IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009

Today’s Prayer Calendar verse is Colossians 3:12 (New International Version) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. This verse immediately reminded me of Wednesday’s study with Beth.

Session Two of the Esther Study is tremendous. In Chapter 2, Esther was enthroned as Queen and the King presented her with a big party. No sooner than Esther settled in, Chapter 3 opened with stuff happening. And so in our study, Beth presented relevant issues for our consideration. The primary focus was It’s tough being a woman in a mean world and that when we witness meanness or participate in it ourselves that meanness has a history. She gave us some really good stuff and she concluded telling us that meanness is curable. She also jumped right into a touchy subject for some women, particularly the younger ones and it is that subject that came to mind when I read Colossians 3:12 — modesty. She encouraged us to cover up our ‘secret stuff’ but do it cutely. I loved it! Without a doubt our Father expects His Girls to cover up their stuff and yes I think He is all for us dressing these frames as cutely and attractively as we can within the means He provides. Where I think some go wrong in this is thinking that attractively and cutely means ‘alluringly’. How does that relate to meanness? Meditate on it and I believe the Holy Spirit will tell you. And if not, maybe you can find an Esther study to join. It will be worth your time and effort, young or older.

So Father expects His daughters and His sons to dress our bodies modestly. And He expects us to dress our spirits with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And you know what I think? I think if we are dressing our spirits in this way we will surely dress our bodies modestly, cutely and attractively — for Jesus sake!

Sit tight, we are almost done. IF our spirits are clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as we are walking around in that world out there and we see a young or older woman dressed in ‘meanness’ of any flavor, we will NOT condemn her. We will PRAY. And if that ‘mean’ girl is in our sphere of influence, we will pray even more and we will love on her with all we got within us and with NOT a speck of condemnation. We will hold our words (including body language) until if and/or when those words are re-shaped by the Holy Spirit, THEN we will speak them in lovely holiness. And by that time, she just may be ready to listen. So be on the lookout, there are ‘mean girls’ in all our lives. Lets just be sure we are NOT one of them. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, love and patience and you just might hear Father say: I like that. That looks so ‘CUTE’ on you!

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. 

Of all the things we could be Father, we don’t want to be mean girls (not mean boys either). We want to wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, love and patience as though they were tailored garments just for us and we are certain they are. Holy Spirit we are certain that You are ready, willing and able to clothe us just this way. Thank You for the progress we have made in this and for the progress we will by Your grace continue to make. I am grateful for the improvement Natalie is experiencing but I understand she is still a very sick young woman and I pray You will bring a full recovery to her. I pray for Emma Claire too. Cause her body system to stand up and fight, bring her body temperature to normal and restore her fully and quickly I pray. The news about Davis is encouraging and it is terrific that all the family is together and LORD You know my heart’s cry for this family and I pray it be so. I pray too for Bernie that You will comfort him, encourage he and Linda and the family; give him strength to serve You. That would please him so much. We pray for J. Lloyd, whatever he needs, cause it to be. And we pray for each one written here, for however they need You, for whatever will glorify You in this season of their lives. We specifically pray for our IDOK Troops, for their safety and protection of mind, body and spirit. We pray for conviction and repentance for the people of America. The more we hear on television, the more we know ABBA that You are our only hope. I am so sorry for the sins of we the people and I can only pray Your Will be done. I pray that we Your people will be faithful in the face of evil. I pray we will come out from among them and be Your holy people just as You have told us to do. I pray for Israel, for protection and for the defeat of Her enemies and ours. I pray for Christian missionaries everywhere to be protected and to be successful in sharing the Gospel with those who want to hear and receive Your forgiveness and eternal life. I pray for our IDOKs that their knowledge and spiritual maturity will advance daily and all this we ask in the Name of Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous. Amen and amen. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Woman of Sadness. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson) Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Amy and her Girls. 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 and Linda. 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. 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. 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. Kyle N. (3/26)

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 47°F and overcast in Al Asad, IQ (Airport)& the time there is 6:47 AM ASTon February 20, 2009.