Thursday, 3/12/2020

 
 
Devotional-   3/12/20   
“What Words are Found On Your Mouth”
 
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
In yesterday’s devotional we began our study on the words ~found or find~. I made the statement that in this life there will be days that troubles will find us.
 
 
Today I want you to ponder the question… what is the response or answer found on your lips?   I am referring to how we react with our words whether there is pressure or not.  How we answer this will determine how we walk through tests, trials, and the simplest of things in this life.
 
“On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found, But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding. Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart], But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
Proverbs 10:13-14 Amplified Version
 
 
I will refer to us recently meditating on hiding God’s Word and wisdom within us. When we continue to hide and store up God’s Word there will be an abundance and overflow when we are faced with the pressures of this life.  As we grow our roots deep in Him we will find ourselves able to be very discerning in the face of any problem, and His wisdom will flow from our hearts, our mind, and our lips.
 

“Words of wisdom flow from the one with true discernment.”
Proverbs 10:13 a. TPT
 

Today I encourage you to observe what words are found on your lips with every answer you give. As we learn to take every thought captive, and seek Him with all diligence I believe that words of wisdom and great discernment will surely be found!


Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Devotional for 3/11/20   
“Find All You Need In Him”
 
 
 
By Dona Hake
 
Over the next few days we will be meditating on the words ~find and found~.   Let us look at what the Psalmist has written in Psalm 119.
 
“Trouble and anguish have found me, Yet Your commandments are my delight and my joy. Your righteous testimonies are everlasting; Give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] that I may live.”
Psalm 119:143-144 Amplified Version
 
 
It’s called life. There will be days that troubles seem to find us. But we can turn it all around as we find our delight and joy in Him. Last week’s word that we looked at was hidden. In those days that trials find us, we can proclaim where our delight and joy is found because we have been diligent to hide it deep within us.. We can rest assured that we hold a position under His wings for this is where we will find our refuge.
 

“He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions, And under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall.” Psalm 91:4 Amplified version
 
 
If we permit our Lord in our day of trouble, He will surely instruct us, and we can learn things about ourselves, and be a stronger person as we endure in our faith.
Even in the midst of tests and trials we can be a testimony of His gracious power that will rise up within us.   We will find that strength that calms us.
 
 
“Blessed [with wisdom and prosperity] is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, And whom You teach from Your law, That You may grant him [power to calm himself and find] peace in the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked and ungodly.”
Psalm 94:12-13 Amplified Version


Saturday, March 7, 2020

 
3/7/20   
“Hiding Our Treasures Deep Within”
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
Over the past three days we looked at how God understands us deeply… all our fears, strengths, desires, and weaknesses. Most importantly He desires that His truth be enthroned deep within us.
 
We learned that truth always outlives a lie. Jesus spoke against the dangers of manifesting hypocrisy and false appearances. The “yeast“ of this starts as a grain, and it will  bring forth bad fruit if our heart is not being guarded.
 
The hidden man must be strengthened by the Word of God. Whether man or woman we should all be focusing on adorning that which is eternal, that which is used by Him for His great purposes. Today I will close this meditation of the word ~hidden~ as we look at Proverbs 2:1 -7 The Passion Translation.   These are words of Solomon to his son…may we heed them as well.
 
”My child, will you treasure my wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept my advice and hide it within will you succeed. So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment— then pass it on to your sons and daughters. Yes, cry out for comprehension and intercede for insight. For if you keep seeking it like a man would seek for sterling silver, searching in hidden places for cherished treasure, then you will discover the fear of the Lord and find the true knowledge of God. Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you. For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly lovers. He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right. Then you will discover all that is just, proper, and fair, and be empowered to make the right decisions as you walk into your destiny.”
 
I encourage you to read over this several times and ponder it deeply. This scripture is posing several questions such as do we treasure wisdom? Do we except and heed to godly advice?  I love when it speaks of training our heart to listen, and open our spirit wide to expand our discernment.
 
We need to set ourselves to seek and watch for the hidden treasures that God has for us. Whether we be in prayer, reading His Word or hearing it from those that teach and preach to us… we must purpose to set ourselves to store up all that God has for us from His hidden storehouse!


Friday, March 6, 2020

 
2/06/20   
“The Hidden Man of the Heart”
 
by Dona Hake
 
In the scripture we are going to read here in first Peter he calls all believers to humility, submission, and service: everyone to God, citizens to rulers, slaves to masters, wives to husbands, and younger to elders.  Let us read as he addresses the woman to focus on the hidden part of her heart.
 
“In the same way, wives, you should patiently accept the authority of your husbands. This is so that even if they don’t obey God’s word, as they observe your pure respectful behavior, they may be persuaded without a word by the way you live. Don’t focus on decorating your exterior by doing your hair or putting on fancy jewelry or wearing fashionable clothes; let your adornment be what’s inside— the real you, the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit, in which God delights.”      1 Peter 3:1,3-4 The Voice Translation

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:4 – BRG translation

While the woman is being addressed here, this is most certainly a truth that applies to all of us. We must all be careful to nurture, guard and build strong the hidden man of our heart. Our culture puts so much emphasis on the adorning of the outward man and woman…what you look like, what you have, etc… Beware of your focus for it will rob your hidden man if it is in the wrong place.
 
As we purpose to stay centered on His will and watching over our hearts we will all possess the beauty of a heart that is pleasing to Him. This will most certainly happen if one keeps their focus only on tending to the issues of their heart. This is where our Lord places great value, and He desires we guard it with all diligence. Today let us meditate on hiding His Word deep within us, and guarding that hidden man of the heart!


Thursday, March 5, 2020

 
 
Devotional for 3/5/20   
“Let Nothing Is Covered Up”
 
by Dona Hake
 

I remember Roberts Liadon saying “Truth always outlives a lie!“ My heart has returned to this quote many times.   It bothers me especially in our political world  when it appears that someone is lying or living a lie, and  they are getting away with it.  The hidden lies that are covered in a man’s heart can surely be exposed by the hand of our God.     Today we continue with our meditation on the word ~hidden~. Let us look at Luke 12:1-3 The Voice Translation
 
 
“The crowds at this time were packed in so tightly that thousands of people were stepping on each other. Jesus spoke to His disciples, knowing that the crowds could overhear.
 
Jesus: Guard yourselves from the yeast that puffs up the Pharisees—hypocrisy, false appearance, trying to look better than you really are. Nothing is covered up that won’t be discovered; nothing is hidden that won’t be exposed. Whatever a person says in the dark will be published in the light of day, and whatever a person whispers in private rooms will be broadcast from the housetops.”
 
 
Many times one can be self deceived, and the fruit of that may manifest itself in hypocrisy, false appearance, and trying to look better than they really are. Jesus warned these people to guard themselves from this “yeast”.
 
 
I believe Jesus would speak the same thing in a crowd today. We live in a time where our culture puts pressure on us at times to feel we have to fit molds that the world says is popular and beautiful. Then there are times where people live in the deception of good works without faith. This yeast will surely feed self deception and lead someone down the wrong path.  Our God is looking for those that live their lives purely not hiding anything, and not being a pretender.
 
 
Today let us permit our Lord to examine our hearts very deeply that there be no “yeast” within our soul that would cause us to be disobedient, and living outside of God’s perfect will. May our hearts be open to the Holy Spirit’s correction in this area that we may live free of even one grain of deceptive “yeast” that could be hiding deep  within us.


Wednesday, March 4, 2020

 
WEdnesday, March , 2020 
 “In The Hidden Part of My Heart”
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
I remember years ago I had a friend in my life, and I can remember the one thing about her that really stood out to me, and that was she just seemed to laugh all the time. To be quite honest some of the things she laughed at seemed odd to me.  The more I got to know her the more I realized that her laughter was her way of hiding pain deep inside of her. It was her way of hiding how she really felt. It finally helped me understand why I felt some of her laughter was out of place so to speak.
 
 
 
There are many people out there like that in this world. Their hearts are broken or they may be bitter.   They may be dealing with things that we know not of but yet on the outside they try to act as if there is nothing wrong. They have learned how to conceal pain, bitterness or weakness because they do not one anyone to touch that area of their life again.
 
The word we are going to be meditating upon this week is ~hidden~. Let us look at some words that are related to that word…
 
unknown , concealed, disguised, withheld or masked
(I encourage you to ponder these words with this study of ~hidden~)
 
 
God understands what makes each of us tick, for He knew us from the time we were formed in the womb of our mother. He knows all of our faults, all of our fears, and every weakness, and yet He continues to work because He has promised to complete this great work within us. He needs our help though… we must open our hearts to this great God in order that His light can shine upon every place within us.
 
 
I leave you with two translations of a scripture in  Psalms for you  to meditate upon, and I look forward to continuing looking at this word with you. Remember, God knows you inside and out and He still accepts you for who you are, and desires to work His great and wonderful will in your life!  All He needs is for you to humbly accept your need for Him to touch you deeply with the  transforming work of His hand.
 
“But still, You long to enthrone truth throughout
my being; in unseen places deep within me,
You show me wisdom.” 
Psalm 51:6 – The Voice
 
“I know that you delight to set your truth
deep in my spirit. So come into the hidden
places of my heart and teach me wisdom.
”Psalm 51:6 – The Passion Translation
 


Saturday, February 29,2020

 
 
Devotional for Saturday 2/29/20
“Flooded With His Wisdom”
 
 
 
                                                                                      by Dona Hake
Over the past few days we have meditated on the word ~deeply~. I have really enjoyed sharing this with you. We pondered how a deeper walk will come with a strong love and commitment for our God. A strong love for Him is when we love Him with every passion of our heart, with every thought, and with all of our strength.It is very important that we keep our hearts humble and resist pride in every form of it.
 
