Saturday, March 28, 2020

 
 
 
 
Devotional 3/28/20 
 
“Open Doors”
  
 
By Dona Hake
 
 
“Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover.
Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
For every persistent one will get what he asks for.
Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for.
And everyone who knocks persistently will one
day find an open door. “Do you know of any
parent who would give his hungry child, who
asked for food, a plate of rocks instead?
Or when asked for a piece of fish, what parent
would offer his child a snake instead?
If you, imperfect as you are, know how to
lovingly take care of your children and give
them what’s best, how much more ready is
your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts
to those who ask him?”
Matthew 7:7-11 The Passion Translation
 
 
“Open doors“ could mean so many things. It could be God’s voice telling you that it is time for you to move forward in a specific way. It could be the perfect timing in which He has brought peace to your heart. Sometimes open doors bring great change that require our heart to embrace courage that only comes from Him. Doors that are closed could mean we just need to quietly and continually seek Him. There are those times that we just need to patiently wait upon Him until certain doors open for us…when He is ready to permit them to open.
 
 
This Scripture calls to our hearts to be a persistent and enduring people. It speaks of the importance of being a persistent seeker of His perfect will in our lives. It also speaks of a fact that we need reminded of often… We have a loving Heavenly Father that wants to see things go well and wonderful in our life because He loves us so much. He requires that we seek Him with all of our heart, and lean not to our own understanding.
 
 
Today I encourage you to be  persistent and be diligent in the things of God. The God of Heaven and Earth desires to open your eyes that you can see more clearly. His ears are open to the cry of your heart, and remember He is attuned with you, and He knows your every need. We just need to ask…


Friday, March 27, 2020

 
Devotional   3/27/20
“Ask so you can see clearly”
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
On Wednesday we began our meditation upon the word ~open~. On that day we looked at Psalm 34:15. I love knowing that His ears are attuned to our prayers.
 
 
Today I want to direct your thoughts to those times that you may not understand something going on in your life, and things just seem so unclear. I feel at times when things seem hard to figure out, and our focus is blurry that the enemy can really take advantage of us. He uses this as an opportunity to steal the peace within our soul.    One of the temptations the enemy will try to position you in is for you to try to deal with your lack of understanding in your own ability….this my friend can be a dangerous place.
 
 
We must be quick to identify at any time in our spiritual walk when we are not seeing clearly. It is then that we need to promptly cry out to our God, and ask Him to show us in His Word what we need to see relative to our situation.
 
Remember He is attuned to our prayers!
 
I have had times that even before a prayer was on my lips that the Lord began to show me what to do in a given situation. He hears the cries of our hearts, and He knows us well. Let us look at these scriptures relative to our what we are meditating upon.

“Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so
that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.”
Psalm 119:18 – Amplified Version
 
“Let me see clearly so that I may
take in the amazing things coming from Your law.”
Psalm 119:18 – The Voice
 
 
In the book of James he says if you lack wisdom you ask God and He will give it to you liberally. So today if you need to see something more clearly, or you need to identify a problem that has your spiritual walk in a blur… JUST ASK HIM!    Ask, and believe that He will open up to you that which you need, and that which  you need to see more clearly. Believe Him that He will clarify those things you do not understand, and He will guide you in the path that you are to walk, and make your path straight.


Thursday, March 26, 2020

 
 
Devotional 3/26/20
 
“Open Your Heart and Give To Him”
 
 
 
 
 
 
“The wise men left Herod’s chambers and
went on their way. The star they had
first seen in the East reappeared—
a miracle that, of course, overjoyed
and enraptured the wise men.
The star led them to the house
where Jesus lay; and as soon as the
wise men arrived, they saw Him
with His mother Mary, and they
bowed down and worshiped Him.
They unpacked their satchels and
gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
“Matthew 2:9–11 The Voice Translation

The following is a side note in the Voice Translation. I found it very interesting what they are sharing as far as the significance of each one of the gifts the wisemen brought.

“These are exceptionally good gifts,
for gold is what is given a king,
and Jesus is the King of kings;
incense is what you expect to be given a priest,
and Jesus is the High Priest of all high priests;
myrrh ointment is used to heal, and Jesus is a healer.
But myrrh is also used to embalm corpses—
and Jesus was born to die. “
(side note in Voice Translation)
 
 
Today we continue with the word ~open~. Here in the Scriptures we see that the closer the wisemen came to finding Jesus they were overjoyed and enraptured. They were simply delighted beyond measure!! As they dropped to their knees they unpacked and opened their satchels and they gave to Him, and each gift had a special meaning.
 
