The Secret of a Good Reputaion

The Shocking Message



These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008. They were written by a Godly lady for other ladies young and old so that their walk with the Lord may be strengthened.


Learning how to face our family problems through an in-depth study of the troubled home of Joseph.




This devotion is part of the "Family Problems" series.

How can we attain a good reputation? If we were to ask Joseph that question, no doubt he would tell us that a good reputation comes from obeying God's Word. Of course, this may not be the easiest or most glamorous way to earn an excellent name, but it is the most reliable, for it is God's way of going about it! You see ladies; it's not just what you know, but what you do that really counts. Therefore, a good reputation comes from consistent living. The people who watch you at work, in town, at home and in church form your reputation. A good reputation comes by consistently living out godly qualities - regardless of what group of people or surroundings in which you find yourself. Yes, even in a dungeon - that less than desirable location from where Joseph's godly reputation traveled. As a matter of fact, it reached all the way to the beautiful palace and into Pharaoh's ears, as we'll see in our reading today of Genesis chapter 41, verses 15 & 16…

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

"I have heard say of thee...." What have people heard say of you, dear lady? What reputation is being formed of you as people watch you in your work, your town, your home, and your church? Many folks worry about what others think of them but if we would all care most what GOD thinks of us, then we would obey God's Word as we should! True servants of the Lord understand that before promotion, there must first be a pleasing testimony…

Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

One cannot please God without walking in the light of truth and righteousness. Faith has always been the indication of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Our faith pleases the Lord and gets His attention in our lives! Joseph had great faith in God and therefore gained the interest of God and man. He knew that without the Lord, he was nothing! As a matter of fact, when Pharaoh addressed Joseph's aptitude for interpreting dreams, Joseph's response was, "It is not in me". Without hesitation he told Pharaoh that his abilities were not of himself, but of God. Ladies, the wisdom of God is not of human origin - such insight is spiritual in nature! Joseph wisely refused to take credit himself and steal glory away from God. Are you careful to do the same? Modest servants that distrust self and long to be taught by and to follow the Lord, will God favor with His presence. The Lord is selective when it comes to intimate fellowship with man! He doesn't share confidential information with just any believer. The Lord will guide the humble by His Spirit and the written Word and use their meek spirits in a mighty way! Yes, Divine insight lies with the lowly in heart…

Psalm 25:14
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Proverbs 3:32
For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

When another person trusts you above all others with their innermost secrets, it makes you feel pretty special, amen? Imagine the God of this universe sharing His secret things with you - what an unbelievable honor!! That's the kind of a relationship Joseph enjoyed with the Lord. All other human relationships paled in comparison to the fellowship this young man enjoyed with God. Joseph could have easily used his conference with Pharaoh to achieve personal status before a powerful man by boasting of his skill in understanding dreams. Nevertheless, dependency upon God always drove Joseph to put status in man's eyes aside and trade it in for service to his Lord. He wouldn't be deceived by the favor of man but chose instead to please God. Is it status you are seeking today, or service?

Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

What response do you typically offer when someone approaches you with admiration concerning your abilities? "I have heard it said of thee..." Is there any person or persons you have been determined to impress? If so, you probably have a very shallow relationship with the Lord… Yes, Joseph could have raised his social status in Pharaoh's eyes, but he didn't. He left such matters with his God. Rather than aiming for prestige, a Christian should look for a place where he or she can humbly serve with their God-given abilities! If and when God wants you to serve on a wider scale, HE will invite you to take a higher place - it is not a position for you to assume yourself!

Luke 14:7-11
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, [8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; [9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. [10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. [11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The mark of humility is to think of others more highly, not to presume you are deserving of greater position. Higher seating is determined by God's judgment of your reputation, not your judgment! Are you making arrogant choices for yourself or humble ones? Ladies, if your focus is strictly one of being a humble, obedient servant of the Lord, then like Joseph, God will reveal His secrets unto you. There is a deeper relationship available with the Lord that most Christians do not enjoy and have never tasted of though they may have been saved for years!! How sad… There's so much more prepared for us that God's people are missing out on!

1 Cor. 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Joseph's testimony has challenged me once again to want to experience a closer walk with the Lord. How about you, ladies?? I want my eyes to see what they haven't seen yet; I want my ears to hear what they've never heard before; I want my heart to be filled with the things of God which have never yet entered in!! There are so many spiritual blessings that our Lord has prepared for His children. All we have to do is forsake our own craving for whatever status this world could offer - that shallow, carnal life - and fall in love with the Lord, yielding to the Spirit of God continually and fully obeying His commandments. Let's publicize the secret to a good reputation!

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003 Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website