by Live Original | Dec 15, 2020 | Life Advice, Sisterhood
What a special weekend! As we prepared for our very first LO sister ambassador retreat, we kept coming back to the word “Influence”.
What is it?
How do we use it?
How to we show people that every single person has it?
We decided that it would be our theme for the weekend so that we can uncover some of these questions together.
Friday was nothing short of unforgettable. Over 30 women from all over the country traveled in to be a part of this weekend together. We ate together, worshipped together, and dove into the word of God together.
One of the most powerful encouragements that came out of Friday night was, “God will use you for his glory, but He will choose you for His love” – Pastor Shivon Woodard
As much as we wish every LO sister could have been there, we trust that God can take what happens in a small gathering and expand it to thousands, even millions, more. We are confident that what happened this weekend will bless and impact the LO sister community in eternal ways.
It was our joy to host and pour back into the ambassadors that have been pouring out to our members in LO sis over the past 6 months.
Remember, friends, God will never ask you to pour out without the promise of keeping you filled as long as you abide in Him.
Just like you, these women are world changers and we can’t wait to see the fruit that comes out of our time together.
True fellowship. True sisterhood.
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“More than who is following you, we should be asking: “Who are we following?” – Sadie Rob Huff
Saturday morning was filled with fresh air, lotsss of coffee after a late night, and quality time with each other and Jesus. Then, we got to take the group to the LO office space which was such a sweet time. We got comfy, loaded up on snacks and settled in as Sadie taught us even more about the power of influence seen through the perfect life of Jesus.
Sadie left us with three questions to consider and we encourage you all to process these as well:
1. Where are you getting your content?
“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:41-52
2. Where is the glory going?
“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” John 5:19
3. Where are you leading your followers?
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Friends, Jesus is the only one worth following. You don’t have to attend the retreat to know that. Our LO sister ambassadors left so encouraged and on fire to make Jesus the name above every other name as we all live our lives and as they continue to guide you inside the app.
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8
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Saturday night. . . What. A. Night.
We were led in the sweetest worship @kayleaholdthemayo of LO worship which set the tone for the BEST Q&A with Mrs Korie, Sadie, and Christian. SUCH Godly wisdom!
Christian brought an incredible word on modesty from a guy’s perspective. He mentioned how women have a false perception of what men are attracted to and how a godly man will pursue a woman for who she is, not how much she reveals.
In the words of Christian Huff, “modest is hottest.”
Korie addressed one of the most destructive vices in our world today: gossip.
“Don’t believe the best and don’t believe the worst.” She said that we actually have the choice of whether or not to listen to the negativity people dole out. Let’s do our best to filter out what man believes about us and focus on what God says is true!
Sadie offered advice on how to use social media as a source of influence without letting it control you. We’ve been given a platform to declare His name. But if at any point that platform turns into a hindrance in your walk with Christ, take a step back to rekindle that fire with Jesus, then return to the influence you’ve been given to lead others toward Him??
To finish out the night, we had DJ @jaydaiye bring down the HOUSE. Everyone dressed in their favorite Christmas pajamas and we busted out some moves on the dance floor??
The thing about Jesus is that He can speak through anyone and anything. And we certainly heard Him speak through His people this weekend! Thank you, Jesus, for community fixed on you and the wisdom you pour out through others.
And that about sums up our weekend! We continue to be blown away by our ambassadors and the way they faithfully pour into our members on LO sister! If you are interested in joining LO sister OR want to give LO sister this Christmas, check out our limited time Christmas Bundle! The bundle comes with a one year LO sister membership + access to Sadie’s LIVE Book Club starting January 2021! Click HERE for all the details!
by Madison Dahlstrom | Sep 29, 2020 | Life Advice, Sisterhood |
No, seriously. Is there a deal? Is it a sin to say cuss words? They’re just words, so what’s the big deal? What if you’re just joking around? And if cussing IS wrong, why do so many Christians cuss casually without conviction?
I got these questions from some high school kids in my husband’s and my small group recently, and to be honest I didn’t know how to answer them.
