Manipulation

A game of manipulation is something that is played out in many homes, and it is disastrous.  Stop doing this to each other.

This world has many people that are experts at ‘Manipulation’.  I know of someone that will not speak to you for many days by ignoring you because you didn’t do what is right according to the person.  The atmosphere becomes tense and everybody is walking around on eggs.  No one really knows how to deal with the person and the other person is constantly feel bad and not happy with the situation.

Someone I also know is an expert with a ‘manipulation’ by threats and placing a guilt trip on you.  Saying things like ‘oh if you really loved me you would have done this, that or the other for me, but no, I am just not that important.’  Saying things like ‘if you didn’t do it this way we would not be in this position, it’s terrible the decision you have made that brought us to this place in our lives.’

Seriously, stop with the manipulations!!! We are supposed to be Christians that know the love of Christ and will do what is necessary to get it right.  “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.”  Romans 12: 10

Pray:  Father God, help us to love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other, in the Holy Name of Jesus I pray.  Amen

Keeping my salvation:

Key points to ponder and hold fast to.

Obedience
To be obedient to the Lord Jesus ~ Matthew 6: 24 ‘ … you cannot serve two lords’

Thank about it you can only serve one God, its obviously the Lord Jesus, but when you make this decision you need to honour your choice by making the Lord Jesus LORD over every area of your life.  To be able to that you will need someone to help you, yes!  The HOLY SPIRIT see 1 Corinthians 12: 3 ‘no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the HOLY SPIRIT’. 

Holy Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5 : 17 Always keep praying.  I realise that without prayer I am lost and I invite the Holy Spirit to live in me so that I can continue in prayer daily.

Bible Study & Meditation
Romans 10:17 Yet faith comes from listening to this Good News—the Good News about Christ.

We have a song we teach the children in Sunday School “Read your Bible and pray each day, pray each day, pray each day. (x2) Then you will grow, grow, grow, yes you will grow, grow, grow. 
Forget your Bible and you will shrink, shrink, shrink.”

Be deliberate in your thoughts
Guard your mind … I am negative inclined and it just takes a thought to bring my heart down.  Ephesians 6: 16 – 17 ‘In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God.’

Now don’t allow your thoughts to run away with you, think and mediate on God’s Word and when something comes up that does not agree with the Word rebuke it.  If you see something like you may be short on cash, don’t say I am broke.  NO! say I am out of pocket and that God will supply according to my needs.

Forgive
Life is so short and I only realised it now.  People often offended me and then I would be angry and later carry a grudge and then it would turn into some kind of bitterness.   Stop it right now!   In Matthew 18 : 21 – 22 We are reminded by the Lord Jesus to forgive seventy time seven!

So this is what I do, I really struggle with people that pick on me, and then I normally take offence.  I now look at them smile and say nothing, I forgive them there and then.  Walk away and let it go.  If it persists I pray about it and trust that the Lord will sort it out.  My mood has changed and my attitude is better.  I feel more in control.

Choose your company
Keeping Company with negative and abusive people won’t work, steer clear of them.  The Lord reminds us to choose good company, people with the right attitude, high expectations and a good sense of humour.  People that strive to be better in everything they do.  Read 1 Corinthians 15: 33 ‘Don’t be fooled by those who say such things.  If you listen to them you will start acting like them.’

Pray each day
Ephesians 6: 18 ‘Pray all the time.  Ask God for anything in line with the Holy spirit’s wishes.  Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.’

Prayer is my life line and I feel empty and without direction if I don’t go to the Lord God in prayer.  When people irritate me the first thing I do, is say a prayer in my mind, Please help me Lord.  You cannot go without praying, speak to God He is near and is waiting to hear from you.

Clothe Yourself
I do two important things each and every day.  I put on the armour of God and I clothe myself with the Lord Jesus.  I am telling you it is a must.  Ephesians 6: 11 – 17

*    Stand firm~ keep the Word of God ready for any attack from the evil one.
*    Resist~ guard your thoughts and mind praying that the Holy Spirit will lead you.
*    Gird your waist with trust~ holds on to the Word of God and keeps it handy.
*    The breastplate of righteousness~ places this over your heart to watch your attitude and remind you that you belong to Jesus.
*    Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace~ be prepared to speak to people about God.  Spread the good news.
*    The shield of faith~ you need to hear the Word, speak the Word and live the Word of God each day.
*    The helmet of salvation~ remembers you have been bought by the Blood of Jesus Christ it is your protection.
*    The Sword of the Spirit~ wheeled your sword ~ your Bible by studying it and knowing what it says about who you are in the Lord Jesus Christ, teach and help other people who don’t know the Lord yet.

