Monthly Archives: February 2008

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Two Words

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR Monday, February 25, 2008

Another full weekend for The Thompsons – we are blessed. As I begin this IDOK I am fresh from viewing a movie with my beloved husband. For a secular movie it is excellent – a true story. I like true story movies that inspire and this one has – ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’.
I am certain there are more spiritual parallels we could draw from the movie but I am only going to deal with one at this writing. In a particular scene in the movie Mr. Holland said to Mrs. Holland: ‘I love you’. And she replied with two of the most beautiful words in the world. I have heard those two words many times and have I said them myself many times following the same three words spoken by Mr. Holland in the movie.
For a few years now from time to time when I say ‘I love you’ to Jerry he responds not with ‘I love you too’ but with the same words as Mrs. Holland. And by now unless you watched the movie too you are wondering what two words and why are you making such a big deal of this? Because it is a big deal – the biggest of deals especially in the realm of our relationship with Father God. For you see when Jesus stretched out His Arms and allowed the nails of Calvary to be pounded into His GodMan Flesh, He was saying I Love You like no other. And if you and I would respond to Him the way Mrs. Holland did; the way Jerry does to me; the way I do to him, I think Father would think those are the most beautiful words He has ever heard. These two words in response to I love you mean trust, assurance, confidence, security; they mean I BELIEVE YOU and I ACCEPT YOU! What are those two words that mean so much? I KNOW!
You see when I say I love you to Jerry and he responds ‘I know’ that tells me he believes me; that tells me he has no worries that I will deliberately hurt him, he has no worries that I will abandon him; he has faith in me, he trusts me — He KNOWS I love him. Now transfer that to Our God. Can you fathom that He would like to hear those two little words from us? I KNOW. I KNOW You love me, I KNOW you have my best interest at Your heart; I KNOW You will never abandon me; I KNOW You will never harm me. Sure it’s easy for us to say I KNOW when all is going well but what about those times when things are not going so well? Does He still hear from us I KNOW?
Yes, I love it when Jerry says I KNOW. And I am just as confident he loves it when he hears I KNOW from me. But what I really want is for my Father God to hear this from me: I know Father. I know You love me even when the day is dark with trial and the night is long with waiting. I want to know You so well Father that You can hear me say I KNOW. I KNOW You love me!
John 16: 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
Before we go to prayer I have some reports from Sister IDOKs:
From Janet: Wanda just called me with the news that Charles went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Bless his heart, he did just like Jennifer and outlived all medical expectations and fought a good fight, witnessing to the power of the Lord all the way. Renee’ is precious and has such strength and I’m sure had watched him suffer enough.
And regarding Janie B. : Janie had an appointment with her Doctor yesterday. She got a great report. All Of her marker’s(lab reports on cancer) are great, which means she is as close to Remission as you can get. They will give her one more round of chemo and then
Bring us back after a two week rest and do a one day high dose chemo before they Give her the first of two stem cell transplants. The PET scan and MRI showed all The hot spots (lesions) on her bones to be either gone or smaller which is great News. The largest one was under her brain in the skull and it is completely gone Which is great news since this is the lesion that was causing problems with her Eye sight. He says after the second stem cell transplant that she will stay in Remission for years. Praise the LORD.
From Helen: Update #1 LATEST UPDATE received at appx. 10 am, Friday, February 22nd, from Sharon Hahn:
He is in St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, KS. Doctor’s have ruled out viral meningitis. Spot on brain is either encephalitis or a tumor. He has Type A and B influenza. Neurologist has ordered additional MRI for today.
They have ‘called in’ 6 specialists to treat Jeremy. He is still on ventilator with 35% oxygen. His temp dropped during the night to 100.2 degrees—currently. Still sedated but responds to ‘voices of family members’ and has opened his eyes and acknowledged them. Continue to pray for a miracle! Update #2 I have just spoken to SHARON HAHN and the doctor’s have ruled out a brain tumor. They have agreed that Jeremy has encephalitis. They will be meeting shortly with the doctor’s to determine the course of treatment.
And we have a new request from Cathy: IDOKs, I have a dear, dear friend who has today made an extremely difficult decision….she has finally been able to begin the process of stopping her enabling of an alcoholic, verbally abusive son. She has refused to let him come home. He is an adult and has created a sad and difficult life for the entire family. Please pray for her and for him. She needs the strength to deal with this painful, but necessary decision. He needs to begin to look up as he has finally hit the bottom. Thank you for your prayers.
Father, I am still thinking as I did when these requests came in how unfathomable it is that You would entrust this IDOK ministry to us but You have. Thank You. And Lord we want to know You so well that we say I KNOW to You even when the fig tree does not blossom. We pray for Renee for her peace at this time; we pray for Cathy’s friend and son, only You can supply enough strength and wisdom at this time in their lives, only You can rescue this son and that is what we ask You to do. We are grateful that Jeremy does not have a brain tumor and we continue to pray that he will be healed and that Sharon will have a healthy baby. And we continue to bring these others too for all their needs. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. 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. Andrew.
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. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: 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:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
And we continue to pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection of mind, body and spirit; for their safe arrivals home; for their encouragement and spirits to be lifted; for the successful conclusion of this war; for the Peace of Israel; for the Repentance of America; for the election of Your Choice for President and for the revival of Your Church, all in the Name of Jesus. Amen and amen.

