Divine Timing: A Mother's Devotion

by Yvette van Niekerk

As a young girl under my father's roof, I was instilled with the profound wisdom of perfect timing. He impressed upon me the importance of being in the right place at the right time, believing it to be the key to life's greatest blessings. Now, as a mother and a grandmother, my deepest longing is for my children and grandchildren to experience this divine synchrony. I yearn for them to flourish and reach their fullest potential. Yet, I've come to understand that perfect timing isn't a matter of mere chance. It is a divine orchestration, guided by the hand of the Lord who reigns over our lives. Each day, in fervent prayer, I build a spiritual fortress and intercede on behalf of my cherished ones. I beseech the Lord for the grace to embrace whatever comes our way and to cultivate patience in our journey. For it is in this waiting, in this trustful anticipation of His divine plan, that we step into the rhythm of perfect timing. Prayer Heavenly Father, As we embark on this new day, I humbly implore You for the grace to embrace the things we cannot alter. Grant us the strength to remain steadfast and patient when our hearts long for circumstances to shift towards the light. We pour out our love and adoration for You, Lord, recognizing that Your wisdom surpasses our understanding. In the precious name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we offer this prayer, seeking Your guidance and placing our trust in Your perfect plan. Amen. https://www.makemoneywitha.online

The Great Escape

by Yvette van Niekerk 1 Corinthians 10: 13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” We all encounter various forms of temptation in our lives. The crucial question is how we can overcome or resist these temptations. I have a weakness for chocolates; it’s a constant temptation that I find hard to resist. Whenever I have extra cash, I invariably end up buying a chocolate bar, unable to simply walk past it. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we often face numerous temptations that can divert us from our path of growth. When we start making progress in the right direction, it seems as if the devil is quick to devise distractions, attempting to shift our focus away from what truly matters. We get sidetracked, following an entirely different route. When you realize you’re heading down the wrong path, it’s essential to stop and take a moment to reflect. Consider your actions and take the necessary steps to correct them. But how do you do this? When I say “stop,” I mean you should pause before you act. It’s vital to pray about your impending actions and temporarily remove yourself from the situation. I believe that the Holy Spirit can guide and instruct us when we make a wrong turn. All it requires is for us to find some quiet time to listen for guidance and advice. In those moments of stillness, we can gain valuable insights that help us navigate through the temptations that threaten our spiritual growth. “The Great Escape” is a concept that reminds us that all difficult situations, including moments of temptation, are temporary and can be overcome. Temptation is like a mental trap, but we have the power to break free from it. To do this, we should focus on what truly matters in our lives and trust that a higher power, like God, can help us overcome challenges. In times of temptation, even seemingly harmless ones, we can pray for guidance, wisdom, understanding, and the strength to make the right choices. We don’t want to be misled by negative influences, so we ask for protection in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ. Prayer Dear LORD Jesus, as I embark on this new day, I humbly seek your guidance and strength to triumph over any temptation that may cross my path. Grant me the resilience to surmount these challenges, and may your Word, the Bible, remain my unwavering focus. Holy Spirit, I implore you to lead my every step along this journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen https://www.makemoneywitha.online/

Granddaughters prayers - Courage

by Yvette van Niekerk

December 15, 2022 Good morning, today I want to pray for Gizel, Anabelle and Briana my beautiful granddaughters. Lord may each granddaughter of mine stand firm for what is right, give them the courage they need to face today. Help them guard the truth and see justice in every aspect of life. Lord please gives them the ability to stand in grace. Let them revere Your name and be proud to proclaim You are Lord of lords and King of kings. In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen

Moments

by Yvette van Niekerk

Good morning The past couple of days, moments are coming up in every conversation. We do remember moments in our lives. I started to think of defining moments in my own life. The day each one of my children was born. I think about the day I decided to divorce my husband. I think about the day I remarried. I think about moments of desperation and fear that gripped my heart to the extent that I was sure that I might have a heart attack. Something I have come to realise the little things we do in life prepares us for something greater. I think of the day I decided to start baking. To be honest I didn’t know much about baking but I thought to myself if so and so can bake then so can I. My first cake was very large, I was so proud of myself. I thought I did a great job. Only to discover the cake didn’t have a nice taste, it could have been baked bread. Tasteless, the icing sugar could have been spiced up. In general, the cake looks good for a novice but the cake missing something. I didn’t know it at the time so I decided to bake the same cake for my mom. You know to show her my newfound skills. She called me and said “Yvette this cake is terrible. You should find another recipe.” I was a bit taken aback because I thought it was great. Yes, it looked beautiful, but true the taste was terrible. Did I go and sit in a corner and cry? No, I thought about the recipe and decided to try something else. It was hard work and then I started baking more cakes. The people love my cakes. I know what has baking cakes to do with being a Christian. I think it’s about the journey, the time we spend in God’s Word, and the time we spend in prayer and meditation. It’s a life of practice. I am constantly trying to find out what God has in store for my life. It’s my hope and prayer that I can leave a positive mark on this world. Am I able to do good in the lives of the people I love and care for? My moments are rocky and it’s difficult. I doubt I am perfect and I do suffer from a lot of negative thinking. I have been wondering how on earth can I become a better person. I spend a lot of time cooking, cleaning, the mundane things in life. I don’t believe I have an impact on anybody around me. As I think about my moment today, let’s read this message about the Lord Jesus. In Matthew 4: 1 – 11 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall and worship me.” Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him. As I meditate on God’s word today, I want to be open to hearing the Lord speak to me. I need to practice this and the best way I can do this is by meditating on the Word. Jesus knew who He was and He stood on every word written in God’s Word. I don’t always act appropriately and I struggle with all kinds of emotions and stuff. So if there is someone imperfect you are reading all about it. Nothing I do is perfect, I am a copycat and I doubt I even am worthy of coming into the Lord’s presence Prayer Father God, thank you for today. I have had the privilege to speak to my daughter and granddaughters. I also have the privilege to speak to my mom this morning. You have allowed me to wake up to a new morning. Thank You, Father. Lord, I am not the best child I know. I lack discipline and I lose focus. Lord, I confess I struggle with unforgiveness and I want to bring this into my conversation with You this morning. Please help me let go. I am guilty of this sin and I am asking Lord I forgive and I am asking you to help me let go. I give this problem into Your hands this morning. Holy Spirit I am inviting You into my life this morning. Come in and create in me a clean heart and a pure spirit. Lord, I seek Your strength, Lord I seek You diligently. I am asking come into my life, and start a new and fresh work in me. Thank you for today, help me keep an eye on every moment of my life that is significate. Help me remember the moment of growth and show me the way forward. I know and believe Your Word is a lamp on my feet. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

Granddaugthers daily prayer

December 12, 2022 Today I want to pray for my Granddaughters, Gizel, Anabelle and Briana. O Lord my God, Lord today I want to praise your for my beautiful granddaughters … You created them as unique individuals. I want to pray asking You to help them appreciate their uniqueness. Lord, my Lord build up their self-image so they may enjoy their individuality. Lord as they go through today help them stand firm for who they are, where they have come from and what they believe in. Lord please encourage them not only to have hopes and dreams but to also enjoy each day as it come. In the Holy Name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Keeping a humble heart.

by Yvette van Niekerk Good morning it's been a while since we last chatted. This morning I want to come and sit at the Lord's feet. In His presence, I want to humble my life and ways. How about you? Would you agree the best way to maintain a good and humble heart is to study God's Word every day? We do this as we read and meditate on the Lord's Word. Getting into the habit of worship and praise. Have you read Matthew 13: 10 - 15? Let's take a moment and see what the Lord Jesus is telling His disciple. verses 10: "And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to the people in parables?' He answered them and said to them, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even that he has will be taken from him. .... In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says " Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull." Did you see the Lord Jesus say the people's hearts have grown dull? It looks like the people allowed the things in their lives to affect their hearts. That caused them to not draw near to the Lord and move away. I have allowed my heart also to grow dull, allowing all things in life to affect me. Making me think I am not worthy and no good. I didn't think of protecting my own heart. Today I am in trouble because I am standing on the verge of destruction. How can I change? I know that I need to humble myself because in Isaiah 57 verse 15 it is written "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." What is the Lord saying here? What is it that we should do? He is saying “with Him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble.” When we humble ourselves God says “I will revive your hearts.” As long as we keep our hearts humble He will keep us on good ground. And if we decide not to humble ourselves what could possibly go wrong? I think we might become like Pharisees. You know, the “know it all” guys. I love reading the Book of Daniel, I think Daniel is one of the most humble people in the Bible. In Chapter 10 verse 12 we read “Then He said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard.’” Wow….. did you see what I saw “humble yourself before your God, your words were heard?” God heard Daniels's word because Daniel was humble. I don’t know about you, humble is sometimes difficult. I believe it brings you to your knees. That is exactly where I find myself these days. On my knees. I ask myself, how is your heart today Yvette? My answer is very humble. Prayer Good morning Father God, Lord today I want to worship and praise Your Holy Name. Lord thank You, for Your mercy is new every day. This has been a really difficult year for me. I don’t want to cry about the things in my life that have made my heart grow dull. As I study and focus on Your Word Lord I come into Your presence and I humble myself before You Lord. Nothing I say or do can change me. I do not have the ability to change the way I think or behave, only You can change me, Lord. Holy Spirit I invite You into my life this morning. Please come into my life, renew my mind and change my dull heart. I submit everything I do into Your hands. I commit everything I do to You Lord. I want to draw near to You asking please forgive me. In humble prayer, I pray for the forgiveness of sin. Please Lord forgive me, I have been stubborn and self-centred. I know. I pray to forgive me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. amen

I walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5: 7

How are you today? It sure has been a while... I have been busy and I am only now starting to find my feet again. I started a new job. It's a time-sensitive job and keeps me busy from 08:00 to 17:00 Mondays to Fridays and Saturdays 08:00 to 14:00. I do enjoy the work, it makes me think and I have to be checking stuff. With all of this going on it dawned on me I just cannot make it through the day. I needed to get back on my knees asking the Lord to help me through my day. I started having panic attacks. It took me a while to come to a point in my life where I realised that I cannot face the day if the Lord has not been called into it. Yes, I know the Lord. I cannot get started if I don’t spend time in the presence of God. I now make a point of getting up each morning and going into my study, opening my Bible and reading. I feel like I am in the new beginnings, I am trying to change my perspective on life and still, I feel like nothing is truly changing. Tonight my husband made a statement. “Don’t you think you are changing?” Me? I am hard-headed and stubborn and difficult at the best of times. I am living by faith at the moment. I am working hard to draw near to the Lord, my God. I feel that I have let God down at a stage in my life when I needed Him the most. I didn’t turn to Him. I tried to deal with my insecurities and my selfishness and anger problems. I wanted to do it on my own. I made such a mess of things I cannot believe I am still allowed to come into His presence. I don’t know if I am changing, I cry a lot, I repent daily and I pray all the time. I have come to a place in my life where I know I need to trust in God. I have no way of getting through my day. I have to get back on my knees and pray. Confessing God’s Word is key to changing my life. In these past couple of months I have come to realise that when I confess God’s Word over my life, I feel better and I can take the day by the horns. Without courage I cannot get through my day and God’s Word is my courage, my strength and my way forward. I commit everything I do into God’s hands and I know He is helping me. Prayer Father God, Great and Mighty are You LORD. I confess that I am nothing without You, I cannot get through my day. As I close my eyes tonight I want to pray that Your Holy Spirit will be with me and when I wake up tomorrow morning Your Holy Spirit will be with me. I commit everything I do into Your hands and I trust in You to be with me every step of the way. I know I am nothing if I don’t have You. Holy Spirit please keep me safe. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I live by faith and not by sight and I know You are renewing my mind. Ame

How can I clear the slate?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Ezekiel 18: 31 MSG “Clean house. No more rebellions, please. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit! Why would you choose to die, Israel?” When we are unable to confess our wrongs and sins, our countenance changes. We have darkness over our faces, and it may seem we are sad. Then we experience condemnation. We fail to repent and ask for forgiveness of my sin, our countenance changes. Psalm 34: 5 MSG “They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces will never blush in shame or confusion.” Confession is good for my soul. I need to repent of things I may have said or done. I do not want to build a wall between myself and God. I am honest when I confess anything I did and I receive God's forgiveness. I want a direct line to God and I can only achieve it by confessing my sins. Repentance: means "turning away and deciding not to do it again." I am saying "Yes, I did this, I am sorry and won't do this again." Ezekiel 20: 43 "Then you will look back at all your sins and loathe yourselves because of the evil you have done." Yes, it's true I struggle with self-loathing when I know I have been doing something wrong. I cannot move past it and it makes me feel miserable and I am frustrated. My self-esteem is down the drain, condemnation trails behind me. Life looks bleak and miserable. I seem to be going down the road of destruction in my life and only when I confess my sins, there is a relief. I realize that I cannot do this on my own, I have and always ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything I should be confessing. God is faithful and He does show me my iniquities, giving me a chance to confess and repent. The experience is my heart feels lighter, freedom and joy come to me. God knows the secrets of my heart Psalm 44 verses 21. Prayer Father, Lord as King David prayed, "Wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation." Psalm 51. Please show me anything I am hiding and help me to see it and confess it to you, so that I may repent and receive Your forgiveness. Psalm 31 says "blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Please help me to always confess my sinfulness so that I am able to say "see if there are any wicked ways in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Please forgive me, in the name of Jesus Christ. Father God today I want to be obedient and accept the gift that You have given me. I am trading my tired and worn-out life for a new one today with Jesus Christ. Today I surrender all my faulty plans for Your perfect plan. Lord, please help me to abide in you so that you can abide in me. Father today I am embracing the new life available to me. I don’t know how things will work but I beg You hear my call. I accept the Lord Jesus Christ to renew my life today. Amen

Joy and peace

Romans 15:13 New English Translation (NET Bible)

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Good morning, it’s really cold here in Witbank and in Pullenshope even more so.  I believe it’s about 0^o degrees outside.  As I walked up to my office the wind was blowing and I could feel the cold air through my hair and over my legs.

Sometimes life feels as cold as ice, freezing point seems to linger and you just struggle to get unfrozen.  I think of family that has passed away this week, peacefully and also suddenly.   

My mom’s fears are clear, I think she need reassurance and hope.  My sister seems to be disillusioned and disappointed.

Today I want to bring my family before the Lord praying humbly for a joy and peace for each person that is going through difficult times.

Prayer: 

Abba Father, the only hope we have is in You.  In our brokenness Lord we pray asking that You will fill each one of us today with all joy and peace in You Lord Jesus, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen