IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

Last night (Wednesday) I attended the introductory session of The Patriarchs, a Bible study led by Beth Moore, and today I started my ‘individual’ journey following the journey of the Patriarchs. Our Patriarchs; and I will prove it to you. Well, I won’t, God will.

Galatians 3:

6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

I was blessed when Beth said last night that when I open my Bible in the quiet of my office, she is not the teacher here even though I am using a work book she prepared; here, it is just ABBA and me. It is our journey together, His and mine. That’s not just true for me; it is for you too. When you open your copy of the Holy Bible (whatever translation the Holy Spirit has made you comfortable with) and you sit before the LORD to read and hear and learn you are in the company of GOD! Oh, sweet IDOKs let that sink in today!

As the LORD leads, I may bring you all along on this journey from time to time. Day One has been so full and so good that in this moment I want to go on to Day Two but my hope is an ‘overnight’ stay will help me remember today’s journey better.

Let me give you one other insight from today’s lesson (in the workbook). God is never aimless in the journey He has planned for you and me. He KNOWS where He is leading and EVERY step has purpose. And as He said to Abraham, He is saying to us:

Genesis 12 (New King James Version)

1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:

“Get . . . To a land that I will show you.

Please notice, He did NOT say to a land I will TELL you, He said SHOW you. The revealing comes as we step, remembering God is NEVER aimless, never!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Thursday’s mid day addition: Joyce, John and children.

ABBA, as I sit here to pray a good portion of the day is still ahead and no doubt our IDOKs are busy and moving through this day in their respective places, some in offices, some in schools, some in homes, hospitals, driving trucks, counseling young ones who have committed sins with hard consequences and many other varied things, and so I pray for them now, You know their faces. You know the face and the heart and the need of every single one of them and You love them. They are important to You, they are precious and valuable to You, Your heart is for them and Your plan for them is full of purpose and fully aimed for their good. Thank You and thank You that it is true for me too. And it is true for every soul listed in this list we have here. A list of names given by people over many months, even years, LORD; even years these people have been loved and have been in need; we shall always be in need to one degree or another until we see You Face to face and until that day, You take care of us; You care for us and we are safe depending on You. And how foolish we are to put ourselves in untold danger, by not depending on You, by not heeding what You tell us; so help us, help every soul represented by these names and email addresses to depend on You and listen to You with all our hearts and minds; and Thank You for forgiving us when we fail; and thank You for picking us up, cleansing us, and putting us back on track each time. And, specifically, we pray for protection for our IDOK Troops from every harmful thing; we pray each of them will hear You and heed You today. And we just cannot forget to pray specifically for these listed here experiencing serious, life threatening illness and disease, that’s a whole world of appointments and places to go and medical providers who prod and probe and then wait and hope for good words; there is no doubt You desire to walk this journey with them, don’t let anyone of them forget that today. Remind them I pray and I ask this in the Mighty, and Holy, and Majestic Name of Jesus Christ the Righteous, my Savior and my God. Amen and amen.

A post script: my ‘Baby Girl’ is having oral surgery (removal of wisdom teeth) at 10:30 Friday AM, your prayers for her would be so appreciated. Thank you.

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. C David. 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. 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

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 81°F and haze in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:14 AM AST on September 18, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

2 Chronicles 7 (New King James Version)

12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 17 As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, 18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.’ 19 “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, 20 then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 “And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?’ 22 Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.’”

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

The report I received on Romney is longer than giving here is practical, so I will just say with aggressive treatment and family sacrifice, they are expecting Romney to be cancer free by her birthday, March 15. Rusty, Romney and Marlie (very young daughter) need our prayers.

