10.25.16
Devotional for Tuesday, October 25, 2016
“Moving Closer To Him”
by Dona Hake
I would like to share with you a very precious experience I had the other morning. I love feeding birds on my deck, and I love when they sit in the trees and watch and wait for me to fill their feeders. I have so many different kinds of birds that visit my feeders, and it is so much fun to see them come and go. That morning I was opening the door to my deck, and I saw a little finch sitting on one of the water bowls I have for them to drink from. I thought for sure he would fly away, but instead he sat there and watched me. I calmly and quietly moved toward him and that precious little bird permitted me to get about six inches away from it’s little face as I spoke to it. It sat there and looked into my eyes, and then it flew away. I was so amazed that it trusted me to get that close to it. I felt so blessed to get that close to one of God’s sweet creations.
I have a book in which a woman shares her experiences as a bird lover, and her observations as she feeds them every day. I can remember her mentioning how they will sit in the trees and watch her and wait for her to fill her feeders. They knew her schedule, and her coming and going. She mentioned how certain ones would move closer to her just because she had gained their trust. It was so sweet how she mentioned in the book that there would be times that she would be at her feeders and she could just feel she was being watched! I too have that same experience especially with my cardinals. Because of their beautiful red vibrant color I can spot them sitting and watching me as they perch in my Willow trees.
As I was having my prayer time that morning, I was thinking about this experience of this little finch permitting me to get so close to him, and it caused me to meditate on how our trust in our loving God should continue to grow as we keep our eyes on Him, and trust Him with all of our hearts. Do you watch for Him to come close to you in your day? Do you wait expectantly for His provision in your life? We too need to learn to sit still and permit Him to come close and speak to our hearts. As we purpose to keep our focus on Him and watch him, and all the wonderful things He does for us, we will continue to grow in our trust and faith in Him. I pray this little story will encourage your heart to keep your eyes on Jesus, read His Word as much as you can, and permit Him to continue to draw close to you as you walk alongside Him in this life. God bless you!
James 4:8 (AMP)
“Come close to God [with a contrite heart]
and He will come close to you…”
10.24.16
Devotional for Monday, October 24, 2016
“The Habits of the Mind”
by Dona Hake
Today I would like to share something that is on my heart relative to habits in our life. All of us have good habits but we also probably have some bad habits which we should get rid of.
Today I want to address the habit of wrong thinking. It can happen to any of us, and there are times we can have reactions to things that happen around us mainly because we have a rock solid opinion within our own minds about how something should be or how it should not be. If we respond to things based on opinions that are deeply rooted in our minds, we can get ourselves into trouble.
Let’s look at the word habit. It is defined as an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary . An example would be when we were little we had to be taught to look both ways before we crossed the street. Once we understood the wisdom in this rule it became a habit and we do not even think twice about looking both ways before we cross the street. We just automatically do it and it is a good habit that could save our life.
Now let us look at habits of wrong thinking. Over the years, we can have habits within our minds, and we do not even realize they are there. First we must seek the Lord to help us with this, and we must identify our wrong habits that have created wrong thought patterns and reactions. We must ask God for a break through which would be the work of his wisdom, guidance, and discernment. Praise God that He is able to help us in this matter when we humbly call upon Him for help!
I encourage you today to ask God to examine your heart and mind as to any habits of thinking that may be wrong within you. If you do this I encourage you to take action to rid yourself of any bad habit that could be hindering your walk with the Lord. From there we must purpose ourselves to set God’s Word as the standard for how we think. We must make it the goal for ourselves to think as God desires for us to think. I leave you with good translation from The Message Bible from Philippians 4:8-9. This is a wonderful portion of scripture to meditate upon to help us in continuing to conform our thoughts to the way God desires for us to think.
Philippians 4:8-9 The Message
8-9 “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
10.23.16
Devotional for Sunday, October 23, 2016
“The Precious Possession of Diligence”
by Dona Hake
Proverbs 12:27b Amplified Bible (AMP)
“…But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence
[because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].”
I love this scripture for it shows us that if one seeks to be diligent he is developing something that is a precious possession. Oh that we would ask our Lord to help us recognize opportunities coupled with strategies to seize them! The diligent hand proceeds from the heart that desires to live productively in everything. It is so rewarding to experience the fruit of accomplishment after we have done what we know we should be doing.
