Yvette's Stellar Stories

Thursday 12 July 2018

The Price in Giving?

2 Samuel 24: 23 ESV

“But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”

I wonder if it is hard for you to put money in the offerings at the church on Sunday, and what about your tithings? I have been thinking about what Kind David did.

He wanted to praise God and wanted to bring an offering. I see that this guy Araunah wanted to give everything to King David for free. King David refused to take the gift but insisted on paying the full price for the threshing floor and oxen fifty shekels of silver.

Giving is something we must learn doing, it's nothing we do willingly.

I have heard it said, “give until it hurts.”

Prayer

Dear Lord, You know I love You, I do. I try and give as much as I can and I just want to say thank You, for giving back to me. In the name of my Lord, and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

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Monday 9 July 2018

A Gift to say I’m sorry!

Genesis 33: 8 NLT

8 “And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked. Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”

I know everybody has disagreements in their lives with family and friends. The interesting part is that we need to stop and take control of our own emotions. I always buy a small gift say “I’m sorry.” The attitude my husband has towards my gift sometimes can be disturbing. He would just put the gift on the side table next to the bed and not accept it. I don’t give up and try again.

Lessons I have learned is that it’s not always in my control how my husband reacts. It is however in my control how I react. I realized saying sorry doesn’t work with him. “You said it, you meant it” and he holds that against me. So I say sorry with a gift and when he's ready and accepts the gift we move on.

Prayer

O Lord, Help me to become a mature Christian. I am sorry for not always controlling my mouth. I pray that Lord, You, will search my heart and soul, cleans me and help me become more and more like You Lord Jesus. Soli Deo Gloria to the Glory of God alone. Amen

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Thursday 5 July 2018

#Thursday thoughts

Robert Hicks

"Feeling we're entitled to things

without being willing to do the necessary

labour to obtain them makes

us a society of sluggards."

Lord God, I am seeking to glorify You!

2 Thessalonians 1: 12 EVS “so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

As a secretary, I used type as a footnote on all of the documents “Lord I love You” hiding the colour and sending my documents to the relevant people for approval. It was so nice to read that Bach composed 256 cantatas. His most famous was Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring this famous soundtrack from four centuries ago is still played when a bride walks down the aisle to meet her groom. I learned that he used to initial on all his music sheets JJ (Jesu, Juya – it meant “Jesus, help me).” Bach also wrote SDG Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone at the bottom of the same music sheet.

It is my heart's desire to seek to glorify my God. I feel that I lack in so many areas but it is my heart's desire to seek to glorify God. I want to do the right thing at the right time, I constantly am praying please help me do this right Lord.

It was a strange day for me, I seem to be giving people a lot of lip. I want to asseverate Revelations 5 verse 13 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!’” Singing praises to my Lord and Saviour, the One I can trust with all my heart and soul.

In my eating and drinking and working I should be glorifying God. 1 Corinthians 10 verse 31 “so then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God.” I thank the Lord for my job, I am so grateful to be working this year. I am able to help others and serve God too. I am grateful that I can come to work each day and do my best work now. I am grateful for good family and friends. I am so grateful that I am healthy and God is watching over me. I want to glorify God each and every minute of my day.

In all circumstance, we should seek to glorify God. In the past couple of weeks, I have been going through a number of difficult situations. I was sitting in Church and was reminded that God is still God. Romans 8 verse 18 “For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!” Suffering isn’t something I love or enjoy but during these difficult circumstances, I seem to bloom and grow.

Prayer

Lord, humbly I want to glorify You. I love You Lord and I know that without You I will never make it. I bring my problems to You today and I pray don’t change my circumstances but change my point of view. I am stubborn and full of nonsense help me get over myself in Jesus Christ Name, Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone. Amen

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Threats each day!

Proverbs 16: 23 – 24 AMP

“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.”

I read that Geoffrey Chaucer wrote, “Many a true word is spoken in jest.” I tend to believe this, in my family, there is someone that is constantly threating to slap or hit me. If I walk into the kitchen and that person is there they would say “I almost slapped you.” I just look at them. In the beginning, it was funny but lately, I find them offensive and they are working on my nerves.

