Tag Archives: New King James Version

Too Tired! (again)

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2009

Too Tired!

Anyway, ‘too tired to find the right words’ is hanging with me today, not sure why, and not sure what will come of it, maybe Wednesday’s IDOK; we’ll see.

‘Too tired to find the right words’.   Let’s see — too tired would be our condition (often, I think); to find would be an action, and the right words would be, oh that would be good any time; oh, yes, any time — that would be good!  So let’s imagine we are in a conversation, a conversation, shall we say, that becomes ‘warm’, really warm.  It is then, it would behoove us to FIND the right words, but alas we don’t.  And we don’t, because? Say it with me, we are too tired!
Too tired of hearing the same complaints, again.  Too tired of giving the same instructions, again!  Too tired of feeling rejected, again!  Too tired of cleaning up her/his mess, again!  Too tired of being the one to say I’m sorry, again!  TOO TIRED!  And why is that?  Why are we too tired?
And of what are we really too tired?  Probing questions, aren’t they?  And there is One who will help us individually answer them, if we are finally ‘too tired’ to keep on trying to live this Christian Life in our own strength, by our own wants and whims.
Oh to be ‘too tired’ to keep on keeping on in my own flesh!  Could it be that is what the Holy Spirit is waiting on?
Could He be waiting on us to get ‘too tired’ to resist Him anymore?
Gee!  I didn’t see that coming, but it’s good! 

Romans 8:12-14 New Century Version (Source)

 12 So, my brothers and sisters, we must not be ruled by our sinful selves or live the way our sinful selves want.13 If you use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want, you will die spiritually. But if you use the Spirit’s help to stop doing the wrong things you do with your body, you will have true life.  14 The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.

And here is a dear brother who was not too tired to find the right words. And why? Because rather than resisting the Holy Spirit, he was filled with Him.  Now that’s the way to die and live!  Acts 7 (NKJV)

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Father GOD, as we come to complete this post and to pray You know the heavy hearts that are coming before You now.  You know the nights and days before us; You know our needs before we even think of them, even before we know our needs, You know and have made provision to provide for us above and beyond; thank You.    We pray for our IDOK Troops, for their safety and protection, and for safe returns home.  And I pray for each of our IDOKs and Readers that they all be given the gift and grace of a good and restful night’s sleep and a refreshed morning and a renewed desire to worship and work in Your Vineyard.  I pray You will inspire and move us into Your harvest for Jesus’ Name’s Sake.  Amen and amen.

Kathie

THE (again)

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2009

THE

I played long and hard yesterday with grandbabies and I didn’t write a thing, except today’s grocery list.  And this morning even before my feet felt the floor, Scripture came to mind.

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And the CHILD has come and HE is indeed WONDERFUL.  And He is THE Counselor that the entire world should seek and heed.  He is Mighty God (Did we catch that? MIGHTY GOD! You nor I have a problem too big for Him.).  He is the Everlasting Father – no ‘child’ born before or after Him is an orphan, unless that ‘child’ refuses His Counsel.  Isaiah 49: (NASB) 14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me.”   15″Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.  16″Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

And no ‘child’ born has to be at war with God, the Prince of Peace has come!  And as to the Government; it does rest upon HIS Shoulder and no other!  I must remember this again and again when I am caused to fret – I must remember THE wonderful Counselor, THE Mighty God, THE Everlasting Father, THE Prince of Peace has come and I am His and He is mine!  And yours too! 

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

ABBA, these have got to be busy days for all our IDOKs and our Readers, interruptions and schedules and plans not going as envisioned; even this morning getting this edition on the screen; thank You for reminding me that You are Lord even over interruptions and our plans that go awry.  And so I pray as our schedules get more and more crowded that we will have the wisdom to do the imperative and fret not over the other.  And as I get ready to finally post this I pray You will comfort the grieving, heal the sick in body and heart, give peace of mind to the weary and Lord Jesus give us a fresh, intimate revelation of You the GodMan born as a baby.  Forgive us, heal us, renew us and motivate us to Go and Tell.  Please keep our IDOK Troops safe again today.  Again I pray for Israel, bless them and bring them to Your Peace as You subdue their enemies.  I pray for America that You will forgive us and grant space and grace for repentance.  I pray for this American government, it was once a good work and I pray it will be again.  I pray You will take Your Word written here and encourage and bless today for Jesus sake.    Amen and amen.

Kathie

 

Colors (again)

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009
Colors

I’ve been thinking about something on and off since last Wednesday:  DADDY GOD loves color and variety.  Wednesday I was privileged to attend the Christmas Sing-A-long at Daphne Elementary School and as I sat and watched all the 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders file in and take their places on the shiny hardwood floor I had this beautiful, sweet, pleasant, loving sense of Jesus loving the children.  Can you tell it moved me?  There they sat with various textures and colors of hair and skin tones.  They were beautiful! Every single one of them and Jesus loves every single one of them!  The quiet ones, the mischievous ones, all of them – Jesus loves them and He came so they could live!  There was a sadness there for me though.  No teacher or speaker said Christmas is about Jesus. No songs were sung to ring out His Name. I did rejoice though each time I heard Merry Christmas sang or spoken rather than Happy Holidays; I’ll take my blessings however they come!   And yet this I know even though He was not exalted by name, He was there!  And He overwhelmed me with His love for color and variety in the little frames and faces of those precious little people.  Oh may it be that many saints will be raised up and empowered to demonstrate to children that Jesus loves them!