A Hymn of Faith
Habakkuk 3: 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

As I post this it is 61°F with smoke/haze in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 8:25 AM AST- on February 25, 2008

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Only Me, Only You; Together

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IDOK DEVOTION for Friday, February 22, 2008

I am still in Ezra today. Read with me what Ezra did in Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Lord and I wondered how did he do that; how did he prepare his heart to seek the Lord. And I think I found my answer in verse 21 of chapter 6: 21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.
Israel’s sins had placed Her in captivity; our sins place us in captivity too. So what did Israel do to seek the Lord? Individually and corporately they separated themselves from the filth of the nations.
Is there any filth going on in this nation from which we need to separate ourselves in order to seek The Lord?
Here’s a definition of filth taken from free dictionary. Com
A. Foul or dirty matter.
B. Disgusting garbage or refuse.
2. A dirty or corrupt condition; foulness.
3. Something, such as language or printed matter, considered obscene, prurient, or immoral
That’s a pretty good description but that doesn’t apply to any of us, does it?
We don’t speak foully, do we? And we don’t look at printed matter (or DVD or Video or Television) that is obscene or prurient or immoral, do we?
By who’s standard? By who’s standard do we judge filth? How do our movies measure up? To free dictionary.com we are all probably squeaky clean but by Father’s standard’s how are we? Is there any filth that IDOKs need to separate themselves from in order to go up to that next level with Him? I can only answer for me. You can only answer for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen.
Before we close today, lets go back to Ezra 6:21. There’s one more thing I need to show you. 21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.
Not only did they separate themselves from the filth of the nations but those who did the separating did not separate alone; they separated TOGETHER. See it? Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together.
What a lesson there is in that!! If we are going to separate ourselves from the FILTH of this Nation, we need to determine this individually and then stick together. If you are not plugged in at a Sunday School Class, a Local Christian Church Body, a Bible Study group – get that way! Get that way and ‘break some bread’ together; Spiritual Bread in Bible Study and Physical Bread in fellowship. We need to SEPARATE (from filth and) EAT TOGETHER if we are going to move up to a higher level in Christ Jesus.
Father, I think this is pretty good and I like the way You put it together on this screen and now I am asking You to put it together in me; in us. As our people read this IDOK today, Holy Spirit jump those words of Scripture off the screen into each heart. Lord, open Your Word to us, speak to us; we cannot grow, we cannot live without Your Word. Help us separate ourselves from filth, from any and all appearance of evil and help us help each other.
This morning we are praying again for Jeremy for healing and life and for health for his wife and baby too; and for this Pastor’s widow and family, we again ask for all provisions of health and wealth, both spiritually and physically to be given them. And we pray for Josh and Emily and Jamie and Jimmy and all the family as they gather to mourn; comfort them and show Yourself to them. And we pray for the remainder of this list, we bring each face and each need – thank You for taking care of it all. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their protection in mind and body and spirit today; for their safe return home to family and friends; for a successful conclusion to this war; for the election of Your Choice for President; for the Peace of Israel; for the repentance of America and the revival of Your Church, all for Jesus Name Sake. Amen and amen.
Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. 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. Andrew.
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. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: 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:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 59°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:28 PM AST – on February 22, 2008

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Do You Wonder?

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR Thursday, February 21, 2008

