Heralds Digest

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.12.13-14.nkjv Proud parents are dedicated to the welfare of their home and family members. Serious students are dedicated to excellent academic performance in their studies and career pursuits. While dependable disciples are dedicated to the integrity and loyalty of services to their masters. However, in all of these devotions, the interest of the Lord supersedes the expectations of parties at home, institution and the ministry. Therefore, the most desirable dedication starts with the fear of God and a devotion to His commandments. When the desires of parents over advances in the development of kids, progression of desirable family projects, etc, appear overridden by divine interest, fear God and keep His commandments. An...

“He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.11.4.nkjv The prospect of risk management as a business venture is sufficiently lucrative if focused on maximising harvest from sowing or seed investments. By extension of the scope of risk to maximising the act of sowing towards profitable reaping, the scriptures underscore the relevance of divine discretion for prospective start-ups in social, family, and ministerial businesses. The bane of productive reaping in life is not solely based on the havoc caused by natural disasters, but it is mostly influenced by the lack of accommodating divine harvest through these " natural disasters ". Both the Sower and his seeds are God's investment for the overall good interest of His essence for human existence. The wind of appreciation for a commendable service in life and ministry may not appear wholesome; its reward always spread beyon...

“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odour; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honour.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.10.1.nkjv In order to avoid boring but focused summertime, the kids were asked to fill up their 24-hour time-table freely with all their expected activities from Monday to Sunday. Apart from the generous allocation of playtime, naps, and breaks, it was difficult to understand the need for their unanimous allocation of free-time. Free-time should be allocated for something specific - even if it's reserved for another fun, it should be a focused fun. Understandably, " All works and no play makes a dull dog out of Jack ", says the adage. Notwithstanding, frivolous fun often ruin the projected benefits of a free-time. During all free times, the standards for decency, righteousness, dignity and respects are never granted liberty to be lowered. Therefore, models and leaders ...

“Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.9.7-8.nkjv In spite of the usefulness of constructive criticism to anyone's personal development, no one is comfortable with a destructive criticism and empty recommendation of any work evaluation. Human disapproval of anyone's efforts, for instance during the assessment of a child's academic effort by the parents, the review of a spouse's contribution towards the improvement of a family's economic and spiritual well-being, the appraisal of a disciple's commitment to the growth of the ministry, etc, brings discouragement, especially when future engagement for continuous service and fellowship solely depend on the expected recommendations. Notwithstanding, there is a dependable layer of possible comfort in trusting in God's c...

“All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭8:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.8.9.nkjv God ordains power and authority for effective government in the affairs of men. This divine order enables decency and order to thrive in the environment where respect for the power of civil authority is fully embraced. All, whether in the civic society, corporate institution, and any civilized administration, including the affairs of children of God, are enjoined to understand and appreciate the centrality of the power bestowed on human government. There is incontestable power to ban, burn, and banish any offender, even when any reasonable mind can easily mirror the injustice in the human order and authority. However, there is a precious privilege above the privileges of civic power and authority - it is the privilege of patience in prayer. Within the series of times...

“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit....For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:8, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.7.8,12.nkjv An affluent beginning is capable of denying the unwise the unique privilege of a prudent planning for the future. Likewise, the unwise deficient may not accept the responsibility of ceasing the opportunity in the future, while blaming others for the prevailing predicament. Meanwhile, God is interested in the capacity building of good character through an adequate application of wisdom gathered from all experiences in life. No matter the prevailing predicaments in believers' career, family, and economic life, the wise question can never be " why are these happening? ", but rather " how can these be helpful? ". With patience and perseverance, there is always...

“All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied... For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭6:7, 12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ecc.6.7,12.nkjv The satisfaction with the basic needs of life is worthwhile, but it is irrelevant to the needs of the soul. The body cares for the best nourishment, beautiful accommodation, glamorous lifestyle, and appreciable recognition. While the natural faculty in man is wired to promote satisfaction with these body needs, the satisfaction of the soul is often taken for granted. To make things worse, no one knows the necessity for his own soul unless through the recommended consultation with the Creator. Unlike the process of searching for the satisfaction of the body, religious practices can only pretend to provide satisfaction for the soul. Only faith in the Creator's provision f...