A Good Reputation

Proverbs 22:1
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold

Reputation defined:

noun

1. the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.
   “his reputation was tarnished by allegations that he had taken bribes”

• a widespread belief that someone or something has a particular habit or characteristic.
  “his knowledge of his subject earned him a reputation as an expert”

• Ref. From <https://www.google.com/#q=define+reputation&*&dobs=reputation>

synonyms:

name, good name, character, repute, standing, stature, status, position, renown, esteem Ref. From <https://www.google.com/#q=define+reputation&*&dobs=reputation>

Antonyms: discredit, disrepute
Ref. From <http://englishthesaurus.net/antonym/reputation> 

So the Lord was with Joshua, and his reputation spread throughout the land Joshua 6:27 

They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness Ps. 89:16 

A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker Pr. 24:8

Others may accuse you or gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation Pr. 25:10

Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation Heb. 11:2

Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation Pr. 3:4

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born Eccl. 7:1

Ten Avoidable Ways To Ruin Your Reputation

by Liz Ryan , CONTRIBUTOR

I write about bringing life to work and bringing work to life.  

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

• People don’t realize that reputations stick around for a long time. I didn’t realize it, either. I’m amazed now when someone says “Hi Liz! We met at such-and-such a conference in Chicago in 1989.”
• People will remember you, especially people you work with directly.
• They’ll remember you by the things you said and did and the things you didn’t say and didn’t do.
• Nobody sets out to build a reputation as a con artist, a lightweight, a false friend or a person you can’t rely on — yet people get these reputations every day.
• Once you have an unfortunate reputation, it can be hard to shake it.
• I’ve heard that you have to repeat an altered or new behavior — let’s say, calling your friend back when you promise to rather than not calling him back the way you always used to do — at least ten times before your friends will believe the New You is real.
• If you’ve established a name for yourself that is not the name you’d like plastered on your forehead, getting back to neutral requires lots of breathing, careful repetition of the New You behaviors you want to showcase, and above all patience with  yourself and others.

Here are ten regrettable and avoidable ways to ruin your reputation by accident: 

1. Burn a bridge and then ignore it or pretend it didn’t happen.

2. Ease your own anxiety by talking about other people all the time.

3. Mixing business and social relationships to an excessive degree and losing your perspective about it.

4. Using poor judgment at work or in social settings with your workmates, or taking advantage of every professional event to get drunk.

5. Being two-faced: saying one thing to one person and the complete opposite to someone else.

6. Blaming other people for your mistakes or being out of the room whenever problems are being discussed.

7. Taking credit for other people’s work.

8. Ratting out your fellow employees to your manager. Promising to keep confidences and then doing just the opposite.

9. Pretending to be the supervisor when you’re not a supervisor, and bossing people around.

10. Generally treating people badly at work when you are cross, or all the time.

Ref. From <https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/09/18/ten-avoidable-ways-to-ruin-your-reputation/#5748a3b72618>

Integrity

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them Proverbs 20:7

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed Pr. 10:9

The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity Pr. 11:20

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them Pr. 20:7

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity

For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it Pr. 2:21

The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked Pr. 10:29

The Tongue

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences  

The many uses of the Tongue:

• A lying tongue Pr. 6:17
• His(God) words are upon my tongue 2 Sam. 23:2
• The sweet taste of wickedness, melts under their tongue Job 20:12
• My tongue will speak no lies Job 27:4
• Keep your tongue from speaking evil Ps. 34:13
• Your tongue is full of lies Ps. 50:19
• Let my tongue sing about your word Ps. 119:172
• O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you? Ps. 120:3
• The smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman Pr. 6:24
• Those who control their tongue will have a long life Pr. 13:3
• A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit Pr. 15:4
• The lying tongue tumbles into trouble Pr. 17:20
• The tongue can bring death or life Pr. 18:21
• Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap Pr. 21:6
• Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble Pr. 21:23
• A gossiping tongue causes anger! Pr. 25:23
• A lying tongue hates its victims Pr. 26:28
• Every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord Phil. 2:11
• But no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison James 3:8
• Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor Ps. 52:2
• But the tongue that deceives will be cut off Pr. 10:31
• The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing Pr. 15:2
• My tongue shouts his praises Acts 2:26
• If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself James 1:26
• I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me Ps. 39:1
• For my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet Ps. 45:1
• Every tongue will declare allegiance to God Rom. 14:11
• The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches James 3:5
• If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies 1 Peter 3:10
• And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire James 3:6

 

The  consequences: 

• Those who control their tongue will have a long life Pr. 13:3
• The lying tongue tumbles into trouble Pr. 17:20
• A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit Pr. 15:4
• But the tongue that deceives will be cut off Pr. 10:31
• The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing Pr. 15:2

Acts Chapter 4

Scene 1 Act 4

Man Crippled from birth, healed miraculously! Acts 3:7-10

 

By what power, or in whose  name, have you done this? Acts 4:7

Do you want to know how he was healed? Acts 4:9

• Peter and John were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees (v. 1)
• The leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John where teaching the people that through Jesus there is resurrection of the dead (v. 2)
• The leaders arrested them (v. 3)
• Many of the people who heard their message believed it (v. 4)
• So the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men not counting women & children (v. 4)

Cast of Characters 

• Peter and John
• The council
• The captaining of the temple guard
• Some of the Sadducees
• Many of the people
• All the rulers and the teachers of the law
• Annas the high priest – Then Annas sent him, with his hands tied, to Caiaphas the high priest (John 18:24)
• Caiaphas – was the person who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one man die for the people (John 18:14)
• John – a member of the Sanhedrin
• Alexander – was kin to the high priest, his name meant man defender
• Other relatives of the high priest

The Question

• By what power, or in whose  name, have you done this (v. 7)

• Verses 8 – 12
  • Filled with the Holy Spirit
  • Rulers and elders  of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man?
  • Do you want to know how he was healed?
  • Clearly stated he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead
  • There is salvation in no one else!
  • God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved

The Council’s Response 

• Verse 13 – 15
  • They were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John
  • They could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures
  • They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus

The Proof

• Verse 14
  • Since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say

Another question

• Verse 16
  • What should we do with these men?
  • We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it

The Response to the Proof

• Verse 17
  • But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again

The Council’s Solutions 

• Verse 18
  • So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak in the name of Jesus

The disciples’ response to the solution

• Verses 19, 20
  • Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?
  • We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard

The council’s rebuttal 

• Verses 21, 22
  • The council threatened them further, but finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot.
  • For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign–the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years

  The prayer for courage

• Verses 23 – 30
  • When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God
  • O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them
  • And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants great boldness in preaching your word
  • Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus

God’s response to the Prayer

• Verse 31
  • After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
  • Then they preached the word of God with boldness

• Verses 32-35
  • All the believers were united in heart and mind
  • And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had
  • The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all
  • There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need

Reflect  

• Are the people around you amazed by the boldness that the Holy Spirit has empowered  you with?
• Do others see you as ordinary with no special training but gifted with the extra-ordinary power of God?
• Are you recognized as people who had been with Jesus?
• How has our society today tried to keep modern day saints from spreading what they call propaganda?
• How has our society today tried to keep us from speaking in Jesus’ name?
• Are you obeying God are your society?
• Have you stop telling people about everything you have seen and heard in the spirit?
• Have you stop telling people about the love of God? John 3:16
• Do you put Christ first in the major areas of your life and are you taking steps to separate from sin?
• Do you maintain a consistent devotional life and are you growing in faith and intercessory prayer?
• Are you openly identified with Jesus Christ where you live, work, and do you manifest a heart for witnessing?
• Do you know how to give your testimony clearly?
• Do you present the gospel regularly with increasing effectiveness?

Your thoughts:  

   My prayer 

• O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them
• Give us, your servants great boldness in preaching your word
• Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name  of your holy servant Jesus
• Shake this meeting place Father God and fill us with the Holy Spirit that we may preached the word of God with boldness, in Jesus’ Name!  Amen!

Proverbs Chapter 1 – God’s way/My way

Proverbs Chapter 1 – The Purpose of Proverbs 

Lesson #1: God’s Way:

16 Reasons why  you should study the Book of Proverbs every day, every month, and every year:

1. So that you might be taught wisdom and discipline to help you understand the insights of the wise (v.2)
2. So that you might be taught to live discipline and successful lives (v.3)
3. So that you might gain insight, knowledge and discernment (v.4)
4. So that you might become even wiser gaining understanding and so that you receive guidance (v.5)
5. So that you understand that the foundation of true knowledge starts with the Fear of the LORD (v.7)
6. So that you don’t become a fool who despises wisdom and discipline (v.7)
7. So that you learn from the correction of your father, and you don’t neglect your mother’s instruction (v.8)
8. So that you learn from your parents and receive a crown of grace and a chain of honor around your neck (v.9)
9. So that you learn to turn your back on sinners when they entice you to join them (v.10)
10. So that you learn to not go alone with those who rush to commit evil deeds (v.15, 16)
11. So that you are not like the greedy who lust after money,  who are robbed of life (v.19)
12. So that you don’t reject wisdom’s advice and ignore correction offered (v.25)
13. So that you don’t end up eating the bitter fruit of living your own way, and choking on your own schemes (v.31)
14. So that you don’t turn away from wisdom but rather to death (v.32)
15. So that you don’t become a fool destroyed by your own complacency (v.32)
16. So that you DO LISTEN to Wisdom and end up living in peace and untroubled by fear or harm! (v.33)

