Yvette's Whispers of Faith

It is Monday afternoon, and the rain falls with a steady, insistent grace, turning the world outside a shade darker, cooler, almost contemplative. As I begin to wrap up my day, a day full of busyness, meetings, and the relentless pursuit of information. I am reminded that even the most carefully laid plans may be interrupted. The water purifier, that humble servant of modern comfort, has chosen to fail me today. And still, no water. Yet, in these inconveniences, there is a certain poetry. This morning commenced with a delightful meeting with my daughter, a conversation full of plans and hope. Later, tasks awaited me, each one demanding attention, and yet the electricity, that most ordinary of blessings, refused to grace our home until well after 9:30. One cannot help but wonder what tomorrow shall bring, given the relentless rain. But it is when one turns from the petty frustrations of water and electricity that the mind may wander to loftier matters, the Word of God, ever the lamp to...

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” — Proverbs 21:23 It is a most intriguing experience, is it not, to stand in the presence of someone who has wounded you and feel a thousand unsaid words rise to the tip of your tongue? Ah, the human tongue. So small, so delicate, so deceptively dangerous. There are moments more than I dare admit, when the sharpness of my thoughts threatens to spill out. At times like these, I find myself pressing my lips together with the elegance of a lady refusing to entertain scandal at a grand ball. But oh, how my thoughts rebel inwardly! I wish I could confess that biting my tongue is a graceful art I have mastered. Truthfully, it is a daily battle. A tug-of-war between the woman I used to be, the woman I long to be, and the woman God is shaping me into, slowly, patiently, faithfully. People observe the stillness of my face and imagine serenity. But inside? A storm often gathers. There are days when the injustice of ...

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8 It was on an afternoon much like any other, the kind that drifts with deceptive calm; when I found my heart once again caught in that delicate tension between justice and mercy. There she stood the one whose choices had fashioned wounds in my life. A familiar heat rose in my chest, that subtle tightening that whispers of things unresolved. Justice, like a stern but noble general, lifted its head within me and declared, “This is not right. Someone must pay.” But then, as gently as a lace handkerchief falling from a lady’s hand, another voice spoke, softer, almost imperceptible. “Mercy,” it whispered, “belongs to those who trust the Lord.” For years, perhaps a lifetime, I have been a seeker of fairness. A defender of what should have been, what ought to be, and what must never happen again. I have argued cases in the chambers o...

A Reflection Inspired by Zechariah 7:8–10 It was upon this particular morning, as the sun cast its first golden ribbons across the sky, that I found myself once again confronted by the quiet whisper of the Lord; a whisper that tugged gently at the frayed edges of my heart. “Tell them to be honest and fair… to be merciful and kind… to stop plotting evil against each other.” So the prophet Zechariah declared, and so the Lord speaks still. How peculiar, that such a simple command should weigh so heavily upon a soul. And yet, here I stand; a woman who has lived long enough to know that forgiveness is far less a single act, and far more a continual yielding. I forgive… until I see the person. Then my throat tightens, my thoughts bristle, and resentment that unwelcome guest, returns to its familiar seat. Indeed, dear reader, I often find myself biting my tongue with the determination of a duchess maintaining her dignity at a most disagreeable ball. For within me there is a fierce desire for...

Colossians 3:4 (TLB) "And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glory." There are seasons when we feel like we're failing at everything. When the weight of our circumstances presses so heavily that we can barely remember who we are in Christ. When wisdom seems to have abandoned us, and we realize with a sinking feeling that we've allowed the chaos around us to drown out the voice of the One who matters most. I'm in that place right now. The glory of God feels distant, almost like a memory from someone else's life. My own attempts to fix things, to be enough, to get it right, they all seem to crumble in my hands. And in the fog of this struggle, I've lost sight of my center, the core of my being: the Lord Jesus Christ. But here's what I'm learning to hold onto, even when I can't feel it: Christ is still my real life. Not my circumstances. Not my successes or failures. Not the wisdom I la...

