Thursday, May 18, 2017\

 

 

 

 
Devotional for Thursday, May 18, 2017
“Lord, Cause Us To Know…”
 

cause me to know

by Dona Hake

 

Today I would like to encourage your heart in the matter of being mindful that you are seeking the direction of your Lord.   I am sharing a scripture from the Psalms which happens to be the very first Bible verse I ever memorized.   It is special to me for I remember being a young Christian.   For the first time in my life I was experiencing freedom in my soul from bondages and weights that made my life miserable.   I knew with all of my heart that I needed all the help I could get, and my heart was refreshed in knowing that I now no longer had to figure things out on my own.   I now belonged to a loving Shepherd!   Sometimes the one thing that can hinder someone the most is when one looks to their own ability, and they do not invite the Holy Spirit to help them in the smallest of matters and concerns.
 
 
 

  This image I share today shows a little one sitting on a stack of books which represents knowledge.  No matter how much you know and how much knowledge you have attained by study, you need to remain as a child in your heart.  You need to maintain childlike faith in everything you do.  It is as you do this that you will not try to reason things out in your mind.  You will just believe.     You will absolutely give your concerns and questions to God and as you remain childlike in your heart , you will believe He will take care of you.  

 

 

 

Psalm 143:8    (KJV)

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;

for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein

I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”

 

“Cause me to hear” is probably my favorite part of the verse because it is basically asking God to bring something about.  There are just way too many things in this life that we cannot make happen in our own ability.  It takes faith.  Sometimes just knowing what to say or knowing what to do could make or break a situation for you.  I encourage you to ask Him today to “cause you to know…”
 
Lord, we lift our soul to You, and we are believing to hear in our spirits Your loving voice for we are purposing to trust in You.   We ask that You cause us to know what our every step should be. We thank You that Your gentle hand is able to lead us and guide us in the way we are to walk.  In Jesus Name, amen.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Wednesday, May 17, 2017
“Jesus Speaks To the Storm”

It is Well With My Soul Church Bulletin Cover

 

by Dona Hake

 

Yesterday as I was driving with my Granddaughters my youngest began talking about the miracles of Jesus.  One by one she recounted and shared of all the stories that  she has been taught.     I loved hearing the faith and sweet belief in her voice as she shared each one.   I can remember talking with people that just want to reason away and discredit the miracles of our Lord.   How sweet it is as a believer when we come to know our Lord is the One that is able to do the impossible.   Today I share one of my favorite stories of Jesus doing one of those out of the norm things in the midst of a bad storm.   His disciples were fearful of the raging storm, and Jesus with just a few words made them realize the power in the living words that He spoke.

 
 

Mark 4:35-40

“It was evening of that same day. Jesus said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”  After sending the people away, they took Jesus with them in a boat. It was the same boat He used when He taught them. Other little boats went along with them. A bad wind storm came up. The waves were coming over the side of the boat. It was filling up with water.  Jesus was in the back part of the boat sleeping on a pillow. They woke Him up, crying out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?”  He got up and spoke sharp words to the wind. He said to the sea, “Be quiet! Be still.” At once the wind stopped blowing. There were no more waves.  He said to His followers, “Why are you so full of fear? Do you not have faith?”

 

This is one of those stories that make me wish I would have been there just to see the raging waters be calmed at the command of Jesus’ voice.  These words from this portion of scripture have created faith in my heart many times when things around me seemed to be out of control.  To know that He can bring peace to the raging waters of my life causes me to know that “it is well with my soul.”

 

The important thing to remember is that God is able to bring peace to a situation yet that does not necessarily mean the problem has gone away.  When God’s peace prevails within us, our hearts will be still and we will be calmed.  It is in those times that you will then be able to hear His whisper as He directs you into the next step.   Let us remember that in the midst of a problem or crisis that it is vital we hold fast to our faith and have our ears towards the Lord that He may reveal the wisdom that we need.

 

I leave you with this quote from  Francious deFenelon which makes this story from the book of Mark  even more real.

