Dona Hake, Author at The Abundant Life Center

1.7.17

Posted on Jan 7, 2017 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

We are blessed to live in such a time as this for we are blessed with so many appliances that help ease our workload. As computer technology continues to advance it amazes me how everything around us is changing at such a rapid pace. As we are blessed though with such things I also see a big downside to such blessings. We have come to a place where we think everything needs to be done or received lightning fast. We go through the drive through window and we no sooner hand our money, our bag of food is being handed to us (sometimes even thrown at us!). Short and simple…we are way too used to reaching for something and we do not have to wait for it. Modern conveniences can spoil us in a way that we forget the importance of patiently waiting, and resting in the time of waiting.

I think this has sadly spilled over into our attitude toward our loving God and how we see Him dealing with us. We pray a prayer and we can be tempted to become impatient if it does not happen immediately. If it does not happen in the timing we projected in our mind we are tempted to think that God did not hear our prayer.Maybe He answers our prayer and it was not how we imagined and we may be tempted to be disappointed with how He decided to solve our problem. Oh that we would stop and ponder that God’s ways and means are higher than we could ever comprehend.

We must always remind ourselves that He has His timing, His wisdom and His understanding of exactly how to deal with us and the issues in life that we face. I thank God for the times that God seemed to delay answering certain prayers because along the journey of my wait He was working out other issues in my life. Many times He used those waiting times to bring my eyes to focus on areas of my life that needed His divine attention in order that He may help me in another area that I was not aware of. Today I pray that your heart be encouraged when you pray… remember to wait, rest, and you will receive!

1.7.17

Posted on Jan 6, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Friday, January 6, 2017

“Reflecting His Light, Reflecting His Love”

by Dona Hake

I can remember a few years ago in which we lost our electricity in the evening. No storm, no wind…it just did not make sense. The reason for it happening did not matter, I just needed to move toward where I knew the light was. I knew exactly where our two emergency lanterns were and I carefully made my way to them. Just a little bit of light from those lanterns illuminated my darkness to help me find everything I needed until the electric came back on.

Life is like this at times. Everything seems to be going fine and out of no where a storm hits and it takes you off guard. It is important to always hold fast to peace and move toward what you know is the good and right thing to do. What a blessing it is as we go to His Word and receive insight and understanding which brings light to our situation.

As we stay full of His Word we will be presented with opportunities to be a light for someone else’s darkness. Many times we may not even realize that we are reflecting the light of God’s Word for someone else that needs help. They may be going through a dark time and just hearing you express words of life will give them the light they need to know what their next step is.

Matthew 5:15-16 (TLB)

“Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all;

let your good deeds glow for all to see,

so that they will praise your heavenly Father.”

Let us purpose to live in His light that we may be reflecting it to those around us. Allow Him to glow through you that others may see that there are answers and victory for them in this world. Let that light shine that all can see your good works glow as you live to glorify the Lord Jesus every day!

1.5.17

Posted on Jan 5, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Thursday, January 5, 2017

“Your Thoughts = Your Words”

by Dona Hake

Recently, I heard someone say this on a news cast regarding politicians keeping their word. I thought this quote was an excellent bit of advice and rich wisdom for all of us .

“Promises are not made to be broken.

Promises are made to be honored.”

Now let us look at the scripture that I have chosen to go along with this quote.

“May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my

heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my defender.”

I believe that God desires for us to have hearts that determine to be pure and upright before Him. He also desires that we value each and every word that proceeds from our mouth. He wants us to diligently watch over and guard our hearts that the words we speak will be pure and acceptable to Him. I believe He also wants to see us guard the words or promises that we make to people around us. When a man or woman makes a promise and does not keep his word, it conveys a message of one that does not watch over the words that they speak.

I encourage you today to make a constant effort to be purposeful to speak words that are edifying, true, and words that are full of goodness and mercy. Today what I am sharing boils down to asking ourselves…”Am I thinking good thoughts, pure thoughts, thoughts that are of honor and praise?” Philippians 4:8 instructs us in how we should keep our hearts and minds for our thoughts surely become words sooner or later. May we watch over our words and promises that we speak to our family and friends that we can be known as a person of our word. God desires that the words we speak be honored as we keep our promises.

Lord, help us today to purpose to be pleasing to you with the thoughts of our heart and words of our mouth. Remind us of the words we have spoken to those around us. Help us Lord to honor our promises to people, that we may honor You in word and in deed. In Jesus name, Amen.

Philippians 4:8 Expanded Bible

“ Finally; In conclusion; or Now then] Brothers and sisters, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] things that are true and honorable and ·right [just] and pure and ·beautiful [lovely] and ·respected [commendable]. If there is anything that is ·good [morally excellent] and worthy of praise, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] these things.”

1.4.17

Posted on Jan 4, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Wednesday, January 4, 2017

“Too Wonderful! Too Glorious!”

by Dona Hake

Have you ever had something happen to you that was above and beyond what you ever dreamed? These are experiences that serve to bless you with a special memory for a lifetime! Sometimes experiences such as these are hard to articulate as you try to share them with others. Today let us read Psalm 139:1-6 and the look closely at the last words which are “…too glorious, too wonderful to believe…” These words explain the acts and nature of our loving Heavenly Father.

Psalm 139:1-6 Living Bible

” O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head. This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe!”

What an awesome thought to ponder. God examines and knows our hearts. Our God IS the greatest heart doctor and Physician that exists! He completely understands how we think and He knows our whereabouts at all times. We are all on a path and He knows the footsteps of each of us. He was there when you succeeded and He stayed by your side when your failed. His loving hand holds tightly and faithfully remains your Friend in spite of how you view yourself. He also walks ahead of you to guide you. This is just way to glorious and wonderful to believe. These are thoughts that should help us all to trust Him more and know His loving Hand is upon us. God bless you.

Ephesians 3:20 (AMP)
Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

1.3.17

Posted on Jan 3, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, January 3, 2017

“His Footsteps – Our Righteousness”

by Dona Hake

I love knowing I am going the right direction especially when I am driving alone to a new destination. My GPS has been faithful to me and I rely upon it many times. It is always comforting seeing that pretty path on my map that is colored in magenta. If I get off course due to a wrong turn it quickly turns red, and it is not long that I hear “Recalculating!!!!” This little device has saved me much grief, and helped me find many weddings that were depending upon me to photograph!!

I like to think of the Holy Spirit going before us just like this. He wants us to pay close attention to His voice as we go about the business of our day. That peace inside of us assures us that we are on the right course yet if He decides to course correct us we can experience that knowing within our heart. The disappearance of peace and assurance within us should never be ignored for it is a sure sign of a warning and we need to seek Him and heed to His instruction.

Psalm 85:13BRG

Righteousness shall go before him;

and shall set us in the way of his steps.

May we continue to grow in truth and righteousness this new year. I love how this translation says, “Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” As I meditated on this I began to think of a small child on the sands of a beach finding some big footsteps of an adult. Walking along, the child carefully places her feet inside the big footprint. So it is with us as we desire to cling to our Lord and follow Him closely. His footprints are established in truth and righteousness. They are rock solid, and as we purpose to walk within his footprints, we will always be within the borders of His will for our lives.

Lord, we thank You this day and the New Year in which we can set our hearts to live for You and serve You. May we be mindful that we are living for Your truth and righteousness. Help us to be mindful of keeping ourselves in the way of Your steps and not our own. Even in those times that Your way may not make sense to us, help us to be mindful that Your ways are higher than our ways, and You understand the big picture of the work in our life. In Jesus Name, amen!

1.2.17

Posted on Jan 2, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Monday, January 2, 2017

“God Hears the Prayer of the Humble Heart”

by Dona Hake

We serve a mighty and living God that hears and listens intently to the cries of the man or woman with a humble heart. God desires to move mountains on behalf of those that truly reverence His Name. You may wonder who are those that truly reverence His Name. It is the man or woman that consistently looks to Him every day to be the Lord of all things in their life. It is the man or woman that calls upon Him for help whether it be a big or small thing. God’s eyes look for those of a humble and dedicated heart, and He is attentive to their cry.

Psalm 145:18-19 TLB

“He is close to all who call on him sincerely.
He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he

hears their cries for help and rescues them.”

Father, we thank You this day that You desire to move in great ways in our lives. We thank You that You are able to place godly desires within us, and You will be faithful to fulfill those desires. Help us to grow in our understanding of true humility for we know that this is so pleasing to Your heart. As we encounter need in our lives, we ask in Your Name whether it be big or small for Your Word says that You desire to perfect all that concerns us. Today we rejoice in Your provision over our lives In Jesus Name, amen.

Psalm 51:17 ERV

“The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit.

God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart

and is willing to obey you.”

1.1.17

Posted on Jan 1, 2017 in Devotions |

Devotional for Sunday, January 1, 2017

“A Time For Everything”

by Dona Hake

We are all given the same amount of time, and we must use it wisely. I particularly feel that during the holidays it does not seem to be enough time in the day to accomplish all that needs done. Nevertheless, time is so precious and we must guard it. The Word of God speaks to our hearts regarding this matter. I have chosen this translation from the Amplified for I feel it speaks wonderfully regarding what we do with our time, our days, and possible opportunities presented to us.

Ephesians 5:15-17 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.”

As we step into a fresh new year let us commit our lives to the Lord, and seek Him first in all that we do, and we will find His loving hand in every area of our life. Let us use time wisely, and buy up every opportunity that God presents to us! His Word proclaims that He will perfect ALL that concerns us so we need to be able to understand the time in which we live as individuals. I encourage you to seek Him today for His plan for you. Today is a new day, it is like no other, and He wants to use you like never before! Do you know exactly how He desires you to use Your time today? I am speaking about time apart from your job or other commitments. Many times it is our free time that is wasted and not used properly, and I believe the Lord desires that we watch over that very carefully. Time is a gift.

I shared about time being a gift, and now I want to talk about the timing of things. There may be specific things that you know the Lord is desiring to do in you during your time here on earth, and they have not yet been totally fulfilled. Remember…even as you walk in His paths you are still a work in progress. Have you ever been tempted to be impatient with God’s timing as He works in and around you? I think it is vital that we remind ourselves that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. Be very cautious and step back from those times in which you try to make things happen in your own ability. We must never permit our impatience with God’s timing for it will hinder Him moving on our behalf. Let us stop in those moments and seek His divine wisdom. The first chapter of James says that if we lack wisdom, we need to ask Him for it, and then be patient in order that God’s perfect work be done in us.

Lord, we thank You that every day you give us is a blessing and the time within that day is a gift from You. We ask that You help us use it wisely. Help us to make the very most of it, not overlooking one opportunity in which we can glorify You. We thank You for Your help as You help us to live purposely and accurately as we pursue to do You will! We also ask that You help us to continue to understand and recognize Your perfect timing in our lives, for we know that Your timing is perfect timing! In Jesus Name, Amen!

12.31.16

Posted on Dec 31, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Saturday, December 31, 2016

“Moving Forward”

by Dona Hake

As we look back at the year 2016 some of us may declare it was good year. Sadly I have heard many exclaim that it was not a good year. Regardless of how your 2016 was, it is now time to step into a brand new year, and trust the Living God on this new journey of the days ahead. For such a time as this our Lord desires to move like never before, and we need to step into the new year with expectation of what He desires to do in us.

Let us look forward not only with anticipation but great determination. May our hearts be determined to do that which is right in the sight of our Lord. Let us be determined in our heart to walk joyfully and willingly along side of our Lord. May we remember each day to look to Him for He promises grace for every moment and every need.

As we move into this new year I hear many speak of wanting to forget things they walked through in 2016. In this life we all have walk through things that may not necessarily be pleasant, but this one thing we must remember, our God is faithful no matter how things look in the natural! Let me share with you in this scripture from Proverbs that which the Lord desires that we do not forget.

Proverbs 4:5-12

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither

decline from the words of my mouth.

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee:

love her, and she shall keep thee.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get

wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:

she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace:

a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;

and the years of thy life shall be many.

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;

I have led thee in right paths.

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;

and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

Let us rejoice as we step into this new year that we can walk in the paths of light, and his path always leads to victory. God is good and He is worthy to be praised!!

12.28.16

Posted on Dec 28, 2016 in Devotions, Uncategorized |

Devotional for Wednesday, December 28, 2016

“Being a Vessel For the Master’s Use”

by Dona Hake

God desires that we show love to those around us in word, in our behavior and in our deeds. Think about times in your life that without the love, prayers, and help from people in your life, you would not have made it through a particular hardship. 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 to the Lord could mean a major victory in an individual’s life. Many times the Lord wants to use us to touch those in need around us, and we must be willing to avail ourselves to Him that we can make a difference in someone’s life. 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.”

Very simply put here in the Proverbs, and it is basically saying that God desires us to use that which He has given us. He wants to use our eyes to show us what He is seeing and He wants to use our ears to cause us 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. Again, see people’s hearts with God’s eyes and you will not miss such opportunities to show love in word, deed or in praying.

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 or need…just pray. Fancy words and details are many times not important…just pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. God wants to use us to reach down and strengthen those that need our help.

Lord, we ask You this day to use us as vessels that see as You see and hear as You hear. We ask that You touch people around us as we are obedient to You. We thank You for divine opportunities to be a blessing to those in need for we know there are so many around us that need help. In Jesus Name, Amen!

12.27.16

Posted on Dec 27, 2016 in Devotions |

Devotional for Tuesday, December 27, 2016

“A New Beginning In Each Day!”

by Dona Hake

In a few days we will be welcoming a brand new year, and many will declare resolutions. I have always just delighted in waking each day knowing all is a clean slate. A fresh day! Yesterday’s accomplishments, problems, or even our failures can be stepping stones of great learning if we permit them to. Today I want you to think about each day being fresh and new before your Lord!

Psalm 5:3 (CEB)

” Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I lay it all out before you.
Then I wait expectantly.”

Today let us be thankful that as we greet Him in the morning we can lay it all before Him. That means, our plans, expectations, problems, and our uncertainties. He desires for us to declare before Him all that concerns our hearts. Let us give it all to Him, and then wait expectantly.

Psalm 145:2 (AMP)
Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You
[affectionately and gratefully praise You];
yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Now as I read this scripture in Psalm 145:2 my heart is stirred as I think that each day holds new reasons to bless Him affectionately and with a grateful heart. We need to purpose our hearts to take time as individuals and reflect on His goodness in our lives. There are so many ways He touches our lives each day. May we not overlook one of His blessings. Can you think of new reasons to bless and thank Him today ? I am sure you can, and when you do, please take time to offer up the thanks that is due Him.

Today I encourage you to draw upon His strength and see your day as a fresh canvas. There may be things that you are facing that tempt your heart to be burdened but be encouraged that God is a God that never grows weary. Lift your eyes toward heaven and lay your heart open to Him and wait expectantly for Him to guide you throughout your day. All of us have reasons to bless His Name and be thankful. Maybe everything is not perfect, and you are waiting for answers to prayers but take time to call out the blessings that you do possess because of the goodness of God. We all have much to be thankful for. Today, with it’s new beginning, praise and bless His Name for all the good things you embrace because of His goodness in your life!