11.24.16
Devotional for Thursday, November 24, 2016
“Thankful For His Inseparable Love”
by Dona Hake
Today is such a special day! As you gather together with family to celebrate this Thanksgiving I encourage you to ponder throughout this day the many blessings that you enjoy. Sometimes it is easy to take fore granted the smallest of things that really are indeed blessings that we enjoy each day. Today I want to encourage your heart to ponder a wonderful thing from our Lord and that is His great love, and He has promised that we can never be separated from that love. What a wonderful truth…NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. He is NEVER distant, and He will NEVER leave or forsake us. We just need to believe this at all times. Whether things are going great or it seems like everything is going wrong…NOTHING can separate us from Him and His love when we know and understand the depths of His love.
Romans 8:39 ERV
“….nothing in the whole created world—
will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown
us in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Oh my friend, let us never stop thanking God for each and every one of His blessings. We as a nation are so very blessed, and we have so much to be thankful for. Let us be cautious though that material blessings do not take our heart from Him. Let us stay dedicated in our hearts to serve Him looking to seek His righteousness and the things of His kingdom. We purpose to set time aside to eat, sleep, work and play. Let us be ever so diligent to carve out moments during the day and dedicate them to sit in His presence and acknowledge Him. Talk with Him about how you feel and what you fear. Ask Him about everything that concerns you. He is bound to you by His love! Do not go by feelings and do not go by what you see. He is ALWAYS with you and nothing can separate you from Him. Praise Him because of His inseparable love for you!!
Father, today we give thanks to You for Your inseparable love! Your love is incapable of parting from us. We give thanks for Your faithfulness that is brand new every morning. Throughout our day we can come to You and You will faithfully listen to our cry. Today we give thanks to You for that inseparable love!
11.23.16
Devotional for Wednesday, November 23, 2016
“Be Thankful For His Grace At Work In You”
by Dona Hake
Today let us meditate upon the beauty of the grace of our Lord. I pray that you have been meditating and thinking about the many blessings in your life. I am speaking of the blessings that money cannot buy…I am speaking of the blessings that only the Lord can give. I am thankful today as I write this for you that when I pray and ask Him for His grace that I know He is going to pour it out upon me. Some days I see His grace in different ways but I am amazed at times at His amazing grace and how it works. God desires that we diligently seek Him for His grace, and we therefore continue to grow in it. Seeking God’s grace, wisdom, and knowledge is all a part of tending to keeping our hearts that we grow strong in Him. Let us look at how the beauty of a garden and how things grow in it also illustrates spiritual principals.
We are presently in the beauty of the season of fall, and winter is right around the corner. We no longer have to concern ourselves with weeds interfering with our pursuit of a beautiful, thriving flower garden for our gardens will now be dormant for many months. I love my gardens, but I must admit they are a lot of work. It always amazes me how weeds just grow. They need no help at all. They will thrive, take over and eventually choke the life out of our beautiful flowers.
It is interesting how some things just grow all by themselves. I have to laugh when I hear someone say to a child, “You are growing like a weed!!!!” Funny expression, yet true. A child growing up is a good and positive thing yet there are certain things like weeds you wished would not grow so fast!
There is a very negative side to this though. In life there are many things if left to themselves will grow and thrive without any help at all. Our negligence alone is all these negative things need to make them begin to take root in our hearts and minds. Think about the sin of bitterness, hate and unforgiveness. These things can grow and take root and ultimately weaken and destroy one’s soul. God desires that we tend to the garden of our hearts that we grow deep and strong in His ways that we can glorify Him.
2 Peter 3:18
“Be careful that you do not fall from your
strong faith. But grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him,
now and forever! Amen.”
We must purpose to feed on His Word that we remain strong in our faith that we not fall from it. We must look to Him each day, and receive His grace and live by it. How silly it would be if we ate a good dinner this evening, and think we could survive off of that meal for the rest of the year. No, we would become weak. Our body would become depleted in it’s much needed nutrition that we need for strength to live. As we ponder that thought let us also be diligent to ask Him for His grace and live by it each and every day. Let us purpose to thank Him for His grace and knowledge, and grow in it.
Today let us look upward as we pray and thank Him for the grace He offers us to live by. Let us thank Him that He causes His grace to flow through us that we do not have to depend on our own ability but rather live by His! Praise Him for His wonderful blessing of grace!!
11.22.16
Devotional for Tuesday, November 22, 2016
“Our God, the Giver of Only Good Things!”
by Dona Hake
2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity
“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.”
Today may we meditate upon the fact that we serve a God of good and wonderful gifts! He is a God of mercy, peace, and grace. Every morning He meets us faithfully with His lovingkindness and tender mercies. Oh what a gracious and loving heavenly Father we serve!