I feel one very important thing in developing diligence is respecting the time you have been given every day. We cannot afford to waste time but must seek to use it wisely. A farmer or a person that does vegetable gardening understands the importance of diligence to maintain a healthy and thriving garden. After of summer of diligently weeding and tending a garden or crop, the harvest is going to come. Once that plentiful harvest comes it must be frozen or canned. Whatever the choice of preserving it, it must be done, and there is no time to waste. It is such a blessing to pull a vegetable out of your freezer or a canned veggie or fruit in the cold of winter. Oh the joy of enjoying the fruit of your planning and diligent, hard working hands!
I have a lovely little hour glass and as the sand flows through it, there is a measure of time that passes. This little hour glass reminds me that once that sand flows through it that a particular “time” has passed and I can not get it back. Many times people fail to realize the time that they are living in. We have all been blessed with twenty four hours in a day, and each of us has a special assignment in this life. May we be good stewards over our time, use it wisely, and be diligent to seize opportunities for His glory. Just as harvest comes and it calls for our diligence in a specific time of planning, there are also other things in life that require our diligence in order that we sow, reap, and enjoy blessings.
I encourage you today to desire the heart and hands of the diligent and be blessed. Guard you time and spend it wisely!
Proverbs 21:5 Amplified Bible
“The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent
“The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent
tend only to plenteousness…”
10.22.16
Devotional for Saturday, October 22, 2016
“No, There Is Not One Thing Too Hard For Him!”
by Dona Hake
Let us meditate on how we see our Heavenly Father. I love to think of Him as my loving Father that is watching over me carefully and He also desires that I have my eye on Him. Today I want you to ponder in your heart the wonderful truth that there is not ONE thing too hard for Him, NO not ONE thing!! Sometimes we just need to step back and remind ourselves that no matter what we face in this life, God is greater and His power within is more than enough to carry us through the demands of our day or any difficulties.
Jeremiah 32:17 (VOICE) “Eternal Lord, with Your
outstretched arm and Your enormous power You
created the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too difficult for You.”
It is important that we recognize that we live in a day where our wonderful Living God is being discredited. There are those that are trying to convince us that God does not exist, and they are trying to explain away the wondrous things He created with His hands and the power of His spoken word. If they can convince themselves that God does not exist, they can live by their own standards and decide what is right and wrong for themselves.
We must not permit these evil mindsets to discourage our hearts because He is ready to do wonderful things through us like never before! He is the living God with big plans for us. Everyday as I pray for His provision in my life I call to my remembrance how He gave the children of of Israel manna from heaven to meet the need and sustain them. Let us look up to Him to meet our daily needs as we trust in Him too!
His Words says in Psalm 138:8 (KJV) “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me,,,” Let us trust Him with our day and our lives. Remind yourself that there is NOTHING too hard for Him and He is well able to perfect ANYTHING in your life that is concerning you. Look to the God of all creation, the one who spoke words that created everything around you knowing that nothing is too difficult for Him as you place your life in His hands!
10.21.16
Devotional for Friday, October 21, 2016
“Work With All Your Heart”
by Dona Hake
I absolutely hate if I am trying to do something, and I just know that my heart is not in it. When we are trying to do our job or whatever is at hand, and our heart is not connected it simply feels like we are going through the motions. Oh that the Lord would reveal to us that we need a heart adjustment in order to do all that we do with every bit of our energy and heart. May He show us the necessary adjustments that we may do all that we do with our whole heart!
Colossians 3:23 (AMP)
” Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul),
as [something done] for the Lord and not for men…”
In this scripture we can see that as we do anything, our focus needs to stay on the Lord. We need to work as if we are doing it for Him. Another translation says, in ALL the work you are given, do the best you can. I think that is a great attitude to carry with us as we face each day’s demands whether if be at home, school or on our jobs. No matter what it is that is our responsibility we simply need do the best we can, and do it as if we are doing it for Him. As we pursue to make this a habit of our heart, I guarantee you that He will prosper all that you put your hand to.
