"The decision you make today affects your tomorrow."

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Something I read, and want to share with you the decisions we make in our lives, how it affects our families.

Memory verse: Genesis 18 verse, 19 CEV "I have chosen him to teach his family to obey ME forever."

It's a story of these two families that have been told over a century ago, lessons that are more relevant now than ever before.

Family number one: Did you know that the father acclaimed New England reformer and pastor, Jonathan Edwards, was a clergyman? And his mother was the descendant of a minister? Edwards' family includes 14 college presidents, more than 100 university professors, 100-plus lawyers, 30 judges, 60 physicians, over 100 clergymen, missionaries and theology professors, and some 60 authors. Throughout history, there's scarcely been a great American industry that hasn't featured an Edwards family member among its chief promoters. Such was the product of one Christian family reared under the most favourable conditions.

Family number two: Members of the infamous Jukes family couldn't be made to study, wouldn't work, and are reputed to have cost the state of New York millions of dollars. Their entire record is one of pauperism, crime, and insanity. From among their descendants, 310 were professional paupers, 440 wee physically wrecked by their wickedness, 60 were habitual thieves, 133 were convicted criminals, and 55 were victims of impurity. Only 20 learned a trade (10 of those learned it in prison), and this notorious family produced 7 murderers. Yes, if Dennis becomes a menace, he can poison the stream. But if he's raised to be godly, he can bless an entire family, as well as influence the world for generations to come. So what's the bottom line? Simply this: as a parent, if you're wise, you'll seek God's guidance every single day of your life."

Prayer

Baruch Haba b'shem Adonia, dear Father God, humbly I come before You this morning. Humbly I bring my own family before Your throne this morning. I pray Lord for open doors for great opportunities for each of our children. Lord, I bring each child and my granddaughters before You. I am asking for supernatural favour in each person's life. Blessing in abundance and Your hand of protection over each one of us. Thank You, Lord, for calling me by my name. Thank You, that I can pray for my family and friends. I dedicate my mom and oom Frik into Your hands, I dedicate my sister and her family into Your hands and I dedicate my brother and his family into Your hands. Lord, I ask that a hedge be drawn around each person with the blood of Jesus Christ, bless my husband on the road and bring him safely home. Amen.

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I'm imperfect, and God loves me.

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I know I'm imperfect, and God still loves me. I stand amazed at the knowledge that God loves me even when I mess up. Boy, can I do a great job of messing up at times.  Then I am reminded at the grace and wonder of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for my sins. God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son to die for me. John 3 verses, 16. God still loves sinners because we see it clearly in Romans 5 verses 8 "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I believe I fail all the time. I defiantly do not have anything perfect in my life. I believe God's love for me is grate, then my mistakes. God loves me, and I'm imperfect.

Today let's meditate on how great God's love is for both you and me. Reading Psalm 107 verses 33 to 43. Psalm 107:33-43 English Standard Version

³³ He turns rivers into a desert,
    springs of water into thirsty ground,
³⁴ a fruitful land into a salty waste,
    because of the evil of its inhabitants.
³⁵ He turns a desert into pools of water,
    a parched land into springs of water.
³⁶ And there he lets the hungry dwell,
    and they establish a city to live in;
³⁷ they sow fields and plant vineyards
    and get a fruitful yield.
³⁸ By his blessing they multiply greatly,
    and he does not let their livestock diminish.

³⁹ When they are diminished and brought low
    through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
⁴⁰ he pours contempt on princes
    and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
⁴¹ but he raises up the needy out of affliction
    and makes their families like flocks.
⁴² The upright see it and are glad,
    and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

By focusing on the passage, 43 we see the psalmist concludes "Consider the great love of the Lord." Thinking about, this I am grateful the Lord Loves me, imperfect and all.

The Lord Jesus said the Holy Spirit within me would be like ‘rivers of living water.’ John 7, verses 38.

Prayer

Baruch Haba B'shem Adonia, Father God, please reveal my purpose in life. Show me how I can be acceptable to You and how I can change my environment with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within me. Let Your rivers of living water flowing in my life and pour out to people around me in Jesus name, I pray. Amen

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My hope in Jesus

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Psalm 42: 5 "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God."

Hope is the catalyst for breakthroughs in my life, and I always expect a good outcome. Hope to give the fulfilment of my dream.

We read in Job 14: 7-9 NASB "For there is hope for a tree when it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and its shoots will not fail. Though its roots have grown old in the round and its stump dies in the dry soil, at the scent of water it will flourish and put forth sprigs like a plant."

I don't know about you, but many times I feel like a dead dried-up tree. Then I hear the Word of God, and my life changes for the better. Without hope, I feel lost, and so very alone.  My decree for today is that I trust in the plans that the Lord has for me, knowing I have a future filled with hope. I am, blessed because my hope is in the LORD. I have been seeking wisdom, I have a future, and my hope is not cut off. The Lord is my portion therefore I have hope in Him. The God of hope fills me with all joy and peace in believing by the power of the Holy Spirit, I abound in hope.

Lord thank You for today and all the blessings of hope in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

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Love is ssatisfied in God

 by Yvette van Niekerk

Isaiah 58: 11

The LORD will continually guide you and satisfy your desires.

I want to be intentional when it comes to serving God. So on that note, I believe being intentional in making time for God in my day. Spending, time in His Word, studying it and learning more each day. I also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and teach me.

How do I grow my relationship with the Lord God? By focusing my attention on what is excellent, what is kind and what is praiseworthy. I will draw near to God each day, trusting in His goodness and believing Him for a better future.

I want to dare you to take a stand with God, keep your heart and mind open to His teaching and let the Holy Spirit fill you with the fruit of the spirit.

I want to pray for my spouse heart today, pray that I may have supernatural favour with him as well as with God. I also want to pray that the Lord will open doors of a great opportunity for him and all our children.

Prayer

Father God, I want to pray to ask that in all respects we may prosper and be in good health, just as our soul prospers. Lord and I cover over an offence to promote love. I will not allow this thing to bug me. I bind it in the name of Jesus Christ, releasing supernatural favour in my own life and our children. Amen

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#Think_right!

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

I read the neuroscientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf, said that it takes the brain eighteen years to grow, and a lifetime to mature.

Proverbs 12: 5 NKJV "The thoughts of the righteous are right."

When we stand around and take a look at what people are saying and doing, it's clear we can see what plays on their minds. Some people are immature, and others are odd at times, but they do give their mindset away all the time.

Just this week, my minds plagued by negative thoughts and feelings, things in my life I do not have any control over. My mind is racing and to get focused was almost impossible. It became clear that my mind can work for me or against me. The later was taking place. My mind is against me, and I started to fall into, discouraging state feelings of negativity plaguing my every thought. Because of my negative thinking, I was in self-sabotage mode. Instead of focusing on the positive side of life, looking for help from God, I internalized everything and took it all away from God. Not allowing my mind to work for me in a positive way, which would help me to stay positive, and reach my goals, and enjoy life to the full again.

I realized I am in deep, deep waters of despair, and I was sinking and all because I couldn't get out of my mind. I know I need to teach my mind to work for me instead of against me. My daughter is reminding me to change my thinking, to something positive. How do you do this? My husband asked me the question. Today, I realized that I had to make an intentional decision to stop thinking negative thoughts. Start focusing on something opposite to what I was worried over and speak to God in prayer.  I have been trying to change my way of thinking for several months, but this last month was my downfall. I thought I was undergoing a radical transformation, only to realize nothing has changed. Why?

Because I was doing it in my strength, I didn't consider God. I didn’t invite God to help me here, I was thinking I can do this on my own.

Well if my brain is still being formed and I still can improve on my thoughts, then its time to call in the big guns. Asking God, my savior for help. Stop giving my problems to Him and then taking them back.

