Circle of Influence

There are many important things that a Christian must consider in regards to living our daily lives. Among the vast array of things that bid for a high spot on our priority lists is our circle of influence. There is not much to consider that is more important than our circle of influence. We must be aware of our circle of influence. Most of the time when this is spoken of we consider the people who have influenced us, the impact that they have had in our lives and in our character development, etc. 

     But this time I would like to discuss the people that we influence. God has given each of us particular dominion, and that dominion includes those persons that we are responsible for. Those persons can be in our family, our friends, coworkers, and sometimes just persons with whom we are briefly associated. 

     These two scriptures illustrate this point. The first is the story of Jonah. With Jonah we see how his negative actions affected all of the people who were sailing on the ship with him. All of those mariners were in danger of losing their lives, because Jonah decided to run from the Lord. We must understand that when we decide to sin, that the repercussions go beyond just us. The repercussions affect those people within the sphere of our influence.   Think about how your negative actions or poor decisions have affected those persons around you.

     In the book of Acts chapter 27, we see how Paul, while on his way to prison, was on a ship that was going to crash. There's a visit from an angel of the Lord, and the angel told Paul that because of who he was, and whose he was, despite the impending danger of the ships crashing, that no one would lose their life. Now, understand that he was on the ship with a boatload of criminals. These criminals may have deserved to die during the ship's crashing. But, because of how Paul had decided to live his life, they all would benefit from his decisions. They were in his circle of influence. 

   Now, think about how people close to you have benefited because of the good choices and behaviors that you have exhibited. 

   We must try to be more selfless, and make decisions based upon not only how it will affect us, but how it will affect those who are within our circle of influence. We must consider our actions not only for us, but for those over whom we have dominion. The same way that Jesus made a decision to go to Calvary. He thought more about you and me than the pain that He Himself would endure.

– We love you, and we are praying for you. Pastor Erroyl and Sister Pinky

Father,

Thank you for reminding me that my actions affect those around me, be them good or bad. Help me to be cognizant of my actions and to be led by the Holy Spirit in every area of my life.

In Jesus' name we pray,

Amen

Relationships Are Hard

Relationships are difficult, to say the least; be it a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, coworker, and of course our relationship with God. Each has its' own challenges. Each relationship, if it is to be fruitful, has to be nurtured. Those whom we love most, seem to hurt us the most easily, and the most deeply. Sometimes even trying to get them to understand how they have hurt us is difficult.

Many people who believe in God think that He is a distant watcher of the drama that is His creation. They picture Him... He sits atop an awe-inspiring, jewel encrusted throne peering through space at the goings-on of man. Never interfering... A cosmic bystander.

But, nothing can be further from the truth, God is all about relationships. Have you ever noticed that people seem to gravitate towards and focus on the wrath of God, or the overhyped depiction of God as vengeful/jealous? Throughout the Old Testament you will come across phrases like, "They will be MY people, and I will be their God".  Those sort of statements are even made after God had been rejected and disobeyed by those who claimed to love him... for centuries! So why would He make those sort of statements? We also see the answer to the question of, "why do we see the vengeful side of God." Deuteronomy 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you... and, Job 5:17 Blessed is the one whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.",

Jesus was all about relationships while here on Earth... and even He was hurt by the relationships of those close to him.  (See John 7:5 and Matthew 13:57–58). His family rejected Him. The people of His own hometown rejected Him. His reply was the equivalent of saying that the people closest to you find it harder to see the great in you than do total strangers. No doubt that His feelings were hurt by the response of those closest to Him about His ministry. The whole purpose that Jesus came to earth was to save us from sin. It was all about relationship.

Now, if Jesus himself had to endure the difficulty of relationships, then so must we. We are made in His likeness after all. So don’t be surprised that those trials come. Be patient and kind. Try to see an alternative point of view in order to make peace. Do not repeatedly bring up past failures (Theirs nor yours). Above all else have compassion on them, and love on them. Like God, relationships have to remain paramount to us.

We Love you and We’re praying for you.

~Pastor Erroyl, and Sis Pinky

Sis Pinky's prayer:

Almighty Father,

We are in awe that You desire to have relationship with us despite our sins and shortcomings. Help us to desire You more than anything on this earth and to be appreciative of the love you have for us.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray,

Amen