Heralds Digest

“And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.12.11.nkjv Although “Impossible is nothing” and “Nothing is impossible” are literally the same, they are realistically not the same without an absolute exercise of the prayer power. Even in the parlance of faith, there are different scales of possibilities with different personalities and problems. Sometimes, long-standing problems and difficulties are readily left unperturbed for a peaceful devotion on the faith that keeps fire on the prayer altars. Whereas, impossibility and importunity are two sides of the same coin of the “prayer works” conviction. And when Peter came to realize the power of an importunate prayer by the Church, he testified that there is no such thing as impossible mountain called intoxicated Herod or incrimina...

And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Acts 12:3 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/act.12.3.NKJV Most times, the unruly exercise of authority and the misuse of positions represents an indirect expression of the problem of approval syndrome. Like the appeal for political approval led Herod into an aggressive persecution of Christians or the Apostles of Christ, many are often ignorant of their loss of pride in self-identity. Every action and inaction of man that is motivated by a misplacement of pleasing someone else, at the expense of the will of God, is a loss of proper identity and the purpose for living. If Herod had understood the divine purpose for occupying the political office, he would have disregarded the search for approval appeal from the Jews. No one can overspend in a search for the security in divine approval, especially when the penalty for the approval appeal from man leave...

“Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.11.29.nkjv Responses of charitable and humanitarian organizations to regions of the world affected by wars, disasters and civil unrest are commendable. Based on scriptural principles, helps and relief materials are collected and transferred from believers in the region of rest and relatively economic stability to these restive regions. Notwithstanding, it is always difficult to find all the answers to many questions surrounding the basis for certain war disasters and unrest caused by regional cleansing and international disturbances. Under the guise of the distribution of relief materials, weapon of mass destruction or the escalation of the source of instability often find easy and unsuspecting passages. But when disciples in Antioch sends relief to disturbed believers in Judea, it was safely delivered not just becaus...

“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.11.23.nkjv While it is generally taken that believers are first called Christians in Antioch, it is mostly a general concern that sustaining the character and charisma of Christ is difficult. However, Barnabas appeared to open the silver lining in his exhortation to believers in Antioch by differentiating between God’s grace and the gracious God. It is always amazing to discover the benefits of God’s grace, including salvation from sin for the unthinkable, healing and deliverance from the bondage of sickness for the lawful captives, and engagement in the ministry for the least-worthy of men on earth. Notwithstanding, many are often not wary to ride grace with conscious focus on the gracious God. Whereas, Barnabas “encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with...

“If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.11.17.nkjv Discrimination and the complications with the demand for diversity in fellowship activities are often treated as social problem rather than spiritual misconception. Even at the early church, the apostles and elders struggled with the undermining of God’s Grace as the solution to the natural lack of appetite for social inclusiveness. However, Peter provided a relief in the possibility of grace in diversity. The grace to people with different race, colour, cultural background, denominational affiliation, and professional class may possess divers social attachment; it is wrapped as the same gift from God if grace is involved. Therefore, it is easier to manage the differences in people of like-precious faith under the same roof at home, same regulation in workplaces, and same rules in ...

“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God...” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:45-46‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.45-46.nkjv Sanctification as a concept of ability instead of availability is always a myth for sincere souls and those who want to live for the glory of God. Whereas here, the Holy Spirit was poured out on those who were perceived to lack the ability to recite the date or moment of their salvation and clearly distinguish between their experiences before and after sanctification. Which implies that sanctification is rather a state of the heart fully surrendered unto the Lord and not really the status of a head fully surrounded by the knowledge of the words and way of God. The Holy Spirit is always ready and prepared as an availability tool for God’s errands; and not really an ability tool for man’s ego...

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.38.nkjv It is often said that God can do everything without man; but He chose never to do anything without man. With every man that is freely surrendered unto God, Peter here admitted that he becomes a true instrument in the hands of God. For example, Jesus of Nazareth was fully anointed by God to speak words of salvation and healing to those who were oppressed by the devil. And even today, if any man can possibly be without himself and be fully influenced by God, his works among the people at home, workplaces and the society will be powered by the winsome words of God. Unfortunately, it is absolutely impossible for us to be intoxicated by the works of our hands and be anointed by the words of God at the same time.