Are you single-minded and totally devoted to God?

Matthew 6: 24a “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  & Matthew 22: 37 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

This is the second part to our question “Is God the center of all we do?”  Many times people say things like “you are so consumed with talking about God, isn’t there any other topic that interest you?”  Yes, I have other interesting topics I can talk to you about but I love to bring God into the picture.  It is natural for me to talk about God and how I see the situation from a bible perspective.  

It frustrates many people and it also irritates them, they feel disconnected and angry with me at times.

Do you know what I am talking about?  Are you able to relate to my thinking, I love the LORD and it comes out in my conversations and I am constantly trying to teach you something?  So being friends with me might frustrate you because I am seen as a freak and total nut-case.  

I want to take this time and encourage you to stay focused and trust in God, He knows what is best for you.  So hang in there and do not back down on placing God first.  If you are like me, single-minded and totally devoted to God then you will find push-back from people.

Prayer

Abba Father, You know that I am single-minded and that I cannot always discuss matters of the world because I am not interested in what’s happening in the world.  I confess that I feel in adequate when it comes to worldly matters but I feel comfortable when speaking about You.  Help me understand people, and see them through Your eyes.  Bless them and keep each one of them safe.  In Jesus Christ’s Name Amen

Is God the Center of all we do?

Matthew 6: 33 TLB “and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.”

How much of your time do you dedicate to the Lord?  I mean sitting down in your “war room” praying, reading your Bible and studying God’s word.  Let us be honest we start early most of us in any case, as you jump out of bed run around getting everything read to leave the house for your job you think, I will break this afternoon and spend some time in God’s presence.

Truth be told, if you didn’t wake up a little earlier and spent the first couple of minutes with God your day will erupt into an avalanche with deadlines to meet etc.  I know, juggling washing, cleaning and ironing and running errand’s takes up a lot of your time.  

Did you find that 10 minutes to spend with God?  Did you sit down and read the Word of God, meditated on it and the prayed for your family and friends?  We are so tired that many of the time we just hop into bed, turn the light out and say a quick prayer, and off to sleep.

As I think about the words of Matthew “and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life …” It is clear even in Matthew’s time they needed to make a definite commitment in coming into the LORD’s presence.  Making the LORD first place in my life is something I am working on, are you?

Prayer

Lord thank You, for being kind and compassionate towards each one of us today.  Thank You, that we may meditate and focus on Your word.  Thank You, for helping each one of us and showing us the way forward.  As we start our day, LORD help us to make You, the primary go-to person in our lives, help us commit to You 100%.  Please help us today in Jesus Christ’s Name Amen

Hello World, Yvette's Inspiration's on Rainbow Gospel Radio today at 12 GMT +2

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#Grandmother #Faith

#Grandmother #Faith

2 Timothy 1 : 5 AMP “I remember your sincere and unqualified faith [the surrendering of your entire self to God in Christ with confident trust in His power, wisdom, and goodness, a faith] which first lived in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am confident that it is in you as well.”

We see the Apostle Paul speaking to Timothy and reminding him of his sincere and unqualified faith in the Lord and how it also spring forth from his grandmother and own mother.  Which brings me to the point in my own life.  We are examples to our children and remember they are constantly watching our movements and seeing how we react.  Taking me to my next point.

I saw an article about children and I must tell you that I didn’t know that but as I read it, I knew whatever I was doing in my younger years my children were watching me and would be doing the same thing going forward.

 

Not sure of the exact details but according to Dr. James Dobson, a case study was conducted on 10 thousand children and this was their findings:  1)  The most critical period of a child's mental development was between the ages of eight and eighteen months.  2)  The mother is viewed as the most important part of the child's environment. 3)  The amount of “live” language directed to the child between twelve and eighteen months is absolutely critical.  4) The free access to living areas of the child's home progressed much faster than those whose movements were restricted.  5) The family is the most important educational delivery system.  6)  Best parents are those who excel at three key functions:  Being superb designers and organizers of the child's environment, allowing their children to interrupt them for brief intervals of thirty seconds which allow them to comfort and exchange information; and being firm in disciplining their children also simultaneously showing great affection for the child.  So they love their kids, they talk to their kids, they treat their kids with respect, exposing them to interesting things, organizing their kids time and disciplining them fairly and raising them in a strong stable family environment.  You cannot go wrong with these vital keys to a successful and happy childhood.

