Dona Hake, Author at The Abundant Life Center

“Is Your Cup Full?”

Posted on Oct 29, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Yesterday I shared with you about responding to God’s ability, and not drawing upon your own. Our scripture today is from Psalm 23 and it depicts, and is an analogy that we do indeed go through times of dryness and barrenness, and our soul needs refreshed. The Psalmist speaks of the Lord overflowing our cup, giving us a cup of blessing.

Psalm 23:5 (Expanded Version)
“You ·pour oil of blessing on my head [anoint my head with oil;  oil was a means of refreshment in a hot, dry environment];
“You ·fill my cup to overflowing [make my cup overflow;  a cup of blessing].”

We all have a “cup” which we hold and sometimes our cup is in need of filling. If we do not look to Him for the refreshment and filling, we will position ourselves to live in our own ability. We will look to ways other than His to fill our cups of need that can only be met by Him. It is vitally important that we make it a priority to take time each day, and be still before Him. Read His Word, and seek His face according to that which you are in need of. God desires that we take our cup which should be filled, and lift it up to Him.

I cannot help but think of my youngest Granddaughter right now. She is all so determined to try to do so much without any help or assistance. “I can do it myself Grandma…” Just recently I had to laugh to myself as we were snacking together with some fruit and string cheese. Those packages of string cheese can be hard for me to get open, and I went to open hers but she insisted, “I can do it myself Grandma!” After about three minutes of being frustrated she hands it over to me….”Grandma, can you open it?!” It is interesting though if she is drinking, and her cup is empty, she always eagerly hands it over and says, “Please Grandma, I need more!” May we ever be before the Lord asking Him for more when our cups are on low or empty!

Each day we need to be before our Lord, and we need to seek Him for every need that we have. We need to make sure that our cup is full of and overflowing with all the wonderful and good things that flow only from above. He desires to overflow our cup with His grace, His tender mercies, His love, His wisdom, etc. Every task that we face needs to be met as we draw upon Him for that cup of abundant blessings!

“Responding To His Ability”

Posted on Oct 28, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Corrie ten Boom simply yet profoundly put it this way…

“It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts.”

Many times we are faced with things that God has asked us to do, and we can discourage ourselves because we tend to try to accomplish them our own ability. We feel deep down we are to do something yet there may be times in which we lack the confidence we need because we are so focused on our inability or where we are lacking. Simply put…we are looking at ourselves rather that God.

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”

Today I encourage you to look up and draw from Him. Draw upon heavenly possibilities and God making you able through Him. If you are dealing with something that seems too big for you, set aside your thoughts and plans. Ask Him to infuse you with His strength and His thoughts on the matter. The Lord loves when we do things with our whole heart and soul yet we need to keep check that we are NOT drawing upon our own wisdom or how others say it is to be done. Remember, respond to His ability with faith in your heart for this is what truly counts!

“In God Alone”

Posted on Oct 27, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I love this visual of hope being the door that stands open before us. Because the door is open, you are able to see what is on the other side. You see, when you embrace the hope that God gives, there will always be a place to stand, and in His timing the door will open or that which you are believing for will come to pass. God desires that we look beyond our circumstances, and believe the unseen. In God alone our soul must find our rest!

As we stay quiet and humble before Him, He will be faithful to bring hope to any situation, and our soul will be at rest. Faith is the evidence of that which is hoped for. Again, I like this image because there are the times of waiting and standing in faith, and sometimes the natural speaks all so loudly, and it can tend to distract us. Hope will always cause us to see open doors, finish lines, and shouts of victory! Hope will always show us how to see things that be not as though they are. It will keep our heart as we wait for something to come to pass. What a wonderful thing it is to possess hope, and be at rest in our souls. This only happens in God alone. Thank you Lord for the hope you have brought to us through your son Jesus Christ!

Psalm 62:5 (AMP)
“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him;
for my hope and expectation are from Him.”

“Walk As a Child of Light”

Posted on Oct 26, 2015 in Devotions |

Genesis 1 :1-3 (DARBY)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

And the earth was waste and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light. And there was light.

And God saw the light that it was good; and God divided between the light and the darkness. “

One of the first things the living God did during creation was separate the light from the dark. He saw it to be a good thing that light stood out from the darkness. As believers we awaken each morning to that Light, His faithfulness and loving mercies over our lives. He promises to walk with us, and lead and guide us throughout our day with that divine Light. Do you think about how blessed you are to be a child of the King? May we not take for granted that we are forgiven and set free. There are many people that are still in bondage to the devil and his dark and evil ways, and our hearts need to be toward them. This darkness they live in serves to create confusion and lack of direction. Oh how well I remember how my life was so void of life, light and love before He totally transformed my life. Darkness in one’s life can bring great depression and lack of hope to a soul. For such a time as this, we are called to be lights in the midst of darkness. He is watching for those that desire to shine like a light because He has been given us the Light that never grows dim.

Psalm 112:4 The Voice
“When life is dark, a light will shine for those who live rightly— those
who are merciful, compassionate, and strive for justice.”

