Heralds Digest

  “ Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God ;” I Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Just as conventional economics define human needs as insatiable, it is not surprising why self-pleasing ventures in this world are depressingly perplexing. It is almost accurate to say that the more anyone has of the things of this world, the more he scales up on the degree of dissatisfaction. Whereas, when Apostle Paul was inspired to admonish the persecuted brethren in the Thessalonians church on the subject of pleasing prosperity, he took an exception in a gracious passion for pleasing God. Whenever believers finally find the courage to drive towards pleasing God alone in their day-to-day activities and social relationships, they suddenly discover the secret of godliness and contentment. And while the world is drifting towards the edge of dissatisfaction with their pursuits ...

  “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Disturbance, in physics, is a wave that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location (its source) to another location. And while a quiet and peaceful life expects to derive its positive energy from God alone (the Source), it is always being disturbed by myriads of negative energies from surrounding elements, people, and circumstances in life. But then, Apostle Paul admonished the brethren to ‘ aspire ’ to stay undisturbed by negative energies that influence wavy walks. To ‘ aspire ’ implies to (1) acknowledge the purpose for existence from the Source; (2) specialize on the skills toward addressing the problem with the Source; (3) prepare the implementation strategies purposefully from the Source; (4) interpret ...

  “ Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. ” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The compromise of due process in life does not always suggest the absence of good intentions. Sometimes, it is merely driven by the need to avoid bad incidence. Unfortunately, whether in family, societal or work relationships, due process requires qualitative analysis of the human actions and inaction through both the phases of good and ugly incidences; and this is time-consuming, rigorous, and resource-sapping. Notwithstanding, good intentions with bad incidence do not qualify as good. Whereas, good remains solidly good; and always producing good incidence, even when subjected to bad intentions. And to avoid the occurrence of bad incidence and a compromise of due process, the three-fold admonition of the Lord becomes handy ‘ 1. Do not despise prophecies; 2. Test all things; and 3. Hold fast to what is good ’. We need our adherence to prophecies and the constant declaratio...

  “ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing .” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In today’s new normal of business engagements, unsupervised culture of multitasking can result in a significant drop in productivity. Too many activities (and an abundance of decorated idleness) are easily lined up as the schedule of the day. Whereas, trying to be on top of one’s game at home, workplace and the society requires more than carnal sensitivity and material intelligence. The scriptures admonished the aspiration of a quiet lifestyle of embracing the influence of the Spirit alone. Otherwise, anyone can be easily influenced by the actions and inaction of people who have been hijacked by frivolity; and leading to lousy engagements that are ridden with a shortage of grace, patience, and the general virtues of the Spirit. The...

"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV) The thrust of Apostle Paul's exhortation is that rapture is reserved for those who reserve the love of Christ in their hearts until the day of His appearing in the sky. It is a presentation of the priority of the pursuit of holiness over the prosecution of hostility. Honestly, it is impossible to share the love of Christ and the love for justice in this world within the same heart. But the unceasing desire for the final flight to the presence of the Lord represents a holy content that the riches of the expected fairness in this world cannot replace.