My whole life I’ve been told not to cuss (we also couldn’t say “hate”, “sucks”, or “nasty”.. and fun fact: my mom still refers to “fart” as the “F word” ?). While I felt in my heart cussing was wrong, I never stopped to ask my four year old’s favorite question ?? “Why?”
This is why I love high schoolers who are new in their faith (and toddlers!), they teach me so much more than I could teach myself:
That it’s important to understand the reasons for the standards we set in our lives.
•• They remind me that when we are bold & humble enough to ask the simple questions, our faith can be radically deepened.
SO, I’m asking the question.
I’m asking for me.
I’m asking for you.
I’m asking for our children.
I’m asking for all of us.
Is it sinful to say cuss words? And why?
The short answer is YES. But stick with me, because the long answer is one I think we really need.
1. There isn’t a “list” of forbidden cuss words; It’s more dangerous than that.
Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome (filthy) talk come from your mouth, but only what is good for building someone up in need.”
Then he says in Ephesians 5:4 “Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or crude joking, which are out of place.”
?? Paul knew that to honor God with our tongues, we needed more than just a list of bad words to avoid, because what classifies as inappropriate language changes over time and across cultures. For example: The cuss words said today aren’t even in the Bible.
This is why instead of a list, the Bible gives us these verses in Ephesians as a standard to discern what is “out of place”, unfitting & dishonorable to God (aka sinful), that we shouldn’t use. Regardless of the 8 words in our English language deemed cuss words, if a word or phrase is unwholesome, vulgar, foolish, filthy, crude, or obscene, it is sinful to say.
2. God isn’t laughing.
I get it. The joke is funnier and your friends laugh harder when you say the cuss word. But please hear me on this – God isn’t laughing.
And if God doesn’t find our sin funny, why should we?
I think back to when I was in school, and wanted so badly to be popular like the cool girls. I remember lying on my mom’s closet floor in tears, and hearing her say to me, “Who decides what’s popular? Being popular is simply being known for something. What do you want to be known for?”
Those words gave me such confidence to stop looking to the world to define what’s “cool”, and start looking at what does God say is cool.
I asked my high school girls (and myself), “Do you think God would say cussing is cool?”
Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
We are called to go out and make disciples. But we cannot win people to Christ by looking like the world.
3. Our words bring life or death.
I once heard a nutritionist say that everything we put in our mouths is either making us healthier or making us sicker; and thinking about this will help us make wiser food choices.
But What if we used the same thought about what comes out of our mouths?
Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Think about that for a minute. Every single word you speak either brings someone closer to Jesus (life) or pushes them farther away (death).
Woah. We have a serious responsibility as Christians, to stop and choose the words we speak wisely so that we may produce fruit that makes everyone around us healthier.
I love this verse in Luke 14:23 “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”
Are we COMPELLING people to come to Jesus with the words we speak?
4. Who makes your rules?
Who decided cussing is cool? Ya’ll, it’s the same guy who decided getting drunk is cool, and that gossiping is cool, and that watching pornography is cool.
It’s the same guy who convinced Eve that eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was cool.
His name is Satan – the Prince of Lies, and wow, is he sneaky? The devil has taken over our televisions, our music and even our coffee shops, with so much filthy language in attempt to slowly desensitize us to the sound of sin.
And it’s working.
I asked my high school girls, “What percentage of people your age do you think cuss?” They said: 100%. What’s even more shocking to me, is that their answer didn’t change when I asked specifically about their Christian friends.
Satan convinces us that God isn’t concerned with something so small as our tongue. Lies!
In James 3, God urges us that although the tongue is a small part of the body, it controls the whole course of our life.
“No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
Friends, God takes our words seriously, and so should we. “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26
5. It’s hard to break bad habits.
How can we tame our tongues when Scripture says it’s impossible?
Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” We tame our tongues by relying not on ourselves and our own will power, but by partnering with the Holy Spirit and using the supernatural strength of the Lord inside of us.
