Are We A Positive Influence On Others?
Good Morning Friends,
As Christians we are called to the highest standard of conduct. We are also called to be used by God to bless people for a Holy purpose. Sometimes it is an unexpected and immediate blessing and at other times manifested in a long-awaited harvest. The beauty is that God will use people from all walks of life to plant blessings. What comes of these efforts is in part a matter of trust and faith but also a matter of our own authenticity.
Some efforts have unintended toxic consequences and different levels of effectiveness. In some we are just a catalyst, which bring us to today’s self evaluation about seeing God from the inside out. Are We A Positive Influence On Others?
Scripture: But after a while the wadi dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah
1 Kings 17:7-16 (NRSV)
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSV)
Message: Giving builds our faith and trust in God and can be a wonderful influence as well on others. But our charity is not just giving, but rather removing the need of those who receive charity and liberating them from that which holds them back from enjoying life. The best of gifts is to let our light shine and be of pure motives so that we might be a divine encouragement on the world in which we live. We are to be a seasoning and preservative when brought into contact with others. We are to illuminate the truth. Our charity is to bear fruit. Our light is to be sustainable so that others may triumph over a culture of ignorance and death. We are to be a message of hope that with God we will always have enough. We are to share in the sustainable love of God.
Pray we believe in the provision of God. Pray we believe in the power of giving. Pray we realize that we all are salt but that we must determine what kind of salt we are going to be. Pray we realize that we are called to be authentic and pure. Pray we not be hypocrites. Pray we be reliable, faithful, trustworthy salt and light. Pray we be bona fide ambassadors for Christ and His Kingdom. Pray we have a heart of love ready to serve God. Pray we shine our light to the glory of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 