Monthly Archives: December 2009

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58 . . .

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009

58 . . .
I am way late sitting to write this morning, but when my beloved makes pecan waffles for my birthday celebration, I just had to sit and eat.  I am not sure what a 58-year-old is supposed to feel like, but I feel blessed! And I look at that number – 58 – and I think my goodness does that number really represent me!  I often still feel like a child; act like one too many times!  But obviously, the number says I am long, long past childhood.  I have already been reflecting this morning.  Reflecting on who I think I am and how I got this way and who I want to be when I finally grow up.  That’s some heavy-duty thinking; maybe I’ll table it for now as that just might not be an encouraging devotional thought for you all this morning.
Isaiah 60 is a special passage to me.  On the screen of my mind, I can still see myself sitting before the Lord before dawn in a tiny apartment, only one lamp burning with His Word opened as He directed me to Isaiah 60.  I remember thinking that surely He had not spoken that passage reference over me as I said to Him, ‘I don’t even know if there is an Isaiah 60’.  There was and there is.  Here’s a link for easy convenience if you would like to read it in its entirety.  Otherwise, let’s look at a verse or two together.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2060&version=AMP

Isaiah 60 (Amplified Bible)

 1ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!    2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.

Obviously, this passage was written to Israel and it shall surely come to be.  But I encourage you to read it this morning inserting your name in the place of Jerusalem, spiritually speaking, of course.  Read this passage as The Lord Himself speaking directly to you; for He surely is!  Now try it again; get inside it, and FEEL Him speaking to you. Read it in first person.  I don’t think He will mind at all.

1ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!    2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.

How about a Kathie Whitestone Thompson paraphrase?

 1ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you My Dear One –rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with (My Glory, My Goodness, that’s what I want for you; that’s what I came to give you) the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, (it’s time, this is YOUR time to shine with My Glory.  Let it be so in you, My princess (prince) ) and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!    2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples (I know you live in a dark world, immense darkness.  I know.  I understand.  I’ve been there, remember? I’ve walked where you are walking right now today.  I know.  I understand and I AM with you.  I AM with you.  Listen and believe Me.  I have come for you.  I have come to shine and pour My glory, My goodness into you. Yes, into YOU.), but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.  (This is My desire, it is My good pleasure for My Glory to be seen in YOU.  Yes, today!  I love you so much!  Get up and believe Me.  Get up and Shine!  Yes, you can.  I AM right here.  Shine with ME today.  And remember, I love you always and forever; no matter what – I love you and I AM here. Shine!)

Father GOD, such an intimate address, isn’t it?   Yet, I heard another of Your servants say yesterday that it’s Your favorite when we really mean it.  When we really believe and know that You are Father GOD to us and we do know that in You, Lord Jesus.  And only in You.  We know that only this faith called Christian can call You Abba, Father GOD.  No other ‘belief’ allows that.  And no other belief is true and I believe that. Thank You, Father.  Thank You.  Now about this passage in Your Word, Isaiah 60.  Thank You for speaking it over me and now that I am sharing it (probably again) with our IDOKs and I believe You are speaking it over them too and so I am counting on You Holy Spirit to make it alive to them because I know that only YOU can do that.  Without You giving it life it will be just words on a screen.  All the words we read, all the words we hear are only words, maybe even meaningless words unless YOU give life to them and that is what I am asking You to do for our people today.

And I am asking You to comfort Barbara and Scott and Natalie and the grandchildren today and for many, many days to come as they grieve; and Julee and her Girls and grandchildren and others as they grieve and miss Roy.   There is sadness in the Body today and there is joy and You are here with us in it all.  Thank You.   We pray for peace and safety for our IDOK Troops today and peace and safety for Israel until this passage of Isaiah 60 is fleshed out in them.  And we pray for America, for space and grace to repent.  More and more I hear of the greed and waste and it saddens and grieves and yes often angers me and I pray for direction for us.  Thank You.  That is the direction – Shine.  You are so good!  I love You Father GOD and Lord Jesus thank You for making it so in Your Holy Spirit.  And before we close this we don’t want to forget everyone listed here, we don’t want to leave out a single soul, asking You for blessings and comfort and peace and help and provisions and direction for each one of them. Amen and amen.
As I post this it is 57°F and haze in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:24 PM AST and on December 17, 2009.
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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2009