Jesus warns us to not conform to the patterns of this world, but then gives us this hope: that amidst our most sinful addictions and bad habits, with Jesus we can be transformed through the renewal of our mind. (Romans 12:2)
Jesus thinks too highly of us to merely give us a rule book to follow. Christianity is not moralism. He wants our hearts, filled with the genuine desire to submit to His standards and bring honor to His name, so that we may make Him known to others.
•• So, girlfriends, are we bringing Him glory with the words we speak or are we tarnishing our testimony for Christ?
My prayer for all of us is that whatever standard we set for our lives and our families, we know the biblical reason behind it. I pray God renews our mind and transforms the language we use. I pray that we are so filled with gratitude and the Holy Spirit, that there is no room for unwholesome words to pour out of our hearts. I pray we stop looking to our peers and pop culture to tell us what’s cool and acceptable — and that we become known for bringing Life to people around us through our words.
Madison is a 6’ 2” mama of three littles (4, 2 & newborn!), living in Bloomington, IN with her college sweetheart hubby, Griffen. When she is not working full-time for a leading tech company – she is baking her signature chocolate chip cookies and getting real with teenagers in her living room. Madison is a tall girl with a tall dream to make a difference for the Kingdom through the lives of young women.
Madison is also an ambassador on the LO sister app! Want more encouragement from Madison? Join today at losister.com!
And follow Madison on Insta @themidwestskinny
by Chrys Howard | Aug 27, 2020 | Featured, Life Advice, Sisterhood
We learn by watching. That’s just a fact. Our newest baby, John Shepherd, at ten months, is so fun to watch as he is learning something new every day. His learning comes from observing those around him. Recently John Shepherd and my grandson, Will, who is his uncle, had a yelling match. Not a loud yelling match, but cute yelling match. Will would yell, then John Shepherd would imitate that yell. By seeing his uncle, John Shepherd would imitate his actions. As John Shepherd grows, he will do and say more things he sees others do and say. That’s the natural learning process.
Research shows that babies as young as 14 months old will copy what they see on television and that children who are two years old are more likely to be imitating what they see, even when it is a stranger, such as on a television show. Wow! This is evidence that what we see and hear matters! And who we see and hear matters! Right?
It’s also true that as we get older, we learn the very important skill of discernment. Discernment helps us weed through what we see and hear and hang on to what is beneficial to us while throwing out what is not beneficial. And, here’s another important part of development—we can choose to imitate what we see and hear. Even as a baby, John Shepherd can choose to imitate Uncle Will’s actions. John Shepherd is not forced to do what Uncle Will does because of anything in his “wiring.” In fact, God wired us the opposite. We are wired to be able to choose our actions, which includes imitation. That choice will become more and more valuable as we age. For now, John Shepherd learns by imitation and that’s important too. As he gets older, discernment and choice will become more valuable.
Watching others and allowing others to watch us is also part of our Christian walk. In today’s world, it’s called “mentoring” or “influencing.” Mentoring wasn’t a word used when I was growing up. In fact, a quick search in biblegateway.com shows that the word “mentor” is not even in the Bible, except in the newest versions, such as The Message. Likewise, the word “influencer” wasn’t used when I was growing up and isn’t found in the bible. Still, we know mentors and influencers are valuable and are valued by God because of verses like this one I Timothy. It says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12. Or, here’s another one in Philippians 3:17. Paul says, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”
Instead of the word “mentor” or “influencer” we are challenged by the word “example”. And the challenge in these two verses is two-fold. 1. To be a good example and 2. To follow good examples. When I looked up the definition of mentor I found that a mentor is “an experienced and trusted adviser.” So, a mentorship is when someone who is more experienced or knowledgeable helps to guide, or be the example for, someone less experienced or knowledgeable. It isn’t always an age thing, it’s more about experience or knowledge. The definition of an influencer is someone who has the ability to have an effect on the character, development or behavior of someone or something.
So, back to our John Shepherd and Will example. John Shepherd was learning the fine points of yelling from a more experienced and older uncle, who clearly had yelling figured out. Will, for his part, was influencing the behavior of John Shepherd.
