Heralds Digest

“But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.8.13.nkjv For those whose relationship with the Lord has been or is being tried with divers temptations, sometimes it is difficult to clearly express the sweetness in the challenges of life to lovers of bread and butter relationships. No expression of commitment to any relationship is worthwhile until the desire to receive the pain of companionship with joy is ascertained. Although no one wish to celebrate it all joy the fellowship with trial and temptation, there is a deep root in the admonition to count it all joy when the righteous fall into temptation. Apostle James elsewhere appears to suggest that the root of patience as one of the dividends of temptation. Even though we cannot always understand why the storm is blowing hard, patience with the judgement of t...

“Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.8.12.nkjv When a man is spared the evil of weeds in words, it is expected that a listening heart will be blessed. But Christ said that the portions of many at the trail of the winsome word of God are not so. Even when the ear receives the word of God, the heart may be blinded by the ways of men. Of what profit is the good word in the head, when a gutter word reside in the heart? The ear and the entire body can physically be seated in the pew and before the pulpit, while the heart is on an errand of business transactions, a chase of personal rights, and a negotiation of threatened privileges. Consequently, the love of all these naturally good pursuits of life becomes a licence for demonic manipulation of the heart of man. Whereas, it is possible for the body to be on a legitimate busine...

“But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.8.8.nkjv Just like the popular idiomatic expression “keep an ear to the ground”, Jesus here taught the listening multitude that attentiveness begat fruitfulness. Unfortunately, the speed of happenings in our days is increasing the distractions to the ears. Even when the bearing ground is good and prepared, our social world and its intelligent sophistication are capable of sowing complicated seeds (or weeds) on fertile ground. Therefore, when Jesus cried “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”, He meant hearing from the right source. The word of God is the seed of life; and possess the power to rightly cultivate the heart through the Spirit of God. Where many barrels are capable of sounding out meritorious weeds, only the seeds on the wings of the Spirit has the mercy and ...

“Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:50‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/114/luk.7.50.nkjv The experience of the woman with the alabaster box of oil and the friendly Pharisee with Jesus Christ teaches believers the importance of faith for every comer to the throne of grace. The faith of the Pharisee in the Lord Jesus Christ was limited to the show of hospitality and friendship, where many others of his folks would prefer not to associate with the Saviour on the basis of their religious pride. Notwithstanding, the friendly Faith was challenged by the new level of faith that recognizes Christ as the Rock of salvation. When a penitent heart finds the Rock of salvation, there is always the conviction of sin and the desire to ask for pardon. Little wonder the Psalms pleaded for a passage to the Rock that is ‘higher than I’, when the heart was overwhelmed. Full faith in the Lord Jesus Christ brings full rest and peace to every heart that is overloade...

“Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:22-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.7.22-23.nkjv Self-examination is recommended in services for quality improvement; but a third-party assessment is often motivated by fault-findings and offences over little leftovers. In spite of an evident celebration of signs and wonders under the ministry of Jesus, the conviction of John the Baptist was obviously challenged by his personal interest in the little leftovers. Apparently, John the Baptist expected a possible extension of Christ’s ministry towards his personal deliverance from incarceration. Although God’s Power is available for total deliverance of all from captivity, it is always difficult to find the basis for a little leftover in t...

“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...