IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2009
Perfect vs Persistent
We are not fully back to normal around here, whatever normal is. We have had days filled with love, laughter and lots of food and this morning it’s quiet, for a little while anyway, unless you count the sound of the washing machine and distance traffic. I like it! My beloved is safely to work and I am slowly getting started – no surprise to you since you don’t have an IDOK yet.
Let me share with you again today from my gift book: Jesus Lives by Sarah Young (published by Thomas Nelson ISBN-13:978-1-4041-8695-8), pages 214 and 215.
Assurance
BRING YOUR ATTENTION GENTLY BACK TO ME WHENEVER IT STARTS TO WANDER. Find relief in the truth that I look for persistence-rather than perfection-in your walk with Me.
Are you amazed at how quickly and how far your mind can wander from Me? When you recognized this has happened, don’t be shattered by disappointment or distracted by discouragement. Instead, simply return your attention to Me and to the truth that I accept you in all your imperfection.
Not only do I accept you as you are, I love you as you are. I died a criminal’s death so I could adorn you with My own perfection. That’s why bringing your thoughts to Me is so important: It is My perfect righteousness that saves you, and it will never be taken away from you!
You can easily fall prey to self-rejection if you have unrealistic expectations for yourself. When you fail, I want you to bring your focus back to Me gently, without judging yourself. Instead of doing further harm by putting yourself down, persist in setting your sights on Me. I always welcome you back with unfailing Love.
Hebrews 10:12-14 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Luke 10:41-42 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (source)
Psalm 36:7 7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. (source)
And we thought picking on ourselves was a good thing, didn’t we? No, not really – it’s just the easier thing to do. This is an encouragement to me; I hope you don’t need it but just in case you ever do – remember DADDY GOD is not looking for us to be PERFECT yet just PERSISTENT in the right direction.
Thank You, ABBA, for these days we have enjoyed; thank You for the love and laughter we are now treasuring. And thank You for the food we relished and thank You now for courage to ‘pay’ rather than ‘play’ in our consumptions. Just a few more days and we will mark a new year and we are already thinking about promises we may make to ourselves; don’t let us do that again. Don’t let us make promises we cannot reasonably keep; don’t let us set ourselves up for that guilt; You’ve told us already that is not what You want for us. Get us passed that mental trap of waiting until January 2 to begin or next week or tomorrow; help us begin today, doing just one thing we know would bless You, others and ourselves. Again, we pray for protection from all harm for our IDOK Troops, we pray for heart and mind peace for each of them in hostile places; we pray for Peace for Israel and to see them occupy the LAND You have given them; we pray for America, for space and grace to repent; we pray for each name written here with every need of spirit, soul and body and we ask You to grant relief from pain and healings and rescues as You will for Jesus Name Sake. Amen and amen.
Kathie
The White Stone 