Spiritually Fit Today

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Reno Collier. In this episode Arnie and Reno unpack Romans 8:11 — why clean living, discipline, and sobriety can still leave you feeling empty — and how the Spirit who raised Jesus brings real resurrection power into areas your willpower can’t fix. Reno shares honest testimony about surrender, daily honesty, and moving from “white-knuckling” sobriety to a Spirit-led life. Practical steps and a short prayer conclude the conversation.4 R Action StepsRead: Romans 8:11 — “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies...” Reflect: Where are you trying to control outcomes? What secret or “little sin” are you carrying that steals your peace? Sit with those questions and invite the Holy Spirit to show you the next honest step.Respond: Text one person: “Praying about something I’ve never been able to fix on my own.”Reveal: Share one honest, simple testimony with someone this week about how the Spirit is changing you — not to impress, but to invite accountability and to show what God is doing.Connect with Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Reno Collier, Romans 8:11, Holy Spirit, sobriety, surrender, recovery, white-knuckling, spiritual growth, Christian podcast, faith and recovery, daily discipline, pray, accountabilitySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie reflects on Exodus 4 (especially verses 12–13) and 1 John 1:8–9, urging believers to move from avoiding responsibility to being available—to help one person move closer to Jesus today than they were yesterday. He shares how God equips the willing, the power of confession, and three simple “spiritual reps” you can do this weekend.4 R Action StepsRead Exodus 4:12–13 and 1 John 1:8–9. Notice God’s promise: “I will help you speak” and the call to confess and be purified.Reflect Ask: Who has God put in front of me that I’m handing off? Would I be willing to be available rather than waiting to be qualified? Measure “closer” not perfection.Respond Send one simple text: “I’ve been thinking about you. Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”Reveal Demonstrate the truth of this passage by availability and small, honest conversations: invite someone to coffee, confess areas of struggle, and help one person take a step closer to Jesus.Need to reach Arnie? Email: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, discipleship, Exodus 4, Moses, 1 John 1, spiritual fitness, daily devotion, Bible reflection, spiritual growth, Christian podcast, mentorship, how to discipleSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today. In this episode Arnie uses Psalm 139:23–24 to expose how we compartmentalize our souls—keeping a “locked room” from God—and invites listeners to hand God the keys, name the hidden door aloud, and stop pretending the room doesn’t exist.https://bttb.org/fooling-myself 4 R action plan- Read: Read Psalm 139:23–24 aloud.- Reflect: Ask which “room” or door in your soul you keep closed to God. Picture your soul as a house where Jesus already lives in every room.- Respond: Pray verse 23 out loud, adding the specific door name. Keep it between you and God; you don’t have to fix it today.- Reveal: When you’re ready, demonstrate this change by vulnerably sharing with a trusted friend, mentor, or small group how inviting God into that room is reshaping you.Need to reach Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Psalm 139, Search me God, spiritual formation, compartmentalization, confession, Christian podcast, prayer exercise, soul rooms, spiritual growth, Christian discipleshipSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie shares a personal about a friend who revealed he had stage four cancer — and how Arnie hesitated to share the gospel. Using Ezekiel 33:31-32, he confronts the danger of consuming Christian content without practicing it and offers practical habits for turning faith into action.The 4 R action steps:Read — Read Ezekiel 33:31-32 and ask whether you listen without obeying. Reflect — Ask: Who do I consistently enjoy talking with but never challenge spiritually? Respond — Write one name down and begin praying daily. Today, send a short text, ask for coffee.Reveal — Demonstrate the truth by living consistently: offer to pray, tell a short personal testimony, invite someone to a conversation, or simply ask loving, open questions that point to spiritual things. Make evangelism a lifestyle, not an event.Contact Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: evangelism, witnessing, Christian living, Ezekiel 33, spiritual discipline, share your faith, Back to the Bible, Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, gospel urgency, practical evangelism, faith into actionSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. In this episode Arnie shares a personal story about the three reasons he used for 20 years to convince himself God shouldn’t — or couldn’t — use him. Grounded in Proverbs 21:2, he explains how good-sounding reasons can actually be excuses. He also walks through a practical test he used to break rationalizations and grow in obedience.https://bttb.org/fooling-myself 4 R action stepsRead Proverbs 21:2 slowly and honestly. Let the contrast between human reasoning and God’s weighing of the heart settle in.Reflect Review your top three statements from the assessment (or write down the three reasons you tell yourself most). Notice whether you explain away Scripture or protect priorities. Ask: Is this fear, pride, or something else?Respond Write the exact sentence you tell yourself (e.g., “I’m not that kind of person”) and ask: If this reason disappeared tomorrow, would I actually do it? Be honest.Reveal Share what you learned with someone and take one concrete step this week to help another person move closer to Jesus. Let your spoken confession and small action demonstrate the truth of Proverbs 21:2.Contact Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: spiritually fit today, Arnie Cole, Christian podcast, spiritual growth, excuses, discernment, Proverbs 21:2, heart, calling, Back to the Bible, spiritual checkup, discipleship, Bible studySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

How do you know if you’re fooling yourself spiritually? In this episode of Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole shares from his own story—serious illness, recovery, and the temptation to assume God was finished with him—to unpack five common ways committed Christians fool themselves spiritually. Using James 1:22–24, he explains how listening without doing becomes self-deception.https://bttb.org/fooling-myself 4 R action steps- Read: Read James 1:22–24 slowly, out loud if possible.- Reflect: Ask which one line from the passage exposes a current delay or excuse in your life.- Respond: Write one concrete step God has already asked you to do and commit to doing it within 24 hours.- Reveal: Tell a trusted friend or family member your one-sentence barrier and ask them to hold you accountable this week.Email Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, spiritual self-deception, James 1:22-24, Christian podcast, spiritual checkup, discipleship, obedience, faith and works, spiritual assessment, Christian growth, grace, delay, accountabilitySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Mike Heili — an Ironman, coach, and business professional. In this episode we use the Ironman finish-line to explore 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 and what it means to run the spiritual race well: disciplined training, suffering redeemed, the power of community, and the crown that lasts forever. Mike shares how crossing the line becomes an exclamation point to God’s work in a life shaped by struggle, restoration, and reliance on others.4 R Action Steps- Read: Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 slowly this week.- Reflect: Ask, “What is my finish line?” and journal how Paul’s call to disciplined training applies to your daily walk.- Respond: Recommit to one spiritual “rep” this week (prayer, Scripture reading, service, or accountability). Find one training partner to keep you accountable.- Reveal: Share your story or invite someone into your training—point others to the hope and redemption Christ provides through your life and actions.Email Arnie with feedback or prayer requests: arnie.cole@bttb.org. Join us Monday for another Spiritually Fit Today workout.Keywords: spiritual fitness, Ironman, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, finish well, Christian endurance, discipleship, faith, community, testimony, spiritual disciplinesSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Mike Heili. In this episode we use 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 to compare racing and faith: pacing matters, enthusiasm can lead to burnout, and wise rest keeps you in the race. Mike — an Ironman coach who trains others to go the distance — explains common beginner mistakes, how to channel passion instead of squandering it, and how to tell the difference between giving up and wisely resting.4 R Action Steps- Read: Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 slowly and aloud. Let Paul’s image of strict training and an eternal crown sink in. - Reflect: Ask: Am I sprinting toward burnout? Where in my life am I running aimlessly? What one sustainable rhythm could I keep for a year? - Respond: Audit your pace. Peel back extra commitments (try cutting 50%), set one sustainable daily or weekly rhythm you can maintain for a year, schedule regular rest, and return to basics (prayer, Scripture, service). - Reveal: Share what you learn with one person this week—encourage them to audit their pace, invite accountability, or model steady, gracious endurance in word and action.Contact: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: spiritual endurance, Christian podcast, faith and fitness, burnout recovery, pacing, 1 Corinthians 9, Ironman coach, spiritual rest, Christian living, discipleshipSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole. Coach Mike Heili joins to unpack “the wall” — the mile in racing and moments in life when body, mind, or spirit want to quit. Using 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, we explore endurance as a race, practical coaching lessons for crisis, the role of community and discipline, and the single next baby step to take when you’re ready to quit.4 R Action StepsRead — Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27.Reflect — Ask: Where am I hitting the wall? What preparation (discipline, community) did I or didn’t I do? Could this trial be growth or an invitation to draw closer to God?Respond — Take one faithful action in the next hour: pray, reach out to someone, read a short passage, or write one sentence of honest prayer or gratitude.Reveal — Share that baby step with someone you trust; invite them to pray or walk the next step with you; demonstrate God’s endurance by serving or encouraging another.Contact Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: endurance, spiritual endurance, 1 Corinthians 9, run the race, Christian podcast, perseverance, faith, mental toughness, Ironman coach, spiritual growth, Christian community, discipleship, prayerSubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft

Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Mike Heili. In this episode Mike uses Ironman training as a picture for spiritual formation: the race is often won in the dark when nobody’s watching, and consistent, unseen reps (prayer, Scripture, small daily habits, accountability) shape endurance for the day when everything is tested. Scripture to absorb: 1 Corinthians 9:24–27.4 R ACTIONSRead — Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 slowly today.Reflect — Ask: What unseen reps (prayer, Scripture, small rhythms) am I skipping? Where am can I train for endurance rather than applause?Respond — Pick one unseen rep: one small daily faith habit (e.g., 5–10 minutes of prayer, read a short passage before work, record a brief truth from Scripture) and do it today; repeat tomorrow.Reveal — Share your chosen rep with one person for accountability or model the habit by encouraging someone else to try it this week.Want to follow up or connect with Arnie: arnie.cole@bttb.orgKeywords: Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole, Mike Heili, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, spiritual disciplines, unseen reps, faith as endurance, Ironman analogy, Christian podcast, prayer, Scripture, accountabilitySubscribe to get each episode delivered to your Inbox daily at: https://bttb.org/subscribe2sft