7.2.16

Posted on Jul 2, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, July 2, 2016

“A Time To Love, A Time To Hate”

by Dona Hake

Today I want to share with you about loving the truth. The Word is truth and it is light to our souls. This truth that our Lord has so freely given us will strengthen, guide, and lift up our souls. On the other hand the lies of the devil will pull us down, and lead us into wrong paths. The devil loves to lie to us in order to create confusion and defeat in our lives. God is light and in Him there is no darkness, there never was and there never will be. Oh that we would be quick to discern light from dark in our lives. May we learn to hate what God hates and love what He loves. In my walk as a believer I have found that the degree that I love His truth will also be the degree that I hate and despise the lies of our enemy. It is as one compromises the truth in their life that they will begin to accept rather than reject the lies of the devil.

In Ecclesiastes 3 the writer speaks of an appointed time to love and an appointed time to hate. There are times in which we are called upon to hate what God hates. 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. Today I want to talk about lying and falsehood. God desires that our hearts be sold out completely and committed to His Word. 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.”

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.

7.1.16

Posted on Jul 1, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, July 1, 2016

“Cause Me Lord To Look To You”

By Dona Hake

I can remember it like it just happened yesterday. Forty three years ago I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I was blessed to have some wonderful mentors and leaders in my life as a new born Christian. For that I am so thankful! I was a part of a youth group and it was rather large. I can still remember when we were assigned to pick out a verse from the Bible, memorize it, and we would have to recite it in front of the whole group the next time we met. I hated speaking in front of groups but I purposed I could do this. I can still remember one of the kids that was rather a fun person, and he chose. “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 After we all laughed at his choice, he quickly commented, “You said any verse, and that was the one I wanted to do!” We all chuckled for we knew he purposely chose the shortest verse in the Bible. My choice was Psalm 143:8.

Psalm 143:8 (AMP)

“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.”

This scripture is one that is a special one for I knew what it was like to be lost and depending in my own ability, and living without the hope of a promising tomorrow. I welcomed the idea of living a life in which I had to depend upon Him for everything. As I think about this I ponder how there are times we are all tempted to fall back into a mind set of thinking we do not need Him for the little things or those things that we feel we are able to control in our life. May we strive to live by faith and looking to Him for all that we need no matter how big or small the need may be.

Let us trust to hear His voice about our day. Are you leaning on His everlasting love today? Are you trusting Him with all of your heart, and not leaning on your own understanding? Let us remember to lean on Him for all the strength and wisdom that is needed for each task of our day. Let us thank Him as He unfolds His plan for our day yet be willing to allow Him to interrupt it if He has other plans for us. May we lift up our soul to Him and allow Him to touch us because He loves us so!

6.30.16

Posted on Jun 30, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Thursday, June 30, 2016

“His Love…As Deep As the Sea!”

by Dona Hake

“I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. ”

Romans 8:39 (The Message)

A few days ago I shared with you about God’s command to us to walk in love. God has empowered us to do this for He is total love. He would never ask us to do something apart from enabling us to do so. Today we will meditate upon how deep our Lord’s love is. His love is so deep and great, and He promises to never stop loving us. What is so wonderful to know is that there is not one thing in this life that could create separation between us and the love of our Lord.

Let us never forget that from the time we awaken till when we lay our head down to sleep that we should simply praise His Name and enjoy His love. As I ponder this I think about all that can happen in a day and to be quite honest sometimes we may encounter difficulties or difficult people that make it hard to keep praise to Him in our hearts toward Him. We can be guilty of permitting the distractions and difficulties to distort our focus on Him. The Lord desires that there is an offering of praise proceeding from our hearts no matter what is going on around us. As we keep our heart of praise that does not cease, we will maintain an awareness that nothing can separate us from His loving presence.

Psalm 42:8 (CEB)
“By day the Lord commands his faithful love;
by night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.”

6.29.16

Posted on Jun 28, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, June 29, 2016

“Let Go and Look Up!”

by Dona Hake

Today I want to exhort you to keep looking up, let go of anxiety if you have any for He is your God! Today is a new day, and tomorrow is another day. Let us meet each day with a knowing that every mercy and strength we need is there because that is what our Lord desires to bless us with. He is all about going before us and providing all that we need to do all that He is requiring of us.

If you fear what is ahead of you, know that He knows all that you will face in your day. Trust Him, do not be anxious for He is your God. Please ponder and be blessed with the scripture I have for you today.

Isaiah 41:10
King James Version

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;

for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.”

