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.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, JULY 27, 2009

My beloved is building again. This time it is a walkway to the deck from the back porch. Today (Saturday) he laid the foundation boards and as I looked at the boards in place I thought how delighted I would be when it was finished and functioning as intended. Again, I was looking to what will be and there is nothing wrong in that; it’s good to look for what will be. But looking to what will be and failing to appreciate, admire and learn from what is, is to cheat ourselves. I cheat myself often; my husband doesn’t. There’s no doubt he wants the walkway finished, but he enjoyed cutting the lumber, leveling the ground, and laying the foundation boards, the whole bit. And he will enjoy the remainder of the project all the way to completion. I think as of this moment, I shall make a deliberate effort to be more like that, to enjoy ‘the work in progress’. I think that would be pleasing not only to Jerry but our ABBA too. In fact, Jerry reminds me of ABBA in this. You and I are not ‘Finished Works’, we are a ‘work in progress’. And I am certain ABBA has seen us completed. And I am certain, He desires fellowship with us in that perfected and completed state; but until then, I think, He enjoys the process and the progress.

Zephaniah 3:16-18 (New King James Version)

17 The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Our list continues to grow; many folks in need of prayer.

ABBA, Thank You for the process and the progress that You are making in each of us. Thank You that You rejoice over us with singing. And we pray that we will give You more and more reasons to rejoice; that our conduct, that the meditations of our hearts will more and more be pleasing to You. We pray now for Susanne as the newest one to our list that You will comfort her and give strength and relief and show Yourself mighty on her behalf. Thank You for the privilege of praying for her and all these here; we cannot see what You see, we cannot know the deep, deep needs and cries of the hearts of these but You do and we know You see them; that You see them and You are moved with compassion for them. We see with the eyes of faith You loving each one and in tender mercy and with great passion bending low and lifting them up; we see You weep with those weeping and rejoicing with those who are rejoicing; we see You laughing, we see You loving them and we entrust each name, each face to You; our IDOK Troops too, asking You to bring them home safe and sound. Amen and amen.

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

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 90°F and clear in Kuwait, KW (Airport) and the time there 7:11 AM AST on July 27, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009

It has been a busy week, and my first strokes of the keyboard this morning are even later than usual; I have read a few chapters of Hebrews again, and on this Friday morning, I think I have a brief, and I do mean brief, word for us. Hebrews 6:18 This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].

It seems my direction this morning is that we should find comfort and hold fast to the infallible Word that our God can never and will never DECEIVE us. In this uncertain time and social-political climate, many are making it their business to deceive us; but we in HIM have mighty indwelling strength which I believe when we lean hard upon Him and obey HIM, He will even reveal to us the DECEIT of others that we may avoid the potholes and ditches our Arch Enemy desires to see us fall in. So let us embrace this Fabulous Friday with confidence that we in Christ Jesus are not DECEIVED.

ABBA, I am grateful for the reminder and the sure Word that You are always and forever Truth and there is no deceit in You and You will not deceive us; You tell the truth always, I pray we will hear, believe, and receive. I pray again for Alice, You know those test results, You know the plans You have for her, and I am encouraged and delighted that she knows too that You are for her and not against her in this illness and always. Thank You that You are for and not against every soul listed here; those who are grieving, those with diseases raging, those with sin raging; in every condition and circumstance, You are our help and their help; we acknowledge this and speak LIFE over every name listed here. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their protection and safety and peace of mind, and safe return home. We pray for Israel’s peace, for the spread of Your Gospel in every land, and for sinners to be converted and saints to be refreshed and revived for Jesus’ sake. Amen and amen.

As I post this, it is 111°F and clear in Baghdad, IQ (Airport), and the time there is 3:44 PM AST on July 24, 2009.