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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

OZ AND I: BEING DISOBEDIENT



“We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God.”

Let me check the cover of the devotional I’m reading. Yes, it really is Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest.

Is Oz cutting us some slack today?

I think. “I’m not disobeying God—on purpose. I can’t help it. I’m weak. It’s not my fault.”

We may hear other people speak God’s truth and conclude that they’re probably right, continues Oz, but it is easy to ignore people. So we do.

But by ignoring God’s truth spoken by others, we are ignoring God himself. When we recognize how we have ignored God, “we will be filled with shame and humiliation.”

Ouch. There’s the Oz we’ve come to expect.

How often have I ignored God by belittling His truth merely because it was spoken by people? Are believers of this age any different from the people 4,000 years ago who spoke God’s truth, inspired by Him and preserved in scripture?

It’s time again to hang my head, admitting that I deserve Oz’s head whacking, and asking God’s forgiveness when I’ve ignored His truth, spoken loud and clear by people He has placed in my life.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we do love you and we don’t want to ignore your truth. Please open our ears and help us get out of your way when you use others to speak your truth to us. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you experienced a time when you clearly knew that others were speaking God’s truth to you?


NOTE: This post was based on the devotional dated February 12.

5 comments:

chris said...

Absolutely! My selfishness at times makes me want to modify God's will to fit mine. Really thankful for my small group and the other believers who help keep me connected and accountable. I need that.

Pam B. said...

Thank goodness God doesn't give up on me! I'm like Paul, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:15) I am so thankful that the Bible is full of people loved by God and it shows me even with all my failings, I can be a person after His heart.

lynnmosher said...

Wonderful post, Carol! I so desire big ears, spiritual ones, that is. And an obedient heart to whatever way God speaks to me, even through others. Thanks for this, sweetie. So truth-nudging!

Terrie said...

Sweet Carol thank you for this message, but don't dwell here too long - it's not good for us. We are forgiven! But that is not an excuse, it's a blessing!

For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His ONLY begotten SON. That whosoever believes in Him (the Son) will not perish, but have eternal life! John 3:16

I believe that those convictions are from the Holy Spirit to bring to our attention that we re going the wrong way. We get to choose. If we are sensitive and open we will not get to far off track.

Confess(agree with God) we've blown it and get going. Don't forget to forgive yourself!

Didn't mean to rant - and my comment is not directed to you, but I felt it was something I needed to say.

Peace and Many Blessings

From Carols Quill said...

@ Chris and Lynn - I so need other believers to be accountable to!

@ Pam - I love your ability to speak scripture and make it so relevant. And I love the big screw ups in scripture that remind me God loves us anyway.

@ Terrie - Your passion for Jesus is infectious. Yes, we are free and forgiven! Sometimes I personally need to get out of my own and God's way and hear when He might be speaking through others. Thank you for your great big thoughts.