From the Heart by B.Demaere

  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...