Tuesday, September 14, 2010 — IDOK Devotion

To review names of Praying for These click  here.

In Matthew 15:21, was JESUS playing the ‘devil’s advocate’ as a means to teach, heal and rescue? Would He do that? Let’s examine this together.

Would you agree in certain hard situations we are tempted to think the LORD seems hard, cold, and even mean?  Like in this passage?

Matthew 15: (New American Standard Bible) ²²And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.”  ²³But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.”  ²⁴But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  ²⁵But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”  ²⁶And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”  ²⁷But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  ²⁸Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

The Canaanite woman was crying after Him; yet I am wondering was verse 24 directed to the disciples? Is that what they thought; that He came only for Israel?  Is that why they wanted to send her away?  Was she embarrassing them? For in verse 23 the disciples said, ‘send her away’.  He didn’t.

I think the very fact that He did not send her away when the disciples said He should; that encouraged her.  And yet He answered with what seems like coldness.  And still she persisted.  Why did she?  Did she persist because she had heard that He was able to heal? Had she heard He had power over demons? For myself, I am certain that is exactly what she had heard. But now in this moment, how would she process His firmness in the workings of her own ‘gray matter’? (How would I? How would you?) Obviously she was willing to take it to get help for her daughter. She said in verse 25 ‘Lord, help me’! She had heard Him say He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.  She knew she was not an Israeli.  Why did she ask Him for help anyway? Did she figure He was able and she had nothing to lose by asking?  Perhaps.  So why did she persist and would I? Do I? Would you? Do you?

Verse 26 leaves no doubt in my mind that she was aware that the Jews thought of her as a dog. Did that stop her? No.  I wonder if she thought: ‘Dog or not, Lord, I am here; and besides that in Jewish houses the dogs do get to eat.  Cold, hard folks that they are they let the dogs fed from their tables.  That’s okay with me, I’ll take the crumbs. I’ll even humble myself and get under the table for those crumbs.  That will be enough for me.  That will be enough to heal my daughter and that’s all I’m asking.  I’m not asking to sit AT the table.  I’m just asking You to heal my daughter.’

And then verse 28.  “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish”. And her daughter was healed at once.

Can you imagine? The LORD said to the woman (not dog) – your faith is great! Not only did He heal her daughter but He recognized her! He acknowledged her.  He validated her.  (It’s a whole other lesson, but can you imagine what this happening said to the disciples? To the people standing around?!) There is no doubt in my mind; she knew she was not a dog to Him.

I wonder how often we let the world and the evil one tell us we are ‘dogs’.  I wonder how often we let the world and the devil tell us we are insignificant and we should just keep our mouths shut … don’t come to the table, not even to ask for crumbs, much less SIT at the table?

Would we allow this Passage – would we allow the Holy Spirit to take this passage and teach us that we are the children and the table IS set for us – come, ask, seek, find? Find healing for our souls.  Find healing for our families.  Find healing for marriages.  Find restoration.  Find deliverance from strongholds.  Find whatever – you name it.  Would we be willing to take the gruff and junk of others and even the seemingly gruffness of the LORD when we wait and wait and wait; in order to finally hear Him praise us and give us that very thing we are asking Him to give us?

Would we?  She did.  And in the process she got more than a healing for her daughter; JESUS praised her!  And in His praise  was His love for her and His acceptance of her.  What more could we ask?

This feeds, corrects and encourages me, ABBA, and I am grateful.  And as it reaches the screens of our IDOKs, I pray, Holy Spirit, that You will minister it to their hearts; that You will tend them in the love and mercy as You have tended me.

And I pray with them now, in union across these screens, for our IDOK Troops, for their safety and protection; for them in spirit, soul and body to be safe; and most of all for them in those hostile places to be guided and filled with Your Peace and for them to live honorably for Your Name sake.   And we together pray too for our Praying for These list; seeking only to please You and for each of them to have the very best You have for them.  And I dare not forget to pray for Israel; for peace and protection and their gathering to You and for them to stand firm and hold in faith what You have already given them. And I pray for we the Church that You will bring us to full repentance and full surrender to Your LORDSHIP and for America I pray for mercy and that we will repent and bless the world again with Your Goodness and Holiness alive and thriving in us.  Amen and amen in the NAME OF OUR GLORIOUS SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

Monday, September 13, 2010 — IDOK Devotion

To review names of Praying for These click  here.