The significance of His right hand being mentioned is because it represents strength and skill. When we feel tempted to be fearful or weary in our hearts, He will lift us up and carry us with His strength. We can rest in His arms knowing that He will hold us tightly until life’s storms are over. There are many times in my life that I can testify that do not know how I would have made it apart from Him carrying me. I thank Him today for His strong right arm that upheld me in my troubles! I praise God that the strength of His right hand will always be there to sustain me.

As you begin a brand new day, or maybe you are reading this at the end of a long day, I encourage to keep close to your heart that you do not walk alone. In those times of needing direction, seek Him and He will show you the way. In those times that fear tries to grip your heart, look up and remind your soul that you are resting in His arms. He promises to uphold you and keep you in all of your ways.

6.28.16

Posted on Jun 28, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, June 28, 2016

“His Conquering Love”

by Dona Hake

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. You know…we can hinder our Lord from loving through us? Walking in the love of our Lord is not always the easiest thing to do. 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.”

We all have a measure of love and patience, but there is an end to that measure. God’s love is different. It goes beyond our human understanding, and it will surpass our emotions. God’s love will cause us to do things that only He can enable us to do. In order to walk in God’s love, we must empty ourselves of all hindrances. Mother Teresa profoundly said:

“Love,

to be real,

must cost –

it must hurt –

it must empty us of self.”

God is calling us to the high places of love. A wonderful place to meditate is 1 Corinthians 13 because this simply spells out what God’s love is and what it is not.

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious,

doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about.

There’s no arrogance in love;

it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—

it’s not self-absorbed.

Love isn’t easily upset.

Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice;

but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight!

Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along;

it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.

Love will never become obsolete.”

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!

6.27.16

Posted on Jun 27, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Monday, June 27, 2016

“Your Life Was Meant To Make A Difference”

by Dona Hake

God has appointed each of us an assignment while we live here on this earth. Some of us may have assignments that are longer than others. Let us never compare how our Lord desires to use us with how He chooses to use someone else. You see, the most important thing His eyes are searching for are the man and woman that looks to Him, and seeks to have a pure and humble heart.

The man or woman that desires the pure heart will not dare to permit sin to hinder their walk. They will quickly run to their Lord for the forgiveness, and as they make the choice to humble themselves He will quickly lift them back up. This is the beautiful heart that He so desires to work His life through! You are here to make a difference, and I think that is an exciting thought!

No matter how young or old you are, I want you to listen. Today you can make a difference in someone’s life. This is a brand new day, it is as a clean slate, and God has a “to do” list for you. He has loving words He desires you to speak, godly actions to do, prayers to pray, etc. He desires that our lives be busy, fervent, and excited about His will for us.

Many times people can be discouraged and depressed about their lives simply because they are comparing themselves to everyone around them. If you feel you have not succeeded in something, then take hold of God, and ask Him for strength to stand up and try again. May I encourage you today to look at yourself, and know that God made you in such a special way for special reasons and purposes.

Psalm 139:14 CJB version

“I thank you because I am awesomely made,
wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well.”

The psalmist is proclaiming how awesomely he was formed by the hand of a loving God. Oh that we would do the same, and see ourselves as awesomely made and fashioned by the Master’s hand. As He made you, He had special things in mind, and it is up to you to believe how special you are, and seek how He desires to use you in this life. Trust Him to fulfill those plans and purposes. Seek to express all those God given qualities that may be at rest within your soul. Do not permit fear of failure to hold you back. I want to leave you with one of my favorite motivational quotes. This quote challenges my heart every time I read it.

“Creativity has been built into every one of us;

it is part of our design.

Each of us lives less of the life God intended for us when we

choose not to live out the creative powers we possess.” Ted Engstrom

6.26.16

Posted on Jun 26, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Sunday, June 26, 2016

“God’s Grace Brings Breakthrough”

by Dona Hake

Today I want to share with you about breakthrough. There is so much power in this word. A breakthrough is when there is an instance of removing or surpassing an obstruction or restriction. Can you think of a time that you have needed a breakthrough because your problem or trial seemed unsolvable. Today I want to encourage your heart to look to the Lord for the grace that you need. It is His grace that is sufficient for all that you need, and His grace will cause you to breakthrough whatever seems to pose a hindrance in your walk with Him. God’s grace will cause you to have all that you need, and you will excel in the good fight and in the good work.

“And God is able to make every grace overflow

to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need,

you may excel in every good work.”

This scripture just really blesses me. I love meditating on the fact that God is desiring to shower us with His all sufficient grace as we set out to do His will. He desires that we draw upon that grace that is well able to break through the clouds and darkness that this life brings at times.

