influence :: Thursday E-Devotion

I said it yesterday, and I repeat it again today. (like it or not....think about it) 82% of people you invite to Easter worship will attend. Those are not people off the street. They are friends and family, co-workers and peers. The number is huge. Know what you call that? Influence. And we have it.

Jeremiah 15:19 (nlt) --- This is how the Lord responds:"If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,you will be my spokesman. You must influence them;do not let them influence you!

Like it or not, you are a person of influence. Far too often we let others influence us. It may pushing us toward anger or resentment or even apathy. Yet God is ALWAYS pushing us to use our influence for Him. Think about it.

How many people do you go to church with who are there because of your influence? Good question. Some of us would rather think we have little or no influence when in fact we are swaying lots of people in one direction or the other. There is no sitting on the fence. Jesus said it this way:

Luke 11:23 (nlt) --- Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.

Matthew 5:16 (nlt) --- In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Shine on. Share every chance you get. Smile big. Do it all to let people see Jesus in and through you. That is influence. That is influence at work at its best.

Easter is a time to celebrate Jesus, to share with family and to let Jesus live through ya. What are you going to do to influence the people you know? Some don't know Jesus. What are you going to do? Some don't go to church. What are you going to do? Some need a kind word. What are you going to do?

John 8:12 (nlt) --- Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

John 12:32 (nlt) --- And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.

That is what Easter is all about.

Comments

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog