The Abundant Life Center

by Dona Hake

Matthew 6:27 (God’s Word Translation)

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

by Dona Hake

Philippians 3:13 (ERV)

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 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)

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!

by Dona Hake

  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)

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

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

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.”

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)

 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)

 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. 

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.

 Proverbs 30:5 Expanded Bible

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

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!”

Proverbs 30:6

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!!!

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.

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