Heralds Digest

  “traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Being created in the image of God, there is no doubt that God desires a righteous and restful relationship with man. The same common desire in all of human relationships is often threatened by the divergence in self-interests and the system-interest. Whenever self-interest of parties at home violate the purpose of God for the family, riotous relationship is ensued. Likewise, riotous relationships in the corporate world, public services, and our political system have their roots in the promotion of self-interests above the desire of the hearts to please God. Otherwise, the hearts will be easily entreated, persecuted, and even violated without the slightest tendency to bring down the home, workplace and the society, against the Will of GOD. And while the hearts of riotous men desire peace from violence, betrayal and strife, restful relationship is found only by those who embra...

  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Desiring the preservation of the flocks of God in the truth requires more investment of time and personal resources from any called minister of the gospel. While members are encouraged to adopt the principles of success and prosperity in their chosen disciplines rightly, the priority of additional commitment into the word of truth is promoted by approved apostles of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, digging a little bit deeper in the knowledge of GOD and the pursuit of righteousness is not fashionable in our present world of popularity. Against this backdrop, Timothy and all servants of the gospel are admonished to be diligent to focus on presenting self approved to God. Needless to say, those who cherish the approval of man at home, workplaces and the society of people above the approval of God cannot even invest in the preserva...

  “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ What can easily pollute the heart than offences in relationships? When the inevitable offence comes, the supposedly righteous believers often find comfort in their clear conscience before God, without addressing the danger of a damaged conscience towards man. Unfortunately, no one can serve God acceptably without a clear conscience before both God and man. By sharing the secret of his sweet fellowship with God, even in the midst of myriad of offences, Paul admonished Timothy and all believers to embrace a wholesome lifestyle of clear conscience in order to stay healthy before the throne of grace. When the heart becomes unhealthy and the mind is not sound, the family dining table, the project implementation plans of partners, and the strategic vision of a corporate institution are not just the only victims here. The b...

  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Talking about the priceless quality of experience and maturity in leadership, exemplary youth are not necessarily indicted for their lack of desirable qualities. Rather, youth are often inquired for failure to stand up in defence of their leadership potential. For the youthful Timothy, responding to the intimidating exchanges from the elders will lead to bad leadership examples. Unfortunately, youth that have bought this intimidation have readily become emotionally unstable in their charismatic leadership styles. Whereas, exemplary exchanges depend on believers’ consistency in the expression of gracious word; the extension of godly conduct; the envelope by the lifestyle of love; and the example of leadership through the spirit, faith and purity. After all intimidating exchanges in life, only good and godly leaders can remai...

  “ having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, ” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Being the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, faith would have remained insurmountable if the faithful is not surrounded by the ‘exploits’ of faith Compromisers. Open confidence in the promises of God with secret worship of the influence of the principalities of this world have become an indispensable compromise for the pursuit of prosperity and promotion in the world. Unfortunately, this mindset is the recipe for fainting faith and a bad conscience. Therefore, Paul had to warn young Timothy to be wary of this type of faith in order to avoid suffering the shipwreck of his faith. Honestly, it is difficult for the righteous to practically pursuit the manifestation of things hoped for, and visualize the things not seen without jumping ahead of God. That’s why faith is different from feeling. Even when nothing o...

  “ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” II Thessalonians‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Idleness is not just the absence of fruitful engagements; it does include the abundance of wasteful work. Promotion of hateful speech, peddling of wrong information, and a deliberate incitement of people’s mind against lay down rules and regulations would readily shut down any promising system. Since a good leader must do more than just giving orders and command in order to arrest the onset of disorderly manners, Apostle Paul had to add exhortation to his command, and prayerfully through our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Engagements in wasteful work does not primarily target an individual. It is a strategic damage mechanism against the system of uprightness and orderliness. Anyone who ignores the onset of was...

  “ Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. ” ‭‭II Thessalonians‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ While everyone is familiar with the relevance of solid foundation for all standing edifice, accurate evaluation of the risk of compromise depends on the competence of the designers. Any freelance designer can erect an attractive edifice, until the structure is tested by the forces of nature. When the promises of God in the life of believers are bombarded with the reality of devastation and destruction, every wind of doctrines often provide some standing, creating the crisis of faith in the heart. Whereas, the word of GOD is settled in heaven; and offers the solid standing against above the storms of life. Whether in regards to the handling of personal conflict, the confusion in social relationships, and the misunderstanding about the perplexing end time events, the admonition of the scriptures remains ‘stand fast and hold the tradit...