From the Heart by B.Demaere

  The Macedonian Call Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time.  Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go.  So instead they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas.  That night Paul had a vision.  He saw a man from Macedonia in northern Greece, pleading with him, "Come over here and help us."  So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good News there. (Acts 16:6-10) Two Attempts Paul and Silas believed that God's will is found by moving forward.  In a Christian camp I worked at, the director's favorite saying was:  "It's always easier to stir a moving ship" . Indeed, I found this saying very helpful in my life.  Now, back to Paul and Silas as they tried a couple doors and could not g

  This is a Raging Battle The battle is on, raging.  The enemy is furious.  He is throwing everything he can at you, fiercely, like in a 'ball throwing game' with you as his target.  It's almost the end.  He has one more try before he is a barbecued Scorched to death!  Don't give in! Not a Job, but a Ministry Recently, I was really encouraged to keep ´looking up' by someone working in an office.  I know, those people in offices look to me like they are doing boring tasks with no purpose.  Not so, look boring maybe to an active person like me, but not, without purpose. They have hidden tools in their shed. This passage in Acts 15, just light up to me this morning in that regard.  I raise my hat to all out there with boring jobs that I would not do even if I was bored or paid for. But God who is purposeful in every way has all of us in the right place and at the right time for all the right reason. Although, your primary job might be what you are obviously doi

Leafing through Proverbs  As we read through proverbs from king Solomon in the Bible. We discover that there is a wealth of wisdom from the wisest man (apart from Jesus) who ever lived on this planet.  Many of us, might question the wisdom behind the many wives he ended up having. Attitude toward Wealth Regardless, in this book, we notice a fair amount of advice about wealth and riches.  Particularly, chapter 28 drew my attention because apart from helping us detect a wicked ruler from the bunch.  It also speak of what a healthy attitude should be toward 'wealth' and how to approach it. There are destructive pattern in that regard and positive ones.  We must respect wealth and not treat it as something it's due us. Getting Rich Quick Apparently, there are two verses in chapter 28 that refer to 'get rich quick'.  It is the desire in a person to get rich quick that brings them to ruin. Trusting God keeps us on target.  The greedy man or woman is the one in control. 

  What? Is this really true? Don't you have your own homes for eating and drinking?  Or do you really want to disgrace the church of God and shame the poor ?  What am I supposed to say about these things?  Do you want me to praise you?  Well, I certainly do not. (1Corinthians 11:22) It's in the Bible First of all, the subject of shame is in a lot of places in the Bible.  It all begins with the heart.  Have you ever embarrassed someone for their weight or religions or beliefs.  The way they feel or think?  You have managed to embarrass the very core of their being. The very part in which they believe.  Do you see the offense now? It's very personal Personally, I have become sensitive to it. Collectively, our mission should not be to make a person who feels good about themselves and shrink them to an inch tall in shame and humiliation.  Are you curious why I chose this passage of Scriptures?  Today, the Church is doing it even without the awareness of it and it makes peop

www.linkedin.com/posts/natureisamazing_momma-duck-dropping-in-with-her-13-ducklings-activity-6770345194886848513-T0SP First of all, I had like to thanks and acknowledge whoever made this beautiful video. Jumping First' A mother duck jumping first from a bridge.  Then waiting down below for her 13 ducklings to follow her.  Now this takes faith and trust that they will be alright up there and follow her.  Way to go mom! Taking it Personal Most of the time, I like to personalize a lesson of faith and put it into practice.  In life, God wants us to sometimes take a leap of faith.  Let's see! He did it himself first, didn't it?  Now you do it!  He died to self on the Cross putting the desires of his Father ahead of his.  He did it to the point of almost giving up.  He said: "Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will but as you will "( Matthew 26:39). He was crucified for you, now you do it.  The Christian life is it in a nutshell.  The kernel of corn

  Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)     The Obvious... How can you be anxious? Come on, a Christian shouldn't be anxious Get over it... The Reality... Listen, mental illness is very real. Thus, there are times the voices in my head becomes loudest than anything else.  Some of you reading this might have a mental illness without having been diagnosed for it.  I just had to admit it.  That's all! Last night, I was already in bed with anxious thoughts flooding my head.  My left leg was responding with vengeance.  Muscle stiffness.  I rolled on 'Hot and Cold' medicine on it.  It burned instantly under the heated blanket.  This morning, my wife said it was a mistake to put that under the heat.  Eventually, I had fallen asleep and it went away.

No, I will not abandon you as orphans---I will come to you. (John 14:18) Packed with Hope Even though, this word of a wonderful promise was given to them, the disciples.  It was given to every believers since that time.  A short verse that is also packed with hope. Jesus is the Father I like this 14th chapter in John because here Jesus is most transparent to his disciples.  Hereto, he opens his own heart and shows us who the Father is.  Clearly Jesus is the Father himself.  He said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him. (verse 9). Not Comfortless Furthermore, they have not left us comfortless and throughout the history of the true Bride of Christ, the Church of the born again Christians has witnessed the faithfulness of the Trinity through the person of the Holy Spirit.  In fact, Jesus himself promised us this Counsellor above all other counsellors. The Holy Spirit is Relevant This Holy Spirit has been reminding and leading us into