IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008

Issy has been keeping my beloved and me company this week; she’s five and we are much older and so I arrive this morning at 6:45 in need of a message; I am borrowing from March 17, 2004. It’s still good today. The Word is still full of power and our Precious Lord Jesus is still just as worthy of worship and praise.

I think it must be worship this morning.
As I was reading Journey the words spoke of worship and just at that moment I caught the words of the song playing on the radio and it was all about worship!
And the Journey reads: Every day we must lift our hearts in worship above the din of war, human tragedies and suffering. It is so easy to lose our perspective, to focus on the darkness in the world around us. But we can still be thankful for the beauty and goodness God has brought into our lives, for our friends and family, the food we eat and a world to enjoy. We can have peace in our hearts, knowing we are His children and God is in control.

And just before that in Our Daily Bread I was struck with this sentence: He asks us to commit our way to Him and accept the struggles He allows and the strength He provides. I love the way He does this!!! There are some key words in that sentence and it is packed with power. Yes, He allows STRUGGLES in our daily lives. Could it be that an ACT OF WORSHIP would be to ACCEPT those struggles? Could it be that another ACT OF WORSHIP would be to believe and receive the STRENGTH HE PROVIDES to us in those struggles He allows? Let’s look at the heart of one who did/does worship Father God.

2 Corinthians 12
8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [ in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). source 

I love that passage! Let it pour over you and fill you up today. Do you see one more thing in that passage? Our brother the Apostle Paul who we, who I think, was/is a great man asked three times for a certain “struggle” to be removed — Father said No! And Paul still worshipped!! Reminds me of SOMEONE else — Paul had been learning from the example of Our Sweet Jesus in the Garden. Oh I think we can worship today!! I think our grateful hearts won’t let us do anything else!!

Father God, Lord God You are so awesome; thank You; thank You!!

Yes, Father, You are AWESOME and we thank You this morning that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, worthy of our worship and praise. Thank You for this day, thank You that if we have struggles You have already given us strength and wisdom enough to come through them; thank You that if we have joys You are already laughing with us. Thank You for the privilege and the duty of prayer. 
For each in every situation. Thank You for what You have already done in their lives; for the progress, for the strength, for the restoring of health, for the traveling mercies, for the fun and laughter, for the help and encouragement in jobs well done, for being in control especially when it feels the opposite, thank You even more for faith to believe; thank You that houses sell in Your Time and Your Timing is perfect; thank You for medical intervention, thank You that You govern all things for Your Glory and our good; thank You that You are convincing our lost ones of their need of Your Salvation; thank You that every situation spoken or not You know and You are working all things well. And we pray for the Peace of Israel especially with the Passover Sabbath only days away. Again we pray that our Jewish Family will come to see You Lord Jesus as Messiah. Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops today in mind and body and spirit; thank You that You govern this planet and we commit this war to You for a successful conclusion. We commit this Nation to You for correction and grace and space to repent; we pray for the Presidential Candidates that they will repent and we pray for the election of the one You have chosen for this Nation. And we pray for us – IDOKs and for Your Church around the World that You will revive us to Worship and live Your Gospel. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 82°F and HEAVY in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:30 PM AST – on April 17, 2008

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Allow me to give a postscript. Today is November 7, 2022. That five-year-old is now 20. She doesn’t spend the week with us any more; not because we wouldn’t all love it! But seasons have changed – life and work march on.
I no longer keep up with time and weather in Balad and those areas – our beloved Tim has been home now for many years. We are grateful.

This blog has changed some in presentation over the years. I am glad to still be here writing. I am surprised I still have something to say.
Happy Monday.

Love, Kathie