Monthly Archives: July 2013

THE (again)

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2009

THE

I played long and hard yesterday with grandbabies and I didn’t write a thing, except today’s grocery list.  And this morning even before my feet felt the floor, Scripture came to mind.

Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And the CHILD has come and HE is indeed WONDERFUL.  And He is THE Counselor that the entire world should seek and heed.  He is Mighty God (Did we catch that? MIGHTY GOD! You nor I have a problem too big for Him.).  He is the Everlasting Father – no ‘child’ born before or after Him is an orphan, unless that ‘child’ refuses His Counsel.  Isaiah 49: (NASB) 14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me.”   15″Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.  16″Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

And no ‘child’ born has to be at war with God, the Prince of Peace has come!  And as to the Government; it does rest upon HIS Shoulder and no other!  I must remember this again and again when I am caused to fret – I must remember THE wonderful Counselor, THE Mighty God, THE Everlasting Father, THE Prince of Peace has come and I am His and He is mine!  And yours too! 

John 16: (Amplified Bible)

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

ABBA, these have got to be busy days for all our IDOKs and our Readers, interruptions and schedules and plans not going as envisioned; even this morning getting this edition on the screen; thank You for reminding me that You are Lord even over interruptions and our plans that go awry.  And so I pray as our schedules get more and more crowded that we will have the wisdom to do the imperative and fret not over the other.  And as I get ready to finally post this I pray You will comfort the grieving, heal the sick in body and heart, give peace of mind to the weary and Lord Jesus give us a fresh, intimate revelation of You the GodMan born as a baby.  Forgive us, heal us, renew us and motivate us to Go and Tell.  Please keep our IDOK Troops safe again today.  Again I pray for Israel, bless them and bring them to Your Peace as You subdue their enemies.  I pray for America that You will forgive us and grant space and grace for repentance.  I pray for this American government, it was once a good work and I pray it will be again.  I pray You will take Your Word written here and encourage and bless today for Jesus sake.    Amen and amen.

Kathie

 

Amid the Wreckage (again)

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2009

I am reading again this morning in my book entitled Jesus Lives by Sarah Young, ISBN-13:978-1-4041-8695-8 Thomas Nelson Publishing at pages 218-219.   She well entitles the piece: Trials; for that is what we often experience, but a particular phrase caught my interest: search for ME in the wreckage of adversity.  If only we would learn to do that. When trial and tragedy strike as we stand amid the wreckage kicking this piece and that piece, if only our hearts would lift that piece to see what treasure He had hidden beneath it.  Alas, that would make the trial and tragedy worth it.  Peace and Blessings to you all today this 22nd day of December, 2009.  Can you believe it?! Oh I hope our Christmas Celebrating honors HIM!

Trials

THROUGH I BRING GRIEF, I WILL SHOW COMPASSION, No matter what trials you are enduring you can count on My Love and My compassion—neither of which will ever fail.  I can bring good out of everything I allow in your life, but much of what I do is far beyond your understanding.  My children often misinterpret My ways with them.  When adversity strikes, they tend to feel as if I’m displeased with them.  They don’t realize that My most devoted followers are especially targeted in spiritual warfare.  The devil and his demonic underlings delight in tormenting those who live close to Me.  When you are suffering and your troubles seem endless, remember I am tenderly present in your afflictions.  Instead of lamenting the way things are, search for Me in the wreckage of adversity.  You will not fail to find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

I want you to experience more fully the greatness of My overflowing Love.  As you open yourself to My compassionate Presence, this Love flows into your more freely.  Like new wine, My Love expands within your, increasing your capacity for Me.  Another way to expand this capacity is to let My Love flow from you to others.  I am so pleased when you do this that I flood you with more of My living Presence.  As you continue this blessed adventure with Me, I fill you with ever-increasing volumes of unfailing Love.

Lamentations 3:32 Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies.

Lamentations 3:22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

DADDY GOD, Another morning I see is upon us and soon the sun will be making an appearance, as it does I pray You will speak to each of our IDOKs and Readers.  I pray each will sense Your Living Presence with us and within us.   We continue to pray for those who are grieving, that amid their great loss they will find the Reward and Treasure of Your Sweet Presence Lord Jesus. 

I am thinking about Christmas Day, I really want You to be honored and exalted as we gather with family and friends. I really want You to be first in our minds and Holy Spirit without Your promptings and reminding I think I will get busy and the day will slip away; please don’t let that happen.

And we pray for our IDOK Troops, for not only their safety and protection but for peace of mind and comfort of soul.   And again we ask that they all get to come home safe and sound.   We pray too for Israel, to see them in the Place You have for them; to see them at peace and occupying the LAND You have given them.  We pray for America that You will forgive and bless us with holy repentance. 

We pray too for each one spoken here today; please look upon each face and look within each heart and comfort and correct and rescue as You know each one needs for Jesus Name sake.   Amen and amen.

Kathie

Colors (again)

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009
Colors

I’ve been thinking about something on and off since last Wednesday:  DADDY GOD loves color and variety.  Wednesday I was privileged to attend the Christmas Sing-A-long at Daphne Elementary School and as I sat and watched all the 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders file in and take their places on the shiny hardwood floor I had this beautiful, sweet, pleasant, loving sense of Jesus loving the children.  Can you tell it moved me?  There they sat with various textures and colors of hair and skin tones.  They were beautiful! Every single one of them and Jesus loves every single one of them!  The quiet ones, the mischievous ones, all of them – Jesus loves them and He came so they could live!  There was a sadness there for me though.  No teacher or speaker said Christmas is about Jesus. No songs were sung to ring out His Name. I did rejoice though each time I heard Merry Christmas sang or spoken rather than Happy Holidays; I’ll take my blessings however they come!   And yet this I know even though He was not exalted by name, He was there!  And He overwhelmed me with His love for color and variety in the little frames and faces of those precious little people.  Oh may it be that many saints will be raised up and empowered to demonstrate to children that Jesus loves them!

And then on Friday I attended First Baptist of North Mobile’s Christian School Christmas Pageant.  Now that was a Christmas Celebration!  I worshipped and cried and laughed and loved every minute of it!!  And again I was overwhelmed with that sense that ABBA loves color and variety.  Again there were beautiful children with various textures and colors of hair and skin tones.  Moreover, there was a song wherein the children came up the isles of the sanctuary dressed in costumes representing the country for the flag they were holding.  I loved it!  I am convinced when our God looks at the faces of humankind, He sees beauty in the differences.  He loves the shades and colors of our faces.  He did it on purpose!  

The following comes from this website:

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Jesus_Loves_the_Little_Children/

  1. Jesus calls the children dear,
    “Come to Me and never fear,
    For I love the little children of the world;
    I will take you by the hand,
    Lead you to the better land,
    For I love the little children of the world.”

    • Refrain:
      *Jesus loves the little children,
      [*Jesus died for all the children,]
      All the children of the world;
      Red and yellow, black and white,
      All are precious in His sight,
      *Jesus loves the little children of the world.
      [*Jesus died for all the children of the world.]
  2. Jesus is the Shepherd true,
    And He’ll always stand by you,
    For He loves the little children of the world;
    He’s a Savior great and strong,
    And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
    For He loves the little children of the world.
  3. I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
    And Your soldier I will be,
    For You love the little children of the world;
    And Your cross I’ll always bear,
    And for You I’ll do and dare,
    For You love the little children of the world.

Of all that we can do is there anything of more value than demonstrating to the children that Jesus loves them? Matthew 19:13-15 (New King James Version)

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

DADDY GOD, I am late again this morning at many things on my list. Thank You for the impressions You gave me with colors and variety; please, Holy Spirit, don’t let me forget it for as long as I breathe here on this planet.  I pray that You will take this today and do Your Will with it. I pray for all of us this day that we will demonstrate to the children in our lives that You LIVE and You LOVE them; not just children but the big people in our lives too. And we pray too for all these whose names will be spoken, bless and comfort and heal as they need to glorify Your Name to the world.  Comfort and protect our IDOK Troops we pray and bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time.  I pray Your Sweet Presence to be felt and experienced by our IDOKs and our Readers today; keep us safe and holy in walk in this world for Jesus sake. Save America and give Israel Peace, I pray.  Amen and amen.  

Kathie

Seven Words (again)

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2010
Seven Words
I was struck with soberness as I read in Philippians 2 today.  Be forewarned.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
There.  I’ve put it on the page. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven words. This is probably the slowest I have ever typed devotional words on a screen.  What can I say?  What can we answer to that?  Remember last week I think it was – when we said that when we read Scripture we are to respond to God with what do You want me to do with this Scripture?   Can you hear Him say, ‘Do it.’?  Is there any other response that will honor verse 14 of Philippians 2? Do all things without complaining and disputing. Get out of bed without complaining. Go to the office, without complaining. Open my umbrella without complaining.   Words are failing me to describe to you the grip these words have on me today – oh, I hope they NEVER release me! I can see how different my world would be.  I can see my face bright and glowing.  As I walk, I can see my steps are less encumbered even with a precious cargo of adversity in my arms. These seven words were not given to burden us, nor slap us, nor condemn us, but to free us! Can you see it?  Oh, please tell me you see it!  To lift our faces. To make our eyes bright, even sparkling. To bubble up grins from our merry souls. I see astonished people watching.  I see some astonished enough to try it for themselves.  I see people changing.  I see miracles all over the place.  I see women. I see men. I see children – loving, laughing, rejoicing.  I see ABBA ‘pulling surprise boxes off shelves and placing them on our front porches’. I see new-old neighborhoods, new-old churches – not perfect ones, but so inviting, so compelling that others come.  Some out of curiosity, but still they come; they look, they see, they are moved to live there too.  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, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
It’s not a fairy tale.  It’s not meant to be just wishful thinking.  It’s real life – it’s the life you and I are expected to live – anything less and we all get cheated!

Oh, DADDY, I see it.  And by Your grace I am going to learn to live it! In Jesus Name for His Holy, Totally Deserving Self, I commit myself before You and these IDOKs to learn day by day to live these seven words for Your glory alone!  I know I will not do it perfectly, I know I will slip shamefully at times, fall flat on my face and think I am crazy for even trying again; but I will get up as fast as Your Grace can lift me.  By Your Spirit, I will get up, step up and keep going.  The work You have begun You will complete, I’m holding You to it, DADDY.  I love you so!  I hear that.  I got to be nuts doing this, but, ABBA, I need the accountability and there is no doubt YOU are worth it all.   And, ABBA, I figure there have got to be some others out there that are willing to take these seven words and let them live in them too and I pray for them for the courage to let You do this in them.  LORD, there must be cells of saints all over to live these words and IDOKs might as well be one of those cells of peoples.  You did not bring us together just to read devotions; there’s more and I pray for the more.   I pray for our IDOK Troops; for their safety, for their maturing in the faith; for their well being in spirit, soul and body. We commend them to You.  We commend all these too and we give ourselves to be hands and feet of service to them as You will.  Amen and amen in the Name that is Above Every Name, The Son of the Most High, Jesus the Christ.

Kathie