by Dona Hake

You can eat the healthiest of foods to keep your body strong.  You can buy the most expensive clothing from top clothing lines.  Ladies can put on makeup till they miraculously transform the outward.  Gold and silver jewelry can be worn.   All these things can be done and one can look so fashionable and beautiful yet one’s soul could possibly be mean and hateful.  From the inside out an individual may be  thinking  thoughts that are not worthy and then they speak those words  and hurt those around them.  Yet, all the while they look at ease and perfect on the outside.  Yes, this is the world in which we live.

Proverbs 11:17  (TLB)

“Your own soul is nourished when

you are kind, it is destroyed when you are cruel.”

Another translation puts it this way “… but the man without pity hurts himself.”   I could not help but think of times we see images of starving children and adults.   Hunger is so sad, and starvation will kill, yet there are people dying from the inside out because they do not understand how to love.

I believe the Lord really wants us not only to show kindness but we need to truly see the root cause of one’s desire to be unkind.   The Word says that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  I pray that it never cease in me.  It is only as we look to Him that we can do His kindnesses to others.    Today, I want to think about how powerful one simple act of kindness can be.  Your simple act of kindness may be exactly what someone may  need to get through another day.  God is good and He is kind.  Let us  live by His example.

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by Dona Hake

I have always heard that if you need someone to help you get something done, you should ask a busy person.  I love the people in my life that are there to help me.  These people are faithful and dependable…they keep their word. Nothing is more disheartening than someone not following through with something.   A faithful friend is a valuable friend.  A friend that can be trusted is such a wonderful possession.  Isn’t it wonderful that we can have a friend like this in Jesus?  He is faithful and He will always keep His Word.

Psalm 27:14(KJV)

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and he shall

strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

When I was pondering this scripture to share today the emphasis I want to make is on three words and they are AND HE SHALL.    The scripture does not say “wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and it is likely he will strengthen your heart.”  Nor did it say “wait on the the Lord: be of good courage and perhaps he will strengthen your heart.”  NO!  it says, “He shall.”  If He said He shall, then He will!

Thank God today that all that God promises to do in His Word, He shall do it!  God is good, He is faithful, and He always keeps His Word!

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by Dona Hake

I can remember as a little girl the first time I saw “The Wizard of Oz.”  My imagination  put me in Dorothy’s slippers and anticipated the direction of the  Yellow Brick Road .  Yet at  the cornfield where Dorothy met the Scarecrow, there was a fork in the Yellow Brick Road. They decided which of the three branches to take, and eventually found themselves at the Emerald City.  If you know the story you well know that there was much trouble and confusion along the way, but in the end there were lessons learned.

I am so thankful that God’s direction in our lives need not be vague but rather clear and decisive.  When we come to “forks” in the road, we need to simply be ever conscious that He desires to point us in the exact direction that we are to go.  He does not want to see any time wasted in our lives so He promises to stay with us, leading and guiding us to our destinations.

Isaiah 30:21 (Douay-Rheims American translation)

“And thy ears shall hear the word of one admonishing thee behind thy back:

This is the way, walk ye in it: and go not aside neither to the right hand, nor to the left.”

I was drawn to this translations over all the others simply because it used the word *admonishing*.  He understands how our human nature can many times make decisions based on the “easy way” rather than His way.  Today I encourage you to listen for that quiet voice that desires to be your Compass in life!  God bless you.

I encourage you to share your thoughts on our blog.  Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit!

by Dona Hake

I love the quote “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”  It is so true.  We can get preoccupied with things, begin to worry, and all of a sudden it is as if a gigantic magnifying glass is on your problem.  What is even worse is if you are magnifying something that has not even transpired.  You begin to imagine the strangest and most fearful scenarios.  It is in those times that we need to stop ourselves and remember Who takes care of us and it is Him that lovingly watches over our every move.

Psalm 139 (The Living Bible)

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I am going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.”

When we meditate upon the fact that God knows the moment in which we live, the moments we are about to walk into, and the tomorrow that we will face, we can be assured of His care.  Let us live in the abundant provisions of His Word and not allow ourselves to robbed of living one day at a time in His presence and in His joy!

