Yvette's Whispers of Faith

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 16 He is alive! Mark 16:6 (NIV) 6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him."   Do you realize what this means when they say, "He's risen!" Many times we think about it, but can you imagine the impact it should have on your own life? The Lord Jesus was in a tomb dead, and on the 3rd day, He rose from the dead. The amazing grace of God was bestowed upon us that very day. He is alive! The Lord Jesus is alive! We are called His children upon acceptance of the Lord Jesus. You can now have a new beginning, a renewed mind, and the ability to take any task and become successful in doing it. The Lord can help you do your best as we are doing it for the Lord Jesus and not for men. We received His mercy and grace, praise the Lord. Prayer Abba Father, in the name of Your only begotten Son – Jesus Christ, we thank You, L...

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 14 On the cross. Mark 15: 25-26 (NIV) 25 "It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26The written notice of the charge against him read The King of the Jews."   Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was on his way in from the country. He probably walked nearby and saw the commotion and wanted to take a look. Before he could get out of the way, the Soldiers dragged him in and forced him to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus. From what I understand, the cross weighs a bit in the region of plus-minus 135 kg. Imagine the weight on your shoulders with the excruciating pain that riddles your broken skin and body. Buckling underweight, the Lord needed someone to help carry the burden. We buckle under the weight of the burden of this heavy world. We know that the Lord rises from the grave and is our saviour, but before He could die for us, He had to be broken open for us. Blood had to flow to save a dying world. Prayer Abba F...

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 12 Jesus before Pilate. Mark 15: 2 – 4 (NIV) 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "You have said so," Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again, Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."   Nothing has changed, looking at the selfish interests of the Chief Priests, which ultimately meant the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see Pilate speaking to Jesus and asking Him whether Jesus was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered: "You have said so." His reaction wasn't dying or acceptance of the statement. Pilate knew the Chief Priests were going out of their way to conjure false accusations against the Lord Jesus. Pilate feared the crowd and wanted them to make the decision. Once they cried out to crucify Jesus, he washed his hands to prove his innocence to this crime. Jesus goes to the barracks and is flogged by th...

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 11 Carbon Copy of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) 18 "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."   How can I become a carbon copy of the Lord Jesus? People need to commit their lives to Jesus. On receiving the Holy Spirit, we are now able to see the glory of the Lord. Our spiritual journey begins every morning. We take time out to develop our relationship with Jesus. Once we are in this relationship, transformation takes place. This process takes time, but thanks to the Holy Spirit, who is there to encourage us and guide us, we can see God's glory. The how? I believe in reading my Bible and prayer and learning what the Lord Jesus has done on earth. Find out His characteristics and imitating Him. We need to rid ourselves of the own-me attitude and discover the love of Jesus in the Bible. Prayer Lord Jesus, ...

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 10 Healing, miraculous powers, prophecy . 1 Corinthians 12: 9-11 (NIV) 9 "To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gift of healing by that one Spirit, 10 To another miraculous power, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."   We have been looking at the Holy Spirit in a couple of our devotions. I do believe we have to be convinced that God wants us to have an encounter with the person the Holy Spirit, today if possible. I think the Holy Spirit is working in my life and yours by teaching and leading us, illuminating us in the truth and understanding of the Word of God. Today, the Holy Spirit may have placed the gift of healing in your life, and you are then able to pray for healing in people's lives. It is c...

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 9 Common Good, Wisdom and Knowledge. 1 Corinthians 12: 7-8 (NIV) 7" Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge using the same Spirit."   The Holy Spirit imparts specific gifts for specific purposes. As seen in our passage above, someone with a distinctive character receives these gifts—new power to do the Lord's work. The message of wisdom to us is something said at the right time for the right reasons. Our manner of approach in any given situation is essential. My mom always told me of the sense of occasion, watching my mouth, and being mindful of my fellow man. I have learned to pick the right moment before I try and advise people; this only comes through wisdom revealed by the Spirit. Prayer Abba Father, Please Lord, give us the wisdom and knowledge and guide us with the manifestation of the Spirit in our liv...

by Yvette van Niekerk   April 8 Service and Work 1 Corinthians 12: 5-6 (NIV) 5 "There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and everyone it is the same God at work."   Many of us hesitate to speak about Christ to other people, but if we do, they may convert to Christianity. On receiving the Holy Spirit into my life, I have accepted God Himself. I believe the Holy Spirit makes God a living reality. Keeping in mind this passage is referring to our different services we will perform for God in the church. Armed with our different working, we can be of service to God and people in our ministries. Once we receive these gifts, we can speak a word of wisdom and to another prophecy. The list is endless but necessary for the upliftment of the church and service to God. Our ministries and service are diverse, and every person has a different calling. May the Lord through the Holy Spirit reveal to you your work...