The Fruit of the Spirit

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

July 1

The Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5: 22 - 23 (AMP)

22 "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplished] is Love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things, there is no law [that can bring a charge]."

  Today let us clothe ourselves with the Fruit of the Spirit. I want to put on Love through my Love always seek the highest good in other people. I want to be glad in all my circumstances. I take Peace and make it part of my contentment; and practice unity between all people. I think about patience, and I want to be even-tempered and have forbearance with other people.

In kindness, I want to make sure that mercy is present, and I am tender-hearted. I am taking my generosity to the next level. I want to ask the Lord to help me to stay dependable, loyal and always trustworthy.

I also want to remain humble and be non-threatening at all times. Most of all, in everything I do, I want to have self-control and well behaved.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I pray that today as I clothe myself in the Fruit of the Spirit, I can stay focused on YOU, Lord. Oh my Lord, I am more than a conqueror through Christ Who loves me. In Jesus Name. Amen! I will not be discouraged and afraid because You, Lord, my God, is with me and helps me fight this battle against gossiping. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Gossip

by Yvette van Niekerk

 June 30

Gossip.

Proverbs 17: 4 (AMP)

4 "An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips, and a liar listens to a mischievous tongue."

  Matthew 18, verses 15 to 17, a discussion takes place around a brother who sinned against someone. It says, "that if you can speak to him/her about the problem directly and try and sort it out." And if he heard you and you sorted out the issue great job. If you aren't able to sort out the problem, go and ask a couple of fellow believers and sit down and discuss the issue. If he doesn't listen to them, take it to the church and if he doesn't listen to the church, treat him like a pagan or tax collector. But don't go and gossip about him.

Proverbs 20 verse 19 says: "A gossip betrays a confidence;" this person has no regard for other people. They enjoy the moment of glory and fame. "Did you hear?" The moment someone says: 'did you hear,' let us stop the conversation. It's rude, and we are getting a second-hand impression of this person. Speak directly to the person.

Prayer

O LORD, my God, please forgive me if I speak ill of my family and friends. Gossiping isn't something I do, but should I talk about the evil of anybody, please Holy Spirit show me. I need to be healthy and courageous. In Jesus Name, Amen.

#teapot #tuesday

 by Yvette van Niekerk

#teapot #tuesday

I believe that I'm an old fashioned girl who loves teapots and doilies and all antiques. 

I realised when my daughter immigrated to Australia. She had to leave all her beautiful things behind. When I was visiting my brother, he also reminded me that no one appreciates the things I hold dear to my heart. 

I started making tea in the teapots that I received as gifts from my children and my husband.

So today, using one of my favourite little teapots. I will be posting a teapot every day and then tell you how I felt about the cup of tea.

How does this make me feel? I feel especially grateful to enjoy my cup of tea. As I sit in the sun on my stoep relaxing. So what is precious to you? 

Pray for your Pastors

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

June 29

Pray for your Pastor.

Ephesians 6: 19 (AMP)

19 "And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel)."

  The Apostle Paul asks the believers in Ephesus to "Pray for me, that freedom of utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim the mystery of the good news ~ the Gospel boldly." Do you ever think of praying for your Pastor?

I never thought about it until our Pastor asked the congregation to please pray for him. As time went by a couple of older people were praying for our Pastor. He mentioned that he felt his preaching seemed a little easier. The Pastor asked the congregation to attend church in the week; to pray for the church and the Pastor. We must bring our Pastors before God, and they need our prayers. The Holy Spirit can work in our lives while we pray for them. Our Pastors are looking after our spiritual growth, and we should view them as our religious parents.

Prayer

Father God, we pray that our Pastors will have the freedom of utterance to open their mouths in proclaiming the mysteries of the good news to us and the world boldly. In Jesus Name, we pray, Amen!

 

God looks after everything

 by Yvette van Niekerk

May 23

God looks after everything.

Psalm 104:27 (AMP)

27 "These all wait and are dependent upon You, that You may give them their food in due season."

  Stop for a moment and look out of your window, what do you see? From my window, I look over a sparkling blue swimming pool, a beautiful Lapa, and a lovely garden. My plants are flourishing, and I can hear and see the birds all around the house.

The birds are beautiful, and they are all over, I sometimes put some seeds out for them to enjoy. What you and I don't know is that God is still in control, and everything you have can change within a moment. We do worry about jobs, retirement annuities to name a few.

We cannot foresee the future, and if we do not have faith that God looks after us. We are in for an enormous shock. Our seasons can change, and you can be out of a job and be penniless.

Prayer

Father God, Your Word says we have obtained an inheritance, "being predestined" according to the purpose of You, who works all things according to the counsel of Your will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of Your glory. We praise You, Lord, in Jesus's Name, Amen.

Take My yoke.

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

May 22

Take My yoke.

Matthew 11:29 (AMP)

29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls."

  I think it's only by the grace of God that we can take the yoke of the Lord Jesus. It is because the Lord enables us to choose to do so. Nevertheless, we still have to ask the Lord to do it. Once we take the yoke of the Lord Jesus upon us, we become holy. I have noticed people are drawn to Holiness because it is attractive. Because Holiness is beautiful, I am asking the Lord to enhance my beauty with His Holiness.

I desire to become holy and to live according to God's Word. In taking the Lord's yoke upon my life, I am also inviting the Holy Spirit to come and abide in me. I desire to live right before God each day.

Prayer

Father God, before the foundation of the world, you choose me. I desire to take Your yoke upon me today. Lord, I want to be holy and without blame before You in love. Please create in me a pure heart, for I desire to see You, Lord. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Change your attitude.

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

May 21

Change your attitude.

1 Chronicle 4:10 (AMP)

10 "Jabez cried to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request."

  If Jabez didn't believe that God could change his circumstances, he might never have even asked for God to intervene on his behalf. Jabez's attitude was all things are possible with God, and Jabez believed that. By taking stock of where you are in your relationships, in your job, anywhere you find yourself right now, you need to decide whether your attitude is amicable, are you in the right mindset to receive what God has in store for you?

You have to leave that toxic relationship behind move forward; leave a deadbeat job and look for something worthwhile. You need your attitude to change to get you in the right frame of mind.

Prayer

Lord, when I read how You changed matters around for Jabez, it is my desire and wishes that I too may start that business that will increase and enlarge and help me move forward. My attitude is in Your hands, Lord Jesus, I need your help. Amen!

Mustard Seed

by Yvette van Niekerk 

May 20

Mustard Seed.

Luke 17:6 (AMP)

6 "And the Lord answered If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you."

  Walking by faith isn't always easy; we want to know what tomorrow brings. But I do believe we all have an amount of trust we carry around in our hearts.

Faith believes in something we cannot see. The funny thing is we think we will receive our salary at the end of each month. Going to work each day, we believe we are going to come home tonight.

The Lord Jesus was speaking to His disciples, and He said to them if they had faith like a mustard seed, they would say to "the mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you." Our faith carries us through each day. We are hoping for things in our lives, and it is through our belief that we receive them.

Prayer

Humbly, Lord, I want to pray that you will bless us who fear You, who walks in Your ways. Lord, Your blessings make one productive. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, create the work of our hands. All glory and honour to You, in Jesus's name, Amen.

Be Strong

 by Yvette van Niekerk

May 19

Be Strong.

Joshua 1:9 (AMP)

9 "Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

  This command is from the Lord, our God. "Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous." You know growing older we lose our strength, I find that there are many things that I used to do that I cannot do anymore.

I also see that I don't have the same vigour I used to have; it seems as the day progresses. I lose my energy. I realize that I need the courage to face each situation in my life. I need the strength to overcome obstacles in my life. Yes, I would love to do what I did in my everyday life, I cannot, and it's become too hard. I take courage in the fact that the Lord my God is with me and that I can call on Him ~ He is with me wherever I go. Augustine wrote, "When God is our strength, it is strength indeed; when our strength is our own, it is only weakness."

Well, change is inevitable, and I will not be afraid, neither will I be dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go. Hallelujah.

Prayer

Abba Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I want to pray that You will help me to stay healthy, vigorous, and very courageous. I want to have the assurance that was every I go You Lord is with me. Amen.

Open Space

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

May 18

Open Space.

Genesis 26:22 (AMP)

22 "And he moved away from there and dug another well, and for that one, they did not quarrel. He named it Rehoboth [room], saying, For now, the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."

  For us to enjoy our lives, it is essential to have "room" to move around. We need space to feel comfortable and at ease. Being "boxed in" isn't something the Lord our God wants for us. He wants us to enjoy the freedom of the space around us so that we can grow and prosper.

The Lord creates "wide open space" for each one of us so that we can improve and thrive. Praise and Honour and Worship to the LORD our God, we thank You, Jesus, for giving us the "room" to move in. Even when our faith is as little as a mustard seed lets, grow in this open space. Matthew 17 verse 20 says: "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." We serve a merciful God, giving us space and room to move in, with our faith at hand.

Prayer

Lord thank you for our "Rehoboth" in our lives, as people, we need to have open space and because You have given us this space, please help us in being fruitful in our endeavours, bless our hands and work in Jesus Name. Amen!

Our Inheritance

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

May 17

Our Inheritance.

Psalm 47:4 (AMP)

4 "He chose our inheritance for us, the glory and pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!"

  We all want to leave an inheritance for our children and our grandchildren. I do not feel that I have anything my children want to inherit. The Lord, our God, says that He has chosen our "inheritance for us." We have something glorious and something that we may be proud of, a promised land waiting for us.

God wants the very best for each one of us. God says that those "who love Him" will He bless with an inheritance. Something I can look forward to, and you as well. His love endures forever.

Prayer

Thank You, Father God, for the blessings You have in store for me. Lord, I don't always know what is right for me, but I do know that You can bless each one of us. Please help me to be aware and ready to accept each new blessing into my own life. In the name of Jesus ~ Amen.