IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2009

Who doesn’t. There’s good news. You have already heard it but maybe we need a reminder today.

James 1: 5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.

Okay. A few questions. Is there a pending situation in which you do not know what to do? If so, would you agree that you are deficient in wisdom to handle the situation? Yes? Good. Here’s your promise. If you will ask, ABBA will give you the wisdom to handle the problem. How cool is that?! But that is not all He says. He says He will not give you just enough to get by but He will give liberally. We know what liberally means don’t we? You know what I think? I think God is the ONLY ONE who is smart enough to be liberal. Okay — better not chase that rabbit. Liberally, according to free dictionary.com means:

Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor.

B. Generous in amount; ample:

So as much wisdom as is needed for ANY given situation or problem, He will give to us. Next, He says He will give wisdom without reproaching or faultfinding. Oh, I love that. Have you ever experienced asking a friend for some advice and along with the advice came a stern lecture, more like condemnation, for what you did to cause you to get in that mess in the first place? Makes you want to not ask, doesn’t it? See what ABBA said: without reproaching or faultfinding. He will not do that to you. You know what I think He figures? If you have come to the place that you have humbled yourself enough to ask Him, you already know what you did wrong. That doesn’t mean He will not at some juncture, sit and talk with you about it but when He does, if you have accepted His gift of wisdom, you won’t feel condemned, just loved! Oh, I like this!

Now verse 6. As we said, wisdom is a promise from God. However, DADDY GOD is WISE enough to know that for this promise to do us good, it must have a condition attached to it. And what is the condition? We have to ask Him in FAITH. We have to believe He WILL give us the wisdom when we ask. That’s not an unreasonable condition, is it? So what would stop us? Good question. Got an answer? Lets read. Mark 9: 23 ” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

And the answer is? Yep, that’s it. And what did the father say? HELP. And what did Jesus do? HE HELPED! He healed the son, which means to me He also helped the father believe. This tells me if I ask, He will help me believe too. Is that what it says to you?

So, got a problem? Need wisdom? ASK! And you shall receive.

Dear Father, this is good. So good to sit and ask and receive. Thank You. By the time this devotion reaches the screens of our IDOKs they may need some wisdom. But You already know that. You also already know if we will be asking in faith or asking that You help us overcome unbelief. And according to what we read here, You will do it. I pray that we will dare to ‘test’ You on this; no doubt You will prove faithful to us. I don’t know the family well at all but I know their kind of grief and so I pray for comfort for the Hollingsworth Family at this time, during the visitation time and the memorial service. I pray sweet memories will be passed around and comfort and peace will be garnered from those memories. I pray they will experience holy laughter too; it’s such a healing gift in time of sorrow. And when the tears flow let them be soothing tears and as You Word says You will catch each one of them. And I’d like to think LORD you will return them someday as healing rain that they can bear to someone else when that life’s terrain is parched. You are so awesome to comfort us so we can comfort others. May we be comforting servants I pray. Again, thank You for the help You have given Jodi and Hawk at this time. Their faith and strength encourages me and others too I am sure. And as I am thinking of it for persons in cramped quarters, expand the love so even cramped is fun. Please continue to keep our IDOK Troops safe. I almost always say mind, body and spirit because I want the whole of them to be whole and I know often it is the feeding of lies that causes the most damage. So help them put on the full armor You provide so they will be fully protected. You know the email I sent to President Obama today and even as I think about having sent it, the thoughts that come are, ‘he will not even see it. He certainly will not read it.’ And that is mostly likely so but I said what was truth and I am asking that it bear fruit with someone, somewhere and I am leaving that to You. I don’t know what will become of America. This reminds me of David and how he fasted and prayed asking You to let his son live here with him but You said no and You took the baby to live with You. David asked not knowing what You would do, but he asked anyway. So am I. I don’t know what You will do, I don’t know what people will yield to You to allow You to do within them but still I pray because I know You care and I know You will not allow one soul that really wants to repent to go without Your Message getting to them. And I sure would like it if You would fire me up to doing the telling and not just the telling with words but with actions to back up those words. I think there are some other IDOKS who are saying the same. Help us encourage each other in this today. One more thing before I sign out this session for now, this list of names below, even if we don’t read everyone of them everyday, will You please let them know You are and that whatever they need You are ready and willing to supply it to them, especially wisdom. Thank You ABBA. Amen and amen for now. We love you. You are so AWESOME.

And Father, now just before we email this I pray for Melinda, that’s a big need I think, at least to me but not to You. That’s so good to know and so thank You for making a way for Melinda in all ways. And for Shay, particularly now protect her, give Your angels charge over her that no evil come near her and give her the glorious blessing of seeing souls re-birthed into Your Kingdom and ABBA if You will send her a godly ‘brother’ who can be her husband. I love You LORD. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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 75°F and haze in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:18 PM AST on March 6, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009

March the 5th. My brother and wife’s 45th wedding anniversary. I am so delighted with them! And it is my grandmother, Callie Lucille Hopper Gearin’s birthday, born in 1906, and died March 26, 1989. A special day, March the 5th.

