by Dona Hake

Proverbs 3:5 (The Message)

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.

I am very sure that if you are truly honest with yourself you would admit that there may be times that you try to figure things out on your own.  At a very young age even little ones begin to want to do things their own way regardless of how they have been told the right way is.    In an age of much information it is very easy to turn and trust the information that is all around us.   I believe that God wants us to seek to use our minds as we purpose to fill it with good things.  Knowledge is good but be careful that you turn to Him that He can help you rightfully sort through your thoughts and what you are to do specifically in a matter that you may be facing.  Here is another translation of Proverbs 3:5:

Proverbs 3:5 (GNT)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Never rely on what you think you know.”

God desires that we trust Him in every area of our lives.  He desires that we keep our focus upward to Him so that we can discern when our thoughts are opposing His voice desiring to speak to us from deep within.  The voice of the mind can get way too loud especially if you are in trouble.   Many times we can overlook the fact that God may be seeing our situation in an entirely different way and it would do us good to throw everything into reverse, be quiet and consult with Him. I think the most common mistake we can make is only turning to Him with  difficult matters .  Remember…He cares about every detail of your life!  Today I encourage you to learn of Him and lean on Him in every area of your life!

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By Dona Hake

Isaiah 64:8 (the Voice translation)

“Still, Eternal One, You are our Father.
We are just clay, and You are the potter.
We are the product of Your creative action, shaped

and formed into something of
worth.”

Purpose defined:  the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.  Today I want you to think about the purpose and reason that you are alive. If you believe that there is indeed a Creator and you know that He formed you  within your mother’s womb then you well understand that His hands are loving and they work with purpose. Some days we might not feel all that great on the outside and things may be a bit stormy on the inside but know this…God’s loving hand is at work in your life.  He sees you as one of great value and worth!

Philippians 2:13 (AMP) 

” [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the

while effectually at work in you

[energizing and creating in you the power and desire],

both to will and to work for His good pleasure

and satisfaction and delight.”

THE MESSAGE’s translation is wonderful and I love the way this reads.

“Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and

sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy,

an energy deep within you, God himself willing and

working at what will give him the most pleasure.”

Many times in life we can feel His loving hand molding us.   Sometimes it feels like we are being stretched.  Let us never resist the work of His hand.  His hand is at work in our life with a purpose and that purpose is that we bring great pleasure to Him!  Let us keep watch over our hearts that we remain humble and workable that His hand may continue to work!

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by Dona Hake

Philippians 4:13 (CEB)

” I can endure all these things through

the power of the one who gives me strength.”

What a blessing it is to know that we have all that we need for anything that we face.  Let us look at this verse and as you read it emphasize the first two words, “I can.”   Many times when we are faced with adversity or we are feeling weak, the first words that we may be tempted to entertain in our minds are “I can’t do this.”

In preparing for this particular devotional my original focus on scripture was John 10:10:

John 10:10 (AMP)
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill

and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy

life, and have it in abundance

(to the full, till it overflows).”

In this life we all face the thief, and he is the devil himself,   He diligently seeks to steal and rob from you.  He will try to kill your dreams, weaken your faith, and more than anything try to convince you that “you can’t” be an overcomer.   He seems to sometimes have the mysterious ability to make the smallest of things look gigantic, yet we serve the one that can bring all problems down to size it only we keep our eyes on Him.

Let us look to One that came that we might win in this life.  Let us look to Jesus, the One that has given us all the sufficient strength, wisdom, and everything that we need.  It is Him that desires that we enjoy life and live it to the full till it overflows and spills out to those around us!

by Dona Hake

Recently during the snow storms there were so many in this area that lost their electrical power but we never lost it one time during the storms here in my neighborhood. It was odd though, one evening while I was home alone, the electricity went down. I mean to tell you that in a split second my home went to being all lit up to pitch dark. No storm, no wind…it just did not make sense. The reason for it happening did not matter, I just needed to move toward where I knew the light was. I knew exactly where our two emergency lanterns were and I carefully made my way to them. Just a little bit of light from those lanterns illuminated my darkness to help me find everything I needed until the electric came back on.

Life is like this at times. Everything seems to be going fine and out of no where a storm hits and it takes you off guard. It is important to always hold fast to peace and move toward what you know is the good and right thing to do. What a blessing it is as we go to His Word and receive insight and understanding which brings light to our situation.

As we stay full of His Word we will be presented with opportunities to be a light for someone else’s darkness. Many times we may not even realize that we are reflecting the light of God’s Word for someone else that needs help. They may be going through a dark time and just hearing you express words of life will give them the light they need to know what their next step is.

by Dona Hake

Our yesterdays may have some wonderful and sweet memories. I know I have precious memories in my life yet there are some yesterdays that I would not want to walk through again. When certain yesterdays are with pain moments and hurt only the Lord can heal our hearts and minds.

1 Corinthians 13:5-7

“Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth.  Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.”

When someone hurts us it can be painful. We can be assured that the Lord knows our frame very well and He absolutely understands our emotions, and our thought processes. He knows what it is like to be falsely accused yet He kept His mouth shut and He walked in forgiveness. His ability to do this caused Him to endure the greatest thing that mankind ever faced.

Ask Him today to help you deal with and forget any pain and hurts from yesterday. Only His love will cause you to forgive those that have hurt you. It is only His love that will cause you to see people through His eyes. He will be faithful to come along side of you and help you. The God of all love, peace and comfort is so good.

