Dona Hake, Author at The Abundant Life Center

“Remain Stable and Fixed”

Posted on Aug 30, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Psalm 91:1
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
“He that dwelleth in the help of the highest God; shall dwell in the protection of God of heaven. (He who dwelleth in the shelter of the Most High God, shall live under the protection of the God of heaven.)”

Here are some other translations of the last part of this verse:

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High…

“…will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
“…shall remain stable and fixed .”
“…they will be camping in the Almighty’s shade…”
“… remains under the protection of the Almighty…”
“… resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king…”

I love the one that says we are camping in the Almighty’s shade. There is no place that I would rather be than dwelling in the shade and protection of the Almighty God! Under His wings we can trust and feel secure in Him.

We are living in a time in which we are hearing so much turmoil in our world. The world is being shaken like never before. The Lord Jesus spoke and proclaimed that in this world things are going to happen that will cause our hearts to fear and our world will feel shaky but He consoled His listeners with the fact that His peace would be with them. Today we can embrace that peace.

John 16:33 (AMP)

“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.]

We can know and dwell in that place of knowing that NOTHING can separate us from the wonderful things that God has for us. Today I encourage you to dwell in that place of knowing who He is and who He said He would be to you. We share in a hope that no one can take from us. Let us rejoice in that!

“There’s Power In Forgiveness”

Posted on Aug 29, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I don’t know about you but I thank God that He is a God of second chances. The giving of forgiveness is that second chance. When someone offends us, we can let it go or hold on to it. It is only by the power of God’s love at work within us that we can give someone a second chance by releasing them of the offense they have caused us.

One day the subject of forgiveness came up between the Lord and His disciples and Peter popped a question. I guess in Peter’s mind maybe he was willing to give even more than a second chance but a seventh chance. I am sure Peter was taken back by the Jesus’ answer to his question.

Matthew 18:21-22
The Voice
Peter:” Lord, when someone has sinned against me, how many times ought I
forgive him? Once? Twice? As many as seven times?”
Jesus: “You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Many times we are just like Peter. We want to feel as if we are so full of love, but you see our love has limitations. We all have our limits. God’s love has NO limitations. Today I encourage you to draw upon the love of the God in the midst of your day. Know that as you draw upon the love from above that you can freely forgive as many times as you have to.

“Love is a fruit in season AT ALL TIMES, and
within the reach of EVERY HAND.”

Mother Theresa

“Taste and See”

Posted on Aug 28, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Whenever I have our Granddaughters at our house I love seeing them enjoying their food when they sit down to eat. Sometimes you wonder where they put it! There have been times in the past where they have seen me eating something they have never tried, and like any little one they have said, “No way! I’m not trying that!” I immediately respond, “Whooooa….we do not say that until we have at least tried it first!” If they at least try it and do not like it then they may walk away from it. I love when they apprehensively yet willingly try something and they light up like little Christmas trees and declare that they love it.

There are many times now when I finally sit down to eat after feeding them that our youngest Granddaughter will come and look up at me and say, “I’d like to try what you have.” I can not begin to tell you the times that my plate was handed over to that little girl, and I would just make myself a new helping. Why? Because I am delighted that she tried it and could not stop eating it!

I believe there are so many things about God that we have not even touched nor tasted of simply because we get comfortable with where we are at. We cannot get “full” of all the good things that He has for those that love Him. God wants to be in every inch of our life and we need to be aware of our need for every good thing that He has to offer us.

Psalm 34:8
The Message
“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.”

Psalm 34:8 (NCV)
” Examine and see how good the Lord is.
Happy is the person who trusts him.”

