Yvette's Stellar Stories

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Before Bitterness takes root, forgive!

John 20: 22 AMP “And when He [Jesus] said this, He [Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

I have come to realize that the devil knows how to manipulate me and he constantly reminds me of past sins. This year has been one of those difficult years, I would be doing something and a memory pops up and makes me either very sad or really angry. I kept on struggling with these negative thoughts until I realized I have to take control of my thinking. Yes, I know “this and that” happened but I have spoken to the Lord and I have repented and ask the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of this sin. I also know that I have been forgiven.

Why was I struggling to let things go? Today I realized I didn’t have the faith to accept it. We see Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus breathed on His disciples saying “receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus also said that “If you forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven [because of their faith]; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained [and remain unforgiven because of their unbelief].”

I have received the Holy Spirit but in my stubbornness, I kept onto past transgressions and when I feel offended by someone I kept holding onto it. Why? The person isn’t even aware that I am angry at them? I am carrying this mad rage around and it isn’t even doing anything to the other person. No, it is keeping me from my peace. What’s wrong with me?

As the Lord Jesus states “If you forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven [because of their faith];” so it is up to me to forgive, I must let go of this thing that I keep on holding onto. Just short on this sentences tail, “if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained [and remain unforgiven because of their unbelief].” Oh my goodness, I keep them locked up and it makes me go crazy on top of it too.

I do believe God is speaking to me through dreams and I have come to realise that I have been holding onto so many little things that I cannot move forward. I struggle with my stomach and when I feel upset I walk around with stomach pain constantly, there is no relief. It struck me this morning; it’s the root of bitterness. I need to get rid of this nonsense. I have to think about the people who I feel have offended me and set them free. They don’t even know that I am still angry at them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus today I am so grateful for this Word. People do offend me on a regular basis and I seem to hold grudges. I keep it locked up in my heart and visit it every now and then. Today Lord Jesus Breath Your Holy Spirit over my life. I forgive the people that have offended me and I set them free. Lord, You reminded me to get to the root of my problem. Today I want to humbly come and ask You please forgive me, I lack the necessary faith. I have been unfaithful and holding onto past sins. I pray to forgive me, I also forgive myself. I also forgive the people who have hurt me knowingly and unknowingly. I pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth my Salvation. Amen

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Tuesday 6 November 2018

Start each day with the Lord Jesus

Psalm 127: 2 AMP

“It is vain for you to rise early, to retire late, to eat the bread of anxious labours – for He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.”

This morning I received a “WhatsApp” from my daughter “no weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against you in judgement you will condemn.”

It has been difficult for me the last couple of weeks. I have been taking umbrage when people make statements that offend me. In the meantime, I have decided to shrug them off. I keep reminding myself "the noise in your head isn't in my head." I try and to stay positive.

What do I do the first thing I wake up in the morning? I say “Thank You, Lord, for today.” Stretch out and switch off the alarm. Lay in my husband’s arms until the second alarm rings jump out of bed straight to the shower.

The most important thing in my life is speaking to God. I am grateful for a new day, for God’s mercies new each day. I am grateful that I can speak to Him early and we can just be together.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You, for today, thank You that I may come into Your presence and spend time with You. I love and adore You, I accept Your cloak around me the protection of Your hands. I know I don’t have to feel anxious for nothing, You are so in control over my life. I bless You and I love You in Jesus Christ name amen.

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Supernatural Favor from The Lord

Romans 11: 6 AMP

“But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favour], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].”

Here’s a question, who am I depending on? Am I depending on my own strength, wisdom and insight or am I depending on my spouse or family to get me through my predicament? Or my other and only option am I depending on the Lord Jesus Christ?

I am depending on the Lord Jesus Christ because nothing I do or my spouse or anybody I know can get me out of this predicament. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can. I am reading this verse and it states clearly that God’s unmerited (supernatural) favour is by grace. It’s a gift to me when I place my trust and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know that it is my nature to always try and earn whatever, I don’t believe that anything is for free and I normally feel suspicious of people saying “o, it's for free.” Don’t take offence I doubt anything is for free. There is always a catch.

But as a Child of God, a Christian I am standing on this verse today that I have the Lord’s unmerited favour in my own life, even in this situation I am facing this very minute.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord my God, thank You, for today, thank You for Your grace and mercy new every day. Lord in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that I am in right standing before You because of Your Son Jesus Christ, a perfect sacrifice on the cross for my iniquities. Praise You, Lord, thank You, Lord Jesus, For always keeping me in right standing before God. I am unclean and not worthy without You Lord Jesus Christ. I know not even my best efforts are worthy of standing before You Lord, Amen.

