People with a past.

by Yvette van Niekerk. God uses the painful times in our lives to make us stronger. Getting through a difficult time and moving forward every day, never giving up. Today, I want you to thank God for what He is doing and can do through the trials you are facing. No, I’m not saying thank God for what you are going through right now, it might be a very difficult situation. But, I do want to encourage you to thank Him for the good He is producing through these trails. Matthew 5: 3 CSB “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” And Psalms 34: 18 CSB “The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.” I have been going through some personal stuff for a long time, and to be honest, I thought this is never going to change. Then I realised God is busy in my circumstances. I saw and realised that He is also working on my side. God is working to help me change my mind and enable me to see new possibilities. It’s not easy and I struggle with negative thoughts. I am the person that will think the worst before something good. God is showing me new possibilities. It struck me that these possibilities are faith – things I cannot see but believe in. I realised that without faith it’s impossible to please and be satisfactory to God. In God’s Word; the Bible. Hebrews 11 verses 6 “For however would come near God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out).” I have been speaking to God and moving towards God by investing in my own deliverance. I heard that when we invest in something, we value and protect it. So here I am investing in my own deliverance. God is drawing near to me. I will not allow the devil to take away my peace again. Prayer Father God, I am asking that the Lord Jesus please be patient with me today. I also need to ask if the Lord Jesus will work with me through this problem I have of being negative and constantly moaning about things I have no control over. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the insight and understanding to looking at my circumstance with new possibilities. Changing the way and learning to focus and trust that You are in control. Lord Jesus according to Jeremiah 31 verse 3 to 4 NKJV “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you … I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt.” Lord I am asking that You turn my mess into a hope for others, You know my struggles and I am holding onto You today. The same applies to today, I am asking that You will bless my work and my hands today, Lord that You will come into my life and lead me I need You. Holy Spirit You are welcome in my life today, please help in Jesus Christ's name. Amen

Spoken faith.

by Yvette van Niekerk Psalm 46: 5 CSB “God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns.” What a wonderful statement wow. My thinking is then why do I forget that God is within me? Why do I try and fix things, control people and circumstances? Am I struggling with pride? I am being self-centred instead of God-centred? The truth of the matter is God is my power source and I am supposed to be drawing my strength from Him, but sometimes I want to be indented and go it on my own. This is when I start falling and toppling over. I am currently going through a difficult time, it’s called burn-out. I don’t feel like doing anything, I am restless, I have no drive and I am so very tired. God has been so good to me that I now can relax and rest and not stay focused on so many projects. My husband doesn’t push for things to happen; and thinks I should relax. Read a book or watch a movie on Netflix or even sleep in the afternoon. I want to draw near to God and I want to recharge my battery I need to be in a place where I can rely on God again. I am staying connected so that I don’t have to throw in the towel. Today I am resting in God, my Father's power. I am waiting on the Holy Spirit to carry me through. Philippians 4 verse 13 CSB “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” It’s clear I don’t have to worry about everything. I cant make things happen. I need to keep myself plugged in. 2 Timothy 1 verse 7 CBS “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” Joseph Campbell wrote, “We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so on have the life that is waiting for us.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17 CSB “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away and see, the new has come.” I feel like there are so many wrongs I have committed in my life, but I feel certain that God already knows my past, present and even my future. I know that God exists outside of time, He is omnipresent and because of this, He has access to all time. Isaiah 43: 18 – 19 CSB “Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” I believe God knows all the hardship, obstacles and my terrible decisions and sin I committed and that was when I was created by God for an assigned purpose in my life. I am grateful that God decided to send Jesus Christ to die on a cross for me because of all the wrongs in my life making a wedge between God and me, but because of Jesus Christ, I have a chance. Father God today I want to be obedient and simply accept the gift that You have given me. I am trading my tired and worn-out life for a new one today with Jesus Christ. Today I surrender all my faulty plans for Your perfect plan. Lord, Father God, please help me to abide in you so that you can abide in me. Father God, today I am embracing the new life available to me. I don’t know how things will work but I beg You hear my call. I accept the Lord Jesus Christ to renew my life today. Amen

Leaf Double-knit hand knitted throw.

by Yvette van Niekerk These double knit throws are made from a thick, warm acrylic yarn that will give you the luxury of a lovely double knit blanket without having to use wool. The leaf pattern adds dimension and texture to any of your home decors. This is the perfect accessory for friends, yourself and even babies. You can style this throw on the end of your bed, or even your couch or a lovely seat. Dimensions: 47’ x 43’ in it could stretch to 50’ x 60’ in but do return to original shape if cared for. Message me if you are interested.

