Heralds Digest

“And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:20-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.13.20-21.nkjv Rehabilitation of the old habits and bad attitude in the fallen man has developed more scientific methodology with proven records of human reformation. It shows that influences of positive words from stable fellow men to unstable individuals does have positive effects on human behaviours. However, without the influence of the Spirit of God in the life of man, total transformation of the fallen man is impossible. This is because a good act of reformation can only correct the broken relationship between fellow men. Only the Spirit’s transformation can amend the broken relationship between God and man. Therefore, Jesus appeared to enlighten the religious leaders and Pharisees in His listening audience with a better understanding of the influence of ...

“Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.13.18-19.nkjv Infertility in life is simply the consequence of the fall of man from grace to grass. It is the reflection of the emptiness of man without God. And when life’s treasure, time and talents are invested on fallow grounds, it doesn’t take long for anyone to understand the frustration of life’s operations outside the influence of the grace of God. Like Jesus did when He considered the plights of the multitude, anyone can the feel the pity and the helplessness of a fallen man on the fallows fields of life. Therefore, He offered a simple promotion of the kingdom of God as the solution for those who care to take it. “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?.....

“While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” Then the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it. ”” ‭‭I Kings‬ ‭20:40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/1ki.20.40.nkjv Like Ahab did with Ben-hadad, many people cannot see the problem with every good and profitable business proposition. Whereas, it turns out that good economic decision does not necessarily translate into great eternity-conscious disposition. But the common query (especially when it appears the need for material blessings constantly intimidate a supposed focus on the pursuit of the will of God) is “Does God really care less about the earthly prosperity of the righteous?”. No, of course; but just that the order of interest must be spiritual prosperity before material prosperity (since a dead soul cannot enjoy any prosperity...3 John 1:2). Unlike just a busy business, only blessed business brings true and sustainable prosperity to the soul of man.

“But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.13.12.nkjv It is one thing to commend the location of the woman with infirmity when her Helper called, it is another thing to appreciate the leading and compassion of the Helper Jesus Christ. Unlike the focus of the Pharisees on the rituals of Sabbath, Jesus did not only teach in the synagogue; He touched the helpless woman with the healing hands. By the end of the day, it appears the main message received by the multitude is the mercy of God through the dissemination of helpless’ Helper into the life and affairs of the people. Just like the Pharisees’ attitude to the plight of the helpless was condemned as hypocritical, many positioned helpers in life are often dispositioned by insensitivity and the exigencies of busy lifestyle. Whereas, believers are called to be helpless’ helpers in our self-centred world. And wh...

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:2-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.13.2-3.nkjv Self-centered living can hardly revolve the benefits of the gift of life beyond the interest of self. Even the relevance of other people’s life is considered a waste, as long as their selfish and personal interest appears overlooked. When the Pharisees reported the waste of the Galileans as justification of their self-righteous theology, it showed that they completely missed the universal call of God unto repentance. God gave everyone the breathe of life in order for all to live to show forth His glory with a revolving purpose of living. And He daily looks for fruits from the gift of life. Whereas, a self-centred life daily demands for continual supply of favour rather than bring forth frui...

“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:51‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/114/luk.12.51.nkjv Without an indirect reference to the difference in Christ’s mission to the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world, it would to difficult to get the message of division in discernment to both the disciples and the multitude. A man under the influence of the Spirit of God is often considered a disruptive element, based on his approach to the idea of settlement and the game of compromise in the system of this world. Peace is the natural dividend of porting from the kingdom of this world into the kingdom of God. It is the peace of God, and not the disguised pieces in the world, meant for those interested in the invited peace with God. Unfortunately, the inheritors of the peace with God have always been and will almost be the specimens of debates, disruption, and disagreements in every system, prepared for deceptio...

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” . (Luke 12:47 NKJV) A depressive runaway conception of Christ’s doctrine on faithfulness is that the will of God for His servant is a desirable end by itself, rather than the means to a desirable end. Rather than treating God as a dutiful task Master, our heavenly Father delights in His children preparedness to ‘know the Master’s will and the understanding of how to do them’. The major challenge before disobedient servants in our world of several distractions and varied standards is the lack of preparedness in the heart to wait on divine guidance. Anyone with the knowledge of God’s will can stand for the truth in the absence of distractions and oppositions. However, faithful servants are known by their preparation to stand in the face of conflicts of belief, even in the community of believers. Whereas, those whose delight is always in the law of th...