Heralds Digest

  ““No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 8:16-17 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.8.16-17.nkjv One of the major attributes of leadership positions is not just the ability to take responsibility; but the willingness to accommodate vulnerability. Knowing that leader’s mistakes are leading misgivings, many prospective leaders at home, workplaces, and in our society are likely to prefer private demonstration of their gifted skills and abilities. Notwithstanding, practice makes perfect; and every celebrated skills and commercialized abilities in life probably started with the provision of volunteering services. Jesus says “ No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter ...

  “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 7:47 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.7.47.nkjv Even when the global reflection on this eventful year generates a drawback on our expression of love, there are many reasons for the living to be lively with a grateful heart. And while in apparent lockdown, grateful heart can readily see the greater opportunity to understand the fact that our expression of love is truly in the exchange of hearts, rather than the exchange of hands. When these expressions are rooted in bitterness, wrath and unforgiving spirit, they have often found cover in different shades of seasonal gifts wrapped in hands. Whereas, a sincere encounter with Jesus has shown the way of escape, like the one made by the visitor woman with alabaster oil to the house of Simon the Pharisee. When Jesus agreed that the woman loved much because she was convinced of her...

  “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 6:45 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.6.45.nkjv The genesis of confusion in the interpretation of good and evil in our worldview is the pretentious isolation of the influence of the heart. Head knowledge is often utilized in our promotion of diplomacy, performance assessment, career progression, and team selection. Whereas, the true character of any man at home, workplaces, and in the fellowship of people depend on the quality of his heart; and really not determined by his intelligence quotient. Those who care for a system that last the test of time must consider the advice of the Master that good (a product of a good man plus good resources) comes only from a good heart. Even when a good man is surrounded by bad resources, the product may take just take a little bit ...

  “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 6:41 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.6.41.nkjv Every examiner knows the importance of a comprehensive marking scheme or guide to an accurate assessment exercise. Notwithstanding, the development of a reliable correction guide is often ignored or does appear boring. Likewise in mentoring, parenting, and in the general tutoring/development services, the perfect correction copy is expected to be the instructor. However, when a leader fails to follow the rules, he actually must learn to be guided by the followers - because they can now see more clearly the errors in the supposed correction guide. Therefore, Jesus asked rhetorically “ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? ”. Although a plank is much bigger than a speck, the magnifying lens of an hypocritical life instructor or coach is only outwardly...

  ““But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 6:24 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.6.24.nkjv The price of prosperity in every pursuit in life is diligence, discipline and determination; but the prize is only worthwhile if its tenure endures. When Jesus said “ but woe to you who are rich ”, He was concerned about the prize for the pursuit of material or temporal prosperity at the expense of eternal prosperity. While everyone and his relationship in life are created for a divine purpose, the pursuit of something else in every relationship at home, workplace and societal fellowship is often more attractive. Therefore, a diligent man may end up rich in wealth, position, and career accomplishments; but if this rich is the only consolation for his life’s pursuit, he is actually a loser. Unlike the canal consolation, the discovery of divine purpose for human existence or all attained privileges, and the pursuit of this purpose in life are the ...

  “And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:30-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.5.30-32.nkjv Without a daily supply of God’s grace, it is always difficult for anyone to distinguish between the practice of religion and the pursuit of righteousness. And by doing the same thing along the line of godliness over and over again, it is almost possible for prayer to gradually wear the monologue setting; and for the teaching of scriptures to eventually proceed from head knowledge. While the scribes and Pharisees complained against the socialization of Jesus Christ and His disciples with the tax collectors and sinners, they became completely non-conscious of their nakedness and oblivious of the need for G...

  “So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 5:11 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.5.11.nkjv Following Jesus without letting go of the most passionate affections (career, people, place of residence, wealth, fun, preferences, etc) is easy. However, the crisis of faith starts with the demand to let go, before the willingness to follow the Master can be commendable. Peter and his colleagues have had an earlier encounter with Jesus, where conflicts of interest were not involved. Without this second encounter at their workplaces, the unfaithfulness of Peter to the Master’s call wouldn’t have been exposed. Likewise, the depth of the Saviour’s call for believers to follow Him remains remote and unclear, until the heart is fully drawn to lay down every affection on the altar. Unfortunately, many supposed followers are too attached to their divided affections in life that even a simple call to deeper fellowship with the Master is coun...