Granddaughters prayers - Courage

by Yvette van Niekerk

December 15, 2022 Good morning, today I want to pray for Gizel, Anabelle and Briana my beautiful granddaughters. Lord may each granddaughter of mine stand firm for what is right, give them the courage they need to face today. Help them guard the truth and see justice in every aspect of life. Lord please gives them the ability to stand in grace. Let them revere Your name and be proud to proclaim You are Lord of lords and King of kings. In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen

Granddaughters prayer - emotional development

December 14, 2022 Good morning, I want to pray for my granddaughters Gizel, Anabelle and Briana. Emotional development is so important in life. Father God, You know each girl, and I know You are the Creator of our bodies and mind. Lord create in Gizel, Anabelle and Briana the ability to deal with emotions. Strengthen them today if they feel confused, give them clarity of mind help them focus. We all face dark times, and should this arise at any time in their lives I pray give them hope for the future. Lord, let Your Holy Spirit fill them today, as a ray of sunlight shine over them and keep them safe. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Who am I to be today?

Good morning, the question that is laying heavily on my heart today is “Who am I to be today?” When I was going to bed last night I was contemplating revenge. I am so angry about a situation in my life right now. I thought okay, let’s me see “don’t get mad, get even.” This morning I woke up, sat down and started my prayers. I started off praying for my granddaughters asking God to give them courage and let them seek mercy. I was also thinking let the Lord teach them grace and peace in their lives. How can I be so angry and keep revenge in my heart? Of course, I will let it go. Thinking about my thoughts, of taking revenge I realised this is going to turn me into an old hag. So that brings me to ‘who am I to be today?’ Right now I know that I am supposed to be a gracious forgiving person. I know that I am to let go, and let God. So I have decided to trust in God. Lord, my prayer is simple and I want to pray that You O God, will vindicate me. Please will you plead my cause against the person? I am asking You Lord to rescue me. I declare Lord God You are my stronghold. Please do not reject me. Please let me be free from this oppression I am facing today. Lord send forth your light and your truth. Lord guide me and let me bring joy to You. Bring me into your Holy Mountain to the place where You dwell. I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you, O God, my God. Because my soul is downcast and disturbed within me, I will put my hope in You Lord, God. I will praise You and love you as You are my Savior and my God. Who am I to be today? I am Forgiving and merciful, trusting in God who is Sovereign. Who will you be today?

by Yvette van Niekerk

December 13, 2022 Good morning, I want to pray for my granddaughters Gizel, Anabelle and Briana. Father God, I want to pray for my granddaughters. You know the world is pressing in and tempting each child, in so many ways. Lord, I want to pray to ask for help for each girl to set boundaries, for their protection. Lord, I am asking that You give each girl a sound judgment to choose wisely. Lord, guard them against temptation; and please protect them from physical and mental predators. Lord, lead my granddaughter into paths of righteousness and light. Lord reassures me with Your promises that You are holding each girl in Your hands today. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen

Meditate … “Yvette, you will meditate on it [the Word] day and night.”

by Yvette van Niekerk

Good morning, Today I want to speak to you about meditation. It’s something that has been weighing heavy on my heart these past few months. What is meditation? Meditation is when you read something – the Word of God. Then you start to take it into your heart in a very personal way. Now after taking it into your heart, apply it to your daily life. Apply God’s Word in my life, I am reading the Word and when it comes to the scripture about blessing and prosperity. I say “Amen, Hallelujah! I take that Word from God. He says that He will meet all my needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Read Philippians 4 verse 19. I am expecting Him to do that in my life. For a long time, I have been reading God’s Word, the Bible like any other book. But the last couple of days I have thought about it and decided to see what I can learn. I also am thinking it's Words from God, speaking to me each day. What is God saying to me? I am starting to realise that God is speaking to me. When someone speaks to me I look at them, listen to what they are saying and respond to whatever is being said. Going forward I am reading the Word of God, [The Bible] to hear what the Lord is saying to me. I am trying to digest the Word and apply it in my own life. When it comes to God’s Word I want to take it so that it moves from my head to my heart. I want to become a new creation, revived in the Word, I want God’s Word to wash my soul clean. In Joshua 1 verse 8 I see “I meditate on God’s Word day and night. I observe to do it and I have success!” Prayer from Psalm 119: 73 – 80 Yodh Good morning Father God, according to Psalms 119 verses 73 to 80 I want to pray the Word and ask that Your Holy Spirit will work in my life today. “Lord Your hands made me and formed me; please give me the understanding to learn your commands. Lord May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I [Yvette] have put my hope in your word. I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness, you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Please Lord, let your compassion come to me [Yvette] that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause, but I [Yvette] will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May my [Yvette] heart be blameless towards your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.” Thank You, Father God, I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ my saviour. Amen