Today I encourage you to EXAMINE, OPEN YOUR MOUTH, AND TASTE!!! Happy are those that trust Him to show Himself in ways that they know not of!

~~~~~♥~~~~~

“Remember, He IS Faithful!”

Posted on Aug 27, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Whether you believe in God or not…HE IS faithful. Whether you believe He can help you or you feel He can not…HE IS faithful. His faithfulness is not dictated by what we do or do not do, HE WILL ALWAYS BE FAITHFUL. We took Him out of our schools, but HE IS still faithful to the heart that is only permitted to silently pray to Him. In a time where we seem to have to be politically correct on ridiculous things about Him…let us remember that HE ALWAYS WAS AND HE STILL REMAINS, for He is faithful!

I heard a coach interviewed today. He is a believer and he stated, “I’m not interested in being politically correct, I’m interested in being spiritually correct!” Later in the interview it was mentioned that someone twittered the following comment relative to this, “It is no wonder our youth have no moral compass.” It is a very troubling time in which we live in.

I just want to encourage you to hold fast, do not be moved, for if you are a believer, you serve a God that is faithful. This faithfulness has extended from the moment His hand created the sun and the moon. As He placed the stars in the sky, and created every beautiful thing you enjoy today, remember He is faithful. In the present moment that you are living, He is ever so faithful and desires to be a part of your world. Nothing ever changes with God.

Psalm 119:90-91 Living Bible
“Your faithfulness extends to every generation,

like the earth you created;

it endures by your decree,

for everything serves your plans.”

Ecclesiastes 3:14 (CEV)
“Everything God has done will last forever;

nothing he does can ever be changed. God has done all this,

so that we will worship him.”

“No Record of Wrongs”

Posted on Aug 26, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

We recently had a guest speaker at our church and one of my favorite things he mentioned in the midst of his sermon was the importance of the believer having a clear mind. How valuable and important it is to embrace this truth. The clear minded person is one that embraces peace and order in his or her life.

We hear about TV shows where they go into the homes of hoarders. I cannot imagine how anyone could live like this. The thought of clutter and disorder being left go is hard for me to comprehend. I have also seen shows where people go into situations like this and totally bring everything to order simply by the skills of organization and just getting rid of things. I think God desires that we keep our minds clear and free any “clutter” and undesirable thing.

Today our focus in this devotional is to have NO records of wrong done to us. Let us take caution that we do not have our minds cluttered and occupied with “accounts” that we have created for people. These would be records of the hurt or anger that they may have caused us. Here is what Paul wrote in the Love Chapter.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (CEV)

“Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.”

Yes, sometimes it can be hard to forget words and deeds wrongfully done against us, but let us obey His Word. Let us freely forgive those who have upset or offended us just as we have been forgiven. When opportunities arise (and they most certainly will) where people irritate us and get on our nerves, we need to work at just releasing their actions and words, and not dwelling on them. I guarantee you if you dwell on wrong words or actions done to you , it will not be long that your memory will be keeping a bad account of their deeds. God help us to not keep records in our minds that are not worthy of the space they take up. Help us to live with clear minds that are full of Your peace that you may guide us, and live through us everyday!

“Trust Him In the Little Things”

Posted on Aug 25, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I just went threw my husband’s container where he keeps his change. My mission was to find one shiny penny, and two older ones. I grabbed my primitive flag and created this image for you. I thought it would be an excellent visual for this devotional.

I can remember reading a story once of a man that never walked by a penny if it was laying on the street. He provoked me to do the same. I used to walk by pennies and leave them lay. After all, it is just a penny…the smallest sum of money there is. This man said that he would deliberately pick up the penny and hold it on the side of Abraham Lincoln’s head and read the words outloud “In God We Trust.” He shared how this little moment would remind him to just trust in God even in the smallest of things.

As I laid these pennies on my flag I also want to remind you to be thankful for your freedoms that you enjoy every day. This is NOT a little thing, for many have sacrificed their life for your freedoms. Many have paused their life and walked away from their family for a period of time just to serve their country. Today and everyday, pause and thank God for your freedoms.

Now back to the penny….I encourage you the next time you have opportunity and you see one little penny laying on the ground, purposely reach down and pick it up, and allow it to remind you to trust in God for the smallest of things in your life. He cares about the smallest of details. He knows of the smallest details in your life that you are not even aware of. To this day when I see a penny I will now pick it up and say out loud, “In God I will trust!” Whether the penny is bright and shiny or old and dull, it still stirs me to remember a really big thing.

IN GOD WE TRUST

“His Light, the Truth In Our Darkness”

Posted on Aug 24, 2014 in Devotions |

The following is a story I found several years ago and within the story is a strong truth for us to embrace and walk away with. It’s called “Collision Course” This was a conversation between a US naval ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in late 1995. The conversation between the two went like this:

CANADIANS: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.”

Americans: “Recommend YOU divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.”

CANADIANS: “Negative. YOU will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the
south to avoid a collision.”

Americans: “This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.”

CANADIANS: “No, I say again, YOU divert YOUR course.

Americans: “This is the Aircraft Carrier US LINCOLN, the second largest ship in
the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers,
three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that YOU change your
