Heralds Digest

  “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.12.7.nkjv Although the new release ‘ Pieces of a Woman ’ revealed the typical challenges of a woman in relationships with her idol at home, it is a perfect catalogue of the emptiness in all of human interchange with his world (career, family, relationships, ministry, etc). With the current world’s unprecedented times and the new normal, there are greater cause for alarm and fear against the prospects for the New Year. Notwithstanding, the declaration of the Lord remains valid for all who put their trust in Him. He said, in spite of the uncertainty in the world, “ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows ”. Unfortunately, if all this world and human efforts can offer (career, family, relationships, ministry, etc) determines our worth, it is u...

  “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:35-36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.11.35-36.nkjv If there is no doubt that righteousness is light and any form of unrighteous thought is darkness, the only way the light in anyone can be darkness is the allowance of unrighteous thought in the pursuit of righteousness. Practical righteousness is more than doing right in all relationships with God and man; it also includes thinking right. As clearly exemplified in another passage of the scriptures “ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ...

  “And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:27-28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.11.27-28.nkjv When the scriptures say “ surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing His plans to His Servants the prophets” , what happened if the servants failed to submit to God’s Will? Well, we know God’s will cannot be defeated in spite of man’s unwillingness; but it can be frustrated in man’s unwillingness to submit. Unlike Mr. Jonah, Sister Mary willfully submitted to the plan of God; and the people’s response to Jesus’ manifestation of God’s plan became “ Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You! ” But He said, “ More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” . Likewise, our willingness to ...

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 11:23 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.11.23.nkjv Without the introduction of a compelling conflict of interest, it would be difficult for anyone to differentiate between loyalists and sycophants in any human system. But in moments of difficulties and the challenges of life in the family, work and life circles, individual partners are easily drawn to divergent interests for easy separation of true loyalists. In the fellowship of Jesus, the crisis of faith and the call of duties have drawn some to query His authority over demons. Likewise, believers are often faced with challenges arising from the crisis of faith in their lines of duties. But early overcomers have posed a useful poser to their distractions in times of similar crisis, like “ We ought to obey God rather than men ”. Therefore, believers’ daily duties remains their obedience to the Will of God, in spite of all of human confl...

  “Give us day by day our daily bread.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.11.3.nkjv In solving the problem of consistent food production, human knowledge has developed different storage technologies with reliable preservative. Even with time-sensitive items like dairies, a day by day production may not be necessary in order to guarantee a daily supply. But in the economy of spiritual strength, Jesus appears to defile the concept of human storage technology. He taught the disciples to seek the throne of grace for a daily dairy “ Give us day by day our daily bread ”. It implies that God’s grace cannot be stocked up and stayed up. Everyday comes with its unique challenges; and the day by day grace becomes inevitable. Moreover, the major motivation in believer’s relationship with God is actually not the supply of the dairy; it is the sweetness of the daily fellowship. Therefore, when we sincerely come daily before the throne of grace, we are sure to get more than the...

  “But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:62‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.9.62.nkjv For every faithful follower, the New Year comes with new commitments, consecration, and concentration. And while freelance followers are often considered to enjoy the luxury of selective commitment and consecration, Jesus says “ No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God ”. Unfortunately, the flesh will always want anyone to indulge in a little freedom to do whichever, eat whatever, go wherever, and see whoever, especially like others who frequently enjoy getaway experiences. Whereas, the assigned tasks within the kingdom and the peril of those who daily enter into eternity without the grace of God do not go on vacation. If something tangible must be accomplished for the glory of God, it is time to start with planning and prayer strategies for implementation...

  “...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 ...