From the Heart by B.Demaere

Guard your Gold (Proverbs 8:17-19) : I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.  Riches and honour are with me, enduring riches and righteousness.  My fruit is bette

  Pride goes before destruction...(Proverbs 16:18) Few days ago as we were celebrating our anniversary in an undisclosed location in the city.  We had to go up one of those parkade. On that celebratory day, my wife praised me as I was driving up faster and faster from one level to the other. No problem! I could handle that curve...my confidence and pride increased.  I wanted to impress her on this memorable day.  I thought as I was approaching this narrow passage: "Watch this, I can do better"....SSCRAAAPE...You could hear coming from the front corner of the car.  I thought simultaneously: $500...$1000.. At the same time, I heard my wife yell: "Bernard!" in disgust. She just wasn't praising me anymore.  Her tone had changed abruptly. Anyway, I thought it made for an interesting story.  An anniversary we will always remember. Fortunately, the fender was already a bit damaged, but now the cost of the repairs were going to increase. Later on, we could bot...

  Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.  But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and conscience are defiled.  Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live.  They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.(Titus 1:15-16) 1) The Problem with Sin Inevitably, sin is a problem for the person who is never happy in the circumstances of life.  Always complaining and never quite there yet in contentment, not at all satisfied with God and fellow individuals.  Maybe you know some of those people.  They seem to continually envy others and wished that they be in their place of prestige.  The problem with this reasoning is that they only see part of that 'prestige' pie.  In reality though, some parts are invisible to them.  We can judge others easily by looking from the outside into their lives.  We, of all people, however don't see their hea...

  If you know the Truth and you don't practice it, I am sorry to say but you are a fool.  I don't say it the Bible say that. The Apostle Paul in chapter 1 of 2Timothy became aware that he had been deserted by many Christians.  Notice, there is no bitterness here.  In verse 16-18 he focuses on the Christians that offer support namely Onesipherus and his family.  This one was the only one that offer him support right there.  Sometimes, people will seemingly desert you, but don't be offended by them.  Leave them in God's hand. There was at the time a teenager who grew more and more depressed as he saw the world around him become more and more ugly.  How he began to hate the world around him and how he hated the very being that he had become.  Naturally, he even hated the parents that had brought him in the world and had made a mess of his life.  Those were the filthy fifties when everybody looked on the outside for a change. The Sun had not...

  Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts (Psalm 139:23) Taking a Stand Have you ever heard that the Bible was full of 'violence'?  The Bible, it and of itself is a very aggressive book.  It is for people who want to take a stand in life.  Humans, can't generally say 'no' and compromise about a lot of things.  They can't take a stand for what is right and have no convictions.  As for Christians, we are not any better than others if we can't take a stand for Christ.  Weak people do go with the flow and don't have a sense of personal leadership.  They cannot take control over their own 'self', but let 'self' run its own course.  Only with God can the weak become strong!  It takes some strong people to make a strong world.  We need warriors and people who believe in prayer. People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf -George Orwell The Bibl...

  Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy , to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:1-2 NIV) Since yesterday, have you soaked in God's mercy for you, a Gentile?  Good! Furthermore, think of the amazing investment God made in you and me.  For that reason, we call it 'Amazing Grace'  God poured all that he had into us Gentiles in order to save us.  Think of it, it's just amazing! Yesterday, we observed that God has momentarily left the Jews in their own rebellion, but not forgetting them because of his promise made long ago. O! Don't misunderstand me, if they want to be born again there is room for them.  He will always remember them as his chose...

Many of the Jews are now enemies of the Good News.  But it has been to your benefit, for God has given his gifts to you Gentiles.  Yet the Jews are still his chosen people because of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.  Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the Jews refused his mercy, God was merciful to you instead.  And now, in the same way, the Jews are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you.  But someday they, too, will share in God's mercy.  For God has imprisoned all people in their own disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.(Romans 11:28-32) This might feel like a different post. I felt necessary to let my fellow Gentiles know that the gifts God has given us are not to be taken for granted.  For a time now, God has turned the Jews over to their rebellion.  In order that he might show them mercy again before he returns after they repent . Supernat...

The Big Question (Romans 7:4) : To die you must leave something behind. Forsake and forget. It is good to die for the right reason and the right person. Christ is the answer. With Christ you die and are also risen.

  Gentle words bring life and health, a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4) Think of words as building blocks and each block is a hole (evil words) in the wall or a brick (good words). You are building a house. How are you doing when the rain is coming? Are you getting wet or protected? In all honesty, have you ever seen your own words good or bad being fulfilled in your life?  Scary?  And, even scarier is seeing, other people's words being fulfilled in their own life when they are bad.  Words are building blocks, but not only that they can destroy someone's life in a moment.  To follow Abraham's theme on faith, I think his words followed his righteousness, his faith.  What do you think? As I keep reading the Bible, I notice more and more words in it that are not usual everyday words that everyone speak.  I wrote in my notes on my phone the other day: "God will constantly look after my safety and success" Guess what?  Those words a...

