Heralds Digest

  “But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 9:13-14 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.13-14.nkjv Knowing how almost the whole year is plagued, it is normal for the majority of people to struggle with the measuring of their personal achievements. And without a careful review of the appropriate metrics, many are likely to be unprepared for a season of prosperity and abundance in the coming year. Since human senses are wired to work by sight and not faith, solving the problem of hunger and exhaustion for 5,000 people in the wilderness with just 5 loaves and 2 fish is unthinkable. Yet, whenever God say “ You give them something.... ”, He knows the something with us is not just something. It is a substantial something! Therefore, no m...

  “Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:38-39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.8.38-39.nkjv Following Jesus represents a pleasant relief call for every redeemed child of God. Especially after a graphic engagement with the havocs from the camp of the wicked, it is always more comfortable to interpret the ‘ follow me ’ command of Jesus by a ‘ stay with me ’ admonition. Unfortunately, this comfort zone following often lead any disciple to a selective submission to the will of God. When the man of Gadarene (who was delivered from the legion of demons) considered the risk of walking away from the physical presence of Jesus, he begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “ Return to your ...

  ““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 ...