Heralds Digest

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “ LORD, who has believed our report?”” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 10:15-16 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.10.15-16.nkjv   The good news of salvation is evident by the life of salvation and complete freedom from sin. But the normal tidings of the good gospel is not sufficient for general acceptance of the message for deliverance. As discovered by a desired heart, the great gospel is borne by preachers with beautiful feet or inspired disposition. Although souls may appear to be won obviously on the field, everyone knows that genuine souls are borne in the closet. Therefore, it is only normal for anyone to trust in the efficacy of the gospel message; the atmosphere of grace is initiated by the feet of a great messenger. In spite of the sufficiency of grace ...

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.10.1-2.nkjv   One distinguishing attribute and the starting point for breakthrough in life and ministry is the ability to discover the unique needs of the people while undermining once’s personal needs. The pursuit of personal needs is either a stronghold to a conviction in any selfless mission in life or a strong withholding to a sincere desire. But when God saw the untainted heart of Paul and his desire for the people, He gave him the right passion to turn the vision into mission. And without the distinctive desire for the people in our lives, the distraction in people’s actions and inaction will consume the better part of our passion and focus. By Paul acknowledging that the people “have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge”, he received...

“Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:32-33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.9.32-33.nkjv   The major problem with faith is the loss of control. Unfortunately, almost everything involving movement beyond the grip of one’s personal senses or capabilities requires faith. For example, jumping off a cliff or a free fall from thousands of miles requires faith in a pack of back-hung parachute. When we all have choices, who will fly the sky for hours without even knowing the pilot in the cockpit? Therefore, it is the simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ towards complete salvation from sin that represents the stumbling stone to the unbelievers. And to those who seek the law of righteousness by works, doing nothing but just come believing is tant...

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 9:15-16 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.9.15-16.nkjv   In all fairness, the logic in the distribution of mercy and favour in life is not straightforward. When analyzed within the desire and plans of man, it would be difficult for everyone to acknowledge the sovereignty of God in His general relationship with man. Whereas, a careful consideration of all of scriptural characters and contemporary biographies of those who have benefited from God’s mercy and favour will ultimately reveal their sacrifices and solemn submission to the Will of God. Whether mercy or otherwise is acknowledged as man’s lot at anytime in life, God’s glory is reserved for those who are called according to His purpose. Therefore, mercy may appear messy in the meantime, ...

“ For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” ” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.9.9.nkjv   Undoubtedly, the law of sowing and reaping is universal. Prosperity in life, family, career and ministry is largely dependent on a man’s determination, diligence, and perseverance to sow. The extreme in this universal law is the tendency to call the bluff on the plan or interest of God when man’s primary focus is completely shifted to the expectation from human investment in life. But when the interest of God is involved, a new dynamic influences the concept of prosperity. In determining the family prosperity of Abraham’s perseverance, God’s direct word of promise is here revealed as being predominant. In spite of all the labour and perseverance of the couple (Abraham and Sarah), the seed of promise did not come ahead of God’s timing. Even when human efforts and self-helps produce pseudo prosperity for the people of God, ...

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.8.38-39.nkjv   The best of every man’s gift in life is complimentary. And because human needs are insatiable, givers know that beneficiaries of his gift will still come back to pay.  But there is no Gift like the only begotten Son of the Father. Everything that life needs comes with Jesus Christ for those who truly unwrap the package. When Paul got persuaded about his package, he was determined to give up everything to keep “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Certainly, everyone deserves to enjoy the sweetness in the beautiful attractions of this world, even after finding the Saviour and His revealed purpose for existence; but true satis...

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 8:26 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.8.26.nkjv Although searching for answers is better in today’s high-speed internet and advanced search engines than in the days of old, there are still matters of life that continue to beat the hard probing of the heart. And when answers appear vague to the carnal minds, the Spirit of God in the hearts of believers lead the way by faith. But what happened when believers are blanked out? The hearts of believers become weak, vulnerable and seeming helpless. However, the scriptures say if we are humble enough, the Spirit will take up the responsibility of both leading and making up the prayer points to the throne of grace. The beauty of believers’ fellowship with the Spirit is actually not only in answering our free-flying questions; ...