Persevere

by Yvette van Niekerk September 28

Persevere Hebrews 10:36(TLB) 36 "You need to keep on patiently doing God's will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised." Is there something you are waiting patiently for from God? We all have some needs and desires that we are trusting God will fulfil. For me, it is a permanent job, with benefits and a steady income. What are you waiting for patiently? We need healing in our bodies. We need the relief of our financial strains—restoration in our relationships with family and friends and God. The key to success is written "you need to keep on patiently doing God's will," being obedient and persevering. Patience isn't one of my strong suits, but for my success to come my way, I need to preserve patience and obedience. I need to stay focused on God's word even when I feel down and out. I have to keep Gods name alive within myself. We need to block out all negative thoughts that will break down our confidence in God and focus on God's promises for our lives. "God promises that He has plans to prosper us and give us a future." Prayer Lord as we learn to wait patiently on Your promises in our lives, help us preserve going forward. Guiding and helping us stay focused on Your Word, in Jesus Name, Amen

We are transformed.

by Yvette van Niekerk September 27

We are Transformed. Romans 12:2 (ASV) 2 "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Looking at myself I am always working on changing my appearance, a little night cream and you know cutting down on my intake of sweets and chocolates. Shedding some weight now and then, but when it comes to transforming my mind. I have to stay focused and study God's word. I have to read the word of God continually, guarding my mind and heart. The metamorphosis takes place the minute a caterpillar creates its cocoon, and after a couple of days, the envelope cracks open. The translucent wings are exposed and fill out with blood, and then the body emerges next and finally, the butterfly is holding onto the cocoon. As Christians, we need to also go through a metamorphosis, and we need to soak ourselves in the Word of God. Every day, consuming as much as we can, praying to ask for a transformation in our own spiritual lives. Prayer Lord God, please help me also become transformed and become more like the Lord Jesus, so that I may experience and prove what; is the right and acceptable and perfect will of God. In Jesus Name, Amen

God merely laughs!

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 26 God merely laughs! Psalm 2:4 (TLB) 4 "But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans." Picture this God, the creator of heaven and earth sitting on His throne looking down on the planet laughing at our puny plans. God knows the plans He has for each one of us, plans to prosper us and not to bring us harm. Here we see God laughing because the projects we are making are puny. Seriously, we think we can sort our lives out, and we believe we have all the answers. The question is, do we know the scope of the plans that God has for each one of us? We do, God said that He has a future planned for us, plans to prosper us and not to bring us harm. The other side of the coin is also evident in Psalms 37 we are reminded that the wicked would fade away in the scorching sun, like grass. Do not be envious of the wicked their days are numbered and they will be no more. You and I are encouraged to take delight in the Lord, and our days will be safe, and the land we live in will be secure. Prayer Lord, I know You are laughing at our puny plans, thank You for Your loving kindness towards each one of us. Thank You that we can delight ourselves in You, thank You for making a future for us to prosper each one of us. In Jesus Name, Amen

You are marvellous!

by Yvette van Niekerk September 25

You are marvellous! Psalm 139:14 (TLB) 14 "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvellous—and how well I know it." Isn't it wonderful to realize that we have been made wonderfully complex! The Lord had made each one of us individually different yet, we have beauty, we have talents and we have so much going for each of us. When looking in the mirror, the reflection staring back at you must remind you that God loved you before you were born. He has created someone amazing and beautiful. We are marvellous. My children address their daughters as gorgeous; this gives my grandchildren such confidence. If you are a woman and feeling a little down today, let me remind you 'you are beautiful, you are lovely, and you are gorgeous. God loves you. God valued you so much that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for you. As you go through your day, remind yourself of your worth and know that you are someone God loves, you are marvellous! Prayer Lord God thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Lord, it amazes me that Your craft is so marvellous and Lord how well I know it. Praise Your Holy Name in Jesus Name, Amen

"He can hear you when you call!"

by Yvette van Niekerk September 24

"He can hear you when you call!" Isaiah 59:1 (TLB) 1 "Listen now! The Lord isn't too weak to save you. And he isn't getting deaf! He can hear you when you call!" When I read this passage, I believe something was happening to me while I was still struggling to find my feet. I work for someone that was a perfectionist, and this manager of mine used to have me in tears every day. I used to cry all the time, my ex-husband was making my life difficult, and this man was even worse. One day I could not take it anymore, and I cried out to the Lord and asked Him, please help me. The pressure was getting to me; my hair was falling out, and I had become thin and miserable. As I sat in my car, reading God's word, I was praying for some relief. I went back to my office and in the bathroom, washing my face and back to my desk. Just as I sat down, I received a call, and someone was inviting me to come for an interview. Impressive, God heard my prayers, and I got the job. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You that You aren't too weak to save me. Thank You that You aren't getting deaf and thank You that You hear when I call on You, in Jesus Holy Name. Amen

And Suddenly!