 

Church
God wants us to attend a church so that we will not tire and grow weary, when you feel down there is someone that can help you.  The Word of God is taught and we get to hear revelations at our church through the pastor. 

 

I hope you enjoyed my key points and may you grow too.

TGF - Thank God it's Friday!!!!

'where do I put my hope? ... in YOU.' Psalm 39: 7

As you wake up and lay on your bed what is the first thing that comes to mind?  For me, I just say ‘Thank You Lord for another day.’

Still thinking on what will happen today I realise ‘Yippee its Friday’ don’t you just love Friday’s?  

We all love Fridays.  It means we might leave early from work, meet up with friends and family, go away for the weekend and most of all attend Church on Sunday.  Renew our batteries for the week and get refreshing word from God.

I love being with my family and friends, I love just visiting with them and listening to their stories, so much drama and I don’t even need to watch what is going on TV I hear and see it in my own life.

Think on this for a moment:  Psalm 39: 7 “Where do I put my hope?  … In YOU.”  We live such fast paced lives we forget that each day we grow older and before you realise it, times run out.  You might still be 20 and the next moment you look your 50 something.

Don’t lose sight of what is important, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  I encourage you to face a new bright day.  Love you loads and pray always for you.

You are a blessing.

My Personal Testimony

Friends came to our home and I felt that as a young woman, with two beautiful healthy children that I was a good person.  These friends of ours invited us to go to church with them that Sunday.  I agreed because I went to Church religiously and it wouldn’t be a problem.

Sunday came and as I walked into the church I felt really uncomfortable.  All the people I saw were friendly, smiling and greeting everybody.  We sat right in front of the church and a band was playing and people were sing and clapping hands.  It disturbed me and I really just couldn’t get the feel of the church.

The Pastor came into the church and people were really happy to see him.  He took his violin and played ‘Amazing Grace’ and then the congregation sang along as he played.  I was mesmerised and really could not believe the atmosphere.  He was speaking to the congregation but it sounded like the whole sermon was aimed at me.  At the end of the sermon he said ‘God has laid it on my heart to pray for people that do not have a personal relationship with Him.’  I almost fainted he looked at me and I felt both my hand grip the chair I was sitting on.  No, I thought its not me, I go to church each and every Sunday.  I am a Christian.

People stood up and walked to the front of the church and the Pastor prayed for each person, then the service was over and we went home.

Monday evening, our friends dropped by and asked us what we thought of the service and the church.  I was really quiet and felt a little guilty for not going forward and committing my life to the Lord.  My spiritual Mother as I want to refer to her Lizette said to me, “Yvette, God loves you and all you have to do is repent of your sins and accept the Lord Jesus as your personal saviour.”

We made coffee and chatted a little while and then they left.  I put my two children to bed and then I ran bath water and lay in the bath.

The weekend was still fresh in my mind and I just thought if it is so easy to confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that the Lord Jesus died on the cross for my sins, why can’t I confess that I am a sinful woman and that I accept the Lord Jesus into my life.

While I lay in the warm bath I said out load ‘Lord Jesus, my name is Yvette and Lord I confess that I have never asked You into my life.  I also confess that even though I feel that I have not sinned against You, I am a sinful woman.  I pray please forgive me as I repent of my sin and Lord Jesus will You please come into my life.’

That was that, I got dressed cleaned the bathroom and went to bed, my husband came to bed much later and the next day was as usual.

Now, I know you must be thinking ah, this is so boring, what happened?  It isn’t boring because the truth of the matter is my testimony is why I serve God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am a normal woman, I went to church and I had sober and good values.  I do not swear and curse and I never lied or told stories about other people.  So I felt I was going to heaven.  The problem here is that yes I had all these good values and good intentions I still was going straight to hell.

