Monthly Archives: January 2008

Uncategorized

Stinking Situations

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2008

Ephesians 1:
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength,
20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
Would you like to know what these verses said to me today? Good, ‘cause I’m gonna tell you.
The FIRST thing a soul needs to KNOW about God is ‘He raises the dead.’
And I believe this is true AT salvation and throughout the Christian Life. A lost soul must come to believe and KNOW that God Almighty can raise the dead; that He did raise Jesus The Christ from the DEAD. Let me be BLUNT: any and every accountable soul that does not KNOW God the Father raised His Son Jesus Christ from the dead to live again, that soul is lost. Moreover, unless that soul has their mind changed prior to their physical death they will spend eternity in a place called HELL. It’s as simple as that. The FIRST thing we MUST know about God is He raises the dead.
But I said throughout the Christian Life, didn’t I? Remember Martha? Remember when her brother Lazarus was ill and she and her sister Mary sent for Jesus and Jesus did not show up until after, four days after Lazarus had died? What did Jesus say to her when she was ‘disputing’ with Jesus (Have we ever disputed with Jesus? No, not gonna chase that rabbit today.) about taking the stone away from the cave where Lazarus’ body had been laid?
Lets get in on a little of that conversation, starting in verse 23 of John 11: Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Did you see that?! Just believing that Jesus is the Christ and that He came into this world IS NOT ENOUGH!! Lets listen to more of their conversation in verse 39: Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
What was it that Martha needed to believe? Didn’t she already believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Go back to verse 25. Jesus said to her, I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.
Again I say, in all our Christian Life if we will KNOW that our God raises the Dead; that our Savior, Jesus the Christ, is ALIVE from the DEAD – we can then believe ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH HIM – and even if our situation has been DEAD and stinking 4 days already – still ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH HIM.
By the way the number 4 in Biblical Numerology means Creation. Could it be those stinking situations in our lives are there to raise something in us? Could it be Jesus waits ‘4 days’ when we call on Him regarding a certain matter in order for a new Creation to come alive in us or someone else?
Yes, I am certain the first thing we MUST KNOW about our God is HE RAISES THE DEAD. We must know that to be saved and we must know that to live this Daily Christian Life. Hallelujah! Father raises the DEAD!

P.S. This post script is added a few hours after I put this devotion ‘to bed’ to wait for mailing to you tomorrow (Thursday) morning. At the writing of this P.S. I just moments ago received a video via email and I am passing the link on to you. When you view this Internet Video, even more than before you will KNOW that our Father raised our Jesus from the dead and IDOK is His Ministry to You and to me. Praise Him! Praise Him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NaSROohLzs
I love crying holy, grateful tears!! See you back here for prayer in just a bit. The video is about 6 minutes. — Thanks Betty for being Father’s instrument of confirmation and blessing to me!!!
Thank You Father that You raised Christ Jesus from death to life for us; thank You that You are still raising the dead; that each time a heart says yes to salvation in Jesus You raise the dead again. Thank You that the mortal bodies of all who have died or will die will be raised to immortal bodies. Thank You Lord Father. And since all things are possible with You; that You are all powerful, all knowing and all wise and always LOVE, we bring each soul whose name appears here and we are looking to You to see the dead raised; to see hearts and minds and bodies revived and whatever else You want to do for these.
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 for our IDOK Troops we are again praying for their protection of mind, body and spirit; we ask You to encourage them today and at the time appointed bring them home to us safe and sound. We pray for the Peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America, for the Election of Your Choice for President – move people to vote according to Your Choice Lord, and we pray for Your Church – revive us Lord for Jesus sake. 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 44°F and overcast in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 3:49 PM AST – on January 10, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

Uncategorized

Sleep On It!

Leave a comment

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.

