Heralds Digest

“Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭ 22:14-15 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.22.14-15.nkjv Since finding facts is a popular maxim for any good reporting, news without new facts about COVID-19 is becoming simply a ‘no news’ in our present pandemic world. Notwithstanding, the basic characteristics of a true and honest report remains the discovery of the truth. Unfortunately, the concept of truth is relative in our present wicked world. But when God chose Paul to be a witness, the absolute path of finding the truth was clearly laid out: “you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth”. And the question is “What is the will of God on the rampaging COVID-19”? Is it related to the unleashing of “Fear or Freedom”? and probably the releasing of “Boredom or Breakdown...

“So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭ 22:10 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.22.10.nkjv   Mature minds pride themselves in their abilities to think and act independently. But actually, the actions and inaction of man are always motivated by either known or unknown ‘lord’. Prior to Paul’s encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus, he clearly claimed to be zealous to the lord of his father’s law and the strictness to the teachings received at the feet of Gamaliel. Whereas, the revelation on Damascus’ road wasn’t the fact he was persecuting Jesus; the true revelation was his commitment to the wrong ‘lord’. Likewise, life’s daily engagements at home, workplaces and the society are not primarily about the assessment of right acts. Life’s purpose and essence are simply lost at the altar of our daily commitment to the wrong lord, whenever...

“Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?” But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭21:38-39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.21.38-39.nkjv     The major challenge against the pursuit of peace and prosperity at home, workplaces and our society is powered by silent insinuation and the error of mistaken identity. The spirit that works against peace in life’s affairs know full well the game of manipulating the minds of people, through empirical staging of activities and events against the revealed counsel of God. For example, without the request by Paul for personal engagement with the people, the commander is already walking away with the insinuation that Paul is the ringleader of professional assassins and a master political rebel, just by paying attention to the arithmetic manipul...

“...[the Jews from Asia...laid hands on him] crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭ 21:28 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.21.28.nkjv   One of the major challenges before a man who is absolutely surrendered to the will of God is the inability to manipulate even his own will, needless to mention the clueless control over the will of the people around him. Unlike weapon in the hands of men, the weapon of war in the hands of God are called out to fulfill only the will of God and not the customs of this world. Reflecting on the fact that Apostle Paul’s commitment to a seven-day purification ceremony in the temple ended with an arrest without a simple fight nor defence, believers are always tempted to query the essence of their status as God’s weapon of war. Whereas, Paul was everywhere tea...

“When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭ 21:19 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.21.19.nkjv   Everyone has at least a ministry among the endless list, including teaching, parenting, mentoring, counseling, preaching, coaching, etc. And without underestimating the agenda of evil-minded ministries, man’s ministry has the general goal of making the best out of those who are brought into the ministry. Unfortunately, and more often than not, general goals of man in ministry are always at variant to God’s goal. But, by reflecting on “he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry”, it is clear that absolute submission enables Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles fulfilled God’s goal. Therefore, in making the best out of children while parenting, students while teaching, mentees while mentoring, the pew while preaching, etc, we must be satisfied to fulfill...

“And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭21:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.21.4-5.nkjv   Doing the will of God in life is not limited to finding the secret searchlight through the Spirit. The exercise only come easy when there is no conflict of interest between the mindset in man and the guidance of God. Unfortunately, in most cases and at the last trip of Paul to Jerusalem, doing the will of God is shown to require courage and a sublime submission above the handle of the secret searchlight. Therefore, when there is the slightest hesitation to step out into the waters at the faintest call of the Spirit, sincere believers should begin to focus on the courage to do rather than the clarity...

“And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭ 20:18-20 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.20.18-20.nkjv   While noting a misguided focus on man as the primary beneficiary from any humble service, services to God and humanity were clearly presented by the valedictory exhortation of Paul to the elders of the church at Ephesus as the focus of honest and helpful humility. Whereas, the selfish heart of man will readily embrace services that indulge dishonesty, indiscipline, and wicked disposition to righteous lifestyle. Unfortunately, many believers are misguided to opt for the misconstrued humility at the expense of a disservice to the kingdom of ...