Monthly Archives: March 2008

Uncategorized

Bountifully!

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008

Psalm 13
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 HOW LONG will You forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long must I lay up cares within me and have sorrow in my heart day after day? How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
I read this Psalm in a few translations this morning. This Amplified Bible version is the one I settled on to give to you. Particularly because of two verses, the third and the last. The amplification of verse 3 is right on target; a prayer to have the eyes of our faith behold His Face even in pitch black dark! To love Him and trust Him so much that even when you are groping in so much ‘I don’t understand’ darkness that you think you just want to lay down and die, by faith in that blackness you SEE HIS FACE. Not His Hands because even then you do not know what He is doing BUT His Face because you KNOW He is there and in that moment that is enough. OH! To have faith like that!! If you have reached that place in your walk with Him, He has DEALT BOUNTIFULLY with you; just THAT step of faith alone is a BOUNTIFUL GIFT!! Let alone what He is doing with HIS HANDS on your behalf which you are yet to see! My cry of exclamation this morning is HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME in spite of me; in spite of the fact that my faith, love and trust is yet to grow this much — but I have hope — HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME!!
Father, it is true You have dealt bountifully with me; so much more bountifully that I deserve! Thank You for Your Forgiveness and continued mercy morning after morning and all though each day. You are the AWESOME God the Psalmist has penned You to be! And we cry out to have our eyes of faith see Your Face and love You more both in darkness and sunshine. I pray this morning for these listed here that the eyes of their faith will be enlightened and Your Face will become a Treasure to them in their individual darkness. I pray Your Hands will lift up the ill in body and spirit; that Your Hands will supply all our needs according to Your Riches in Christ Jesus – thank You for Your Bountiful Supply to us. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their continued protection from harm in all ways, we pray for their safe returns; we pray for the successful conclusion to this war; for the Peace of Israel; for the election of Your Choice for President, for the exposure of truth about the candidates; for the repentance of America and for Your Church to see Your Face and Worship You unashamedly and boldly and this we ask only in the Merits of who You have made us in Christ Jesus. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. 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. 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. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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. Bay N.
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 65°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:30 PM AST – on March 13, 2008

His Ministry to You
Uncategorized

November 12, 2003

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008


Most likely we have visited this Scripture together previously but I am here again this morning with a very grateful and joyful heart:
23 The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].
24Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.
25 I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.
26 All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed.
Now when I started typing this my intention was to go with verse 23 (of Psalm 37) that is the familiar one but then the next and the next — up to verse 26 kept coming.
And you know, of course, it is not just the steps of a good man but a good woman too that are ordered and directed by Our Sweet Jesus. I am living proof (even to myself) that My Jesus directs my steps and that when I fall, when I mis-step, He corrects my steps. Since He birthed me into His Kingdom, He has never allowed me to be utterly cast down for His Hand has held me all these years; even those years that are not pretty, He did not allow me to be utterly cast down — He directed my steps!! I am confident that is your testimony too and I would love to hear those testimonies, if you are of a mind to write them to me.
And yes, I have been young and now I am older and no I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread… God ALWAYS, yes, ALWAYS provides for His uncompromisingly righteous ones. He ALWAYS meets our every NEED and He even gives us some of our WANTS…. Even to our children! And one way to ensure that is All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed. You know what that says to me? The mercy and grace that I extend in Jesus Name and in His Strength even comes back to bless my children. The woman of mercy and grace — Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); …. Proverbs 31:28. Yep!! The steps of God’s Woman are ordered and directed and she will never be utterly cast down …. Even if He has to come to the pig pen to rescue her! Praise His Name Forever!!
Thank you Father, thank you that our steps are ordered and directed and protected and guarded by You, Yourself and we are Your Possession.. Your Treasure that You will never let go; thank You. And I pray for will and mind and heart to extend Your mercy and Your grace today to every wonderful soul you bring across my path this day. I am reminded and I thank you that there are NO insignificant people in Your eyes, no matter how young or old; no matter who I see today, one in rags or one in finery, NOT one is insignificant to You and must not be to me either. Open my heart Father with mercy and grace to everyone who steps into my life today for Jesus sake. And Lord thank You that all my needs and all my sisters and brothers needs are meet today in Jesus. Amen and amen
Thank You Father for the many, many times You have come to the pig pen to get me. Thank You that You still do. I’m sorry You have to make the trip but glad You do. Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops and their families; bring Israel to Peace, America to repentance, Your Choice to the White House and Your Church to Victory and these listed here to health and wealth in Christ Jesus. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. 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. 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. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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. Bay N.
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 71°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 11:58 AM AST – on March 12, 2008

His Ministry to You

Uncategorized

Martha, Martha, Wherefore Art Thou?

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008

Recently I read some materials authored by Alice Matthews (writer for Radio Bible Class) and she said our lack of joy in ministry could be attributed to our lack of devotion to the Lord. What do you think of that statement? Can you think of anything other than lack of devotion that would deplete joy in ministry?
Read with me in Luke 10 beginning with verse 38
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
First let me tell you that I did not notice until recently that the Scripture says Mary who ALSO sat a Jesus feet. This tells me that when Jesus arrived at Martha’s house (and by the way the text said welcomed Him so Martha was GLAD He was there) there is a real possibility that BOTH Mary and Martha sat to listen to Jesus. But Martha being a ‘Martha’ sat there as long as she believed she could and still get the lamb roasted, the leeks and lentils cook, the figs and pomegranates prepared, turn the grain into bread, and all the other things it would take to make a Grand Feast for Jesus. A great, grand and noble undertaking wouldn’t you say? Surely Jesus understood when she got up and quietly went to the kitchen. Don’t you think?
I suspect when Martha began the cooking, she was thrilled and excited, just bubbling over with joy; she could envision the meal completed and the appreciation and satisfaction on the faces of all her guests as they savored each delectable dish. But as the degrees on the sun dial ticked away and Mary did not come help and supper time was fast approaching and Martha had grown weary with all the labor, she became more and more angry. Martha lost the ‘joy’ in serving. Why was that? Do we do this? Do we begin a project for Jesus sake and then before it is finished we get mad because someone else has not come along and joined us? And then what do we do? Do we ‘jump all over’ Jesus because they are not helping us; and worse yet, BLAME HIM for it?!!
What if? What if Martha had done this: What if she had stayed seated at the feet of Jesus for as long as He had something to say to her? What if she had taken in every word He said? And we say but what about the meal? Was not it her job as hostess to feed them? Of course it was. But what if she had ‘waited before the Lord’ instead of getting up prematurely? This is the picture that came to me as I began writing this devotion. What if Martha had continued to sit and listen and then when Jesus had finished His Lesson for the day (we know that He knew how much to ‘feed’ them at one sitting – He does us!), He turned to her and said: ‘Martha, let me help you in the kitchen’. Can you imagine the joy of going to the kitchen with Jesus? I can tell you right now this word picture excites me!! I LOVE IT!! To have Him work alongside! To have Him help with the leeks and onions and the grinding of the grain! Man! WE ARE COOKING NOW!!! Can you imagine the extended intimate fellowship she could have had with Him? Martha missed out. Next time we look up and realize we have lost our joy in service, we can be sure we got up from the feet of Jesus before He had finished that day’s lesson. Or worse than that, we didn’t even sit down with Him that day!
Father, thank You!! This is good!! This picture of You in the kitchen right beside me. Lord, I love it!!! Thank You so much!! Oh Lord, keep this up. I want to fall head over heels, full of hope, forever in love with You. And this helps so much. Please don’t let me forget it. Thank You. And Holy Spirit please impart this to our IDOKs; generate excitement in them too; build a word picture for them too – in the work-shop, the garage, the office, the store – any place we go to serve You and others. Oh Father God You are so AWESOME! Bless You Lord Forever and Ever. Thank You for being YOU. You amaze me. Lord, keep WOW-ing us. Help us sit still long enough at Your Feet that You can WOW us. Thank You. And now because You Word tells us so and because we care, we bring these on our list and we pray for Your Intervention in the life of each person and each situation just as they need today. And for our IDOK Troops, love on them today for us Lord; keep them safe and sound in mind, body and spirit; give them manifest reasons to hope and we continue to look to You to bring this war to a successful conclusion. We continue to look to You for the Peace of Israel, for the election of Your Choice for President here in America; for the repentance of America and for the revival of Your Church. Amen and amen. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. 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. 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. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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. Bay N.
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 70°F and haze in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 7:01 AM AST – on March 11, 2008
His Ministry to You