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A Call to The OR

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Let us revisit Wednesday’s text: Deuteronomy 30: 6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. This is continuing to speak to me.  Let us make this personal.  Lets write it and read it this way: And the LORD my God will circumcise my heart and the heart of my children, to love the LORD my God with all my heart and with all my soul, that I may live.  If I am not loving the LORD my God with all my heart and all my soul, I am not really living.  If my children (at the age of their accountability) have not come to love my LORD God with all their hearts and souls as THEIR LORD God, they are not really living.  Some well-known parents have said they do want to influence their children in matters of God, they want them to choose for themselves what they will believe.  I wonder if they allow the children to choose for themselves if they want to take a bath or not!  How STUPID have we become in this ‘enlightened’ age!
For me, I am taking this verse as a promise, and I urge you to do the same, if you have not already.  However, I am convinced it is only a promise to those who will cooperate with God, that includes you and me AND our descendants.  And our cooperation, I believe, begins with us taking this verse to our LORD God in prayer, praying it back to Him, saying to Him, ‘You said You would circumcise my heart and I am asking You to do it and I am here before You ready and willing to get up here on The Table and allow You to cut away my flesh’. 
And I am certain a one time prayer will not be sufficient; not because He forgets, but because WE DO.  We have a tendency to renege if we do not consistently remind ourselves of the objective.
So what with His Holy Scalpel will He be cutting away? And will it hurt?  Yes, I am certain it is going to hurt and some operations are going to hurt more than others, I think.  As to what He will cut, specifically it will be different for each of us; similar for sure; but different.  Initially, as I began to think along these lines I thought He would be examining and cutting away certain emotions and actions, but that’s not it.  All we have to do is give Him entry to our thoughts and allow Him to begin to cut away any thoughts that are contrary to His. And as our thoughts begin to line up with His thoughts, our emotions and our actions will follow.  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  And it is simple, just not easy.  But if not before, as of today we have in writing that He WILL circumcise our hearts and the hearts of our children, if we will ask and keep on asking all the way HOME.
I want this because God wants this for me, but I confess that is not the only reason.  I want this because my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren (if I should have them) NEED for me to want this circumcision of my heart.
Perchance this devotion makes it to the screen of someone who feels he or she has lost their way and is not sure that God has anything more for you, please read these verses and allow Him to show you the way back.
4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Even if you think you have gone so far you cannot come back, even from THERE — HE is calling you; He is ready to bring you back, back to the faith that you were taught as a child and He will prosper you. Come. Come, believe the Scripture.  Come take this WORD and come Home.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
ABBA,   You ARE SO AWESOME to give us this promise and I am taking You up on it here and now before these witnesses.  Do Your Thing, ABBA, on this flesh of mine and bring my heart and soul to be ‘head over heels’ in love with You!   And I pray our IDOKs will submit to the same; I dare say some have already and we are a work in progress, so keep us coming to You again and again with this verse of PROMISE until we see You, LORD, Face to face.   And, ABBA, for those in those distant lands, get Your Word to them and bring them home, I pray.  Send affirmation and confirmation that You are calling them and that You will keep Your promises to them. Urge them, Holy Spirit, to surrender to You.
We pray now for our  People listed here, You know them better than I do; You know what they need and I am asking You to make sure they get from You what they need and I pray that whomever You want to enlist to help will be of a mind and a will to be Your Touch to these.  I pray for America that You will forgive Her and turn Her back to You.  I pray for Israel to come to the Peace You have for them.  I pray Your missionaries in all the places around the world that You have sent them, to provide for them down to every tiny little detail and provision they need to help the hurting and to preach the Gospel to the Lost.  I pray for the children all around the world that are caught and trapped in poverty of Spirit and human suffering that You will get help and provisions and the Message of Your Gospel to them; move us as You will to get in this fight for the souls of children.   But not just children, men and women too, so lost in darkness.  Turn the light on for them, LORD, and let us be the bearer of Your Light to them for Your Very Name’s Sake.  Amen and amen.    
A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Vanessa. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and TinaRobert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie 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. 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. 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. 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. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). 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
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. 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. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
As I post this it is 55°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:59 AM AST on November 12, 2009.

