1.16.17

 
 
Devotional for Monday, January 17, 2017
“Let Us Be Real”
 
love live it
by Dona Hake
 
 
1 John 3:18-19 (ERV)
“My children, our love should not be only words and talk. 

 No, our love must be real.

We must show our love by the things we do.

That’s how we know we belong to the way of truth.”

 
Today let us meditate on the word real.  This is a word that should mean something to us as believers.  The Lord is calling on us to be real with Him,  real with ourselves, and real  with others.   What does that word mean to you as a believer?   Real defined is 
 
genuine; not counterfeit, artificial, or imitation; authentic:
 
As a teenager I can remember looking desperately to justify not giving my life to Christ. My main reason I was able to justify the many (and I mean many) arguments was that I observed so much hypocrisy in Christians.   That was until the day the Lord began to bring the real Christians into my life for me to observe.   They lived in truth and they kept their word.   If they said they would pray… they meant it.   If they said they would be there for me…they were there.  Real began to touch my heart and draw me to Christ.
 
It is important that we know we are being honest with God, honest with ourselves,  and therefore we will be in a position to show God’s love in a very real way.  As we grow in His love we will walk away from selfishness, the very thing that inhibits us from giving our all for Him.   God’s love positions us to be totally real and honest with those around us.    The more we come to know God, His love and His ways, we will walk as the Lord walked.  This world is looking for those that are walking in the God kind of love.     My friend the world desires to see the real.  God desires that we not just talk the talk, but rather walk the talk.
 
 
It is so easy to say what we want to do for Him but we need to know in our hearts that we will be willing to put feet to our words.  There will be times that God may call upon us to help people, and it may  make us have to go one more mile than what we had intended. Many times His love will stretch us and that is a very good thing. It is in those times that His love will be shown and we will grow as we give of ourselves. I think it is a good thing for all of us to be pulled away from our comfort zone and put in a place we have to rely on Him to help us to do things for Him that we never thought we were capable of.  God’s love is so much bigger than we can imagine, and He desires to do great things through each one of us!
 
 


1.15.17

 

Devotional for Sunday, January 15, 2017
“We Are the Work of Your Hands”
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
We as believers praise our Lord for creating the heavens and the earth.  We also praise Him for we know that He formed us within the womb of our mothers, and He has plans for every day of our lives.  Praise God that we are under the gentle and thorough  molding and workmanship of the Master’s hands. His hands are loving and they work with purpose.  Even if our days are met with trials we can know that He is at work in us.   It is in those times of struggle that He is strengthening us by His grace and wisdom…God’s loving hand is always at work in our life as we are seeking Him humbly and submitting to the Word of God. 

 

Isaiah 64:8  (the Voice translation)

“Still, Eternal One, You are our Father.

    We are just clay, and You are the potter.

We are the product of Your creative action, shaped
and formed into something of worth.”
 
Father, today we  thank you for Your divine plan in our life.  We praise You that we are indeed a product of Your creative action as You shape us into great worth for Your use.  We praise You that You pour out Your sweet and sufficient grace on everything our hands touch.   We thank you for helping us to recognize divine opportunities that You have ordained just for us for such a time as this.   Help us to humbly permit You to mold and work our lives into reflecting Your glory in Jesus Name. Amen.
 

 



1.14.17

 

 

 

Devotional for Saturday, January 14, 2017
“Seeking the Direction of Our Lord”
 

direction

by Dona Hake

 

Today I want us to meditate upon the word direction.   Do you know what direction you are to be going in God’s will for your life?   Many times we are able to declare that we know God’s will, and that is good but there may be days in which we feel uncertain.   It is as if we have approached that fork in the road. Whenever I am traveling to a new place I make sure my GPS is programmed plus I print out a map from the internet.   I always feel more secure knowing that I have done all that I know that I can do.  We too must seek to know our Lord’s voice and every means of leading us that we know.  God’s Word has a wealth of instruction for us, and our time in prayer with Him is certainly vital that we may learn to know His tender voice.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit that has promised to lead us in the way to go.  He has promised to teach us and guide us in uncertain paths.   Also, do not forget that our Lord knows how to straighten crooked paths!
 
I am so thankful that God’s direction in our lives need not be vague but rather clear and decisive.  When we come to “forks” in the road, we need to simply be ever conscious that He desires to point us in the exact direction that we are to go.  He does not want to see any time wasted in our lives so let us go forth confidently knowing that  He promises to stay by our sides, leading and guiding us to our destinations.

 

Isaiah 30:21 (Douay-Rheims American translation)

 “And thy ears shall hear the word of one admonishing thee behind thy back:

This is the way, walk ye in it: and go not aside neither to the right hand, nor to the left.”
 

 I was drawn to this translation over all the others  because it used the word *admonishing*.  He understands how our human nature can many times make decisions based on the “easy way” rather than His way.  Today I encourage you to listen for that quiet voice behind your back that desires to be your Compass in life.  We serve a mighty God that longs to lead us in the way of His victory.  Let us rejoice in His direction in our life! God bless you.

 

 



1.12.17

 

 

 

Devotional for Thursday, January 12, 2017
“Facing Your Tomorrows Without Anxiety”
 

Worrying about tomorrow

by Dona Hake

 

I love the quote “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”  It is so true.  We can get preoccupied with things, begin to worry, and all of a sudden it is as if a gigantic magnifying glass is on our problems.  What is even worse is if we are magnifying something that has not even transpired.  Before we know it we are imagining the strangest and most fearful scenarios.  It is in those times that we need to stop ourselves and remember Who takes care of us, and it is Him that lovingly watches over our lives.

 

Psalm 139 (The Living Bible)

 “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I am going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.”
 
 When we meditate upon the fact that God knows the moment in which we live, the moments we are about to walk into, and the tomorrow that we will face, we can be assured of His care.  Let us live in the abundant provisions of His Word and not allow ourselves to robbed of living one day at a time in His presence and in His joy!
 


1.11.17

 

 

Devotional for Wednesday, January 11, 2017
“The Strengthened Heart”
 

heart strengthened

by Dona Hake

 

I have always heard that if you need someone to help you get something done just ask a busy person.  I love and appreciate the people in my life that are there to help me.  These people are faithful and dependable…they keep their word. Nothing is more disheartening than someone not following through with something.   A faithful friend is a valuable friend.  A friend that can be trusted is such a wonderful possession.  Isn’t it wonderful that we can have a Friend like this in Jesus?  He is faithful and He will always keep His Word.

 Psalm 27:14(KJV)

 “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and He shall

strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

 

When I was pondering this scripture to share today the emphasis I want to make is on three words and they are AND HE SHALL.    The scripture does not say “wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and it is likely he will strengthen your heart.”  Nor did it say “wait on the the Lord: be of good courage and perhaps He will strengthen your heart.”  NO!  it says, “He shall.”  If He said He shall, then He will!

 

Thank God today that all that God promises to do in His Word, He shall do it!  God is good, He is faithful, and He always keeps His Word!  Let us rejoice that we are a people that can live with a strengthened heart as with live in good courage and wait upon Him patiently!

 



1.11.17

 

 

Devotional for Wednesday, January 11, 2017
“The Strengthened Heart”
 

heart strengthened

by Dona Hake

 

I have always heard that if you need someone to help you get something done, you should ask a busy person.  I love the people in my life that are there to help me.  These people are faithful and dependable…they keep their word. Nothing is more disheartening than someone not following through with something.   A faithful friend is a valuable friend.  A friend that can be trusted is such a wonderful possession.  Isn’t it wonderful that we can have a friend like this in Jesus?  He is faithful and He will always keep His Word.

 Psalm 27:14(KJV)

 “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and He shall

strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

 

When I was pondering this scripture to share today the emphasis I want to make is on three words and they are AND HE SHALL.    The scripture does not say “wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and it is likely he will strengthen your heart.”  Nor did it say “wait on the the Lord: be of good courage and perhaps he will strengthen your heart.”  NO!  it says, “He shall.”  If He said He shall, then He will!

 

Thank God today that all that God promises to do in His Word, He shall do it!  God is good, He is faithful, and He always keeps His Word!

 



1.10.17

 

 

Devotional for Tuesday, January 10, 2017
“A God That Never Changes”

 

Word stands forever

by Dona Hake

 

 It was about three summers ago that I can remember my oldest Granddaughter being so thrilled with all the pretty flowers in the garden in front of our home.   It soon became a special little thing that we did each time they visited, and that was they could pick their very own flower to cut to take home with them.  As the flowering season was soon to be over one by one my flowers started to fade and die.   Little by little I was uprooting them to prepare the garden for it’s winter sleep.
 
I can remember thinking and pondering how I was going to explain to her the day we pulled up in front of the house, and all my flowers would be  gone.  Every opportunity I had I would bring up the subject on a positive note.  I began to share with her of the new seasons coming.   I spoke of pretty fall leaves that we could jump in and then  I would talk about pretty snow falling, and how we could make snowmen, snow angels, and sled together.   This would make her little eyes light up with so much joy!
 
 

I can still remember the morning she saw that all my flowers were gone.  Her little eyes were not so joyful but so sad yet she seemed to accept it, and began to  look forward to the new seasons of fall and winter.  I had shared with her how God has blessed us with so much beauty in His seasons, and we have to accept the change of seasons and how they come and go.

 

Today let us look at one thing we know will never change as the seasons do.  One thing we can be assured of is that even though things change here on earth during our stay, God’s Word never changes.

Isaiah 40:8  (The Message)

“True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,

 

    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”

 

I am thinking and thanking God that He is ever unchangeable, He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever and His Word stands firm and forever.  What an assurance this brings to my heart!  God is so good.