Prayer

Lord God, when I sit here and think about how I taught my own children I pray that YOU will help them with their children.  As far as I know, I did the best I could at the time.  I want to encourage and pray for young mothers today asking that You LORD will teach them and Guide them going forward with their own children.  Bless the homes of the parents who cannot do everything they want for their children and bless the grandmothers and mothers who are praying for the grandchildren.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

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Good Morning and Hello World

Today I want to invite you to come and join me on Rainbow Gospel Radio at 12 o'clock today GMT +2.  Should you like to chat to me on Facebook go to Rainbow Chat Room and one of the administrators will give you access.  Or if all else fails; contact me through my web page “ yvettevanniekerk.com”  Go to contact us and send me a message and I will respond to you.

Do you want to discuss anything over the air?  Let me know and let's see what you are interested in hearing.  

my personal email is yvettevn007@gmail.com

Do have a blessed wonderful day!

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Who are you?

Daniel 1: 20 KJV “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."

Who are you, when you are alone and no one is watching?  Do you still work hard and diligently?  Do you do your best and keep up the good work?  Are you excelling in everything you do while there isn’t anybody around to see?

I think Daniel is one of those people that always excelled never mind who was watching.  He felt it was his duty to always go above and beyond.

We all face times when there isn’t anybody around and we can just sit back and relax.  The Boss left 10 minutes ago and the team feels a little relieved.  They don’t have to put in 100% of their attention and feel they are able to clown around.

Sit down and watch a movie, go for an hour long lunch and drink tea in the pause area for 20 minutes or even longer.  Sure there isn’t anybody to tell you, so you are most likely to get away with it.

Therein lies, the problem, your integrity and your ability to be doing your job to the best of your ability has just come to a stand still.  You didn’t go the extra mile, you didn’t put in the effort and make your deadline because you felt tomorrow is another day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord God, thank You that we may come before You today.  Give us the wisdom and understanding to always treat the people You have placed in our lives with the necessary respect, understanding, and compassion.  Lord, we ask that You will guide us, help us to make the right decisions and be able to see how it will affect people all around us.  Bless our family and friends, and thank You for this time we have with You.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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sTrIvInG tO sTaY fAitHful tO tYe lOrD

Psalm 101: NKJV “I will behave wisely in a perfect way.  Oh, when will You come to me?  I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

Staying faithful to the Lord is something that I have been striving for, and I wonder if I will ever really succeed therein.  Have you actually read Psalm 101 from the beginning to the end?  This Psalm of David is one of the most touching Psalms I have read in a long, long time. 

First, off David starts the Psalm of with praises to the LORD and then he speaks of how he will behave in his own home.  I want to walk in his house with a perfect heart.  He also decided not to entertain any wickedness before his eyes and he will not be around people doing wrong.

As I read the next verse I agree with King David that it is my heart's desire to not entertain or have a perverse heart and that I don’t want to be associated with evil.

King David is truly wonderous as he considers his neighbor and that he will not allow anybody to slander them.  He also doesn’t allow people who are haughty and too proud in the heart to be in his company.

I love the part where King David says that he will place his eyes on the faithful of the land and that he wants them to dwell with him.  He wants honorable people in his service. 

Prayer

O LORD, God, humbly I come before You today, and I want to pray this Psalm 101.  You know my heart, You know who I am.  I want to be able to come into Your presence with a pure heart and with a clean spirit.  LORD, I love and adore YOU.  I want to bring praise to YOUR name.  I want to serve YOU with all my being but I cover myself today with the blood of Jesus Christ so that I can stand before YOU the righteousness of God in Christ.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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Feeling stuck?

Ephesians 2: 7 AMP “[and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness towards us in Christ Jesus [ by providing for our redemption].”

Have you ever been in a situation where you are out of a job, your car breaks down, the washing machine packs up and your vacuum cleaner also breaks.  To make matters even more interesting the Refridgerator also give you some problems.  It doesn’t seem like a lot and I know someone will come with the thing about “Karma” but the fact of the matter is the utensils are old and would have given in any way.

If you read Ephesian chapter 2 verse 7 to 10 you will have a different point of view “Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.”

I just love the part where it shows us we are exactly where God wants us, this very minute.  Yes we are facing a couple of obstacles and they do frustrate us but the fact of the matter is, it’s just for a short time and once we deal with it, it will pass.

I also like the fact that we are preparing for the ages to come and that God will show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.  What a wonderful thought and hope we have in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to take this time and remind You of Your promise to me in Jeremiah Chapter 29 verse 10-11 “This is GOD’s Word on the subject:  “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home.  I know what I’m doing.  I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”  I don’t know that I have seventy years LORD so I am asking for a shortened version in my own life.  Please, LORD, nothing is impossible for YOU.

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“God-Wrestler” are you a “Jacob?”

Genesis 32: 25 NOG “When the man saw that he could not win against Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that it was dislocated as they wrestled.”

