10 Scriptures to Calm your stress and Anxiety.

by Yvette van Niekerk

My husband said that the Coronavirus and social distancing is the leading cause of peoples suffering from depression and is stressed out, and very anxious. Scripture is the best way to renew our minds and change our mind-set. Helping us focus and meditate on the Lord.

Deuteronomy 31: 6 "I am strong, courageous, and firm; I fear not and am not in terror, for it is the Lord my God Who goes with me; He will not fail me or forsake me."

Psalm 86: 7 "In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me."

Psalm 139: 23 - 24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Proverbs 15: 15 "All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but I have a glad heart and a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]."

Matthew 6: 27 "My worrying and being anxious will not add one unit of measure (cubit) to my stature or the span of my life."

Matthew 6: 31, 33 "I will not worry and be anxious, saying, What am I going to eat? Or what am I going to drink? or What am I going to wear? ... But I will seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given me besides."

Matthew 6: 34 "I will not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its trouble."

Mark 4: 19 "I will not let the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."

Philippians 4: 6 - 7 "I am not anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God, which transcends all understanding, guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus."

1 Peter 5: 7 "I cast the whole of my care [all my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for me affectionately and cares about me watchfully."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, please help us face today, using Your Word to renew our minds and helping us draw near to You. Forgive us our sins, in Jesus Name. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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"Two ways to live your life."

by Yvette van Niekerk

https://www.dreamstime.com/

Deuteronomy 6: 5 MSG

“Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!”

Albert Einstein said, 'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.'

Matthew 7: 13 - 14 MSG

Being and Doing

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practised in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to Life - to God! - is vigorous and requires total attention."

I have reached a place in my life that I want to be in the right place at the right time; I want to manoeuvre through all the difficulties with success. I have decided to place myself under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am learning what He wants me to do right now. I am asking that the Holy Spirit will carry me forwards. My greatest fear in life is that I would disappoint the Lord Jesus. I know I could be the same as every other woman. Worry about fashion, worry about my clothes, go partying and dancing. So I need to choose Life or death. Which do you prefer? But that's not important to me presently, and I'm not interested in that sort of thing. I am grateful the Lord has accepted me as His child. It's about am I serving God, or am I living a godless life.

The way God wants me to live is by reading His Word.  And here is my problem, I know what I'm supposed to be doing, but I often have a hard time doing it. I have slipped with discipline in my own life, and I am struggling to get this back on track.

Prayer

Father, blessed is those who hear the word of God and keep it. Lord he who keeps Your commandments abide in You, and He in him. And by this, we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. In Jesus Name, Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Gethsemane (Crushed Olives).

By Yvette van Niekerk – from Daily Devotional Ebenezer

June 18

Matthew 26: 36 (AMP) 

36 "Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray."

The word "Gethsemane" means crushed olives. What is the result of crushed olives? It forms oil that heals and nourishes and can illuminate. There were really trying times in my life as a young woman and the tears would spill over my face constantly. I would be crying for help and praying for an answer which seemed to never come. I found that the people in my own life couldn't comprehend or understand the pain I was facing, and they could only look at me without any help.

I found that in my most crushing time I could only wait on the Lord God, no one could help me. I felt the full weight of God's will in my life. When you are in your Gethsemane, don't give up, keep on praying and wait on the Lord God. It isn't possible for others to help you; only God can. 

Prayer

Lord, as our daddies and fathers on earth normally face difficult circumstances, let them embrace You so that the "oil" they produce will be a blessing in our lives. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive

by Yvette van Niekerk

I'm in my late fifties, and I started the renewing of my mind a couple of years ago. But, last year was one of my worse years ever. The devil knows that I am trying to live a holy life; I am trying to become more like the Lord Jesus. The list goes on, and the thing is I started to feel condemned and guilty about a lot of decisions I took when I was younger. I was constantly feeling upset and worried about the things I did wrong. I finally broke down, told my husband and my daughter.

My daughter asked me to think about the situation that made me feel so badly and analyze it, was it all I could do at the time? Did I have another option? Could I have changed my circumstance then? I honestly couldn't do much at the time, and I was very reactive too. So NO, I couldn't change the way I acted. I also realized Satan was telling me I was a total failure, that it didn't matter. I wasn't good enough, and God doesn't love me, I won't ever get out of this mess.

The truth is I was very discouraged, and I struggled a number of months with these negative thoughts. I finally said to myself, No more, please, Lord Jesus, help me.

2 Corinthians 10, verse 3 - 6 MSG "The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way - never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."

