5.21.16

Posted on May 21, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, May 21, 2016

“Forgiveness and It’s Power”

Matthew 18:21-22
The Voice

Peter:” Lord, when someone has sinned against me,

how many times ought I forgive him?

Once? Twice? As many as seven times?”
Jesus: “You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Today I want to share with you about the power of us giving forgiveness to those that have hurt or offended us. When we are on the side of hurt and offense it can be so hard to let it go, yet the Lord commands us to do so. The Lord desires that we love His Word and within His Word are commands which are blueprints for our lives. He has granted us the grace to live this life as we ask Him for that grace. Within His all sufficient grace is the ability to go beyond our human abilities. His grace and strength causes us to rise above what we are feeling within our emotions, and it causes us to get the victory over the raging thoughts that serve to pull us away from His perfect will.

Many times we are just like Peter. We want to feel as if we are so full of love, but you see our love has limitations. We all have our limits. God’s love has NO limitations. Today I encourage you to draw upon the love of the God in the midst of your day. Know that if you are that God desires you to draw upon His heart that you can freely forgive as many times as you have to. Continue to draw on and grow in God’s love that you may be able to freely give that which He has given you. Coupled with His promises and His commands are His grace, wisdom and ability to do that which He asks. Let us release our faith and do His Word!!!!

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and
within the reach of every hand.”

Mother Teresa

5.20.16

Posted on May 20, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, May 20, 2016

“Seeing Through the Eyes of Our Lord!”

by Dona Hake

1 Samuel 16:7(ERV)
“… God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (VOICE)
“… for the Eternal One does not pay attention to what humans value.
Humans only care about the external appearance, but the Eternal considers the inner character.”

Something to ponder, isn’t it??? Our Heavenly Father does not pay attention to the same things we do. His eyes are focused on things that are beyond our comprehension. The Word clearly says His ways are higher than ours and so are His thoughts.

Today I want you to consider seeing yourself and others as God sees. More times than not seeing people as God does will require us to ask Him for His help. It will require us to release our faith for we as humans are moved quickly at times by what we see in people. Many times we can be guilty of judging a person or situation by the outward appearance. We stop at that and this is so very wrong. The old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” is so very true , and it this needs to be heeded to. Many times we do not give people a chance simply because we are not looking closely and deeply into their heart.

I believe as we pray diligently and ask God for His wisdom into every matter He will begin to open our eyes and impart His sight to us. I find it so sad that many times we fall short of being merciful and forgiving because we are just being wise in our own eyes in our judgments of people and situations. Let us be cautious in this matter as we encounter people. Let us seek to see as God sees.

I pray today that you will look to Him and let His eyesight become yours. I believe as we do this we will begin to see ourselves grow in God’s mercy and His forgiveness like never before.

5.19.16

Posted on May 19, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Thursday, May 19, 2016

“Saturated In the Dry Lands”

by Dona Hake

Yesterday I shared with you the importance of stopping and resting. We need to recognize those times in which we must stop and lean upon Him for His strength. It is in those times of weariness that we need to know for sure that we are reaching upward and drawing upon the grace of our Loving God before we try to proceed any further. Many times people try to make decisions when they are at a point of physical or mental exhaustion. This is one of the biggest mistakes one can make. Today let us meditate on understanding that when we are in the “dry lands” of our spiritual walk that the Lord can still cause us to flourish.

Isaiah 58:11 (ERV)

“The Lord will always lead you and satisfy your needs in dry lands.
He will give strength to your bones.

You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring that never goes dry.”

There is such beauty in this scripture. Just think about the times in which you feel as if life has made you feel like you are in a dry land and your bones are weary. If you have lived on this earth for much time at all you well know and understand what I am referring to. The trials and tests of this life can drain us but bless God!!!….He has promised we can remain as a garden that has plenty of water. We can be as a spring that never runs dry!

Let us look closer at this word saturate. The origin of the word saturate is to be full or well-fed. One of it’s definitions is to soak, impregnate, or imbue thoroughly or completely. I am thinking how one could saturate a sponge with water and just lay it down. If one returns and squeezes it, the water will begin to fall. That which was within the depths of the sponge is now seen through the pressure of the squeeze.

Today I encourage you to dwell upon the fact that the Lord desires to lead you and satisfy your needs if you are walking through “dry times.” It is as life puts the squeeze on us that the Lord can release His living water from deep within our souls. He has promised to us that He would give us a river that was incapable of running dry. I would like you to also see yourself as a refreshment to those around you that may be walking through times of need and weariness. Let us be used as a blessing of the Lord where ever we can!

5.18.16

Posted on May 18, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, May 18, 2016

“Stop, Lean, and Rest Upon the Lord”

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 3:5 (AMP)
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.”

It is as we try to trust God yet still embrace our own insights and understanding that our faith will lack strength. In the book of James he warns in his letter to guard against being double minded. Some days it can be tempting to just see things as we are perceiving them to be. We can tend to view things from the “glasses” of our formed opinions and thoughts, and we can fall short of seeing things as God sees them. If we are leaning on our own understanding we are seeing things as we have concluded them to be. We need to remember that God is always seeing the bigger picture and He sees how all is working together for the good if we trust in Him.

Now let us look at totally trusting our Lord. If we are leaning on God and trusting in Him with all of our hearts and minds, it is truly a wonderful thing. Leaning upon God will bring rest to our souls. Sometimes in the midst of life’s hard blows it can cause us to be weary and tired. Let us meditate upon this refreshing scripture…

Psalm 37:7
Amplified Bible

“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him…”

Have you ever been so tired and you stopped to just lean against something, and once you felt strength to go again you then proceeded. The psalmist was encouraging the reader to stop and lean on God and do it with patience. Wow!!! There’s that word

patience

again!!!! Today I encourage you that if you are needing rest and refreshment in your soul to STOP, BE STILL, AND PATIENTLY LEAN YOURSELF UPON HIM! Wait patiently and as you do so, expect for Him to refresh you and cause new strength to rise up from within you. God is good!

5.17.16

Posted on May 17, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, May 17, 2016

“Jesus Is Always True To His Word”

by Dona Hake

Jesus is true to His Word, and when He says He will restore our soul, then He will for He is eternally faithful in all of His ways. Jesus told us that in this world there would be times of trouble. I am quite amazed when people try to live in an ideal place that pain and trouble should never cross their path. Even as we are under the tender, loving and faithful care of our Shepherd, there will be times in which our soul needs restored. Every one of us will encounter those times in which weariness is within our soul yet our Lord promises to lift us up, strengthen, and restore us. He knows exactly how to bring us back to a place of being energized in spirit in order that we may go on another day. I love how The Message translation brings to light “He restores my soul.”

Psalm 23:3 (The Message)
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

I would like to share with you a bit more regarding becoming weary in our souls. There are times in life in which we have all experienced one thing hitting us right after the other. Many times we can become weary in what this life throws at us, and we can feel that there is no rest for us in sight. Sometimes life can feel like ocean waves knocking us down one right after the other. There will be those times that we just know that if we are able to stand long enough we will be able catch our breath again. Sometimes life can make us feel this way. Today let this scripture remind us that the restoring and refreshing touch from our Lord will help us catch our breath and invigorate our souls.

Let us take hold of the truth that He is able to lift us back up no matter how long we have been down. His tender touch is able to wipe away the tears from our hurt, pain and sorrow. He is able to renew to us the strength we have seemed to have lost as our soul has grown weary. No matter what we have walked through and whether anyone understands, it matters not. Jesus understands any and all things we have walked through, and He will restore our souls as we ask Him to.

If your heart is weary and aching from pain, just ask Him. He is faithful and loving and ever ready to touch those that look to Him for true restoration! Remember, He is true to His Word and willing to accomplish it in your life.

5.16.16

Posted on May 16, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Monday, May 16, 2016

“Patience At Work In You”

by Dona Hake

It is vital that we continue to walk patiently with those we live with and work with. There is also the whole realm of patiently waiting for circumstances to change in our life. Today I am reminded of patience as I think of a particular area I travel through almost every day. It has been road work in progress for years now. At times the work these workers are doing will bring work hour traffic to a halt, and if you do not plan for this, it may make you late. It seems they are working diligently on this, but honestly at times it seems like there is little progress. I simply do not understand all that goes into such an undertaking so I would never totally understand all the details and working of such a great project. I have come to understand that regardless if I understand what is going on or not this area commands my patience. I see this to be somewhat of an analogy of our lives in progress as the Lord works in us.

Today I want to encourage you in the fact that the Lord has a great work to do in you. It requires of you that you stay submissive to His loving hand. We need to permit God the time that He needs for His timing is perfect timing! This great work requires that you be humble in times that the Holy Spirit corrects you to keep you on the right path. It also requires you to be patient with yourself as the Lord is working on your heart and on your life. You see, so many times we desire to see things happen quicker than what they do. Let us be patient with the work that the Lord is doing in our lives.

As we pursue to grow in God’s love and in His Word sometimes we focus too much on what we are NOT rather that how far He has brought us. With any work that needs done in us there needs to be a time of waiting for His loving hand to work. I guess there are all times we wished He would work a bit faster, but His wisdom encompasses more than we will ever understand. As He works, He promises that the transformation will indeed happen, but remember sometimes we can tend to be impatient in that which we have to wait for.

Be encouraged today that as you are applying yourself to do that which is right and good in His sight that His loving hand is at work in your life. Guard yourself from focusing on your weaknesses but rather the gifts, the strengths and abilities He has blessed you with. As we keep our hearts humble and open to Him, He will be faithful to show us the areas in which we need to give attention. He will lead and guide us into ALL truth in every area of our lives! God bless you.

5.15.16

Posted on May 15, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Sunday, May 15, 2016

“There Is Nothing Too Hard For God”

by Dona Hake

Oh the beauty of our Lord’s wisdom that He has for us! It causes us to use knowledge rightly and direct every path that we walk on or pursue. It keeps us from moving forward when it is time to stand still yet it prompts us to step out when the time is right. God’s wisdom is amazing. Is there anything that can come our way that is too complicated for our God to take care of? His wisdom and ways are above our understanding. May we trust Him with the smallest of our cares!

Proverbs 3:19 (TLB)

“The Lord’s wisdom founded the earth;

his understanding established all the universe and space.”

Isn’t it awesome to ponder that the God in heaven desires to give you wisdom when you need it? If He was able to establish all that we see on this beautiful earth, surely He can make our feet firm and our direction sure! Why would we go anywhere but God for the wisdom we must have in our time of need? Surely the wisdom you need is there for you as you ask Him for it.

Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens

and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for you.”

5.14.16

Posted on May 14, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, May 14, 2016

“Yearning For God’s Truth”

by Dona Hake

“But still, You long to enthrone truth throughout my being;

in unseen places deep within me, You show me wisdom.”
Psalm 51:6 (The Voice)

Do you yearn for the truth of the Living God in your innermost being? Do you know there is truth that has not yet touched your soul? No matter how old of a Christian you may be, there is still something that you have not yet learned about Him. Even the truths of God’s Word that you do know have no depths therefore we need to go deeper into the depths of learning His wonderful truths!

I can remember many years ago reading a book by Watchman Nee, and I will never forget a statement he made. He shared that there are virgin caverns within your soul that God has not yet touched with His light. He was likening the caverns of our soul as veins in which God’s light and life are flowing. The virgin caverns are those that have not yet been discovered by the light of His truth.

These words could serve us with some real enlightenment regarding the truth that is within us. Every time I think about this statement it reminds me that there is truth that I still need deeper understanding of, and there is truth that God has not yet touched my soul with yet. Lord, help me to remain humble that I may receive ALL that you desire for me to know regarding your truth! God desires that we cry out for the wisdom and truth that the unseen places of our soul have not yet experienced. He desires that the truth we know of to have a place in our heart that is protected and honored. In Psalms 51:6 the psalmist is saying,

“But still, You long to enthrone

truth throughout my being…”

Let us be reminded that the truth that we know should be guarded and NOT compromised by what we feel or do not feel like doing. Truth must reign above our feelings, emotions, and it is not moved by what is going on around us. Let us ask Him today for His wisdom on how to keep the truth we have embraced enthroned within us.

5.13.16

Posted on May 13, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, May 13, 2016

“Equipped In Him”

by Dona Hake

Have you ever prepared to travel and you want to make sure that you are packing everything you need. I have always thought it to be wise to make plenty of lists of things to take so nothing is missed! I want to flow as efficiently as possible in my time away from home. I am the kind of person that likes to be ready for anything so I probably over pack because of that. Needless to say, it is good to feel that you are properly equipped for your time away from home.

As we spend time on this earth serving the Lord we are on a journey. We must be assured that we are equipped for all that He has for us to do. It is wonderful to know that He has equipped us with everything we need. I love the image I shared today because it ministered to my heart relative to God giving me all that I need. First of all, His Word will keep me full of the knowledge of His will. Any door that I need to walk through whether difficult or not, He has the exact key and He also provides me with His perfect timing and I need to keep my eyes on His watch not my own. It is when we get our eyes off of all that He has provided that our hearts can be tempted to fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

Let us be reminded today to stay focused on all that He has given us through His love for this very special journey on earth. We can live this life with spirits full of power, love, and calm well balance minds! It is Him that can help us to remain disciplined and self controlled for the God given work He has for us.

5.12.16

Posted on May 12, 2016 in Devotions, Uncategorized |

Devotional for Thursday, May 12, 2016

“Remember Where To Look!”

by Dona Hake

We all need to be reminded of things. Sometimes even the most important things can be forgotten. We get too busy, our minds are full, and we just forget. Today I want to remind you to keep looking up. This is something you have to do, and no one else can do it for you. I want to share several scriptures that will stir your heart to continue to look in His direction.

Psalm 143:8
“Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I LIFT UP MY INNER SELF TO YOU.”

Psalm 63:4

“So will I bless You while I live; I WILL LIFT UP MY HANDS in Your name…”

Psalm 121:1-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES to the hills —From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

I want you to take note that in all of these scriptures “I Will” proceeds the lifting up of our inner self, our hands, and our eyes. You see, it is an act of our will to look up and lift up. He promises that as we make a decision to look away from all that is trying to hold us back and hold us down that He WILL lift us up!!

Devotional Archives

6 Responses to “Devotional”

Lisa Viands says:

November 8, 2013 at 5:05 pm

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!!
- Dona Hake says:
  
  November 8, 2013 at 11:15 pm
  
  thank you Lisa for sharing. I am blessed that this was a blessing to you!
Selena Neely says:

November 18, 2013 at 3:07 pm

Ralph &I are really enjoying your devotional together.
- Dona Hake says:
  
  November 18, 2013 at 3:29 pm
  
  So glad this is blessing you both!
Selena Neely says:

November 19, 2013 at 12:50 pm

Oh, what a wonderful reminder! I want to break the magnifing glass of worry and trust God for each step I take.
Dona Hake says:

November 20, 2013 at 2:41 am

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!