Lesson #2: Your Way:

1. Being a fool and despising wisdom and discipline (v.7)
2. Not listening when your father corrects you (v.8)
3. Neglecting your mother’s instruction (v.8)
4. Listening to the enticing words of sinners (v.10)
5. Joining in with those who say let’s hide and kill someone just for fun, or let’s ambush the innocent (v.11)
6. Imagining the great things we’ll get, we’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take (v.13)
7. Throwing your lot in with them so that you can share in the loot (v.14)
8. Running to get on the same path with those who rush to commit evil deeds, and commit murder (v.15, 16)

Here is a video that sheds light on your way of doing things:

The overarching theme here is to have reverence for the LORD

Resolution:

Lesson #3: To have a positive outcome

• One must start with the foundation of true knowledge and that is found in having true  reverence for the LORD (v.7)
• Listen when your father corrects you (v.8)
• Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction (v.8)
• Turn your back on sinners that entice you join them in their adventures (v.10)
• Don’t go along with sinners, stay far away from their paths (v.15)
• Listen to the wise counsel of wisdom and she will share her heart with you and make you wise (v.23)
• If you listen to wisdom you will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm (v.33)

Lesson #4: To have a negative outcome

• One must be foolish, despise wisdom and discipline (v.7)
• Entice others to join you in ambushing the innocent (v.10, 11)
• Fill your houses with all the stuff that you can take (v.13)
• Throw your lot in with thugs and share the loot (v.14)
• Be greedy for money (v.19)
• Insist on being simpleminded (v.22)
• Be a mocker and relish your mocking (v.22)
• Hate knowledge (v.22)
• Pay no attention to wisdom (v.24)
• Ignore wisdom’s advice (v.25)
• Reject the correction that wisdom offers (v.25)
• If you reject wisdom’s advice pay no attention when wisdom corrected you then you must eat the bitter fruit of living your own way, choking on your own schemes (v.30, 31)
• When you turn away from Wisdom you turn to death (v.32)
• Fools are destroyed by their own complacency (v.32)

The question is which way will you choose? God’s way or Your way.  What a wonderful reason to study and understand the Book of Proverbs, so that you might gain the guidance needed to choose the correct way to fulfill your purpose in God.

The last two verses of this chapter are bitter sweet if you will, “For simpletons turn away from me (Wisdom) to death.  Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.  But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:32, 33

Memorize: “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.  Let those with understanding receive guidance.” Proverb 1:5 NLT

Are you praying yet?  Its Prayer Time! 

Proverbs 24 More Sayings of the Wise

Today we will examine the 24th chapter of Proverbs.

Theme:  More Wise Sayings

So let’s get started with verse 23 which states, “Here are some further sayings of the wise:  It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.”

Lesson #1: Sayings of the Wise 

• Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. (v.1)
• A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. (v.3, 4)
• The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. (v.5, 6)
• Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. (v.7)
• A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker. (v.8)
• The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker. (v.9)
• If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. (v.10)
• Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death.  Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you (v.11, 12)
• My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. (v.13, 14)
• Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live. (v.15)
• The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.  But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked (v.16)
• Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.  For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them (v.17, 18)
• Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked.  For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out (v.19, 20)
• My child, fear the Lord and the king.  Don’t associate with rebels, for disaster will hit them suddenly.  Who knows what punishment will come from the LORD and the king? (v.21, 22)
• A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.  But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them. (v.24, 25)
• An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. (v.26)
• Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. (v.27)
• Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!” (v.28, 29)
• I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. (v.30-34)
  1. It was overgrown with nettles
  2. It was covered with weeds
  3. Its walls were broken down
  4. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson
  5. A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest–
  6. Then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
  7. Scarcity will attack you like an armed robber

 Proverbs 24:1‭, ‬3‭-‬11‭, ‬13‭-‬15‭, ‬17‭, ‬19‭-‬19‭, ‬21‭, ‬24‭-‬24‭, ‬26‭-34 NLT

Wisdom is the principal thing and real wisdom understands the list above and how important it is to your very life on a daily basis.

Memory Verse:  Proverbs 24:10 “If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small”

   It’s Prayer Time!