Boomerang

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Matthew 7: 1-5 MSG “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment.  That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.  It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.  Do you have the nerve to say, “Let me wash your face for you,” when your own face is distorted by contempt?  It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part.  Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”

Perhaps you can associate with me, sometimes you seem to have all the answers and you assume people are just not as smart as you think you are.  Or you may know someone that is the “Know-it-all” person when you start saying something they will end the story with something that happened to them.

But then you notice they have so many faults and you just want to point it out to them but in the meantime, you have even greater problems. 

I have had to deal with myself for a very long time and fault finding was one of the things that I was a master at.  The slightest thing and I would be in your face, never mind all my own faults.  I was according to me, perfect and the rest of the people weren’t on the same page.

Now when this boomeranged back on me I was totally devastated, how on earth could this happen to me, I am not that kind of person.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please Lord, forgive me for my over zealous judgement of other people and their problems.  Help me to first investigate my own life before I deem it my business to check others.  Forgive me for being such a fault find and not a love seeker.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

#Good #Parents

Hebrews 12: 11 NOG “We don’t enjoy being disciplined.  It always seems to cause more pain than joy.  But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes doing what is right.”

What is it that we need to do here?  When it comes to our children we all want the very best, I mean things I never had I wanted my children to have and they are doing exactly what I did.  So when it comes to Dad’s we know that they too are acting out as good Fathers.

As a mother it is difficult for me to discipline my children and I have tried, when my youngest son was still in school he was much taller than I.  So when I wanted to smack him, he would hold both my arms so that it was impossible to spank him.  After holding my arms I would just let it go. 

When children have a father there is no getting away with things that are wrong, and discipline is inevitable.

The thing about discipline, we want to teach our children good values, we want them to know right from wrong and we want the very best for them.  It is and still will be the most important thing in my life.  I dislike being disciplined, now that is a different kettle of fish.  It not only hurts but it isn't fun and I don’t like the discomfort.

Prayer

Lord thank You, for being my Good, good Father, I don’t know what I would be without You.  Yes, I know when You are disciplining me, I want to pray that in times of discipline that You will teach me, show me and guide me so that I am able to learn to form my discipline.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

When we pray

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Psalm 39: 12 NOG “Listen to my prayer, O Yahweh.  Open your ear to my cry for help.  Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident without, a stranger like all my ancestors.”

As an intercessor, I realize that when I pray to the Lord my God I need to be open to receiving a vision or an answer through God’s word or even while speaking to friends.

I have witnessed so many answered prayers for family and friends it amazed me so.  I believe God is looking for men and women who are willing to come before Him and intercede for our families and friends.

Sometimes we fall to the ground it feels like we are just not being heard.  As I cry out to the LORD in humble prayer asking that He will listen as I cry for help.  That He will see my tears as I feel that I am a stranger in this land and I need help.

Do you need someone to stand in agreement today with you about something you are worried about?  Do you feel alone and that no one seems to understand what it is you are facing?

You are very welcome to drop me an email and I will pray with you and ask the Lord to help you solve your problems.  We know that when there are more than one praying about a specific problem, God hears and will address it.

Prayer

Humbly, Father, we pray for guidance, we pray for wisdom and we pray that You will touch our hearts, soul, and minds.  Whatever it is that is driving us crazy today, we bring it to You in humble prayer.  Please Abba Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help us.  Amen

Eat your own words

Proverbs 18: 21 (NOG) “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.”

My mom constantly said “think before you speak” and most of the time I would speak my mind anyway.  Sometimes people will take offense and other times they wouldn’t.  I was of the opinion “if the shoe fits, wear it.”

Now, unfortunately, I am learning the hard way, constantly getting back exactly what I put out there many years ago.

It never occurred to me that as you grow older people say harsh words, and many times they cut like knives.  At least the Lord has given me the opportunity in correcting my mistakes.