course 15 degrees north. I say again, that’s one-five degrees north, or counter
measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

CANADIANS: “This is a lighthouse. Your call !!!”

So what can we learn from this? There may be times in life that we are so self assured that we are on the right track. There may be family or friends that have stepped up and tried to speak into our life and we simply will not listen. Why? Sometimes it is because we are so determined to do things our own way or maybe we are pushing to make something happen in our own ability. The point here is that we need to know that we are on the course in which the Lord has placed us. If we are off course, thank God when the warning signs are loud and clear.

God has such a love for us and out of His love for us, He will try to warn us of where we really are heading. He cannot change our will nor can He force us to change our decisions. If we are wise, we will humble our hearts and just believe what He is saying whether we understand it or not. We need to accept that what He is saying is the truth…NO QUESTIONING!….May we be wise and give Him the final say in directing our steps.

Sometimes in the “night seasons” or confusing times of our lives, things can appear to be in our way but they really are not. They may be obstacles that are really opportunities or they may be His divine favor and protection to keep you from something bad happening.

I see God’s Word as that “lighthouse” being the light we need when we are sailing in the darkness. He is our guiding light and He will guide us toward the shores of certainty. I encourage you to listen to His voice and heed it as the highest authority as you
purpose in your heart to serve Him.

“God’s Plans For You”

Posted on Aug 23, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I recently heard this statement, and I loved it. “If you have a “why?” for your existence, you will have a “what” and a “where” as well. When we understand why we are here it will always bring purpose to our hearts. When we understand why we are doing what we are doing, we will be able to set goals for our future. Many a hearts are depressed and despondent today simply because they do not understand their purpose in this life.

I know I have shared this many times but it has deep meaning to me personally. When I was a teenager I can remember feeling so empty and life seemed so meaningless. About two years before I gave my heart to Jesus Christ, I can remember laying on my bed before falling asleep and asking God…”Is there more to life than this? If it is please help me understand it.” God was faithful to me in my seeking, and the answers became more clear. It was after I knew Him that my “WHAT do I do? and WHERE do I go from here?” was answered. He still faithfully answers my prayers to this day, and for that I am thankful.

Proverbs 19:21 (AMP)
“Many plans are in a man’s mind,
but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.”

We can all have our own plans but only the Lord’s purposes succeed, and be established. May I encourage you today that if you do not understand your purpose in this life to just simply ask Him.
He loves you where you are at, and He has a plan for your life!

“He Shall Supply”

Posted on Aug 22, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Did you ever have someone ask you what you would do if your were in a particular situation that may be difficult? I have often thought, “If I was in their position, what would I say?” One day while watching the news I can remember one of my favorite news reporters being interviewed. The interviewer asked him “If you had to give words of advice relative to this situation what would you say?” His humble face showed that he did not have the answer in that present moment but then he did say, “The Lord would provide.” Basically he was saying that if he did not have the answer but if he had to have an answer to that question, he would know exactly what to say when that moment came. He knew God would put the words in his mouth to speak.

This man’s words just refreshed my heart and reminded me that this is how life is to be lived. Many times things can look so complicated. Sometimes it seems we can fear making decisions. We may be afraid that we are not going to have the answers that we need. Yet if we trust Him to provide in the exact moment of need THE LORD WILL PROVIDE.

Today we are looking at the scripture from Philippians 4:19
” But my God shall abundantly supply all your
need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Let us be reminded that this is not just talking about material needs although God desires to provide for us in that realm. I am thankful that in times of needing to know what to do or say that God is well able to provide us with what we need. Next time you need to say or do something in your time of feeling helpless, believe that He can open His hand and give you exactly what you need for that moment in time. He is well able to fill your mind and mouth with the answers that you need. God is good.

“Giving Heed To the Word”

Posted on Aug 21, 2014 in Devotions |

Dona Hake

Proverbs 27:19 (ERV)

“Just as you can see your

own face reflected in water,

so your heart reflects the

kind of person you are.”

This scriptures provokes me to think about the true spiritual condition of my heart. If I were to stand over a crystal clear pond and look in, my reflection would answer back at me or in other words I see myself. I would see myself for exactly what I am because the reflection does not lie. When you stand in front of a mirror you can not stand there and say, “this is not me!” or “I do not look like that!” Our reflections are speaking to us and telling us exactly what we look like. So it is when we look into God’s Word, He will reveal to us our need for Him and all that He wants us to be.

James 1:22-25

Amplified Bible (AMP)

^“”But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;

For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.

But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).”

There will be those times in which we hear the Word and we may feel a bit convicted and we need to give heed, and be an active doer as this scripture tells us to do. This tugging at our heart is the Holy Spirit speaking to us to make changes, and this kind of change really is a good thing. This scripture is clear that we need to give heed to the Word we hear and read, and the living water of the Word will truly reveal to us the condition of our heart if we permit it to. The Lord is loving, and He will help you to make the adjustments you need to be molded into His image. Let us look carefully at ourselves in light of God’s Word and allow Him to work in us.