John 16:13 TLB "When the Holy Spirit, who is the truth, comes, he shall guide you into all truth, for he will not be presenting his own ideas, but will be passing on to you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future." I don't always feel qualified to hear God's voice. Some days I wonder if I'm listening well enough, if I'm too distracted, too broken to receive what He wants to say. But this promise in John reminds me that the Holy Spirit doesn't wait for me to be worthy. He comes to guide me into truth. Not because I've earned it, but because the Father is kind to those who honor Him, even in our weakness (Psalm 103:13). The Holy Spirit doesn't present His own ideas or agendas. He simply passes on what He has heard from the Father. He reveals what's true about God, about me, about the path ahead even when I can't see it clearly myself. Today, I'm asking Him to come. Not because I have it all together, but because without Him,...

A revised version of my Book Daily Devotional Ebenezer Isaiah 30:20 TLB “Though He gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet He will be with you to teach you. With your own eyes you will see your Teacher.” There were many seasons in my life where I felt as though I was finally taking a step forward, only to fall back three steps again. As a young Christian I often asked, “Why me?” I felt frustrated, even discouraged. But over time the Holy Spirit taught me a precious truth: “Why not me?” Because it is often through difficulty that God becomes my Teacher. In the quiet moments of struggle, I found myself running to the Word, searching for answers, hoping for direction. Yet in seasons of comfort I would slow down, pray less, and drift slightly without realising it. Adversity has a way of bringing us back to the One who loves us. God is not punishing us; He is teaching us. He is shaping us. He is inviting us to sit at His feet again. If you’re facing hardship today...

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 15:52 "In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:52 The Speed of Grace Have you ever tried to catch the exact moment your eye blinks? It's impossible. That's the timeframe Paul uses to describe one of the most magnificent promises in Scripture: our complete transformation when Christ returns. Not a gradual improvement. Not a slow process of sanctification. But instantaneous, total, irreversible change. This morning as I read through 1 Corinthians 15, this verse stopped me in my tracks. In a world where everything worthwhile seems to take time, building character, healing wounds, growing in faith God promises a transformation that happens faster than we can perceive. What Changes in That Moment? Paul has spent the entire chapter building toward this climax. He's explained that Jesus Christ, the second Adam, rev...

A personal devotional by Yvette This morning during my quiet time, I read 1 Corinthians 12, and one verse touched me so deeply that I had to stop, breathe, and read it again: “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” — 1 Corinthians 12:18 For years I’ve struggled with comparing myself to others. I try to be as beautiful, as thin, as well-put-together as the women I see around me. The perfect long hair, the flawless makeup, the slim figure. And when I don’t match that picture, I feel discouraged, disappointed, and sometimes even ashamed of how I look. But this verse reminded me of something powerful: God arranged me too. Exactly as He wanted me to be. Part of His body. Part of His plan. Chosen. Designed. Loved. How 1 Corinthians 12 Helps Me Live Closer to God The message Paul writes is not about outward appearance it's about identity, purpose, and belonging. Here’s what God showed me today: 1. God never asked me to be s...

By Yvette — Christian Devotional Blog A Quiet Morning, a Wet Earth, and a Heart Seeking God This morning the air was fresh after yesterday's rain, and the ground outside my window was soaked and peaceful. I was reading my Bible whilst the pigeons sat in front of the window. As I opened to 1 Corinthians 11, I came before the LORD again, asking for forgiveness for my impatience, unforgiveness, and quick reactions. I wanted to understand the Lord's Supper more deeply, and I longed to realign my heart with God. Perhaps you've felt the same. This post is for anyone who struggles with bitterness, irritation, and the fear that they'll never "get it right." What Paul Teaches in 1 Corinthians 11 About the Lord's Supper When I read 1 Corinthians 11, I sometimes feel fearful or unworthy. But Paul's message isn't a threat, it's an invitation. He tells believers to examine their hearts before taking the Lord's Supper, not because we must be perfect, bu...