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 23 And suddenly! Isaiah 48:3 (TLB) 3 "Time and again I told you what was going to happen in the future. My words were scarcely spoken when suddenly I did just what I said." This words still holds for me, I was out of a job for a long time and thing just did not go my way. I thought I had favour with people and it just wasn't true. I had people stab me in the back and left me out to die so to speak. Each day I would take time and meditate on God's Word, I would sit outside next to the swimming pool and read my Bible out loud. I heard God's word and then suddenly I received a phone call asking me if I would like to come and work for a couple of months. Suddenly I had a job and I am good at my job. I have favour with people I didn't even know I had. God worked supernaturally in my favour. Life is good and I am expecting more and more suddenly favour from my living God. Prayer Lord God thank You that You time and again reminded me that my future is in Your hands. Thank You, Lord, that Your words were spoken when suddenly You did just what You said. In Jesus Name, Amen

Perfect Timing.

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 17 Perfect Timing. Galatians 6:9 (ESV) 9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up." As a young girl in my Dad's house, I remember him always telling me that it was important for perfect timing. He said that he wanted to still be in the right place at the right time. According to my Dad, it would be the best thing that could happen to him. Now that I am a mother and grandmother, my heart desires that my children and grandchildren have perfect timing. I want them to excel in life and be the best they can be. The thing is the ideal timing to take place. We need to wait on the Lord as He is in control over our lives. The Lord in our lives, we can come into perfect timing as I pray every day I want to make a wall and stand in the gap for my children and grandchildren asking that the Lord will give us the grace to accept what comes our way and be patient in our lives. Prayer Lord as we start today; give us the grace to accept the things we cannot change and help us to stay focused and patient when we want circumstances and situations to change for the better. We love and worship You, Lord, in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen

A shift is coming.

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 16 A Shift is coming. Matthew 28:6 (ESV) 6 "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come see the place where he lay." As I think and meditate on these words; I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and I am His child. The incredible fact of the matter is it may have happened 2000 years ago, but He is still with us. I have many dreams and aspirations, and my heart desires to become one of the best authors in the world. My experience is limited, and I don't always have the flow, but in my heart of heart, I believe God will suddenly create a platform where I will push forward. Do you have a dream? Believe in the Lord and trust in Him, I believe there is a shift coming our way. We may think there are limitations on God, but in fact, it isn't true. No doors can stay shut if they open specially for you and me. I want to encourage you today, to get your hopes up and believe that there is a shift coming your way. Prayer Heavenly Father Lord, please let us realize that Your resurrection power is still available today for each one of us. We believe and trust in You and know You will resurrect us suddenly in Jesus Name. Amen

"God will supply every need of yours."

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 15 "God will supply every need of yours." Philippians 4:19(ESV) 19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. " Looking at my own life, I can attest to the goodness and mercy of my Lord God. When I lived with my three children, we struggled to make ends meet, but we never went to bed without eating a meal. I never had enough money to buy the things I loved and desired, but God even supplied according to my desires. I remember there was a blouse that I wanted with animal print on and every time I passed the shop, and I would stop for a moment and look at it. At the end of that, month I received my blouse. It was so beautiful I realize that God knew my hearts desires. My boss went overseas, and I so desired to have a leather purse, and when she returned from Milan, she bought a leather purse for me, which I cherished. Perfume and beautiful gifts and lovely flowers every week when I felt at my lowest; God was supplying according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for supplying according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. We appreciate Your goodness and mercy towards us today. I love You, Lord God, in Jesus name. Amen

Pray for our country.

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 14 Pray for our country. 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 (ESV) Pray for All People 1 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." We are being encouraged by the Apostle Paul to pray for our country, but thinking about this we should intercede for other countries too. Each day we should take a couple of minutes and make a wall and stand in the gap for our own country and also one of the overseas countries. We must pray for our leaders in political positions. Both you and I want to have peace in our own country, and we want to know that we are safe each day. You know that your prayers impact our lives. I remember when I am honest in humility before God, my prayers answered. By praying for our country, we know that God can change the circumstance for each of us. Be encouraged and stand on God's word today, pray for our country. Prayer Lord, we bring our country leaders before You today. Lord, You know every political person and what is going on in their hearts. Lord, we ask that You will give them wisdom and insight, and we pray for peace in our country in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen

"Goodness and mercy."

by Yvette van Niekerk

September 13 "Goodness and mercy." Psalm 23:6 (ESV) 6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Most people are more positively inclined but on the contrary to most people, and I find that I have very low self-esteem. I tend to speak to myself negatively and harshly. I need to speak into my life, positive thoughts purposefully. Each morning I wake and thank the Lord for another day, and then get busy, once I slow down and have time to myself, the negative thoughts come streaming in. I have so many regrets, and before I realize it, I have cut myself down to nothing. Now I need to pick myself up and keep reminding myself that "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." I have to purposefully stay focused on God's word or me probably with fall into a deep depression. Prayer Lord God, thank you for the Psalms and thank You that I can stand on Your name "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." I cannot make it on my own, and I need You every day. In Jesus name, Amen.