Someone I know had made a statement and to be honest I took offense, this person is young and believes that she is right and I do suppose she feels that she may speak her mind.  Something I also realized is that she doesn’t have all the facts at hand and was only making assumptions, which by the way implicated me in something I wouldn’t like to be implicated in.  Anyway, I thought and prayed about this matter and have decided to cut ties with her totally.

I didn’t speak my mind and I don’t think I need to this is now in the Lords' hands.  I am watching my own tongue as it can set a whole city lit up.  My words can be sweet as honey and they also can come out so wrong.  So from my side, I don’t want to be eating my own words anymore.  I release the lady and move on.

Prayer

Lord because we have life and death in our mouths and many times we love to hear our own words.  Humbly I confess that I have sinned on more than one occasion.  I confess Lord that I am guilty of speaking my mind without thinking.  I pray asking You Lord, forgive me for I have sinned and help me keep a watch over my mouth and keep a watch over my thoughts and mind.  I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Hebrew “Pardes” – Garden

Genesis 3: 8 (NOG) “In the cool of the evening, the man and his wife heard Yahweh Elohim walking around in the garden.  So they hid from Yahweh Elohim among the trees in the garden.”

Picture yourself walking in the Garden of Eden, Pardes.  There is a slight breeze and the afternoon sun is shining over the garden.  While you are walking in the garden you can hear someone calling your name.  Do you recognize the person calling you? 

I read that someone suggested while you are reading the bible you are entering into the Garden of Eden, God’s Pardes.

The interesting part of the Garden is that we now are able to learn more about our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Think about it, each time you read something in your Bible it comes to live within your spirit.  The Holy Spirit that is living inside of you is guiding you and teaching you.  The words are starting to make sense and you are starting to see how the Word of God is working in each of His children's lives.

I am still on my journey, I do not believe that I have arrived as yet, but it sure is my heart's desire to draw closer to God.  I want to recognize His voice when He calls my name, don’t you?

Every revelation or insight I receive from walking through Pardes is something helping me to grow spiritually.  Today, I want to encourage you to keep on reading God’s Word, you will grow and mature into a beautiful Christian.

Prayer

Elohim, the Lord, thank You, for today, that we may come into Your garden, pardes.  As we open our Bibles, Holy Spirit touches our lives and teach us how to use the word.  Guide us and be your guide each and every day.  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

#Midbar - #Desert #Experience

Hosea 13: 5 AMP “I knew and regarded you and cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.”

I believe each one of us is going through a season, some people are enjoying summer and others are in fall.  But what about the people that are going through a desert experience – Midbar?  Do you know that the word “midbar” means “the place of the word.”

Awesome wouldn’t you agree, that means that in our desert experiences we are closer to God.  I remember when I had been facing really trying times in my own life, that I was the closest to God.  It seems that I also grew spiritually and that I was able to understand what God wanted from me.

I want to encourage you today that should you find yourself in the desert and maybe you feel all alone.  Stop for one minute and meditate on these words:  “For the mountains may be removed and hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,”  Says the LORD who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54: 10AMP

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, thank You, Lord for today, that we may draw near to You in our desert experiences, knowing that we are in the place of the word.  We pray please Lord help us face each day, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Before I ...

Proverbs 3: 6 (HCSB) “think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”

Before I do anything these days I feel it is of great importance to sit down and take a moment and come before the Lord my God.  I want to do something and I need to know whether what I am planning on doing will be in my interest and whether I am in God’s perfect will.

You now the Lord Jesus would pray about everything we see that in Luke chapter 5 verse 6 NIV “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  As you think about what it is you want to do today, even the food you want to eat.  Bring it before the Lord, asking Him to guide you.

We have become so good at making our own decisions and we also are so sure of ourselves that we don’t realize that this might be our last day here on earth.  My thinking these days are Deo volente (Latin) for God willing.  Each time I want to do something I pray about it doesn’t matter how small or insignificant it is I am asking God to guide me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, please be our guide and show us the way that You have prepared for us.  Give us the necessary wisdom and insight to identify what we should be doing.  Help us to never lose sight of the fact that You are our CEO in life.  We need Your input in our lives in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour we pray.  Amen

#Thank #You

To one and all, Thank You, you are awesome, I am so happy you are there for me.  God bless you!

