The Incredible Power of Your Influence

NOTE: This is an excerpt from a speech Vonette delivered at a women's conference.

Oh, my, dear ones.  As I look out into your precious faces my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for your presence here today.

This is a God appointed time for you.  I want you to open your heart to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to confirm your calling and the incredible power of your influence.

I could spend this time rehearsing all the wonderful goodness of God in my life and my years of ministry with my husband Bill Bright; however, I want to take this time to speak openly from my heart and I pray you will understand the urgency of my comments.

As scripture tells us, God’s blessings come with a purpose. We as a nation seem to have forgotten that life is more than a series of cause and effects.  Throughout history we see dramatic evidence of God’s hand molding and shaping this nation into a vessel He can use.

The amazing thing about influence is that it has no age barriers, no status barriers, and no cultural barriers.  You have been called by God with a very special mission.  Your influence may frequently go unnoticed; however, the impact is so far reaching only eternity will reveal the lives you have touched.

As a new bride married to a man who was totally sold out to Christ and completely committed to ministry, I struggled a bit with finding my role.  Once I found it, however, I discovered that knowing your role in ministry is one thing; finding contentment and fulfillment in that role is yet another.  I did what I was supposed to do but not always with the right attitude. 

Once I grasped the concept that God’s calling for my life was MINE, not Bills, not Henrietta Mears…Mine…my attitude changed dramatically.  I did everything in my life to please Christ and amazingly what had been mundane became filled with purpose.  I’m not saying it was fun to wash dishes late into the evening while others were doing bible study and sharing, but my perspective changed.

This is probably the most important statement I will make today….

Your influence is directly proportionate to the level of your dependency on the Holy Spirit.

You and I can be mirrors that reflect the glory of the Lord as the Spirit of the Lord works within us and we mature.  I am still maturing!  I need divine wisdom throughout the day, not only in the multitudes of decisions that I must make daily, but also in the witnessing situations the Lord brings across my path.  No doubt you recognize a similar need in your life.

Dear ones, we are living in a day when your influence is not an option.  Not one of us can be apathetic to the condition of our nation.  Women hold the keys to the moral fiber of any civilization and most certainly women hold the key to the moral fiber of this great nation.  Unfortunately, many in Christian leadership are fearful of the governmental restrictions and shrink back from taking a bold stand against the evil that is permeating our society.   I am not suggesting foolish actions, I am imploring you to exercise biblical influence.

This is what I suggest…

Live with Gracious Goodness…

The prophet Micah made it very clear what God expects of us:

the Lord has told you what is good. And this is what HE requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8

Gracious goodness is the most effective way to demonstrate your faith.

Next…

Demonstrate a Flamboyant Faith...

Yes, I mean live your life with a flashy Faith.  Your greatest influence is when someone observes your life and desires to know the Christ you serve.  Be open about your values and make a priority to understand a biblical worldview.

The Psalmist David said it perfectly…    

Ps 112:1-9

Praise the Lord!

How joyful are those who fear the Lord  

and delight in obeying his commands.

Their children will be successful everywhere;

an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.

They themselves will be wealthy,

and their good deeds will last forever.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

Good comes to those who lend money generously

and conduct their business fairly.

Such people will not be overcome by evil.

Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

They do not fear bad news;

they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

They are confident and fearless

and can face their foes triumphantly.

They share freely and give generously to those in need.

Their good deeds will be remembered forever.

They will have influence and honor.

Lastly…

Serve with a Humble Heart…

I am going to give you several points that are basic to empower your influence and service. Please consider each one and realistically evaluate how you rate.

·      Experience the reality of an exalted view of God and His attributes

·      Love God with all your heart, soul and mind

·      Surrender totally, completely, and irrevocably to the lordship of Christ

·      Be filled with the Holy Spirit and practice walking in the power of the Holy Spirit as a way of life

·      Live lives characterized by the supernatural

·      Receive a God-given vision

·      Be courageous and tenacious for Christ

·      Be faithful stewards of God’s Word

·      Be committed to fast and pray for worldwide revival

·      Be faithful, daily witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ

I have come to realize that as I submit my will to the Lord, He is not going to allow me to make a mistake.  If He plants in me the desire to accomplish a task, He will also give me the power to accomplish it.

Ladies,

I believe with all my heart God is waiting to empower you to great and might acts in these desperate times.  Please surrender your life and ministry to Him.

By Vonette Bright, speech given at a women’s conference

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