From the Heart by B.Demaere

  Guard your Heart   “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it, according to your Word.” (Psalm 119:9)   Your spiritual heart   Heart is the seat of life; you make it a throne to whoever or whatever is important to you.  Physically, the heart is the junction of many highways filled with blood and the blood means life to you and God.  Therefore, it is important to guard your heart with a breastplate.  It is important to guard your life.  Today, many people experience a lot of stress for different reasons.  One reason might be that in our society we have taught ourselves that saying “no” to different things is a bad answer.  We say to our children, “Don’t say ‘no’ to me”.  This does not encourage open communication.  What I am trying to say is that by not saying ‘no’ we create stress in our lives and the highways of our heart are opened to whatever we failed to filter through.  Saying ‘no’ is healthy...

 And now, a word to you elders in the churches.  I, too, am an elder, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ.  And I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns.  As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you: Care for the flock of God entrusted to you.  Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly---not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.  Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by example.  And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.  You younger men, accept the authority of the elders. And all of you serve each other in humility, for                               "God sets himself against the proud                                  but he shows favor to the humbl...