11.4.16
Devotional for Friday, November 4, 2016
“Drenched and Permeated In His Peace”
by Dona Hake
Have you ever gotten caught in the rain without an umbrella? I can remember a few times that I was drenched from head to toe. Today I want us to meditate upon the power of being drenched and permeated in the peace of our Lord. Are you drenched and permeated in His peace? These two words bring the idea of being soaked with His peace and then it penetrates our soul and your mind. I believe it would do us good to keep a very close watch on that peace that promises to guard our hearts and minds. I think of those days that one thing after another seems to try and rob us of our precious peace that we possess in Jesus. Sometimes our peace can be threatened even with the everyday dealings and responsibilities a day can bring. Today we are going to meditate on growing in this…. no matter what or how many things we encounter …we are NOT going to permit our peace to be weakened by anything. Let us hold fast and stay drenched and permeated in His wonderful peace.
Let me start out with sharing about the power of being permeated. This word “permeate” is one I love to use because it gives me a visual every time I say it. It means to pass into or through every part of something to be diffused through, pervade or saturate.
Quite honestly I do not understand how anyone can live without God’s peace permeating their heart and mind. I see at times when believers just kind of get used to flying by the seat of their pants with their own composure and strength. That may get us through occasionally but it will never sustain us like God’s peace can. God wants to give us His ALL because He gave His ALL when He gave His only Son for us. He does not want to see us short changed in any way spiritually . He desires us to posses His peace!
I encourage you to ask Him for His peace, and then hold fast to it! Think about how precious that peace is that passes, pervades, and saturates our total being. God is so good.
“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You,
and hopes confidently in You.” Isaiah 26:3
11.3.16
Devotional for Thursday, November 3, 2016
“Guarding Our Hearts From Envy”
by Dona Hake
God desires that we guard our hearts with all diligence for this is the place in which He dwells. Proverbs 4:23 speaks to us and tells us why:
“Keep and guard your heart with
all vigilance and above
all that you guard, for out of
it flow the springs of life.”
God desires that we allow no room in our heart for anything that could poison it, and cause it destruction. He understands that it only takes a little bit of something bad that could become very big and destructive to our love walk and His will for our life. Today we are looking at the sin of envy, and we will see it’s power and how it could poison our soul. Envy denotes a longing to possess something that someone else has. Here is a quote that will make it even clearer for us:
“Envy is the art of counting the
other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.”
Harold Coffin
First of all I want to say that anyone of us can fall prey to this sin apart from the help of God. The devil can trick us into thinking it is okay to feel certain feelings such as envy . He will try to convince us that it is okay to feel envious as long as we don’t talk about it. You know…just keep it hidden. He cleverly understands the whole concept of hiding things from others and putting on a front of looking spiritual or good while the inside of you is being eaten up by a poison and weakening in your walk with the Lord. Remember this for the Word tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:14 “…Satan himself poses as a messenger of heavenly light…”
Satan may try to deceive us, and cause us to be comfortable with any sin such as the sin of envy, but let us be sober and vigilant for he seeks to devour us with such deception. As we purpose to grow in the love of God, we will be grounded in the fact that love simply is NOT envious!
Lord, help us this day to be vigilant and very cautious over our hearts. Help us to recognize such sins as envy that we can quickly weed it out of our soul and be free to serve You in greater ways. Continue to remind us of all that Your love is and all that it is not, and we know that Your love is not envious. We thank you for Your Word as it leads, guides and protects our hearts everyday!
11.2.2016
Devotional for Wednesday, November 23, 2016
“Godliness With Contentment”
by Dona Hake
I can remember sharing with a friend of mine about being content in our home. We shared with each other how we love being in our home, and enjoy God’s peace and joy in the midst of where we dwell. We discussed how it is so sad that some people just seem like they have a hard time being content with the simple little things in this life so they fill the void with things that seemingly make them happy and content. Don’t get me wrong…doing things and going places are nice, and can be joyful but it is not where godly contentment is found. May we learn to enjoy the sweet and simple things of this life and the blessings that God has so richly and abundantly poured our way. The Lord has called us to be examples in this world to live life in Him. As we live in godly contentment, I believe that our life will speak to people in ways we would never imagine. The Lord is looking for us to be at peace and contented no matter what is going on around us, for our fullness of joy is found in Him!
1 Timothy 6:6 (VOICE)
“This is ironic because
godliness, along with contentment, does put us ahead but
NOT in the ways some imagine.”
Lord, we ask you today to remind us by Your Holy Spirit to seek first heavenly things. Help us to sort through what is important and what is not. Cause us to see godliness with contentment to be great gain. We seek to be examples of living life in total contentment and peace. We thank You that as we do this people will be drawn to You.
11.1.2016
devotional for tuesday, november 1, 2016
“your future is in the hands of god”
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! Sometimes the memories of our failures, experiences or hurts from yesterday can try to hinder the present moment…but only if we permit them to. I believe God is calling us to live in the moment, in His presence, and in faith toward 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 that wisdom that we have attained. Never underestimate the power of sharing your testimony of what you learned as the Lord helped you through something. Remember…we are His light and His mouth piece to speak to those hurting and in need.
God desires that we look forward into our future with faith in our hearts. It is a very bad mistake to live and dwell in our past. It is like trying to drive a car with our gaze continually in the 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.
I love this quote by John Mason. I encourage you to allow it to challenge your heart.
“The future frightens only those who prefer living in the past.”
John Mason
Many times our minds may try to haunt us with reminders of our mistakes or failures from our pasts. Know this…As we take our failures and mistakes to God, He will teach us from them, and we can actually grow stronger. God does not want us to be fearful of our future but rather we need to rejoice in the days to come knowing that He is ready to use us as He wills as we give Him our all! I leave you with this powerful quote…
“MY UNKNOWN FUTURE IS IN
THE HAND OF AN ALL KNOWING GOD”
10.31.16
Devotional for Monday, October 31, 2016
“Don’t Run But Stand Firm”
by Dona Hake
James 1:2-4 (The Voice)
“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and
sisters. As difficult as they are, you will
sisters. As difficult as they are, you will
ultimately find joy in them; if you
embrace them, your faith will blossom
embrace them, your faith will blossom
under pressure and teach you true
patience as you endure. And true patience
patience as you endure. And true patience
brought on by endurance will equip
you to complete the long journey and
you to complete the long journey and
cross the finish line—mature, complete,
and wanting nothing.”
and wanting nothing.”
It can be so tempting to try to ignore or run away from the pressures of this life. Some run to places, some turn to alcohol and drugs, some go shopping, etc… No matter who we are, and no matter how strong we may be we will face pressures in this life, and with those pressures come the decision of how we are going to handle them. To be quite honest this scripture in James used to kind of baffle me, and I would think I can not understand why James would say to count it as joy when you are going through a bad time. The more of life that I have experienced the more I understand this scripture. If our hearts and minds are open, hardships have the ability to bring new perspective, and greater appreciation for everything and everyone around you.
I can not tell you how many times I have heard people express a thankful heart for the hardship they walked through because with the help of God they came out stronger and embraced a wealth of wisdom from their experience.
We need to come to a place where we embrace hardships and tests with a right attitude. It seems that our human nature just wants to live in a place where there is no conflict but we well know that on this earth that is not going to happen. I find it troubling when Christians want to get angry with God, and turn their eyes away from Him when things are not going their way. The truth is, we live in a fallen world where stressful days and unfortunate things can happen to anyone but we serve a risen Savior that is well able to bring victory in every thing we face!
Jesus tells us in the Word that we will have trials and troubles and He tells us how to handle them.
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.]” Isn’t it interesting that Jesus mentions that in the midst of tribulation, trials, distress and frustration that we are to be of good cheer or as James said it, “Count it all joy…”
May we continue to grow in our faith as we live everyday for Him. May we keep our eyes toward Him when all is well, and may we ever keep our gaze on Him when we have hardships. God has promised that He would equip us in this journey. May we rest in that promise no matter what. God is good all the time, all the time…God is Good!
10.30.16
Devotional for Sunday, October 30, 2016
“The Love That Bears All Things”
by Dona Hake
Today we will meditate upon the fact that God’s love bears all things. I would like to share two different translations that I found to be very helpful in bring an even greater revelation to our hearts.
