TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD

Blessings all;
Are you a person of influence? By definition influence means an "ethereal flow," flow from the stars or heavenly flow. It is an unseen power that can draw people to follow, change behaviors, change ideas or beliefs. It can and does have the power to change the course of other people's lives. While many spend their time trying to impress others, the most effective people are not concerned with impressing but with influencing. In 1937 Dale Carnegie wrote "How to win friends and influence people." That book has sold over 15 million copies over the years as people have sought to learn the power of influence. It is a power that can be used for Godly reasons or evil. Adolf Hitler won the election to become the head of the Nazi Party by just one vote and look what happened. What if that one voter would have been influenced differently? Modern history would be very different. Have you noticed? Satan did not make Eve eat the forbidden fruit, he simply influenced her, then she influenced Adam, though he clearly knew what God required. Wow, look what happened to the world when just two people were influenced negatively. Good leaders are those who positively influence their staff in such a way that the staff wants to work hard. Other leaders use their position, title and power over the staff to make them work, with the threat that employees could lose their jobs if they don't perform.
Jesus, our King, makes no one come to Him and serve Him. He invites us, loves us, provides for us, and protects us. His Divine, authentic, Godly influence is what draws many to Him. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus declares that we, believers, are the salt and light of the earth. As such we are to go into all the world and "draw" all unto Him. In other words, influence others, with our testimony, our witness, our lifestyle, our genuine love and compassion, in such a way that they will seek after our Lord Jesus. Who do you influence in your world? In what way, goodness or worldliness? Are you more likely to build people up or tear people down? Do you make it a habit to speak well of others, even the ones you don't like, or speak ill of them? What did Jesus do? Whether you know it or not, you have influence. The question is what kind and for what cause? Jesus said, "if the salt loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing but...." Lord, give us influence, a divine heavenly flow, but let it be all for You!