Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Back Off, Stand Down, Get Out of the Way!

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How you ever felt God was using a megaphone to get your attention?  You innocently enter into His presence and before you know it you are hearing Him loud and clear. At these times I might be caught speaking back in audible voice.  This recent devotional just seemed to "yell' at so many areas of my life I had to share it...along with the images that came to mind as I read. Bold letters indicate the megaphone voice I heard. These images are not intended to take away from the magnitude of the message, they are just reminding me "loud and clear" that the Lord means business in so many areas of my life.  No God didn't yell...He just tenderly said, "lets get this message very clear...I am the one in control."


My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers
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He comes where He commands us to leave.  If you stayed home when God told you to go because you were so concerned about your own people there, then you actually robbed them of the teaching of Jesus Christ Himself.  When you obeyed and left all the consequences to God, the Lord went into your city to teach, but as long as you were disobedient, you blocked His way.  Watch when you begin to debate with Him and put what you call your duty into competition with His commands.  If you say, "I know that He told me to go, but my duty is here," it simply means that you do not believe that Jesus means what He says.
google image...make my duct tape in pink please
He teaches where He instructs us not to teach.
"Master....let us make three tabernacles..." (Luke 9:33)
Are you playing the part of an amateur providence, trying to play God's role in the lives of others?  Are you so noisy in our instructions of other people that God cannot get near them?  We must learn to keep our mouths shut and our spirits alert.  God wants to instruct us regarding  His Son, and He wants to turn our times of prayer into mounts of transfiguration.  When we become certain God is going to work in a particular way, He will never work in that way again.
google image....Time to Cut Apron Strings
He works where He sends us to wait.
"...tarry....until..." ( Luke 24:49)
"Wait on the Lord" and He will work (Psalms 37:34). But don't wait sulking spiritually and feeling sorry for yourself, just because you can't see one inch in front of you!  Are we detached enough from our own spiritual fits of emotions to "wait patiently for Him"? (37:7)  Waiting is not sitting with folded hands doing nothing, but it is learning to do what we are told.

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These are some of the facets of His ways that we rarely recognize.


I want to recognize the many facets of my Lord's ways....so I am going to Back Off, Stand Down, Get Out of the Way, and wait patiently in obedience.
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23 comments:

  1. MaryAugust 3, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Janette your message here is so good, and i know it's not intended to be "funny", but i can't help but chuckle a little because i so know what you are saying and the images you have used here are just perfect girl friend!!

    i wonder just how many times we take the reigns from God...how many times we try to do his job...and badly at that...and how many times we fail to act when we should??

    i am so very thankful for his grace and mercy and kindness and patience, towards me.

    with you in the waiting...

    xxoo

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  2. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/August 3, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    LOVE THIS!!!!

    Obedience on THAT issue is right smack in the middle of where I am right now. Oh how we fight to do it our way sometimes, and sometimes for a loooong time! But HE is in control, and when we GET that message... things begin to change... WE begin to change!

    YAY for these good words of reminder this morning! :)

    xo

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  3. DebbieAugust 3, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Oh Janette, AMEN to all of this!! I LOVE it! It is soo often where I find myself....TRYING to control, TRYING to lead, TRYING to do it MY way! You'd think after all this time, I'd have learned this lesson well huh? Thanks for these great reminders this morning. Have a wonderful day my friend! HUGS!

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  4. Farm GirlAugust 3, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Wow this is great. I love all that the Lord is teaching you because in turn you are teaching me. I needed to hear this today.
    I am very blessed. I am glad I read this the first thing this morning.
    I do love it though when God uses his LOUD voice to get my attention.

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  5. Patty MarkerAugust 3, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Thank you for sharing...I am in a situation where I believe the time has come to walk away but am fearful of what I leave behind. You (and Oswald Chambers)are so wise in saying sometimes, keep quiet, listen and let God work is the only answer.

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  6. no spring chickenAugust 3, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Maybe He did use a megaphone Janette. I had a similar experience when reading Os that day (often actually). I think I kept saying out loud, "ouch, ouch, ouch, I get it, ouch."

    Blessings, Debbie

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  7. ShandaAugust 3, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    I have a hard time with my duties getting in the way of his commands. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish but when i spend time in prayer He usually reveals it. It is hard for me not to plan my schedule and take control but His way IS always best.

