BIG IDEA: Who we allow to influence us determines the influence we have on others
I believe that this series is so incredibly important for who we are becoming as followers of God. The BIG IDEA challenges us to really think about who we allow to influence our lives. Who do we listen to? Who do we follow? But also we must think about who we are influencing. Are we having a positive influence on our friends? Do they see the light of God in our lives or are our lives just like people who don't live for Christ? Below are the devotions for this week. I pray that God will speak to you and give you the strength to live a life of INFLUENCE.
DEVOTIONS: A LIFE OF INFLUENCE
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
Thursday October 4
If we look at Matthew 5:13, we see that we are to be salt. I know, it sounds a little odd, but if you look at the scripture and its context, you will see that salt is a good thing. Salt is what gives food like potato chips, popcorn, and mashed potatoes flavor. Have you ever had one of these foods without salt? I would just assume not have them without salt! It’s kind of what this verse is saying When we are become Christians, God gives us influence (salt if you will). But if we are not using our influence to further His kingdom, we are pretty much not living out our purpose. So, make sure your life is filled with “saltiness” so to speak…go and flavor your world!
Have you lost your “saltiness” (your influence for Christ)? If so, what are some ways that we can reconnect with God so that we can get our “saltiness back”?
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Friday October 5
“You are the light of the world.” It is true that we live in a dark world. Crime, hatred, broken relationships, etc. fill our worlds everyday. Therefore, as Christians, not only has God made us salt so that we can go and flavor our world so to speak, He has also called us to be light. However, we are not called to hide our light. In Matthew, Christ talks about putting our light on a stand so that everyone can see. Christ, himself, is the One and only Light. And because we are called to be like Him, we must shine our lights for Him.
Are you living your life to tell others about Christ? In other words, are you shining your light or are you hiding it?
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Maybe you shine your light to some friends but feel embarrassed to shine your light around others. How can you take steps to really begin shining your light to EVERYONE around you? Remember, sometimes words aren’t even necessary. Sometimes it’s as simple as showing love.
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Monday October 8th
The whole reason we are to shine our light is so that we may glorify God.
Think about the word Glorify. What does it mean to glorify God? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you feel that you are consistently glorifying God with your life?_______
If yes, then how are you glorifying Him? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If not, how can you begin to start glorifying God with your life? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday October 9th
We’ve talked about being salt and light this week. Reflecting over the past week, do you feel that you learning to be more like Christ by being more aware of Him and trying to bring positive influence to those around you? If so, how? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday October 4
If we look at Matthew 5:13, we see that we are to be salt. I know, it sounds a little odd, but if you look at the scripture and its context, you will see that salt is a good thing. Salt is what gives food like potato chips, popcorn, and mashed potatoes flavor. Have you ever had one of these foods without salt? I would just assume not have them without salt! It’s kind of what this verse is saying When we are become Christians, God gives us influence (salt if you will). But if we are not using our influence to further His kingdom, we are pretty much not living out our purpose. So, make sure your life is filled with “saltiness” so to speak…go and flavor your world!
Have you lost your “saltiness” (your influence for Christ)? If so, what are some ways that we can reconnect with God so that we can get our “saltiness back”?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday October 5
“You are the light of the world.” It is true that we live in a dark world. Crime, hatred, broken relationships, etc. fill our worlds everyday. Therefore, as Christians, not only has God made us salt so that we can go and flavor our world so to speak, He has also called us to be light. However, we are not called to hide our light. In Matthew, Christ talks about putting our light on a stand so that everyone can see. Christ, himself, is the One and only Light. And because we are called to be like Him, we must shine our lights for Him.
Are you living your life to tell others about Christ? In other words, are you shining your light or are you hiding it?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Maybe you shine your light to some friends but feel embarrassed to shine your light around others. How can you take steps to really begin shining your light to EVERYONE around you? Remember, sometimes words aren’t even necessary. Sometimes it’s as simple as showing love.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday October 8th
The whole reason we are to shine our light is so that we may glorify God.
Think about the word Glorify. What does it mean to glorify God? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you feel that you are consistently glorifying God with your life?_______
If yes, then how are you glorifying Him? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If not, how can you begin to start glorifying God with your life? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday October 9th
We’ve talked about being salt and light this week. Reflecting over the past week, do you feel that you learning to be more like Christ by being more aware of Him and trying to bring positive influence to those around you? If so, how? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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