IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2008
I hope I can communicate this to you. Abba, I am counting on You to get this on the screen and into our IDOKs hearts. I’m still reading 3:16 by Max Lucado – reading time has been limited lately. One of today’s chapters is titled, God’s Gracious Grip (pages 83 – 89) and in those pages, Max told me about Dick and Rick Hoyt. Dick is the father and Rick the son. Rick cannot walk nor can he talk but he communicated well with his father, Dick, what he wanted to do. And his father made it happen. Together they have completed 64 marathons, 206 triathlons, 6 triathlons at Ironman distance, 204 10k runs; since 1975 they have crossed nearly a 1000 finish lines. They traversed the USA in 45 days; that’s 3,735 miles. But you know what, Rick did not walk, pedal or run even one-tenth of one of those miles. His Dad did it all and yet the trophies are all ascribed to Team Hoyt (that’s Dick and Rick). This was Max way of telling his readers that salvation is not of works least any of us should boast. God has done it all. Our part is to say YES, Lord I’d be delighted to be on Your Team. And Max’s closing words to this chapter are these: “When Dick and Rick Hoyt cross finish lines, both receive finisher medals. Post-race listing include both names. The dad does the work, but the son shares in the victory. Why? Because he believes. And because he believes, both celebrate the finish. May you and your Father do the same.” And my prayer at the close of that chapter was ‘Abba, I want us both to be rejoicing when I breath my last breathe here on this earth. I want to have finished well. ‘ But that is not all those closing words brought to mind. Let me clearly state this now, I am expecting Abba and me to be rejoicing when I close my eyes here and open them THERE. However, these closing words force me to think that Father does not rejoice at the physical death of every soul. He does not rejoice when one dies without Christ Jesus as Savior. I don’t like to think about this and I suspect you don’t either. When a soul physically dies we want to imagine them at peace; we want to imagine them suffering no more; we want to imagine them laughing and LIVING. I don’t like standing in a grave-yard wondering did I love enough to let him or her see Jesus living in me? Neither you or I can change what is done but we can love better in these remaining days.
And here is a sentence in the chapter that got a triple underline: “Christ paid too high a price to leave us unguarded.” That rings so true to me and there is much Scripture to seal it for us. Ephesians 4: 30 (NLT) And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. And so, since He has guarded our last breath here on earth and has guaranteed our safe passage to Heaven, how foolish are we to let our ‘feelings’ and circumstances cause us to doubt that we are GUARDED by Him every breath we take today?
John 6:29 NCV Jesus answered, “The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One He sent.”
Abba, I am grateful for the reminder that You are GUARDING me and all Your Children. I am grateful for the reminder that NOT ONE of us who are saved by the Blood of Jesus will experience eternal death. And I don’t want to wait until it is too late to be sure about others. I know You have not given every soul I meet into my hands to ask them if they are saved but Lord I don’t want to fail another time to speak Your Word in season as You prompt me Holy Spirit. I am praying now to be more sensitive and bolder in proclaiming Your Good News of Salvation. I want holy boldness to look for opportunities to plant seeds of hope and life into people’s lives every day. And I pray that for IDOKs who are willing to agree. And together we pray for our IDOK Troops; for their protection today and for their safe return when it’s time. Father, I don’t know how up-to-date our list is as to who is where but this I know, You know and we are counting on You to GUARD our IDOK Troops wherever they are. And we are counting on You to see Israel at Peace. And we are pleading for mercy for America and without shame I ask You to help my brothers and sisters in California to over turn the legalization of abomination. And again I pray for the election of the President that will turn America to Jesus as Savior and Lord. And for these listed here, You know the needs and the cries of each heart and we trust You with them for Jesus sake. Hensarling-Thompson-Cost-Thomas Family. Edie. Ann J. Bernie. Malpas Family. Darlene. Rachel. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. 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. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. 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. Chuck. 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 and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
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. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N.
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
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.Travis N. Hawk. Lyndon A. Jason G.
Civilian in Country – Lee.
As I post this it is 86°F and clear in Balad, IQ & the time there is 7:41AM AST – on June 19, 2008
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