Sunday, May 21, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Sunday, May 21, 2017
“Stay In the Son’s Light!”
 

all my cares

by Dona Hake

 

Matthew 6:27 (God’s Word Translation)

“Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?”

 

It would be interesting to know who much time we waste as we  worry and become  preoccupied with unnecessary thoughts.  The Lord knows each of us so well and He understands  how the fears of this life can pull us into a place of fearing our future.  In the scripture from Matthew 6 He warned us to not worry but rather give our cares to Him.

Jesus was  saying that worry is a waste of time and it is not going to add anything to our life. Worry can damage our health, it can consume our thoughts, negatively affect how we treat those around us, and most importantly it weakens our faith.

Worry has the ability to bring us to a standstill. It is totally normal to be concerned about what we face in this life yet we need to remind ourselves that it is Him that will perfect that which concerns us.

The following is an interesting quote by Benjamin Franklin…

 

“Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen.

Keep in the sunlight.”

 

Today I encourage you to stay in  the “Son’s light” by keeping yourself absorbed in His Word, and as we do this….all fears must go!  Even in the face of negative we need to believe God can turn it inside out and we can be on the victory side!   Let us ask the Lord as we face fears and difficulties for His help and His perspective. Pray that He would give you courage to face your tomorrows and know that He is walking with you.

 

1 Peter 5:7

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your
concerns,once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and

cares about you watchfully.”


Saturday, May 20, 2017

 

Devotional for Saturday, May 20, 2017
“Reach Toward Your Goals”

 

one thing I do

by Dona Hake

 

Philippians 3:13 (ERV)

“Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go.

But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and

try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me.”

 

I love how Paul expressed his determination to keep his focus.  He admitted  he had a long way to go but he was determined to do two things, and they were to forget the past and reach toward his goals.  He understood that his past needed to be forgotten and his future needed to be reached for with great perseverance.

 

Many times we can become frozen in our past and  they become our stand stills.  It is sad to think one’s purpose and determination is robbed by the memories or failures of  yesterday. I always felt that there is importance in learning from mistakes or bad experiences.  These things can serve to help us learn and gain wisdom.  Wisdom gained from bad experiences or mistakes can be carried with us the rest of our life.  This wisdom is something we can embrace and pass on to others.
 

Many times in our journey in life we may come to a “dead end” on a path that seems so promising.  Do not let that discourage you but rather seek the Lord and what He would have you  do.  I believe there are many times that “dead ends” on the paths that we walk are God’s favor on us, and He is sparing us from a bad decision or mistake.  Sometimes you just never know… one thing we do know though, and that is that we need to keep moving forward with our eyes on our Lord!   I leave you with this quote…

 

“One of the greatest and most comforting truths

is that when one door opens, another closes,

but often we look so long and

regretfully upon the closed door that

we do not see the one that is open for us.”

(Anonymous)



Friday, May 19, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Friday, May 19, 2017
“The Proof of God’s Amazing Love”

 

how deep how wide

by Dona Hake

 

No love on this planet can be compared to the love of God. God’s love was toward us before we ever knew Him. I can remember when I thought I did not need God in my life. My excuse…well, plain and simple…I thought there were just too many hypocrites out there. I thought if people could not be real then I wanted nothing to do with the whole deal of Christianity or walking with a God that I could not see.    Then the day came when I encountered some individuals that truly exhibited His love. They were real and walked the talk. They showed me that He loved me even though I did not yet love Him. He loved me even though I did not deserve His love and goodness. God knew exactly what I needed and I thank Him that He put those special people in my path to show me His love.

 

After living for Him for forty four  years I can honestly say I cannot imagine life without Him. I thank God He loved me through people that He placed in my life, and I am ever so thankful for those that prayed for me when some gave up and thought I was too stubborn.

 

 

Romans 5:6-8 (PHILLIPS)

” And we can see that it was while we were powerless to help ourselves

that Christ died for sinful men. In human experience it is a rare thing

for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter be a good man,

though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it.

Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we

were sinners that Christ died for us.”

 

I encourage you to think about His great love for you.   The greatness of His love can be compared to none.  It is so amazing and so great!   God is good!



Thursday, May 18, 2017\

 

 

 

 
Devotional for Thursday, May 18, 2017
“Lord, Cause Us To Know…”
 

cause me to know

by Dona Hake

 

Today I would like to encourage your heart in the matter of being mindful that you are seeking the direction of your Lord.   I am sharing a scripture from the Psalms which happens to be the very first Bible verse I ever memorized.   It is special to me for I remember being a young Christian.   For the first time in my life I was experiencing freedom in my soul from bondages and weights that made my life miserable.   I knew with all of my heart that I needed all the help I could get, and my heart was refreshed in knowing that I now no longer had to figure things out on my own.   I now belonged to a loving Shepherd!   Sometimes the one thing that can hinder someone the most is when one looks to their own ability, and they do not invite the Holy Spirit to help them in the smallest of matters and concerns.
 
 
 

  This image I share today shows a little one sitting on a stack of books which represents knowledge.  No matter how much you know and how much knowledge you have attained by study, you need to remain as a child in your heart.  You need to maintain childlike faith in everything you do.  It is as you do this that you will not try to reason things out in your mind.  You will just believe.     You will absolutely give your concerns and questions to God and as you remain childlike in your heart , you will believe He will take care of you.  

 

 

 

Psalm 143:8    (KJV)

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;

for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein

I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”

 

“Cause me to hear” is probably my favorite part of the verse because it is basically asking God to bring something about.  There are just way too many things in this life that we cannot make happen in our own ability.  It takes faith.  Sometimes just knowing what to say or knowing what to do could make or break a situation for you.  I encourage you to ask Him today to “cause you to know…”
 
Lord, we lift our soul to You, and we are believing to hear in our spirits Your loving voice for we are purposing to trust in You.   We ask that You cause us to know what our every step should be. We thank You that Your gentle hand is able to lead us and guide us in the way we are to walk.  In Jesus Name, amen.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Wednesday, May 17, 2017
“Jesus Speaks To the Storm”

It is Well With My Soul Church Bulletin Cover

 

by Dona Hake

 

Yesterday as I was driving with my Granddaughters my youngest began talking about the miracles of Jesus.  One by one she recounted and shared of all the stories that  she has been taught.     I loved hearing the faith and sweet belief in her voice as she shared each one.   I can remember talking with people that just want to reason away and discredit the miracles of our Lord.   How sweet it is as a believer when we come to know our Lord is the One that is able to do the impossible.   Today I share one of my favorite stories of Jesus doing one of those out of the norm things in the midst of a bad storm.   His disciples were fearful of the raging storm, and Jesus with just a few words made them realize the power in the living words that He spoke.

 
 

Mark 4:35-40

“It was evening of that same day. Jesus said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”  After sending the people away, they took Jesus with them in a boat. It was the same boat He used when He taught them. Other little boats went along with them. A bad wind storm came up. The waves were coming over the side of the boat. It was filling up with water.  Jesus was in the back part of the boat sleeping on a pillow. They woke Him up, crying out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?”  He got up and spoke sharp words to the wind. He said to the sea, “Be quiet! Be still.” At once the wind stopped blowing. There were no more waves.  He said to His followers, “Why are you so full of fear? Do you not have faith?”

 

This is one of those stories that make me wish I would have been there just to see the raging waters be calmed at the command of Jesus’ voice.  These words from this portion of scripture have created faith in my heart many times when things around me seemed to be out of control.  To know that He can bring peace to the raging waters of my life causes me to know that “it is well with my soul.”

 

The important thing to remember is that God is able to bring peace to a situation yet that does not necessarily mean the problem has gone away.  When God’s peace prevails within us, our hearts will be still and we will be calmed.  It is in those times that you will then be able to hear His whisper as He directs you into the next step.   Let us remember that in the midst of a problem or crisis that it is vital we hold fast to our faith and have our ears towards the Lord that He may reveal the wisdom that we need.

 

I leave you with this quote from  Francious deFenelon which makes this story from the book of Mark  even more real.

 

“A word from the Lord stilled the raging sea

and a glance from Him to you, and from

you to Him, will do the same for you.”



Tuesday, May 16, 2017

 
 
 
Devotional for Tuesday, May 16, 2017
“Walk As Jesus Walked”
 
by Dona Hake
 
I am feeling to share about being an imitator of Christ today.     I was inspired the other evening while I was working in my backyard to bring you this devotional to encourage and stir your heart.  It was so beautiful to just enjoy the setting sun, a calm breeze and seeing nature all around me looking so beautiful.   As I was working I noticed some beautiful songs from what seemed to be so many different song birds. I stopped, and listened and it sounded as if there were 15 birds taking turns one at a time patiently waiting for their turn to singing their very own song. Once again a cute little Mockingbird really fooled me with it’s accuracy as it perfectly mimicked so many different birds.    To me this is so amazing that God created this little creature to do such a thing.    It simply repeats what it hears, and it is quite entertaining.   This little story will serve as an analogy of a truth in God’s Word for us.     It is found in 1 John Chapter 2…If you say you have accepted Jesus then it is our moral obligation to walk the talk.  
 
 As we study God’s Word diligently, and seek to hear and know His voice, you can be sure that your words and actions will begin to be more and more as Jesus’ words and actions were.   He said that we would do even greater works.   So friend, I encourage you today to keep your heart challenged to walk as He walked, talk as He talked for this is the will of our Lord for every believer’s life.
 
Father, we ask this day that You be our Helper and our Guide.   Help us to know the way in which we are to walk that we are representing Your life, light, and love for we are earthen vessels that desire to be used for Your purposes.  In Jesus Name, amen!
1 John 2:6  AMP version
“Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has
accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation]
to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.”
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Monday, May 15, 2017

 

 

 
Devotional for Monday, May 15, 2017
“Making the Most of Our Time”

 

seize opportunities

by Dona Hake

 

Every day that we have been given is a gift to us from the Lord.  Let us thank Him for that and let us be mindful to be wise with our time.

 

Psalm 90:12 (CEV)

“Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”
 

 God knows I need all the little reminder notes and to-do lists that I write to myself  because it just keeps me on schedule and I feel like I am getting the most out of my day.  Many times our schedules may be interrupted with wonderful opportunities to help someone.  It depends how we view it.  For me it always seems that if I keep my heart right that those type interruptions turn out to be a great blessing.  Nothing so wonderful as to know in your heart that the Lord is using us to bless another’s day!  I can say that in those times of divine interruptions that it almost seems like my time becomes multiplied.  I heard it once said…”If you are about God’s business, He’ll take care of your business!”

 

Ephesians 5:16-17
 (AMP)

“Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity]…”

 

 I love this scripture because it makes me feel like our time given to us is so very valuable.  We should treasure it as we do our money.  Use it wisely, plan your time wisely, and think about how you can buy some opportunities to bless someone and be used by Him!I encourage you to seek Him on how to make the most out of every day that you have been given.  Love every minute of your life, but remember to let the Lord lead and guide you in the use of your time. 

 

 



Sunday, May 14, 2017

 

 

 

Devotional for Sunday, May 14, 2017
“Overflowing Grace In You”

 

 

god is able 2 26 14

by Dona Hake

 

2 Corinthians 9:8 (HCSB) 

“And God is able to make every grace overflow

to you, so that in every way, always having

everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”

 

This scripture just really blesses me.  I love meditating on the fact that God is desiring to shower us with His all sufficient grace as we set out to do His will.  As we lift our hands to heaven may we experience such an abundance of His grace that we cannot contain it.   It flows in abundance in order that we are equipped to do His perfect will in our life!

 

I made this  devotional a bit different today.  I am going to give you some “D” words to get the truth of His overflowing grace sticking in your mind and heart!

 

DESIRE

to be living examples of excellence in all you put your hands to.  

 

DRAW

upon His grace that He will shower it upon you as you believe Him for it.   It is as you do this that He will cause His grace to overflow in you that you may

 

DEMONSTRATE

that He is the God that is more than enough!

 

 

I encourage you to praise the Living God that is able to open the windows of Heaven and pour it upon your life.  Open your hands and heart to Him today and expect Him to do wondrous things through you for you are as a  tree that is planted by streams of the waters from Heaven, and all that you do will indeed prosper.

Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

“He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.”


Saturday, May 13, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Saturday, May 13, 2017
“His Word – Our Shield”

 

word a shield

by Dona Hake
 
 
He is:
 
OUR COUNSELOR
OUR SANCTUARY
OUR LIGHT
HE IS WONDERFUL!
OUR ROCK
OUR UNDERSTANDING
HE IS MIGHTY
 
We continue in our meditations of who our Loving God is and the many words that define Him and His character.  Today we will look at the power of the spoken and written words of our Living God.
 
 
THE WORD IS  OUR SHIELD.

 Proverbs 30:5 Expanded Bible

“Every word of God ·is true [passes the test;  is refined;

·He guards those [ They are a shield to those] who come to

him for ·safety [refuge].

 

God’s Word to us is flawless.  We need not try to analyze it,  we need only to believe that His Word is true.  He promises that His Word  is a shield to those that place their trust in Him.  In your day of battle you are promised that His Word will shield you and keep you.  It is in those times when the fiery darts of the enemy come to penetrate your soul that the Word of God that you believe and speak will be a protection, a refuge, and you will walk in victory.   Jesus stressed the importance and the blessing of living by the truth.

 

John 8:31-32 (PHILLIPS)

“If you are faithful to what I have said,

you are truly my disciples. And you will

know the truth and the truth will set you free!”

 

Oh that we would be diligent to know His Word that we may be free in every area of our lives.  Let us never add or subtract from His Word either.  
 

Proverbs 30:6

  “Add thou not anything to the words of him, and thou be reproved, and be found a liar. (Do not thou add anything to his words, lest thou be rebuked, and be found a liar.)”
 
 

 

Today I encourage you to  rejoice in the simplicity that God has laid out for us in His Word.  Love His Word and live by it.  He promises that as we do this, we will be free indeed!!!



Friday, May 12, 2017

 

 

 

 Devotional for Friday, May 12, 2017
“The Prince of All Peace”

 

Jesus Prince of Peace

by Dona Hake
 
OUR LORD!
We have meditated on the following precious words that
define the God we serve…
 
OUR COUNSELOR
OUR SANCTUARY
OUR LIGHT
HE IS WONDERFUL!
OUR ROCK
OUR UNDERSTANDING
HE IS MIGHTY
 
Today we will look at how He is the PRINCE OF PEACE!
 

 

I thank God for the peace that His Son Jesus Christ has brought to my heart. I cannot imagine living life without it. In a world full of changes, trouble and turmoil, He promised that He would leave us His peace. He said it would not be peace like the world gives so we know that His peace is not affected by anything we have to walk through. There is no valley to deep or storm so great that His peace cannot endure.

 

Jesus, the Prince of Peace desires that His peace rule and reign in your heart. He desires that you walk in His peace for His peace passes all human comprehension. When all is falling apart around us, His peace can calm our heart and bring it to rest.

 

 

I encourage you today to think about that precious gift of peace that is always there for you. All you have to do is allow it to rule and reign in your heart.

 

 

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes)
from Christ rule (act as umpire continually)
in your hearts [deciding and settling with
finality all questions that arise in your minds…”
Colossians 3:15