Gods Mercy

by Yvette van Niekerk

August 9 “God’s Mercy!” 1 Timothy 1: 15 – 16 (NLT) 15-16 “This is a trustworthy saying and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners.” I became a Christian in my late twenties. Those days I believe I was a Christian, I attended church services, and I even read my Bible, and I prayed every day. I was according to myself a good person with high morals and values. Now many years down the line, age and life happen to each one of us, and I have come to realize that it is by God’s mercy that I am still a Christian. God’s patience with each one of us on our own life journey is extraordinary. I don’t know how many times I have fallen just to get up and start all over again; God’s hand still holding mine. Wherever you are in your journey with the Lord, I pray that He will never leave your hand and know that His mercy is there for you too. Prayer Abba Father, O Lord, thank You for the knowledge that You are in control of our lives, but most of all, thank You for Your Mercy! New every day! We need You holding our hands because we can’t make it on our own. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.

There is a time to be quiet.

by Yvette van Niekerk

August 7 There is a time to be quiet. Ecclesiastes 3: 7 (NLT) 7 "A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. So, here's the thing, some people love the sound of their voices, and the more excited they get, the louder they speak." Sometimes they forget that they are in conversation with you and will carry on, almost forgetting to take a breath. We are reminded that there are seasons in our lives for everything. We also learn that there is "a time to be quiet and a time to speak." The best is we forget about the "time to be quiet" and jump right in and talk our heads off. Something we could learn from the Lord Jesus, standing before Pilate who was questioning the Lord, He kept quiet. Listing to all the accusations and not trying to defend His position. Do we have the same strength and tenacity to watch our mouths, keep quiet, and listen? Let's hope you don't suffer from something my children refer to as "verbal diarrhoea." Know when to speak and when not to. Be encouraged today we all go through these times. Prayer Our heavenly Father, Lord, we can babble at times and many times we lose our perspective on life. Teach us today to keep quiet and start listening. Helps us stay focused and learn the importance of being a good listener in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen. https://youtu.be/6Lypu1vlcrg url.cafe/1277_es

What are the causes for a Christain to backslide?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Romans 11: 33 "Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to undertand his deceisions and his ways!" I believe that when a Christian starts to backslide it's because of a lack of passion for the Word of God. This person tends to neglect to spend time with God and, practices of faith such as prayer and worshipping God. We start overlooking the simplest aspect of our faith with results in us becoming shallow souls. Ephesians 3: 8 "Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ." Becoming self-centred and not thinking and meditating on the Word of God, is when our souls start to shrink. Compromising, trying to fit into the standards of the world, this is one of the most difficult positions I have found myself in, my soul felt so conflicted. Another aspect of backsliding is when I started to focus on my natural talents and focusing on my abilities alone. I Believed that I am self-sufficient and not trusting in the Lord Jesus. Because of Covid-19 we all face the problem of becoming disconnected from our community and relationships. Making us so selfish (https://youtu.be/6Lypu1vlcrg) I have noticed that the current generation have become very dishonoring, there seems to be me only attitude. Overlooking the work that needs to be done, this is the unsupported person. You know that you have backslide to the extent that you cannot be around other ethnic people, then you isolate yourself from them. I feel this is a hard take when you look at your life and come to realise where you find yourself. I know its not easy going forward but Im happy to stop, take a deep breath and start over. The key to changing my perspective in life is to change the direction my life is going in. I realise that I am a sinful person and that I need to repent of my wilfulness. The truth of the matter is that I didnt stay at the Lords feet and that is why I find myself in this position. I humbly pray Lord Jesus, please forgive me, I am but a woman with avery stubborn streek. Forgive me, Lord I have sinned against You my God. Amen.

Are you free to Worship God?

by Yvette van Niekerk

August 6 https://facebook.com/events/s/14-ways-to-improve-you-cx/220245839994547/ Are you free to Worship God? Revelations 5: 12 (NLT) 12 "And they sang in a mighty chorus: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered – to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing." I can only imagine how awesome it will be when each person all over the world is standing before the Lamb's throne worshipping and praising His name. Every person will be singing mightily and with such passion. I listen to all kinds of music, and I love singing along, my children also listen to various kinds of music and many times I will shout "please put that noise softer." I don't particularly like that song or music and request the music is turned down. Are you free to worship the Lord? There where you are, are you able to just start worshipping the Lord? Think about it, and it would be so pleasing and wonderful to the Lord as He hears our spontaneous songs of worship. Do it now, with all of your heart and soul. Hallelujah praises the Holy Lord God Almighty! Prayer Heavenly Father we spontaneously worship You today, we love and adore You bringing praises to Your Holy Name. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Lord God Almighty, we love and adore You. Holy, Holy, Holy are You, in the name of Jesus. Amen https://youtu.be/6Lypu1vlcrg

"All your heart and soul."

by Yvette van Niekerk

August 5 https://facebook.com/events/s/14-ways-to-improve-you-cx/220245839994547/ "All your heart and soul." 1 Chronicle 22: 19 (NLT) 19 "Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord's Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honour the Lord's name." I believe part of our Christian journey is to seek the Lord our God with all our hearts and soul. For us to grow spiritually, it is so important, and when we earnestly seek the Lord, we grow spiritually. Don't get discouraged when you don't find answerers immediately. It must be your heart's desire to find the right answers and the desire to draw near to the Lord God. In our seeking of the Lord, we draw closer to Him, and it helps us build our relationship with Him. By giving the Lord our God priority in our lives and putting Him first is a closer walk with Him. We can bring Him honour and worship at His feet when we find the right answers. Prayer Father, we humbly come to You seeking You with our whole heart and soul. We desire to be drawn closer to You so that we may find the right answers to our prayers; building our relationship with You Abba Father, in the Name of Jesus. Amen

"If you remain in me."

by Yvette van Niekerk

https://facebook.com/events/s/14-ways-to-improve-you-cx/220245839994547/ August 4 "If you remain in me." John 15: 7 (NLT) 7 "But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" The secret to a successful life is remaining in the Lord. The Holy Spirit already resides within us. We are children of the Living God, and His light shines through us. When the Lord said, "if we remain in Him and His words remain in us, we may ask for anything we want, and it will be granted!" In praying this Word and promise for our lives, we can trust in the Living God. His Word never returns to Him void. We are physical beings with a spiritual being living within us. We all have desires and wants that we feel we need. We need to know the Word, and on this basis, we can pray for what we need. There was a time in my life that I wanted material things, I would pray about them, and I would receive them. God is faithful, and He does answer our prayers even when we want physical things. Prayer Father God, thank You, for answered prayers. Thank You for hearing us when we need Your help. Thank You for the Word You have given us today. May we never forget Your lovingkindness and Your mercy. We praise You, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Open up!

 August 2

https://facebook.com/events/s/14-ways-to-improve-you-cx/220245839994547/

Unfailing Love!

Psalm 57:10 (AMP) 

10 "For Your faithfulness and lovingkindness are great, reaching to the heavens, And Your truth to the clouds."

People write songs about love, they write stories about love, and they make movies about love. Why is love so important? We are created to love, God created people in His image, and God is love. As I study the word of God, it is clear to me that we are not able to get on with our lives if we don't have love. God reminds us through the Psalms of David that His unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Standing on earth looking up to heaven, I must say it's a long way to go, it feels like it's impossible to reach the sky. God reminds us that His faithfulness reaches the clouds. We want people in our lives that love us, and we want faithful people, we have been put together in such a way that it makes good sense to want such things. Be encouraged and know that God loves you that His faithfulness reaches to the clouds. You are precious in His sight. 

Prayer O Lord God, thank You for the Psalmist David who reminds us of Your unfailing love which reaches the heavens and Your faithfulness that reaches the clouds. Wrap us in Your protective wings of love today. In Jesus Name, Amen

August 3

Open up!

Psalm 24: 9 (NLT) 

9 "Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter."