Two Statements – Much To Think About

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009

As often, I am off schedule; that is I was days behind in my work book study for The Patriarchs (written by Beth Moore), so today I worked multiple days which means I have way more material that I want to share with you than I have room and yes, even time.  Golly! Will not it be great when we get HOME and time won’t matter any more?! YES!! Okay. Back on point.
Here’s a stand alone statement, I think.  Page 158 (of the aforementioned work book):  “Don’t stop working with God until Satan’s plan for your life or your family backfires in his ugly face.”  Now that idea – I LIKE!!
You do know that Satan has a plan for your life, don’t you?  You do know that he studies you and has a crafty and cunning agenda to bring your life to ruin don’t you?  Now, please understand I am not suggesting that you cower in fear or that you become so spooked that you see a demon behind every door and bush, but I am strongly advising that we take the matter of EVIL seriously.  It is not a joking matter, nor is it a figment of the imagination of some ancient theologian concocted to hold over the heads his parishioners to keep them in line.  As surely as Jesus is so is Satan.  As surely as there are angels, there are demons.  As surely as angels still minister to the saints, demons still lurk to destroy sinners and stymie, strangle and stagnant saints.  But, you know all that. I know all that.  But do I act like I know it? Not always.  Not often enough.
Here’s another one, found on page 161: “One of the most obscure traps the Devil sets for the deeply spiritual is to tempt us to love loving God more than we actually love God.”  Is this akin to the woman who marries the man thinking she is in love with him but all her friends know that she is just in love with being in love?  Can we even imagine the disappointments, the misunderstandings, and the intimacy that would be lacking in that marriage?  I don’t want that for my ‘marriage’ to the Lamb of God.  And only He can help me see when it is happening and correct it.  May He do that for any one of us today.
Deuteronomy 30: 6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
ABBA, Many hours have passed since the closing word of this message was written and a new day has dawned and I pray this message will ring in our hearts and do the work You have designed it to do.  I pray for Doug and Claudia this morning.  I thank You that he is home; tired but glad to be home.  You know my thoughts and my requests for him and Claudia – Your Will be done I pray.  And we pray for our IDOK Troops this morning, knowing that as we sit here and our day is beginning they are there and evening is fast approaching and we thank You for having kept them safe and we pray You shall keep them in perfect peace; we plead the Blood of our Savior over the doorposts of each of their lives that nothing may enter to harm them either spiritually, emotionally or physically.  I pray this too for each of our IDOKs and each one whose name is listed here in the Mighty and Holy Name of Yeshua.  Amen and amen.    
A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Vanessa. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and TinaRobert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie 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. 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. 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. 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. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). 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
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. 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. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
A parting word that came to me sometime in the early hours before dawn; it may not be only for me:  You are so focused on what is bad about you that you are missing what is Good in you – Jesus, the Hope of Glory.
As I post this it is 79°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 3:44 PM AST on November 11, 2009.

Welcome or Keep Away

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

I think I have only a quick observation for us this morning.  Yesterday when I was out walking I noticed two signs posted on two lawns; the yards hosting the signs (and I assume two families) were living side by side; close neighbors we could say.  One said ‘Private Property, No Trespassing’.  The other said ‘Welcome’.  I wonder if we as people wear such signs.   I wonder if our countenance, our body language, even our words announce loud and clear: ‘No Trespassing – keep away’ or do we say ‘Welcome’ – come on in’ to those we encounter each day?  I wonder if we put out such signs for the Holy Spirit of God too. I wonder if we say to Him, ‘Private Property – this part of my heart is off limits to You – No Trespassing – No messing in this, I can handle it just fine without You – I will do this my way’. I hope we don’t say that.  I hope I don’t say that. I hope we put out the ‘Welcome’ sign to Him, inviting Him, even pleading with Him to get all up in our business, that He leave not one stone unturned as He lovingly cleanses and heals every crevice of our heart and soul.
‘Private Property – No Trespassing’ can be described this way:
Matthew 13:14-16 (New King James Version)
14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
      ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
      And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
      Their ears are hard of hearing,
      And their eyes they have closed,
      Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
      Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
      So that I should heal them.’
The results of hanging out the ‘Welcome’ sign to ABBA:
Psalm 147 (New King James Version)  
 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
         He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
 3 He heals the brokenhearted
         And binds up their wounds.
6 The LORD lifts up the humble;
11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
         In those who hope in His mercy.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
         Praise your God, O Zion!
 13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
         He has blessed your children within you.
 14 He makes peace in your borders,
         And fills you with the finest wheat.
And if you would like to read the whole chapter here is a convenient link:
One more passage; can we say Amen to this? 
Psalm 4:5-7 (Amplified Bible)
5 Offer just and right sacrifices; trust (lean on and be confident) in the Lord.
6 Many say, Oh, that we might see some good! Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.
7 You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
ABBA, thank You that Ida is minimal wind and rain; thank You; we bless You and praise You for this quiet hurricane season.   And I pray for those parents and grandparents and school kids who are home today due to Ida that they will hang out a welcome sign to You today and experience a day of joy and pleasure and laughter and holy productivity.   I pray we will all hang out the welcome sign to You for You to get all up in our business, cleansing and healing every crevice of our hearts and souls.  I pray we will be people who hold out welcome signs to every honest and hungry soul we meet, offering the sweet and holy Bread of Life to them.   And we pray this morning for Doug and Claudia, You know our hearts for them, You know the needs there.  Lord, make these days filled with Yourself, with peace and worship I pray.   And we pray for each one named here, each with their individual needs and ask that You meet those needs; that they receive all the help and comfort and joy and healing that You in Your love and mercy have to give them.   We pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection today and for their safe returns home to family and friends.  You know our hearts for this Nation, for Israel, for the building up, the empowering, the standing boldly that we desire for the Christian Church; make it so LORD in Jesus Name. Amen and amen.    
A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Vanessa. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and TinaRobert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie 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. 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. 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. 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. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). 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
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. 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. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
As I post this it is 86°F and clear in Kuwait, KW (Airport) and the time is 3:46 PM AST on November 10, 2009.