Thursday, April 26, 2018
Devotional for Thursday, April 26, 2016
“God Is After Our Pride”
by Dona Hake
It was a Saturday morning in North Wales, and after breakfast our group gathered to sit, and be blessed by the words of Arthur Burt. Many times he would sit quietly before he would speak, and countless times his words of wisdom were so powerful that I just wanted to go in another room and ponder the one sentence he just spoke. I am sharing six particular things he shared throughout that morning. He was sharing on the danger of pride and the beauty of humility. Be blessed as you read these nuggets of truth…
“When one is in earnest there will be evidence.”
“If you are at a place that you take offense, you cannot move on. Jesus said, “I have many things to say, but you cannot bear them.” If you take offense in the natural, you will take offense in the spiritual. If you are too big to be corrected, you are too small to be led.”
“Humility is not a virtue, it is an obligation.”
“In humility, there is no humiliation.”
“God is after our pride!”
“You can only humble yourself under His mighty hand. 1 Peter 5:5
The only way righteousness comes is through humility.”
The only way righteousness comes is through humility.”
God desires that we purpose in our hearts to clothe ourselves in humility. He longs to see us flee from the evil one and resist pride. He desires that we be guarded, and able to recognize the many faces of pride for it will destroy us. Pride’s power is great, so let us humble ourselves under God‘s powerful hands, and He promises to lift us up. Paul warned us in 1Peter 5:9 to know and recognize our enemy, for he seeks ways to bring us down, and pride is one of his ways.
“Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.”
Proverbs 29:23 – the Message Version
Proverbs 29:23 – the Message Version
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Devotional for Wednesday, April 25, 2018
“With Every Step You Take”
by Dona Hake
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Amplified Version
In an age of ever increasing knowledge and information, we need to guard ourselves and know that we are trusting in our Lord in every aspect of our lives. While it is always a good thing to attain knowledge and to seek wise counsel I believe we need to know we are always seeking His sweet soft voice in our spirits that we can sort through things as He perfectly desires us to. At this point I will mention also that our emotions have voices, and those voices can be very loud, they can cause confusion, anxiety, and lead us down a wrong path if we heed to them above His perfect direction.
Trust does not always come easy, especially when we feel our backs are up against the wall with difficult decisions. Yet if we read the scripture very carefully we can deepen our revelation of what trust is. May we know Him, acknowledge Him, and recognize Him. Remember my friends, the devil masquerades himself as an angel of light. May our hearts desire true discernment at all times that we be not deceived by this evil one.
His discernment will cause us to stop and think about the steps we may need to take. Ask him, “Lord, what do you want?“. Stand still , and trust until He instructs you in the next step. Maybe your prayer may be, “Lord, what do you desire in this matter for I do not understand which way to turn? “ May we patiently wait upon Him, and trust the pace that He takes us.
With this scripture I see a precious thought, and that is our Lord loves when we lean and rest upon Him for everything. Even though our path may seem straight now, He sees ahead, and He knows what is ahead of us. He prepares our hearts with deeper insights of His Word that we are armed and ready to walk victoriously in this life upon any path or change that we face as we trust in Him in all of our ways.
Devotional for Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Devotional for Tuesday, April 24, 2018
“Sometimes…”
by Dona Hake
A few weeks ago when I woke up I was not feeling the greatest, and I was having somewhat of a challenging day. I was determined to keep moving and accomplishing what needed done. I set out to do errands but first I wanted to stop and get a quick lunch at a fast food restaurant. As I pulled up to pay for my order the clerk said, “The lady in front of you just paid for your meal!” I was so touched by this random act of kindness, and it could not have been at a better time. I think I realized at that point that I was dwelling a bit too much on the fact that I was not feeling well, and the thought of a complete stranger just being kind really encouraged my heart.
Sometimes when our days are not going to greatest or they are not as we have planned, it is amazing how sometimes God just moves in kindness and goodness in ways we were not expecting. I love when He surprises us when we need it the most! Oh to be thankful for the simple things in life.
As I sat and ate my lunch, I could not help but reflect and meditate upon how important it is to just go out of our way, and be kind to those around us. You never know how your kindness, love, a smile, or a random act of kindness could touch somebody’s heart especially if they are having a challenging day. As I prayed over my food, I made a special mention to the Lord to bless that sweet woman for just being kind. This stirs my heart to be thinking about, and asking my Lord more often “Lord, please use me today that I may touch the heart that needs touched.”
“Jump on opportunities to do small acts of kindness.“
Anonymous
“Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference. “
Anonymous
Anonymous
Monday, April 23, 2018
Devotional for Monday, April 23, 2018
“The Word Fitly Spoken”
by Dona Hake
Our words are like pieces to a grand puzzle. Many times we may feel that the words we are desiring to express will fit so well in our response yet when we speak them they turn out all wrong. You may walk away from a conversation feeling uneasy in your heart wondering if your words were received or misunderstood.
