LIFE LESSONS

by Pastor Michael Tyree

“Hear [wise] counsel and receive instruction that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
Proverbs 19:20

“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep waters; but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
Proverbs 20: 5

It’s amazing how many lessons can be learned by the simplest things in life. If only we’d take the time to listen and learn from them. For Example: Driving down a busy street observing street signs, riding in an elevator interacting with strangers or waiting at a bus stop on the way to the next destination.

Simple but powerful lessons! These lessons have a way of preparing us for the various realities we might face. The problem is many of us fail to remain teachable. Therefore, we miss a lot that life has to offer. God is constantly, revealing Himself in the simple things that most take for granted or over look.

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, the weak things of the world to confound the mighty; …and base things[simple] of the world…and the things that aren’t consider much; to bring down to nothing the proud. That no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1: 27-29 [Paraphrased]

Lesson 1: In so many ways, life is like a fast-paced journey down a busy street. It is a constant, forward, moving journey encountering all types of one ways, periodic stops and detours along the way. We also have to learn to deal with the distractions, delays and the mistakes of others. However, the secret is to heed the signs, hear God’s voice, obey His instruction and by faith “keep moving forward” until you’ve reached your final destination safely.

Lesson 2: Have you ever had an encounter with an agel? You never know who you might meet in an elevator. The bible admonishes us to let brotherly love continue, and that by doing so, some may have entertained angels unaware. [Hebrews 13:1-2]

Even if its just for a moment. We’re always interacting, socializing and building relationships with those in transit around us. Lesson learned: Everyone has their own destiny to fulfill in life and God has a way of ensuring that we get there on time. Secondly: “Time” doesn’t stand still for anyone and people don’t either. You can’t relive a moment once its been gone. Likewise, people are here today [momentarily] and gone tomorrow [eternally]. Life is too short! Cherish the time you have left with loved ones and value the relationships that God brings into your life. It only last a short season.

Lesson 3: Is All Yours! [Your assignment: I’ve left this one up to you to decide. I’d like to hear your thoughts, comments and spiritual insights. Email your response to: pastortyree@windstream.net]

My Personal Experience
Our theme for the entire of month of June has been “The Power of Prayer”. We covered quite a bit ground during this series. We determined that “Prayer is more than just communication with God.” We discovered that the key to answered prayer has been given to the righteous. Therefore, true prayer that effectuates change, is the responsibility of the righteous—according to: [Matthew 16: 19; Luke 10:19; 2 Chronicles 7:14; James: 5:16; Hebrews 11:6] …the lists goes on and on. In other words, He has given us [the righteous saints of the Most High God] the keys to His kingdom. What an awesome responsibility! That He would entrust something so powerful into our hands.

I’d like to share a personal lesson from a simple experience at a restaurant. One evening my wife and I had decided to go out for dinner. We drove over to the nearest IHOP approximately 15 minutes before 10pm. [Most IHOP restaurants are open 24 hours--this one was closing at 10pm.]

There were several guests still eating, the doors were open and so we went in to be served. A waitress approached us and said, “I’m sorry, we’ve already shut down the grill about 10 minutes ago and we’re getting ready to shampoo our carpets!” “But we’ll be open again tomorrow—you can come back then.”

I thought to myself. “Hmmmmm-remain calm pastor! Keep JASON locked up in the closet.” Smile. So I said, “Let Me speak with your manager.” Immediately, the manager rushed over to apologize for the waitress’ behavior. She said, “I don’t know why she said that.” “Come on in and have a seat—your server will be right with you and you can order whatever you want on the menu!”

Don’t Settle For Less
The spiritual lesson learned here is, “Don’t Settle!” Too often we settle for less than God’s best. We’re either too ignorant to know who we are in the kingdom, ours rights of authority or just too afraid to use the power we possess in Christ and the power of His blood.

1. Know Who You Are in Christ: If I hadn’t known the time or anything about business? She might have convinced me to settle for the excuse she gave. However, I knew the waitress wasn’t in authority and I knew my rights as customer. “So I refused to settle.”

2. Know Whose In Authority: Although God has given us the keys to the kingdom we must understand that we’re in authority and yet under authority. When the enemy tries to resist your authority—take it to the one who has all authority in His hand.

Saints of God, you don’t have to settle anymore for the mess that Satan has been trying to give you. Take Authority! Take Dominion! Speak and declare by faith according to God’s Word.

God has given us the keys to the kingdom, power over all the power of the enemy and all we have to do is exercise our God-give rights of authority over the enemy. And His word says, “NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HARM YOU!”

pastortyree@windstream.net