Have you considered God's reputation is at stake within us? First Peter 1:16 says, “Be holy for I am Holy." As we go about our daily routines and familiar tasks at home, work, school, church, business places, we often speak without thinking. And often we act without consulting Him. Because of this, we often get punished by our sins, then punished for our sins.

Our reputation is who people perceive us to be, but our character is who we really are. Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?” This question is directed to Christians today. Jesus is concerned about His reputation.

People who live in Louisiana, are called Louisianans, we have various colloquialisms, and our culture is unique. If we are indeed Christians, this means that we live in Christ. Therefore, we should display His characteristics. When we profess Christ as Lord, there are somethings we should not do. Places we should not go, words we should not use, and thoughts we should not entertain (2 Corinthians 5:17). First Thessalonians 5:22 says, "We should shun the very appearance of evil." God has entrusted us with many treasures. More importantly, we are stewards of His reputation! 

Can the world see Jesus in you? And who do they say He is? Remember, Jesus’ reputation is in us wherever we are. Let us think about this today as we go about our daily tasks. Listen closely, you can hear His voice (John10:27).

Pray for Pastors everywhere. Remember noon time prayer. We become one at the altar. Thess. 5:17-18

Catherine Raphael

Scripture: John 10:2-5

Blessing comes to those who seek the Lord's wisdom and apply it in their life. Do you just talk to God, or do you listen to Him too? To train ourselves to listen to God, we must remember that hearing is an active, ongoing process. Our mind and heart should be open to the idea that the Lord has something to communicate throughout our day. We should expect Him to speak to us—and to do so in a way we can understand.

To practice hearing from God, we need to spend time focusing on Him, free from distractions. Meditating on Scripture creates an attitude that is conducive to listening. Active listening includes responding to what we hear. As we read, we should ask ourselves questions, such as What is the Lord trying to say to me through this? But we should also ask what each passage teaches about God Himself: What does it reveal about His character? or What do these verses indicate about the things He loves? The Lord speaks to us through His Word. When He sees that it is our heart’s desire to walk in His ways, He will gently correct any missteps and guide us down His path. 

To develop a listening spirit takes a strong desire and regular practice. Are you listening to God’s voice? Is your heart inclined toward Him and intent on listening?

https://www.intouch.org/


 THIS MONTHS SCRIPTURE READING

John 10

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

 “The tempter came and said to [Jesus], ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” ’ ’’(Matthew 4:3-4).

What should we do when we face Satan’s lies, especially the lie that God’s Word cannot be true? Jesus was faced with a legitimate need—the need to eat to sustain Himself. His need wasn’t wrong. Jesus had the power to do what was suggested, but to do it at the demand of Satan would have been satisfying Himself apart from God.

What proceeds out of God’s mouth must be our foundation for everything. It must be the foundation for counseling, for work, for our families, and for our finances. God has given us His definitive Word, and His Word addresses everything that is relevant to us today. Christians who do not believe His Word and obey it do not see His power demonstrated today. God does not want us to pay homage to Him; He wants us to believe Him and act on faith. Faith believes God in the absence of empirical evidence.

In the Garden of Eden, Eve stumbled over this type of faith. She failed the test because she did not believe something she had never seen—death. When it’s difficult to believe God but we place our faith in Him anyway, that’s faith.

One Minute Please

Faith is believing something is so, even when it is not visibly so, that it might be so simply because God said so.

Dr. Tony Evans

http://tonyevans.org/

Welcome to the Women of Hope Monthly Newsletter where your hope can be found through prayer and participation. Be blessed and may your Happiness, Order, Peace and Encouragement be found in the Lord!