We Have Been Given Power

Good Morning, My Friend!! The power of influence,...it's a wonderful, and terrible gift. Have you ever noticed who got recruited to do the stone throwing dirty work, of the Pharisees and hypocrites? They were God-fearing men and women of high standing. They weren't bums on the street, or women found in the back alley,...they were the same men and women you found sitting in the church pews, every week. They were you and me. Scary isn't it? Our influence can mend the brokenhearted, bond together unsuspecting lives, and bring unity to warring friends and neighbors. But if our words carelessly leave our lips, we can sever the strongest relationship, smother self-worth, and crush the spirit.
But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.—Acts 13:50 (NIV)

God has given us an awesome gift,...and praise the Lord; He's also given us rules to use it. In 1 Peter 3:4, He tells us to be 'gentle and quiet spirits' not because He doesn't want us to talk (thank the Lord),...but because He wants us to think before we speak and act. How many times do we flippantly say something because it's the first thing that comes to our mind, or because we got caught up in listening to the latest gossip?

From the earliest examples in the Bible, men and women of God, have wielded the power of influence.

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Sweet Spirit of God, teach us to be prayerful with our influence. Guard our tongues to only strengthen, encourage, teach, nurture exhort, evangelize, and disciple. Don't allow us to speak to others until we've spoken with You. Amen.

" We live in a time when every religious channel seems to be filled with messages about power, success, fame, and fortune,...and God's Word is just another item for sale."