Prayer

Papa, Father God, I am in deep trouble with the way I think and behave. Today, I realised that I need to change my thinking patterns, focus on You. Lord Your, Word says "The thoughts of the righteous are right." Help me Lord, I require the Holy Spirit going forward to change my way of thinking. In Jesus Christ name, Amen.

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Jesus, life is getting to me.

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Philippians 4: 6 - 7 "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life."

I have been struggling to pray about most things lately. My world is being; rocked, and I am an emotional wreck. I find my focus is off, and I tend to be very impulsive. I have been speaking to God, asking the Lord Jesus to help but as soon as I have prayed, I go and the thing I asked not to happen. My will power and obedience have been lagging. What a shame, I do feel bad about it. You know when you think you can fix everything, but you keep on messing up? That is me on any given day.

Then today, I need to back down a little, give God the chance to do His thing, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Wait for Jesus to help and guide me.

# that I have not been content for all my life, yes, I know I say thank you. I am happy, but I am always being chased, hurry up with this and that.

If the Lord Jesus isn't present in my life, I seem to go back to being discontent and unable to balance my life.

Prayer

Father God, You know me very well. You know that I am someone who always wants things done right now. Stop what your doing and makes sure you do as I have asked. I seem to be going through too much nonsense right now. I humbly am asking You, Lord, forgive me. Help, me to get over my discontentment and start appreciating each day. Everything I'm doing and why I'm doing it. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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I Need Angelic Assistance this year!

 

BY Yvette van Niekerk

Psalm 91: 11 - 12

"For He shall give charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

I want God to keep me safe and send His angels to help me. Pray with me today:

Dear Father God, please help me to dwell in the secret place of the Most High today. LORD, please help me abide under Your shadow. I confess right now Lord that You are my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I shall trust. Father God, please will You give Your angels charge over me today, to keep me in all Your ways.

Father God, I want to remind You of Elijah who was in the wilderness and the angel brought him food. Lord, Peter was in prison and the angel released him from prison. Lord, You sent angels to rescue Lot and his family from Sodom and Gomora before it was destroyed. Lord, You sent an angel to Joseph when he found out Mary was pregnant, to stay with her. Father, when the Lord Jesus Christ was in Gethsemane, You sent an angel to minister to Jesus. I also want to remind You, Lord, that You sent an angel to the apostle John and showed him around heaven.

Lord, send me an angel to help me with my workload, baking and cleaning how, doing washing and ironing, looking after Tyler. I am not as strong as I thought I was.

Father God, thank You, that Your angels are at work in my life. Thank You, LORD, that You aren't a respecter of persons; so what You did for others, You will also do for me. Please Father God, will You triple the amount of angelic assistance I currently am receiving in my life.

Lord, please let Your angels carry messages from me to You, Lord. Please may Your angels show me Heaven and heavenly things and also protect me and deliver me from evil. Please Lord, may Your angel's minister to me today, I feel I need emotional help. Please, Lord, may the angels strengthen me and when I am doing warfare may the angels do it on my behalf and Lord please may the angels bring me provision and resources from Heaven.

Father God, please help me to remember to test the spirits when I do encounter them, so I'll know they are holy angels sent from You Father, God. Lord, I have never seen an angel, please can you open my eyes so that I can see them. Father God, please help me to notice Your answers to my prayers.

O LORD, thank You, for the tripling of the angelic assistance in my life, and thank You that I can bring all my concerns and requests to You. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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The Challenge today: how can I start to lean on God's understanding rather than my own?

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Proverbs 3

Don't assume You know it All

1-2 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands. They'll help you live a long, long time a long life lived full and well.

This year has been very challenging for me, and I am sure many other people are facing the same challenges I do. I have been trying to do things my way, and I have been failing all the time.

I want God to show me how I can lean on Him and let go of my fears. Today it's my prayer that God will help me to focus on Him and not my fears. I want to change this dread that is hanging over my head. I want to ask God to help me see the way forward. The Word of God is my tool and instrument that God is speaking to me.

Prayer

Please forgive me, help me stop being a bully, I confess my actions and I am asking You Lord please help me to wisely. Lord, I am taking to heart Your commands, I want to pray to ask that Wisdom will help me live a full happy long live. Father thank You, for today, please guide me going forward on my journey.