 

“A word from the Lord stilled the raging sea

and a glance from Him to you, and from

you to Him, will do the same for you.”



Tuesday, May 16, 2017

 
 
 
Devotional for Tuesday, May 16, 2017
“Walk As Jesus Walked”
 
by Dona Hake
 
I am feeling to share about being an imitator of Christ today.     I was inspired the other evening while I was working in my backyard to bring you this devotional to encourage and stir your heart.  It was so beautiful to just enjoy the setting sun, a calm breeze and seeing nature all around me looking so beautiful.   As I was working I noticed some beautiful songs from what seemed to be so many different song birds. I stopped, and listened and it sounded as if there were 15 birds taking turns one at a time patiently waiting for their turn to singing their very own song. Once again a cute little Mockingbird really fooled me with it’s accuracy as it perfectly mimicked so many different birds.    To me this is so amazing that God created this little creature to do such a thing.    It simply repeats what it hears, and it is quite entertaining.   This little story will serve as an analogy of a truth in God’s Word for us.     It is found in 1 John Chapter 2…If you say you have accepted Jesus then it is our moral obligation to walk the talk.  
 
 As we study God’s Word diligently, and seek to hear and know His voice, you can be sure that your words and actions will begin to be more and more as Jesus’ words and actions were.   He said that we would do even greater works.   So friend, I encourage you today to keep your heart challenged to walk as He walked, talk as He talked for this is the will of our Lord for every believer’s life.
 
Father, we ask this day that You be our Helper and our Guide.   Help us to know the way in which we are to walk that we are representing Your life, light, and love for we are earthen vessels that desire to be used for Your purposes.  In Jesus Name, amen!
1 John 2:6  AMP version
“Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has
accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation]
to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.”
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Monday, May 15, 2017

 

 

 
Devotional for Monday, May 15, 2017
“Making the Most of Our Time”

 

seize opportunities

by Dona Hake

 

Every day that we have been given is a gift to us from the Lord.  Let us thank Him for that and let us be mindful to be wise with our time.

 

Psalm 90:12 (CEV)

“Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”
 

 God knows I need all the little reminder notes and to-do lists that I write to myself  because it just keeps me on schedule and I feel like I am getting the most out of my day.  Many times our schedules may be interrupted with wonderful opportunities to help someone.  It depends how we view it.  For me it always seems that if I keep my heart right that those type interruptions turn out to be a great blessing.  Nothing so wonderful as to know in your heart that the Lord is using us to bless another’s day!  I can say that in those times of divine interruptions that it almost seems like my time becomes multiplied.  I heard it once said…”If you are about God’s business, He’ll take care of your business!”

 

Ephesians 5:16-17
 (AMP)

“Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity]…”

 

 I love this scripture because it makes me feel like our time given to us is so very valuable.  We should treasure it as we do our money.  Use it wisely, plan your time wisely, and think about how you can buy some opportunities to bless someone and be used by Him!I encourage you to seek Him on how to make the most out of every day that you have been given.  Love every minute of your life, but remember to let the Lord lead and guide you in the use of your time. 

 

 



Sunday, May 14, 2017

 

 

 

Devotional for Sunday, May 14, 2017
“Overflowing Grace In You”

 

 

god is able 2 26 14

by Dona Hake

 

2 Corinthians 9:8 (HCSB) 

“And God is able to make every grace overflow

to you, so that in every way, always having

everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”

 

This scripture just really blesses me.  I love meditating on the fact that God is desiring to shower us with His all sufficient grace as we set out to do His will.  As we lift our hands to heaven may we experience such an abundance of His grace that we cannot contain it.   It flows in abundance in order that we are equipped to do His perfect will in our life!

 

I made this  devotional a bit different today.  I am going to give you some “D” words to get the truth of His overflowing grace sticking in your mind and heart!

 

DESIRE

to be living examples of excellence in all you put your hands to.  

 

DRAW

upon His grace that He will shower it upon you as you believe Him for it.   It is as you do this that He will cause His grace to overflow in you that you may

 

DEMONSTRATE

that He is the God that is more than enough!

