IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009

Galatians 4: 8 and 9

Father God is revealing much to us in these Scriptures. He lets us see His Heart, the heart of Paul and the Galatians. Our brother Paul is baffled; it is just beyond him; he just cannot fathom how it is that these Galatians could “fall from grace”. He is so grieved, and alarmed even, that they could “thumb their noses” at the Grace of God. And indeed that is what they were doing. I too am baffled by this as to why one would desire to be under the law rather than grace. I would think that could only be the work of the evil one. I can fathom only one reason why one would choose law over grace: PRIDE – The downfall of Satan; the downfall of man; been there, done that!! The rejection of the Grace of God: there can be no more heinous sin than that; been there, done that too; so glad to be out of that!! Moreover, we know that the rejection of the Grace of God leaves no alternative for man; no means of salvation; no means to be reconciled to Him other than by His Grace and faith in His Grace. Oh, that we would have an abandoned trust that He is not stupid; not cruel; that He is altogether lovely and certain the Death of His Son is the only way for us to be reconciled to Him. What other explanation could there be? Nothing else makes any sense. Not to God, not to Paul and thus this letter to the Galatians and to all humanity that has followed.

It is not part of the focal passages but to me verse 19 is so tender. “My little children, {can’t you just see the Heart of Father bleeding and Paul’s heart breaking for these people} for whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently formed (molded) within you. Would that I were with you now and could coax you vocally, for I am fearful and perplexed about you! “

Isn’t it wonderful of the Holy Spirit to allow the heart of Paul, his emotions, his love for these people to come through on the pages of Holy Writ? He goes on in verse 21: “Tell me, you who are bent on being under the Law, will you listen to what the Law [really] says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid and one by the free woman. But whereas the child of the slave woman was born according to the flesh and had an ordinary birth, the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of the promise. Now all this in an allegory; these [two women] represent two covenants. One covenant originated from Mount Sinai [where the Law was given] and bears [children destined] for slavery; this is Hagar.”

This is us! This was the Galatians… children destined for slavery. Born in sin and destined to live and die in sin UNTIL the new covenant came. Verse 31: “So, brethren, we [who are born again] are not children of a slave woman [the natural, but of the free [the supernatural].”

Why would they, why would we be so foolish to withdraw from such a life; a life lived in the supernatural; a life destined for freedom, not slavery!

Chapter 5, verse 13: “For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.”

Do you get the idea here that the Galatians were prone to extreme? Either labor under the Law or get loose and presumptuous under Grace. People have not changed much have we?

Verse 14: “For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied within the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.”

Do you get the idea there was strife and factions in the body at Galatia? Do you think there were some saying keep the Law and some saying no, no it’s all grace and we are free to do whatever we want to do. You know what? We are free to do whatever we want to do. We just better be sure that what we want to do is what He wants us to do or we will bite and devour one another.

The conclusion to all this; verse 16: “But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; THEN, you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of the human nature without God).” And you won’t live under the Law either. Now that is real freedom!! Let’s walk in it.

Your prayers will be appreciated Monday; I’ll be SUBBING again with 6th and 7th graders. I am thinking that since school is so close to being over for the 2008-2009 term, only much prayer will keep them in check tomorrow!!

Yes, ABBA, we believe, we know and have experienced that freedom that comes to us when we are walking habitually in what You have instructed us to do. And even when we do not know what to do as Pastor Roy said, when we don’t know what to do,we are to keep on doing what we know to do. I have Doug on my mind, we don’t know the cause of his nausea and the other symptoms; they concern us and yet we have already seen what You have done for him so we are continuing to entrust his recovery and healing to You. And there are others that come to mind too, like Steve, Linda H., Mike and Vickie, Shay and the children, and the children listed here and the adults and all the situations and circumstances. There are some tough times going on and people are concerned, even worried. Forgive us. You have so much to forgive, so often. Thank You that You are forever faithful to us. This year’s school term is ending soon; some teachers are concerned about returning in August, if they will get to or not. And these last weeks are important, You know what remains to be accomplished and especially our IDOKs who are teachers I pray for them to finish well, they and their students. And, ABBA, WC comes to mind. You know the need there and I ask You to attend to him, that You give him the desires of his heart, he and Betty. And we could not close this prayer without holding up our IDOK Soldiers for health and safety and protection and for safe returns home. And I am again renewing my prayer for the cleansing of Washington and all 50 States and for the defeat of all pieces of legislature with hidden and not so hidden agendas to silence the voices of those who speak Your Word. And Lord bring Your people out on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer, cause us to show up in numbers that will proclaim that we are not the minority. I pray particularly that here in Satsuma, the Square will be filled and that fervent prayers will be heard and You will answer. And I pray Holy Spirit that You will anoint and use this offering of words to exalt Jesus and rescue souls for His Name Sake. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joshua A. Irene C. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. 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.

ABBA, I am posting this here in prayer as a daily prayer and I am praying as pure in motive as I know how today, asking that You by whatever ways and means You choose, see to the removal from office of every elected Official in Washington and all 50 States that is not sensitive to and is not inclined to work to preserve Judaeo-Christian values and the Constitution of this Nation in its Original Intent. Lord, I am so sorry that many (and thank You not all) offices of this Nation are filled with corrupt, reprobate-minded people who have no regard for You or Your Word and if I have done anything that has contributed to the election of these people, please forgive me and stop me from any further actions that will damage and bring this Nation to complete ruin. I pray Holy Spirit that You will stir the hearts and prayers of enough people to bring this Nation to repentance and will clean and cleanse the offices and the Officials of this Nation. Father God, please have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, clean Washington even as You did the Temple if need be. Amen and amen.

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. 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). Jessica D. (4/09)

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) Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. As I post this it is 74°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 7:22 AM AST on May 4, 2009.