Be a Joyful Influence by Abiding in God's Word

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  If we want to positively influence others, we should drink it faithfully!

            We hear the word influence used frequently…referring to how peers influence their friends, the influence of movies and television programs, the influence of music…positive and negative.  Most of us desire to be a good influence on those around us, but often we forget that people are watching and many times our “walk” and our “talk” don’t match.

            What does the Bible teach us about influence?  Well, Jesus himself has a word for us in John 8:31-32: 

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” 

We can’t “abide” in His word if we don’t read and study it faithfully. But if we do, what an influence we could be…because of the influence of God’s Word in our lives!  What we believe and apply will show to others.  The truth of God’s Word will set us free from the bondage of the past, bad habits, guilt, anger, resentment….and so much more.  When we are rid of those bad influences in our life, we’ll be filled with His abundant joy!

            Be a Godly influence by abiding in His Word so that you will know the JOYful truth and will be ready to pour it out into the lives of others.