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Monday 5 November 2018

The Complete Armor of God

Ephesians 6: 13 – 17 Amplified Bible

“Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger] and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth [personal integrity, moral courage] around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness [an upright heart], and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Today I want to encourage you to put on the complete armour of God. I don’t think we realise just how very important our armour is in this day and age. Each morning we wake up with a song in our hearts. Thank You, Lord God for a new day, for Your mercies new every morning. I know I am so grateful for a new day. It means I have an opportunity to work hard and glorify the Lord.

Today I believe God wants both you and me to upon our complete armour of God. We are strengthening ourselves against the attacks the devil has laid out for each one of us.

I also have the habit in pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will clothe me and help me face today. I feel our days are very difficult and if we don’t dress properly we are going to fail. Think of it like this, you get out of bed and take a quick shower, the first thing you do is dry yourself off and then cover yourself with some nice smelling cream. That’s what I do, and then I start with my undergarments and then the rest of my clothes. I have noticed that the cream has a beautiful fragrance and when I am hot and sweating you are able to smell my body’s perfume. A pleasant fragrance, I will walk past my husband and he will say you smell nice.

Your armour is supposed to be this fragrance; it must be the first thing we put on so that we can stand each day.

Prayer

O Lord, heavenly Father, and today we put on the complete armour of God. Lord, we want to successfully resist and stand our ground against the danger today. We, Lord, want to deal with any crisis successfully. Lord, I am asking that You will help us and guide us so that we are able to stand firm, not moving. Help us with our personal integrity and let our moral courage stand out. We want to always have upright hearts so that we can face the enemy in any situation. Please help us and protect us in this day and age. As we dress in the complete armour of God and also clothe ourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord, for answered prayers. Amen

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Friday 2 November 2018

Making my expectations clear

1 Chronicles 29: 1 “Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chose, is yet young and tender, and the work is great for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.”

I constantly try and make my expectations clear to my step kids but it is difficult because we do not seem to be on the same page. I expect them to take responsibility for whatever they must do. Sometimes I see them doing what is required of them but it’s seems to be a process.

How will these kids build their ‘temple” if we don’t guide them. I hate letting things slide and I am on their case constantly bearing in mind that I cannot let things go. But at the moment I have come to a place where I do not want to take up their responsibility in life, they must and I leave them to it.

Prayer

Lord please help me to understand these kids, I am asking they You will guide them and help them going forward. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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A “Blame Thrower”

Galatians 6: 5 “For each will have to bear his own load.”

I have come to realise that people constantly are looking for a scapegoat. I think of someone that has a specific task and has been instructed to do something for me. I must constantly remind this person to take responsibility for their actions but then I would be blamed or someone else or the weather or the specific appliance.

It makes me so angry but then there isn’t much I can do to get this person to take responsibility for their own actions. I remember what my daughter told me “mom, the noise in your head, isn’t in my head.”

I also realised that at the end of the day, yes, you can get away with your actions but there is going to come a day that we will be held responsible for our actions.

I also believe that whatever you believe will come to you. Being negative and looking through a negative eye will influence our lives. Jesus says that whatever we believe will come true.

Prayer

Lord humbly I pray forgive me for being negative and not always taking responsibility for my own actions. Help me not to become a “blame thrower” and take responsibility for my own life. Lord, humbly I pray for guidance and wisdom and insight and please Lord I believe that You have good things in store for my life, I believe that You will give me the desires of my own heart. Thank You, Lord for my children and step children and my grandchildren. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Be tempted by God!

James 4: 7 “Be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.”

Today I want to be good in everything I do and say, I want to live in peace with all people, my family and friends. When I am tempted by the devil do I give in? God is whispering in my ear do good, keep on doing good. Don’t get so worked up about this or that, trust in the Lord.

Yes, life is full of unexpected surprises and it depends on us how we deal with each situation. As I think about today I want to as the Holy Spirit to fill me and stimulate me each and every day.

Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit today and every day, LORD. I want to stay in Your will.

Prayer

Lord, God, Abba Father I humbly pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in my own life. I come humbly and submit my life into Your hands, asking the I may be obedient and listen to your prompting and leading in my life. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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