“Every Day I Praise You!”
by Dona Hake
Psalm 145:2 (AMP)
Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You
[affectionately and gratefully praise You];
yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.
As you greet your day today I encourage you to praise Him from the depths of your soul. Everyday brings us new reasons to do so. Every day we greet is different, one may be full of demands, and another you may not know what the day is going to hold. Whether it be a day that is full of plans or not, permit Him to guide your steps and order your day, and you will get more accomplished then if you try to figure it out in your own ability. I want to encourage you today to greet your day as a new beginning with opportunities awaiting you to act upon. You may encounter an opportunity to share a word of encouragement with someone, or perhaps He desires for you to do a random act of kindness for someone in need. Each day with it’s new beginnings and new reasons can bring our hearts wonderful anticipation of how He may be planning to use us and work on our behalf!
In this new day there may be things that you are facing that tempt your heart to be burdened but be encouraged that God is a God that desires you cast your care upon Him and He desires that you ask Him for the wisdom you lack to meet any obstacles that you face. All of us have reasons to bless His Name and be thankful. Sometimes we permit our focus to be on the things that are not perfect, but really we need to take time to call to our remembrance the many blessings that we possess because of the goodness of God at work in our lives.. We all have much to be thankful for!
“Living By the Truth of God’s Word”
by Dona Hake
Every day of our life we will be presented with opportunities to make choices, and God wants us to choose His way, and His way is always truth. It is so important that we value hearing , reading, and meditating upon God’s Word. We must keep our minds renewed to God’s way of living. Every question or that which pertains to us living godly is in His precious Word. If we do not make it a habit to keep our minds renewed we will be deceived into thinking that “if we feel” okay about the direction we are taking, then it is okay. Many times I hear people say they have a peace about a decision they are making, yet they are not sure if they know beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can assure you that the enemy knows well how to set us up to think that deception and wrong choices are okay. He is the Angel of Light isn’t he? ….this is how he is able to accomplish deception by his trickery and deceptive ways. May we never ever think that we can pick and choose when we are going to walk in truth. May our hearts desire to know that we are saturated in His Word. May we be determined to walk in a way in which we never waver but stay true to every precept He has given us to live by.
It is as we are with strong conviction about living His Word in our lives that we will take strong stands against falsehoods that would try to pull us down and weaken our convictions. Falsehood is lack of conformity to truth or fact.
Psalm 119:163 (CEB)
“I hate, I absolutely despise, what is false,
but I’m in love with your Instruction.”
Psalm 119:163 Good News Translation
“I hate and detest all lies,
but I love your law.”
but I love your law.”
Today Lord we ask that You would give us discerning hearts for we well know that the devil can come as an Angel of Light. He can try to confuse us in order that we walk away from our strong convictions. We thank You Lord that Your grace is able to keep us strong and deliberate in our walk. We ask that Your Word would grow deeper and deeper within us as we proclaim that we love Your law with all of our hearts. In Jesus Name! Amen.
“He Anoints My Head With Oil”
by Dona Hake
The past two days I have been focusing on God’s peace. Yesterday I shared specifically about the undisturbed mind. Anxious thoughts can surely rob one’s peace. Anxious thoughts can be like a fly that has picked you to torment. He may keep flying around the room, then buzz a bit around you head, land on you, and then fly away just long enough…but then he is back. Sometimes this is how anxious thoughts are when we are not taking them to the Lord. Oh yes, we have prayed but there are certain cares that you have not completely given over to Him. Your mind may seem at peace, and then out of no where you feel troubled again. That thought that you are trying to give to Him seems to keep showing up. It is times like these that we are not totally releasing all our cares to Him. May we examine our hearts in this matter, and ask Him for His help. In His presence, He desires to minister to our soul, and rid us of any torment we are in. May we permit Him to anoint our heads with oil which will indeed permeate our soul with that peace that passes all understanding.
Psalm 23:5 (Amplified)
You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil;
You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil;
I have an image in my mind of a troubled sheep standing submissively under the gentle hands of the shepherd. He begins to pour fresh oil down over his woolly forehead, and he gently rubs it through the sheep’s thick wool, and it penetrates into the skin. He is assured that his sheep will be protected from torments that come from a particular pestilence. The shepherd well knows and understands how his sheep can be troubled by such tormentors as the nose fly. These little flies buzz about the sheep’s head attempting to deposit their eggs on the damp, mucous membranes of their nasal passages. If they succeed the worm-like larvae work their way up into the the sheep’s head. It is then that the intense irritation cause extreme inflammation with extreme torment and pain for this poor sheep.
I think of the daily cares that can swarm around our heads and torment us as well. Many times we are tempted to worry about things before they even happen. We try at times to put things out of our minds yet thoughts that are not dealt with eventually take root and get bigger. We must purpose ourselves to daily stay under our caring Shepherd’s loving hands. As we do we will abide in His place of refreshing and restoration of our souls.
Lord we thank You this day for being a kind and loving Shepherd. We thank You for Your watchful eyes for You see our soul, and You know when are hearts and minds are anxious. Thank You for reminding us by Your Spirit to cast all of our cast over to You. We praise You today for the power of Your restoration and peace that You desire to bring to us. In Jesus Name. Amen.
“The Undisturbed Mind”
by Dona Hake
Today I will share with you about living with a clear and undisturbed mind. Jesus said He would give us a peace that is not like what the world gives. This peace does not come from perfect circumstances, the view of a beautiful mountainside or a walk along the beach. While these things can calm us down and bring rest to our bodies, we must still take hold and guard the peace that will restore our souls.
Psalm 23:3 Expanded Bible
” He ·gives me new strength [ renews my soul].
He leads me on paths that are ·right [righteous; or straight]
for the ·good [sake] of his ·name [reputation].”
” He ·gives me new strength [ renews my soul].
He leads me on paths that are ·right [righteous; or straight]
for the ·good [sake] of his ·name [reputation].”
Each day we must turn our eyes and souls upon Him that we can receive strength and renewal. No one can do this for us. We have our part to play, and we must be diligent to do it. You see, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ we must continue to grow in understanding in all things that we have learned and accepted in the Word of God. Okay, I am going to emphasize seven words in the previous sentence. ~We must continue to grow in understanding~ These words play a vital part in walking in peace and in His strength.
We must continue in His Word, and permit it to correct our thinking, and strengthen our faith. If we do not understand what is going on in our life, then we need to seek Him for that understanding. His Word says that He gives us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. Hearing and living in the Word of God is not like a child learning to use a spoon to eat or learning to ride a bicycle. You can agree that once one learns to do these things that we do not have to find a better way to do them. The Word of God in our hearts must be heard over and over. We must have a pursuit in our hearts to go deeper and deeper, and refuse to become passive in our faith. Our hearts must listen to Him intently, and we must do the Word even when we do not feel like it. We must be patient when we think we cannot stand another minute of a trial. Every thing that has to do with our Lord has no end because He is eternal. Therefore, let us purpose in our hearts to go deeper and deeper in understanding the simplest of truths.
Many times we as believers may be lacking in peace simply because we are not returning to His Word and prayer, and keeping ourselves built up in the foundations of our faith. These are the things that are going to keep us constant in our faith, and we will then enjoy our minds being constant in His peace. As we return to Him in prayer each day may we permit His loving hand to refresh and restore our souls. Do not try to live on yesterday’s strength, and do not even try to carry that thing that seems to be a small burden. Even small things will pull and tug at our hearts, and eventually take our peace away.
When I was reading Psalm 23:3 I find it interesting that Him restoring my soul and leading me in His good paths go hand in hand. You see, if we are not restored, refreshed and permeated in His peace, we will find it difficult to walk the direction He is desiring to take us.
Lord, we thank You this day for that refreshing that only comes from Your hand. We ask You to touch our souls and renew them with great strength to meet our day and it’s demands. As we are refreshed, we thank You that we are indeed able to clearly hear Your voice. Thank You Lord for helping us to grow more and more in our understanding of the foundations of our faith. In Jesus Name. Amen.
“The God Of Peace Is With Us”
by Dona Hake
I originally had a devotional set to send you, and in my heart I felt to change it up, and break it into several devotionals. My heart has been stirred over the past week as I have been meditating upon maintaining peace and a clear mind. I believe there is so much power in possessing a mind that is free of distraction and a mind that truly possesses the peace of Christ.
Today I want to cause you to think about how our Lord is there for us at all times. Think about it….the God of ALL peace is with us! He is never too busy, He is never distracted by world affairs, and He is ready to impart to you exactly what you need, especially His peace! We are the apple of His eye and He desires that we love Him with all of our hearts. During the Christmas season our minds can be tempted to race so fast for all of it’s demands can cause us to feel there is not enough time in the day.The Lord desires that we listen to Him with minds and hearts that are not distracted by the cares, planning or worries of this life.
May we purpose that we are keeping our priorities as the Lord is directing us, and let us not permit our goals and priorities to be according to what the world says we are to do. Many times during the holiday season we may find ourselves neglecting our proper time with the Lord, and our stressed minds can cloud our focus and we may fail in being sensitive to those around us. A mind that is clear and at peace will make right decisions that proceed from His wisdom. Many times our insensitivity to those around us may proceed from having too much on our minds, and we simply do not think before we act and speak. What is sad too is that many times we may be acting insensitively, and not even realize it.
Over the next few days, I am feeling led to share on holding fast to His peace and enjoying the beauty of a heart and mind that is ruled by that peace…that peace that passes all human understanding. I am going to touch on maintaining our sensitivity with God as well as those around us.
Lord we thank You this day that Your peace can touch our hearts and minds in the midst of whatever is going on around us. We can be anywhere, and if confusion tries to rob our peace, we can trust You to make those “winds” be still in our life! We praise You for that wonderful peace, in Jesus Name! Amen.
Philippians 4:7 (Amplified)
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
“Real Love Will Cost Us…”
by Dona Hake
Can we ever meditate upon the love of God too much? Absolutely not! Let us continue to seek the depths of His love for there is no end to it … .the depths of His love are beyond our comprehension. His love is unfathomable. Love conquers all and God’s love covers all things. God desires that His conquering love flow through us yet there are times His love is not able to flow freely. If we do not desire to look beyond our own little world, how is He able to love through us and touch a lost and dying world? There is a cost to loving like Jesus, and it is a matter letting go of that which is holding us back. In the book of Luke he wrote “If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them. ” I love the following quote by Mother Teresa, and it fits perfectly with our devotional today …
“Love,
to be real,
must cost –
it must hurt –
us must empty it of self.” Mother Teresa
God is calling us to the high places of His love. He is calling us to the deeper places of His love, and yes … if you desire to go to those places, there will be a cost. I leave you with a wonderful portion of scriptures to meditate upon regarding the love of God. These scriptures show us what His love is and what it is not.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (DARBY)
4 “Love has long patience, is kind; love is not emulous [of others]; love is not insolent and rash, is not puffed up,
5 does not behave in an unseemly manner, does not seek what is its own, is not quickly provoked, does not impute evil,
6 does not rejoice at iniquity but rejoices with the truth,
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails … “
Let us desire today that God’s true and real love flows through us in every way possible. Lord help us to desire to pay the cost even when it hurts. Cause us to see that which hinders us from loving like You and empty us of those things! We are believing that you are well able to do above and beyond all we dare ask or think regarding Your love operating through us! In Jesus Name we desire this, amen!
“His Eyes Are Still Looking”
by Dona Hake
I have mentioned to you before about the photography group that I am a part of. This group has members from all over the world, and I have been truly amazed at some of the images that are submitted everyday. I have one friend that recently submitted some images of the moon. I was so amazing because I could actually see the craters on the surface of the moon. I feel overwhelmed and so blessed to see such awesomeness, because it reminds me of how great and wonderful our God is!
Isaiah 66:2 (AMP)
“For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.”
As God in Heaven proclaims what He did with the work of His hands He goes on to say, “but here is where I look…” I think about how we are amazed by what we see in creation, yet God is telling us what He is looking to see! After all the beauty and wonder of His creation He is still looking? I love this because it is reminding us that God’s eyes are moving to and fro watching for the one that will ALWAYS put Him and His Word first and reverently respond to what He says. He is looking for those that even when they mess up, they admit they are wrong and receive His forgiveness. He is watching for the man and woman that desires to be humble and respect His Word above their own opinions and thoughts. He is watching you and your heart.
Let us be reminded today that His eyes are looking and watching for the one who will listen and hear what He is speaking. Every time you marvel about something about His beautiful creation and you exclaim praise, just think about what His eyes are looking for! Know that He is waiting and watching for someone that He can use for His purposes. Think about it…He made it all and in all it’s grand beauty He is still watching for those of a humble and contrite spirit. I encourage you today to think about how He desires to use you as you purpose to remain humble and reverent to His Word.