 
Today I encourage you to meditate upon these Scriptures as you draw near to Him. As you  pray and seek Him, open up your heart, and give to Him. Give Him your gifts and abilities and of course always permit Him to flow through you as He wills. Also, give Him your weaknesses and imperfections for in them He will strengthen you and perfect that which concerns you.
 
Today permit the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to bless you with wisdom and revelation that you know not of … it is then that you will know Him in a deeper way.

“God of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, Father of Glory:
I call out to You on behalf of Your people.
Give them minds ready to receive wisdom
and revelation so they will truly know You.
Open the eyes of their hearts,
and let the light of Your truth flood in.
Shine Your light on the hope
You are calling them to embrace.
Reveal to them the glorious riches
You are preparing as their inheritance.
Let them see the full extent of Your
power that is at work in those of us who believe,
and may it be done according to Your might
and power. Friends, it is this same might
and resurrection power that He used in
the Anointed One to raise Him from
the dead and to position Him at His
right hand in heaven.
There is nothing over Him.”
Ephesians 1:17-29. The Voice Translation-


Wednesday, March 25, 2020

 
 
Devotional 3/26/20  
“His Ears Are Open”
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
 
We will begin pondering the word ~open~. Right now we have all experienced the inconvenience of restaurants, schools, and certain stores etc.… not being opened due to the Coronavirus. There are those that have no  job to go to, and this is causing great stress for so many. It is quite amazing how it is so easy to take for granted what we deem as normal and how easy things can change. Such things like this can cause the still waters of our hearts to be troubled at times.
 
 
Today we will ponder that God never changes. one of the many wonderful things about our God is that is His eyes are toward us and His ears are always open as we cry out to him for help.
 
 
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry for help.”
 Psalm 34:15 – Christian Standard Bible
 
 
“For the Eternal watches over the righteous,
and His ears are attuned to their prayers.
He is always listening.”  
Psalm 34:15 – The Voice translation
 

While we are all facing different inconveniences at this time I encourage you to remember in those times of frustration, lack of peace  or not knowing what to do… Call on the Lord for His ears are open to your cry for HE IS ATTUNED to your prayer!   He will perfect that which concerns you and He will lead and guide you each day. We can thank Him continually that His peace can permeate us in a time when we can feel the lack of peace all around us.
 
 
We serve a good God, and the Lord is our Shepherd and in Him we will have no want. What is it that you need to cry out to Him right now? Know that His ears are open to you today.


Saturday, March 21, 2020

 
 
Devotional  3/21/20
“Considering Our Own Blindspots”
 
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
This is our final day pondering the word ~consider~. Again, to refresh your memory, it means to think carefully before making a decision, contemplate or reflect upon.
 
The scriptures we will be looking at today are a warning to everyone of us. When we encounter people, and their “baggage” we need to guard ourselves from being bothered and critical of them. Luke admonishes us to first of all consider what is going on within our own hearts and minds. Let us read the scriptures in Luke 6:41 from the Amplified Version and Luke 6:41-42 in  the Passion Translation.
 

“Why do you look at the speck that is
in your brother’s eye, but do not notice
or consider the log that is in your own eye?”
Luke 6:41 -AMP
 
“Why do you focus on the flaw in someone else’s life
and fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own life?
How could you say to your friend, ‘Here, let me
show you where you’re wrong,’ when you are
guilty of even more than he is? You are overly
critical, splitting hairs and being a hypocrite!
You must acknowledge your own blind spots
and deal with them before you will be able
to deal with the blind spot of your friend.”
Luke 6:41-42 – TPT
 
 
These Scriptures remind me that I need to continue to press in, and ask for the Holy Spirit‘s guidance in those places in my heart and mind that I can very easily miss because I am blind to them.  Praise Him that He desires to give us  an awareness of the blind spots in our life…those things we simply do not see.
 
 
When I think of blind spots I think of being in a car driving. Did you ever go to pull out at an intersection or in a parking lot, and you think all looks clear and it seems like out of nowhere a car comes flying right in front of you.   I usually take a deep breath, and thank the Lord for His protection.  If our response is quick we stop quickly, if we  do not respond in a quick manner it could mean an accident. So it is in the realm of our soul.  We need to heed to those things that we finally see for they could cause us great grief if we do not deal with them quickly.
 
