INTRODUCTION

With the need so great, Christians frequently wonder why they are not used more in the Lord’s service and work. They fail to realize that their reputations have limited many of their opportunities. Until their reputations are repaired, their opportunities will remain hindered. In the early church, a problem came to the attention of the apostles when the “widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
See All...). As the apostles gave counsel for a solution, they suggested that the believers look out among them “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (Acts 6:3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
See All...). Why was it so important to consider the reputations of those men who were potential candidates? The apostles knew that the reputation of man hinders or helps in the service of the Lord.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): David kept sheep for his father. He had an excellent reputation. Even one of king Saul’s servants knew his stellar reputation. When Saul needed someone to play a harp, David was offered the opportunity and later became Saul’s armourbearer (1 Samuel 16:17-22 [17] And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. [18] Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. [19] Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. [20] And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. [21] And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. [22] And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): God can overcome someone’s reputation, but men require more time. Why is it important to have a good reputation among the saved and among the lost?
• What are some other areas of service in which the Lord demanded a good reputation as a qualification for service? What does this suggest about our reputations?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you a good report and opportunity to serve.
• Thank God for the light He has given in His word.

HYMN

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