IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009

Since I am late again and writing afresh takes a while I am re-sharing today but I really think it may be even better than something fresh. I first shared this with you on March 13, 2008.

Psalm 13

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 HOW LONG will You forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

2 How long must I lay up cares within me and have sorrow in my heart day after day? How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

I read this Psalm in a few translations this morning. This Amplified Bible version is the one I settled on to give to you. Particularly because of two verses, the third and the last. The amplification of verse 3 is right on target; a prayer to have the eyes of our faith behold His Face even in pitch black dark! To love Him and trust Him so much that even when you are groping in so much ‘I don’t understand’ darkness that you think you just want to lay down and die, by faith in that blackness you SEE HIS FACE. Not His Hands because even then you do not know what He is doing BUT His Face because you KNOW He is there and in that moment that is enough. OH! To have faith like that!! If you have reached that place in your walk with Him, He has DEALT BOUNTIFULLY with you; just THAT step of faith alone is a BOUNTIFUL GIFT!! Let alone what He is doing with HIS HANDS on your behalf which you are yet to see! My cry of exclamation this morning is HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME in spite of me; in spite of the fact that my faith, love and trust is yet to grow this much — but I have hope — HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME!!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Father, it is true You have dealt bountifully with me; so much more bountifully that I deserve! Thank You for Your Forgiveness and continued mercy morning after morning and all though each day. You are the AWESOME God the Psalmist has penned You to be! And we cry out to have our eyes of faith see Your Face and love You more both in darkness and sunshine. I pray this morning for these listed here that the eyes of their faith will be enlightened and Your Face will become a Treasure to them in their individual darkness. I pray Your Hands will lift up the ill in body and spirit; that Your Hands will supply all our needs according to Your Riches in Christ Jesus – thank You for Your Bountiful Supply to us. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their continued protection from harm in all ways, we pray for their safe returns; we pray for the successful conclusion to this war; for the Peace of Israel; for the repentance of America and for Your Church to see Your Face and Worship You unashamedly and boldly and this we ask only in the Merits of who You have made us in Christ Jesus. Amen and Amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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 109°F and haze in Al Taji, IQ (Airport) and the time 3:19 PM AST on August 14, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009

ALL the working surfaces in my office are piled high and there are some piles of stuff in various places in the house. Suffice it to say I have no lack for work. And as I type that I think why am I writing this, surely it will not lead into a devotion as I am pretty well blank this morning. Blank because since my feet hit the floor I have been putting clothes in the washer, packing my beloved a lunch, clipping mint from the garden, sipping a cup of tea on the go, waiting for a phone call and I could go on, but I won’t. So I have done this morning what I consistently encourage you to not do … start my day before I pick up my Bible. Shame on me!

So I shall now, even though the hour is late, go to the Word; otherwise I have nothing of significance to say and that is true always; if ABBA does not give a Word, nothing I could say would be worth reading.

Last night Pastor talked about one of Israel’s kings, Uzziah. Uzziah became king at age 16 and Scripture says at II Chronicles 26:4 that he did right in the Lord’s sight to the extent that his father Amaziah had done. And II Chronicles 25:2 says speaking of Amaziah: He did right in the Lord’s sight, but not with a perfect or blameless heart.

And Pastor fed us well last night briefly picking through the life of Uzziah. And then Pastor sent us to Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

And you know what is beautiful about this verse? I SAW THE LORD. And we will in our daily lives if we DIE to ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to progressively make our hearts blameless before Him. May we all ‘see’ The Lord in ourselves today! He’s there if we will just choose to get off the throne. And if you are like me, that is not a one time a day decision.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

We are adding Amber Johns to our prayer list this morning. Amber is a friend of an IDOK’s daughter and Amber has a rare type cancer; she’s young, has a husband and two young elementary age children. We can enter into the work God is doing in her and for her by prayer.

Please especially pray today for the highlighted names below.