Lord, we ask You today to help us stay sensitive and aware that we are doing all that we do with all of our heart, and with a good attitude. Each day we believe that
Your grace will flow to us that we will be able to do all that is required of us.
We thank you for your strength and wisdom as we serve You each day, in Jesus Name, Amen!
10.20.16
Devotional for Thursday, October 20, 2016
“Craving and Holding Fast To God’s Peace”
by Dona Hake
I adore working with and teaching small children. Nothing so refreshing as watching a child’s eyes light up when you share a spiritual truth with them, and you can see that it is hitting them and they understand it. I have learned and I continue to learn how to bring spiritual truths to little ones by way of parables. Jesus was our example in this for many times His disciples and those listening just did not get the heavy truth He was bringing to them. He would wisely then begin to share a earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
I can remember once when my oldest Granddaughter was sitting beside me on her sofa staring into my eyes as I was doing my best explaining how God wants us to make sure we hold fast to His peace. Children are like a fresh canvas or little sponges and they are ready to soak it all in. As we sat quietly talking about His peace, I began to share how God wants us to hold on to it so tightly, and not let it go. I started to think about helium balloons flying away if not held on to tightly enough. I said to her, “You know if it was your birthday, and you had a bunch of pretty balloons, you would want to hold onto them wouldn’t you?” Of course she nodded her little head, her eyes sparkled, and she had the sweetest little grin on her face. I said then, “If you went outside, and you were careless not to hold them tightly, what would happen if you let them go?” Immediately I could see she took hold of this little earthly story and brought a heavenly truth to her. I proceeded to explain how God wants us to hold tightly to His peace as well. The same way we would not let our special balloons get away from us, we should not allow our peace to get away either.
Today I encourage you to hold fast to His peace, seek it, crave it, and determine yourself that you will not let it go!
Psalm 34:14b Amplified Bible
“… seek, inquire for, and crave peace and
pursue (go after) it!”
“… seek, inquire for, and crave peace and
pursue (go after) it!”
10.19.16
Devotional for Wednesday, October 19, 2016
“The God That Always Listens”
by Dona Hake
Today let us meditate upon the fact that we serve a living and loving God that always listens, and hears our prayer as we go to Him with humble hearts. I would like to share from Psalm 116. The psalmist begins the chapter by exclaiming, “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice…” He proceeded to say that he knew God’s ear was toward him and then he said, “I will call on Him as long as I live!”
You see this psalmist understood he had no where to turn for death was staring him in the face, and I am sure his heart was tempted to fear. I am sure that what the writer went through was terrifying yet he stops and reminds himself of who and what his God is all about. This is what Psalm 116:7-9 says…
“Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.”
I believe this chapter in Psalms can serve to remind us that in trying circumstances we absolutely must call on the Lord for our help and we must purpose to remind ourselves of His love and care over us. May this remind us in times of anxiety to call our souls to return to God’s rest that He has provided for us. Praise the God that has wiped our tears, steadied our feet and delivered us from death!
Lord, we thank You that Your ear is ever open to listen to our heart’s cry no matter how big or small it may seem. We thank You for Your faithfulness and lovingkindness toward us, and You empower us to walk before You in the land of the living!
10.18.16
Devotional for Tuesday, October 18, 2016
“Lord, You Are All Around Me!”
by Dona Hake
“Lord, you have tested me,
so you know all about me.
You know when I sit down and when I get up.
You know my thoughts from far away.
You know where I go and where I lie down.
You know everything I do.
Lord, you know what I want to say,
even before the words leave my mouth.
You are all around me—in front of me and behind me.
I feel your hand on my shoulder.
I am amazed at what you know;
it is too much for me to understand.”
Psalm 139:1-6 Easy-to-Read Version
His precious love surrounds us and He knows every little detail about us. What a thought! We should marvel and be amazed at what our Lord knows about us shouldn’t we? What blessed assurance we can hold fast to in knowing that we can serve a God that totally understands us inside and out. Even before words leave our mouth He knows what we are going to say. He goes before us yet He stands behind us! There is no escaping His loving knowledge about us.
The Amplified version says in verse three “You sift and search out my path.” I love this because it gave me the visual of using a sifter to catch that which you do not want in the mix. As we remain humble before Him there is freedom in knowing that He desires to set our feet firm on good paths that we walk before Him. As we humbly seek Him, He will reveal to us that which we are to separate ourselves from that we may serve Him with a pure heart.
