Who are the seraphim?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Isaiah 6: 1 - 2 AMP

Isaiah's Vision

6 "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw [in a vision] the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, with the train of His royal robe filling the [most holy part of the] temple. Above Him seraphim (heavenly beings) stood; each one had six wings: with two wings, he covered his face, with two wings he covers his feet, and with two wings he flew."

These celestial beings are mentioned only in Isaiah according to my Nave's Topical Bible. Seraphim are writing in the plural, so that means more than one. We don't know how many there are. Let's see what is said in the scripture above: Two wings hiding its face, so as not to look onto the God of heaven. Two wings are covering its feet, recognizing subservience of the Almighty. Then another two wings for flying, it must be to do God's business. The seraphim keep on praising God, by saying "And one called out to another, saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is filled with His glory."  (V. 3) 

The seraphim are confirming and affirming God's holiness and His great acts. Then God's presence is released according to (V. 4) ", and the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, and the temple was filling with smoke." the doors started to vibrate. Isaiah was struck with fear and awe and said; "Woe is me! For I am ruined because I am a man of [ceremonially] unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (V. 5)

In the next verse 6 we see that the seraphim have hands, see what it says in verses 6 to 7, "Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Listen carefully, this has touched your lips; your wickedness [your sin, your injustice, your wrongdoing] is taken away, and your sin atoned for and forgiven."

I have realized that only God can forgive sins, but the seraphim touched Isaiah's lips, and his wickedness was removed, meaning they acted on God's instruction.

Yvette van Niekerk

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Consider Covid-19 as a time of regeneration.

by Yvette van Niekerk

It is so easy to fall into self-pity mode, and once you are there, it is going to take a miracle to get you out. We need to start taking affirmative action in our lives; spiritually, we can draw near to the Lord. The whole world in turmoil, feeling desperate and isolated. Come, let us take up the Armor of God be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. We were reading from Ephesian 6, verse 10 to 20.

We know that the battle we are fighting is against the evil of this world. We also know we need to stand firm on God's Word. I strap on the belt of truth around my waist, and I ask the Lord to help me keep on speaking the truth and placing the breastplate of righteousness over my chest. Lord, I am the righteousness of God in Christ, no weapons formed against me shall prosper. My feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Help me to carry this Word out to a broken world. As I pick up my shield of faith today, extinguishing all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Standing firm on God's promises, no weapon or illness can come against me. I place the helmet of salvation on my head. I have a sound mind God's Spirit is with me. My sword is the Word of God, and I can use it in any situation. I am asking the Lord to help me pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Psalm 91: 4 - 5 "God will cover me with his wings; I will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend me. I need not fear any dangers at night or sudden attacks during the day."

Prayer Father God, I fear not, there is nothing to fear, for God is with me. I do not look around in terror and be dismayed, for He is my God. He will strengthen and harden me to difficulties, yes, God will help me; yes, He will hold me up and retain me with His victorious right hand of rightness and justice. (Isaiah 41: 10) In Jesus Name, Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Gethsemane (Crushed Olives).

By Yvette van Niekerk – from Daily Devotional Ebenezer

June 18

Matthew 26: 36 (AMP) 

36 "Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray."

The word "Gethsemane" means crushed olives. What is the result of crushed olives? It forms oil that heals and nourishes and can illuminate. There were really trying times in my life as a young woman and the tears would spill over my face constantly. I would be crying for help and praying for an answer which seemed to never come. I found that the people in my own life couldn't comprehend or understand the pain I was facing, and they could only look at me without any help.

I found that in my most crushing time I could only wait on the Lord God, no one could help me. I felt the full weight of God's will in my life. When you are in your Gethsemane, don't give up, keep on praying and wait on the Lord God. It isn't possible for others to help you; only God can. 

Prayer

Lord, as our daddies and fathers on earth normally face difficult circumstances, let them embrace You so that the "oil" they produce will be a blessing in our lives. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive

by Yvette van Niekerk

I'm in my late fifties, and I started the renewing of my mind a couple of years ago. But, last year was one of my worse years ever. The devil knows that I am trying to live a holy life; I am trying to become more like the Lord Jesus. The list goes on, and the thing is I started to feel condemned and guilty about a lot of decisions I took when I was younger. I was constantly feeling upset and worried about the things I did wrong. I finally broke down, told my husband and my daughter.

My daughter asked me to think about the situation that made me feel so badly and analyze it, was it all I could do at the time? Did I have another option? Could I have changed my circumstance then? I honestly couldn't do much at the time, and I was very reactive too. So NO, I couldn't change the way I acted. I also realized Satan was telling me I was a total failure, that it didn't matter. I wasn't good enough, and God doesn't love me, I won't ever get out of this mess.

The truth is I was very discouraged, and I struggled a number of months with these negative thoughts. I finally said to myself, No more, please, Lord Jesus, help me.

2 Corinthians 10, verse 3 - 6 MSG "The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way - never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."

Prayer

Father God, You know I am still struggling with condemnation, but I believe that You are helping me get through this period in my life. I bind the negative thoughts, and I pray for peace in my life. I believe Your word that "only goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life." I confess these words today and also say "I am the righteousness of God in Christ, no weapons formed against me will prosper." As I face today, I want to praise Your Holy Name Lord, Holy Spirit You are welcome in my life. I embrace You today, accepting the challenges that come to me knowing You are on my side, "greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." In the name of Jesus, my Savior Amen.

Yvette van Niekerk

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Midlife Crisis during Lock-down 2020

by Yvette van Niekerk

My word, I almost fainted when I read that middle age runs from thirty-five to fifty-eight years old. That puts two of my children and my husband and me in that category. Wow!

I was just wondering how it is going with people in general at this stage. I do know some people are facing job losses and getting worried about aging. With this isolation, it must genuinely be challenging to be home with everyone.

Looking back over my decisions, in general, I feel okay, I sometimes think I am remorseful over some stuff, but I cannot change anything now. Proverbs 10: 7 "The memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing, but the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse]." I actually am working at being a good person and trying to help where I can.

My dad passed away many years ago, but I do remember him saying that he would rather speak to us kids each weekend. He wanted to keep in touch so he could console us if need be. My mom is still alive and well, and I am happy that she is grateful for the little she has. God certainly has been a provider to her this past couple of years. Proverbs 10: 3 "The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs], but he will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, thank You, for keeping all of us safe during this Lock-down. It’s been challenging these couple of weeks but we know You are still in control. This is a time of regeneration and renewing of relationships. Lord, bless the people who read my blog, Holy Spirit, prick the hearts of the people who need to come to terms with You. In Jesus Christ's name. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Praise God in Lockdown!

I don't know if you feel the same way I do, but this Lockdown feels like such a restriction that I feel it's hard to imagine waiting one more second for it to be lifted. I know we need to wait and be patent trusting that God is faithful and knows what to do. The Government is doing what is necessary for my own protection, even though I feel it's too hard.

Acts 16: 25 – 26 AMP "But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened."

Both the apostles Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to the Lord, praising Him. We see the two apostles are placed in the inner prison by their jailer, and their feet were placed in stocks. They weren't going anywhere soon. Still, in this time, they didn't focus on the mess they found themselves in, no they praised the Lord. An earthquake broke open the doors of the prisoner, and their chains fell off them. See, the Lord worked suddenly to the advantage of both the Apostles Paul and Silas. They waited on the Lord, expectantly, and patiently, God broke through for them.

Prayer

Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come to You humbly asking to help me face this mess I feel I am in. I am expecting relief, and I choose to praise You while I think I am in this prison of Lockdown. I know You can free me suddenly and that You will come through in Your perfect timing. Thank You, Lord Jesus, Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Holy Communion ~ Covid-19

by Yvette van Niekerk

In participating in Holy Communion, Christians are reminded of the suffering the Lord Jesus Christ had gone through. The breaking of His body and the shedding of His blood. Indicating the love the Lord Jesus felt for us as sinners.

Matthew 26: 26 - 30 AMP

The Lord's Supper Instituted

"Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My Blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom. After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."

See also 1 Corinthians 11: 23 - 26 AMP

Where did the Holy Communion come from? 

We are instructed by the Lord Jesus Christ to participate in the Holy Communion as a reminder of what He has done for us His children.

John 6: 48 - 51 AMP "I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread, which gives and sustains life]. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is that Bread that comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body)."

Jesus tells us clearly that He is the Bread of Life. When you and I eat of the Holy Communion, we are eating of the Bread of Life. This Bread will sustain us, we will never go hungry or thirsty because Jesus Christ is our provider.

I stand on the Word of God, confirming the Lord Jesus is our Bread of Life as well as our thirst quencher. John 6: 35 AMP, "Jesus replied to them, I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually]."

If I wanted to take Holy Communion every day, would it be a sin?

For anyone to use the Holy Communion, we must become believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. You have to become a born again Christian, someone who has reflected upon their lives, self-examination and repentance, and then confession of sins.

