From the Heart by B.Demaere

  Today’s scripture is straight forward:   “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers him; The Lord protects him and keeps him alive; He is called blessed in the land; You do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; In his illness you restore him to full health . (Psalm 41:1-3) Yes although the picture changes after this verse as he goes through persecution he does not take his sight off the Lord and he return to him in victory.   Why? Based on his integrity.   The psalmist always believed that his integrity would save him.   He viewed God with a pure heart and blessed are those who are pure in heart for they shall see God.   It is the way you think God views you that affects your relationship the most.   Look at the servant who hid his talent and did not let it grow into a profit.   He did not view his master as a good master because he feared him...

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...

  Rich or Poor? (James 2:1-13) Discrimination in the Church does not exist, right? Wrong! It might have to do with choosing between the rich and the poor.   There are other categories we might want to put people in like: business owners and farmers or employers and employees.   Even disabled physically or mentally vs. able people.   Just to name a few.   Whatever your conscience accuses you of.   If your conscience bothers you about anything, is it now time to repent? Life is full of small choices that bring us either closer to or further from God.   In the book of ‘Song of Solomon’ in your Bible. (Chapter 2:15) encourages us to take care of the ‘little foxes. It is more intended for a married couple, but it could apply to anyone.   “Little foxes” could be anywhere in the body of Christ (the Church).   Little foxes can be in families between a husband and a wife or between siblings. In various relationships at work of otherwise. ...

Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God!" Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitation.  When all was ready. he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come.  But they all began making excuses.  One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused.  Another said he just had bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out.  Another had just been married, so he said he couldn't come. The servant returned and told his master what they had said.  His master was angry and said: 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.'  After the servant had done this , he reported, 'There is still room for more.'  So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges ...