From the Heart by B.Demaere

Exploring the Bible by B.Demaere: The Encouragement of the Word (Psalm 119:25-32) :   25. I lie in the dust, completely discouraged revive me by your word. 26. I told you my plans, and you answered.  Now teach me your princi...

  25. I lie in the dust, completely discouraged revive me by your word. 26. I told you my plans, and you answered.  Now teach me your principles.  27. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments and I will meditate on your wonderful miracles.  28. I weep with grief; encourage me by your word.  29.Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law.  30. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws.  31. I cling to your decrees.  Lord, don't let me be put to shame!  32. If you will help me, I will run and follow your commands. 1) A new perspective of life (v. 25-26) Firstly, here lies the reality of life because life is more than just a dream with rosy flowers.  Evidently, life is more than a party that you find yourself in.  For if you think life is that then one day you will find yourself facing a wall where you will need real help.  In reality, life can bring you down at dust level scratching for the surface.  And that is when y

Exploring the Bible by B.Demaere: The Word in Adversity (Psalm 119:17-24) :   17. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. 18. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.  19. I am but a...

  17. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. 18. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.  19. I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands.  Don't hide them from me!  20. I am overwhelmed continually with a desire for your laws.  21. You rebuke those cursed proud ones who wander from your commands. 22. Don't let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your decrees. 23. Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your principles.  24. Your decrees please me; they give me wise advice. (Psalm 119;17-24) 1) We live as foreigners (v.17-19) Clearly, David is asking, "send some backup , Lord!" More specifically, I need some encouragement, Yes, my eyes need to be open and I need guidance in this land which is not my own, the earth.  Obviously, there is nothing wrong in asking God for some encouragement or some goodness to come your way and that is exactly what he is doing.  It helps us obey

Exploring the Bible by B.Demaere: Purity in a Dark Age (Psalm 119: 9-15) :   9. How can a young man stay pure?  By obeying your word and following its rules. 10. I have tried my best to find you---don't let me w...

  9. How can a young man stay pure?  By obeying your word and following its rules. 10. I have tried my best to find you---don't let me wander from your commands.  11. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  12. Blessed are you, O lord; teach me your principles.  13. I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us.  14. I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches.  15. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.  16. I will delight in your principles and not forget your word. (Psalm 119:9-16) 1) Our responsibilities You and I have responsibilities in staying pure in this world, in relation to His Word.  Obviously, The first one is to obey his Word and that is followed right away by... The second one which is, to try our best to find him and his will.  We are fragile and we are sheep and sometimes we have a mind of our own and wander.  We have to rely not on our own effort to stay on track but on God.  God sees our heart and

Exploring the Bible by B.Demaere: Living the Word (Psalm 119:1-8) :   1.Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord.  2.Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their...

  1.Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord.  2.Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.  3.They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.  4.You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.  5. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!  6. Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.  7. When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!  8. I will obey your principles.  Please don't give up on me! 1) Happiness is in living the Word (v.1-2) I have chosen this psalm for my own well-being and to share it with you for your benefit as well.  It is the longest of the psalms in the Bible.  It is all about God's Word, the Bible.  This psalm starts by mentioning the benefits of living by the Word. Unfortunately, the news and social media constantly bombards us with their anti-word slogan.  Consequently, they distract us from th

Exploring the Bible by B.Demaere: The Church Restored (Psalm 119:49-50) (Zephaniah ... :   Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope.   Your promise revives me ; it comforts me in all my troubles. 1) God is always right...

  Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope.   Your promise revives me ; it comforts me in all my troubles.   1) God is always right I might not have all the answer to life, but God certainly does and to him I look for the answers.  Because, he is always right in his judgment and correction.  How would I dare say that he is wrong then?  As a result, his judgment, discipline and his correction are always motivated by his love and kindness.  For that reason, you must forget your opinion of him as a discipliner and 'old man with a stick' because you will miss whatever is coming.  So, welcome him at last and you will find his sweetness.  Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30---in verses24-25 This servant saw things different than the other two servant and was obviously afraid of the harshness of the Master.  The principle of investment looked different to each based on their perception of it.  Consequently, the same is for you as you look at discipline,

Exploring the Bible by B.Demaere: A Call to the Church (Zephaniah 2:1-3) :   Gather together and pray, you shameless nation.  Gather while there is still time, before judgment begins and your opportunity is blown aw...

  Gather together and pray, you shameless nation.  Gather while there is still time, before judgment begins and your opportunity is blown away like chaff.  Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord's anger begins.  Beg the Lord to save you---all you who are humble, all you who uphold justice.  Walk humbly and do what is right.  Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.     (Zephaniah 2:1-3) Are we not just a bit shameless? And if so assume that it is still alright before a holy God to think that when this passage addresses a 'shameless nation' it does not include us?  Are we so filled with pride that when the call to repent does not concern us since, after all, we have the grace? Yes this shameless nation is still called to a gathering of prayer.  A pastor can easily be ignored for quite sometime.  But now God comes on the scene and calls by what we really are, 'shameless', having c