IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010

FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE:

To review the list of names for prayer, please click here.

I didn’t complain. I explained. There’s a difference. Said Joyce Meyer.

So what’s the difference?  Free Dictionary dot com defines each word this way:

com·plain /kəmˈplān/ Verb 1. Express dissatisfaction or annoyance about a state of affairs or an event

ex·plain /ikˈsplān/ Verb 1. Make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas.

Well, isn’t this cute?  Ex.plain.  Does ex mean something is over?  Like done with?  Behind me?

So if I am verbalizing some dissatisfaction or annoyance that I am NOW OVER would that be explaining rather than complaining?   I’m being silly.  Or am I?

Oh that we would become explaining Christians — making the Gospel of JESUS clear and plain to others, describing in detail, giving facts, giving truth about JESUS to them.   So much so that they would want a Personal Encounter with Him.  This would surely be good!!

And just what is a complaining Christian?

Would that be a Christian who expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance about his or her state of affairs or an event – past, present or future?  So just how can I convey to a dear sister in Christ my need for prayer or someone else’s need for prayer,  if I can’t complain?   That is a good question.  Based upon our definitions above, how would you answer it?

Joyce also said (and I am paraphrasing, of course) That her mission was to find treasure in trials.

If we looked and found TREASURE in our state of affairs or events would our complaining cease?  And when we sat to give an account of an affair or event to a sister or brother would we then be explaining (revealing) the treasure we found hidden in having no hot water for our morning shower?

I suppose you are noticing that this IDOK is not about giving answers but getting them … I hope.

Oh my goodness!  I just read the definition for explaining again!  And I noticed something so astounding that is missing from the definition. It  says revealing facts and ideas.  Not a word about revealing feelings or opinions!   Does that mean complaining is about conveying (negative) feelings and opinions’!  And explaining is about revealing facts and ideas?  Hmmm.

Mark 4: (New American Standard Bible) ³⁴and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

Acts 17: (New American Standard Bible) ²And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying,” This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

Acts 28: (New American Standard Bible) ²³When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

Philippians 2: (New King James Version)¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Proverbs 21: (New Century Version) ¹⁹ It is better to live alone in the desert than with a quarreling and complaining wife.

Proverbs 27: (New Century Version) ³ Stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a complaining fool is worse than either.

I think I’m done here.

I like this, ABBA.  It explains a lot.  Are You smiling? Somehow I think You are.  I love You, ABBA.  You are the BEST!  Holy Spirit, please don’t let me forget this.  Please ‘yank on my chain’ really hard when complaints even start to form.  Please, please don’t let them out of my mouth!! And for every one of our IDOKs who will saying Amen I am including them now in this request – yank their chains too. Amen and Amen in JESUS NAME.

And for our IDOK Troops we join together praying for their safety and protection from all harm whether spirit, soul or body.  And for our prayer charges we collectively bring every name and need represented by our Praying For These list.  And we are trusting Your sovereignty, we are trusting You to know each name , each precious face and need and Your willingness to help them. We want You to just get all up in their business and make Yourself known to them, especially those who are running hard in the wrong direction.

Thank You again for this lesson.  And again I pray for the Peace of Israel, the revival of Your Church and the salvation of America. And, ABBA, as best I know how I am here, please display Yourself through me to lost world in JESUS NAME.  Amen and amen.