My Circle of Influence
Matthew 6:31-33

“Making a Difference”
George, a committed Christian, was growing in his awareness of God's expectations for his life and influences.  He was owner of a mid size metal business in an industrial state.  In response to a challenge at a Promise Keepers meeting he determined to change the hiring practices of his plant.  Instead of only looking for experienced men, he chose to seek men of ethnic diversity where possible.  If the prospective employee was lacking in a certain skill or machine operation, he determined that if possible, he would provided training.  Over a period of two years he has now given employment to five new men.  Four of the five were productive.  The fifth was re-directed to another line of work where he could excel.  One of the new men became a believer through he witness of a fellow employee.  He confided to George that his increased income had not only benefited his family, but it had also allowed that family to increase support to their church.

Reflection
In this story you see a progression of the use of influence and power to show intention as a Christian and toward the fulfillment of reconciliation.  All of the areas of our lives tend to spread out like rings on a pool of water; our marriage, our children, our friends, our church, our work, and even the scope our work in, some cases.  Would someone say of you that your life is ultimately influencing someone else?
This is the point.  We need to build solid foundations in each area of our lives.  God wants us to serve him by serving our spouse, by loving our children, etc.  Each area is an area of obedience to Christ.

Accountability and Application
If the loyalty that I demonstrate to the body of Christ, the Church, were measured by God's loyalty to me, how would I be doing?

 PRAYER:   Lord, you have given me many areas of influence.  Help me to show my devotion to you by those that I serve.

Matthew 6 (NIV)

Do Not Worry 

 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 
 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.