Digging deeper, finding out more and learning more is part of the culture. As I meditate and think of these words of King David, I remind myself to open up my hearts doors so that I can receive the Lord Jesus Christ into my life as I open the gates to my life lifting all barriers so that God can enter and come live with me. As a spirit being, we need to adhere to the Lord's word, by opening our lives to the Holy Spirit through the Lord Jesus Christ, for our daily tasks. We cannot face our lives daily without someone backing us. I believe the Lord Jesus is standing before the Father every minute of every day speaking on our behalf. Because we allowed Him into our hearts, we have the right to be called Children of God. 

Prayer O Lord God, help me open my hearts doors to You today, allowing You to take residence in my life. Helping me stand on Your word and inspiration. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

See it! Believe it!

 by Yvette van Niekerk

August 1 

See it! Believe it! 

Hebrews 11: 1 (NLT) 

1 "Faith is the confidence that we hope for will happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." 

I always stand amazed when I see something I visualized and wanted right in front of my eyes. When I confidently believed that the Lord would supply according to my personal needs. As a young Christian, I used to visualize the things I wanted. I would go to the shop, touch the items and imagine myself wearing it. Faith in action today, is there something you want? I believe that in seeing it and thinking you can have it, it will be yours. 

Write down what it is you want. See it! Believe it and then accept it. God knows your heart and can see what you need, can you see your needs met? Believing God will open new doors for you.  

Prayer 

O Lord Almighty, God in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, please opens my eyes, ears, and hearts. Give us the faith we need to see it and believe it so that we can receive it. In the Holy Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen

"The great reward it brings you!"

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 31 

"The great reward it brings you!" 

Hebrews 10: 35 (NLT) 

35 "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!"

A series of events can make you forget about the Lord and trust Him for important issues. Perhaps you need to buy tires for your car, and your finances have run out. Or things keep happening at home, and the kettle broke, the washing machine packed up and the geyser burst. You know the feeling; just a couple of household items. You need your car for work and at least a cup of coffee in the morning before work. Washing needs to wash, or you won't have enough clothes. It's time you need to remind yourself, I will trust in the Lord. There is a great reward for me. You know it's happened at the most inopportune time when you don't have the money. Don't fear; the Lord knows and will help you. You will see God will make away for you. Trust in the Lord!  

Prayer Abba Father, Lord, you know how difficult it is when you don't have the necessary money to pay for all the items spoken about. As we trust in You Lord, we receive the amount of money needed to replace and fix the goods we need. Thanking You Lord because You are so true to Your word. In Jesus name, Amen.   

Silhouette Girl Chocolate Cake

 by Yvette van Niekerk

Mbali Happy 10th Birthday!

Silhouette girl

Today I baked a chocolate cake, and covered it in purple fondant, placed a black silhouette of a girl holding out her hand. On her hand, I put a ten and loads of different coloured hearts. I also made a pink fondant bow with white dots. 

The little girls will be turning ten years old and I also made six chocolate cupcakes with purple icing sugar and green. Placing a ten on each cupcake with two little hearts. 

It was a painstaking day, and when it's so cold it's difficult to roll out the fondant to the right thickness.

I find the fondant has lost its elasticity because it's been so cold, and the fondant doesn't want to take on the shape I want it to. In the summer I struggle with the fondant as it starts to melt in the heat so there isn't a happy medium presently. HaHa

I enjoyed decorating this cake and I hope my client will love what I have done with the cake. Another masterpiece by myself. Teehee

Blessings and enjoy your cake dearie!...

"a pleasing aroma to God."

 by Yvette van Niekerk

July 30

"A pleasing aroma to God."

Ephesians 5: 1 – 2 

1 "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ, He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

"A pleasing aroma to God" in becoming imitators of God in everything we do; we fill our lives with love and become obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ. By doing this, we will wear the perfume of love and compassion, kindness and friendliness, understanding and self-control as a pleasing aroma. People will be drawn to us because of these beautiful aromas. It's refreshing and pleasing to speak to people that have these qualities. They seem to have a sweetness about them, something that we cannot ignore. In our Christian lives, we want to imitate God, we want to be pleasing, and we want to love people. This creates wonder, and people want to experience the same things we do.  

Prayer Abba Father, as we imitate God today, please let us to becomes a pleasing aroma to God. Clothed in righteousness, we stand to ask, accept us today as we imitate God in Jesus name. Amen