 

 

I encourage you to praise the Living God that is able to open the windows of Heaven and pour it upon your life.  Open your hands and heart to Him today and expect Him to do wondrous things through you for you are as a  tree that is planted by streams of the waters from Heaven, and all that you do will indeed prosper.

Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

“He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.”


Saturday, May 13, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Saturday, May 13, 2017
“His Word – Our Shield”

 

word a shield

by Dona Hake
 
 
He is:
 
OUR COUNSELOR
OUR SANCTUARY
OUR LIGHT
HE IS WONDERFUL!
OUR ROCK
OUR UNDERSTANDING
HE IS MIGHTY
 
We continue in our meditations of who our Loving God is and the many words that define Him and His character.  Today we will look at the power of the spoken and written words of our Living God.
 
 
THE WORD IS  OUR SHIELD.

 Proverbs 30:5 Expanded Bible

“Every word of God ·is true [passes the test;  is refined;

·He guards those [ They are a shield to those] who come to

him for ·safety [refuge].

 

God’s Word to us is flawless.  We need not try to analyze it,  we need only to believe that His Word is true.  He promises that His Word  is a shield to those that place their trust in Him.  In your day of battle you are promised that His Word will shield you and keep you.  It is in those times when the fiery darts of the enemy come to penetrate your soul that the Word of God that you believe and speak will be a protection, a refuge, and you will walk in victory.   Jesus stressed the importance and the blessing of living by the truth.

 

John 8:31-32 (PHILLIPS)

“If you are faithful to what I have said,

you are truly my disciples. And you will

know the truth and the truth will set you free!”

 

Oh that we would be diligent to know His Word that we may be free in every area of our lives.  Let us never add or subtract from His Word either.  
 

Proverbs 30:6

  “Add thou not anything to the words of him, and thou be reproved, and be found a liar. (Do not thou add anything to his words, lest thou be rebuked, and be found a liar.)”
 
 

 

Today I encourage you to  rejoice in the simplicity that God has laid out for us in His Word.  Love His Word and live by it.  He promises that as we do this, we will be free indeed!!!



Friday, May 12, 2017

 

 

 

 Devotional for Friday, May 12, 2017
“The Prince of All Peace”

 

Jesus Prince of Peace

by Dona Hake
 
OUR LORD!
We have meditated on the following precious words that
define the God we serve…
 
OUR COUNSELOR
OUR SANCTUARY
OUR LIGHT
HE IS WONDERFUL!
OUR ROCK
OUR UNDERSTANDING
HE IS MIGHTY
 
Today we will look at how He is the PRINCE OF PEACE!
 

 

I thank God for the peace that His Son Jesus Christ has brought to my heart. I cannot imagine living life without it. In a world full of changes, trouble and turmoil, He promised that He would leave us His peace. He said it would not be peace like the world gives so we know that His peace is not affected by anything we have to walk through. There is no valley to deep or storm so great that His peace cannot endure.

 

Jesus, the Prince of Peace desires that His peace rule and reign in your heart. He desires that you walk in His peace for His peace passes all human comprehension. When all is falling apart around us, His peace can calm our heart and bring it to rest.

 

 

I encourage you today to think about that precious gift of peace that is always there for you. All you have to do is allow it to rule and reign in your heart.

 

 

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes)
from Christ rule (act as umpire continually)
in your hearts [deciding and settling with
finality all questions that arise in your minds…”
Colossians 3:15



Wednesday, May 10, 2017

 

 

 

 

 
Devotional for Wednesday, May 10, 2017
“He Is Mighty!”
 

Jesus Name is Mighty

by Dona Hake

 

 
Who is Jesus to you?    What does His Name mean?   Within the Name and character of our Living God is an abundance of words that explains who He is and what He has done!   Today we will continue with names and words that explain the God that we serve.   I have been reviewing each day for you the names and words that tell us about our loving God.   So far we have meditated up Him being:
 
OUR COUNSELOR
OUR SANCTUARY
OUR LIGHT 
HE IS WONDERFUL
OUR ROCK
OUR UNDERSTANDING
 
Today we will ponder within our hearts how our Lord is mighty!

