January 18 2012

Good or Godly?
 
Reading: I Timothy 4:7b-8, “Train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” [NIV]

I use to be one of those people who always had a smile on my face. In fact, I would have people ask me if there was ever a time that I wasn’t smiling. Smiles and laughter are infectious. I loved and still love to make people smile. It is an amazing feeling to see someone who appears to be having a bad day and being able to walk away having seen a smile overtake their face. But, I reached a point when God began to convict me. Smiling isn’t bad and making people smile, of course, is not bad. But, the overwhelming message that God would not let me shake from my thoughts was… how long does a smile last? Everyone thinks you’re nice and a good person when you’re happy and cheer other’s up. Not everyone enjoys someone who talks about God. All of a sudden the smile that you wanted to put on someone’s face becomes and awkward glance and an overwhelming feeling of discomfort. Yet, God knew in His loving way of convicting me… if I were to be and act godly, He can create a joy in the other person that could last a lifetime, whereas the smile that I would try to share, may only last a moment.

We have all known individuals who are not Christians, yet they appear to be a really good person. What makes us different? Unfortunately, it appears, not much is different. Demonstrating godliness can simply be being good and including God. For example, making someone smile but, further, talking to them about the joy that the Lord has given you. Buying someone a coffee but, further, letting them know that God laid it on your heart to do. Ask them how their day is going but, further, asking how you can be praying for them. To be godly… you must include God. Let’s not strive to be good today… let’s strive to be godly, because, as Paul said, you have to train yourself to be godly.

How do you feel God is leading you to be godly today and how can you include Him in everything today?
 

End of the Day Review
  
Did you strive to be godly today, to include God? If so, how did you do that?
 
 
How did this change the normal routine of your day and the way that you went about things?