Dona Hake, Author at The Abundant Life Center

“Oh That We Would Rise!”

Posted on Nov 28, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I was recently reading some facts about the eagle that brings this scripture to life. Did you know that the eagle has a wingspan of up to seven feet? It flies higher than almost any other bird and it flies up to 10,000 feet! It can glide easily at up to 2,400 feet in altitude and moves up to 150 miles an hour. It can also carry objects equal to its body weight. Wow! Pretty interesting isn’t it?

Isaiah 40:31 (AMP)
“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”

I have always been fascinated with eagles, and for this reason I have always loved this scripture in the book of Isaiah. This scripture encourages my heart that there is promise to those that truly wait and expect from Him. In our time of weakness we can expect our strength to be renewed, and we can mount up as the eagle, and continue to soar with our God. We may be tempted to be weary and faint, yet something supernatural happens inside when we trust. I can testify from my own life in which I could have chosen to see a situation hopeless and draining yet I experienced His supernatural strength inside of me. I encourage you today to wait upon Him no matter what is going on around you. Whether there is a storm or not, draw upon His awesome strength, run and not be weary,and walk and not faint!

“For What Are You Thankful?”

Posted on Nov 27, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I want to first of all wish all of you a very blessed Thanksgiving Day! Today as you prepare to meet with family and friends I encourage you to be thankful for those around you.

This past Sunday as I was teaching the little ones, I was sharing with them about the holiday Thanksgiving. I began to encourage them to think about what they were thankful for. I went around to each child and ask them what they were thankful for. My heart was touched to hear that almost every one expressed that if was their family. Their little faces were so sweet and confident as they expressed their hearts. I began to share with them about the simple things that can so easily be taken for granted. Food, clothing, warm homes, etc. I went and got a fresh cup of water from the sink and held it up to them and began to share how easy it is to take for granted that we have clean, pure and safe water. I shared that my husband goes into countries around the world, and he has seen that their water is not pure and safe to drink. Their little faces were amazed, and I know it made them think.

I ask you today, for what are you thankful for? Maybe you do not have a big family, and maybe you might not have any family at all. You might consider your family to be those that have been true friends that have encouraged your heart and stood by you through thick and thin. Today and everyday we need to remind ourselves of how blessed we are, and how great our Lord has been to us. I pray that your day will be blessed and enriched as you fellowship with a thankful heart! Let us always be mindful to declare each and every day the wonderful things the Lord has done for us.♥

“Our Future Is In God’s Hands”

Posted on Nov 26, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

“…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Today is here and tomorrow is coming. What happened yesterday is in the past. Did good things happen to you yesterday? I hope you can say yes, but if you cannot you must make a choice to see this day as a new day with new beginnings. If your yesterday has brought pain to you then ask the Lord to bring healing to your heart and ask Him for the wisdom you need to walk forward. It important to remember that when we do walk through hardships that we should seek to embrace whatever wisdom we can attain and pass it on to others in need. I have found that many times people seem to be very open to those that may be walking through similar hardships. What a blessing it is to share with someone that is hurting. You may be the only light they have in their dark situation.

God desires that we look forward into our future with faith in our hearts. It is a very bad mistake to live in your past. It is like trying to drive a car with your gaze continually in the rear view mirror. Yes, there are times we need to glance in our rear view mirrors so we can proceed cautiously. Those glances serve you as a good way to proceed with caution that you do not make mistakes or put yourself in danger. Just beware that your dwelling place is not behind you because it is so harmful for your growth as a Christian.

“The future frightens only those who prefer living in the past.” John Mason

God does not want us to be fearful of our future but rather we need to rejoice in the days to come knowing that He is ready to use us as He wills as we give Him our all! I read a really awesome but powerful sentence the other day and it went like this…

“My unknown future is in the hands of an all knowing God.”

I will leave you with that thought today! We can all have our plans and expectations for our future and that is good but praise God that He is all knowing and He can cause our paths to be blessed and prosperous all the days of our lives. God bless you richly as you serve Him this day.

“Those Times That He Carries Us”

Posted on Nov 25, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Today I am going to share this precious poem with you that serves to remind us that the Lord has promised to walk with us, and if need be He will carry you in your weariness.

Footprints in the Sand

“One night I had a dream…
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before us,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life
This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You would walk with me all the way;
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”

Author Anonymous

There are many times in my life that I can testify of that I simply do not know how I would have made it a part from Him carrying me. Many times when I see people walk through things without Jesus I feel sorry for them because I know it must be so horrible to feel so alone and weak and no one to turn to because they have not allowed Him to be Lord of their life. When one decides that they have no need for God they surely have a rough road ahead of them.

Let us reflect on times in our lives where we felt there was no more strength yet somehow you carried on and you just knew it was a supernatural strength. God is so good and so faithful. Let us praise Him for the wonderful works of His mighty hands in our lives.

“The Heavenly Fruits of His Wisdom”

Posted on Nov 24, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

James 3:17 (The Voice)
“Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy,
and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy.”

God’ wisdom will always rest on these fruits. Wisdom’s fruits are pure, peaceful, and gentle. It is be respectful and merciful. It will never be touched with hypocrisy for it is pure, real, and it has been tested. God’s wisdom or ways do not up and change due to circumstance because it is not consistent with His character.

When we ask God for His wisdom He desires to bless us with His pure thoughts and how He sees to do something. He desires to bless us with His good judgments. I encourage you today to seek wisdom before every task. Get God’s mind in all you put your hand to. As you ask God for His precious wisdom, believe by faith that it is going to flow into you and flow forth from you as pure fresh living water. When people ask you for an opinion on something, stop and purpose to seek His wisdom before you speak. This is what people need, and this is what we need in our personal life…not our opinions, not our experiences, but rather the pure wisdom that comes from above.

“The Closer I Walk With Him”

Posted on Nov 23, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Today I want to share about walking with Him and holding his hand. This requires our effort because many times we desire that He walk with us yet we break the hold and run off like a little child because something in this life has distracted us. Aren’t you glad to know that the God of Heaven and Earth desires to walk with you and hold your hand?

Even though we may feel we are all grown up in this world in which we live, we must remind ourselves that we do not always see the dangers ahead as our Lord foresees. It is of utmost importance that we purpose to hold the loving hand that desires to embrace ours. There may also be times that He too may see need to speak firmly to His by His Word because you are wanting to go your own way.

I once passed by a sign that a church keeps a little quote to provoke a spiritual truth. It said:

“The closer I walk with Him,
there’s less of a chance
that anything come between us.”

Today I encourage you to hold His hand tightly and allow no distance between you and Him. Know that there are many things in this world that are trying to take your attention from Him. These things tend to tempt us and will ultimately weaken your relationship with Him. Be vigilant to watch over your soul and hold His hand and keep your eyes on Him because He never takes His eyes off of you!

“Thankful For His Provision”

Posted on Nov 22, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

“Look at the lilies! They don’t toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are. And if God provides clothing for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, don’t you suppose that he will provide clothing for you, you doubters?”

This scripture reminds us of God’s loving care and how He watches over us. He is there to provide for us all that we need in any particular time. This is the time of the year that we are pondering how our hearts should be giving thanks. As Thanksgiving approaches I encourage you to ponder the blessings in your life. Think about how He has so faithfully provided for you every day. Maybe it is not in ways you expected, but we can count on it….He is faithful and He will provide!

Think about it…. When you need wisdom…The Lord will provide. When you need strength…The Lord will provide. When you need direction…The Lord will provide. Think about all you may need and then begin to become strong in your faith that the Lord will provide! God is good all the time…all the time God is good, and He knows all that you need!

“His Mercies…New Every Morning!”

Posted on Nov 21, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Lamentations 3:22-23 (TLB)

“His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; His loving-kindness begins afresh each day.”

As you begin your day, do you remember to thank Him for His mercies? Do you remind yourself that His mercies are specifically new just for you each morning? Oh that we would remind ourselves of how He rescued us from a life a destruction. I think at times and wonder where I would be without Him for I know that He rescued me from a life of confusion, wrong choices, and deception. How about you?

Today I want you to look at this scripture and really read it keeping in mind that you are on God’s mind continually, and He desires for you to understand how much He loves you, and His mercies are ever toward you. I would like to share an interesting quote I found by John Bunyan.

“Since God has mercies to give, and He intends

to give them to us, those mercies are not broken

pieces or someone else’s leftovers….God has bags

that were never untied, never opened up, but set

aside through a thousand generations

for those who hope in His mercy.”

Let us meditate upon His mercies that are there for us now, and will be yours to find and hope for every day you live on this earth!

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever:

with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

“His Word Teaches and Admonishes Us”

Posted on Nov 20, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Yesterday I shared with you about my little Granddaughter trying to keep pace with my footsteps as I was walking a bit faster than usual. After my Granddaughter and I arrived home from our breakfast yesterday she does her usual run as fast as she can thing to get into the house. As she began to run on our sidewalk I yelled at her and warned her to slow up, and she immediately stopped, and changed her speed. I just do not want to see her fall especially on cold concrete. I am just glad she is learning to slow up and heed to the voice of wisdom. A word of warning is only helpful to the degree it is heeded to.

Proverbs 4:26 (TLB)

“Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe.”

Today, I want to share with you about those times that God calls out to us through His Word, His Spirit, or people in our lives. I know we can all relate to those times in which we feel we are being warned. We must always be careful to judge the warnings that come our way to make sure they are truly of Him, and not fear motivated. God’s Word clearly has accounts where men and women of God were admonished by the Lord.

Colossians 1:28 ( Amp.)

“Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One).”

Today I encourage your heart to respect the voice of the Lord as He speaks to you through His Word, the inward witness, and those God given people that have been placed in your life. May we all continue to grow deeper in the comprehensive insight in His ways and purposes.

“The Steps of a Good Man…”

Posted on Nov 19, 2014 in Devotions |

steps of a good man are ordered of the lord

by Dona Hake

Yesterday I was taking my little Granddaughter to breakfast, and it was bitterly cold and windy. As we were walking from the car to the restaurant I found myself walking a bit faster than usual forgetting the little feet beside me were running to keep up with me. I looked down and found her watching my feet, and trying her best to keep pace. I realized I needed to slow down for her, but what stood out to me was that she was trying her best to walk like Grandma, and keep up! After all she knew she was heading for her favorite breakfast restaurant!

Do you observe the pace that the Lord is desiring to walk? Sometimes things can seem to be moving slowly, and then out of nowhere business picks up and the Lord is doing all kinds of things around you. The most important thing is that we are diligently observing the footsteps of the Lord, as He has promised to walk beside us.

Psalm 37:23 (AMP)

“The steps of a [good] man are directed and

established by the Lord when He delights in his way

[and He busies Himself with his every step].”

The Lord is very interested in the paths that we walk on. I love how the Amplified version say that He busies Himself with my every step! It is important that we know He is delighting in the path that we are walking. All too often we can get into our own ways and ability, and stray from the path He desires. Today I encourage you to look often at the path or ways you are choosing for God desires to walk with you, but most importantly He desires to walk in the way that He has chosen just for you! Be strong in the Lord and follow His steps.

Psalm 84:5

“Happy are those who are strong in the Lord,

who want above all else to follow your steps.”