Thursday, January 30, 2020
Devotional thoughts
for
Thursday, January 30, 2020
“Trust and Obey”
by Dona Hake
God wants all of us! When we acknowledge Him in all of our ways we will consider Him with every word we speak, action we take, and decision we make.
Our accumulated knowledge can bring the temptation to us to be wise in our own eyes. Lord, please help us to recognize this sin when we are tempted to it! This is a very dangerous place for a believer to live. If we lean on our own understanding and knowledge even in the smallest degree we are not trusting Him with all of our heart, mind, will and intellect. One translation says
“Don’t think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong. “The Voice
I leave these two scriptures for you to meditate upon…
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for.” Proverbs 3:5-8. TPT
“Have faith in Him in all circumstances, dear people. Open up your heart to Him; the True God shelters us in His arms.”
Psalm 62:8 -The Voice
Psalm 62:8 -The Voice
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Devotional thoughts
for
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
“HE’S GIVEN TO US ALL THINGS”
By Dona Hake
“He is ever present with me; at all times He goes before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand.” Psalm 16:8 The Voice
God is always with us, and He goes before us. For this reason we need not let the voice and power of fear to hinder us in the work He has assigned to us. Last week we meditated upon the word ~STAND~ and I love how the end of this verse proclaims that He stands at our right hand.
God promises to be with us at all times and lead us in our way. I am sure it grieves the heart of God when one does not follow through with His will for them. After all He has promised to lead and guide us and give us the strength. Yet fear of failure, lack of faith….whatever it may be can cause a believer to give up, and not move forward in their divine assignment for their day and their life.
As I ponder this thought I want to just challenge you to know that He cares about the smallest of things that matter to you today. It is vitally important that we include Him and draw upon His grace for all things that pertain to our life.
He also wants to speak to you, and move through you that you can be a living testimony to those that do not know Him and understand His ways. The Lord is our Shepherd, and He desires that we live as ones that have no want for anything but Him.
“This is a good life —my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest. Who could want for more?”Psalm 16:8 – 9.
The Voice
“God is good all the time all the time God is good!“
Over the next few days we will be meditating on the word ~ALL~. It is a powerful little word! Today as you go about the work God has put in your hands, continue to meditate about all the good things He has blessed you with, and all the many ways He has been there to help and deliver you and your times of trouble. God bless you and have a wonderful day!
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Devotional for Saturday, January 25, 2020
”Finding Joy As You Stand”
by Dona Hake
As we make the decision to stand strong we will not be moved! We will not permit what we see or feel affect us. Today will be our last day meditating on the power of standing strong in the Lord. I pray that the thoughts and scriptures I have shared with you over the past week have blessed you. Today I leave you with a quote and scripture. God bless you!
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”
Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall
“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line —mature, complete, and wanting nothing.”
James 1:2 -The voice translation
If you wish to re-read or catch up with the previous devotionals on ~Stand~ click on link and scroll through the week of January 20th through January 24th.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Devotional Thoughts for Friday, January 24, 2020
“STAND FIRM YIELDING ONLY TO GOD”
by Dona Hake
Today is day three of our meditations upon the word ~stand~ . Let us look again at the scripture in Exodus 14.
“The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea]. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land. As for Me, hear this: I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in [the sea] after them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and his war-chariots and his horsemen.”
Exodus 14:15-17 AMP
Exodus 14:15-17 AMP
I would like you to take note here in this scripture that God told Moses to instruct the people, then God instructed Moses what he was to do and then God told Moses what He (the Living God)was going to do. We serve a God that has a plan for every problem we face. It is up to us to simply be obedient, stand in faith and know that He is able to take care of us.
The biggest mistake we can make when facing a problem or situation that is causing us fear is to start “doing“ rather than “being“ still and standing. Anxiety and distractions are the enemy of stability and peace in our heart. Our enemy understands the power he has if he can stir up confusion and fear within us. He will use our wildest imaginations and even our knowledge to keep us from God‘s Word. Stand strong and do not yield to the flesh or the tricks of the enemy! I leave you with this scripture:
“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.”Isaiah 41:10. The Passion translation
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Devotional thoughts
for
Thursday, January 23, 2020
“stand and see the salvation of your god”
by dona hake
We continue with day two of meditating of the word ~STAND~ . Moses and the Israelites were in what we may call “In between a rock and a hard place” . They were afraid and rightly so. Let us read from the scriptures in the book of Exodus.
“Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.” Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”
Exodus 14:11-14 – Amplified version
Exodus 14:11-14 – Amplified version
When I read the scripture I was pondering how Moses saw the same hopeless situation that the Israelites saw but he had to also deal with the Israelite’s reaction. Can you imagine what Moses had to deal with here? He saw the same enemy approaching that the Israelites saw, and he saw the same body of water . Time was not on his side either,it was now that he had to rise above what he saw and what he was hearing. In the natural there was no way out of this mess. The questions and accusations from the Israelites to him must have been so hard for him to deal with and listen to. But no!… His response in a nutshell was “Do not be afraid, take your stand, be firm, confident and not dismayed. You will see the salvation of the Lord. You see the Egyptians now but you will not see them ever again.
verse 15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea]. 16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land. 17 As for Me, hear this: I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in [the sea] after them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and his war-chariots and his horsemen.
Sometimes in order to stand after we have done or is to keep silent, remain calm and wait with great expectation, and CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD! Our God is able to do above and beyond all we dare ask or think. On those days that the enemy tries to accuse you, lie to you and try to convince you that your faith will not work… Stand and see the salvation of your God!
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Devotional thoughts for
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
by Dona Hake
“…and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds,…”Amplified Version
Hebrews 10:24
Hebrews 10:24
The EHV VERSION says it this way…”Let us also consider carefully how to spur each other on to love and good works.” I loved how it said “spur each other on“. This is anything that goads, impels, or urges, as to action, speed, or achievement. To drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action.
This is my heart as I hope to share with you these devotional thoughts each time I am able. As I am starting the devotionals again I would like to share with you one of the things the Lord has been speaking to me.
As I have sought Him over bringing these devotionals to you again I have felt impressed heart that some days they may be shorter than others, maybe some days they will be longer. The point I want to share is that I want to take one word, or one thought and stretch it over a few days.
My desire is that you take what I share and meditate and ponder upon it throughout your day after you have read it. I am believing that the Lord is going to take these words and spur you on, and impart to you revelation. This is your Bread, your provision, that is coming from God’s heart to. Today let us look at the book of Exodus.
“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were very frightened; so the Israelites cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.”
Exodus 14:10-12 – AMP
Exodus 14:10-12 – AMP
So here we see in this portion of scripture the first reaction of the Israelites in their fear was to call out to the Lord for help but immediately they turned to Moses and began to whine and complain. Because of their fear they had totally lost focus of God‘s plan. We could all read this and think how could they do this?…yet how many times are we tempted to do that very same thing in the midst of our battle.
I can only imagine how scary it must have been for them to see the great armies of Pharaoh moving behind them and the great water in front of them. They called out to God yet their fear was keeping them from standing strong with their God and their leader. They lost focus of what their God was able to do for them. If we lose focus we cannot stand . We will be moved. Focus is a powerful thing…loss of it is a powerful tool of the enemy.
Over the next few days we will be looking at the word “stand”. We will continue in the Scriptures here in Exodus tomorrow. We will see how Moses responded to them, and how we can learn from this awesome story of faith and moving forward.
Monday, January 20, 2020
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020
“HIS ALL SUFFICIENT GRACE”
Today I am pondering the importance of doing all things BIG or SMALL as onto Him and for His glory. Our Lord has provided so many wonderful things to assess as believers. He desires to be our Shepherd and walk down every path of our life whether it be straight, crooked, peaceful, or those paths that bring fear to our hearts. Yesterday as I was meditating and praying I spoke words of thanks to the Lord for His grace. My words went something like this as best I can recall… “Thank you Lord for this day, and as I walk through it I thank you for Your grace that is there for me. It is able to cover every thing I walk through this day no matter what it is. Your grace is always sufficient to meet the need of the moment that I am in!”
