The Journey (A Life Way Publication) for today is good; I don’t see me giving you anything better.
Whenever I try to change something in my life, I always revert to my old ways. Whether I’m trying to have a consistent daily quiet time, attempting to have more self-control with food, or trying to exercise regularly, I eventually throw in the towel. What can I do to get on the right track and stay there?
Beats me … That’s my story too. And Journey goes on to say that Romans 7:13 – 24 describes this struggle and I agree. Particularly verse 18 which reads: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
That is fully truth. I will not find within my own emotions or intellect the ability to stick with any good decision. I am without recourse to do good except in Christ Jesus who does ALL things WELL.
Romans continues in verse 24 to tell us: O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Sticking with those good decisions and performing them day after day in 2008 can be done but we will not do it with our emotions or our intellect. However, we will use our MINDS – not our natural mind alone but coupled with THE MIND OF CHRIST given to us at our salvation. 1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
But you know what? I am not going to spend today thinking about tomorrow; about the 40 minutes of exercise, about the healthy eating, about the clock and getting up and being prepared to face the world at a certain time and etc. Etc. No, today I am enjoying that I did it today! It feels good!! And tomorrow? Well tomorrow is tomorrow. And I think I will remember tomorrow how good today feels and that with prayer just might be enough to get me through to another day of ‘follow through’. Whatcha think?
I am not a liberty at this time to tell you more but I have some vocational decisions to make and I covet your prayers. I will tell you more when I can.
Father, thank You for precious lessons taught; help us learn them we pray. . . . . And we pray for the peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America, for the Election of Your Choice for America’s President, and for revival for the Church. And for each name listed here, bless them Lord; keep them safe, provide funds where needed and jobs and wisdom and discernment for decisions, break fevers and restore health; comfort the grieving; give wisdom and knowledge to doctors for proper treatments and whatever else is needed to bring You Glory in these and in us. Thank You Father in Jesus name. 

As I post this it is 37°F and haze in Balad, Iraq & the time there is 8:29 AM AST – on January 3, 2008

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008

The corner by the fireplace looks bare.
The tree’s at the curb; the ornaments, the lights, and the tinsel are safely in the attic and as I settled in on the couch for a rest, I said aloud — where’d Christmas go?
Christmas 2007 has come and gone and so has, by the time most of you read this, the first day of 2008.
At this writing, I plan to begin my 2008 – tomorrow.
Today, I ate everything I wanted – chocolate candy and more chocolate candy, carrot cake and pork chops, peas, cornbread, cabbage, and sweet tea.
And I think I’ll give myself 11 more such days – one every month.
And I think I shall eat whatever I want on those days. I’ll spare you my plans for the other 354 days.
But Feasting and Fasting are not the only plans I made for 2008. Last week, I spent a day making a list of long-range and short-range tasks I want to complete. I actually got a jump on the list and so far I’ve checked off one and it felt SO GOOD!

None of us know what will be in the next 365 days; there may be tears – both happy and sad. There may be side-splitting laughter and there may be times that we laugh to keep from crying. Families may increase by birth and marriage and families may decrease by physical death — we just don’t know what is yet to be BUT today we will ponder this and tomorrow too:

Father, as our IDOKs read this passage of Your Word – leap it off the computer screen at just the right phrase for each and every one of them. Thank You, Father.

Psalm 145: 1 I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
6 Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
And I will declare Your greatness.
7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
And shall sing of Your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
9 The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
10 All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
And Your saints shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The LORD upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
20 The LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.

A number of years ago a wise woman said (and I am paraphrasing) don’t spend your time (this year) looking for a WHALE and miss being awed by the many penguins God sends your way every day!

Father, You know the cry of my heart at the birth of this new year; You know the desires of my heart even better than I; You know my needs and the needs of each IDOK and their families and I ask You know to mold and shape our desires to match You desires for us. And Father, before these witnesses, my sisters and brothers, I ask You to bring me to be a Proverbs 31 woman this year for Jesus’ sake and for the good of all those I love and those whom You will give me to minister to this year.
And in the calling of Your Ministry to each of us, we pray today for these; we don’t know specifically what each one is needing today but we know You do and we know You know what it will take to get those provisions to them and so we ask You to move Heaven and Earth if need be to take care of these. And if not Heaven and Earth at least us and them, according to Your Will. And we pray for the Peace of Israel, the Repentance of America, the Election of Your Choice for President, the Revival of the Christian Church, and a successful conclusion to this war, and for today we pray for peace and protection of mind, body, and spirit for our IDOK Troops. Please bring each of them home safe and sound at the appointed time. Again thank You for all that was accomplished in 2007 and we pray for more to be accomplished in 2008 for Jesus’ sake. Amen and Amen.

. . .
As I post this it is 36°F and scattered clouds in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 7:37 AM AST – on January 2, 2008.