Heralds Digest

  “ Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. ” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Stepping box and stumbling block can refer to the same object, depending on who is assessing the usage. Unfortunately, both our private and public lifestyles are the reflection of diverse assessments with opinions about people formed by the setting of either the stepping boxes or the stumbling blocks. Since it is always difficult for any man to rightly judge the actions and intentions of others at the same time, the scriptures admonished believers to mind their own singular business of scrutinizing themselves. This sincere scrutiny or self examination will ensure our actions and intentions actually constitute only stepping boxes in the eyes of others. And if we later discover that our stepping boxes have been conceived as stumbling boxes by others, only love through a sincere scrutiny will attract reconciliati...

  “ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Forbearing focus on non-essential, the needs of sinners are basic and straightforward. Even when the supply of material needs become necessary to open the door to their hearts, the presentation of the gospel of peace and salvation from sin slavery clearly remain the needs of sinners. Thereafter, life is faced with the complexities of understanding the needs of saints. Without the help of the Holy Spirit and intimacy with God, no one can excel in the task of distributing to the needs of the saints. Whereas, the assemblies of saints either at home or in the public space are always surrounded by confusion, discouragement, sanctimonious bitterness, jealousy and strife because no one is ready to plugin unto the Saviour’s surplus to understand the saints’ supplies. All saints are the Saviour’s surplus extension and dealers for a ceaseless distribution of His grace and manifold benefits. Sometim...

  “ 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...