I encourage you to share your thoughts on our blog.  Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit!

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by Dona Hake

There are two questions I want to pose to you for thought.  Have you ever had the greatest of days, all was going well, and one person says a negative thing to you and all you do is focus on that one negative?  OR… Have you ever been discouraged in your heart, feeling like giving up, and someone says the most encouraging word, and you feel like your world was turned right side up?   I am sure everyone of you that just read these two questions can totally identify with where I am going today.

One word has the power the lift up or bring down.  Isn’t it amazing to think that one word is able to carry so much influence on those around us?

Proverbs 12:25 (AMP)

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.”

The Voice translation of Proverbs 12:25…

“The weight of worry drags us down,

    but a good word lightens our day.”

Today as you encounter people, study before you speak.  Think about how your words can lift them up and possibly change the way they are thinking about themselves.  Kind thoughts and kind words cost not one penny yet the hearer may be  receiving a wealth of encouragement that their money could never buy.

Proverbs 18:21 (Good News Translation)

“What you say can preserve life or destroy it.”

I invite you to share your thoughts of today’s devotional.  Scroll to very bottom of page and submit!  God bless you!

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by Dona Hake

What a wonderful thing that God’s wisdom is.  As we seek it first before any task we can know that we are doing the right thing and it is in accordance with His will.  Today let us meditate on how wonderful it is that godly wisdom is as a spring, a gushing stream with life giving power!  As you draw upon it, it will flow to you and from you to others.

Wisdom may be in word or it may be in deed, and it may even be wisdom at times to just be silent.  We can probably all testify of times that words have been spoken to us apart from His wisdom.  Those words can hurt you, leave scars and divide the closest of relationships.

Proverbs 18:4 (AMP)

“The words of a [discreet and wise] man’s mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].”

The wisdom of God will always be full of peace, easy to be entreated and without hypocrisy.  Wisdom will always stand in line with the truths of God’s Word and there is no wavering in the words or actions of wisdom.  Let us seek to be vessels of those that speak His wisdom offering words and actions that are life giving and pure.  God bless you!

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by Dona Hake

Wisdom is one of the most powerful things we can embrace.  It is the  ability to know exactly what to do in a situation.  It will bless your heart because you know the word you just spoke to a friend in need was exactly what they needed to hear.   It is knowing in your heart that you have a peace to step out in a specific direction or new path because you feel it is the voice of wisdom speaking to you.    When things seem confusing and without answer, God desires to shed His wisdom to help you walk through whatever it is you are dealing with.

One thing the Bible clearly states throughout Proverbs about wisdom is that it is to be sought after and held as valuable as a jewel.  One can embrace wisdom and yet be fooled by people’s opinions or the voice of circumstance and turn from wisdom’s way.   Over and over Proverbs emphasizes the need to embrace wisdom.  Don’t let it go!  Clearly God understands our human nature that we can tend to look to doing things our own way or we are  moved by what we see and not what He sees.

Proverbs 8:17 (NASB)

 “I love those who love me;

And those who diligently seek me will find me.”

Wisdom desires to be loved and embraced.  Wisdom desires to be sought after with one’s whole heart.   I would like to share a handful of translations of how wisdom desires to be sought after.

 (NLV)  “…those who look for me with much desire will find me.”

 (VOICE)   “… those who search hard for me will find me.”

 (WYC) “…and they who wake up early to seek me, shall find me.”

(YLT)”… And those seeking me earnestly do find me.”

Let us look straight to the Lord for His wisdom for our lives each and everyday!

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by Dona Hake

It is a wonderful thing to have a friend that you can trust.    It is  precious to have someone that you can bear your heart to and know that your words will go not farther.  A true friend will be there for you through think and thin.  The friend that can be trusted sees your every side, your ups and downs, your strengths and weaknesses, and they simply accept you.  These are the qualities that will help you to trust.  A friend you can trust in is one that you can rely upon their integrity and strength.  Simply put you can have confidence in them.

Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP)

“Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.”

The Lord wants us to trust Him as that good Friend.  As we see Him as a friend, He will give us every reason to put our total trust in Him.  As we trust Him with our all, we will see and be able to testify that He is with us in every thing we walk through.  When the “heat” of trials is on we will remain strong and vibrant in our faith.   NO, I did not say it would be easy, but knowing He remains by our side is what will get us through.   I love how the Message translation puts it…

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (MSG)

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,

    the woman who sticks with God.

They’re like trees replanted in Eden,

    putting down roots near the rivers—

Never a worry through the hottest of summers,

    never dropping a leaf,

Serene and calm through droughts,

    bearing fresh fruit every season.”

Enduring trust brings enduring fruit.  I like the idea of remaining serene and calm when everything around me seems to be destitute.  As we continue to trust, He WILL show Himself faithful!

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BY Dona Hake

Today I am thinking about individuals that spoke into my life at a particular time when I needed it  most.  It was a time in which I knew I was to step forward into doing something I did not think I could do.  I thank God for those times in my life for those that have spoken words into my heart at the exact moment that I needed.  These are times in which I have received courage to do what I thought I could not do.

 Many years ago our Christian school was soon to begin and I knew I was to teach a particular class yet I was nervous about it.     I knew I was to step forward into this new opportunity yet the apprehensiveness was causing me to fear that I was not able .  My husband continued to encourage me as he always does and I appreciated that so much.  There were times I would break down in tears to him trying to convince him I really could not teach the class.  He continued to encourage me because he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was God’s will.  Thank God for those that can see clearly when things are out of focus for us.

One day our dear friend from Nigeria stopped by the school to visit and I was standing in the hall and he greeted me.  This gentleman could see right through me and he perceived that I was troubled.  I began to share the opportunity before me and my fears and he spoke one sentence to me that totally shook me from the inside out.  “Sister, God wants to unlock surprises within you that you never knew were there!”  He spoke it with boldness and I just knew God was using him.

Whenever I think about this I always keep before the Lord that just maybe there are other “surprises” or gifts within me that He is quietly waiting for me to allow Him to unlock.  I just love this quote by this incredibly gifted sculptor.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”  Michelangelo

You see, God sees what is inside of us and He desires to set it free as well to bless those around us.  I hope this encourages you to think about the gifts that may be in you that you have not yet discovered.  God is able to show you…if you let him.

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by Dona Hake

I can still see my four year old Granddaughter standing and watching me take my vitamins.  In her eyes it was a handful of different shapes and colors.  The biggest and hardest one for me is my multi-vitamin and  that morning I saved them for last.    It must have been entertaining for her to watch me try to swallow even the small ones.  She  watched  intently as one by one I accomplished what I was trying to convince her of being  a good thing.  I thought to myself…”wait till she sees me try to swallow the big one!”   She reached her little hand up and pointed to the big one and said, “Grandma, try this one!  It’s pink!  That one will be good for you!”  In her mind because it was pink it would be easier to take.    Believe me as I swallowed that one her face exhibited real concern.  I am laughing now but it makes me think how sometimes in life the right and good things we are told to do can be the hardest “pills” to swallow.

I think the following scripture could probably be looked at as one of those difficult “pills” to take and apply to our lives.  I Corinthians 13 referred as the love chapter states all that God’s love would have us to do.

1 Corinthians 13:5

“… it takes no account of the evil done to it it pays no attention to a suffered wrong.”

Our human natures can tempt us to have little running “accounts” in the back of our minds of things done wrong to us, hurtful words, etc.  The longer the list gets the harder it is to feel at ease with that person.  God well understands that this type of habitual “account keeping” will destroy even the most precious and dear relationships.  He commands us to forgive and let it go.    This is one of those “big pink pills” that are hard to swallow.  Believe me, we need to take this scripture and meditate upon it and let it grow big within you.  It is nourishment to our spiritual being and it will cause us to be better people.  God wants us to live free from all bondage so let us release the wrongs and stay focused on loving others as He loves us!