Heralds Digest

  “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 14:13 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.14.13.nkjv Without taking away the amazing benefits of knowledge to human social and economic development, knowledge creates diversity in viewpoints on almost all the subjects of life. It is no longer news that our world and institutions are constantly confronted with strong diversity of opinions on sensitive matters. Even in religious circles and among people of faith, strong opinions on social lifestyle, political views, and cultural acceptance have always created stumbling block to believers’ constant acknowledgement of the love of God. For example, rather than dissipating energy on changing people’s strong opinion on social, hygienic, dietary lifestyles, the scriptures admonishes focus only on removing obstacles on the people’s understanding of the love of God, without critici...

  “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 12:13 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.12.13.nkjv When giving is viewed mostly from the standpoint of service to the needy instead of devotion to God, it is understandable why people cannot properly assess the rottenness of motives and the problem of partiality in most charity initiatives. Whereas at the early church, this same problem was successful addressed by the selection of deacons with honest report, wisdom of God, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, even just a good intention in distribution can misrepresent the “ needs of saints ” for “ wants in service ”. In order to truly give oneself to hospitality, focus on the recipients’ gifts must be replaced with the givers’ devotion to God. Unfortunately, when believers’ pursuits and passion in family life, ministry and career towards their most laudable services to humanity are driven by a selfish motive, it becomes easier for any...

  “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.12.9-10.nkjv Everyone knows that love is both self-sacrificing and others considering. Notwithstanding, hypocrisy has always offer the assistance towards the withholding of the self sacrificing part in a relationship; and still get the credit for showing love. Experts in others considering can successfully create a comfortable environment for love expression; but with a deep and devastating tissues of pain. Therefore, the love lots admonition of the scriptures maintained “ Let love be without hypocrisy ”. Forbearing the needs or pressure for show up, true love must cost the sacrifice of time, comfort, position and opportunities for self and the preference of these resources for others first. The garden of love is always filled with contest for exch...

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:26-27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.8.26-27.nkjv Life is always good and pleasant when surrounded by the system of friendliness. All concerns will have the appropriate consideration; all questions have the right and expected answers; and all disaffection is quickly treated with courtesy and respect. But life is obviously not a Disney Land. Real life is often surrounded by series of unfortunate events, friendships, and partnerships, sometimes at home, workplaces, and even in the fellowship of like minds. As rightly put by the scriptures, these weaknesses can be so overbearing if the soul is left only with help that comes from this...

  “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 6:13 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.6.13.nkjv One of the excitements In growing up is the attainment of independence from tutelage, parenting, training, and mentorship. Notwithstanding, everyone understands the struggle towards measuring up with the responsibility that comes with independence. While independence with responsibility makes a way, independence without responsibility brings waywardness. In believer’s relationship with God, the responsibility to be an instrument in the hands of God for righteousness is a self-owned key. Otherwise, the enemy is always a handy master of all self-acclaimed freelancers. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to daily prepare one’s mind, body and soul for a dedicated presentation to God as an instrument of service. Even when ...

  “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.6.8-9.nkjv The pursuit of excellence in life, family, career, and ministry is part of the promises of God; and almost all motivational materials on excellence in the world are developed based on the biblical principles of success. But in reality, the pursuit of excellence often attract compromises and the violation of its scriptural foundation, like disobedience to the commandments of the Lord, dancing into calls that promote self-centredness, and the defence of all forms of unrighteousness. Whereas, believers are mostly called to die daily with Christ in their pursuit of excellence. When Christ died in pursuit of excellence, resurrection and New Life for all humanity, He was defenceless in false accusations, peaceful in persecution, and most ca...

  “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.5.9-10.nkjv Without the understanding of the power of grace, the salvation experience becomes redundant and a mere resemblance of a call to a new lifestyle of dutiful relationship with God. Little wonder many religious people do struggle to convince the unbelievers about the import of the salvation message, being mostly deficient when measured on the scale of morality. Fortunately, everything changed supernaturally and instantaneously the moment a soul has a genuine encounter with the grace of God. When the scriptures affirmed that old things are passed away, it truly emphasized that all things immediately become new. Unfortunately, many people do think of salvation as just a ti...