Christian Living

The Devil Made Me Do It?

by Beverly Anne Sanchez
07/25/08
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Influence is directed subtly, operates without any direct or apparent effort, and accrues over time, thereby gaining in influence concerning decisions and direction, until one day there's a sudden realization:

Why am I doing this? Why is my child behaving this way? When did I make this a priority? When did I change my mind?

Although Godly influence is and can be a tremendous factor in pursuing and obtaining God's very best, in the wrong hands and in the wrong spirit, influence by and of itself can be detrimental in seeking and achieving God's Destiny for your life.

For instance, have you visited any porn sites on the net recently? Are your in-laws applying pressure for you to buy that property in another city? Maybe a co-worker is influencing you to stay for that Happy Hour on the corner. The possibilities are end-less.

Influence:
1: a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige 2: causing something without any direct or apparent effort 3: a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do; 4: the effect of one thing (or person) on another; "the influence of mechanical action" 5: one having power to influence another. Source: WordNet (R) 2.0, (c) 2003 Princeton University

LATE BREAKING NEWS: 07/12/2008

This morning I woke to the breaking news that possibly the single, biggest bank failure in history, the once solid IndyMacBank of Pasedena, California had just taken place. Depositors who thought they were insured through the FDIC learned to their dismay that not all their deposits will be salvagable.

To the Glory of the Father, just two months ago, the Lord led me to withdraw certain investments from IndyMacBank.

Their customer representative was more than convincing and very persuasive to leave the funds there to be renewed and in fact recommended that I withdraw funds from another investment vehicle and transfer them to IndyMacBank. He had a great power of influencing many persons I am certain. I mean this dude was awefully good!

Had I not heard from the Lord first, and been trained by the Holy Spirit to obey His Voice alone, I would have gone the route of everyone else at that financial institution. "For my sheep hear My Voice and the voice of a stranger they will not follow."

During these End-Times, changes will happen quickly, suddenly, without warning But if we hear His Voice, the Counselor, the Paraclete, and our Comforter will lead us into all truths.

IN PRAYER, DECLARE AND DECREE OVER YOUR LIFE:

"In Jesus' Name, I exalt the influence of the Lord Jesus Christ over every thought and decision, over every choice for my household and over every natural influence affecting me—today!

I insist upon the will of God for my life and my family. I reign-in every thought exalting itself over God's will and direction for me, and I call into alignment every thought, action, decision, meditation, concept, suggestion, association, relationship, affection, vision and method of operation. I resist common and base thinking and weak-willed responses, preferring instead God's active Wisdom and Understanding ministered to me by the Holy Spirit—today! I declare: I am influenced by the Lord, by godly and righteous counsel and by relationships that are marked with purity and ordained by God." Amen.