James 1:

1 JAMES, A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)!

2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

I have not thought of this until today, I think. The Book of James was not penned to a specific group of people in places like Corinth or Galatia or Ephesus. No, it was sent to James’ brothers, the Jews. To all 12 tribes of them who at that time had been disbursed throughout the then-known world, to live among the Gentiles. That was so difficult for them. And the main reason I know it is because verse one commands them to Rejoice. Have you noticed that we are commanded to rejoice when rejoicing is the opposite of what we want to do? Well, you know, if being a Christian was easy, anybody could do it.

Moreover, they were instructed to be wholly joyful. Their homes, maybe even their families, had been ripped and stolen from them, scattered around, pushed, shoved, and/or running from here to there and yonder, and yet ABBA said rejoice. Can we identify with them? What can we learn here? That we are to have real, true, no put-on, but honest-to-goodness, down-in-the-soul joy? To have this not when the sun is shining down on our brand new Honda debt-free Pilot, or our youngest grandchild just won the national spelling bee and the oldest one landed a six $ figure position in a Christian Company, or every detail to an important event we are planning just fell into place without a hitch. No. Not then, but when we just received a ‘pink slip’, or we left home late and everybody and his cousins are in front of us driving 10 miles below the speed limit and we cannot get around them, or your spouse again only grunted when you tried to talk about your day, and you remember that co-worker listens intently to every word you say, or we get home from the store only to realize the milk and eggs we paid for did not make into the grocery cart. Yes. In all these things we will be faithful and steadfast, with long-lasting patience, IF we abide wholly in holy joy. It’s a tall order but like we said, if being a Christian was easy, anybody could do it.

ABBA, thank You for this book of James. Thank You for each and every life lesson You will give us from it. Thank You that the 12 Tribes are coming together again and we pray for their protection, especially in these days. We pray to be willing more and more to experience holy joy with our whole beings. I pray Your Word here will find fertile soil in our hearts and will be acted out in our thoughts and actions. Thank You for the great news about Natalie, the problem is solved and now her body can begin to heal and she will soon be able to bless and care for her new baby. We pray this will be done speedily. And LORD take a reading on every name written here, give particular attention to their needs; do what is best for them and help them accept Your Will and praise You. Again we pray that You will protect our IDOK Troops and that You will heal wounded hearts. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 54°F and Light Rain Smoke Mist in Balad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 8:28 AM AST on March 5, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2009

My beloved and I are gardening again this year, not traditionally this time, but in containers. And so far this year we are only into tomatoes, one squash plant, some leeks, and lettuce. Let us pray it grows. And so in line with gardening we are reading from Isaiah 5. 6 And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned or cultivated, but there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

I think even novice gardeners or no gardeners at all can imagine some of the emotions of verse 6. If you have not been to Bellingrath Gardens lately, here’s a link: http://www.bellingrath.org/ Now imagine yourself standing in Bellingrath Gardens, it having not been pruned or cultivated, the once clean and manicured paths strewn with debris and everywhere instead of exquisite flowers there are briers and thorns defacing the grounds. What are your emotions at this sight? Magnify those beyond your imagination and we still will not even come close to the grief I believe the Holy Spirit experiences when He sees the People of God sending the Master Gardner away, refusing to accept His pruning and cultivating, refusing to drink in the Water of His Word.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). 31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). 32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

In Christ, abiding in Him, living obedient lives at whatever season of maturity we are, we will be to Him Gardens of Beauty rather than the garden described in verse 6. The garden in verse 6 is a garden in such rebellion that He has given it over for a season to the consequences of sin for the purpose of correction and repentance. Verse 6 is NOT what I want for this little garden in Satsuma, Alabama.

Abba, even AWESOME does not come close to describing You. I am amazed at You. Holy Spirit I am in awe of You and the WORD You bring and give to us. I pray that each IDOK, each reader will be encouraged and corrected by Your Word as You paint it on the walls of our hearts and minds. You are so AWESOME. Thank You for meeting here with us day after day. And this morning we pray for the family of Ann J. You took her home sweetly and we are grateful and now we know You are there with her family to comfort and led them in holy grief to a new day. And Kathy and her family as they continue to wait for You to come for her Mother, we trust Your timing, we trust Your love and compassion and we pray for peace for the family. And Jodi thank You for allowing me the privilege of meeting her across this screen. Thank You that You are with her and Hawk at this time. You know the plans You have for them and I praise You that they are good and she knows it. You are so AWESOME. Thank You for every person on this list that we have the privilege by prayer to enter into the work and be a part of the miracles that You are performing in each of their lives. Thank You for what You are doing for Bernie today. I ask You to love on him today with such compassion and tenderness that his lips are filled with praise for You and his heart is overflowing with worship. Give Linda strength from Your Courts above. Keep our IDOK Troops safe and secure in mind, body and spirit. Protect and promote Israel. Keep those in government who want to harm Israel under Your watchful eye and thank You that none of them can go any further than You say. In my humanness LORD I want them stopped but not my will only Your Will be done. Holy Spirit I know You are up to some GREAT things in the hearts of people of Christian Faith and I want to be one of those that is a conduit to the people You are convicting and drawing to salvation. I want to be an instrument to the Body of Christ. Make it so LORD. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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 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.

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 64°F and scattered clouds in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 5:35 PM ASTon March 4, 2009.