“God Sees the Heart”

Posted on Oct 5, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

1 Samuel 16:7 (VOICE)
“… for the Eternal One does not pay attention to what humans value.
Humans only care about the external appearance, but the Eternal considers
the inner character.”

Today I want you to consider seeing yourself and others as God sees. Many times we can be guilty of judging a person or situation by the outward appearance. We stop at that and this is so very wrong. The old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” is so very true. Many times we do not give people a chance simply because we are not looking closely and deeply into their heart.

I believe as we pray diligently and ask God for His wisdom into every matter He will begin to open our eyes and impart His sight to us. I find it so sad that many times we fall short of being merciful and forgiving because we are just being wise in our own eyes in our judgments of people and situations. Let us be cautious in this matter as we encounter people. Let us seek to see as God sees.
I pray today that you will look to Him and let His eyesight become yours. I believe as we do this we will begin to see ourselves grow in God’s mercy and His forgiveness like never before.

Lord, we ask for Your help to see others through Your eyes. We humble ourselves and

admit that many times we are judging by outward appearances, and this is not

the way You see things. We ask that You would enlarge our hearts that Your love

within us would look past the obvious, and see the hearts of people around us. We

know that we need Your help everyday to do all things that You require of us, and

we believe that You will do great things in and through us. In Jesus Name we ask, Amen!

“Patiently Lean Yourself Upon Him”

Posted on Oct 4, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 3:5 (AMP)
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart

and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.”

Some days it can be tempting to just see things through how you are perceiving them. We can tend to view things from the “glasses” of our formed opinions and thoughts and we can fall short of seeing things as God sees them. If we are leaning on our own understanding we are seeing things as we have concluded them to be. We are forming opinions on our past experience. We need to remember that God is always seeing the bigger picture and He sees how all is working together for the good if we trust in Him.

Now if we are leaning on God and trusting in Him, it is truly a wonderful thing. Leaning upon God will bring rest to our souls. Sometimes in the midst of life’s hard blows it can cause us to be weary and tired. I was so blessed as I read the following scripture this morning.

Psalm 37:-7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.”

Have you ever been so tired and you stopped to just lean against something, and once you felt strength to go again you then proceeded. The psalmist was encouraging the reader to stop and lean on God and do it with patience. It seems like I am constantly reminding my little granddaughters of what this word means. To be patient is to wait with a happy heart! Today I encourage you that if you are needing rest and refreshment in your soul to STOP, BE STILL, AND PATIENTLY LEAN YOURSELF UPON HIM! Wait patiently and as you do so, expect for Him to refresh you and cause new strength to rise up from within you. God is good!

“Our Inner Man Infused With His Strength!”

Posted on Oct 2, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me

[I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him

Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”

I love this! He infuses my inner being with His strength, and that equips me for exactly what I need to walk through a situation or complete a task that seems impossible. Today let us meditate on God being the God that can strengthen us to do anything that is in accordance to His Will. We must believe that He is well able to do what He says He can do.

Here is an interesting quote that goes along with what I am sharing:

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Henry Ford

What we think will set our course. If we think negative, we will believe negative, and if we think positive especially as we meditate upon His Word, our faith will be strong, and He can accomplish great things on our behalf. It is important that we do believe all that God says about us because if we do not, God will be hindered to work on our behalf. It troubles me to hear someone say in most definite terms…”I can’t do this!” Let us be careful not to proclaim our inability but rather let us declare, “I can do this with the help of my Lord!” Today I encourage you to allow Him to infuse you with great strength, and look to Him for all that you ever need to do the task before you!

“He Longs To Enthrone His Truth Within Us”

Posted on Oct 1, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

“But still, You long to enthrone truth throughout my being;

in unseen places deep within me, You show me wisdom.”

Psalm 51:6 (The Voice)

I love Watchman Nee’s analogy of our souls that have not yet been touched with the light of our Lord. He speaks of our souls and likens them to virgin caverns within our souls that God has not yet touched with His light. He was likening the caverns of our soul as veins in which God’s light and life desire to flow freely. The virgin caverns are those that have not yet been discovered by the light of His truth.

These words could serve us with some real enlightenment regarding the truth that is within us. Every time I think about this statement it reminds me that there is truth that I still need deeper understanding of and there is truth that God has not yet touched my soul with yet. Lord, help us to remain humble that we may receive ALL that You desire for us to know regarding Your truth! Oh that we would meditate upon humility in greater depths for it truly prepares us for a greater depth

of God, and His life to flow through us.