 
Today I leave you with the importance of growing deeply in His wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to use our knowledge. God wants to steer us in right paths with His wonderful wisdom that only comes from above. It will show us when and how to speak, it will show us when to start and when to stop. His wisdom will walk hand in hand with our faith in Him in any given situation! God’s wisdom in us is a wonderful thing to embrace.  As we walk in the reverential fear and respect for our God, He promises to flood our souls with His wisdom when we ask Him for it. We will lack nothing in him!
 
 
“Let the word of Christ live in you richly,
flooding you with all wisdom. ..”
Colossians 3:16a. TPT
 
“Where can wisdom be found?
It is born in the fear of God.
Everyone who follows his ways
will never lack his living-understanding.
And the adoration of God will
abide throughout eternity!”  Psalm 111:10 TPT


Friday, February 28, 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Devotional for Friday 2/28/20
“Continue To Learn To Learn”
 
 

“My son, pay attention to what I say.
Listen closely to my words.
Don’t let them out of your sight.
Never stop thinking about them.
These words are the secret of life
and health to all who discover them.
Above all, be careful what you think
because your thoughts control your life.”
Proverbs 4:20-23 – ERV

We continue to study the word ~deeper~today. We are going to look at Proverbs chapter four and glean from it. Proverbs 4:20-23 sums it up with the truth that our thoughts control our life.   Pretty powerful thought isn’t it?    Below in Proverbs 4:1 we are hearing a father speak to his son.
 
 
“Children, listen to your father’s teaching.
Pay attention and you will learn how to learn.”
Proverbs 4:1 ERV
 
In order for us to go deeper in our walk with our Lord we need to pay attention to what we think and pay real close attention to what our Father God is speaking to us, and we must continue to be willing to learn how to learn.
 
One of the secrets of continuing to learn is keeping a humble heart. When one becomes proud about anything in their life, the depth of their spiritual walk will be hindered. The Word of God tells us that God moves close to the humble, and He resists the proud.
 

“But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us.
For it says,
God resists you when you are proud
but
continually pours out grace when you are humble.”
James 4:6 – TPT
 
Let us meditate upon these scriptures today and continue to learn how to learn! As we continue to move close to our God and fill our mind with His thoughts and ways He will continue to pour out all that He is that we can walk a deeper walk with Him.

“Fill your thoughts with my words
until they penetrate
deep
into your spirit.”
Proverbs 4:21 -The Passion Translation


Thursday, February 27, 2020

 
 
 
Devotional for Thursday, February 27, 2020
 
 
“Love God Deeply”
 
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
“And there is something more important to God
than all the sacrifices and burnt offerings:
it’s the commandment
to constantly love God with every passion of your heart,
with your every thought,
and with all your strength—
and to love your neighbor in the same way as you love yourself.”
Mark 12:33 – The Passion Translation
 
 
Today we continue pondering the word ~deeply~. When we love God deeply, we will desire to give Him full residence in our hearts.
 
Let me share an analogy with you…think of your heart as a 1,000 piece puzzle. Every piece is small and necessary for the completion of it. Did you ever do a big puzzle like this to find that you cannot figure out where a few pieces fit or there was one piece missing?   Your desire would be that it would be totally complete with every piece fitting perfectly.
 
So it is with God, for He cares about every detail of our life, each piece is a part of His “perfect will” to be done in us. Yet His perfect will requires all of our passion, all of our strength, and to love Him with all of our heart.

Today as you ponder loving God deeply,and with every part of your heart I leave you with this fun little story of a sweet moment of teaching I had when I was teaching preschoolers.
 
Many years ago I was teaching eight little preschool boys about serving God with their whole heart, and not being half-hearted.
I said, “Why does Jesus want us to worship Him with our whole heart?”   One little boy raised his hand and said,
 
“Jesus doesn’t want us to be half-hearted cuz
He is too big to live in half a heart!”
 
 
Selah
[pause, and calmly think of that]!


Wednesday, February 26, 2020

 
 
Wednesday’s Devotional – February 26, 2020
“Rooted Deep In Him”
 
 
 
 
by Dona Hake
 
Over the next few days we will be looking at the word ~deep~.As we pursue a deeper walk  with our Lord there are things we must do, and there are things we must not do. The scripture below exhorts us to not walk in the sinner’s way or be found in the scorner’s seat. Any Christian can fall prey to this deception, and we must walk with guarded hearts. Only our love for God and a strong commitment to His Word will take us to a deeper walk with Him. We need a strong conviction in our hearts and minds that our opinions and self created standards must bow their knee to Him.
 
Today I exhort you to know in your heart that you are walking in step with your Lord in every area of your life. It is then that you will stand strong and deeply rooted in Him. Praise Him for the fruit you are bearing as a result of your obedience to Him.

Today, expect Him to provide you with opportunities to give the blessing of that fruit!  May we walk the walk of the never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ad ever prosperous in Jesus Name!
 
 
“What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways!
He won’t walk in step with the wicked,
nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.
His pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,”
meditating day and night in the true revelation of light.
He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design,
deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss,
bearing fruit in every season of his life.
He is never dry,
never fainting,
ever blessed,
ever prosperous.”
Psalm 1:1-3 – The Passion Translation



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!