IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2007
The New Year is close upon us, just a few more days and we can say goodbye to 2007. Say it again … 2007… I can hardly believe it! Remember when we said goodbye to 1999 and the Y2K thing brought so much panic? And the New Year dawned and the power stayed on and the telephone rang and the ATM still dished out money, if you had some for dishing. We are not expecting a Y2K this New Year; we are expecting a smooth transition from 2007 at 11:59 P.M.on Monday night to 12:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, January 1, 2008. Just a tick and tock of the clock and we are there. Reminds me of a twinkling of the eye.
I Corinthians 15: 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
This passage of Scripture describes The Rapture of the Christian Church – that time when those who have not experienced physical death – won’t – they will be caught up to see Jesus without passing through physical death. Some we love have experienced physical death in 2007 and in spirit they are already beholding and rejoicing with Jesus. And this one writing and you all reading, we wait.
I have a little story for you this morning; it’s not mine (that is I did not write it) and it is not known if it is a true happening or just something written to give us a sentimental moment — see you at the end for a closing word and prayer.
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.
We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in ‘Mom let’s run through the rain,’ she said. ‘What?’ Mom asked. ‘Lets run through the rain!’ She repeated. ‘No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,’ Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: ‘Mom, let’s run through the rain,’ ‘We’ll get soaked if we do,’ Mom said. ‘No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,’ the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm. This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? ‘Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!’
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn’t hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. ‘Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If GOD let’s us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,’ Mom said. Then off they ran.
We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories…So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.
We have a few more days in this year to make memories — don’t waste them! And who of us does not need a ‘washing’? As best you can take all the stuff of 2007 in these days we have remaining and take them to Jesus – let HIM wash away all the gunk and stuff of hurts and anger, poor choices, and out right rebellion and start 2008 clean and fresh and newly in love with HIM. And then when the tick and tock of the clock brings in 2008 – you’ll be ready.
Father, it’s okay with us that we do not know what will be in 2008, we are secure in You. Thank You. With all that has occurred in 2007, some things wonderful, some things so hard we were not sure we could breathe through it but with You we did. Thank You. And in these last few days of 2007, help us prepare ourselves for 2008. Help us release to You all the gunk and stuff that has built up; help us stop putting off today what we can do today to make tomorrow a better day. Help us receive from You Your plans for us in the day to day living and act on those plans in our day to day living. Help us embrace a budget of money and time and resources and stick with it for Your Glory and our good. Thank You for what You have done in us and for us this year. Thank You for the illnesses and diseases we did not get and thank You for the ones that we did, that You have healed and those You are yet growing us through. Thank You for the homes and families You mended and restored and thank You for those still pending on which You are still working. Thank You for this year 2007, all of it; not that all of it was ‘good’ but that You were there with us through it all. Thank You. And today as all those days passed we bring these and we pray for them, for their strength to be renewed so they can walk and not be weary and for those with broken limbs, carry them and nurture them Lord until they can stand and move again for Your Glory. Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops today, in mind and body and spirit and bring them home to us safe and sound when they have finished their courses there. We continue to pray for a successful conclusion to the war; for the Peace of Israel, the Repentance of America, the election of Your Choice for President; the Revival of Your Church, beginning with me, and today’s provision for all our IDOKs in Jesus name. Amen and Amen. The Peace of Israel Mr. Smith. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Taylor. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. Wheeler Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. W.C. & Family . Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Martha F and Bob. Rev and Mrs. Carpenter. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. George. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
I Corinthians 15: 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
This passage of Scripture describes The Rapture of the Christian Church – that time when those who have not experienced physical death – won’t – they will be caught up to see Jesus without passing through physical death. Some we love have experienced physical death in 2007 and in spirit they are already beholding and rejoicing with Jesus. And this one writing and you all reading, we wait.
I have a little story for you this morning; it’s not mine (that is I did not write it) and it is not known if it is a true happening or just something written to give us a sentimental moment — see you at the end for a closing word and prayer.
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.
We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in ‘Mom let’s run through the rain,’ she said. ‘What?’ Mom asked. ‘Lets run through the rain!’ She repeated. ‘No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,’ Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: ‘Mom, let’s run through the rain,’ ‘We’ll get soaked if we do,’ Mom said. ‘No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,’ the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm. This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? ‘Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!’
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn’t hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. ‘Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If GOD let’s us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,’ Mom said. Then off they ran.
We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories…So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
We have a few more days in this year to make memories — don’t waste them! And who of us does not need a ‘washing’? As best you can take all the stuff of 2007 in these days we have remaining and take them to Jesus – let HIM wash away all the gunk and stuff of hurts and anger, poor choices, and out right rebellion and start 2008 clean and fresh and newly in love with HIM. And then when the tick and tock of the clock brings in 2008 – you’ll be ready.
Father, it’s okay with us that we do not know what will be in 2008, we are secure in You. Thank You. With all that has occurred in 2007, some things wonderful, some things so hard we were not sure we could breathe through it but with You we did. Thank You. And in these last few days of 2007, help us prepare ourselves for 2008. Help us release to You all the gunk and stuff that has built up; help us stop putting off today what we can do today to make tomorrow a better day. Help us receive from You Your plans for us in the day to day living and act on those plans in our day to day living. Help us embrace a budget of money and time and resources and stick with it for Your Glory and our good. Thank You for what You have done in us and for us this year. Thank You for the illnesses and diseases we did not get and thank You for the ones that we did, that You have healed and those You are yet growing us through. Thank You for the homes and families You mended and restored and thank You for those still pending on which You are still working. Thank You for this year 2007, all of it; not that all of it was ‘good’ but that You were there with us through it all. Thank You. And today as all those days passed we bring these and we pray for them, for their strength to be renewed so they can walk and not be weary and for those with broken limbs, carry them and nurture them Lord until they can stand and move again for Your Glory. Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops today, in mind and body and spirit and bring them home to us safe and sound when they have finished their courses there. We continue to pray for a successful conclusion to the war; for the Peace of Israel, the Repentance of America, the election of Your Choice for President; the Revival of Your Church, beginning with me, and today’s provision for all our IDOKs in Jesus name. Amen and Amen. The Peace of Israel Mr. Smith. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Taylor. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. Wheeler Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. W.C. & Family . Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Martha F and Bob. Rev and Mrs. Carpenter. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. George. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 61°F and clear in Balad, Iraq & the time there is 4:40 PM AST – on December 27, 2007
HIS MINISTRY TO YOU
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