My heart cringes when I hear people speak about the Lord in ways that are not in accordance with His Word. It bothers me so badly when I hear someone thinking that God sends bad things our way to teach us lessons. It is as though God has some split personality, and we are on the receiving end of whatever mood He may be in. This is not true for our God is the giver of ONLY good gifts, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The truth is that we live in a fallen world, and the Lord Jesus told us that there would be trials and tribulations but we were to be of good cheer for He has overcome this world. He has equipped us with what we need to rise above the storms, and we need not fret nor fear.
Today I want to declare to you that there is something that God will NEVER give to you, and that is fear! The truth is that He is not the author of fear, but instead He has given us the spirit of power, love, and a calm well balanced mind. We can keep our mind focused, disciplined and have self control with the help of the Holy Spirit.
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. It is Him that can help us to remain disciplined and self controlled for the God given work He has for us. I want to leave you with this precious quote:
“If the Lord be with us,
we have no cause to fear,
His eye is upon us,
His arm over us,
His ear open to our prayer.”
Andrew Murray
11.21.16
Devotional for Monday, November 21, 2016
“Wisdom From Above”
by Dona Hake
James 3:17 (The Voice)
“Heavenly wisdom centers on purity,
peace, gentleness,
deference, mercy, and other good fruits
untainted by hypocrisy.”
God’s wisdom will always be full of these fruits. Wisdom’s fruits are pure, peaceful, and gentle. God’s wisdom will always be respectful and merciful. It will never be touched with hypocrisy for it is pure, real, and it has been tested. God’s wisdom or ways do not change due to circumstance because it is not consistent with His character. Our God never changes, and His wisdom never changes. It will always be full of His good fruits.
When we ask God for His wisdom He desires to bless us with His pure thoughts and how He sees to do a task or speak a word to someone. He desires to bless us with His good judgments. I encourage you today to seek wisdom before every task. Get God’s mind in all you put your hand to. As you ask God for His precious wisdom, believe by faith that it is going to flow into you, and flow forth from you to help you in any situation.
When people ask you for an opinion on something, stop and purpose to seek His wisdom before you speak. This is what people need, and this is what we need in our personal life…not our opinions, not our experiences, but rather the pure wisdom that comes from God above.
11.20.16
Devotional for Sunday, November 20, 2016
“By the Light of His Face”
by Dona Hake
Psalm 89:15 The Voice translation
“How happy are those who have
“How happy are those who have
learned how to praise You;
those who journey through
those who journey through
life by the light of Your face.”
I just loved the translation of this particular scripture. It makes me think more about how my life here on this earth is a journey. Some days the journey is smooth and some days the journey is just full of unexpected things that try to hinder me. The important thing about the journey is knowing that He has promised to be right there beside us, He would never leave us, and He leads us by the light of His face!
In those times in which the journey gets rough we must purpose to keep our perspective. Now unto Him that has called us to not be shaken or moved by what we see with our natural eyes. He has called us to the life of faith, and believing before we see. There may be times that you do not feel like praising Him in the storm but you must command your soul to rise up from hopelessness and be encouraged. When you do this, you begin to praise Him regardless of what is going on around you. Oh the blessing of experiencing the peace that passes all understanding and the joy that is unspeakable because you have chosen to dwell in the hiding place of your Lord.
We serve a God that is absolute light, life and love. As we stay in His presence there will be a fullness of joy. As we walk closely beside Him we can have absolute confidence that even though this world is dark, our journey will be illuminated by Him as He goes before us. I love this awesome quote that reminds me to stick real close to Jesus at all times!
“The closer you walk with God,
the less anything can get
between you and Him.”
the less anything can get
between you and Him.”
May we meditate today on how we need to stay close beside Him at all times. Keep your head high and your eyes focused straight ahead for He is the light that illuminates your path. Allow that light of His countenance to illuminate your journey, and walk in expectancy of all the good things He desires to do for you today!!!
11.19.16
Devotional for Saturday, November 19, 2016
“The Living Water Within Us”
by Dona Hake
Today let us meditate upon the living water of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we receive Him as Savior , He comes to reside within us, and He is a never ending source of life, light, and love. He is a spring of water within us that never runs dry! If we do not keep our eyes on Jesus we can be lured into seeking our satisfaction in things other than Him. Remember….the devil will come in the form of light and good things. When we are not drawing upon the grace of God, and seeking Him with our whole heart, we can be deceived, and end up seeking to quench our thirst with the things this world tries to offer us. If we do not keep our eyes solely on Him even our blessings can become a distraction, so let us beware that as our soul thirsts that we are going to Him for every need. Jesus explained to the woman at the well the meaning of the true spring of water that only He gives.
John 4:13-14 Amplified Bible
“Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again.
