Heralds Digest

  “ It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. ”” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Status respect is logically earned than demanded; but disrespect is evident when it is being demanded or competed. While the expression of respect for Jesus Christ by John the Baptist can easily pass as status respect, it is actually the expression of his satisfaction in the purpose and plan of God for his life. Whenever we become dissatisfied with our roles and responsibilities in life, our state of dissatisfaction is covered up by an unhealthy competition and a subtle disrespect for others in the room. The Pharisees had wanted to assign the roles and responsibilities of the expected Prophet, Christ, or Elijah to John the Baptist; but he quickly realized that real respect is not just the recognition of the superiority of the status of Jesus. It is simply the expression of his satisfaction as the forerunner of Jesus, even if privileged to extend the mess...

  “ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it .” John‬ ‭1:3-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Since all things were made through Christ, it is natural to express no emphasis on the embodiment of the nothing outside Him. But here comes “ and without Him nothing was made that was made ”. It implies that there is always a tangible embodiment of nothing outside the Will of God. Even though perfectly made in the image of God, man was made a free moral agent with the ability to either accept or reject the plan and purpose of God. God’s words and pronouncements in the life and affairs of His beloved always stand true and solid, no matter how seemingly long it is tested in the sands of time. And if we can always tremble at God’s words and pronouncements, we wouldn’t need to be trampled down by other words and pronouncements. Unfortunately, childr...

  “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “ This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me .”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Although the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper is clearly the act of giving, it is also possible to have a mixup in the understanding of the actual gift: the bread, the body, or the life? Notwithstanding, the embodiment of the act of this giving is the agape love, which is the greatest gift. The life of Jesus was sacrificed to redeem humanity, who cannot be saved otherwise, from eternal death to everlasting life. Therefore, when He requested all His disciples to ‘do this in remembrance of Me’ , He did recommend the practice of giving all we have to secure the most essential needs of others; and expecting nothing in return. This is simply by taking whatever is pliable; and He gave…and gave, until all in life was given. Obviously, if we can always ‘do this in remembrance of Me’ at home and outside home, we can be...

  “ And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “ Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had .”” Luke‬ ‭21:1-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ By applauding the total surrendering of all of the poor widow’s livelihood to God, it is important to note that the recommended fellowship is not restricted to money or mites in a believer’s pocket or bank accounts. It is the totality of life’s service at home, workplaces, to humanity, and services in the house of God. Has anyone imagined why the awkward feelings of disappointment when a man’s assumed sacrifices in all of these fellowship settings are not deemed appreciated by fellow men? This is always a sign that the heart hasn’t really considered the totality of its services as an expected sacrifice to God. W...

  “ So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “ You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me .” ” Luke‬ ‭18:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Since the pursuit of fortune and fame is a reasonable measure of prosperity in life, career prospects and business engagements are generally defined by metrics like net worth, share holdings, social rank, political status, etc. Unfortunately, the rich young man who came to Jesus for further clarification on the subject matter was disappointed to discover that these prosperity pursuits have no eternal value. Imagine one had struggled to keep a high morality level, in addition to securing the acquisition of measurable prosperity in life; but thereafter, he discovered the heavenly verdict: “ You still lack one thing! ”. And like the rich young man, not many who know the heavenly worthlessness of prosperity pursuits are sincerely interested in the recommended priceless pu...

  “ Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “ Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God . ” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:15-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The long-standing battle for the influence of children between homes and the religious/educational institutions is well known. Even in our homes today, disagreement, disunity, separation, and conflict of interest among parents have always contributed to the loss of children’s interests in following Jesus. And in our various institutions of learning, there is a standing apathy against the pursuit and preservation of faith in Jesus through the consistent review of the teaching curriculum. Against a subtle mindset, there is nothing wrong in the concept of proud parents who delight in celebrating the kids’ fun, fame, and fortune in life. Neither is the idea of celebrating the creation of an innovative learn...

  “ And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; ” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬ If every praying time represents a request time, what happens when the heart feels no request? Isn’t this the reason why it is generally perceived that only the people with problems and the challenges of life go to prayer houses? That is, Work and play, so you don’t pray, right? Whereas, Jesus concluded His parable exhortations with “ men ought always to pray, and not to faint ”. It implies that men ought to make a lifestyle out of prayer, rather than going to God at the end of life’s crossroads. Those who often feel otherwise always get discouraged when it appears God doesn’t attend to their request-time visits. But, a play-prayer session is a time to come to God for a fun time with Him; and not necessarily for His solution to the challenges of life. Obviously, Jesus said, if the unrighteous Judge in our wicked world cannot ignore the act of importunity from a...