Yvette's Stellar Stories

Wednesday 21 November 2018

THE SECRET OF SUCCESSFUL SOWING AND REAPING

Galatians 6: 7 – 8 AMP

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Set an example: To successful teach our kids the secret of sowing and reaping - set an example. Kids need boundaries and learn every action has a reaction. We all want to be successful in life. We need to learn from the beginning “what you sow you will reap.” It applies to our home environment as well as our schools and churches.

Teach our children: As Christian mothers, we are expected to teach our children the basic truths we find in the Bible. God is no one’s fool; you won’t get away with bad things. This means we need to be consistent when it comes to disciplining our children. For example: Let’s take telling lies. Listen to what is said. Take a break and walk away. Come back and then test the story. When the story changes you know it’s a lie and then you can discipline the child.

There are consequences: I believe we confuse our children when we forego consequences. It results in our children becoming rebellious and stubborn. They feel they can manipulate the situation to their advantage. It won’t affect them right now, but it will in the long run. They think they are able to manipulate everybody around them and one day it will backfire on them. It is important to tell our children that God isn’t someone that can be manipulated and remind them whatever you sow you will reap.

The blessings: It is important for them to see that God is blessing your finances when you are sowing in tithings. Tell them and let them see how God blesses your finances. They will want to copy you. I think it is important that they learn this from at an early age. One day they are able to make the ultimate decision in serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, O Lord please help me through the Holy Spirit to stay obedient to You. I want to do the best job now. Lord gives me the necessary wisdom and understanding for today. I know whatever I sow I will reap. Forgive me my short-sightedness. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

The Word for Today:
Galatians 6: 8 AMP, “For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

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Tuesday 20 November 2018

Want to be truly self-disciplined? Start each day like this.

Philippians 1: 10 AMP

“so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin];”

Make your bed – it was the hardest thing for me. I heard my mom saying “wisdom comes with age.” She sure knows what she is talking about. As you know I just turned 55 years old, I know ancient! Nevertheless, I have learned some important things that I try and practice. I used to hate making my bed as a child and young woman. In order to start my day right I had to make my bed. It seemed to be the hardest thing I had for the day. I soon realized once my bed was made I was ready to face the day. At the office I hated filing away documents. They always seemed to disappear. Not too long ago I helped implement a filing system that made this place shine from their competitive. Why? When our office was audited they could find all the evidence to each and every query.

Be on time. I don’t know about you, but I hate it when people come in late to a meeting. We can sit up to 20 minutes waiting for someone. I believe that it is important to be punctual. It shows your respect for the other persons time. Or do I have this all wrong?

Plan ahead. I am not in a position to plan ahead because my life isn’t as stable as most other people. I can only plan ahead to a certain extent. But I do like to plan ahead on many things that I feel is important to me. I also like to consult with God especially on my plans.

Correction. As I grow older I realise that the correction of any of my bosses in the past was a learning curve in my life. I am so glad that I wasn’t the one sulking and then running away. I never retaliated and I tried to understand their point of view. I read that Gandhi said “There’s always a limit to self-indulgence, but none to self-restraint.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, O LORD my God, today I want to pray asking You to reveal to me the unmanageable areas in my life today. Help me deal with my unruly thoughts and feelings. Help me to stop making excuses and face the truth even when it hurts. I struggle with feeling sorry for myself constantly, please help me get over this issue. Please help me set goals that are attainable in my current situation. Please teach me to recognize and treasure what is excellent. Humbly I am praying in Jesus Christ name Amen.

Word for Today:
Proverbs 13: 10, “Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife, but [skilful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.”

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How Destiny Helpers Sets You Apart From the Rest

1 Samuel 20: 1 – 4 NIV

David and Jonathan

“Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?” “Never!” Jonathan replied. “You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would he hide this from me? It isn’t so!” But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favour in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.” Yet as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.”

We all need a destiny helper to set us apart from the rest of our peers. David had enemies, but one that stands out is King Saul.

King Saul wanted his son to be the next king. Jonathan favoured David. They loved each other. Jonathan was shocked to hear of the king's plans to kill David. Jonathan would reveal the king's plans to David. Giving David an advantage of escaping death each time.

I think everybody expected Jonathan to hate David because David would become the next king. Still, Jonathan never thought of David as an enemy but his friend. He confided in David. Jonathan even went so far as to pray for David "May God be with you as He was with my father." Jonathan knew God had left King Saul. King Saul must have been so disappointed with Jonathan. His heir to the throne and he even told Jonathan he was a disappointment. Favouring “the son of Jesse!”

I believe Jonathan was David's destiny helper, with the help of Jonathan, David's life was spared on many occasions.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to pray that You will release a destiny helper in my life and the lives of each person reading this blog. Please, Almighty God, raise up men and women that will exasperate the plans of the devil who is denying me and others of our crown, prophecy and testimonies. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

Word for Today:
1 Samuel 20: 30, “Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame of the mother who bore you?” (NIV)

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Friday 16 November 2018

#gracetothehumble

1 Peter 5: 5 AMP

“Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [eek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

Sometimes life can come with a curveball. I have been experiencing a difficult year all around. Just when I think I’m getting there something comes my way and poof I’m out. The most difficult situations are the ones I experience psychologically. Like in my mind, and I sense things are wrong but I have no control over them. Also, I realize there is another situation I just cannot control and I feel helpless about it.

When situations are difficult and I just don’t know what to do, I cry out to God. This morning my mind was racing and the devil was planting all kinds of seeds. Trying to get me upset about something at home. I kept on going to God, and Satan kept on throwing things in my mind. I finally fell off to sleep and when I woke up I didn’t think about anything bad.

I realise I am not perfect and when I allow the devil to throw seeds in my garden and I start watering them they will grow and make me miserable. The best thing I do is pray, and pray and pray. I am not able to do anything about any of my problems, I didn’t cause them intentionally but they are there. I believe God is in control.

God, You give grace to the humble. I want to repent of my pride asking You to please forgive me. I humbly ask for help about two matters You are aware of in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen

Prayer

Heavenly Father, O LORD, You know we are so full of pride and think that we are able to sort out everything in our lives. But the fact remains I cannot do anything about any of the problems I am facing. My relationships and my work and my family and not forgetting my finances. Lord all I can do is ask You humbly please help me going forward. I humbly come into Your presence in humble prayer asking You please, please forgive me I have a sinful nature and I cannot do this on my own. I am in urgent need of Your help. My life is a mess and I don’t know what will become of me. In the holy name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

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Thursday 15 November 2018

“Be careful little tongue what you say.”

James 1: 26 – 27 AMP

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren). Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.”

In honesty I believe I am the one person who is very good with putting my foot in my mouth on more than one occasion. I have made so many faux pas when it comes to my own family. Without thinking I would “like” each and every post on Facebook, not really reading what is said. I just go ahead and “like” the post. Oops! I did it again.

My goodness and what about my filters? Talking to my husband and blurting out what I think of this that or the other and guess what I have said something to offend him, my children or my step children. No filters!!! What is wrong with me?

It isn’t an easy task to keep a reign on this tongue of mine; I have the ability to cut people with my words. But I want to become pleasing to the Lord my God, I want to practice His Word. James is reminding me to control my tongue. I need to show people love and I have to remember what God is teaching me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord, I come before You today and I dedicate my life back into Your hands. I pray asking that You place a guard over my mouth. Help me to watch what I say and to love people and not treat them the way they treat me. I want to be obedient to Your Word. I want to grow in Spiritual maturity. Please Lord, place this guard over my mouth and help me to act and treat people with the best intentions all the time. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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#Rejection - Thursday

Philippians 4: 6 AMP

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests know to God.”

My friends and my husband constantly say things like “why do you worry about what others think of you?” The truth is I do want their approval and feel like I fit in. The fact remains that I don’t have many friends and it seems like I never am good enough for even people in my life. I work hard not to feel rejected when someone says something I feel a little tender about. Sometimes people say and do things that hurt me and I suppose I actually do the same to them too. Those little actions can stick and sting. I must guard against that little seed of rejection which I fear could turn into a root of bitterness in my own heart causing havoc in my own life.

I know God has created me different to most people, yes it’s difficult to always understand me. I know God has a purpose and a plan for my life. I know God said He has a future for me and a good plan. Then why do I lose sight of God in these times of rejection? Why am I so lightly touched and take offence? The tiniest action or word can make me feel so rejected. Have I lost my identity in Christ?

I know I need to remind myself daily that God loves me so much that He made me co-heir with Christ. He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my rejections and fears, I just need to remember that God loves me regardless of what others think or say about me. I wear a bracelet on my right arm inscribe on it “Isaiah 43: 1” God called me by name I am His.

Prayer

Abba Father, I want to bring the root of my bitterness to You today in the name of Jesus Christ. I forgive the people who have said things against me knowingly and unknowingly. Lord, if I have taken offence about anything in my own life, I pray please forgive me. I forgive the people for offending me. I pray to forgive them too; I believe that You have loved me and made me a co-heir with Christ. I am Your child You, have called me by my name, I belong to You. I cut these feelings of rejection and abonnement in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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#Prayer

Philippians 4: 6 AMP

The past couple of months I have been waking up around 4 am every morning. During this time I just pray and say thank you to the Lord for another day. I then start talking to Him about my children and grandchildren and stepchildren. My worry for each day and how I feel in general. By the time my alarm goes off, I am wide awake and ready to start the day.

I must be honest sometimes when I feel so distorted and so abandoned it is almost impossible to speak to God. I do suffer from these difficult days but God is so good He always sends me a gift or something to cheer me up.

I have come to realize that even when I feel that there is no way that I am going to make it, God comes through for me. I also have come to realize that I need to keep on praying. I believe it’s second nature to just speak to God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord You know my heart and mind, Lord You also know what I feel worried about. Thank You, Lord that You are my provider, thank You Lord that You will look out for my children, grandchildren and stepchildren. I am grateful for today, I can breathe, I can see, I can smell and I can walk and talk. I have the ability to create and I can enjoy many other great things in my life. Lord bless my children and grandchildren and my stepchildren. Bless all my family in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ today and thank You for hearing my prayers in Jesus Christ's name. Amen

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