IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009

As I corporately worshipped yesterday, I prayed for us who were experiencing Father’s Day without our earthly Fathers. It brought tears and praise as I should I think. It’s been 41 years since I have seen my Daddy’s face and I am sure of this, it won’t be 41 years more before I see him again. And I entirely owe that to Jesus, our Savior! To Him, be all the glory!

2 Corinthians 5

Assurance of the Resurrection

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

From God Alone by Joanie Yoder of Our Daily Bread

My favorite gospel tract is called “When I Think of Heaven.” It’s written by Joni Eareckson Tada, who is paralyzed from her neck down because of a diving accident that happened during her teenage years. Joni admits that thinking about heaven isn’t always easy, especially since we have to die to get there, unless Jesus returns first! Yet God works through trials to help us focus our minds on heaven.

As one who lives, travels, and ministers in a wheelchair, Joni writes confidently about heaven. “There’s not a doubt in my mind that I’ll be fantastically more excited and ready for it than if I were on my feet. You see, suffering gets us ready for heaven. Heaven becomes our passion.”

The apostle Paul knew that kind of passion. We groan for heaven, he said, not because we long to die but because we long to really live, to be with our Lord forever (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). But until then, “we live by faith, not by sight? (v.7).

I recently heard about an elderly gentleman who was greeted in this way:”Nice to see you in the land of the living!” “Oh, I’m not in the land of the living”, he replied. “I’m in the land of the dying. But I look forward to being in the land of the living soon when I’m in heaven.” That man’s heart is already there! Can that be said of you?

The Gains of Heaven Will More Than Compensate For The Losses of Earth.

Whether your name is on the deed of the property wherein you reside or not, it’s still a borrowed residence, but THERE, in the CITY to which we are going, is a dwelling place perfectly designed to perfectly suit you (and me), a gift from our Heavenly Father. Heaven is looking sweeter all the time.

John 14

1DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.

2 In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.

3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.

Amen, Come Lord Jesus.

PRAYER REQUESTS & REPORTS

We have added Loyce to our list; she’s 88 and is scheduled for a procedure this morning.

ABBA, in the quietness of this morning thank You that You are here for us and in us. We know You are tending Loyce in this time as she goes for this procedure. We know You are near and dear to the family as they wait and ABBA I thank You for that, we all do. And as this devotion reaches the screen of our IDOKs I pray You will deliver it to hearts; that will make it a sweet delivery, sweet and precious. I pray that our readers will be encouraged today in all their trials and disappoints. I ask You to protect our IDOK Troops, to keep them safe and sound in spirit, soul and body and I pray for the safe return of each of them. I don’t know the needs of every one on this list but thank You for tending them all today with Love and Wisdom. Thank You for Heaven, thank You for the dwelling place You are preparing for us; help us furnish it well while we are here with good works and service to You Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Loyce McM. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Billie Joyce and family. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. 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.

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.(3/09) [Kyle is having a birthday this month, extra blessings would be appreciated]. 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 109°F and Blowing Widespread Dust Haze in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 4:18 PM AST on June 22, 2009.