“The Friend That Is Loyal To Truth”

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 27:17 (The Voice)
” In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character
of his friend.”

We need to be loyal to the truth, and living uncompromisingly in every relationship we have on this earth. I love the scripture from Proverbs 27:17, and I love the challenge it brings. I am sure everyone reading this has a friend or maybe you have many friends. A true friend will keep their eye on you, and they will get to know your heart. They will be able to observe by a mere, slight change on your face that something is troubling you. In the event you fail or make a mistake, a true friend will never leave you. A true friendship withstands much hardship, and will continue to grow in the midst of trials. In fact we will see that the trials actually will be us stronger, if we handle them in God’s wisdom and His ways. An individual that loves their friend dearly will also desire to share their own personal strengths, and also draw from the strengths of their friend.

May we be ever mindful to be grateful to our Lord for the faithful friends that He has put in our lives. Thank God for those friends that have not walked away from us when they see our faults and they purposed to love us instead. We should be so thankful for those friends that love us enough to speak God’s Word even when we do not want to hear it. Many times our mind and emotions may not want to hear the truth but our hearts should be rejoicing at the voice of godly counsel. We must value it, and allow it to minister to us that we can be sharpened by it both in character and in countenance.

Proverbs 27:9
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s
friend by hearty counsel.”

Today I encourage your heart to seek Him, and ask Him to help you be the best friend you can be to those that He has divinely put in your life. I pray that you will recognize the God given strengths in your friends . As iron sharpens iron, let us be willing to be used to sharpen as well as be sharpened!

“Declaring His Greatness!”

Posted on Jan 30, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Psalm 145:6-821st Century King James Version (KJ21)

“And men shall speak of the might of Thy fearsome acts, and I will declare Thy greatness.

They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness, and shall sing of Thy righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great mercy.”

The Amplified version of verse seven says that we shall pour forth like a fountain the fame of His great and abundant goodness! I love this scripture for it reminds me that daily I should be like a fountain pouring forth to all around me proclaiming that I am blessed, and I serve a God of abundant blessing! Today I am thinking about being genuine in my words that I speak about the blessings in my life. May my life show that I am blessed going in and blessed coming out! Let us not only speak of blessings when all is going well but let us speak of His blessings no matter what is going on in our lives.

Today I just want to put the challenge out that we always humbly return to Him the thanks and praise that He deserves, and live in a place that our eyes are always on Him from whom all blessings flow. The greatest blessing that we can give thanks for today is that His life is flowing like a mighty river within us. Dear friend, it is not there for us alone, but that abounding life of all that God is, is there for those around us. We are to become springs of His life that flow and bubble over continually.

John 4:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no
never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a
spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto
(into, for) eternal life.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Let us remember to give thanks to Him often!!!

“His Hands Desire To Work In Your Life”

Posted on Jan 29, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Today we will meditate upon the work of God’s hand in your life. It is a good thing to reach into our memories and ponder the many good things the Lord has done for us. It keeps our hearts grateful to Him for He has done great and wonderful things! There will be times that you can exclaim that you have seen His hand of protection upon your life. There may also be times that you know that His loving hand reached out, and stopped you before you made a decision that could have caused you severe consequences. As we look to God and submit to Him we will experience the work of His hands in so many ways. His ways are way above and beyond whatever we could dream!

Psalm 92:4
Amplified Bible
“For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of
Your hands I joyfully sing.”

This scripture is implying that His hands are open to us, and it indicates power, and a means of direction. I love this because I know that God desires that His hand be moving in our lives. He desires as He walks with us through our day that we acknowledge our need to be looking to hold it. Sometimes little ones do not understand the importance of holding tightly to their parent’s hand in a potentially dangerous situation. A child may resist because he or she may want to do things their way, and therefore they could endanger themselves. We too at times think we may not need to hold the Lord’s hand because we think we can do things in our own ability. May I say that this is only pride that one could think they are able to walk any day in this life without holding tightly to the Lord’s hand?

God’s loving hand desires to lead, guide and be a means of direction every day of our life. Those same hands that direct us are there to comfort us in our times of pain. Let us receive all of His loving comfort, and do not seek it in other things that this world has to offer. The same hands that offer guidance and comfort will at times offer warning to us. Let us remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what our weaknesses are, and He knows the wisdom and grace we need. Today I encourage you to think about the works of God’s hands in your life, and give praise to Him!

“Journeying Through Life By the Light of His Face”

Posted on Jan 27, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Psalm 89:15 The Voice translation
“How happy are those who have learned how to praise You;
those who journey through life by the light of Your face.”

Life on this earth is a journey. Some days the journey is smooth and some days the journey is just full unexpected things that try to hinder our walk with Him. The important thing about the journey is knowing that He has promised to be right there beside us, and He would never leave us.

When the journey gets rough we must purpose to keep our perspective. These are the days you may not feel like praising Him, and you have to command your soul to rise up from hopelessness and be encouraged. When you do this, you begin to praise Him regardless of what is
going on around you. Therefore you are truly content and happy because you have learned how to praise Him even when circumstances are not conducive, and you would rather not fight the good fight.

We serve a God that is absolute light, life and love. As we stay in His presence there will be a fullness of joy. As we walk closely beside Him we can have absolute confidence that even though this world is dark, our journey will be illuminated by the light of His face as He goes before us. I love this awesome quote that reminds me to stick real close to Jesus at all times!

“The closer you walk with God,
the less anything can get
between you and Him.”

May we meditate today on how we need to stay close beside Him at all times. May we recognize immediately anything that would come to distract us, and take our eyes off of Him. Allow the light of His countenance to illuminate your journey, and walk in expectancy of all the good things He desires to do for you today!!!

“Without Him”

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Last evening I was searching for a recipe to make homemade pancakes for my Granddaughters this morning. As I was making sure I had all the ingredients I was a bit disappointed because I had every ingredient except for one. That one ingredient missing would cause the pancakes to be unsuccessful for sure. Well I thought to myself that I needed to keep searching my spice shelf and I finally found that ingredient. I was excited because now I can make those special pancakes! This reminds me that in this life we must have certain things to do His will. We can not think that certain things can be missing for the Lord has a perfect plan and a perfect way to accomplish it. We may have our abilities,strengths and talents but the Lord Jesus spoke something in John 15:5 that we must never forget…”without Me, you will accomplish nothing.”

John 15:5

The Voice (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.”

This is such a wonderful 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. Praise Him today as you look to Him for all things for with Him you can accomplish that which you put your hand to!

“Understanding the Purposes of God’s Heart”

Posted on Jan 25, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Proverbs 8:14 (ESV)
“I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.”

Wisdom, counsel, insight, and strength! We are blessed as we serve a God that we can turn to and draw upon and embrace these things aren’t we? When we seek to know more, and we ask Him to help us understand, He is faithful to help us. As we search His Word He will help us understand it and apply it to our lives In those times where things may seem to appear cloudy and difficult…know that He is well able to unfold to you what you need to know. He is able to bring to you the clarity that you need.

1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP)
” For who has known or understood the mind
(the counsels and purposes)
of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge?
But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah)
and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”

Praise Him today that as we draw upon His understanding, wisdom, counsel and strength we are walking in deeper realms of the purposes of His heart!

“It’s A Different Peace”

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Do you desire for God’s peace to overtake, flood, permeate, and rule your heart? I love these words, overtake, flood, permeate and rule when I think of His peace. Let us think for a moment of the times in which confusion and/or stress are the ones that are bombarding your soul. As they flood and rule your thought realm it can seem impossible to rise above their force. BUT…with God all things are possible. With God’s peace we are able to rise above any negative thing that is trying to pull us down. Today we will meditate upon God’s peace ruling our soul and thought realm.

God did not design us to live in worry, stress, and fears, therefore it is not good for us to allow these things to dwell within us. Doctors will tell you the harmful physical effects that fear and worry has on our body and emotional well being. I just recently heard a doctor explaining how stress releases toxic hormones into our system. How dangerous it is to permit worry and anxiety to become a way of life. Let us look at what God’s Word has to say about peace…

Colossians 3:15-Amplified version

“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,

in that peaceful state to which as members of Christ’s

one body you were also called to live…”

In this scripture Paul spoke of Christ’s peace being like an umpire or referee in our hearts. His peace will settle all unrest and arguments that go on in our minds. Our hearts and minds are the center of all conflict because this is where our feelings and desires clash, our hopes and fears meet , jealousy battles with love, etc… Ask Him to help you listen to that umpire of your heart. He will instruct you in a way that peace will rule and reign no matter what. It is God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus indeed gives us peace that the world cannot give. Blessings to you this day!

“Are Your Eyes Full of Light?”

