God has not given us a spirit of fear.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 17

God has not given us a spirit of fear.

2 Timothy 1: 7 (NLV)

7 "For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and love and a good mind."

  The number one problem people face today is anxiety or fear, which turns into depression. I know it's easier said than done, and I have heard people saying, "face your fears." Jocey Meyers noted that "she stands up and is scared inside," she still faces her fears. It's almost a bittersweet taste in my mouth when I feel afraid.

My hands become clammy, and I think my heart rate pick up. Now I am facing my fear, but I have been praying silently, asking the Lord to please, help me meet this problem.

God is faithful and will help in any situation; His Spirit of Power is with you. We all experience difficult times, and because we do not understand or know the outcome, we sometimes give into fear. May the Lord God touch your life and lift the spirit of anxiety off of you.

Prayer

Dear Father God, please will you teach each one of us that we do not have to fear because You have given us a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. We are your children, and we can call on you in our hour of need. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

The fear of the Lord, is the beginning of Wisdom.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 16

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.

Proverbs 9: 10 (NLV)

10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. To learn about the Holy One is understanding."

  What does the word Wisdom mean? It is "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The quality of being wise." As a Christian, my heart desires to have Wisdom in my own life. My life experiences have been very different from your own. I must build my relationship with God; I fear Him and want to honour Him with all my heart.

The only way I feel I could grow spiritually is to study the Word of God (Bible) and learn as much as possible. I don't assume I know it all, and I believe there is too much to learn. We live in a dark and gloomy world; people are self-centred and don't care. The only way we can change this is by telling people about the Lord Jesus. The light Jesus brings into our lives. I have many Bibles, and I love every one of them. Today, be encouraged and learn a scripture that means something special to you. Let the light of the Lord Jesus, fill your minds, soul and heart today.

Prayer

Humbly, Father God, I want to pray that You will touch my heart and mind, renew my soul. I want to pray for wisdom and insight for today. Guide me and show me the way forward. I am longing for the Wisdom I need to get me through today. Help me, Lord, in Jesus Name. Amen.

The Armor of God

 by Yvette van Niekerk

The Armor of God

It struck me that all the devotions I have been studying have been on the Armor of God. In my country, South Africa, we are facing corruption, riots and unrest. The battle is fierce, and people fear for their lives.

God isn't blind, and I feel sure that His will, will be done.

Isaiah 54: 17 "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."

In your quiet time with the Lord, please pray for our country, South Africa. We need the hand of God to help us settle matters.

Isaiah 59: 17 "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garment of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke."

Life is a challenge especially in these times we all are facing, Covid 19, unrest in our country and corruption. We need all the help we can get through prayer and fasting.

Prayer

Dear Father, we bring our country before You, please help us in our time of despair. In the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen

You belong to Christ

by Yvette van Niekerk

 

July 15

You belong to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11: 2 (NLV)

2 "I am jealous of you with God-like jealousy. I have given you, as a woman who has never had a man, to one Husband, Who is Christ."

  I remember walking into the bridal shop and looking at all the beautiful wedding gowns. I stretched out my hands and touched a couple of silk and lace dresses. They shined, and some even had feather trimming. The dazzle of the beautiful dresses mesmerized me, and I loved each dress I saw. The wedding plans were well on their way, and I had just turned 18.

I thought the dress I decided on was simply a beautiful, lace bodice and silk skirt with exquisite lace long sleeves. I believe we are in preparations for our wedding day with the Lord Jesus. I think we the church are awaiting the Lord's arrival and we are looking forward to His long-awaited return.

Each day we are renewing our minds, becoming more like the Lord Jesus and getting ready for His return as His bride. We are now learning to focus all our attention on becoming more like Jesus. Studying His Word and trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord while we wait for the return of the Lord Jesus, we humbly pray for guidance. Lord, we know that You are a jealous God, and we want to surrender our lives into Your hands. Please give us the strength and wisdom to carry on each day, drawing closer to You in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Baptised

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 13

Baptised.

Matthew 3: 17 (NLV)

17 "A voice was heard from heaven. It said "This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him."

  The Lord Jesus; walked over to the Jordan River and asked John to baptise Him. Jesus Christ does not have any sin. So, when He walked into the water, He accepted our sins over His body. Then John placed the Lord Jesus' head under the water, and as the Lord's head come out of the water, the heavens above opened over the Lord Jesus.

A voice suddenly said "This is My Much-loved Son. I am thrilled with Him." Coming down from heaven was the Holy Spirit, who looked like a dove. Jesus is in the Fullness of God to fulfil His purpose on earth, as God planned. We obey the Lord when we confess our sins, baptised in Jesus Name.

Prayer

Abba Father, thank You, Lord, that You have sent Your beloved Son to come to this earth for someone like me. Thank You that we may enter Your presence through the blood of Jesus. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who lives within each one of us. In the Holy Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Finding God

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 12

Finding God.

Acts 17: 27(NIV)

27 "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out and for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."

