Small beginnings

Zechariah 4: 10 NLT
“Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the LORD rejoices to see the
work begin, to see
the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.”

Zechariah is speaking to the people about the ruins in their city and it seems that they thought it couldn’t take off. But Zechariah says to them “do not despise these small beginnings.” Where are you right now? Are you focusing on starting something but feel it is insignificant and what difference will it make?

Today I want to encourage you to start whatever you have been thinking about because the LORD rejoices to see the work begin. Take the first step, do it now.

You never know what the result is going to be, are you going to start something that is going to change your future? Are you going to make an impact on the world? Are you going to make an impact in the lives of the people around you? You don’t know until you actually try it. Then once you start don’t lose heart, work hard and do what you can, then pray and trust that God will help you with the rest.

I wanted to write a book since 1999 and then one day my husband asked me, “when are you going to write your book?” It took me a couple of years to complete but I have written it, I hope that it will inspire people to read God’s word.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, LORD, thank You, for rejoicing when you see us start working on something we are supposed to do. Thank You, LORD, for giving us the necessary talents and creativity to actually do what we set out to do. LORD, I am asking that You will bless each and every person who reads this blog today, with the necessary insight, wisdom and understanding. LORD help them and I also want to ask You for Your supernatural favour in my life with You as well as with people, I ask the same supernatural favour for the people reading this blog I pray this in the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

https://yvettevn007.wixsite.com/yvettevnniekerk007

What has God promised you?

Isaiah 40: 31

“but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

God first called me by name, I am His. Thank You, Lord, I take this and will not let this go. I believe that God has promised to strengthen me. God promised to fight for me, I just have to be still.

God said to honour your father and your mother so that I may live long in the land the Lord has given me. God gives me strength and helps me when I feel weary. God will uphold me with His righteous right hand.

The Lord takes my right hand and holds me up, I do not have to fear. Lord will not take his compassion away from me. No weapons formed against me will prosper and God will vindicate me.

God gives us wisdom when we ask it from Him. If we confess our sins He is able to forgive us. We should resist the devil and he will flee from us.

Prayer

Lord God, I believe that the blessings of the Lord – it makes us truly rich, and You do not add sorrow to it. As Your child, thank You, Lord, for these blessings in our lives. Thank You, for taking my right hand in Your righteous right hand and holding me up. Thank You for helping stand against my enemies and strengthening me. I bless Your Holy Name in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

https://yvettevn007.wixsite.com/yvettevnniekerk007

Honouring our Parents

1 Timothy 5: 4

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

I have heard people state that they don’t believe it is their responsibility to take care of their parents or old people in general. I wonder what is going to happen to them when they get old because they aren’t that young either.

My heart goes out to the elderly and I feel truly sorry for them. They don’t have a great pension and a couple of Rand they have in their hands don’t pay for everything.

I want to ask you humbly to never forget about your own parents. I believe it is a honour to look after them. They were there for you when you were a little child and took care of you. Now that they are aging should you be doing the same for them? Have we become so self-centred and selfish that we couldn’t care less?

We are instructed to look after our children and grandchildren and also look after our parents.

Prayer

Abba Father, You know my heart and understand where I am coming from. It is my heart’s desire that it will go well with my mom. I bring them before You in humble prayer asking that You will help them, keep them safe and bring change into their lives. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

https://yvettevn007.wixsite.com/yvettevnniekerk007

Spiritual Growth #7 Meditation

Joshua 1: 8 NIV

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;
meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

I hear everybody meditates, Christians as well as non-Christians. I believe when we sit down and ponder God’s word we are in meditation, we are thinking about what the Word said and what it means to us as a person.

I believe we are so fortunate in being able to just go onto our Cell phones and read a scripture from the Bible we downloaded. We have the Bible at our fingertips. While we meditate we may just as well relax a little.

To be content and find rest in the Lord while you are reading His Word and focusing all your attention on what He is showing and teaching you. What an experience to sit in stillness before the Lord and learn.

The Holy Spirit will reveal truths to you and give you the necessary insight you need.

Prayer

Lord, I humbly pray for wisdom and insight and understanding, on meditating on Your Word today, please guide me and help me move forward. Thank You for the supernatural favour I enjoyed with You today as well as with other people. Thank You, Lord, for open doors and great opportunities. As I meditate and relax today, give me the strength to face tomorrow. Help me stand firm and please hold my hand. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

Spiritual Growth #6 A Christian Mentor

1 Thessalonians 3: 10

“Night and day we pray most earnestly
that we may see you again and supply
what is lacking in your faith.”

In my own life, I am very needy and I am constantly looking for guidance and I believe that having a Christian Mentor just makes my life that much easier.

We need to speak to people about what is on our minds, how we perceive scripture and what it means to us. When we speak to someone who has been on this journey for a long time, they impart precious’s insight and understanding.

I find that people who have travelled on this road for a long time also have the experience and know how. Sometimes we need more information about fasting, why we fast and what is the intention of a fast? This is when we will need to speak to someone that knows and has the answers.

It is my heart’s desire that you will grow with me as we take this journey and learn more about growing spiritually. I pray the Lord will bless you and help you each time you study His word.

Prayer

Humbly, Lord, I want to come into Your presence today and say thank You for the people who mentor us. This year we will continue and I want to pray for wisdom and insight and understanding, I need to grow spiritually and I am asking for Your Supernatural favour in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

Spiritual Growth #5 Testify

2 Peter 3: 15
“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,
just as our dear brother Paul also wrote
you with the wisdom that God gave him.”

I know it sounds strange but by testifying you grow spiritually. Here is my own testimony, as a young woman we lived in the Orange Free State. Our family went through a really difficult time and one of our friends invited us to attend a church service.

The Holy Spirit was active that morning and He was speaking into my heart, I actually held myself down with both my hands. I was too shy to stand up in front of the whole congregation.

On Monday my friend came over and spoke to us and when they left I went to take a bath. I sat in my bath and I confessed my sins to the LORD Jesus. I prayed the sinner’s prayer and I believe ever since I have been saved.

After I accepted the Lord Jesus into my life, I feel that I started my Christian journey, I know it doesn’t sound that spectacular I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary and my life is very plain and so normal.

I can say the Lord has a plan and a future for my life and I believe that He feels the same way about you too.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, if there is anybody that needs to accept You into their lives today, Holy Spirit speak into their hearts and souls, draw them closer to You. Lord Jesus come into our lives and renew our thoughts, hearts and minds. I believe we are lost without You and we are humbly prayer come to us we need you. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

Spiritual Growth #4 Reading Materials

Acts 2: 42
The Fellowship of the Believers
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread
and to prayer."

Growing spiritually I would suggest that you spend time reading good Christian Books, I think there are a number of great Daily Devotionals to choose from, there are a great number of Christian Novels to choose from. I found there are many Books on teaching about the Holy Spirit, Christian living.

I don’t know what you think about but the more you think about God the better, and some peoples journey may resonate with your own experience. I found that I wanted to know more about the Name of the Lord Jesus, there are a number of book on this topic.

Reading Christian books opened up a new world for me personally. I found interesting information and great insights.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please blesses each person who reads this page today, opens their hearts and soul to Your words, and guides them. Bless them today and let You spirit rest on them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

Spiritual Growth #3 Attending Church Services

Hebrews 10: 25 NIV

“not giving up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another -
and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.”

To my thinking it is a natural thing to do, going to church. I grew up in a family where we used to attend Church each and every Sunday.  My Dad would wake us up with a nice hot cup of coffee and then everybody would get ready for the service. I never really paid attention in those days but I am sure God already called me by my name.

In later years I still felt it was necessary to go to church and I would feel terrible if I had missed a service. I believe when we attend church its God’s opportunity to speak to us through His word. The Pastor would share his thoughts with us and many times God has a message for me.

I find that you need to go to church with an expectation, a need and you also need to be open to hear God’s message. In church, we make friends and then it becomes a community. From going to church there is the possibility to go the Bible study classes.

Prayer

Humbly, Lord, I come into Your presence, I know that it is important to attend Church Services and I want to pray that the Holy Spirit will ignite a desire in each person's heart today. Going to hear what the message is, is so important to each one of us. Thank You, Lord Jesus Amen.

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

How to grow spiritually #2 #Ask for Forgiveness

1 John 1: 8 – 9 ESV
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Now that we are in the presence of the LORD our God we need to humble ourselves and ask Him to forgive.

I think sin is something that comes naturally to us and it is always in our lives, so we do need to repent when we sin. This is the beginning of our transformation; we are working on the renewing of our minds.

We see in Psalm 32 verse 5 “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

In our drawing near to God, we are asking Him to forgive us our sin and He forgives us.

Prayer

Humbly Abba Father, please forgive me I am sinful and there are things I am asking You to forgive me. Yes, Lord, I want to confess that I have a jealous nature and I am too possessive please forgive me and I release this problem into Your hands in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

How to grow spiritually #1 #Quiet #Time

James 4: 8

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify
your hearts, you double-minded.”

#1 Quiet Time

Quiet time, please keeps in mind these are key to my own experience and I believe that it may help you too. We are reminded to draw near to God and He will come near to us. How will we do this? We can do this by spending time with God alone. I know in Matthew the Lord Jesus rises early in the morning and left the place where He was sleeping to go and pray.

In our quiet time, we are able to speak to God and ask Him for our protection, guidance and help for each day.

Thinking about it we should give our first hours of the day. I believe when you wake up early you should spend some time with the Lord. In the beginning, it is really difficult. Some days I would wake up early and others I would oversleep.

Prayer

Abba Father, thank You for keeping me safe and watching over me today. I want to dedicate my life into Your hands. Please help me to stay focused and help me to keep our quiet time private. I want to say thank You, for today and this time with You. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer

https://goo.gl/xK6bTg

God will make away!

Isaiah 43: 16-19 KJV

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh
away in the sea, and a path in the
mighty waters;
Which bringeth forth the chariot
and horse, the army and the power;
they shall lie down together, they shall not rise;
they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
Remember ye, not the former things,
neither considers the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
the rivers in the desert.

I was really silly and I missed a great opportunity, I cried afterwards and I repented and I lamented but nothing changed. The consequence of my actions caught up with me. I couldn’t do anything about it and it seemed that all was lost. I prayed “Lord if this is where You want me then keep the doors open.”

It wasn’t two seconds and I was out, it wasn’t what God wanted for me, I was totally devastated. It took 18 months for my actions to get sorted out, God still made a way in the wilderness. Believe me, I am still astonished when I see what God has done for me.

When God decides on something for your life it doesn’t matter which way you turn, He will bring you back to the point where He wants you. I know I have experienced that first hand. I actually have seen this happen and I still stand amazed.

I must tell you that I am so happy about this because God is always in control and understands our problems. He knows what is best for each one of us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are making a way for me, that You have made a path for me to follow and that I am able to take it knowing You are there. Thank You for Your arm of power and for Your guidance. I want to praise You and bring You worship, honour and praise. You are worthy Lord, I adore You and know You are there for me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/daily-devotional-ebenezer & https://goo.gl/xK6bTg