1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMP)
“Love bears up under anything and everything that comes…”
1 Corinthians 13:7-10 (PHILLIPS)
“Love knows no limit to its endurance…”
The love of God does not give up, and it never weakens. Here is another great scripture that I love that reminds me of what the love chapter is saying about the endurance of our God, and it is found in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (The Voice)
“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Eternal, the Everlasting God, The Creator of the whole world, never gets tired or weary. His wisdom is beyond understanding. God strengthens the weary and gives vitality to those worn down by age and care. Young people will get tired; strapping young men will stumble and fall. But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint.”
Isn’t it good to know that even in times of weariness that as we look to Him, He will enable us to regain the strength that we need to go on because God never tires in any situation. Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” We serve a God that will help us to bear down and draw on new strength when we just feel like giving up.
I can remember a particular time in my life where I was growing weary as I was believing for the salvation of my father. He was in a nursing home and I would visit each day, as I was also teaching school. I felt like my days were not long enough, and I was growing physically weak, and unable to focus. One evening while I was in prayer the Lord showed me in my spirit an image of a candle that was burning so long that the wick was ready to go out because the wax was so deep and it was extinguishing the wick. It seemed that the candle was a reflection of me losing hope and burning out. As I pondered this, I can remember asking the Lord for His strength and just one moment of clarity with my father that I might be able to pray with him. I rejoiced as that moment came within a day before he died. I was assured he gave his life to the Lord, and I will never forget the strength that only God could give for I had none in my own ability! Praise God that we serve a God that never weakens nor gives up but presses in until the desired result is accomplished. The love of God bears up under anything, and He is able to help us endure even when we are at our weakest. Praise God!
10.29.16
Devotional for Saturday, October 29, 2016
“He Stands At the Door and Knocks”
by Dona Hake
Jesus knows the condition of our hearts in a way that is beyond our human comprehension. He knows our hurts, He knows how it beats inconsistently for Him at times, and He well knows that there are times our heart is not strong. He sees the pain of our heart, and He understands why our heart may be scared from past experiences. He well understands our heart’s history.
Once in one of my husband’s sermons he shared how Jesus stands at the door of our hearts. He spoke of Jesus being the complete gentleman, and He will not push Himself on us. Know that He is not trying to sell anything, He is trying to just give all that He is to us. I began to think about the famous painting of Jesus standing at the door and knocking. As a little girl that painting always struck me as mysterious for some reason. Most of the paintings of this particular image of Jesus at the door shows one very significant thing missing and that is the door knob.
This famous pictures shows Him standing quietly and patiently at the door of a man’s heart. He gently knocks and waits for a response. Remember this…as Jesus knocks on the door of man’s heart He knows exactly what is going on inside. He knows the pain, loneliness, fears and all the hurts one has every experienced. He also knows that He is the answer…He is the only way! But we must open the door and permit Him to enter in. You see if there were a door knob He would be able to turn it and just walk in. From the beginning He created us with a choice and that is to choose right from wrong. He will not push,and He will not shove Himself upon us.
The portrait of Jesus standing at the door depicts His desire to be in fellowship with every man,woman, and child. He desires to shed all of His great mercies in the direction of anyone who wants Him. He desires to wash away all sin and forget it all. Allow Him to come in, be your best Friend and fellowship with you every moment that you can. He desires to examine your heart and speak to you in a special way. God is a God of all good things and He desires to open the windows of Heaven and just pour it in your direction. Blessings to you this day!
10.28.16
Devotional for Friday, October 28, 2016
“This Is Our Time !”
by Dona Hake
One of the first things our God did in creation was to not only create but to separate. and He separated the light from the dark. As we live our lives as victorious believers we too must keep our hearts, soul, and mind separate from the ways of darkness. I think sometimes when people read such a statement that I just shared the first inclination is to think of not doing bad things. We do not just up and do bad things, it begins with small thoughts that evolve into walking a wrong path, making a decision contrary to the truth, or not holding fast to His Word in our life. Let us be diligent to walk in the light the Lord has given us.
We are living in a time where spiritual darkness is on the increase. My heart is extremely grieved to see when believers refuse to acknowledge this. It is not that they do not see it but they go about their business just trying to stay happy, keep busy and maintain a comfort zone. As we continue to walk in His Word I believe that in the midst of this deep darkness that is covering our earth with deception, that something very wonderful is going to transpire in Spirit like never before. In order for God to sweep this earth and bring many to Him, we MUST remain strong, upright and diligent to walk in His truth.