I can remember years ago buying my Granddaughter a kitten jigsaw puzzle, and she could not wait to try to put it together. Some of the pieces were a bit challenging for they looked so similar visually yet the shape did not fit. At one point she thought one piece just had to fit, and she began to force and try to squeeze certain pieces in. Interesting analogy isn’t it?….we can feel our words are fitting and right, and we begin to force them on someone or squeeze them in the conversation. We can even convince ourselves that because what we have to say is true that it just has to be spoken at that time. Sometimes words may seem to be of good intent yet they are not to be spoken. Oh that we would heed to the Holy Spirit before we open our mouths. God desires that our words bless, encourage, and produce, and very importantly, He desires that our words be fitting and proper.
(All translations of Proverbs 25:11)
“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting.” ERV
“An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.”GNT
“Timely advice is as lovely as gold apples in a silver basket.” TLB
“A well-spoken word at just the right moment
is like golden apples in settings of silver.” VOICE
Today let us be reminded that God’s timing has it’s perfect place when it comes to words. Sometimes silence may be God’s plan in some situations, so do not feel you are doing wrong when you are feeling prompted to just be silent even in those times you feel you have the answer. The Lord has a reason in all that He leads us to do or not do. Let us live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all our words and deeds. May our words bless and be as apples of gold in settings of silver!
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Devotional for Saturday, April 21, 2018
“Which Do You Choose?”
by Dona Hake
Luke 12:22-32 Amplified Bible (AMP)
22 Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span? 26 So if you are not even able to do a very little thing [such as that], why are you worried about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. 28 But if this is how God clothes the grass which is in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! 29 So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind. 30 For all the [pagan] nations of the world greedily seek these things; and your [heavenly] Father [already] knows that you need them. 31 But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
22 Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span? 26 So if you are not even able to do a very little thing [such as that], why are you worried about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. 28 But if this is how God clothes the grass which is in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! 29 So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind. 30 For all the [pagan] nations of the world greedily seek these things; and your [heavenly] Father [already] knows that you need them. 31 But [strive for and actively] seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Jesus spoke to His disciples about guarding themselves against worry and not picking care regarding their body and clothing. He shared with them that life is more important than thinking about such things. If Jesus were walking among us He would speak to us the same thing. Can’t you hear Him right now…”Child, why are you worrying about tomorrow. Your tomorrow is in My hand alone to hold, so trust in me for I promise to take care of every one of your needs.” May we reverence and fear the God of the known.
“Don’t fear the unknown
Fear the God of the known…
Remember? Today is the
Tomorrow that yesterday you:
Feared?
Worried about?
or
Believed God for?
(which did you choose?)”
Arthur Burt
Fear the God of the known…
Remember? Today is the
Tomorrow that yesterday you:
Feared?
Worried about?
or
Believed God for?
(which did you choose?)”
Arthur Burt
Do you remember when you laid your head on the pillow last evening? If the thought of your tomorrow entered your mind, did you fear it,? worry about it? or believe God for it? I love this challenging thought to end my day. This is another precious quote from Arthur Burt that I has blessed me as I have been reading over my notes when we visited him in North Wales. He spoke words that spoke depth and caused my heart to be greatly challenged. So today let us ponder these words.
The more we determine ourselves to live by faith, and trust the God of the known for the smallest of things we will see worry and fear begin to shrink in the face of our faith. Today let us meditate how He will clothe us and His provision will be made available to us upon our every need. He has us covered as we trust in Him!
Friday, April 20, 2018
Devotional for Friday, April 20, 2018
“The Future Pearl In Your Life”
by Dona Hake
God is at work in us! Praise Him today for this truth. May we be reminded of the truth that we serve a God that is not moved by circumstances, He is not moved by time, and He sees only victory as He moves forward with us. He desires that we grow in the fruit of longsuffering…with people and in those circumstances that do not necessarily make us desire to jump for joy.
There may be times in which we squirm when things are not moving as fast as we would like but let us remember …God is at work. He is not moved by what He sees, and He sees the end of everything. Maybe there are times that we wish the irritations and trials of this life would just go away but I encourage you today to stand strong and see those irritations in a different light. Perhaps we can see those “uncomfortable to the flesh” circumstances as a time of learning and growing in the Lord.
I am sharing with you today a quote from notes that I took when I had the joy of visiting North Wales and sat under the precious fellowship and ministry of Brother Arthur Burt. He has since gone to be with Jesus but his words are so precious to my heart. While this quote may be specific to dealing with irritations with people it can also be applied to anything in our lives that we face.
“The man – the one that rubs you the wrong way –, and tests your patience can enlarge you in your distress. The pearl – a real pearl – comes out of the grain of sand that is the irritation within the oyster. There are “grains of irritation” in your life God has permitted for the future pearl.”
Arthur Burt
James 1:2-4 (AMP)
“Consider it nothing but joy, my [a]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
“Consider it nothing but joy, my [a]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Devotional for Wednesday, April 18, 2018
“…For the Purpose of Prayer”
by Dona Hake
In verse one and two of 1 Peter 4 Paul exhorts for us to arm ourselves with the same attitude Christ had as He suffered in His body. Jesus did not live His life for evil human desires but rather He lived for the will of God. In verse seven Paul goes on to exhort that we need to be clear minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer, and also that we love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
“…Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].”
