Jesus on the cross

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 14

On the cross.

Mark 15: 25-26 (NIV)

25 "It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26The written notice of the charge against him read The King of the Jews."

  Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was on his way in from the country. He probably walked nearby and saw the commotion and wanted to take a look. Before he could get out of the way, the Soldiers dragged him in and forced him to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus. From what I understand, the cross weighs a bit in the region of plus-minus 135 kg. Imagine the weight on your shoulders with the excruciating pain that riddles your broken skin and body. Buckling underweight, the Lord needed someone to help carry the burden.

We buckle under the weight of the burden of this heavy world. We know that the Lord rises from the grave and is our saviour, but before He could die for us, He had to be broken open for us. Blood had to flow to save a dying world.

Prayer

Abba Father, helps us to understand the weight of this world and turn back to You. Lord, we cannot carry the burdens anymore. Lord Jesus, today we know You are the King of Kings, Lord of Lord, and the alpha and omega. Come into our lives anew today.

Amen.

Jesus before Pilate

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 12

Jesus before Pilate.

Mark 15: 2 – 4 (NIV)

2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "You have said so," Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again, Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."

  Nothing has changed, looking at the selfish interests of the Chief Priests, which ultimately meant the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see Pilate speaking to Jesus and asking Him whether Jesus was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered: "You have said so." His reaction wasn't dying or acceptance of the statement. Pilate knew the Chief Priests were going out of their way to conjure false accusations against the Lord Jesus. Pilate feared the crowd and wanted them to make the decision. Once they cried out to crucify Jesus, he washed his hands to prove his innocence to this crime.

Jesus goes to the barracks and is flogged by the soldier as was the custom, and then they would crucify him. When standing accused of something you didn't do, your first reaction would be to defend yourself. We sometimes need to trust the Lord in times of difficulty and see how He rescues us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You, for this day, without Jesus, we all will be lost. We humble ourselves before You, please forgive us, in Jesus Holy Name. 

Amen.

Carbon Copy of Jesus

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 11

Carbon Copy of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

18 "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

  How can I become a carbon copy of the Lord Jesus? People need to commit their lives to Jesus. On receiving the Holy Spirit, we are now able to see the glory of the Lord. Our spiritual journey begins every morning. We take time out to develop our relationship with Jesus. Once we are in this relationship, transformation takes place. This process takes time, but thanks to the Holy Spirit, who is there to encourage us and guide us, we can see God's glory.

The how? I believe in reading my Bible and prayer and learning what the Lord Jesus has done on earth. Find out His characteristics and imitating Him. We need to rid ourselves of the own-me attitude and discover the love of Jesus in the Bible.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, today I want to pray for guidance, my relationship with You needs work. I am often sidetracked and busy before I realize it. Lord Jesus, I want to be your carbon copy. As I start today, I pray for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. I am drawing near to You, please Holy Spirit fill my life today. In the name of Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

Healing, Miraculous Powers, Prophecy

by Yvette van Niekerk

 April 10

Healing, miraculous powers, prophecy.

1 Corinthians 12: 9-11 (NIV)

9 "To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gift of healing by that one Spirit, 10 To another miraculous power, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

  We have been looking at the Holy Spirit in a couple of our devotions. I do believe we have to be convinced that God wants us to have an encounter with the person the Holy Spirit, today if possible. I think the Holy Spirit is working in my life and yours by teaching and leading us, illuminating us in the truth and understanding of the Word of God. Today, the Holy Spirit may have placed the gift of healing in your life, and you are then able to pray for healing in people's lives.

It is clear that some have received the award of miraculous powers, someone can do something unusual. All prophets must be genuine transformations before they go and prophecy over our churches. Pray that the Holy Spirit guides you in these gifts.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the gifts You have given us as Your children. Gifts of healing, miraculous signs, and prophecy. When using any of our gifts, I pray Holy Spirit that You will guide us, anoint us and be with us. In the name of Jesus Christ. 

Amen

Common Good, Wisdom and Knowledge

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 9

Common Good, Wisdom and Knowledge.

1 Corinthians 12: 7-8 (NIV)

7" Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge using the same Spirit."

  The Holy Spirit imparts specific gifts for specific purposes. As seen in our passage above, someone with a distinctive character receives these gifts—new power to do the Lord's work. The message of wisdom to us is something said at the right time for the right reasons. Our manner of approach in any given situation is essential.

My mom always told me of the sense of occasion, watching my mouth, and being mindful of my fellow man. I have learned to pick the right moment before I try and advise people; this only comes through wisdom revealed by the Spirit.

Prayer

Abba Father, Please Lord, give us the wisdom and knowledge and guide us with the manifestation of the Spirit in our lives. We pray, please help us to do the common good and to be able to give a message of wisdom when required. Also, the Lord provides us with wisdom and knowledge at the right time. In Jesus Name, we pray, Amen.

Service and Work

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 8

Service and Work

1 Corinthians 12: 5-6 (NIV)

5 "There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and everyone it is the same God at work."

  Many of us hesitate to speak about Christ to other people, but if we do, they may convert to Christianity. On receiving the Holy Spirit into my life, I have accepted God Himself. I believe the Holy Spirit makes God a living reality. Keeping in mind this passage is referring to our different services we will perform for God in the church. Armed with our different working, we can be of service to God and people in our ministries.

