Heralds Digest

  “ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! ”” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Considering the reality of our broken world, it is proven that the testimony of the gospel is not at any time acceptable as just the proclamation of good news. Even the Old Testament declared the following testimony about the people: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! ”. The gospel message carries the power of God for the salvation of souls; and the manifestation of signs and wonders through the lives of the evangelists. And without the evidence of these testimonies, it becomes suspicious if the evangelist was actually sent by God. Unfortunately, “ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? “ suggests that all self-style preachers of the gospel constitute a disservice to the good course of the kingdom...

  “ 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 The vibrancy of the spirit of man is limited to the atmosphere of strength, pleasure, and excitement. Whenever stress, challenges of life, and difficulties arise, morale and the courage to continue go down. In times like these, the secret place offers another Spirit that can communicate the challenges of life with the Heavenly Father, our only Source of help. Unlike the proud human spirit, this sweet Spirit is friendly with our weaknesses and the inability to make things happen in life. As long as there is sincerity and openness, everyone's a winner in every closet that is powered by the sweet Spirit. Therefore, the...

  “ 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 A perfect example of a guarded gift to God was demonstrated by one of the Old Testament patriarchs, while he was engaged in a sacred koinonia and a renewed covenant with God. “ And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away ” (Genesis‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬). Likewise today, there are more sophisticated and unsolicited vultures on every good intention of a man who would prefer godliness to unrighteousness in this evil world. It is not enough for a believer to give his time, talent, and treasure to God in the church and certain places of worship; and then walk away into the hands of vultures. Apostle Paul here is saying we and all our members are the embodiment of the sacrifice; and so, there is no walking away from the presence of the Lord at any ...

  “ 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 Since the literal death is non-negotiable, it is clear that the use of the word ‘if’ here implies that a different type of death is being referenced. Obviously, the context speaks about the symbolism of water baptism - a public declaration of a decision to follow Jesus Christ, after accepting His provision of freedom from sin and unrighteousness. And the attraction in this desirable death is that the second death no longer has dominion over those who opted for it. Just as the resurrected Jesus became unrestricted by earthly boundaries, those who are truly raised from the dead with Christ (even while still transacting businesses and managing resources here on earth) have become untouchable by the sting of death and the spat of corruption. The grace for a desirable death is f...

  “ 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 Faithfulness is synonymous to trust in every relationship. While trust is built by actions in the past, faithfulness is anchored on future events. And since everyone has an ugly past, even if yet undiscovered, building a reliable trust in friendship on earth is pretty hard. But here comes a friend who doesn’t need our blood or sacrifices to pay the trust requirement. Jesus paid the price for our salvation and justification by His own blood, even when His friends (everyone and everywhere) were totally unfriendly. Unfortunately, many of us who have been redeemed and reconciled to God by this faithful friend will often prefer to put our trust in promises received from earthly friends, at the expense of our faith in...

  “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ,” Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Even in human assessment, there are grades and levels with glories. And unfortunately, the ongoing instability, invasion, and insecurity at the world stage have everything to do with human discontentment about self-serving assessment of glories in superpower or superiority. However, there is a glory reserved for those whose sins have been forgiven and whose iniquities have been cleansed. It is the attainment of righteousness at the expense of a worthy someone, freely sacrificed by God Himself; and not through the forceful dispossession of others’ privileges and rights. The gracious glory of God in a man’s life sets him apart not just as a shiny light; but as a service light for others who are still groping in darkness. Like the religious people in the days of Apostle Paul, the indispensability of the gracious glory today is demonstrated in the revealed truth “ for all have sinned and fall short of ...

  “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ People seldom join any gang without a proven motivation of a power force. Most times, gangsters are driven by the power to oppress other people, forcefully breakdown law and order, and dispossess people of their rights and position. And to break the band on those who have been ensnared by these evil gangs, there is need for the activation of a superior gang with the supernatural power of God. But to a world that is sensitive to political correctness, many believers are easily ashamed to wear the tag of membership into a gospel gang. Isn’t it funny that unbelievers and people with strong apathy to the way of the Cross and righteousness are more proud to wear their tag; and easily cry foul on a system that pretends to isolate them? It is important to note that the tag of a gospel gang is the evidence ...