Yvette's Whispers of Faith

by Yvette van Niekerk   May 7 Prayer through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 (AMP) 26 "So to the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groaning's too deep for utterance."   Paul writes that "we need the Holy Spirit to come to our aid and bears us up in our weakness." On reading God's Word, we know that it is living and active and also full of power, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us with what we are praying for. Because God created the entire universe with words, we need help with our prayers. I realize that God has given me the same power. I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me get my words in line with God's Word. I want to ask the Holy Spirit...

by Yvette van Niekerk   May 6 Surrender an Allegiance to the Lord Jesus. Matthew 10: 37 (NIV) 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”   We know when studying the word of God that the Lord Jesus demands that we will sever our dearest and closest ties with family and friends, making allegiance with the Lord Jesus Christ. We also know that once we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are in right standing with God. Our salvation is dependent on believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can know without a doubt that the Blood of Jesus Christ saves us. Now we were learning that God is the most merciful person in this world. Even when I mess up, God understands. Because God has cut me some slack, I can do the same for the people around me. Prayer Lord, as we consider our relationship with You today, please help us realize that we need to surrender an...

by Yvette van Niekerk   May 5 Consciousness Matthew 3: 17 (NIV) 17 "And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased."   On reading Matthew 3, we come to realize that the Lord Jesus was on his way from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. When John saw the Lord, he tried to deter him by saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" To which the Lord Jesus said, "Let it be so now; for thus, it fits for us to fulfil all righteousness." As Jesus went through the water and came out, the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and alighted on Jesus Christ. We then see the Father saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased." We desire to have the consciousness of Christ in our own lives. Like, babies, we see our reflection in the mirror but still do not recognize who we are in the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer Lord, we want to pray for a c...

by Yvette van Niekerk   May 4 God's Grace. John 1:16 (AMP) 16 "For out of His fullness(abundance), we have all received [all had a share, and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favoured upon favour and gift [heaped] upon gift."   Something I have learned over the past couple of years, my husband thinks "grace" is very much the same as "relax." If you want me to have, a hissy fit ~ tells me to "relax." Well, it actually can be something to that effect, because if you are not willing to "relax," you are not able to walk in God's grace. I think what is important is that God is waiting for you to get into His peace, and once you are in His order, you can receive His grace.  Another thing to remember is that grace isn't something that you can earn, and remember, it is what God is doing for you, which you cannot do for yourself. Prayer Lord helps us to underst...

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, a...

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...

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...

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 salv...

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 "...

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 L...

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...