IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009

I am still off schedule, have been for some time now, I do like to write our devotions the day before so I am not rushing to get something on the screen and off to you in the early morning. But alas that did not happen yesterday, so this morning when I went to my desk to speak with ABBA I began confessing there is HOPE today because I was earlier before Him than some other mornings. Still not as early as should be but, there is hope today. So this morning I say to you: There is Hope Today!

There is hope! Hope that today you can begin again. Hope today for an earlier start. Hope today for a better attitude. Hope today for a calmer soul. Hope today for whatever it is that is troubling you.

So before coming to the screen with this thought There is Hope Today, I went to my trusty online Bible Text Finder and keyed in ‘hope’ and came up with this.

Genesis 50:

20 As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.

21 Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for and support you and your little ones. And he comforted them [imparting cheer, hope, strength] and spoke to their hearts [kindly].

You know the story here, right? The 10 brothers had grown weary of Joseph and his dreams and his coat of many colors and ultimately they sold him into slavery to a band of men going to Egypt. And some years later when Joseph and his brothers were face to face again, what was Joseph’s response to them? DO NOT BE AFRAID and he comforted them imparting HOPE. If Joseph could offer this to his brother who had treated him so cruelly, what does our ABBA have for us today? There is HOPE TODAY for you and for me.

Your siblings may not have sold you into slavery but you may have been hurt by them and if not them someone else or a deep, deep hurt inflicted just because we live on a sin-cursed planet may have come your way, I believe our ABBA is offering you HOPE TODAY. I believe He desires to comfort you today. I believe He is speaking in loving-kindness to you today. Will you listen? Will you receive His Hope for you today? There is HOPE TODAY if we will walk GOD’s Way Today. Look again at Joseph. He did not render evil for evil. What Joseph did, we can do. There is HOPE TODAY.

ABBA, thank You for HOPE Today. Thank You that You give us HOPE. Our HOPE is in YOU. There is HOPE TODAY. I like that. It’s today, we don’t have to wait until tomorrow, in You we have hope today and comfort and cheer and strength. We have it all in You. Thank You. And in You and to You we bring these listed here for them to receive this hope and cheer, and strength and every need they have. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. Thank You that John L is home for a while from Afganistan. We pray he will find comfort and rest and hope and courage and strength to return to serve as You see fit. We pray for our IDOK Troops still serving, asking that You protect them today. We pray they will rely upon You today for hope, and cheer and comfort and wisdom and every need they have. We pray we will ALL do this today. We pray for the peace of Israel. We pray for the release of the American Journalist. We pray for her protection until her release and for her family to have HOPE TODAY. We pray for America, please grant grace and space to repent. Comfort IDOKs who are grieving, comfort and give hope as they wait upon You to give new direction and purpose. Love on them especially today I pray. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Cathie R’s Family. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Emily. Stellan. Chandler. Mrs. Walker. 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. Francis T. Cathy T. 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. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. 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. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Bay and family. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. 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.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009) Kyle N. (3/26)

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, specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. (great news, not only is Adam at home he is getting married!!!) Captain Tran. Josh. John L.

As I post this it is 85°F and scattered clouds in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 2:29 PM AST on April 21, 2009.