Holy Spirit, bless and privilege us with Your reminders to pray for Romney, Rusty and Marlie during these months ahead, especially at those times when their strength is almost gone. Cause it to be so that there will always be a sister, a brother in Christ Jesus standing in the gap for them. And as I say that, ABBA, cause it to be so that all these listed here always have someone standing in the gap for them at the time they need it most. Help us be sisters and brothers, yielded to You, Holy Spirit, so much that You can remind us and we will be quick to pray for that name or face that You bring to mind; help us pause and pray or when appropriate pray on the go for these. Make us people of Your Word and people of prayer. I pray this for myself and for every IDOK, for every reader. And today we are here to stand in the gap for our IDOK Troops, praying for their safety, praying they will heed Your Word to them today, praying for their well-being in spirit, soul and body. Praying too today for Israel, for their peace and protection; praying for this Nation, for grace and space to repent; praying for people to believe Your Word, praying for a multitude of sisters and brothers in Christ to stand in the gap for America, for Israel, for the world of people who are lost and deceived by Satan. We pray for his defeat, one life at a time. We are Your servants, ABBA, and we are here reporting for duty in Jesus Name. 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.

Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. Rusty & Romney. C David. 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. 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

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 94°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:49 PM AST on September 17, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

¹ Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

² Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

³ Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

Let me tell you what just ‘hit’ me when I read those verses. Have not you often heard or even said yourself, ‘he or she is singing for the Lord’ or the alternative, ‘too bad she or he is not using that talent to sing for the Lord’? The text we just read does not say sing FOR the Lord, it says sing TO the Lord. I humorously thought to myself, TO Him, with my voice?! I think He smiled along with me and I think He would not mind the sound at all, especially if I were singing TO Him because I am just head over heels in love with Him. I really like that idea.

I like this too, declare His Goodness among the nations, even if you and I cannot physically go to all the nations, may it be that we receive ways from the LORD to be a part of that big work and privilege of demonstrating His Goodness and telling of His Mighty works to every tribe of man.

4 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; Indeed He is!!

He is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the LORD made the heavens.

6 Honor and majesty are before Him;

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Oh my! I could get excited here. Are not we now who are believers, His sanctuary? How do you like thinking there is STRENGTH and BEAUTY in you? And yes, you guys too. Do you not know that as a man of God, a man walking in the Beauty of Holiness that you are a holy delight to Him? And, Girls, of course us too.

12 . . . rejoice

13 before the LORD.

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with His truth.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Andrew asked that we also add Susan Riley to our prayer list. She has breast cancer and will have a mastectomy on Friday. Her husband is the football coach at Davidson High School and they go to church with Andrew. Janet.

Update on Janice: Louise has now moved to a “regular” room (Room 617 @ Baptist South).We visited for a couple of hours this evening. She is weak and bruised and missing her kids but is so very happy to be in the land of the living. She asked that I convey her deepest gratitude to all of you and to keep praying for continued health improvements. She is a firm believer in the power of prayer and is a living, shining example of how powerful it can be. Please pray now for guidance to make the best choice in dealing with the hand she’s been dealt. God bless you all, Monica

Update on Sparky: He is being moved to Mercy Medical, is eating real food; he is getting some better movements from his left arm and hand. He actually worked his left arm with his right hand while he was waiting for me to help him get up! Jim.

ABBA, I think cancer is a damnable thing, it comes to maim and kill, but You have come to give life and wholeness, do that for Susan and Kay, especially as they face this enemy of disease. Thank You for these great reports from Sparky and Janice. We are delighted and we give You the praise for these good and might works. Thank You. I am also thinking of others this morning and no doubt our IDOKs are too and we pray for those on our hearts and minds, for them to receive Your strength and beauty within them and for Your strength and beauty to transform them and renew them. We come too praying for our IDOK Troops, for their peace and safety and for them to all come home safe and sound, most of all we pray in these hostile lands they will experience You as their Peace. We again pray for this Country, we ask that You have mercy and forgive us our sins and rescue and redeem this Nation from the clutches of Satan. I pray Peace for Israel, I pray for allies to stand solidly with Israel. And, ABBA, I pray for every sister and brother in Christ Jesus in this Nation, that You will inspire and move us to great works in Your Name. I pray You will open our mouths and our hands and pour out Your Goodness. I pray You will move us so that others are moved to Jesus. And it is in His Name and for His Sake 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.

Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. C David. 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. 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

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 97°F and Blowing Widespread Dust Haze in Al Taji, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:26 PM AST on September 16, 2009.