Homerun by Charlotte Gambill (LTD09 - Part IV)

OK - so I've had the opportunity of sitting everywhere this weekend (overflow, sanctuary and balcony).  Jesus is definitely in every one of those places.  It was as if the doors of Heaven were open this morning. 

Charlotte Gambill hit it out of the park this morning speaking about Seeds of Influence. (Again, not much proofing so sorry if it's scattered or has typo's - Enjoy!)

We all have a gift inside...seeds of influence.  Who do we influence?  How do we influence them (positive/negative)?  Women are different than men.  It's by design.  Not an accident. 

Influence is not a platform, promotion, name in lights...  Everyone has it.  The enemy is wise to influence but doesn't have it like a woman.  He knows a wife has a special influence over her husband.  That's why he targeted Eve.  He knew she had influence.  Women have influence like no other.  Women are connectors, networkers.  Women gather. It's in our makeup!  We even mobilize to go to the bathroom in groups.  The enemy has been after women's "seeds" since Adam & Eve.  He knows women can do things in networking that Twitter, Facebook and the Internet cannot touch.  What am I using my seeds for?

Influence is what you carry.  Imagine walking into a Department store.  They want to get their fragrance on you because they know you'll wear it everywhere you go during the day.  When people ask what you're wearing... and you know the rest.  Free advertising.  The enemy also wants to put his aroma on you.  Ouch!  He wants you to carry hurt, offense, bitterness...  Think about walking downstairs to the breakfast table.  What influence are you carrying to your kitchen?  What fragrance are you wearing?

Mark 6:17... This is a story about a woman of influence that went bad.  This woman (Herodias) had the ability to make a difference.  Due to  her "influence" over her daughter, she manipulated to get her agenda met.  She didn't have the power herself to kill John the Baptist, but she did have influence.  She waited for her opportunity and Wham!  Instead of having a Kingdom mindset, she allowed the enemy to win. She could have had half of the kingdom...get that...HALF of the kingdom!  Sometimes we seek compromise on things where we shouldn't even seek it.

The enemy will wait for the opportunity! This mom (Herodias) wore her influence daily.  She nursed it.  Carried it with her.  Talked about it.  Treated it as if she was raising it like a child.  She became attached.

The daughter had an amazing opportunity.  Imagine if this mom was under the influence of Heaven.  Wow!  What she could have done with this.  Feed the needy, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless...  This mom wasted her influence on offense and injustice.  She had a "Please Me!" attitude. 

The mom thought "if I could just get the head on the plate."  The fact of the matter is no matter how many "heads" you get on your wall, you will never be satisfied.  Never enough!

We have the ability to influence for good.  We must love the big picture and have "half of the kingdom" mentality.  Take your position seriously!  Don't take the enemy's offer to go to Never, Never Land like Peter Pan offered Wendy.  It's time to leave the nursery and grow up!  Lean in and take hold of God's promise for you. 

Here's a thought from Charlotte:  Instead of returning as Sister Gossip to your home/church, return as Sister Gospel!