Heralds Digest

“who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 1:32 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.32.nkjv   The conscious acknowledgment of the super advances in the activities of unrighteousness and evil practices in our world is difficult to deny. And the legitimate question for everyone with righteous disposition is “what can one do with the righteous judgment of God?”. Unfortunately, the process of engaging the righteous minds in the business of approving unrighteous practices do not always start with seeking believers’ opinion on the righteous judgment of God. The basic reality in life is that no one can consistently retain righteousness without courageously reproving unrighteousness in his world. When Paul said “...the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation...”, he was equally concerned about the business of retaining the knowle...

“because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 1:21 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.21.nkjv   There is no doubt that everyone is helpless and hopeless with faith that cannot be tagged with tangible manifestation. And while the blame game is on, believers’ taste of God’s faithfulness becomes easily distasteful and disappointing. Whereas, Paul, the Apostle of a free-flowing faith, here warns believers of the danger of a futile faith in God. Even in moments where human affections in life, family, career and ministry appears lockdown, our faith in God must not be restricted to a mere tasteful mode. Flowing and fruitful faith must embrace the full spectrum of the tasteful, thoughtful and thankful modes. Otherwise, the heart become susceptible to the corruption of the enemy of God. And whenever our faith is tempted to produce futile thoughts, divi...

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.16-17.nkjv Speaking of shame as regards the gospel of Christ, it is important to dwell within the context of hindrances and the absence of freedom for Paul to do whatever he wanted to do. And when believers suffer restrictions in the pursuit of righteousness, it is easier to query the efficacy of their faith in God. Whereas, faith that is capable of handling the good but not the ugly is not free flowing. Like changes from day to day and season to season are expected, the righteousness of God is revealed and retained in our lives and ministries when we allow the free-flowing of faith to faith. Therefore, the flowing faith freely enables a smooth transi...

“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,...