MORNING MANNA 9-13-24
THE POWER OF INFLUENCE
““For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Romans 14:7
It is impossible to rid oneself of the power of influence. The most insignificant and the most isolated are of influence — always affecting others in one way or another. Influence is ineradicable. None can dispossess themselves of this power. All that can be done is to direct it, for good or evil.
No man perishes alone in his iniquity — no man can guess the full consequences of his transgression.
In the same way, it can be said that the consequences of good deeds cannot be measured.
Oh, it is a solemn power that I have — this power of influence! It clings to me — and I cannot shake it off. It was born with me — it has grown with my growth, and strengthened with my strength. It speaks, it walks, it moves with me. It is powerful in every look of my eye, in every word of my lips, in every act of my life. I cannot live to myself. I must either be a light to illumine — or a tempest to destroy.
I must either be an Abel, who, by his immortal righteousness, “being dead, yet speaks;” or an Achan, the saddest continuance of whose otherwise forgotten name, is the fact that no man perishes alone in his iniquity.
A miller went from his work with his clothes covered with flour, to the post-office — and edged his way through the crowd. He left his mark on every one he touched.
In the same way, Christians we should leave a mark for Christ on every one with whom we come in contact.- Author unknown
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx
