Heralds Digest

  “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.1.6-7.nkjv Suspense is only entertaining with movies and matters of life that relate to the affairs of either unrelated or uninteresting others. But with matters relating to personal life and interests, we gets impatient with suspense. Notwithstanding, trust is vague without suspense. Even in matters concerning the state and political affairs of Israel, the disciples of Jesus appeared uncomfortable with the suspense game, especially after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Obviously, suspense stretches the human trust capacity, especially when the struggle with the diverging capabilities and interests are becoming more pronounced. Likewise for all believers in God and His promises, w...

  “And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.” ‭‭John‬ ‭ 17:10 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.17.10.nkjv If there is anything so worthy of excitement in every fruitful relationship, it is the pride of Identity. Likewise, Jesus was glorified, excited, and impressed with the mark of Identity between Him and the disciples, just as the mark of His Identity with the Heavenly Father remained unscathed. Anyone can claim the mark of Identity with Christ when everything in life is working well; but only those who can keep the mark in their moments of distress and disappointment are worthy of the glory of God. Little wonder, Apostle Paul cried out “ From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus ” (Galatians 6:17).  There are always marks for standing straight with the Lord and His commandments. And let all mixed ministers not pretend with the wearing of their carryons, only those marked as upright by the Lord a...

  “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.17.3.nkjv There is no doubt that one of the major reasons for the frustrating experiences in family, social, work relationships is the misplacement of the genuine purpose for each mission from the Architect of life Himself. Even in the literal interpretation of the mission to give eternal life to people, how frustrating could it be for Jesus Christ to struggle with the disparity between knowing the Giver of eternal life and getting across the gift of everlasting life. It implies that a relentless publishing of all the receipts of good news is more commendable, compared to the counting of all the recipients of the good news .  Focusing on getting results from our faithful dispensation of treasure, talents and time in delivering the assignment of life can truly be frustrating. But when the believers’ focus get shifted...

  “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” ‭‭John‬ ‭ 16:20 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.16.20.nkjv The significant difference between politics and discipleship is the treatment of the game of numbers. While there is no permanent enemies in politics, discipleship is solemnly built on hardline principles with zero-tolerance for compromise. Therefore, the knowledge of the just joy is unsustainable for all followers of Jesus, without readiness for the jilt-wise joy. When Jesus prepared the minds of disciples with “ Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament ”, He speaks about the reality of the pain through persecution, denial in relationships, withdrawal of privileges, etc, for all uncompromising children of God. Unfortunately, many believers are neither ready nor prepared for temporary inconvenience or light affliction in their relationships ...

  “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.11.NKJV Despite the clear difference between joy and happiness, Jesus draws a further distinction in the quality of joy assessable to His disciples: ' My joy ' and ' your joy' . It is one thing for believers to start a relationship with Jesus that guarantees salvation and the forgiveness of sin. This is the beginning of the journey of joy: believers' joy, joy in heaven, and joy among the angels of God. But as we proceed in this relationship, the diversity of motives for joy brings the heart to the consideration of divers priorities. Obedience to the will of different people in our lives is not necessarily sinful; but if this obligation is not in direct obedience to the commandments of the Lord, it lies only in the spectrum of ' your joy ' and not ' My joy' . Whereas, Jesus joy is the only just joy in l...

  “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.15.8.nkjv Imaging an excited child present his academic report card with over 95 percentile at home, and the father responded first with ‘ what happened to the leftover percentile ’? Most child will struggle with this over-demanding attitude of fathers before later get along with their good intentions and the love for excellence. Unlike earthly parents, our Heavenly Father do not just demand excellence, He produces the excellence in us. Unfortunately, we often bear less or no fruit because we fail to abide under the influence of His grace. Needless to mention that the atmosphere under which we live, work, and play daily are bound to be toxic and provocative. Notwithstanding, only excuse-makers must count on their experiences outside the influence of God’s grace as the basis for their lack of fruitfulness. Therefore, it is more productive fo...

  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” ‭‭John‬ ‭ 13:34 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.13.34.nkjv When someone said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ” , the thoughtful would have asked how could anyone possibly prefer someone he hasn’t seen before. Obviously, the truth about the character of Christ is evident in the expression of His selfless and endless love. After all, at the first observers’ coinage of the word ‘Christians’, the characters of the early followers were unmistakably assessed as befitting that of ‘ little Christs ’. Besides the countless examples of true love episodes in His life and ministry, Christ demonstrated this type of love at His last Supper table, especially in the stunning relationship with His betrayal - serving him meal with absolute zero expression of disaffection, bitterness, and anger. Even the other discipl...