Some of the cakes I baked so far

#Tested

James 1: 12 NIV

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Looking at how Abraham handled this test makes me feel ashamed of myself. I almost failed my own personal test. I was sitting in church on Sunday and listening to the preacher. "This is a hypothetic story." he said "There was this beautiful young woman, she loved the LORD God with all her heart and soul. She couldn't stop talking about him." he continued "She married a man that didn't care about God and didn't want to serve God. After so many accusations and curse she finally gave up on God. She decides she was going to do what her husband does. Unfortunately, she died and her husband stood at her graveside. He thought, wow she was actually a beautiful Christian woman. I want to become a Christian." he continued "Her soul was lost but her husband finally came around."

I thought about the story and it struck me, yes I am facing the same situation and I almost gave up on God. When I heard this message decided that I was going to serve my God never mind the accusations. I will do what God tells me to do.

I prayed about my marriage and I have placed it before God. His Will be done.

Prayer

LORD God accepts my apologies for doubting You, forgive me for almost letting go of You. I repent and draw closer to You. I love You Lord in Jesus Christ Name. Amen

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The Blame Game #yvettevanniekerk

“The Woman said, “The Serpent deceived me.”” Genesis 3: 13 NIV

One thing is clear as day, no matter what we are all going to stand before the Lord God one day. Look at what happened to Eve.  God spoke to the three culprits.  Adam started saying "the woman gave me the fruit and I ate it." Eve then turned on the serpent saying "the serpent deceived me." Does this sound familiar?

Yes, we all seem to blame someone for something in our own lives. Oh, you do not blame people? I think we all do that. When I find myself in a corner; I start blaming other people for my predicament.

I wonder if I will ever get past this problem? Am I going to be the victim in every situation? 

I started taking responsibility for my own life. When something comes up; I will admit I made a mistake. A point to take note of is checking one's filters. Before you say something; think before you speak.

How am I going to turn this problem around to my advantage? I need to accept who I am. I need to understand what hurts me and deal with it. I want my circumstance to improve. How will I do this? Start with me. I know I have many issues.

"As a man thinketh, so is he." I am thinking positively, I am responsible and will make it. My future is in my hands, I am able to steer the course.

Prayer

O LORD, You know I have been speaking to You about so many issues in my own life. I want to humbly come before You, I want to take responsibility for my own life. I want to be the change I want to see. Please Lord, place a guard over my heart, my mouth and my eyes. Help me to watch my words and actions towards all the people in my life. I am able to take responsibility and I am doing this today. In Christ Jesus Name, Amen.

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#June – Struggling To Find My Balance

John 8: 31-32 AMP

The Truth Will Make You Free

31 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”

I just truly haven’t had the strength or wisdom to write anything in my blog this past couple of weeks. We had a tragedy at home, our tenant who rents our grand flat committed suicide. I didn’t know that this was on the anniversary of my husband’s deceased wife. This triggered some shocking experiences.

This past couple of weeks I have been under firing line and I truly couldn’t have made it if not for the Lord Jesus Christ and some of my good friends. I kept reading the Word of God as best I could at one stage I almost lost my focus and let go of God and everything. The pressure was getting to me and then I stopped and chatted with a friend. Went to church and God spoke to me in the service.

Without God I am nothing and I cannot allow my circumstances to prevent me from serving the only God I truly love. If you find a moment please keep me in your prayers too.

Prayer

Humbly Abba Father I pray for guidance and help. Lord this month has been so difficult and thank You that You didn’t give up on me when my faith almost failed me. Lord, I am still fragile and I need You in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth Amen

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Prayer for this Weekend

Humbly Lord, Father God I come to You this morning. I want to dedicate my life and the lives of all my family and friends into Your hands. I want to dedicate each and every one of us into Your Hands today. Lord, You are my Redeemer, You are the HOLY ONE of Israel. Lord, You are God. Lord, You teach each and every one of us to profit, You lead us in the way we should go.

Humbly I stand before You praising Your Holy Name. You know my hearts desires, You know my needs and You know my dreams. I pray that You will protect each one of us this weekend. Keep Your hand over us and watch over us.

