Friday #smile today

 

by Yvette van Niekerk

Smile because you want to, there are 5 different smiles to light up your face. 

When someone looks at you and a shy smile covers your face.  

When looking at your baby. A warm smile lights your face and seeing someone you know you smile a warmly acknowledging them. 

You can have funny smile lighting up your face or a wide smile to show your teeth.

Feeling a little off and sad and you have to smile, you feel you have to smile to let the other person feel better this is your sacrificial smile. 

Meeting someone you haven't seen in a while, you smile courtesy. 

The one I struggle with my fake smile gives me away every time.

Come on lets smile, today, have a lovely Friday and enjoy your weekend. Smiling lights up your face and is always so beautiful.

John 13 verse 34 "God has given me one new command that I should love others just as He has loved me.

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Sleepless in Witbank

by Yvette van Niekerk

Ephesians 4: 26 NIV

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”

Why am I struggling with sleeplessness these days? I do fall asleep instantly but wake up any time of the night; it could be between 01:00 am to 3:00 am. It struck me this morning that I am really frustrated and so angry. How do I deal with these angry thoughts, mulling through me? It’s clear when I am so angry I just have no peace of mind. I toss and turn the whole night. Because of my angry thoughts, I have to come to realise it is spilling over into every other area in my life.

I need to confront my anger and stop focussing on it, I think I have internalised it to the extent I get upset and frustrated immediately with people who tell lies, try and pull the wool over my eyes and pretend they know it all.

The negativity of this anger I am carrying around with me, cause me to be cranky and irritable, not dealing with issues the right way. Because I realise I am not getting the right amount of rest and my sleep is constantly broken. I know that with age we don’t sleep as much as we used to but strangely I actually need my 8 hours of sleep. I believe sleeping causes my blood cells to rejuvenate and regenerate themselves, cleaning all toxic waste from my body. My old cells are being replaced by new cells and my hormones and tissue are being rejuvenated. So when I am sleeping I can become whole again.

I know even when I do fall asleep, and I didn’t deal with my anger issues, I have stored it up somewhere to nurse it another day. The sad part is, when it does come up again it won’t give up or give in. I know God’s word is clear about going to bed angry. I try and make peace but I find it getting harder and harder and this is causing calluses over my painful experience. When I stew over this problem I fear I am becoming bitter, and revengeful. Is there a solution to my problem? I think there is, but am I willing to actually consider the solution?

My experience in this matter must be one of expertise but I seem to fail every time.  I know when I feel so rejected, insulted and manipulated that I should stop, take a breath and consider what is taking place. Then take this matter up with the Lord. In sitting down taking my Bible and reading some verses from the Psalms, praying through my angry thoughts and dealing with the issues that are tearing at my heart through the only divine intervention I know.

Why read the Bible? This causes us to become positively infused. God’s word is living water and when we sit down, focus on His word and pray about the problems, we become rejuvenated and looking forward to a good night’s rest. When I focus on the Lord every night, my thoughts are moved away from negativity and I start to become confident and feel perfect the next day.

Take these issues in my stride and dealing with people who think they know everything becomes easier and I feel I can take-up the challenge and opportunities that the Lord God’s  has with my life, His plans for me through God love for me.

Prayer

Lord, Father, God, humbly I confess that I still stumble and fall when my anger issues come to play. I feel hurt and rejected, I feel let down and many times I am shocked at the way I am being treated. Lord, You know who is making me feel like this, I want to bring them before You today, I pray that You Lord, will deal with them. I pray to bless them today richly and give them what their heart desires. To the extent, that they will grab it with both their hands. Thank You Lord, for hearing my plea and thank You, that I can come in humble pray, confessing my problems. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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#self-centered me

by Yvette van Niekerk

Matthew 23: 11 - 12 MSG "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty."

As a mother, wife and grandmother I think that I have no choice in the matter of serving my family. To tell you the truth serving others does not come naturally to me. Why? I feel that I am a self-centered kind of person. I like things to go my way. I do feel ashamed about my self-centered ways and I am really working hard not to be so self-centered at time.

I wonder whether you struggle with being #self-centered? If you ask me, I believe we are selfish by nature. Looking at the two little kids I am looking after, I can tell you, the oldest is very #self-centered.

When reading my Bible, it is clear according to the Lord Jesus, life isnt all about me, and still everyting in this world revolves around "me" telling the "me" I need this and that.

The minute I get consumed by my own desires, my own needs and everything all about me, I forget about the Lord.

