Dear Friends,

READ: MATTHEW 15:1 THROUGH 17:27

Alice was new to the community, but already she was becoming the talk of the town. She tended to stay to herself, so her curious neighbors began to create their own ideas about her background based on the little information they had gathered. Some people said she was a fugitive. Others said she had left her husband, and still others said she had caused trouble in other towns. Everyone had their own story.

Sherry was the only person in town who was friendly toward her. After a few weeks of conversations, Alice asked Sherry what the people were saying about her.

Sherry said, "They mainly spread rumors and tell wild stories. But since you and I met and have become friends, I know that you are a warm, caring woman, so I ignore what they say."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15).

There are many viewpoints today about Jesus. Some people say He doesn’t exist, that He was a madman, or that He is just one of many gods. But Christians know the truth—Jesus is the resurrected Lord and lives within their hearts!

Challenge for Today: Ignore hurtful rumors about people and get to know them personally.