Today's Prayer God, please build your nature in me, so that I will love other people the way u want me to. Prepare me so that I respond in righteousness when attacks come from those who would mistreat me or act under an unholy power. Help me 2b a vessel of honor You and a light in the darkness. Thank You 4 loving me. Thank You 4 protecting me. Thank You 4 being You.
The Power of Influence
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
10-10-2011
"Now I want u 2 know, brothers, that what has happened 2 me has really served 2 advance the gospel" (Phil 1:12-13).
Have u ever heard these statements: "Money talks." Or how about this: "He who has the gold, rules." Both of these statements have truth in them.
When Jesus was crucified there was a question as 2 where Jesus would be buried. Those that hurried him 2 the cross, designed that he should make his grave w/the wicked; but God designed he should make it w/the rich (Isa 53:9), and so he did.
In order 4 Jesus 2b buried w/honor, a man of influence was permitted 2 take the body of Jesus. His name was Joseph of Arimathea. It seems this man had a personal relationship wPilate. He was a man of influence and owned a burial cave that was reserved 4 the rich.
Joseph of Arimathea was called an honorable counselor, a person of character and distinction, and in an office of public trust; some think in the state, and that he was one of Pilate's privy council; his post rather seems 2 have been in the church, he was one of the great Sanhedrim of the Jews, or one of the high priest's council.*
The Bible says that He desires His people 2b the head, not the tail. If we are 2 influence the culture, there must be men and women of influence in whom God uses 2 impact the culture. If u are a successful person, consider the words of Paul when he said, "...what has happened 2 me has really served 2 advance the gospel." Although Paul was referencing adversity in this statement, it can be equally said that each of us needs 2 ask if our prosperity has served 2 advance the gospel.
Are u using your influence 2 impact your workplace, city, or even nation 4 the sake of the gospel?
*(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.