Friday, Repent!

Friday! Repent 2 Chronicles 7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. In my heart of hearts I believe God has called me by my name according to Isaiah 43 verses 1 I have called you by name; you are mine. Today, Lord, my God I confess that I still have problems dealing with resentment and I think it has taken root and become a root of bitterness.

https://vniekerkyvette.blogspot.com/ Lord, I humbly confess this problem and sin before You, I want to also ask You Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ to please forgive me. I know that I am one of Your stubborn children and I realise You have changed things around to get my attention. Please Father, God, I pray forgive me. I do not want to be a superficial kind of person, I have learned to avoid speaking to people and I have master the art of always being nice on the outside. Lord, my sin is before me, my bones are in pain and I know that You did not create me to be superficial. I do not know how to love anybody not even myself. Because I am stuck in a rut and I cannot see a way forward I want to pray and ask You, please forgive me. Help me with a new desire to read Your Word and let it come alive to me so that I can learn more from You. In the name of Jesus Christ Lord, I ask forgive me. I am expecting a change in my life, I am expecting You to turn my life around. I am expecting the Holy Spirit to be poured out over my life, so that I am able to be a living testimony to You Father God, in Jesus name. amen

Daily Bread

Daily Bread Matthew 4: 4 “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” By Yvette van Niekerk Do you every worry about eating your daily bread? I am sure when you get up in the morning go to the kitchen make yourself some coffee and have a slice of toast. It’s very simple we all do that. This morning I made eggs and toast for my husband and we actually did enjoy our daily bread. What about your time with God? Do you spend time in God’s presence? I got caught up with a cake I am making for someone to collect tomorrow. My thinking was I’ll sit down straight after I decorated the cake and then spend some time in God’s presence. Honestly, I actually did sit down and listened to some gospel music and then I listened to my daily devotionals. But I have not been able to really get into the Word of God. I seem to be side tracked all the time. After I sat down I felt an enormous weight on my shoulders, I felt dead tired. My focus is off and I seem to be so tired. I have come to realise that I am starving for God’s Word, spiritually. I need to do something to regains my relationship with the Lord my God. Hebrew 2 verses 1 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we heard, lest we drift away.” O my Lord, it’s clear as day, I have been drifting away from the Lord. I certainly feel I am learning new things every day. I realise that the War in Russia and the Ukraine, is very real, people don’t have bread everyday. I am considering myself blessed as I have peace in my home and I can spend time in God’s presence. It is my hearts desire to hear God’s voice through His word. I used to hear Him in the beginning when I just became a new born Christian. But lately I feel I have lost that personal touch with God. I seem to be so caught up in all my own thinking and work etc. Prayer Father God, I adore You, Lord. Worship at Your feet, I bring You glory and honor, and I want to sing praises to Your Name. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Great and might are You Lord, God my saviour. Today I confess my lack of focus and my sinful nature. Lord I confess my impatience with people around me, I confess Lord that I am not always tolerant and considerate towards others. I am so deeply sorry Lord. Father, I want to say thank You, for today, for Your lovingkindness and mercy which is new every day. Thank You that I can come to You in prayer. I want to praise You Lord. Today I also want to pray help me I really need to have Your Word come alive to me again. Make it happen, Father God. I am asking You please clear my mind and soul. Please teach me new things and help me go deeper into Your Word than I have ever done before. Lord, I draw a hedge of Jesus Christs blood around myself and my family and friends. I pray for Your supernatural favour in my life and the lives of my family and friends, let no harm come to us. Thank You Lord Jesus Amen https://vniekerkyvette.blogspot.com/

I am finding out who I am.

