Suggestions

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
There’s a little soft cover book entitled Walking in His Garden (Spending Quality Time with God). It is a collection of four study pamphlets: ‘Keeping Our Appointments With God’ by Dennis Fisher; ‘Jesus’ Blueprint For Prayer’ by Haddon Robinson; ‘Praying With Confidence’ by David Egner; and ‘How Can I Understand The Bible’ by RBC Staff. The compiling is a resource of RBC Ministries Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 (Discovery House Publishers).
So far the book is reemphasizing what we already know. A daily quiet time with God is not about the King of the Universe demanding our attention or about us feeling better about ourselves. It’s about Building a Relationship with Him which no doubt WILL make us feel better about ourselves. Page 24 reads in part:
“Two people who love each other are intentional about spending meaningful time together. To do this, both discipline and love must work together. Taking time requires deliberate planning.” On pages 15 and 16 it is suggested we one, reserve a daily time to reconnect with God; two, that we determine how much time to spend; three, that we find a quiet place; and, four that we set up realistic expectations. And those suggestions are not new either, are they? But this excerpt just might give us food for thought.
“Find A Quiet Place
We all concentrate or are distracted in different ways. C.S. Lewis brings up a surprising suggestion in his book Letters to Malcolm. His admonition on the “quiet time” is to make sure we have “just the right amount of distraction” to help us concentrate. Lewis tells the story of a man who would have his devotional time in a railway compartment because complete silence left him open to inner distractions. Ironically, his focus was enhanced when it was challenged just slightly. The point is that we’re not always going to find a place that is as quiet as an undiscovered cave. Invariably, minor distractions are likely to occur. But we need to look for a place where we believe it is sufficiently quiet to help us concentrate. Now jot down in your calendar the place for reconnecting with the Lord.”

And within the guideline of Set Up Realistic Expectations, the scenario is set up that you have the time and the place and you actually show up for your quiet time but when you arrive you are not in the mood – what then? Insightful question, wouldn’t you say? And the statement that answered it for me just jumped up and waved wildly at me. It’s found on page 17. “The Christian is not suppose to stir up his or her willpower but instead to exchange human energy for divine energy.” Is that liberating or what?! I absolutely love it!! Then the author related a personal experience to illustrate. Let me summarize it. He was a sophomore in college and it was difficult for him to discipline himself to study. There were so many distractions! So he talked with a one of his professors and came to the conclusion that his devotional time had to be his top priority of the day. And so the next morning as he came to his new commitment, he was not in the mood. However, he determined he would claim Isaiah 40:31, becoming transparent with the LORD and exchange his strength for the LORD’s strength. He told the LORD his heart was cold and he felt little motivation to spend time with HIM. He confessed his apathy as sin and then thanked the LORD for His forgiveness. And in that moment he chose to surrender his mood to God and asked Him to change it. He said after about 20 minutes he began to pray over other projects that needed his attention later in the day and he told God about his assignments and that he did not want to do them and he asked for the necessary strength to do them. And then he said: “By the time my feet hit the asphalt on my way to class, I began to feel an energy, a focus, and most important, a discipline that I had previously lacked. My grades went up that semester, I had found a way of exchanging my strength for that of the living God.”
How cool is that?! I hope you find this as helpful to you as I do.
Isaiah 40:31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Internet Daughters Of the KING
ABBA thank You that You have already been hearing our prayers. Thank You for the good actions You are establishing within us. Thank You for others, Brothers and Sisters, that we have not met yet that write into our lives thoughts from You. Thank You. And we pray blessings upon them and their continued ministry to thousands upon thousands. I pray again for our IDOKS, each and every one of them and their families, for this day that they are embracing and I pray embracing it with joy because You are our strength. You know the plans You have for each of them and I pray those plans be fulfilled. We know You will do Your part, we pray we will cooperate with you and do our part. We bring these listed here and we entrust them and their wellbeing to You for You love and care more than we can even comprehend. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. 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. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. 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. Friends at work.
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. 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. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html
Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.

As I post this it is 64°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is on 4:59 PM AST January 26, 2009.