·        I want to remind you that the BLOOD of the Lamb and the word of my testimony is important to you as well as to me.  Revelations 12: 11 ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.’ 

·        I must tell you that ever since my conversion and my repentance to the Lord Jesus I can say without a doubt that the Lord Jesus is my Saviour.  ‘Acts 2: 32 “this Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.’  I am a witness of this because God has manifested so many times in my own life.

·        Matthew 11: 4 – 5 ‘Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

My life has changed and I cannot keep quiet about what God has done for me.

·        Acts 4: 33  ‘And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.’  I believe that God’s supernatural favour still rest on my own life.

·        My life before Jesus was good and I was as far as I can tell a good person but once I gave my life to the Lord Jesus it became blessed.  Today I have 3 beautiful children, all of them grown up and all of them serving God.  I can see they are blessed because God is watching over them.

·        My life changed for the better; I know that I am a Child of God and I enjoy reading my Bible and I love talking to people about what God has done for me.  I remind everybody that God can do great and wonderful things in their own lives. 

Pray with me:  God Almighty, my Heavenly Father, I recognize that I am a sinner and that my sin separates me from You Lord.  I willingly and consciously confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, I believe that God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  This very minute I repent of all my sins, and I receive Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.  Amen.

I believe if you prayed this prayer you will be saved, I urge you to find a church and join them.  You are a blessing.

Sunday Saying ....

2 Timothy 1: 7 “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.”

God has not given us a spirit of fear, awesome.  We can face each and every situation in our lives and not be fearful.  Sometime ago, I moved into an apartment and one night as I was sleeping a dark and heave force came over me in my bedroom.  I thought I was going to die but as a Christian I remember speaking out load “I am saved by the Blood of Jesus, greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”  As I lay on my bed and this dark heaviness that covered my bedroom and bed lifted I remember saying “thank You Lord Jesus”.

Amazingly each time I face a dreadful situation especially in my dreams I know that I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over my life.  I know this because my husband has tried to calm me down and let me become calm.  The next morning he would ask me what it was that I was dreaming.

I have tried to understand these terrible dreams but I think it’s my subconscious warning me about situations and then I know I stand up in the spirit.

I confess ‘God has not given me a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.’  Should you feel that nothing is going your way, confess God’s word into Your own life and see how you are lifted up higher and higher.

Lord Jesus, thank you for a Sunday and thank you for being here for me, as I face today, I thank You Lord my God that You have forgiven me and that I am able to move forward because I also forgive myself.  I also pray that the anointing of the Holy One abides within me today and Lord that You are my generous Father and that You bless me with an abundant life.  Lord God I am grateful for this, and I enjoy giving my time, talents, money and Love to others.

Because it is my believe and my hearts intent I confess that I belong to You Lord Jesus, so I am friendly, strong, happy and victorious and all is well with me.

Amen

"I've got the power!"

So I need to deal with three flaws in my own life:  I am closed off, I am demanding and I am too direct.

Hmm now that is a new challenge that I am facing, but as I believe God is in control over my life I feel that “I’ve got the power – yes, the Holy Spirit”  “Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world.”

At least all is not lost for me I do have some good qualities and they are

I am cool

I have good humour

I am creative

Ohhhh here it comes …. I am good looking

And yes, I have charisma

I am cheerful

I am spontaneous

Ohhhhh and of course …. I am attractive

Please don’t forget that I am intelligent!

Thank You Lord for creating someone as special as me, do you agree?

Well, I cannot impress all the people all the time and I actually just want to impress my God but I cannot do that because He created me perfect!  I am of Royal blood, Jesus Christ !

You have a lovely day now, think of all the good qualities you have and those which needs some work.

Be blessed, you are a blessing

41o Celsius On This Wednesday

My New Year resolutions is to actually do something about my look.  I have decided to put in the effort of looking gorgeous at my age.  The past couple of months have been really difficult for me and I want to lift my appearance to being gorgeous again.

My choice of dress is a simple A line fitted dress with brown background and patterns with peach coloured and yellow motives.  This sleeveless dress length is acceptable and I feel comfortable in the dress.  I chose to add a little black three quarter jumper to the mix to round of my look.  

For accessories I decided on peach coloured earnings and necklace and my beautiful Dunne Leather handbag with comfortable shoes.

