Saturday, 18 April 2020

Eight the Biblical number of New Beginnings




Matthew 16: 21 AMP
Jesus Foretells His Death
"From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples [clearly] that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed, and be raised [from death to life] on the third day."

Did you read it too? Yes, the Lord Jesus told His disciples that He was going to die, and then on the third day, come back to life again. Impressive, don't you think so. So what makes the resurrection so significant to the other seven people who came back from the dead?

There are two reasons the Lord Jesus's resurrection wasn't like the other:
Look at what King David prophesied in Psalms 16 verse 10, AMP "For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay." The Lord Jesus's resurrection was the only one predicted a long time ago. And then we see the second prophecies from Isaiah 53 verses, 10 "Lest the Lord was will to crush Him, cause Him to suffer; If He would give Himself as a guilt offering [an atonement for sin], He shall see His [spiritual] offspring, He shall prolong His days, And the will (good pleasure) of the Lord shall succeed and prosper in His hand." 

On reading Matthew 16, verses 21, did I see the Lord Jesus predicting His death and His resurrection? Jesus raised Himself from the dead! Look at John 10 verses, 18 "No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay I down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have the power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father."

So His enemies could not eradicate the Lord Jesus or His mission. He gave Himself voluntarily and took it back with authority. No one in Rome or the Jewish prosecutors could eliminate the Lord or nullify His cause. The Lord Jesus was always in control, and no one could take that away from Him. 

Prayer Father God, humbly I want to say thank You that the Lord Jesus died on a cross for my sin. Thank You that You Lord Jesus are at the helm of all things in life, You are alive forever. Amen

Thought for today: Frank Outlaw wrote these principles, and I find them to be very real:  
Watch your thoughts, and they become words.
Watch your words, and they become actions.
Watch your actions, and they become habits.
Watch your habits, and they become character.
Watch your character, and it becomes your destiny.

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer
Follow me on my Kellan Publishing author page, my blog at Yvette van Niekerk  or Kellan Publishing ; FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagramPinterestStumble UponGod’s Orchid


Day 23 ~Lock-down ~ should parishioners of the Church still tithe?



So if money is our source of life, then we need our homes, clothes, food, electricity, and cars. No one appreciates someone who spends foolishly and is selfish, not to mention careless with their cash. I know at the end of the day, I want to see the fruits of my labor.

Proverbs 12: 11, "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment."

If you are fortunate to earn a good salary, I think you can put bread on your table.  

Even in our Lock-down, I believe we still should be giving to God. I feel giving to God is one of the greatest keys. My finances are in His hand. I believe in the Word of God and Malachi 3: 10 - 11 AMP "Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for your sake and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field drop its grapes [before harvest]," says the Lord of hosts."
God will bless the work you are doing when you give to God, and the enemy will not steal from you. God will protect you.

I want to encourage you to bring your tithes to the house of the LORD. He will bless you in these difficult times. 

Prayer

LORD God, if we are struggling with finances, please show us how to resolve our problems. Show me if I am giving towards the building of Your Church and Your kingdom in a way You want me to do. In Jesus name, Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer
Follow me on my Kellan Publishing author page, my blog at Yvette van Niekerk  or Kellan Publishing ; Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Instagram; Pinterest; Stumble Upon; God’s Orchid

Friday, 17 April 2020

Today, let's encourage one another.



During this lockdown, we all are living with challenges and struggles. I find it hard to keep a positive attitude with everything that is going on around me. I want to speak life and godly wisdom into people's lives, circumstances, and trails. Hebrews 3: 13 says we need to encourage people in our lives. Be an encourager for today and Proverbs 27 verses, 17 say: "You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." We need to communicate with each other and pray with each other. I want to ask God to help me be an encourager to people, and I also need God to help me not to fall today and lose my reflexes. I am in this for the long run with Christ. Let's focus our energy on Hebrews 10 verses, 22 - 25 MSG "So let's do it - full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."

Here's a thought, I think Dale Carnegie said it ideally "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."

