From the Heart by B.Demaere

  All-Sufficient and Abundant Grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) Grace is more than for salvation, it is for all aspects of the Christian life, and we could always use it.  What would we do without this all-sufficient grace?  We need it for healing, for our interactions with people and parenting.  Grace should be our Friend, it is Jesus.  We, certainly need it in our weaknesses and in our suffering. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,  For my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)   Over my whole life, Grace has been my Friend even through the deepest depressions I have been into.   For you, it should not be any different.   God is no respecter of persons, all are equals. He has abundant grace for everyone (1 Timothy 1:12-13). Since there we are dead to sins according to Romans 6:1 we are living in grace, God in his wisdom has made an even greater abundance of grace for us.   He is always the one who p...

  65. You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised.  66. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.  67. I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.  68.You are good and do only good; teach me your principles.  69. Arrogant people have made up lies about me, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.  70. Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your law.  71. The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles.  72. Your law is more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver!  (Psalm 119:65-72) 1) Introduction In this portion of this psalm, we, see the balance of discipline and goodness from God. 2) For what is to come (v.65-66) Provision from God of wisdom and knowledge.  Expecting his discipline and his display of goodness.  We need the wisdom to see it coming.  We need ...

 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too, for if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning.   (1 Peter 4:1) As  a pastor was preaching about loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as well.  My mind wondered again to that verse in 1Peter 4:1 saying that I must be ready and willing to suffer like Christ did.  The puzzle was now complete in its entirety as loving God with all of my heart is equal to loving my neighbor as myself.  It is all connected to that willingness to suffer and give it all you have got.  It is first of all, a willingness to suffer rather than, suffering itself, and it's  a willingness to suffer for a holy result and boldness in my own life.  It is a willingness to suffer in exchange for some fruit of holy favor and flavor. It is not even if you would ever suffer, a suffering that disapp...

  Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time.  He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God.  He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.  So he went and preached to the spirits in prison---those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat.  Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.  And this is a picture of baptism which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection.  Baptism is not the removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. Now Christ has gone to heaven.  He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him. If you guessed that the solution to the quiz was Psalm 112, you are absolutely right.  I made it more difficult by not including the 3 first words: "Praise the Lord" which ...

  All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.  So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation!  For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you.  Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.  We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God's comfort. When Paul talked about sufferings he could have been talking about the suffering for Christ through persecutions or hardships through their own problems happening in the church at Corinth (chapter 2:5).  He was certainly very honest in his deal...