Devotions Archives - Page 145 of 176 - The Abundant Life Center

“The Timing of God”

Posted on Sep 4, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I found an interesting quote today in one of my prayer books.

“I have learned to thank God for answering some of my

prayers with “no” or “not now.”

Sometimes we may be interpreting our prayers as unanswered when God really is at work, but at His time and pace. When I read this I immediately began to think how we are so used to getting everything fast. You ride through the drive through window to buy your lunch, and no sooner you pay there is a bag in your hand. I have literally had my salads all but upside down in my bag because they were thrown into the bag for speed sake. Nothing like ordering a salad, and they worked so hard to get it to you so fast that they put no utensils in the bag. In the name of *instant* and *I want it right now!* things can suffer at times.

In the society of everything going quick and instant I find more impatience than ever. On and on I could go about how our expectations of timing can be off in areas in which we just need to patiently wait for God to move in our lives as He wills.

May we never feel that everything we pray about has to arrive from Heaven instantly. The Lord has a perfect timing for everything under the sun and as we live to obey and respect His will, we also will learn to abide by His timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEB)

” There’s a season for everything
and a time for every matter under the heavens…”

I encourage you today to ask Him for continued enlightenment regarding His timing and His ways in your life. Many times it is the waiting in our journey that we really do learn valuable lessons that never could have been learned without what we may be perceiving as delay. God is good and He is all knowing about everything, and His timing is ALWAYS correct!!!

“Our Heart’s Treasure”

Posted on Sep 3, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Matthew 6:19-21 (Darby)

“Don’t pile up treasures on earth, where moth and rust can spoil them and thieves can break in and steal. But keep your treasure in Heaven where there is neither moth nor rust to spoil it and nobody can break in and steal. For wherever your treasure is, you may be certain that your heart will be there too!”

There are so many things in this life that can serve to distract us from what is really important in life. Many may feel that if they only had more money or if they were more beautiful that everything would be better. You could be the richest and most beautiful person in the world yet have an empty and lonely heart. The things in this world cannot compare to those things that proceed from the windows of Heaven. We need to remind ourselves to be in great gratitude and thanks to our Lord for how He has touched in our lives.

When we start to accumulate the beautiful treasures that only Heaven can birth in our hearts, we will know and understand that they cannot be taken from us. His Word should be our greatest treasure and we need to guard it with all diligence.

Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified)

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

Today I encourage you to look up! Look up and remind yourself of all the wonderful things that He has touched your heart with. There are blessings all around you and He desires that you embrace a heart of thankfulness and that you would never take any good thing for granted. It is God that is the giver of all good things and today we can praise Him for that!

“The Joy of a Word Spoken In Season”

Posted on Sep 2, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

How odd it would be to wake up tomorrow morning , and find it snowing. The region in which I live summer is almost over but snow still would not be welcome. Everything has it’s proper time and season here on the earth. God has an order and reason for the seasons in every region on this big, great Earth. So it is with our words, He has a proper time and season in which they are to be spoken. One word spoken at one time may be perfectly fitting yet in another moment it may be entirely unacceptable, and maybe even offensive.

Today I just want to focus on the importance of speaking words at the proper time. God desires that we embrace His wisdom that our thoughts and words would be perfectly ordered by Him. I have said this many times. “Just because you are thinking something does not mean it should be spoken.” God desires that we choose our words wisely and thoughtfully. Let us look for ways to minister grace to the hearers of our words. Sometimes we may never have any idea how much our words especially those of encouragement may bless the heart of another.

“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of
praise after success.”
Unknown

I love the feeling of knowing that my words whether they be advice or encouragement were exactly what an individual needed to hear. It is just such a rewarding feeling. Think about blessing those around you with words that are uplifting and full of His grace.

Proverbs 15:23
“People enjoy giving ·good advice [ a right reply].
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.”

~~~~~♥~~~~~

“Are You Blooming Where You Are Planted?”

Posted on Sep 1, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I headed to my front garden to take a shot of the smallest Hydrangeas that I have ever seen. My Son and Daughter-in-law blessed me with this for Mother’s Day this year. In the past I have not had great success in my gardens with this particular bush, so I was not sure where to plant it. About six weeks ago I decided where to put it. Diligently I watered it but my Ivy is wanting to grow close to it. It was surrounding it so much, it actually was overshadowing something that almost went unnoticed. Underneath one of the large leaves of this little bush was the tiniest of Hydrangea blooms that I have ever seen. I broke that leaf away so the bloom would receive more light. In contrast to the size of the leaf you can see how small it is. I could not help but think of the quote “Bloom where you are planted!”

I can remember hearing this quote almost eighteen years ago from a special man named Arthur Burt. Today, I dedicate this devotional to him. His life was amazing and God used him in wonderful ways while he lived here on earth. Last week at age 102, he went to breathe the air of Heaven and spend eternity with the one he loved the most, and that was Jesus! Arthur had the most thought provoking quotes and wonderful stories. Oh my…he was the best story teller ever!

I can remember when he shared this quote. I just loved how these words spoke to my heart and challenged me. I knew I was planted and doing that which God wanted me to be doing but this quote always provoked me to keep check on whether I was blooming where He planted me. The reason I loved this tiny little bloom of my Hydrangea is because it reminds me that sometimes we may be in bloom in different ways and not to compare what we are doing with the successes of others. This little bloom is only about two inches above the soil…just an amazing little sight!

Today I encourage you to know that you are planted where God wants you to be, and then diligently do all that you know to do. Keep yourself full of Him that you can truly thrive and be a blessing a blessing to God and to those around you. Do not be surprised at the opportunities, places, and timing for you to flourish and bloom. Today, bloom where you are planted!

“Remain Stable and Fixed”

Posted on Aug 30, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Psalm 91:1
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
“He that dwelleth in the help of the highest God; shall dwell in the protection of God of heaven. (He who dwelleth in the shelter of the Most High God, shall live under the protection of the God of heaven.)”

Here are some other translations of the last part of this verse:

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High…

“…will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
“…shall remain stable and fixed .”
“…they will be camping in the Almighty’s shade…”
“… remains under the protection of the Almighty…”
“… resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king…”

I love the one that says we are camping in the Almighty’s shade. There is no place that I would rather be than dwelling in the shade and protection of the Almighty God! Under His wings we can trust and feel secure in Him.

We are living in a time in which we are hearing so much turmoil in our world. The world is being shaken like never before. The Lord Jesus spoke and proclaimed that in this world things are going to happen that will cause our hearts to fear and our world will feel shaky but He consoled His listeners with the fact that His peace would be with them. Today we can embrace that peace.

John 16:33 (AMP)

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

We can know and dwell in that place of knowing that NOTHING can separate us from the wonderful things that God has for us. Today I encourage you to dwell in that place of knowing who He is and who He said He would be to you. We share in a hope that no one can take from us. Let us rejoice in that!

“There’s Power In Forgiveness”

Posted on Aug 29, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I don’t know about you but I thank God that He is a God of second chances. The giving of forgiveness is that second chance. When someone offends us, we can let it go or hold on to it. 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 us.

One day the subject of forgiveness came up between the Lord and His disciples and Peter popped a question. I guess in Peter’s mind maybe he was willing to give even more than a second chance but a seventh chance. 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. We all have our limits. God’s love has NO limitations. Today I encourage you to draw upon the love of the God in the midst of your day. Know that as you draw upon the love from above that you can freely forgive as many times as you have to.

“Love is a fruit in season AT ALL TIMES, and
within the reach of EVERY HAND.”

Mother Theresa

“Taste and See”

Posted on Aug 28, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Whenever I have our Granddaughters at our house I love seeing them enjoying their food when they sit down to eat. Sometimes you wonder where they put it! There have been times in the past where they have seen me eating something they have never tried, and like any little one they have said, “No way! I’m not trying that!” I immediately respond, “Whooooa….we do not say that until we have at least tried it first!” If they at least try it and do not like it then they may walk away from it. I love when they apprehensively yet willingly try something and they light up like little Christmas trees and declare that they love it.

There are many times now when I finally sit down to eat after feeding them that our youngest Granddaughter will come and look up at me and say, “I’d like to try what you have.” I can not begin to tell you the times that my plate was handed over to that little girl, and I would just make myself a new helping. Why? Because I am delighted that she tried it and could not stop eating it!

I believe there are so many things about God that we have not even touched nor tasted of simply because we get comfortable with where we are at. We cannot get “full” of all the good things that He has for those that love Him. God wants to be in every inch of our life and we need to be aware of our need for every good thing that He has to offer us.

Psalm 34:8
The Message
“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.”

Psalm 34:8 (NCV)
” Examine and see how good the Lord is.
Happy is the person who trusts him.”

Today I encourage you to EXAMINE, OPEN YOUR MOUTH, AND TASTE!!! Happy are those that trust Him to show Himself in ways that they know not of!