Today, look let us look to Him with great desire to be a living example of excellence in all that we put our hands to. Draw upon His great grace, and wait expectantly for Him to shower it upon you. It is as we do this that we will demonstrate that He is the God that is more than enough! We shall be testimonies of being living trees planted by water, yielding fruit, and prospering in every good work!!

Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

“He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.”

6.25.16

Posted on Jun 25, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, June 25, 2016

“Trust Is a Must”

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!”

We live in an age of information and it is readily at our finger tips. It amazes me that within seconds I can ask Siri almost anything on my iPhone, and I will be directed to the information within seconds. While modern technology is a blessing it can be a distraction as well. May we be as quick to open our Bibles to search for the answers to our questions and problems in this life. Sometimes the more we feel we may know about something the more we can be tempted to pick and choose what we think is the right thing to do according to our head knowledge rather than the will and wisdom of our Lord.

Today we are focusing on living a life of trust for it is a must as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the scripture says we need to trust Him from the bottom of our hearts and stop trying to figure everything out. Many times God has a totally different route He desires to take us and we need to be willing to walk in the direction He has chosen. Sometimes His paths that He is establishing for us are ones we may feel uncomfortable with. If so, let us trust Him, and walk quietly and closely by His side as He leads and directs our paths.

I think there is a key word that God wants us to keep before us and that is the word HUMILITY. This translation says, “don’t assume you know it all…” As we stay humble, we can be thankful for the knowledge, gifts and talents He has blessed us with but we can trust that He will help us to keep them in their proper place. As we remain humble, we will always be looking to acknowledge His ways in everything that we do. He can indeed teach us to trust Him with all of our hearts and He will make those places that have seem crooked and confusing completely straight. Let us purpose to trust Him in all of our ways, and praise Him in the sweet paths He has prepared for us to echo His Name!

6.24.16

Posted on Jun 24, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, June 24, 2016

“It’s That Simple…”

by Dona Hake

It is quite common that people do not like things around them to change too much. I have heard it said that sixty-seven percent of our population hates change. Maybe you are in that sixty-seven percent, and even if you are, you can rest assured that our Lord never changes!!!

David in the Psalms in Chapter twenty-three wrote that He leads us by still waters, and causes us to lie down in green pastures. Let us take one day at a time as we serve Him knowing that He promised to take care of our every need. Today I want to encourage your heart to remember that Jesus never, ever changes, and He can always be depended upon. We need not fear change, for our God will be with us.

Aren’t you thankful that Jesus never changes? His love never changes for us. No matter how bad we mess up He still loves us. If we fall, He promises to reach out His loving hand and pick us up…but let us remember that we must reach out and ask for His help. His mercies are new every morning, His faithfulness endures, His forgiveness is always there. Just a few beautiful things about our Lord that never changes.

I am glad that He never changes positions… He is always by our side and we can count on that. His ear is always towards us when we pray, He has never failed to be there for us with a listening ear. In His Word it says that He NEVER fails, that fact will never change. On and on I could go but it’s just that simple… Jesus never changes. He is not capable of it!

I hope this stirs you to think about the concrete fact that He is faithful and there is no changing in Him. The world may change and we all well know that it does. There may be things that are changing and it is beyond our control to make it the way it was. But take comfort in the fact that the God of the Universe NEVER changes…it’s that simple.

Hebrews 13:8 (TLB)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “

6.23.16

Posted on Jun 23, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Thursday, June 23, 2016

“The Power of a Spoken Word”

by Dona Hake

Have you ever seen someone appear to fall apart as a result of someone being unkind to them or a word spoken that was hurtful. Many times people may not realize that the careless word they just spoke could potentially put a hurting person in a very bad place. If a person is walking in a place of despair and discouragement and they feel there is no way out, they need lifted up. Oh Lord, help us to see with Your eyes the hurting people around us.

There is a cliche I have heard often. “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back!” Usually this is said when someone just seems they cannot go on and they throw up their hands and just give up. The idiom the straw that broke the camel’s back is from an Arabic proverb about how a camel is loaded beyond its capacity to move or stand. Many times people become paralyzed by fear of failing again or they just feel they can not go on any longer.

Proverbs 18:21 (GNT)

“What you say can preserve life or destroy it;

so you must accept the consequences of your words.”

The truth is our words carry power that not only affects us but it has the power to affect others. On a positive note I love to think of the power of one encouraging word. Have you ever been there?…you are about to give up, and one person speaks one powerful encouraging word and out of no where you just feel that with God’s help YOU CAN!!!! There is power in our words. Never underestimate the power of death and life in our tongues. May we guard our tongues that we speak words that bring health, healing, and joy to those around us.

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!