It happened early one morning, just before I woke up. I’m still not entirely sure if it was a dream or a vision, but it felt so vivid almost as if I were standing right there. In the stillness, I saw myself standing, quietly aware of my surroundings. And then, out of nowhere, a lion appeared a strong, magnificent male lion. He wasn’t far from me. He was walking slowly around me, calm and sure of himself. For a moment, I just stood there, watching him. I didn’t feel afraid, which surprised me. Instead, I felt an incredible sense of peace and wonder. The lion’s presence was powerful, yet it carried a strange gentleness, almost as if he was guarding me. When I woke up, the image stayed with me. I kept thinking about it the lion walking around me; and what it might mean. My thoughts went straight to Revelation 5:5, where Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” The more I reflected on it, the more it felt like a message of protection and strength. I believe the Lord was reminding...

Can I be real with you for a minute? Tithing is something I wrestle with. I try my best to be faithful, giving to the best of my ability. But let's be honest, sometimes I look around and see others who seem to be blessed in ways I'm not. They have this financial ease, this "caliber" of blessing, that can feel a world away from my own reality. And in those moments of doubt, a quiet, gentle voice reminds me: I am blessed. God does provide. He has come through for me more times than I can count, often in ways I didn't even see until later. He's always there, picking me up when I've lost it and guiding me when I'm blind to the path. My heart is so grateful for that. But my thinking still needs work. My human nature kicks in and whispers, "I earned this. I worked for this salary." It’s a constant battle to get my heart aligned with the truth. And the truth is found in verses like this: “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the ...

You know that verse we often hear? Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” It can sometimes feel like a big, lofty command. But what if it’s actually a kind and practical promise? The "things" Jesus is talking about, our daily needs like provision, relationships, and health; have a way of falling into their proper place when we get the main thing right. And that main thing is seeking His kingdom. So, what is His kingdom? For me, it’s about consciously living under the gentle, wise rule of Christ each day. It’s about submitting my plans, my worries, and my hopes to His will. And that word "seek"? It’s an active, loving call. It asks for: • Intentionality: Think about when you’ve lost something truly precious. You put other things on hold. You look until you find it. That’s the kind of focused pursuit Jesus is describing. • Importance: Things like success, status, and possessions aren't bad ...

You know, I can’t think of the last time I saw a monument built for a skeptic. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Skeptics don’t build things up; they tear them down. And if you sit in that seat of scorn long enough, you might find it hard to get up. (More on that in a bit). I was reminded of this while reading the story of David and Goliath. We all know the heroes and the villains of that story, but we often skip over the original cynic: David’s own brother, Eliab. Picture the scene: The entire army of Israel, including Eliab, who was a general is frozen in fear of Goliath. Then along comes David, the little brother, full of faith and ready to fight. He calls Goliath an “uncircumcised Philistine.” Back then, that wasn’t just an insult; it was a statement of fact. Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant, His promise to protect and provide for His people. David was standing on that promise. Eliab? Not so much. Instead of being inspired, Eliab’s “anger burned.” He basically said, “Who do y...

Verse of the day: Hebrews 8:12 “I will remember their sins no more.” Ever have one of those days where an old mistake or a moment of shame just pops into your head? That heavy feeling in your chest that says, "Remember that? You're not really over it." If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. This is for anyone who needs the reminder today that your past does not get the final say. Because of God's forgiveness, your past is gone, and your future is secure. No strings attached. I’ll be honest, there are moments when the enemy loves to whisper about my past. He’ll dig up an old regret, a harsh word, or a season I’m not proud of, and try to play it on a loop in my mind. But I’ve learned to talk back. When he whispers my failures, I tell him my Father’s promise: “Yvette, I will remember your sins no more.” It’s not that God has a bad memory. He chooses not to remember. His love is that powerful, that intentional. And I’ve found that when I’m the one struggling to believe ...

