Heralds Digest

“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.7.13-14.nkjv The scriptures declare there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Sometimes at the season of weeping, there are often no clue to finding relief and response to questions. When the widow at Naim was following her only dead son to the grave, it was certain that finding Jesus (who can raise the dead) was never a purpose on her mind. In times of deep sorry and anguish, the deprived soul shed tears that often find no wipes. However, ‘When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep”’. It implies that, in God’s season of deliverance from pain, devastation, and sorrow, fairness in the services of favour is not necessary. The Saviour does the searching for the disdained, dep...

“Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.7.6-7.nkjv Reference without reverence can bring the worth of wealth in almost all relationships. Those who are skillful in the game can even make their ways to the top, with the package of benefits like promotion and prosperity. Either through physical appearance or written recommendations, human references have proven to be a reliable worth of wealth. However, the Centurion in relationship with Master Jesus decided not to appeal to the worth of reference without reverence, when the healing of his servant is at stake. Even Jesus could not underrate the greatness of the faith in the Centurion’s submission. Unfort...

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:47-48‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.6.47-48.nkjv Anyone who is on dietary plan understands the struggle in relinquishing the lordship of the tastebud to someone who care little about the feeling of the body. For example, the tastebud feels satisfied with its power to attract the consumption of raisin-based cereal compared to all-bran cereal, even when the body is collapsing under the threat of diabetes. Likewise, the fashion, custom, entertainment, and social attractions of this world have strong hold on the sense of freshness and fulfillment in this life, even when the soul of man is conscious about the danger of losing its eternal security. Before rounding up the i...

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.6.45.nkjv While reflecting on the last Facebook posting of a friend, moments before boarding yesterday’s ill-fated Ethiopian Airplane: “If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me (Psalms 139:9-10 NKJV)”, it was noted that this good and heaven-bound posting could not have been motivated by evil and earth-centric heart. Here in Christ’s concluding remarks to His disciples, He ruled out the common excuse of many believers’ indulgence of unrighteous outbursts during provocation and the pressure of life. The message to godly hearts is clear: deal with the heart and do not major in drilling the mouth. Many and increasingly negative com...

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:41‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.6.41.nkjv For the sake of system compliance and performance, the use of human senses for the assessment of other people’s responsibilities is stronger than the responsibility for self assessment. Whereas, God expects the opposite. Jesus asked His disciples “why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?”. Anyone would readily respond “because human eyes are created to see outward (look) better than inward (perception)”. It implies that diligent disciples would rather work more on their perception, while engaging their eyes on outward performances. Through the eyes of other people and characters, a man with sharper perception is better shaped for own greater productivity and responsibilities. Unfortunately, those who love the seat of judgement with their sharp eyes are not lik...

“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:31-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.6.31-32.nkjv Goodness influenced by the award of this world’s good is religiously celebrated, sometimes with a misconception of the power of grace. The direct implication of this misconception is that a loss of good can be mistaken as a loss of grace. However, Jesus teaches His disciples the incorruptible power of grace. God’s grace is powered by His selfless love. Unfortunately, many believers are easily ‘disgraced’ by a subtle withdrawal of their access to a self-acclaimed good. Whereas, heavenly inspired grace is expected to be neither influenced by a donation of the gilded toys nor irritated by a deduction of human goodwill. Only those whose supply of grace is rooted in human’s deeds of kindness can be disgraced by the withdrawal of the world’s ar...

“Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.6.25.nkjv Against the tendency of poverty mentality, prosperity of Christ’s disciples is never promoted as against God’s perfect will. The Master merely teaches His disciples to put the pursuit of the kingdom of God and all its righteousness first. Unfortunately, given the opportunity, the human mind is tempted to pursue prosperity at the expense of purpose. Whereas, a purpose-driven life is not distracted by physical and material prosperities, especially when the silent call of divine duty is being sacredly pursued. Those who seek to laugh last do not desire to laugh first. Therefore, when Jesus said to the listening ears of His disciples “Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep”, it was merely a warning on the deceitfulness of riches or prosperity. An helpful status c...