Heralds Digest

  ““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭ 5:14-16 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.14-16.nkjv If you haven’t struggle with criticism in almost all of life’s endeavour, there is a greater chance that you have been flocking around with wrong people or sycophants. Criticism does bring the best out of any project in life. Unfortunately, the human nature enjoys complements more than criticisms; and will possibly do everything to sideline critics in the workplace, social circles, and even at home. When Jesus told His disciples ( who have just listened to the relevance of persecution and all forms of ill-treatment to beatitudes)  “You are the light of the world”, He was emphasizing the importance of ...

  ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.3-5.nkjv The beatitude provides a deeper dimension to the concept of prestige: in the eyes of God versus in the eyes of the common people. What readily matter to most people includes the state of being rich in substance, living as celebrity, and relating with people in authority. Those who care for prestige at home, social circles, and in our society must provide the evidence of being in possession of the kingdom of this world, living in affluence, and the ability to influence people in position of authority. Whereas, the concept of prestige in the eyes of Jesus is clearly the opposite. His beatitudes embrace “[Blessed are] the poor in spirit...the mournful men, and the meek ministers of the gospel”. Unfortunately, many pilgrims often beli...

  “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.3.8.nkjv Haughty hearts always find the magic words ‘I am sorry’, ‘I have sinned’, etc, strange, even when convincingly convicted. And there are many struggling or separated homes, relationships, and fellowship that could have been saved by humble disposition of the heart. Unfortunately, we often live with haughty hearts in our relationship with God. Like the Pharisees in the days of John the Baptist, many do believe in bribing their ways into the presence of God with religious activities and humanitarian services, while righteous relationship is thrown into the dustbins. There are many activities in the public space that may be worthy of reception with men; but they may completely be alien or unworthy of repentance before God. Real repentance comes from humble hearts; and when it says ‘I am sorry’ or ‘I have sinned’, it truly means ‘I am sorry’ or ‘I have sinned’.

  ““But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭ 2:20 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/hab.2.20.nkjv There is no doubt that the challenges of life and the activities of their influencers are undisputed noise makers. Apart from the pain arising from the difficulties of life, noise-makers contribute overwhelming disturbances in the heart. The unfortunate ripples of these unpleasant activities is the struggle in the hearts of people who claim to know God and the sacredness of approaching His presence. When troubles rage and hearts are overwhelmed, the righteous are tempted to approach the presence of God with a twisted tarry, instead of exploring the secret of those who truly wait upon the Lord. When scriptures say that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, many waiters’ hearts often fail them as soon as their substance doesn’t change. Whereas, renewing of strength (and not change of substance) does mean spiritual...

  ““What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols?...“But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭ 2:18 , 20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/hab.2.18,20.nkjv If we merely worship God for what He’s done, we are most likely going to worship idols (the works of our hands) for their achievements. And whether we worship God or not at all, we are readily geared to worship or celebrate our achievements in life, like great career, family, business, ministry, etc, as though they are entirely the products of our ingenuity, intelligence, and indiscipline. Whereas, life’s achievements, engagements and occupation are not susceptible to worship, if its creator or enabler can sustain worship of God for who He is - the Giver of life and knowledge to create. Since our time is entirely in God’s hands, whatever its engagements produce ...

  “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/hab.2.3.nkjv If anything more than the discomfort of prolonged waiting on the Lord, the prosperity of the wicked represents a significant source of pain for the righteous. Like it happens to prophet Habakkuk, those who prosper in wicked manoeuvrings take the righteous’ concept of timely tarry as meaning ‘timeless tarry’. But God always insist ‘Though it tarries [apparently]...it will not tarry [definitely]’. Waiting for the fulfilment of the revealed dream tarries in Joseph’s expectation, but it did not tarry in God’s actualization. Unfortunately, we do often fail to realize the import of God as our time-keeper, instead of revering the activities of wicked men in our assumed moments of timeless tarry. Even when the toga of timely tarry takes on the regal...

  “For I know your manifold transgressions And your mighty sins: Afflicting the just and taking bribes; Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭ 5:12 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/amo.5.12.nkjv In a pure capitalist world and mind, absolute focus on the rich and the privileged in the society is the primary responsibility of life. Work delivery, professional development, political endorsement, position recommendations, career pursuits, and social lifestyles are easily devoted to the pleasure of those considered to be in position to positively influence a selfish pursuit. Unfortunately, a society powered by greed instead of grace thinks little about social empowerment and justice for the underprivileged. And those who live to criticize the privileged and the system authorities, without an honest commitment towards contributing to the plights of the underprivileged, are often timed system disasters waiting to be encouraged. Whereas, it takes selflessness and sacrif...