Heralds Digest

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 1:11-12 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.11-12.nkjv   If there is any thing so apt in the strategy of the enemy from the ongoing lockdown and social distancing, it is the weakening of the strength from spiritual gathering and interactions. When believers meet for effective fellowship (either for prayer or for sharing of the scriptures), there is always a great uplifting in the spirit realm. And up to the point of adopting the exchange of fellowship through the use of the epistle media, Paul had struggled in vain to break the strategy of the enemy against this much anticipated fellowship with the brethren in Rome. Likewise, these are the days when the Church needs to up the game of exploring the advances in virtual communications and social media for the development ...

“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:30-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.28.30-31.nkjv   In spite of the obvious benefits of the lockdown of social and economic activities to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the world is seriously concerned about the devastating consequences to the global economies. And barring any challenge in the personal supply of the basic needs of life, a responsible person will still be concerned about an effective management of the depressive idleness and a reliable promotion of productivity. But by reflecting on the disposition of Paul during his 2-year lockdown on arrival in Rome, the hope of a useful engagement of believers’ period of either self-quarantine or imposed lockdown can be revealed. When God arranged the favour of a private apartm...

“And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.28.15.nkjv   Even in earthly relationships, the foundation for good progress and development might just be easier laid than sustained without a reliable confidence in love. Needless to mention the cost of labour in the household of faith, as the demand for genuine love as the major motivation for labour cannot be over-emphasized. While reflecting on the cost of his relationship with the love of Christ, it would have been easier for Paul to temporarily contemplate a mistake with his commitment, especially considering the non-commensurate material dividends. And this concern-turned courage later motivated his encouragement to the brethren in Rome, when he declared “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or fami...

“So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.28.9-10.nkjv   God’s visitation and the distribution of divine healing in the island of Malta show the relevance of questionable darkness in the luminaries of a little light. The appearance of a tiny island at the end of 14-Day storm on the Adriatic Sea, the embodiment of a 3-Day kindness of Publius, and the generosity of the Maltese provide justification for the long-night show and the sorrow of darkness. Unfortunately, it is always easier and quicker to get disconnected and discouraged in life’s moment of darkness, while the prospect of the final joy in the light at the end of the tunnel is disparaged. And for the Maltese’s show of kindness and hospitality, even in the darkness of their sickness, loneliness and isolation,...

“But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:43-44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.27.43-44.nkjv   In our present world of global lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, there is amazingly no doubt nor disagreement in the prayer point from the hearts of all men. Irrespective of the diversity in race, colour, culture, and region of the world, everyone’s prayer remains “stay safe”. And it is hoped that everyone who desires to “stay safe” at this time will soon become a “saved soul” after this time. Unfortunately, the flesh air of freedom always has a way of creating a blindfold on the true purpose for freedom. Prior to the miraculous escape of the people on board the shattering ship with Paul, the diverse status of men as prisoners, sailors, sol...

“Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:31-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.27.31-32.nkjv   Although self-help does not always appear as selfishness to an insecure person, it often attract the compromise of the general system security. Truthfully, it is hard for anyone or an insecure fellow to abide in the fellowship of stranded travellers on a shattering ship. And after the sailors scientifically confirmed that the ship is approaching the land, the only thought suggested by their fear is the near-crashing of ship on the cliff of a rock. It implies that fear evaporated the inspired word of comfort and consolation from Paul; it presented the possibility of a selfish-survival by jumping into the Adriatic Sea; and then justified the wickedness of abandoning about 276 souls in a ship without sailors. Whereas, it was the stay-...

“So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.27.15.nkjv Like the almighty Titanic that succumbed to the wild  North Atlantic Ocean in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, life is often an ensemble of ship under the wild wind of situation and circumstances. With possible quick transitions within the range of smooth, mild, and wild, it is difficult for anyone to boost of the turn of events, and how long a ride within a season of events will take. However, when Paul was caught within the presumptuous mess of spiritual dwarfs, who must ride against divine guidance, he was left with no option than to lift up holy hands into heaven. Unfortunately, the wild wind of life knows how to engage its riders on fruitless engagements of self-help approaches until all hopes of recovery are completely wasted. But no matter how long the bumpy ride into the wild, there is always a ray of hope for thos...