February, month of love

Genesis 2:18 - And the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him".

God came to the conclusion that it was not good for a person to be alone, therefore,  he created a partner for Adam, someone like him.

We all need someone to communicate with, someone to love and touch, someone to do things with. If we cannot give and receive love, we become neurologically handicapped. Yet, often we hesitate to take that step as we are afraid of getting hurt. We need others and they need us.

 

To be in a relationship is like a painting, Trust is the frame around the painting that keeps us together.

Trusting people is always risky, but you must believe that the risk is worthwhile, without taking it, there is no chance of a healthy and steady relationship. Reach out to others, cherish your spouse, family and friends.

We all like to feel safe no matter the status, so that we can function effectively and we find less pleasure in our interaction with others. Giving someone a hug can make that person's day, it can show them that you really care.

 John 3:17 - If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person?

If love is truly the fulfilment of the law, then a lack of love is the very worst sin one can be guilty of.

Unfortunately there are very few marriage relationships that can compare with the very first relationship. Yet a happy marriage is still possible, provided the marriage partners love each other and God sincerely and are willing to serve Him together.

Ask God to give you more love and that He will make it possible for you to prove the love He asks from you by the way you live, so that people will see you belong to Him.

Accept each other for who you are and not what you want the person to be! Always try to see the best in everyone who crosses your path without criticising them first, as you never know the reason behind it. God send people to cross your way in mysterious ways.

So get rid of your masks and give your friends the gift of openess. - Love -

"Lord I hide my true self behind so many masks. Thank You that You know me through and through. Help me to live without my masks in future with all sincerity. Grant me that the things I say about others will always reflect LOVE and acceptance and not judgement". Amen.

 

Beloftes van God

Bekommernisse: Moet nooit toelaat dat enigiets of iemand God se plek in jou lewe inneem nie.

Wie van julle kan deur hom te bekommer sy lewe met een enkele uur verleng - Matteus 6:27

 Dankbaarheid: Ons moet vir God dankie se vir elkeen van sy seeninge.

Wees in alle omstandighede dankbaar, want dit is wat God in Christus Jesus van julle verwag - 1 Tessalonisense 5:18

Gebed: Maak seker dat al jou gebede op God gefokus is.

Die Here sal jou genadig wees as jy na Hom roep om hulp. Hy sal jou gebed verhoor sodra Hy dit hoor. - Jesaja 30:19

Geduld: As jy getrou is aan jou roeping as volgeling van Jesus, sal jy nooit ongeduld toon wanneer jy met die nood and ander te doen het nie.

'n Verstandige mens beteuel sy humeur en stel sy eer daarin om vergewensgesind te wees. - Spreuke 19:11

Hoop: Hou die hoop brandend in jou hart en vas aan die sekerheid daarvan.

Wees daarom verstandelik wakker en nugter, en vestig jou hoop volkome op die genade wat julle deel sal word by die wederkoms van Jesus Christus. - 1 Petrus 1:13

Liefde: Laat ons ons lewe in liefde leef onder die leiding van God.

God het die wereld so lief gehad dat Hy sy enigste Seun gegee het, sodat die wat in Hom glo, nie verlore sal gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe sal he. - Johannes 3:16

Geloof: Dit is juis in oomblikke van terneergedrukheid en depressie dat ons die Here moet loof.

Ek wil U lof verkondig, my God en Koning, ek wil U Naam altyd loof. Elke dag wil ek U loof, ek wil U Naam altyd prys. Die Here is groot, alle lof kom Hom toe.

Vrede:  Dit vorm 'n belangrike komponent in 'n Christen se karakter. Hierdie vrede stel ons instaat om met ons medemens te lewe.

Geseend is die vredemakers, want hulle sal kinders van God genoem word. - Matteus 9.9

Se nee vir kommer en laat vertroue opnuut in jou siel bot

Reik uit vir hulp;

Beheer jou emosies;

Maak vrede jou anker;

Kweek vertroue;

Klou aan gebed as reddingsboei;

Leef in dankbaarheid;

Draai jou rug op wat was;

Word stil en moenie toelaat dat vrae, bekommernisse en vrese jou gees van Hom afsluit nie.

End of Year 2011 - Journey to New Beginnings, Resolutions and Challenges

We sometimes feel at the end of a year that we have not gain much, with all the difficulties of the pass year, we only remember the bad times. Take the time to close your eyes and look up at Heaven, and thank our Father that He has walk with us the whole year round. Without his support, guidance and love, we would never have made it, eventhough, we don't want to admit it.

God is still the same God that provides for us and hold our hands in His, guide us on the right rode for the future. If you stay close to Him, any task, problem or challenge that awaits you in the new year, will be possible for you to handle.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve, the end of 2011 and then the following day New Year's Day 2012, whereupon, we make new resolutions, promises that we are going do in the new year. Most of the time we fail to keep up with our promises.

End of 2011

 Live confidently and believe in God and take it day by day and He will give you the power to succeed. Thank the Lord that He has take care of you day and night in the past year and ask for His blessing on the New Year that is just around the corner.

There's a quote that say; "Life is a Journey, not a destination". but one day we will end up at the correct destination - Heaven.

The best Journey we can ever undertake is getting to know God.

May your journey for 2012 be joyful and may you discover new life-experiences and your days be filled with His love. May God guide and protect you throughout 2012.

Lord,  give me the strength to start the new year with peace and new promises. Thank You for Your guidance throughout the passed year, your protection and  Your love.
Amen.

The Giving Time - Christmas - Goodness, Peace and Joy

Of all the months of the year, December can be singled out as the month of love.
Since my childhood I have been in wondered by the story of Christmas, expectations, the wise men, the wonder, gifts, new dresses and Father Christmas.

Today, I am still in wonder - but now it is about the Child that was born to set us free and to forgive our sins.

Perhaps today you wish to offer God a tangible gift. Therefore, find someone in need this Christmas and give that person gifts, food and clothes, because if we do that, we are in fact giving to God. Thus, this Christmas, offer Jesus your prayers and possessions, and fasten your hope on Him and Thank God for His Son - a gift so wonderful.
Christmas is the time when we build our own relationships. Families and friends comes together to celebrate and reconciles Christmas.
Make it your aim this Christmas to obey God and to spread His goodness, peace and joy among all.
The fact that Jesus came to the world and died on the cross is the most major revelation of God's love for humankind. God proves His love for you in Jesus.

The world is experiencing a dark period at present. There is more bad news than good. Violence and crime are threatening to get out of hand and the economy is fragile. At this Christmas, we need Jesus more that ever before. Let us shine the light for Jesus in people's live, Let live in God's light and pass it on to everyone we come in contact with.



Decide this Christmas to live in such a way that you make Jesus' life visible through your conduct and share God's love with people around you.

Lord Jesus, I want to glorify You as my Saviour, my Messiah and my King. Please grant me Your peace this Christmas season.
Amen.

Wonders of the Lord

Take note of God's Wonders

When you feel tired, stressed and have unfulfilled desires and dreams, go outside take a walk, smell and pick a flower, as there's nothing that let a person relax so quickly, as being outside and feel at peace in nature.

If you are a worrier, pray about the things that make you stress,  and desires that you might have.

It is impossible to run around with sky-high stress levels if you make a point to focus on the beautiful and wonder of the nature around you and appreciate it, each day.

If you are previledge to stay close to a coast, go and walk on the beach, feel the warm sand between your toes, the sun on your face, the love God is showing upon you, embrace it. Take note of the small things in nature, the delicate grass along the side of the road, the insects, each flower is a miracle and experience all the greatness of God's hand and His care for you. He created everything for you to enjoy.

When you look at all God's wonders, you cannot help become aware of His might and majesty and you will feel the peace inside you - and the very fact that God is there, that He loves you, will cause your stress levels to abate.

Come close to God and nature and humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up in honor.

Lord, thank You for Your wonders that I can see around me every day.

I love You.

Burnout

Lord, You know how full my program is at the end of the year. Help me to scale down, to get someone to help me and not to do things that are unnecessary,

When we are tired, worn out and have too many responsibilities we become depressed very easily.

Don't try to handle everthing by yourself, get people to help you.

We often hear about people who have nervous breakdowns because of their impossible workloads. Every year, at the beginning of November, we feel that we reached breaking point.

Take a step back from all your work, examine whether you have unrealistic expectations of yourself.

Do the things that Gods asks us to do and use your talents in His service and to His honor, and burnout will be a thing of the past forever. (Exodus 18:20-23)

"Carol Travilla lists five unrealistic expectations that can contribute to burn out"

• There should not be any limits to what I can do;
• I have the capacity to help everyone;
• I am the only person availabe to help;
• I never make a mistake;
• I have the ability to change another person.

Lord, I recognize myself so clearly in the above list. Forgive me for being such a perfectionist and thinking that I can manage everything myself. Make me calm and content to just do my best and learn me how to say No.

Month November - Dealing with Stress

The time we reach November many of us are stressed and tense.

And there are still far too many things to do.

God, you know me so well that I don't even need to tell you how anxious, tense and stressed I am at present.

Like Job, I feel as if my life is hanging by a thread;

I am exhausted, irritated and worn out. I neglect my quite time,

because there is so much to do..

Please help me to live one day at a time.

I now want to come to You with all my anxiety and tension and lay it at Your cross.

Thank You that You are always there to carry me.

I need Your courage and power so much today - please give me inner strengh that You promised in Your word.

I want to hold onto You,

Please give me peace -You are my peace, Lord.

Thank you for your reassurance that You will help me.

Lord, please forgive me for all the times I was upset because my selfish plans didnot work out.

Make me willing to fall in with Your plans for my life.

Forgive me for trying to be such a perfectionist and thinking that I can manage everything myself.

Make me calm and content to just do my best.

Thank You Lord. 

"Nina Smit"