Joy supplied by the Holy Spirit

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 23 

Joy supplied by the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1: 6 (AMP)  

6 "You became imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord after you welcomed our message in [a time of] great trouble with the joy supplied by the Holy Spirit."

Becoming imitators of God sounds real easy; just read the Bible and practice what the Apostle Paul suggests. Think about it. Your son or daughter is always watching you. Whatever you are doing, they imitate your actions. Please feel encouraged today to read your Bible, taking note of some characteristics of the Apostle Paul. It's difficult to adopt someone else's thoughts and practices, but we need only call on the Holy Spirit. As you grow spiritually, the Holy Spirit will help you, and you will be filled with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.  

Prayer 

Father God, as we learn to become imitators of You, please send us the Holy Spirit to act and behave joyfully. We need Your guidance, please, Lord. In Jesus Holy Name. Amen

Here is a key to your life.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 22 

Here is a key to your life.

Deuteronomy 30: 20 (AMP)  

20 "By loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfilment] and length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord promised (share) to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." 

Many motivational speakers are continually reminding us to use this "key" and that "key" for this and that problem. Today here is something you know, and perhaps you have forgotten all about it; here is a critical point that you can write down and meditate on Deuteronomy reminds us "by loving the Lord our God, by obeying His voice, and holding close to Him;" in other words, by loving the Lord our God and staying obedient to His voice and keeping the Lord, we will be blessed. Blessings for obedience are something you and I know, the key to abundant life and the fulfilment of what the Lord has in store for us.  

Prayer Abba Father, humbly Lord, we come into Your presence today asking for Your blessings of abundant life and fulfilment of our purpose. Lord, we want to stay obedient to Your Word and You. Give us wisdom and understanding in Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

#don'tgiveup

 by Yvette van Niekerk

Don't give up!

Why is it when someone can't get their way, they give up? I believe I am someone that cannot give up. I push until I get the results I want. In pushing, I threaten and make you know I am unhappy until I see the results or something showing you are trying. Is there something wrong with me? Why can't I just let it go?

I am so determined to get things done and feel let down when people disappoint my expectations. Do you think I am setting myself up every time for a fall? I can't quit.

Facing tough times is never easy for me. I feel I'm either being stretched or in the fire.

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 The Message 

13-15 We’re not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, “I believed it, so I said it,” we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!

16-18 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

So many people remind me that "God is more interested in what you're becoming than what's happening to you."

Lord, God, I'll serve You even when life stinks.

Prayer

Lord, please help me not to get tired of doing what is good. I believe that at just the right time I will reap a harvest of blessings if I just don't give up. Help me please Father God. in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

God made the decision.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 21

God made the decision.

1 Corinthians 1: 27 (AMP)

27 "But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]."

  Before I became a Christian, I found reading the Bible to be something challenging, and the stories seemed to be drawn out and just too long. I didn't understand the different stories, and it seemed pointless many a time. Then one day, I came to know the Lord, my relationship with the Lord changed, I wanted to learn more of God, and I wanted to draw near to God. The Bible came to life, and every time I needed some encouragement.

I thank God for His purpose in my life in revealing to me the Word of God. I have never thought of myself as being smart and wise. I cannot do much, and I focus on God. I strive to become more and more like Jesus, and I want to keep my relationship with the Lord.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for allowing me to become Your child, thank You for the Holy Spirit that lives within me who teaches me, guides me and reveals to me the meaning of Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.

#tuesday #teapot #funday

 by Yvette van Niekerk

My Teapot today, #Tuesday #teapot

Good day it is a cold Tuesday here in Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa. One of Margaret Roberts teapot sets which my daughter bought a long time ago. I do treasure each set as I love these teapots. 

Something that is lying heavily on my mind today is being tenacious. I have become very irritated by some peoples negligence and no care attitude that I have to check myself. So in reading 1 Corinthians 15 verses, 58 we see: "Stand firm. Let nothing move you ... your labour... is not in vain." 

So how do I persevere? Giving up isn't an option. I must persevere. So my goal today is to stretch myself forward and not look at the present predicament I find myself in. I won't rely on luck, fate or destiny for my success. 

So help me please God to draw on Your Grace today and let me stay strong, refusing to give up. I want to get to the finish line.

Are you pulling sinners out of the fire?

 by Yvette van Niekerk

http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/8977

July 20

Are you pulling sinners out of the fire?

Proverbs 11: 30 (AMP)

30 "The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life and him who is wise captures and wins souls [for God – he gathers them for eternity]."

  Make this part of your daily walk, confess, and speak to people daily about the Lord Jesus. Tell them what the Lord Jesus has done for you. Don't let them go to hell because you feel it is silly. The Lord Jesus saved your life; it's your chance to tell other people about Him and spread the good news.

Think about it if you don't tell them what awaits them if they don't accept the Lord Jesus, you will end up with regrets in your own life. If you feel that you are not equipped and cannot speak freely to people about the Lord Jesus, I suggest starting praying about the matter. See how the Lord will create and open opportunities for you. You only need to take that first step; the rest will follow.

Prayer

Please Lord, please give me the wisdom and understand to share the You Lord Jesus with my fellow man. Help me Holy Spirit and guide me in Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

The Will of God lives forever.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 19

The will of God lives forever.

1 John 2: 17 (AMP)

17 "The world is passing away, and with it; its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever."

  A million-dollar question, how much time do you spend with God? Do you have a personal relationship with God? Are you doing the will of God? These are tough questions and thinking about it. I wonder how many can honestly answer them. As I grow older, I realize that everything that seemed to be of high importance has lost it glamour and shine.

I have also realized that when you lust after things, it fills your life, but you are never happy. One thing you need to remember is that by asking God into your life, things change. You view life from a different perspective.

The constant craving and long to do God's will should be a testimony to each of us. By doing God's, will we carry out His purpose for our lives forever?

Prayer

Lord, hear my heart, I crave and long to do Your Will, help me to carry it out so that Your purpose can be seen in my life forever. In Jesus Name, Amen.

I have loved you with an everlasting love.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 18

I have loved you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31: 3 (NLV)

3 "The Lord came to us from far away, saying "I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to Me with loving-kindness."

  When your heart is racing, and your hands become clammy the minute you see that special guy or girl. Do you think it's love? I am not sure we understand love. Reading the passage above, I would like to follow this kind of love. "I have loved you with a love that lasts forever."

The Lord said that He has "loved you with a love that lasts forever." I don't know about you, but no one I know; knows how to love like God. We are so honoured and blessed to have a message so clearly stating the Love that God has for us. My heart desires to encourage you today, take heart darling. The Lord said: "I have loved you with a love that lasts forever" and added to the message "So I have helped you come to me with loving-kindness."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please accept my humble cry, I need Your love today in my own life. Help me to come to You with loving-kindness and take the love You offer for a lifetime. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

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