IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2010
FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE:
To review the list of names for prayer, please click here.
August 11. Big sigh. Time ticks by too quickly, particularly without my expressed permission. :)
Soon I’ll be settling into a new routine — at least that’s the plan. I have Grands for a couple days and then they are back to school. My visit with my dear friend, Bev, was a blast! And R & R days with my beloved were a HUGE blessing and we are so grateful for having had the opportunity.
And now here I sit at 9:30, knowing I need to round up some folks for bed, including myself. And I will, but first and perhaps, a few words will come to appear on this page.
Recently I viewed, via television, an interview that Alvin Slaughter gave and one thing he said stood out and demanded that I take notice. He said (my paraphrase): Many of us serve God but we don’t seek Him.
You may recall that one of our verses for Tuesday’s devotion was when we SEEK Him with all our hearts we will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13).
I think Alvin is right. I think we can keep ourselves really busy with holy activities without much more than an occasional check in with the Father. That is until we have worn ourselves into such a frazzle that some spiritual R & R is no longer a ‘luxury’ but is imperative.
Why do we do this? Why do we think He wants our ‘service’ more than He wants our ‘company’? I’ll be the first to admit when I have to run out to a meeting with supper dishes left on the table and laundry in the washer and after my meeting I come home to a clean kitchen and folded laundry, I APPRECIATE IT! However, if these acts of service were not coupled with conversation, it would not take long before I would question my hubby’s motives for service. Now, God does not have my limitations and He does not wonder about my motives; but my analogy makes a point, don’t you think? Service is great. Service is needed; but service without conversation (intimacy) negates the service to just about worthlessness, wouldn’t you say?
If I were to tell the truth (and I better be) if I give (or even receive) service for an extended period without it being heavily mingled with intimate conversation, I get cranky, irritable and not so pleasant. So to those of you who are ‘privileged’ to share close breathing space with me, should I become cranky, irritable and not so pleasant remind me that I might ought to SEEK my ABBA — that obviously my ‘spiritual tank’ is getting dangerously low.
Psalm 119 New American Standard Bible 2How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. 3They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
And when you find yourself tired, cranky, irritable and not so pleasant, I wouldn’t be offended if you remembered this lesson and did an immediate check on your SEEKING GOD LEVEL too. We can’t afford to run on empty or even the bottom half of our spiritual tanks. Am I telling the truth?
ABBA, I appreciate this lesson. I appreciate the interview that started it. Thank You. And I ask You now to apply it as each of us need it. And I pray for our IDOK Troops. Please keep them safe and please bring them home safe and sound. I pray for the Henderson Family, Kim and the Children, You know the grief they are living right now and I pray they will find their comfort and their own road to holy grieving in You. And we pray for each name on our list Praying For These, asking You to minister to them with peace and comfort and healing and restoration. Amen and amen in JESUS NAME.
