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Back in Time to January 8 2004

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008

First thing I read this morning — promise calendar for today: No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11.
And we KNOW that is true and we claim that this morning for us all.
But there was a time I did not believe that about God… Especially for me… Maybe for someone else. There was a time that I thought as the quote this morning from Paul Little reads: Some people think that God peers over the balcony of heaven trying to find anybody who is enjoying life. And when He spots them He yells, “Now cut that out!”
That concept of God is blasphemous! So when you cross paths with one who has that concept of Our Father (that He is the Supreme Kill-Joy) tell them ‘NOW CUT THAT OUT!”
Lets look at Romans 15:
Verses 5 and 6: Now may the God who gives the power
(just look at that… Is that glorious or what… He gives POWER… He and we… We can do what these verses command us to do! He gives the POWER of PATIENT ENDURANCE to US!!)
Of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement,
(encouragement for us WILL be supplied to us this very day! – let’s not choose to miss it!)
Grant you to live in such mutual harmony
(very important that we REMEMBER POWER here!! AND CHOICE — He and we — we can do this! He and me have gone to meddling now… Right?)
And such full sympathy with one another,
(this one is not as hard is it? At least for brothers and sisters we like)
In accord with Christ Jesus, That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
And what is the point of all this? Why do we want to choose to receive the encouragement that He will supply today? Why do we want to choose to live in harmony with one another today? Why will we sympathize with one another today? Why will we unite hearts today??? So that – we the Church – The Body of Christ – His Representatives, here on this planet to a Lost and Dying World — will with one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). NOW that’s worth doing! That’s worth getting up for in the morning!
Nope! My Daddy God is NOT a Supreme Cosmic Kill-Joy!! We have far too much fun together for that to be even remotely true. Have fun with Him today and enjoy HIS POWER in YOUR life!
Father, we thank You that You are MORE FUN than anyone else in the Universe, were it not for You we would not even know what fun is; thank You. Thank You for my email family; thank You for teaching us so faithfully each and every day; thank You for the honor and the privilege of meeting with us daily; thank You for being You with us. I pray for each and everyone that their day today will be kissed by Your Presence and they will KNOW they are loved and I pray that we will receive encouragement today and we will make right choices today; that we will live in harmony according to Your Power within us and that we will cry with those who cry and we will laugh with those who laugh and most of all that we will glorify YOU today. And Father, very importantly I pray for those we love who do not yet know You that today they will see YOU in us and they will believe for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.
And to that today we add that we are coming with the Lawson Family and the Local Congregation there grieving this separation from her and we pray for comfort for them. We pray for a speedy recovery for Makayla and for strength for Tiffany and the family. We pray for Bro. Bob and Ms. Martha for strength to rest on Your changing Grace and Wisdom, Lord. And we pray this surgery that Ms. Martha is scheduled to have that it will be performed with skill and accuracy and that she will recover.
And we call the names of others to You Lord as listed here; we are not privy to all the cares and concerns and we will so inadequate to know how to pray but we know and are sure that You know just what to do for each of them and we are certain that You Lord Jesus are interceding for us now and we are grateful. Thank You.
We ask that You protect our IDOK Troops today and that You encourage them, especially those who are suffering illnesses and injuries; I am specifically thinking of Drew and Anthony and asking You for recovery for them. Lord, please keep each and every IDOK Troop safe from harm in mind, body and spirit and bring each one home safe and sound; let us not loose one and we pray for a successful conclusion to this war soon. And we pray for Peace for Israel and for National Leaders to wisely support Israel; we pray that we would heed Your Word and bless Israel; we pray for Repentance for America; for the election of Your Choice for President; for an Awakening and Revival of the Church. And Lord thank You for Your Forgiveness and Mercy that we are in need of continually, especially me. Protect all our IDOKs today and help us rely upon You today; help us believe You today and rejoice in Your Goodness today. Amen and Amen.
Update from Helen (last night’s prayer request): Sis Lawson passed away about 10-10:15 pm. Please remember her family as well as her church family.
Makayla is out of surgery and Tif is waiting for her to wake up so she can go back with her but everything appears to be okay with her.
Mrs. Martha was taken to the hospital Monday afternoon and is expected to have gall bladder surgery. Please pray for she and Bro. Bob. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. 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. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Andrew. Tiffany & Makayla. Lawson Family.
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.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 48°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:06 PM AST – on January 8, 2008


HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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Early Stitches and Thieves

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008

This morning seemed just right for a pair of lounging capri; you know the comfy ones with the drawstring waist. But the drawstring had retreated – the knot on the end had shrunk with wash and wear and my first thought was GREAT, just something else to steal precious time this morning. And I briefly considered wearing them anyway and let the drawstring just stay in retreat but I didn’t and this time fishing it out with a safety pin worked really well and quicker than I thought.
We all have those things in our daily routine that pop up, jump out and retreat that we did not invite to our itinerary. I call those things ‘time thieves’. And I am the world’s worst in abhorrence of these little intruders. Sometimes I get ‘bent out of shape’ and I fuss and fume because of them; complaining and explaining why I do not have time for these little ‘criminals’. Which is really playing right into their ‘grubby’ little hands – the complaining and explaining, fussing and fuming does only one – no, two things: steals more time AND my peace.
So this morning I had two choices: wear the pants with the drawstring in retreat (and fuss and fume) or fuss and fume and take a few moments, fish it out and tie a larger knot. I am glad I chose the later, less the fussing and fuming (this time). Which reminds me of an ole adage: ‘a stitch in time, saves nine’ and that brings me to my point: sometimes the ‘time thieves’ are of our own making – at my last wearing of the garment I could have tied a larger knot in the drawstring before washing.
But alas what would I have then done for an IDOK this morning???
WE ARE HUMAN. WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO DO THE EXPEDIENT THING OR THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THERE ARE always going to be TIME THIEVES. But you know what? OUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN the time thieves if we remember the Joy of the Lord is our Strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
And if we need a little more incentive there’s Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Be encouraged! We can beat the time thieves today – by either heading them off with an ‘early stitch’ and when that fails, PRAISE OUR LORD ANYWAY!! That NEVER fails!
Father, thank You for lessons and for progress in learning them. We are anticipating a new week and we’d like to reach the end of it knowing we lived it well. We won’t do that without Your help. And so we are thanking You for Your Patience and the Good Work You are doing in each of us. I ask You to bless and keep safe and guide and give wisdom to each of our IDOKs today. I am asking You to take a reading on each of our hearts and weed out that stuff that does not honor You and move us to rid our hearts of it – help us cooperate with You today. And Father, we have souls on our minds this morning, souls who need rescuing but as yet are not willing to allow YOU to be the one to rescue them. Help them to stop looking to others for what ONLY YOU can do and help us get out of Your way. Thank You Father. And we bring these, we call these names to You and we ask You to deliver to them Your Will for them this day.
Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Mrs. Dobbs.
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.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
And for these our IDOK Troops we pray for their protection today in mind and body and spirit. Lord we pray for peace and safety for them; we pray You will see to it that they all get home safe and sound and Holy Spirit we ask You to encourage them and draw them to loving The Lord Jesus with all their hearts.
We pray for the Peace of Israel, the Repentance of the American people, the election of Your Choice for President of this Nation and we pray that You will revive Your Church and that You will start with us – Your IDOKs. Amen and amen.
As I post this it is 45°F and clear Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:58PM AST – on January 7, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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It’s Natural to Worry!

