Be Slow to Speak!!!

Today my son and I are on Day 1 of our cruise. And I want to share a special revelation with you.

As I talked with the Holy Spirit it occurred to me how many blessings that I may have forfeited. Particularly, because I had not learned this vital scripture.

“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];” (James 1: 19, AMP).

Let me expound before I confirm my foolishness with the Word of the Lord. While traveling there were too many situations where I either spoke and/or acted rashly. Leading me to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

How Are We Exemplifying Christ

Particularly for how I reacted as an ambassador of the Living God. He began to show me that my indiscretions denied me of His sovereign power. His ability to act on my behalf.

It is written. “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14: 14, KJV).

And here it is. “For the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires of from us]” (James 1: 20, AMP).

I came to the stark realization that because I have felt alone for most of my life. And that no one cared. Never defended. Always shunned. That I easily forget what has been true from the beginning.

Let me digress momentarily. This is a clear indicator of why some women are unable to rest in their feminine energy. And why some men are lacking in their masculine energy.

Predestinated, Preordained

Remember, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1: 5, KJV).

And this. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28: 19-20, KJV).

But how can we do this if we are unable to discipline ourselves? “A [short-sighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, but a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back” (Proverbs 29: 11, AMP).

Quench Not the Spirit

As I commune with the Holy Ghost, I truly understand that I have missed out on miracles and wonders. The chance to see God’s favor up close and personal.

As if He is letting me know the favor and blessings that He wants to bestow upon us. But as a Gentleman, He will not interfere with our volition and free will.

Listen to this. “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5: 19, KJV). Now pay attention to the amplified version. “Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit”.

We nullify God’s grace when we refuse to submit to His authority. Our flesh is saying that He is unable to care for us. That we are more mighty and powerful as men. That He is a figment of our imaginations. Who doesn’t exist.

Know Where Your Help Comes From

Remember God’s judgment against Asa for looking to the king of Syria to help him. Meditate on this powerful scripture.

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. (Now pay attention.) Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Asa relinquished his peace. Did you get that?

Those who trust Him are “perfect” in His sight. As our Father, He longs to show us his power and glory.

There’s Something About the Name Jesus

As my son and I sat at breakfast the next morning. We shared a table with a couple and exchanged small conversations. The wife spoke of luck in their circumstances. I spoke of God’s favor, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The husband nodded at times while choosing to remain silent when I mentioned the name of Jesus.

At one point the wife stated, “There is only so much that God can do”. I chose to remain silent.

Two things were revealed to me. As this couple has probably been shown way more grace by men because of who they are. The indwelling spirit is aware that these “blessings” are temporal. With no real power. Limited favor in scope and ability.

Secondly, there was no faith or substance. Only fear of the unknown. No peace or joy. No hope. Just a dreading.

There is No Preeminence for a Man

I have mentioned this before, and it is truly relevant. “For the [earthly] fate of the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no preeminence or advantage for a man [in and of himself] over an animal, for all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 3: 19, AMP).

Good or evil. Rich or poor. Loving or hateful. Oppressed or the privileged and entitled. “All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust” (Ecclesiastes 3: 20, AMP).

For those who trust in the LORD. Who have a hope. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an arch-angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 16, KJV).

Out of The Abundance of The Mouth

This will be a challenge as long as there is breath in my fleshly body. Knowing that it is only possible with God.

“But no one can tame the human tongue, it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.

“Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts]”

(Now pay attention.) “Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. (James 3: 8-12, AMP).

Always coming from a place of love and in truth!!!

Originally written on September 09, 2023.