Posted on Aug 1, 2015 in Devotions |
I can remember singing “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” as a little girl. It was always a special song to me. I can remember this beautiful older woman being my Sunday School teacher when I first learned this song. I can still see her beautiful hair braided up in the back of her head. She glowed with a love for Jesus, and His kindness always radiated from her. I can remember such a calm assurance about her, and that always stuck with me. I believe she exhibited such an assurance because of her relationship and trust in her Savior. Today, I know she is walking with Jesus and basking in the presence of our Mighty God!
I want to exhort you today to walk so close with Him that people take notice, and see the love of Jesus working in and through you. Life goes so fast, let us make the most out of every minute that we live for Him. The day will come that we will meet Him face to face. May our lives continue to speak of His testimonies and great works while we were serving Him in our life. As I share that thought let us look at one of the verses from “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”
“Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.”
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ we can set our gaze on the blessed hope that “soon in glory bright, unclouded…” Oh that blessed day when we are in the presence of the Lord and His saints. This is a beautiful hope and it is to be embraced! I love this meditation especially when I think of loved ones that have gone before me. Some day….oh yes!…some blessed day, we will reunite and see each other again! What a wonderful day that will be.
Until that blessed day when we walk in the sweetest portion, we need to remain trusting in Him and all that He is. He has promised us refuge, He will heal our sicknesses, and He brings us peace in the midst of turmoil. On and on I could share of the many things that He promises. As for me I want to know that I am sticking by Him closely, and not taking my eyes off of His will for my life. You see, He has promised to never leave us but we do tend to get our eyes off of Him at times. Thank God for His forgiveness and restoration.
So we have this wonderful promise of our “sweet portion” awaiting us, but truth is for now that we each have a work to do here. We need to be strong in our Lord, seek His will and run the race He has set before us. Each of us has a specific race to run, and our time left here is different, but one thing for sure, He wants us to give our all for Him! ~ Praise Him! ~
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ERV)
“…So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus.”
Posted on Jul 31, 2015 in Devotions |
Psalm 105:4 (AMP)
“Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and
His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation);
seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore.”
I find this translation of this scripture very awesome, and it stirs my heart to think about how I seek and crave the Lord, and all that He is. In the natural we can have food cravings. We have all experienced it to the point that you thought you just had to have that particular food. On a humorous note I can remember an I Love Lucy show where Lucy sent Ricky out very late at night, and he came back with ice cream, sardines, and pickles. Lucy was pregnant, and she was desiring weird combinations, but she just had to have it! She mixed them all up, and ate it! Ricky was almost sick to watch her, but that was her craving! Today, I want to stir your thoughts and your heart about your cravings and desires for the things that the Lord wants us to have working in us.
As we ponder the scripture from Psalm 105:4 we too can see that as we truly seek the Lord in prayer, reading, and the hearing of His Word that there is much to be found. Even if you have read a scripture many times over, there is always freshness and newness of life that it can bring to your soul…if you allow it to. I can remember reading an interesting quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, this is what he said,
“No man ever prayed without learning something.”
Today I encourage you to crave Him and His strength. The more we seek Him the more we will find ourselves needing to seek Him more. The more you experience HIS strength and HIS ability, the more you will crave to turn your face to Him and receive all that He is! Remember that all that He is, and all that He does is brand new everyday. He desires to teach you continually and answer all the questions of your heart. Crave Him, step into His presence, and prepare yourself to learn and receive His portion for you today. God is good!
Jeremiah 33:3 (CJB)
“Call out to me,
and I will answer you —
I will tell you great things,
hidden things of which you are unaware.”
Posted on Jul 30, 2015 in Devotions |
by Dona Hake
David wrote in the Psalms about the power of hate and contempt in words. David understood the conspiracy and plots against him, and the power of hateful, negative words.
Psalm 64
“Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.”
Words can heal and words can hurt. Let us purpose to work at speaking words that are kind and uplifting. It is amazing the power that a word can carry. I have had times where one negative word has been spoken to me, and even in the midst of positive, that one word was able to tempt my mind to be side tracked. If we entertain the thoughts that go hand in hand with a negative word, you will surely be brought down by it.
The Word of God also speaks of the healing power within a kind word. Not only is it healing to the hearer but I believe that the individual that speaks kind, loving words is built up in their spirit and soul as well. I can remember a salesclerk that I encountered one day. I was waiting in line for her to ring up my purchase, and her whole countenance was so bad. She was border line rude and cut to the quick with each customer. The Lord reminded me that just maybe something is really troubling her heart and she is really not able to focus to do her job well. I stood and observed how she would not even look into the customer’s eyes, and barely speak to them as she was ringing them up.
When I stepped up for her to take care of me I asked her how she was and she said, “Okay…I am just taking one day at a time.” I said, “Honey, that is all we can do. I do hope your day is much better.” She looked into my eyes and smiled real big. She said, “Thank you! Have a good day too!” I wished so badly that there would not have been so many customers behind me so I could have engaged a deeper conversation with her. I walked away and lifted her up in prayer. You see, sometimes people working in public like this can quickly aggravate us, but we must remember that they are human, and their whole life may be upside down. I remind myself as well that there are many walking through things, and they have no one to turn to. You know, God wants us to put our lamp on the lamp stand to shine into the darkest and loneliest of hearts!
You just never know what a kind word and simple prayer can do for someone. Let us be ready to share a kind word that brings healing to a hurting heart.
Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Posted on Jul 29, 2015 in Devotions |
by Dona Hake
“Good people are guided by their honesty.”
Above any people on this earth I believe that the believer of the Lord Jesus Christ needs to exhibit integrity. There is so much deception in this world that people are afraid to trust anyone anymore. How sad it is if a believer is tempted to slip into a path that pulls their heart from truthfulness, integrity, and excellence. Our hearts and souls should be tugged at the mere thought of not doing what the Word of God says. Yet, if one feels that they can pick and choose the way in which they walk, God is surely displeased, and His integrity will not be evident in that one that is deceived. The Lord
wants vessels that are pure and willing to follow Him wholly in all of His ways.
The devil is so sly and crafty that he understands how to deceive people into thinking that it is okay to go against the Word of God. God desires that we walk in the totality of His Word and there is no deception in the realm of His truth. If one thinks they are getting away with living a lie, they will surely find out that pay day will come. There will always be consequences for going against the voice of your heart. I will never forget the profound truth Roberts Liardon spoke, “Truth ALWAYS outlives a lie.” God wants our hearts to be pure, right and of utmost integrity. His hand will not bless that which is of an impure motive or thought.
Proverbs 25:9 (The Voice)
“With justice, He directs the humble in ALL that is right and He shows them His
way.”
1 Peter 5:5 (Amplified)
“For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the
disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and
defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.”
May I emphasize that because our Lord is desiring to lead every believer that there are times our sin inhibits Him to do so. Pride causes one to be deaf to the voice of the Lord. I can only imagine how grieved the heart of God is when He sees one of His children proudly choosing their own way, and along that way their heart becomes hardened to truth.
The good news is that if one is in this place of pride that if he or she humbles their heart He will always restore them. He will restore and pour out His grace and blessing back to them. Let us be mindful of the condition of our hearts in every area of our lives. Ask the Holy Spirit daily to show you if you be in pride in any area of your life that you be not hindered in receiving guidance when you need it. As we pursue to keep our hearts humble, He promises to direct us in everything we do!
Posted on Jul 28, 2015 in Devotions |
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Paul wrote that he had learned the secret of being content. I love how this version used the word
secret. Being content is a beautiful way to live. The dictionary defines secret being used in this context as a method, formula, plan, etc., known only to the initiated or the few: the secret of happiness; a trade secret.
If you are a believer you are one of “the few”, and within us we embrace a precious secret to strength. We can say that by the strength of the Lord we can be content no matter what is going on around us. Paul understood this, and he spoke with the authority as well. He said, “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry.whether living in plenty or in want…I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
I think it is important to note that Paul said two times here that he had learned contentment. Contentment does not just fall on your lap like a ripe apple from a tree. Contentment is developed through decision making in times of crisis or problems you face. It is when you learn the secret of contentment that you can look to the Lord and proclaim “I CAN DO everything through Him who strengthens me. Sometimes when we face needs in this life and we decide to be content until the manifestation, God can work in us and also on our behalf. It is those times that we realize after we get through the trial that the situation gave us new insights and we became stronger because of it.
Let us not call upon His strength to just escape and run away from our needs but rather to be strengthened to walk through them. Let us bare the testimony that Paul wrote ” I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me.” It is as we do this that we can truly say that we can do all through Him who strengthens us! May we rejoice in God for He is the strength of our hearts!
Posted on Jul 27, 2015 in Devotions |
by Dona Hake
You walk in a dark room, and the first thing you do is reach for the light switch. An electrical storm zaps your electricity, and what do you do? In our home we have a box that has flashlights, and batteries and also two lanterns where we know to go for that we can bring light to the situation. We want to know we are prepared for such a situation. We know that in the midst of darkness there must be a means of seeing in order that you do not stumble.
Now let us think about what would happen if your electricity went out and you had a box full of flashlights but there were not batteries. You have what it takes to bring light but these flashlights are worthless without what gives them their ability to overcome the darkness you are experiencing.
Today I just want to share about the dark in this world, and how we as believers fit wonderfully into this picture. Our world in which there are those that still do not know Him, live in darkness. Sadly, they do not know how dark their world really is. Many have compensated with the light that only our enemy the devil can offer. We are the vessels that must stay full of everything God is so that we can bring true light to the hopeless, confused, and the fearful around us.
2 Corinthians 4:4-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
So you see God desires that we promptly and obediently bring light to this present darkness on earth. Let our prayer be today that we would desire to be vessels for His use that we may bring glory to Him!
” Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp.
You, God, turn the darkness around me into light.”
Psalm 18:28
Posted on Jul 26, 2015 in Devotions |
by Dona Hake
Paul said in 1 Thessalonians to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Many might say, “I do not know what God’s will is for me?” Well, here it is in part. God desires that we guard our joy for it is the Lord’s strength for us to live. It is is will that we stay hooked up to Him by prayer, and in the midst of ALL circumstances we look up to Him and give thanks.
There will be days in which we must remind ourselves to rejoice even when we do not feel like it. May we look to Him in prayer at the beginning of our day, and as much as we can during the day. Prayers can be spoken from your heart at any given time and at any place. God did not intend prayer to be only for problems but a means of sweet fellowship with Him. This is God’s will for us to do so I encourage you today to do so. I leave you with this prayer that flows with what I have been sharing.
Prayer is so simple.
It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into
the very presence of God
there, in the stillness,
to listen for His voice,
perhaps in petition
or only to listen,
it matters not,
just to be there,
in His presence
Is prayer.
Anonymous
Posted on Jul 25, 2015 in Devotions |
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. Have you ever had someone share with you that you were on their heart, and they simply prayed for you. You may inquire of the time in which they prayed, and you knew that it was at that moment you may have been in a struggle. 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 and support to those around us. I find this scripture interesting as well to be 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 your eyes to show you what He is seeing, and He wants to use your ears to hear the hearts of people around you. 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 things.
Today I encourage you to keep your ears and eyes open to those around you. Never take the position that you have to know all the facts and understand every detail before you can pray. If you being prompted in your heart to pray…simply pray. No fancy words…just pray. God wants to use you and I to reach down and strengthen those that need our help. God bless you!
Posted on Jul 24, 2015 in Devotions |
by Dona Hake
I love to speak of the Lord watching over me, walking along side of me, and leading me. Today I want to share about how the Lord wants to uphold us at all times, and it is because of His watchful and caring eyes. Many of the Psalms written by David were written from his heart as a shepherd. I picture in my mind David writing the Psalms in the quietness of the night while his eye was watchful over his flock of sheep. I am sure that his days were long days, and some were more challenging than others. Sheep have a way of getting themselves in trouble, and they can be helpless as well. A good shepherd seeks to understand every aspect of the care of his sheep.
There are a handful of Psalms where David used the term “cast down.” This is probably one of my favorite facts about a shepherd and his sheep that brings such a beautiful analogy of the Psalm to us. “Cast down” is a term used for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. I want to make emphasis on *it cannot get up again by itself. A “cast” sheep is a sad sight. It lays on its back, and as its feet are in the air, it struggles frantically to get back up again. Sometimes it will make little bleating cries for help and just lays there frustrated. If the shepherd does not arrive on time, the sheep will die. Since a sheep that is cast is in such a helpless state, it is also vulnerable to attack by predators.
I think this is such an excellent analogy of our condition at times, yet David would use this term within prayers such as “why are you cast down oh my soul?…hope in God.” I am sure we can all relate to times that we are down, feeling frustrated and helpless.
Psalm 37:24 Amplified Bible
“Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down,
for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.”
I encourage you that in those times of being down and feeling helpless that you would look up for His hand. It is there for you to grasp! He will lift you up and put you on your feet again. Our Lord is a good Shepherd and He most assuredly will uphold you!
Posted on Jul 23, 2015 in Devotions |
by Dona Hake
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against
you until it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never
give up then, for that is just the time and place that the tide will turn.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
I love this quote. It makes me wonder how many times that I have given up on something or someone just when the tide was ready to turn. Determination is when you come to a decision or you fix yourself on a purpose, and nothing is going to hold you back.
I cannot help but think of Peter as he stepped out of the boat upon the Lord’s command. “Come Peter!” I can only imagine what was going through Peter’s mind as he looked down and saw himself walking on the water. His faith was at work and he was defying the impossible. Yet when his mind became focused on the wind, waves and the turbulent storm, he began to sink. Jesus reached out His hand to Peter, took a firm hold and kept him above water. The thing that always hit me the hardest with this account was that Peter was only an arm’s reach away from Jesus. Peter was almost there but circumstances caused his heart to weaken in faith and determination.
How many times are we just an arm’s reach away from the finish line of success in that which we are setting ourselves. How many times is the tide ready to turn, and we throw up our hands and give up. We must apply faith, persistence, and determination to all we set ourselves to do. As we fix our eyes on Jesus with determination and faith in our hearts, He will enable us to do the impossible. It is as we do this that we can share the testimony of what we learned in our accomplishment to those that need this same word of encouragement!
“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.”
Galatians 6:9 TLB