Today I want to encourage your heart to walk in who He has made you to be. We were saved by His beautiful grace, may we purpose to live by it. Each day brings our very own assignment to live, love and serve Him with all of our hearts. Draw upon the grace that He has just for you. There is a unique strength and grace that He has designed to strengthen you in the work of your hands that He has called you to do. Sometimes one may be tempted focus on what others are doing for Him, and compare themselves to that. May we thank God for the work of the Lord in the lives of others but stay focused on His desires for us as individuals. Let us look to Him today, and draw upon that beautiful strengthening grace that He has just for you! His grace is sufficient for you…now go expecting to see it flow through you in new and unexpected ways!
Wed. June 12, 2019
Devotional for Wednesday, June 12, 2019
“He Gives Us Eyes To Truly See”
by Dona Hake
God desires that we see everything in proper perspective and the only way that will happen is if we see things through His eyes. I guarantee you that as we ask Him to help us see, our perspective on everything will be correct…our focus will change and things will become clearer. Today I encourage you to ask Him to fill your eyes with light…His light.
Psalm 119:18 (VOICE)
“Let me see clearly so that I may take in
the amazing things coming from Your law.”
“Let me see clearly so that I may take in
the amazing things coming from Your law.”
There are so many wonderful things in His Word for us to learn. We can never think we know it all for all that we do know He can continue to increase by taking us to greater depths. Let us pray that we see more clearly that we can take in all of God’s awesomeness that He is and Has provided! He desires that every part of our being to be full of light.
Matthew 6:22-23 (TLB)
“If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul.”
“If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul.”
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Devotional for Tuesday, May 28, 2019
“The Power of the Word LET”
by Dona Hake
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust also in me.“
John 14:1, new life translation.
LET… it’s a three letter word which can hold a lot of weight and power. Let means to allow or permit something.
Our scripture today from John 14:1 and it says “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” If we let our hearts and minds be troubled we are allowing and permitting the gate of our mind and soul to open up to the sin of worry. Anxiety and insecurity begin to take hold and rob our souls from the abundant life God intends for us to walk in. It will quench the work of His grace within us.
The next time worry or fear comes to disrupt the precious peace of God that you’re walking in make a decision to bring your concerns to the One who listens and cares so deeply about you. Spend time in his presence and place that thing with in his hands, and believe for him to take care of you and that which concerns you.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Devotional for Thursday, May 23, 2019
“Choose God’s Teachings”
by Dona Hake
Today we will look at a scripture from Proverbs 8. Within this scripture the writer exclaims that we are to choose God’s teachings, His instruction, and His discipline. He states that the value of these things are more precious than silver, and His knowledge is greater than fine gold. Think about it…whatever you could ever desire can never be compared to His precious gifts. These are things that need to mean more to us than anything we enjoy on this earth.
Proverbs 8:10-11
Expanded Bible (EXB)
“Choose [Take] my ·teachings [instructions; discipline] instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than ·the finest [choice] gold.
Wisdom is more precious than ·rubies [or pearls].
Nothing ·you could want is equal to [is more delightful than] it.”
There are many things in this life that could possibly tempt us to lust after. Let us be discerning and guarding of our hearts and eyes for the devil seeks to devour us in this matter. May we continue to be grateful for every blessing that we have, and but remember that it is only the eternal things that have the greatest of value. Let us value His Word above anything this world has to offer. Let us purpose to choose His teachings and receive the discipline that His Word brings to us.
We can read scriptures and fail to continue to keep a grateful heart that He has brought us out of darkness into the light of His kingdom. We can hear God’s Word and fail to tend to it and nurture it in our hearts. May we never grow tired of hearing certain truths over and over again. God’s Word is fresh, alive, and it is exactly what our spirits need. Remember…it is His Word that is the light that caused our blinded eyes to be open. For this we need to be ever so thankful and grateful to the Living God! May we always choose His teachings and wisdom above anything in this world for it’s value is beyond anything on this earth.
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!