Lord help us to consider You in everything we do and say. Lord, You are on my mind all the time and I want to focus my time and energy on You. Lord help us to become effective and positive people today and this weekend.

We cry out to You Lord as 2 Chronicles 5 verse 13 “The singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; His love endures forever! Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud!”

Fill our spirits with Your Holy Spirit.

In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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Leading by example – modelling holiness

Joshua 24: 15 NIV

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

My granddaughters are too cute. I watch how they act around their mom. I know she loves them with all her heart. I know they drive her crazy and she still loves them. She leads them by her example. 

She listens to them when they tell her about their day. I know she takes them to church on Sundays and on Wednesday they have a mentorship at her home. My granddaughters are learning to live Holy lives. My son also teaches his daughter and they also have interesting encounters. I know he also takes her to church on Sundays and takes her on Wednesdays to mentorship. My kids are modelling holiness into their daughter’s lives. They are leading their children by their example. I know it isn’t easy but I see them doing this every day.

Our children are influenced by what they see we do. The Bible teaches us that we should set an example and teach our children. Children are inquisitive and will have questions. We need to Answer their questions to the best of your ability using scripture. Cell phones and computers are at our children's disposal. Safety first, we need to teach our children to never divulge personal information over the internet. Remind your children that we can use our technology to enhance our Bible study. 

There are so many apps available which are useful and insightful.

Keep in mind once you teach your children about God there will be peace, joy and fulfilment in your homes. My motto for my house is "I and my house will serve the Lord my God."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to teach our children to live holy lives as we learn in 1 Peter 1 verses 16 "for it is written: "Be holy because I am holy." Our children are exposed to some many things please guard them. Lord send Your angels to protect each one of our children as well as our grandchildren. Lord, I plead the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth on each of my family members. Amen

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#Holy_lives

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (AMP)

⁵ 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]. ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. ⁷ 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. ⁸ And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

I believe God has called us to be holy. I go to church on Sunday and attend a mentorship on Wednesday. Is this enough? No, we need to do something more. I think I need to search God's Word daily. How would you go about becoming Holy? What is required and how will you attain it?

I believe your faith is the foundation of drawing near to God. We cannot draw near to God if we do not have faith in Him. The next step would be to love God and to focus on His Word.

I think you need to determine and decide what time and where you want to spend your time with God. Devoting your attention mainly on God's Word and drawing near to Him. I believe when we study God's Word we are learning more about Him. Dealing with issues in our lives and praying about what we are experiencing will create an atmosphere of understanding and love.

Another part of drawing near to God would be through prayer.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, and today I draw near to You in humble prayer. Lord, I want to live a holy life. I love my family and friends. My life is worthless if I cannot speak to You. Show me the pathway forward, teach me and guide me, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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#Friday ~ His Mercy is New every day

Lamentations 3:22-23 (AMP)

²² It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed,

Because His [tender] compassions never fail.  ²³ They are new every morning;

Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.

Cross references:  Lamentations 3:22 : Mal 3:6; Lamentations 3:23 : Is 33:2

Is time flying for you as well? My goodness, I woke up on Monday and lived my life to Friday in a wink of an eye. Rising at 5 am each morning taking a shower and blow-drying my hair, getting dressed for work and waiting for the taxi at 5h45 every morning. We arrive at work before 7 am and then start our daily chores. I feel blessed today because I believe God's mercies are new every day.

Do you have any expectations for your day? I do, only goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Focusing my attention on my God helps me stay positive. I never feel sorry for myself early in the morning.

God's mercies are New every day! I am expecting good things to happen to me today.

Without faith, we cannot make it through the day. I confess my sins to God early reminding Him that I am here asking Him to help me. God is eager to hear from you and me. God loved us so much He gave His son Jesus Christ for our sins. Wow! Jesus is my salvation and my God. I love Him with all my heart and soul.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, please forgive me if I have sinned knowingly or unknowingly against You. Today I am making You a standard in my life. I want to live a holy life pleasing to You. I accept and believe that Your mercies are new every day. Thank You, Father God, in the name of Your son Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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