IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2009

James 1:

19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

20 For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].

21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

Who of us have not read this many times? Who of us does not know that quick ears and a slow tongue would keep us from a whole lot of trouble? And who of us does not know that refusing to take offense would alleviate many, many hurt feelings and volleys of word missiles? We know the meaning of these verses. It is the practice of them that is hard; so hard that we have often told ourselves it is too hard for us to do. We lied! Look closely at verse 21, particularly this welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. First, let us be reminded these verses are penned to Christians (that is genuine saved folks) and yet the verse says power to save your souls. Obviously ABBA is not talking about saving us from hell; as we said, this is written to us who are already rescued from hell. So from what do our souls need to be saved? Let me suggest to us that our souls need to be saved from the ‘hell’ within us. The hell in us that leads us to believe it is too hard for us to have quick ears and a slow tongue. The hell within us that leads us to believe it is too hard to take no offense at the words of another. The hell within us that causes us to say to ourselves it is too hard to get rid of this unclean habit, this hurtful wicked tongue or this cavernous wound in my soul that is sucking the happiness out of me and this relationship or that relationship. And now let us read the verse again. and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

This should have us dancing and shouting happily. If we will faithfully put in THE WORD and welcome the Holy Spirit to plant it, water it and grow it in us, HIS POWER in His Word WILL save us from uncleanness, wickedness, slow ears, fast tongues, hot tempers and smoldering, happiness-robbing offenses.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

From Emma: Would you please add a former co-worker of my husband, Melanie M and her husband Jay to your prayer list? Their son was killed in a car wreck last week. Jess’s funeral was on Sat. He was only 19 yrs. old. I know their hearts are broken and cannot understand why something like this happens.

From Brenda: Mother (Marzelle) made it thru surgery, the non invasive. Thank u all for your prayers & support. Please pray now for her recovery and the days ahead. We have felt God’s presence today. He is an awesome God. God Bless You Today!

ABBA, without a doubt this Word should cause us to dance and shout happily, but maybe we still aren’t, maybe we are still so burdened with the words and deeds of others and the struggles and cares of all the stuff surrounding us that reaching out and taking in this Word and Your Power still seems too hard. Thank You that even if we do feel that way, You are still able to help us. That You are willing to work with us; that You are patient and kind and You will meet even a wobbly baby step toward You with strong arms to gather and hold us and carry us to firm footings. Help us give You time to work not only in us but in those we love too. Help us give You time to inspire us to believe and receive Your Power within to release us from our own hell-bent flesh. And there are folks on our minds, there are surely people on my mind as I pray: Linda and You know why and others whose names I won’t even type aloud who are making foolish, just stupid decisions and raining havoc in the lives of many, somehow please correct them I pray. And there are more, precious ones – young ones whose minds and hearts are way too young to be so jumped on by the Evil One but they are and I pray for Holy Ghost Education and Training for them and Melanie and Jay and Joni and Todd, both sets of grieving parents, I pray for comfort and for those honest, seeking questions I pray You will supply peace. And all the rest of these, some have been on this list a long time and no doubt You have done some mighty things in their lives and even if I am not privy to it I am giving You praise right now. Thank You. And thank You for looking into their hearts today and into their situations today and offering them today everything they need today. And our IDOK Troops, how is it that You have been so good to allow us to pray day after day, even year after year for them? Thank You for that and thank You for the safe keeping You have given them; please do it again today. And Israel, a precious people to me, to us; we are jealous for them, not of them but for them to have ALL that You desire to give them; I want to see it ABBA. I want to see them in love with You Lord Jesus; I want to see them in the Land You promised them, living and prospering. And America, I am reminded that all over this land there are women and men who love You, men and women and young people that love You and worship You. Thank You for every one of them and I pray for us all that we will be stronger and stronger; that the Word in James 1 will come alive in us and bring debilitating havoc to the schemes of Satan. Oh, I’d like to see that! I’d like to be such a woman that You could trust and empower to do that and that it would be only for the glory of Jesus’ Name. Make it so. Please make it so. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.

Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. 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, Leona. 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 removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Kyle N(3/09). 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 88°F and clear in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time there 5:44 AM AST on July 28, 2009.