Thursday, October 24, 2024 - GODLINESS NOT SILLINESS

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

 

Thursday, October 24, 2024 - Day 298 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 11-13; 1 Timothy 4)

GODLINESS NOT SILLINESS

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 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.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV) 

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.” Irreverent silliness aptly describes most of what passes for entertainment these days. Much of what is on social media, a good portion of late night television and the vast majority of sitcoms are certainly irreverent. The social engineers do know what they are doing, and so does God. The big difference is that His way “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 

You and I have been called to train ourselves for godliness. The training process starts with God’s training manual, the Bible. It is in these sacred pages that we find the antidote to irreverence and silliness. “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. ” (1 Timothy 4:10 ESV)

   1. Preserve your Word, O Savior,

To us this latter day,

And let your kingdom flourish;

Enlarge your Church, we pray.

Oh, keep our faith from failing;

Keep hope’s bright star aglow.

Let nothing from truth turn us

While living here below.

   2. Preserve, O Lord, your honor,

The bold blasphemer smite;

Convince, convert, enlighten

The souls in error’s night.

Reveal your will, dear Savior,

To all who dwell below,

Great light of all the living,

That all your name may know.

   3. Preserve, O Lord, your Zion,

Bought dearly with your blood;

Protect what you have chosen

Against the hellish flood.

Be always our defender

When dangers gather round;

When all the earth is crumbling,

Safe may your Church be found.

   4. Preserve your Word and preaching.

The truth that makes us whole,

The mirror of your glory,

The power that saves the soul.

Oh, may this living water,

This dew of heavenly grace,

Sustain us while here living

Until we see your face.

   5. Preserve in wave and tempest

Your storm-tossed little flock;

Assailed by wind and weather,

May it endure each shock.

Stand at the helm, our pilot,

And set the course aright;

Then we will reach the harbor

In your eternal light.

     (Lutheran Service Book #658)

Link to this hymn :   https://youtu.be/WGzoFv37u38

Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to godliness. Mercifully protect me from the irreverence and silliness that surrounds me everyday. And then use me to help others find their hope in You. Amen.