IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009

As I begin this I don’t think this is an IDOK Devotion that I am going to like writing. I am reminded that yesterday’s message, in part, was that Jesus is moved with compassion toward us. So when I am hurting, He is moved with compassion to act on my behalf. I got that part. I like that part. But that is not all the story. When I am ‘hurting’ in self-pity, I think He is still moved in compassion but, I think, His Hand to act is stayed. You see when my child is in an emotional turmoil, I want to relieve her turmoil and one of the reasons I want to relieve her turmoil is because if her turmoil ends, so will mine. ABBA does not have that flaw. He’s compassion is pure and He does not get in a turmoil, even when I do. Therefore, when I am emotionally kicking and screaming (demanding is a more appropriate word – picture a two year old having a temper fit) for relief, that ‘fit’ is not by any stretch of the imagination twisting His arm to do what I want Him to do to alleviate my ‘suffering’. He quietly continues to stand by me, and in His unfathomable love for me, He refuses to be coerced into my self-pity. He is like the silversmith watching a boiling pot of silver; He is not going to shut off the heat (get me out of my pit of misery) until I have learned the lesson that I must learn to deter me from a deeper pit of misery. And even more importantly than keeping me from a deeper pit is His central goal of conforming me to the image of Jesus.

I am convinced that the shortest way out of a pit of misery is faith, trust and praise: to recall and meditate upon the Scripture that addresses my pit and allow that Scripture to give rise to faith, decide to trust that Scripture and praise Him that it is so even though nothing in the here and now looks like it is so. And that is so easy for me to say when it’s not my mortgage that is not paid. Or when it is not my family that is sick; or when it is not me who is without a sufficient wage earning job.

As I said I am not enjoying this IDOK devotion today, but I am encouraged that it is true. And I am relieved that the Holy Spirit is able and willing to walk it out in every one of us, if we will let Him.

Romans 8:

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁶ As it is written:

“ For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Holy Spirit, my request is that You take this and apply it to the hurting hearts. I ask You to cut away the resistance, to burn out the fear and unbelief that would keep any one of us from believing and receiving this message today. I ask You to speak practical wisdom into every complex and burdensome situation, outlining for each one the next step to take. To flood minds with the just right Scripture for their issue and if they are not familiar with the just right Scripture, providentially put their hands and eyes on it. DADDY GOD, there is some gut wrenching misery in the lives of IDOKs; real scary deep, black pits. And no doubt ‘operator error’ contributed to some of it and for that we ask forgiveness and grace to repent and the will to cooperate with You at whatever cost to change the course that brought us to this place. Holy Spirit, I ask You to blow Fresh Wind on us. Be merciful to us. Yes we want out of our pits but more than getting out of the pits we want to learn how to stay out of these pits. We want to come up out of these pits to a higher level of faith, trust and praise. Lord, You know these heavy hearts that are sitting before You right now and You know that without You revealing the truth of this message, without Your Quickening of it, Holy Spirit, this is just a bunch of words that will do nothing to bring relief, help or change. I am dependent upon You. We all are. And ABBA this message isn’t set to go out for hours but I am asking You to even now as I write to begin to work this message by Your Spirit into hurting hearts right now today. Right now today, I ask You to shine rays of hope into the many pits our IDOKs are trapped in; begin today. Oh what a precious picture. Thank You, You have already built ladders in the pits, ready for climbing. Oh, You are so Awesome. Holy Spirit, turn on the spot lights so we can see our Ladders. Thank You. Thank You.

And we pray for the people that gathered to pray for the Nation, that You will hear our prayers; that our prayers are bathed in the Blood of Christ and therefore worthy to be heard and we know when You hear You will answer.

Comfort and keep safe our IDOK Troops.

Impress Your will upon every soul listed here by name and upon every request unspoken and specific. Thank You for this ministry. Thank You for this life and calling. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Cathie R’s Family. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Emily. Stellan. 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 70°F and haze in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 5:43 AM AST on May 7, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009