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Choose to refrain from evil.

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Psalm 119: 110 KJV "I understand more than the ancients because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way."

I choose to change, from the inside out. I need to focus on God's Word to change. Today it is my choice to refrain from evil. I am choosing to submit to God's Word and depart from evil.

Psalm 1: 1 - 2 says, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night." Today I choose to align myself with the Lord Jesus Christ by trusting Him and His Way of doing things. I intentionally depart from evil. I choose not to gossip today. I choose not to grumble and complain about things that irritate me. I choose; not to be rude and will be friendly, kind and understanding. I choose; to reject every false way.

Prayer

Papa, today I come into Your presence and bring You honor and praise. You are my King, my Lord and my Salvation. I praise You Lord, thank You Lord for today. I choose to let Your light, light up my path. I choose that Your Word is my shield and my buckler today. I choose that Lord Your Word lead me, teach me, and guide me. I know that I am created by You Lord to obey and follow Your Word and Instructions.

Humbly I repent from my evil ways and refrain from being manipulated by my thoughts and desires.

Papa, in Jesus Christ's name I pray to ask that my gifts, my talents, and all the abilities that You Papa have placed within me be realized. Papa, may my heart and character reflect the Love of Christ in every season of my life. Amen.

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@bout Fighting and Arguing

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Proverbs 13: 10 "arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel."

We both are at fault many a time our fights start if I feel inferior, and think I'm it unfair. I feel exhausted, tired and unappreciated, and then I am ready for a fight. I react quickly, and my ears go shut.

I have become mindful of the words I use lately I find the worst thing I can do is to cuss or swear. My husband shuts down and ignores anything I am fighting or arguing. I am currently doing something I never thought about, try and see things from his perspective. He has told me on numerous occasions that I ignore him and never listen. So now I have become intentional on listening to what he says, honestly, it is paying off on my side. I'm forcing my ears open to hear him speak to me.

I do feel that when he's wrong, he should say "I was wrong. I am sorry. Please forgive me."  It does hurt my feelings, but I cannot implement these words into his vocabulary, he needs to think about them.

So I hope you have learned something from my life experience:

One: try and see things from your spouses point of view.

Two: make sure you use both your ears and listen to what is said.

Three: it won't harm you if you say things like "I was wrong. I am sorry. Please forgive me." By acting like in such a way, you don't leave scars.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, O Papa, You know both my spouse and me. We do have fights and arguments, please place a guard before my mouth and open my ears to hear when he speaks to me. Guide me through the Holy Spirit and show me how I can be a better wife. Thank You, Lord, in Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

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Focus on one thing

 by Yvette van Niekerk

Mark 10: 21 "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

I multitask all the time and lately, I find that I am dropping things, not being as focused as I would like to be. I find that my thoughts are captured and taken somewhere else leaving me to be distracted. It's important to stay focused and concentrate on one thing at a time. I have been spreading myself thin lately, and this has a negative impact on my life. I am exhausted and irritated, not focusing on one thing but being double-minded.

I seem to fight to gain control over everything and everyone around me. The last couple of weeks I have decided to become more focused, keep my attention on one specific thing. This has resulted in my problems starting to free me for specific things. In the course of a conversation with Jesus, a certain man explained to the Lord all the great things he accomplished and how exceptional he was. Telling the Lord Jesus that he was diligently doing this since he was a young man. I wish I was perfect and diligent to the extent that nothing was lacking.

The Lord Jesus told the man "one thing you lack." When the Lord told him to sell off everything he had and give it to the poor the man left very unhappy.

It's true we don't focus on one thing we deal with so much thinking we accomplished so much more.

Prayer

Papa, I am grateful that I can come to You today, I need to focus on one thing, to my thinking I believe I should be focusing more on You. Lord thank You for Your word, I am asking You forgive me for being so full of pride and so rebellious. I am in need of Your Holy Spirit. Amen

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