Three-way stops

I was approaching a three-way stop near my house yesterday on the way to an appointment.  Three-way stops are a common part of my day-to-day experience, as I am sure they might be for you. While I was waiting for my turn, I watched someone approach his stop sign and pull out in front of the two of us that had stopped and were waiting for our turns to go. The other stopped driver gave me a look that let me know he was frustrated. I smiled and waved him on, taking the last turn.

This made me think of our interactions day-to-day with others in conversation and behavior. How often do we plow through and interrupt conversations and show our social muscle by dominating relationships? I must admit, I like it when people pay attention to what I have to say.  Look at me, I am writing a blog! :o)  As I have grown older, God has shown me more of my sinfulness and His example of what is loving. I examined my past interactions with students, coworkers, church members, and members of my own family, and God has made it clear to me that I need to yield more often.

Who do you interact with? Are you a homeschool mom that has the privilege of interacting for several hours a day with her children? Are you a teacher who has the blessing to interact with other teachers,  students and their parents, and administrators? Are you a frustrated younger person dealing with kids your own age, your school, and parents? Maybe you’re a church worker faithfully serving with a weary spirit. Or maybe you are like everyone else that has relationships and needs peacefulness and joy in dealing with others.

Some time during this busy day, if the Lord lays it on your heart, look through the following verses. God has a lot to say about how we treat each other in those three-way stops in life. We all have relationships within our families, our neighbors, within our churches, with coworkers, acquaintances, and those who we happen to meet at three-way stops in our own towns. I want to encourage you to strengthen your relationship with the One Who is Love and He will bear that fruit in you as you submit to him and turn from sin.

I know there is a lot here, but just reading over this was a rebuke and a blessing for me today.This was really just a sampling from this site:

http://www.openbible.info/topics/prefer_one_another

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 10:25 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works..

1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:2 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

1 Peter 5:3 Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

John 15:12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.