From the Heart by B.Demaere

  I am transliterating John 15:8 from my French Bible: "This is how appears the glory of my Father: When you will bear much fruit and that way you will show that you are my disciples." John 15 opens up with a revelation that Jesus is the Vine and we are the Branches (The fruit-bearers).  John 15:5 During his speech, he reveals how the glory of God is revealed in verse 8.  It is revealed when we bear much fruit and that's how we show we are his disciples. Verse 9 - We must remain in the awareness of God's love for Jesus and in his love for one another.  How can you remain in his love if you have hate in your heart for the brothers and sisters around you.  God is love and any hate or dis-harmony is not welcomed in your life. Your life should be as harmonious as possible and overflow with love for everyone and that means sincere love. Of course it is, Love is the Fruit of the Spirit and he also speaks of Joy being complete if we do everything he commands us.  We just don

" Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Philippians 4:11) "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment..." ( 1 Timothy 6:6) Born in a materialistic society, how can I be content with what I have?  Does it include everything in life or just money?  Can I live a life without envy? The problem is not money, but the love of money. My struggle right now is whether to look for opportunities in my life of making more money or let them come to me.  What is the Truth? Now the meaning of the word: Opportunity is a 'set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something' also favorable time. This is taken from the online Oxford dictionary So to me it clearly shows that opportunities will come your way and you don't have to look for them as this world teaches.  You have certainly heard the phrase: 'Anything that moves is easily stirred.  I think it means for us, 'keep doing wh

  What is the Church?  A basic description in the Bible is that it's the Body of Christ.  Many members, each with different gifts. Who is in the Church or also the local church.  People of different families, with feelings and cultures close to their hearts.  Defensive, some untouchable, also terribly hurt.  Can a wounded soldier go to war?  Can a wounded soldier operate a weapon effectively?  If your answer is "no" you are absolutely right.  How can such a hurting Christian see clearly with the lenses he or she's got?  How can a Christian with hate and malice in its heart caused by unresolved issues fit in the Body of Christ?  How can a Christian who has endured 'perverse' discipline in childhood love the discipline of the Church now?  Prolonged hurtful feelings of any kind can bring Satanic oppressions of many kinds.  You need healing. Sunday after Sunday, church. discipline reminding some of us of our childhood in the '50s when our Sunday school teacher

 What if Martin Luther had done nothing in history? The world of religions would still be looking at the Bible the same way. The Letter to the Romans would still be read the same or not read at all.  Religious people don't like that book because it's not work.  They want to do stuff or rather nothing significant for the Kingdom.  They have the heart, but no determination. Where does it say: "If my people who are called by my name..." Oh that's a beautiful verse to quote in church.  But what does it actually mean?  It means that "you" who are quoting it need to be determined about doing it.  The Word of God being read by Christians does not make the devil tremble and even if you memorize it.  No, what makes him tremble and what does Romans says: "Obey" that's right when Abraham obeyed the Word it was what made him righteous by faith. Throughout Romans we see that it's not only faith that makes us righteous but faith is always followed by

Guard your Gold (Proverbs 8:17-19) : I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.  Riches and honour are with me, enduring riches and righteousness.  My fruit is bette

  Pride goes before destruction...(Proverbs 16:18) Few days ago as we were celebrating our anniversary in an undisclosed location in the city.  We had to go up one of those parkade. On that celebratory day, my wife praised me as I was driving up faster and faster from one level to the other. No problem! I could handle that curve...my confidence and pride increased.  I wanted to impress her on this memorable day.  I thought as I was approaching this narrow passage: "Watch this, I can do better"....SSCRAAAPE...You could hear coming from the front corner of the car.  I thought simultaneously: $500...$1000.. At the same time, I heard my wife yell: "Bernard!" in disgust. She just wasn't praising me anymore.  Her tone had changed abruptly. Anyway, I thought it made for an interesting story.  An anniversary we will always remember. Fortunately, the fender was already a bit damaged, but now the cost of the repairs were going to increase. Later on, we could both laugh ab

  Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.  But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and conscience are defiled.  Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live.  They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.(Titus 1:15-16) 1) The Problem with Sin Inevitably, sin is a problem for the person who is never happy in the circumstances of life.  Always complaining and never quite there yet in contentment, not at all satisfied with God and fellow individuals.  Maybe you know some of those people.  They seem to continually envy others and wished that they be in their place of prestige.  The problem with this reasoning is that they only see part of that 'prestige' pie.  In reality though, some parts are invisible to them.  We can judge others easily by looking from the outside into their lives.  We, of all people, however don't see their hearts or all of their circumstances that the