Heralds Digest

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. Acts 12:25 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/act.12.25.NKJV Ministry is always about mission and the fulfillment of God-given outreaches to the people on the field. Whereas, under the brutality of Herod, the mission strategies to people in needs in the city of Jerusalem appear to suffer some setbacks. But when the people gathered to pray, it turned out that there was actually no problem with their ministry methods. Starting a worthwhile mission in life, and according to the will of God, is great; but seeing the need to persevere, pray, and preach the wholesome word of God in the face of persecution is more commendable. "And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry". There shouldn't be any problem with the proposed strategies for fruitfulness and fulfillment in all God-given ministries,...

And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:22‭-‬23 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/act.12.22-23.NKJV Shyness in giving praise and an appetite for taking praise are two sides of the same coinage, known as pride. As exemplified by Herod, he was furiously angry with the people that was seen as careless to the source of his praise; but he was frivolously excited by the reception of those who covet his mercy with praise singing. Because praise is comely only to God, praise-giving is generally free. Meanwhile, praise-taking is costly. The Giver of life is only worthy of all praise in every human engagement and the resultant achievements. Unfortunately, in pursuit of prize (pride), most people are offered praise; but very few people are conscious of the price.

“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 ...