 
In this life we need to proceed cautiously at all times keeping an awareness of what is going on inside of us, and staying conscious of the voice of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you today to continue seeking the Lord, and ask Him for a deeper awareness of His presence in your life. May we be quick to see the blind spots He reveals to us, and be quick to receive His instruction and wisdom to help us to change it.


Friday, March 20, 2020

 
 
 
Devotional 3/20/20
“Consider and Watch Over Your Path”
 
 
by Dona Hake
We are on day three of meditating on scriptures relating to the word ~consider~. To consider something is to think carefully before making a decision, contemplate or reflect upon. Let us look at a scripture now as the Psalmist has shared what he did after he considered his ways…
 
 
“I considered my ways and turned my
feet to [follow and obey] Your testimonies.”
Psalm 119:59 – Amplified Version

I also enjoyed reading from the Passion Translation how this scripture was worded.
“When I realize that I’m going astray,
I turn back to obey your instructions.”
Psalm 119:59 -The Passion translation
 
 
When I read this scripture the Holy Spirit ministered to me that many times people stray, get confused or anxious simply because they are not guarding your heart and purposing to stay in God’s peace.  There will be those days that we simply need to set our face and feet in God’s direction and start fresh. Praise God for His forgiveness and fresh starts!
 
I know for myself when my mind, heart and soul are full of God‘s peace I am very focused, and in tune with the Holy Spirit. If I am caught up in worry and picking up care it seems that everything seems bigger than what it really is. This is when the devil can easily tempt any one of us to pull away from that which we know to do is right. The devil loves nothing more than to pull a believer away from standing strong in their faith.
 
 
May these scriptures be a reminder to us to consider well, and be watchful that we are indeed doing God’s Word that we will be strong and steadfast!
 
 
“Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.”
Proverbs 4:26 – Amplified Version


Thursday, March 19, 2020

 
 
Devotional   3/19/20
“Considering God’s Word”
 
 
iby Dona Hake
Consider … This is our word that we are meditating upon this next few days. Again it means to think carefully in order to make a decision, contemplate or reflect upon.
 
There is a new norm all around us, and that is the rule of social distancing. Some follow it closer than others but I have to admit that I forget the stand 6 feet away from someone but I am doing more elbow bumps! Anyway, we are being called upon to consider this when we are in public to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
 
So as we stop and purpose to consider these new rules of social distancing I want you to stop and consider today that our Lord has laid down things in His Word for us to follow. These are the things He is telling us NOT TO DO or distance ourselves from so that we can continue to flourish spiritually.
 
This past week I was teaching my granddaughters how to make a new cookie we have never tried before. Throughout the process I instructed them on the “Do not do this or thats” or this could happen. Along with my instructions there were many times I heard “Why not Grandma?” All of these instructions were relative to food safety, and keeping them from burning themselves. Was I being mean because I gave them “Do Not” instructions?   No, I was not!  I love them too much to see them be harmed because they decide to do their own thing.

So how closely do we follow our Lord’s Word in which it states those things that we should not do or distance ourselves from? I realize there are many scriptures to look at relative to this so I encourage you to do your own study on these scriptures that the Lord desires for us to follow. Here are some scriptures for you to look at today and meditate upon…

“Tremble in awe before the Lord, and do not sin against him. Be still upon your bed and search your heart before him. Pause in his presence.”  Psalm 4:4 The Passion Translation
 

“My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.”  Proverbs 1:10 -Amplified Version
 

“Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”  Proverbs 3:3 – Amplified Version
 

“Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];…”  Proverbs 3:25 – Amplified Version
 
 
 
“Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.”  Proverbs 4:13 – Amplified Version
 

“Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, And all your ways will be steadfast and sure. Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk]; Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.”  Proverbs 4:26-27 Amplified Version


Wednesday, March 18, 2020

 
 
Devotional 3/18/20
“Consider This…”
 
 
 
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we need to be standing strong every moment of our life. In this time the world is facing the Coronavirus pandemic, and it is gripping so many with great fear. I want you to consider today how you can be used by the hand of God to touch people that need your help.
 
No matter where you turn whether it be in the news or conversation there are fears, overreaction, under reaction, opinions etc.… It can really set your heart and soul spinning if you let it bother you. Regardless of what you hear I encourage you to consider that you are continuing to guard your heart, and the answer of your mouth. We need to be bringing peace and comfort to fear, understanding to questions, and revelation of God’s love to those in need. 
 
