IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

As I begin it is Sunday evening, tomorrow is a vocational holiday for most work-forces – Labor Day observance. Here’s an excerpt from a web page describing the origin of Labor Day. Nothing too spiritual about, or is it?

http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/laborday.htm

On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway. They carried banners that read “LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH,” and “EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!” After the parade there were picnics all around the city. Workers and celebrants ate Irish stew, homemade bread and apple pie. At night, fireworks were set off. Within the next few years, the idea spread from coast to coast, and all states celebrated Labor Day. In 1894, Congress voted it a federal holiday. Today we celebrate Labor Day with a little less fanfare on the first Monday of September. Some cities have parades and community picnics. Many politicians “kick off’ their political campaigns by holding rallies on the holiday. Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.

And Father said this about work:.

2 Thessalonians 3: (New Living Translation)

10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” 11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.

Work is good; rest is good; may we lean on the Wisdom of God to get the balance right for ourselves and the Nation!

I plan to enjoy the day with my beloved, resting in the FINISHED WORK (LABOR) of JESUS, my Savior. How about you?

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Update on Sparky: He’s awake and responding! God is GOOD!

Update on Roy (dated Sunday): Out of ICU in a room. He’s gonna get up to walk for the first time, shortly. Making improvements!

ABBA, Thank You for these good reports with Sparky and Roy. We are delighted; You are so GOOD! Thank You for a day of play and food and fun with family and friends. Thank You for the privilege and the command to work. You knew we needed it. You knew that without it we’d be stunted in spirit, soul and body. And I pray now that our celebrations, IDOKs’ celebrations, will be marked with worship, praising You and rejoicing in You that You have loved us so much to call us into Your Rest to enable us to step into the privilege of working alongside You in Your Kingdom for the souls of men. That is so good ABBA, so good that You give us this privilege! And so good that You have given us the privilege and responsibility of prayer so we pray right now for these listed here, You know their names, You know their faces and their hearts, You know their needs and we pray they will experience You today and see for themselves that You are meeting their every need. Please continue to protect our IDOK Troops; bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time. Protect Israel from all Her enemies and bring the Nation to Your Peace. Thank You for every soul in America that has been born again and I pray that You will get the attention of the heart of every single one of us and move us to lift up Jesus in word and deed. Especially bless Your Missionaries with anything and everything they need today. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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

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 79°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:14 AM AST on September 7, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

1 Timothy 1 (New King James Version)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul is the penman, God is the Author and Timothy and we are the recipients. Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ, not by Paul’s choosing but because Jesus chose him.

Paul relates to Timothy as a son, calling him a true son in the faith. What a great thing to have said about you, don’t you think?

One more verse and we will go to prayer; actually three more.

18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

How was Timothy to wage good warfare? How are we to wage good warfare? Faith and a good conscience. So what is involved in faith and a good conscience? We know faith to be faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. And how do we obtain a good conscience? Good behavior – consistently doing what gives a good conscience. So with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a good conscience we like Timothy can wage a mighty war. But what if our good conscience gets wounded? Well, we call on faith again. And when that good conscience is wounded by the commission of bad behavior or omission which is the lack of good behavior, we exercise our faith that Jesus’ Word is true.

1 John 1:9 (New King James Version) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Is not this the way to wage war? Go for it, mighty warriors. Lord willing I’ll ‘see’ you on Monday.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Update on Sparky: He responded or so slightly to the family with opening of the eyes for short periods. Today, more eye opening with movement of the eyes. Yesterday the kidneys working a little better. Today, a little better than yesterday. His vitals have stayed on course since the amputation. What an answer to prayer that God has done. His feeding (Intravenously) is not accomplishing what is expected. Will you pray tonight, tomorrow, that his body will except the nutrients as the Drs. discover their next option and there will be one?

Pray for the family who are waiting very tiredly, exhausted, and with very little sleep. Pray for Larry and his family as he returned to California today. Then let’s continue praying the medical staff and the facility Sparky is in Thomas Hospital. The family knows thousands are praying, they feeling, and you know what, THEY ARE SEEING IT! TO GOD BE THE GLORY. I PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL AND WE STAY IN HIS ARMS GOD BLESS YOU. JIM.