Please click here for a picture of Jackson.

Put.  What a word!  And I have only begun to look at the 887 times it is used in the New American Standard Version of the Bible.  The Hebrew words I have viewed so far are as follows: nuwach   shiyth   shalach   suwm  muwth  shuwb   nasa’   cuwr   labash   nathan .  I am imagining there are more.

And as I consulted free dictionary dot com I discovered that our word PUT has multiple uses as well.  Here’s a link. Take a look.

So it would not be an understatement to say that PUT is an action word, would it?  Now, I did not come up with this idea of PUT by myself.  Joyce (Meyer) had her audience saying PUT several times as I watched her telecast.  I’d like for  us to look at a few of the PUT Scriptures she offered.

Psalm 5:NKJV ¹¹ But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.

So if we will ‘put’ forth the effort; if we will make the decision to trust the LORD; that is PUT our trust in Him, we will be rejoicing!  Does that mean if we are not rejoicing, we are not trusting?  Just ‘putting’ it out there for us to examine.

Psalm 7:NKJV ¹ O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me,

When we PUT our trust in Him, we should expect Him to deliver us.

Psalm 9:NKJV ¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Look at that!  Those who know Your name WILL PUT their trust in You. When we know HIS Name we will trust.  And that’ s a whole other study.  HIS Names tell us Who He is in our troubles and when we KNOW that Name, the power and love; we will PUT our trust in Him.

Jehovah – Jireh The LORD will provide.

Jehovah – Rapha The LORD who heals.

Jehovah – Roi The LORD my shepherd.

Jehovah – Shalom The LORD our Peace.

Jehovah – Shammah The LORD is present.

Jehovah – Tsidkenu The LORD our righteousness.

El – Roi The God of sight – who keeps watch.

El – Shaddai God Almighty. Two roots for the word: 1) to be powerful; and 2) breast, nourisher, sustainer.                                                      (Names found here)

And that’s not all of them!  Yes, when we KNOW His Name in our situation, we will PUT our trust in Him!  Amen and amen!

ABBA, I enjoyed writing this one.  What a word, PUT.  And there is no better action we could take than putting all our love, hope and faith in You. I pray moment by moment we will trust You to train us to do this.  Thank You that Jackson is home now with his Mom and Dad and we trust You with Jackson; that Your plan for his life is unfolding and will continue to do so.  There were a lot of baptisms today in just two local churches that I am aware of — words don’t come to describe it.  I pray that each one who entered the baptismal waters today will faithfully put their trust moment by moment in You for growing and developing the character You desire.  I pray that for us too.  And Elaine comes to mind, You know the need and the cry of her family and her own desires.  I respect the woman You have grown her to be and I pray You will exalt Yourself in her more and more. And the prayers she lifts to You for her family and herself I ask You to grant.  And as a whole we come with our Praying for These list and we corporately and individually pray for them; we petition You to heal and restore; and to pursue and woo the lost ones until they surrender to You. And we pray for our IDOK Troops. It is our prayer that each one be safe in spirit, soul and body; that each come home to family and friends safe and sound; but that’s not all, we want them to be holy, we want them to honor You even more than they honor America — we pray they will. And my prayer for Israel is the peace You desire for them; for the Nation as a whole to follow after You; for them to be strong and courageous and give up nothing that You have given them and for America to be a faithful ally.  And for America, I still pray that You will pour out Your Holy Conviction upon us and that we will repent and be saved.  And now as we close this session, I pray for rest and peace for all our IDOKs and for each of us to share the Good News that JESUS SAVES with someone who is lost this week. Amen and amen LORD JESUS.

Holy hugs, KT

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE:

Please check Notices Given for updates on Jackson … his Mom and Dad took him home today.

To review the list of names for prayer, please click here.

I have goofed off today — not from praying or reading, but from writing most definitely — unless you count KAT’s Meows.  So please enjoy Sarah Young’s writing today from her book JESUS LIVES.

