Heralds Digest

Passive Faith ends in words without action. It is the declaration of beliefs without active participation in its implementation. God can do all things without the help of man; but He would rather do nothing without the participation of man. Although non participation comes from disowning the risk involved, passive faith attempts to degrade the potency of God to the level of man. God is looking for people whose faith can declare the omnipotent power of God to provide, protect, and deliver His children. Active faith joins the wagon of the faithfuls, declaring "nothing is too difficult for God to deliver" and displaying "nothing is too risky for man to demonstrate". The Lord Jesus Christ risked all; and lost nothing in the end. However, He hopes that active faith will still remain when He returns for His brides.

Whether on the sea, land or air, the intentions of hijackers with attacks on vessels and vehicles are the same. Pirates operating the Gulf of Aden would use automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades to launch attacks on the high sea. Irrespective of the original destination of the hijacked vessel, the ship may end up at a different destination chosen by the pirates. Also in personal homes and businesses, there are strong influences of pirates whose intention is to lead a great course into a wrong destination. However, the scriptures say the culprit is responsible for the hijack - " when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed ". A journey started in the Spirit requires a consistent monitoring of the will of the Spirit. Living by faith, rather than fact, is the only guarantee that the perfect road map will be followed. This is pathway where the will of man is daily mirrored in the will of God. Human intelligence always disown the will of God, albeit in stormy tid...

Being made in the image of God, everyone is created with the sense and desire to do good. Besides treats to personal pride, position, and privileges, all men are willing to offer a selfless service in the most undesirable situations and circumstances. To God, this is a sacrifice of praise; and to fellow man, it is a sacrifice of goodness. Praise and goodness are bound with the Spirit of the eternal sacrifices; but they are well pleasing unto God. Sacrifices are undoubted expressions of faith; and the evidences of believers' testimonies about the existence of God. Man cannot grow in his experience of God without allowing moments of genuine sacrifices, in relationship with God and fellow men. Praise God at all times and do good to men in all circumstances. These are the best ways to present a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice unto God.

If the excitement, motivation, and strength at the beginning of every race in life are retained, almost all racers will finish up with the same starting speed. But the reality is, even if the excitement and motivation are preserved, the strength of all racers get depleted along the track. Spiritual race is no difference. Many do lose faith with challenges of life; and failed to finish up as planned. In the race of faith, the author and the finisher of faith is the same Jesus. All who can relate with Him as the Author of faith can also retain Him as the Finisher. Challenges in life notwithstanding, Jesus Christ is bound to finish all that He started in every of His heralds. When it becomes difficult to understand how to finish, consistent reference to Christ's amazing work as Author is always sufficient. And since the Author is the same as the Finisher, there is no cause for alarm. Man should rather be preoccupied with praising God for all He's started or done.

It is expected that faith forecloses violence; however, violence becomes inevitable with strong opposition. Only violent faith can stop the mouth of lions, subdued kingdoms and authorities, turned to flight the armies of aliens and doubters, etc. The heart of faith does not quench in the fiercest of calamities. It ceaseless lift the banner against all evils. While the battle ground during the old testament shift from region to region, the battle ground in these days is the heart of man. The weapon that sustain the heat is the word of God - sword of the Spirit- and prayers. The target of the Devil is always to bring up excuses that will prevent the flow of God's word and prayer. Through discouragement and sin, the edge of the sword becomes blunt and unproductive.

With significant measure of evidence, it is easier to trust; but faith is faith when there is no evidence is needed. Cordiality in every relationship most times takes time to develop, depending on how long it takes to establish dependable evidence. Unfortunately, an established cordial relationship breaks down easily. Definitely, relationships will last always endure if emphasis on evidence is rescinded. The children of Israel preferred to trust God and followed their leader, while compassing the wall of Jericho for seven days. It is important to understand that there was no evidence that the solid wall will fall freely without physical effort, after walking round the wall for six days and six rounds on the seventh day. Whatever engagement of man, that has the backing of the Lord; faith demands trust, even when no evidence is visible. God can be trusted, even when He could not be tracked. Seeking the Lord with all of one's heart; and demanding no evidence is the key. The evidence s...

Suffering, under all circumstances, is not convenient for the body. Most of life's sufferings are human caused; and the guilt or regret for action or inaction may even add to the pain of suffering. Despite the pain, suffering enables man to reflect on the past; and ensembles good paths for the future, if managed properly. While many fall into suffering by accident, only few will choose to suffer. Unlike many, Moses reviewed his options properly, but chose to embrace suffering. It is one thing to know that suffering can come as a result of one's choice to follow the will of God; it is another thing to learn how to embrace the suffering. The sweetness of God's fellowship is found in the stillness of suffering. Rather than asking "why?", God's heralds should be looking for "what?" as the fellowship of suffering continues. Good attitude of fellowship to suffering is a demonstration of faith in God, the One who lead the way.