I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

If we believe God answers fervent prayers, then it’s not a stretch to believe He’ll answer serious questions too. Here is one I asked Him recently:

Heavenly Father, what is influence?

In His infinite wisdom, His response I believe I received went as follows:

Influence literally qualifies as a force. It can be subtle, dramatic, positive, or negative. On a temporal basis, your parents, your siblings, the values filtered into the family unit (whatever form that family unit takes), and the surrounding culture with its economics, educational guidelines, and media promotions all play influential roles. Friendships and social circles promote the exchange and release of influence. One thing to note, however, is that influence, as effective as it may seem to be in one moment, is always subject to change if its basis is something other than the truth I have set and established.

Understand that the influence of one who is committed to his own methods is only capable of subtle, dramatic or negative influence relative to Me and My agenda. Being receptive to My Spirit and love allows one to be positively influenced and to be a vessel capable of sharing the same. The key is to seek dependence in Me.

I am influence in its purest form-Love. My desire comes from an eternal perspective and has never changed. Quite simply, I will for My created beings to become poor in spirit so they may become greatly influenced to manifest Jesus. That, blessed creation, is influence!

Matt 28:19; Matt 5:13; Ps 97:10; Mark 13:31; Jer 32:27