Psalm 112:4 The Voice
“When life is dark, a light will
“When life is dark, a light will
shine for those who live rightly— those
who are merciful, compassionate, and strive for justice.”
who are merciful, compassionate, and strive for justice.”
I believe many weaken and do not persist in their faith solely because they are afraid of the condition of the world. We as believers need to be aware of what is going on in the world so that we can be diligent to pray. As we persist in His Word and proclaim it as we live uprightly, HE HAS PROMISED that light will shine for us in the midst of darkness. Let our hearts be strengthened in knowing that we do not have to be afraid for such a time as this we are here! Jesus addressed fear in the book of Matthew and we need to refer to this scripture today in light of what I am sharing:
Matthew 24:5-7 Amplified Bible
“For many will come in (on the strength of)
My name appropriating the
name which belongs to Me, saying,
name which belongs to Me, saying,
I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will
lead many astray. And you will hear
lead many astray. And you will hear
of wars and rumors of wars; see that you
are not frightened or troubled,
are not frightened or troubled,
for this must take place, but the end is not
yet. For nation will rise against nation,
yet. For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom, and there
will be famines and earthquakes in place after place;”
will be famines and earthquakes in place after place;”
Continue to shine for Jesus and hold fast to His promises. Cling to the peace of our Lord! God is calling us in such a time as this to be beacons of light to a world that is looking for answers to their fears, and they are yearning for the hope that we can bring to them.
10.27.16
Devotional for Thursday, October 27, 2016
“
“Look To His Mercies!”
by Dona Hake
Today let us meditate upon the rich and tender mercies of the Lord! When you wake, are you only consumed with the duties of your day or do you pause and thank Him for His new mercies? You know…that is so important! Even if you only have a few minutes, it will make the difference in your whole day.
Maybe you are reading this first thing in the morning or maybe you started your day many hours ago. Regardless of when you are reading this, I want to bring to your heart a reminder of God’s wonderful mercies in your life. No matter how busy your day is, and no matter how good or bad it seems to be going, I encourage you to ponder this…
Lamentations 3:22-23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
“The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted,
his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning—
great is your faithfulness!”
his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning—
great is your faithfulness!”
As we look to Him at the start of our day we can stand believing for bountiful blessings flowing from His hand into our life. We can know that everything we will need to sustain us is there, and all we have to do is ask Him for it. I love knowing that I serve a God that is FULL of mercy and He promises that it never runs out nor can it be exhausted! As you meditate upon this, I encourage you to set your gaze upon Him and allow your spirit to receive all that He has for you today. We can look to Him in prayer and believe that His fullness will be upon us as we trust in Him.
Psalm 90:17
“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
and direct thou the work of our hands upon us…”
and direct thou the work of our hands upon us…”
I believe as we allow His beauty or His grace to be upon us, He will direct the work of our hands. He will begin to deal with how we view everything. He is well able to put us in alignment with His will as we stay humble to Him. He will in turn cause all that we set our hand to to be blessed and prosperous!
10.26.16
Devotional for Wednesday, October 26, 2016
“The Work of His Grace In Us”
by Dona Hake
As I was having my quiet time the other morning, I was going over some handwritten scriptures and notes that ministered to my heart from a particular worship service. Today I share from my heart from notes taken from last year. This quote was from a dear visiting Pastor friend that truly ministered to my heart with a word on the grace of our Lord. As Pastor Pradeep Perera was with us in 2015 he shared this quote in his message. The quote went like this…
“He pours out His grace on the little things.
He will breathe on the things you put your hand too.”
As I meditate upon these powerful words, the Lord reminds me once again that He wants to be a part of every detail in our life. Whether it be big or very small, He will make anything extraordinary…if we ask Him to. That is just how our beautiful and wonderful God works in our lives as we yield our hearts to Him!
Now as you think about your day today, allow this quote to minister to your heart. Think about your plans, and think about how He may have special opportunities awaiting just for you. I love the part in the quote where he said God pours out His grace. I am imagining the wonderful aspect of our loving God saturating the works of our hands with His divine grace, and how this makes even the littlest of things that we do become very special in the eyes of God. How wonderful it is to meditate as well on God’s breathing on the things we put our hands to.
Lord, we ask you this day to bless the work of our hands, and we look to You to live by Your abundant grace. Pour our Your grace on the work of our life, and we thank You for breathing upon every thing we do this day! In Jesus Name, Amen!
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!