IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2009
We have a happening weekend coming up! We get to set the clocks back this Sunday for an extra hour of sleep! I’ve been looking forward to this since the Spring.
Excess
I went to bed hearing that word and it is still with me this morning. And my online dictionary defines it this way: 1.The state of exceeding what is normal or sufficient: 2. An amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; 3. The amount or degree by which one quantity exceeds another: 4. Intemperance; overindulgence
Exceeding sufficient; beyond sufficient; overindulgence. Any pictures forming for you? Any pictures that evidence excess in America? Please, please don’t anyone of you think I am picking on you on, ABBA knows that if I point a finger at you in this, I have three indicting me. But you know what I think pictures excess in America more than anything that comes to mind right now? Storage Buildings. Have you noticed what a profitable business that is? Those things have popped up all over the place!! And why is that so? So we can store our EXCESS. So far Jerry and I don’t have one but that’s only because so far the ceiling is still intact! And that is truly a wonder with all the excess we have in the attic!! And my point to this? I’m waiting to see. I told you I went to bed with this word and got up with it. ABBA may be talking to me and you all get to listen. Big Smile, huh?
After my online dictionary I went to Bible Gateway dot com and keyed in excess in a few Translations and some verses appeared in both the Old and New Testament. Did you immediately think of Ephesians 5: 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;? I did.
Wouldn’t it be great if we were as prone to excess in the Spirit as in ‘stuff’? But you know that is not possible, don’t you? It is not possible for us to be excessively filled with the Holy Spirit. We can’t over do it with Him. With ‘stuff’ we can and mostly likely we all have. But with Him, The Holy Spirit of the Living God, we cannot give an excess of ourselves to Him! But wouldn’t it be glorious if we tried? Well, I guess that’s where this is going. Excess, we Americas are good at it! Now if we will just turn that propensity to Him instead of ‘stuff’. Wow! I wonder what could He do with an ‘excess’ of us?
Ephesians 3: 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Be forewarned, the more we give ourselves to God, the more the world will think this of us: I Peter 4:4They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you].
In summary, I am to choose my ‘excess’. And I am certain it is a choice I must make moment by moment. Sometimes my choice will not be the best, but with practice, I’ll get better. So will you.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Imogene’s condition is about the same as it was yesterday. She is semi-conscious, but cannot be fed unless she is totally conscious. She’s had no nourishment since Sunday, but her Living Will states that she does not want a feeding tube. It’s a sad situation and it is in the Lord’s hands. We are hoping that she will get better so she can be fed, if this is God’s will. Please continue to pray for her and Jim. Love and thanks, La Juanna
Excess. This is good I think, ABBA, and I think it is too big for me, too excessive. Are You smiling with my little play on words? Oh my You do love us excessively, otherwise You would have killed me already. Thank You that You didn’t. And this I know, I cannot possibly do this switching my ‘excesses’ without You, nor can I be good at it overnight. But this I know, I have been excessive about ‘stuff’ far too long. Help me be ‘excessive’ about You.
We pray for Imogene this morning and trust in Your lavish and exceedingly abundant love for her and for Jim that You are doing good and being kind to them even in this very moment. We pray for Your Will to be realized, received and appreciated in their hearts and in all the family. We continued to remember the Overstreet Family, and Joni and Todd come specifically to mind this morning, comfort and guide them today I pray. Roy and Julee too. Robert and Kerry. Art and Sula. The whole list. Let not one be overlooked today and I know You will not. Even when they feel overlooked, please remind them, that You see them and You care; more than just care You are active on their behalf. Remind our IDOK Troops of this too; keep them safe and bring them home safe and sound I pray. And we pray for grieving families; draw them to Yourself and comfort them I pray. Protect Israel; forgive America and Fill Your Church to ‘Excess’ I pray in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus. Amen and amen.
I am sending this without proofing, please forgive typos and the like.
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.
Imogene and Jim. Overstreet Family. W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and Tina. Robert and Kerry L. Ken and Della. Art and Sula. Rudon. Kelly C. Henry P. Dana and Joey and Children. Tracey M. Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sparky. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. 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. 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. 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.. 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) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H. 10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. 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. Richard M. Matt P. (added 9/24/09)
As I post this it is 77°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:58 PM AST on October 30, 2009.