  As I sit here, I realize that I have been one of those people constantly worried that God is too far to hear me. I would sit down and write Him letters and wait for Him to answer me. The fact of the matter is God is right here with me. God wants us to realize that He is ever-present even when we don't always feel His presence. 

Jesus wants us to know that look for Him; we will find Him. We don't have to travel to faraway places He is in our midst. We are reminded not to lose heart but to look for God and when we reach out for Him and find Him.

God is near to each one of us. So today, it is possible to remind you that God is near, and it isn't an impossible mission to find God reach out and touch Him.

Prayer

Father God let us not lose heart in the fact that we cannot see You give us the necessary faith and wisdom to know that Your Word is real and we can reach out and find You. Bless each one of us today in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Test yourselves

by Yvette van Niekerk

July 11

Test yourselves.

2 Corinthians 13: 5 (NIV)

5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?"

  Students are more acquainted with is exams in schools. They go to school and university, and every three months they are tested. Now, the results will be sent home to parents to view and see how their children are progressing in school. Think of this as adults we too are tested. The only difference is our attitude towards each other and life.

Are you continually arguing, fighting being discontent and self-righteous? Stop for a moment; think about your attitude towards life in general. Are you frequently speaking to people and it's all about "Me, me and me" what happened to your Christian image? We should stop and take a look at ourselves, testing our attitudes and our intentions.

If you aren't sure whether you will pass this test in life, I believe you should pray about your situation. To pass this test in life, we need to make sure we are in right standing with the Lord Jesus.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, as I examine my own heart and life, I want to pray Lord, please reveal to me what my shortcomings are and help me to "be the change I want to see" in my life and my family. With Your guidance, I know we will make it in Jesus Holy name. Amen.

A very tall cake.

 A very tall cake

by Yvette van Niekerk

My customer asked me to bake them a very tall cake, it should have six layers, and they wanted it with a pink chocolate drip, with gold numbering and sweets to top it off.

I had to bake, three layers of vanilla cake, and three layers of chocolate cake. To my surprise, I used 1.5 kg of white butter and 3 kg of icing sugar.

I now understand that this cake does not want to be rushed. It needs to stand and then you can proceed to ice the cake. The challenge I faced with the icing was it kept on making little wholes in the surface of the cake. I still am not sure how I can rectify this but I think with practice I might be able to make the cake super slick.

So here is the end product. Do you you have any suggestions as to how I may improve on my skills?

Thank you

Living for God!

by Yvette van Niekerk 

July 10

Living for God!

1 Peter 4: 1 (NIV)

1 "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin."

  This morning you feel ready to face the world, as you get the family prepared for Church you have expectancy, you are waiting for something exciting to happen. You know in your heart of heart we serve a Living God. There is no doubt in your mind today is going to be an awesome day. Walking into the Church, you see old friends, and you sit down and say humbly thank you, Lord, for another serve.

You listen to the Pastor, and his words are the same you read this morning "arm yourselves also with the same attitude because he who has suffered in his body; is done with sin." You don't know what the outcome will be during the next couple of months; the only real thing you do know is the Lord Jesus.

As you sit, listening to the message, you feel revived and refreshed. Nothing in the world can change your point of view. God has a plan, and He lives.

Prayer

Lord, I know You have something great in store for me, I await your guidance and take heart in knowing You are a living God, and I can trust in You. In the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Our God is patient.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 9

Our God is patient.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

  Praying for your loved ones is essential, and we do that daily. You read this scripture "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness." As you sit staring at the scripture, you pray, softly "O Lord, O Lord, please come to my rescue." meditating on the Words, you start to realize nothing has happened just yet they are still in the process of "downsizing."

You take out your journal. You are writing down your thoughts and prayers concerning the situation at the office. You seem to feel a little relieved, and you aren't lost. If God moves you from there, He will certainly open a new door.

Prayer

I praise You, Lord God. I get it your word reminds me: "He is patient with me," Thank You, Lord, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." I repent of my sins, Lord and take hold of Your Word. I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over my life and my position, Your will be done. Amen!

Are you #carefree?

 by Yvette van Niekerk

https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/freedom-relaxation-travel-outdoor-enjoying-nature_1211688.htm#page=1&query=carefree&position=28

July 8

Are you carefree?

1 Peter 5: 7 (NIV)

7 “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” Rumour has it the company is going to “downsize” a little; they want to get rid of some “deadwood.” As you walk to your desk and switch on your computer, you see an email from Human Resources. Appoint has been forwarded to you to come and see them.

  You feel your heart skip a beat, the first thing jumping into your mind is “I can’t afford to lose my job.” The meeting was to see if there are any other possible positions you can occupy as your area has become “redundant.” 

Feeling sick to the core, you leave the office and get home, your family so happy to see you. They have no idea what your “anxieties” are. You pretend to be happy and cheerful, but you feel so frightened and worried. Instead of sitting down and praying about your situation, you sit and worry about it, and you are starting to make plans because how will you provide for your family? How? The Lord invites us to take every care of Him.

Prayer

O Lord, we thank you for yet another opportunity in coming to You in humble prayer. You know the lives we lead and understand our desperate fate. As we cast our anxieties onto You today, please help us in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.