From the Heart by B.Demaere

  We need more teenagers…No, let me rephrase this…We need more teenagers (and adults) that will hear God and what He has to say to us and for us. The prophet Daniel was just an ordinary teenager who had desires like any others.   Little is known about his personal history or upbringing, aside from the fact that he was among the Jews exiled to Babylon and likely received comprehensive instruction in the Law, which was traditionally committed to memory. We find him along with his three companions ready to be trained by the officials of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar.   In the first chapter of the book of Daniel he along with his friends are given new names along with other strange foods fit for a king.   But they refuse to eat it because they do not want to defile themselves. So, they can arrange for a diet of strictly vegetables.   I suppose, this fast would allow them to gain spiritual insights and strength in obedience to their God.   Here, I believ...

 In truth, God loves you always even when you do not feel it inside.  Even when you feel all alone and abandoned, do not fear but always press into his love in complete trust. Are you in the depth of your soul crying for help?   Help is on the way in a new way.   Be ready to listen to God’s prompting. Go wherever he leads you he will give you an answer. He did give an answer to Hannah in (1 Samuel 1:9-20) when she was praying quietly for a son.   It was between her and her God and out of great sadness she trusted God. After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose.   Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.   She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.   And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give your servant a son, then I will give him to th...

Listen! The Lord is not weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf.  He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem---your sins have cut you off from God.  Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.  Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin.  Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest.  Their lawsuits are based on lies.  They spend their time plotting evil deeds and then doing them.  They spend their time and energy spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions.  They cheat and shortchange everyone.  Nothing they do is productive; all their activity is filled with sin.  Violence is their trademark. I just came across this passage last night and the Lord spoke to me through it.  "Don't be surprised when evil comes your way after many prayers and supplications.  I can hear you but sin is ...