Prayer

Father God, You know I am still struggling with condemnation, but I believe that You are helping me get through this period in my life. I bind the negative thoughts, and I pray for peace in my life. I believe Your word that "only goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life." I confess these words today and also say "I am the righteousness of God in Christ, no weapons formed against me will prosper." As I face today, I want to praise Your Holy Name Lord, Holy Spirit You are welcome in my life. I embrace You today, accepting the challenges that come to me knowing You are on my side, "greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." In the name of Jesus, my Savior Amen.

Yvette van Niekerk

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Day 21 ~ Forgiveness

Matthew 18: 21 - 22 AMP

Forgiveness

 "Then Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?  Jesus answered him, "I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven."

I realized that I have been struggling with an unforgiving heart or spirit. On Sunday, I was listening to my Pastor preach, and something he said reminded me of my ex-husband. What he did to me and then I was in a state. I thought I had forgiven this man for all the things he has done to me. I didn't, and I also realize that to forgive someone, it has to be a conscious decision on your side. I thought I let it go, but I didn't.

It took me a couple of days of saying it to myself that I have forgiven that man.  You won't believe me, but before I said that, I was so heartbroken.

I know when reading the Bible that we are required to forgive someone for their offenses. I know I had to decide yes or no.

So when I think of Jesus and His disciples, it's something I need to forgive 490 times a day! I can't believe its possible, but that is a considerable amount of forgiving.

I have made a decision today actual right now, and I will live in forgiveness. It's not that easy, so many things upset me all the time. So I need to learn forgiveness, and it must be a constant thing in my own life.

I know Jesus taught us to pray the Our Father, and on a further study, it struck me that we are asking Father God to forgive us as we forgive others. If I am not going to forgive people who hurt me, then why would God the Father forgive me?

I want to move on in my life, and I need to stay focused, I will not let unforgiveness break my relationship with God the Father.

Prayer

Father God, I want to remind You of Your Word in my life today. I have decided to follow Jesus, and I also have decided to let go of offenses and unforgiveness in my own life today.  I trust that You God have mercy on me today. I believe that surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Lord, I am reminding You on "As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is Your mercy towards those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." I declare this word into my own life right now, and I trust in You Abba Father, I draw a hedge of Jesus Christ's blood around my family and me. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Day 20 Lockdown, Depression

 

Job 10: 22 AMP "The [sunless] land of utter gloom as darkness itself, [The land] of the shadow of death, without order, and [where] it shines as [thick] darkness."

 

The trouble with feeling depressed is that we think there is no meaning in life. I was watching the movie "The Gambler" and Mark Wahlberg’s portrays the Gambler. It struck me how meaningless his life was. He was a brilliant man, a professor, and he came from a wealthy family. He honestly had a severe problem with gambling, and he never seemed to know when to stop. I believe he was a very depressed man because even the good things in his life were meaningless to him.

 

Job 30: 26 AMP "When I expected good, then came evil [to me]; and when I waited for light, then came darkness."

 

I felt depressed for the gambler because it seemed that no matter what he did, it never seemed to get better.

But I think life has meaning. Even though we do ask questions like "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?" The Bible gives us the answers. I think we are here because of the Lord Jesus, and He is our ultimate goal. Creation was done all by Him and all for Him. Here is God's plan for us:

Colossians 1:15-20(AMP)

15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. 16 For [a]by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] 18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [b]church; and He is the beginning, [c]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), 20 and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Take heart; we are made for Him. You are a bride, handpicked for the bridegroom.

Prayer

Lord, humbly I confess that You God is with me. Even if I am hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, I am perplexed but not in despair. Lord, You hear me when I call to You. "He hears my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears." Lord, Your light brings me out of the darkness. I trust in You LORD and rely upon You God. In Jesus Christ's name Amen

                                                          

Yvette van Niekerk

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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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Your prayers come before God!

Daily Devotional Ebenezer

Revelation 5:8 (AMP)

 

8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God's people).

 

The Coronavirus has reached over a million people worldwide. People are dying each day of this illness. What shall we do? The government has taken some precautions by calling a "Lockdown" for 21 days in South Africa. The thing is winter is almost upon us, and it seems the virus doesn't mind the cold weather. 

The only way I can see that we beat this virus is to unite in prayer. Have you noticed that the Angels aren't empty-handed in this verse? I see, on the one hand, they have a harp and in the other golden bowls full of fragrant incenses, which are the prayers of the saints (God's people). Did you see that? When we cry out to God is stored in containers and are presented to the Lord, It is recorded and remember forever! 

Come now, let's hold on to the fact God is still the King of our universe. We can trust in Him, Hallelujah!

Prayer

Father God, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray to help our countries we are faced with a deadly virus. People are dying and we want to ask for Your salvation. I bind this virus in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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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

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