Once we receive these gifts, we can speak a word of wisdom and to another prophecy. The list is endless but necessary for the upliftment of the church and service to God. Our ministries and service are diverse, and every person has a different calling. May the Lord through the Holy Spirit reveal to you your working and service today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please send Your Holy Spirit into our lives today. We pray that You will reveal to each of us the gifts we need to serve You. Where we lack wisdom, please will You give us understanding. Please lead us going forward through the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ's name.

Amen

 

Spiritual Gifts

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 7

Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV)

4 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them."

  Once you became a Christian and accepted the Lord Jesus as your saviour, you receive the Holy Spirit. If you received the prophetic gift, you might say something to this extent: "See that happens when you don't pay attention." This person is convicting you to show you what's wrong. 

Someone could have a serving gift and would say, "Can I help you clean, it might go a little faster." She wants to meet practical needs.

There may be someone who received a teaching gift, and they might say, "The reason you dropped the glasses was the tray was lopsided." They want to clarify the truth. Someone with the gift of exhortation would say, "the next time we buy fruit, let us not forget about the yoghurt." They want to give a practical solution to the problem. My daughter has the gift of giving. She cannot help herself when someone is in need; she tries to help them. My friend has the gift of mercy, and when she sees someone has been hurt, she will give them a hug trying to console them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we know with all the Spiritual Gifts, we can only operate in the presence of the Holy Spirit. This function is working in our churches and with our congregation. Bless each one of us so we can be a blessing to our friends and family, in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Amen

Generation Z

by Yvette van Niekerk

Psalm 51: 10 Living Bible

"Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires."

I have come to realize that most young people want authenticity. The real deal so to speak, I know I hate it when I have to deal with fake people. You never really know where you stand with a person who acts and isn't true to themselves or other people around them. I read that CNBC did a survey showing that 67% of Generation Z agrees to be true to one's values and beliefs make that person cool. Speaking from my own experience I appreciate it when a person is real and pure.

I am working on my attitude towards people in general by putting other people above me. I do not want to hurt anybody and I try to make them feel more important than myself. I told my husband over the weekend that I would do anything for my children because I hardly see them and will go out of my way so that I do not offend or hurt their feelings. I realise that I am not perfect. Here is the catch I need to stay honest to myself so that God can transform my heart.

The Message 2 Corinthians 7 verse 1 "With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God."

Keeping God's word close to me I am trying to purify my own life. I want to make sure that I am acceptable and that my body and spirit isn't contaminated. Working towards perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. My prayer remains the same as Psalm 51 where King David prayers "create in me a pure heart Lord, and renew within me a steadfast spirit." I am constantly exposed to the filthy and corrupted world around me, TV and Radio etc. I need God's help to be authentic and pure.

Reflect: God's Word washes me and cleanses my heart and mind. I want to be pure at heart and not a hypocrite who is deceitful and only Jesus can help me stay authentic.

I have asked my husband to check me if I am acting in a role that isn't authentic he should point it out to me. It is my prayer that God will also show me through the Holy Spirit when I am acting like a hypocrite.

Prayer

Dear Father God, please transform this body of mine, to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. I know Jesus died and rose from the grave for me. Help me to draw near to You each day, create in me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. Help me in glorifying You Lord and please pour out Your grace over my life today. Father, I surrender my life into Your hands and I come as I am. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Yvette's Cakes

 

Holy Week - Palm Sunday

 by Yvette van Niekerk

Mark 11:1-11 (The Message)

Entering Jerusalem on a Colt

11        1-3 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”

4-7 They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

8-10 The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,

Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!

Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!

11 He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

oOo

 

It's noted that some of the most familiar teachings and stories of the gospels occur during this week preceding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

As believers, we have our foundation with Christ and our faith build in studying His Life.

Jesus Christ was fully God; He also was fully man and walked a human life. He enjoyed joy and love with suffering and hardship. The Lord Jesus teaches us by example, showing us how to navigate challenges.

My learning right now is to focus on Jesus' demonstration as to what it looks like to live with a strong connection to God the Father and how to show deep compassion to people.

My life is a struggle especially when it comes to compassion for people. 

I find it extremely difficult when it comes to people, I seem to get burned every time I let my guard down. Trusting people isn't something I do well, the odd occasion I do, guess what, and they burn me. Hey but never use my life as an example, the best example we can follow is the Lord Jesus Christ's. 

 

Prayer

Dear Father God, I want to connect with You today here, as I seek You in Your Word. I am focusing on the life of my Lord Jesus Christ, I pray Holy Spirit, please help me. In Jesus Christs Name Amen

 

 

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Created for an eternal purpose!

by Yvette van Niekerk

I believe I have been created for an eternal purpose.

Ephesian 2: 7 - 10 MSG

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing."

After Adam and Eve's sin, we were given a second chance in life, through the Lord Jesus Christ. To be re-created spiritually. I believe I have been created for a purpose. If so, how will I live my life? I believe God wants me to build my life upon His Word, the Bible. I have been working hard at renewing my mind. I have been cleaning my life from sins I believe polluting my life. I believe God wants me to live my life to the fullest, He has placed me right where I'm supposed to be. For a very long time, I was wondering am I in the right place, doing the right thing? Yes, I am. God wants me here and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. 

Prayer

Dear Father God, I believe according to Your Word that I am where You want me to be, and I believe Lord that all the time in this world and the next You are showering me with grace and kindness upon me in Christ Jesus. Saving Lord is all Your idea and all Your work. I believe and trust You enough to let You do it in my life. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ Amen