As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), and one way we can do that is by using our influence for good. We all have influence in some capacity, whether it's with our family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers on social media. But the question is, how can we use that influence in a way that honors God and benefits those around us?

First, we need to recognize that our influence is a gift from God. It's not something we earn or deserve, but something we are entrusted with. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." Whether we have a large, small platform, or if our cirlce of influence are our family and friends, we can use it to serve others and bring glory to God.

Second, we need to be intentional about the messages we are sharing and the actions we are taking. Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage, to inspire or demotivate. We need to be mindful of the impact our words can have and use them wisely.

Similarly, our actions speak louder than our words. James 2:17 says, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." If we want to be a positive influence in the world, we need to not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. We need to live out our faith in tangible ways that demonstrate our love for God and others.

Third, we need to be humble and willing to learn from others. Proverbs 15:31 says, "Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise." None of us have all the answers or know everything there is to know. We need to be open to feedback, willing to admit when we're wrong, and eager to learn from others. This attitude of humility and teachability will influence others greatly.

Finally, we need to remember that ultimately, our influence is not about us. It's about pointing others to Jesus and glorifying God. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." When we use our influence for good, we are reflecting God's goodness and love to the world around us.
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Using our influence for good is a high calling and a great responsibility. It requires us to be intentional, humble, and focused on serving others and bringing glory to God. May we all seek to be faithful stewards of the influence God has given us, using it to make a positive impact in the world and point others to the hope and love found in Jesus Christ.

​The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is one of the most well-known tales in the Bible. It tells the story of how God created the first humans, placed them in a paradise, and gave them everything they needed to live a happy and fulfilling life. However, things took a turn for the worse when Eve disobeyed God's command and ate from the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil. Many people today struggle with the question of whether God is holding out on them, just as Eve may have felt in the garden. In this blog, we will explore this idea further and see what lessons we can learn from Eve's disobedience.

The story of Eve's disobedience begins in the book of Genesis, where we are told that God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. In this paradise, they had everything they needed to live a happy and fulfilling life. However, God had placed one restriction on them. They were not allowed to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God warned them that if they ate from the tree, they would surely die.

One day, the serpent came to Eve and convinced her to eat from the forbidden tree. He told her that God was holding out on her, and that if she ate from the tree, she would become like God, knowing good and evil. Eve was tempted by this idea and ate from the tree. She then gave some to Adam, who also ate from it.

The consequences of their disobedience were severe. They were banished from the garden and forced to work hard to survive. Pain and suffering became a part of their lives, and they experienced the full weight of sin for the first time. However, the story of Eve's disobedience also teaches us a valuable lesson about the nature of God and His relationship with us.

Many people today struggle with the idea that God is holding out on them. They may feel like God is withholding blessings from them or that He is not answering their prayers. However, the story of Eve's disobedience teaches us that God is not holding out on us, but rather He is protecting us from harm. God knew that eating from the tree would bring death and destruction, and He warned Adam and Eve to protect them from those consequences.

In the same way, God may withhold blessings from us or not answer our prayers because He knows that it would not be good for us. We may not always understand His ways or His timing, but we can trust that He has our best interests at heart. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8).

The story of Eve's disobedience also teaches us the importance of obedience to God's commands. When Eve disobeyed God's command, she opened the door to sin and suffering in the world. Similarly, when we disobey God's commands, we open ourselves up to the consequences of sin. However, when we obey God's commands, we invite His blessings and favor into our lives.
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In conclusion, the story of Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden teaches us many valuable lessons about the nature of God and His relationship with us. We can trust that God is not holding out on us, but rather He is protecting us from harm. We must also strive to obey God's commands, knowing that doing so will bring blessings and favor into our lives. Let us learn from Eve's mistake and seek to live a life of obedience and faithfulness to God.