IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

(I am little longer with this one, please bear with me)

As I sit to write tonight (Sunday) I am thinking of Homecomings and Home-goings. Homecomings, because we were privileged to attend another one today at Myers Memorial in Eight Mile; it was number 101 from them. Naturally, Jerry and I have not attended them all. J At Homecomings the fellowship is sweet and tables and tables of food ain’t bad either. And then there are Home-goings — two of those were reported to IDOK since we last met here at our computer screens. As you will see in the Praise Reports and Prayer Requests, David York as of this afternoon went Home, as did Mabel’s Aunt Lou on Friday afternoon.

And as I thought about David and Lou’s home-goings, a Scripture came to mind. The one about the death of a saint as being precious to the Lord; it’s found at Psalm 116:15 and it reads: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

Now I am certain that the events surrounding the home-goings of saints are not always precious to ABBA, and I picture our Savior grieving with us in these sufferings; but when that loved one gets to the Other Side, yes I image that is oh so precious to Him and to them. Talk about sweet fellowship! And I suspect the food ain’t bad either! Yes, Homecomings and Home-goings have something in common.

But lets take a look at those verses surrounding verse 15.

12 What shall I render to the LORD

For all His benefits toward me?

That’s a good question, isn’t it? And we have pondered that question from time to time, haven’t we? And preachers have asked it in one form or another intending to motivate pew sitters, haven’t they? So what is the answer?

13 I will take up the cup of salvation,

And call upon the name of the LORD.

Move forward with me from this Psalm to a time at a table prepared before a Home-Going. Particularly recorded for us in I Corinthians 11: 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

That is what we can do! This is what we MUST do to make our own Home-going as sweet for us and as precious in the sight of our Lord as He desires it to be.

14 I will pay my vows to the LORD

Now in the presence of all His people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD

Is the death of His saints.

Could it be that this verse is also speaking of the ‘death’ of us still living and not just those who are now living in Heaven? What does Luke 9:22-24 say?

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Could it be when we allow the Holy Spirit to crucify our flesh daily so Jesus can live through us that is what is so precious to the LORD? Could it be when we can say as the Psalmist says here:

16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant;

I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;

You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

And will call upon the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD

Now in the presence of all His people,

19 In the courts of the LORD’s house,

In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD!

This is what is so very precious to Him and could it be that when we live dying this way that is what will make ‘Going Home’ so very sweet for Him and us?

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Kathie, C.David York left us this afternoon @2:30 To join with our Heavenly Father, thanks to all I.D.O.Ks for all your love and prayers, lots of love, ROY.

Hello, I just wanted to let you know that my dear Aunt Lou has passed away today (Friday). She was a good woman and will be missed by all of our family. I know she is out of pain tonight and safe in her heavenly home now. Thank you for praying for her and putting her name on our prayer list for these many months. In Christ’s precious love, Mabel

My Baby Girl’s oral surgery went well on Friday. Thank you for your prayers.

ABBA, It’s been a busy weekend and You have been faithful and present and precious to us. Even as I think over it, I smile. Thank You. I love You, LORD. And thank You for this devotional writing; it’s a lot to ponder and I want to ponder it enough to do it. So I pray I will and not just me but all our IDOKs. I know You are comforting Roy and Mabel. I know You are right there with them. Thank You. And then there’s these too, the unspoken and the Names, all listed here to remind us to pray and to care because we know You have not forgotten. We know their faces are always before You, we know from Your Word their names are engraved on the palm of Your Hand and we know You are doing all things well concerning each of them. May it be that each one of them will experience Your manifested love today. Please keep our IDOK Troops safe and protected; we desire for each of them to come home safe and sound at the appointed time. And, ABBA, I pray for Israel, a precious people they are and I want for them all that You desire to give them. And Your Missionaries, in every place they are, make sure they have some physical comforts to go along with the comforts in Spirit that You are giving them. Make sure they have their physical needs met too, enough for them and to give away to others and most of all anoint them to take in Your Word and give it out. And as I pray that for them I pray that for me too and for all our IDOKs. You are Awesome, thank You for allowing me to love You and giving me love for You – give me more; lots and lots more. My words are not enough to say how GOOD You are. I am so glad to love You. So glad to believe You. So glad You let me be Your servant. And, ABBA, for Jesus Name sake and because of Him and for Him and through Him I pray. Amen and amen.

A Specific Unspoken.

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

Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true.

Joyce, John & children. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie 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. 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. 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. 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

Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Costa Rica

The Ministry of IDOK

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

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 68°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 7:47AM AST on September 21, 2009.