Do you wonder about fasting? What is the purpose for fasting? Is it just a practice to be done like the Pharisees – see Matthew 9:13-15? Is it something to do to lose weight? I think we can find some answers here in this portion of Scripture (and other passages as well).
Ezra 8:
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”
23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
No, fasting is NOT about losing weight. No, fasting is not about ceremony or ritual. Fasting is about seeking God. Notice what Father said through Ezra here; Ezra called a fast so the people would HUMBLE themselves before God and seek from Him the right way for them and their children to go. How important is that?!! The people needed direction. They didn’t know what to do and they were so serious about wanting to go the RIGHT way that they stopped feeding their flesh in order to HEAR from God. It was (and is to be) a humble practice. It is not something we do to be seen as the Pharisees did. It is for the purpose of HUMBLING ourselves – Father, we don’t have the answers but YOU do! Fasting is for desperate people who want to know. How blessed we would be to be DESPERATE in this day!
But he did not stop with just the RIGHT WAY TO GO. He included ‘our possessions’. Do you ever feel guilty about praying for the protection of possessions, especially YOUR possessions? Don’t! Here you have it in ‘black and white’: to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. We need to know what God wants us to do with these possessions that we call our own.
What else did Ezra say? Let me give you a Kathie Thompson interpretation here: we ought to be ASHAMED to seek the counsel of the ‘world’! We ought to be ashamed to go to an earthly king when we can go to the King of the Universe for our answers! And not only for answers but for our PROTECTION!
I am concerned right now about the election of a President. I am concerned for the safety (protection) of this Nation. But whoever is elected — our protection is NOT with a President (that does not negate how GREAT it would be to have a GODLY man as President. And frankly right now that’s look pretty slim!!). Our safety and protection is in the Lord Jesus Christ and that is true no matter who is President.
So should you fast? The answer is yes as the Lord leads you. Are you desperate for an answer? Is your daily routine of meats and delicacies hindering you from humbling yourself? Is your daily routine of meats and delicacies feeding your flesh so much that your Spirit is starving? THEN FAST and PRAY!
Daniel 1:
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Father, for me I ask forgiveness for my lack of desperation; for my surface living and I pray for a humble heart that seeks You first and foremost for my family and all the possessions You have given in Great Grace. I pray for water that runs deep, Lord. I pray that for me and for all our IDOKs. Teach us about fasting. Teach us about effective prayer.
Thank You for the lessons already learned; thank You for the faithful prayers already prayed; thank You for Your Gracious and Faithful Perfect Answers already given and we unashamedly pray for more. We pray for our IDOK Troops to be protected today in mind and body and spirit. We pray for the safe return of each of them. We pray for a successful conclusion to this war. We pray for Israel for her Peace; we pray for the repentance of America; we pray for the opening of the eyes and hearts of Your people to the direction You want us to go. We pray for America that You will have mercy on us and raise up a Godly men and women in spite of the opposition. Father, please forgive America and have mercy on this Nation that You birthed. We are a needy people; we are a sinful people and we pray for mercy; we pray for Holy Ghost Conviction to humble us and turn us from our sins. Thank You for Your Word; apply it today for Jesus sake. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. 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. Andrew.
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. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: 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:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 53°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:33 PM AST – on February 21, 2008

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Diffuse and Infuse — Bring it On!

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A quote from Beth (Moore) in our Stepping Up study: “He not only diffuses our past of all power to harm and haunt us but He infuses it with power to help others. Redemption is incomplete if our negative past is only diffused. Satan won’t be completely sorry and God won’t get all the glory until the bad is used for good.”
Psalm 130:7 NIV “O, ___________, put your hope in ME, the Lord, for with ME is unfailing love and with ME is full redemption.
Did you read that with your name in the blank? You should; that’s Father’s message to you today.
Exactly what does diffuse mean? I think I know but let’s look it up. To spread over an area; scatter. I guess we could say spread it thin; too thin to be of formidable consequences. Who of us does not want our past diffused; so diffused that it is too thin to cause us any more harm and too thin to cause us any more grief? That is God’s desire for you — believe it!
And infuse?
1. To put into or introduce as if by pouring
2. To fill or cause to be filled with something
3. To steep or soak without boiling in order to extract soluble elements or active principles.
4. To flavor or scent (a liquid) by steeping ingredients in it:
5. To introduce (a solution) into the body through a vein for therapeutic purposes.
WOW! I like this! Yes, HOLY SPIRIT, do all this in us! And He has or else He is still in the process. He has been poured out for us and into us at Salvation. Yes, we are commanded and we are only doing well when we are FILLED with Him. Oh, yes; let us be steeped in the Water of the Word so the elements and principles of it be extracted and found in us. To flavor or scent; oh, don’t you like that? For us to take on the FLAVOR, SCENT of CHRIST. Wouldn’t that be glorious?! And look at # 5! The Blood of JESUS! NOTHING is more therapeutic!
So! Father desires to take our wretched pasts and INFUSE them with HIMSELF.
Beth went on to say: “Don’t think you have to tell every detail of your personal past for God to use it. Your absolute authenticity and humility in ministry is often enough to turn the agony into glory.”
Amen! Let’s have some agony turned into glory. That’s His Will for us and if we will ask, He will.
So the next time you sense that grief coming again for some sin you have long since ceased to do, immediately give Father permission to take that sin and use it to help someone else.
John 15: 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Father, we desire for You to diffuse our past and infuse it for Your Glory; we want to be so infused with You that the devil is sorry he messed with us – make it so Lord. Make it so in each of us. I pray for my IDOK sisters and brothers, inspire them today Lord to embrace this and expect You to perform it. Bring up that same expectation in me I pray.
We are here with our lists,  Lord; praying for Your Peace and Your Will to be done. Amen and Amen.

As I post this it is 45°F and mostly cloudy in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 9:23 AM AST – on February 20, 2008

His Ministry to You

Caveat: This is not a blanket endorsement of all that is spoken or written by Beth Moore.