Birth of a Nation

by Yvette van Niekerk 

July 4

Birth of a Nation.

Genesis 25:23 (KJV)

23 "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manners of people shall be severed from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger."

  In the year 1776, the United States of America declared itself as a New Nation. Today as you celebrate the fact that you are free, that you have the freedom to religion, that you can go and do as you please, remember to thank the Lord God. All people in the world are always watching to see what the USA is going to do, today be healthy, be in charge and be blessed. 

Thank the Lord God, for the liberty of freedom. You have the privilege to experience all the good things in your lives.

Food for thought, First Peter 5 verse 8 says, "Be well balanced, be vigilant and cautious at all times."

Prayer

Gratefully, Father God, we humble ourselves before You, asking that You Lord will show us our actions of bad seeds so that we may correct them in time. The consequence of our selfish ways dealt with in Jesus Name. Amen!

 

Prejudice

by Yvette van Niekerk 

July 3 

Prejudice.

Acts 10: 34 (AMP)

34 "And Peter opened his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly, I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons."

  Thinking about what Peter said, I want to put it to you this way. The word prejudice means that there is no "preconceived opinion that isn't on reason or experience." You and I are individuals, and God is not a respecter of persons, He knows us and doesn't act prejudicially. The Lord Jesus was a man, and He didn't have a set of friends for dining together or chatting to a specific group of people. No, the Lord Jesus was friends with everyone, the rich and the poor, the Israelites and Gentiles.

He is accused of dining with sinners as far as the Pharisees were concerned. The Lord Jesus considered us as people. There comes a time in our lives that we should stop viewing people through a different kind of "looking glass." This "looking glass" called prejudice should stop, and we should remember that God wasn't a respecter of persons, and we should act in the same way.

Prayer

Father God, according to Your Word, says that whatever things I ask when I pray, believe that I receive them. Please help me to stop being prejudiced. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen.

Prayer for true Love

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

July 2

Prayer for True Love.

Ephesians 3:19-21 (AMP)

19 "[That you may come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! 20Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— 21To Him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)."

Prayer

Prayer for understanding, the love of Christ which will surpass our knowledge, that we may be with the fullness of God. That is our ultimate aim in this world, and to receive this wisdom is what we desire. As Christians, we know that the Holy Spirit within us will bring us into the Presence of the Father. Holy Spirit helps us to come to the knowledge that through Jesus, we can have a purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we ask or think. We bring You the glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen

#thursday #teapot

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

#thursday #teapot

I feel so grateful today, I am, enjoying my tea in this beautiful little Kitty Teapot with the pink cup. My husband bought this for me, and I love the little kittens.

My tea tastes so much better in this little pot with a matching cup. Is there something you feel especially; grateful for today?  I am grateful for the spoiling in my life, thank you, my darling husband.

We live each day to the fullest and forget about all our treasures, constantly buying new things, not appreciating what we already have.

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!