Heralds Digest

  “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.6.3-4.nkjv If we consistently confront frustration and disappointment in our public services, there is likelihood that the secret service components are weak or they are non-existent. Since a focus on human reward system in the public and charitable services is self-centred, it is bound to attract jealousy, sycophancy and delinquency. And the service providers in this kind of system at home, workplace, fellowship and in the society have a frustrating diverse interest to satisfy. Therefore, when Jesus admonished that ‘do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing’ in all charitable deeds, He simply wants His disciples to always let their secret services drive the public services. In secret services (most...

  “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭ 5:19 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.19.nkjv The concept of least law is borne out of respect for liberal minds. Whereas, there is a clear dividing line between righteousness and wickedness in the eyes of God. In reference to the Pharisees’ struggle with the doing of the law, the Saviour drew the attention of disciples to the implication of living with liberal minds, especially against the commandments of the Lord. When the law says “ do not kill ”, there is no exception to escaping the penalty of murder in the eyes of God, even if human law accepts the excuse of the act under certain circumstances. All of God’s law deals with the motive in the heart of man rather than the method in the hands. When Joseph said “ how can I do this great wic...

  ““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 ...