"why should I be afraid?"

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 29 

"Why should I be afraid?" 

Psalm 27: 1 (TLB) 

1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger—whom shall I fear?"

As I sit here, it struck me that I will not allow fear to drive me today; why should I be afraid? Yes? I cannot control my life, but I do know someone in control over my life and who is there for me. I believe the Lord is my light and my salvation; I have a fortress to run to for protection. Balancing work and family can be difficult, and when your managers tell you that tonight you have to work extra time, fear grips your heart. Your spouse is so jealous and cannot understand that you are working. You may also have debt that has gone out of control, and the phone doesn't stop ringing ~ debtors calling every fourth night asking for payment. I want to encourage you to sit down and speak to the Lord about your problems, He is your protector, and He will be there for you. 

Prayer 

Lord, as we face today, please will you remind us that we are not stumbling around in the dark but that You are our light. We come to You in our hour of need, and You are our fortress and our protector. Please, help us face today in Jesus Holy Name, Amen. 

"a still small voice."

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 28

 "A still small voice." 

1 Kings 19:11-12 (KJV)

11 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

Facing difficult times and most definitely under great stress, Elijah was standing before the Lord God Almighty. Elijah was instructed to go out and stand before the Lord God Almighty on the mountain. Then the Lord passed by, which caused a mighty windstorm to hit the mountain, such a terrible blast that rocks came loose, but the Lord wasn't in the wind. Then there was an earthquake, but the Lord wasn't in the earthquake. After that, there was a fire, but the Lord wasn't in the fire. And after that, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. Awesome, Elijah covered his face and then spoke to the Lord God Almighty. God speaks to each one of us in a gentle whisper. You may be facing insurmountable problems and it looks like the situations are getting out of hand. Take a breath, sit down, and become attentive and listen to the "a small still voice." God will guide you and lead you.  

Prayer Lord God Almighty, many times we expect to hear from you in the windstorms, rock blasts and earthquakes not thinking that You speak to us with a gentle whisper. As we stop, relax and pay attention to Your voice, please guide us and lead us in Jesus Name. Amen 

"Open your mouth wide."

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 27

“Open your mouth wide.” 

Psalm 81: 10 (NLT) 

10 “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.” 

I am reminded of my children when they were still toddlers, and I had to feed them. I would sit next to them at the table and ask them: “baby, open your mouth wide.” You are scooping food into their open mouths. I imagine God is also speaking to you and me today. “Open your mouth wide” receive the good things God has in store for you today. Receive abundance in faith, peace love, and kindness, compassion and understanding, self-control and money, food and friendships. Whatever your needs are, speak to the Lord, meditate on today thoughts. God is able to address each and every need you have. God is inspiring you to “open your mouth wide” so that you are able to receive His good things.  

Prayer 

Lord, O Lord, thank you for this visual of my children where they “open their mouths wide” to receive the good food I prepared for them. I too sit here, and I open my mouth wide to receive the good things You have for me today. Thank You; Lord, in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen 

#coffeecup #mondayblessings

Hi I'm Yvette

Today, I'm enjoying my coffee out of my special cup with the scripture of Romans 12: 12 "Be joyful in hope." I believe God created me with a spirit, soul and body - what I did not realise is that only one of the three components can be in charge of my life.

My soul is currently in charge of my life, I am constantly in a ranging war with my will and feelings and not forgetting all my emotions. I am pessimistic most of the time, it's hard for me to speak positively to people. I seem to lack the power to engage in a positive conversation.

I believe God is patient with me and, I believe my problem begins stubbornly. 

My focus and meditation today; is Romans 10, verses 17 says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." 

For the last couple of years, I have allowed my soul to rule me. Instead of trusting God and His Word, to renew my mind. I know I am a born again Christian. I see God's hand in my life, it seems I am living in God's permissive will for my life. I want to become alive on the inside and have the spirit of God helping me face my problems with my overbearing soul.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, God, today I am asking You to give me the power and will to want to do good. Allowing my spirit to be in charge of my life. Help me as I place a guard over my mouth right now. Let me meditate on Your Word and please remove the veil from my eyes so that my spirit my see clearly. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

A heart of Holiness

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 26 

A heart of Holiness.

John 3:30 (TLB) 

30 "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."

Meditating on God's Word is part of our Christian duty. We need to build our relationship with God, and it needs to take place each day. Find somewhere quiet and wait on the Lord.

Did you know that Holiness has a heart? Well, think about it, yes, it's inside you, your heart. 

To allow the Lord, Jesus, to become greater and greater within our own lives, we need to realize that we have to become less and less, making space for the Lord Jesus. It sounds so easy, but it doesn't happen overnight. As you think about the Lord today, may you be encouraged to give the Lord Jesus more and more of the old you so that His character can become evident in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to revive you before the Lord. Showing you any iniquities you need to confess so that you can draw near to God. 

Prayer

Lord, may You become greater and greater within our hearts, and help us to become less and less. Give us the necessary wisdom and insight for today, in Jesus Name. Amen 

The power with God and Favor with men.

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 24 

The Power with God and Favour with Men.

Genesis 32: 28 (NKJV)  

28 "And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." 

Today I want to encourage you and tell you that Jacob was wrestling God and when the "man saw he could not overpower Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man." Thinking about this made me realize because Jacob persevered and would not give up he received a blessing he wanted from God. He also asked what your name is. The person didn't say but gave Jacob a new name Israel and also blessed him with the above blessing. Finding favour with God and with man is important to us, we cannot go through life without God's supernatural favour. I want to encourage you today to look for God. Making time to draw near to God and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what it is you should be asking for. I want God's blessings in my life, and I want to stay healthy, be financially blessed so that I can bless others, and I want to serve the Lord God with all my heart and soul.  

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, as I preserve each day and draw near to You, Lord I pray for Your supernatural favour in my life with You Lord as well as with man, in Jesus Holy Name. Amen 

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.