Moments

by Yvette van Niekerk

Good morning The past couple of days, moments are coming up in every conversation. We do remember moments in our lives. I started to think of defining moments in my own life. The day each one of my children was born. I think about the day I decided to divorce my husband. I think about the day I remarried. I think about moments of desperation and fear that gripped my heart to the extent that I was sure that I might have a heart attack. Something I have come to realise the little things we do in life prepares us for something greater. I think of the day I decided to start baking. To be honest I didn’t know much about baking but I thought to myself if so and so can bake then so can I. My first cake was very large, I was so proud of myself. I thought I did a great job. Only to discover the cake didn’t have a nice taste, it could have been baked bread. Tasteless, the icing sugar could have been spiced up. In general, the cake looks good for a novice but the cake missing something. I didn’t know it at the time so I decided to bake the same cake for my mom. You know to show her my newfound skills. She called me and said “Yvette this cake is terrible. You should find another recipe.” I was a bit taken aback because I thought it was great. Yes, it looked beautiful, but true the taste was terrible. Did I go and sit in a corner and cry? No, I thought about the recipe and decided to try something else. It was hard work and then I started baking more cakes. The people love my cakes. I know what has baking cakes to do with being a Christian. I think it’s about the journey, the time we spend in God’s Word, and the time we spend in prayer and meditation. It’s a life of practice. I am constantly trying to find out what God has in store for my life. It’s my hope and prayer that I can leave a positive mark on this world. Am I able to do good in the lives of the people I love and care for? My moments are rocky and it’s difficult. I doubt I am perfect and I do suffer from a lot of negative thinking. I have been wondering how on earth can I become a better person. I spend a lot of time cooking, cleaning, the mundane things in life. I don’t believe I have an impact on anybody around me. As I think about my moment today, let’s read this message about the Lord Jesus. In Matthew 4: 1 – 11 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall and worship me.” Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him. As I meditate on God’s word today, I want to be open to hearing the Lord speak to me. I need to practice this and the best way I can do this is by meditating on the Word. Jesus knew who He was and He stood on every word written in God’s Word. I don’t always act appropriately and I struggle with all kinds of emotions and stuff. So if there is someone imperfect you are reading all about it. Nothing I do is perfect, I am a copycat and I doubt I even am worthy of coming into the Lord’s presence Prayer Father God, thank you for today. I have had the privilege to speak to my daughter and granddaughters. I also have the privilege to speak to my mom this morning. You have allowed me to wake up to a new morning. Thank You, Father. Lord, I am not the best child I know. I lack discipline and I lose focus. Lord, I confess I struggle with unforgiveness and I want to bring this into my conversation with You this morning. Please help me let go. I am guilty of this sin and I am asking Lord I forgive and I am asking you to help me let go. I give this problem into Your hands this morning. Holy Spirit I am inviting You into my life this morning. Come in and create in me a clean heart and a pure spirit. Lord, I seek Your strength, Lord I seek You diligently. I am asking come into my life, and start a new and fresh work in me. Thank you for today, help me keep an eye on every moment of my life that is significate. Help me remember the moment of growth and show me the way forward. I know and believe Your Word is a lamp on my feet. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

Granddaugthers daily prayer

December 12, 2022 Today I want to pray for my Granddaughters, Gizel, Anabelle and Briana. O Lord my God, Lord today I want to praise your for my beautiful granddaughters … You created them as unique individuals. I want to pray asking You to help them appreciate their uniqueness. Lord, my Lord build up their self-image so they may enjoy their individuality. Lord as they go through today help them stand firm for who they are, where they have come from and what they believe in. Lord please encourage them not only to have hopes and dreams but to also enjoy each day as it come. In the Holy Name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Keeping a humble heart.

