They Were There

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2008

Prayer Insight: For some special someone(s) in my life I have prayed they will come to love Jesus so much they talk about Him to friends and strangers.
I am still reading in Luke 8. And verse 1 told us the Twelve were with Him and verses 2 and 3 tell us: 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Lets briefly look at these women; maybe we will be encouraged. Mary called Magdalene. A women who had been demon possessed, not just one but seven of them. And Joanna. Joanna was a married woman, married to Herod’s steward. Not too shabby, huh? And Susanna. And many Others. At first it does not seem the text tells us much about Susanna or the Others except — they were there. It would not surprise me if the women out numbered the men in Jesus’ entourage.
My sisters, NEVER accept that you are ‘second class’ to God. Sad to say some men see us that way. You have to know: Jesus Christ is the GREAT Emancipator of Women. He loved these women and He honored them by allowing them to minister to Him and to others alongside Him and the Twelve. And today, HE still honors women and allows us to minister to Him and alongside Him. Is He awesome? YES! A thousand times, Yes! But lets get back to Mary.
What does it mean to be demon possessed? Praise Father. I do not have any personal, experiential knowledge of that so we will have to do some research. My conclusion from surfing the NET is there is a plethora of information out there one can read but I think we are safe taking our lead from Scripture. I think we are all familiar with the man in the tombs. Mark 5:1-20 gives us the account. Here’s link if you would like to read it for yourself. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%205%20;&version=50; And in 2 Chronicles 33 we can read about Manasseh. He began to reign in Israel at the age of 12. Here is a link http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2033%20;&version=50; to read more but let me give you an excerpt. And he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.” 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 7 He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God … . Manasseh was so given over to demons that he even went into the Temple of Jehovah and erected altars to other ‘gods’ and upon these altars he sacrificed children (reminds me of abortion – a sacrificing of one’s own child on the ALTAR of SELF – but that could be a whole other IDOK. No. I am not saying women who abort there children are demon-possessed but I am saying without a doubt they are listening to Satan when they kill their babies via abortion!). How reprehensible can one be? BUT if you continue to read, you will see he repented and God saved him. Verse 13 in part reads: Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. And the chapter goes on to tell the deeds he did which evidenced his repentance.
We don’t know how the demons within Mary manifested themselves in her behavior but we KNOW is was evil! And we KNOW Jesus set her FREE! He is still doing that for willing souls.
Joanna was a married woman of prominence. The Gospel of Jesus had reached the ‘House of Government’ (lets keep praying it does another House, and Senate too!) and she said YES. And Joanna was not a ‘quiet’ Christian. She was open and public and generous with her allegiance to Jesus. I am looking forward to meeting Joanna when I get to Heaven. I think she was strong, courageous, daring, ‘ahead of her time’ and I admire and respect her greatly!
As I said we do not know much about Susanna or the Others but you have heard the old adage, ‘Birds of a feather, flock together’? I think the fact that Susanna hung out and hung in with Mary Magdalene, a used to be who knows what! — and Joanna, a scrappy woman in a godly way, says all we need to know about Susanna (and the OTHERS too). She LOVED JESUS and she was not ashamed of Him!
The title of today’s IDOK is ‘They Were There’. Lets BE THERE. THERE wherever Jesus lead us – humbly and boldly! I like that. BE THERE in HUMBLE BOLDNESS!
To the few IDOK Brothers out there, thank you for indulging me this particular IDOK. The fact that you have taken part with IDOK tells me you have agreed with Jesus as He calls women into His ministry. I salute you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! And in particular, I praise Jesus for my beloved, a man who encourages me daily to be humbly bold for Jesus. I love you, Jerry. You are still the best since Jesus to me!
Daddy God, You have given me happy tears today. Thank You. You are so truly AWESOME. Thank You for what You have already done with me and what more You will do I cannot even imagine, but Daddy do it! YOU ARE THE BEST!! Thank You for this IDOK. I offer it up to You for Your use anyway You will. Thank You for IDOK. It really is Your Ministry to us. You are so AMAZING. Thank You, thank You for what You are doing with us. Thank You particularly for the miracle You lavished on Bethany and I pray she will continue to read and grow in Your Word with her new eyes. Oh Lord I am looking forward to seeing the ‘Joanna’ or ‘Susanna’ or ‘Other’ You grow her to be. And not just Bethany but all my Girls! Thank You so much for them. I am blessed beyond any dream. And Lord You know our petitions for our IDOK Troops, for America, for Israel, for we Your People and for these listed here and we pray Your Will be done Abba. Davison and Mosley Families. Danni A. Tye B. Joann. Sheri, Tyler, Hannah. 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. Lee. 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:
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Hospitalized outside USA:
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G.
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
As I post this it is 81°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 5:40 AM AST- on August 8, 2008
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