Thank You

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009

I don’t know how it is that the God of All Creation would be so lavish with me to place so many people in this life with me to love and care about me. IDOKs you are many of those lavish blessings. Thank you for being here at this screen with me. Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement that you send to me. Thank you for the prayers you pray for me. Thank you for being you, each of you.
Yesterday was a busy day with 6th and 7th graders. I just wanted to squeeze them all – some for their eagerness to listen and learn and some for their eagerness to not listen or learn. Sometimes I ask myself why I keep saying yes when I am called to SUB — it can’t be the money. Maybe it’s those few moments in a day when in the face of one or two I see an interest in what I have said, or a genuine smile, or just some sense that just maybe one or two of them thinks I have something worthwhile to share with them. For sure teachers need our prayer support and encouragement.
A quick word because the hour this morning is SO VERY LATE! Forgive me, please!

Galatians 6:
9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].

Internet Daughters Of the KING
Father God, thank You. Thank You for each and every one sitting at a screen praying along with us. Thank You for the Plan You have for each of their lives. Thank You that in You they have courage and strength and discernment and wisdom and provisions for every need and every good work that You have called them to do. Thank You for this ministry. Thank You for the prayers You move us to pray. And thank You for the answers You give. Thank You for the timing in which You give them. Thank You for the healings we have seen. Thank You for the ones we will yet see. Thank You for the loved ones that have been saved and will yet be saved. Thank You for the protection of our IDOK Troops that You have given and will yet give to them even this day. Thank You for the centuries of mercy You have lavished upon this Nation we call America. And thank You for what You are yet to do among us and with us. Thank You for Your love and faithfulness to Israel and thank You that we will yet see those beloved People at Peace in the Prince of Peace. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for our respective places of ministry and we pray we will be faithful to You today. Thank You that You have heard our prayers already this morning and we again renew them. And I ask You first and foremost that at the conference next weekend that the place will be filled with worship. I pray that this week You will prepare each attendee and each speaker to worship You. That is all I ask ABBA that You enable and move us to worship You. I know that if we worship, You will do all that needs to be done. I ask You to take this IDOK, late and as small as it is and minister to our people for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. 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. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. 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. Friends at work.
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. 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. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html
Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 60°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 5:03 PM AST on January 23, 2009.

Rendering

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009
You are not going to read the first edition of today’s IDOK because I have been corrected by our Father and I am sitting now to do a re-write.
I did not watch any of yesterday’s inauguration activities and I did not watch because it was not a day in America’s history of which I am proud. Until today it never occurred to me that I should rejoice with those who are rejoicing in this inauguration. And yet I realize I have to be careful about over which I do rejoice. Father’s Word indeed says I am to rejoice with those who rejoice. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. So I should be rejoicing that some of my fellow Americans are rejoicing because we now have a Black President and that fact somehow gives them a sense of freedom and liberation that nothing heretofore has. And if it were as benign as that I could rejoice. But I don’t think it is. And so I am in heart embracing the other part of that verse – weeping. It saddens me that Barrack Hussein Obama was chosen by many of my fellow Americans based upon the color of his skin. His anti-Biblical beliefs and the ungodly changes he has said he wants to enact were overlooked because of the color of his skin. How is that also not racism and bigotry? How can I rejoice over that? ABBA also gives me a companion command about rejoicing in I Corinthians 13 (the LOVE chapter) 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; . So I cannot rejoice that Barrack Obama has become America’s 44th President. I cannot rejoice that he is (and oh how I have resisted saying this but because I love my Jesus and His Word I am saying it) my President. I can rejoice that ABBA is still in control. I can rejoice that my prayers for President Obama are effective and there is hope that he will repent and become a godly President. I can rejoice and I am rejoicing that my ABBA can and is empowering me to love my enemy and pray for him, praying that ABBA will bless him and his family with anything and everything that will lead them to repentance. I am rejoicing MUCH about that! I am rejoicing that DADDY GOD has a platform right now to really ‘SHOW OUT’ and with enough of us praying, He just may do it!!
However, my praying and your praying will not avail if we are not practicing righteousness in every arena of our living; including our rejoicing – rejoicing in the truth and not iniquity. We cannot promote what Father does not promote. We cannot approve what ABBA does not approve. And we cannot hate what He does not hate. And what does He hate? SIN. And what and whom does He love? Righteousness, holiness and every man, woman, boy and girl that has ever lived or shall live – in and out of the womb.
There were some Pharisees once who wanted to trap Jesus and so they asked Him a question.
Matthew 22:
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.
16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

