Heralds Digest

  “...and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 9:48 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.48.nkjv In all relationships at home, workplaces and the society, status/class influences both the attention and attraction of people. Membership of a project team, work assignment, and even a fellowship discussion group does affects the quality of assessment. Greatness is clearly projected on the basis of net worth, personal profile and achievements. Unfortunately, the converse on this development is the discrimination of people whose net worth and noted potential do not match our pre-conceived criteria, even among the assembly of God’s people. When Jesus received a child into His assembly of disciples, the disciples quickly felt discontented because of the noted diversity in status. Unknowingly, Jesus wanted to correct the wrong struggle for ...

  “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:24-25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.24-25.nkjv If there is no risk in faith, there will be no challenge with the pursuit of the will of God. Whereas, obedience to the commandments of God often requires the people of faith to step out of their comfort zones. And when this happens, getting a unified explanation against the law of reason becomes a big challenge to even satisfy self; needless to mention the esteemed understanding of family and the fellowship of people. Within the context of Jesus’ relationship with His disciples, pursuing the self-centred sake involves avoiding the path of ridicule, disrespect, denial of privileges, etc, especially at the expense of the pursuit of godliness and righteousness. Unfortunately, the rewards of pleasure, popularities, pro...

  “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 ...