Stewards of Influence

[Daily Devotional]

Stewards of Influence 

Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight
paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but
let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without
which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the
grace of God. Heb. 12: 12- 15. 

These words should teach us to be very careful how we snap the thread of our
faith by dwelling on our difficulties until they are large in our own eyes,
and in the eyes of others, who cannot read our inner, heart life. All should
remember that the conversation has a great influence for good or for ill. .
. . Do not allow the enemy so to use your tongue. . . . Do not exert an
influence that will break the hold of any trembling soul from God. . . . 

"Ye are God's husbandry" (1 Cor. 3: 9). As one takes pleasure in the
cultivation of a garden, so God takes pleasure in His believing sons and
daughters. A garden demands constant labor. The weeds must be removed; new
plants must be set out; branches that are making too rapid development must
be pruned back. So the Lord works for His garden, so He tends His plants. He
cannot take pleasure in any development that does not reveal the graces of
the character of Christ. The blood of Christ has made men and women God's
precious charge. Then how careful should we be not to manifest too much
freedom in pulling up the plants that God has placed in His garden! Some
plants are so feeble that they have hardly any life, and for these the Lord
has a special care. 

In all your transactions with your fellow men, never forget that you are
dealing with God's property. Be kind; be pitiful; be courteous. Respect
God's purchased possession. Treat one another with tenderness and courtesy.
Exert every God- given faculty to become examples to others. . . . 

Let Him who knows the heart and all its waywardness be able to deal with you
in mercy because you have shown mercy and compassion and love. . . . (Heb.
12: 13).

>From God's Amazing Grace - Page 64