Heralds Digest

“Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.10.20.nkjv Apart from the consideration of the priority of God's mission in every sacred romance, the potency of God's message became obvious on the mission field. However, Peter accepted to embark on the mission without a clear understanding of the content of the message. Just "go down and go with them" was enough for him to proceed on a 2-day trip from Joppa to Caesarea. Most organized men have the programme of their life and ambition carefully arranged and ready for God's approval, if divine approval is believed to be necessary. Likewise, Peter appeared to enjoy the intimacy with God to the extent that he preferred to 'go up and stay with Him', while waiting for the preparation of his dinner. Then, God commanded 'go down and go with them' on a mission without a message. Apparently, based on additional admoni...

“But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:14-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.10.14-15.nkjv Struggling with the distinctiveness between cultural conservatism and scriptural sanctimony is common to all. Without a proactive intervention of God, the Jewish culture would have taken the priority of Peter's attention, compared to the fellowship with the family of a gentile Captain. Nevertheless, the interaction shows one of the benefits of intimacy with God as the perfect guide for the expected life of believers' consecration. Unfortunately, sensitivity to God's inspiration is always uncommon to a normal sensual lifestyle: Where we used to eat, go, wear, say, etc; and how we used to do, live, work, etc. However, God always demand higher sensitivity to our knowing His consecration better than our conservativeness. There ...

"Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.10.5-6.nkjv The intent of grace is the provision of the favourable environment for godliness and righteousness. Unfortunately, the absence of truth often abuses the provision of grace, where man is only religious but dominated by the affairs of this life. Conversely, Cornelius demonstrated the human capacity for dominion without grace. Although this capacity is limited for access to the throne of God, it is respected by the God of the throne. He did not only fear the Lord, his pious lifestyle had a consistent influence in the life of the immediate family. God's attention to those whose fear of Him had a potent influence, not an enforcement influence, on others shows the primary essence of human existence. Although it is always easy to be carried away by the abi...

“There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:33-34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.9.33-34.nkjv It's August, the eighth month and the significance of divine visitation. Like Aeneas, there might have been bedridden situations and circumstances that have refused to disappear, in spite of all the efforts in the previous months and years. However, man is generally created to organize and dominate the situations and circumstances around him. But when a man becomes impotent and unable to perform, either at home, workplace and in the society, everyone knows that dignity and respects are lost. Even in dignified societies, where social aids and assistance are predominant, beggars know the dignity in having a choice. Fortunately, at the eighth year, Jesus found and healed Aeneas of his paralysis. Today, the liber...

“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.9.31.nkjv Like the barter of material resources for peace, many paths to the similitude of peace demand some precious sacrifices or forfeiture. Worldly peace often takes away access to eternal peace. But for the early church, peace from persecution came only at God's own time and after the fulfilment of the pentecostal purpose - preaching the gospel in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and beyond. While peace without this persecution could have been pleasurable, there would have been no fulfilment and edification in a pursuit of pleasure, outside the purpose of God for the salvation of the early disciples. Therefore, trouble and trials today in personal, family, and national life may be the safest path to a prosperous peace tomorrow. Pro...

“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:15-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.9.15-16.nkjv The record of glories in the past provides a useful encouragement for reasonable enlistments of volunteers into the service of the Lord. It is a relevant account of faithfulness and an evidence of reliability. However, many whose past is filled with worthless engagements, questionable activities, and insecure services are written off for the best interest of the system. For the converted Saul, it takes the recommendation of the Lord for Ananias and the disciples in Damascus to enlist the young disciple into the service of the ministry. Unfortunately, with over-reliance on due diligence, many valuable vessels are rendered unproductive in the ministries today for leader's apparent lack of sensitivity to the leading...

“And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.9.5-6.nkjv Ultimate fulfilment in life is derived from an unreserved submission to the silent call of duty in the heart of man. Even those whose heads have been unknowingly brainwashed are preyed by a solemn call of duty, based on coordinated indoctrination. These devotees are undoubtedly reliable subjects and uncompromising servants of their master or perceived Lord. And like most terrorists, Saul persecuted and killed believers in Christ on a perceived devotion to an unknown Lord. It was a definite response to a call of duty without a relationship with the Master of duty - a sudden submission. Unfortunately, this type of submi...