Are we "me-focused."

Ephesians 3: 10 AMP "So now through the church, the multifaceted wisdom of God [in all its countless aspects] might now be made known [revealing the mystery] to the [angelic] rulers and authorities in the heavenly places."

I know you may relate to this, but I am very selfish, and to be honest, it is all about me, my accomplishments, my plans.  Even when I bring God into my picture, it's about what God has in store for me. Right now, I have become too "me-focused."

I believe God demonstrates His love and mercy to me through His son Jesus Christ. I think it is to glorify God and only through Jesus Christ. I hate to say this, but when I think about the cross I believe it was for my sake, I know it's very selfish, but that's how I feel at times. Jesus died for my sins, and He also had been raised for me. So that I can inherit the new life, become a child of God. A nobody. Lord, I believe You are merciful, You are kind, You are forgiving and gentle. The just and the justifier.

In all Lord, it is all about YOU.

Prayer

Father God, I am reminded of Irenaeus, who wrote: "The glory of God is a living man, and the life of man consists in behold God." Today, in humility, I am asking You to help me as I go through today. I forgive that person who offended me to such an extent it pains my heart. I set him free in the name of Jesus Christ because of You in my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Yvette van Niekerk

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You were intentional

                                  

     

You were intentional!

I have wondered about the meaning of life. Am I here for a reason? What makes me unique? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Answered, because of Jesus, my life has meaning. Because of Jesus, I have a purpose. Because of Jesus, life is worth living.

God has created me for God. I am Jesus Christ's Bride, and I am His adopted daughter, chosen explicitly by His Father. I am intentional.

Colossians 1:15-20 (AMP)

15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] 18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. 19 For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), 20 and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the plan You have in place for my life. I don't have to wonder this world aimlessly anymore. Reading Your Word ~ Colossians, I can see a specific plan for my own life. I am, made for YOU, Lord Jesus. If there are any territories in my life that I need to hand over to You today, please Holy Spirit reveals it to me. Guide me and show me how I should repent of any sins. Thank you, Lord Jesus Amen 

Yvette van Niekerk

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Jesus Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God

Colossians 1:15 (AMP)

15 He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

The Lord Jesus claimed to be the one true God, Yahweh. Wow, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I AM

We do not see Jesus today visibly but in the Word of God through the Holy Spirit. We can teach with authority because He sent us the Holy Spirit. He forgave our sins, and we also can forgive others who sin against us.

When I read this verse, it reminds me that God made Jesus visible to us. God is showing up in the flesh - Jesus Christ. In all honesty, I have come to love Him, even though I have not seen Him. The Holy Spirit is alive and powerful when He works through us. Jesus is alive, and He is God.

Prayer

Dear Father God, today I want to pray that You will open the eyes of our family and friends who do not know You personally. Lord, I realize that You aren't just a life force, a cosmic power. You are my God and my Savior. Lord Jesus, You shed tears for me too, I am so grateful that You have risen, I am now a child of God. Hallelujah. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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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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