January 1, 2018
Devotional for Monday, January 1, 2018
“Making Plans”
by Dona Hake
For the past few days I have heard so many share their New Year’s resolutions. I am not sure why this has always bothered me. Maybe it is because most of the time people admit they cannot stick with their resolution. I find it very important to not only keep your word with others but to keep your word to yourself. In saying that I realize there will always be things beyond our control that we may not be able to do everything we hoped to do.
This ~resolution~ thing was really on my mind so as I was having my coffee this morning I was watching the news. Sure enough they were reporting about people’s New Year resolutions, and then they stated what the three most popular resolutions were, and they were…
“I want to be a better person.”
“I want to eat better.”
I want to lose weight.”
Then they had a motivational speaker on, and I absolutely loved what he said. He said, “Don’t make resolutions….you need to make make plans and commit to them!” He proceeded to say how he finds it interesting that most people do not even wake up every day and say “I resolve to do something.” He concluded in saying, “Ask yourself, what moves me forward?” This is a question that only each of us can answer, and I encourage you to ponder this.
Today I encourage you to make plans in your heart knowing that your plans are in accordance with His Word, and will for you.Maybe there are some heart and mind adjustments that need to be made within you. Every one is so unique and different, therefore each of our needs and concerns are equally different.
Know this…God is well able to make your crooked path straight…no matter how big or small those adjustment may be. So today think about it, and with God’s help He will guide you into a year of growth, change, and victory. Believe that His power is able to move you forward in His perfect will for your life, in Jesus Name!
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
“Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.”
“Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.”
Devotional for Saturday, December 30, 2017
Devotional for Saturday, December 30, 2017
“When God Calls Us To the Impossible”
by Dona Hake
We serve a God that wants to keep our hearts challenged to live by faith. He longs that we obey His voice, and look for opportunities for Him to take impossibilities and make them possible. We must dare to step out and serve Him even when it looks to us like we cannot do it. Today we will look at a wonderful account of Jesus doing the supernatural and inviting one of His disciples to join Him.
The disciples were in their boat, and Jesus had told them to head to the other side because He planned to meet up with them later. Jesus was spending time in prayer as He desired to be alone with His Heavenly Father. Matthew’s account of the story is as follows:
Matthew 14:25-31 (Easy to Read Version)
“Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus’ followers were still in the boat. Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, it scared them.
“Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus’ followers were still in the boat. Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, it scared them.
“It’s a ghost!” they said,screaming in fear.
But Jesus quickly spoke to them. He said, “Don’t worry!
It’s me! Don’t be afraid.” Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
It’s me! Don’t be afraid.” Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus said, “Come, Peter.” Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But while Peter was walking on the
water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”
water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”
Then Jesus caught Peter with his
hand. He said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?”
hand. He said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?”
I think there are so many lessons to learn from this portion of scripture. Peter always seems to be remembered for being the dear old soul that was always sticking his foot in his mouth. Isn’t it interesting that it was the disciples that were frightened as they saw someone on the water walking towards them, but Peter was the eager, inquisitive one. When he asked, “Lord, IF that’s you…tell me to come.” Peter was at least willing to get out of the boat. I will emphasize the following words “But while Peter was walking on the water…” Let us be reminded here that Peter was doing the exact same miracle that Jesus was. Many read this story, and always emphasize his lack of faith, and doubting.
Even if it was only a few steps, I always think about the faith that was in Peter’s heart that caused him to try, and reach the Lord by way of the impossible. I find it interesting as well that he was that close to Jesus when he began to sink, and all Jesus had to do was reach out and grab his hand. Really, Peter was almost there. Victory was so close.
Peter was walking in the miracle yet it was his reasoning that made him sink. Think about it…Peter was on top of the water bypassing all laws of nature. I can only imagine how wonderful and awesome those few seconds of his faith were. Peter just simply permitted his reasoning to challenge and pull down his faith.
There may be times that we are only an arm’s reach away from victory and circumstances seem to distract us. Many times it is when we are closest to victory that the devil will try to distract us with the wind and waves of this life. The devil loves to tempt us to reason away the Word of God on which we are standing. Think about it…simple reasoning of what Peter’s eye’s saw and what his ear’s heard caused him to begin to go down. I will leave you with this scripture:
Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.”
As we all enter this New Year we just never know the challenges that the Lord is going to set before us. I encourage your heart to accept the challenges that the Lord sets before you, and step out of your comfort zone, and walk toward Him with unwavering faith! …and lean not on your own understanding!
Friday, December 29, 2017
Devotional for Friday, December 29, 2017
“Our Future Comes On Day At a Time”
by Dona Hake
Philippians 3:13-14
“…but this one thing I do, forgetting
“…but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Yesterday has past, today is here and tomorrow is coming. What happened yesterday is behind us. May we thank Him for walking with us yesterday, look to Him today expecting good things, and praise God He will walk with us in days to come. As we approach a the New Year 2018 let us place our future into His loving hands. One of my favorite plaques in my home says:
“The best thing about the future is that
it comes one day at a time.”
I believe God is desiring us to live in the moment, in His presence, and faith in Him. If our yesterday has brought pain to us we need to ask the Lord to bring healing to our heart, and ask Him for the wisdom we need to walk forward. It is important to remember that when we do walk through hardships that we should seek to embrace and pass on the wisdom that we attained from that trial. We should never underestimate the power of sharing our testimony of what we have learned as the Lord helped us through a trial or rough circumstance. Remember…we are His light and His mouth piece to speak of His wonderful deeds!
Today I encourage you to be as resolute as Paul was. He was determined that his past was in the past, and he was moving forward. God desires that we look forward into our future with faith in our hearts. To dwell on our past is like trying to drive a car with our gaze continually on our rear view mirror. Yes, there are times we need to glance in our rear view mirrors so we can proceed cautiously. Those glances serve us to proceed with caution that we do not make mistakes or put ourselves in danger. May we be continually looking forward as the Lord walks beside us, and leads us and guides us in His paths that echo His Name.
“MY UNKNOWN FUTURE IS IN
THE HAND OF AN ALL KNOWING GOD”
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Devotional for Thursday, December 28, 2017
“The Treasures of Our Heart”
by Dona Hake
Matthew 6:19-20 (AMP)
“Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal…”
We all well know that we need material things to live and survive on this earth. Our homes, clothing, food, cars, etc…but the secret is this…rejoice in our blessings but make sure the blessings to not possess our hearts. When material things begin to take hold of our hearts they will potentially become an idol to us. Jesus warned us in the scripture above to “store up” treasures in heaven.
When we purpose to store the beautiful treasures that are only birthed by Him, we will know and understand that they cannot be taken from us. Material things come and go because they wear out or their worth may fade. Material things are just not enough to satisfy the yearning of man’s heart. The heavenly treasures most assuredly cannot be touched. Right now as I am writing this devotional my heart is thinking about what a treasure it is when we receive light and revelation from His Word. The more we meditate upon it the stronger and richer that truth becomes to us. His Word is such a precious treasure, and we need to guard it with all diligence.
Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified)
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance
and above all that you guard, for out of it
flow the springs of life.
Today I encourage you to look up! Look up and remind yourself of all the wonderful things that He has touched your heart with. These ARE the treasures of our life. There are treasures and blessings all around you, and He desires that we embrace a heart of thankfulness, and that we would never take any good thing for granted. It is God that is the giver of all good things and today we can praise Him for that!
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Devotional for Wednesday, December 27, 2017
“Take Every Thought Captive”
by Dona Hake
2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the
overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings
and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive in to the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),”
Our Lord has not only blessed us with abundant life but He has equipped us to fight the good fight with His weapons. Paul wrote here in 2 Corinthians that even though we live in the flesh that we should not do warfare according to the flesh. Our God desires that we masterfully use these spiritual weapons against the devil and any evil that comes against us. We have all heard it said that you cannot fight fire with fire, and so it is that we cannot fight fleshly things with our human understanding and our own ability. His weapons are mighty and promise to overthrow and destroy strongholds in our life. May we never forget this truth…God’s ways and thoughts are always higher than our ways and thoughts. As we love His Word, our feet will always walk in obedience to Him. May we obediently walk in the truth that we are not to try to win through fleshly measures but rather walk in the spirit using the weapons He has provided for us.
Psalm 119:59
I thought about my ways
and turned my feet toward your instruction.
and turned my feet toward your instruction.
Let us live with hearts determined to stay strong, and purpose ourselves to lead away and take every thought captive in Jesus Name that we can fight this good fight. To God be the glory as we live and walk in victory!
