From the Heart by B.Demaere

All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his  boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again.  Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.  For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children.  It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him.  It will be revealed on the last day for all to see.  So be truly glad!  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trial for a while.  As I see Peter's epistle right now, I imagine myself as being on a road with this sign saying 'Wonderful Joy Ahead'.  This is basically what Peter I think and the Holy Spirit wants us to focus on.  Sometimes I see myself and others have gloomy faces as they carry their crosses.  The gloomy is over and Jesus Ch

Promises to Keep Devotional by B.Demaere: Lord, help! (Psalm 107:4-28) :   Some wandered in the desert, lost and homeless.  Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died, "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble...

Promises to Keep Devotional by B.Demaere: Lord, help! (Psalm 107:4-28) :   Some wandered in the desert, lost and homeless.  Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died, "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble...

  Some wandered in the desert, lost and homeless.  Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died, "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble and he rescued them from their distress.... Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains.  They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High.  That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one helped them rise again. "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. Some were fools in their rebellion; they suffered for their sins.  Their appetites were gone, and death was near. "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.  He spoke, and they were healed---snatched from the door of death. Some went off in ships, plying the trade routes of the world.  They, too, observed the Lord's power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas.  He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves

Promises to Keep Devotional by B.Demaere: Prayer of Annoyance (Luke 11:5-8 :   Then teaching them more about prayer, he used this illustration: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to bo...

  Then teaching them more about prayer, he used this illustration: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread.  You would say to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' He would call out from his bedroom, 'Don't bother me.  The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed, I can't help you this time.'  But I tell you this--- though he won't do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough he will get up and give you what you want so his reputation won't be damaged. A friend certainly has a reputation to keep toward you and others.  A good friend will help you as you would help them.  Jesus, though, is emphasizing the need to be importunate in prayer.  Staying on target in your prayer is important.  Too many of us wonder in left field and never receive what we need.  So many of us never see what we need before we receive it.  That friend kne

Promises to Keep Devotional by B.Demaere: The Suffering and Comfort we share (2 Corinthians ... :   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 i...