Can you imagine wrestling with God?  I think it was something amazing to experience.  Jacob seemed to be a strong man and he was very determined not to give up. 

I wonder what God thinks of us when we step into His wrestling ring.  As you place your foot on that mat and grab hold of God.  Are you willing to wrestle with God for something you need in your life this very minute?  Do you think it’s just not the right thing to do?

If you continue reading Genesis chapter 32 you will see that in the end “the man said, “But no longer, your name is no longer Jacob.  From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.”  Oh my goodness, Jacob persevered and won.

We have many battles and we should choose them and not step into every fight we encounter.  The war is still to come and while we are still preparing for that great day we need to say focused.

Every time something happens in your life and you seem to be struggling and just cannot move forward, wouldn’t you say this is “wrestling with God?”

Think about it, sometimes everything is a struggle, you just cannot find the right job.  You just cannot say the right thing, then there is a fight.  You just cannot do the right thing then you are in trouble.  You just seem to be struggling with your finances and you seem to be struggling with life as a matter of fact.  Think about it are you in God’s arena right now? Is this your WWE smack down?

Prayer

What a privilege it is to come into Your presence today Abba Father.  If we have been selected to come into your arena right now we pray for the necessary wisdom and insight that You want us to learn.  Our struggles seem so hard and difficult at times and we don’t always seem to understand everything but today, we pray help us understand what You want us to learn.  Teach us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

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#Repentance - #Teshuva(T'shuva)

Isaiah 9: 13 AMP “Yet the people do not turn back [in repentance] to Him who struck them, Nor do they seek the LORD of hosts [as their most essential need].”

Isaiah is speaking to the people and telling them what is wrong in their lives.  Israel is heading in the wrong direction and the LORD is warning them through Isaiah.  As we meditate and focus on God’s word today, are you heading in the right direction?  The path you took; is it still the right one?  Are you so busy now that you just don’t seem to find the time to spend with God?

Looking at the word Teshuva it means “to turn back.” We need to turn away from evil and turn back to God.  Sometimes we make a decision to do a specific thing and by taking that decision we start moving into another direction.  Perhaps you met this man or woman and you believe they are the right person for you.  As you grow in the relationship you find they love partying and drinking and smoking, which you absolutely don’t do.  In the mean time, you start compromising your beliefs and value systems in adjusting to this person.  Before long you are frustrated and feel miserable continually.  Nothing is working out, the person is still “happy-go-lucky” but you are not so happy.  My question is this, are you still on the right path? 

Do you feel that you need to “Teshuva” right now?  I believe there is no time like the present and if you decide to make the decision and turn back to God things will change.  Always for the better.

Prayer

Heavenly Father we hear Your personal message to us through Joel chapter 2 verse 12 “But there’s also this, it’s not too late – GOD’s personal Message! – “Come back to me and really mean it!  Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”  Lord, humbly we stand to pray please forgive us, we repent of our wrongdoing and turn back to You, in the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

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Listen to God's word and obey it!

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 AMP “Hear, O Israel!  The LORD is our God, the LORD is one [the only God]!  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being].  These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] in your heart and mind.  You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.  And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand(forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your horsehead.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

I read somewhere that the Jewish believers have been taught to pray the “Shema” since long before the Lord Jesus Christ.  This prayer is taken directly from Deuteronomy chapter 6 the LORD God commanded the Israelites to obey God’s word.  The Hebrew word “Shema” literally means “hear” and “obey.” 

When the Lord Jesus was teaching He would also use the same word “he who has ears, let him hear,” here He was telling His followers to listen to His words and obey them.

As you go through your day, do you take the time to meditate and focus on anything you have read out of the Word of God (Bible)?  Or do you only pay attention to the Word on Sunday and when you leave the serve it slipped your mind as you cannot remember what the sermon was about.

As you go through your busy day, you are talking to people, your family and friends and you are so busy.  Do you take a 5-minute break and think of the LORD?  Do you speak to God while you are walking to your next meeting?  Is God real to you? 

We forget that we are here for only a short time and we should be preparing for our eternal life.  We should obey and hear God when He is speaking to us, the thing is how tuned in are we to God?

When you are sick in the hospital and the Doctors tell you they don’t have a cure who do you call?  You call the Pastor or your Priest.  You start to pray and you cry before the LORD.  Those are the times you realize “I need God, I don’t want to die.”

Prayer

In humbleness LORD GOD we pray forgive us for not always hearing and obeying You.  We seem so caught up in this world with all our responsibilities.  We forget that You are in control and that we need to sit at Your feet as You watch over us.  Teaching us what we need to learn.  Lord forgive us we aren’t always faithful.  Lord thank You, for Your, mercy and grace that are new every day.  In the Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

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