From the Heart by B.Demaere

This is more like a study to do on your own if you like.  Here I just give you pointers and I know you will be blessed if you do it with me.  We start with Jesus in the Temple, clearing it from all its commerce. He said, " The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called  a place (house) of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" Now in Isaiah 56, we see that 'house of prayer' is mentioned twice.  In fact chapter 56:1-8 should be carefully studied for in verse 1, it says: "Be just and fair, " says the Lord, "Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you. In verse 7-8 it says: I will bring them also  to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and I will fill them with joy in my house of prayer.  I will accept their burn offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.  For the Sovereign Lord, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others too, besides my peopl

A song from the ascent to Jerusalem I look up to the mountain---does my help comes from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hut you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Looking up is safer whether or not the world says that looking here is the thing to do.  Our ultimate safety is up in the direction of the mountain.  Actually the Lord is the one who made the earth and the mountains and the heavens.  That is where my help comes from and not some material found in the mountains like diamonds and precious stones. If you want real help it's to the Lord that you should go because

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.   He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right path, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. I love the book of Psalms, mostly because it was written by a man who loved God with all his heart and also because it is poetry. But as I dug deeper into this psalm one day, I discovered it had to do all with the presence of God and being with him forever.  Even here on earth. This psalm teaches about life and that everything will be alright as long as I am with

The  Lord is my light and my salvation ---so why should I be afraid?  The Lord protects me from danger--- so why should I tremble? When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.  Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear.  Even if they attack me, I remain confident. Where do you find comfort when you are hurting?  In your husband?  In your wife? In sex or alcohol or drugs?  Is your comfort in money? All of those things and people are unreliable because they could be gone in a blink of an eye.  Overnight! The Lord is my light - to light my way The Lord is my salvation - to save me What else do I need?  Why would I be afraid, he is my Comforter.  I am covered on every side.  Even when the tempest beats against the boat I won't drown.  The Lord protects me from danger --- does it say from some  danger, no if it doesn't say from all danger it's presume to be from all danger, any danger.  So why? Would I t

Promises to Keep : Listen! (Isaiah 59:1-6) : Listen! The Lord is not weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf.  He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem---your sins ha...

Listen! The Lord is not weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf.  He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem---your sins have cut you off from God.  Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.  Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin.  Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest.  Their lawsuits are based on lies.  They spend their time plotting evil deeds and then doing them.  They spend their time and energy spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions.  They cheat and shortchange everyone.  Nothing they do is productive; all their activity is filled with sin.  Violence is their trademark. I just came across this passage last night and the Lord spoke to me through it.  "Don't be surprised when evil comes your way after many prayers and supplications.  I can hear you but sin is in the way.  I can't do anything." To the

Promises to Keep : Rejected but accepted (Luke 14:15-24) : 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!&quo...