“Your Life Can Make a Difference”
by Dona Hake
No matter how young or old you are, I want you to listen. Today you can make a difference in someone’s life. I encourage you today as you walk into a fresh new year to take hold of new hopes and dreams of how your life can touch people around you. Never underestimate as well the power of one encouraging word you speak or a deed that you do for someone.
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.”
wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well.”
The psalmist is proclaiming how awesomely made he was. Oh that we can 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
Remember you are uniquely made and within you there may be something that needs awakened for His plan in your life!
“Look Up!! For He Is Your God”
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 we begin a fresh new year. Let us meet each day with a knowing that every mercy and strength we need is there because that is who God is! 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 lies ahead of you, know that He knows all that lies ahead of you. 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 (KJV)
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
“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 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!
As you look to walking into a fresh New Year, 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 your are resting in His arms. He promises to uphold you and keep you in all of your ways.
“Peace Is Not the Absence of Trouble”
by Dona Hake
“Peace is not the absence
of trouble. Peace is the
presence of God.”
Unknown
How tempting it can be for one to think that if all is going their way that this is what brings peace. One can also think that if you just go to a place where it is quiet, and you leave your problems behind, that this is peace. The truth is that you could run to the quietest place in the world, but if there is turmoil and frustration in your heart and mind, you will take it with you. Not only does it go with you, but it continues to rage on in your heart. We will find the only true peace is in the presence of our loving God.
Today I am talking about how easy it is to just enjoy God and fellowship with Him as you go about your day. He desires that we enjoy the joy and peace that His presence brings. If Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us, then we should take Him at His Word. That clearly means He is at our side at all times. He is not just there when we decide for Him to be…He has promised to stick by us and never leave. He is like no other friend that you will ever have. He does not up and get tired of you or bored with you, He is the Faithful Friend!
Along with His presence, He has promised us the ultimate peace. Let us look at the following scripture, and I encourage you to read this translation slowly, and let it touch your heart.
John 14:27 (AMP) | In Context | Whole Chapter
“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”
I love how it says, “Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves…” It sounds to me like we have some effort to be made on our part doesn’t it? Today I encourage you to discipline your heart and mind to look and purpose yourself to stay aware that Jesus is always in your presence. He is our Faithful Friend!
Psalm 16:11 (CEB)
” You teach me the way of life.
In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always in your right hand.”
“How Well Do You Listen?”
by Dona Hake
Today I want to share with you about how important is that our hearts and spiritual ears be heeding when the voice of our Lord is speaking. Sometimes we probably have all been guilty of selective hearing. Selective hearing is the tendency to ignore something you don’t want to hear. The truth is that when we read God’s Word or hear it in a sermon, the power is there to convict our hearts. The power and grace is also there to help us to do that which is being required of us. We would be very wise children of our Lord to be quick to obey, and put action to truth as we put our faith in Him.
James 1:22-25 (Amplified)
“But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).”
There may also have been a time that you have heard the Word of God and your heart seemed encouraged and lifted up. At that moment you may feel you have seen an area of your life in which your are lacking or need growth and change. If you do not act on the challenge of God’s Word, you will be tempted to back burner the living Word of God and thus go unchanged in that area. It is the same as seeing yourself in a mirror. The reflections of your spirit and soul are speaking where they are and you walk away and act as if you did not see it. Hearing the Word without obedience following will never change you. Action by faith in Him must follow!
As we look into the glorious mirror of the living Word of God and it reveals what we need let us ask God to help us receive the wisdom, understanding and direction to deal with our own hearts. He who has shown this great light of His Word will be faithful to accomplish the change you need and you will be blessed as you obey Him.
“The Unfailing Love of the Lord”
by Dona Hake
Jesus said, ” I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.” Oh the power of His unfailing love. He has promised to be with us no matter what. Mother Teresa said is to beautifully,
“What is important is that you are
holding on,
that you have a grip on Christ and
He will not let your hand go.”
May we have such a determination to hold fast to our faith in Him and His unfailing love. The scripture I want to share with you today is from 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 from the Easy-to-Read Version.
“We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us. We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.”
Today let us meditate upon we have been molded for the use of the Master. We are as clay jars that hold the treasure which is to show amazing and wonderful things to all around us. Let us not be discouraged when all hell seems to be coming against us but rather let us determine that we will hold on to Jesus’ hand for He and His unfailing love has promised to never let go! We are more than conquerors!
“For God Has Not Given”
by Dona Hake
2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and
“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.”
Many times my heart cringes when I hear people think that when bad things are going on in their life that it is sent from God. It is as though God has some split personality, and we are on the 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. Today we are looking at the fact 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
“Take Every Thought Captive”
by Dona Hake
I recently saw a quote that someone shared on a church sign. I cannot remember exactly how it was worded but it went something like “We need to get rid of some of our knowledge so we can make room for belief.” There was some carnal reaction to this quote, and it was due to people trying to understand it apart from spiritual understanding. You see, there are people that exalt their knowledge and opinions above everything, even the Word of God. I have heard of individuals that exclaim that they have no need for God. This is so sad to think that they are living and being guiding by their knowledge and philosophies, and living in their own ability. Today I would like to share a scripture with you along with this quote.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP)
” [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)…”
We live in a day in which information and knowledge are quickly accessed. This can be an excellent tool but let us be ever so careful that we do not trust in information and knowledge above what the Word of God says about any given situation that we are facing. I can remember a very long time ago talking with an individual in the medical profession. This individual loves the Lord yet shared that sometimes the knowledge of the medical field can actually stand in the way of faith at times. Sometimes that which we know and understand in the natural can hinder us from believing in that which we do not see.
