IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009
I heard on Christian Talk Radio that submission is not about subordination or inequality; it’s about the Order of Things. I don’t recall who said it, (a caller, I think) but it really clicked with me and I think it is an extraordinary illustration of what submission means, particularly in the Order of the Home.
First we must establish that Jesus Christ was and is in SUBMISSION to The Father.
John 5: 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
No argument there. Jesus lived here in submission to The Father.
Hebrews 12: 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And we know from the Whole Counsel of God that Jesus waits for the Word of the Father to come and get us to join Him there. That IS submission, wouldn’t you say? And yet we KNOW that The Father and The Son (The Holy Spirit too) are EQUAL. No argument there. Right?
John 5: 18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
Now to the jest of the caller’s comment: The Father is the HEAD of Christ. Christ is HEAD of The Husband and The Husband HEAD of The Wife. It’s all about ORDER, not inequality, not subordination.
Ephesians 5
23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
The ORDER of the home is about picturing, demonstrating Christ and His Church. And, Husbands, when you get this out of ORDER, that is you step out from under the Headship (Lordship) of Jesus Christ, you have eschewed picturing Christ and His Body. When a husband is so selfish as to refuse to be a godly husband – that is seeking first Christ and His Will for himself and then the spiritual, emotional and physical health and well-being of his wife — he is not following Jesus. It’s as simple as that.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
Don’t look at me, I’m just the messenger!
Now, wives, it’s our turn!
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Respect: 1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; 2. to pay proper attention to; 3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly 4. to concern or refer to
Well, I can’t say it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3; but I do say, it’s as important and do-able as 1, 2, 3, 4. And, wives, when we fail to RESPECT our husbands we have eschewed picturing Christ and His Body and have taken up picturing spiritual rebellion. Is it any wonder the world rejects Jesus, rejects coming into the Body of Christ when ‘Christian’ Homes break up as often as do secular homes? Just what do all these dissolved ‘Christian’ marriages say to the world? Since, more than a decade ago I was a party to a dissolved ‘Christian’ marriage I think I know. It dishonors and brings disdain and miss-trust to the Name of Christ; and by His Grace I shall not be a party to it again!
Philippians 2: 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
So, Dear Ones, in conclusion, work out your own marriages with fear (reverence for God) and trembling (knowing you can’t do it on your own – it is everything God has to offer that you need); following 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the respect definition in the power and under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and this marriage thing is do-able and The Body of Christ will be edified and the world will take good notice of our Holy Marriages. Yikes! When I started I did not know we would end up here!
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Kelly is doing better but still waiting for the blood clot to dissolve.
Well, ABBA, I did not know when we started this it would be so stern. I was imagining a feel good message; a I like this definition of submission message and then go happily on my way. But, obviously this is more than that. And so I pray for marriages, good ones to become better ones and bad ones to be surrendered to You for the help no one else can give them. I pray for husbands to come face to face with the reality of what You expect of them as husbands. I pray for wives to come face to face with the reality that submission is NOT a choice, it is a command. And it is not a command to squash the wife but to give her freedom and deliverance; likewise with the husband, submission to You, yields him freedom and deliverance. I pray this will be embraced by the Body of Christ so much so that the world will take notice, good notice that You, LORD Jesus are worthy and You do work; this thing called the Christian life is the best, that there is NO THING out there any better. And now we pray for the sick, the injured, the grieving, the troubled and the hurting and everything in between represented by this list of names. You are so in love with us, You will surely do what is best for us all; Holy Spirit, help us believe and experience Your Holy Presence in us and around us and I ask this in the Name and in the Merits of Jesus. And I pray too for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection and safe returns home. I pray for the safety and protection of Israel and for Peace. I pray for America and the Nations of the World to stand with Israel. I pray for the sons of Ishmael to embrace You, LORD, the One True God. I pray for Christians to love You and people enough to be Your Touch in this World. Thank You for this ministry, Thank You for each IDOK and each Reader. Thank You for hearing us; thank You for answering our prayers; thank You for every healing in the here and now and thank You for every healing to come when we see You, Face to face. I pray for wisdom and encouragement and hunger and thirst for righteousness for each of us in the Name of our Savior, Yeshua. Amen and amen.
A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true.
Robert and Kerry L. Ken and Della. Art and Sula. Rudon. Kelly C. Henry P. Dana and Joey and Children. Tracey M. Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sparky. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary.. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H) J Lloyd. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters.
Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009) Bill H. (added 9/24/09)
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) Matt P. (added 9/24/09) our Unknown Soldier on his way to Germany 10/14/09
Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. Richard M.
As I post this it is 67°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:27 AM AST on October 15, 2009.
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