Joy

REJOICE IN ME ALWAYS. This is a moment-by-moment choice. It is possible to find joy in Me even during the most difficult times. Because I am always near, I am constantly available to help you.I can even carry you through times of extreme adversity.

Imagine a woman who has become engaged to a man she deeply loves and admires. Her heart overflows with pleasure whenever she thinks about her beloved. Problems fade into the background, unable to dampen her enthusiasm and excitement. Similarly, when you remember that I am your perfect Betrothed and that you are promised to Me forever, you can rejoice in Me even though you face many problems.

It is in the present moment that you find Me ever near you. My Presence in the present is an endless source of Joy:a continual feast! The soul-satisfaction you find in Me helps you relate well to other people. As you enjoy My abiding Presence, you can bless others with your gentleness.

Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Philippians 4:4-5

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15 NKJV

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:5

Abides in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 NKJV

Thank You, ABBA, for the insight and beauty of words that You have given Sarah.  I pray her message will minister to every heart.  You know our concerns, not one of them has escaped You and we are grateful.  We trust You to intervene as is best. Amen and amen in JESUS NAME.

Holy hugs — Kathie

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010

FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE:

Wed, September 8, 2010 9:27:52 PM  Short News About Jackson from Melinda: We got results on Jackson’s ultrasound.  It showed shadowing of the brain which means that there is brain damage.  To which we say, bring him on home, we love him so much.  The LORD is in the business of miracles, mercy and healing.  We are also remember that God IS love.  Thanks for the prayers and remember him and his parents as you keep praying. Love to all, Melinda

To review the list of names for prayer, please click here.

Rosh Hashanah began last night at sunset.

I extracted this snippet from information available at CBN dot com.  A feast of information is available here.

Snippet: About Rosh Hashanah
The name Rosh Hashanah means “beginning or head of the year.” This celebration marks the beginning of the High Holy Days on the Jewish calendar. The Bible refers to Rosh Hashanah as the Feast of Trumpets, and it begins the Ten Days of Awe that conclude with Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. This is a wonderful time to seek the Lord, repent for wrongdoing, and consecrate ourselves to God, thanking Him for His work in our lives.

Amen and amen.  My ‘Jewish Heritage‘ did not begin until November 18, 1975 – twenty three years after my natural birth. And it came ONLY in CHRIST JESUS. I pray as I walk with JESUS I will learn more and more about this heritage He has made available to me.

Galatians 3: (New International Version) ²⁹If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Ignorance and more thus far prevents me from incorporating the rich heritage of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and other holy observances into my celebrating and worship, but my respect and love for ABBA’s People is strong.  And I pray you will join me in thanking our Father and God for Israel, for our Messiah and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, who is to come again with a shout and the voice of the Trumpet.  The Shofar will blow!

Revelation 4: (King James Version) ¹After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

I Corinthians 15 KJV: ⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  ⁵¹Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  ⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  ⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  ⁵⁴So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  ⁵⁵O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  ⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Amen and amen.  Let the Shofar blow!

ABBA, my eyes are cresting with tears.  We await the trumpet.  But as this very Word has said make us stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in Your Work for we know we do not labour in vain.

Many are hurting today and we do not understand the ins and outs of it but this we KNOW You are God and You are Good and we entrust right now every name, heart and face on our Praying For These List to You expecting You to show love and kindness and mercy to them, to raise them up and provide for them.   We continue to pray for Jackson, You know the plans You have for him and we rejoice in these plans because they are good.  We pray for Ashley and Steve and others You are positioned in his life to be a comfort and a minister to him and we praise You for the ministry You have given Jackson to them.  We pray nothing will stand in the way of each of them receiving and giving their respective ministries. And I pray for Steve, You know the need, You know our cries and we trust You.  We pray too for our IDOK Troops asking You to protect them in spirit, soul and body and to bring each home at the appointed time, safe and sound.  And my thoughts and concerns for America remain – for repentance and salvation.  My concerns and pleas for Your Church remain – that You will convict us and revive us. And for Israel, Oh, ABBA, bless and favor them especially in these days of Awe – may they be in AWE of You and worship You in Spirit and Truth.   And I commit our IDOKs to You afresh and anew today for Your favor and blessings upon each of them in the Mighty and Holy Name of JESUS THE RIGHTEOUS.  Amen and amen.