Posted on Jan 23, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Have you ever formed an opinion based on appearances, and then to find out that your opinion was not correct at all? Believe me… this can get us into a lot of trouble? We must be very careful to never form opinions apart from the truth. Let us understand that all too often our eyes and our feelings can deceive us. We can think we are perceiving things properly but truth is we are seeing things from the wrong perspective or improper thinking. There are many things that can cloud our eyes from seeing things how God sees them.

Here is an example of seeing things incorrectly. We have heard it said that worry casts a big shadow on small things. Really when you think about it worry has the ability to paint a picture about your situation that could be an exaggeration of what is really going on. Worry has the ability to magnify things and distort the truth. When we face a problem, and we allow the light of His Word to shine on it, we will always be able to embrace an attitude of victory and not worry. We will most importantly be able to lay hold of the truth, establish hope, and the wisdom that God desires for us to walk in.

God desires that we see everything in proper perspective and the only way that will happen is if we see things through His eyes. I guarantee you that as we ask Him to help us see, we will begin to see the world around us quite differently. Remember, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Today I encourage you to ask Him to fill your eyes with light…His light.

Psalm 119:18 (VOICE)
“Let me see clearly so that I may take in
the amazing things coming from Your law.”

Matthew 6:22-23
(TLB)
“If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul.”

“Do Not Give Up!”

Posted on Jan 22, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Galatians 6:9 TLB

“And let us not get tired of doing what is right,

for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing

if we don’t get discouraged and give up.”

Today let us declare that we will determine ourselves to do the right thing, and not give up or be discouraged! The Lord knew that we would be tempted to grow weary or the Spirit would not have led Paul to write such powerful words in these scriptures. Many times we may purpose in our heart to do the right thing and we make a decision that we are going to keep on doing that good thing, and then it happens. It seems that the devil knows how to bring discouragement our way in what ever manner he can. Unfortunately many times it could come through the words of others and also circumstances.

It does not take long living here on this earth to realize that discouragement is one of the greatest tools against us. People and circumstances may wear us down but as we renew our strength in Him and keep doing good, we will reap! You may be in a situation in your work place where the strife among fellow workers is at an all time high. You purpose to do that which is right and perhaps you are experiencing rejection as a reaction to you sowing good. You may have someone that has treated you unkindly, and you have made a decision to be kind to them and reach out whatever way you can, and they just continue to ignore your gestures. God has promised that as we persist in doing good in the face of bad and evil doings that we WILL reap a harvest. When and how that harvest comes is totally up to Him, His ways, and His timing. Our part is to just do the Word no matter if people or situations change or not.

Today I want you to meditate and confess,

“May I never tire of doing and saying the right things that are pleasing and in accordance with His Word. I will persist because He has promised that the harvest is coming! I believe He will
strengthen my heart as I look to Him in my moments of discouragement. In Jesus Name.”

God bless you as you continue to do that which is good for His glory and His kingdom.

“Lift Up Your Inner Self”

Posted on Jan 21, 2016 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I know it to be true that if you go to bed with much on your mind that this is how you wake up. You will more than likely greet your day feeling a bit down in the dumps. I have gone to bed troubled, and my sleep was interrupted by the worries and fears of that which I had not given to Him. This is not a good way to end your day nor do we want to start our days like this. God’s Word tells us what to do with our worries. 1 Peter 5:7 ERV “Give all your worries to Him, because He cares for you.” The Lord does not want us to greet our day with the thoughts of yesterday nor the worries about our tomorrows. We need to remember the importance of casting all of our cares on Him for He cares for us. When we go to bed free from worry and cares, we will awaken to a fresh new day ready to trust God yet another day. I love how the Psalmist asks the Lord to cause Him to hear of his Lord’s lovingkindness first thing in the morning.

Psalm 143:8 (AMP)

“Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning,

for on You do I lean and in You do I trust.

Cause me to know the way wherein

I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.”

Let us trust to hear His voice about our day. Thank Him as He unfolds His plan for your day yet be willing to allow Him to interrupt it if He has other plans for you. You know…you just never know what exciting ways He may desire to use you to touch someone’s life. I encourage you today to make a deliberate effort to lift up your soul to Him and allow Him to touch you because He loves you so!

Lord, may we know and recognize Your love every new day we wake up to! Oh that we would continue to trust in You alone for You have promised Your love and tender mercies all the days of our lives. Let us know which way we should go for we willfully raise up our souls to You!