 

 

Psalm 150:2  KJV

“Praise him for his mighty acts: praise

him according to his excellent greatness.”

 

Let us ever be reminded of how great and mighty that our Living God is!!   When doubts and fears try to make us shrink back in our faith, let us call to mind that with man it may seem impossible but with God ALL things are possible for He is able and mighty!  The Hand that created and called into existence the Heaven and Earth waits for you to turn to Him in your time of trouble.  He desires to do mighty acts on your behalf  according to His excellent greatness!

 

Psalm 77:12

 “I will meditate also upon all Your

works and consider all Your [mighty] deeds.”

 

I encourage you to reflect on the times that He has done a mighty work in your life.  His Name is called mighty and there is nothing too big for Him.  
 
Ephesians 3:20  Easy to Read Version
“With God’s power working in us, he can do much,
much more than anything we can ask or think of.”
 
 


Tuesday, May 9, 2017

 

 

 Devotional for Tuesday, May 9, 2017
“Jesus Our Understanding”

 

jesus is understanding

by Dona Hake

 

Proverbs 8:14 (ESV)
“I have counsel and sound wisdom;

I have insight; I have strength.”
 
Jesus is so many things to us.  I will review the many words that I have been bringing to you that tell of our wonderful Lord.   He is our Counselor, our Sanctuary, our Light, He is called Wonderful, and He is our Rock.   If you missed any of these devotionals covering these, I encourage you to scroll down and read them.
 
 
Have you ever had something that you did not quite understand, and it bothered you for you really wanted to feel to know what was going on in a particular situation.   Maybe there is a scripture that bothers you because you do not feel you are totally receiving the depth of it’s meaning.   There have been times in my life in which confusion came as a result of not understanding something.   I believe that lack of understanding can be a tool of the enemy.   It is probably his greatest opportunity to come as an angel of light making good look bad or bad look good.   Our Lord desires to help us understand, and He will come along side of us and minister to our hearts the clarity that we need.    When we seek to know more, and we ask Him to help us understand, He is faithful to help us.  As we search His Word He will help us understand it and apply it to our lives.

 

In those times where things may seem to appear  dark, cloudy, and difficult…know that He is well able to unfold to you what you need to know.  He is able to bring to you the clarity that you need.

 

 

1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP)

” For who has known or understood the mind

(the counsels and purposes)

of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and

give Him knowledge? But we have the mind

of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts

(feelings and purposes) of His heart.”

 

Praise Him today that as we draw upon His understanding we are walking in deeper realms holding the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart!



Monday, May 8, 2017

 

 

Devotional for Monday, May 8, 2017
“The Lord Our Rock”
 

Jesus the Rock

by Dona Hake

 

 The past four days we have been meditating on the many names the Lord is to us.  He is our Counselor , our Sanctuary, our Light, and yesterday we looked at how wonderful He is.   Today our meditation will be on the Lord being our Rock.

 

Psalm 18:2 (ERV)

“The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety.
He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection.
He is my shield; by his power I am saved.

He is my hiding place high in the hills.”

 

As  believers we can  know Him as our Rock.  He IS the Rock on which we stand, and we know that as we stand upon that Rock we shall not be moved.  We can never remind ourselves enough about what He did for us at Calvary.

 

Before I knew Him as a teenager I can still remember whispering a prayer before my eyes went shut each night.  “God…there just has to be more to this life than this…”   I just could not believe within my heart that there wasn’t more.  Tormented in my soul I would keep uttering this prayer and then I met Him face to face at the last closing moments of a week long crusade I had attended.  Each night my heart struggled as I fought to surrender my all to Him.  What a fool I was to think that my ways were better and higher than His.  I praise God that in that time in which my heart was overwhelmed that He led me to the Rock that was higher than my ways of trying to live my life.   Praise Him today that you are able to stand strong and firm on the Rock that is unmovable!

 

 

Psalm 61:2 (KJ21) 

 

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee

when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to

the rock that is higher than I.”




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!