Thursday, 30 August 2018

“I think that’s unfair!”

Matthew 5: 45 AMP “so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].”

I don’t know about you, but I was truly upset when I heard the person that hurt me so badly gets everything I ever dreamt about. It made me really angry and I thought to myself, Lord don’t you think this is a bit unfair?

The problem with this is I know what this person has done to me and how I was hurt in the process yet this person is being blessed so abundantly. It took me a while to come to terms with this. Then I read something Joyce Meyer wrote something reminding that I actually should let it go. Forgive this person and remember that the Lord allows the sun to shine on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Honestly speaking, I am still learning to forgive and move forward. I forgive this person and I am happy they were blessed so abundantly.

I want to renew my mind and my soul, I want to draw closer to God. I call out to the LORD, the LORD helps me with my unbelieve and help me forgive. You forgave me, help me to set these people free in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Prayer

LORD, YOU are a Good, good Father. You are perfect LORD, I want to bless YOU, Jesus. You're perfect in all Your ways to me. I want to praise and worship You, I repent and ask please forgive me for holding onto my unforgiveness. I am holding on to YOUR Word, I am asking YOU to break these chains that are holding me back. I am on my knees Lord, please forgive me, I am falling apart, please help me, I need Your help. Amen

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Monday, 27 August 2018

Plagued by Guilty Feelings!

Romans 8: 1 AMP “Escape from Bondage”

“Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].”

I struggle with feelings of guilt constantly; when I eat a little more than I usually do and I see that I have put on some weight. I start punishing myself for being a glutton. I am getting fat and look terrible. When, in fact, I am not obese, but that little voice tells me “you are fat and ugly.”

When I was younger I was told constantly that I look like a cow, so fat that I would never get married again. I then became bulimic. When you grow older weight isn’t something you can control. To some extent yes, but not totally.

I also struggle with past mistakes which plague my mind, I would constantly be hard on myself for the decision I made. These guilty feelings would ride me for days on end. One day I thought about what I was thinking, and I remembered what Joyce Meyer said: “think about what you are thinking.” I remembered that condemnations come from the devil and not from God. I started talking back to these thoughts.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, In the Name of Jesus Christ I want to stand against these guilty feelings. Lord, You know I have confessed my sins, I have received Your forgiveness and I want to pray to ask You for peace in my heart and mind. What a beautiful Name Lord Jesus, No condemnation in Your Name, You have saved me through Your blood. Amen

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Am I ever StormProof?

Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

Am I storm proof? Honestly, I do not believe that I am storm proof. I used to watch "Heroes" and do you remember Matt Parkman? Well, when I was watching this show, I freaked out when I saw him listen in on other people’s thoughts. We need to trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all our hearts and not rely on our own insight and or understanding. We should always know and recognize Jesus, He will straighten and smooth the way ahead of us.

I do not want someone hearing my thoughts. There are times when I am off, and I am in a fight with myself. This person will know that I am struggling and zone in on my thoughts.

I know the devil cannot read our minds thank God for that, but I do believe he can read body language. He makes a suggestion, and sees our reaction, and acts on our reactions.

Without thinking, about it, we have become vulnerable. I believe being storm proof takes practice. We want to be focusing on God.

Prayer

Abba Father please assist me to weather the storms in my own life. According to Your Word Philippians chapter 2 verse 13 “for it is God who works in you (me) to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.” I need You today as my emotional state is a mess. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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The Sudden death of a Colleague

Psalm 42: 5 “Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance”

Sunday afternoon I received a WhatsApp message from my colleague. One of our colleagues passed away Friday evening. I didn’t have words to say. Today we came into the office everybody seems to be dismayed and still not sure. It was confirmed that this person died Friday in a motor vehicle accident.

If there is anybody that can worry about things that are out of their control it would be me. I was thinking perhaps it was a mistake and hey they are okay. We joke every day in the office and I’m sure this guy is okay.

It’s been an emotional roller-coaster today my friends and I have been sobbing. We cannot believe this actually happened. I see when my friend thinks of this guy tears wells up and she starts crying. We feel a little overwhelmed.

King David went through trying times but he didn’t allow himself to fall into depression. I believe King David called out to God and came to Him in his hour of need.

Prayer

Dear Father God, in our hour of grieve and depression please help us to choose to praise and trust in You. It’s almost unreal but I believe that You can and will make everything good again. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen

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Friday, 24 August 2018

I decided to wait on the LORD!

Psalm 119: 97 AMP

Mem
“OH, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

I woke up from a dream and I told my husband what I dreamt. In my dream, I was talking to someone and I said, I am so sick of collecting all kinds of stuff. She asked me like what? I said, “You know, new clothes, new shoes, new dishes and all kinds of new things for the house.” She said isn’t that what life is all about? I answered her and said “No, I feel that I am wasting my money on unnecessary stuff. I don’t have to be dressed in the latest fashion etc.”

My husband laughed and thought I was being philosophical. I believe I have come to realise all these things on earth won’t get me to heaven. Sure they are beautiful but I don’t really find any value in them.

The LORD wants us to invest our time in HIM. I believe that the LORD reminds us to spend time with Him. Psalm 84 verses 10 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]’ I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.”

I think there are so many beautiful things on this earth but when I look at it, the shine has been lost on me. I am not drawn to it as I used to. I do want nice things but it won’t break my heart if I cannot get it. We are reminded to find our treasure in the LORD. Matthew 6 verses 19 to 21 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centres] will be also.” I want to stay focused on the LORD and I will give up these beautiful things if that’s what it takes.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You, for all the beautiful things You have given me as a gift. I am so grateful for them. I am grateful that I am able to still come in humility to Your throne and worship You. Lord, all these blessings are wonderful and I love them so much. I realise that I am still in need of You each and every day. Yes, this world shines bright but in my eyes, You LORD shine brighter. I love and adore You in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

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Wait for the LORD

Psalm 33: 20 AMP

“We wait [expectantly] for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.”

Our lives have become so time sensitive. People are driven by their schedules. Meetings, appointments etc. We are in such a rush to get to our next appointment. I think about the age when Time stood still for me. As I child I felt the days were so very long. I thought a year felt like 10 years. It was my perspective then, right now I think the time is running out for me. I don’t have enough time and I have so much to do. My life journey poses loads of interesting detours and makes me come to a sudden halt when I don’t consult with the LORD. In these detours, I realize that I need to focus on the LORD. Wait for the LORD. Psalms chapter 31 verse 24 reminds me “be strong and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait for and confidently expect the LORD.”

We need to come in obedience to the LORD and He will help us. Psalms chapter 5 verse 3 reminds me to pray and speak to the LORD in the morning, “O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].” Waiting for the LORD isn’t always easy but the LORD is faithful and hears my prayers.

I want to encourage you today to read Psalms chapter 37 verse 7 reminding us to “be still before the LORD; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him;”

Prayer

O LORD, humbly I bring my situation before You today, I am waiting for YOU LORD, come in and help me. I want to dedicate each and every person reading my blog today. LORD bless each one of us who are faithfully waiting for YOU, LORD. We are nothing without YOU. I pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Tuesday, 21 August 2018

God has a purpose for my life.

Overview

My husband and I were talking about a woman that was raped and a child was the result of this rape. We both have felt the child was unwanted and that because of the circumstances the child would probably be mistreated or given up for adoption.

On the other hand, God has a plan for each one of us, wanted or unwanted. In Jeremiah Chapter 1 verse 5 ESV “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nation.”

God knows each one of us before we were born. He has stated it clearly in Scripture. So we are all born for a reason. God has a plan for each one of our lives.

Scripture

Acts 17: 26 – 27 AMP

“And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands and territories. This was so that they would seek God if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”

Devotion

I believe God has determined our appointed times according to Acts 17. It might be true that your parents didn’t want you, but God did. We all were born according to God’s calendar, each of us on a specific day and time. I know that God has a purpose for my life, I am not always sure what it is, but I do believe it is a good plan and a great future. I believe that I must be on God’s mind all the time otherwise He would not have given us His word. God confirms this in Psalm 139 verses 16 to 17 “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God? They cannot be numbered!” Awesome, God loves me and knows me from before I was born. I can stand on His Word.

I believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be, “and the boundaries of their lands and territories.” I am reminded of something that happened the weekend. I was invited to a meeting and I sent a message to my friend that I will be late. But unfortunately she did not see the message and the gates were closed not permitting me access. It’s clear I wasn’t supposed to be at that meeting. I didn’t even freak out “it wasn’t supposed to be.” God takes delight in every aspect of my life and I should be speaking to Him about everything. How do I do that? I need to pray about everything, asking Him and agreeing with Him in His Word.

“This was so that they would seek God” again seek God. We need to constantly be seeking God in our every day lives. Looking for Him, setting Him first with everything we say and do. Building our personal relationship with Him each and every day. In order for me to be good at what I do, I need to invite God in and help me. I have found when typing my minutes I need God’s hand and guidance. I cannot always remember everything. God guides me and helps me. God is a must in my life, each step of the way.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I humbly come into Your presence. I clothe myself in Jesus Christ and in compassion and I want to pray for Your supernatural favour in my life and my family and friends lives. I want to say thank You, today. Lord I want to draw near to You today, I am seeking Your guidance. I am seeking Your kingdom, I want to be part of the bride. I don’t believe my talents are any good if You aren't helping me. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I pray to bless each and every person today reading my blog Amen.

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I am learning to develop steadfastness and patience.

Overview

I have decided to become purpose driven. My first strategy is to say what I mean. Then I am also working on not speaking against myself or gossiping about others. I am learning to become immune to the actions of others. I have seen that people try and set me up to fail. I have decided not to become a victim in these situations.

My development in steadfastness is a slow process. I have decided to ignore stupid people. I know people who constantly believe they are always right. Read Proverbs 12 verse 15 - 25.

I am not a very patient person. I know Proverbs 14 verse 29 says "Whoever is patient has great understanding. but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." I am of course doing my best to practice patience and it is a slow process on my side.

Scripture

2 Thessalonians 3: 5 ESV

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Devotion

I believe God is busy in my personal life. I have come to realise that it is important to do my best job now. I have been doing my best job and I must say it is paying off. I realise my best job differs sometimes, it’s not always the same, it differs from moment to moment. My desire is to be steadfast in Christ each and every day.

It has always been my policy to speak directly to people, avoiding misunderstanding. My desire is to learn how to love others from Christ's point of view. I am working on my compassion and understanding towards others. Jesus made it a part of His life to pray constantly, we read in Mark 6 verse 46 “and after He had taken leave of them, He went up on the mountain to pray.” I realised I need to pray. In my personal life, I need prayer as well as in my professional life.

Jeremiah 29 verse 11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for the welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” My steadfastness is in the LORD, I believe this Word for my life. I am waiting patiently for God to change my life and renew my mind.

Prayer

Lord, humbly I want to pray that my blogger friend will find themselves in my devotional and let them pray for Your guidance. LORD, I am asking You humbly for Your grace and salvation in my own life as well as for my family and friends. LORD, forgive me, I am sinful and I know there is a lot I need to confess. I am sorry if I have sinned against You knowingly or unknowingly. Help me, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

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