IDOK Devotion for Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Prayers for this crud to go away would not be wasted on me! :) I do not remember the last time I was THIS sick. But as I told my Baby Girl this afternoon, JESUS is Present and so Sweet to me.

And now that the day (Tuesday) is approaching a close, especially for me, and for lack of better words, I’m just plain worn out, but I don’t want to miss giving you something to mull over in the morning.  I see a pattern here and it’s not my doing! I think you’ll see it too in Helen Steiner Rice’s poem from A Collection of Love Gifts which poem just ‘happened’ to be at the place the book opened for me tonight.

Give Lavishly! Give Abundantly!

The more you give, the more you get — The more you laugh, the less you fret–The more you do unselfishly, the more you live abundantly. . .

The more of everything you share, the more you’ll always have to spare– the more you love, the more you’ll find that life is good and friends are kind. . .

For only what we give away, enriches us from day to day.

Any of you find this true?

2 Corinthians 9:(New American Standard Bible) ⁶Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  ⁷Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And I said to my Sunday School Class some months back, “Does that mean God does not love the grumpy giver?” Of course not, He loves them too but perhaps He does not enjoy their company as much. :)

ABBA, I ask You now for restful and restorative sleep for myself and for all our IDOKS. And thank You for reminding me of Joann Givhan. The family has done what they believe is right to do; we are waiting on You, ABBA.  And we pray for peace and comfort for each of them who love her so much, especially Ed.

And, ABBA, there are others on my mind too, You know their names, You know the hurt, You know the chaos and I am asking You to step in and rescue this family, particularly that young, impressionable teenager. Save her from herself I pray.

And we dare not forget the remainder of our Praying for These, wanting and asking for Your blessings upon them all. And on our IDOK Troops, safety and protection and peace of mind. And yes, HOLY SPIRIT, again I ask You for a pouring out of Your Conviction that will convince the people of America to repent in JESUS NAME.  Amen and amen.

Holy hugs, kt

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Physically I’m still ailing, but I got the best news today that a Grandmother can ever get regarding her Granddaughter. Isabel said YES to JESUS! Without prompting she came to her Mother last night (Sunday), requesting to talk to her about JESUS. She answered proper questions in the proper way and she prayed asking JESUS to come live in her heart! At age 8 she has made the greatest decision of her entire life!!  Her Mom and I had been praying and waiting, just listening and answering any questions she had — it is joy unspeakable!

I do not often randomly open my Bible, and my eyes and start reading. Tonight I did. At 2 Samuel 24 and when I got to verses 24 and 25 I knew I had the Text for our consideration.

24. However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer brunt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

I confess I often scrimp on certain items I purchase.  On some things, I can do that without detriment to the finished product. But as I read this verse of Scripture I was thrilled to sense within me that I don’t want to scrimp when it comes to my offerings to the LORD. No, rather than scrimping on what I offer Him, I want to be lavishly generous.  I hope this sense of generosity does not fade, especially as we are approaching the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons.

25. David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, “Thus the LORD was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.

The LORD was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back. Again that sense of knowing came. Just knowing that if we will pray for America, He will hear and He will be moved to stay the plague upon us. What plague? The plague of selfishness, idolatry, and rebellion against the God who loves us! If we will pray, He will hear and revival will come.

Father, thank You for Your Word; thank You, HOLY SPIRIT, that You make it alive; that You make it live and move from the page to our hearts. I am so grateful.  And I pray to be a generous woman, generous with gifts and offerings to You; generous in love, mercy, and forgiveness to others.  I pray too for America; that You will hear our prayers and heal this Land; that You will have mercy on us and pour out knowledge and conviction; that we will have knowledge of our sins and contrite spirits that grieve over our sins and forsake them. I pray to see a Great Awakening in America. And I pray for our IDOK Troops that You will continuously protect them and that each will come home safe and sound at the appointed time.  And, Father, I pray for Jerry and me too — we’d like to be well soon, for all traces of coughing, sore throat, and that achy worn-out feeling to be gone and renewed strength to take its place. Thank You that Jerry is better and thank You that I will be too. I ask for rest and peace for us all in JESUS’ NAME. Amen and amen.

Holy hugs, kt