IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008
My youngest directed me yesterday to 2 Chronicles 20:15 and 17 and so today I picked up my Bible again and began to read the surrounding Scripture. It is so rich! And while it is an account of a specific time in Israel’s history, there is encouragement and instruction there for us today.
The first insight given me I think is in verse 14: Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
As I read the verse I thought for sure Father included all those names for a reason. And even though I cannot even pronounce the majority of them, I am glad they are recorded for us. I hope some day to understand more of why they are written here but today I think I see generations and heritage. Grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents. Not many of us have our great-great-grandparents still with us. I don’t even have my grandparents with me. But even though they are absent from us in body, their influences are felt and maybe even seen. As I look at pictures of my grandmother, I see me.
This particular portion of Scripture does not tell us the character of these generations; nor from this passage do we know if the heritage left to Jahaziel was a heritage which aided him in Faith or was a stumbling block for him to over come to arrive at this place of hearing Yahweh. Some of us may not have a heritage of Christian Faith. All of us do not have a Billy Sunday, or George Muller, or Dwight L. Moody in our family tree. And even if we do that does not guarantee that all descendants will embrace The God of Scripture. But no doubt it helps!! I know little to nothing about the generations before me, both paternally and maternally. I cannot point to any one of them of whom I am aware as a great evangelist or pastor or missionary. Nevertheless, JESUS SAVED ME! Maybe I would be further along in Christian Faith, maybe I would have avoided much of the earlier rebellions that I committed if my heritage was marked with a George Muller or Billy Sunday or Ruth Graham and maybe not. It’s too late to fret over that now. I am who I am today because of my NEW HERITAGE given to me in Christ Jesus.
But a word to you, Younger Ones, with infants and pre-schoolers and older children at home: it’s not too late for you to begin today, whatever your heritage heretofore has been, to give your children a heritage that will make rebellion against The God of Holy Scripture a lot more difficult, maybe even unthinkable. Again, I say it is too late for you or me to change what has been already given or not given to our children (and prolonged grieving over it won’t help either) but we can from this day forward by Abba’s Grace ensure that what is to come is Holy! I doubt that I have ever given you any more important word of discipling than today. I was raised in a Christian home but not a Godly home. There is a difference!
Godly parents do not seek to make a child behave well for their name’s sake but rather for the child’s own well-being and for the Glory of Christ. Godly homes make practicing sin REAL uncomfortable. And that real discomfort does not always come from ‘applied heat to the seat’ but most often from the parents living and breathing the Sword of The Word themselves at home, at work and at play. Do not miss-understand me; applied heat to the seat will at times be appropriate. But only after the ‘heat’ in mom or dad has been cooled to the place that the ‘applied heat to the seat’ will correct the child and not corrupt the child.
2 Corinthians 6: 2 For He says: “ In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Behold TODAY is the day for us to begin by God’s Grace to work with Him to save our families, their heritage, this generation, this Nation for future generations!
So maybe that is one of the things Father is telling us by giving us those names in verse 14: heritage matters – make it a good one!
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
Daddy God, this has been an intense day and I thank You for the privilege of it. I thank You for any and every insight You give me into Your Word however small it may be. And I especially thank You for my new heritage in Christ Jesus. Thank You for the prayers that were prayed for me long before I knew You and thank You that You answered them and that You are still answering them. I don’t know what You will do with this Word today in the lives of IDOKs but I pray Your Will be done. I pray hearts will be receptive and minds, tongues, hands and feet will respond accordingly.
And Father, I am grateful for America and I am glad You allowed me to be born here and I am sorry for the sin that is so blatant and rampant and I ask You to have mercy on America. I ask You for grace and space to repent. I don’t see that I can ask You too often to forgive and restore. I don’t see that I can ask You too often to protect our IDOK Troops and their families and to bring them home safely when their job is completed. And Father, whether I pray publicly or privately my desire is the same – I don’t want Obama to be President and You are the only one I can ask to open the eyes of and move the hearts of people so that he is not successful in his bid for the office. You are sovereign and I trust You whatever happens. Certainly if Obama will allow You to correct him and bring him to repentance, I would be delighted and shout for joy. Work on him Holy Spirit as You will and work in the heart of McCain and every other person in governmental office. I welcome You to pour out Your conviction upon us all as You will.
The hour is late but before I post this I pray for each one listed here – You know what is needed to glorify Yourself and bless them and it is for that I ask in Jesus Name. Tory. Davison and Mosley Families. Danni A. Bernie. Darlene. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten 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 andFamily. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family,
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: Captain Tran
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 88°F and smoke haze in Balad IQ & the time there is 6:50 AM AST- on August 21, 2008
Internet Daughters of the KING
THE WHITE STONE
His Ministry to You
The first insight given me I think is in verse 14: Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.
