Hello friends, welcome back. This is episode 8 of my challenge to write 52 songs this year based on the little book *52 Bible Verses forMen* by Samuel Duth. Today I'm exploring the eighth verse in the series: 1 Timothy 4:8.

The verse says, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both this life and the life to come."

The ESV puts it this way: "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."

Paul likes to use sports analogies and metaphors when he speaks. You can see it in other letters. In 1 Corinthians 9, starting in verse 24, he writes, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified.
"Paul says something interesting here: every athlete exercises self-control. I think he's saying that if he doesn't practice what he preaches, then his teaching is disqualified.
So we should exercise godliness, which is most valuable—more than physical fitness, which has some value.How do we achieve that? By exercising self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."In other words, those who are in Christ Jesus are free to exercise godliness that has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.I wrote a simple song to help this verse sink in:
For physical training is valuable,
but godliness has value for all things.
Holding promise for the present lifeand the life to come.

For physical training is valuable,
but godliness has value for all things.
Holding promise for the present lifeand the life to come.

I'm curious to see what you think about these short devotionals and the songs. So please leave a comment below, and I'll see you next time. God bless.