Heralds Digest

  “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Relationships are simply a game of emotion. Therefore, sincerity and smartness are mostly required to play a good game. Even in spiritual matters, comparison between spiritual matters and carnality often provide clear illustration and understanding of the situation of things. However, it is important to understand that while human minds are moved by things pertaining to their body’s security, welfare, and advancement; God is rather concerned about the wellness of human souls and eternal destiny. Notwithstanding, human spirituality at best can attempt to compare the material things within one’s life’s experiences with the spiritual things. But when Paul spoke about comparing spiritual things with spiritual in his engagement with the Church at Corinth, he represented a discourse above the level of human u...

  “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, ” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭1:4-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Anyone who is carried away by the central theme of the first epistle of Paul to the church at Corinth will miss the vital lesson on the role of appreciation and the grace of God, even in any fragile fellowship. While the church had focussed on segregating the spectrum of light on individual believers in the fellowship, Paul brought up the role of appreciation and the influence of the grace of God on all. Everyone in the church can relate with the little light that brought salvation, the privilege of speaking in unknown tongues, and the influence of the knowledge of the scriptures to solving complex problems of life. Irrespective of the diversity of spiritual gifts and differences in the scale of our achievements in t...

  “ Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me ”. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Support services from mentor to mentees, parents to children, and leaders to the led are common; but not many will welcome the reverse services from the less endowed to a superior. Sometimes, pride often makes the matter worse, even when it is readily obvious that leaders and masters need assistance. And considering the superior position of Apostle Paul and his preceding exhortation to brethren at Rome when he ended with a plea “ Now I beg you, brethren…that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. ” Praying for one another in every work and fellowship system builds unity of purpose and a strong family out of all relationships. Particularly, after the marching orders and the proceedings of exhortation, when the master asks the servants for support services, he gets a community of devoted s...

  “ 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...