And then on Friday I attended First Baptist of North Mobile’s Christian School Christmas Pageant.  Now that was a Christmas Celebration!  I worshipped and cried and laughed and loved every minute of it!!  And again I was overwhelmed with that sense that ABBA loves color and variety.  Again there were beautiful children with various textures and colors of hair and skin tones.  Moreover, there was a song wherein the children came up the isles of the sanctuary dressed in costumes representing the country for the flag they were holding.  I loved it!  I am convinced when our God looks at the faces of humankind, He sees beauty in the differences.  He loves the shades and colors of our faces.  He did it on purpose!  

The following comes from this website:

  1. Jesus calls the children dear,
    “Come to Me and never fear,
    For I love the little children of the world;
    I will take you by the hand,
    Lead you to the better land,
    For I love the little children of the world.”

    • Refrain:
      *Jesus loves the little children,
      [*Jesus died for all the children,]
      All the children of the world;
      Red and yellow, black and white,
      All are precious in His sight,
      *Jesus loves the little children of the world.
      [*Jesus died for all the children of the world.]
  2. Jesus is the Shepherd true,
    And He’ll always stand by you,
    For He loves the little children of the world;
    He’s a Savior great and strong,
    And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
    For He loves the little children of the world.
  3. I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
    And Your soldier I will be,
    For You love the little children of the world;
    And Your cross I’ll always bear,
    And for You I’ll do and dare,
    For You love the little children of the world.

Of all that we can do is there anything of more value than demonstrating to the children that Jesus loves them? Matthew 19:13-15 (New King James Version)

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

DADDY GOD, I am late again this morning at many things on my list. Thank You for the impressions You gave me with colors and variety; please, Holy Spirit, don’t let me forget it for as long as I breathe here on this planet.  I pray that You will take this today and do Your Will with it. I pray for all of us this day that we will demonstrate to the children in our lives that You LIVE and You LOVE them; not just children but the big people in our lives too. And we pray too for all these whose names will be spoken, bless and comfort and heal as they need to glorify Your Name to the world.  Comfort and protect our IDOK Troops we pray and bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time.  I pray Your Sweet Presence to be felt and experienced by our IDOKs and our Readers today; keep us safe and holy in walk in this world for Jesus sake. Save America and give Israel Peace, I pray.  Amen and amen.  

Kathie

This is Personal! (again)

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010
This Is Personal!
            As I begin, this is early Wednesday morning, probably many of you have not read Wednesday’s edition yet as I begin Thursday’s.  I know at least one of you has though, as you were up way early this morning – I pray right now for grand-babies to be well and for rest for you.   
            I want to share portions of Isaiah 43 with you.  I want you to take this passage personally.  It will give you strength! And it may even give you a ‘warm fuzzie’ and a warm fuzzie with JESUS is always WONDERFUL!
            To read the TEXT as it is written in the NKJV go to this link http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is%2043&version=NKJV
To read it personalized (I really don’t think DADDY GOD will mind) continue on here:
            Isaiah 43
 1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O _________ (fill in your name),
      And He who formed you, O ________:
      “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, ________;
      I have called you by your name;
      __________, You are Mine.
       2 When I pass through the waters, HE will be with me;
      And through the rivers, they shall not overflow me.
      When I walk through the fire, I shall not be burned,
      Nor shall the flame scorch me.
       3 For (He has said to me) I am the LORD your God,
      The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
      You have been honored,
      And I have loved you, __________; . . .
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I like this practice of making Your Word personal; of reading it as though You spoke it to me personally. And You have. I pray our IDOKS and our Readers will be encouraged; that they will take Your Word personally; that they will KNOW Your promise to never leave them or forsake them is real and You are faithful and Your Word does not fail.
We pray too for all spoken here.  Thank You for allowing us to be a part of the work You are doing in their lives.  And we pray for our IDOK Troops, asking You to again keep them safe and bring them home safe and sound.  Please continue to speak to our hearts.  I pray this IDOK ministry will be made up of people who weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.  I pray we will truly be people of prayer; so much so that the enemies of Your Gospel are turned back and lost people will be rescued from their bondage and slavery to sin.  Thank You for what You are doing in America.  Thank You for the grace and space You have given us; we pray for more; we pray for revival in America.  We pray elected officials that do not honor Your Word will be voted out of office.  We pray that those who have agendas to promote what You hate will be stopped and removed from office and we pray that at least morally sound people will be elected and that this Country will return to the basics.  You know all the unspokens, the specific unspokens, and parents and grandparents with heavy concerns, I pray for Your Will to be made plain and manifested in all these things.  And this I pray in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen and amen.
Kathie