Notwithstanding, the Lord Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could inherit eternal life. Every time we take Holy Communion, we as Christians are confessing that we are looking forward to our eternal life in heaven that Jesus Christ has prepared for us to enjoy hereafter, through His death and resurrection.

Acts 2: 42 - 46 AMP "They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers. A sense of awe was felt by everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole]. And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. Day after day, they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking Bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts,"

We have a chance to celebrate the Lord Jesus and recognize what He has done for us.

Is there a reason not to use Holy Communion?

1 Corinthians 11 verse 27 to 31 AMP that "So then whoever eats the Bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty of [profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord. But a person must [prayerfully] examine himself [and his relationship to Christ], and only when he has done so should he eat of the Bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks [without solemn reverence and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ], eats and drinks judgment on himself if he does not recognize the body [of Christ]. That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason why many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep [in death]. But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly [recognizing our shortcomings and correcting our behavior], we would not be judged."

We need to first check ourselves before we take the Holy Communion so that we are not under judgment by the Lord.

Why Communion?

Is it for Bread and wine? No. It's not about the Bread or the wine. It is about the Lord Jesus. We receive our spiritual flesh and blood, Christ living in us and we in Him. I think taking Holy Communion allows me to live a life in Christ and so I have eternal life and I will be resurrected on the last day.

1 Peter 3 verses 18 AMP says; "For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;"

The Bible teaches us that through Holy Communion, we now are connected with the Lord Jesus Christ not only in memory of His death but in the spiritual life He gives to us. I believe we are strengthened by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Thank You, Father God, for letting me join You today at Your table, as I partake in the Holy Communion blesses this to my body. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the sacrifice You made on behalf of a sinful person like myself, I celebrate You today as my Lord and Savior. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Are you a victor or a victim?

William Arthur Ward wrote, "God wants us to be victors, not victims ~ to overcome, not to be overwhelmed."

1 John 3: 1 AMP

Children of God Love One Another

"See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."

Well, I am not as busy as I used to be in the past. I have some time at hand and had been watching the movie on Gideon, the man God called to save Israel a long time ago. Now he wasn't a leader at the time an Angel of the Lord appeared to him. Gideon seemed to be very fearful, timid, doubtful, and not capable. The reason he acted this way was because of the constant attacks from the Midianites in those days. The enemies’ onslaught was relentless, and it seemed never-ending. One day the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a shaded winepress as he didn't want to be seen by the Midianites. [Judges 6]

The Angel said to him, "The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior." With a lot of tests and trials, this coward man changed and became the Valiant person, God called him to be, and he was indeed a warrior. We never see who we are because of our circumstances. Praise God for not seeing us through our eyes. No one even though Gideon had it in him to save Israel, and only God knew it was in him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, looking at myself, I doubt that there is a brave and great warrior in me. Today I want to pray that Your Holy Spirit will tug me out of the shadows and clear away the stains of sin in my life and soul. Lord Jesus, I have been redeemed by Your blood, please redefine me in the light of Your promise and power and mercy. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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Selfish People

"Providence is the care

God takes of

all existing things. 

John of Damascus

With this Lock-down in South Africa, I am not sure how I feel about people stealing from the poor. I saw a notice on Facebook that showing one person in a position of authority makes decisions for the underprivileged. Race discrimination is enormous and shameful.  But then I realized that this person does not believe in God or Jesus Christ. This person is probably corrupt and is self-centered.

Psalm 145: 16 AMP

 "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing."

The Lord Jesus said that God takes care of the birds in the sky and the flowers in the fields, He also takes care of us. Then why are there so many people struggling? I think that it is because there aren't people in authority that genuinely serves the Living God. They do not seek God's righteousness or His kingdom.

I believe God is supplying me according to my needs. I can be sure He cares for me. We need to pray that our country, especially people who are in authority, commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6 verses, 33 "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Prayer

Heaven Father, today I want to pray for our country and the people who are in authority. I want to pray that You will speak into their hearts through the Holy Spirit, turn them from their selfish ways, and let them seek first Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness so that Your Will be done here in our land. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray Amen.

Yvette van Niekerk

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Father's pray this for your children.

Judges 13: 8 TLB "Then Manoah prayed, 'O Lord, please let the man from God come back to us again and give us more instructions about the child you are going to give us."

I read this prayer was written by General Douglas MacArthur, a World War II hero. "Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know You ... Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail. Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the lessons of the past. And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the humility of true strength. Then, as his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."

What a beautiful prayer to pray for our children, I pray the Lord will keep our children in Jesus name. Amen

Yvette van Niekerk

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