July 23
2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19; Romans 8:9-25; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 19:26
Are you an influencer of others or are you being influenced by the world around you? We are always either pushing against the darkness or allowing it to draw us away from God. In Solomon’s interactions in 2 Chronicles we see both of these realities. He marries a princess of Egypt who even he recognizes does not have a relationship with YHWH. As a non-believer he is not able to allow her anywhere that the Ark of the Covenant has been. Elsewhere, we see that he went on to build places of idol worship for her and his other pagan wives. These women influenced him and Israel in extremely negative ways. In contrast, he powerfully influenced the Queen of Sheba on her visit. She responded to Solomon by proclaiming, “Praise be to the Lord your God.” We are all susceptible to various influences, so it is critical that we examine what we are allowing into our thoughts, sight, and lives.
Paul tells us our ultimate influence should be the Holy Spirit. He places us in a new "realm" of life and made us God's children (v.14). He is working in us to encourage, empower, and propel us to live out this work in ways the world can see. The Spirit wants to influence us so we can influence the world around us. In other words, he wants to help us be disciples who make disciples. This will mean needing to spend more time with God than the influences of the world, so we can think rightly, live rightly, and be the influencers God has called us to be.
Father God, thank you for the work of your Spirit in my life. Thank you that He has given me life and made me new. Thank you that He empowers and influences me to live out his life in powerful ways. Help me to listen to you more clearly than all of the other voices around me today. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you learn to be influenced more by the Spirit than the world around you?
Are you an influencer of others or are you being influenced by the world around you? We are always either pushing against the darkness or allowing it to draw us away from God. In Solomon’s interactions in 2 Chronicles we see both of these realities. He marries a princess of Egypt who even he recognizes does not have a relationship with YHWH. As a non-believer he is not able to allow her anywhere that the Ark of the Covenant has been. Elsewhere, we see that he went on to build places of idol worship for her and his other pagan wives. These women influenced him and Israel in extremely negative ways. In contrast, he powerfully influenced the Queen of Sheba on her visit. She responded to Solomon by proclaiming, “Praise be to the Lord your God.” We are all susceptible to various influences, so it is critical that we examine what we are allowing into our thoughts, sight, and lives.
Paul tells us our ultimate influence should be the Holy Spirit. He places us in a new "realm" of life and made us God's children (v.14). He is working in us to encourage, empower, and propel us to live out this work in ways the world can see. The Spirit wants to influence us so we can influence the world around us. In other words, he wants to help us be disciples who make disciples. This will mean needing to spend more time with God than the influences of the world, so we can think rightly, live rightly, and be the influencers God has called us to be.
Father God, thank you for the work of your Spirit in my life. Thank you that He has given me life and made me new. Thank you that He empowers and influences me to live out his life in powerful ways. Help me to listen to you more clearly than all of the other voices around me today. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you learn to be influenced more by the Spirit than the world around you?
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