Yesterday as I was listening to Christian Television, someone was confessing a time when he was waiting on God and worried that God was not going to show up with what he was waiting on (important stuff) and he said God spoke and said to him, ‘Everything you need to perform My perfect will for you, I will do’.  The man rested with that.  The important stuff he was waiting on was still ‘slow’ in coming but he still rested.  I think I see why.  Don’t you?   We would be wise to receive this Word for us too, don’t you think?
(Young’s Literal Translation) Philippians 4: 19 and my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus;
And my Greek Interlinear New Testament reads that verse this way: But my God will fill up all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  
I must tell you I am about ‘wordless’ here.  I am going over and over again: will fill up all your need.  Somehow ‘fill up all your need’ seems stronger, even more precious to me than ‘supply all your need’.  I suppose I am associating ‘supply’ with running out, but with fill up, it’s filled up – no empty places, no running out.
Our English word need in Greek is Creiva, transliterated Chrela and it means necessity, need; duty, business.  And in this context is a NOUN.  But making this word NEED a verb makes it this: e[cw, transliterated Echo and meaning: to have, to hold; possession of mind; to have, own, possess; to be closely joined to a person or thing.  
Hang with me here, I am hoping to snatch us a rope out here on this limb.  As we read the verse we see the supplying or the filling up of the need is tied to Jesus.  He is the RICHES.  So could it be that for us to have our NEED filled up we must enter into a ‘to have, to hold’ relationship with Christ Jesus?  Does that sound to you, like it sounds to me?  A covenant, a ‘marriage’ relationship?  To be closely joined to a person?  Is not our real NEED; the real NEED of every person on this planet to be closely joined to God?  And the ONLY way to do that is to come into a ‘to have, to hold’ relationship with JESUS CHRIST.  
Romans 8:31-33 (New American Standard Bible)
 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
 33Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;
So is there anything you NEED – a necessity; something that is your duty, your business – that He won’t give you or me today?  Let us REST in this as we work today.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update:
ABBA, I did not expect all this when we started but I like it!  Thank You.  Now to remember it and draw upon it; that is what I pray for us all; to remember this, to REST in it.  Thank You for this to have, to hold relationship that we have with You.  Thank You that You are always faithful to us and we pray to be more and more faithful to You.  We pray to not allow ourselves to FEEL deprived of anything; because in You were are not deprived of any good thing.  And all this is truth but this truth does not fill up those empty places in us unless we believe.  Help all our Readers, all our IDOKs to believe and fully live I pray.
And, ABBA, we would not forget to pray for these listed here, fill them up today with health and healings of all kinds, every kind – spiritual, physical and emotional.  And keep our IDOK Troops safe and sound today too we pray.  And forgive America – have mercy, give grace and space to repent I pray, and comfort and bless and protect Israel and grant all these things in Jesus Name we 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. 
La Juanna. Ed G. Tammy and family.  Ms. Page.  Donald N.  Vanessa. W.C. and family. Mary M.  Danny and Tina. 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.  Alice T.  Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. 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. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Suzi.  Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. 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.  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. Kirk M. (added 12/10/09)
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 68°F and haze in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 3:35 PM AST and on December 15, 2009.
WOW Conference
January 29 and 30, 2010
Limited Seating – tickets on sale now. 
Email me for information as to speakers, time, location, and
Ticket purchases – Only $25.00 each.
 Ticket price includes Chick-fil-a sack lunch on Saturday.
 This is an Eastern Shore Women’s Ministry, Inc. Annual Event
Don’t miss it!
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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009

WOW Conference
January 29 and 30, 2010
Limited Seating – tickets on sale now. 
Email me for information as to speakers, time, location, and
Ticket purchases – Only $25.00 each.
 Ticket price includes Chick-fil-a sack lunch on Saturday.
 This is an Eastern Shore Women’s Ministry, Inc. Annual Event
Don’t miss it!
 1 Peter 5:7-9 (New King James Version)
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
I am still trying to figure out why his failure to answer the phone for the 4th time in one day, following many other days, ticked me off so much!  Maybe it was because I didn’t do verse 7 and when I didn’t do verse 7, verse 8 was ready to pounce.  I still had a way out with verse 9 but I didn’t take that one either.   And all this came on the heels of a good day.  Why is that? And was that before or after I got the news that Katie, a 7 year old, is still not awake after a 12 hour surgery to remove tumors from her little body?  And I am certain it was after hearing that Elaine, after a few weeks of doing so well, is back in the hospital in so much pain from tumors growing again.  How human I am.  Too human.   Too human to be anyone’s servant; at least that’s the way it seems in this moment.  But somehow ABBA will forgive again.  This same God who allows little 7 year old girls and 50 something women to suffer with horrid cancer will forgive whiny me.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update: Katie has been on our list for a while now; since our last update tumors have grown again. This week she has undergone a 12 hour surgery and although she is somewhat responsive to familiar voices she has not awaken.  Remember Katie is only 7.  Such as this we do not understand but this we must know Jesus loves Katie and He is not allowing her to suffer for nothing.
Update: La Juanna says: Praise the Lord!  The additional testing done this week showed that my kidneys are functioning normally.  This is an answer to prayer!  I want to thank everyone who prayed for me this week.  Lovingly, La Juanna
ABBA, do I dare post these words?  Do I dare declare in ‘web land’ how carnal I act sometime?  Will it help?  Will it harm? Repentance; admitting, staring down the fire-breathing dragon of my own flesh and trusting You, casting my cares on You is what it takes – again.  And again You are here to forgive and help me love again.  I am so sorry, ABBA.   And if I am going to be real and not fake, I guess posting this is right.  What did You say through Brother Paul in Romans 6? What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? No, this is more than enough.  I’ll apply right now what You said in I John 9 If I confess my sins You are faithful and You are just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  Thank You, ABBA.   Lord, I don’t understand all the horrible, mind bending, warping things happen in this world; it is beyond me but I am standing again on Your Word recorded in Psalm 145 that You are righteous in all Your ways and You are kind in all Your deeds and You are near to us right now because we are calling upon You in truth.  We are bringing our ugly truth to You this morning and You are hearing our hearts and You are just and You are kind in all You do and all You allow.  Thank You that Katie and Elaine and every other precious soul listed here are safe with You.  In You their suffering will not be in vain.  And You LORD have comfort for them, comfort that we who have not suffered in just that way cannot fully understand.  In it all we declare You are Good and You are God.  So we pray this morning for their faith and strength and hope to abound in Christ Jesus.  We pray for our IDOK Troops to be safe and to come home loving You more than when they deployed.  We pray for Israel to enter into the Peace You have for them and to occupy the LAND and You know the rest too; all the concerns we have and we bring them now in the Name of Jesus, trusting Your Goodness.   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. 
La Juanna. Ed G. Tammy and family.  Ms. Page.  Donald N.  Vanessa. W.C. and family. Mary M.  Danny and Tina. 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.  Alice T.  Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. 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. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Suzi.  Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. 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.  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. Kirk M. (added 12/10/09)
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 63°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 3:49 PM AST and on December 11, 2009.