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2008

This morning I am still thinking about yesterday’s Max Lucado’s Grace for the Moment so I want to share it with you this morning and it reads:
Worthless Worry
Psalm 37: 25 I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless or their children begging for food. NCV
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. NKJV
We worry. We worry about the IRS and the SAT and the FBI….We worry that we won’t have enough money, and when we have money we worry that we won’t manage it well. We worry that the world will end before the parking meter expires. We worry what the dog things if he sees us step out of the shower. We worry that someday we’ll learn that fat-free yogurt was fattening.
Honestly, now. Did God save you so you would fret? Would He teach you to walk just to watch you fall? Would He be nailed to the cross for your sins and then disregard your prayers? Come on. Is Scripture teasing us when it reads, ” He has put His angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go?” (Ps. 91:11).
I don’t think so either.
From his book: IN THE GRIP OF GRACE
To me it sounds as though Max knows of what he is writing. I do too. Maybe that is why I am still thinking of it this morning. Maybe that is why I give it to you this morning. Maybe you know too a bit of worry. And I don’t blame you. It’s a natural thing for us to worry. It’s a SUPERNATURAL thing for us to NOT worry. And Praise our God and King, He has given us His Spirit to teach us to NOT worry and until then He holds our hands and gives us COMFORT. Hallelujah!
John 14:
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Father, thank You for Max and the words You gave him to write to encourage us, to remind us that You did not, have not and will not leave us alone in this world. Thank You for reminding us that You take care of the sparrows and You are taking care of us too. Thank You that whatever is on the minds of each of us today that YOU KNOW and YOU CARE and You have not left us comfortless. Oh, Father, help us receive Your Comfort; help us lean and rest our WHOLE frame upon You. So many Scriptures Lord are coming to mind; thank You! And I pray as our IDOKS read and pray today that You Holy Spirit will flood their minds with Your Word too – those Scriptures just right to speak to their worries and concerns. Lord God You are well able and You have a plan, a good one to help us and never harm us. Thank You Father. And now I am bringing this list of people to You and I am asking You to look close at each of them and their hearts and minds and needs and I am asking You to be YOU for them today in whatever it is. And I am asking You to protect our IDOK Troops today; to keep them safe in mind and body and spirit and I ask You to bring them home safe and sound. Father, let not one of them perish I pray. And please bring this war to a successful conclusion soon. And bring Peace to Israel; Repentance to America; and Lord Elect the President for America that YOU have Chosen and Father, revive Your Church – cause her to stand out and up for Jesus sake. Amen and Amen. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family.
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.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 63°F haze smoke in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 4:03 PM AST – on January 4, 2008


HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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Follow Through

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2008


The Journey (A Life Way Publication) for today is good; I don’t see me giving you anything better.
Whenever I try to change something in my life, I always revert to my old ways. Whether I’m trying to have a consistent daily quiet time, attempting to have more self-control with food, or trying to exercise regularly, I eventually throw in the towel. What can I do to get on the right track and stay there?
Beats me … That’s my story too. And Journey goes on to say that Romans 7:13 – 24 describes this struggle and I agree. Particularly verse 18 which reads: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
That is fully truth. I will not find within my own emotions or intellect the ability to stick with any good decision. I am without recourse to do good except in Christ Jesus who does ALL things WELL.
Romans continues in verse 24 to tell us: O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Sticking with those good decisions and performing them day after day in 2008 can be done but we will not do it with our emotions or our intellect. However, we will use our MINDS – not our natural mind alone but coupled with THE MIND OF CHRIST given to us at our salvation. 1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
But you know what? I am not going to spend today thinking about tomorrow; about the 40 minutes of exercise, about the healthy eating, about the clock and getting up and being prepared to face the world at a certain time and etc. Etc. No, today I am enjoying that I did it today! It feels good!! And tomorrow? Well tomorrow is tomorrow. And I think I will remember tomorrow how good today feels and that with prayer just might be enough to get me through to another day of ‘follow through’. Whatcha think?
I am not a liberty at this time to tell you more but I have some vocational decisions to make and I covet your prayers. I will tell you more when I can.
Father, thank You for precious lessons taught; help us learn them we pray. . . . . And we pray for the peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America, for the Election of Your Choice for America’s President, and for revival for the Church. And for each name listed here, bless them Lord; keep them safe, provide funds where needed and jobs and wisdom and discernment for decisions, break fevers and restore health; comfort the grieving; give wisdom and knowledge to doctors for proper treatments and whatever else is needed to bring You Glory in these and in us. Thank You Father in Jesus name. 

As I post this it is 37°F and haze in Balad, Iraq & the time there is 8:29 AM AST – on January 3, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU