IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009
There’s a little soft cover book entitled Walking in His Garden (Spending Quality Time with God). It is a collection of four study pamphlets: ‘Keeping Our Appointments With God’ by Dennis Fisher; ‘Jesus’ Blueprint For Prayer’ by Haddon Robinson; ‘Praying With Confidence’ by David Egner; and ‘How Can I Understand The Bible’ by RBC Staff. The compiling is a resource of RBC Ministries Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512 (Discovery House Publishers).
So far the book is reemphasizing what we already know. A daily quiet time with God is not about the King of the Universe demanding our attention or about us feeling better about ourselves. It’s about Building a Relationship with Him which no doubt WILL make us feel better about ourselves. Page 24 reads in part: “Two people who love each other are intentional about spending meaningful time together. To do this, both discipline and love must work together. Taking time requires deliberate planning.” On pages 15 and 16 it is suggested we one, reserve a daily time to reconnect with God; two, that we determine how much time to spend; three, that we find a quiet place; and, four that we set up realistic expectations. And those suggestions are not new either, are they? But this excerpt just might give us food for thought.
“Find A Quiet Place
We all concentrate or are distracted in different ways. C.S. Lewis brings up a surprising suggestion in his book Letters to Malcolm. His admonition on the “quiet time” is to make sure we have “just the right amount of distraction” to help us concentrate. Lewis tells the story of a man who would have his devotional time in a railway compartment because complete silence left him open to inner distractions. Ironically, his focus was enhanced when it was challenged just slightly. The point is that we’re not always going to find a place that is as quiet as an undiscovered cave. Invariably, minor distractions are likely to occur. But we need to look for a place where we believe it is sufficiently quiet to help us concentrate. Now jot down in your calendar the place for reconnecting with the Lord.”
And within the guideline of Set Up Realistic Expectations, the scenario is set up that you have the time and the place and you actually show up for your quiet time but when you arrive you are not in the mood – what then? Insightful question, wouldn’t you say? And the statement that answered it for me just jumped up and waved wildly at me. It’s found on page 17. “The Christian is not suppose to stir up his or her willpower but instead to exchange human energy for divine energy.” Is that liberating or what?! I absolutely love it!! Then the author related a personal experience to illustrate. Let me summarize it. He was a sophomore in college and it was difficult for him to discipline himself to study. There were so many distractions! So he talked with a one of his professors and came to the conclusion that his devotional time had to be his top priority of the day. And so the next morning as he came to his new commitment, he was not in the mood. However, he determined he would claim Isaiah 40:31, becoming transparent with the LORD and exchange his strength for the LORD’s strength. He told the LORD his heart was cold and he felt little motivation to spend time with HIM. He confessed his apathy as sin and then thanked the LORD for His forgiveness. And in that moment he chose to surrender his mood to God and asked Him to change it. He said after about 20 minutes he began to pray over other projects that needed his attention later in the day and he told God about his assignments and that he did not want to do them and he asked for the necessary strength to do them. And then he said: “By the time my feet hit the asphalt on my way to class, I began to feel an energy, a focus, and most important, a discipline that I had previously lacked. My grades went up that semester, I had found a way of exchanging my strength for that of the living God.”
How cool is that?! I hope you find this as helpful to you as I do.
Isaiah 40:31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
So far the book is reemphasizing what we already know. A daily quiet time with God is not about the King of the Universe demanding our attention or about us feeling better about ourselves. It’s about Building a Relationship with Him which no doubt WILL make us feel better about ourselves. Page 24 reads in part: “Two people who love each other are intentional about spending meaningful time together. To do this, both discipline and love must work together. Taking time requires deliberate planning.” On pages 15 and 16 it is suggested we one, reserve a daily time to reconnect with God; two, that we determine how much time to spend; three, that we find a quiet place; and, four that we set up realistic expectations. And those suggestions are not new either, are they? But this excerpt just might give us food for thought.
“Find A Quiet Place
We all concentrate or are distracted in different ways. C.S. Lewis brings up a surprising suggestion in his book Letters to Malcolm. His admonition on the “quiet time” is to make sure we have “just the right amount of distraction” to help us concentrate. Lewis tells the story of a man who would have his devotional time in a railway compartment because complete silence left him open to inner distractions. Ironically, his focus was enhanced when it was challenged just slightly. The point is that we’re not always going to find a place that is as quiet as an undiscovered cave. Invariably, minor distractions are likely to occur. But we need to look for a place where we believe it is sufficiently quiet to help us concentrate. Now jot down in your calendar the place for reconnecting with the Lord.”
And within the guideline of Set Up Realistic Expectations, the scenario is set up that you have the time and the place and you actually show up for your quiet time but when you arrive you are not in the mood – what then? Insightful question, wouldn’t you say? And the statement that answered it for me just jumped up and waved wildly at me. It’s found on page 17. “The Christian is not suppose to stir up his or her willpower but instead to exchange human energy for divine energy.” Is that liberating or what?! I absolutely love it!! Then the author related a personal experience to illustrate. Let me summarize it. He was a sophomore in college and it was difficult for him to discipline himself to study. There were so many distractions! So he talked with a one of his professors and came to the conclusion that his devotional time had to be his top priority of the day. And so the next morning as he came to his new commitment, he was not in the mood. However, he determined he would claim Isaiah 40:31, becoming transparent with the LORD and exchange his strength for the LORD’s strength. He told the LORD his heart was cold and he felt little motivation to spend time with HIM. He confessed his apathy as sin and then thanked the LORD for His forgiveness. And in that moment he chose to surrender his mood to God and asked Him to change it. He said after about 20 minutes he began to pray over other projects that needed his attention later in the day and he told God about his assignments and that he did not want to do them and he asked for the necessary strength to do them. And then he said: “By the time my feet hit the asphalt on my way to class, I began to feel an energy, a focus, and most important, a discipline that I had previously lacked. My grades went up that semester, I had found a way of exchanging my strength for that of the living God.”
How cool is that?! I hope you find this as helpful to you as I do.
Isaiah 40:31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Internet Daughters Of the KING
ABBA thank You that You have already been hearing our prayers. Thank You for the good actions You are establishing within us. Thank You for others, Brothers and Sisters, that we have not met yet that write into our lives thoughts from You. Thank You. And we pray blessings upon them and their continued ministry to thousands upon thousands. I pray again for our IDOKS, each and every one of them and their families, for this day that they are embracing and I pray embracing it with joy because You are our strength. You know the plans You have for each of them and I pray those plans be fulfilled. We know You will do Your part, we pray we will cooperate with you and do our part. We bring these listed here and we entrust them and their wellbeing to You for You love and care more than we can even comprehend. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.
Public and Private School Teachers.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
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. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html
Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 64°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is on 4:59 PM AST January 26, 2009.
ABBA thank You that You have already been hearing our prayers. Thank You for the good actions You are establishing within us. Thank You for others, Brothers and Sisters, that we have not met yet that write into our lives thoughts from You. Thank You. And we pray blessings upon them and their continued ministry to thousands upon thousands. I pray again for our IDOKS, each and every one of them and their families, for this day that they are embracing and I pray embracing it with joy because You are our strength. You know the plans You have for each of them and I pray those plans be fulfilled. We know You will do Your part, we pray we will cooperate with you and do our part. We bring these listed here and we entrust them and their wellbeing to You for You love and care more than we can even comprehend. Amen and amen.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.
Public and Private School Teachers.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
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. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html
Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 64°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is on 4:59 PM AST January 26, 2009.
