Heralds Digest

  “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews‬ ‭2:14-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Death is the penalty for sin. And although salvation from sin promises eternal life, it doesn’t vacate the statement of death in all humanity. Therefore, the power of death would have been invincible without the evidence of the power of resurrection. If the devil has been mindful of the power of resurrection, he would not have wade the power of death before the High Priest of our salvation. Whereas, the redeemed of the Lord are released from the fear of death because Jesus Christ shared in the sentence of death in order to demonstrate the hope of resurrection after death. There is therefore no longer intimidation or the fear of physical death (to say the least of ugly experien...

  “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Suffering is understandable as part of the responsibilities of servants. But suffering for a Saviour takes a new level of strange call. Anyone would argue why Jesus’ submission was made perfect through suffering, given that the inevitable death penalty can still be paid without the extreme subjection to suffering. Yet, the scriptures declares “ For it was fitting [appropriate] for Him....to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings ”. No doubt, the Captain of our salvation has taught clearly all His submissive servants that the perfect price for sensitivity in leadership is suffering. Suffering for wrong-doing and any form of unrighteousness is justice served; but suffering for righteousness or simply persecution is sensitivity served. And if insensitivIty...

  “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The market for motivational speakers is most attractive in these days of catastrophic events. When the society is burdened with social insecurity, governance plagued with lawlessness and homes are ridden with hopelessness, some privileged people of old have used words from the prophets of God to bring sweetness out of barrenness, abundance out of poverty, and even restored life to deadness. But these days, the only source of life and inspiration from God is His Son Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many people are lost in the porous market searching for uninspired motivational speakers. And even those who are not in the market for motivational speakers are not trusting fully in the revitalizing power of the words spoken by the Son. Wher...

  “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—” ‭‭Titus‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ To all faithful and obedient servants of the Lord, ‘No loss, No lack, and No limitation’ is both a promise to claim and a purpose to conceive. Particularly, when a promising life and allocation are twisted with a lack, many minds admit a rude shock. Whereas, lack in life’s allocation presents the relevance of life’s appropriations. As long as we are at the centre of God’s Will, challenging circumstances in our allocation are meant to bring out the best of our relevance in life. For Bishop Titus of Crete, the disorderliness of the people was no doubt a lack and a challenge. It does equally revealed the lucky relevance in ministry. Therefore, instead of buying the toast of discouragement from the devil in our moments of despair, lack can be turned into an asset call from the throne of grace. And with God in our ...

  “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...