IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

As I begin, I have only an idea, I am anticipating where it is going. Anyway, last Fall a sweetheart of a sister in Christ gave me some Four O’clock seeds and this spring I planted them and I waited and waited. I also planted some other stuff in the bed too. And in time stuff began to come up, put on leaves – pretty, pretty green foliage. But there was one plant in all the stuff that I was not sure that it was not a weed. But I just could not pull it. I could not pull it up because it seemed to me it was just about where I dropped those Four O’clock seeds. So I left it. It’s the rattiest looking plant in the bed, the leaves are tattered to practically numbs, but still I left it. Just watching it. Just wondering and about passed hoping. And this morning atop those ragged, tattered leaves is something yellow. I do believe there is a bloom or two. And in this moment, I am wondering, will it open at 4:00? The bloom confirms for me that of all those seeds I planted, one of them made it! I have a Four O’clock! So what spiritual applications can we draw from this? What Scriptures come to mind? Galatians 6: ⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Yes, that one for sure. Any others? How about Numbers 23: 19“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? What about the parable of the sower? Not all those seeds took root and bore ‘fruit’. Matthew 13: ²² Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. And when we are sharing the Gospel, not all our words and deeds will find a home for growing, but we should keep on keeping on for that one that will say yes and bloom. Shouldn’t we? We should hold out and hold on for those ‘Four O’clocks’ shouldn’t we? And what about the tares and the wheat? Matthew 13: ²⁷ So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ ²⁸ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ ²⁹ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” Do we ever want to uproot something? Maybe we should wait on Jesus to do that, whatcha think? So that’s my Four O’clock lesson. I am so glad I waited and did not uproot that scrawny, single plant. It turned out to be just what I was waiting for. Holy Spirit, some of our IDOKs or some of our Readers may have a scrawny, single plant growing that they are not sure about; they know they planted a good seed but now they are doubting that seed; help them wait on You; help them wait and let You show them if it will become what they hoped for; help them wait on You to see if it blooms. Amen and amen in Jesus’ Name.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

October 6, Vicki Williamson will have knee replacement surgery; Bob, her husband, is still recovering from health issues as well. Please pray for this dear, faithful missionary family.

Katelyn’s surgery went well and she is home improving.

Last I heard Lisa J has returned to Alabama from Tennessee but her kidneys are still not functioning – not doing well. (if anyone has more update to information, please let me know)

Sometimes I don’t know where to begin to pray for this list of names, the needs are too big to get my words around, too big to comprehend, too big to feel adequate enough to say the right words to make a difference but then I am reminded this is not dependent upon us but upon You. You told us, ABBA, that the fervent prayers of the righteous avails much and in You Jesus, You have made us righteous and we together are fervent in our love and desire for every one listed here to be helped, to be touched by You and made better in every way. Thank You for the good report from Kristi about Katelyn and we pray for her to continue to improve every day. We pray she will be eating by mouth and doing well with it before expected. We pray for Vicki and this surgery that it will go well with her and Bob too. We don’t know what the news in fact is with Lisa, You do and we pray Your best for her and her family. We heard another IDOK Soldier is Stateside now and will be home soon. Thank You, ABBA, for Richard’s safe return and we pray now for his re-entry to civilian life that he will be mindful of what it is that You brought him home safe and sound to do and that he will be faithful to fulfill Your mission for him here. And we pray for our other IDOK Troops for their safe returns home too but until then that they will be mindful of You and will keep their hearts tuned to Your voice to obey You. And, ABBA, I pray again for Israel, thank You for love for this great Nation, You have made many promises to them and I love seeing You keep those promises. I pray for their peace and their safety and for allies to be faithful; I pray America will not fail in this. And, LORD, You know two in particular I am thinking of, I pray for healing and for peace for them both. Thank You for this ministry, thank You for every IDOK, minister to us, Lord Jesus, there’s not a one of us that does not need You in this very moment. Amen and amen in Your Holy and Matchless Name.

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.

Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. 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 (H) 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 Arizona.

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. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009) Bill H. (added 9/24/09)

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) Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. Richard M.

As I post this it is 67°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:16 AM AST on September 28, 2009.