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by Dona Hake

The other day I had the Andy Griffith show on and Andy was caught in a lie by his son Opie. Andy proceeding to squirm out of the whole thing by using the excuse that it was just a “white lie.” “You should never lie Opie besiides what I spoke was a “white lie” and that is different.” As little Opie kept pressing what the difference was, Andy finally broke down and admitted how wrong he was.
I hear this “white lie” thing a lot and quite honestly it makes my skin crawl. I was a bit amused by it’s definition. It is no wonder that people live in confusion over what is right and what is wrong in a time of crisis. When you live an immerse yourself in truth, you will quickly discern truth from your emotions and opinions.

White lie:

“A minor or unimportant lie, esp one uttered in the interests of tact or politeness.”

When one permits ANY kind of untruths to dwell in their heart it surely is not a good thing and it will never produce good. As we permeate ourselves with God’s Word and desire all of His truth, we will embrace the importance to seek truth and nothing but the truth. It will become such a priority to us, and our hearts will be pricked at the very thought of thinking or speaking anything other than truth no matter how big or small it may appear.
I believe that the Lord desires that truth should reign above your opinions, desires, feelings and emotions. It is as we regard His Word that we will be able to sort lies from truths and you will live and speak in the freedom of truth.

2 Corinthians 10:5   (VOICE)

“We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One.”

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by Dona Hake

Psalm 32:8 (ERV)

” The Lord says, “I will teach you
and guide you in the way you should live.
I will watch over you and be your guide.”

The Lord desires that we have Him guide us in every aspect of our lives. Today I am sharing this scripture in light of how we treat others. I love this scripture because the psalmist is proclaiming that the Lord has spoken that He will teach us and guide us in how we should live.

Many times it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing on people’s faults rather than the good things about them. God desires we LIVE to LOVE!!!! Criticizing is not showing His love in any way. The more you focus on anything negative in others the bigger it is going to become to you. Jesus admonished us with the following words from the book of Matthew:

Matthew 7:3-5 (ERV)

“Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood that is in your own? Why do you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye.”

I think the Lord clearly understands that we will encounter the faults and shortcomings of others but He desires that we handle ourselves in His love. The fault of someone could make your life miserable but it all comes back to asking God to guide you, and help you to deal with such things.

Today let us focus on Jesus’ last words of these verses, “Look at yourself first!” As we continually give our hearts and minds to Him, He has promised to teach us about all that we need in this life. Many times He may begin to lead you to pray for that individual that really needs help. As we are obedient to His process, He will take care of everything that pertains to us and He will lovingly deal with those around us. Let us also remember that the Holy Spirit is a complete gentleman and He will not impose Himself on anyone. The more we pray for others, the more our heart will be enlarged to love and carry people in prayer rather than be critical toward them.

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BY DONA HAKE

What a wonderful feeling it is to know that we have been given everything we need to rise  above a storm and soar because of His living Word at work in our life.  Jesus gave us these words:

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 30:5 Expanded Bible

“Every word of God ·is true [passes the test;  is refined;
·He guards those [ They are a shield to those] who come to

him for ·safety [refuge].

God’s Word to us is flawless.  We need not try to analyze it,  we need only to believe that His Word is true.  He promises that His Word  is a shield to those that place their trust in Him.  In your day of battle you are promised that His Word will shield you and keep you.  It is in those times when the fiery darts of the enemy come to penetrate your soul that the Word of God that you believe and speak will be a protection, a refuge, and you will walk in victory.   Jesus stressed the importance and the blessing of living by the truth.

John 8:31-32 (PHILLIPS)

“If you are faithful to what I have said,

you are truly my disciples. And you will

know the truth and the truth will set you free!”

Oh that we would be diligent to know His Word that we may be free in every area of our lives.  Let us never add or subtract from His Word either.  Proverbs 30:6  says  “Add thou not anything to the words of him, and thou be reproved, and be found a liar. (Do not thou add anything to his words, lest thou be rebuked, and be found a liar.)”  Again let us be reminded that God’s Word is perfect.  Let us never add our own thoughts or opinions to the Word of God because His Word is total truth and it need no more.

I rejoice in the simplicity that God has laid out for us in His Word.  Love His Word and live by it.  He promises that as we do this, we will be free indeed!!!

by Dona Hake

Philippians 3:13 (ERV)
“Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go.

But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and

try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me.”

I love how Paul expressed his determination to keep his focus.  He admits he had a long way to go but he was determined to do two things and they were to forget and reach.  He understood that his past needed to be forgotten and his future needed to be reached for with great perseverance.

Many times we can get so hung up on our pasts they we are at stand stills.  It is sad to think one’s purpose and determination is robbed by their yesterdays. I always felt that there is importance in learning from mistakes or bad experiences.  These things can serve to help us learn and gain wisdom.  Wisdom gained from bad experiences or mistakes can be carried with you the rest of your life.  This wisdom is something you can embrace and pass on to others.

Many times in our journey in life you may come to a “dead end” on a path that seemed so promising.  Do not let that discourage you but rather seek the Lord and what He would have you to do.  I believe there are many times that “dead ends” on the paths that we walk are God’s favor on us and He is sparing us from a bad decision or mistake.  Sometimes you just never know.  One thing we do know though and that is that we need to keep moving forward.

“One of the greatest and most comforting truths

is that when one door opens, another closes,

but often we look so long and

regretfully upon the closed door that

we do not see the one that is open for us.”

(Anonymous)

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