As I read the verse I thought for sure Father included all those names for a reason. And even though I cannot even pronounce the majority of them, I am glad they are recorded for us. I hope some day to understand more of why they are written here but today I think I see generations and heritage. Grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents. Not many of us have our great-great-grandparents still with us. I don’t even have my grandparents with me. But even though they are absent from us in body, their influences are felt and maybe even seen. As I look at pictures of my grandmother, I see me.
This particular portion of Scripture does not tell us the character of these generations; nor from this passage do we know if the heritage left to Jahaziel was a heritage which aided him in Faith or was a stumbling block for him to over come to arrive at this place of hearing Yahweh. Some of us may not have a heritage of Christian Faith. All of us do not have a Billy Sunday, or George Muller, or Dwight L. Moody in our family tree. And even if we do that does not guarantee that all descendants will embrace The God of Scripture. But no doubt it helps!! I know little to nothing about the generations before me, both paternally and maternally. I cannot point to any one of them of whom I am aware as a great evangelist or pastor or missionary. Nevertheless, JESUS SAVED ME! Maybe I would be further along in Christian Faith, maybe I would have avoided much of the earlier rebellions that I committed if my heritage was marked with a George Muller or Billy Sunday or Ruth Graham and maybe not. It’s too late to fret over that now. I am who I am today because of my NEW HERITAGE given to me in Christ Jesus.
But a word to you, Younger Ones, with infants and pre-schoolers and older children at home: it’s not too late for you to begin today, whatever your heritage heretofore has been, to give your children a heritage that will make rebellion against The God of Holy Scripture a lot more difficult, maybe even unthinkable. Again, I say it is too late for you or me to change what has been already given or not given to our children (and prolonged grieving over it won’t help either) but we can from this day forward by Abba’s Grace ensure that what is to come is Holy! I doubt that I have ever given you any more important word of discipling than today. I was raised in a Christian home but not a Godly home. There is a difference!
Godly parents do not seek to make a child behave well for their name’s sake but rather for the child’s own well-being and for the Glory of Christ. Godly homes make practicing sin REAL uncomfortable. And that real discomfort does not always come from ‘applied heat to the seat’ but most often from the parents living and breathing the Sword of The Word themselves at home, at work and at play. Do not miss-understand me; applied heat to the seat will at times be appropriate. But only after the ‘heat’ in mom or dad has been cooled to the place that the ‘applied heat to the seat’ will correct the child and not corrupt the child.
2 Corinthians 6: 2 For He says: “ In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Behold TODAY is the day for us to begin by God’s Grace to work with Him to save our families, their heritage, this generation, this Nation for future generations!
So maybe that is one of the things Father is telling us by giving us those names in verse 14: heritage matters – make it a good one!
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
Daddy God, this has been an intense day and I thank You for the privilege of it. I thank You for any and every insight You give me into Your Word however small it may be. And I especially thank You for my new heritage in Christ Jesus. Thank You for the prayers that were prayed for me long before I knew You and thank You that You answered them and that You are still answering them. I don’t know what You will do with this Word today in the lives of IDOKs but I pray Your Will be done. I pray hearts will be receptive and minds, tongues, hands and feet will respond accordingly.
And Father, I am grateful for America and I am glad You allowed me to be born here and I am sorry for the sin that is so blatant and rampant and I ask You to have mercy on America. I ask You for grace and space to repent. I don’t see that I can ask You too often to forgive and restore. I don’t see that I can ask You too often to protect our IDOK Troops and their families and to bring them home safely when their job is completed. And Father, whether I pray publicly or privately my desire is the same – I don’t want Obama to be President and You are the only one I can ask to open the eyes of and move the hearts of people so that he is not successful in his bid for the office. You are sovereign and I trust You whatever happens. Certainly if Obama will allow You to correct him and bring him to repentance, I would be delighted and shout for joy. Work on him Holy Spirit as You will and work in the heart of McCain and every other person in governmental office. I welcome You to pour out Your conviction upon us all as You will.
The hour is late but before I post this I pray for each one listed here – You know what is needed to glorify Yourself and bless them and it is for that I ask in Jesus Name. Tory. Davison and Mosley Families. Danni A. Bernie. Darlene. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten 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 andFamily. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family,
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: Captain Tran
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 88°F and smoke haze in Balad IQ & the time there is 6:50 AM AST- on August 21, 2008
Internet Daughters of the KING
THE WHITE STONE
His Ministry to You
The White Stone 