IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2009

Matthew 7:12-14 (New King James Version)

12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

And the last stanza of Robert Frost’s Poem – A Road Less Traveled reads:

http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/2940/frost8.html

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood

And I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference

Oh, I hope I can do this justice. At Satsuma First we are continuing with Marvelous Mondays and this Monday night was more than marvelous. There was a holy hush as Phil Winningham gave us a Word from God in three major points.

First, God NEVER, NEVER, NEVER calls us to take a chance, but if we choose to take the Road Less Traveled with Him, He may require us to be willing to take some risks. Phil defined chance this way: Foolish decisions based on feelings. And risk he defined this way: Carefully calculated decisions based on past experience.

What a difference, right?

And his second point was that God has called us to be Leaders not Managers.

He said a manager is someone who does things right. And I thought okay, so what’s wrong with that; should not we do things right? And then he said a Leader is someone who does the right thing. Ponder that a moment and I think you will see the glaring difference!

And his third point was we are to leave a legacy when our time here is done, and that legacy should be that we have lived such a life that when we die others can keep on growing.

And then in summary, I wrote myself a note: Leaders don’t manage their days or their time, they just do the right thing moment by moment, day after day.

Can you imagine the difference this would make in the Church – to have leaders rather than managers?

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

I have no recent updates to give – so lets just keep on praying.

ABBA, I have taken some ‘chances’ in my life and in days passed I have taken the road well traveled, I don’t want to do that any more. When I get to the end of this road and I come up to where You are I do want to leave here the kind of legacy Bro. Phil talked about last night and if that means being willing to take some risks, help me be willing to do it. You know I am coward at heart, it is only by Your strength that I ever do anything worthwhile. And as I think about it that’s good because anything else would be taking a chance – don’t want to do that anymore. Don’t want to manager time or life anymore either, just want to be a leader who FOLLOWS You. And I think we may have just gotten some amens to that from our IDOKs. I pray so. And now this morning, may we be leaders who pray, leaders who intercede for others. We have some others listed here who need support, they need to lean hard on You and we pray they will. Some are really ill, Lord, and we know the outcome unless You heal them and that is our prayer, we want them to be healed but You have already told us the hard truth, it is appointed unto man once to die, thank You that in Christ it is only once and that in You, Lord Jesus, we will not experience the second death, that eternal separation for You, so we pray again that in our living or dying we exalt You by doing the right thing. Thank You for our IDOK Troops and we pray again for their safety and protection today. We pray for them to be encouraged and for them to be leaders, to be men and women known for doing the right thing even in hostile environments. We pray for the Peace of Israel, the spreading of Your Gospel in all the world and that sinners will repent and saints will live saintly for Your glory alone. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Brittany M 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. Katie B. 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. BETTY. 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. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (B) 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

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

ABBA, I have removed the ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America but I know the prayer is eternal with You.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 117°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time 3:08 PM AST on August 18, 2009. Oh ABBA that is hot, keep them hydrated and safe.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009

Those of you who only have access to email and not to the internet I have gone to the internet and have copied and am pasting here for you from THE POINT. Leah Adams is the author. She is a writer and speaker I discovered online and enjoy her writings very much.

A Personal Walk Through the Old Testament

As this world seemingly spins out of control, sometimes I need to be reminded who I am and what I have been given in Christ. This week a woman was abducted in our small, Mayberry-esque town and it has brought much anxiety and unrest to so many, myself included. Although I do not know the woman, my heart has been aching for her and her family. At times of great uncertainty like this, I need desperately to be reminded of who I am in Christ and what He has done for me, if only I will abide in Him. Here is what the Lord has given me from the Old Testament.