I don’t see Jesus rejoicing over iniquity here, nor is He coddling them. He called them hypocrites! He told them the truth and what did they do? They left HIM and departed. May the LORD guard us from the same tragedy.
ABBA forgive; have mercy on America. Use me if You can to bring some of them back to YOU again. And LORD keep a tight, tight rein on me least I stumble and fall too. Amen and amen.
Internet Daughters Of the KING
ABBA, I am herewith incorporating and agreeing in prayer with Alice Patterson, President of Justice at the Gate, as she wrote these words in prayer:
Father, I pray for the safety of President Obama and his family. With the increase in the KKK and white supremacist organizational membership on the night of his election, we ask You to forgive us for hating each other – especially in the name of Christ. Together with thousands of Christians around this nation and the world, we lift up a shield of faith around the Obama family that Satan’s fiery darts cannot penetrate it. We intercept any plan for assassination and harm to this president. . . . We pray for Your protection, for Your wisdom, for Your grace, for Your strength and for Your blessing upon our president. Be good to him, Lord. Let your goodness lead him to You. I pray for an encounter with You deeper and stronger than anything he’s ever experienced. I pray that you keep us watching and praying for this man. We pray for change, Lord. As we bless him, we ask that You would rearrange his thinking and his plans on key issues of concern to those who are agreeing in prayer at this moment. We pray that the gains to protect human life and marriage will not be overturned.
We release blessings upon our new president, but we turn our eyes upon You. We worship You, Lord. Our trust and hope are in You. Our worship is toward You, the Lord of Glory, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer – in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Father, protect too our IDOK Troops; govern, guard, rule and overrule on their behalf; keep them safe in mind, body and spirit and when You are ready see to it that they arrive home safe and sound and more in love with You than when they deployed. Bless and keep Israel safe, Her leaders, Her borders and all her citizens. LORD thank You for correction, for repentance, for strength and power to obey You, to please You. We entrust these listed here to You for what is best for them and for what brings You glory. Again we pray for the conference, for Your Word to be proclaimed and Your Daughters to be set free to love You and worship You with whole and pure hearts. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. 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. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. 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. Friends at work.
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. 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. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.

As I post this it is 38°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 7:20 AM ASTon January 22, 2009.

Unbend

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2009
Still reading in Joel but also in Zephaniah and a few verses have been highlighted for me. The message of the passages I have read, for the honest reader, cannot be misunderstood. A ‘day’ of judgment is coming. I think you know that ‘day’ is not a single day but may involve many, many days.
I probably have read this verse before but it seems mighty fresh to me today.
Zephaniah 3:8 Therefore [earnestly] wait for Me, says the Lord, [waiting] for the day when I rise up to the attack [as a witness, accuser, or judge, and a testimony]. For My decision and determination and right it is to gather the nations together, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them My indignation, even all [the heat of] My fierce anger; for [in that day] all the earth shall be consumed with the fire of My zeal and jealousy.
I mean we have known it but did we have a verse we could point to in black and white to say it? Here it is: “My . . .right it is to gather the nations . . .to pour upon them My indignation . . . My fierce anger; for [in that day] all the earth shall be consumed with the fire . . . .”
There it is. HE HAS THE RIGHT to judge and destroy. And as surely as I am sitting here today, this will come to be. Not only this passage but each and every one of them that has not already occurred will occur. You’d think that would scare folks out of hell and that it would scare the hell out of us for them and Praise The LORD sometimes lost and saved are so moved. May it happen more often as the Day approaches.
But that is not all I have been reading.
Zephaniah 2:1 says Collect your thoughts, yes, unbend yourselves [in submission and see if there is no sense of shame and no consciousness of sin left in you], O shameless nation [not desirous or desired]! And I thought hmmm unbend yourselves. My on line free dictionary.com says unbend means to release from mental tension, strain or formality, relax; to become straight; to straighten up or out; undergo a change in bodily posture. Do you think ABBA is saying here, straighten up? He even tells us how we can do it: collect our thoughts and submit them to Him. Here He was asking Israel to question themselves if there was any sense of shame, any consciousness of sin left in them. Oh, I hope there is some left in the unsaved people of America and the Church too. And I hope that we, IDOKs, are ready to come out from under the tension and strain of the world and are ready to be straight within and without for Jesus sake. I hope we are ready to come out from under the pressure the world is using on us to bend us into their images. We have already begun, haven’t we? Good!
Lets move to verse 3. Seek the Lord [inquire for Him, inquire of Him, and require Him as the foremost necessity of your life], all you humble of the land who have acted in compliance with His revealed will and have kept His commandments; seek righteousness, seek humility [inquire for them, require them as vital]. It may be you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.
However, things fall out for this Nation in the next four years or however many years, I expect to be hidden in Jesus. I don’t know what adversity I will experience but in it HE is with me. I am anticipating you all are too. We are God-Seekers. He is our foremost necessity of life. HE shall not fail us and we ultimately shall not fail Him. To HIM be the glory!!
Internet Daughters Of the KING
ABBA, move us to collect our thoughts and unwrap, unbend ourselves from the shape and images of the world. Cause us to be not one wit interested in what the world thinks of us but concern ourselves only with pleasing You and submitting ourselves to being molded into Your Image. Thank You for these who read these words. My prayer for them is that they will love You and serve You with their whole hearts, bending only to Your Will not the world, not Satan and not even their own flesh and I pray that for me too. I pray for these listed here. You know them, You know the desires of their hearts. Thank You that each desire that is alined with Your Heart will come to be. And anything else we don’t want anyway. Protect our IDOK Troops; please bring each of them home safe and sound at the appointed time. I am still thinking about the conference; still praying that not one woman that You have called to come will fail to be in her seat for what You have to say to her. Thank You for each woman who will speak and for Mark and the music You have to bring to us – we pray nothing will prevent Your Will for the conference. Today Kim and Brandon left for this new season in their lives, protect them and grown them, minister through them and convince those left behind to rejoice in Your Plan and be comforted by Your Holy Presence. Breathe on each listed below – You know what they need like no other. Thank You for this ministry. Thank You for every answered prayer. Thank You for every revelation given and received. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. 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. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. 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. Friends at work.
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. 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. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html
Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.

