Yvette's Stellar Stories

Tuesday 5 February 2019

Jack-in-the-box

Proverbs 18: 4

“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”

I actually don’t like a “Jack-in-the-box” the clown puts me off. I believe I have seen too many movies with evil clowns. The funny thing about a “Jack-in-the-box,” we can all relate to this fellow. When you are pushed a little harder than usual “Jack-in-the-box” will jump out and startle everybody around you especially if this guy is an evil clown.

Get out of that box! When I’m stressed out and wound up I become a real “Jack-in-the-box” kind of person. My temper can be foul at times. I found this “other” person jumping out and scaring everybody around me. I believe these are the times I should actually practice constraint but before I know it, I have said what I was thinking out loud.

That’s why we should make a point of living a personal relationship with the Lord our God. This is why we need to spend time with God, learning to stay committed and interact with God through His Word. The moment I feel I can short circuit the process that’s when I get into serious trouble.

I am sure God doesn’t condone my behaviour when I start scolding my family.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, a large part of my problem is not watching myself, not being in control over my emotions and definitely not feeling any compassion. O dear Lord, humbly I pray, help me to place a guard over my mouth and then to protect my heart because that is where the problems come from. I humbly admit and confess my attitude can be seriously bad. Please, Lord, I pray to forgive me. I realise my thoughts and thinking are focused on specific problems and that affects my mood and attitude. Please Lord, forgive me in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Word for Today:
Proverbs 4: 23, “Let the Holy Spirit fill my heart with God’s goodness.”

CONNECT:
You can follow along with Yvette van Niekerk at her blog, and on Instagram.

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February Month of LOVE

Deuteronomy 7: 9
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”

You know in this climate of uncertainty and economic distress I called on the LORD and He helped me. The LORD has blessed me with a job for another couple of months. Something I am so grateful for. I believe God’s love reaches me each and every day. God knows my needs and He sees my heart.

I want to encourage you today: God’s love is steadfast God’s love is seen through His son Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3 verse 16.

Take heart and know that God’s love is a comfort in your hour of need. We can always turn to the LORD our God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord humbly I come into Your presence saying Lord thank You for Your loving kindness and thank You for Your steadfast love. Without Your love Lord, we will not make it. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for Your son, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Amen

The Word for Today:
Psalm 36: 7, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

CONNECT:
You can follow along with Yvette van Niekerk at her blog, Google G+

and on Instagram.

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Sunday 3 February 2019

#PrayerRenewingHeart

Psalm 51: 10 (TLB)

“Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.”

It feels like my life is being pulled back and I am struggling to find my feet. I know God is in control and He is watching over me. I think there are sins in my life that I need to confess and pray for God’s forgiveness. I need to soak up God’s Word, meditate on it day and night and change my bad attitude.

I love the LORD and then I get busy and carry on all on my own. Today, I want to pray to ask God to search my heart, clean my thoughts and create right desires in my heart. It’s Sunday and I dedicate my life into Your hands Lord.

I would never be so bold as to think I am the same as any of the people in the Bible but when I think of David I think God loved him dearly. Yes he sinned and each time he repented and ask God to search his heart and attitude and restore him with God. I would like to come in humility to the LORD the same way. I want to become more and more like Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please forgive me, I am not a perfect person and yes, I believe that I am a sinful person. I am repenting of the sins I know of and those I am unaware of. Lord forgive me in the Holy name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen

The Word for Today:
2 Corinthians 4: 16, “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the LORD is growing every day.”

CONNECT:
You can follow along with Yvette van Niekerk at her blog, Google G+

and on Instagram.

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Scripture for Saturday

Numbers 13: 33

"Attitude of the doubt."

"And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak,

who come from the Nephilim),

and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers,

and so we seemed to them."

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

Saturday 2 February 2019

#PrayerRenewedSpirit

Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 (TLB)

“then throw off your old evil nature – the old you that was a partner in your evil ways – rotten through and through, full of lust and sham. Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with the new nature.”

We need to constantly come into the presence of the LORD and ask the Holy Spirit to help us with the renewing of our minds. In Ephesians, we see we are reminded to let go of the old sinful past and start moving forward towards the renewing of our minds. We need to change our attitude and thoughts by constantly focusing on God’s Word.