You Need #Jesus

You Need Jesus

Do you know God loves you?  He desires to have a living relationship with you and wants to give you salvation, a purpose, and the eternal life.  You must realize the importances of making the right decision that no one else can do only you can take that decision, don’t delay, take it today!

1)     We all have a past
Romans chapter 3 verse 23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

2)  A price to pay for Sin
Romans chapter 6 verse 23 says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  When you work you earn wages (a salary) but remember the wages of sin is death.  What does this mean?  If you die, you are separated from God forever and that means it is over, but here is some good news.

3)  Jesus Christ paid for our Sin
Romans chapter 5 verse 8 says: “But God commendeth His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” We know even though we are sinners, Christ loves us so much that He died in our place to pay for our sin.

4)  Believe it
Romans chapter 10 verse 9 says: “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Do you want to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ today?  Please come and pray this prayer with me today:

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for me and that Your blood paid for all my sins.  Lord, please forgive me I have sinned.  I want to ask You to be my Lord and my Saviour.  Lord thank You for dying in my place and for forgiving me of my sin and giving me the gift of eternal life.  I am turning away from my sin and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Saviour.  Please, Lord, lead me and guide me in Your ways.  Amen

P.S. I want to encourage you that if you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, please go and find a church that teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Attend regular church services.  If you want to know more please feel free to write to me yvettevanniekerk.com go to my web page and drop me a line.  God bless you.

Enjoying Life Now!

Romans 15: 13 KJ21 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

As you embark on your daily journey and you think about what it is you're doing today I want to encourage you to live your life purposefully.  Do whatever you are doing with intent. 

You and I both know that our hope is in God who fills us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

We also know and realize that all things work together for good of those who love God.  Today is Father’s Day and you are spending time with your family and loved ones.  It is great to enjoy their company and to sit down to a great meal with the family.

I just love being around my family, enjoying the chatter and laughter and bantering.  You know when your son’s continue to make jokes and tease their sister.  The grandchildren running around the yard, playing with the puppy. 

The warm sunlight shining through the window and the sun rays spilling over the clean floor giving off a shine of brilliant sunlight.

Prayer

Lord thank you for the opportunity of living our best lives now.  Teach us to enjoy each and every minute of our lives, help us to live our lives to the fullest with family and friends.  Drawing near to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

How do you know you are hearing from God?

GOD’s Word Translation Colossians 3: 15 “Also, let Christ’s peace control you.  God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body.  Be thankful.”

Many people I have met want to know ‘how do I know its God speaking to me.”  I believe that the word of God is my guide, and we read here in Colossians chapter 3 verse 15 that “Christ’s peace controls me.”

You may be facing a difficult situation and need some kind of answer, you actually need to speak to God, and how can you do that?  In humble prayer, this is our connection to God. 

If you are unhappy and feel frustrated and uncomfortable you know without a doubt that there is something wrong.  You are not happy with what you are experiencing, there is no peace.  Then you aren't in God’s good and perfect will.  Sometimes we fall into His permissive will for our lives but we are far from His perfect will.

The apostle Paul reminds each of us that in Romans chapter 13 verse 8 (GW) “Pay your debts as they come due.  However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other.  The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses’ Teaching.”

Come into agreement with the people around you, love them and try and understand them with mercy in your heart. 

Prayer

Lord You know my circumstances, times, when I feel frustrated and uncomfortable and unhappy, is because I am not in Your will.  Today, please help me to learn how to stay in Your perfect will.  I am listening and reading Your word and I accept that You have given me peace and are steering me into another direction for my own life.  Guide me, help me and show me the way forward, in Jesus Christ's name.  Amen