ABBA, I am way late this morning greeting our IDOKs and I pray You will take Your Word here and minister it to each of them. I pray You will speak and show up mightily in their lives today. I pray they will ‘see’ You on every hand and will love You and rejoice over You and give You great, great pleasure today. And I pray I will too. Amber. Holy Spirit, how do I pray for Amber? She’s young, she has young children, she has a husband and she has a cancer that will take her physical life away from her if it is allowed to continue to destroy her body. She does not want that, no one wants that. You don’t want that, but this I know: in this world evil stuff happens and You are still God and You are still good and still worthy of our trust. So, ABBA, love on Amber and her family as You will, cause it will be, not just good but great, whatever You do because good and great and awesome are all You can do. And love on others listed here too, all of them. Our IDOK Troops too and Israel and this nation America that we love and Your Church – we are so in need of revival – please heal us. Amen and Amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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 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 104°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time 4:37 PM AST on August 13, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009

Let me share with you something you already know but maybe not in the same way you know. This comes from a booklet entitled How Has God Loved Us?, (page 26) from the Discovery Series of Radio Bible Class Ministries, and authored by Martin R. De Haan II.

“Having met the condition of accepting Christ as Savior, these people are in a position to enter fully into the love and acceptance of God. This doesn’t mean God will never be displeased, angry, or un-accepting of self-destructive and disobedient behavior. It does mean that these behaviors will be handled on the basis of perfect family love rather than the legal judgment and condemning rejection that awaits those outside of Christ.”

And there you have it, the difference between ‘discipline’ and ‘punishment’. Christians are disciplined but never punished and the unsaved, in this life in some manner will suffer the natural consequences of immoral choices, and in the hereafter they will receive their just punishment and by definition from my online dictionary, punishment is a penalty for a crime or offence. And what is the lost man’s crime? — rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Acts 4(Amplified Bible)

11This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone].

12And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

Our author says God handles our unacceptable behaviors on the basis of perfect family love rather than legal judgment and I agree and I am convinced the whole counsel of God supports this belief. I am further convinced that loving parents do NOT punish their children, they discipline them. Discipline has one purpose, to train the child to forsake self-destructive behaviors and embrace acceptable behaviors. Loving family discipline is not about the parents’ feelings being hurt or even their embarrassment in the neighborhood, neither is it about the child ‘paying’ for their unacceptable behavior (sin) – how could they? The penalty for sin is death. Loving family discipline is about loving the child and giving that child a framework from which to cease further self-inflicted injury, either spiritually, emotionally or physically. And that is ABBA’s purpose toward us. If only we as parents would consistently model His form of discipline, may be there would be more souls rescued from eternal punishment.

Let me say again, GOD does not PUNISH Christians; He already PUNISHED Jesus, as our Substitute.

Isaiah 53: NKJV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 6:22-23 (Amplified Bible)

22But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life.

23For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

So my sister (or brother) if you have received discipline from ABBA do not put a smile on Satan’s face by saying God is punishing you. Rather, put a smile on your face, bend your knees and your heart and praise Him with exceeding thanks that you are His child and He has loved you with perfect family love and has taken you to the wood shed.

Hebrews 12:7-9 (New King James Version)

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

I got word this afternoon that Lisa’s kidneys have begun some slight function again.

Please especially pray today for the highlighted names below.

ABBA, I can’t say this has been an easy one to write and it has not come quickly but it seems important to me and so I entrust it to You for You to anoint as You see fit. Happy news and painful news has come to this ministry today. We praise You for the happy news and we praise You that You are in control of the painful news. Emma and the McCraver Family I am highlighting to You. It was so comforting and good to read from Emma that Joe and Susan had return to Church and were actively serving You. Thank You for letting me know that. And I pray for Emma, for traveling details to be taken care for her and for her to be a comfort to her brother and family. And Holy Spirit I pray Your Comfort and Peace to surround and permeate this family. Thank You that Lisa has improved, please give her a full recovery. You know Joe-Ann’s needs and I pray she will look to You for every one of them. Comfort Vickie and her family, and if You will remove all cancer from Donald1, give strength to Mollie B and her family; and WC and Doug, give them and each one listed here the desires of their hearts we pray. Please continue to protect our IDOK Troops, Israel, Your Missionaries around the world and bring America to repentance I pray. Amen and Amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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 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 5:29 AM AST on August 12, 2009.