IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009

I have been off my schedule every day this week; not complaining, just explaining. This devotion, A Day Off, was first presented on February 28, 2006. It still speaks today I think.

A Day Off

I’ve been reading in Psalm 18; let me share a portion of it with you. Let’s start with the KJV.

1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Maybe we could paraphrase it this way: Yes, My Lord, I WILL love You; I WILL choose this day to love You BECAUSE You are giving me STRENGTH to do just that!

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Look at all He is to us — how could we fail?

3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Yes, He saves us from all our enemies especially when our strongest enemy is US.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. Even when we ‘feel’ like we are the ungodly, when we are afraid of no other as much as we are ourselves…. Even THEN He is our HIGH TOWER and we can run into the High Tower and we are SAVED!

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears. And He heard!

And this comes from THE MESSAGE (paraphrase version)

16 But me He caught–reached all the way from sky to sea; He pulled me out Of that ocean of hate,

17 that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning.

18 They hit me when I was down, but GOD stuck by me.

19 He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved–surprised to be loved!

20 GOD made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him. When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start. Now right here PLEASE don’t misunderstand … The ONLY thing you or I can do and are suppose to do to get ‘your act together’ IS TRUST HIM! Resting (trusting) in HIM IS getting our act together. And then we are ready for the rest!

21 Now I’m alert to GOD’s ways; I don’t take God for granted.

22 Every day I review the ways He works; I try not to miss a trick. And if I do we stop and start again!

23 I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step.

24 GOD rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.

30 What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every GOD-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him Makes it.

Yes! Everyone who runs toward Him and Rests in HIM makes it!

Father, thank You. It’s been a fast morning; the sun is up and today is the day You have made and we choose to rejoice in You this day whatever this day may bring because You are our Rock, our High Tower, our Shield and our Salvation and we will not be afraid of any … Not even ourselves because You are stronger and mightier that we. Thank You. Thank You for all my IDOKs and I ask You to crown their days with Your Presence and the LIGHT of Your Smile. Thank You for what You are doing for those suffering with illness and disease; thank You for the Glory You are working in them and the comfort and peace You are giving them in the midst of sorrow and pain. Thank You Father for Jesus sake.

And ABBA, three years later it is still true, You are still faithful, You are still making Yourself known to us, Your Presence and the LIGHT of Your Smile is with us still. You are continuing to work comfort and peace in the midst of our sorrow and pain.

Again we pray this morning for Joe. Don’t let him go. Even as You cast out the demons of the man in the tombs, we pray Joe will be made just as free.

You know our hearts for Bernie and Linda, for Ollie, for Kay and for each one named here and we pray not our will but Your Will be done. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection. We pray for the safety and protection of Israel. I pray the red envelope and tea bag campaigns will do just what You want them to do. And LORD today You and I will make it. Thank You. Whatever comes it’s You and me. That feels good. I love You, ABBA. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Family of Ann J. Moriah and her family. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Woman of Sadness. Frank. 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, Kevin and 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.

And specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 82°F and clear in Kuwait, KW (Airport) & the time there is 3:12 PM AST on March 13, 2009.