IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2010
Seven Words
I was struck with soberness as I read in Philippians 2 today. Be forewarned.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
There. I’ve put it on the page. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven words. This is probably the slowest I have ever typed devotional words on a screen. What can I say? What can we answer to that? Remember last week I think it was – when we said that when we read Scripture we are to respond to God with what do You want me to do with this Scripture? Can you hear Him say, ‘Do it.’? Is there any other response that will honor verse 14 of Philippians 2? Do all things without complaining and disputing. Get out of bed without complaining. Go to the office, without complaining. Open my umbrella without complaining. Words are failing me to describe to you the grip these words have on me today – oh, I hope they NEVER release me! I can see how different my world would be. I can see my face bright and glowing. As I walk, I can see my steps are less encumbered even with a precious cargo of adversity in my arms. These seven words were not given to burden us, nor slap us, nor condemn us, but to free us! Can you see it? Oh, please tell me you see it! To lift our faces. To make our eyes bright, even sparkling. To bubble up grins from our merry souls. I see astonished people watching. I see some astonished enough to try it for themselves. I see people changing. I see miracles all over the place. I see women. I see men. I see children – loving, laughing, rejoicing. I see ABBA ‘pulling surprise boxes off shelves and placing them on our front porches’. I see new-old neighborhoods, new-old churches – not perfect ones, but so inviting, so compelling that others come. Some out of curiosity, but still they come; they look, they see, they are moved to live there too. 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
It’s not a fairy tale. It’s not meant to be just wishful thinking. It’s real life – it’s the life you and I are expected to live – anything less and we all get cheated!
Oh, DADDY, I see it. And by Your grace I am going to learn to live it! In Jesus Name for His Holy, Totally Deserving Self, I commit myself before You and these IDOKs to learn day by day to live these seven words for Your glory alone! I know I will not do it perfectly, I know I will slip shamefully at times, fall flat on my face and think I am crazy for even trying again; but I will get up as fast as Your Grace can lift me. By Your Spirit, I will get up, step up and keep going. The work You have begun You will complete, I’m holding You to it, DADDY. I love you so! I hear that. I got to be nuts doing this, but, ABBA, I need the accountability and there is no doubt YOU are worth it all. And, ABBA, I figure there have got to be some others out there that are willing to take these seven words and let them live in them too and I pray for them for the courage to let You do this in them. LORD, there must be cells of saints all over to live these words and IDOKs might as well be one of those cells of peoples. You did not bring us together just to read devotions; there’s more and I pray for the more. I pray for our IDOK Troops; for their safety, for their maturing in the faith; for their well being in spirit, soul and body. We commend them to You. We commend all these too and we give ourselves to be hands and feet of service to them as You will. Amen and amen in the Name that is Above Every Name, The Son of the Most High, Jesus the Christ.
Kathie
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