The Lord Jesus said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16 verse 24. Think about this the Lord wants it to be His way. When I think of food I should be focusing on what the Lord Jesus said: "My food ... is to be the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 4 verse 34. I wish I was that kind of person who would think that "my food is to be a servant of God. I want to please Him. My food is to complete the work the Lord God sent me to do. I want to do the will of my Father and to finish His work." I am praying for this kind of divine direction in my own life, letting the self-centered person behind.

What's the message here? I believe we are to serve others, not try and get everything out of everyone. Fill others with what we have and turn to God to help us fulfil His purpose in our lives.

Prayer

O Lord, Father God, today help me to become the servant You need me to be. I am so self-centered and not concerned about others needs. I need divine direction in my own life, show me the way forward. Teach me to be a godly person, help me to listen and understand. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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We all have something about ourselves we don't like.

1 Thessalonians 5: 23 -24 MSG

"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!"

I certainly have a tendency to focus on my flaws and points of weakness than I do on my strengths. I hope it's natural otherwise I'm very peculiar. There are some things in life that cannot be changed. Like I cannot change the Family, I was born into, I also cannot change my race or my physical stature. Although I am constantly trying to lose weight.

I don't think I can change any physical appearances or disabilities I might have.

Because I realise I am unique, and wonderfully made by God, I am accepting all I am today, this is exactly how God created me.

I realise there is something in my life that are unchangeable because of the world in which I am living. My parents are aged and my children live a long way from me. The only thing I can do is pray for my children and mom. Bringing healing, stability and protection.

What do you suppose can change about me? Perhaps elements such as my personality, my emotions which changes constantly. Believe me, I struggle with jealousy and I realise it is an acquired trait, I never really worried about people and now I seem to struggle with jealousy.

I can only pray God will heal me from my jealous outbreaks.

my \first step to change is to look at my weaknesses and pray to ask God for forgiveness. and ask God for healing, giving God permission to do whatever need be to heal me. I believe in faith God is buys dealing with me in His time and His methods.

 Pray

Heavenly Father in Your mercy please forgive me, please heal me and please enter any area of my life that I need healing, please accept my the invitation today come into my life, completely in Jesus name amen

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Only God's plans work out for us.

by Yvette van Niekerk

A long time ago, Augustine wrote: "You made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until it rests in You."

I believe we all are longing to know God intimately, our deepest desire, is to learn more about our God. Many times, I don't understand, the longing inside of me, my simple feeling of dissatisfaction with my life, the unfulfilled expectations, feelings of dejection, and many time I feel isolated. Directing me, to my main focus, I am hungry for God's Word. When we develop our relationship with God; and realize more about His holy character, which illuminates my mind, heart and soul.

Ezekiel 25: 6-7 MSG "God, the Master, says, Because you clapped and cheered, venting all your malicious contempt against the land Israel, I'll step in and, hand you out as loot - first come, first served. I'll cross you off the roster of nations. There'll be nothing left of you. And you'll realize that I am God."

It's clear, whatever I attained by my own will, and desires turned into to ashes, nothing to show for. Then God takes my hand, and things turn around. I realise, anew that while acquiring, anything outside of God's will, ultimately disappoint me, He fills me with truly satisfying "pleasures forever."

Prayer

Lord God, now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face.  Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Is your heart on fire for God? #heartonfire

by Yvette van Niekerk

2 Timothy 1: 5-7 MSG

"That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith - and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible."

When I see fire, I am automatically interested and stare at it, the flames licking and flickering up and down. When we have a braai (barbeque) most of us like to gather around the fire and chat, it nice and warm and very inviting. Fire keeps us warm and illuminates our interactions, it is the focal point, that brings us together.

Thinking of fire as a metaphor, it reminds of passion, burning and consuming desire, which is unquenchable. And fire can also be associated with our faith, burning and consuming desire to learn more of Gods word. I pray my heart and yours catches fire. The Holy Spirit coming in blazing and cleansing our hearts, souls and minds. I am asking God for purpose, passion and a promise in my life, the Holy Spirit to move and shake me.

Looking to God to His Kingdom and His coming. I want to have a deep conviction, almost simple assumption. The only way, I can experience the power, in my life through the Holy Spirit, and my ministry will go deeper in practising prayer in my life.

Prayer

Father, I want to come into Your presence with a joyful song of praise. I am asking You to ignite a passion in my spreading the gospel that is underscored by a sense of prophetic immediacy and urgency. I am praying for a powerful but natural merging of evangelism and compassion, of help and of hope and sharing the Word, Your Gospel with the kind assistance of a good friend. In Jesus Christs Name, Amen.

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I believe GOD will show me, HIS Will.

by Yvette van Niekerk

2 Chronicles 20 : 10-12 MSG

"And now it's Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir have shown up. You didn't let Israel touch them when we got here at first - we detoured around them and didn't lay a hand on them. And now they've come to kick us out of the country you gave us. O, dear. God, won't you take care of them? We're helpless before this vandal horde ready to attack us. We don't know what to do; we're looking to you."

