IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008
If you read Wednesday’s edition, ‘Rambling’ , you read this: Something else was said that I thought was profound but I didn’t make it a priority to write it down and now for the moment I can’t remember it to share with you. See what I mean? We all do it.
And this morning as I was praying for Jerry as he was on his way to work, I remembered! I wrote it down this time. So again we are back to schedules and priorities at least for a moment. Joyce said, as long as we continue to be People Pleasers rather than GOD PLEASERS we will have priority-scheduling problems. That has the ring of truth to it to me. If I were a consistent GOD PLEASER my priorities would be in line, my days (and nights) would be steady and full but not chaotic and bursting at the seam. I might even get to sleep more!! How glorious would that be??!!
However, it occurs to me that some people would be displeased with me if I consistently pleased God and therein is the problem. Each of us have many people in our lives we want to please. And I like pleasing people. I really, really do not enjoy making others unhappy. And yes, I say yes sometimes when I should say no just so the requester will be happy. Not that what I have been asked is a bad thing. It’s not. It’s good. And I would even enjoy it and standing alone it has merit but just maybe it’s not the best use of time for that time. Let me give you an example. This morning, for once, I said no but it was not an easy no. I even flipped through the hours of my mind for this coming Saturday morning to see if I could actually fit it in with what is already on the calendar. And if we got up at 4:30 AM and was out the door by 5:30 we could have fit both events into the morning. And I could have once again said yes to ‘everyone’. But this time I said NO. And you know what? I don’t think her feelings were hurt at all!! And it felt SO GOOD to say No. You see even while I was just contemplating saying yes, I could feel the pressure mounting with each internal question I asked myself: how are we going to do this? We don’t need to do this, do we? Will I hurt her feelings if I say No?
Does that sound familiar to anyone? Oh, what a relief it was to say NO!
And my friend? Well, I think her desire to be a GOD PLEASER too made my ‘no’ okay with her.
So that’s the way it works?! GOD PLEASERS are harmonious with other GOD PLEASERS even when the answer is no. How profound is that?!!
Romans 12:1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
Romans 14:17 [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.
Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
And as I come to pray Father it has been many hours since this devotion God Pleasers was typed on the screen and yes in early morning I said no but by late evening I was saying yes again, not to others but to me and squandering precious moments on good but not the best. Thank You for fresh forgiveness. Thank You for a new day and fresh mercies again. Today, I pray for strength to say no to the good that is not the best and the wisdom to know the difference. Yes, You are right I knew the difference but I kept on trying to write that poem passed the time of reason. I am torn this morning if I should even put this out there. There’s been so much this week about time and schedules and priorities – surely they are weary of reading it. I am weary myself but it keeps coming up. Is it just me? I pray something here will encourage and lift up rather than burden and push down. That’s my prayer. Lord lift our burdens; especially the ones we heap on ourselves. Help us come out from under guilt and condemnation and embrace forgiveness and hope. Help us receive faith and see the holy changes You have already made in us – small and big – and rest in Your Promise that You will complete us. Thank You ABBA. Guard those traveling, assure those waiting and empower those undertaking. Encourage and protect our IDOK Troops today in mind, body and spirit. In all these listed here, all our situations do as You will Holy Father and it is in Jesus Holy and Sweet and Mighty Name we pray. Amen and amen. Traveling mercies for IDOKs on the road and wisdom for IDOKs making decisions about church affiliation. Economic conditions, especially the effects it has upon the minds and hearts of people. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Terry and family. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. Jodi H. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. George. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Brooklyn. Jacqueline and her boys, River and Jackson. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie. Darlene and Torkel. 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. 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 and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Public and Private School Teachers.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
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. T. Palin. John L.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Richard M. Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 66°F and light drizzle in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:59 PM AST- on November 14, 2008
Internet Daughters of the KING
THE WHITE STONE
His Ministry to You
And this morning as I was praying for Jerry as he was on his way to work, I remembered! I wrote it down this time. So again we are back to schedules and priorities at least for a moment. Joyce said, as long as we continue to be People Pleasers rather than GOD PLEASERS we will have priority-scheduling problems. That has the ring of truth to it to me. If I were a consistent GOD PLEASER my priorities would be in line, my days (and nights) would be steady and full but not chaotic and bursting at the seam. I might even get to sleep more!! How glorious would that be??!!
However, it occurs to me that some people would be displeased with me if I consistently pleased God and therein is the problem. Each of us have many people in our lives we want to please. And I like pleasing people. I really, really do not enjoy making others unhappy. And yes, I say yes sometimes when I should say no just so the requester will be happy. Not that what I have been asked is a bad thing. It’s not. It’s good. And I would even enjoy it and standing alone it has merit but just maybe it’s not the best use of time for that time. Let me give you an example. This morning, for once, I said no but it was not an easy no. I even flipped through the hours of my mind for this coming Saturday morning to see if I could actually fit it in with what is already on the calendar. And if we got up at 4:30 AM and was out the door by 5:30 we could have fit both events into the morning. And I could have once again said yes to ‘everyone’. But this time I said NO. And you know what? I don’t think her feelings were hurt at all!! And it felt SO GOOD to say No. You see even while I was just contemplating saying yes, I could feel the pressure mounting with each internal question I asked myself: how are we going to do this? We don’t need to do this, do we? Will I hurt her feelings if I say No?
Does that sound familiar to anyone? Oh, what a relief it was to say NO!
And my friend? Well, I think her desire to be a GOD PLEASER too made my ‘no’ okay with her.
So that’s the way it works?! GOD PLEASERS are harmonious with other GOD PLEASERS even when the answer is no. How profound is that?!!
Romans 12:1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
Romans 14:17 [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.
Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
And as I come to pray Father it has been many hours since this devotion God Pleasers was typed on the screen and yes in early morning I said no but by late evening I was saying yes again, not to others but to me and squandering precious moments on good but not the best. Thank You for fresh forgiveness. Thank You for a new day and fresh mercies again. Today, I pray for strength to say no to the good that is not the best and the wisdom to know the difference. Yes, You are right I knew the difference but I kept on trying to write that poem passed the time of reason. I am torn this morning if I should even put this out there. There’s been so much this week about time and schedules and priorities – surely they are weary of reading it. I am weary myself but it keeps coming up. Is it just me? I pray something here will encourage and lift up rather than burden and push down. That’s my prayer. Lord lift our burdens; especially the ones we heap on ourselves. Help us come out from under guilt and condemnation and embrace forgiveness and hope. Help us receive faith and see the holy changes You have already made in us – small and big – and rest in Your Promise that You will complete us. Thank You ABBA. Guard those traveling, assure those waiting and empower those undertaking. Encourage and protect our IDOK Troops today in mind, body and spirit. In all these listed here, all our situations do as You will Holy Father and it is in Jesus Holy and Sweet and Mighty Name we pray. Amen and amen. Traveling mercies for IDOKs on the road and wisdom for IDOKs making decisions about church affiliation. Economic conditions, especially the effects it has upon the minds and hearts of people. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Terry and family. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. Jodi H. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. George. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Brooklyn. Jacqueline and her boys, River and Jackson. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie. Darlene and Torkel. 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. 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 and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Public and Private School Teachers.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
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. T. Palin. John L.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Richard M. Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 66°F and light drizzle in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:59 PM AST- on November 14, 2008
Internet Daughters of the KING
THE WHITE STONE
His Ministry to You
