Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Essay on the study of influence
Essay on the study of influence
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Essay on the study of influence
Circle of Influence At Psalm 141:5, King David prayed that God would keep his heart from evil. He wanted God to reveal to him his faults. He desired that his friends reprove him. Verse five he said Let the righteous SMITE me. Smite means to Deliver or deal a blow Strike sharply or heavily Kill or severely injury Why would King Dave pray that God deal with him so harshly? Proverbs 9:8 provides us some insight. He wanted to become wiser. He understood the value of being criticized by a wise person (Ecclesiastes 7:5; Galatians 6:1). King David wanted God to provide him godly people in his inner circle that would hold him accountable, despite the fact he was a king over a nation. Clearly David understood the value of having accountability We will meet off campus Monday, May 2. A private email will be sent out after this email with location information. Proverbs 27:17 – Friend Sharpens a Friend The love we poured out on our sisters reflects the words of our theme scripture – Proverbs 27:17. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. For a moment, I want to go back to the knife analogy discussion. I propose this question to the group. How should we utilize Christian community accountability? Many great points were shared by everyone. It was at this point I felt in my spirit to refer to and share points from my study notes. The point of this part of the discussion was to show the benefits and the importance for a chief to continuously sharpen his or her knives and compare the method of a chief sharpening his or her knife to a healthy Christian relationship as it relates to accountability. Below are the points taken from my personal study notes. [Christian sharpen another Christian] • One becomes more morally centered • One makes better intellect decisions • One grows in maturity and draws even closer to Christ When a chief sharpens a knife with another knife, that knife’s edge • Sharpen each one of us in such a way that the dullness that exist on the surface of our lives are remove. • To sharpen us in a way that we become more efficient in our ministry and helping
Loving God and hating his own mother kept David strong. David loved God, he prayed every night to God. He hated his mother so much he wanted to outthink her tricks, he did. He used different tactics like over exaggerating his pain when he got beat, putting a wet cloth over his mouth when his mother put cleaning products in a room with him. David kept counting time in his head in order to make the time pass faster.
is a fight just to survive for the next day . As a child David is taught a very harsh way of
is a fight just to survive for the next day . As a child David is taught a very harsh way of
...e wife all to himself. This isn’t what we call fairness in the leadership. And still God does not punish David for this wrongdoing like he (God) punishes others who offend him.
Before becoming a king, David is solely dependent on God. However, after realizing that kingship comes with many powers, David starts to rely on his will to overpower his judgment and knowledge of God and His will. Although it may seem like David’s sin begins at the moment he lays his eyes on the beautiful Bathsheba bathing on the rooftop, his sins actually begin many nights before when he makes decisions that turn his focus from the will of God to the will of self. Thus, David’s first sin of focusing on his own will, rather than God’s, leads to one sin after another which eventually causes a curse to fall upon David’s household.
Like Moses, David was not a likely choice as a leader. David was a shepherd boy but he displayed incredible courage by killing Goliath. David had been faithful and obedient to God and God saw David’s heart. "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). David had opportunities to kill Saul but, never desired to do so. David later hand many transgressions during his reign. David had many flaws; he was an adulterer and murderer. He knew he was wrong and always repented and had the desire to please God. God knew none of his people were perfect but he favors those who are obedient. David’s love for God never wavered and was always spiritual and always praised the Lord. He was committed to God. Even when no one else knows if you are faithful, God knows. God has a plan for all of us and we just have to be patient. David was anointed by God. He didn’t compromise and only showed love. Therefore, David was shown favor over Saul by God.
Before actually attaining the role of king, both David and Saul must forego a number of events to have a rightful claim to the throne. First and most importantly, they are anointed by God's power, proclaimed openly, and lastly, unanimously acclaimed by the people. Because God guarantees their power on Earth, it is highly evident that these men must still obey the Lord. Adding to this, it seems as if David and Saul have a proverbial contractual agreement with God. When the rules of this proverbial contract are broken, it is God that determines the repercussions.
churches asked the question, “What do I need to work on to improve my functioning within the
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
...scue of David will result in praise by David. In verses 30 and 31 we see David’s vow of praise. David says that he will praise God for His deliverance in the midst of the all of his trials and enemies (Bible v. 30, 874). The basis for this praise is David’s experience of seeing God stand at his right hand to defend him. David knows that the accusers will finally be silenced when God reveals Himself as his helper and defender.
...By tying the church to the government, people expect the government to behave ethically, but often times, an entirely moral ruler will be overthrown. People expect rulers to act differently than themselves. A ruler cannot show any weakness, or else he will no longer be feared enough to keep him in power, and he will be overthrown. Everybody sees what a ruler seems to be, but few really know who he is. A ruler must seem determined and moral to the people, and show positive results from his leadership. The most important thing for a ruler to do is to avoid being hated or despised by the people, which could occur if a ruler took people's property. For the people, more than the form of power, their perception of power may be the most important for a ruler to maintain his position. “If a ruler wins wars and holds on to power, the means he has employed will always be judged honorable, and everyone will praise him.”(pg.55) Therefore, a ruler should look mainly to winning and to the successful protection of his country. The ways he utilizes for this will always be considered honorable and will be praised by everybody.
correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (NIV
Psalm 43 is a cry to God: “Judge me O God and plead my cause against
These questions arise from our own desires as Christians to reflect a biblically sound attitude towards sexuality and relationships. That same desire to act according to biblical scriptures is subject to opposition from today’s culture and views about sexual relationships, gender, and roles. A new definition of marriage, sexual orientation, and sexual practices is challenging our relationship with God and our view of human sexuality. Bishop John Spong defines sex and its impact on relationships: “Sex can be called at once the greatest gift to humanity and the greatest enigma of our lives. It is a gift in that is a singular joy for all beings and enigma in its destructive potential for people and their relationships.” (Spong, 1988)
Our main goal is to present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Col. 1:28) we warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Th. 5:14-15) We pray for them (Jam. 5:13-16) and help them to recognize and repent for their sins. (Matt.