From the Heart by B.Demaere

Is it not wonderful to know that we Christians have a purpose for everything we go through? Our hope is not aimless nor is the purpose of our suffering. Although you or I might not go through persecutions, we go through trials. We are sometimes afflicted in some ways and our lives might still demand endurance and patience.   We might be emotionally targeted by the enemy. A mental assault could affect our life in an extremely negative way. Although these might be results, we could expect in normal circumstances.   Because we are Christians, we are given the mind of Christ, and we can approach our lives with the focus of Christ’s death.   Like it says it in this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:10 “ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus , so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”    Therefore, now more than ever your life as a Christian has meaning. All those trials and afflictions are aimed by the enemy to make you fall but because you are carrying in yo

  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