Monday, December 25, 2017
Devotional for Monday, December 25, 2017
“Christmas Isn’t…”
by Dona Hake
“…so the quiet exhale can come right about now, because
Christmas isn’t about getting or do anything big & shiny.
Christmas is about God’s doing whatever it takes to be
with us – and our just doing whatever it takes to be
with Him. It’s all starting to fall now like a hush
of holy communion…”
an excerpt from Ann Voskamp’s “The Greatest Gift”
I love this…Ann Voskamp saying what Christmas isn’t about, and then saying “Christmas is about God’s doing whatever it takes to be with us- and our just doing whatever it takes to be with Him…” Jesus is the eternal gift that we are to cherish every day of our life. Our Gift, our Salvation, He IS our everything! May we live to draw near to Him.
I want to share scripture now from the second chapter of Luke. The shepherd’s were watching over their sheep. It was like any other night but this night ended up being very different. The sky was probably dark with many stars, and just like that something happened. It was unexpected. The angels made a declaration, and they ran to find Him and to be with Him. The King had been born, and after they found Him they ran and declared the wonderful news! Let us read that portion of scripture…
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang, “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.” When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph.
And there was the baby, lying in the manger. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them. Then the shepherds went back again to their fields and flocks, praising God for the visit of the angels, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had told them.”
Luke 2:13-20
Luke 2:13-20
I love how the scripture says, “All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment…” That moment when one is overpowered with wonder or surprise…it is such a wonderful feeling to be blindsided by a blessing. I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to hear such news. Can you imagine being a shepherd standing over the manger with Baby Jesus laying there. I am sure there was awe in their hearts and on their faces! Astonished is such a fitting word!
May we continue to tell everyone what our Lord has done as Father God brought Him near to us so we could draw near to Him. First as a baby, but then He became our Sacrifice. He is the King that reigns forever more, and He lives in our hearts that we may have abundant life and salvation of our souls. May we also continue to tell this wonderful story that people may continue to be astonished as they hear the wonderful testimonies and works of our Lord!
God bless you and Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Devotional for Saturday, December 23, 2017
“Abundant Peace Belongs To Them”
by Dona Hake
Psalm 119:165 (HCSB)
“Abundant peace belongs to those
who love Your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.”
It is a blessed thing to possess peace that permeates our heart and mind. Today we are meditating on the abundant peace or great peace that our awesome God promises as we love His Word. As we stay full of God’s Word we are promised that there is no place for anything but His wonderful peace. In those times that we do not stay in fellowship with our Lord and the reading of His Word is when souls begin to weaken. It is in those times that we suffer from lack of peace and contentment in Him. We may feel we can get away with lacking diligence in attending to our hearts, but know it to be a truth…our thoughts and feelings will weaken, and so will our faith.
We cannot afford lacking diligence in the reading of His Word and staying in His presence. May we never forget that the devil loves to see us get off track. He loves to see us move toward doing things in our own ability rather than relying on the grace of our Lord. Many times we get too busy for Him even as we attempt to do good things. I would like to share this quote that I found it to fit perfectly with this thought of being too busy.
“If the devil cannot make us bad,
he will make us busy.”
Corrie ten Boom
May we know that our good deeds and works are directly a result of us obeying His voice. May we not fall into the trap of just being busy people but rather let us be busy for the Lord, and the direction His voice is leading us. Let us be obedient to seize only the opportunities that the Lord is putting before us. Our time is precious and so is our abundant peace.
How precious are those times where we feel saturated in His peace because we are saturated in His Word, and we feel unmovable. It is when we are abiding in His place of refuge that we will simply be unmovable. Paul spoke of the peace that passes all understanding. That peace will keep and guard our mind and that peace will also surpass our understanding in Jesus Name!
Friday, December 22, 2017
Devotional for Friday, December 22, 2017
“Let Those That Love the Lord…”
by Dona Hake
Many times we hear the word ~hate~ used very loosely. One may proclaim that they hate a certain vegetable, another may proclaim they hate the snow (especially this time of the year). Then there are sadly those that claim how they hate a person in their life. Many times bad experiences can cause someone to detest something so badly that hate seems to fit they’re feeling perfectly against a particular person or thing.
We know and proclaim that our God is loving, yet in the book of Proverbs it lists what He hates.Let us look at the book of Proverbs…
“Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make it seven He abhors: Eyes that look down on others, a tongue that can’t be trusted, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that conceives evil plans, feet that sprint toward evil, A false witness who breathes out lies, and anyone who stirs up trouble among the faithful.”
