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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008
10 Days till Christmas

Have you ever had one of those mornings when even before you opened your eyes, you knew it was morning (the much too loud alarm was the big tip off) and you just did not want to do the day? Nothing glaringly confrontational about the coming day, you just didn’t want to do the day – covers over the head to shut out the light and the sounds of the day was much more appealing? Obviously, I did not succumb. And a major factor in that is You. Thank you for holding me accountable.
The following is “From 31 Family Devotions for Christmas, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by Permission.”
Family Activity
Hold a letter-writing night. First take time to read through Psalm 139. Then write a letter to God telling Him how you feel about what He has to say in these verses. No one else needs to see this letter unless you want to share it . Then write a separate letter to each member of your family. Write something encouraging and tell them what you love about them. If you like, put these letters under the tree until Christmas Day, or share them as soon as you’re finished writing.
And I especially like the suggested prayer, especially today.
Dear Lord, You truly know me inside and out. These verses remind me that You love me and accept me and that you want a personal relationship with me. Thank You for creating me. Amen.
It’s a longer read than some of our other IDOK editions but take the time when you can.
Psalm 139
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
20 For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Do we not all have some writing to do today? And just incase you picked up on verse 22, remember for a proper understanding of what He says to us, we must take in His WHOLE Counsel. Picking out a verse here and a verse there will surely put us in the wrong camp.
Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
 Amen and amen.
Yea Lord, You are merciful to us all. And we are bowing at the foot of Your Cross and the drops and the stream of Your Mercy is falling upon us. Thank You LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. We commend this day, we have decided by Your Mercy and Grace that we will do it for Your Glory. Here are our concerns, our people, our lands, our IDOK Troops, our all and we entrust it all and us all to You. The Pastor was right. Christmas is about RECEIVING. Receiving YOU. Yes, come to us and abide within us, LORD JESUS. Come revive us, renew us, make us holy as You are holy. Amen and amen. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Dot B. Terry and family. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. Jodi H. 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. George. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Brooklyn. Jacqueline and her boys, River and Jackson. 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. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. 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. 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. Josh. 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.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Richard M. Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 56°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:28 PM AST – on December 15, 2008.
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Invitations

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2008
What we can learn from a dog: 8 Be loyal.

I was praying for someone this morning and a train of thought came to me that I hope I can pull together for you here.
An Invitation.
We send out invitations every day. I’m not speaking of the kind when we take pen to paper, sign our names and appeal to someone for their company at a specific event.
No, I am thinking in the realm of the spiritual.
Consider this: when we contemplate doing a certain thing it is as though we are walking to the front door of our home and when we determine yes we will do the thing, it is as though we have opened the front door and invited in a guest.
And who is the guest?
That’s a good question.
And the answer depends upon the type of invitation we sent.
Was our action a deed of compliance with the Word of God or did we set aside the Word of God with the deed?
When we make wrong choices about anything — what we say, where we go, who we go with, what we ingest into our bodies, what we read, what we look upon, what we listen to — with any wrong choice, we have opened our front door and given Satan an invitation to come in and dirty up, mess up, tear up and destroy our home.
And since he is NO gentleman, as well as being a piece of slime, he only needs a tiny crack to slip in.

Now, on the other hand, the Glorious Other Hand, when we listen to Holy Spirit as we walk the rooms of our home and we take the actions He directs we open the front door and we give Father an invitation to come in.
And He is such a Gentleman.
He comes only as far as we invite Him.
And as I think about it, in any room into which we do not invite Him, the ‘other one’ is most likely still messing in that room.
Wouldn’t it be wise of us and shouldn’t it be our joy to open the door to every room, every closet, every cabinet, every nook, and cranny and invite the Holy Spirit to clean, clean, clean and replace messes with order and beauty, mend and restore whatever is broken, build up and add on and greatly enhance the value of our home; so much so that it becomes the most admired house on the block?
Wouldn’t it be wise and in our best interest to send such an invitation?
I will send out invitations today. You will send out invitations today.
Let’s do our best to send our invitations to Father GOD and make sure that Satan and his wrecking crew are uninvited!


Psalm 84: 11 For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!

Psalm 94:12 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, 13 That You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked.

Psalm 112:1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy. 14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15 Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near.           source 

Father, You are so good to me. So good to IDOKs everywhere. You are AWESOME. We can not praise You enough for Who You are. And right now at this moment, we invite You to clean and restore and mend and build us as You Will and yes throw away and clear out, root up, burn and destroy anything within us that is not pleasing to You. You know our hearts, You know the needs and wants and prayers of these listed here and we commend each of them now along with Israel’s Peace, America’s Repentance, and the peace and safety of our IDOK Troops. Amen and amen. 

As I post this it is 55°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:31PM AST – on December 12, 2008.
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N R C – Get It and Live It.

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2008
What we can learn from a dog: 5. Run, romp, and play daily.

John 21: 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”   source 

From the book, Lessons From A Sheep Dog by Phillip Keller published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.; from pages 28, 29, and 30 and reads as follows:

But the best part for Lass, it seemed, was just being with me. Now this is no small honor. For it places upon the one so trusted great responsibility. Her happiness was in my hands. Her contentment was in my company. Where before she had shied away from me, now by degrees she became my very shadow. This began to make an indelible impression upon my own spirit. Searching, stabbing questions came to me as to my own walk with my Master. Was I conscious of Christ? Did I find life with Him an adventure? Had I become so fond of His friendship that it surpassed all other interests? Was the devotion I received from this beautiful dog any measure of my loyalty to my Master? In devastating truth I had to admit my devotion fell far short of hers. Nor would it even begin to approach her level of trust for years yet to come. Over and beyond all this Lass became a one-man dog. She would eat only if I fed her. She would drink only the fresh water I set before her. She would permit only me to pet her intensively. If it was necessary for me to be away, she would go on a fast until my return. She was unwilling to partake of anything offered to her by others –even my wife. This single-minded fixation was an integral part of her personality. It was a measure of her character. Above all it was the core of our splendid success as coworkers on the ranch. For it was based on this unwavering fidelity that I in turn could begin to trust her. I could be sure that here was a sheep dog capable of great service as we learned to work together. The future of Fairwinds and the welfare of the flock would in large measure hinge on our mutual trust and loyalty. This is why Jesus asked Peter beside the lake, “Friend, do you really love Me? Are you really loyal? Do you trust Me?” Then, and only then could the rough-hewn fisherman be entrusted to tend the Master’s flock. And if we are serious in our desires to serve the Living Christ, we must examine carefully our relationship to Him. Can it be said of me, “He is a one-man person”? Is my devotion single-minded, centered, and concentration upon Christ? From whose hand do I eat and drink? Where do I get my nourishment and refreshment? It was from Lass that I learned the sterling lesson that God can only truly trust those who truly trust Him. He gives Himself in wondrous plenitude to the person whose single-minded de-votion, love and loyalty is given to the Lord. And because of this mutual trust, those all around are enriched and blessed beyond their wildest imagination.

And in this very moment, I understand more fully something I have said when I have acted foolishly, when I have hurt someone and have said, “I feel like a ‘sheep killing dog’.”
How unthinkable it would be for Lass, the Border Collier of this book, to turn and rend one of the sheep. That would betray her love and trust of her master.
And what would it do to her master (think about that a moment in light of what you just read about Lass and Phillip and then go on to the next question.)?
What does it do to our Christ when we fail to tenderly tend to one another?
Look again at the question: do you love Me?”
I know what my truthful answer is. Yes, Lord, I love You but not nearly enough. Help me love You more.
And I believe He is saying you will come to love Me more when I Am your only nourishment, refreshment, and contentment.

N R C that’s what I need Father. To feed and drink at Your Table rather than taking in the world’s poisoned ‘nourishment’ and empty refreshment which does not lead to contentment but rather more dissatisfaction.
Apply this lesson over and over until I get it, LORD. Till we all get it and live it. You know the conditions of us all. You know what each of us needs today.
Each IDOK, each unspoken request, and LORD when folks come and ask us to pray that is a testimony to You. To Your faithfulness and love. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of that. We are privileged to bring them and we know You are listening and we know You love them and us and we know You are acting on the individual, personal behalf of each of them. Thank You. The report on Lucas was wonderful to get. To know he is now at Walter Reed, his family is with him, and he is talking and wanting to get up out of that bed. I loved getting that report but You know the surgeries that are needed and You know the outcome.
We pray and ask You now for a complete recovery for Lucas. And we pray for the protection of our IDOK Troops today. Please keep them safe in mind, body, and spirit and create a desire in them to love You more and more and to be as faithful as a Border Collier named Lass. Bring us all, Father, to N R C in You. Amen and amen. 


As I post this it is 68°F and Clear in Baghdad, IQ & the time there is 3:59 PM AST- on December 9, 2008.

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Holiness – A Great Reward

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008
17 Days till Christmas

If I should say I have a favorite Christmas carol-hymn I would say — O Holy Night. Not for the beautiful notes (by the way, many of which I cannot by any stretch, reach) but for the words. As you may know I really like words! And the words in particular that I am thinking this morning are – long lay the world in sin and error pining. I wonder if we have forgotten what a gift we have been given not just eternal life but as Romans 6:22 says “your present reward in holiness” Have we contemplated lately what a gift it is to have dominion – to have the will and the power, strength to say NO to sin? Think about it and look at Romans 6 with me.
12 Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.
13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.
14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].
Am I saying we in this life will be sinless (in practice, positionally we are in Jesus)? Of course not. But we certainly can cease to practice it as often. And how do we practice sin less?
17 But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.
18 And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).
And as another song goes, Oh Happy Day when Jesus washed my sins away. And not only my sins but then flooded us with POWER OVER SIN! One more verse…. Okay 2 more:
22 But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life.
23 For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yes! Yes what a reward it is to live in holiness! His gifts to us are boundless!

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!


Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Father, thank You, thank You for the gift of holiness, power over sin in this life and eternal life too. Thank You. Bless IDOK today. I pray that this gift of life You have given us will break open fresh and new within us and our countenance will light this world. Thank You for the good work You are doing in our lives and thank You for loving us; help us love You more today than we did yesterday for Jesus sake. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Terry and family. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. Jodi H. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. George. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Brooklyn. Jacqueline and her boys, River and Jackson. 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. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. 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. 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. Josh. 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.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Richard M. Brandon B.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.
Injured: Lucas S. (11/30/08)
Injured and brought State side: Anthony.
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran
Still praying but no recent update: Hector. Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Albert R III.
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
As I post this it is 61°F and Clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:41 PM AST – on December 8, 2008.
ABBA keep safe our IDOK Troops today.
Internet Daughters of the KING
THE WHITE STONE
His Ministry to You