Those were the words I read on an Alabama vehicle tag today and today they were living words. Maybe that is because as soon as I read them: God Knows – I thought of someone especially close to me that is hurting. Some hurts come to us because we mess up, some hurts come because others mess up and some come just because we don’t live in a perfect world … yet. By whatever means, the hurt has come, GOD KNOWS. He knows. He knows that the mortgage is due and He knows the very penny in your checking and your savings accounts. He knows just what He is going to send your way and when. He knows. He sees your tears. He knows your stomach is churning with acids. He knows your thoughts racing in your mind like a dog chasing his own tail. He knows. He knows what the doctor has said, what the doctor has not said and why. God knows. And what does it mean that God knows? The God of the Universe knows intimately what it is that is causing you grief, hurt, fear, doubt, you name it. God knows it. It has not caught Him by surprise and He is not wringing his hands wondering what He is going to do. He Knows. He knows how, when where and what He is doing on your behalf. And just because you cannot ‘see’ what He is doing, does not mean He doing nothing, as it seems sometimes. Even when we are accusing Him of doing nothing, He continues to work, steadily and perfectly. Our frazzled conditions, do not frazzle Him; but He is MOVED by us. Mark 6: 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Aren’t you glad? Aren’t you glad He knows and He cares? Consider this: since He is Who He is and since He knows what He knows, and since we are His own, does not His love and holiness obligate Him to be doing what is BEST for us? The verse says He had compassion on them because they were like sheep with no shepherd. Visualize a sheep with no shepherd. That sheep would have no protection, no guidance; would be left to the wolves and wild animals as easy prey. Is that the way we feel when we are hurting or afraid? Do we feel like a sheep with no shepherd? Then He has many things to teach us. And based upon the Whole Counsel of His Word, He Knows, and this present distress is our classroom to learn from The Good Shepherd Who gave His Life for the sheep. Romans 8: 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Matthew 10: 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Dear One, God Knows. Believe and you will see.

Irene C is at home from the hospital and very thankful for our prayers.

Abba, thank You for those two words on that car tag today. Thank You for bringing them to life for me. Thank You that Your Word proves them out to be true. You know the cares and concerns, fears and doubts and gut panic that some are feeling. You know we are and You have many things to teach us. We pray we quickly become willing to learn. We pray we quickly become willing to learn on YOUR TERMS, not ours. Thank You that all these hurts and fears and doubts and lack have not taken You by surprise. You know. You know what will work and You know how to administer it. So Lord I pray administer as You will! And thank You in advance for the lessons You are teaching and the provisions that are coming. Thank You for Irene’s recovery. Thank You for other recoveries coming. Thank You for Doug’s some improvement. We ask You for more. We pray for more and more improvement in the situations of each one on this list. We pray for protection and safety for our IDOK Troops. And we pray that for this National Day of Prayer that millions all across America will gather to pray, not to allah, not to any false god but to You Alone Lord Father in the Name of Jesus our Savior. We pray again for the peace of Israel, the cleansing of Washington and all 50 States and for the protection and deliverance of the children in Jesus name. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Cathie R’s Family. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Emily. Stellan. 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 70°F and overcast in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 7:12 AM AST on May 7, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009

I am beginning only with a thought. Lets see where it takes us. Today I was rinsing and draining some red beans to cook and as I did I dammed the beans in the bowl with my hand, fingers tightly pressed together to keep the beans from escaping with the water. And noticing just as I intended, the water flowed pretty well effortlessly through the tiny, tiny spaces between my fingers; and I immediately thought of the Water of the Word of God. And I was encouraged that likewise barriers do not stop ABBA’s Word from reaching people. He gets through the tiniest of openings. Aren’t you glad? Aren’t you glad that even that seemingly tightly closed heart of that one you love and are praying for one day just the right Word of Water will find the tiniest opening and will flow in? It may only be a trickle at first but trust the Power of the Water of the Word.

Proverbs 21:1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

And aren’t you encouraged today that even the tiniest opening you have to speak a Water Word to a friend, or co-worker, or family member, or even a stranger in the checkout line, the Holy Spirit of God will use? And who knows it just might be that small water word you were enabled to speak that breaks through the ‘dam’ that has closed off that heart for so long. Be of good cheer today, HE has overcome!

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

And all God’s people said? AMEN! And so it is.

ABBA, thank You that it is so; Lord Jesus You have overcome the world, You have deprived the world, the devil and our own flesh of the power to harm us, rule over and conquer us. Help us Holy Spirit to accept and walk in this victory. Again, we pray for Doug, asking that You heal him and raise him up to continue to serve You. We pray for Claudia as she sits by waiting. We pray her faith and her strength will increase. We pray too for each one listed here; some we have been praying for, for a long time and they are still in need. We trust You, Lord. Jacqueline and her Sons, particularly come to mind. I am so grateful that You are well aware of the fears she has and the unfairness of the world system and the many types of provisions needed to withstand the system. I am thankful that You are there with her to undergird her and the boys and to meet their needs. But not just Jacqueline but every man, woman, boy or girl, that has said Yes to You in salvation. I am thankful that You are here to meet all our needs and our sons’ and daughters’ needs and our grandchildren’s needs. We entrust them all to You. We loudly proclaim, we trust You, Lord. We pray again for our IDOK Soldiers, for their safety and protection, for their strength and their willingness to name You Lord on foreign soil and home soil. Woo their spirits, souls and bodies to safety we pray. And I renew my prayer for the cleansing of Washington and all 50 States. I pray for the defeat of legislation that is hostile to Your Gospel. I pray for the spiritually blind and deaf to see and hear Your Word and repent. I pray for the children, those hungry and those full, to love You and worship You. I pray for the Church to awaken from sleep. And I pray for each of us IDOKs to move forward with You at any cost. 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 73°F and mostly cloudy in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 6:09 AM AST on May 6, 2009.