I believe God, will move heaven and earth to show me His will. I believe God always wants the best for me, He has a specific plan for my life. I am were God, wants me to be right now. The minute I feel frustrated and confused I realize that I am wandering off my chosen path. God will take all kinds of protective actions to keep me from harm's way.

I often suffer from a restless spirit, I just cannot seem to put my finger on it, but I'm uneasy with life at times. I feel I just can't quite identify what's wrong. I've prayed "please Lord help me, I'm not sure what You are trying to say to me."

This weekend was awesome, I have been in a bit of a dip lately, I don't want to go into details but I didn't feel great. I received a blessing word from my Stepdaughter, she made me feel so good and then Sunday, Pastor Kiewiet spoke the same blessing over our congregation, what an experience. The spoken Word of God works miracles in our lives. Awesome.

I know this seems too much, I even have been receiving undeserved blessings, my daughter and my stepdaughter have been blessing me in abundance. I am so grateful to both of them!!!

Isaiah 30: 19-22 MSG "Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you'll find it's grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he'll answer. Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he'll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job urging you on whenever you wander left or right: "This is the right road. Walk down this road." You'll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images. You'll throw them in the trash as so much garbage saying, "Good riddance!"

Prayer

Lord, my God, thank You, I appreciate everything You do for me. Bless my family and all my children

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Condemnation - why do we allow it?

by Yvette van Niekerk

Romans 8: 1 - 2 MSG "With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death."

I struggled to comprehend God does not remember my sins. It seemed impossible for my finite mind to see and understand.

It blows my mind to think, God who is an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, being doesn't remember my sins. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God, who can rightly know, every single detail of every sin, that I committed. God's declaration, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Hebrew 8 verse 12. I want to encourage you, if you feel you cannot approach God, because of your sin, you are able because He is waiting for you.  By simply believing, God's Word that through the provision of Jesus' sacrifice; God has indeed remembered my sins no more.

The impact of Jesus' sacrifice means I can start living without a cloud of shame, guilt, condemnation and any judgement over my life. I will stand bold and righteous in Christ today, I expect to receive Jesus Christ' best!

Prayer

Abba, Father, forgive me for holding onto past sins, I am standing firmly, boldly and righteously, in Jesus Christ today. Lord, I expect to receive, Jesus Christ's best in my life right now. I expect Your Supernatural favour in my life, I am Your child, You have called me by my name. Amen

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Anger Management

by Yvette van Niekerk

I think anger affects our lives, regardless of origin. When I’m angry I feel upset and under a lot of pressure. I’m not one to keep my anger locked up and pretend nothing is wrong, I explode there and then. My husband, on the other hand, suppresses his anger, I fear he might even have a stroke or heart tack.

Ecclesiastes 7: 9 MSG “Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.”

I know it is important to look for a positive way in dealing with my anger and I really try but sometime I just can’t manage it. I submit my feeling to God and try and not take it back because it’s not under control right away. Taking responsibility for my anger is a way I feel I am managing my anger. I cry in the shower when very angry to relieve myself of the pain I feel at that time. I try to process my feeling and get closure but not always successful. 

Angry people are destructive and can hurt themselves and others in the process.

Prayer Father please help me to be more positive and stop my angry outburst, I know You know my heart and see my frustration. I pray to ask to take this fear away from me and heal me in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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#Never

by Yvette van Niekerk

Isaiah 64: 4

A Prayer for God’s Power

“When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence. From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God buy you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sin.”

When I say words like “I’ll never get through this situation or find that perfect job.” I have given into my fears and do not trust in God. I am the most negative person on this earth, so words spoken and said like “never” I try and avoid at all costs. I want to dream a dream and live my life fulfilled. It seems I’ll be taking action before I say never.

Today I want to encourage you and me too, lets keep watching and waiting for God to come into our movie. I want His blessings in my life and I am trusting in Him. God gave me a wonderful husband and great and wonderful kids and grandkids. My life is full of possibilities.

Today do not allow the nevers to infiltrate your life and destroy your hope, God is still in control He knows more that you or i.

Lord I know I am failing everytime I focus all my time and engery on nevers. Please help me see the tree before the forest, help me focus on You Lord Jesus not allowing my fear of failure to cloud my judgement.

Prayer

Lord Jesus according to Your Word, God will never let me down. Deut. 31 verses 6 and 8. No matter what is happening in my life today I believe that You God are in control and I do not have to fear. You are my light, my way, my hope and I trust in You in Jesus name. amen.

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