Showing posts with label influence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label influence. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:11

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)

Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 11: Provides Influence
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
Your word: commandment, speech
Have hidden: by implication, to hoard or reserve
My heart: the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
That I: to the end intent that
Might Sin: miss the goal or path of right and duty; always against God
Not: most assuredly, no
Good men are afraid of sin, and are in care to prevent it; and the most effectual way to prevent is to hide God's word in our hearts, that we may answer every temptation, as our Master did, with, It is written, may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its menaces. (Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible; Psalm 119:11)
Influence: the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others. (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/influence?s=t)

Compelling force - on actions, behavior, opinions, etc. What is the compelling force in my life? What drives me to do things? What prevents me from doing things? 

My prayer is that God's Word would be the compelling force that would guide my actions, behavior, options, etc to be God honoring. 
Influence. God's word should have a huge influence on me, each and every day. 

Friday, February 19, 2016

Thanks Living: Divine Influence on the Heart

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 
1 Timothy 1:12-19

And I (have): such as possession; ability, continuity, relation, or condition; 
Thank (thankfulness): of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)

Lord: properly, a person exercising absolute ownership rights
Enabled: to empower, increase in strength

Counted: esteem, judge, suppose, think
Faithful: trusty; of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties


1 Timothy 1:12:
I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. (MSG)
I thank our Lord Jesus the Anointed who empowers me, because He saw me as faithful and appointed me to this ministry. (VOICE)
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me [the needed] strength andmade me able for this, because He considered me faithful and trustworthy, putting me into service [for this ministry]. (AMP)
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he ·trusted me [considered me trustworthy/faithful] and ·gave me this work of serving him [placed me in his service; appointed me to ministry]. (EXB)
How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him. (TLB)

Thankfulness. 
A divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life. 

Thanks Living begins in the heart and is reflected or manifested in life. A life filled with thankfulness can't be hidden from others. It's reflected in actions, attitudes, thoughts, words, motivations. When one lives a life of Thanks Living, no matter the circumstances—one can remain faithful to the to the task. When one acknowledges the Source (God) of ability, strength, wisdom, knowledge, then thankfulness is the result—as one knows it can't be down alone. 

Thanks Living: Divine Influence on the Heart. 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Proverbs 6:23-29: Influence

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life, To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent. Proverbs 6:23-29

Commandment: code of wisdom
Lamp: light, guide
Law: direction, instruction
Light: illumination
Reproofs: for discipline
Instruction: discipline, chastening, correction
Way: of moral action and character
Life: as welfare and happiness; as consisting of earthly felicity combined with spiritual blessedness

Keep: guard, keep within bounds, protect

As I read this all I could think about was  "the mud never gets glovey." 
If you put yourself in a place where sin abounds you will be influenced by that sin. 
Sin is nothing new. However, our Nation has changed over the years. We have become a Nation that tolerates sin. Satan uses that tolerance to lessen our abhorrence to sin. 

However, remember that we are to live by GOD'S standards. He does not and will not tolerate sin. He cannot for He is a holy God! 
Having a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God will keep me from sin and allowing sin to influence my life. 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Proverbs 4:3, 4: Influence

When I was my father’s son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live. Proverbs 4:3, 4

Heart: mind will, heart, from influence of 
Retain: hold, keep, hold firmly
Keep: observe = follow dictates of prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom
Commands: code of wisdom
Live: continue in life, remain alive

Influence. What makes us act, speak, think the way we do. We are all influenced by something or someone. And that influence impacts our life. 

When wisdom influences then the result is positive. However, in order for wisdom to be able to influence, the words, and code of wisdom must be known and held onto firmly. For what we don't know can't influence us. 

Influence. Impact. Predominance. What will control my thoughts, my actions, my attitude, my motives? If I want wisdom to have the greatest influence, then I had better grasp it and hold firmly to wisdom.

The only way for a heart to truly be influenced by wisdom, is of it to be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For a heart that respects and fears God, will be ready to hear and be influenced by wisdom.