If someone tells you that there is no hope for your situation because of this, that, and the other…what are you going to believe? God’s Word is the highest authority for EVERY SITUATION, and as we choose to keep it in our hearts as such, we will surely be more than overcomers. I encourage you today to seek Him to help you identify wrong thinking and attitudes that would serve to keep you from thinking His thoughts, and believing before seeing. Look to Him to help you take each and every thought captive, and keep your eyes on the true knowledge of God which is His Word.
“When Hope Was Born”
by Dona Hake
Merry Christmas everyone! Joy to the world, the Lord has come!!! Let Earth receive her King! We have been focusing on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ these past few days. What a glorious day it must have been as the prophecy was fulfilled, and Hope was found laying in a manger! The shepherds sought Him out by the great star, and the wise men continued in their journey to see Him as well.
The Prophet Isaiah spoke these words in the book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 9:6 (CEV)
“A child has been born for us.
We have been given a son
who will be our ruler.
His names will be
Wonderful Advisor
and Mighty God,
Eternal Father
and Prince of Peace.”
I wanted to share the Expanded Bible Version of the first portion of this scripture:
Isaiah 9:6 (EXB)
A child ·has been [or will be;
the prophet views the future as though it had already happened] born to us;
Isaiah spoke it and viewed it as it had already happened. These words brought hope, and it caused men to watch and wait for this blessed day to arrive. When Jesus was born, He brought the blessed hope that the world was yearning for. Light was birthed into darkness, and God and sinner could now be reconciled.
I would encourage you to keep the following thought in your heart, and you would pray about it. There are those around you that still have not received Him as their King. In the darkness of this world, man still seeks to be king of his own life. He looks to his own knowledge, and sadly there are those that proclaim that they do not need God for their help.
Lord, as we celebrate the joy that You have brought to our hearts, let us never forget the time that we thought we could live without You. We were blinded and walked in darkness. We ask that You keep us mindful that there are those that understand their world is dark, and they really are looking for answers. Make ways and divine opportunities that we can bring words of hope and life to those that are ready to receive you as their King. May it be done, in Jesus Name!
“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing!”
by Dona Hake
I have enjoyed studying out different Christmas songs and have been blessed by the lyrics of some. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a Christmas carol that first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, having been written by Charles Wesley. Today I want to look at the first and third verses of this beautiful and joyful song.
1st verse
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
3rd verse
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
God’s perfect plan for humanity laid in a manger, and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Hark the herald angels sang “Glory to the newborn King!” This child was not just a baby, He was the one that came to set the captives free. Glory to the newborn King! This was not just an ordinary birth…it was a child that would bear the Name “Prince of Peace”. Glory to the newborn King! He was the Son of Righteousness that brought nothing but light and life to us. He rose with healing in His wings. The most important thing He brought to a lost and dying world was a second chance. “Born to give them second birth”…..Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”
I do not know about you but this song just really touches and encourages my heart! Praying it blesses you as well.
“What About Joseph?”
by Dona Hake
As we read testimonies from the lives of people in the Bible, there is a great deal to learn. As we ponder the birth of Christ, and how miraculous it was, it reminds us how God does great and mighty things. His ways are higher than our ways, and way beyond what we could ever dream up. I can only imagine how Mary felt when the Angel appeared to her with such shocking news. Her first response….”How can this be?????” But what about Joseph?
Today I want to bring some thoughts for you to meditate upon relative to Joseph in the story of the birth of our Savior. I wonder how Joseph felt when he found out Mary was pregnant but he was not responsible for it. He was in a tough position, and he knew it well. Joseph was an upright man with some decisions that had to be made. When Mary’s condition was discovered it would have been customary, according to the Law of Moses, to stone her to death. So Joseph had a plan…at least he thought he had a plan. He had a plan, he pondered a thought, but there was a divine intervention.
Matthew 1:19-25 New King James Version
19 “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
“But while he thought about these things, BEHOLD an angel of the Lord appeared…” As we ponder this portion of scripture in which Joseph had his own plan go up in smoke, let us learn from it. Many times we too can have problems that may seem unsolvable. We may dread the consequences of a problem we are facing. We may be facing things that are so big, and we do not know what to do. It is so easy to turn to our own reasoning and prepare a way of escape in our own mind, but all of a sudden God intervenes! Have you ever experienced God intervening in a situation? I know I have! I hope this encourages your heart to look to the Lord first of all, and allow His intervention in every area of your life. We serve a God that is the greatest problem solver ever!
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!