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  8. camp and cottage livingAugust 3, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    This is probably just the word I needed to hear today.
    I need time to meditate on it and see if it's something he's saying to me today too.
    I'm wondering if it's time for me to srep away from "my" plans and hear if he has other things in mind for me.

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  9. Patti HananAugust 3, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Waiting patiently is not easy, but in times of waiting we grow. God's timing is perfect, and as we wait we learn to trust him. He is in control, not us. Thank you for these wise words :)

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  10. LorieAugust 3, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Wow! I love Utmost. You did a great job with the pics and text.

    Yeah, I have been hearing that message a lot lately. Especially about being a mom. Very hard to get out of the way with that one.

    With my recent health situation I think I should try harder to get out of the way before God decides to move me out!

    Thanks for another wonderful and thought provoking post.

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  11. Debbie PetrasAugust 3, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Good advice Janette! How easy it is to get in the way and miss out on God working on our behalf.

    Love you,
    Debbie

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  12. Cecilia Marie PulliamAugust 3, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    We do want to be in control, don't we? It is hard to just let go and do as we are told, especially when we don't understand why. But, when it comes to God, He always knows what is best. I loved this post, especially the pictures (well, the words too).

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  13. CanadagirlAugust 3, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Wow what a GOOD post. The part that yelled out to me was..."He works where He sends us to wait". I have been here for a while. I need to ask the Lord ..."where from here Lord?"

    Blessings and ((HUGS))
    -Mary

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  14. DebbieAugust 4, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    FANTASTIC! What a gift Chambers was given to speak the truths of God. I love this so much, and he nailed me, to be honest, on every single one.

    I love the one about waiting the best. I also loved the part about expecting God to act a certain way.

    Standing utterly convicted this morning, giving MY utmost (respect) for His highest.

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  15. LindaAugust 4, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Wow. I love what you said: "Are we detached enough from our own spiritual fits of emotions to 'wait patiently for Him'?" Thank you for challenging me in this.

    Thanks, too, for stopping by my blog. :) I look forward to getting better acquainted.

    Linda

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  16. SharonAugust 4, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Oh, such a powerful post! You have said so many things that spoke to my heart. (And no, not all of it felt comfortable...) Evidently, God's megaphone speaks to many people at the same time about the same things!

    The thing that really grabbed me on this one was this question - Are you playing the part of an amateur providence, trying to play God's role in the lives of others? OUCH.

    Cutting apron strings - double OUCH. Even though my boys are all grown up, I still find myself meddling - even spiritually. Let go and let God - perhaps a timeworn phrase in some ways - but so very true. Not only in MY life, but letting go so God can work in the lives of OTHERS.

    Much to ponder here, Janette - thank you.

    GOD BLESS!

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  17. NancyAugust 4, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Well I sure have been there and done that.......trying to wreasel control from God but He sure has been patient with me in many areas of my life.....Oh where would I be without His grace...........

    It took me years to get what He's recently opened for me but His timing is always perfect.....I just get impatient....Oh will I ever learn?

    Great post......

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  18. MaryannAugust 4, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    This has application in so many areas of my life right now.
    The Lord continuing to show me how little control I have, how I need to trust him and let him have the reigns.
    I needed to "hear" this tonight

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  19. SallyAugust 5, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    The wait and be patient part is always a tough one. Of course the listening isn't easy either :)

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  20. Marsha YoungAugust 5, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Janette, Good for you! Yes, he does work while he sends us to wait.

    Right now I am "waiting" for about three months with my son for his surgery recovery, and I am learning to be content in that waiting.

    Good post! Blessings to you - Marsha

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  21. A multi-dimensional lifeAugust 5, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Oh I love this! Sometimes even in our own prayers, we try to control the outcome...as if...ha! God knows so much better than me! Oh let me not stand in the way...

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  22. Nikki (Sarah)August 6, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    I loved this message and loved how you wrote it. And those pics do help to get it's truths

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  23. Leslie @ Farm Fresh FunAugust 7, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    This is a new fav post for me! Things I am always trying to remind myself... Now I'll keep it bookmarked for motivation - Thanks!!!
    xoxo
    Leslie

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