When we gave our lives to the LORD Jesus we became a new creation and children of the Living God. In 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17, we are reminded that we are a new creation in Christ.

I realize that my life isn’t perfect and I need to repent on a daily basis from my sinful life. Each day we need to meditate on God’s Word and we are also reminded in 2 Corinthians 4 verse 16 to renew our minds daily. Soaking up God’s Word and asking the Holy Spirit to help us. I believe in taking time and staying in God’s presence and reading the Word (Bible) writing down thoughts and praying about the LORD’s Word. Asking the Holy Spirit to reveal His word to us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, humbly I draw closer to You and I repent of my sinful life. Lord, if there are sins I should be repenting off please show me. I want to pray for the renewing of my mind, my soul and my spirit. I clothe myself with You, LORD Jesus, I am humbly praying for the renewing of my spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

The Word for Today:
2 Corinthians 4: 16, “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the LORD is growing every day.”

CONNECT:
You can follow along with Yvette van Niekerk at her blog, Google G+

and on Instagram.

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Scripture for Friday

Numbers 14: 18 ESV

"The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,

forgiving iniquity and transgression,

but he will by no means clear the guilty,

visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the childer,

to the third and the fourth generation."

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

Friday 1 February 2019

#PrayerFriday

2 Chronicles 7: 14 (TLB)

“Then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.”

Solomon brought sacrifices to the LORD and after his prayer, something fantastic happened. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. We really have no idea how awesome that must have been to see the glory of God fill the temple.

We see the priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house. The Israelites all fell down on the pavement and worshipped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

The temple is dedicated and then the LORD says “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” As I focus on this verse I am humbly asking the Holy Spirit to search my heart and soul, pointing out the issues of bitterness and sin that I am harbouring in my heart. I want to repent of my sinfulness and turn myself back to the LORD. In humility, I am asking that the Holy Spirit will show me the problems I need to deal with so that I can renew my own life, and rebuild my relationships with family and friends.

As I embark on this prayer journey I want to ask you to join me and let's ask for a revival in our own lives to honour God and bring good news to the nations.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ I humbly come before YOU, LORD. I want to pray and bring You praise. Lord, You are Holy and Worthy of Praise. Humbly, I confess that I have so many sins hidden in my heart. LORD, I am asking that the Holy Spirit will come and reveal it to me today and during the next couple of days. So that I may become healed in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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

CONNECT:
You can follow along with Yvette van Niekerk at her blog, Google G+

and on Instagram.

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Tuesday 29 January 2019

A New Beginning

Genesis 13: 14 ESV

The LORD said to Abram after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward.”

I cannot believe how time seems to fly these days. It was December 2018 a minute ago and now we are at the end of January 2019. I feel excited and in good spirits, I read something Joyce Meyers wrote and it struck me that I am also facing a New beginning in my own life.

As I meditate and focus on “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are,” I feel the Lord is also speaking to me. It seemed I would not get anywhere and nothing would work out for me. In my life, there are a couple of “naysayers” who are constantly trying to pull me down. The best part is God isn’t manipulated by these people. God has promised me; “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give me a future and hope.”

I am also getting excited because I am working on a strategic plan to start my own business, I have to do a couple of things and then start advertising. I see God saying to Abram “Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” Genesis 13 verse 17. I believe I am going place and God will give it to me.

As I think and meditate on God’s Word for today, I am getting up and walking out my dream. I am doing what I can and leaving the rest in God’s capable hands. I know God can do anything, I am reminded that Sarah was aged and she actually conceived and gave birth to her son Isaac. How awesome is that?

Prayer

Humbly, Abba Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I stand before You. I know that I am facing my New Beginnings. I am so grateful for the opportunities and gifts You have given me. I am asking YOU today to bless me in ways I cannot understand. I am asking for Your supernatural favour in my life with You LORD and with people. Please help me You know my hearts desires. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen

The Word for Today:
Genesis 18: 14, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

CONNECT:
You can follow along with Yvette van Niekerk at her blog, Google G+

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