“Equipped By Our Lord”
by Dona Hake
I want to apologize for not getting a devotional to you yesterday. I had some things come up, and time did not permit me to create a devotional for you. Today I want to share about being equipped by our Lord.
Have you ever reached for your car keys when you are ready to leave to go somewhere and you cannot find them? This is always frustrating to me especially if I have a place that I am to be, and I must leave at a specific time. I absolutely hate being late, and not keeping my word! What I am sharing today is such a spiritual analogy that we can learn from. Just think about it…your car is sitting out front of your home. This is what you need to get you where you need to go, yet if you cannot find your keys, it is not moving anywhere. You cannot take your house key and put it in the ignition for it would not work. It must be a specific key to cause it to start. So it is with spiritual things!
Have you ever felt that way spiritually? You feel like you have done all you know to do yet you feel like something is missing or misplaced. Many times it may be one little thing, and we just have to find it.
Today I want to encourage you in the fact that the Lord has given us every thing that we need to do that which He has assigned us to do. Good news isn’t it? No matter what the task, the responsibility, or ministry, God has exactly what we need. If we seek to make things work by our own ability and our own ways, it is the same as trying to make a wrong key fit.
If you ever feel tempted to be anxious about how you are going to do what you need to do for Him, just think about this wonderful scripture. You see, God enables us to walk in His great power as we trust in Him. When we trust and rely on His grace, the spirit of timidity will have not place in us. He has given us the spirit of power, love and a sound mind to do all that He asks. For every door you need to walk through, He has the key to enable us to do so. Trust in Him for He is able.
Lord, we ask you today to show us all that we need to accomplish Your will. May we seek You diligently for those specific keys that are connected to Your enabling us to do Your will. In the face of not knowing what to do, Lord we choose not to receive a spirit of timidity, but rather a spirit of
power, love and of self discipline. In Jesus Name! Amen
“All the Time…God IS Good!!!”
by Dona Hake
Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope that you have thought about the abundance of blessings in your life for we have much to be thankful for! Since the beginning of November I have tried to bring you something each day to meditate upon relative to maintaining a thankful heart. It really is endless when you think about how God is so rich in His blessings toward us. I love that His eyes miss nothing in my life. He is concerned about the smallest of details. Yet my human nature rises up at times when my mind is not renewed with His Word, and I may be tempted to carry care about a problem. Oh that we would stay mindful that He is able to take care of us.
Matthew 6:27-29 (AMP)
And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life? And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these.”
This scripture reminds us of God’s loving care and how He watches over us. He is there to provide for us all that we need in any particular time. Think about it…. When you need wisdom…The Lord will provide. When you need strength…The Lord will provide. When you need direction…The Lord will provide. On this Thanksgiving Day, let us praise the living God for His awesome works and how He has shown Himself to be the Shepherd that takes care of everything, therefore we shall not want. God is good all the time…all the time God is good!
“What Reasons Do You Have To Praise Him?”
Psalm 5:3 (CEB)
” Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I lay it all out before you.
Then I wait expectantly.”
” Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I lay it all out before you.
Then I wait expectantly.”
Today let us be thankful that as we greet Him in the morning we can lay it all before Him. That means, our plans, our problems, our uncertainties, all that concerns our hearts. We can give it all to Him, and then wait expectantly.
Psalm 145:2 (AMP)
Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You
[affectionately and gratefully praise You];
yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Now as I read this scripture in Psalm 145:2 my heart is stirred as I think that each day holds new reasons to bless Him affectionately and with a grateful heart. We need to purpose our hearts to take time as individuals and reflect on His goodness in our lives. There are so many ways He touches our lives each day. May we not overlook one of His blessings. Can you think of new reasons to bless and thank Him today ? I am sure you can, and when you do, please take time to offer up the thanks that is due Him.
Today I encourage you to draw upon His strength and see your day as a fresh canvas. There may be things that you are facing that tempt your heart to be burdened but be encouraged that God is a God that never grows weary. Lift your eyes toward heaven and lay your heart open to Him and wait expectantly for Him to guide you throughout your day. All of us have reasons to bless His Name and be thankful. No, maybe everything is not perfect, but take time to call out the blessings that you possess because of the goodness of God. We all have much to be thankful for. Today, with it’s new beginning, praise and bless His Name for all the good things you embrace because of His goodness in your life!
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!