As I post this it is 41°F and clear in Baghdad, IQ & the time there is 7:34 AM AST on January 21, 2009.

Invaded

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009

I’m still in Joel. Don’t know how long I will be there; it’s really not my decision. Okay. Moving on (and speaking of ‘moving along’, I hope you will use the link by Lukas’s name and check in on him).
So far at this writing today, I have read again Joel 1: 1 – 8.
1 THE WORD of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
2 Hear this, you aged men, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing as this occurred in your days or even in the days of your fathers?
3 Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
4 What the crawling locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; and what the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten; and what the hopping locust left, the stripping locust has eaten.
5 Awake, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the [fresh] sweet juice [of the grape], for it is cut off and removed from your mouth.
6 For a [heathen and hostile] nation [of locusts, illustrative of a human foe] has invaded My land, mighty and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the jaw teeth of a lioness.
7 It has laid waste My vine [symbol of God’s people] and barked and broken My fig tree; it has made them completely bare and thrown them down; their branches are made white.
8 Lament like a virgin [bride] girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth [who has died].
It is my understanding that this book of Joel was written first to Israel but ABBA being Who He is can and does speak to others through it, we being some of those others.
Aged men, give a listen; all give a listen. This of course, is my paraphrase. How sad it is that we can come to a place that we think we have ‘aged’ to a point that we have all the answers and we don’t need any instructions. Oh, ABBA, guard us from such stupidity. Do you get the feeling that life had gone from bad to worse in verse 4? To bring it to a modern life, I see calamity following calamity and what one calamity didn’t wreck the next one did. Are you with me here? Don’t you know folks that just seem to live under such a cloud? Why that is, I am not ‘old’ enough to tell you. But if you feel this is you or someone you know, I would suggest – much prayer. Particularly LORD am I contributing to these calamities? If I am, put Your HOLY SPOT LIGHT on it and open my eyes to see it and give me the will to cooperate with You to cease sabotaging my own life. And if I am not if all is well between us, then I am expecting You to ride this out with me until You deliver me.
And the word drunkards immediately reminded me of a passage in the New Testament. Ephesians 5:
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.
We all well know that being drunk is giving over control of our being to something else. And in that state of drunkenness we are at risk for all sorts of calamities. We are even at risk for the enemy of our souls to force his will upon us. And who of us wants that? This we understand about physical drunkenness but do we stop to mediate that failure to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God subjects us to all sorts of spiritual calamities? That refusal to be filled with the Holy Spirit also puts us in a position to have Satan force himself upon us, spiritually? Could I be so bold as to say spiritually rape us? Can you think of any thing more offensive, more harmful, more of a calamity than that for a Christian?
And as I continued to read in Joel I thought okay if we the Church could be reckoned as ‘My land’, what has invaded the Church? And the answer I heard bouncing off the walls of my mind was what hasn’t invaded the Church? What hasn’t laid waste to the Church? What hasn’t broken Her down, stripped Her and left Her naked? What hasn’t invaded Her? What isn’t going on in local bodies of the Church? What evil in the world has not invaded the local bodies? And as I write that I am reminded that local bodies of the Church are made up of three groups of people:
Lost people, those who are just ‘church members’ who have never come to love and trust Jesus to forgive and save them; and
Carnal Christians, that would be precious souls who have somewhere along the way stumbled, fallen and have refused to repent and be filled again with the Holy Spirit; and, then there are the
Spirit-filled saints, those who moment by moment are obeying as best they know how for their level of maturity what the Holy Spirit speaks to them.
And what is the answer for this? Verse 8. Lament! Can you imagine the grief, the wailing, that a Bride would do having waited that whole year, having built their home according to Hebrew custom, having just come from the ceremony that would finally allow them to enter the wedding chamber, and the Groom is killed just outside the door? That is the grief and wailing we as the Bride of Christ must do over our sins and the sins of our brothers and sisters if we are to be delivered from the invaders, the calamities upon and within our local assemblies.
ABBA, help us mourn, help us wail our sins as a Hebrew bride would for her dead groom.
Psalm 145:
17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.

