Influence: January 12, 2010

JANUARY 12. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 12

INFLUENCE

DEFINITION:

The awareness of facts, truths or principles. What is known, a body of accumulated facts.

SCRIPTURE:

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

As the scripture says, we are living in a crooked and perverse generation. This is why our Christ-like influence on people is more vital than ever. In the verse above, Paul is telling the church at Philippi that they must shine as lights in the world.

As parents we must train our children daily in the ways of the Lord. We need to start training them at an early age telling and showing them that as Christians they will stand alone many times in life because of their faith. The training they receive when they are young will go a long way in helping them to stay true to their faith in later years.

Children and adults have many influences on their lives today. Some of these are good and some bad. For just one example, it is hard to overestimate the ungodly influence questionable literature has upon an individual. Several murderers have said in prison that reading just one vicious romance book led them into crime.

England’s John Angeli, (some have referred to him as being one of England’s most honest men) said when he was getting quite old, that he never got over the evil effects of having to read in school a bad book for just fifteen minutes. Today it is the media that has the greatest impact upon our society. Hour after hour and day after day we are bombarded with objectionable material that can scarcely even be described. This kind of influence on our children and their parents undermines their moral values and sense of what is right and what is wrong. Because of this bombardment of negative, satanic influences, it is no wonder we live in an “anything goes society.” Is it any wonder that our families are dysfunctional and our world is wracked by insoluble problems?

What kind of evil influences are impacting your family each day? Have you evaluated what both you and your children watch, hear, and see on the television, computers, conversations and even the actions and deeds around your home or from your neighbors? As parents are you setting boundaries for your children and yourself.

What kind of influences is your family facing at school, at the work place or with friends? Are you aware of who your children spend time with and what kind of activities they are involved in? Again we ask, “Are boundaries being set?” You need to eliminate the evil influences in your life and seek out positive influences. To begin on a positive note, read the Bible daily alone and with the family. Also then pray daily alone and with the family. Turn off the television if you have any concerns on the content. Watch carefully what your children are doing on the computer and their cell phones and IPods.

The apostle Paul advises us that we should quit arguing and complaining. Arguing and complaining among family members causes dissention and destroys the unity of the family. If your family is serving the Lord, He will be a unifying influence and enable you to live peaceably and in harmony.

Remember --- a family that eats dinner together, talks and listens together and reads the Bible and prays together will be putting positive values in their lives that will enable them to overcome the evil influences that they face. As you train your family to live lives that honor God, each of you will shine as bright lights in this dark and corrupt world.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

PRAYER:

HELP ME AND MY FAMILY TO TURN FROM ANY EVIL INFLUENCES IN OUR LIVES AND CLING TO GOD AND HIS WORD.