Okay - yes, it's true, I do still have fears - not very many anymore, but still..... - sometimes it's not a reasonable fear anymore, but only one that has been built by habit..... - this morning I was sort of gripped by the fear of failure.......yet I realised, that's the old me - this fear has no true substance anymore. God has proven far too many times, that He is closely involved in my life and the lives of my loved ones - He has proven many many times, that He truly has my back.
So this morning, when I prepared breakfast for my kids and my son's friend, who had been here for a sleepover - I had to face this fear head on.......in prayer I lifted it to my Daddy in Heaven.....and I felt a Peace flood my soul that knows no boundaries anymore. All my fear regarding this one situation had been lifted, and all I could sense was trust. So I thank God for my trust, and I thank God for my Hope, thank Him for my Faith and all the good gifts He has given me.
For a moment there were tears - tears of loss, tears of impending doom - yet He took it all away - literally in an instant!!! Once again He has set me free to fly - has saved me from myself - has filled my heart with His love. He continually changes the way I perceive life - changing me from Glory to Glory. I absolutely love Him. He is my Saviour and He has redeemed my soul.
Forever grateful in Christ
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Friday, 20 April 2012
I am thrilled to see my purpose unfold....
Life has been extremely challenging over the last years - if not to say for the last decade of my life, but when I look at my life today, I would be tempted to say, that the last decade was probably the most blessed - as it has brought me to a point in my life, where I don't want to be anywhere else. My circumstances have not changed a great deal, but I have changed - or maybe I should better say: God has changed me......He has helped me embrace my struggles and look at my life with open eyes - to become completely honest with myself, not blaming my situation on others anymore, to forgive myself for the choices I have made over the years, that brought struggles and challenges my way, and to ask God for His forgiveness regarding the choices, my weaknesses. The whole bit. The more honest I was with Him, the more I placed my shortcomings and iniquities at His feet, the more He set me free.
Looking back at the challenges with my son and my family, I can say wholeheartedly, that they caused me to grow up, look at my life and admit my failures and let Him cleanse my heart and rescue my soul. So in hindsight, I have to blatantly say, that my struggles and challenges were my greatest blessings - they made me turn around to God and let Him bind up the wounds and hurts, that life had thrown at me. In turn today I find my life more exciting than ever before, I know that I won't ever have to worry about not being capable of doing something, because as it stands today, I never could do things on my own to begin with, but with Christ all things are possible - therefore I step out in faith, knowing that God would never send me anywhere, where His Grace would not be sufficient for me - and where His strength wouldn't suffice to handle what came my way. Today I can say and truly mean it: Where ever my Father sends me, I will go - trusting His guidance with my whole heart.
You know, the verse Proverbs 3:5-6 has become paramount in my life.....I am glad, that today I don't need to understand His ways anymore, I trust Him to make my paths straight with all my heart.....and I am utterly grateful for that - for this growth, I give the Glory to God, cause He has filled me with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit has taught me to trust completely - in my own strength I could have not arrived at the point I am at today.
I have no idea, what the future holds - but I know, God has my back and He's there already. He holds me and my family in the palm of His hand.....and He will lead us home!!!
My heart is so full of Joy and Peace, that, if I had to do it all again - I would gladly endure all the hardship again, because I know, God never wastes an ounce of pain, and He can use everything for the Good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 is absolutely true, when I look back on my life - all the choices, all the suffering, all the struggles and challenges, He has definitely turned it around, to work together for my good today. What a blessing that represents to me - I can hardly describe it.
Praying for you and hoping that when you look back onto your life, that you will be able to say the same thing..... - God is good All the Time!!!
Your sister in Christ
Looking back at the challenges with my son and my family, I can say wholeheartedly, that they caused me to grow up, look at my life and admit my failures and let Him cleanse my heart and rescue my soul. So in hindsight, I have to blatantly say, that my struggles and challenges were my greatest blessings - they made me turn around to God and let Him bind up the wounds and hurts, that life had thrown at me. In turn today I find my life more exciting than ever before, I know that I won't ever have to worry about not being capable of doing something, because as it stands today, I never could do things on my own to begin with, but with Christ all things are possible - therefore I step out in faith, knowing that God would never send me anywhere, where His Grace would not be sufficient for me - and where His strength wouldn't suffice to handle what came my way. Today I can say and truly mean it: Where ever my Father sends me, I will go - trusting His guidance with my whole heart.
