From the Heart by B.Demaere

  “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others],   joy [inner] peace “ (Galatians 5:22 Amplified)   Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, Yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8   KJV )   Because of my past with depression…Joy has evaded me many times.   Yet Joy is not even of this world, it belongs to Jesus.   Joy is not the feeling you experience at a party, but it is quieter than this. I believe joy is received when you live in the presence of God.   “ You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence.” (Psalm 16:11 NLT)   It is not necessarily something we have and hold in greed but something that comes from within and flows unto others.   We give it away.   I thought that the description of love prior joy was an ‘unselfish’ clue.   In this world that is geared to the love of self, joy must stand out in a pleasant

  Help Me God! (Psalm 43) As I meditated on this Psalm, I did not realize that today would be Thursday and that the post had to be published today which I am doing right now. The psalmist is experiencing adversity.   Does that ever happen to you?   Life can be chaotic. Most of my chaos happens because of my attitude to situations I find myself in.   They are all reactions filled with a lot of up-and-down emotions. Most of my situations and feelings through them can be dealt with the Light and Truth of God. Verse 3 (French Bible transliteration) “Make me see your Light and Truth, May they guide me to your holy mountain, (Light) May they drive me to your dwelling!” (Truth)   Light guides us Truth leads us.   Verse 4- Don’t you feel his desire to be with God and where he really is? He, then, realizes his mistake and notes that God is indeed his greatest JOY. Folks, there is nothing else that will bring you JOY like God.   Money is futile and does not last and s

  Don’t Lose Courage “Don’t lose courage or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land.   One rumor comes one year, another rumor comes the next year; Rumors of violence are in the land.   Rumors that one ruler will fight against another are in the land.” (Jeremiah 51:46 GWT) Even though, this word was written 620 years BC to the children of Israel while they were in Babylon captivity.   It was prophesying their deliverance from them. Don’t be discourage by what you hear in the news or watch on TV because God has better things for those who belong to him.   He is with them always. Your future on earth may not be what you have envisage it to be, but God is always on his Throne ruling the nations. For the kingdom is the Lord’s And He rules the nations. Psalm 22:28)   The word “discourage” comes from the Old French word (des) corage: It means ‘taking away courage.   In other word, refrain from having fellowship with anything that takes away your courage and you will b

  Where is your Joy? You may have heard this before, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be there also” (Matthew 6:21). Simple is it not?  Jesus spoke that, your heart will go wherever you put your treasure.  It is so true and yet so many of us are convinced that money should be our treasure.  I, even sometimes struggle with that one.  Yet I know deep down in my heart that Jesus should be my treasure.  Even people can become my treasure and other things can take his spot.  But they will not satisfy.  Only the things that are eternal in value. Why is that?   Because the things of the earth perish, like food, money, sex are going to disappear.   Not that those things are bad in themselves, but they will not make you satisfied and happy as the joy of being with your everlasting Savior and Lord.   If you want lasting joy, find it there and not in your pocket. When the crowd around Jesus was abandoning him because they could not take in his teaching anymore.   He asked

  Re-directed Joy (Luke 10:1-20) Overview The seventy-two are sent ahead of Jesus and by Jesus.   I suppose it was to prepare the way.   They went in groups of twos.   On their way, they cast out demons and healed people from their diseases. The number 72 was not chosen by Jesus randomly, I suppose it has a numeric biblical significance. As the 12 disciples were chosen so the 72 are also chosen for a purpose. Severity of the message The severity of the message was in proportion to the reception and belief in the message and the authority of the messenger given by Jesus.   They were not to discuss theology with them and deep issues; they were to give the message simply and truly.   No argument needed. If the message was not received, they were to move on and shake the dust off their feet (10:11) Move on.   No feeling sorry for anybody. The responsibility was clearly on the hearer. Return of Seventy-two They boasted in their ability to cast out demons. While we serve the Lord