by Yvette van Niekerk

July 7

Are you passionate?

Isaiah 50: 7 (AMP)

7 "For the Lord God helps Me; therefore, have I not been ashamed or confounded. Therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame."

  Do you have a passion for something in your own life? That one thing that you want perfect, you know a cake you are baking, and the royal icing has to be just perfect. My passion right now is to write my daily devotion, and it is my dream to see my book published.

I write as often as possible, and I pray the Lord will give me the wisdom and insight I need to speak openly and honest to you. In the position, I work right now, and I pray every day that my work will be useful, if not excellent. I continuously say thank you, Lord, for the help I receive when I need to find a file – which had stored. The stress of not finding a file on request turns my stomach, and I want to die. Then the Lord opens my eyes, and I find the information I need.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for hearing our prayers and for helping us in what we do, I have never been ashamed or confounded. Lord, I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. In Jesus Name, Amen!

 

I cannot do it alone.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 6

I cannot do it alone.

Numbers 11: 14 (AMP)

14 "I am not able to carry all these people alone because the burden is too heavy for me. "

  No man is an island." We cannot always go it alone, and there are times in our lives that we need people to help us. As I grow older, I have come to a point in my life where I believe I need help. In the "old days," I would be able to do so many things all at once.

These days I cannot do as much as I used to. When it comes to business, I think the same principle will apply. To make a success of your business, you would have to have people joining you and working alongside you. My friend owns her clinic, and I know without a doubt that she would not be able to run a successful business if it was for her family and friends helping her. The way forward is always better when you have God as your partner, and you have friends and family helping you too.

Prayer

Lord God, You knows we are planning to open our own company. Please, will You give us the necessary wisdom, insight, and understanding to act accordingly and invite the right people to join in our business? Helping us to get established and to draw the market we need to make it a great success. Strengthen us and help us in Jesus name, Amen!

 

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 5

Which way, Lord?

Psalm 25: 4 (AMP)

4 "Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths."

  Living the gospel, of course, isn't merely a matter of the intellect. It's difficult for the secular person to understand how we connect with an invisible God. Or even asking God for guidance, it seems illogical. For an intelligent person who thinks for themselves, it wouldn't make sense at all. The Holy Spirit makes it possible for Christians to believe that He is guiding them. It's that I know, that I know, that I know, sort of feeling. For example, you are driving to another town, and you aren't familiar with the place. I believe you probably would type the address into the maps on your cellular phone and let the GPS guide you.

It's the same when you ask the Lord, and you will get on your knees and pray about a situation and ask for directions. I believe God sees all because He is above all. Jeremiah 33, verses 3 confirms "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Prayer

Father God, according to Your Word, "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom and his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." Thank You, Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.

 

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!