1.9.17

 

 

 

Devotional for Monday, January 9, 2017
“The Friend We Can Trust”
 

Trust Nov 13

by Dona Hake

 

It is a wonderful thing to have a friend that you can trust.    It is  precious to have someone that you can bear your heart to and know that your words will go no farther.  A true friend will be there for you through thick and thin.  The friend that can be trusted sees your every side, your ups and downs, your strengths and weaknesses, and they simply accept you for who you are.   These are the qualities that will help you to trust.  These are the qualities of a true friendship that will endure through the storms of life.  A friend you can trust in is one that you can rely upon their integrity and strength.  Simply put you can have confidence in them because they have earned your trust.  The Lord wants us to trust Him as a good Friend too.

 Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP)

 “Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.”

   As we see Him as our good  Friend, He will give us every reason to put our total trust in Him.  As we trust Him with our all, we will see and be able to testify that He is with us in every thing we walk through.  When we walk through the tests and trials of this world  we will remain strong and vibrant in our faith, for He has promised to never leave our side.     Let us read our scripture from Jeremiah from the Message translation:

 Jeremiah 17:7-8 (MSG)

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,

    the woman who sticks with God.

They’re like trees replanted in Eden,

    putting down roots near the rivers—

Never a worry through the hottest of summers,

    never dropping a leaf,

Serene and calm through droughts,

 bearing fresh fruit every season.”

 

Enduring trust brings enduring fruit.  I like the idea of remaining serene and calm when everything around me seems to be destitute.  Let us rejoice in our Lord for He will cause us to put down our roots near rivers that never run dry.   We will endure and we will flourish as we bear fruit in every season! As we continue to trust, He WILL show Himself faithful!



1.8.17

 

 

Devotional for Sunday, January 8, 2017
“…and Nothing  Makes Them Stumble”

 

peace keeps you from stumbling

by Dona Hake

 

Psalm 119:165 (HCSB)

“Abundant peace belongs to those

who love Your instruction;

 nothing makes them stumble.”

 

It is one thing to possess peace that permeates our heart and mind, but abundant peace or great peace is what our awesome God promises as we love His Word.  As we stay full of God’s Word it seems there is no place for anything but His wonderful peace.   In those times that we do not stay in fellowship with our Lord and the reading of His Word is when souls begin to weaken.   We may feel we can get away with lacking diligence in attending to our hearts, but know it to be a truth…our thoughts and feelings soon follow if we are not staying strong in the Word of the Lord.   When we permit ourselves to weaken, the slightest of things will begin to bother and offend us.  May we never forget that the devil loves to see us get off track.   We can even get away from His Word just by being too busy, and many times it is trying to do good things.  I found this recent quote and I found it to fit perfectly with this devotional.
 
“If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy.”
Corrie ten Boom
 
 May we know that our good works are directly a result of us obeying His voice.   May we not fall into the trap of just being busy people.  Let us be obedient to seize only the opportunities that the Lord is putting before us.  Our time is precious and so is our abundant peace.  
 
How precious are those times where we feel saturated in His peace because we are saturated in His Word, and we feel unmovable.  It is when we are in that place of His refuge that we will simply be unmovable.  Paul spoke of the peace that passes all understanding.  That peace will keep and guard our mind and that peace will also surpass our understanding.    Let us strive to live in His abundant peace that we may abide in His place of refuge.  Have a wonderful day and God bless you!


1.7.17

 

 

 

Wait, Rest, Receive Christian Background

by Dona Hake

 

 We are blessed to live in such a time as this for we are blessed with so many appliances that help ease our workload.   As computer technology continues to advance it amazes me how everything around us is changing at such a rapid pace.   As we are blessed though with such things I also see a big downside to such blessings.   We have come to a place where we think everything needs to be done or received lightning fast.    We go through the drive through window and we no sooner hand our money, our bag of food is being handed to us (sometimes even thrown at us!). Short and simple…we are way too used to reaching for something and we do not have to wait for it. Modern conveniences can spoil us in a way that we forget the  importance of patiently waiting, and resting in the time of waiting.
 
I think this has sadly spilled over into our attitude toward our loving God and how we see Him dealing with us.  We pray a prayer and we can be tempted to become impatient if it does not happen immediately.  If it does not happen in the timing we projected in our mind we are tempted to think that God did not hear our prayer.Maybe He answers our prayer and it was not how we imagined and we may be tempted to be disappointed with how He decided to solve our problem.  Oh that we would stop and ponder that God’s ways and means are higher than we could ever comprehend.
 

 We must always remind ourselves that He has His timing, His wisdom and His understanding of exactly how to deal with us and the issues in life that we face. I thank God for the times that God seemed to delay answering certain prayers because along the journey of my wait He was working out other issues in my life. Many times He used those waiting times to bring my eyes to focus on areas of my life that needed His divine attention in order that He may help me in another area that I was not aware of.    Today I pray that your heart be encouraged when you pray… remember to wait, rest, and you will receive!




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!