A sound mind.

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

May 3

A sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind."

  Look at the most successful people around you; what do you see? Are these people negative and worrisome? No, they are decisive; they think and are always looking at how they can better themselves.

There is no "fearful spirit" in a successful person, and they can make a decision and stick to it. They have the power to do the jobs and make the decision. They usually care also about other people (love). Thinking is part of their modus operandi, and they have a sound mind. Always learning ~ makes time to be in the presence of God.

They rise early and spend personal time in God's presence. They stay focused. According to Proverbs 21, verses 5 ", I think about sticking with things because the thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty, but everyone impatient and hasty hastens only to want."

Prayer

Lord, as I start my day, I want to pray that you will help me to begin changing my mind. May I ask You to help me block out fear, teach me to love, and give me the power to do my work? Lord, give me a sound mind, in Jesus's Name, Amen!

Your love ~ supported me.

by Yvette van Niekerk

 May 2

Your love ~ supported me.

Psalm 94: 18 (NIV)

18 "When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me."

  We sometimes face difficult times and don't always make the right decisions. I would think that is when "my foot is slipping." It is essential to start each day right, take the Word (Bible) and read your daily passage, pray, and spend some quiet time in the presence of the Lord.

This Word, the Bible, isn't an ordinary book. These words are like medicine to your soul. As we keep reading our Bibles, it has the power to change our lives, and it is a life-giving Word. Only through praying and studying the Word can we build our relationship with the Lord. That is, "O Lord, supported me." Today may you know without a doubt that the Lord, our God is with you and that He loves you and because of His love He will support you even when your foot is slipping?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this Word, that I can draw the necessary wisdom and understanding that because of Your love, You support me, even when I am slipping. Bring me back into the fold, in Jesus's name. Amen!

The Work of our hands.

by Yvette van Niekerk

 May 1

The work of our hands.

Psalm 90: 17 (NIV)

17 "May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands."

  What a privilege and honour it is for many of us to work and earn a good salary. We forget how many people are without jobs, struggling to survive and feed themselves as well as their families. When you are in this privileged position, don't forget to thank the Lord our God for His favour is resting upon you today, establishing the work of your hands. You may be dissatisfied with what you are doing, but take a break, sit back and think of the many people that are without a job.

The Lord, our God, has put His favour upon your life, blessing you to earn an income, work as though you are working for God and see how He brings you into promotion.

Prayer

Lord, every person I know wants to work and earn a good salary. May we pray that You will set Your favour upon each one of us and establish the work of our hands so that we, in turn, may bless others in need, in Jesus's Name. Amen!

I am praising You, Lord!

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 30

I am praising you, Lord!

Psalm 71: 8 (NIV 

8 "My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendour all day long."

  As we start our days, we should always remember to bring praise to the Lord our God. With our mouths filled with praise, we must declare and tell the Lord of His splendour every day. All day long, praising His Name. Lord Jesus, sometimes we run out of words, and today we desire to bring You to honour ~ with our mouths we worship, we declare your splendour all day long. There is just no one like You Lord Jesus; there is no one as wonderful as You.

Lord Praise and Worship we bring to You today, thanking You for all the good things we have in our lives. You are our Lord and our Saviour. We worship and praise You, Lord. Lord, remember me in my old age, do not cast me away as I grow old, and help me when I am weak and frail. Yes, Lord, for me, I will always have hope, and I will praise Your Holy name, You are my salvation!

Prayer

Lord today, we fill our mouths with praise, declaring your splendour all day long. We thank You for Your grace, mercy, and loving-kindness in Jesus's Name, Amen!

Streams in the Wasteland

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 29

Streams in the Wasteland.

Isaiah 43: 19 (NIV)

19 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

  We are all looking for guidance, and sometimes we pray and think that the Lord does not hear our prayers. As I look at this verse, I realize, "God is busy with something great." How can I say that, well look, "now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

God has a plan and is directing our steps, and sometimes we cannot perceive it. We feel that nothing is going our way, and life is too complicated, don't worry. God is still in control. You think your time is running out, no, it's not. You have enough time to do what God has called you to do. Ask the Lord to guide and direct your steps going forward. "I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Excellent, God is at work while you wait, look for the "streams in the wasteland." God is doing something awesome for you today. 

Prayer

Lord God, please help us perceive that You are still able to surprise each one of us, we have Your supernatural favour in our lives, help us recognize it and appreciate You, always in Jesus Name, Amen!

Lord Jesus, please solve my problems

by Yvette van Niekerk

 April 28

Lord Jesus, please solve my problems.

John 4:46 (CEB)

Jesus' second miraculous sign in Galilee

46 "He returned to Cana in Galilee where he had turned the water into wine. In Capernaum, there was a certain royal official whose son was sick."

  Help me rise, to the top of each wave, in my life so that it doesn't overwhelm me. Mary, the Lord Jesus' mother, asked Him to help her. The first miracle took place. He turned water into wine.