by Yvette van Niekerk Today I want to take a step in the right direction. I want to pray that God’s Word, the Bible will change me and renew my mind. I realise that in my ageing life I cannot make it on my own. I have prayed that the Word of God come alive to me again. I also want to ask God to clear my mind and my soul so that I may receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. I want the Lord, God to teach me new things. I am also asking God to help me go deeper into the Bible and discover more of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, where am I going? According to Psalm 119 verses 133 “Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” I am trusting God to direct my steps and keep me from sinning. What do I need? In Psalm 19 verses 7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” I do not have the necessary wisdom to carry on, without God’s Word I lack knowledge and have no wisdom. I am holding onto God’s Word for wisdom today. What will happen when I trust in God? I know out of past experiences that when I hold onto God’s Word, my life is working out. Joshua 1 verses 8 says “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” I need to be successful and I cannot do this on my own. Without God in my life I am unsuccessful. Why should I live in purity? Psalm 119 verses 9 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” I know I cannot come into the presence of God if I do not strive towards Holiness. I know that the Word of God is a form of washing me clean by the Words in the Bible. So I am not justified by the Word, but I am sanctified by it. I am justified in my spirit and sanctified in my soul. I am seated in heavenly places with Jesus Christ. What happens when I obey God’s Word? Psalm 119 verses 33 to 35 “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.” In obeying God’s Word I am drawing near to Him daily. What are the advantages when focusing on God’s Word? Psalm 19 verses 8 “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the Commandments of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” I want to be joyful and be stressed free, the best way to find joy is in God’s presence. I don’t think of my problems and my anxiety is far from me. Romans 10 verse 17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” An advantage of focusing on God’s Word is my faith is wrong every day. John 8 verse 31 – 32 “If you abide in my Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” I am set free from sin when I accept the Lord Jesus Christ. Is there peace? Psalm 119 verse 165 “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” The best way to find this kind of peace is to actually look for it in God’s Word, there is no other way and no real peace in my life when I stay away from God. Prayer Father God, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Lord, today I come into Your presence and I am asking You, please help me and let Your Word come alive within me. Please make it happen for me and anyone else reading my blog today. Father God, in Jesus Christ’s name I am asking You to clear my mind and my soul that I may be teachable again. I want to learn new things. Give me the wisdom and understanding to go deeper into Your Word which I have never done before. I take up the full Armor of God that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. I stand having my loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. I take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. In Jesus Christ’s name Amen (https://vniekerkyvette.blogspot.com/)

It Stop's with me, NOW!

by Yvette van Niekerk

Feelings of embarrassment cover me as I need to deal with some personal issues I am facing at the moment. I have allowed resentment to turn into bitterness in my life. Red light! I need to deal with this bitterness before I grow old and become obsessed with unforgiveness. I am wrestling with the fact I have allowed myself to fall into this trap. I needed to identify my problem and I realised that I took offence to the next level - bitterness. I remember reading that the root of bitterness becomes a destructive force in a person’s life. This is a type of cancer "spiritually." I am afraid of this kind of cancer and I want to stop it by all means possible. This insidious root of bitterness is hiding in my life. Why? Wow because I didn't forgive and let it go. I held onto it and thought I'll get you back, and then? This little dragon started to grow and come to the surface bit by bit. My personality started to change and I became more angry and frustrated. I am not joking when I tell you it is a destructive force that needs to stop right now. Looking at my life, you can see me as one of those big ocean liners, it cannot turn on a dim, it needs space and time. So turning it around is a process. Apostle Paul; wrote we should watch out and not allow this evil spirit to become attached to our lives. Which will corrupt us. Hebrews 12: 15 "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” At the moment I am doing whatever it takes to make the right choice. I have decided to deal with the root of bitterness and I want to change my life before I turn into an old hag. So let's see how I am going to deal with the poisonous root of bitterness that has flared up in my life. Confess my sin of unforgiveness to the LORD, Isaiah 1: 18 "Come now, let us reason together, saith the LORD; thought your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Forgive the person or persons and stop the resentment. I know and trust the LORD and believe that when I confess my sin that I will be forgiven. Prayer Father God, I confess that I have feelings of bitterness in my heart today. I also confess that I am angry and hurt. I have allowed this sin of unforgiveness to stay alive in me. I am asking You, Father God, forgive me. I forgive the people that have offended me and hurt me. You know them and I set them free in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Praying for myself?

It’s much easier to pray for someone else than it is to pray for myself. God knows all my needs and that He can do things for me even if I don’t ask for it. To my mind I have many, and complicated things going on in my life and I am not sure how to tell the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4: 7 We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Right now my life feels it is out of control. Pressured and I am not able to get to everything. I am tired and burned out. When I start cleaning my house I will not sit down until I have done everything that is necessary. Im sure you have everything together, me on the other hand, that I am stuck and that I cannot move forward. I also feel like for every three steps I take forward I seem to move six backwards. Right now I doubt I can every move into the full purpose and destiny God has for me. I feel that I have not been faithful or even tried to get to my purpose. I am struggling with feelings of emptiness, frustration, and unfulfillment. I want to ask the Lord to forgive me, it seems I am stuck in a rut and not able to make any progress. Prayer Father God, I long to be in Your presence. I want to find my fulfilment in You. It’s my hearts desire to walk closely with You every day. Please help me increase in faith and knowledge in Your Word. Today I want to put all my hopes and dreams into Your hands. Lord I believe that all my hopes and needs will be met by You alone Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Make my heart right with You, Lord Jesus.

by Yvette van Niekerk

It's so easy to get caught up in all kinds of things in this world. I can create work and stay busy all day long. I have the ability to stay on my feet from the morning till the evening. I am not perfect and I can be very mean towards people. So when you look at my profile picture, remember one main thing, I am not perfect. I need the Lord Jesus Christ more than you know. It's very hard being completely honest about myself, but I need to keep myself accountable. I also know that I cannot make anything happen in my life. I am not God. Only God can make things happen. I don't know if you have experienced God's love and His perfecting you, I am still on the road to perfection. This week I want to examine my life and be honest about the wrong thinking, the wrong living I find myself pursuing. I am trusting the Holy Spirit in cleansing my heart, spirit and mind. I read a prayer and it says "Please Lord, I need You to show me what does not need to be in my heart, mind, spirit and soul. I am asking for direction and I want to be right with You. Please convict me of wrong habits, thinking and judging people. Today I am praying please by Your grace tear down my arrogance, pride, fear, and insecurities, help me see the truth about who I am." Acts 3: 19 Repent therefor and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. I am trusting God to work through the Holy Spirit today, to make me see what I've become. To give me a change of heart and cleanse me so that I am able to come into His presence again. Proverbs 28: 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. I am confessing to the Lord Jesus Christ I am sinful and I want to confess my thoughts and action and I am asking Him to show me where I am still falling short. Psalm 32: 5 I acknowledge my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. I repent of many things this morning and I am forgiven. Please Lord have mercy upon me today, O God, according to Your Lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my sins today. Please wash me thoroughly from in iniquity, and cleanse me from my sins. Please create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Please Lord don't throw me away but draw me near through Your Holy Spirit. Make me clean and right before You today, In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ Amen

I choose to take my thoughts captive.

I choose to take my thoughts captive. Today I was busy working on a cake for my client, and I started thinking what a terrible person I have become. All the while I was singing a song to the Lord. "How great is my God." Boom I get bombarded with negative thoughts. Today I am reminded to take my thoughts captive. It said in Philippians 2 verse 5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Not realizing that the devil was trying to keep me from praising God, I stop and thought "wow what have I become?" Mark 7 verses 21 to 22 says: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." I better take a hold of my thought life, I am not bad, in fact, I try and act decent most of the time. It struck me that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. If this is true why am I feeling so lousy about who I am? Then I realised I need to stop allowing negative thoughts to plague me and tell the devil to leave me alone. I have the mind of Christ. I won't listen to him anymore. I have decided not to live with mental oppression any longer. I am sick and tired of being pushed around. I will not harden my heart towards God, but I am embracing Him today. If I am pursuing clarity and knowledge I will study God's Word. Make God's Word my purpose going forward. Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Prayer Father God, I need wisdom and understanding it seems I have accepted lies instead of Your truths in my life. Please forgive me. Please, Lord, help me to discern when You are speaking to me. I do not want to be deceived by the enemy. Today reminded me that Your Word is "a discern of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrewes 4 verse 12. Reveal any wrong thinking in me today through Your Word, Lord Jesus. Amen

Learning how to take control of my mind.

Learning how to take control of my mind.

Today is Wednesday and my goodness, I sure am struggling with my negative thoughts. I am angry and despondent right now. Today my husband has gone away to a little town called "Driekies Dorp" and he passed through "Ermelo". So I'm supposed to bake a birthday cake for one of my clients. It struck me once again I struggle with negative thoughts, my husband tends to ignore me when he doesn't get his way. This frustrates me. This morning I felt so paralyzed by the thought of his acting out again. I felt tremendous loneliness and sadness as he drove off to work. Depression was lurking and waiting for me as I walked into my house. I didn't phone my mom or anyone I sat down. Then I decided I needed to get out of the house and do something before these thoughts consume me today. I have decided that I will fast tomorrow and find out what I can change in my life. I need a breakthrough and only God knows my thoughts and my emotions. I am trusting God to help me deal with the heaviness that is chasing me and making me feel so misrable. Romans 12: 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformd by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable an perfect will of God. Prayer Heavenly Father, today I need to pray for wisdom, insight and understanding. I draw a circle of Jesus Christs blood around each member in my family today. O LORD, its tough and I know that You are able. Lord I know that You are a Mighty God. Lord I know that You will deliver us today from the working of the evil one. Lord Jesus, my eyes are on You. I draw my family into this circle of Your protection, Your superanatural favor with You as well as with men. Please Lord remove any evil person from their lives and replace it with a good and righteous person. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.