Heralds Digest

  “ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me .”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ High school knowledge of physics teaches the conversion of potential energy into different forms of useful energy; and the possible wastage arising from failure to coordinate focus on a simple conversion process. When the young man met with Jesus in relation of his concern for peace, joy, satisfaction, and the conversion of his riches and earthly achievements to eternal rest in heaven, Jesus revealed the basic principle of the simple conversion process to him and all His disciples: “ One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me ”. Invariably, everything we have in life (properties, privileges, and opportunities) are potential ...

  “ Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it .”” Mark‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In kingdom business, carefulness about ‘what is up for grab’ versus ‘what is down to risk’ is more about the recipients’ status and state of mind than the Giver’s simplicity and sincerity. Little wonder Jesus started the sermon on the mount with ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ’. Unlike men and those who readily claim maturity or independence in knowledge, understanding, wealth of experience, and position of authority, little children are concerned about sincere answers to their honest questions (even when they mostly sound stupid) about every call for action or inaction. And there are always many questions about the kingdom of God on the minds of those who are truly poor in spirit. Unfortunately, as we grow older in status, an unholy seed of indifference with the horrible hardness of heart will begin to...

  “ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:36-37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The pursuit of riches, position, and fame in this world would have been worthwhile if the achievements can carry no expiry date. Notwithstanding, while we yet breathe and careless about the eternal consequences of our actions and inaction, everyone is blinded by the deceitfulness of worth in the advancing material gains of all the beauties, bounties, and boasting the ephemeral world can deliver. But a little bit of thought on the worthlessness of this pursuit and the expression of the Lord and Saviour to His disciples should seek to know the alternative prospect of gaining the whole world with the seeker’s own soul. After all, following Jesus is not a license to a lifestyle of mediocrity, melancholy and mindlessness. Therefore, a worthwhile world is simply the pursuit, the possession, and the prosperity of Jesus in all ...

  “ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. ” Mark‬ ‭7:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The globalization drive is speedily sweeping through the diversity in the nation’s and people’s cultural values, dressing patterns, table manners, and family relationships. Besides the advances in technological innovation and information transfer, the COVID-19 protocols towards the management of the ‘new normal’ lifestyle are nothing less than a strict compliance with the need for globalization. Notwithstanding the wide shift from the days of old (like about 2,000 years ago), Jesus was concerned about the fundamental human principle of laying aside the commandments of God for the promotion of the tradition of men. Whereas, the main drivers of the world’s globalization drive are rooted in the words and the commandment...

  “ and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When the scriptures admonished believers to desist from the love of the world, the system and its institutions of apathy against the revealed commandments of the Lord are targeted. Every day, moment, opportunity, and association involving a child of God comes with sufficient instructions and the revealed will of God towards fruitfulness. Confusion sets in immediately when we begin to contemplate our call to obedience to God’s words and the consequences of working against the interests and principles of the principalities of the world, whether at home, business place, corporate institutions, and the larger society. Whereas, God always desire His obedient children to focus only on His words, instructions, and promises; particularly at the expense of convenience, comfort, riches, position, and worldly attractions. ...

  “ And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ By relating Christ’s admonition with the physical law of motion ‘ Action and Reaction are Equal and Opposite ’, it is clear that responses  to life’s throws are common experiences. Reliable response to every situation and circumstance is the only challenge before all men. But if we respond appropriately and reliably to God’s consistent words, we stand the chance to escape the divergent words of anxiety and fears from the world. In the myriads of conflicting words to our ears and the purpose of God for our life and ministry, ‘let him hear’ means diligent and deliberate efforts must be taken by every hearer to filter away the efforts of the enemy of righteousness, faith, and obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Without a reliable response to the words of faith, the heart is freely given to respond to the words of fear and defeat. There is no room on the fence!

  “ Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. ” Mark‬ ‭1:35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When a fellowship or convocation of parties with delightful people is sweet, it is sometimes difficult for anyone to know the appropriate time to take a break or leave. Whereas, taking a delightful departure from a flow of current is mostly recommended against a detestable distraction from the original design. Like all electronic equipment and system automation are equipped with reset buttons for freshness, all active fellowship and services in life without the provision for retreat or refreshments are bound to embrace a derailment from the original purpose of God. In modelling the necessity of the desirable quiet time for all His disciples, Jesus embarked on a delightful departure into a solitary place to pray to God. It is instructive for all to note that this departure was embarked upon even when everyone was looking for Him...