Prayer

Lord today, we have the opportunity of picking up the phone and calling a friend or a loved one and finding out how they are—encouraging them, praying for them, and just listening to them. I want to pray for wisdom, insight, and understanding when speaking to my loved ones—an ear to hear and a heart full of compassion. Lord, help me to be there for them. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer

Thursday, 16 April 2020

Day 21 ~ Forgiveness



Matthew 18: 21 - 22 AMP

Forgiveness

 "Then Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?  Jesus answered him, "I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven."

I realized that I have been struggling with an unforgiving heart or spirit. On Sunday, I was listening to my Pastor preach, and something he said reminded me of my ex-husband. What he did to me and then I was in a state. I thought I had forgiven this man for all the things he has done to me. I didn't, and I also realize that to forgive someone, it has to be a conscious decision on your side. I thought I let it go, but I didn't.

It took me a couple of days of saying it to myself that I have forgiven that man.  You won't believe me, but before I said that, I was so heartbroken.

I know when reading the Bible that we are required to forgive someone for their offenses. I know I had to decide yes or no.

So when I think of Jesus and His disciples, it's something I need to forgive 490 times a day! I can't believe its possible, but that is a considerable amount of forgiving.

I have made a decision today actual right now, and I will live in forgiveness. It's not that easy, so many things upset me all the time. So I need to learn forgiveness, and it must be a constant thing in my own life.

I know Jesus taught us to pray the Our Father, and on a further study, it struck me that we are asking Father God to forgive us as we forgive others. If I am not going to forgive people who hurt me, then why would God the Father forgive me?

I want to move on in my life, and I need to stay focused, I will not let unforgiveness break my relationship with God the Father.

Prayer

Father God, I want to remind You of Your Word in my life today. I have decided to follow Jesus, and I also have decided to let go of offenses and unforgiveness in my own life today.  I trust that You God have mercy on me today. I believe that surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Lord, I am reminding You on "As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is Your mercy towards those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." I declare this word into my own life right now, and I trust in You Abba Father, I draw a hedge of Jesus Christ's blood around my family and me. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer
Follow me on my Kellan Publishing author page, my blog at Yvette van Niekerk  or Kellan Publishing ; FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagramPinterestStumble UponGod’s Orchid


You’re not going to work anytime soon!


Jeremiah 29: 7 AMP
“Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.”

Right now, the lock-down isn’t a place where I want to be. I feel restricted and shut-in. I never thought there would be a day in my life that I had to stay home. I am at home anyway, but even still, this isn’t the ideal. Now, I have come to realize God has a word for me: “You are not going anywhere soon, so change your attitude and make the best of it.” Seriously, that isn’t what I actually wanted to hear. 

What are we going to do? There is an answer to that question too, I need to pray for peace and prosperity, and that is for myself, my family, and my friends.

And then to top it all off, I can hear my daughter saying: “Mommy, you are where God wants you to be.” So instead of sitting around hoping my circumstances are going to change, I might as well start doing stuff.  

So what now, I will be happy and content in whatever situation I find myself. I won’t sit around moping all day long; I can contribute to this life. My circumstance doesn’t rule my life, and I place that in God’s hands.

Prayer 

Lord, thank you for today, thank You for the time I have at home. Help me to stay focused on Your Word, teach me to be kind, understanding, and forgiving. Help me to consider people in my life and treat them with the loving-kindness You treat me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer.

Follow me on my Kellan Publishing author page, my blog at Yvette van Niekerk or Kellan PublishingFacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagramPinterestStumble UponGod’s Orchid.

Day 22 – Lockdown ~ Children need these things:



Genesis 48: 9 AMP
"Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here [in Egypt]." So he said, "Please bring them to me so that I may bless them."

Teach your children.
We rely on the government and schools and Sunday schools to teach our children. As parents, we need to instill character and conviction. "Only be careful, and watch yourself closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and their children after them." Deuteronomy 4: 9 I am sure that the Lord is going to hold me responsible.


Discipline.
When it comes to training, I believe it is vital because the children are learning boundaries. When I say no, then they know it's not going to happen. I think this helps them in their lives to say no, to others. Proverbs 19 verses 18, "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death."


Blessings.
It's not something we usually do, but it is important to bless our children. I wish I knew this when I was a young mother. I would bless my children every day and ask the LORD to bless them too. I think if Joseph blessed Jacobs's children, then we should do the same. I want my children to have peace in their lives, prosperity, and long lives. The devil will do whatever it takes to stop us from blessing our children. Let us bless our children today.


Example:
We need to set an example to our children, they are watching us. Let do the best we can so they may learn from us. I know I'm not perfect, but I can do my best and pray the Lord will guide my children going forward.

Prayer
Lord, I want to commit my children, stepchildren, and grandchildren into Your hands today. I realize they are all adults and living their own lives right now. I want to pray for wisdom, insight, and understanding. Lord, I want to pray that You will bless each one of them in whatever they decide to do. Give them open doors for excellent and prosperous opportunities. Let Your face shine on each one of them and let no harm come to them. I draw a hedge of the blood of Jesus Christ around each one. In Jesus name, amen


Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer
Follow me on my Kellan Publishing author page, my blog at Yvette van Niekerk  or Kellan Publishing ; FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagramPinterestStumble UponGod’s Orchid


Wednesday, 15 April 2020

Day 20 Lockdown, Depression



 

Job 10: 22 AMP "The [sunless] land of utter gloom as darkness itself, [The land] of the shadow of death, without order, and [where] it shines as [thick] darkness."

 

The trouble with feeling depressed is that we think there is no meaning in life. I was watching the movie "The Gambler" and Mark Wahlberg’s portrays the Gambler. It struck me how meaningless his life was. He was a brilliant man, a professor, and he came from a wealthy family. He honestly had a severe problem with gambling, and he never seemed to know when to stop. I believe he was a very depressed man because even the good things in his life were meaningless to him.

 

Job 30: 26 AMP "When I expected good, then came evil [to me]; and when I waited for light, then came darkness."

 

I felt depressed for the gambler because it seemed that no matter what he did, it never seemed to get better.

But I think life has meaning. Even though we do ask questions like "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?" The Bible gives us the answers. I think we are here because of the Lord Jesus, and He is our ultimate goal. Creation was done all by Him and all for Him. Here is God's plan for us:

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 [a]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 [b]church; and He is the beginning, [c]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.

Take heart; we are made for Him. You are a bride, handpicked for the bridegroom.

Prayer

Lord, humbly I confess that You God is with me. Even if I am hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, I am perplexed but not in despair. Lord, You hear me when I call to You. "He hears my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears." Lord, Your light brings me out of the darkness. I trust in You LORD and rely upon You God. In Jesus Christ's name Amen
                                                          

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer

Tuesday, 14 April 2020

Wisdom




We all need wisdom in our lives, and today let's take a look at Proverbs 9 verses 1 to 12. 
Seven pearls of wisdom. The number seven in scripture represents completion or perfection typically. Come, let us find ways to grow in understanding.

Proverbs 9:1 (AMP)
Wisdom's Invitation
Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;
 She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.

I do not do well when criticized, it pains me when someone wants to correct me. But, I keep quiet and hope the critic is truthful and not mocking me. I have found some people love to "insult" or "abuse" when critiquing me.

It's challenging, but I manage to keep quiet, to avoid further wrath. In earlier days I would lash out before I accept someone critiquing me. My natural instinct is to take offense and I can get quite angry. These days I try and see it from my critic's perspective. I don't always like hearing what they say, but I try and listen with an open heart. Learning is part of my spiritual growth, and it does help to hear other people's opinions. I still believe "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." 

Prayer

Humbly, I pray Lord if I am critical about a person, give me the wisdom to be constructive towards them, and gracious when I receive criticism. Help me stay focused on Your Word so that I can learn from each experience, in the name of Jesus Amen.

                                       

Yvette van Niekerk

Get your copy of Daily Devotional Ebenezer

Featured post

Exciting Opportunities: Be Part of South Africa's Top Conferences in 2025!

Discover the Future of Energy, Hospitality, Transport, and ESG Across Africa I am thrilled to share a glimpse into some remarkable proj...