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.”
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.”
When you feel life problems and this world draining you of your strength and peace, stop and drink and soak up His living water within you that will strengthen and refresh your soul. Know that it will continue to nourish you, and it has no end. As this scripture translation says, His water “shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling, continually…”) This gives such a beautiful image of His living water at work in our souls. It truly is the life flow from which we can draw upon whenever we meet uncertainty and overwhelming problems. God is gracious and He ever lives to cause that living water to minister and refresh us deep within!
11.18.16
Devotional for Friday, November 18, 2016
“When You Know He’s Holding You”
by Dona Hake
Today I want to share with you the importance of loving the truth of God’s Word. I believe the more we love and do that which is right in the sight of the Lord, the more clear it will become to us when evil and darkness presents itself to us. Many times I find it so hard to believe how believers can at times seem somewhat vulnerable to the strange ideas and philosophies of this world. Man-made ideas of living in peace and truly being free may work for a time but there is very little foundation. Man’s wisdom will seem right but many times it is without the substance of what we are needing to really go forward with strong direction. When one leans on their own ideas of they perceive to be “truth”, their foundation will be shaken to the core on their day of battle.
Now let us look at how He desires to keep our feet strong, focused and purposed as we walk in the light of His truth. Did you ever have the electricity go down in your home during a storm, and on your way to the place where you have all your flashlights, candles, etc… you stub your toe because you cannot see two feet in front of you? The truth is that in this world, it is totally dark, and we need the Lord by our side at all times to teach us the way that we not stumble, and get ourselves in unnecessary trouble. His Word is our beacon of light to lead, guide and direct us in the most difficult of ways.
Psalm 18:36 The Voice
“You taught me how to walk with care
so my feet will not slip.”
so my feet will not slip.”
I will share a little memory with you about my Granddaughters. In the summer time they love to help me feed my fifty some huge goldfish in my pond. When they were smaller it was hard for them to throw it far enough so they would attempt to stand on the rocks around the pond. They knew though that Grandma had a very strict rule and that was that they are NEVER permitted to stand on the rocks around the pond unless I was holding them securely. They would fill their little hands up with as much food as they could hold and stand on a rock. Many times the rock they were standing on would begin to move and I could see they would begin to fear so I would hold them even tightly and assure them they would be safe. It would not be long that they would just enjoy their time of feeding, and forget about being afraid of falling in for they trusted I would hold them and keep them safe.
As we follow the Lord and walk with Him, there will be days where things seem shaky under our feet. As we trust Him and know that He is teaching us, and firmly securing us, we can rest knowing that our feet will not slip. Instead of living in fear of the unsure things around us we can go forward being assured of His loving hand wrapped around us, and we can learn to enjoy our lives. We can live in His presence in the fullness of His joy when we are assured that He is holding us closely and keeping us in all of our ways. I am going to leave you with a handful of translations of Psalm 18:36. They all bring a little different perspective of the same truth.
Psalm 18:36 KJV
“Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”
“Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”
Psalm 18:36 Amplified Bible
“You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would
not slip.”
“You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would
not slip.”
Psalm 18:36 Easy-to-Read Version
“You cleared a path for my feet
so that I could walk without stumbling.”
11.17.16
Devotional for Thursday, November 17, 2016
“Doing Good and Right Before God”
by Dona Hake
Galatians 6:7-9 The Voice
“Make no mistake: God can’t be mocked. What you give is what you get.
What you sow, you harvest. Those who sow seeds into their flesh will only
harvest destruction from their sinful nature. But those who sow seeds into
the Spirit shall harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. May we never tire
of doing what is good and right before our Lord because in His season we
shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist.”
What you sow, you harvest. Those who sow seeds into their flesh will only
harvest destruction from their sinful nature. But those who sow seeds into
the Spirit shall harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. May we never tire
of doing what is good and right before our Lord because in His season we
shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist.”
As this scripture says, “May we never tire of doing what is good and right.” The Lord knew that we would be tempted to grow weary or the Spirit would not have led Paul to write such powerful words. Many times we may purpose in our heart to do the right thing, and we make a decision that we are going to keep on doing that good thing, and then it happens. It seems that the devil knows how to bring discouragement our way in what ever manner he can. Unfortunately many times it could come through the words of others. Sometimes we just simply grow tired.
