From the Heart by B.Demaere

  Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts (Psalm 139:23) Taking a Stand Have you ever heard that the Bible was full of 'violence'?  The Bible, it and of itself is a very aggressive book.  It is for people who want to take a stand in life.  Humans, can't generally say 'no' and compromise about a lot of things.  They can't take a stand for what is right and have no convictions.  As for Christians, we are not any better than others if we can't take a stand for Christ.  Weak people do go with the flow and don't have a sense of personal leadership.  They cannot take control over their own 'self', but let 'self' run its own course.  Only with God can the weak become strong!  It takes some strong people to make a strong world.  We need warriors and people who believe in prayer. People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf -George Orwell The Bible is S

  Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy , to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:1-2 NIV) Since yesterday, have you soaked in God's mercy for you, a Gentile?  Good! Furthermore, think of the amazing investment God made in you and me.  For that reason, we call it 'Amazing Grace'  God poured all that he had into us Gentiles in order to save us.  Think of it, it's just amazing! Yesterday, we observed that God has momentarily left the Jews in their own rebellion, but not forgetting them because of his promise made long ago. O! Don't misunderstand me, if they want to be born again there is room for them.  He will always remember them as his chosen people.  We, a

Many of the Jews are now enemies of the Good News.  But it has been to your benefit, for God has given his gifts to you Gentiles.  Yet the Jews are still his chosen people because of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.  Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the Jews refused his mercy, God was merciful to you instead.  And now, in the same way, the Jews are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you.  But someday they, too, will share in God's mercy.  For God has imprisoned all people in their own disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.(Romans 11:28-32) This might feel like a different post. I felt necessary to let my fellow Gentiles know that the gifts God has given us are not to be taken for granted.  For a time now, God has turned the Jews over to their rebellion.  In order that he might show them mercy again before he returns after they repent . Supernaturally, he did this for the sake

The Big Question (Romans 7:4) : To die you must leave something behind. Forsake and forget. It is good to die for the right reason and the right person. Christ is the answer. With Christ you die and are also risen.

  Gentle words bring life and health, a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4) Think of words as building blocks and each block is a hole (evil words) in the wall or a brick (good words). You are building a house. How are you doing when the rain is coming? Are you getting wet or protected? In all honesty, have you ever seen your own words good or bad being fulfilled in your life?  Scary?  And, even scarier is seeing, other people's words being fulfilled in their own life when they are bad.  Words are building blocks, but not only that they can destroy someone's life in a moment.  To follow Abraham's theme on faith, I think his words followed his righteousness, his faith.  What do you think? As I keep reading the Bible, I notice more and more words in it that are not usual everyday words that everyone speak.  I wrote in my notes on my phone the other day: "God will constantly look after my safety and success" Guess what?  Those words are not my own wor

  Freedom is Sweet No matter how you look at it, freedom of any kind is sweet.  In the headlines today, a ship is the Suez canal holding back some 300 ships has been freed.  Those ships were carrying supplies to the world.  It should have been a major concern to us, because it affected each one of us.  Freedom is so sweet. Freedom unclogs you What was one clogged up is now unplugged.  Do you feel it in your soul?  All your problems which are holding you back because of fear and anxiety.  God is the master at unclogging everything.  Ultimately, he sees everything and everyone being freed.  That's what hope is, seeing the best for everyone.  If you are struggling, he sees you as full of joy once and for all.  The chains have fallen and broke when Jesus was on the cross. Connection by Faith The only connection you need is, belief.  The freedom has already been supplied some 2000 years ago, but your belief is what is to the plumber that one pipe that will connect the two ends.  To the

  Surely, no one in their wildest dream ever plans or think:  'I am going to be a failure today'.  What really make us successful?  Money? or something else?  Paul Getty, a wealthy man and a petrol-industrialist wished to give anything for a successful marital life as he had divorced four wives. He had said: "I hate to be a failure.  I hate and regret the failure of my marriages.  I would gladly give all my millions for just one lasting marital success." (brainyquote.com) God through the Bible, actually wants us to be successful.  Well, what is it to be successful?  I am glad you asked! In Joshua 1:6-9 it says, Be strong and courageous for you will lead my people to possess the land I swore to give their ancestors.  Be strong and very courageous.  Obey all the laws Moses gave you.  Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.   Study this Book of the Law continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that