As we start our day let us remind ourselves to allow Him to search our hearts and speak to us. I encourage you to ponder His greatness as you begin your time in prayer today. Oh magnify His Holy Name and praise Him for the mighty things He has done and the many things He desires to do in you! Today, enjoy the presence of the Lord for He is all around us, in front of us, and behind us!!! May we feel His strong hand on our shoulder and His grace infusing us with all that we need in Jesus Name!
10.17.16
Devotional for Monday, October 17, 2016
“What Is God Looking For?”
by Dona Hake
“My hand made all these things and
brought them into being, says the Lord.
But here is where I will look:
to the humble and contrite in spirit,
those who tremble at my word.”
to the humble and contrite in spirit,
those who tremble at my word.”
Isaiah 66:2
Each morning in my prayer time the first thing I do is acknowledge His greatness, and honor His holy Name. I purposely look all around me and thank Him for all the beautiful things He created and formed with His loving hands. As we look at this scripture in Isaiah 66:2 we see that He brought all things into being by the work of His mighty hands. As He proclaims what He did with the work of His hands He goes on to say, “But here is where I look: to the humble and contrite in spirit, those who tremble at my word.”
I do not know about you but I want to know what God is looking for. After all the beauty and wonder of His creation He is still looking? I love this because it is reminding us that God’s eyes are moving to and fro watching for the one that will ALWAYS put Him and His Word first and reverently respond to what He says. He is looking for those that even when they mess up they will admit they are wrong, and receive His forgiveness. He is watching for the man and woman that desires to be humble and respect His Word above their own opinions and thoughts.
Lord, help us be mindful of how awesome You are, and how the work of Your hands is beyond what we can comprehend. You created the heavens and the earth. You created us, and before we were even born, you knew every one of our days. As we look at all the beautiful things that You have created, our hearts are in awe, yet you see something even more awesome than what Your hands have created, and that is the man or woman that respects your Word, and is humble and contrite in spirit. Help us this day to be in pursuit of maintaining a humble heart before you, and a determination to love and respect your Word. In Jesus Name!!!
10.16.16
Devotional for Sunday, October 15, 2016
“Your Faith In Action”
by Dona Hake
Do we really believe what we say we believe? I have heard it said that when the pressure is on that this is when we find out what we are truly made of. Sometimes the circumstances of life will tempt us to look away from our faith and be tempted to doubt, therefore we are set up to be double minded. When one is double minded their faith will not work. Let us look at a wonderful scripture in James that will encourage our hearts in the importance of being anchored in our faith!
James 1:6-8 (The Voice)
“The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded
commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like
those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind.
Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue
them or bring them anything. The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your
compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.”
“The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded
commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like
those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind.
Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue
them or bring them anything. The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your
compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.”
When we are single minded toward God we will react in faith in any given situation. If we are not single-minded it is because we are more than likely depending on our own wisdom, and we need to get knowledge of what God’s Word has to say about our situation. Another way one falls to being double minded is pride. If one fails to totally submit themselves to the Word of God they will always be tempted to rely on their knowledge or experience.
I really love how this translation brings an even greater insight in the very last sentence of this portion of scripture in James 1:8… “The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy
and confused.”
The danger of not being single minded can cause severe consequences. Just as a compass keeps you on track, being single-minded with all that God has for you will also keep you wise, discerning and very sensitive to the voice of the Lord in the midst of trouble. Your spiritual “compass” will keep you right on target and you will remain strong, steady, and focused in the midst of a storm. This “compass” is vital because if you are in a problem, the last thing you need is to feel spiritually dizzy, confused, and not knowing which direction to turn.
Keep your spiritual ears tuned to the Spirit of God and keep your faith strong in Him. Give no place to the voice of doubt. Allow it no room in your thoughts. I pray that this devotional has been a blessing to you today!
Doubt sees the obstacle, faith sees the way;
Doubt sees the darkest night, faith sees the day;
Doubt dreads to take a step, faith soars on high;
Doubt questions, “Who believes?”
FAITH answers “I”
(Anonymous)
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!