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Welcome to Fitness for Worship

Picture of Michelle Barnes next to "Fitness for Worship" "Be Inspired. Get Fit. Worship!"

Welcome!

Fitness for Worship was established to inspire people to live healthy and affliction free through fitness and a firm foundation in truth.
I believe that every person has a God-ordained right to be healthy, pain-free and fully satisfied.

Be Inspired. Get Fit. Worship!


Be Inspired

My mission is to inspire believers to live their lives according to God’s vision for them.

God has promised us health, prosperity, salvation and satisfaction with the life he has given to us (3 John 2, Psalm 68:19-20, Psalm 91:14-16).

However, instead of receiving God’s promises, many people are sick, in pain and disappointed with their lives.

The Bible says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). You cannot believe in a truth that you have not heard.

Fitness for Worship seeks to present God’s vision, the Truth, and to inspire you to claim it for yourself.

Fitness for Worship is not for “Christians.”

John 3:16-17 states:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

The Bible does not promise perks to “Christians.” The promises of God are available to anyone who hears them, believes them, and claims them for themselves. Faith, believing and trusting God, is a minimum requirement to receive God’s promises. There is a distinct difference between “Christian” and “believer,” and I believe that believers are the ones who grab ahold of God’s truths.


Get Fit.

Our health is our most important asset.

Fitness for Worship believes that the first step to living in health is to believe that you can achieve and maintain it. Your physical health is influenced by your lifestyle choices such as nutrition and physical activity, as well as genetics, mindset and other factors.

As a fitness trainer, I believe that most people can benefit from:

  • Building and maintaining the endurance to participate in activities you enjoy
  • Building strength and cardiovascular fitness
  • Correcting muscle imbalances and movement restrictions that can hinder mobility
  • Preventing injuries or repeated injuries (through proper movement)

Fitness centers tend to focus on the body but they neglect the spirit.

Churches tend to focus on the spirit but they can neglect the body.

Fitness for Worship offers a blend of physical fitness, mental health and faith services to serve the whole person.


Worship!

I seek to inspire believers to worship.

Worship is a lifestyle that comes through a relationship with God. Just like any other relationship in our lives, we will get to know God better the more time we spend with him. As we read the word, pray, and meditate on scripture, we will develop our faith in who God is and who we are. Your spiritual health is dependent upon your relationship with God.

In John 4:23-24, Jesus said:

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Why do we worship God?

What does it mean to worship?


Here are three principles to live by:

1. Know the Truth

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31-32

2. Be Healthy

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 john 2-4

3. Be Satisfied

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16

About Michelle

Michelle Barnes is the founder of Fitness for Worship.

I am a creative writer and fitness coach with a passion for health and development of the whole person: spirit, soul and body.

I am certified as a Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and I am a graduate of the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI).

I am a member of Agape Embassy Ministries in Virginia, USA. I completed the Christian Foundation Institute in 2018, which examines Biblical foundation principles in accordance with Hebrews 6:1-3.

I am a worshipper.

My purpose is to inspire you to live according to God’s vision.

You have a God-ordained right to be healthy, pain-free and fully satisfied. Seize your wellbeing through fitness and bold confidence in the Truth.

My favorite scripture is 3 John 2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that you be prosperous, and in health, as your soul prospers.”


Scripture References

3 John 2-4 (NKJV): 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Psalm 68:19-20 (NKJV): 19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits,The God of our salvation! Selah 20 Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

Psalm 91:14-16 (NKJV): 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Hosea 4:6 (NKJV): My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV): 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 4:23-24 (NKJV): 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV): Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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See Clearly

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Matthew 21:22, NIV

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.30 And their eyes were opened.
(Matthew 9:27-30a, NKJV)

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
(Luke 4:16-21, NKJV)

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

Psalm 119:18, NLT

The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
(Matthew 21:14, MEV)

22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, begging him to touch him and heal him. 23 So Jesus led him, as his sighted guide, outside the village. He placed his saliva on the man’s eyes and covered them with his hands. Then he asked him, “Now do you see anything?24 “Yes,” he said. “My sight is coming back! I’m beginning to see people, but they look like trees—walking trees.” 25 Jesus put his hands over the man’s eyes a second time and made him look up. The man opened his eyes wide and he could see everything perfectly. His eyesight was completely restored!
(Mark 8:22-25, TPT)

Then the vision of those who can see won’t be blurred, and the ears of those who can hear will pay attention.

Isaiah 32:3, GW

16 Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:16-17, AMP)

Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 
(Isaiah 35:4-6, AMPC)

Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.

Psalm 119:18, GW

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous.
(Psalm 146:8, CSB)

29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd demanded that they keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33“Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him.
(Matthew 20:29-34, CSB)

32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Matthew 20:32-34, NIV

27 As Jesus left the house, two blind men began following him, shouting out over and over, “Son of David, show us mercy and heal us!” 28 And they followed him right into the house where Jesus was staying. So Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I have the power to restore sight to your eyes?” They replied, “Yes Lord, we believe!” 29 Then Jesus put his hands over their eyes and said, “You will have what your faith expects!” 30 And instantly their eyes opened—they could see!
(Matthew 9:27-30a, TPT)

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
(Mark 10:46-52, NKJV)

And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Matthew 21:22, AMP

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
(Isaiah 61:1-3, AMPC)

For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly].
(Matthew 24:27, AMP)

The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word].
(Luke 11:34, AMP)

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.

Exodus 23:8, GNT

Bible Translations