IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2009

Today is far spent and I have taken many steps today; even did some reading and Day 1 of Week 3, but nothing clicked for an IDOK Devotion – maybe because I did not sit still quiet long enough. SO may I give you a re-run? This one comes from June 18, 2007. It feels right for again today; I hope it is.

IDOK DEVOTION for Monday, June 18, 2007

I Want a Skateboard

Two things in particular my Pastor said yesterday that I want to share with you this morning. He gave me a definition for contentment and complacent that has stayed with me. He said I can know I am content when I am satisfied with what Father had given me. And he also said I can know I have become complacent when I am satisfied with what I am giving to Father. I am still pondering that and I invite you to do the same.

And the second thing I remember well my Pastor said is this: “I want my son to learn to walk before I put wheels under him.” The Pastor’s son is all boy. He’s one of those two year olds that can stretch a smile across your face and drop a giggle in your tummy as you watch his comings and goings – he is beautiful. And he wants a skateboard – the son, not the Pastor. Notwithstanding, little preacher boy is not getting a skateboard, his Father says. Now Pastor delights in giving his little one gifts. As Daddy, Pastor looks for ways to enrich his son but he knows that his son is far too young and miles and miles too inexperienced for a skateboard. So little preacher boy will have to wait for that skateboard.

About now are you thinking of another Father? I hope so. I hope you are envisioning your Heavenly Father looking at you with a broad smile as He watches your comings and goings. I hope you have a quiet assurance within that He is looking upon you with a deeper and wider and higher and greater and stronger love than Pastor can even begin to have for his little preacher boy. And I hope you know with all your mind and all your heart that if you don’t have that skateboard yet that you have prayed for over and over again, it just may be He is withholding it because He wants to ‘see you walk before He puts wheels under you’.

Psalm 84 (NIV): 10 Better is one day in your courts

Than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD bestows favor and honor;

No good thing does he withhold

From those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,

Blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Betty’s fever was at 104 on Thursday morning, but amazingly when I talked to her she said she was fine. Betty was 6 in August. Today’s ultrasound showed nothing a CT Scan will be done tomorrow. Will let you know more as I do. Thank you for your prayers.

There is no doubt Father we are blessed when we trust in You. There is no doubt just one day in Your Presence, even without that ‘skateboard’ far exceeds thousands upon thousands of days any place else – any place other than in Your Presence is wicked and we want no part of it. Thank You. Thank You that You carefully watch over us and until we master ‘walking’ You will not endanger us by putting us on wheels. I ask You Holy Spirit to encourage and comfort Your People, our IDOKs with this Scripture and illustration today. I don’t know every need and every request of these but I know You do and I trust You to do what is perfect for each of them. I trust You to smile on them today, to watch their comings and goings and to care for them more deeply than any father or mother could for their beloved children. I trust You to heal the sick and bind up the wounded and mend and restore the brokenhearted and to feed and clothe us all according to our individual needs. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for loving these and caring for them. And thank You for our IDOK Troops. Thank You that You have watched over them and have protected them in mind and body and spirit and we ask You to continue that today and today we ask You again to bring them home to us safe and sound at the appointed time. Please revive America. 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.

Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. 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. Jarrod. 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. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. 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)

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) Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

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.

As I post this it is 64°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 5:57 AM AST on October 2, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009

Today’s study so far was Day Five, Week Two of the Patriarchs. The focal reading was Genesis 18:16-33 and Genesis 19. You may or may not recall just from the references that these passages are when the LORD told Abraham He was going to destroy Sodom and the actual destruction of the place. Genesis 19 is — well I am sitting here reaching for words to describe it. Obviously the goings on in the city were (and still are) an abomination to God. I am fully convinced that the only reason fire has not fallen so far in this day is because of the righteous ones living here. ABBA, told Abraham He would spare the City if there were at least 10 righteous people in the City. There wasn’t! Our ratio here in America today obviously is high enough so far to stave off the brimstone. But that is not where I was going when I came to the screen.

As we looked at Lot’s wife who looked back and became a pillar of salt, Beth asked the question: Can you think of a time when “looking back” was a grievous mistake? I answered this way: Looking back without a doubt does lead to relapse; until we HATE what is back there we are doomed to go back there. Certainly I was not speaking of hating people, that is never appropriate; but hating SIN is always appropriate. And until we come to HATE the sin that is back there, we will go back there. Lot’s wife, didn’t. She did not hate the life she was living in Sodom. God gave her a way out, a way to a new life and she forfeited it. I think she did that for lack of hate and lack of love. Our Father HATES sin and if we are going to be like Him, we must hate it too. I have to ask this: is there a sin back there that you don’t hate? Maybe you are not practicing it today but you know in your heart of hearts that you are still fond of it. If so, please, please confess this to God and ask Him for His Holy Gift of Hatred for that sin back there; otherwise the day will come when you will go back there.

John 14: ¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 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. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. ²³ Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. ²⁴ He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

P.S. I completed this devotion earlier in the day, went to church, then to supper with dear friends and then home to post and email to you, and when I opened my email there was a prayer request from Bev. Bev is a dear and treasured friend; I met her in the 90s. I was a ‘seasoned’ (ha ha) paralegal and she was a novice (after having worked in the medical field for many years – she just wanted a less stressful profession); the Lord quickly cemented us as Sister-Friends in Him and she has come to my aid many times. God blessed me good with her. Those of you who have been with me for a long time know that a few years ago her granddaughter, Betty, little more than a year old became gravely ill; with prayer and great medical care she improved and thrived. And then earlier this year, another illness (not related to the first) and again with prayer and medical care she recovered. Tonight Bev told me Betty is very sick again. Her fever today was 106.8 but with swine flu the hospital is not a safe place for a child to be with a comprised immune system so Betty is at home. Many tests have been done and so far the labs are negative. Please pray for Betty, her parents and grandparents.

