms, slowly bend through your hips, inclining forward until your bottom touches the chair. Keep you torso upright and arms crossed chest high. Then, pressing the ground away from you using your legs and by pushing your heels in to the floor, use your core and slowly rise up until you are in start position. Repeat at least 5 times.
- Wall Squats: Find a wall. Slowly slide down the side of the wall until your thighs are parallel with the floor. You will look like you are sitting in a chair. Keep your back straight. Hold that position for the count of ten, slowly breathing in and out so that your stomach expands in and out. If you are concerned about sliding down too far, put a pillow behind your feet so you will land on a pillow; otherwise, don’t slide down too far until you have built up strength in your core. Do at least 5 or these per day, slowly building your core until you can hold the sitting position for at least 1 minute. Invite others to join you in doing this exercise!
- Leg Lifts: Find a straight back sturdy chair. With your back against a wall, hold the back of the chair arm’s length in front of you. Now shift your weight into your right leg and slowly raise your left leg as high as you can, holding on the back of the chair with both hands. Breathe in as you raise your leg up and breathe out when you slowly lower your leg. Alternate between lifting your right leg and your left leg. Remember, to shift your weight first before raising your leg. Do this at least ten times.
- Calf Raises: Using a straight back sturdy chair and with your back against a wall, slowly raise both heals as high as you can (hold for a second or two), then lower your heels to the floor. Again, only when you raise up, breathe in. When you lower your heals, breathe out. Do at least 10-15 of these calf raises.
- Arm and Wrist exercises: Stand up straight with your hands extended from your sides, with your fingertips pointing to the ceiling. You will look like a cross. Slowly make circles with both arms going forward (clockwise) and then backwards (counter-clockwise) at least 1 minute. Again breathe in and breathe out maintaining your core.
- Push-ups. Start with 1-3 push-ups. Then add a push up every day until you can do 10.
Wall Push-Ups
- Start with wall push-ups first- Find a wall and stand about 3 ft with your hands outstretched, facing the wall. Hands should be shoulder width apart.
- Lean your body forward keeping your hands on the wall.
- Then push your body back with your hands until you are in a standing position again. Repeat this action 3-5 times.
Floor Push-Up –on knees
a. Get down on all fours (hands and knees)
b. Then extend your hands forward slightly
c. Pretend the floor is a wall. Lower your body toward the floor and then push your body away from the floor with your hands. Repeat 3-5 times.
If you have a medical condition or problem, you have balance problems or you are concerned about the safety of any of these exercises, please be sure to first consult your physician before attempting any of the above exercises. Let your physician determine an appropriate exercises program for you. Remember, it never hurts to ask.
Exercise and Prayer- Anywhere and Everywhere
Today, let us all renew our commitment to GOD to treat our bodies (and our minds) as temples of GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT - (1 Corinthians 6:19). Let’s remember that HE has promised to be with us, that HE is everywhere and HE sees everything. HE is our EMANUEL.
Continue to pray for one another, everywhere and BE BLESSED!
