Heralds Digest

“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life... And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." Acts‬ ‭5:20, 42‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.5.20,42.nkjv Given the accolades and accompanying privileges of the public ministry, many people often envy ministers when they stand on the pulpit to preach. Without ruling out the proliferation of the altars by those who are imposters, those who are called into public speaking must have succeeded in their commitment to private ministrations. Peter and the rest of the apostles were highly esteemed by the people, not because of their public preaching, but due to the influence of their private honour of the Lord and His Spirit. When Christ is fully lifted up in believer's private life, he is endeared to public preaching for the expansion of God's kingdom. Even though the weights against public speaking can come in terms of indignation fr...

“But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” Acts‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.5.3.nkjv Devotion represents a normal and voluntary dedication of believers time, treasure and talents to the service of the Lord. Although the quantity of our devotion is most attractive to a fellow man, God is always concerned about the quality of our devotion. He is not interested in how long is spent, how much is given, and how impressive is the service. God is honoured by the honesty in believer's sacrifice on His altar. Ananias and his wife voluntarily, but dishonestly gave their treasure in exchange for God's disapproval and untimely death. The cause of God's wrath was not the reservation of Ananias' treasure for personal use, but the deceptive sacrifice of God's honour in search of personal glory and honour. God knows our needs and He is committed to the supply of all ou...

“And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭ASV‬‬ http://bible.us/12/act.4.29.asv Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the basis of detractors' intimidation when there are convincing evidences of an abiding presence of the Lord in life's pursuits. Rather than getting intimated by the righteous' breakthrough and achievement, the enemy's focus on injecting distractions often turn the table of intimidation around. The Pharisees and the leaders in Jerusalem play the smart devil's advocate in threatening Peter and John, despite of their irrefutable conviction in the power to save, heal, and deliver those who believe in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the enemy's distractions always succeed as long as the strategy find the righteous' attention. However, the response of the early church shows that an honest looking unto Jesus leaves no room for the enemy's distraction. Devoti...

“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.3.6-7.nkjv The common expectation from meeting with personalities in the world is mostly hoped for a definite receipt of value for living. For the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, there was nothing better than the receipt of alms from the hands of passersby, like Peter and John. When the disappointment of the man from the first statement from Peter was not far fetched, it was obvious that he needed a lift in order to give a better look - a look of faith in Jesus, instead of a look of material substance from man. Networking with men of substance provides the needed platform to access information and useful resources in life. However, a look at men for their substance instead of waiti...

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:44-45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.2.44-45.nkjv The success rate achieved in the promotion of the concept of social ownership by the socialists is borne out of the fact that people are generally averse to economic barriers. The Commonwealth of private citizens is controlled by the state, which ensures even distribution between the rich and poor. However, people are created with pointed diversity in their cultural, religious, and political ideologies; and people naturally feel comfortable with uncompromising respect, based on their different class extractions. Notwithstanding, the barriers with the audience and the tourists in Jerusalem, who came from various nations and countries were broken by the power of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After their conversion, the scriptures say that all whose hearts were touched ...

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.1.4.nkjv Living for exigency attracts significant worth of waiting resources, including waiting for career and professional breakthrough, waiting for material and family promotion, waiting for progress in life and ministry, etc. Even the pre-pentecostal experience of the early Apostles underscored the difference between the influence of waiting for administrative changes in human affairs or ministry and the impact of waiting for the promise of the Father. Apparently, the disciples had waited until this time for the fulfillment of the perceived God's promise of administrative and political changes. The best of waiting for administrative efficiency produced Matthias; while waiting for supernatural efficacy produced Paul the Apostle. And later, the early church n...

“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...