IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2008
I went to bed hungry last night. Not to worry, it was by choice. Customarily, I celebrate the second Tuesday of each month with my Baby Girl and yesterday at lunch we ate GOOD. So in an effort to keep my New Year’s Decision, I only ate a tablespoon size of chicken and rice last night at supper with Jerry — couldn’t let him eat alone. And so those ensuing hours from supper to bed time I had food on my mind and drinking water took the edge off but that was about all. So I went to bed with a tummy that was saying, ‘hey! what’s the deal here?’ Yet my determination remained firm.
And you know what I noticed this morning? My demanding stomach was quiet after sleeping on it. When I awoke this morning I did not race to the kitchen, starved! I had my usual breakfast and am satisfied.
So what’s my point? In our day to day comings and goings we don’t have to ‘feed’ every demand that presents itself to us – whether that be our own or those of another. Weigh the matter first and you may discover it has been ‘celebrated’ enough and a little breather is needed.
I have a rule of thumb that I often use: If you want an immediate answer, the answer is NO.
My tummy wanted immediate gratification – I told her NO. And this morning – she’s the better for it!
There may be some ‘tummies’ in your life that are demanding to be fed and it just may be those ‘tummies’ have celebrated enough for the time being – TELL THEM NO. Tell them you are going to ‘sleep on it’. Who knows. In the morning you may be .6 of a pound lighter.
Ephesians 2:
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Some prayer updates:
From Helen: Dan’s dad was discharged from the hospital today. He is doing much better. He had to go to a skilled transitional facility for awhile until he gets his strength built back up and can stand up and walk by himself, Dan’s mother is just able to physically move him around he is not a little man. Thank you all for the many prayers for him and our family. We know God is in control and can do far more than we can even imagine.
From Kristi: Please keep my daughter Katelyn on the prayer list. We are praying and hoping for a cure of Rett Syndrome in her lifetime. She is 13 now.
From Lisa regarding her Mom: She has been through the wringer with doctors and biopsies. They finally “think” they have figured out that she has – Rheumatoid arthritis. She has been in a lot of pain but now they are at least trying to treat her. They couldn’t treat her before b/c they were not sure what was wrong with her.
Sunday I spent the day with her and it was finally like she was getting back to normal. Thanks for all the prayers. It is so awesome to be a part of IDOK!
Father, thank You for the continued privilege of prayer. Thank You for the blessings and miracles that we have seen You do just in the lives of IDOKs and we pray to see more. We pray that You will open our eyes wider to what You are doing and will do in the lives of each of us. Thank You that Mr. Smith is out of the hospital and we pray for him to continue to improve, get stronger and be able to finish his course in Your Name and in Your Strength. I know little to nothing about Rett Syndrome Father but it seems to me that it is a large task for young lady of 13 and so we pray that You will Glorify Yourself in Katelyn and bless her family too. And we come with these too Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. 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. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Tiffany & Makayla. Andrew.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
And we pray not knowing how really; not knowing what is best or what will glorify You or what will encourage and lift up and out those lost in wrong choices, sin or tortured emotions; we just want to bring them to You for love and mercy and forgiveness and grace and provisions for today. And we pray for the Peace of Israel, the Repentance of America, the election of Your Choice for President of America, for the protection of our IDOK Troops today- that You keep them from harm in mind and body and spirit; that You encourage them and enlighten them, that they may know they are appreciated and loved by us and most of all by You. Bring them home safely we pray. And Lord, revive Your Church – revive me Lord. Amen and amen.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 46°F scattered clouds in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 5:19 PM AST – on January 9, 2008.
And you know what I noticed this morning? My demanding stomach was quiet after sleeping on it. When I awoke this morning I did not race to the kitchen, starved! I had my usual breakfast and am satisfied.
So what’s my point? In our day to day comings and goings we don’t have to ‘feed’ every demand that presents itself to us – whether that be our own or those of another. Weigh the matter first and you may discover it has been ‘celebrated’ enough and a little breather is needed.
I have a rule of thumb that I often use: If you want an immediate answer, the answer is NO.
My tummy wanted immediate gratification – I told her NO. And this morning – she’s the better for it!
There may be some ‘tummies’ in your life that are demanding to be fed and it just may be those ‘tummies’ have celebrated enough for the time being – TELL THEM NO. Tell them you are going to ‘sleep on it’. Who knows. In the morning you may be .6 of a pound lighter.
Ephesians 2:
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Some prayer updates:
From Helen: Dan’s dad was discharged from the hospital today. He is doing much better. He had to go to a skilled transitional facility for awhile until he gets his strength built back up and can stand up and walk by himself, Dan’s mother is just able to physically move him around he is not a little man. Thank you all for the many prayers for him and our family. We know God is in control and can do far more than we can even imagine.
From Kristi: Please keep my daughter Katelyn on the prayer list. We are praying and hoping for a cure of Rett Syndrome in her lifetime. She is 13 now.
From Lisa regarding her Mom: She has been through the wringer with doctors and biopsies. They finally “think” they have figured out that she has – Rheumatoid arthritis. She has been in a lot of pain but now they are at least trying to treat her. They couldn’t treat her before b/c they were not sure what was wrong with her.
Sunday I spent the day with her and it was finally like she was getting back to normal. Thanks for all the prayers. It is so awesome to be a part of IDOK!
Father, thank You for the continued privilege of prayer. Thank You for the blessings and miracles that we have seen You do just in the lives of IDOKs and we pray to see more. We pray that You will open our eyes wider to what You are doing and will do in the lives of each of us. Thank You that Mr. Smith is out of the hospital and we pray for him to continue to improve, get stronger and be able to finish his course in Your Name and in Your Strength. I know little to nothing about Rett Syndrome Father but it seems to me that it is a large task for young lady of 13 and so we pray that You will Glorify Yourself in Katelyn and bless her family too. And we come with these too Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. 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. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Tiffany & Makayla. Andrew.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
And we pray not knowing how really; not knowing what is best or what will glorify You or what will encourage and lift up and out those lost in wrong choices, sin or tortured emotions; we just want to bring them to You for love and mercy and forgiveness and grace and provisions for today. And we pray for the Peace of Israel, the Repentance of America, the election of Your Choice for President of America, for the protection of our IDOK Troops today- that You keep them from harm in mind and body and spirit; that You encourage them and enlighten them, that they may know they are appreciated and loved by us and most of all by You. Bring them home safely we pray. And Lord, revive Your Church – revive me Lord. Amen and amen.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 46°F scattered clouds in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 5:19 PM AST – on January 9, 2008.
HIS MINISTRY TO YOU
The White Stone 