Heralds Digest

“It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭ 1:27 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.1.27.nkjv Managing life’s performances without reference to self is almost impossible. This is because no one is interested in taking someone who does not have confidence in himself serious. Seeing John the Baptist performing the roles that fit the appearance of the awaiting Messiah, the Pharisees wanted to confirm from the horses’ mouth. Unfortunately, they were disappointed by his reference to the irrelevance in his personality. When we are prone to cast the diligence in our disciple, the intelligence of our inquisitiveness, and even the perseverance in our prayers more than the grace and favour of God, we are already crossing the bar of relevance in reference. Even when we appear to be failing in performance, a reference to the One who assign purpose to all our engagements in life can save the soul from drowning. Therefore, the...

  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” ‭‭John‬ ‭ 1:12-13 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.1.12-13.nkjv When Mahatma Ghandhi said “ I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ ”, there was no doubt the concern reflected the distinction between religion and righteousness. Those who have studied the combined influence of religion and politics understand the power in the will of man. Although finding acceptance and productive resolutions in human government, social relationships, and institutional management is easy on the wheel of religion and politics, it is impossible for anyone to establish a relationship with God without the redemptive power of the living Light (Jesus Christ). While it is heart-breaking for the world to see a difference in some Christia...

  “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:3-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.1.3-5.nkjv Just as Thomas Edison invented lightbulbs, the world has been blessed with inventors of technologies that will continue to redefine the ease with human’s living standards. Unfortunately, these advances in technology and innovation come with a sense of pride, the craving for human manipulation, and a possible apathy for an intimate relationship with the living God. Whereas, human creativity is dead without the indwelling of the spirit of God. John appeared ahead of the Son of God in order to testify to this fact - man needs the living light in order to have a meaningful life outside of darkness. We can temporarily boast of our knowledge to accumulate wealth, attain a lofty position, and create inventions. B...

  “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 22:19 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.22.19.nkjv While the institution of the Lord’s Supper is simply understood as the symbolic representation of body breaking with bread breaking, many often diver on the interpretation of the process of preparation for both the body and the bread. Notwithstanding, it is important to note that Jesus broke the bread in fellowship with His disciples and broke His body in fellowship with the world. And if we must do this in remembrance of Jesus always, we must understand how to carefully pick our roles in both the bread breaking and body breaking sessions (no one can outrightly sit on the fence!). While Jesus instructed Peter and John to join the preparation for the bread breaking session, Satan inspired Judas Iscariot to join the presentation for the body breaking session. Even today...

  ““But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:34-36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.21.34-36.nkjv In retrospect of the ongoing COVID-19 invasion last year, someone humorously say ‘ 2019 is invaded, let’s abort and reboot! ’. Well, 2021 is here and the world is gradually coping with the new normal. Truthfully, life is full of surprising invasions into all plans for progress in family, career, and ministry. Staying focused always require more than fighting to develop anti-invasion strategies and their manifestations. The prediction of the last day events has declared the inevitability of indiscriminate invasions into the pl...

  “So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 18:22-23 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.18.22-23.nkjv If good deeds are enhanced by the possession of treasures, we are bound to do extremely well with the accumulation of earthly treasures. Unfortunately, the more our passion is attracted by the treasure in things, the more the heart of man is distracted from the most treasurable thing. Little wonder the sadness in the heart who was rich in earthly treasure, but poor in the things of the spirit, especially when asked to liquidate these fake treasures. The pursuit of earthly treasures, position, and achievements is good, when pursued within the fear of God and in absolute submission to His counsels. But as soon as the purpose of these pursuits violates t...

  “Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭ 18:15-16 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/luk.18.15-16.nkjv Although seriousness is synonymous to sincerity, the latter is easily measured and tracked in human metrics. Seriousness is measured by the level of the people’s maturity, comportment, sophistication, organization, and orderliness. And where serious matters are being discussed, it is natural for anyone to ignore the participation or contributions of infants and children. But why did Jesus say “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God”? “...for of such” implies the fact of His preference for sincerity instead of seriousness. In all of life’s devotion and engagements, sincerity would embrace righteousness and j...