• In Genesis, I am a friend of God
• In Exodus, I am the moaning, complaining child whom God loved enough
• to rescue from death and hell
• In Leviticus, I am the recipient of all Christ did to fulfill each Jewish feast
• In Numbers, I am the one God loved even as I wandered in the wilderness of my own sin.
• In Deuteronomy, I am seeking to love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength.
• In Joshua, I am learning to be strong and very courageous because He will never leave me or forsake me.
• In Judges, I am reminded of God’s power and covenant mercy toward me in my times of great sin.
• In Ruth, I am redeemed by my kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ.
• In 1 and 2 Samuel, I am waiting to hear the voice of the Lord guide me so that I can be obedient.
• In 1 and 2 Kings, I learn the cost of disobedience and idolatry and resolve to not walk in that direction.
• In 1 and 2 Chronicles, I am reminded that I am significant in God’s plan.
• In Ezra, God reminds me that He always keeps His promises.
• In Nehemiah, I am reminded that is the restorer of dreams and hearts.
• In Esther, I find that God is always in the details. Always!
• In Job, God teaches us that He alone is in control and He alone is trustworthy.
• In Psalms, God supplies comfort and encouragement to me when I seek it.
• In Proverbs, I am urged to be wise and seek wisdom.
• In Ecclesiastes, God tells me there is a time for everything.
• In Song of Songs, I learn that He is the lover of my soul.
• In Isaiah, I am called to walk in holiness.
• In Jeremiah, God reminds me to weep for the nations and those who do not know Christ.
• In Lamentations, I weep for those who died without Christ.
• In Ezekiel, I am reminded that the end of time is hastening near.
• In Daniel, I am encouraged to stand strong in the lion’s den and the fiery furnace.
• In Hosea, I am the one He chose regardless of my rebellion.
• In Joel, He pours out His Holy Spirit on me to help me walk in my calling.
• In Amos, He calls me to avoid a famine of hearing the word of the Lord.
• In Obadiah, He reminds me that His judgment on the nations will occur.
• In Jonah, I am reminded that fishing for souls beats becoming food for fish.
• In Micah, He requires me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
• In Nahum, I am reminded that He will have His way.
• In Habakkuk, He tells me to watch the work that He is working in our day.
• In Zephaniah, He rejoices over me with singing.
• In Haggai, I am urged to consider my ways.
• In Zechariah, He reminds me that it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit!
• In Malachi, I am encouraged to bring the tithes to Him and watch Him pour out blessings immeasurable.

And that is just from the Old Testament…. Later in the week we will walk through the New Testament and hear what He has to tell us.

Rest in Who He is and What He has done for you!!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Father, You are everything to me, even when I don’t act like it. I pray we IDOKs will today come closer to breathing, thinking, talking, walking You out in us as our everything. You know the name, the face and the circumstance of every name written here. And we are honored and privileged to have their names and to bring them in prayer to You and we do now asking You to be everything to them they need today to Your own glory and their good. Please continue to protect our IDOK Troops, continue to care for Israel and bring them to the Land of Promise. Continue to be merciful to America and give us grace and space to repent. Protect and empower and give every provision to Christian Missionaries and work in us IDOKs today to make us real and humble servants to You, oh most Holy and The One and Only God, and in Jesus name we ask. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Brittany M 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. Katie B. 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. BETTY. 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. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (B) 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

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

ABBA, I have removed the ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America but I know the prayer is eternal with You.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 109°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time 4:03 PM AST on August 17, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009

Since I am late again and writing afresh takes a while I am re-sharing today but I really think it may be even better than something fresh. I first shared this with you on March 13, 2008.

Psalm 13

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 HOW LONG will You forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

2 How long must I lay up cares within me and have sorrow in my heart day after day? How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

I read this Psalm in a few translations this morning. This Amplified Bible version is the one I settled on to give to you. Particularly because of two verses, the third and the last. The amplification of verse 3 is right on target; a prayer to have the eyes of our faith behold His Face even in pitch black dark! To love Him and trust Him so much that even when you are groping in so much ‘I don’t understand’ darkness that you think you just want to lay down and die, by faith in that blackness you SEE HIS FACE. Not His Hands because even then you do not know what He is doing BUT His Face because you KNOW He is there and in that moment that is enough. OH! To have faith like that!! If you have reached that place in your walk with Him, He has DEALT BOUNTIFULLY with you; just THAT step of faith alone is a BOUNTIFUL GIFT!! Let alone what He is doing with HIS HANDS on your behalf which you are yet to see! My cry of exclamation this morning is HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME in spite of me; in spite of the fact that my faith, love and trust is yet to grow this much — but I have hope — HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME!!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Father, it is true You have dealt bountifully with me; so much more bountifully that I deserve! Thank You for Your Forgiveness and continued mercy morning after morning and all though each day. You are the AWESOME God the Psalmist has penned You to be! And we cry out to have our eyes of faith see Your Face and love You more both in darkness and sunshine. I pray this morning for these listed here that the eyes of their faith will be enlightened and Your Face will become a Treasure to them in their individual darkness. I pray Your Hands will lift up the ill in body and spirit; that Your Hands will supply all our needs according to Your Riches in Christ Jesus – thank You for Your Bountiful Supply to us. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their continued protection from harm in all ways, we pray for their safe returns; we pray for the successful conclusion to this war; for the Peace of Israel; for the repentance of America and for Your Church to see Your Face and Worship You unashamedly and boldly and this we ask only in the Merits of who You have made us in Christ Jesus. Amen and Amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Brittany M 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. Katie B. 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. BETTY. 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. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (B) 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

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

ABBA, I have removed the ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America but I know the prayer is eternal with You.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 109°F and haze in Al Taji, IQ (Airport) and the time 3:19 PM AST on August 14, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009

ALL the working surfaces in my office are piled high and there are some piles of stuff in various places in the house. Suffice it to say I have no lack for work. And as I type that I think why am I writing this, surely it will not lead into a devotion as I am pretty well blank this morning. Blank because since my feet hit the floor I have been putting clothes in the washer, packing my beloved a lunch, clipping mint from the garden, sipping a cup of tea on the go, waiting for a phone call and I could go on, but I won’t. So I have done this morning what I consistently encourage you to not do … start my day before I pick up my Bible. Shame on me!

So I shall now, even though the hour is late, go to the Word; otherwise I have nothing of significance to say and that is true always; if ABBA does not give a Word, nothing I could say would be worth reading.

Last night Pastor talked about one of Israel’s kings, Uzziah. Uzziah became king at age 16 and Scripture says at II Chronicles 26:4 that he did right in the Lord’s sight to the extent that his father Amaziah had done. And II Chronicles 25:2 says speaking of Amaziah: He did right in the Lord’s sight, but not with a perfect or blameless heart.

And Pastor fed us well last night briefly picking through the life of Uzziah. And then Pastor sent us to Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

And you know what is beautiful about this verse? I SAW THE LORD. And we will in our daily lives if we DIE to ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to progressively make our hearts blameless before Him. May we all ‘see’ The Lord in ourselves today! He’s there if we will just choose to get off the throne. And if you are like me, that is not a one time a day decision.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

We are adding Amber Johns to our prayer list this morning. Amber is a friend of an IDOK’s daughter and Amber has a rare type cancer; she’s young, has a husband and two young elementary age children. We can enter into the work God is doing in her and for her by prayer.

Please especially pray today for the highlighted names below.

ABBA, I am way late this morning greeting our IDOKs and I pray You will take Your Word here and minister it to each of them. I pray You will speak and show up mightily in their lives today. I pray they will ‘see’ You on every hand and will love You and rejoice over You and give You great, great pleasure today. And I pray I will too. Amber. Holy Spirit, how do I pray for Amber? She’s young, she has young children, she has a husband and she has a cancer that will take her physical life away from her if it is allowed to continue to destroy her body. She does not want that, no one wants that. You don’t want that, but this I know: in this world evil stuff happens and You are still God and You are still good and still worthy of our trust. So, ABBA, love on Amber and her family as You will, cause it will be, not just good but great, whatever You do because good and great and awesome are all You can do. And love on others listed here too, all of them. Our IDOK Troops too and Israel and this nation America that we love and Your Church – we are so in need of revival – please heal us. Amen and Amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Brittany M 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. Katie B. 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. BETTY. 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. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (B) 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

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

ABBA, I am removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 104°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time 4:37 PM AST on August 13, 2009.