Heralds Digest

““That in the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And fall to the ground.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/amo.3.14.nkjv Every concerned parent, pastor, and principal of family, fellowship, and firm, where people are expected to be influenced by the charisma of leadership, understands the frustration in the stance against the negative impacts of today’s social world. And in the subtle sense of conceding defeat, it is easier to draw comfort in the fact that the flight to the heavenly city is a personal race. However, when God would punish the people of Israel for their transgressions, the scriptures declare the line of judgement as “I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel”. Whereas, in the days of Jacob and Elijah, the altar at Bethel and the altar at Carmel were known as the altars with powerful and life-changing influence. When revival was needed i...

“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/amo.3.7.nkjv Physical relationships without a clear understanding of the modes of operation is no small challenge. Even in the present age of information technology, access to the cloud for either download or upload operations requires certain understanding of the agreed encryption code. Likewise, relationship of the privileged nations with the Lord in the days of prophet Amos was built on clear agreement. Unfortunately, the problem of man with unrestrained relationships has been from time immemorial. While the cloud is always loaded with benefits and opportunities, maintaining a clear cloud of human relationship with the Lord has always been the problem. Dark clouds are often powered by the invasion of the virus (sin and every form of unrighteousness) and prevent access to good information. But by the mercy of God, the righteous are promised und...

“Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals. They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor, And pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl, To defile My holy name.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭2:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/amo.2.6-7.nkjv The only hope for someone who is being deceived is that an encounter with the truth is somehow or someday possible, just as the current encounter with lies prevails. Whereas, it would be highly pathetic for anyone who struggle with self-deception. And self-deceived fellows like in the nation of Israel of old may easily pass as disillusioned dummies. Without a clear vision of the purpose for any man’s existence and occupancy of privileges in life, everyone will surely engage in the business of chasing shadows. Instead of engaging in the pursuit of God, Israel was c...

“Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have despised the law of the LORD, And have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, Lies which their fathers followed.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/amo.2.4.nkjv Our fast-paced world is designed with several alternatives for the lovers of the law of the LORD. Like the nation of Judah of old, the likes of Christianity for Dummies can offer a quick search of materials for everyday get-along relationships. The only problem is that bible commentaries, literatures and all online alternatives to the holy scriptures are not good as a stand-alone guide for serious Christians: they sometimes offer lies that can lead the gullible minds into the ditch. Needless to mention the aggressive calls to an outright disobedience of the commandments of the Lord in most suppossed holy assemblies. For Judah, the scriptures declare “they have despised the l...

“Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, That they might enlarge their territory.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/amo.1.13.nkjv Just like Ammon, Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, and Edom, the concept of promotion and prosperity through the decimation of others’ privileges was punished by the Originator of true enlargement. When the scriptures declare that promotion does not come from anywhere else, other than from above, it is apparent that human pursuit of enlargement outside the guidance of God can never be without an encroachment of God’s purpose and plan. For example, Ammon had to rip open women with child in Gilead in order to gain enlargement of his desired territory, without any consideration of the divine purpose for the possible enlargement of divine territories through the children from the women. While many are tempted to mourn sever...

“From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/gal.6.17.nkjv Marks of recognition on students from any institution bear the name of the institution and provide a useful projection of its legacy. Likewise, corporate organizations and states decorate a worthy staff and citizen for a necessary ambassadorial representation. These marks distinguish individuals for honour and respect among peers, almost making commands out of their opinions. However, the problem with the earthly marks of recognition or mastery is its corruption with time, change of state or institutional guards, obsolescence, etc. Whereas, the marks of distinction from the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be corrupted by the elements of this world - they are not awarded based on the opinions of men. While the mark of distinction in the world outrightly commands recognition and commendation of the awardee, the Master’s Mark carries the refer...

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/gal.6.14.nkjv In conclusion of the Apostle’s exhortation on the superiority of the love of the Lord over the legality of the law, a personal reflection on the import of true change is here presented. How true is the ease of driving a positive change in the behaviour of people in our lives with religious regiments and traditional decorum, when we also struggle with living out a consistently changed soul? Living daily by faith truly influences the practical alternative to the insincere life of hypocrisy and make-beliefs. Whereas, the secret of a sincere change is faith in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the confession of Apostle Paul, it was faith in this emblem of suffering and shame that brings true change from boasting the life of a persecutor of the disciples of Christ to bearing ...