Have you ever lost electricity with no warning? It is amazing how helpless you can feel because you cannot see anything in front of you. As you carefully make your way to wherever your flashlights or candles are, it is always amazing how even the smallest of light will dispel the darkness around you. The light that we shine as believers is the same way. Never underestimate the Lord Jesus using you

in the midst of one’s darkness.

Lord, today we ask You for Your help as we live in a world where there are many that are lost and do not know You. Their world is dark and they are deceived. May we be sensitive and be willing to be used as You call upon us. May we show the light of Your truth and love to all that need it. In Jesus Name we ask this. Amen

“God’s Love Is Able To Overcome…”

Posted on Oct 25, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I was listening to a Christian radio station during some errands that I was running yesterday, I heard the most wonderful story of God’s love and the testimony of His hope for those that seem hopeless. The radio announcer shared that there was a refugee camp for Iraq refugees, and there was a person that was a part of ISIS that disguised himself to be a refugee, and he got into this camp. I am sure his motives and plans were not good.

The wonderful testimony of God’s love was that this young man was so overwhelmed and taken by the love and joy of Jesus that these refugees exhibited that he totally surrendered his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, and changed his way of thinking which had been that of extreme hatred and everything that ISIS represents. He was so ecstatic of his new found faith and freedom that he could hardly contain himself.

Let us be reminded that God’s love is able to conquer all, it is able to conquer the worst hatred that we can imagine. After hearing this testimony my heart was so blessed, and hope for that which seemed hopeless was birthed in my heart. As I hear the despicable and evil acts of this group, one could think their hearts are hardened and closed. Remember, the love and freedom of Christ is available to anyone. It is there for those that seem hopeless and those that do not seem to deserve it. Really…when you think about it, none of us really deserve the love and mercy of God. At the foot of the cross He sees us all the same. God’s love truly has no limits, and I hope you are rejoicing in this young man’s salvation! Hate and deception could not keep his heart from being touched by the love of God!

Romans 8:39 AMP nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Jesus Our Understanding”

Posted on Oct 23, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

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

Consoling isn’t it…Jesus IS our understanding. He gives us insight into His mysteries, and His counsel is ours as we ask Him for it. .As we search His Word He will help us understand it and apply it to our lives. When you think about it, there is no end to the depths of understanding His ways and His Word. May we continually pursue greater depths all of His truth no matter how many times we have heard it. In those times where things may seem to appear hard to understand …know that He is well able to unfold to you what you need to know. He is able to bring to you the clarity and light 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 and the light of His Word that we will walk in deeper realms holding the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart!

Ephesians 1:18 (Amplified)

“And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),”

“His Blessing Upon Us”

Posted on Oct 23, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

It is good for one’s soul to stop on a regular basis, and ponder how blessed we are. Maybe things are not going perfectly at times but if we know the Lord, our heart can rest in the hope that His hand is upon us, and He has a plan for us today. If you know Him you are blessed, and today He has

wonderful plans and purposes for you! He desires to use you in special ways, so let us open our ears

and hearts to His desire for us. God is so very amazing as He created such a grand and beautiful world yet not one small detail of our life goes unnoticed by Him.

When I look around and see the work of His mighty hand I often wonder how one could not believe there is a God in Heaven. I am thankful that His hand of blessing is upon my life. It is such a comfort to know that His loving eyes are upon me at all times.

Psalm 139:1-5
Living Bible (TLB)
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.

While reading these verses my heart is especially blessed when I read “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.” Today as you go about your day I encourage you to be mindful of His plans for you as He works through your life. Also, be ready to stop and rest as He instructs you to do so in order that your may receive refreshing and strength from His mighty and gentle hands. Many times we can get so focused on the work that we forget that our spirit and in body need rest. He desires to continually empower us with His strength and wisdom that we would not get weary in doing His will. God bless you as you ponder His blessings and plan for your day!

“Pushing Beyond Ourselves”

Posted on Oct 22, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

FOX News had former Army veterans on their morning show the other day. It totally touched my heart and amazed me as I watched these young men and women push beyond their inabilities, and take charge of their life so that they can return to a life of some degree of normalcy. Each one had been injured or lost limbs in the war. There were physical trainers there sharing how they were helping them to get their lives back through a physical fitness program, and also using dogs to help them with mental health and companionship. It was amazing as they shared how this program was such a success, and how each veteran supported each other in what seemed to be situations that would be hard if not impossible to deal with.

They began to show different men and women demonstrating their strength by lifting heavy weights . It was amazing seeing them display their fitness and strength in spite of their injuries. It was so touching to see such strength and perseverance even though they had been severely injured or lost a limb.

The one young woman that really blessed and touched my heart had suffered the loss of her one leg. She stood among her injured comrades with complete poise and balance. You see, even though she only had one leg she determined her life would go on and she would press in, and do all that seemed impossible. She stood there like a beautiful statue. She was a picture of complete balance, dignity and strength, and not once did she lose her balance nor did she hold onto anything to help her. Not only was she able to do that, she was able to reach down and pick up a barbell and then put it back down perfectly. Again, even with the heavy weight in her hands, there was no loss of balance or strength. It was simply amazing!

They began to interview her and ask her how could she do such a thing? She began to share that when she first lost her leg, her physical trainer began to share with her how she wanted to rehabilitate her. At first this young lady struggled with believing her physical trainer. She kept working with the trainer and she gained the ability to keep her balance and stand strong even though she only had one leg. When she reached that goal, she said to her trainer, “I want to go further!” I was blessed and touched, as I saw her share her heart of rising above such a huge difficulty and misfortune, but yet she purposed to go further. She purposed to go for even greater strength, and she purposed to accept even greater goals!

This challenged my heart, because we all have things in our life that we need to look beyond what we think we can not do or inabilities that are very real. We need to believe what God says about us, and what He says about our situation. We need to lay hold of it, and move in the direction of His vision of our life. When we are strong, let us not stop there but let us say as this young woman said, “I want to go further!”

May I encourage you today to look to the Lord as the greatest Spiritual and Physical Trainer ever! Yes, you may have inabilities and lack of development in certain areas of your life. And yes, you may have experienced things that have set you back, but know that the Lord your God is able to strengthen your feet to stand strong again, and He will lift up your arms in times that you are weary. Let us look forward and persevere and reach for the goals that the Lord is setting before us in Jesus Name!

Hebrews 12:1-2 Amplified Bible

Jesus, the Example
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [a]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].”

“Living Life Wisely”

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Psalm 111:10

“To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight . He will receive praise forever.”

Today I want to share with you about the value of living every day of your life wisely as you serve the Lord. In Proverbs 3:5-6 the Word admonishes us to trust in Him and lean NOT on our own understanding. This scripture will serve to keep us humble and growing in our walk with Him. Many times it can be a struggle to resist leaning upon our knowledge. We live in an age where information is so easy to get our hands on. Any information that we need is at our finger tips as we google in our questions on our computers. Quite honestly, I have found the more I know about things sometimes it can actually hinder my faith. The tendency to trust in what man says above what God says about a particular thing will hinder our faith and trust in the Lord.

Leaning on God for all that we need is so vital, and it must be our pursuit for this is very much a part of living wisely and being a doer of the Word! Living by faith will always challenge us in the realm of thinking we have to see, feel or understand things with our minds. Sometimes we want so badly to understand things that we are walking through, and there are times we may be putting too much focus on figuring things out. Understanding things can be beneficial at times but remember, peace does not come because we understand a problem but rather peace comes from knowing we serve the One that can solve our problem. May our hearts be reminded that His peace surpasses our understanding, and it surpasses the ways and thoughts of man. Even in the midst of turmoil going on within us, we can hold fast to a peace that permeates our soul, and keeps us from being tossed around by the circumstances we are facing.

I know I have shared this before but I love to repeat it because it was a special time of imparting truth to our youngest son. When he was small, he was full of questions, and he tried so hard to understand everything. There was a particular time he was having a very hard time trusting my judgement on a particular thing. I can remember sharing with him that he just needed to respect my judgement, and not try to figure it out for he was just too young to have wisdom on such a matter. I began to share with him that there will be times in life that we will face things that we do not understand. I stressed with him to trust me as his loving mother and authority in his life. I encouraged him in the fact that someday he would understand but for now he just needed to trust me. He submitted to that, and all was well within his soul regarding his questions.

This truth also applies to us as we entrust ourselves to the Lord. Many times we may not understand everything, but as we lean on Him and not our own understanding, He will be faithful to keep His Word. He will in His timing give us the understanding we seek, and we will learn and grow from situations that we walk through. We just need to trust and obey for we serve a God that is faithful, and He promises to never leave nor forsake us. Today I encourage you to purpose to obey Him in every area of your life, and lean not on your own understanding so that you can live this life wisely unto Him, as we live and do His precepts.

“The Wonderful Power In the Blood”

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 in Devotions, Uncategorized |

by Dona Hake

Today I want to encourage your heart to think about the blood that purchased your redemption. Oh that we would remember and give thanks to Jesus for the supreme sacrifice as He gave His life that we would be set free from the bondage of sin. Do you remember the day that you were born again? I can remember it like it was yesterday. As a new believer in the Lord Jesus I experienced the miraculous feeling of heavy weights falling off of me. Everything was different, and my eyes were opened to the light of His glorious love. I love returning to that memory because it was truly the most miraculous thing that ever happened to me. Let us read a portion of the beautiful hymn written by Lewis E. Jones.

“Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow;
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the precious blood of the Lamb.”

Lyrics from “There’s Power In the Blood”
by Lewis E. Jones

I love this old hymn because it challenges my heart to remember that Jesus did what no one else could do for me. Today I encourage you to remember that your heart is whiter than snow because of what He did at the cross. Because He lives we can face our today and every tomorrow in the strength and power of all that He is!

Psalm 103:12 (CJB)
“He has removed our sins from us
as far as the east is from the west.”