Messy and Lousy

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009

I am drawing on a little book entitled God Alone by Joanie Yoder for this morning’s devotion. It may fit us well today.

In today’s society, two popular factors, the ‘feel-good factor’ and the ‘look-good factor’, are being confused with success. Anyone not feeling or looking good is often regarded as mediocre-even a failure.

The church can easily fall into this trap, all in the name of longing to have a good testimony for the Lord. A deeper look at Christ’s own testimony will set us straight.

In Mark 14:32-42, Jesus was nearing His atoning death at Calvary. As Jesus fought and won the battle of the will, Luke said that ‘His sweat was like drops of blood’ (22-44). In all this and the terrible agony of the crucifixion that followed, and Jesus neither felt good nor looked good. Rather, He was good and did good by choosing His Father’s will and fulfilling it. His anguished obedience was later followed by joyful resurrection.

Has your heavenly Father entrusted you with an agonizing situation in which it’s unrealistic to feel good or look good? Don’t despair! He values what you are and what you do as you die to self and embrace His will. Jesus knows that this often feels and looks messy. The truth is, it honors God and eventually leads to victory and joy. What greater testimony than this? GOD BRINGS BEAUTY OUT OF UGLY SITUATIONS.

MARK 14:32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” 37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

She said it’s unrealistic for us think we must always look good and feel good. This is a good ‘word’ for us — it’s okay to look messy, and feel lousy as long as we keep on doing the right thing – embracing the Will of our ABBA Father even in midst of messy and lousy.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Doug is in the hospital again; the cancer is back and has spread; prayers so needed.

ABBA, this is a good word today, cause I see some messy and lousy situations before us but in them we pray for strength to do good, to embrace Your will and keep on keeping on trusting You and praising You for You being You; for Your unfailing love and Your never turning from doing good for us and on our behalf. May every soul written here embrace this Word today, even if they don’t read this particular page, may You, Holy Spirit, speak it in their hearts. Please continue to watch over and protect our IDOK Troops today and please bring each of them home safe and sound at the appointed time. And, ABBA, thank You for this ministry; I pray it will be all that You desire it to be. I pray that each of us will be all that You desire us to be, especially when life is hard and messy; help us proclaim YOU ARE GOOD. Amen and amen in Jesus 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.

Teacher hospitalized with pneumonia. Green Family. 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 76°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:13 PM AST on November 4, 2009.