I personally have set myself to seek out opportunities in this valley we are walking through to be a blessing wherever I am at.   A few days in the grocery store I walked in looking for particular items. With every aisle I turned into I was also  looking for someone that may need help or a word of encouragement. I found an elderly gentleman that needed help finding a particular food. With  shaky hands he held a list of things his wife had written for him. He told me she could no longer walk, and he too struggled walking. He was so grateful that I took time to lead him exactly to where he needed to be. We met up again at the toilet paper aisle and shook our heads and laughed together at the empty shelves. It’s the little things like that which can make someone’s day and make them feel loved and cared for.
 
Over the next few days we will be looking at the word ~consider~. Consider defined: to think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision; contemplate; reflect on:
 
I am sharing this scripture for you to meditate on, and also that you may be able to share it with that one that is in fear. We are God’s light! We are the lamp that He wants to take into the darkness that the Coronavirus has brought. For such a time as this let us position ourselves to touch a person that may need the comfort and answers from God’s Word.
Consider this…
“Does worry add anything to your life? Can it add one more year, or even one day?  So if worrying adds nothing, but actually subtracts from your life, why would you worry about God’s care of you? “Think about the lilies. They grow and become beautiful, not because they work hard or strive to clothe themselves. Yet not even Solomon, wearing his kingly garments of splendor, could be compared to a field of lilies. If God can clothe the fields and meadows with grass and flowers, can’t he clothe you as well, O struggling one with so many doubts? I repeat it: Don’t let worry enter your life. Live above the anxious cares about your personal needs.
Luke 12:25-29 – The Passion Translation


Saturday, March 14, 2020

 
 
 
Devotional 3/14/20 
 
“When Mary Found Favor”
 
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
“Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?” Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God. And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.” Then Mary said, “ Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.”
Luke 1:26-38 – Amplified Version
Today is our last day looking at the words ~find and found~. The Angel Gabriel found Mary for this was his assignment from God… Mary found favor, and her reaction…she was perplexed.  This poor young girl was bewildered and puzzled but the Angel Gabriel calmed and prepared her heart to hear more as he spoke these words… “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God.“
 
I can only imagine how blindsided Mary was by this divine visitation. Of course Mary had questions… I know I would have if I were in Mary shoes! When Mary heard the angel say “With God nothing shall be impossible.“ She responded “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord: may it be done according to your word.”  Let us ponder this beautiful story, and think about times that the Lord has called upon us to do something outside of possibilities and our comfort zone.  He desires to use all of us for special purposes in our lives!
 

Today let us walk with expectation of surprises from God. You just never know how He may call upon you with a special assignment. As you purpose to follow God I encourage you to find His will, walk in His peace, draw upon His grace and remember that with God nothing shall be impossible!


Friday March 13, 2020

 
 
Devotional 3/13/20 
 
“Let Others See What You Have Found”
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
We continue our study on the words ~find and found~.   Today I encourage you to take a moment and ponder that moment you gave your life to Christ. Think about the surrender that happened in your heart as you found your new life in Him. Everything became new because of what Jesus did on the cross, and you experienced His wonderful forgiveness, and you found a new way of living.
As we ponder finding new life let us now meditate upon those who have not, for they are still lost. Let us look at the scripture in Matthew 5:13–16 TPT

“Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing and will be thrown out and trampled on by others. “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

I want to look in particular to the few words within the scripture… “Let others see your light from a distance…” Know this, people are watching you, and they are watching your life. There are those that are listening to our words and we just will never know how much we affect people with our godly words of encouragement, and hope.  There may be those that act like they are not interested in living for Him yet just maybe deep inside they are hungry for something more. Let us keep a conscious awareness that we are showing the light of His  life to every man, woman or child that is lost, and needs to find their life in Christ.Let your light shine for Him!



6 Responses to “Devotional”

  1. Lisa Viands says:

    This is a good way of teaching the kids to forgive each other(Matt. 5:7). I like the power of this gentle scripture and lesson… Thanks!!

  2. Selena Neely says:

    Ralph &I are really enjoying your devotional together.

  3. Selena Neely says:

    Oh, what a wonderful reminder! I want to break the magnifing glass of worry and trust God for each step I take.

  4. Dona Hake says:

    It is interesting Selena how the more we worry the bigger and more magnified things get in our minds. Oh how important it is to trust our God for the smallest of things! Thank you for sharing!