TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. Acts 20:18
Read: Acts 20:18
Listen: Acts 20
TODAY’S MESSAGE
When Paul speaks to the Ephesian leaders about influence, he doesn’t talk about having the biggest personality or being the most eloquent speaker. Instead, he points to the life he lived before them. He says, “You know how I lived.” They knew Paul well and saw his character shine through both good and bad times. It seems to be this long, slow influence that Paul most wants to pass along.
This is true for us today. Pastor Aaron Buer told us this weekend that the foundation of spiritual influence is how you live your life.
For those of us as parents, our kids see us model the building blocks of a growing faith. This can impact generations to come. For others, we may never know who is influenced by the way we treat our singleness, finances, work or season of difficulty. Watching this in us can lead others to make changes in their own life. Having a positive voice at our workplace can be used by God to influence a coworker to look more favorably toward Christianity because of the way we live out our faith.
People are watching whether we realize it or not. The way we live out our faith each day influences others to move toward or away from our God.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Reflect on your influence at home, work or school. Think about how people might describe the influence you have. Then pray something like this, “God, please forgive me for the ways in which I have used my influence negatively. Thank you for your grace and love for me. Help me to recognize the influence I do have and use it to point people to you. Amen.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