Looking at this person makes me think that their inner person is filled with passive aggressive acts and they are unable to deal with it. It’s clear they don’t have a kind or nice word to say. The words that pour out of their mouths are filled with disdain and sarcasm which I have spoken about on numerous occasions. It’s clear their thoughts are what they are carrying around in their hearts.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we know that our thoughts are from our inner man or woman. Please teach us to focus on the good things in our lives. Steering clear of negativity, changing our thoughts to the sweet word and focusing on the good things in life. In the name of Christ Jesus of Nazareth. Amen

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Wednesday 4 July 2018

God's appointed time with my friends mom

Today I was listening to my friend tell me her story. We all have a story to tell. Her's was about her dear old Mom.

Mom discovered that she had cervical cancer. She described the constant pain she felt in her back just above her kidneys. These pains were occurring now and then. One day her mom called her and told her that her periods returned. She went to the clinic and they told her it was normal for old ladies to experience such things. The scary part was when it lasted over a month. She finally went to see a doctor at the hospital. Some tests were run and they discovered that she had cancer of the cervical.

Tears running down her faces as she explained what happened next. The doctors adviced her mom to go to the Hospital and they performed a hysterectomy. She stayed on for a week and then they started her treatment. She went for chemotherapy and this lasted 6 months. Everybody was under the impression that mom was healed.

It wasn't a month later when mom retained water and her feet started to swell. Returning to the doctor they performed more tests and it was revealed that cancer spread and that her time was running out.

Holding her head in her hands she looked over her hands and took a deep breath. The illness is taking its toll on her mom.

The doctors explained to my friend that she would have to take care of her mom. She had to buy pampers and look after her mom as she did her baby girl. Everday her mom's health failed. The doctor explained to my friend when death was imminent she would see a change in her mom's feet.

Still, in denial, she kept nursing her mom and doing the best she could for her dying mother. Her mom's health was failing, she stopped talking to her. She would only look at her daughter. She couldn't go to the toilet and she couldn't sit up and eat anymore. Her body became heavy and my friend told me she couldn't lift her body anymore. Still caring for her mother she knew the time was running out. Her mom called out to her sister and my friend phoned her to come and see her sister. They decide to take her to the hospital and at the time her mother's body was bloated. Her stomach was so swollen it seemed unnatural. The doctor took something and punctured her mother's stomach and water poured out of her. Everybody felt relieved believing she was going to get up from her sick bed.

In the evening the hospital phoned my friend telling her "your mom passed away." My friend said she knew she saw the signs. The doctor explained that it would start with her feet.

Our appointed time with God isn't known to us but we do know we cannot escape this meeting.

My thoughts are with my friend and I pray the Lord will help her through her grief.

Bless my job, LORD

Deuteronomy 28: 8 ESV

“The LORD commands the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”

I know in the past I used to view my job as a means to earning money. It never occurred to me that I had a calling and God placed me in a position for a reason. I believe until you reach that point of understanding you may not see your job as a calling.

I don’t mind serving other people, it’s a pleasure and I enjoy it. In 1 Peter 4 verse 11, I see that “… whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies.” I have the strength from God to serve others.

It is important to equip yourself with your job. We are reminded in Proverbs 1 verse 5 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning and the one who understands obtain guidance.” Learn as much as you can about your job. In doing that you are equipping yourself.

I realized when I was doing my job in the past it would be for a Manager. I wanted his favour but lately, it struck me that I actually am working for the Lord. Ephesians 6: 7 – 8 “rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

My contract job is a gift from God and I never view my job as punishment. Ecclesiastes 5 verse 19 “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God.” I have been out of work for a very long time, God allowed me to get this job and I will praise Him for it. Thank You, so much Lord.

In the past, I struggled with criticism but lately, I thought about it and I realized I can make this work for me. I am not perfect and remember I am still learning, I decided to try harder and work towards improving myself. Proverbs 13 verse 18 “Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honoured.”

There are times that you need to actually go the extra mile in your job. I am reminded of Matthew 5 verse 41 “and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” In the long run, I believe this pays off. My husband constantly reminds me that give them more than what they expect. Abundance is something he constantly is preaching.

Prayer

Lord, O my God, thank You, so much for my job. You know that I am so blessed and that without You, I would not have been here. I am giving 100% of my attention to my work. I go the extra mile and do my best for all concerned. Thank You, for blessing me today and the rest of my life. I am so blessed with You in my life in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

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