Internet Daughters Of the KING
Emma wrote in part: A praise! Josh on the list of Troops on Foreign Soil – is home! He arrived on Wed., greeted by his little wife and twin babies, Hannah and Josh Jr.that are 2. I know a lot of people have prayed for him/them and it is so appreciated. Thank you for your ministry! Thank you for caring about and not forgetting our Troops and their families and their sacrifices so that we have live free and safe.
And to this I add: thank you IDOKs for praying so faithfully for our IDOK Troops. Praise the LORD Josh is home!!
Praise report from Dot:
We had x-rays done this afternoon and my arm is healing nicely! The next step is to start with 6 weeks of physical therapy trusting that healing will continue and that I’ll be able to be back on track by spring. Praise the Lord for this positive report! Thank you for all your prayers and we ask that you please continue to lift us in prayer until this ordeal is completely over. Dot B
DADDY GOD, thank You that You have already been hearing our prayers this morning. Thank You that You are answering us perfectly, in substance and timing. We bring these listed here. Thank You for Dot’s healing and we pray it will continue. Thank You for what You have already done for Lukas and we pray for bones and nerves and cells all to return to normal function and in all this we pray for You to be glorified. Thank You for Josh’s safe return home, bless his reunion now with family and friends and work here in the States. We pray for our IDOK Troops in every place for their protection. Keep them safe LORD from enemies, seen and unseen. Keep their minds stayed on You. Convince them to make holy decisions in duty and play. And please bring each of them home safe and sound at the appointed time. And as George and Laura embark on this new season of their lives I pray they will seek You in every phrase of it. I pray for the Obamas and this administration, You know what needs to be done and I pray it will be so. We pray for Israel, for peace, for wisdom, for protection, for allies to be steady and true. You know Your Plan for them and I pray it be so. I pray again for Rick Warren that his faith and strength be firm today as he stands before the people of America. I pray for America that You will give this nation of people space and grace to repent. And now to the CHURCH. We have been invaded. Forgive us. I’d like to see us all delivered but that won’t be, will it? Broad is the way and many, many have chosen it. But ABBA for those who have chosen You as SAVIOR and LORD, deliver us from our doubts, fears, strongholds, bondages; forgive us and make us firm and strong against Satan, the world and our own flesh. We need You, ABBA. We are helpless and hopeless to do right without You. Revive us LORD and educate us, empower us, motivate us and get us out there ministering Your Gospel to those You have prepared to hear. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. 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. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. 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. Friends at work.
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. 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. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html
Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.

As I post this it is 59°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ& the time there is 3:58 PM AST – on January 20, 2009.