Stay consistent.

Philippians 1: 27
Only conduct yourselves in a manner
worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether
I come and see you or remain absent,
I will hear of you that you are standing
firm in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel;

It is my desire to become more and more like the Lord Jesus, but I know that I fail every day. It’s easy to say these words “become more like the Lord Jesus” but the truth is it isn’t that easy. I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart and I try and imitate Him as best I can and I actually fail. I believe with the help of the Holy Spirit I will get there at some stage but all in good time.

In the meantime I need consistency in my life and I like things to go according to plan. I don’t like chaos and mayhem it makes me feel uncomfortable. Something I also realized is that people tend to watch me. How I speak to them, what I say and how I act around people. It is difficult because I do have my off days.

In my mind I am striving towards the LORD and I want to grow spiritually, I feel that I am very fanatic and that I am constantly thinking and meditating on God and His word.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, it is my desire to follow You and I so want to be more like You. Holy Spirit please help me to stay consistent and to hold onto Your Word. I love You Lord with all of my heart, soul and mind. Amen

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What is the story of my life?

Psalm 45: 1

For the director of music.
To the tune of “Lilies.”
Of the Sons of Korah
A maskil. A wedding song.

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.”

So what is the story of your life? Mine isn’t that spectacular I am a normal person with a normal life. I love my God and my family. I love to write and I love to read, my life isn’t something that will make the new but I believe God is able to still use me.

I am working hard at learning how to treat people with the highest esteem, respecting other people’s desires and opinions. I am trusting in the LORD to renew my mind each and every day.

The most difficult situation I find myself in is killing the desire of doing what I want to do. 

Especially when I know that it goes against Gods Word. My flesh is always against me and I really have to watch myself.

Prayer

O LORD You know that I have not made it on my own. I am asking You to help me forget what happened in my past and strain forward to what You have ahead. Please help me press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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My God gave me another chance.

Micah 7: 18

“Who is a God like you,
pardoning iniquity and passing over transgressions
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.”

Just writing to you today is confirmation that God gave me another chance in life. I am just a normal woman with a very, normal life. I don’t have anything to boast about in my life the only one good thing I believe that has come from my life are my three beautiful children and being blessed with three beautiful granddaughters.

When I reflect on my life and think of all the mistakes I made, it makes me feel miserable but then I have come to realize that yes, I made them and those mistakes formed my character today.

I am grateful to the LORD my God for a second chance, a third and many other changes in my life. “But you, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86 verses 15.  

One thing that stands out to me is the fact that God is patient with me; He forgave me time and time again for so many sins. I believe that since that is the case I should reciprocate and also forgive people that sin against me. It is my desire to be patient, kind and compassionate towards family and friends, it’s something I am dealing with each and every day.

Prayer

O LORD my God who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in steadfast love. Thank You for Your lovingkindness and the chances we receive each and every day. Thank You for Your patience. We love and adore You, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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Small beginnings

Zechariah 4: 10 NLT
“Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the LORD rejoices to see the
work begin, to see
the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.”

Zechariah is speaking to the people about the ruins in their city and it seems that they thought it couldn’t take off. But Zechariah says to them “do not despise these small beginnings.” Where are you right now? Are you focusing on starting something but feel it is insignificant and what difference will it make?

Today I want to encourage you to start whatever you have been thinking about because the LORD rejoices to see the work begin. Take the first step, do it now.

You never know what the result is going to be, are you going to start something that is going to change your future? Are you going to make an impact on the world? Are you going to make an impact in the lives of the people around you? You don’t know until you actually try it. Then once you start don’t lose heart, work hard and do what you can, then pray and trust that God will help you with the rest.

I wanted to write a book since 1999 and then one day my husband asked me, “when are you going to write your book?” It took me a couple of years to complete but I have written it, I hope that it will inspire people to read God’s word.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, LORD, thank You, for rejoicing when you see us start working on something we are supposed to do. Thank You, LORD, for giving us the necessary talents and creativity to actually do what we set out to do. LORD, I am asking that You will bless each and every person who reads this blog today, with the necessary insight, wisdom and understanding. LORD help them and I also want to ask You for Your supernatural favour in my life with You as well as with people, I ask the same supernatural favour for the people reading this blog I pray this in the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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What has God promised you?

Isaiah 40: 31

“but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

God first called me by name, I am His. Thank You, Lord, I take this and will not let this go. I believe that God has promised to strengthen me. God promised to fight for me, I just have to be still.

God said to honour your father and your mother so that I may live long in the land the Lord has given me. God gives me strength and helps me when I feel weary. God will uphold me with His righteous right hand.

The Lord takes my right hand and holds me up, I do not have to fear. Lord will not take his compassion away from me. No weapons formed against me will prosper and God will vindicate me.

God gives us wisdom when we ask it from Him. If we confess our sins He is able to forgive us. We should resist the devil and he will flee from us.

Prayer

Lord God, I believe that the blessings of the Lord – it makes us truly rich, and You do not add sorrow to it. As Your child, thank You, Lord, for these blessings in our lives. Thank You, for taking my right hand in Your righteous right hand and holding me up. Thank You for helping stand against my enemies and strengthening me. I bless Your Holy Name in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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Honouring our Parents

1 Timothy 5: 4

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

I have heard people state that they don’t believe it is their responsibility to take care of their parents or old people in general. I wonder what is going to happen to them when they get old because they aren’t that young either.

My heart goes out to the elderly and I feel truly sorry for them. They don’t have a great pension and a couple of Rand they have in their hands don’t pay for everything.

I want to ask you humbly to never forget about your own parents. I believe it is a honour to look after them. They were there for you when you were a little child and took care of you. Now that they are aging should you be doing the same for them? Have we become so self-centred and selfish that we couldn’t care less?

We are instructed to look after our children and grandchildren and also look after our parents.

Prayer

Abba Father, You know my heart and understand where I am coming from. It is my heart’s desire that it will go well with my mom. I bring them before You in humble prayer asking that You will help them, keep them safe and bring change into their lives. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Spiritual Growth #7 Meditation

Joshua 1: 8 NIV

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;
meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

I hear everybody meditates, Christians as well as non-Christians. I believe when we sit down and ponder God’s word we are in meditation, we are thinking about what the Word said and what it means to us as a person.

I believe we are so fortunate in being able to just go onto our Cell phones and read a scripture from the Bible we downloaded. We have the Bible at our fingertips. While we meditate we may just as well relax a little.

To be content and find rest in the Lord while you are reading His Word and focusing all your attention on what He is showing and teaching you. What an experience to sit in stillness before the Lord and learn.

The Holy Spirit will reveal truths to you and give you the necessary insight you need.

Prayer

Lord, I humbly pray for wisdom and insight and understanding, on meditating on Your Word today, please guide me and help me move forward. Thank You for the supernatural favour I enjoyed with You today as well as with other people. Thank You, Lord, for open doors and great opportunities. As I meditate and relax today, give me the strength to face tomorrow. Help me stand firm and please hold my hand. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Spiritual Growth #6 A Christian Mentor

1 Thessalonians 3: 10

“Night and day we pray most earnestly
that we may see you again and supply
what is lacking in your faith.”

In my own life, I am very needy and I am constantly looking for guidance and I believe that having a Christian Mentor just makes my life that much easier.

We need to speak to people about what is on our minds, how we perceive scripture and what it means to us. When we speak to someone who has been on this journey for a long time, they impart precious’s insight and understanding.

I find that people who have travelled on this road for a long time also have the experience and know how. Sometimes we need more information about fasting, why we fast and what is the intention of a fast? This is when we will need to speak to someone that knows and has the answers.

It is my heart’s desire that you will grow with me as we take this journey and learn more about growing spiritually. I pray the Lord will bless you and help you each time you study His word.

Prayer

Humbly, Lord, I want to come into Your presence today and say thank You for the people who mentor us. This year we will continue and I want to pray for wisdom and insight and understanding, I need to grow spiritually and I am asking for Your Supernatural favour in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Spiritual Growth #5 Testify

2 Peter 3: 15
“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,
just as our dear brother Paul also wrote
you with the wisdom that God gave him.”

I know it sounds strange but by testifying you grow spiritually. Here is my own testimony, as a young woman we lived in the Orange Free State. Our family went through a really difficult time and one of our friends invited us to attend a church service.

The Holy Spirit was active that morning and He was speaking into my heart, I actually held myself down with both my hands. I was too shy to stand up in front of the whole congregation.

On Monday my friend came over and spoke to us and when they left I went to take a bath. I sat in my bath and I confessed my sins to the LORD Jesus. I prayed the sinner’s prayer and I believe ever since I have been saved.

After I accepted the Lord Jesus into my life, I feel that I started my Christian journey, I know it doesn’t sound that spectacular I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary and my life is very plain and so normal.

I can say the Lord has a plan and a future for my life and I believe that He feels the same way about you too.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, if there is anybody that needs to accept You into their lives today, Holy Spirit speak into their hearts and souls, draw them closer to You. Lord Jesus come into our lives and renew our thoughts, hearts and minds. I believe we are lost without You and we are humbly prayer come to us we need you. Amen

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Spiritual Growth #4 Reading Materials

Acts 2: 42
The Fellowship of the Believers
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread
and to prayer."

Growing spiritually I would suggest that you spend time reading good Christian Books, I think there are a number of great Daily Devotionals to choose from, there are a great number of Christian Novels to choose from. I found there are many Books on teaching about the Holy Spirit, Christian living.

I don’t know what you think about but the more you think about God the better, and some peoples journey may resonate with your own experience. I found that I wanted to know more about the Name of the Lord Jesus, there are a number of book on this topic.

Reading Christian books opened up a new world for me personally. I found interesting information and great insights.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please blesses each person who reads this page today, opens their hearts and soul to Your words, and guides them. Bless them today and let You spirit rest on them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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Spiritual Growth #3 Attending Church Services

Hebrews 10: 25 NIV

“not giving up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another -
and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.”

To my thinking it is a natural thing to do, going to church. I grew up in a family where we used to attend Church each and every Sunday.  My Dad would wake us up with a nice hot cup of coffee and then everybody would get ready for the service. I never really paid attention in those days but I am sure God already called me by my name.

In later years I still felt it was necessary to go to church and I would feel terrible if I had missed a service. I believe when we attend church its God’s opportunity to speak to us through His word. The Pastor would share his thoughts with us and many times God has a message for me.

I find that you need to go to church with an expectation, a need and you also need to be open to hear God’s message. In church, we make friends and then it becomes a community. From going to church there is the possibility to go the Bible study classes.

Prayer

Humbly, Lord, I come into Your presence, I know that it is important to attend Church Services and I want to pray that the Holy Spirit will ignite a desire in each person's heart today. Going to hear what the message is, is so important to each one of us. Thank You, Lord Jesus Amen.

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