IDOK Devotion for Thursday, April 15, 2010

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Updates and Requests:  LeGrand is still amazing the doctors, one has even suggested that he should write a book to inspire people.  There’s still a long journey ahead for Grand and Carrie and our prayers are helping.  Thanks for praying.

Sisters

I woke up thinking this: patience is a virtue and procrastination is a sin.

And what’s the first Scripture verse that comes to mind?

James 1: 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (KJV)

Are we also familiar with the preceding verse?

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (KJV)

Translation: The acquisition of patience comes by overcoming the temptation to NOT have patience.

But what about procrastination?  Some of us are so good at it that you’d think it was a virtue too!  Case in point: it’s 4:50 AM and I’m beginning to pen today’s devotion.
What was I doing yesterday?  Obviously not writing!

Here’s the official definition found at my online free dictionary: To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.  To postpone or delay needlessly.

And when the word patience is keyed into the search window of Bible Gateway, 33 Scripture references appear, and only in the New Testament.
What is the word patience missing in the Old Testament?
Obviously, in the King James, it is.  Hmmm — that’s interesting.   Ahh ha!  Change translations and there are 3 references for OT patience in the New American Standard Bible.

Ecclesiastes 7: 8b . . . Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

I don’t know about you but that one smarts. It tells me that when I refuse to exercise patience when patience is needed, I am exhibiting haughtiness of spirit.
Now that’s a reason to hone my skills of procrastination if I ever heard one … (Big Smile) I’m kidding.

What we need is prayer, asking Father to reveal whether is this exercising Patience or indulging her perverted sister – Procrastination? But then some of us have been around this mountain enough times, I suspect we are well acquainted with both sisters and can spot them a mile away! Can’t we? Okay.  I’m done.

Father, You are so good to us, even when we are negligent, careless, and postponing.  Thank You.  Immediately Perry and the family come to mind this morning as the memorial service for Elaine will be today.
It’s bittersweet I think. So wonderful to think of her with You, knowing she is fully well and more alive than ever but missing from here.
I miss knowing that she’s not down the street from me. And oh how it must be for Perry and Brittany, especially, and Wesley and Jennifer too.  So I am asking You Holy Spirit to comfort them and give them strength for this day and the coming days.
Thank You that Grand is progressing and we pray Carrie will improve too.  And a book?  If that is from You, Father, I pray for the skills and helps for Grand that it can be so.
As many mornings, we have a whole list of people on our minds and with the lateness of the hour I am presenting them collectively in our list asking You to individually see each heart and each need and meet them where they are today and I know You will.
And, I dare not close without asking You to keep safe our IDOK Troops and their families.  Thank You, LORD.  Bless our IDOKs and Readers today in JESUS’ Name. Amen and amen.