On the second occasion, Jesus was again in Galilee, and the royal official begged Jesus to heal his son. Sometimes our problems escalate, and we think we have run out of options. No, we have not been on our knees before the Lord Jesus. Pray about your problems big or small, asking for help, and God loves you. Remember to be specific, identify what is wrong, go in prayer to the Lord Jesus, do what He instructs you to do, and see how Jesus resolves your problems.

Prayer

In humble prayer, we pray that You Lord will hear our request for help, our problems seem so big sometimes, but we bring them to You today. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

 

Your're Vision

by Yvette van Niekerk

 April 27

You're Vision

Isaiah 29:11 (CEB)

11 "This entire vision has become for you like the words of a sealed scroll. When they give it to one who can read, saying, "Read this," that one will say, "I can't, because it's sealed."

  My vision is to complete this Daily Devotional Book of mine and have it published in September 2015. I have never been able to do things just because I say so. Now is the time I have decided to take a chance and do as I see in my vision.

"This entire vision has become for you. . . ." I want to stay focused and not worry that I am out of my imagination. So my question is, "what can I do in my sphere of influence in sharing the love of Christ" with other people? I am facing this moment in my life, trusting God to tear down this wall that keeps me from completing my book.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as I dedicate this book Daily Devotional Ebenezer into Your hands today, I want to pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire and touch the lives of each person reading these short messages. Lord bless the people who invest in reading Your Word and studying it. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.

You're Skills

 April 26

by Yvette van Niekerk

April 26

You're Skills

John 3: 27 (NIV)

27 "To this, John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven."

  As we have received our skills or gifts from God in heaven, we can use them. When doing something, God has called you or me to do, and we have God's help. Now not all of us are called to be Pastors, and we should realize that and do what God called us to do where we are. Now you ask what I should be doing.

I believe God is waiting for you to ask Him yourself. Waiting for answers to your prayers can sometimes be trying, and other times they are answered quickly. Don't lose heart when you are waiting; also, as an individual, remember you are unique, there is no one like you. So keep on asking till you get that answer.

Prayer

Lord, I pray that I too may display the mature ability to trust in You and wait for my skills to develop. I pray that if someone is better than I that I will not compare myself to them. They have a different calling in life. Remind me each day in Jesus's Name, Amen!

#double-minded?

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 25

Double-minded?

James 4: 8 (NIV)

8 "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

  Have you ever heard someone telling you they are going to do something specific and, in the same sentence, decide not to do it? Honestly, I have, and it seems these people are speaking out of both sides of their mouths. What happened? I think they are uncertain, and when circumstances change, they change too.

To the double-minded person, be careful of what you are saying. When it comes to God's Word, we must come in agreement with what the Word of God is saying. I want to encourage you today to keep on speaking words of faith and keep in accord with the Bible. Keep on watering your faith with the Word of God, and see how it grows. In the New King James Version Psalm 34 verse 15 and 17 it says: "The eyes of the Lord are on me, and His ears are open to my cry ... When I cry out, the Lord hears, and delivers me out of all my troubles."

Prayer

Father God, today I pray let the Words that You speak into my life be watered by my studying Your Bible. Guide me and teach me going forward. Please place a guard over my mouth, preventing me from speaking out of both sides of it. Amen.

In #weakness

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

April 24

In Weakness

Isaiah 40: 28 – 29 (NIV)

28 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

  Sometimes we are so tired of doing the usual humdrum in our daily lives. We become weak and weary. Then Satan sees an opportunity in making us feel miserable and unloved that is just the time we should turn to the Lord for His strength in our own lives. Take a deep breath, turn and look up, God is still God, and He lives forever.

As you face today, look to the heavens and call out to the Lord He will give you the strength to meet today. Psalms 31 verse 18 in The Message "If my heart is broken, I'll find God right there; if I'm kicked in the gut, He'll help me catch my breath. Lord strengthens our heart, mind, and soul; let Your word grow within us. Guide us and teach us as we focus on You today.

Prayer

Lord in my hour of need I pray give me the strength for today, I feel weak and unimportant, lift me, and strengthen me. I know my weeping may endure for a night, but I believe my joy comes in the morning. Praise You, Lord, In Jesus Name, Amen!

#hope

by Yvette van Niekerk

 April 22

Hope

Romans 8: 24 – 25

24 "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

  Hope is the expectation that something great is going to happen. This reminded me of something when I was going through a really difficult time, and there was no way I could do something. I would believe and hope for a specific thing.

There was this beautiful blouse that I kept my eye on for several months; each time I would walk by, I was hoping to buy it. One day I stood in the shop and purchased this specific blouse; I had managed to save enough cash for the blouse, and to top it off, it was on Sale.

Ephesians One verses, 18 says: "By having the eyes of my heart flooded with light, I can know and understand the hope of which He has called me, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones)."

Prayer

Lord this hope we have in You may we live our lives to the fulfilment of Your will, as saved Children of God. Thank You, Lord, for lifting us. Bless each one of us today. In Jesus Name, amen!