Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts

Monday 27 April 2020

The Cherubim protected the Tree of Life.


by Yvette van Niekerk




 
Genesis 3: 23 - 24 AMP "therefore the Lord God sent Adam away from the Garden of Eden, to till and cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He [permanently] stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned around and around [in every direction] to protect and guard the way (entrance, access) to the tree of life."

The Cherubim are referenced several times in my Nave's Topical Bible. Are they the same as the seraphim? No, Ezekiel had a vision, and this is what we read he saw. Ezekiel 10 verse 21 AMP "Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings, and beneath their wings was the form of human hands." These angels had four faces and four wings, and the seraphim six wings, and both creatures have hands. 

According to Ezekiel, there was a stormy wind from the north, with a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it. A very bright light all around it and within it to the core, something like glowing metal amid the fire. Inside of this cloud, there were four living beings. They looked like humans, and each one of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like a calf's hoof, and they sparkled and gleamed like shiny bronze. Under their wings on their four sides, they had hands like humans. Their wings touched one another, their faces did not turn when they moved, and each went straight forward. This was what their faces looked like: each one had the face of a man facing to the front, and each had the face of a lion on the right side, and the face of an ox on the left side and all four also had the face of an eagle at the back of their heads. Their wings were stretched out upward; two of each one was touching another, the wings of the beings on either side of it, or the remaining two wings of each being were covering their bodies. They each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go without turning as they. Among the living beings, there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. And the living creatures rushed back and forth like the flash of lightning.

He was looking at the angel's faces. We can also see something of the Lord Jesus. The face of a man speaks of His humanity; the face of the lion speaks of His authority and the face of the ox speaks of His sacrifice on the cross and the face of the eagle speaks of His deity. Now I believe that these angels were on a mission, where the Holy Spirit leads they went.

Another feature of these angels was they were as fast as lightning. We read from verse 13 and 14, among these living beings, there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. And the living creatures rushed back and forth like flashes of lightning. We see they were attached one to the other and still moved very fast, and they look like they are red-hot burning fire.

Then we see in verse 15 and 16, and the four creatures have a wheel on the ground beside each one of them. The wheels were identical, sparkling like a diamond in the sun. Wheels within wheels, like a gyroscope. 

We see the wheels as describe from verse 17 to 21, "They went in any one of the four directions they faced, but straight, not veering off. The rims were immense, circled with eyes. When the living creatures went, the wheels went; when the living creatures lifted off, the wheels lifted off. Wherever the spirit went, they went, the wheels sticking right with them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When the creatures went, the wheels went; the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; when the creatures lifted off, the wheels lifted off, because the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels." Again we cannot imagine what God has created, it sound so awesome. It far beyond what I could even comprehend my imagination is lacking when it comes to even imagining God's remarkable creatures.

In the following verses, 22 – 24, we read "over the heads of the living creatures was something like a dome, shimmering like a sky full of cut glass, vaulted over their heads. Under the dome one set of wings was extended towards the other, with another set of wings covering their bodies. When they moved I heard their wings – it was like the roar of a great waterfall, like the voice of The Strong God, like the noise of a battlefield. When they stopped, they folded their wings." As I focus and meditate on this scripture its clear, I cannot imagine God's angels looking like something filled with eyes and wheels.

Then Ezekiel describes the noise that these angels made, I think there must have been a multitude to create the noise. He said that it sounded like rushing water of Victoria falls perhaps. I believe Ezekiel experience an incredible vision, seeing all these angels carrying the glory of the Almighty forward as they moved. God is above them – bring glory and praises to the Lord God Almighty. Reading from verses 25 – 28 "And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome, there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day – that's what it was. It turned out to be the Glory of GOD! When I saw all this, I fell to my knees, my face to the ground. Then I heard a voice."

Glory to God Almighty, this is so awesome, God we love you!

Yvette van Niekerk

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Tuesday 7 April 2020

How to pray.


May 11
Matthew 6:9-13(AMP) 
9 "Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. 10Your kingdom comes, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. 13 And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen"

The Lord Jesus said to the disciples they should Pray like this, "Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name." Greeting our Father with respect and honoring His name. "Your kingdom comes, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Accepting that the Father is king and asking that he will be done on earth as it is in heaven. "Give us this day our daily bread." Asking for what we need today. "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Asking the Lord to forgive us and in return, we will forgive the people who have offended or hurt us. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Asking the Father to help us not be tempted and keep us out of the devil's reach. "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" Declaring that God's is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Closing in agreement with what we prayed. You are a Blessing!


Yvette van Niekerk

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Thursday 2 April 2020

What you think about that produces how you feel.



That explains so much to me right now, and I must be feeling sad because I can turn on the tears within seconds. I still am not sure why I am struggling with so many tears. It just pours out before I realize it.  Let's be honest; it takes a while before we are able to change our perspective. I doubt that I can change my point of view in a flash if you can please write to me and explain how to do this.

I have spoken to my daughter about these negative thoughts, and during this period of isolation, I can draw from her sound advice. Treating my negative thought the same way I would treat flies around the picnic basket - shoo them away. Then immediately replace them with thoughts that are excellent or praiseworthy. Think about how good God has been to me and focusing on His goodness. Psalm 103 "bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

                                                                                         Philippians 4: 8 "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things."

Prayer

Abba Father, today I surrender my thought life into Your hands. I want to focus on things excellent and praiseworthy. I want to praise Your Holy Name and thank You Lord that You have not let me down. In humility, I stand firm on Your Word. Renew my thought life and help me take control over what comes to mind in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen


Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer
Follow me on my Kellan Publishing author page, my blog at Yvette van Niekerk  or Kellan Publishing ; Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Instagram; Pinterest; Stumble Upon;

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