Monday, April 10, 2017

 

 

 

Monday, April 10, 2017
“I’m Not Turning Back”
 

eye on the goal

by Dona Hake

 

Ecclesiastes 7:10  (NIV)

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”

For it is not wise to ask such questions.

 

 Sometimes in the midst of how evil seems to be on such a rapid pace I will hear people refer to the “good ole days”.   We can all reach into our past of sweet memories and enjoy them but we need to be careful to remember that things are continually changing around us. No matter how hard we try it would be impossible for us to go back to  our past.   Yes, we will always have fond and sweet memories of our life, and God has blessed us with such a life.   Yet our God desires that we keep moving forward with His plan burning within our hearts.  That God given  plan within our hearts will be the vision before our eyes.  

 
Today I want to encourage you to run the race with courage in your heart.   Look up to Him in your times of feeling you do not know which way to turn, and He will be faithful to guide you.  In times in which your heart feels weary, look up to Him, and He shall strengthen your heart.    With His courage, grace and strength we can run the race set before us and know in our hearts that we can enjoy the day in which we live and in the end, we win and we aren’t turning back!

 

“…but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—

to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. ”

Philippians 3:13 The Message



Sunday, April 9, 2017

 

 
Devotional for Sunday, April 9, 2017
“Discerning Faith”
 

by faith we believe

by Dona Hake
 

 

I love this quote from Francious DeFenelon… 
 
Faith discerns God behind all the circumstances that try to hide Him.
Faith also holds you in a state of uncertainty.”
 
Many times we can find our hearts in unbelief simply because our eyes are too focused on our circumstances. The more we look at our circumstance the more real and powerful that circumstance seems. Behind the circumstance God is seeing an opportunity for His hand to graciously move in our lives.   Many times our human nature  hates to be in a place of uncertainty. We want to get through the trial and get it over with. Even in the midst of a trial, God is looking to work a new thing in our heart by His love and tender instruction.

 
 

Hebrews 11:1 “Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.”  The God that asks us to live by faith is so ready to perform that which He said He would do, all we need to do is believe!  May we live in that place of assurance and expectancy as we believe Him who has begun a wonderful work in our life!



Thursday, March 30, 2017

 

 

 

 
Devotional for Thursday, March 30, 2017
 
“With Every Step You Take”
 
by Dona Hake
 
 

Proverbs 3:5-6   Easy-to-Read Version

Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge.

 With every step you take, think about what he wants,

and he will help you go the right way.
 
 
Trust does not always come easy, especially when we feel our backs are up against the proverbial wall.   Yet if we read this scripture very carefully we can deepen our revelation of what trust is.    “With every step you take, think about what he wants…”   Sometimes the easiest thing to do is turn to our own thoughts and understanding in our life.    We can be guilty of only looking to the Lord when trials start to heat up in our day.    May we learn to be conscious of His loving hand that desires to direct our day….every minute of it.    I recently experienced a very simple problem that I could not figure out what to do to resolve it.  I could have gotten online and do some reading, but I desired to just rest in this very small matter, and I was amazed how the Lord showed me the answer to that simple problem.    I delight in my heart to know that He cares about the smallest of things in my life.
 
God has blessed us with intelligence, creativity  and know how but let us always be mindful to lean upon Him even in the smallest of matters that He is able to guide our paths.  Today I encourage you to learn of Him and lean on Him!  With every step you take lean upon Him!


Wednesday, March 29, 2017

 

 Devotional for Wednesday, March 29, 2017
“Simple Obedience”

 

Love's giving strength

 by Dona Hake

 

Think about times in your life that without the help of others you would not have made it through a particular hardship.    I can remember different times in my life in which I truly felt the prayers of the saints lifting me up.   They just felt to pray and they had no idea what I was walking through.   Simple obedience to the Father’s voice brought strength to me when I needed it.

 

Never underestimate the times that you have felt prompted to pray for someone and you had no idea of what they were walking through.  Simple obedience in such a matter could mean a major victory in an individual’s life. God desires to use us to be a strength to those around us.  I find this scripture interesting as well as applicable to the thought I am bringing to you today.

 

Proverbs 20:12

“It was the Lord who gave us eyes for seeing and ears for hearing.”

 

He wants to use our eyes to show us what He is seeing and He wants to use our ears to hear the hearts of people around us.  Let us ask the Lord to help us to see and hear the cry of people around us.  I have had times where I might see a complete stranger and I see pain in their eyes and I walk away and just whisper a prayer for them.  I more than likely will never see nor speak to them ever again yet I believe the Lord uses us to possibly change situations through such simple prayers.   Also, do not be fooled by those that seem so strong and happy on the outside because they may be falling apart on the inside.  Again, see people’s hearts with God’s eyes and you will not miss such divine opportunities to be used by God .

 

Keep your ears and eyes open to those around you.  Never take the position that you have to know all the facts before you can pray.  If you see or hear pain…just pray.  No fancy words…just pray.  God wants to use you and I to reach down and strengthen those that need our help.  There is power in simple obedience.  



Tuesday, March 28, 2017

 

 

 

 

Devotional for Tuesday, March 28, 2017

“Living In the Joy of the Moment”

past

by Dona Hake

 As I have mentioned before, many times words spoken that I have heard in sermons or the reading of His Word have touched the depths of my heart, and I love passing them on to you.    I have found that there are words that are worthy to be written down and pondered over and over so they may soak deep into my spirit.    Today I am returning to some words that are strong and solid and good for my soul to meditate upon.    I can remember my husband sharing these words in one of his sermons… “If you live in the past, you’ll have no current joy.”  I think one of the saddest things is seeing people live in the pain of their  past yet they have so much to be thankful for in the present moment.    If we live in the past, even when there are good things going on around us, we may be hindered from even noticing them.   The past has the ability to rob us of the good things that are in our life RIGHT NOW!   We need to stop and purposely think of each and every good thing that God has blessed us with.  If we allow our mind to dwell on the memories of the past we will miss the joy of the moment.

Philippians 3:13 (TLB)

“No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing

all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…”

 

I want to encourage you today that if you are tempted to look over your shoulder into your past to STOP!  Stop and look at who you are today and how far God has brought you.  Stop and think about every blessing you possess whether it be spiritual blessings, family, friends or material things.  

 

Let us not allow the wonderful joys in our present be robbed from us because we feel we are unable to go forward.  Know this, God can heal us from the pain and scars of our past.  He can give us hope for a future, and He can bring joy unspeakable into our heart and peace that passes all understanding that will permeate our mind.  Enjoy the current joys that are around you and allow God to give you the strength to continue to move forward!



Monday, March 27, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Sunday, March 27, 2017
“Love Takes No Account”
 

love never fails

by Dona Hake

 

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ we should be always thinking about the importance of walking in His perfect will for our life.   As individuals He will speak to each of us differently but there are certain things that He desires we all walk in.   Those things are in His Word, therefore this is why it is so important that we read and know His Word.   As we grow in His Word and walk humbly before God and man we continue to see the blessing of obedience.   But what about those commands that are not so easy for us.   You know…the commands that really challenge our flesh, and make us realize that apart from His help and grace we can do nothing.  Today I am thinking about the love chapter in First Corinthians 13.      Some of the attributes within this chapter may come easy to you but what about the ones that are harder.    We need to be honest with ourselves, and not make excuses for God has given His grace and strength, and He will always empower us to do that which He desires us to do.  
 
I began to reflect back on something that happened when I was with my one Granddaughters.    She wanted to study and observe all that I did, so that particular morning she saw me get ready to take my vitamins.    Her sweet little eyes studied and observed all the different shapes and colors.  “What’s this one for?” ….”Why do you take this one?”  Some were clear and pretty and sweet, some were just plain looking, but three of them are big and pink.   Oh yes…the magic color that every little girl loves…PINK!!!          She  watched  intently as one by one I swallowed them hoping it appeared to be a somewhat good experience.  I thought to myself…”wait till she sees me try to swallow the big ones!”   She reached her little hand up and pointed to the big one and said, “Grandma, try this one!  It’s pink!  That one will be good for you!”  In her mind because it was pink it would be easier to take.    Believe me as I swallowed that one her face exhibited real concern for I exhibited the face you get when something is not going down all so well! I am laughing now but it makes me think how sometimes in life the right and good things we are told to do can be the hardest “pills” to swallow.   Many times we want the great fruit of something but we are not willing to do what it takes or count the cost.
 

I think the following scripture could probably be looked at as one of those difficult “pills” to take and apply to our lives.  I Corinthians 13 referred as the love chapter states all that God’s love would have us to do.

 

1 Corinthians 13:5

 

“… it takes no account of the evil done to it it

pays no attention to a suffered wrong.”

 

Our human natures can tempt us to have little running “accounts” in the back of our minds of things done wrong to us, hurtful words, etc.  The longer the list gets the harder it is to feel at ease with that person that did a hurtful thing to you.    Doing the “God thing” or right thing can be that hard pill to swallow.  God well understands that this type of habitual “account keeping” will destroy even the most precious and dear relationships.  He commands us to forgive and let it go.    Again this is one of those “big pink pills” that are hard to swallow.  Believe me, we need to take this chapter and meditate upon it and let it grow big within us.  It is nourishment to our spiritual being and it will cause us to be better people.  God wants us to live free from all bondage so let us release the wrongs and stay focused on loving others as He loves us!  Let us live to forgive.



Sunday, March 26, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Sunday, March 26, 2017

“…But An Encouraging Word”

tongue life and death

by Dona Hake
 

 

The other day I was pondering the fact of how one word carries such power.  One word has the power the lift up or tear down.  Isn’t it amazing to think that one word is able to carry so much influence on those around us?   I have seen it how a person could be experiencing the most wonderful day, and one negative word is spoken to them, and that word sadly robs them of their joy.   May we guard our tongues that it be used to speak words that lift people up.    May our words lift up the heavy heart, may our words proceed from a heart of wisdom that provides direction for the one that is full of anxiety.

 

Proverbs 12:25 (AMP)

 

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

but an encouraging word makes it glad.”

 

The Voice translation of Proverbs 12:25…

“The weight of worry drags us down,

    but a good word lightens our day.”

 

Today as you encounter people, study before you speak.  Think about how your words can lift them up and possibly change the way they are thinking about themselves.  Kind thoughts and kind words cost not one penny yet the hearer may be  receiving a wealth of encouragement that their money could never buy.

Proverbs 18:21 (Good News Translation)

“What you say can preserve life or destroy it.”

 

 



Saturday, March 25, 2017

 

 
 
Devotional for Saturday, March 25, 2017
“The Transformed Life”
 
 
by Dona Hake

 

Today we are going to meditate on the word transformation.  I was reading and thinking about the incredible transformation of  the Apostle Paul in the scriptures.  Before his transformation he was known as  Saul of Tarsus, and some of the most powerful writings in the New Testament were written by him.     Before his encounter with God he sought out Christians to imprison them and kill them but praise God he was miraculously transformed by the love of the most forgiving God.    What a wonderful day it was in the life of Paul when God knocked him off his “high horse” and he humbled himself under the mighty hand of God!
 
As I began to pray and think about transformation I immediately saw in my spirit something being turned inside out. You see when you turn anything in side out you see all the things that are hidden. For instance, a piece of clothing. When you turn a piece of clothing inside out you see the stitches or any of the mistakes that were made in it’s making. 
 
I can remember creating many things when I used to sew.  Anything from dresses for myself to making a young lady’s wedding gown, and then I made all my bridesmaid’s gowns for my wedding day.  I can always remember that each time I created a garment  that there was some kind of a mistake that only I knew about, and I did my best to fix it that it would not be seen on the outside yet if you looked at the underside you could see the mistake.
 
I think of this as a wonderful analogy of who we are. We were fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. But yet as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ we probably can all recall the day that we turned our hearts over to Him for it was the day we surrendered it all, and we permitted His light to soak into the depths of our  heart and examine every place that was wrong, so He could make it right.   The Lord knows all that is within us that is imperfect, and He loved us anyway, and began a good work in us.   He promises to continue that work as we submit our lives to Him.  Praise Him for the day that He turned us inside out, and cleansed us with His wonderful blood!   It truly was the beginning of our transformation.
 
Today I challenge you to continue acknowledging your need for transformation every time you spend time with Him, read His Word, or hear His Word when you attend church. Permit that Word to go into your heart, go into your mind and continue the transforming process by the hand of a loving and living God.
 
Romans 12:2 Amplified Version
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
 


Thursday, March 23, 2017

 

 

 

Devotional for Thursday, March 23, 2017
“Whoever Lives In Me”

Without Him I Can Do Nothing

by Dona Hake

 

John 15:5   The Voice 

“I am the vine, and you are the branches.

If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit.

Without Me, you will accomplish nothing.”

 

What a beautiful  scripture to keep fresh in our hearts.  Without Him we can do nothing, and yet with Him ALL things are possible!  All means all, and that little word with three letters contains big possibilities.  Whether we are trying to do things for Him or the things that involve our daily accomplishments, it would do us good to know that we are pulling ALL of our strength and wisdom from His resources.

 

I can remember once putting some fresh batteries into a flashlight.  I checked and checked to make sure all the batteries were in the right position and secure.  It made no sense to me that there was no power.   I was absolutely positive that I had them in correctly.  My husband opened it and examined it and sure enough one of the three batteries was in the wrong direction.  Sometimes that is how it is for us.  We can seem to have all that we need, yet one thing is out of place and there will be no power.  When we are connected to God, He assures us that all things are possible as we stay hooked up to His divine ways and purposes!   As we continue to abide in Him, we will bear much fruit.  God bless you.



Tuesday, March 21, 2017

 

 

 

Devotional for Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Continue Looking At Christ”
 
 

by Dona Hake

 

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.  If you look within,
you’ll be depressed.   But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”
Corrie ten Boom

 

 

I have seen  individuals walk through great adversity, and touches my heart when I see them choose to  exhibit characteristics of extreme compassion, and they have a beauty in character…their soul is at rest.    They chose not to quit or be bitter but instead they made a decision to stand back up in their weariness, and they took hold of God’s courage.   What a blessing it is to see such victory, and such testimonies as these can bring courage to our hearts.    These are believers that  endured because they chose to look at Christ, and not their circumstance.   They looked at Christ instead of what the world’s answers were.  They looked at Christ instead of their own ability.   The Lord has shown us in His scriptures that we need to hold fast, and continue to look to Him  that we may have enduring strength.

 

 

Trials can cause us to be stronger people if we permit them to.   As we press in and keep our eyes on Him and seek His wisdom we will see that our patience is being worked and perfected by Him.   Many times in this life things do not go the way we plan  but we must  take courage and try again.   Keep looking to Jesus, permit our soul to take rest, and He will renew our strength.

 

Proverbs 24:16

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”

 

Hebrews 10:36

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

 

Let us live a life of pressing into God that we can walk and run in His enduring strength. Continue to do His  will, step out in new paths that He shows you, and patiently endure that you may receive the blessing of what you are hoping for!  Today I encourage your heart to keep looking to Christ, and live in His rest.