ABBA, this is stern, this is strong and I know it has come because You love us so much. I ask You to search my heart and any sin You find hiding in there, please shine You Holy Light on it and give me grace and faith to hate it; hate it so much that I will not even think about doing it. And I pray this for our IDOKs and every Reader. And perchance someone happens along over this page and he or she knows in their heart of hearts that there is a specific sin back there that they have confessed and maybe in this season are not even participating in it now, but they still think about it and still ‘miss’ it, I pray this very devotion will be a turning point for them and they will pray for and embrace Your Hatred for that sin and have the full victory that You desire to give them. I ask You Father to do a mighty work today in the hearts and minds of our People. LORD, You can set people free; whatever it is, it is not too difficult for You and You in them means it is not too difficult for them to put down, to hate and turn away from and be free. Make it so, LORD, make it so.

And there is a specific unspoken that came in today, You have already heard my prayer and now I ask You to hear the prayers of others as they pray for this dear Sister who has a decision to make. I pray she will receive and do what You say. Don’t let her miss You.

And as every day we bring this list of names, sweet and dear people in need of various things, do Your Thing for them ABBA I pray. Do Your Thing in keeping our IDOK Troops safe too and bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time. And Israel, love on them today and bring them to peace. Thank You for Your grace upon America, help us be instruments in Your Hands to bring Her to repentance. Amen and amen in the Mighty and Holy Name of Yeshua. I love You, LORD. Oh thank You for loving me! 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.

Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. 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. Jarrod. 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. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. 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)

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) Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

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.

As I post this it is 63°F and scattered clouds in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:05 AM AST on October 1, 2009. Today is my beloved’s birthday. Please pray birthday blessings on him! I bless the LORD for the day Jerry Lee Thompson was born!!

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

I don’t know the reason I have read these passages over and over. I don’t know why I am sharing it with you, I just am.

Isaiah 11 begins with a prophesy that Jesus is coming. And my source (The Reese Chronological Bible) tells me Isaiah 11 was penned about 713 BC. As to timing only, that would be like you and I picking up a book written in the year 1296 and reading about an event that took place today. Can you imagine how Isaiah felt when he was penning these words? Do you think he wondered when, LORD, when?

1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,

And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The Spirit of counsel and might,

The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

And continuing on with Isaiah 11, the Millennium Reign of Jesus is foretold. Verse 9 says: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Oh I long for that day! And then we get to Chapter 12, A Hymn of Praise, and it says.

1 And in that day you will say:

“ O LORD, I will praise You;

Though You were angry with me,

Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

2 Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;

‘ For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song;

He also has become my salvation.’”

Yes, His anger has been turned away; turned away because I have looked to The BRANCH of David and He has become my salvation and yours too. And the praise goes on. Then we come to Chapter 13 and a proclamation is given, a proclamation of war to come; war with effects that you and I have not seen. War so severe that the atmosphere is so dirtied (10) . . . the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. Why does this happen? Because man is depraved and thoroughly wicked and ABBA has no choice and this He says: 11 “I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

As Isaiah may have said, ‘when, LORD, when’; maybe we are saying that too. And the chapter goes on describing the wickedness of the people in that future time and verse 18 causes me to think today’s people are already beginning to practice the ways described by Isaiah; maybe we are seeing a prelude. Does not this remind you of abortion? 18 . . . And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye will not spare children. As I said, I don’t know the reason for this particular message, it just is.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

ABBA LORD, I have read this and read it and now have given it here, please do as You will with it in the hearts of our IDOKs and Readers wherever they may be. I know from Your Word that You desire for all to come to repentance so that You may withhold judgment. I know too that if repentance does not come that You have no choice, You must invoke the penalty. For You to fail to execute judgment, You would fail to be God; thank You that that can never happen. ABBA, I know so little but what I do know and as shallow as this is, I appreciate You. I am grateful and glad that You are You. I applaud You for Your Justice. I applaud You for Your Righteousness. I realize You do not need my applause but I need to give it. You are worthy and I am glad.

I dare not close this time without interceding for these whose names are written here. Most of them we believe have come to a saving knowledge and have personally accepted Your Salvation, but there are some that we think from their own ‘testimony’ that they have not and we pray that they will yet be saved. We pray that we IDOKs would be moved with compassion and anointed by You, Holy Spirit, to demonstrate and speak Your Gospel to these. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and well being and safe passage home to families and friends. We pray for Israel, for the hearts of people to be turned to them, to aid and support them. We pray for this Administration that You will have mercy and shake and correct it. We pray for mercy and grace upon the people of America that You will call and we Your Saints will answer and that You will raise up Missionaries here in America and that lost souls will be saved. And I pray for others listed here who desire to be healed, that You will heal them. And what ever need is represented here, I pray in Your Name LORD that it be met. 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.

Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. 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. Jarrod. 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. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. 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)

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) Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

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.

As I post this it is 57°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 5:16 AM AST on September 30, 2009.