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

Uncategorized

Back in Time to January 8 2004

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008

First thing I read this morning — promise calendar for today: No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11.
And we KNOW that is true and we claim that this morning for us all.
But there was a time I did not believe that about God… Especially for me… Maybe for someone else. There was a time that I thought as the quote this morning from Paul Little reads: Some people think that God peers over the balcony of heaven trying to find anybody who is enjoying life. And when He spots them He yells, “Now cut that out!”
That concept of God is blasphemous! So when you cross paths with one who has that concept of Our Father (that He is the Supreme Kill-Joy) tell them ‘NOW CUT THAT OUT!”
Lets look at Romans 15:
Verses 5 and 6: Now may the God who gives the power
(just look at that… Is that glorious or what… He gives POWER… He and we… We can do what these verses command us to do! He gives the POWER of PATIENT ENDURANCE to US!!)
Of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement,
(encouragement for us WILL be supplied to us this very day! – let’s not choose to miss it!)
Grant you to live in such mutual harmony
(very important that we REMEMBER POWER here!! AND CHOICE — He and we — we can do this! He and me have gone to meddling now… Right?)
And such full sympathy with one another,
(this one is not as hard is it? At least for brothers and sisters we like)
In accord with Christ Jesus, That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
And what is the point of all this? Why do we want to choose to receive the encouragement that He will supply today? Why do we want to choose to live in harmony with one another today? Why will we sympathize with one another today? Why will we unite hearts today??? So that – we the Church – The Body of Christ – His Representatives, here on this planet to a Lost and Dying World — will with one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). NOW that’s worth doing! That’s worth getting up for in the morning!
Nope! My Daddy God is NOT a Supreme Cosmic Kill-Joy!! We have far too much fun together for that to be even remotely true. Have fun with Him today and enjoy HIS POWER in YOUR life!
Father, we thank You that You are MORE FUN than anyone else in the Universe, were it not for You we would not even know what fun is; thank You. Thank You for my email family; thank You for teaching us so faithfully each and every day; thank You for the honor and the privilege of meeting with us daily; thank You for being You with us. I pray for each and everyone that their day today will be kissed by Your Presence and they will KNOW they are loved and I pray that we will receive encouragement today and we will make right choices today; that we will live in harmony according to Your Power within us and that we will cry with those who cry and we will laugh with those who laugh and most of all that we will glorify YOU today. And Father, very importantly I pray for those we love who do not yet know You that today they will see YOU in us and they will believe for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.
And to that today we add that we are coming with the Lawson Family and the Local Congregation there grieving this separation from her and we pray for comfort for them. We pray for a speedy recovery for Makayla and for strength for Tiffany and the family. We pray for Bro. Bob and Ms. Martha for strength to rest on Your changing Grace and Wisdom, Lord. And we pray this surgery that Ms. Martha is scheduled to have that it will be performed with skill and accuracy and that she will recover.
And we call the names of others to You Lord as listed here; we are not privy to all the cares and concerns and we will so inadequate to know how to pray but we know and are sure that You know just what to do for each of them and we are certain that You Lord Jesus are interceding for us now and we are grateful. Thank You.
We ask that You protect our IDOK Troops today and that You encourage them, especially those who are suffering illnesses and injuries; I am specifically thinking of Drew and Anthony and asking You for recovery for them. Lord, please keep each and every IDOK Troop safe from harm in mind, body and spirit and bring each one home safe and sound; let us not loose one and we pray for a successful conclusion to this war soon. And we pray for Peace for Israel and for National Leaders to wisely support Israel; we pray that we would heed Your Word and bless Israel; we pray for Repentance for America; for the election of Your Choice for President; for an Awakening and Revival of the Church. And Lord thank You for Your Forgiveness and Mercy that we are in need of continually, especially me. Protect all our IDOKs today and help us rely upon You today; help us believe You today and rejoice in Your Goodness today. Amen and Amen.
Update from Helen (last night’s prayer request): Sis Lawson passed away about 10-10:15 pm. Please remember her family as well as her church family.
Makayla is out of surgery and Tif is waiting for her to wake up so she can go back with her but everything appears to be okay with her.
Mrs. Martha was taken to the hospital Monday afternoon and is expected to have gall bladder surgery. Please pray for she and Bro. Bob. 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. 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. Mrs. Dobbs. Andrew. Tiffany & Makayla. Lawson Family.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
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 48°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:06 PM AST – on January 8, 2008


HIS MINISTRY TO YOU