I recently read the story of Dr. Henry Poppen, one of China’s early missionaries who spent forty years telling its people about the love of Jesus. The One who died to take away our sins. One day, after Dr. Poppen had finished preaching, a man approached him and said, “We know this Jesus! He’s been here.” Dr. Poppen tried to explain that Jesus had lived and died long ago, far from China. But the man insisted, “Oh no, He died here. I can show you His grave.” He led Dr. Poppen to a cemetery outside the city, where an American missionary doctor was buried. On a crumbling gravestone was the name of a man who had given his life to serve the people of that remote Chinese village. When the villagers heard Dr. Poppen describe Jesus, His mercy, love, kindness, and forgiveness; they recognised those same qualities in the missionary doctor. That story deeply moved me. It reminded me that God will use anyone who is willing to be clay in His hands. Clay doesn’t argue, question, or resist it simply ...

“Perfect love casts out all fear.” 1 John 4:18 (NLT) Have you ever had one of those days where you feel spiritually and emotionally drained? Where the fog of fear and condemnation makes it hard to even think clearly? In those moments, I’ve learned I have a choice: to listen to the voice of accusation, or to turn toward the unshakable truth of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Maybe you’ve wondered, "After what I've done, could God really love me?" Let this truth sink in: God cares too much about you to leave you uncertain about His love. Human love often keeps a record of wrongs. It can be conditional and fleeting. But God’s love is a perfect love, and perfect love has no room for lists of our failures. It actively drives out our fear by removing our guilt. When that inner voice whispers that you’re too far gone, remember this: “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart” (1 John 3:20, NKJV). Your feelings are not the final authority. God’s Word is. When...

There are moments in life when the people we love most become the hardest to love. When misunderstanding builds walls instead of bridges, and when our words, no matter how carefully chosen, seem to fall on deaf ears. In those moments, it can feel like we’re walking through a battlefield, weary and unsure where peace will come from. I often think of David, who once found himself in such a place. He had done nothing but serve King Saul faithfully, yet Saul’s heart turned against him. Jealousy and misunderstanding drove a wedge so deep that Saul sought David’s life. And still, David refused to take revenge. Instead, he hid in the wilderness, poured out his pain to God, and trusted that the Lord Himself would defend and restore him in His time. David didn’t let bitterness rule his heart. He let God shape his heart. Sometimes, I feel like David, running emotionally, trying to hide from pain that feels too heavy. I, too, pray for peace in relationships that seem impossible, for understa...

Heavenly Father, I come to You today, asking You to take Your rightful place as the leader of my life and my home. Please, teach my heart to seek You first, before anything else. Show me how to put my relationship with my husband before the kids, before my work, and before all the other things that demand my attention. Lord, show me practical ways to let him know he is my priority. You see the hurt and the distance between us right now. I ask You to heal the wounds that have caused this separation. Mend what is broken. Help me to manage my time, so I’m not wasting energy on things that don't really matter in the long run. I also pray for my husband. Even though he doesn't know You yet, I trust that You are guiding him. Protect him, fill his heart with Your peace and joy, and show him Your goodness in ways he can't ignore. Most of all, I pray that any spirit of division would leave our home. Holy Spirit, please fill every room and every heart with Your love and peace today....

My dearest, most cherished friend, When one is intimately acquainted with the designs of Providence, the distractions and disarray of this world lose their power to unsettle the soul. Discouragement, that most persistent of foes, finds no lasting foothold—not even when life presents its most vexing trials. Those burdens which once seemed immovable, which no amount of prayer or declaration could ease, shall no longer hold dominion over your spirit. And why, you ask? Because you, my dear, have come to understand a truth most glorious: if a thing resides in your life, and it is not born of rebellion, then it has surely passed through the hands of the Almighty. He has allowed it—nay, ordained it—to shape within you the very likeness of His beloved Son. Take courage, sweet soul! All things—not merely the pleasant or the easily understood—work together for good to those who love Him. You may protest, “But I cannot yet discern the purpose!” Ah, but you shall—only wait with patience. Wh...