No, our love must be real.

We must show our love by the things we do.

That’s how we know we belong to the way of truth.”

Isaiah 64:8  (the Voice translation)

“Still, Eternal One, You are our Father.

    We are just clay, and You are the potter.

by Dona Hake

Isaiah 30:21 (Douay-Rheims American translation)

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

 I was drawn to this translation over all the others  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 behind your back that desires to be your Compass in life.  We serve a mighty God that longs to lead us in the way of His victory.  Let us rejoice in His direction in our life! God bless you.

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 our problems.  What is even worse is if we are magnifying something that has not even transpired.  Before we know it we are imagining 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 lives.

Psalm 139 (The Living Bible)

by Dona Hake

I have always heard that if you need someone to help you get something done just ask a busy person.  I love and appreciate 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!  Let us rejoice that we are a people that can live with a strengthened heart as with live in good courage and wait upon Him patiently!

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!

by Dona Hake

I can still remember the morning she saw that all my flowers were gone.  Her little eyes were not so joyful but so sad yet she seemed to accept it, and began to  look forward to the new seasons of fall and winter.  I had shared with her how God has blessed us with so much beauty in His seasons, and we have to accept the change of seasons and how they come and go.

Today let us look at one thing we know will never change as the seasons do.  One thing we can be assured of is that even though things change here on earth during our stay, God’s Word never changes.

Isaiah 40:8  (The Message)

“True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,

    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”

I am thinking and thanking God that He is ever unchangeable, He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever and His Word stands firm and forever.  What an assurance this brings to my heart!  God is so good.

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 no farther.  A true friend will be there for you through thick 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 for who you are.   These are the qualities that will help you to trust.  These are the qualities of a true friendship that will endure through the storms of life.  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 because they have earned your trust.  The Lord wants us to trust Him as a good Friend too.

 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.”

   As we see Him as our good  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 we walk through the tests and trials of this world  we will remain strong and vibrant in our faith, for He has promised to never leave our side.     Let us read our scripture from Jeremiah from the Message translation:

 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.  Let us rejoice in our Lord for He will cause us to put down our roots near rivers that never run dry.   We will endure and we will flourish as we bear fruit in every season! As we continue to trust, He WILL show Himself faithful!

by Dona Hake

Psalm 119:165 (HCSB)

“Abundant peace belongs to those

who love Your instruction;

 nothing makes them stumble.”

by Dona Hake

 We must always remind ourselves that He has His timing, His wisdom and His understanding of exactly how to deal with us and the issues in life that we face. I thank God for the times that God seemed to delay answering certain prayers because along the journey of my wait He was working out other issues in my life. Many times He used those waiting times to bring my eyes to focus on areas of my life that needed His divine attention in order that He may help me in another area that I was not aware of.    Today I pray that your heart be encouraged when you pray… remember to wait, rest, and you will receive!