Proverbs 6:16-19. (THE VOICE)
Proverbs 6:16-19. (THE VOICE)
There is a particular thread here to what He hates, and that is every one of these sins can be harmful to us, our walk with Him, and our relationships. These things that are listed can destroy a person’s life. The seventh sin is noted as a detestable sin because God hates discord amongst His people. Any one of these sins have the power to devastate a person’s life, and bring everything to a standstill. These sins grieve the Holy Spirit, and we must see them as detestable as our Lord does.
The Psalmist said, “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.“ Psalm 97:10 If we truly love our God, and we truly know our God, then we must hate what He hates. The conviction to hate what God hates could easily bring us to a place where we will be forced to stand in the face of being criticized because we refuse to walk in compromise. May we stand with a strong heart. May we boldly refuse to move from our conviction to hate what our Lord hates.I encourage you today to embrace His wonderful love yet make a decision to hate what he hates all the days of your life.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Devotional for Thursday, December 21, 2017
“What Do You Think He Will Do For You?”
Dby Dona Hake
“Think about how the wildflowers
grow. They don’t work or make clothes
for themselves. But I tell you that even
Solomon, the great and rich king,
was not dressed as beautifully as
one of these flowers.
If God makes what grows in the
field so beautiful, what do you
think he will do for you? That’s
just grass—one day it’s alive, and
the next day someone throws it
into a fire. But God cares enough
to make it beautiful. Surely he will
do much more for you.
Your faith is so small!
“So don’t always think
about what
you will eat or what you will drink.
Don’t worry about it.
Luke 12:27-29 ERV
Jesus was addressing the crowd about thinking too much about their needs. He wanted them to see life as more than food, and the body more than clothing. (vs. 23-25)”Consider the ravens, for they neither sow seed nor reap the crop; they have no storehouse or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!” (Amplified)
Let’s bring this all down to a personal level. What is on your mind today that may be preoccupying you a bit? I love the quote “Worry cast can cast a big shadow on a small thing.” Let us ponder the words of our Lord here…and maybe it would be good for you to fill in the blank. Don’t always think about ____________, don’t worry about it for surely He is able to do much more for you.
I pray the Holy Spirit will minister to your heart today and remind you to keep your mind free and clear that you may enjoy His presence. As you do this you will certainly enjoy His peace that surpasses ALL your understanding. Enjoy His provision as you ponder how He continues to meet your needs. Give Him all of your cares and concerns as you think about what He is more than able to do for you.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Devotional for Tuesday, December 19, 2017
“When You Know Your God”
by Dona Hake
Psalm 27:1 AMP
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life—
Whom shall I dread?”
David knew his problems,
but he knew his God.
David knew his fears,
but he knew his God.
David knew his enemies,
but praise God….he knew and understood his God!!!!
I have heard it said, “It is not what you know but who you know.” David understood and knew all that was going on around him. He understood what was against him, but above all that he knew in the natural, he knew his God. David maintained a confession of victory even in the midst of uncertainty. These are the powerful words he spoke…
Psalm 27:2 CEV
“Brutal people may
attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble.
Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall.”
Psalm 27:3(NIV)
” Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.”
” Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.”
David knew his God to be his Fortress and his Rock. The Lord was his Mainstay, and Tower of Strength. Today I encourage you to know your God. Be solid in all that He has said that He would be to you. In verse fourteen David writes what I believe was his secret to his strength… He understood the power of patience and waiting. He understood God’s strength above his own, and God made him brave in the face of all uncertainty.
Psalm 27:14 ERV
“Wait for the Lord’s help.
Be strong and brave,
and wait for the Lord’s help.
Lord, help us in our time of trouble that we would be reminded to wait patiently upon You. May we trust You to keep us strong and brave as we look to You as our Fortress and our Strength. In Jesus Name.
This is a good way of teaching the kids to forgive each other(Matt. 5:7). I like the power of this gentle scripture and lesson… Thanks!!
thank you Lisa for sharing. I am blessed that this was a blessing to you!
Ralph &I are really enjoying your devotional together.
So glad this is blessing you both!
Oh, what a wonderful reminder! I want to break the magnifing glass of worry and trust God for each step I take.
It is interesting Selena how the more we worry the bigger and more magnified things get in our minds. Oh how important it is to trust our God for the smallest of things! Thank you for sharing!