Thursday, November 29, 2017

Posted on Nov 30, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Thursday, November 30, 2017

“What Not To Do…”

by Dona Hake

“Blessed is the man who walks not

in the counsel of the ungodly, nor

stands in the path of sinners, nor sits

in the seat of the scornful; but his

delight is in the law of the Lord,

and in His law he meditates

day and night.“ Psalm 1:1, 2

Many times we can focus on all the things that we need to do for the Lord in our attempts to follow Him , and obey His commandments. May we always desire to do that which is right in the sight of our Lord, yet let us also be mindful of those things that we should steer away from. Here the scripture points out to us what we should not do. There is a place we should not walk, a place we should not stand, and a place we should not sit. Let us trust Him for discerning hearts to recognize those places that we are not to be spending time. Those places that would hinder our walk with Him.

The Psalmist proceeds to share how we should simply delight in His law, and think about them day and night. It is then that He will give us the desires of our heart. Those desires will always lead us to walk, stand and sit exactly where He desires us to be. As we do this our petitions and desires will always be in line with His perfect will.

Delight yourself in the Lord, And

He will give you the desires and

petitions of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Posted on Nov 29, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, November 29, 2017

“He Hears Our Prayer”

by Dona Hake

Psalm 116:7-9

“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.”

At the beginning of the Psalm the psalmist exclaimed “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice…” He went on 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!” The psalmist feared for his life for he was in danger,and he had no where to turn. I am sure that what this psalmist went through was terrifying so he stops, and reminds himself of his loving God that faithfully delivered him from death, his eyes from tears, and kept him steady that he would not stumble.

May this Psalm remind us that in the face of adversity we need to recall His wonderful works, and proclaim the testimonies of our deliverance by the works of our mighty God. There will be times we need to speak to our soul and command it…”Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” 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. Oh praise God!…He hears to prayer of the righteous man and woman. As we walk before the Lord in the land of the living, let us rejoice in His mighty works He has done in our lives!

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Posted on Nov 28, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, November 28, 2017

“Overflowing With Hope”

by Dona Hake

Romans 15:13 (GW)

“May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and

peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow

with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

He is our source, He is our River of Life from whom ALL blessings flow, and only good things flow from Him. Praise God He is our Hope! We are told in the scriptures to guard our hearts with all diligence for from our hearts flow the issues of life. If our hearts are not right and things are out of balance, everything will seem wrong. Ultimately His flow of life will go from abundant, and be like a trickling of water. This makes me think of the times that I would be watering my garden in the summer, and all of a sudden the water stopped because of a kink in the hose. The supply was cut off, and in order for it to flow fully I had to straighten the hose out. He created us to have our hearts be a place where His life flows from. As we guard our hearts and minds that life will flow freely in an unhindered way.

Praise Him today that He is your source of life, and that life is meant to bring you hope, and bring hope to a lost and dying world. My friends, you are called to His plans and purposes, and He promises to work in you as you serve Him. What a blessed hope we have in Him as we live and love Him.

Romans 8:28-30 (Phillips translation)

“Moreover we know that to those who love God,

who are called according to his plan, everything that

happens fits into a pattern for good.”

Today I ask you, is your heart overflowing with hope from above? Is it flowing unhindered? If it is not flowing as you know it should, seek Him for He will instruct, lead and guide you in His truth. He will bless this good desire of your heart!

Lord, we thank You this day for being our source of hope. We open our hearts to be filled with the joy and peace that only comes from you. As You promise to fill us up and supply our needs we ask that you use us today. May we overflow and spill out Your love and goodness to those around us for we know that all need hope in this world. Thank you Lord for Your work in us, and we rejoice in our hope in You in Jesus Name! amen.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Posted on Nov 27, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Monday, November 27, 2017

“Words Seasoned With Salt”

by Dona Hake

Have you ever been in the position of knowing someone is waiting to hear your opinion, and you do not know what to tell them. I am sure we have all been there. I have heard it said that when you do not know what to say you should say nothing. These are the times that our Lord desires for us to be quiet before Him, hear His voice, and then speak from the wisdom and grace that comes from above.

Our words can build people up or our words can tear people down. One word has the power to encourage, yet an unkind word or a word lacking His wisdom has power to bring a heart down. When I think of people that always seem to speak words with grace I think of those individuals that seem to know how to speak exactly the right thing . They seem to know not only the perfect words but their timing is just as proper. As I looked at Colossians 4:6 , I found two translations very thought provoking.

“Be gracious in your speech.

The goal is to bring out the best in others

in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”

The Message Colossians 4:6

“Everything you say should be kind and

well thought out so that you know

how to answer everyone.”

GOD’S WORD Translation Colossians 4:6

Today, and always…look to be gracious with our words. Seek to encourage and strengthen those around you with words of hope. God is looking to speak His life through us as we yield ourselves to Him in every way we can!

Proverbs 18:4 (TLB)

“A wise man’s words express deep streams of thought.”

~~~~~♥~~~~~

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Posted on Nov 25, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, November 25, 2017

“Yes…God Is At Work In You!”

by Dona Hake

Back in the day before digital cameras there was quite a process to receiving prints from a roll of film from your camera. My very first job was working in a photo lab, and I loved it! Such an experience of learning and appreciated the art of photography. I was blessed with the opportunity of getting to work almost every station within this photo lab. I got to see the whole process of what it took to give the customer a quality end result.

I went from sorting film, to splicing and cutting negatives, printing color and black and white negatives, using the darkroom, and inspecting pictures. I can remember being an inspector and it was somewhat of a nerve racking job. If you passed a print as satisfactory, and the customer did not like it, you would sometimes be called down on it. I learned to really examine each image very critically. Was the color off, too light, too dark, or dirt on the image? Whatever it was, there was a process till the end result was satisfactory. As a printer I learned to read a negative very closely and determine the exact amount of light to give it so it was printed perfectly. I especially loved when I got to do this part of the processing within the plant.

We as believers are also in the process of our loving Heavenly Father working in our lives. As we hear His Word we need to remain in a place of humility in which we can hear His Word and permit Him to discipline our hearts for this part of our growth process in Him. He knows exactly what Words of light and life to shine within our hearts as He works in us. He desires that we walk before Him with perfect hearts that we may glorify Him on this earth. Today I encourage you to be patient with yourself as God works in you.

God is in the process of working on our hearts for His glory, and helping us grow and mature in Him. Many times there are parts of our growth process that we may tend to just be comfortable with. It is those times that the Lord is moving us out of our comfort zones, and that may upset us. It is important that we obediently move forward in the direction He desires to take us.

If we desire to see Him work His will in us we need to cooperate with the process He chooses for us. It is equally important that we patiently wait for Him in those times that we simply do not understand. Yes there will be times that we may be tempted to throw up our hands because it seems like we are not growing, yet all the while God is at work in our hearts in ways we could ever imagine. God is good and His plans are those of precision and He well knows what He is doing. Praise the Lord today for His work in your life for He is good!

Philippians 2:13 (ERV)

“Yes, it is God who is working in you.

He helps you want to do what pleases him,

and he gives you the power to do it.”

Friday, November 24, 2017

Posted on Nov 24, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, November 24, 2017

“He Will Set Me On A High Rock”

by Dona Hake

Psalm 27:5 (TLB)

” There I’ll be when troubles come.
He will hide me.

He will set me on a high rock”

If anxious thoughts and unrest visits your soul, it is an assuring thing to know that we have a God that has a plan of escape for you. As He hides us under His wings we can be assured that He is well able to get us through any battle in this life. He will take us through!

Today I encourage you to reflect on His wonderful peace as you dwell in that place of refuge that He has provided just for you. His peace exceeds all your thoughts about any matter. No matter how much you think you have something figured out or what you have been told about your situation, the Living God has a plan just for you, and He always will go above and beyond all that we dare ask, think or dream.

Philippians 4:7 (CEB)

“Then the peace of God that exceeds

all understanding will keep your

hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.”

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Posted on Nov 22, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, November 22, 2017

“Renewed Hope”

by Dona Hake

~Isaiah 41:10 (CJB)

” Don’t be afraid, for I am with you;
don’t be distressed, for I am your God.
I give you strength, I give you help,

I support you with my victorious right hand.”

One translation says “Fear not, for I am with you, do not look anxiously about you.” Fear has the ability to grip our hearts, and send our souls into a tail spin of confusion and anxiety. Today let us meditate upon the God that is able to calm any storm, and bring renewed hope to our hearts.

Psalm 94:19 (TLB)

“Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart

is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.”

I can remember the Lord speaking so sweetly at one point in my walk with Him. His words softly and sweetly spoken to my heart were…”Return to My Peace.” These three words impacted my heart, and powerfully reminded me that He is well able to calm my heart and bring my mind to a place of peace as I make a decision to abide in Him no matter what is going on around me.

Today I encourage you to give thanks to Him for the place of refuge He has provided for us. In our day of trouble let us rest patiently upon Him, and draw upon His grace. Praise God that He is able to bring renewed hope and cheer to us! Praise the Living God for He is so good!

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Posted on Nov 21, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, November 21, 2017

“God Is Light – Pure Light”

by Dona Hake

Psalm 36:9 (CEV)

“The life-giving fountain
belongs to you,

and your light gives light

to each of us.”

Praise God His light gives light to each of us! I remember when my life seemed to be empty and without hope. My days as a teenager seemed dark and without purpose. But oh how I will never forget the evening that I surrendered my all to Him. As I dropped to my knees I can remember feeling the weight of the world dropping off of me. My heart was flooded with light, warmth, and joy! I was set free from the bondage of sin, and it seemed like all of the sudden I just saw everything differently. Jesus the Light came into my heart and from that day forward He has illuminated

my every step as I have walked with Him!

My heart is thankful for those that the Lord put

in my dark path, and showed me that

there was more to this life than what I was living for. Oh give thanks to Him that He has brought you out of darkness into His marvelous light!

May we never cease to be thankful for those that prayed on our

behalf especially is we looked hopeless,

and did not want to hear the truth of His Word.

Today we ask You Lord that Your Light, Your pure light

shine in our life, and bring Your life to all those You place in our path. May we shine as a bring light in this dark world in Jesus Name!

1 John 1:5 (The Message)

“This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ

and are passing on to you:

God is light, pure light;

there’s not a trace of darkness in him.”

Monday, November 20, 2017

Posted on Nov 20, 2017 in Devotions |

“When You’ve Done All…YOU STAND”

Devotional for Monday, November 20, 2017

by Dona Hake

James 1:2-4 (TLB)

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations?

Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience

has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to

squirm out of your problems. For when your patience

is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for

anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

When we face the challenges of this life we must do all that we know to do and then….WE STAND. Today we are meditating on the power of patience, and the part it has to play in our walk of faith, and how it will strengthen us as we refuse to be moved in the midst of a trial.

Ephesians 6:13 AMP Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].

I don’t know about you but sometimes the “not squirming” part can be very hard to resist! The impatient man will always squirm when they want out of a situation as quickly as possible. James clearly understood the soulish tendencies of man, and how one thinks when his or her faith is being tested. We see from this scripture that in those times that circumstances seem to be stretching us to uncomfortable positions in our soul that God is doing a wonderful work within us…if we permit Him to do so.. When we are looking to God in the midst of any trying circumstance , we can be assured that He is at work in us no matter how trying it may be. I believe the Lord desire that we seek to attain all the wisdom we can get in the midst of any storm, and He desires that we be perfected in our patience.

Think about an area of your life that you seem a bit challenged in the realm of patience. We all have an area or two that we can identify where our patience needs some growing. I once again encourage you to take that area to God, and ask Him with a humble heart to help you. As you take that particular thing to the Lord admit that you are weak, and you need His help. Determine yourself that with God’s help you will get through whatever trial you may be facing, and at the end of the day you will be a stronger person, stronger in character, full and complete!

Philippians 2:13 (TLB)
“For God is at work within you, helping you obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.”

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Posted on Nov 19, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Sunday, November 19, 2017

“Believe and Do Not Doubt”

by Dona Hake

The words that I want to cause you to ponder today are believe and do not doubt. When we pray, God desires we follow specific steps in receiving. Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Now let us read from the book of James chapter one…

James 1:6-8 (NIV)

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,

because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,

blown and tossed by the wind. That person

should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Doubt is nothing to take lightly especially if we find ourselves doubting the faithful character of our Lord. What does it mean to doubt? It is when one experiences a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something. God knows our frame well and He knows our needs and desires, and as we pray for them we need to be in total faith and not waver.

James likens a doubter to a wave that is blown and tossed by the wind. You see, when you ask in faith and determine yourself to resist doubt, and you can expect the desired outcome. But what about the waves in the storm that we face in the midst of a trial you may ask? James never said that when you ask in faith that all would be smooth sailing did he? It is more than likely that we will encounter challenges and detours as we determine to stand in faith for something. No matter what we see, feel or experience our hearts must be resolute to believe God’s Word.

Today I encourage you to be single-minded and steadfast in your faith. Determine yourself to grow stronger in your faith in the Living God that you serve. With God’s help you can, and you will stand strong in that place of great expectation from Whom all blessings flow!

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!