  Freedom is Sweet No matter how you look at it, freedom of any kind is sweet.  In the headlines today, a ship is the Suez canal holding back some 300 ships has been freed.  Those ships were carrying supplies to the world.  It should have been a major concern to us, because it affected each one of us.  Freedom is so sweet. Freedom unclogs you What was one clogged up is now unplugged.  Do you feel it in your soul?  All your problems which are holding you back because of fear and anxiety.  God is the master at unclogging everything.  Ultimately, he sees everything and everyone being freed.  That's what hope is, seeing the best for everyone.  If you are struggling, he sees you as full of joy once and for all.  The chains have fallen and broke when Jesus was on the cross. Connection by Faith The only connection you need is, belief.  The freedom has already been supplied some 2000 years ago, but your belief is what is to the pl...

  Surely, no one in their wildest dream ever plans or think:  'I am going to be a failure today'.  What really make us successful?  Money? or something else?  Paul Getty, a wealthy man and a petrol-industrialist wished to give anything for a successful marital life as he had divorced four wives. He had said: "I hate to be a failure.  I hate and regret the failure of my marriages.  I would gladly give all my millions for just one lasting marital success." (brainyquote.com) God through the Bible, actually wants us to be successful.  Well, what is it to be successful?  I am glad you asked! In Joshua 1:6-9 it says, Be strong and courageous for you will lead my people to possess the land I swore to give their ancestors.  Be strong and very courageous.  Obey all the laws Moses gave you.  Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.   Study this Book of the Law continually.  Meditate on it ...

  None of you will lose their lives, even though the sip will go down.  For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!  (Acts:27:22-24) I know, I know! If you are anything like me you have either gone to at least one of them or too many of them to care.  They keep piling up and no they are not taxes or bills this time, but trials. " Lord", we say,"I want to get over with that one as fast as you can."  Don't they usually linger and last forever? It is like God really wanted Paul to go to Rome so he could face Caesar in court.  But lo and behold, even though it was God's perfect will for Paul to go to Rome it was not going to be without a storm and without any hardships.  Have you ever thought about this?  We have Christians floating around in dreamland professing that if God's will is perfect for our lives, it is going to go...

  The Bible may have contradicted and frustrated a lot of people throughout the centuries.  One thing the Bible never does, it is to contradict itself and it remains the Truth through the ages.  The same is of Jesus who was killed by mankind because he claimed to be the Messiah who he is.  No matter what mankind might do to either the Bible or Jesus, they will always remain the same.  The Rock of the Ages. A while ago, I entitled a post "I can do it" (February 22,2021)  At that time, I wrote about all the things we can do through Christ.  But now, I will complete that thought by affirming that yes we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us provided that we abide in him.  Is it not what John 15:4-6?  "... for without me you can do nothing" Also, the concept of fruit bearing can be seen in Isaiah 55:11.  With the word of God being send wherever he wants to be and accomplishing or producing fruit.  It, then prosper. I...

  I wrote this a few days ago in the heat of the moment and edited some of it , but now the update is that my meds might end up being reviewed and I was taking my blood pressure meds at the wrong time of the evening. Sometimes you need to meet the right people to get better and that takes time. Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning ( Psalm 30:5) In the heat of the moment Have you ever been at the end of your rope and gone crazy or close to it? In my case, all my appointments with counselor and psychiatrist were too far to care. I thought nobody wanted to spend time with me for they were too busy at life . My life was going for the worse. I washed dishes and was in tears.  I had a plan and was really depressed and thought that my life should end in the emergency room at the hospital.  There was nothing to look forward to especially now.  Again, my wife would work in a busy office for the next two mon...

  Lightbulb Moment  Don't feel like starting a project? Here is my quote for you. "Hesitation is the partner of procrastination" Initially, hesitant about going for my walk today, I thought of some encouraging words to go along . And so, It was my lightbulb moment as I came up with the above quote . For this reason, could you please share one of your lightbulb moment in comments? I did go on a one and half hour sunny walk, very nice! I hope this one encourages someone today!

  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24) Bad News Which one do you want first?  We would say to another, the good news or the bad news? Well, in this case, I will all give you the bad news first and, that will put us all on the same level.  That is exactly what God did for us at Calvary where Jesus died for us.  We are all sinners and there is no one that is better than the other.  In Romans 3:23 it says that "We all have sinned" There is absolutely not one ounce or gram of good in us.  Even if we tried to be good or do good it would not please God.  God is basically saying to us.  Your religion is worthless, you are all trying to be good in vain.  Your works and good deeds are worthless and will never amount to anything.  I mean feel free to do them, but as far as making you righteous in God's sight they are usel...

  The Macedonian Call Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time.  Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go.  So instead they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas.  That night Paul had a vision.  He saw a man from Macedonia in northern Greece, pleading with him, "Come over here and help us."  So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good News there. (Acts 16:6-10) Two Attempts Paul and Silas believed that God's will is found by moving forward.  In a Christian camp I worked at, the director's favorite saying was:  "It's always easier to stir a moving ship" . Indeed, I found this saying very helpful in my life.  Now, back to Paul and Silas as they tried a couple doors and...

  This is a Raging Battle The battle is on, raging.  The enemy is furious.  He is throwing everything he can at you, fiercely, like in a 'ball throwing game' with you as his target.  It's almost the end.  He has one more try before he is a barbecued Scorched to death!  Don't give in! Not a Job, but a Ministry Recently, I was really encouraged to keep ´looking up' by someone working in an office.  I know, those people in offices look to me like they are doing boring tasks with no purpose.  Not so, look boring maybe to an active person like me, but not, without purpose. They have hidden tools in their shed. This passage in Acts 15, just light up to me this morning in that regard.  I raise my hat to all out there with boring jobs that I would not do even if I was bored or paid for. But God who is purposeful in every way has all of us in the right place and at the right time for all the right reason. Although, your primary job might be wh...

Leafing through Proverbs  As we read through proverbs from king Solomon in the Bible. We discover that there is a wealth of wisdom from the wisest man (apart from Jesus) who ever lived on this planet.  Many of us, might question the wisdom behind the many wives he ended up having. Attitude toward Wealth Regardless, in this book, we notice a fair amount of advice about wealth and riches.  Particularly, chapter 28 drew my attention because apart from helping us detect a wicked ruler from the bunch.  It also speak of what a healthy attitude should be toward 'wealth' and how to approach it. There are destructive pattern in that regard and positive ones.  We must respect wealth and not treat it as something it's due us. Getting Rich Quick Apparently, there are two verses in chapter 28 that refer to 'get rich quick'.  It is the desire in a person to get rich quick that brings them to ruin. Trusting God keeps us on target.  The greedy man or woman is the one...

  What? Is this really true? Don't you have your own homes for eating and drinking?  Or do you really want to disgrace the church of God and shame the poor ?  What am I supposed to say about these things?  Do you want me to praise you?  Well, I certainly do not. (1Corinthians 11:22) It's in the Bible First of all, the subject of shame is in a lot of places in the Bible.  It all begins with the heart.  Have you ever embarrassed someone for their weight or religions or beliefs.  The way they feel or think?  You have managed to embarrass the very core of their being. The very part in which they believe.  Do you see the offense now? It's very personal Personally, I have become sensitive to it. Collectively, our mission should not be to make a person who feels good about themselves and shrink them to an inch tall in shame and humiliation.  Are you curious why I chose this passage of Scriptures?  Today, the Church is doing it eve...

www.linkedin.com/posts/natureisamazing_momma-duck-dropping-in-with-her-13-ducklings-activity-6770345194886848513-T0SP First of all, I had like to thanks and acknowledge whoever made this beautiful video. Jumping First' A mother duck jumping first from a bridge.  Then waiting down below for her 13 ducklings to follow her.  Now this takes faith and trust that they will be alright up there and follow her.  Way to go mom! Taking it Personal Most of the time, I like to personalize a lesson of faith and put it into practice.  In life, God wants us to sometimes take a leap of faith.  Let's see! He did it himself first, didn't it?  Now you do it!  He died to self on the Cross putting the desires of his Father ahead of his.  He did it to the point of almost giving up.  He said: "Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will but as you will "( Matthew 26:39). He was crucified for you, now you do it.  The Christian life is it in a nut...

  Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)     The Obvious... How can you be anxious? Come on, a Christian shouldn't be anxious Get over it... The Reality... Listen, mental illness is very real. Thus, there are times the voices in my head becomes loudest than anything else.  Some of you reading this might have a mental illness without having been diagnosed for it.  I just had to admit it.  That's all! Last night, I was already in bed with anxious thoughts flooding my head.  My left leg was responding with vengeance.  Muscle stiffness.  I rolled on 'Hot and Cold' medicine on it.  It burned instantly under the heated blanket.  This morning, my wife said it was a mistake to put that under the heat.  E...

No, I will not abandon you as orphans---I will come to you. (John 14:18) Packed with Hope Even though, this word of a wonderful promise was given to them, the disciples.  It was given to every believers since that time.  A short verse that is also packed with hope. Jesus is the Father I like this 14th chapter in John because here Jesus is most transparent to his disciples.  Hereto, he opens his own heart and shows us who the Father is.  Clearly Jesus is the Father himself.  He said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him. (verse 9). Not Comfortless Furthermore, they have not left us comfortless and throughout the history of the true Bride of Christ, the Church of the born again Christians has witnessed the faithfulness of the Trinity through the person of the Holy Spirit.  In fact, Jesus himself promised us this Counsellor above all other counsellors. The Holy Spirit is Relevant This Holy Spirit has been remind...

I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.  (Philippians 4:13) Have you ever been at a point in your life where you have not been able to do anything?  Nothing at all.  I have, several times over.  Unfortunately, that's what the paralyzing effect of depression does for you. Long time ago when our children were still young.   One of them made a plaque for my wife and stuck on it a piece of paper.  On it is written the words of Philippians 4:13..."I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me".  Here is the plaque! By now , it's worn out but even more precious than ever .                                     This verse is a wonderful verse and has ,literally, been my life-line many times.  It kept me going when I just wanted to give up altogether.  It's a verse that we memorize when young.  Yet we don't fully unde...