IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

As I sit to type it is Wednesday and I am fresh from watching Beth – Wednesday’s with Beth on Life Today. And this she said to me and I pass along to you: I have an extraordinary gift from God. Say it aloud. No, not just in your mind. Open your mouth and say it: I have an extraordinary gift from God. Did you hear yourself? Do you believe it?

I Peter 4:

10 As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].

Then she said: Fan the flame, get out there and make your God famous in your sphere of influence.

I would like that. But am I willing to do it?

Am I willing in humble pride to say: ‘I am gifted’ and then self-less-ly use my gift for the good of those in my sphere of influence? That is what it will take for you and me to make God famous in our sphere of influence. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] Amen and amen – cause it to be so.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

And now as I sit to finish it is Thursday morning. We spent several hours at the hospital on Wednesday. The surgery was quick and successful we believe; but that is not all the story. Some time after the surgery her (Jerry’s Mother) lung collapsed but the doctor said that is resolving and he feels good about that particular issue. But he is concerned about other conditions. She remains in recovery as there were no ICU units available yesterday. And this morning she has been responsive to yes and no questions by the Nurses, so we are charting some improvement. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue.

ABBA, I am tired and I think only You can refresh me. And I think I am not the only one feeling this way this morning now that it is Thursday; now that Wednesday is passed with its good and its not so good – we begin again and we are grateful to begin again with You. Grateful to again come in prayer and it is so good to know I am not coming alone but all our IDOKs come too. And together we ask You to apply Your Word to us. To reveal to us the GIFTS You have given each of us to be used, not hidden, not put away in secret but brought out in the open to be admired and received individually and then given back to Your Hands to administer through us to others so that You will be exalted, not us. And we come this morning to ask for help. To ask You boldly and without reservation to help these listed here and in particular I am asking You to give recovery to Ruth, Jerry’s Mother. You know my thoughts concerning her and the things I’d like for her and I pray You will give her those opportunities. It was good to see WC and Betty yesterday, thank You for their faithfulness and I ask You to particularly bless them today, You know their needs, far better than I. And as I have looked over the list, it’s long, LORD, lots and lots of situations, stuff we are not privy to but You are and so whatever You desire for these that is what we pray will be and we pray when it requires cooperation from them with You that they will know it and do it. And in particular as every day we pray for our IDOK Troops, asking You to protect them today, to remind them they are loved and appreciated and that YOU are their first line of defense, praying they will lean on You and be hidden in You today. And we are mindful of our duty to pray for the President and his family, for those that make up his administration. LORD, You know I don’t agree with them, don’t like what they do, how they think, or what they are insisting to do, but I know You love them, You die for them, You desire to forgive them and bless them; You are so AWESOME. So we pray whatever You will to do to demonstrate to them Who You are and what You desire, do it, LORD. And Holy Spirit, we pray You will enable them to cooperate and in spite of sins, evil and foolish actions, we pray You will have mercy on America and give grace and space for repentance. And ABBA we pray for mercy for us too the Body of Christ, we are to blame for much of the evil because we kept quiet. Forgive us, help us really, really repent so we will no longer be part of the problem but will become co-workers with You again. ABBA, we do love You, help us love You more, love You enough to make You famous. Amen and amen.

SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Christopher H and his family. Darlene’s Sister. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. 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. 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. Chad B (3/2009)

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 71°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:51 PM AST on March 26, 2009.