From the Heart by B.Demaere

Any community that you personally care for could be called a family or a church is included in this passage in Proverbs 27:23-27.   At least according to my modern interpretation of these verses. “ Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation. After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears and the mountain grasses are gathered in. Your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will provide the price of a field. And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, Your family, and your servant girls.”   The way I look at this passage is from a business point of view, and it is talking about a farm like business. The key thought is “Know what is going on in your family, your church or business.   Know the members of your family or your employees and care for them.   Spend your energy in caring for your members and not just the bottom

The whole world is into it now, investing, gambling and banking but is it for the Christian community to get involved.  We like it but is it good, is it expedient?  Do we honour God in that way?  Jesus said sell, give to the poor but is that too radical for us?  There is a constant pull in us to be like the world.  It is comfortable.  We have to provide for our families, or do we?  Is it not God’s responsibility?  Do we let him be God?  Do we let him be in control or do we do our own thing?  How much comfort do we need?  It is hard for me to write this because I like it so much my way. But I also like it God’s way and I want to grow in wisdom, his wisdom.   Many will hate it but that is the risk I take, not to be liked. Nevertheless, in Galatians 6:7 it says: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap”(NLT) Yes, and so God does not want to be mocked and so he will remain faithful to you when you give.   That verse is in the context of gi

  The Beauty of Community (Acts 2:42-46) “The believers devoted themselves to the apostles ‘teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone.   God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of properties and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, the met together in the temple and ate in their homes.   They share food with gladness and simplicity. Before anything in life, you have to appreciate the beauty of it.   With community, you must dig a little deeper in details.   Close your eyes and see a family or community getting along with each other and sharing everything in common.   That would be quite an accomplishment!   Then seeing this, people come for a visit into your house and rejoice at what they see.   It would be a dream come true in any homes, but what about in the Church. Community would not