IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010
A Soldier, An Athlete, A Farmer
Okay. On to today’s text – I want to continue examining 2 Timothy with you today for a few moments before we pray. 2 Timothy 2 (New King James Version)
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
A good soldier does not fraternize with the enemy; a good athlete follows the rules of the sport, and a good farmer enjoys the fruits (and veggies) of his harvest.
Is any of this easy? Heck no! It’s all out war, and hard work! Ask any good soldier. Ask any Olympic Medalist. Ask any farmer at the end of harvest. He will tell you it was hard work, tough going and sometimes he wondered if he’d ever make it. But he did. And when you say was it worth it; he’ll say, “oh my yes! These peaches are so juicy it’ll run right down your arm, and this corn on the cob is the sweetest I’ve ever tasted!”
If we want the spiritual maturity we were re-born to have, we will stay out of carnality. We will not fraternize with our own flesh, the world or Satan. We will not bend the rules, we will embrace them as the holy protective boundaries they are, praising God every minute that He has given them to us. And we will cultivate the soil of our hearts, plant those seeds, water them, feed them, harvest them and then … when our battles are complete, our races are run, our crops are in the barn and we see HIM standing there absolutely, totally head over heels in love with us and He says, ‘Welcome Home. All that is Mine is yours.’ — It will be worth it all! Can we say Amen and amen?!
Colossians 3: (New King James Version) 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. [source]
Well, it took longer than I thought, but I like it! You are making me smile again today. I love it! And, ABBA, I love you. Thank You, LORD GOD, for making it so; You are so good to me. I hear what You are saying in these Wills up here. If I want spiritual maturity I will follow Your rules, I will not walk in the flesh and I will do the work of a farmer. It’s all about my ‘want to’ and You know in this moment oh I WANT TO, more than anything. But You know me and I know me pretty good too – I get entangled! But, You are helping me get entangled less and less these days. Thank You. I love it! You are so Awesome! Please don’t let this ‘taste’ leave my mouth. And, ABBA, I figure there are some other IDOKs out there that want this too and I bet (well, You know) they are like me in that they are prone to get entangled too. So I am asking You to keep after them too – every one of them that will say amen right about now. This is fun and I love it but there are needs and we dare not neglect that part of ministry. Some faces have popped up, some names linger, sweet people, precious people, hard stuff, lonely days and nights, wondering, scarcity, abundance but without peace; all this stuff. But YOU are faithful and You are able; may it be that each one of them will experience You in faithfulness and power, in healings and restorations, and rescues and just sweet, sweet freedom from sin and bondage. And protect our IDOK Troops again today, keep them safe, love on them so much they just feel it; move on Your Church with grace and mercy and conviction and the fresh fire of revival. Protect Israel, bring HER to the Land You have prepared for them; have mercy on the US, send conviction and grace to repent to the White House and every House I pray – all in the Name of Jesus, the One and Only. Amen and amen.
Kathie
Share this Post with Others