I think I want to check in every Wednesday with you to see what you think about my outfit, how I can improve my look and work on refining me.  I do so want to look gorgeous again.

Do have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Gorgeous me J

Stay humble

2 Samuel 7:18 Living Bible (TLB)

¹⁸ Then David went into the Tabernacle and sat before the Lord and prayed, “O Lord God, why have you showered your blessings on such an insignificant person as I am?

King David was someone that was really close to the Lord and he sat before the Lord humbling himself in prayer.  Stating that he did not perceive his live to be of any significance, yet God blessed King David and loved him.

How I wish I could amount to some significance, I don’t know that I am worthy of much but I do know that I need to stay humble and draw near to the Lord my God.

My thought today is stay humble, sit down at God’s feet and wait for His guidance and insight and wisdom and knowledge.  Lord God in Jesus Name, direct my feet and direct my thoughts and keep me in Your loving hands.

Start your day right

Good Morning

This morning I was thinking of how awesome it is to sit in the presence of the Lord my God.  It makes me feel alive and well.  Some days when I get out of bed I feel good and today I feel even better.  God is good to me all the time.

I have been thinking of my statements and want to share them with you.  You also know them and perhaps this will help you get into a positive and good attitude.

My statement for today:

Lord Jesus I clothe myself with You today and state that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4: 13).
My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phillipians 4: 19).
God has not give me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  (2 Timothy 1 :7)
God has dealt to every man a measure of faith. (Romans 12: 3)
The Lord is the strength of my life. (Psalm 27: 1) The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. (Daniel 11: 32)(2 Corinthians 2 : 14)
Christ Jesus has become for me wisdom from God. (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8: 1)  I am in Christ; therefore I am free from condemnation.
With his stripes I am healed.  (Isaiah 53: 3)
where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3: 17) My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
I cast all my cares upon him, for He cares for me.  (1 Peter 5: 7).

Be bold and be courages as you face today, the Lord Jesus will be with you.  Amen

'Their faces were turned the other way.'

Life is difficult and when people make mistakes I have learned there aren’t really honourable people living among us.  Who will turn their faces away from someone else’s mistakes?

My failures stair me in the face all the time and I have prayed about it and repented from what I have done.  The real problem is that other people who saw what I did are like Ham in the Old Testament.  They go around boasting and telling everyone they see about my sins. 

For a very long time I have thought and prayed about the matter and in this week I received this word that happened a long, long time ago. 

Reading Genesis 9 it tells of Noah who planted a vineyard and when the time came he made some wine and he became drunk.  In his stupor he removed all his clothes and his youngest son Ham walked in on his naked father.

Making a joke probably about what he saw telling both his brother Shem and Japheth. 

The interesting part is that once the two older brothers heard what Ham saw they didn’t find it funny, they took a garment and threw it over their shoulders walking backwards into their father’s tent to cover Noah’s nakedness. 

Noah heard about this and a curse was spoken over Ham, ‘Cursed be Canaan!  The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.’  He also said ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem!  May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his slave.”

Think on this, Proverbs 11: 13 ‘A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.’  

My thinking what would you do when God reveals your ‘nakedness’ to the world, how would you feel?  You know use it, don’t use it.

God Bless you, you are a blessing.

Invoke God's Blessing on your life today!!!

Psalm 5: 3  In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

As I started my day today I come to the LORD with my requests and this is a big request today, I want to pray asking GOD to invoke HIS Blessing upon my life today.

Isaiah 65: 16 AMP 'He who invokes a blessing on himself ... shall do so by saying, may the God of truth and fidelity [the AMEN] bless me.'

Good Morning Abba Father

As I sit here today it is my prayer LORD that I may come into Your presence in humility and humbly pray Abba Father that You LORD God will bless me today.  I remind You LORD God of the word that is written in Isaiah 65: 16 and ask that by Your mercy and Grace Lord I may be blessed today and the coming year.

As Moses on Your instruction blessed the Israelites I humbly want to also pray the blessing of Moses into my life and the lives of my family and friends.  'The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' and the God added, "And I will bless them".  Numbers 6: 24 - 26

ABBA Father, Lord my God I pray this prayer over my life today, expecting Your supernatural favour and mercy and most of all LORD God, I know You will bless me.  In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen