He is Risen!

Happy, Happy Easter

Luke 24: 5 AMP, "and as the women were terrified and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why are you looking for the living One among the dead?"

[Jesus] is the greatest influence in the world today. W H Griffith Thomas

The traditions of the people in the life of Jesus, long ago are still very compelling. I believe when the women went to the grave to care for the Lord's body, they didn't expect to find the stone rolled away. On their arrival, they found out Jesus was gone. It must have frightened the woman seeing the angels. To top it off, they asked them why are you looking for the living among the dead? The angels then told the woman that Jesus is alive, that death had not contained Him. Imagine that the Lord is still our Lord, and life will never be the same again. I think the woman ran to tell the other disciples that the Lord Jesus is alive, but probably only realized it when talking about what they experience. Most people have delayed shock, and I'm sure they were also suffering from delayed trauma. The Lord Jesus doesn't dwell in cemeteries but sits on the right hand of God the Father. Did you get that?

Well, we all know that we have been celebrating the Risen Lord for as long as I can remember. The thing is, does it still wow me?

Before I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I used to read the Bible as a historical book. You know I know many stories in the Bible in the age of the ancient. When did the pages of this historical book come to life? The day I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Lord.  I am still learning to listen to the Lord Jesus so that I can grow spiritually.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, in the Bible, You are my perfect example, I not only want to imitate You, but I do want to listen and hear You speak into my life today. Lord Jesus, You are the substance, of my life, of my faith.  Thank You for being the living sacrifice and High Priest. Lord Jesus, You are my leader. Please forgive me when I look for the living among the dead. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Can your marriage survive a lying tongue?

I think lying is one of the most destructive things a person can do to me. In my first marriage, my ex-husband lied to me on a continual basis, to the extent that I actually cannot imagine him any other way but as a liar. 

Proverbs (AMP) 19, verses 5, says, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape."

I also believe when someone lies to me, they think I must be an idiot. I am immediately angry and ready for a fight. 

Colossians (AMP) 3 verses nine says, "Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices,"

My first marriage didn't last, and there were too many lies and lots of abuse. I decided when I married my second husband that one thing; maybe two are never to fail me. He had to be honest and open-minded towards me. I also need to trust him because, without trust, I cannot see my way of going forward in a lying marriage.  

I have a stable marriage, and we do have our ups and downs, like most married couples. I am more outgoing than my husband, and I enjoy being creative. He is quieter and reserved. Now I am in a personal relationship with the Lord, and I feel very strongly about God. Why I feel so strongly about lying is that it will remove me from the presence of God.

Psalm 101 verses 7 "He who practices deceit will not dwell in my house; He who tells lies and half-truths will not continue [to remain] in my presence."

So the lies and half-truths are also very destructive; you cannot be telling me something I know isn't quite true. I am learning to share my feelings and thoughts with my husband. I honestly believe this is an ongoing situation. I don't always know what to say, and I don't want to hurt him. So now, I am praying that the Lord will give me discernment and help me communicate with my husband.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have my life in Your hands and understand me better than others. Lord, today, I pray that You will help me discern what I need to communicate with my husband. I want to always be honest and let him know how I really feel. Help me to verbalize my feelings, and I have been as honest as I can with my past life. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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How to pray.

May 11

Matthew 6:9-13(AMP) 

9 "Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. 10Your kingdom comes, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. 13 And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen"

The Lord Jesus said to the disciples they should Pray like this, "Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name." Greeting our Father with respect and honoring His name. "Your kingdom comes, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Accepting that the Father is king and asking that he will be done on earth as it is in heaven. "Give us this day our daily bread." Asking for what we need today. "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Asking the Lord to forgive us and in return, we will forgive the people who have offended or hurt us. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Asking the Father to help us not be tempted and keep us out of the devil's reach. "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" Declaring that God's is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Closing in agreement with what we prayed. You are a Blessing!

Yvette van Niekerk

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People are gripped by the spirit of fear today.

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Isaiah 54: 17 AMP "No weapon that is formed again you will succeed, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servant of the Lord and this is their vindication from Me," says the Lord."

I realized with this COVID-19 pandemic, so many people are gripped by the spirit of fear today. A fear that is paralyzing and people seem to have lost their purpose and destiny. Losing sight of what God's desire is for our futures.

Psalm 55: 17 - 18 AMP "Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice. He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me."

The devil has this potent weapon, fear, and he is wielding it against each of us today. Fear is one of his tactics to get us away from our destiny. The COVID-19 threat is all over the world, and people are in "lockdown" no one is allowed to even go to work. I believe the cross is available to all, and the Lord Jesus Christ can set all of us free. Do you think that we can call on the Holy Spirit? I believe the power of the Holy Spirit can bring down all these walls of fear that are surrounding every one of us. 

Acts 10: 34 AMP Gentiles Hear Good News

"Opening his mouth, Peter said: "Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God's blessing],"

I also think that we must have a real foundation that is genuine and intimate with the Holy Spirit. I do not believe we can win this battle without a real relationship with the Holy Spirit. We need to be deeply rooted in the Holy Spirit to overcome this battle of fear. When the Lord Jesus went to heaven, He promised us the Comforter, Holy Spirit. Losing track of the Peron the Holy Spirit. Leaving us open for attack by the devil. We must build our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8: 37 AMP "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]."

The Lord Jesus kept His promise and sent us the Holy Spirit to help us. We need to know the Holy Spirit personally and also know who He is in our lives. God wants us to live a life full of the Holy Spirit. Only He can give us victory.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I receive Your Holy Spirit in my life today, I put on the whole armor of God and the Holy Spirit. Who is in me, on me and working through me. Thank You, Lord, Amen.

Yvette van Niekerk

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Your prayers come before God!

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Revelation 5:8 (AMP)

 

8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God's people).

 

The Coronavirus has reached over a million people worldwide. People are dying each day of this illness. What shall we do? The government has taken some precautions by calling a "Lockdown" for 21 days in South Africa. The thing is winter is almost upon us, and it seems the virus doesn't mind the cold weather. 

The only way I can see that we beat this virus is to unite in prayer. Have you noticed that the Angels aren't empty-handed in this verse? I see, on the one hand, they have a harp and in the other golden bowls full of fragrant incenses, which are the prayers of the saints (God's people). Did you see that? When we cry out to God is stored in containers and are presented to the Lord, It is recorded and remember forever! 

Come now, let's hold on to the fact God is still the King of our universe. We can trust in Him, Hallelujah!

Prayer

Father God, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray to help our countries we are faced with a deadly virus. People are dying and we want to ask for Your salvation. I bind this virus in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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What burns "hot" in you?

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Psalm 39:3 (ESV)

3 My heart became hot within me.

As I mused, the fire burned;

    then I spoke with my tongue:

I believe that God called me to do something. He created inside of me the desire to write my book, and I would wake up and think about it and go to bed thinking about it. God gave me the power to carry this out. I honestly believe that I am unqualified, and I also feel inadequate, but I stood on His Word: "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." Philippians 2, verse 13. Taking encouragement from people like Henry Ford, who envisioned that every family in America would own his or her car at a time when people were scared of his new invention. Where do we receive these creative desires? I believe God, who is the creator. I am still afraid at times, and I do feel uncertain most of the time. I made a decision, and I believe God is working in my future. 

Prayer Dear Father God, humbly I pray today, that my heart grew hot within me, as I meditate on Your Word today, let the Holy Spirit burn like a fire within me. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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What's that perfume you are wearing?

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I once read that in ancient times the Roman army would parade their defeated enemies through the streets in shackles. And part of the celebrations they also burned incense on altars throughout the city, filling the air with perfume.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (AMP)

15 "For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is adequate and sufficiently qualified for these things?"

When the people in the city who didn't see the marching soldiers. They actually could smell and hear the victory of the Romans soldiers. 

Can you imagine if you and I were to permeate the fragrance of the Lord Jesus, and when you walked past people, and they would say, "What is that perfume you are wearing?" I would love to be tuned-in totally to the Lord Jesus. I have seen people who have been married for a very long time look alike. They talk the same and look the same. So here's the thing if that is true for married people, why can't we start to look and speak the same as the Lord Jesus. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as the Apostle Paul wrote, "thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." Please, Lord, I would like to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of You in my own life. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Joseph

Lessons we can take away from Joseph's life experience. Headlines, Joseph landed up in a pit, then he went to prison. And then straight to the palace.

When life knocks you down, make sure it knocks you to your knees. Stop complaining and murmuring about your difficult situation. Ask yourself, what can I learn from this? This is the time when we build character and draw near to God.

Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him so he might be released from prison. The cupbearer completely forgot about Joseph, and self-promotion didn't pay off for Joseph. What did pay off, in the end, was divine intervention? Don't take credit and think you will be promoted; no wait for the Lord to promote you at the right time.

Joseph dreamed of power, and that's what he wanted, but then God stepped in and changed everything. God had a better dream for Joseph.

 Genesis 50: 20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Prayer

O Lord, please help me understand and see these tests as stepping stones and building my character. I need the patience to get to the next level, and please help me wait for the right moment. I believe true promotion only comes from You. I believe that You made me a blessing for others help me hold onto that. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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What you think about that produces how you feel.

That explains so much to me right now, and I must be feeling sad because I can turn on the tears within seconds. I still am not sure why I am struggling with so many tears. It just pours out before I realize it.  Let's be honest; it takes a while before we are able to change our perspective. I doubt that I can change my point of view in a flash if you can please write to me and explain how to do this.

I have spoken to my daughter about these negative thoughts, and during this period of isolation, I can draw from her sound advice. Treating my negative thought the same way I would treat flies around the picnic basket - shoo them away. Then immediately replace them with thoughts that are excellent or praiseworthy. Think about how good God has been to me and focusing on His goodness. Psalm 103 "bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

                                                                                         Philippians 4: 8 "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things."

Prayer

Abba Father, today I surrender my thought life into Your hands. I want to focus on things excellent and praiseworthy. I want to praise Your Holy Name and thank You Lord that You have not let me down. In humility, I stand firm on Your Word. Renew my thought life and help me take control over what comes to mind in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Stop getting upset, Yvette

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

6 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ, Jesus."

Ninety-two percent of our worries are needless! I read that worry splits us down the middle. I am splitting my strength in half because of my constant worry. During this time of quarantine, I feel very frustrated. I will not lose sleep over my circumstances, and I am going to come to the Lord my God in prayer. I am going to tell God what is bugging me, but before I come and ask for favors and complain. I want to pray and give Him thanks for the good that I have in my life. 

Oh Lord, my God in humility, I want to firstly praise Your Holy Name. Lord, You are more to me than anything in my own life. I want to bring praise to Your Name. Thank You, Lord, for today, thank You, Lord, for my family and my friends. Lord, thank You for my health and thank You for the knowledge that You are bigger than my problems, and nothing in this world can replace You. Bless each person that reads my blog with supernatural favor in Jesus Christ Name Amen

Lord, help me to be kind.

1 Corinthians 8:1 (AMP)

Take Care with Your Liberty

8 "Now about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all know [concerning this]. Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom]."

So the thing about communication, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. I have been told this on so many occasions.

I tend to speak my mind, and I forget to put the filters on because, at the moment, I am angry and want to hurt you. Practicing common decency is essential when it comes to our marriages. The way we speak to each other shows how much you love one another. In the scripture above, we should build up and encourage our other half. Now I am not perfect, and I am in the process of learning to watch my words. I do not want to speak mean-spirited words tearing down the people I love. 

I have realized that it isn't worth my while in continually fighting and tearing people down. I am hurt, and now I am lashing out, hurting someone else. Would God be happy with my actions? If I truly love my husband 1 Corinthians 13, verses five says "love - it is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured." So I think no, I need to check my words.

I want to be able to share my deepest feelings and emotions with my husband. If I keep being nasty, he won't listen to me, and I am going to feel unsafe. My prayer is that God will help me repent of harmful speech and convert my thought life. And we are married, and compatibility is vital for both of us. On that point, I know that our words have power, I have heard this saying on more than one occasion, and I believe the Word of God. Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words."

Prayer

Lord God, when it comes to communication and words, I seem to have too many words and no compassion. Lord, I repent of my sarcasm and hurtful speech, and I pray, please forgive me. Today, please teach me to speak words that are loving and kind. Words that are uplifting and positive, words that encourage and are life-giving. Lord, today I want to ask You to take charge of my marriage. I am willing to do whatever it takes Lord to improve my communication with my husband. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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