Heralds Digest

  ““ Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”” Jeremiah 45 : 4 - 5 NKJV It is always hypocritical when people admire true prosperity and despise genuine adversity. Smith Wigglesworth on the subject once wrote ‘Great faith is a product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.’ Unfortunately, the heart of man prefers to seek great faith without great fights, great testimonies without great tests, and great triumphs without great trials. Definitely, there are gross fights, tests, and trials for prosperity or ugly adversity that are inspired by human stupidity, selfishness, and sensualit...

“And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭45:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.45.5.nkjv The earthly expectation from the expeditions of human intelligence and material resources is, at least, meaningful appreciation. However, the desire for material gratification would readily prevent the inspiration and discovery of great talents and new innovations. Baruch the scribe was caught in the web of failed earthly expectations and discouraging outbursts. And the counsel of the Lord to him was “Do not seek them [earthly expectations]; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh”. The price of earthly expectations is not always commensurate with the prize, which is ultimately adversity and the anguish of the soul. However, the Lord promises all who seek those things which are above “But I will give your l...

“And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭45:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.45.5.nkjv Unlike the reluctant Jonah with the gospel message, the motivation of real ministers of the gospel is the all-round prosperity of the people. Gospel messages are meant for the salvation and deliverance of the people from the bondage of sin and wickedness. Therefore, success in the ministry is often measured by the metrics of physical, material, and empirical manifestation of spirituality in the life and affairs of the people. While reasonable monitoring of success in ministry is necessary for planning and preservation of the church of Christ against the activities of all adversaries, good success is measured only by godly assessment of the minister's motivations. Baruch and prophet Jeremiah needed a shift in their ex...