#love

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 21

Love

Lamentations 3: 22 – 23 (NIV)

22 "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

  I think we view our own lives through rose-coloured glasses. But, have you thought of how much God must love you? In Lamentations, we read this declaration of God's great love, of His compassion, which he shows towards us every day. I am reminded that love never fails, according to God's Word. Jesus founded His Empire upon love, and today millions of people still die for Him. We must love each other, encourage each other, pray for each other, be of service to each other. In showing love, we need to accept each other and honour each other, bearing others burdens, forgiving each other, all this is under the word love.

Remember expressing love isn't a sign of weakness. To love your husband, children, or other people, you have to give yourself completely, making you very vulnerable. You may be rejected and hurt, but with this kind of love, You are in Godly places.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to love unconditionally, the same way You loved me. Please, Lord, keep me from falling into the trap of selfishness and teach me how to love. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Plans for prosperity

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 20

Plans for prosperity.

Jeremiah 29: 11 (NIV)

11 “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I wonder how seriously we look at the Word of God? Do you ever think that God will let you down? I doubt that God will let you or me down. I do, however, believe that I am capable and most probably will let God down. When I read this passage of scripture, it reminds me that God is true to His Word.

When God speaks something over my life, I am sure it will take place. I do believe that God has plans for my future even though I think I am too old these days. I do believe God is opening doors for the plans He has put in place for me. I also believe there is hope and a future for me even though I cannot see it right now.

Prayer

Lord God, in the name of Jesus Christ, I accept Your Word today and declare it over my life. I believe and accept that You know the plans You have for me, I also pray and ask that You Lord will prosper me and let no harm come to me, I also pray for the plans to give me hope and a future. All of this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior. Amen.

Banner

by Yvette van Niekerk

 April 19

A banner.

Isaiah 8: 10 (NIV)

10 "Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us."

  So a banner is something like a flag; it shows your nation or nationality. The Jews have banners which they use in battle. Today I want to lift my Banner of the Lord my God and ask Him to help me stand against the fiery darts of the devil. Trials and tribulations come to each one of us.

I believe this is to strengthen our faith and help us turn to God. When we believe and trust in the Lord, we lift our banners and show people we are standing on God's Word. The Lord wants to be there for us when we call and believe that He is faithful to His Word.

I am sure He will work things out. I remember something happened and suddenly I had a result which was in my favour. We all need God's supernatural favour in our lives, and by trusting in Him, we can lift His banner over our lives today.

Prayer

Lord God, the devise and strategies that come against me, I want to thwart them with the power of the Holy Spirit today. I believe God You have a proposal and plan for my life. I think if You are all I have, then Lord, I have everything. Today I pray, please help me control my thinking, I place a guard over my mouth and mind in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Full Armor of God

 April 18

18 April 2021

Full Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

  Today let's arm ourselves with the Full Armor of God. I take up the Helmet of Salvation, for You Lord Jesus is my salvation. Lord Jesus is receiving You as a new and fresh way of life for me. Nothing can separate me from Your love. I place the Breastplate of Righteousness and declare that no condemnation or assaults against me can stand.

Girding my loins with the Belt of Trust, I choose to live in honesty and integrity. Taking the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, I declare that my life is open to spread the gospel to all people. Help me not to lose heart. Jesus, You are my Shield of faith.

No assaults of the enemy can stand against me. As I take up the Sword of the Spirit, please Lord show me truths of the Word of God that I need to stand against the Devil. Remind me of them in my hour of need. Lord, I pray that I can stay connected to You throughout the day, let the Holy Spirit guide me, and show me the way forward in Jesus Christ's name. 

Amen.

by Yvette van Niekerk

 April 16

He is alive!

Mark 16:6 (NIV)

6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him."

  Do you realize what this means when they say, "He's risen!" Many times we think about it, but can you imagine the impact it should have on your own life? The Lord Jesus was in a tomb dead, and on the 3rd day, He rose from the dead. The amazing grace of God was bestowed upon us that very day. He is alive!

The Lord Jesus is alive! We are called His children upon acceptance of the Lord Jesus. You can now have a new beginning, a renewed mind, and the ability to take any task and become successful in doing it. The Lord can help you do your best as we are doing it for the Lord Jesus and not for men. We received His mercy and grace, praise the Lord.

Prayer

Abba Father, in the name of Your only begotten Son – Jesus Christ, we thank You, Lord, for this day and embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and we believe You will start a new thing within us to the end. 

Amen.

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