Heralds Digest

“Thus says the LORD: “Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.31.16.nkjv The most rewarding work on earth appears to be measured by the extent of its impact on humanity. But when considering the fact that the scriptures say there is joy in heaven over the conversion of a sinner, it suggests that the impact of a soul-winner's consecration extends beyond the earth and reaches unto heaven. That probably explain why the prayerful lamentation and mournful supplication of Rahel of Ramah over Ephraim cannot be ignored. Human's engagements that focus on restoration of lost privileges, position and properties may sometimes suffer delay or denial. However, heaven cannot seem to lay aside efforts that are targeted at bringing joy into its kingdom. Although God refer to sinners as 'wicked', only a committed s...

“They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.31.9.nkjv Sober reflections during worship time appear a distasteful demonstration of stumbling experiences. In spite of good intentions and dedicated commitments, real life experiences in most of life projects are sometimes characterized by material, spiritual and emotional stumbling. While maturity teaches the wearing of confident disposition and showing of ' bold faces ', as though nothing went amiss, true worshippers are expected to come to the presence of the Lord with weeping. Walking always by the rivers of water does not mean foreclosure of exposure to heat and harsh experiences of life. Rather, it does guarantee consistent refreshment for those who sincerely thirst. Redemption rhyme is ...

“For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭30:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.30.11.nkjv The price of restoration has never been convenient for the body; but it is mostly proven to bring the expected blessing in relationships. In most cases, it is not the secluded environment of the correction centres that bring the change, but the sensitivity of the soul to the abiding presence of the waiting Lord, saying ' I am with you...to save you '. Many would never learn how to pay attention to the Lord, until they are deprived of the source of distractions in life. Therefore, privileges, properties, and positions that appeared withdrawn becomes precious, as soon as retaining the presence of the Lord is prioritized. It implies that in all of these situations and circu...

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.29.11.nkjv When the God says ' I know the thoughts that I think toward you ', He doesn't just give a promise. God's confirmatory statement is loaded with a challenge for His obedient children. He had earlier commanded the children of Israel to pray for the peace of Babylon. Many would query ' Why? '; and God always declare ' In Babylon's peace lie your peace '. Likewise, the peace of an abused child or spouse lie in a commitment to prayer for the abuser; and the prosperity of a mismanaged staff or citizen is anchored in a submission to prayer for effective management of the institution and society by the appointed or elected leaders. God knows the irrevocability of His thoughts for our peace and prosperity; but oftentimes, He doesn't seem to appreciate our read...

“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. I have given him the beasts of the field also.” ’ ”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭28:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.28.14.nkjv Successful placement in a dream job comes with a requisite possession of relevant experiences, which demands willingness to volunteer for unpaid services. A good attitude towards unpaid services with relevant experiences has often ensured readiness for future opportunities. For the children of Israel, God recommended a compulsory servitude to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. And it was difficult to understand the comparative advantage of forfeiting a fruitful engagement in Jerusalem to a fruitless servitude in Babylon. Unfortunately, there was no alternative to doing the will of the Lord: ' ...and they shall serve him (Nebuchadnezzar) '. The Lord knows the path to getting ...

“But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for truly the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭26:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.26.15.nkjv If the scripture rightly declare that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it is apparent that the fear of death or human deprivation is the beginning of foolishness. These are the days when men of stature and influence dictate the declaration from pulpits, and not rather the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Messages are now strongly challenged to appeal to the current level of technological advancement, modern civilization, complexities in social lifestyle and cultural diversity, while leaving out strong conviction in the statute and commandments of the Lord. And the consequences are here with us as wickedness against ourselves, like in the days of prophet Jeremiah. Whereas, God is looking ...

“Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’ says the LORD, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭25:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.25.9.nkjv In heaven's labour market, the word ' recession ' appears to be strange or undefined. Even while the call to divine order for the children of Judah became non-responsive, heaven did not lack the service of servants, including Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon. For over 23 years of prophet Jeremiah's exhortation, the dissatisfaction of the Creator with services did not change His satisfaction with the status of the creatures as His servants. The service in the kingdom of God offers a refreshing moment of interaction with a loving and good Father - our satisfied Saviour, who lov...