God desires that we cry out for the wisdom and truth in those areas of our soul that have not yet been touched. He also desires that the truth we know of to have a place in our heart that is protected and honored. In Psalms 51:6 the psalmist is saying,

“But still, You long to enthrone truth throughout my being…”

Let us be reminded that the truth that we know should be guarded and NOT compromised by what we feel or do not feel like doing. Truth must reign above our feelings, emotions, and it is not moved by what is going on around us. Let us ask Him today for His wisdom on how to keep the truth we have embraced to be enthroned within us.

“Seeing Is Believing”

Posted on Sep 30, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

The present and the future could cause one to worry and fear but the God we serve desires that we just believe. “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want…” Psalm 23:1 There is probably none of us that have not heard this, and I would venture to say that it is one of the most favorite Psalms of many. While He promises tender loving care and provision, may we determine in our hearts to believe that He is willing and able to do what He says. I would like to share a quote with you from one of my favorite authors Francois deFenelon.

“Faith discerns God behind all the circumstances that try to hide Him.
Faith also holds you in a state of uncertainty.”

We serve a God that sees any circumstance, situation or hardship as His opportunity to show Himself strong on our behalf. He desires that we see in the Spirit those things that He sees. This is when our spiritual eyesight will cause our words to speak of things as though THEY ARE by faith no matter what they look like in the natural. Many times we can find our hearts in unbelief simply because our eyes are too focused on our circumstances. The more we look at our circumstance the more real and powerful that circumstance seems. It is our human nature that hates to be in a place of uncertainty. We want to get through a trial and get back into our comfort zones.

May we consider that there are times even in the midst of a trial, God is looking to work a new thing in our heart by His love and tender instruction. Behind the circumstance God is seeing an opportunity for His hand to graciously move in our lives.The God that asks us to live by faith is so ready to perform that which He said He would do, all we need to do is believe!

“The Treasure of Our Lord’s Wisdom”

Posted on Sep 30, 2015 in Devotions |

wisdom is a treasure

by Dona Hake

Today I want to encourage your heart to look around you, and be thankful for the gifts in your life that cannot be purchased with money. Think about your precious family and friends, your church, special relationships that God has ordained for your life, etc… May we be so grateful and thankful to God for those gifts that are truly His gifts and treasures that we are enjoying here on earth.

I am also thinking about how thankful I am for the wisdom of God. Wisdom is found only on one road, and that is for those who desire for God and only God to direct their hearts. Let us value it and be ever so thankful that He said in His Word that it is there for us…all we have to do is ask Him. I love this portion of scripture recorded in Job. It beautifully paints an image of the beauty and worth of wisdom that comes only from our Lord!

Job 28:13-18

” No human perceives wisdom’s true value,

nor has she been found in the land of the living.

The deep says, “She is not to be seen within me.”

“Nor within me,” says the voice of the raging sea.

No gold can be given in trade for wisdom,

nor a sum of silver weighed out as her price.

She cannot be bought with all the gold of Ophir,

neither with onyx nor sapphire.

The shimmer of gold and brightness of glass cannot compare,

and no refined gold jewelry is worth her in trade.

Perish the mention of coral and crystal;

even more than pearls is the value of wisdom.”

Father, we thank You that Your wisdom is priceless, yet You so freely give it to us. We cannot earn it…all we have to do is simply ask You. Your Word says in James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance],

he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and

without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.”

May we quickly admit to ourselves if we are lacking wisdom in order that You may guide us with Your wisdom through life’s tough decisions or circumstances. We praise You that Your ways and thoughts

are always higher than ours, and we look with great expectancy for Your wisdom to

accomplish great things as we seek to do Your will. In Jesus Name we ask this!

“and We Know…”

Posted on Sep 29, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Romans 8:28
” We know that all things work together for good for those who love God…”

This is a very familiar and popular scripture, and I would like to share another translation I found that beautifully translates it…

Romans 8:28 (VOICE)
“We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to

work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept

His invitation to live according to His plan.”

As we believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ He invites us to live according to His plan for our lives. When we lay down our own ways and thoughts about things, when we purpose to love Him with all of our heart, that is when God is able to orchestrate every thing for His good on our behalf. There are four words to this scripture though that are the key and the secret to God working freely in our lives. Those key words are “when we love Him.”

Loving God should be our lifestyle. As a believer, loving Him should come as natural as breathing to us. We should not have to think about it for the more we know Him and His ways, we should be overwhelmed at His love for us. Loving Him should be a part of every detail of our lives. Looking to Him should not just be when we are in trouble but we need to be looking to Him when every thing is perfect as well. It is as we have a burning love within our hearts for Him that we will see how He will beautifully weave a tapestry of many wondrous things in our life. God desires that His love be shown to this dark world, and as we love Him and walk in His presence, His joy will overflow within us for all to see.

♥~~~~♥~~~♥

“A joyful heart is the inevitable result

of a heart burning with love.

Mother Teresa

“He Pours His Grace On the Little Things”

Posted on Sep 28, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

“

Today I want to encourage your heart in the fact that God desires to touch, bless and pour out His grace on every thing in your life…even the smallest of things. A few months ago we had a guest speaker at our church, and there were two sentences he spoke in the midst of his sermon that really touched my heart.

“He pours out His grace on the little things.

He will breathe on the things your put your hand to.”

Pastor Pradeep Perera

I am going to tell you why such words should bless your heart. You see, the Lord is concerned about every part of our day. He desires to be involved with everything we do. I love the visual I see of the Lord’s breath from heaven being upon the work of my hands, for that breath of His Spirit will give me the needed grace for every task no matter how big or small.

Father, today we ask You to help us be mindful of Your attentiveness to the smallest of details in our life. Remind us by Your Spirit to call upon You for the grace that only comes from You throughout our day. Keep us also mindful to not rely upon our own ability but rather Yours. We believe You to do great things in every detail that concerns us.

…and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.”

Psalm 1:2-4

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

“He Is Looking For the Teachable Heart”

Posted on Sep 27, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I have some very special memories of teaching lower and upper elementary children the skill of drawing in the art classes that I taught. I can remember how important it was to stay very keen in my observation of each child’s strengths and weaknesses. There was one thing my students always well understood and that was they were not permitted to say “I can’t do this!” I would quickly correct them and say that we will never say “I can’t!” but rather we will say, “I will try to do my best.”

I would always try to help each child to understand that I was there to help them learn and I will do my best to develop them. The biggest thing I would observe is that if a child was teachable and did not give up that they would always master what I was teaching them. Many a times I can remember students totally thrilled and proud of themselves as they completed a project in spite of them thinking they were incapable of mastering the art of drawing. One thing I understood though, and that was if a child began to believe that they could not draw, and they continued to confess negative….they never did learn.

Today we are looking at this wonderful scripture that reminds us to keep a humble, teachable heart. There may be times that we are well aware that He is endeavoring to teach us how to do something and we feel we cannot do it. This scripture can serve to remind us to never give up because He is watching to strengthen us as we draw upon His strength.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (GW)

“The Lord’s eyes scan the whole world to find those

whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them.”

Today I encourage you to look to Him, and make a quality decision to stop confessing weaknesses or inability. Look to the One that is able to teach your hands to prosper in all that you put them to. Remember that He is looking to strengthen you and He watches for the smallest of details that need strengthening. He cares about you more than you will ever know!

“The Rest of Our Lord”

Posted on Sep 26, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Today I want to encourage your heart to maintain a sweet rest in your Heavenly Father. Daily responsibilities and cares can just take it out of us if we are not seeking His face and casting our cares upon Him. When you are overwhelmed, weary and anxious, are you quick to run to Him? We can only deepen the revelation of this truth within our hearts.

Matthew 11:28

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened,

and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]”

Just as you have to continue to deposit money in your checking account to continue writing checks, we also have to continue to deposit the things of the Spirit within our hearts and minds. We cannot live off of the the testimonies of yesterday, even though they do encourage our hearts. We cannot expect our faith from yesterday is enough either. We must go to Him quickly and diligently. We must continue to go deeper and deeper with our Lord, for it is in that place that we will experience complete strength, hope, and complete rest.

If we are honest with ourselves we may see that there are times when we are pushing the boundaries of our bodies and minds to the place in which we so often experience a weariness. Many times we are doing things that have to be done but because we are not continuing to dwell in Him that we become to feel overwhelmed and living on the fumes of yesterday’s faith and energy.
As we continue to grow in the depths of all that He is, we must make every effort to make Him our dwelling place. It is there that there is strength and peace beyond any comprehension exists. We will indeed experience a peace that passes all understanding! I believe that God wants us to live in a place called rest that ONLY He provides. So what is this rest? Here is one definition that I loved…

Rest: relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs.

Let us abide under the shadow of His wings and I mean abide…live there, hang out, stay there….God wants us to remain before Him. He does not desire we come and go as we please. He does not desire that we come to Him when only life’s problems come up, but He desires we stay put. It is as we rest in that place that we really do experience His rest!

“Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him,”
Psalm 62:5 HCSB

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!