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Friday, August 18, 2017

Posted on Aug 18, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, August 18, 2017

“The Lord Our Provision”

by Dona Hake

Today let us meditate on our Lord, our Provision. The Word of God tells us that if we seek we will find. Our loving God loves when we seek Him. Even though He knows EXACTLY what we need, He desires that our hearts exhibit our need of asking Him. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, and one of the things He said to ask for was His daily bread. This is the bread and sustenance that comes only from above! Let us look at two translations that I felt were excellent.

Matthew 6:11 (DRA) “Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.”

Matthew 6:11 (VOICE) ” Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less—”

There is a Contemporary Christian song that I love and the other day I listened to it a little bit closer than I have before. A handful of the lyrics really stood out to me and really ministered to my heart for each moment with God is a fresh encounter. He desires to speak freshly to us by many things around us. The lyrics the young lady was singing went like this… “He moves mountains that we did not know were even there…” What an awesome thought! I think of mountains that I have faced in my own life. He helped me faced them. He gave me His grace and strength to stand in faith till they came down and were leveled by His Word. But that song really made me wonder how mountains has He moved before I even noticed them. Our loving God knows our every need, and His Provision is more than enough. He makes are crooked paths straight that we make walk firmly and not stumble!

Today I encourage you to meditate upon the fact that God is faithful to give us the “bread” we need to get us through one day at a time. That bread will sustain us, and keep us nourished in our spirits. Thank you Lord for daily bread …no more, no less….we thank You that Your bread that You sustain us with is alive and living and all so powerful! Lord, you ARE our Provision.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Posted on Aug 16, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, August 16, 2017

“Let Our Praise Never Cease!”

by Dona Hake

Psalm 145:1-3

“I will lift my praise above everything to You, my God and King!
I will continually bless Your name forever and always.
My praise will never cease—
I will praise You every day;
I will lift up Your name forever.
The Eternal is great and deserves endless praise;
His greatness knows no limit, recognizes no boundary.
No one can measure or comprehend His magnificence.”

I love this portion of scriptures! The Psalmist’s words shows us a heart that exhibits a love for God more than anything. Oh that our praise for the Living God would never cease as we remember His greatness knows no limits and recognizes no boundaries. May our thanks and praise to Him be fresh and new each day. Let us never forget all that we are blessed with. It is so easy to take the blessings of our Lord, and people for granted. We must be purpose that we live with hearts that are full of thanks especially to our loving God and the loved ones and friends in our life.

Today I am encouraging you to think about how wonderful and good the Lord has been to you. Day in and day out He faithfully meets us as we open our eyes each morning. He is always there for us throughout our day. Even when we fall and mess up, He is faithful as we turn and repent to Him. He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us, and renew a right spirit within us.

Let us think about His wonderful and divine attributes…His grace and mercy recognizes no boundaries and they are new each morning as we face new challenges. He is a God of goodness and grace…oh praise Him for His wonderful greatness today!!! No, we will never be able to totally comprehend His greatness, but we can always continue to offer thanks and worship to Him for all that He is to us! Give thanks to the Lord for there is no measure of His magnificence!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Posted on Aug 15, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, August, 15, 2017

“…But a Word of Encouragement”

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 12:25

“Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word

of encouragement does wonders!”

Today I want to encourage you to seek opportunities to lift up hearts that may be heavy. As we ask the Lord for such opportunities He is sure to bring them in our path. We live in a time where it is plain to see that many have anxious and heavy hearts. I love those God given opportunities when I can lock my eyes with someone that looks grumpy or depressed, and try to get them talking. People like this need our loving smiles and encouraging words. My friends, this world needs desperately that which we possess by the Spirit of the Living God.

The Lord lifts us up and faithfully ministers His strength to us. Day by day He pours forth an abundant supply of joy and strength. Let us be ready to give it to those around us as He provides us opportunities. God wants us to be givers not hoarders of all the blessings He has imparted to us. His mercies are new every morning, let us live to bless and share His life from which all blessings flow. Let us be vessels that water and bless the parched hearts of this world. By watering others we water ourselves!

Proverbs 11:24 Living Bible
“It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.”

Monday, August 14, 2017

Posted on Aug 14, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Monday, August 14, 2017

“Never To Be Separated From His Love”

by Dona Hake

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.”

The Apostle Paul wrote some very powerful words didn’t he? Think about it. There is not one thing in the whole created world that can separate us from His perfect love. What a powerful truth to meditate upon! Let us look at what the word separate means, and I think this will bring you an even deeper revelation of this scripture. To be separated is:

Separate: (defined)

to keep apart or divide, as by an intervening barrier or space:

to put, bring, or force apart; part:

to set apart; disconnect; dissociate

Now let us look at how nothing can separate us from Him in light of some of these definitions. No matter what we face or how hard the devil tries to discourage us we can not be kept apart from the presence of our Lord, and His life giving love. There are no barriers strong enough to keep us from Him. There are no forces great enough to overcome the power of His love! We will not be set apart from Him!

May our hearts be dedicated to this inseparable love. Every day 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 the presence of the One that promises that He will never leave or forsake us. 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!!

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Posted on Aug 13, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Sunday, August 13, 2017

“Walking In God’s Integrity”

by Dona Hake

Today we will meditate upon how our integrity which comes from following the Lord will guide us through our journey in life. First I would love for you to read this short quote as we think about our Lord guiding us in the ways and path of integrity.

“God shall be my hope, My stay, my guide and lantern to my feet.”
William Shakespeare

If God is our hope, He is always ahead of us. Our eyes are fixed on Him with great confidence and expectation. When we see Him as our stay, He is always all that we need in the present. He shall be the loving Anchor of our soul, and we shall not be moved. When He is our guide, He is the ultimate compass that moves in the greatest of accuracy. As He is our lantern to our feet we will be moving in His divine direction with great illumination all around us. I believe this is living and moving and having our total being in Him. As we do this, we will live by the integrity of His precepts that He has commanded us to walk in.

As we practice living, breathing and moving by the Spirit of the Living God, we will be a people of great honor and integrity. From the depths of our being there will be a passionate desire to please Him and do the right thing. Oh the beauty of walking in the integrity of our God!

Proverbs 11:3
New Life Version
“The honor of good people will lead them…”

We thank you Lord that Your integrity shall guide us, and Your integrity will also draw people to You! We praise You for being our Hope, our Stay, our Guide, and the Lantern to our feet that we may exhibit integrity in our lives.

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Posted on Aug 12, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, August 12, 2017

“Being Passionate for God’s Word”

by Dona Hake

When one is passionate they exhibit a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for a specific thing. I want to share a portion of Psalm 119 in which the psalmist expresses his passion about God’s commands in his life.

Psalm 119:130-142 The Voice

“When Your words are unveiled, light shines forth;
they bring understanding to the simple.
My desire for Your commands
left me waiting, open-mouthed and panting.
Acknowledge me and show me Your grace
as is Your habit toward all those who love Your name.
Guide my steps in the ways of Your word,
and do not let any sin control me.
Rescue me from the torment of my human oppressors
so that I may live according Your decrees.
Let Your face shine upon Your servant,
and help me to learn what You require.

My eyes shed rivers of tears

whenever people fail to keep Your teaching.

You are good and just, O Eternal One,
and Your rulings are right.
You have set out Your decrees in justice,
and they can be trusted.

I AM OVERWHELMED BY MY PASSION

because my enemies have forgotten Your words.”

Do you have such a passion in your heart today for God’s Word? Have you ever thought how you would live without it? I remember the movie about the precious saint Corrie Ten Boom entitled “The Hiding Place.” Oh what a love for the Lord and His Word she and her sister had. When they were going into the concentration camp they were bound and determined to take in their little Bible into that place of fear and darkness. How precious it was as they clung to their most precious possession. It meant everything to them for their life was sustained by the living Word of their Lord. They prayed that they would be able to get it passed the guards without it being noticed. The Lord was faithful to provide a distraction which created the miraculous way to protect their Bible It was amazing to see them pray before they hid it under her coat, and the beautiful little Bible made its way past the darkness and evil of that place. You see, she and her sister were passionate about their loving God and His Word. They well understood that all they needed would come from His love and provision.

God desires that we be so passionate and loving about His Word. Let us look to His Word with longing in our heart for it is our Bread of life…the Bread that truly sustains and strengthens us to do His will. Today let us be reminded to cling to His precious Word no matter what this life brings our way.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Posted on Aug 11, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, August 11, 2017

“How Does This Minister To Your Heart?

by Dona Hake

I saw this image on social media this morning, and I wanted to share it with you! Here is an image with simple yet powerful words. I will share with you what my heart received from this.

This challenges my heart to seize the opportunities the Lord puts before me, and never get comfortable in my self made “safe place”. The only safe place I should abide in is Him…under the wings of the Almighty God!!! No man made comfort zones allowed!

We live in a time in which we are offered so much to make our lives easier and convenient…things that are saving us time. Do not get me wrong…I love modern conveniences yet it seems the more conveniences we are blessed with the less time we seem to have. It may be that we are filling that extra time with things that are not as important as we think they are. Sometimes the more we have the more we overlook our simple sweet blessings. Sometimes the more we have, the more we want. So where am I going with this thought?

We must all guard our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to remind us that we do not enter and “park” ourselves in our self made comfort zones. Those places we call “happy places” or those things we desire that draw our hearts away from our Lord. We owe our every breath and life to Him.

The Lord has created each of us, and He is desiring that we be His mighty vessels that carry life, light and His love into the “oceans” where there are the weary, needy, and without Him. Today I encourage you to look at this image and permit the Lord to speak to your heart in a very special way.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Posted on Aug 10, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Thursday, August 10, 2017

“Lord, Teach Us To Love As You Love”

by Dona Hake

Nothing can separate us from His love, and His love is unfathomable. His love conquers all, and God’s love covers all things. God desires that His conquering love flow through us yet there are times His love is not able to flow freely. If we do not desire to look beyond our own little world, how is He able to love through us and reach a lost and dying world? There is a cost to loving like Jesus, and it is a matter letting go of that which is holding us back. In the book of Luke he wrote “If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them.” I love the following quote by Mother Teresa, and it fits perfectly with our devotional today…

“Love,

to be real,

must cost –

it must hurt –

it must empty us of self.”

God is calling us to His high places of love. A wonderful place to meditate is 1 Corinthians 13 because this simply spells out what God’s love is and what it is not.

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious,

doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about.

There’s no arrogance in love;

it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—

it’s not self-absorbed.

Love isn’t easily upset.

Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice;

but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight!

Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along;

it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.

Love will never become obsolete.”

Let us desire today that God’s true and real love flows through us in every way possible. Lord help us to desire to pay the cost even when it hurts. Cause us to see that which hinders us from loving like You and empty us of those things! We are believing that You are well able to do above and beyond all we dare ask or think regarding Your love operating through us!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Posted on Aug 9, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, August 9, 2017

“The Awesome Power of Restoration”

by Dona Hake

Today we will meditate upon the power of restoration, and the freedom it brings to our hearts. When one deals with guilt, and they do not understand how they can be restored, it can be such a horrible torment. When one is imprisoned by their guilt there are memories and thoughts of the wrong they have done. Their memories and thoughts seem to have voices, and they continue to haunt and remind them of what they think is irreparable.

If you have received Jesus into your life, you can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and you can partake of His wonderful forgiveness. You need not be tormented by guilt anymore for Jesus paid the ultimate price when He shed His blood for you and me. Let us treasure within us how wonderful it is that the Lord will forgive us when we mess up, and He will always cleanse our hearts. As we humble ourselves to Him admitting our wrongs and shortcomings, He will bring His mercies and forgiveness to us, and bring us back to that place of feeling clean again. Let us look at David in the Psalms. His plea to God was for restoration of his heart in a time in which he majorly messed up, and his heart was heavy with guilt and anguish.

Psalm 51:7, 8, 10

“Remove my sin and make me pure.”
Wash me until I am whiter than snow!
Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again.
God, create a pure heart in me,
and make my spirit strong again.”

Today let us treasure the power of love and forgiveness, and look to the only One that can bring restoration to our souls. He is the only one who is able to cleanse. I love how verse eight says “Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again.” This is what restoration is about. When we experience freedom from guilt we are able to experience the joy that was robbed by our sin and guilt. Only God is able to create within us a pure heart, pick us back up, and cause us to continue on in His will. Thank God for the power of forgiveness!

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Posted on Aug 8, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, August 8, 2017

“In God Alone I Will Rest!”

by Dona Hake

Today let us meditate upon our Lord’s rest that He has provided for us. Do you sometimes go to Him when you are tired but other times you just tolerate feeling tired and weary in the work of your life? God desires that we stay in a place of rest, for it is there that we are able to live refreshed, and drawing upon Him. It is there that our hearts, minds and bodies are kept by His sustaining power and grace. His rest just like His peace will surpass our understanding. Let us be honest with ourselves and admit that there are times when we are pushing the boundaries of our bodies and minds to the point of permitting weariness, and we need to return to His rest that He desires for us. Let us look at this word called rest.

Rest defined: “relief or freedom, especially from anything that

wearies, troubles, or disturbs.”

Oh praise the Living God that we can be free of anything that tries to weary, trouble, or disturb our soul. 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 only when problems arise, but He desires we stay put in His sweet place of rest that He has provided for us. It is as we remain in His presence that we really do experience His rest!

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