#influence

1 Corinthians 9: 22 ESV “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some.”

Some people aren’t influenced by anything you say or do. They are stubborn and will go out of their way to do everything in their own way. In the beginning it would make me so angry. I have realized that they want to show you they are different and have their own perspective on life.

Take for instance a simple procedure, I have instructed you the old tried, tested and trusted way. These people will just look at you and do the exact opposite. Disregarding the steps and ignoring the procedures which we implemented.

How do you influence these kinds of people? I don’t believe you can and if you are able it would take time, patience and skill. Now I ask “are you really worth my time and energy?” 

You say find common ground and then building something from there. I have been looking and to be honest there isn’t common ground. I have resorted to handing them over to God.

Prayer

Lord thank You for hearing my prayers, I sometimes feel that I fail at so many things in life but I realize that You are still in control. I am not in a position to influence people and that is why I pray for wisdom and understanding. LORD guidance and also patience. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

 

Hannah’s Prayer – Praising God

1 Samuel 2:1-10New International Version (NIV)

Hannah’s Prayer

2 Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.

² “There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

³ “Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.

⁴ “The bows of the warriors are broken,
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
⁵ Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

⁶ “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.
⁷ The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
⁸ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.
⁹ He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
¹⁰     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
    the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

#selfishness

Proverbs 16: 9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

My husband constantly reminds me that I run away with everything, I hear something and I am planning my next move. I don’t know if you are anything like me but that is what I do.  It makes me wonder if I am not selfish in many ways. Thinking that I need to take charge of every situation and not allow myself to trust people around me nor the LORD.

Shamefully I confess that I am really selfish. I don’t share and I really must take a stand on sharing. I will help people and do things for other people but be sharing with other people grates my teeth. I get super angry when my things are taken and no one asks me.

So this is my problem I need to learn to share and be kinder but I am struggling with this part. I need to realize it isn’t mine anyway so God will provide for me. I just need to trust in him. 

I know that God will not reject my broken heart and when I confess and repent of my sins, God will hear me. My problem is that I forget that God knows the beginning from the end when it comes to my life. I need to wait on Him and trust Him with my own future.

Prayer

LORD, You know me and understand my actions. I don’t always do right by people in my life, humbly I pray forgive me, I am a sinful person. I am selfish and I don’t share. Forgive me and help me get my heart right with You as well as with people, I am asking this in Jesus Christ name.  Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

Verander die wêreld waarin ek woon! (Afrikaans)

Ek het besef dat daar nie veel is wat ek kan doen om die mense om my te verander nie. Veral die wat my werklik irriteer. My man herinner my voortdurend om te verander en dan sal dit die mense rondom my beïnvloed. "Wees die verandering wat jy wil sien." Aanvanklik het dit my so kwaad gemaak dat ek wou weghardloop.
Eerlik gesproke is dit iets wat die Here Jesus Christus ons leer. Om die wêreld om ons te verander, moet ons meer en meer soos die Here Jesus word. Laat ons eerlik wees, dit is onmoontlik om iemand in bonatuurlike vriendelik en liefdevol te verander.
Die enigste manier waarop ons 'n beduidende impak op die lewens van mense kan maak, is om die Here Jesus Christus in staat te stel om in ons lewens te bly. Ons het die Heilige Gees nodig om ons standpunt te verander, ons het Sy kreatiwiteit in ons lewens nodig. Ons moet ons harte en gedagtes verander deur die werking van die HEILIGE GEES.

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer