RTW June 7

Of God Reputation

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.
Ecclesiastes 7:1a

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

Reputation: the estimation in which a person or thing is held

What I do or what I don’t do, who I associate with or who I don’t associate with, will have an effect on my name, my witness, and my Father’s name

The best way to protect my reputation and be a good reflection of my Father’s name is to be about my Father’s business.

Something New

 

Something to Do

Protect my reputation.

 

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4 Comments

  1. Ecclesiastes is a difficult book to understand. Sometimes it seems like it contains wisdom and other times it seems to have been written by someone experiencing debilitating depression. I love that Wendy can still find a positive lesson for us no matter the reading!

    In my study today, I think I understand the general message to be that human “activities” are not all that important and even inconsequential. But what is important and life-giving is our faith and our responsibility to remain faithful and obedient to God through the ups and downs of life. No matter what life throws at us, take it to our Father in love and obedience. Am I on the right track RTW friends?

    1. Darena I think you are right on target. You hit the bulls eye! I loved what you wrote and couldn’t agree with you more.

  2. My Takeaways: Live wisely and welcome adversity

    Something Old: “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume…”
    Ecclesiastes 7:1a Wendy you are so right, I may be the only Bible an unbeliever will ever read or the only Jesus people will ever see. My reputation as a Christian matters. As a Christian I must live to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I can’t live for myself alone, but for the kingdom.  People are watching, Christians aren’t perfect, but when I get messy I need to let others know how I clean up righteously, in the way that God would want me to.  There are always people that will search for the weak spots in my behaviors and attitude. I have to stay aware. Let my reputation speak for itself, always doing my best to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Thanks Wendy for reminding me of this important fact.

    Something New: Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 That which stretches me causes me to grow. Difficulties and misfortunes bring me to the end of my own strength and wisdom and causes me, instead, to rely upon God for help. That’s why James wrote, “Count it all joy when you en- counter various trials…” (1:2, 3). I learned so much more about God from difficult times then from happy times. It has always been in the valleys that I’ve grown stronger. When adversity strikes it gives me a chance to change and reexamine the direction of my life. So with all that said, I have to share one of my favorite poems that I thought about as I read today’s reading. It’s lengthy but worth the read.
    It’s In The Valleys I Grow
    by Tracy Mayfield

    Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
    Full or sorrow, trouble, and woe,
    It’s then I have to remember,
    That it’s in the valleys I grow

    If I always stayed on the mountain top,
    And never experienced pain,
    I would never appreciate God’s love,
    And would be living in vain

    I have so much to learn,
    And my growth is very slow,
    Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
    But it’s in the valleys I grow

    I do not always understand,
    Why things happen as they do,
    But I am very sure of one thing,
    My Lord will see me through

    My little valleys are nothing,
    When I picture Christ on the cross,
    He went through the valley of death,
    His victory was Satan’s loss

    Forgive me Lord, for complaining,
    When I’m feeling very low,
    Just give me a gentle reminder,
    That it’s in the valley I grow

    Continue to strengthen me Lord,
    And use my life each day,
    To share your love with others,
    And help them find their way

    Thank you for the valleys Lord,
    For this one thing I know,
    The mountain tops are glorious,
    But it’s in the valleys I grow!

    Something To Do: Recognize my struggles as great opportunities to learn from God. Take time to know and trust God.

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