~~~~~♥~~~~~

“Remember, He IS Faithful!”

Posted on Aug 27, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

Whether you believe in God or not…HE IS faithful. Whether you believe He can help you or you feel He can not…HE IS faithful. His faithfulness is not dictated by what we do or do not do, HE WILL ALWAYS BE FAITHFUL. We took Him out of our schools, but HE IS still faithful to the heart that is only permitted to silently pray to Him. In a time where we seem to have to be politically correct on ridiculous things about Him…let us remember that HE ALWAYS WAS AND HE STILL REMAINS, for He is faithful!

I heard a coach interviewed today. He is a believer and he stated, “I’m not interested in being politically correct, I’m interested in being spiritually correct!” Later in the interview it was mentioned that someone twittered the following comment relative to this, “It is no wonder our youth have no moral compass.” It is a very troubling time in which we live in.

I just want to encourage you to hold fast, do not be moved, for if you are a believer, you serve a God that is faithful. This faithfulness has extended from the moment His hand created the sun and the moon. As He placed the stars in the sky, and created every beautiful thing you enjoy today, remember He is faithful. In the present moment that you are living, He is ever so faithful and desires to be a part of your world. Nothing ever changes with God.

Psalm 119:90-91 Living Bible
“Your faithfulness extends to every generation,

like the earth you created;

it endures by your decree,

for everything serves your plans.”

Ecclesiastes 3:14 (CEV)
“Everything God has done will last forever;

nothing he does can ever be changed. God has done all this,

so that we will worship him.”

“No Record of Wrongs”

Posted on Aug 26, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

We recently had a guest speaker at our church and one of my favorite things he mentioned in the midst of his sermon was the importance of the believer having a clear mind. How valuable and important it is to embrace this truth. The clear minded person is one that embraces peace and order in his or her life.

We hear about TV shows where they go into the homes of hoarders. I cannot imagine how anyone could live like this. The thought of clutter and disorder being left go is hard for me to comprehend. I have also seen shows where people go into situations like this and totally bring everything to order simply by the skills of organization and just getting rid of things. I think God desires that we keep our minds clear and free any “clutter” and undesirable thing.

Today our focus in this devotional is to have NO records of wrong done to us. Let us take caution that we do not have our minds cluttered and occupied with “accounts” that we have created for people. These would be records of the hurt or anger that they may have caused us. Here is what Paul wrote in the Love Chapter.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (CEV)

“Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.”

Yes, sometimes it can be hard to forget words and deeds wrongfully done against us, but let us obey His Word. Let us freely forgive those who have upset or offended us just as we have been forgiven. When opportunities arise (and they most certainly will) where people irritate us and get on our nerves, we need to work at just releasing their actions and words, and not dwelling on them. I guarantee you if you dwell on wrong words or actions done to you , it will not be long that your memory will be keeping a bad account of their deeds. God help us to not keep records in our minds that are not worthy of the space they take up. Help us to live with clear minds that are full of Your peace that you may guide us, and live through us everyday!

“Trust Him In the Little Things”

Posted on Aug 25, 2014 in Devotions |

by Dona Hake

I just went threw my husband’s container where he keeps his change. My mission was to find one shiny penny, and two older ones. I grabbed my primitive flag and created this image for you. I thought it would be an excellent visual for this devotional.

I can remember reading a story once of a man that never walked by a penny if it was laying on the street. He provoked me to do the same. I used to walk by pennies and leave them lay. After all, it is just a penny…the smallest sum of money there is. This man said that he would deliberately pick up the penny and hold it on the side of Abraham Lincoln’s head and read the words outloud “In God We Trust.” He shared how this little moment would remind him to just trust in God even in the smallest of things.

As I laid these pennies on my flag I also want to remind you to be thankful for your freedoms that you enjoy every day. This is NOT a little thing, for many have sacrificed their life for your freedoms. Many have paused their life and walked away from their family for a period of time just to serve their country. Today and everyday, pause and thank God for your freedoms.

Now back to the penny….I encourage you the next time you have opportunity and you see one little penny laying on the ground, purposely reach down and pick it up, and allow it to remind you to trust in God for the smallest of things in your life. He cares about the smallest of details. He knows of the smallest details in your life that you are not even aware of. To this day when I see a penny I will now pick it up and say out loud, “In God I will trust!” Whether the penny is bright and shiny or old and dull, it still stirs me to remember a really big thing.

IN GOD WE TRUST