You know, the verse Proverbs 3:5-6 has become paramount in my life.....I am glad, that today I don't need to understand His ways anymore, I trust Him to make my paths straight with all my heart.....and I am utterly grateful for that - for this growth, I give the Glory to God, cause He has filled me with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit has taught me to trust completely - in my own strength I could have not arrived at the point I am at today.
I have no idea, what the future holds - but I know, God has my back and He's there already. He holds me and my family in the palm of His hand.....and He will lead us home!!!
My heart is so full of Joy and Peace, that, if I had to do it all again - I would gladly endure all the hardship again, because I know, God never wastes an ounce of pain, and He can use everything for the Good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 is absolutely true, when I look back on my life - all the choices, all the suffering, all the struggles and challenges, He has definitely turned it around, to work together for my good today. What a blessing that represents to me - I can hardly describe it.
Praying for you and hoping that when you look back onto your life, that you will be able to say the same thing..... - God is good All the Time!!!
Your sister in Christ
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Heaven on Earth
From the unfolding of the happenings of the last view days, I have yet been catapulted to a deeper level of understanding - by the Grace of God!!! I have learnt, that the drama of my family is not my drama...... God has granted me my prayer that I wanted to be lifted out of the negativity that this whole drama represents. I will listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, but unless I hear/feel these, I won't do anything. I will hear and listen to either side, but I won't be stuck in the middle anymore. I can love them all unconditionally, I can offer advice should they ask for it - yet I do not have to fix it for them. They can handle it on their own - All I have to do, is trust that in His time, God makes all things beautiful.
He is working in the lives of all His Children individually - and even if I wish I could make them see, what I see, it's up to each and everyone individually, to choose the light over darkness. He will never give up on either of His children, but He gave us a free will, with which He won't interfere. Until judgement day upon Christ coming back for us, there is still Hope. In His time He will make all things beautiful. There is a deeper reason why there are no grandchildren of God - only children of God. The choice is ours - we each will have to live with the consequences of not heeding His voice (that we all hear at times - even if it's just a whisper), which results in absence of the Glory of God in our lives.
I personally cannot and will not live like that anymore. Therefore I have pledged my allegiance to the Lord until the end of time - as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord :) - it's as simple as that - or as difficult as that.
Don't get me wrong, it's a daily battle for me, too - the enemy of my soul schemes up a storm, to deceive me or pull me out of this beautiful dwelling place of Grace - Heaven on Earth - yet my sweet Jesus isn't going to let that happen. He fights the battles in the Heavenlies for me. All I have to do is stand firm in His promises and His Grace - and all is well with my soul. God will always provide a way out of any temptation the devil will throw at me - provided I fix my eyes on Jesus. God first and foremost - that's my calling, nothing out of my own strength anymore. That's when we can receive God's blessings and live the abundant life He promises in His word!!! Hallelujah - Praise God!!!
He is doing miracles today - He will do one for you, if you only believe.
Your sister in Christ
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
He is doing marvellous things......
I am absolutely amazed at what He is doing in my life - so many answered prayers and feeling His touch in all that I do. Wow - I am literally speechless!!! I can attribute it all to my obedience to His guidance, that He always comes first. When I read my Bible and/or devotionals, I can be sure, we communicate on a deeper level.
I don't know, if I ever shared with you, that when my son was being assessed by a psychologist in 2010 the diagnosis was not clear.....the psychologist found certain behavioural deficiencies that could be attributed to a slight ADHD, or Aspergers or anywhere else on the ODD and autistic spectrum.... - just this week an autistic boy in my hometown was missing...... - thankfully He has been found and is home safe and sound - Praising God for that. But it made me realise that this could be my reality, an autistic boy that runs away, hiding from people....needing drugs on a permanent basis. But thankfully, due to the hand of God in my son's life, this is not our reality. Due to God placing many godly people in our lives, men (elders at our church) praying and taking a step to reach out - into my son's life. The school playing a big role in this as well, being a school after God's own heart, where every student matters, my boy has made huge steps into being more receptive to his environment and the people in his reach, being more and more in charge of his emotions and making positive choices. I believe God has been and is working a miracle in his life this very minute.
Thank you Daddy, my Father in Heaven, how could I have ever doubted you. You brought me full circle - first you taught me to come to you in all things.....now you are teaching me to obey you in all things, to rely fully on you in all decisions regarding my life.....and as I am being more and more obedient to you, you're blessing me with such a deep and heartfelt peace and joy regarding my son - and my life for that matter. Thank you, thank you, thank you - I cannot express my gratitude often and deeply enough. I am thrilled to see his life unfold to the potential you see in him. He is your chosen son, you created him in my womb, creating him in your image, having his purpose already planned out....You knew he would be a great warrior for your kingdom. I can see this potential today, thanks to you opening my eyes. I will be cheering for him from the sidelines. I am in awe at the great provision you hold in your hands. Our destiny truly is safe in your hands.
