IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009
Some quick thoughts and I could be way off but humor me here. I am reading today in Luke 5
1NOW IT occurred that while the people pressed upon Jesus to hear the message of God, He was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee).
Oh, how I would love to see large numbers of people pressing in today to hear the message of God!!
2And He saw two boats drawn up by the lake, but the fishermen had gone down from them and were washing their nets.
Jesus is so smart! I see Him here looking at the crowd knowing they need to hear Him, having no PA system, but He knows just what to do: get in one of the boats and move out into the water and there His voice will be amplified and all will be able to hear Him.
3And getting into one of the boats, [the one] that belonged to Simon (Peter), He requested him to draw away a little from the shore. Then He sat down and continued to teach the crowd [of people] from the boat.
4When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon (Peter), Put out into the deep [water], and lower your nets for a haul.
And here, Peter gave his boat to Jesus for His use and Jesus REWARDED Peter for the use of it. Jesus is NO freeloader! He rewards His disciples for services rendered. As I said up front quick thoughts but I like ‘em.
So are we holding something back that we could put to His use? It will be the best investment we ever made; may not be a quick return but the long term pay off will be worth it all!
5And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].
6And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish; and as their nets were [at the point of] breaking,
7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
And look at that! Peter’s reward was so much he HAD to share. I can only imagine the spiritual blessings that Jesus lavished upon him. What’s that tell you?
8But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9For he was gripped with bewildering amazement [allied to terror], and all who were with him, at the haul of fish which they had made;
10And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon (Peter). And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!
Have no fear. Do not allow your sins to defeat you. Do not allow your sins to cause you to shrink, shy away or run from Jesus; rather hear Him say ‘fear not’ and be empowered to over come them and look for the haul of souls He will bring in with your testimony! Talk about reward! Seeing Jesus use YOU as a hook or mouthpiece to ‘fish’ a soul out of hell!! Is there anything better than that? Not to me!! And you?
11And after they had run their boats on shore, they left everything and joined Him as His disciples and sided with His party and accompanied Him.
I’m gonna venture out a little further here. I believe from my head to my toes that every word in Holy Writ is there for a reason and at any time the Holy Spirit can highlight it for any reason He wants. As I read this text I noted than in verse 1: Jesus was standing and in verse 8 it says Peter fell down at His knees. Jesus was still SEATED in the boat. This world needed to hear ABBA’s message so Jesus STOOD to the task and He came and SAT down with us. He came and got into our boat to give us Father’s message. The least we can do is listen and if He honors us by asking to use our boat to aid in the rescue a soul from the ‘deep’, we are – well, not smart if we say no.
ABBA, again You have delighted me! I still do not know why You give me this privilege, other than You are You. Thank You. Thank You. And Lord I’d be honored for You to make use of anything and everything You have given into my hands to bless my sisters and brothers and especially to rescue souls in the deepness of sin. I cannot imagine anything greater on this earth than for You to allow me to work with You in the rescue of someone, many some ones, from the clutches of Satan. Oh, Holy Spirit, make it so.
And now as You have commanded we come with petitions, many of them, for many people. Doug and Gracey both having surgery; Doug, a man of years and Gracey, little more than a year; for Doug to remove cancer and for Gracey to stop ear infections; for both guide the doctors and bless these procedures that both will be successful and restorative. And the Stack Family, I think there are multiple needs there and we pray for them all that they will seek You and know You are faithful. Help David work with this medical condition for Your glory; and Mrs. Walker, a peaceful transition is our prayer and comfort and peace for the family; MH and J, this is a tough one – No One but You knows how this one should be and it is for that I am asking You. I know You are good at this and I want to see You be Good at this situation again. Holy Spirit please help J submit and let You be You in this and MH too. And Holy Spirit just throw a blanket of peace and provisions over the rest of these; Our IDOK Soldiers in particular. Bring leaders of wisdom to power on behalf of Israel and the Peace You desire for them. Continue please that cleansing for which we are praying and in particular as to provisions send all that is needed to Emma’s Kids I pray. And love on J.Lloyd and these others too. Some of our IDOKs are vacationing this week; keep them safe and give them loads of holy fun. Thank You that the antibiotics are working with Betty but the doctors still need to know what caused this infection and where it came from and I know You know so if You will please help them discover where and how. And keep Betty getting stronger and stronger please and Bev too. And Holy Spirit whatever I’ve missed I know You have covered. Thank You. Amen and amen.
A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. BETTY. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. David Y. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Stellan. Mrs. Walker. Darlene’s Sister. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters. Mollie B.
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. And Lord some weeks later since this prayer began we have word from one of those Alabama officials that he wants our prayers, that he is mindful of You, that he does love You and obviously he is well acquainted with Your Word. And ABBA I am so delighted and grateful for this man and for others like him, so for each of them (and You know who they are, Lord) we pray that You will anoint and empower them to stand firm and holy in these places of service You have given them and Lord please bring others alongside to stand with them and help them. And as he suggested move us to be involved in the political process with more than just our prayers according to the individual will You have for each of us. Again, Lord, thank You for this news, thank You for what You are doing. 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. 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) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.
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 90°F and clear in Kuwait, KW (Airport) and the time there is 6:37 AM AST on May 27, 2009.
