Favor and a Good Name...

Today's Readings: OT -  Jonah 1-2 / NT + - Proverbs 3

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." - Proverbs 3:3-4

My wife's grandfather, William Carter, was a true man of God. He was a teacher and preacher of the Word and he was a respected business man in his community. He dreamed of going to the mission field and saved for years to make this possible. Then his business was washed out by the 1938 Hurricane and he used all the savings to rebuild, so the men who worked in his plant would have jobs to provide for their families. His mission field had come to him and he responded with love and faithfulness.

This passage gives wise counsel for practical daily living. If we will show these spiritual qualities in our actions and store them in our hearts, we will make a difference for Jesus wherever we are. Being a man or woman of God is not as much doing as it is being. Then we will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

On the day of William Carter's funeral, a large number from New Bedford, Massachusetts came to honor him. The lines went down the street and around the corner. He never went to the mission field... because he stayed in his God-appointed mission field and made a difference for Jesus. How about you? Are you being a man or woman of God where you are today? Are you determined to show love and faithfulness to the mission field that God sends your way?

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Jonah 3-4  / NT + - Acts 1