“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).” ---James 3:17 (AMP)
"Caution is not cowardly. Carelessness is not courage."---Unknown
What was in the water on yesterday?!? (Saturday) I mean, I know that Cupid was out doing his thing and all, but it seemed like people were driving like maniacs...at least in Nashville. After awhile, I was starting to take it personally, because I was almost hit by two cars. One car decided that it would try and outrun the yellow CAUTION light. Not only did it outrun it, but the red STOP light, too. (Bookmark that.) The other was coming onto the highway and, although it knew that it was supposed to yield (because there was a big sign on his side of the street), it darn near ran me off of the road to get ahead of me.
Those of you who have been praying for my issues with road rage must be living righteous lives (I Peter 3:12), because I didn't “lose it” like I normally do...or rather, would. Instead, I thought about how many times I've done the exact same thing and how much I must have irritated others (the way those two drivers had irritated me) by doing it. Then I tried to figure out just what my rush was; not only that, but if, by speeding up and putting myself and other people in jeopardy, did I really get to my destination(s) any faster.
Most of the time, not really.
Rushing. The Bible says that in the last days, one thing that many men will be known for is having a lack of self-control (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Family, it takes SELF-CONTROL to learn how to wait, and lots of it! Sure, waiting has its many benefits (Psalm 25:21, 27:14, 37:9, Proverbs 20:22, Isaiah 30:18, 40:31, Micah 7:7, Habakkuk 2:3), but it still seems that many, if not most of us, struggle with doing just that. However, this message isn't really about WAITING, so much as PAUSING...just for a moment. And the dangers that you (potentially) put yourself (and others) through when you don't.
See, the thing is that both of those cars were headed in the same direction that I was. The traffic light and yield sign weren't there to prevent them from getting where they wanted to go. They were in place so that they could get there safely. (Bookmark that, too.) If there were no caution lights and signs, due to all of the people trying to get to the same place basically at the same time, there would be utter chaos and (probably) destruction. Sure, those two cars needed to slow down, perhaps even stop, but was only for a brief moment. Where they were headed wasn't going anywhere, I'm sure.
On the highway of life and when it comes to the blessings that God has for us, I believe that we should look at “delays” in a similar fashion.
Psalm 62:5 (NKJV) says, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.”
Psalm 104:27 (NKJV) states, “These all wait for You,that You may give them their food in due season.”
Galatians 5:5 (NKJV) tells us, “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
Several years ago, I heard a sermon on delays. I believe it was by Bishop Joseph Walker III. It was entitled, “It's Your Time;Not Your Turn”. When it comes to many things that I have desired in life (Psalm 37:4), it is a phrase that I have held close to my heart. I wonder how many of us who, due to our impatience, have thought that because it was not our turn in the “receiving line” that it would never be our time to receive at all. If you have found yourself feeling some anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7) about this very thing, let me show you some instances where you can best believe that, while it may not be your time, because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), in being obedient, it will soon (Acts 1:7-Message) be your turn:
“Blessed is he who considers the poor;the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”---Psalm 41:1 (NKJV)
“'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”---Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”---Matthew 5:3-10 (NKJV)
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”---Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”---2 Corinthians 6:8 (NKJV)
Family, when it comes to things that God promises us, these promises are not “guess-timations”; they are guarantees! Even for those of you who are still learning how to hear his voice (Jeremiah 33:3), the above scriptures are assurances to ALL who follow them.
If you tithe regularly, you WILL have blessings poured upon you. That is not something you have to wonder about.
If you are a meek person, you WILL inherit the earth. That is not something you have to wonder about.
If you suffer for righteousness' sake, you WILL inherit the kingdom of heaven. That is not something you have to wonder about.
In the measure that you give, you WILL be given. That is not something that you have to wonder about.
If you're a cheerful giver, you WILL always have sufficiency (adequate provision or supply) in ALL things. That is not something that you have to wonder about.
But, when it comes to receiving all that God has for us (Ephesians 3:20), there is something else that we must take into consideration. Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) instructs:
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
The New Century Version puts it like this: “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.”
And finally, the Message states:
“If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
These verses are like spiritual caution lights and yield signs. God is no respecter of persons; there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11) HE WANTS TO BLESS US ALL. But he does have an order and timing about things...things in the spirit realm do work in seasons. (Ecclesiastes 3) Who ultimately knows why it works that way. That is really none of our concern. (Isaiah 55:8-9) But, what the Holy Spirit did reveal to me (Luke 12:12) in the midst of the irritations on the road yesterday (Romans 8:28) is that, even in receiving, there can be pauses, cautions, waits, yields so that things can flow through and to us smoothly.
Just imagine if me and three of my friends had our weddings on the same day.
Just imagine if you and four of your relatives all graduated from college the same year.
Just imagine if you wanted rain, while you neighbor needed sunshine.
If God gave us all everything at the same time all of the time, it could potentially create chaos. There are so many scriptures that speak on the importance of loving one another. A part of that process is being able to ENJOY ONE'S ANOTHER'S PROGRESS...to be able to heed to the “yellow light” or “yield sign” until those around us get past to where God is directing them to go. This is a part of what being hospitable (favorably receptive or open) means. (I Peter 4:9)
When I sat and thought about those two cars, the reality is that they probably cared more about getting ahead than my safety and perhaps, even their own. That's what greediness does to a person. (Proverbs 1:19) But, I bet if they actually processed, “The traffic warnings are here for my own good. I will get to where I need to go soon enough, and there's a greater chance that I will with no drama if I heed the signs,” there would have been a settling to come over them. When you rush, you have reason to fear. Only good things come from being patient...and waiting until the sign points to it being your time. (A good indicator is if you were able to exhibit the Fruit if the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23] in the process of obtaining your heart's desire(s). If you weren't “endangering” others in the process.)
Family, the spirit world is no different. There are certain blessings (peace, prosperity, promotion, provision) that we ALL are trying to get to, and through our obedience, God has promised us. (2 Corinthians 1:20) However, God has a way of doing things in a way that will make things flow smoothly...that will put us in a place to “cheer” and be “cheered along”...that will get us all to our appointed destinations in one “mind/body/soul” piece/peace. The spiritual yield signs aren't telling us “no”, but rather, “Give it a minute so that you can get to where you are trying to go...smoothly. I am trying to clear a path to where you won't have to fight in 'life traffic'...I too want you to be able to enjoy not just the destination, but the journey along the way.”
So, the next time you are in traffic and you see a yellow light (even a red, for that matter) or a yield sign, why don't you do what it tells you to and hold up a second. Soon you will get the “go” to move forward...to exactly where you desire to be...safely.
“For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”---Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)
Amen...and amen.
©Shellie R. Warren/2009
"Caution: The trap you set might catch you."-Ecclesiastes 10:8 (Message)
"Intuition is reason in a hurry."-Holbrook Jackson
"Every generalization is dangerous...especially this one."-Mark Twain
http://sohowdidyouknow.blogspot.com/
Posted By: The SISTAHS Ministry
Monday, February 16th 2009 at 10:28AM
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