Heralds Digest

  “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The wicked world is free to be ruled and influenced by empty words, as long as the consequences agree with the strategies of the Devil. For example, worldly music with empty or vain lyrics is able to attract multitudes of fans; political leaders with track records of wicked manipulation are able to attract followers with rhetorical words; and there are many followers and disciples in the assembly or congregation under the guidance of fake pastors and ministers. Some of these demonic strategies include motivational presentations, carnal disorientation, and worldly attractions, etc. But the true gospel message has a different motive - the release of weighty words with the transformational power of God for salvation and deliverance from the grip of greed. This type of weighty...

  “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” Colossians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Earnestness and vigilance in anything are the two sides of the same coin in life. Once a slack is entertained in vigilance, a flop is automatically enabled in earnestness. It is the simple reason why no one can succeed with being earnest in prayer, and vigilant in worry. The combined mix of earnestness and vigilance in prayer is the perfect fuel that powers the believer’s (1) boldness in preaching the gospel message; (2) obedience to the counsel of God, particularly in the prevalence of adversity; (3) wisdom to relate with the world’s vices; (4) earnestness in practising the presence of God; and (5) the pursuit of righteousness in all relationships. Unfortunately, many believers are distracted from the potency of prayer through their vigilance on human strategies and manipulations, at the expense of the pursuit of God’s presence. The simple gain in the satanic introduction of th...

  “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The pride of human engagement or the dignity of labour has a singular motivation in life; the change or transformation from no name to nice name. And with advances in the building of legacy, respect, and honour in the name of a celebrity, human names begin the unhealthy competition against the purpose and counsel of God. Unfortunately, the competition towards the building of a nice name that hedges above the names of others often attracts the game of bitterness, wickedness, manipulation, and all forms of unrighteousness. Whereas, the name above all names has been announced in our Lord Jesus Christ; so that our unhealthy competition can be replaced with healthy consolation. “ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ” The highest honour in all of life’s e...

  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Waywardness is often the evidence of the absence of grace in the hearts. But when grace appears, the hearts are expected to be consistently fed by the word of Christ. Eventually, the words or conversations of everyone who is completely reconciled with Christ are no longer his but Christ the Way. Unfortunately, advances in human wisdom or intelligence often come with some elements of waywardness, the exercise of human liberty, and the expression of rights or privileges. Particularly, in the ensuing competition in our fast-paced world, it is always difficult to contest positions, privileges, and opportunities with wayward elements without the adoption of their wayward approaches. Therefore, believers must be consciously deliberate with the engagement of all activities that ...

  “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The primary purpose of every believer’s redemption from the wicked world and all its worldly tendencies is for daily aspirations for heavenly aspirations and attention. But then, the flesh and the embodiment of our necessary interactions on earth will not always cooperate with every believer’s new desires. Therefore, believers are enjoined to develop strategies that block carnal channels to unholy destinations. For example, fornication does not start with the evil deed but with evil desire through the engagement of our senses and attention to watch or listen to evil communication by phones, entertainment, or socialization. If we always block the channels that initiate ungodly engagements, we will not need to travel down the lanes that lead into ungodly destinations.

  “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Philosophers are no idle jobbers, but great thinkers and people who have dedicated their intellectual abilities into providing solutions to irrational behaviours. But while the world is blessed with some philosophers who leaned on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, many philosophers are knowingly or unknowingly inspired by the great deceiver, the Devil. And like it was from the beginning at the garden of Eden, the deceiver has no business with people with no birthright to give away. Adam and Even or the human race gave up their dominion at the garden of Eden to get the philosophy of good and bad. Unfortunately, it is always a cheap cheat or empty deceit on someone who gave away what he cannot lose to get what he cannot keep. Even today, many who have claimed redemption are s...

  “and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The prospect of making it to heaven shouldn’t be a subject of concern for those who are truly reconciled to Christ. Unfortunately, believers are often faced with the subject matter because of the reality of redemption with partial or no reconciliation. Reconciliation suggests a complete yielding of life and its essence to Christ, who fully paid the price of redemption by His blood. Whereas, exposure to the things of this world comes with its attractive influences against the Will of God. Therefore, Apostle Paul and his team would engage in spiritual warfare and travail over the souls of believers in Colosse for radical reconciliation. When believers are fully reconciled to Christ, they no longer have personal agenda, be it at home, career of professional pursuit, or social preferences that constitute con...