DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: AUGUST 3 BUILDING GOOD FAMILY REPUTATION (3) SCRIPTURE: PSALM 15: 1 – 5; 2 CORINTHIANS 3: 1

Spread the love

In the past two series on this topic, there have been attempts to make readers know the need for reawakening good reputations in families. We have seen how, not only in Christians’ homes, but in the global sense, rebelliousness, and disrespect to elders and parents, waywardness in children and revolting against civil rules have taken the front burners of people’s behaviours. In short, good reputations are getting eroded every day. We have seen from the devotionals so far, how world of technologies, social media, peer groups and complete negligence over building good names have affected the reputational standards of people these days. Today’s devotional comes with few ways we can reawaken good reputations or train our households on good reputations as Christian families.

Firstly, parents are to maintain personal good behaviours before their children._ This point comes first because our personal good life exemplified is of utmost importance. Parents are the first teachers of children. Children believe in their parents and think whatever their parents do are good and correct. Parents who desire to have children of good reputations must first, be models of good works as well as showing them ways to integrity and dignity (Titus 2: 7). Secondly, parents and the children must make the Bible their authority. The Bible should be read, studied and accepted as the authority of God over any other laws in the house. Parents should not use or consult the Bible only when need arises to correct or discipline their children. Everybody has to live the Bible life. Reason Apostle Paul said we are to be living letters of Christ as seen in 2 Corinthians 3: 1 – 3.

The third thing is ensuring that our households live in godly-life standards. Godly-life standards give people good reputations in the world. King David captured what can be taken as godly life standards in Psalms 15: 1 – 5. We must refuse to be conformed to the world by adopting her patterns of life completely, so as to be accepted by the world. Christians are warned against this in Romans 2: 2. Conformity with the world standards is the fastest ways Christians traded their reputations for ignoble living standards of the world these days. Christians must show a difference in their dressing codes. The world must know us differently by dressing decently. We must show acts of reputations in handling businesses by practicing integrity and avoid cheating. The Bible cautioned against being “dishonest when measuring length, weight or volume” (Lev. 19: 35 NIV). This applies to other businesses. It is so sad that some Christian put the name of God forward in doing dubious businesses, and call their gains “breakthrough” without conscience. There must be a change of attitudes. Some Christians in governments have soiled Christianity by accepting bribes or entangled the selves in high degrees of financial misappropriation.

ACT NOW:

1. Take a sincere look at your personal lives as parents. What do you see as that which your son, daughter or house help has copied negatively from you? Can you pray that God enable you to change today?

2. Take another sincere look at the domineering character, attitude, mannerism, reflex actions etc., which one makes people to avoid you? The result shows you are not living a good reputable life. Ask God in prayer to amend your ways today.

bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch.