The Abundant Life Center

by Dona Hake

I love the quote “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”  It is so true.  We can get preoccupied with things, begin to worry, and all of a sudden it is as if a gigantic magnifying glass is on your problem.  What is even worse is if you are magnifying something that has not even transpired.  You begin to imagine the strangest and most fearful scenarios.  It is in those times that we need to stop ourselves and remember Who takes care of us and it is Him that lovingly watches over our every move.

Psalm 139 (The 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.”

When we meditate upon the fact that God knows the moment in which we live, the moments we are about to walk into, and the tomorrow that we will face, we can be assured of His care.  Let us live in the abundant provisions of His Word and not allow ourselves to robbed of living one day at a time in His presence and in His joy!

I encourage you to share your thoughts on our blog.  Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit!

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by Dona Hake

There are two questions I want to pose to you for thought.  Have you ever had the greatest of days, all was going well, and one person says a negative thing to you and all you do is focus on that one negative?  OR… Have you ever been discouraged in your heart, feeling like giving up, and someone says the most encouraging word, and you feel like your world was turned right side up?   I am sure everyone of you that just read these two questions can totally identify with where I am going today.

One word has the power the lift up or bring down.  Isn’t it amazing to think that one word is able to carry so much influence on those around us?

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.”

I invite you to share your thoughts of today’s devotional.  Scroll to very bottom of page and submit!  God bless you!

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by Dona Hake

What a wonderful thing that God’s wisdom is.  As we seek it first before any task we can know that we are doing the right thing and it is in accordance with His will.  Today let us meditate on how wonderful it is that godly wisdom is as a spring, a gushing stream with life giving power!  As you draw upon it, it will flow to you and from you to others.

Wisdom may be in word or it may be in deed, and it may even be wisdom at times to just be silent.  We can probably all testify of times that words have been spoken to us apart from His wisdom.  Those words can hurt you, leave scars and divide the closest of relationships.

Proverbs 18:4 (AMP)

“The words of a [discreet and wise] man’s mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].”

The wisdom of God will always be full of peace, easy to be entreated and without hypocrisy.  Wisdom will always stand in line with the truths of God’s Word and there is no wavering in the words or actions of wisdom.  Let us seek to be vessels of those that speak His wisdom offering words and actions that are life giving and pure.  God bless you!

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by Dona Hake

Wisdom is one of the most powerful things we can embrace.  It is the  ability to know exactly what to do in a situation.  It will bless your heart because you know the word you just spoke to a friend in need was exactly what they needed to hear.   It is knowing in your heart that you have a peace to step out in a specific direction or new path because you feel it is the voice of wisdom speaking to you.    When things seem confusing and without answer, God desires to shed His wisdom to help you walk through whatever it is you are dealing with.

One thing the Bible clearly states throughout Proverbs about wisdom is that it is to be sought after and held as valuable as a jewel.  One can embrace wisdom and yet be fooled by people’s opinions or the voice of circumstance and turn from wisdom’s way.   Over and over Proverbs emphasizes the need to embrace wisdom.  Don’t let it go!  Clearly God understands our human nature that we can tend to look to doing things our own way or we are  moved by what we see and not what He sees.

Proverbs 8:17 (NASB)

 “I love those who love me;

And those who diligently seek me will find me.”

Wisdom desires to be loved and embraced.  Wisdom desires to be sought after with one’s whole heart.   I would like to share a handful of translations of how wisdom desires to be sought after.

 (NLV)  “…those who look for me with much desire will find me.”

 (VOICE)   “… those who search hard for me will find me.”

 (WYC) “…and they who wake up early to seek me, shall find me.”

(YLT)”… And those seeking me earnestly do find me.”

Let us look straight to the Lord for His wisdom for our lives each and everyday!

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by Dona Hake

It is a wonderful thing to have a friend that you can trust.    It is  precious to have someone that you can bear your heart to and know that your words will go not farther.  A true friend will be there for you through think and thin.  The friend that can be trusted sees your every side, your ups and downs, your strengths and weaknesses, and they simply accept you.  These are the qualities that will help you to trust.  A friend you can trust in is one that you can rely upon their integrity and strength.  Simply put you can have confidence in them.

Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP)

“Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.”

The Lord wants us to trust Him as that good Friend.  As we see Him as a friend, He will give us every reason to put our total trust in Him.  As we trust Him with our all, we will see and be able to testify that He is with us in every thing we walk through.  When the “heat” of trials is on we will remain strong and vibrant in our faith.   NO, I did not say it would be easy, but knowing He remains by our side is what will get us through.   I love how the Message translation puts it…

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (MSG)

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,

    the woman who sticks with God.

They’re like trees replanted in Eden,

    putting down roots near the rivers—

Never a worry through the hottest of summers,

    never dropping a leaf,

Serene and calm through droughts,

    bearing fresh fruit every season.”

Enduring trust brings enduring fruit.  I like the idea of remaining serene and calm when everything around me seems to be destitute.  As we continue to trust, He WILL show Himself faithful!

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BY Dona Hake

Today I am thinking about individuals that spoke into my life at a particular time when I needed it  most.  It was a time in which I knew I was to step forward into doing something I did not think I could do.  I thank God for those times in my life for those that have spoken words into my heart at the exact moment that I needed.  These are times in which I have received courage to do what I thought I could not do.

 Many years ago our Christian school was soon to begin and I knew I was to teach a particular class yet I was nervous about it.     I knew I was to step forward into this new opportunity yet the apprehensiveness was causing me to fear that I was not able .  My husband continued to encourage me as he always does and I appreciated that so much.  There were times I would break down in tears to him trying to convince him I really could not teach the class.  He continued to encourage me because he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was God’s will.  Thank God for those that can see clearly when things are out of focus for us.

One day our dear friend from Nigeria stopped by the school to visit and I was standing in the hall and he greeted me.  This gentleman could see right through me and he perceived that I was troubled.  I began to share the opportunity before me and my fears and he spoke one sentence to me that totally shook me from the inside out.  “Sister, God wants to unlock surprises within you that you never knew were there!”  He spoke it with boldness and I just knew God was using him.

Whenever I think about this I always keep before the Lord that just maybe there are other “surprises” or gifts within me that He is quietly waiting for me to allow Him to unlock.  I just love this quote by this incredibly gifted sculptor.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”  Michelangelo

You see, God sees what is inside of us and He desires to set it free as well to bless those around us.  I hope this encourages you to think about the gifts that may be in you that you have not yet discovered.  God is able to show you…if you let him.

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by Dona Hake

I can still see my four year old Granddaughter standing and watching me take my vitamins.  In her eyes it was a handful of different shapes and colors.  The biggest and hardest one for me is my multi-vitamin and  that morning I saved them for last.    It must have been entertaining for her to watch me try to swallow even the small ones.  She  watched  intently as one by one I accomplished what I was trying to convince her of being  a good thing.  I thought to myself…”wait till she sees me try to swallow the big one!”   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.  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.

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.  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.    This is one of those “big pink pills” that are hard to swallow.  Believe me, we need to take this scripture and meditate upon it and let it grow big within you.  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!

by Dona Hake

Some days we need to remind our souls to find its rest in God.    We all have those days in which we are swamped with demands, deadlines and responsibilities that must be taken care of .  Honestly, there are days I laugh because I have so many “to do” lists that I really do not know which one to do!

It is so important when you find yourself a bit frazzled to seek out the rest that only comes from God.  He is the one that will lead us away from the strong currents of the busyness of our days to His still and restful waters.  What is really so awesome is that even in the midst of chaos He can take you to His restful waters and refresh your soul that you can be strengthened to do that which is required of you.  I leave you with this awesome translation of Psalm 62:5-6 from the Message.

” God, the one and only—

    I’ll wait as long as he says.

Everything I hope for comes from him,

    so why not?

He’s solid rock under my feet,

    breathing room for my soul,

An impregnable castle:

    I’m set for life.”

Think about it…He is like an impregnable castle.  Impregnable means strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable.  I love this analogy because it helps me realize that the stress of this life does not have to wear me down.  I can remain strong inwardly as He helps me deal with all that goes on around me.  Let us be reminded that because of this solid Rock that we stand on that we are set for life!

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by Dona Hake

In preparing for this I was able to touch base with a hand full of veterans to help me out with a few questions that were on my heart.  All quotes I share today will be kept anonymous as I promised. I had asked them as veterans if they could share with me what is on their heart most when this day is observed and what do they  wish the most that people would understand.  Space will only allow me to share a few and I thank those of you that contributed to this.   Today what I am sharing is a bit longer than usual but I feel you will be blessed as you take the time to read it.

We all hear it…”freedom is not free.”   This is such a powerful truth but sometimes powerful truths become mere cliches and they lose their meaning.  We need to keep before us thankful hearts towards those that took up courage and set themselves apart to serve our country.  Within the one correspondence I received the individual said this…

” I am aware that there are very few veterans from WWII still alive. Shortly the last will pass? Then who will speak for them? Who will be able to tell of the sacrifices they made? The atrocities they saw? Reading in a history book does not compare to listening to a person tell of first hand knowledge. I am saddened that this will come to pass. “

What a precious opportunity it would be to sit and hear a WWII Vet share his heart.  I recently had that experience and it was priceless looking into his eyes that seemed so deep with passion and love for his country.   A younger gentlemen shared with me…

“So many citizens really have no idea the sacrifices required for a person to serve. The hard training. The risk of being placed in harms way. the time away from your family. The sacrifices the family makes. Children missing their parent and not having them around for so many of there special childhood events.”

This thought causes me to be reminded to pray for families and those presently serving especially during the holidays because they are separated.    I remember being in the shoes of having the chair at the table during a holiday meal not occupied by my son because he was serving his country.   Let me tell you, it is not easy.  Thank you son the time in which you served our country.  We are so proud of you!

A couple of the correspondences with me from veterans expressed deep concern over the well being of our veterans, their mental and physical health.  There was grave concern over them being able to secure jobs to provide for their families.  Let us pray for them that they will not be forgotten. This simply is wrong.

In closing the one correspondence there was a remark that  was simple yet profound…”So many people can’t understand we were serving our country (includes them). ”     I started to think about how this individual served me by serving my country before I ever met him.  Then I started to think about all the young men and women that have served to keep our country free that I will never be able to say thank you to.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  If you have the opportunity today to say “thank you!”  please do so.  We salute you veterans for the time you paused your life, and committed to a cause as you served our country.  God bless you!

by Dona Hake

Sometimes it can be tempting to carry the “little” burdens on our own.  I think the more we get into the habit of taking it all to the Lord the better off we will be.  The more we take it ALL the more we will grow in seeking to do everything by His strength and wisdom.  It is those little things, those little cares that we carry that will soon having us trying to figure things out in our own ability.

Corrie ten Boom put it this way…

“Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer

is too small to be made into a burden.”

Philippians 4:6-7   (ERV)

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.”

When I read this scripture and I ponder what Corrie ten Boom said it reminds me of how tenderly the Lord desires to watch over me.   It causes me to think more about how He knows what I need before I am even aware of the need.   I think the deeper we understand this love the more we will run to Him with everything no matter how small it may be in our eyes.   God is so good.

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