Wow, I am just sooo overwhelmed and all I can say to you my friends, is: hang in there, it will get better (if your situation is tough right now) - trust, trust, trust in the One, who holds your destiny safe in His hands. He will never ever leave nor forsake you. He is God Almighty. This one thing is true: ALL we ever need in this world, is His Grace. Praying that you will grasp the meaning of the Grace, Jesus has extended to us on the cross - how huge and amazing this is......it will set you free. Amazing Grace for all His children - forever more.
I love you all and I am praying for you always -
your sister in Christ
Monday, 16 April 2012
It's still not over.....
It's breaking my heart to hear my family talk......everybody is hurt. There seems to be no way to ever find reconciliation. But I still believe.....I will never quit believing that God will make a way, where there seems to be no way!!!
When I gaze at all the misery in the world - speaking of poverty, crime, hunger, hurt, anger, deceit.....it truly is a sad place to be - this world today is a dark place.....we're in desperate need of a Saviour - today more than ever before.....or maybe not.....maybe in all times the need was as big as it is today. What grieves my heart, is that He is there, Jesus came to save this world, but the world refuses to see Him, to turn to Him. Why???? It would be so easy - John the baptist preached: Repent and seek forgiveness of your sins - two steps, that bring salvation. Nothing too big really, but in this day and age it seems to be the hardest to do - people fight for justice, never ever realising, that we can only play law and order or court - as we play dress up or family as little children, as the judgement ultimately is God's not ours. Today we're so caught up in entitlement and what we can do or can't do - where we can't forgive or can forgive.... - these are the lies of the enemy of our soul, who wants us to live in bondage and without God.....
The reality is that we ought to forgive as through Christ we have been forgiven - we were made righteous through the blood of Christ, that we could boldly stand in the presence of God - could have a personal relationship with God Himself. Once we receive this precious gift, we can rejoice despite our circumstances, because we are set free - why is it then, that it is so difficult for this world to see the truth - why is it easier to deny that Jesus has come to save us - that He is Lord??? Why do people choose to live a life of pain, destruction, hatred, pain, prejudice, judgement and deceit......I have no plausible explanation. All I know is, that my fervent prayer tonight is, that hearts all over the world would be opened to the Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and that they would find His Peace and Joy in receiving His Love and Forgiveness once and for all.
I am thrilled at the thought of being created in His image - His masterpiece, knit together to fulfil His purpose, the purpose He planned for us to do before the beginning of time - I hope you see this amazing truth and light despite or because of your circumstances - that all mankind would choose to see this truth.....anything else will only lead to death - whereas life eternal is only two steps away.....I urge you tonight, please please please take your sins to God, openly admit them and ask Him to forgive you for any sin you have committed, the hurt and pain you may have inflicted on those in your sphere of influence knowingly or unknowingly. Forgiveness is granted to all who ask - that's a promise we can lean on. Why don't we? Is it pride or fear or maybe both??? I am praying for you all - Christians and nonbelievers alike: God wants to have a relationship with you - He wants to be your closest friend. Trust Him with your life, and He will reward you with eternity with Him in Heaven!!!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray yesterday, today and tomorrow for the world to finally accept the Grace and Forgiveness that is ours....if we only asked.
Your friend and sister in Christ forever
When I gaze at all the misery in the world - speaking of poverty, crime, hunger, hurt, anger, deceit.....it truly is a sad place to be - this world today is a dark place.....we're in desperate need of a Saviour - today more than ever before.....or maybe not.....maybe in all times the need was as big as it is today. What grieves my heart, is that He is there, Jesus came to save this world, but the world refuses to see Him, to turn to Him. Why???? It would be so easy - John the baptist preached: Repent and seek forgiveness of your sins - two steps, that bring salvation. Nothing too big really, but in this day and age it seems to be the hardest to do - people fight for justice, never ever realising, that we can only play law and order or court - as we play dress up or family as little children, as the judgement ultimately is God's not ours. Today we're so caught up in entitlement and what we can do or can't do - where we can't forgive or can forgive.... - these are the lies of the enemy of our soul, who wants us to live in bondage and without God.....
The reality is that we ought to forgive as through Christ we have been forgiven - we were made righteous through the blood of Christ, that we could boldly stand in the presence of God - could have a personal relationship with God Himself. Once we receive this precious gift, we can rejoice despite our circumstances, because we are set free - why is it then, that it is so difficult for this world to see the truth - why is it easier to deny that Jesus has come to save us - that He is Lord??? Why do people choose to live a life of pain, destruction, hatred, pain, prejudice, judgement and deceit......I have no plausible explanation. All I know is, that my fervent prayer tonight is, that hearts all over the world would be opened to the Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and that they would find His Peace and Joy in receiving His Love and Forgiveness once and for all.
I am thrilled at the thought of being created in His image - His masterpiece, knit together to fulfil His purpose, the purpose He planned for us to do before the beginning of time - I hope you see this amazing truth and light despite or because of your circumstances - that all mankind would choose to see this truth.....anything else will only lead to death - whereas life eternal is only two steps away.....I urge you tonight, please please please take your sins to God, openly admit them and ask Him to forgive you for any sin you have committed, the hurt and pain you may have inflicted on those in your sphere of influence knowingly or unknowingly. Forgiveness is granted to all who ask - that's a promise we can lean on. Why don't we? Is it pride or fear or maybe both??? I am praying for you all - Christians and nonbelievers alike: God wants to have a relationship with you - He wants to be your closest friend. Trust Him with your life, and He will reward you with eternity with Him in Heaven!!!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray yesterday, today and tomorrow for the world to finally accept the Grace and Forgiveness that is ours....if we only asked.
Your friend and sister in Christ forever
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
What a Joy I have in Jesus
I hope you had a wonderful Easter - Christ is Risen indeed!!! Hallelujah!!! God is good!!! What an amazing 4 days we had.....Today my parents left for Europe again..... - when I took them to the airport, my heart was heavy - they do get older and it breaks my heart, to see them leave.
My heart has been softened towards them over the years - grateful to God for that, as He has taught me to look through the eyes of Grace. I love them dearly, and I am amazed, how things have changed over the last little while - again, I can only say: Thank you Jesus, as He has shifted my understanding of what it really means to honour your parents. - Today I love them with a tender heart and I can give them the honour and respect due, because I do not have to fight for justice regarding old hurts anymore.....
Jesus taught me to forgive many many years ago. And He has transformed me greatly again just recently - I do not even have to be right anymore - and that's not saying, that I let them walk all over me - actually quite the contrary is true: I can say what I need to say, or what the Holy Spirit is prompting me to say, without yelling or accusing, but I can also say nothing, if it's not helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind. The change is happening, through living in the Spirit more and more. The fruit of the Spirit (Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control) becoming more and more visible in my life - with my children, my parents and all other people in my life. God is just an amazing Father and friend. He has taught me to open my eyes and my ears to the needs of the people around me.
All I ever hoped to be true in life, that there is a deeper meaning to our existence than to live and die, is true for me today. I know, that I have a purpose much bigger than I could ever fathom. I don't know, where He is leading me just yet, but I know, that it's going to be something that I will have to trust God to do through me, for I wouldn't be able to do it, if I had to do it in my own strength. Already today my life has been altered in a huge way - I am walking by faith today and lean not on my own understanding - that's pretty amazing in itself, as I used to have to have my life nicely planned out ahead of me for the longest time, even if my plans fell apart after a little while.....today I am not even making plans anymore, cause so far, God has brought me, where I am today and it's an awesome place to be. Therefore I can follow the lead of Jesus wholeheartedly, to where He wants me to be and to do what He prepared for me to do before I was even created.
A thankful heart is heading to bed now - hoping and believing that God speaks to you and lifts you out of despair and hopelessness, into a life beyond your wildest dreams - deeply rooted in Him. Safe and secure in Christ.
God bless you all this Easter Monday -
your sister in Christ
My heart has been softened towards them over the years - grateful to God for that, as He has taught me to look through the eyes of Grace. I love them dearly, and I am amazed, how things have changed over the last little while - again, I can only say: Thank you Jesus, as He has shifted my understanding of what it really means to honour your parents. - Today I love them with a tender heart and I can give them the honour and respect due, because I do not have to fight for justice regarding old hurts anymore.....
Jesus taught me to forgive many many years ago. And He has transformed me greatly again just recently - I do not even have to be right anymore - and that's not saying, that I let them walk all over me - actually quite the contrary is true: I can say what I need to say, or what the Holy Spirit is prompting me to say, without yelling or accusing, but I can also say nothing, if it's not helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind. The change is happening, through living in the Spirit more and more. The fruit of the Spirit (Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control) becoming more and more visible in my life - with my children, my parents and all other people in my life. God is just an amazing Father and friend. He has taught me to open my eyes and my ears to the needs of the people around me.
All I ever hoped to be true in life, that there is a deeper meaning to our existence than to live and die, is true for me today. I know, that I have a purpose much bigger than I could ever fathom. I don't know, where He is leading me just yet, but I know, that it's going to be something that I will have to trust God to do through me, for I wouldn't be able to do it, if I had to do it in my own strength. Already today my life has been altered in a huge way - I am walking by faith today and lean not on my own understanding - that's pretty amazing in itself, as I used to have to have my life nicely planned out ahead of me for the longest time, even if my plans fell apart after a little while.....today I am not even making plans anymore, cause so far, God has brought me, where I am today and it's an awesome place to be. Therefore I can follow the lead of Jesus wholeheartedly, to where He wants me to be and to do what He prepared for me to do before I was even created.
A thankful heart is heading to bed now - hoping and believing that God speaks to you and lifts you out of despair and hopelessness, into a life beyond your wildest dreams - deeply rooted in Him. Safe and secure in Christ.
God bless you all this Easter Monday -
your sister in Christ
Friday, 6 April 2012
Amazing Grace......
Amazing Grace, amazing Love - shown to mankind the day Christ was crucified.....He bore the sins of all mankind on the cross, He died to live in Heaven - at the right hand side of the Father..... - that we may enter into an intimate relationship with the Father and may have eternal life. We on the other hand, in our sinful nature live to die..... - if it wasn't for Jesus, we would all spend eternity in the absence of God - what a dire place to be..... - I urge you today, take your sins to God, confess them to Him, and receive the forgiveness He promises in His word, that is yours immediately upon repentance, that you might live!!!
I am forever grateful, that He chose to give His life for me.....that I am set free and that I one day will see Jesus face to face - my eternal bridegroom. What an amazing day that will be. Glory and Honour to God for His marvellous plan from the beginning of time, that even before the fall in the garden of Eden He provisioned that despite our failures we would be saved and restored to the love and into the presence of God Almighty.
Even His Disciples, His closest circle, while He walked the earth, denied and failed Him the night of the betrayal, but He provisioned their rescue and gave them the command to be fishers of men and to carry the good news to the ends of the earth - appointed them teachers and leaders of the church. It must have hurt him, that no one stood up for Him in His hardest hour, that even God deserted Him - He knew it before, since it was the fulfilment of the prophesies regarding His death - yet with a joyful heart, He stretched out His hands and gave up His Spirit for us all. What an amazing gift of Love......
Praying that we all will be transformed into His Likeness and one day be able to run into His loving arms and to thank Him for His unconditional love!!! And that upon entering through the gates of Heaven, our Father would say: well done, my good and faithful servant. With you I am well pleased.
On this note, I wish you all a day of reflection, what Christ did for you personally on the cross - and I hope, that come Sunday, you will embrace and receive the Power of the resurrected Christ in your life. He died that you may have life in Him and that you may have it to the fullest.
Praise God - In Jesus' name
Amen
I am forever grateful, that He chose to give His life for me.....that I am set free and that I one day will see Jesus face to face - my eternal bridegroom. What an amazing day that will be. Glory and Honour to God for His marvellous plan from the beginning of time, that even before the fall in the garden of Eden He provisioned that despite our failures we would be saved and restored to the love and into the presence of God Almighty.
Even His Disciples, His closest circle, while He walked the earth, denied and failed Him the night of the betrayal, but He provisioned their rescue and gave them the command to be fishers of men and to carry the good news to the ends of the earth - appointed them teachers and leaders of the church. It must have hurt him, that no one stood up for Him in His hardest hour, that even God deserted Him - He knew it before, since it was the fulfilment of the prophesies regarding His death - yet with a joyful heart, He stretched out His hands and gave up His Spirit for us all. What an amazing gift of Love......
Praying that we all will be transformed into His Likeness and one day be able to run into His loving arms and to thank Him for His unconditional love!!! And that upon entering through the gates of Heaven, our Father would say: well done, my good and faithful servant. With you I am well pleased.
On this note, I wish you all a day of reflection, what Christ did for you personally on the cross - and I hope, that come Sunday, you will embrace and receive the Power of the resurrected Christ in your life. He died that you may have life in Him and that you may have it to the fullest.
Praise God - In Jesus' name
Amen
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