Anger Management

by Yvette van Niekerk

I think anger affects our lives, regardless of origin. When I’m angry I feel upset and under a lot of pressure. I’m not one to keep my anger locked up and pretend nothing is wrong, I explode there and then. My husband, on the other hand, suppresses his anger, I fear he might even have a stroke or heart tack.

Ecclesiastes 7: 9 MSG “Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.”

I know it is important to look for a positive way in dealing with my anger and I really try but sometime I just can’t manage it. I submit my feeling to God and try and not take it back because it’s not under control right away. Taking responsibility for my anger is a way I feel I am managing my anger. I cry in the shower when very angry to relieve myself of the pain I feel at that time. I try to process my feeling and get closure but not always successful. 

Angry people are destructive and can hurt themselves and others in the process.

Prayer Father please help me to be more positive and stop my angry outburst, I know You know my heart and see my frustration. I pray to ask to take this fear away from me and heal me in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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#Never

by Yvette van Niekerk

Isaiah 64: 4

A Prayer for God’s Power

“When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence. From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God buy you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sin.”

When I say words like “I’ll never get through this situation or find that perfect job.” I have given into my fears and do not trust in God. I am the most negative person on this earth, so words spoken and said like “never” I try and avoid at all costs. I want to dream a dream and live my life fulfilled. It seems I’ll be taking action before I say never.

Today I want to encourage you and me too, lets keep watching and waiting for God to come into our movie. I want His blessings in my life and I am trusting in Him. God gave me a wonderful husband and great and wonderful kids and grandkids. My life is full of possibilities.

Today do not allow the nevers to infiltrate your life and destroy your hope, God is still in control He knows more that you or i.

Lord I know I am failing everytime I focus all my time and engery on nevers. Please help me see the tree before the forest, help me focus on You Lord Jesus not allowing my fear of failure to cloud my judgement.

Prayer

Lord Jesus according to Your Word, God will never let me down. Deut. 31 verses 6 and 8. No matter what is happening in my life today I believe that You God are in control and I do not have to fear. You are my light, my way, my hope and I trust in You in Jesus name. amen.

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Waiting – what's next?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Psalm 37 verse 7 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him."

When last have you visited your dr? I was there on Tuesday, many people sitting and waiting for their turn to see the dr. I wonder when looking at them what problems they have. Are they very sick, or are they just not feeling well. Then are there any people that go to the dr on a whim?

Jesus said, "while we are waiting, God is working." My life has been hectic, and I am trying to accommodate everybody these days. There seems to be a lot going on, and tempers are flying off the handle left and right and centre. It frustrates me when people continuously bicker and carry on, not letting the thing go. It's like I all of a sudden have four small children in my home, two adult kids and two babies. The adult kids should be at work, but because of lockdown, they stay home. They are driving me nuts.

My husband is at his wit's end, and I have had it.

Psalm 27 verse 14 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart."

I read that God gave the Israelites a new command: "Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord, the God of Israel. I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the Lord." Exodus 34: 23 – 24. 

God is going to enlarge our territory, not make it smaller. God will drive out nations before me, and you. While I worship God, He will fight for me and have my back. I don't have to worry about competitive people because God is before me. 

Prayer

Abba Father, my heart is broken today, I am crying out to You from the depths of my soul. I am desperate for You today, I need Your guidance, and I need Your help. I am struggling with all kinds of emotion. Abandonment feelings, isolations and much more. I know that Your word teaches "When I wait on You in Worship, You will work on my behalf. Your word also says that "If I wait on You Lord that You shall renew my strength; I will mount up with wings like an eagle, I will run and not be weary, I will walk and not faith." I pray to be patient today with me, and I am calling out to You, in Jesus Name, I pray. Amen

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Why am I so exhausted?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Luke 10: 42 "There is only one thing worth being concerned about."

I have been really very busy this past couple of weeks, I have been taking care of two little children, not making time to spend in the LORD’s presence. It struck me this morning that my time has been consumed by these two kids. I love the baby and little boy to bits.

I do spend time at night reading, and then I wake up realizing I fell off to sleep and I don’t know what my devotions and my meditation were all about. Its time I need to do the most important thing first. I know Romans 7 verses 6 says that I am to be led by the prompting of the Spirit. I know I need to rest and take a break and sit down, which I never seem to do, and I suffer for it in the evening when going to bed.

I realize that I am not bored, and I am busy to busy to think straight at times. I know it is most rewarding walking with God, so I have to make a decision, making time to spend with God. Psalm 16 verse 11 reminds me “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures always.” I need to sit at the feet of the Lord Jesus, I need to learn how to relax and enjoy being with the Lord Jesus again. 

Prayer 

Abba Father, I want to pray as David prayed: “ The one thing I ask of the Lord – the thing I seek most – is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his temple.” Please Abba Father, help me to get the one thing You have for me, spending time in Your presence. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Are you a Doormat?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Galatians 1: 10 Berean Study Bible "Am I now seeking the approval of men or God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Are you striving to please men, as Paul wrote to the Galatians? Or are you striving to live according to God's Word and be a God-Pleaser? Someone who chooses to be a person God created us to be - unique and different than most people; constant criticism is coming your way because of your peculiarity.

It seems I have been going upstream my entire life, never going along with the rest of the crowd. I want to be different and be something God created me to be. I never knew my self-worth, and people could manipulate me to do things as they pleased, I was a people-pleaser. I was concerned that I didn’t make good decisions and people would think I was stupid. I wanted the approval of people constantly at any cost.  Proverbs remind us that the fear of people is a dangerous trap (Proverbs 29: 25 NTL). I ended constantly feeling disappointed with myself.

King Saul was a people-pleaser let’s see what 1 Samuel 15 verse 24 Saul Pleads for Forgiveness Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD.” The Apostle Paul wrote that “I’m not trying to win the approval of people but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

I believe that I wanted to be loving, considerate, and patient and then I allowed myself to be intimidated and manipulated by allowing people to manoeuvre me. I yielded to fear of others allowing them to be my boss.

2 Timothy 1 verse 7 says “God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power.” I took my stand in the LORD, holding onto His Word, and taking my chances with God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please help me, I do not want to be a servant to people out of fear but because I love them. I also want to pray give me the strength to stand up and be You, servant. Not fearing people. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Cancel your pity party!

by Yvette van Niekerk

We read in the Message 1 Peter 4 verses 12 to 13 "Glory Just Around the Corner.   Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."

Honestly, it has been a tough week for me, my emotions have been up and down, and I was going through stuff. I wonder how you cope when life puts the squeeze on you? We know that there are testing times, and it is a regular thing. We need testing and trials in our lives to keep us real, to help us grow, and our spiritual lives need to build. The apostle Paul said "Every detail works to your advantage and God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace." 2 Corinthians 4: 15 - 17 MSG.

I never truly understand how people go through life, looking magnificent, and it seems they don't have a care in the world. Then I realized they are hiding their feelings, and you cannot see their pain, they wear masks and are protecting the hurt and pain within. None of us can see inside each other, and it looks perfect on the outside. If we knew what blessings God has stored for each of us, we would press on, look up and stay focused. Let us not give up and sit in our pity party and start turning our attention to the one who can change our destiny. God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father thank You, for giving us the strength to hold on, the courage to face new challenges and hope for tomorrow. We love and adore You, Lord, with all of our hearts, soul and mind. in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Do you need strength to face today?

by Yvette van Niekerk

I read D.L. Moody said, "When a man has no strength if he leans on God, he becomes powerful."

The Lord is trustworthy, and when we are facing insurmountable issues and problems, we should not turn to men, but lean on God, He is powerful. What does it mean to trust in God? He has a position of security, and we can trust Him because He reveals Himself as reliable. If you will take a moment with me and read Psalm 91 out loud, you will see the Lord God is a symbol of protection from attack. The best description I can give you is of an old Castle with the walls that surround it, people living behind these fortified walls of protection. It would have to be a smart and robust army that penetrates these sturdy walls, how we should view God, His robust, sturdy and will put His arms around us His children. Putting our trust in the Lord is the way we should go. He has never failed us, why now?

Psalm 91 MSG

"You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: "God, you're my refuge.  I trust in you, and I'm safe!"

That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His massive outstretched arms protect you - under them, you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day. Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will also graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path."

Prayer

High God, please Abba Father, help me today, I cannot get through this day without your hand over my life, I run to You Lord, You are my strong tower. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

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Bend so I won't break

by Yvette van Niekerk 

The past couple of years have taught me an invaluable lesson, to be a little more flexible. I am working hard at not being so right. In the Bible, Romans 12: 16, 18, I saw it says 'readily adjust yourself to (people, things). And, if possible, as far as it dependents on you, live at peace with everyone.

I know I am in the process of letting go of my own self-importance, and I am learning to become obedient to God's Word. I am struggling with an attitude of having things go my way, and adaptation is not so easy when I don't want to be submitting to the Word of God.

Now I realized I am learning to bend, and I am becoming more obedient. I'm not as upset and miserable these days.

Key to a well-balanced relationship is being flexible and consideration for your spouse. Pushing for my own way brings discord and resentment into my relationship. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will guide me going forward.

Prayer

Dear Father God, please help me to bend and be flexible in my relationship with You and my family, especially with my husband. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Follow me: Kellan Publishing; Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Instagram; Pinterest; Stumble Upon
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Daily Devotional Ebenezer now available on Amazon

by Yvette van Niekerk

This book of mine has not been thrown together by chance and united by a series of coincidences, no! God has been speaking to me and is the result of Daily Devotional Ebenezer inspired by circumstances and experience by me and friends and family. In 1 Samuel 7 verse 12, we read "Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying "Thus far the LORD has helped us." When I was studying God's Bible, and I was in a place of dark and uncertain times, "Thus far the LORD has helped me." stood out on the pages and I knew God was with me in every situation when my life seemed to be filled with brutality. My life-changing attitude started when I connected with the Ancient of Day, God Almighty through daily worshipping, prayer and devotion.

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