So, how do we carefully choose someone to listen to and watch? And how do we become that someone another person can safely listen to and watch?
Good questions.
While you can find mentors and influencers in every aspect of your life—work, hobbies, school, etc.—today we’re talking about a spiritual influencer, so let’s go back to the bible for the answer to finding one and being one.
I firmly believe there is no one better to listen to and watch then Jesus Christ. While the bible mentions watching others a few times, it mentions watching Jesus over and over again. I Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul knew an important fact—his ability to lead others to Christ and to live Christ-like himself rested on his ability to imitate Christ, not on his ability to speak well or decipher scripture or be an encourager. It depended on how he watched the actions of, listened to the words of and imitated Jesus Christ.
So, as you are seeking a mentor, look for someone who walks the walk and talks the talk of Jesus. If you’re looking to be mentor yourself, do the same. Walk the walk and talk the talk of Jesus.
Of course, no one is actually Jesus and people are people and no one is perfect and all of that, but that’s where your gift of discernment and choice comes in. Whoever you choose to follow and listen to, be sure their actions, advice and assignments align with God’s word. If they do, then you have found an influencer worth following. And, if you do the same, you’ll be an influencer worth following.
Hugs,
Chrys (2 mama)
Chrys Howard is the mother of three adult children, Korie Robertson, who is one of the stars of the A&E® hit TV show Duck Dynasty®, Ryan Howard and Ashley Nelson. She has fourteen grandkids, including Sadie. They call her 2-mama and her husband, John, is 2-papa. Chrys directs a Christian youth camp in the summer, spends time serving in the mission field, and hosts a weekly radio show titled It’s a Mom Thing. She has edited and co-written more than 100 books and is the author of nine books with more than 1,000,000 copies in print in six languages. Her more recent book is Rockstar Grandparent. Stay connected with Chrys on Instagram: @chryshoward, on her websites: chrysHoward.com and RockingItGrand.com, and Facebook: Chrys Shackelford Howard.
by Elisabeth Hasselbeck | Aug 25, 2020 | Life Advice, Sisterhood |
Can we spot the difference? And once we do…together, can we do the super brave thing… with the promise of having a super bright OUTFluence?
More on those three words in a bit. Stick with me- I am on your team!
In Point of View, I share a story about how I love to run (and hike for that matter!). On a long run, I noticed that my heel was aching, but I let it go day after day, and went out with the same shoes on and went on the same adventure. The problem was my heel getting bruised every time I would run or walk, or hike. SO I took a break. The heel got better. And then I decided to get back out and run again, and the same pain came back. This time, I was going to find out what was causing the pain. As I felt a bump…a defective seam. Right on one of the heels.
So…What did I do? Stop moving forward again? – NO way!
So what did I do? I cut the back of the shoe out (actually my husband had to cut it out as it was harder to do than I thought!). He thought FOR SURE I had lost my mind. But once the heel of that shoe was gone, I laced up and ran out the door… and you know what??? NO pain, FREE stride, and I was doing what I was made to do!!
Here is the thing- it wasn’t that I needed to stop moving altogether.
Three things were made super clear:
1. Something had to go.
2. I needed help removing what was hurting me.
3. But the first step was finding out exactly where the unhealthy pressure and pain was coming from.
Let’s talk about pressure. It is the constant force on something, right? It can be motivating for sure…or it can crush you a little bit at a time. If about 90% of brands use Instagram to market themselves, and those corporations know that constant INFLUENCE has power to capture your willingness to buy something new or share something fun, then we also know, in our quiet scrolling moments- the power it has to reach way more than our bank accounts, it can reach our minds and then our hearts.
With millions of messages and images coming at us, it is natural to wonder, when that “less than” or hurt feeling creeps in, if deleting social media would solve the problem. Sometimes, that may be a way to help. Other times a “break” for a month or more is just what is needed! When I have done this, and I’ll be really open here, it gets better… but if I don’t figure out what was placing constant unhealthy pressure on me- and make a change, the same hurt comes back as soon as the same app comes back on my phone. Friends- we love connecting, and right now it seems even more important to do so any way we can- so it is key that we take an edit, and ask if every post and account is carrying us through our days or hurting us along the way.
Do all these things we are scrolling though deserve the space in your heart and mind?
The answer is no, but if we are not intentional about it, those lies and disqualifying messages will soon move in like a bad roommate into your heart-space .
TRUTH: We are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
SO let’s do this edit together!
Here. We. Go.
Let’s do that by taking inventory of what we are taking in- to the test that Paul speaks of.
Lets make an appointment with our Instagram the next time we open it, with each account that pops up, and we scroll by, we have the chance and freedom to say- “I hear that, I see that, and I’m holding it for a moment…(this is what Paul talks about when he says take every thought captive.) and I am going to decide whether it is an Influence (truth to be invited into my mind) or a SINfluence…( asked to leave the heart party!)
Sisters -The Influences and Sinfluences are coming in like crazy…So what can we do? We hold that thought and speak truth over it. And decide which category it falls into, SINFLUENCE or INFLUENCE.
What does doing that that really look like? How do we tell if something is INfluence talking or a SINfluence talking? Let’s break this down. Is it shaming you? SINfluence talking.
- Is it nudging you to make an important change in a habit without guilt? INfluence talking.
- Is it telling you who you are in God’s eyes (beloved, unique, forgiven, beautiful, chosen)? INfluence talking.
- Is it making you question your value and worth? SINfluence talking.
- Does it ask you why you should even try? SINfluence talking.
- Does it empower you to give it your best? INFLUENCE talking.
- Do you leave that account feeling like nothing you have or wear is good enough? SINfluence talking.
- Do you feel excited to try a fun creative look or new hair style? INfluence talking.
- Is this account or person someone that brings peace and point me to God’s word? INfluence talking.
- Does this account make me feel less beautiful than God calls me? SINfluence talking.
- Does this post make me feel called to serve others? Influence talking.
Well done sis!!! You have asked some really hard questions! Some good news:
Influence begins withIN… because Christ is withIN you and wants to help you.
And placed in each one of us- a friend and helper and guide: the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus did not leave us to deal with this world and all the INFLUENCE and SINFLUENCE alone! Yes we have and need one another, and YES we have and need HIM. SO, he left His Spirit – like an amazing bestie roommate Within us. For us. Championing us. Nudging us to do that brave thing and decide what INfluneces are worth following on this hike of life.
WHY?
Yes, for our own heart- but just as important, there is someone out there who needs your voice to be one of influence.
My sweet friend Jamee reminded me of how many “one anothers” we can find in the word of God. We are called to pay attention to what has INfluence on us so that we can bless one another with our OUTfluence! How cool is this:
God chooses YOU to be used for His Glory to influence those around you. That is pure motivation to check out your influences even more important because: we can only pour out what is poured in!
If both INFLUENCE and SINFLUENCE directly impact OUTFLUENCE, we need to do something about that.
How do we know if SINflunce has more room in your heart and mind? Take a peek at your OUTfluence. Are you having a week where you are less than encouraging in your OUTFLUENCE to those around you? Has envy or jealousy or lack of patience or gossip snuck its way into your hiking group or sorority house or dorm or office? Check to see what you have been letting IN.
What you are pouring out is the indicator. And it indicates we might need to adjust how much of what we are looking at and letting in his INFLUENCE or SINFLUENCE.
Here is the tricky part…. It is not as if you are following someone telling you to commit crimes. It the account that daily, is making us doubt who we are and what we are created to be one scroll at a time.. It is that “not enough: voice… the one who, the more time you spend with them slowly makes you feel less than.
Would you follow someone who discourages you and make you question your outfit, hair and beauty and strength all the way up the hill on that hike we talked about?…
I have a feeling that just by reading this, you are someone that is called to lead, and to INFLUENCE.
How incredible is it to have a God who wants your follow, and who offers you more than LIKES.
You have a God Offers you LOVE, because he offered LOVE Himself, on a cross, for YOU.
The way to your heart is through your thoughts. Decide to guard what impacts your thoughts takes courage.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, Guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.”
Guard against SINFLUENCERS who slowly make you question the TRUTH that you are God’s great idea, beautiful chosen, beloved, forgiven, that He has a place for you, you are invited, and He is WITH YOU.
And then take that INFLUENCE , and make someone smile with your OUTFLUENCE!
Hi God, it’s me … thank you for connecting me to so many people, especially in a time and season where distancing is real. Thank you for creating me precisely to be who I am, where I am. God I know there is a lot that is coming at me. Help me take a good look at each post and follow and ask myself the hard question:
“Is this an INFLUENCE or SINFLUENCE on my mind and heart?” – and with Your help God, Make a change – to add or subtract accounts or images that are not nutrients for my growing heart. And to walk alongside friends online that encourage me on the hike up the mountain of life. Empower me to steward my gifts of being an INFLUENCER well- one that encourages, and points to YOU, your grace, mercy and love for all. Thank you God for loving me so much, for securing a place for me in Heaven, and for the guidance to know what should get space in my heart, by editing what my mind is focused on. Thank you for new eyes to see what is coming from you God, and identify the voice behind the message. I’m yours God and you are with me. In the name of Jesus- I pray, Amen”
By His Grace-
Your LO sis, Elisabeth
Special thanks to my young at heart LO sisters starting with @legitsadierob and the amazing @abhasselbeck @malloryhass and our loving and strong daughter Grace- for taking time to pray, brainstorm with me about this post, and for always pointing my eyes up! You are my mentors everyday!
Follow Elisabeth on Instagram @elisabethhasselbeck
Check out Elisabeth’s Books: Point of View, Deliciously GFree, and Gfree Diet.
AND coming out in February: FLASHLIGHT NIGHT: and Adventure in Faith for KIDS!
by Jeanine Amapola | Aug 18, 2020 | Life Advice, Sisterhood
In a world full of constant pressures of how to look, what to do, where to go, what to listen to, what to watch, what you should wear, what you should say, I want to pose the question under this topic of “Influence” – WHAT IS INFLUENCING YOU?
You see, I’m what they call an “influencer”. That’s my full-time job. I influence people, whether I want to or not. There’s so much power with that. It’s honestly terrifying sometimes… I can influence people positively or negatively. I could use it to tell them to constantly want to change their appearance, or to put their hope in the universes verses God, or to buy some product that is complete garbage, OR I could I use it to validate women that their identity is in Jesus, to encourage someone to go vote or volunteer somewhere, or to purchase a product that is actually worth their money! But no pressure, right?!
I believe God entrusts those with power and influence to think wisely how to steward it well. To lead people back to Christ. To give people hope in HIM and not in the universe, not in ourselves, not in our enneagrams, not in our astrology signs… or whatever new thing is popping up now.
What a responsibility AND a gift that is! Lord, I hope I do this well!! *Nervously types that*
To be honest, it makes a bit anxious sometimes that I won’t do it well. I just want to help people. I want girls to feel fully and wholly loved. I want girls to know their identity in Christ so much that they don’t accept mistreatment from guys with bad intentions. I want to pour into people so that they can pour into others. But how can I do that to the best of my ability? How can I pour into people if I’m not FIRST being poured into? How can I INFLUENCE others if I’m not being influenced well?
So I want to ask you, and myself, WHAT IS FIRST INFLUENCING ME?
To go back to my opening paragraph, with all these pressures of the world and things that our eyes see daily, our ears hear daily, how can I be sure that I’m being influenced well?
Proverbs 4:23-27 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
The bible talks about guarding our hearts so much because out of the abundance of it, the mouth speak (Matthew 12:34). Guarding our hearts can mean we are being mindful of what we are mindful of – aka, what we are reading, watching, listening, thinking of, speaking about, and seeing on social media. These things can influence us without us even being aware of it. That’s why the Bible says, give careful thought to the paths for your feet, and I think that includes all those things I just mentioned too.
Are we feeding ourselves the whatever is pure, admirable, lovely, honorable, holy, and praise worthy, (Philippians 4:8) or are we feeding ourselves things that make us question our worth, our value, how we look, what car we drive, if our outfit is nice enough, if our house is decorated well enough. You can fill in the blank for what that might be for you.
I know for me, I’m quick to let other fitness influencers influence me. I feel very self conscious or discouraged about my body after seeing a fitness influencer post their ripped abs or perfectly toned butt. In order to guard my heart and eyes, I have to sometimes mute someone, unfollow them, or quickly scroll past their content, OR remind myself, “That is her journey! Her body doesn’t mean mine is less than.” I let it instead encourage me to keep going, work harder, & motivate me. You have the choice to decide how something will influence you once you’re aware the of the influence. Turning the subconscious influence into conscious influence.
Ask yourself, “How does this effect me? Do I feel good or bad after seeing that? Do I feel more encouraged or discouraged after reading that? How did that make my spirit feel? Does this draw me closer to Jesus or farther?”
Jesus was able to influence thousands of people because he was first influenced by his Father. He didn’t look to the left or the right, he kept His gaze directly on His Father and on His mission. His mission was to preach the gospel, to love people, to be an example, to save people, to redeem people. Imagine if Jesus let the woman at the well confuse Him and tempt Him because He had no guidance and no one leading Him, so consequently, He let her influence Him. Then He wouldn’t have been doing His original mission. Instead, Jesus was so attached to His Father – His vine, His source of truth, love, and life, that in turn, He was able to influence others for good. He didn’t get derailed. He is the perfect example of this kind influence that is used for the kingdom and not for His own self gain.
So I come back to this question, what is influencing you? What are you filling your mind with? Who gives you your identity? “You were running a good race. WHO cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” – Galatians 5:7
WHO is influencing you? I want to stress really quickly about the important of community. Our circle of friends can influence us probably the most without us even knowing it. It’s the reason why Sadie started this community; It’s why I started my community, The Abide Tribe, so that I can give girls more of a Christian community in the midsts of a pandemic. So they can find friends who influence them and encourage them to look more like Jesus every day and abide in Him every day (John15)! Your circle of people has the power to bring you closer to Jesus or to draw you farther away. Choose wisely!
I think the reason why my job is so extremely fulfilling is because I’m able to influence others to know Jesus more. But I have to be lead first. The blind can’t lead the blind (Matthew 15:14). I have to be filled up with Jesus every day so that I can fill other people’s cups. I do that with a mentor, with reading the word daily, worship music, being around Christian community, people speaking into my life, guarding my mind and heart, and taking destructive thoughts captive and submitting them to Christ. I have to abide daily to my source of life. To stay connected to the true vine that gives me life and purpose, my Father in Heaven.
I pray this encourages you to reevaluate what is influencing you so that you can influence others in turn to know Jesus more! You don’t have to carry the title of “Social Media Influencer” to influence others. Every day we are influencing people with our words and actions. I pray this will help you reflect a little bit to say, “Lord, use me to reflect you in all I do.”
Be encouraged, sister <3 You’re doing great and God wants to use you. Let Him. He’s got GREAT things for you!
xoxo,
– Jeanine Amapola
Jeanine Amapola is 26 year old from Dallas, TX but now resides in Los Angeles! She absolutely LOVES nature, adventures, and living life to the fullest! Jeanine is a full-time YouTuber, Influencer, Vlogger, Podcaster, & Online Bible Study Leader. Her main goal in life is to help YOU be more Happy & Healthy in ALL aspects of life! She wants people to just know Jesus more and thrive in life!
Follow Jeanine on Instagram @JeanineAmapola
by Samantha Coyle | Aug 13, 2020 | Life Advice, Sisterhood
Have you ever stopped to think about how much of our day we actually spend being influenced? The answer is all of it.