It does not take long living here on this earth to realize that discouragement can be such a powerful force, and the devil loves to use this tool to work against us…if we permit him to. Make no mistake: God cannot be mocked!!!! People and circumstances may wear us down but as we renew our strength in the Lord our God, and keep doing good, we will reap our desired goal! You may be in a situation in your work place where the strife among fellow workers is at an all time high. You purpose to do that which is right, and perhaps you are experiencing rejection as a reaction to you sowing good. You may have someone that has treated you unkindly, and you have made a decision to be kind to them and reach out whatever way you can, and they just continue to ignore your gestures. God has promised that as we persist in doing good in the face of bad and evil doings that we WILL reap a harvest. When and how that harvest comes is totally up to Him, His ways, and His timing. Our part is to just do the Word no matter if people or situations change or not. I leave you with this strong confession and prayer over your life:
Lord, I desire to live to please You and do Your will! I will purpose in my heart to not tire of doing and saying the right things that are pleasing and in accordance with Your Word. I will persist because You have promised that the harvest is coming! I believe You will strengthen my heart as I look to You in my moments of discouragement. In Jesus Name.
God bless you as you continue to do that which is good for His glory and His kingdom.
11.16.16
Devotional for Wednesday, November 16, 2016
“Are You Rooted and Grounded?”
by Dona Hake
In a garden, in a forest etc…whatever is growing above the ground reveals the strength of what is under the ground. If a root system is strong and deep, the tree or flower will be great and beautiful and withstand just about anything. If it be weak and not cared for, it will not do well in the heat, and other elements the weather is capable of bringing.
Our lives speak and reveal what is rooted in our hearts. As we tend to our hearts in all the areas that the Lord commands, we will value the fruit of the deeply rooted good things He desires to work and produce in us. We have got to watch over the condition of our hearts just as we do a garden.
Today I want you to think about the love of God in your heart. Are you rooted and grounded in His love? How well do you tend it? Can you see that you are growing in the love of God or are you at a standstill? Quite honestly no matter how old you are in the Lord, this is a question we should ask ourselves on a regular basis.
We have heard the quote “Bloom where you are planted.” It is important to know in your heart that you are staying connected with the Living God, and permitting Him to prune you when He sees fit. As you seek Him, you are watering and drawing upon His strength alone, you will be rooted and grounded in His love and all that He has purposed for your life. I want to leave you with this prayer that Paul prayed. It is an excellent prayer for us to pray over our lives and those that we love!
Ephesians 3:17-20 The Living Bible
“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living
within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of
God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all
God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his
love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so
great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it.
And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to
do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely
beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”
11.15.16
Devotional for Tuesday, November 15, 2016
“Amazing Isn’t It?”
by Dona Hake
Whenever I think about the day Jesus was crucified I often think about what it would have been like to actually be there in the crowd as He passed by carrying that awful cross after being bruised and beaten. I cannot even imagine the pain and sorrow in the hearts that loved and followed Him. It must have be so horrible for them to watch the one they loved agonizing in His death. There were those that heard the words that He spoke while He hung there. At one point while Jesus was agonizing in His torture, and suffering He looked down and said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Amazing, isn’t it? I think of the horrible pain and suffering His body was experiencing, and He still found it in His heart to speak that which was pleasing to His Heavenly Father.
Two criminals hung on each side of Jesus dying a death they both deserved, and this was their conversation: One of the criminals who were hanging to one side of Jesus was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 (NASB)
Amazing isn’t it??….that a man was being crucified for his crime, and up until his last breath he found enough strength to mock the Living Son of God ? The other one that was dying on the cross because of his crime and he glances in Jesus’ direction, and saw his need for deliverance, and believed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. One of this man’s last words was a question to Jesus. “Will you remember me?” He believed that Jesus was who He claimed that He was, and this man’s last hope and prayer was for Jesus to remember him. Amazing isn’t it??? … that Jesus assured this man by giving him a second chance. A second chance that he did not deserve in light of his crime.
This criminal was breathing his last painful breaths yet he was asking a question that would change his life for his life was redeemed by the Living Savior Jesus! This would not be a second chance to do his life over again but rather he would have the chance to live eternally in heaven with our Lord. The grace brought to us by the Lord is amazing isn’t it?
He gives us all second chances in this life every time He forgives us. When we humble ourselves to Him in our sin He simply forgives us, and wipes the slate of our heart clean. Amazing isn’t it?…He gives us something so precious, and we do not have to work for it because His Son did it all at the cross. The man on the cross did not deserve a second chance in the eyes of man, and the cross was his punishment. You see, this man’s heart was truly repentant, therefore he was with Jesus after he breathed his last breath. Amazing grace…it’s just that simple yet oh how precious and beautiful it is my friend!
Maybe you feel you have done some things, and you do not deserve a second chance. I want to proclaim today to you that we serve a God of second chances! Today may I stir your heart to think about what Jesus did on the cross for any sin you have ever done. There is no sin that His love and forgiveness will not cover. If you need a second chance I encourage you to look in His direction and ask Him for your heart to be cleansed and be made right with Him.. He is faithful to forgive and bless us with new beginnings. Amazing isn’t it?
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!