1 Peter 4:7
1 Peter 4:7
As we keep God and His Word the priority in our life, our decisions and actions will proceed from a heart that desires to please Him. As we are sound-minded and self-controlled as Paul spoke, of our lives will be pleasing to our Lord for we will pray and communicate as He desires us to.
Let us stay focused on what He says is the most important thing for us today. Let us purpose to live in His love that promises to never fail, and no matter what or who comes against us, that love will remind and cause us to forgive, and rise above any offense or circumstance. Thank God for that love that will always steer us to keep our heart clean, and our mind focused as we do His will.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Devotional for Tuesday, April 17, 2018
“But You Lord…”
by Dona Hake
“Lord, I have so many enemies. So many people have turned against me. They say to themselves, “God will not rescue him!” Selah But you, Lord, protect me. You bring me honor; you give me hope. I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. Selah I can lie down to rest and know that I will wake up, because the Lord covers and protects me. So I will not be afraid of my enemies, even if thousands of them surround me.”
Psalm 3:1-6 easy to read version
It is interesting to note here that in David’s time of trouble a song rose up in his heart. He was not sitting on his throne in a place of power, but he was rather running for his life from his rebellious son Absalom, and a host of traders. David reminds us that God is always for us no matter what our circumstances look like. No matter what people say, we can look up and know that our God is with us and He surrounds us with His shield. We can look up and say as David did, “But You Lord, protect me!” Maybe we will declare “But You Lord are with me.” “But You Lord are my provider.” No matter what, we need to acknowledge the Lord is with us and declare who He is in the situation.
I have encountered people in the midst of a trial…and there is a statement that I have heard and it greatly troubles my heart. One of the most grievous things I have ever heard a child of God say in the midst of a trial is “Where is God in all of this?“ Honestly, I cannot even explain how bad this hurts my heart to hear a child of God speak of the Lord in this manner. These words speak of one that really does not understand the loving and faithful character of God. They really do not understand that Jesus meant what He said when He declared that He would never leave or forsake us.
You may be reading this and thinking to yourself that you know that your Lord is always with you and you would never ever speak “ Where is God in all of this?” Well then I encourage you to meditate upon this for it may help you share with one that needs to hear truth in this area. Sometimes people just need to be reminded of the faithfulness of God. Sometimes they just need to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel but until they get to the end of that dark tunnel may they come to understand that the true Light is right beside them.
We as believers also carry that light and hope! We carry the answer within us and that is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ. If God before us who can be against us?
“…So what should we say about this?
If God is for us, no one can stand against us.
And God is with us.”
Romans 8:31 – Easy to read version
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Devotional for Saturday, April 14, 2018
“God Is Completing His Work In You!”
by Dona Hake
“I’ve never met a man who has given me as
much trouble as myself.”
Interesting isn’t it…at times we can be our own worst enemy for there are those days that we focus too much on what and where we are NOT rather that how far God 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, and mold us with His loving hands. 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, and we continue to humble ourselves under the work of His hand He promises that the transformation will indeed happen.
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 you. Guard yourself from focusing on your weaknesses but rather look to the God of strength to continue to work in you. Give thanks to Him for 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 leads and guides us into ALL truth in every area of our lives! God bless you.
Philippians 1:6 Amplified Version
“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].”
Friday, April 13, 2018
Devotional for Friday, April 13, 2018
“God’s Thoughts About You”
by Dona Hake
If you have not read my post from yesterday entitled “Become Like Children”, I would encourage you to do so. That post flows with today’s! I shared that I was teaching my little preschoolers all about the magnificence of our Lord God. We were learning a scripture from Psalm 89:11. “Everything in heaven and earth belongs to you. You made the world and everything in it.”
The children and I discussed how the Lord made the great ocean and all of its sea creatures, and then we began to talk about sand ! Since children love to learn to count at this age I began to share with them that counting the grains of the sand would be impossible. From there I begin to share with them the next verse. Psalm 139:17–18. “Your thoughts and plans are treasures to me, oh God! I cherish each and everyone of them! How grand in scope! How many in number! If I could count each one of them, they would be more than all the grains of sand on earth. Their number is inconceivable!” Today I will share with you what this scripture means to my heart.
The God of heaven and earth also knows each one of us down to the smallest of details. He observes our coming and our going, He watches over us as we sleep and He is there when we rise in the morning. He knows what we are going to say long before we say it because He knows our every thought. What an amazing feeling we should all have knowing how deeply He loves us and knows us inside and out. It really is beyond comprehension!
As I read this Psalm and think about the sands of the ocean it causes me to realize that I really cannot fathom how many thoughts the God of heaven has thought about me. In saying that it reminds me as well that His thoughts are different than mine because He sees us through His pure love, and His thoughts and ways will always be higher than how my mind thinks.
Isaiah 55:9 (ASV)
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
He sees our future through His eyes and He desires that our faith rest in Him. I am thankful that I serve such a loving God that loves me so much!
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!