Influence is defined as “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself,” and it’s everywhere. It’s all around us all of the time, affecting everything we do. It answers all of our most asked questions; who we are, who we want to be, how we see the world, what we believe, what we will do, and where we’re going.
Influence can only be positive or negative, it is never lukewarm. Galatians 5:9 says “a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough,” meaning no matter how small you think it is, it’s either moving you closer to Jesus or further away, closer to Truth or further from it, closer to freedom or binding you in tighter chains.
I spend a lot of time writing captions on my Instagram to help women all over the world hear the gospel of Jesus. I’m painfully honest about a lot of my shortcomings, struggles, and failures because I believe that vulnerable, real confession is one of the most effective ways to communicate the reality of what Christ has done for us.
Ephesians 2:9 says it best. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This truth gives us the freedom to share our struggles with confidence. Jesus shines a light into the dark places that we all wrestle with. He exposes first the lie that we’re all alone, and, second, the truth that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, but that He died for us, allowing us to expose every hidden part of ourselves with confidence that it is covered.
In our current culture, we crave curated exposure. We contrive and contort ourselves to be an image-bearer of what we think the world wants us to be. We’ve turned influence into consumption and consumption into being consumed by this notion that worldly gain is what will fulfill us when in reality it drains life from us. We crave validation from people wanting our opinions and advice, the perks of being a “public figure”, the esteem, the praise, the attention, the connections, but what is our influence really rooted in and what is it communicating to others? What are our motives? These are questions I ask myself regularly. If I’m being honest, my motives are often not about glorifying the Lord but rather about glorifying myself.
Jesus was the most influential person in history, yet he never sought to be influential. He sought to please the Lord. In fact, he willingly took on being mostly anonymous his entire life, being misunderstood, looked over, and mistreated. He was willingly the least of these, willingly a servant, willingly the one who washed feet. He didn’t desire to make much of himself. He only desired to make much of God, and because of that, he planted seed after seed that grew generation after generation of followers of the Lord. He was invested in fruit that lasts.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Godly influence is God-centered. It’s others-focused. It’s a “there you are” mentality instead of “here I am.” It’s not about consumption but redemption. True, Jesus-like leadership is servant-hearted at its core. It cares more about the eternity of others than the temporary glory of ourselves. It obeys the command of Luke 10:27. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Everyone is an influencer, but not everyone is a leader. The temptation from Satan about being an “influencer” is to make it about us, to climb to the top of a pedestal so people will look up to us, to gain glory and praise for us. There is no freedom in my kingdom of me. Not for myself, and definitely not for others.
Philippians 2:5-11 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We need to redefine what influence is by who Jesus is. Real influence is leadership and leadership says I’m okay with making little of myself to make much of others. It says I’m more interested in glorifying God than myself, I’m more concerned with the eternity of those around me than the temporary gratification of validation. It says I surrender myself, use me how you want to use me. How can our influence move others towards freedom? How can we create influence that lasts? By following the call of Matthew 28:19 to be a disciple and make disciples. If you want to know how to be influential in the Kingdom of God, it’s not to be an “influencer,” it’s to be a disciple. How can we be disciples? By following the influence of the One who has all authority, all power, all knowledge, all grace, all love, all Truth. By sharing that Jesus Christ died for us, even on our worst day, by loving and serving others according to that Truth, and by making much of Him, and little of me.
John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.
Samantha Coyle is the writer and encourager behind @heytheresam and HeythereSam.com. Her mission is to share the heart of God and what He’s done for us by bringing real, raw honesty to the table, encouraging vulnerable community rooted in Truth and grace. While normal days look pretty mundane, i.e. drinking matcha, laughing a lot at her own jokes, jamming worship in her car, doing a LOT of laundry and cooking for the family she works for, and hanging with her friends in Nashville, she has big dreams to share the gospel with women all over the world!
Follow her personal account on Insta @heytheresam and also find her on Sadie’s app, LO sister, as an ambassador where she shares even more encouragement and fun!