ABBA, Thank You, thank You for this report and we join with Jim and so many others to pray that the intravenous feedings will be successful, doing just what they should. We pray for Kathleen and others as they wait, that rest will come sweetly to them and they will feed upon You spiritually and that physical food will come to taste good again. We pray for Larry for peace of mind and traveling mercies. And we don’t want to leave out one soul written here and even those on our hearts that are not written here, that You in grace and mercy will attend to each one as You know is best for them. We pray too for our IDOK Troops, for their safety and protection in spirit, soul and body. We pray for Israel’s Peace and for America’s repentance and for Your Church to arise to holy, loving boldness in Jesus Name. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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

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 75°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:35 AM AST on September 4, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009

Let me give you the Seven (7) Facts that Beth gave us in Three (3) sessions this passed weekend.

1. Nothing dictates our lives like our desires.

What is a desire? It’s a longing that does not go away, emotions do not change it, time does not alter it. That’s a desire. And she said in the final analysis people do what they want to do. She’s right.

2. Beneath the desires of our hearts is the heart of our desires.

3. Delighting in God adapts our desires into inevitabilities.

4. Nothing external can steal our right to delight.

Here she said when delight has disappeared, check our JAW by asking these questions: Am I jealous over something or some person? Am I Angry about something or someone? Am I Worried about something or someone? If we answered yes to any one of those questions our delight has disappeared and we need to go to the next step.

5. To make room for delight we have to commit.

Here she said, Commit means to roll that thing over on Jesus; so when that JAW is acting up and our delight has vanished, the question she asked us is this…are we in or out? Are we gonna do this thing (called life) in Jesus name or not? It’s time to commit, she said. Or was it ABBA that said that? Yes, I believe it was!

6. Nothing is passive about patiently waiting for desire to turn into delight.

7. Till faith becomes sight, trust God and do good!

I learned today that a download of the Simulcast will be made available for purchase (I assume) in a few months … I plan to do that! It will be a blessing to hear all three sessions again and again. May our daily prayer be: O LORD grant to me a heart to delight in You.

Forgive the length of today’s devotion, but I want to give you one more thing before we go to prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1 (New King James Version)

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Lets take a look at these words as defined at my online dictionary:

Supplication

An appeal for help

Prayers

Reverent petitions made to God

Intercessions

A word for intervention and meditation

In Christian practice, intercessory prayer is the act of one person praying for or on behalf of another. The prayer intercedes on behalf of the subject, believing that God will answer the prayer according to His will. (bold emphasis, red color and underline is mine) That’s why praying His Word is a key part of intercession. The prayer person is not creating new ideas or requests, but presenting God with His own ancient and Holy words contained in the Bible. One prays “Your will be done” not “my will be done” in a given circumstance. The focus is not on the person or circumstance; the focus is on the Lord, His words, His will, His influence, His impact on the person’s life or situation.

Let me remind you this definition was retrieved from a SECULAR place. I am thrilled by it and doesn’t it resoundingly say to us that we must be praying God’s Word back to Him for others? I want to do this! But I have to know the Word to pray it, don’t I?

Giving of Thanks

An expression of appreciation or gratitude

Yes! Yes! He answers prayer!!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

An update on Kyle: He is still in Kuwait and has been extremely busy. He doesn’t talk much about his job assignments but is none too happy to be there. His health is better but his weight is still down 25 lbs from when he left in March. He has learned to play the guitar and ukulele since he has been gone and played a little for me when he called so that tells me he is doing something to keep his mind occupied. He said tell everyone hello and keep praying for all their safety. He keeps getting the phone number wrong when he calls home but has made good friends with an older guy named Ted that he somehow keeps calling when he tries. The guy encourages him whenever he gets him on the phone. Strangers can make a difference….. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Rachel.

Update on Sparky: They did a CAT scan on Sparky this morning, but don’t have results yet. Lisa, his daughter, told me on the phone that he is still with us and of course we’re praising God for that. Love, Rose

ABBA, Thank You again for the teaching You gave to Beth to share with 90,000 women this passed weekend and thank You that the teaching will go on and on. I cannot imagine what works could be done in this dark world if all 90,000 of us had hearts that delighted in You. I want that. And I want that for our IDOKs. I want that for every man, woman, boy and girl who has been washed in the Blood of Jesus. Inspire and motive me to receive that heart from You for You. And I’m not asking just for me but any soul praying along with us here. Thank You for this encouragement regarding Kyle; thank You that he wants us to keep praying for all our IDOK Troops and so we do, for them to be safe and protected from the evil one and all his cohorts; for them to have courage and hope, for them to desire to be faithful to You and this Country. We pray this Country will be faithful to them. I pray for the peace of Israel; for allies to be faithful and for Israel to receive every promise You have made to them. We pray now too for each person named here, You know their needs even better than we and we pray Your Will be done. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. 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

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 77°F and haze in Al Sahra, IQ (Airport) and the time is 5:59 AM AST on September 3, 2009.