Dona Hake, Author at The Abundant Life Center

“You Are As Close To God…”

Posted on Jun 1, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

A few years ago I can remember a church displaying a sign on their front lawn, and it was all so simple yet so very profound. It said:

“You are as close to
God as you choose to be”

I absolutely love things like this that really make one stop and examine their heart. There is so much truth in this handful of words. These are “heart checkup” quotes that provoke one’s thinking. We live in a time where there are tests for this and tests for that to maintain optimal health because we want to live long, healthy lives. This is a good thing, yet we need to do check ups on our spiritual health as well! The Lord desires that we live strong prosperous lives while we live here but we have choices and responsibilities to do so.

It all boils down to the fact that we have choices in this life. Today I am sharing about your choice in how closely you walk with Him. I find it important that our friendships are ordained of the Lord, and we need to be careful who we associate with. Some people are mere acquaintances, but there are those that you desire to be friends with and know them in a closer way. You touch base with them often, and you make sure you are communicating on a regular basis. You are as close to people as you choose to be.

So it is with the Lord Jesus Christ…you are as close to Him as you choose to be. If you know Jesus it should be important to you that you know His heart, and He wants you to know His thoughts. When He speaks to you through His Word or in prayer it is so precious because you are experiencing an intimacy with Him. The closer we walk with Him, we will desire for that closeness to grow even stronger. Jesus desires to be our friend all the time, not just when problems arise. I love knowing that Jesus is always with me. We need to remind ourselves of this because He lives and dwells within us if we are a believer. I just know it probably thrills Him to know we are purposing to be conscious of His presence.

I am going to throw a thought out to you to ponder. If you were to invite a very important person into your home you may want to go to every extreme to make your home look nice inside and out. You may cook a very nice meal and go all out making them feel welcome. I am sure you would also make every effort to treat them with kindness and courtesy. Your speech would be thought out before you spoke a word because you would not want to be offensive in any way. You would want them to feel welcome and received.

As believers the Lord Jesus should always be treated as a guest of great honor in our homes. When you are in your home you need to remember that He is present and in your midst. He should also be honored and respected as He dwells within you. Remember, you are the temple that He dwells within. As we live and move and have our being,we should be moving closer to Him. We need to make wise choices over our speech, our conduct, and every decision we make. Remember…you are as close to God as you choose to be.

Psalm 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord
God, that I may declare all thy works.

James 4:8 The Voice
Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you.

“Seek Him First”

Posted on May 31, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Matthew 6:33
Easy-to-Read Version
“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you
to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.”

In this portion of scripture Jesus is teaching that our priority as a believer is to seek His kingdom first and His righteousness and all else will be taken care of. He was teaching that heavenly things are always more important than anything else. He well understands how things in this world can occupy our hearts and minds and cause us to lose site of the most important thing.

Prior to Him sharing this He spoke about worrying about being clothed. He spoke of the lilies of the field, and how they grow without care and they thrive. How much more will He take care of us? Yet we worry. In the life in which we live it always seems to be something to be tempted to pick up care about.
Jesus understands our weaknesses and our human nature, yet He commands us to cast our care, and wants us to do the most important thing, and that is to just seek Him first. Let us read some scriptures from the writings of Luke.

Luke 10:38-42
Easy-to-Read Version
“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a
woman named Martha let him stay at her house. She had a sister named
Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. But her
sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went
in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the
work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and
upset about too many things.”

This story tells us once again that our Lord desires that we seek Him first. Mary understood this well, but poor Martha in all her good intentions did not understand. The cares of her duties were being placed before her doing the right thing. I do not believe Martha was wrong for wanting to serve, she went wrong in her serving by ending up carrying care, and then assuming that Mary needed to be doing the same. Mary understood that time needed to stop and she needed to sit at the feet of the Lord. Martha did not understand that she needed to set the work aside and sit before Jesus.

May we learn from this story of Mary and Martha. Let us seize the opportunities in which the Lord is desiring us to stop and hear what He has to say. Remember in your walk with Him that there is ONLY ONE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT and that is to seek Him first!

“God Will Fill Our Hands”

Posted on May 30, 2015 in Devotions, Uncategorized |

by Dona Hake

God has blessed us with hearts to seek and look to Him everyday. May we seek to bless Him and bless those around us with our love, faith, and godly deeds. Today we will look at the heart of a woman that was a widow. She had very little to live on yet her heart was toward God in her giving. In this portion of scripture we will see that Jesus perceived her heart as he observed the others’ giving.

Luke 21:1-4 (AMP)
” Looking up, [Jesus] saw the rich people putting their gifts into the
treasury.
And He saw also a poor widow putting in two mites (copper coins).
And He said, Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all of
them;
For they all gave out of their abundance (their surplus); but she has
contributed out of her lack and her want, putting in all that she had on
which to live.”

As I pondered this scripture from this particular version my eyes were drawn to how Jesus observed how there were some that gave out of the abundance or their surplus. Surplus is something that remains above what is used or needed. Many times people may be guilty of giving only the required amount of what they feel is expected of them whether it be their money, their time or their talents.
Jesus perceived this as grievous because this type of giving is really not from the heart, it is merely being done out of obligation. As Jesus observed this precious widow’s giving He determined her gift to be greater than the sum of all that gave out of surplus.

Let us remember that anything we have been blessed with whether it be our talent, money, good job, etc…is a gift from God, and we need to live in a place of giving our very best. Giving our best is an attitude of the heart that the Lord desires that we embrace. As the widow placed all that she had she knew very well what she was doing. She was purposing in her heart to give all because she understood she would be blessed.

As believers we need to know that we are deliberate in giving our very best. We need to constantly be checking our hearts that we are not being guilty of giving God or others merely what is left over.
God may call upon you to do something, and when you look at your time it seems impossible to accomplish. Know this…if you believe in your heart that it is the will of God, He will provide time. If God is speaking to you to give money, and it is hard to imagine how you can do it…believe Him and He will fill your hands with that offering or gift for you to give. God provides. Plain and simple. When
you believe, God will fill your hands with that which you need!

“Giving Him Your Thanks”

Posted on May 29, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Psalm 145:7 (AMP)

They shall pour forth [like a fountain] the fame of Your great and abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your rightness and justice.

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!!!

“Let Us Also Forgive”

Posted on May 28, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

The love of our Heavenly Father is always available to us. All we have to do is just stay in His presence and walk with Him. As we continue to grow our reactions to being wronged will be a godly reaction because we are knowing and understanding the depths of His unending love. We are so blessed as we have been given so much unconditional love. He is the God of a second chance. Yesterday I shared about God’s amazing grace. I am sure we can all share a time in our lives where after we came to know Him we were given a second chance at something. Over and over we continue to receive His amazing grace that is shed toward us!

Today I want to share with you to be mindful of giving second chances to others in your life. The giving of forgiveness is that second chance. When someone offends us, it is us that has a decision to make. We can let it go and forgive or hold something against the individual. If we fail to forgive, we become a prisoner to our own decision to hold on to the offense. When we are obedient to forgive, we are then free from the effects of an unforgiving heart. It is only by the power of God’s love at work within us that we can give someone a second chance by releasing them of the offense they have caused you.

One day the subject of forgiveness came up between the Lord and His disciples and Peter popped a question I am sure Peter was taken back by the Jesus’ answer to his question.

Matthew 18:21-22 The Voice
Peter:” Lord, when someone has sinned against me, how many times ought I
forgive him? Once? Twice? As many as seven times?”

Jesus: “You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Many times we are just like Peter. We want to feel as if we are so full of love, but you see our love has limitations. God’s love has no limitations. Today I encourage you to draw upon the love of the God that has no limitations. Maybe you will get through your day, and have no opportunities in which you are required to forgive. Know that if opportunities require you to forgive that God desires you to draw upon His heart of love. That precious love will give you all that you need, and it will empower you to freely forgive as many times as you have to. Continue to draw on. and grow in God’s love that you may be able to freely give that which He has given you.

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and
within the reach of every hand.”
Mother Teresa

“God’s Amazing Grace”

Posted on May 27, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I want you to visualize with me what it must have been like to be present during the crucifixion of our Lord. I cannot even imagine the pain and sorrow of those that followed Him. It must have be so horrible for those that loved Him to stand by and have to watch the one they loved agonizing in His death. There were those that heard what was spoken from His cross. As one point while Jesus was agonizing in his torture, and suffering He looked down and said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Amazing, isn’t it? I think of the horrible pain and suffering His body was experiencing, and He still found it in His heart to speak that which was pleasing to His Heavenly Father.

Two criminals hung on each side of Jesus dying a death they both deserved, and this was their conversation: One of the criminals who were hanging to one side of Jesus was hurling abuse at Him,
saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has
done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 (NASB)

Amazing isn’t it??….that a man was being crucified for his crime, and up until his last breath he found enough strength to mock the Living Son of God ? The other one that was dying on his cross looked in Jesus’ direction, and saw his need for deliverance, and believed He was indeed the Son of God. One of this man’s last words was a question to Jesus. “Will you remember me?” He believed that Jesus was who He claimed that He was, and this man’s last hope and prayer was for Jesus to remember him. Amazing isn’t it??? that Jesus assured this man by giving him a second chance. A second chance that he did not deserve in light of his crime.

This criminal was breathing his last painful breaths yet he was asking a question that would change his life forever. This would not be a second chance to do his life over again but rather he would have the chance to live eternally in Paradise with our Lord. The grace brought to us by the Lord is amazing isn’t it?

He gives us all second chances in this life every time He forgives us. When we humble ourselves to
Him in our sin He simply forgives us, and wipes the slate of our heart clean. Amazing isn’t it?…He gives us something so precious, and we do not have to work for it because His Son did it all at the cross. The man on the cross did not deserve a second chance in the eyes of man, and the cross was his punishment. You see, this man’s heart was truly repentant, therefore he was with Jesus after he breathed his last breath.

Maybe you feel you have done some things, and you do not deserve a second chance. I want to proclaim today to you that we serve a God of second chances! Today may I stir your heart to think about what Jesus did on the cross for any sin you have ever done. There is no sin that His love and forgiveness will not cover. If you need a second chance I encourage you to look in His direction and ask Him for your heart to be cleansed and be made right with Him.. He is faithful to forgive and bless us with new beginnings. Amazing isn’t it?

“Guard the Moment”

Posted on May 26, 2015 in Devotions |

guarding the moment in which we are living

by Dona Hake

I am recalling a day that had extra demands, and my to do list seemed too long. I can tend to be hard on myself and loose my peace if I feel I am not keeping up with things. I was driving my car and I can remember right in the middle of all my anxious thoughts the Lord impressed my heart with something He wanted me to learn. I could not stop thinking about it because it ministered to my heart so deeply, and I wanted to make sure I wrote it down. Since I was driving I had to wait till I had a red light so I could jot it down but the only thing I could find to write on was a napkin. I was happy to write it quickly on the only thing I could find for I did not want these words to slip my memory. Those words were

“Guard the moment in which you are living.”

As I pondered these words I could see that the Lord was admonishing me to guard the peace of my heart that was available to me in which every moment I live. He spoke to me about how I needed to just live by faith in the moment I am presently in, and be careful to guard all that is in each moment He blesses me with. Have you ever found yourself thinking too far ahead, and not enjoying the blessings of the Lord and His presence? How precious it would be if we just took one moment at a time entrusting it all to Him.

How many days do we awaken with our minds burdened with care and worries? Many times we permit our hearts to become anxious over things that have not even happened. Worries many times originate from our fears of the future and the unknown. There is no grace from Him for worrying about the future or trying to figure out how things are going to happen.

Oh how sweet and blessed it would be if we lived in the peace of the moment in which our Lord has so graciously blessed us with. As we live by faith in the confines of the moment we can remain quiet in our souls and hear His sweet whispers and His gentle direction that we need. I love this thought of living in the moment with Jesus.

Today I encourage you to first of all just live one moment at a time, and partake of His grace in everything you put your hand to. Guard your heart with all diligence for from it flows all the issues of this life. There are testimonies in your life that are milestones of His great works…remind yourself of them when you walk through trials. These testimonies serve to encourage our hearts of God’s work and greatness toward us. These are the moments that live on in our memories and serve to remind us that we serve a good God and we have been blessed with a good life. Be blessed as you go about your day treasuring every moment in Him!

“May We Never Forget”

Posted on May 25, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

A few days ago I heard a young man being interviewed, and he said such a powerful thing. He was talking about going into the fight to destroy the enemy that is presently in a relentless pursuit of terrorizing, torturing, and many are dying as martyrs for the name of our Lord by this group. The woman interviewing this young man said, “Aren’t you afraid of being captured?” His response was powerful, and convicting to my heart…He said, “When you do not fear death, you do not fear being captured. If we are captured we are willing to die for the cause.” I still am touched thinking about his response.

Today I want to encourage you to remember those in the many wars in the past that also embraced that attitude. To remember something is to keep it retained in the heart and mind. It is when one purposes to remain aware of something. In the past there have been men and women that went into the battle determined to fight for the cause of our freedom. Only thing is they never returned to enjoy the freedom they went to fight for. Today let us think often in our hearts, and be thankful for the many freedoms you enjoy today.

President Abraham Lincoln referred to one dying for his country as the full measure of devotion. The valor of men and women that never came back from war made possible our freedoms, our values, and our very existence.

Did you know that a few years ago Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act. It asked Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time and think about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

It may seem like a small gesture, but it’s a way to, however briefly, keep faith with those heroes and maintain a tradition worth keeping.

Romans 13:7 (AMP)

“… respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.”

“Let Us Praise Him For His Loving Works”

Posted on May 24, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I love thinking about all that the Lord has done in my life, and I can testify of the many wonderful works in my life since I became a child of His. His hands work in so many ways. Some days you may see His hand as He has guided you in a tough decision. 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.”

The word hands in this scripture is translated as a hand that is open, 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!

“We Walk By Faith”

Posted on May 23, 2015 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

For the past few days I have been sharing about Peter stepping out of the boat, and walking on the water to meet up with Jesus. As I said yesterday we need to remember that out of all the disciples, Peter was the only one that ventured to release his faith, and step out of the boat.Today let us continue to meditate upon how vital it is to stay focused on God, and His Word when we step out of the “boat” and walk in faith in an area of our life.

The lesson we can learn from Peter is that in a split second his focus and faith was hindered . You see, when he initially stepped out of the boat, there were wind and the waves, and his faith caused him to rise above anything he saw or heard. Although he stepped out in faith, the wind and the waves began to distract him, and fear entered his heart. Broken focus can do so much harm to one’s walk of faith.

As I was meditating upon keeping focus I started to think about blinders, and their use on horses. There is definite purpose, and benefits to do such a thing, and that is for the focus and protection of both the horse and the rider. I would like to share some things that I found regarding using blinders on the horse, and I hope they will serve us as an interesting analogy, and give us greater understanding in the realm of focus, and teach us to rise above distractions.

The blinders cover the rear vision of the horse, forcing it to look only in a forward direction, and keeping it on track. Farming horses can be predisposed to distractions, and if they are pulling a plow or a wagon they might need blinders to stop them from losing concentration on the direction they are supposed to be headed. Race horses also need blinders to stay focused that they can run a race, stay on course, and not be taken by distraction.

In light of sharing about horses and blinders I want to refer to scripture that is all about our faith. Hebrews 11:1-3 is basically summed up in a few words…We walk by faith and not by sight. Many times it is the very things that we see that seem so sure and secure, yet those are the things that will hinder us the most from believing God to do the unbelievable. There are those times that we will need to purpose ourselves to look past everything in the natural, and see into the Spirit in order that we can stay focused and stay in faith.

God’s Word is total light and life,and His Word will keep us focused and on track in the fight, and in our walk. Let us be reminded that whenever we step out that God is there walking along
side of us. As we look to His Word and refuse to be moved by what we see in the natural we will begin to see Him moving in our lives in ways we never have imagined. “…now unto Him who is ABLE to above and beyond all we dare ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20