IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

For today, let me share with you just some observations from my reading in Nehemiah, beginning in chapter 1 and through 3.

Verse 4 – So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

The Book of Nehemiah is the account of God’s Servant hearing of the plight of Israel and the condition of the walls of the City of Jerusalem. And Nehemiah had such great love for his people and the City that when he saw, he sat down, wept and mourned and fasted and prayed. What would happen if we the Body of Christ, we IDOKs, were so moved to weep, mourn, fast and pray for people, for this Nation? Is not America in a similar state of ruin as was Jerusalem at the time of this writing? What about lost people, who by their own admission are going to hell, what if we wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for them? What would happen?

ABBA, I pray the day will come when You have so moved me and changed me that I will weep and mourn and fast and pray for people, especially lost people who by their own admission are going to hell.

Verse 12 Nehemiah prayed for God to give him favor with the King. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer. We can ask God to give us favor when we are petitioning a man (or woman), a figure in an office, a judge, etc. When we have an interview, a court hearing, a meeting, you name it, we can ask that we be looked upon with favor, that we be treated with kindness; that we be granted what we are asking without a hassle. We can ask! Now God is not OBLIGATED to grant it, but we can ask and He just might. By the way, He did for Nehemiah and the king was oh so gracious to him!

Nehemiah 2

Verse 18 the key to getting a good work done. So they said, “Let us rise up and build” Then they set their hands to this good work. I can talk all day but until I actually set my hands to doing it, it is just a good idea and not a good work.

In verse 20 we are told God will prosper us BUT there is a condition. …”The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore, we His servants will arise and build,… . God does the prospering but I have to get up and build.

Nehemiah 3.

In verse 8 we are told some of the workers were perfumers by trade, but they did repairs on the wall — they got out of their comfort zones. Ouch!

And verse 12. I LOVE this! And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs. Did you see that? He and HIS DAUGHTERS made repairs. This guy is a ‘big shot’, he is a leader of half the district of Jerusalem, but he is out there doing manual labor. And who is out there right along side him? His daughters. That is so cool. And what is even cooler is that the Holy Spirit recorded it for us. And He recorded it for our learning and edification. As I said I LOVE it!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

I have a very dear friend from work who is in much need of our prayer her husband Johnny Mckinnell has cancer he has been fighting it for about 8 months over the weekend he found out the cancer has spread to his brain he is set to have brain surgery in the morning we need to pray for Mr. Johnny to do well during this surgery and for a quick recovery as well as for his wife Ms Paula to just have strength to deal with this and for their whole family to just be lifted up and be encouraged.. Thanks, love ya – windy

ABBA, I admit it I am aware of the clock ticking and chores waiting, but this has been so good. Thank You. And I pray You will use it to bless our IDOKs; that You will grow them and grow me into women and men who reverence You and take our callings from You as seriously as did Nehemiah. You know how much work You will have to do with me, help me learn; I started to say fast but I think I’ll ask instead for steady. And now as I and our IDOKs, when they get to this point of reading, I pray we will get up and build; but before we do help us worship and weep and mourn if that is what You call us to do. We do not want to weep and mourn and fast for weeping and mourning and fasting’s sake; make us real, Lord. Just make us real. And, ABBA, take note today of these listed here, love on them and help them sense it, not just know in their heads but FEEL it all over that they are being loved on by You today; these who are sick or troubled and our IDOK Troops too. And bring them home safe and sound too we pray. And raise up, call, and move an army of Saints to weep and mourn, fast and pray for the people of America and the world. And, raise us up to bless the children; to feed them, to clothe them and to preach the Gospel to them for Jesus sake. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Brittany M and family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. 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. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. 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. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary.. 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. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd. 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.

Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry

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 have removed the ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America but I know the prayer is eternal 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 84°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time 4:46 AM AST on August 26, 2009.