by Yvette van Niekerk Good morning it's been a while since we last chatted. This morning I want to come and sit at the Lord's feet. In His presence, I want to humble my life and ways. How about you? Would you agree the best way to maintain a good and humble heart is to study God's Word every day? We do this as we read and meditate on the Lord's Word. Getting into the habit of worship and praise. Have you read Matthew 13: 10 - 15? Let's take a moment and see what the Lord Jesus is telling His disciple. verses 10: "And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to the people in parables?' He answered them and said to them, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even that he has will be taken from him. .... In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says " Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull." Did you see the Lord Jesus say the people's hearts have grown dull? It looks like the people allowed the things in their lives to affect their hearts. That caused them to not draw near to the Lord and move away. I have allowed my heart also to grow dull, allowing all things in life to affect me. Making me think I am not worthy and no good. I didn't think of protecting my own heart. Today I am in trouble because I am standing on the verge of destruction. How can I change? I know that I need to humble myself because in Isaiah 57 verse 15 it is written "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." What is the Lord saying here? What is it that we should do? He is saying “with Him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble.” When we humble ourselves God says “I will revive your hearts.” As long as we keep our hearts humble He will keep us on good ground. And if we decide not to humble ourselves what could possibly go wrong? I think we might become like Pharisees. You know, the “know it all” guys. I love reading the Book of Daniel, I think Daniel is one of the most humble people in the Bible. In Chapter 10 verse 12 we read “Then He said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard.’” Wow….. did you see what I saw “humble yourself before your God, your words were heard?” God heard Daniels's word because Daniel was humble. I don’t know about you, humble is sometimes difficult. I believe it brings you to your knees. That is exactly where I find myself these days. On my knees. I ask myself, how is your heart today Yvette? My answer is very humble. Prayer Good morning Father God, Lord today I want to worship and praise Your Holy Name. Lord thank You, for Your mercy is new every day. This has been a really difficult year for me. I don’t want to cry about the things in my life that have made my heart grow dull. As I study and focus on Your Word Lord I come into Your presence and I humble myself before You Lord. Nothing I say or do can change me. I do not have the ability to change the way I think or behave, only You can change me, Lord. Holy Spirit I invite You into my life this morning. Please come into my life, renew my mind and change my dull heart. I submit everything I do into Your hands. I commit everything I do to You Lord. I want to draw near to You asking please forgive me. In humble prayer, I pray for the forgiveness of sin. Please Lord forgive me, I have been stubborn and self-centred. I know. I pray to forgive me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. amen

Beauty

Beauty by Yvette van Niekerk

This struck me from Blaise Pascal “The serene beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world next to the power of God.” How I strive to be a beautiful person, then it struck me that I am attractive but the beauty I am looking for is something that comes from within. It’s not the beauty of the outer person, it’s the beauty that shines through your personality. How on earth will I become that beauty? This is living a Holy life, sanctifying myself. I would love to be that special Christian, someone soaked in the Word, cleansed by the Word and the Holy Spirit living and working through me. Are you saying I should lighten up and be a little relaxed, I don’t have to be serious all the time and I can laugh at myself. That sounds so bizarre, who does that? I like things a specific way, don’t joke around and do what needs to be done. C.S. Lewis “How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing … it is irresistible.” Holy Spirit forgives me for thinking You are the kind of person I am. Serious and on the nose, no messing about, everything I do is very serious and You are very serious too. The truth is Holy Spirit I do not know You. Yes, I invite You each morning into my life, I ask that You help me as I commit everything I do into Your hands. From my point of view, my life is serious and I do things in a serious manner. I seem to miss out on the fun and I am so closed off. Now I need to learn where can I find Holiness. We need to go to church where we praise and worship God. I can praise and worship God at home too. Because I am reading my Bible and taking time to draw near to God. I am working on building my inner beauty. I want to be Holy because God is Holy. I want to learn more about the Holy Spirit and draw near to God. I am seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It isn’t going to happen overnight. I need to stick to the process, there is a way forward and I need to keep in step the Holy Spirit. I want to pray that my words fall right and that I do not hurt or upset the people I am working and dealing with. Life is much too short to get everything the way it should be. Obeying God is something I am trying to do right now. “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law; indeed, I will observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.” Psalm 119: 33-35 Today I want to be joyful and happy, I don’t want to feel worried or fearful about anything. God’s word is what I stand on each morning “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandments of the LORD are pure, enlightening the eye.” Let's take this journey and learn how to become beautiful from the inside out. Let’s strive to draw near to God, asking the Holy Spirit to change us. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Daily Bread

Daily Bread by Yvette van Niekerk

In Matthew 4 verse 4 it is written “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. Feeding my soul every day has become my priority, I have made time each morning to come and sit in the presence of God. I play gospel music and listen to the song playing, and then I turn my attention to God’s Word. I read my Bible and ask the Holy Spirit. “Holy Spirit what do you want me to learn today?” I have been doing this for some time now and I do not always know what I am hearing or what I should pay attention to, but there are times when I hear the Spirit pointing me in a specific direction. This morning I read the last chapter of the Gospel of John. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and when Mary saw the Lord Jesus, she thought He was the gardener. This has stayed with me the whole day. What does this mean to me? A gardener is someone that works with plants and in the ground. I believe God is working in my life. There are so many things in my life that need pruning and cutting away. Branches of unforgiveness, bitterness, selfishness, and self-centeredness to name a couple of sins need to be dug up and cleared away and confessed. The beautiful thing about a garden is when you see how the flowers bloom, and the trees bear fruit. I get so excited when my plants are growing beautifully. It makes me happy and I feel like I might have a green thumb. On reading the Word each day, let’s focus on where we are going. Lord please direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over my life today. Help me stay focused on Your Word today. Lord I need the law of the LORD to be perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Help me to keep my eye focused on Your Word, I do not always understand where I am going and what I am doing. I know it might sound strange but my heart desires to be beautiful, not physically but spiritually. I would love to be beautiful from the inside out. I am yearning for purity in my life. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. O my desire to change and become more like the Lord Jesus. Today make it part of your practice to spend more time in God’s word, to seek the Lord and seek His strength and His face daily. Lord Jesus draw me close to You today, help to renew my mind and create in me a clean heart. Amen

Resigned as "General Manager - Control"

Hopefully, I will be able to relax and enjoy my life going forward. I realize God has been supplying according to all my needs. I see how He has kept His hand over my life and I am so grateful to the LORD for the opportunity to relax and enjoy the peace I feel today.

What happened? About two weeks ago, I woke up from a dream - in my dream “I took out my office cell phone from my handbag, and it was all scrunched up. I placed my hand over it to straighten the cell phone and it broke into two parts. I tried to fix it but it was broken.” I like to go and see the meaning of dreams and to my surprise, it said it’s a broken relationship. I broke down because I am trying to renew and fix my relationships with my family and friends, but this week was a week from hell. I resigned from my job and it was with immediate effect. I could not think of any reason to continue with the company. I felt so overwhelmed and upset I resigned immediately. I am still thinking of the way things went but honestly … even in the economic climate we are living in I do not feel the need to be bullied on any level. What have I learned? One, contentment is very important and I wanted to feel content with my work. I did not have content and it was very stressful. Two, I had to stop trying to be in control over a lot of things. The Wi-Fi was one, the internet the other, the response from my employer, the environment I used to control … no more control. I had no choice in the matter I had to resign as “General Manager – Control” which was and still is really difficult. I resigned with immediate effect from my job. I couldn’t take the constant fighting and critics any longer. I had such high expectations for the position I was in but I seemed to have failed at every attempt. Nothing seemed to be what my employer was looking for. I realize something not everyone is able to do what I had to and good luck to the next person. I realized that there was no balance in my life for the past couple of months. I worked late, got up early and had no time to relax. I felt so threatened and under extreme pressure, I couldn’t think straight. This is why I have decided I will not be manipulated by anyone again; I need to maintain a controlled anticipation for what tomorrow may bring me. My health and safety are important and I want to be able to live a balanced life. I hate unrestrained discontent and restlessness. I have and do commit everything I do into the Hands of the LORD my God. I pray this “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. Trust the LORD forever, because, in the LORD, the LORD himself is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26: 3-6 LORD, thank you for always being there for me, and thank You for the strength to carry on. Thank You, for keeping me safe. Bless each person who is reading my blog today. In Jesus's name amen.