Heralds Digest

  “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” ‭‭II Thessalonians‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Standing fast has nothing to do with fast tracking. If anything, it takes even the opposite of a fast track to stand against the deception of the enemy in our fast-paced world. That is, “ …be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord …(1 Corinthians 15:58)” is the best expression for ‘stand fast’. The tradition of the enemy’s deception is always wrapped in the option of taking the fast track to acquire the things of this world, like pleasure, promotion, prosperity, etc; but believers are taught to be patient and remain focussed on the promises of the Lord. Oftentimes, the promises of the Lord appear remote and unattainable. At such vulnerable moments in a believer's ministry, career, and family life, it is always easy to replace ‘stand fast’ with fast track. But those who have learned the secret of waiting upon ...

  “Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In the midst of myriads of evil, wickedness, and unrighteousness, sometimes it is difficult for anyone to still recognize the taste of good. Unfortunately, whenever hope for good experiences at home and good governance in the society are lost, everyone loses the motivation to act right. Whereas, there is still hope for every situation in personal life, and every state of the nation’s life, for those who are not weary of approaching the throne of grace. When we crave for grace, we receive the appetite to keep searching for good…no matter how long the search. “ Test all things; hold fast what is good” . The test run can be sometimes discouraging, depressing, and destructive; but the pursuit of God in every search for good provides a unique refreshing taste for all good getters. Therefore, good getters are God garners; for while it appears all goods have gone to the drain, the ...

  “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Disturbance, in physics, is a wave that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location (its source) to another location. And while a quiet and peaceful life expects to derive its positive energy from God alone (the Source), it is always being disturbed by myriads of negative energies from surrounding elements, people, and circumstances in life. But then, Apostle Paul admonished the brethren to ‘ aspire ’ to stay undisturbed by negative energies that influence wavy walks. To ‘ aspire ’ implies to (1) acknowledge the purpose for existence from the Source; (2) specialize on the skills toward addressing the problem with the Source; (3) prepare the implementation strategies purposefully from the Source; (4) interpret ...

  “that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” I Thessalonians‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Tough talks without tough travails are cheap. Anyone can prep that up; and those who engage in them are simple conformists to the system of this world, producing worldly walks. Unfortunately, these are the popular patterns in today’s mentoring, parenting, discipleship, and relationships. By finding tough travails, shameful suffering, and painful persecution for righteousness as detestable, many supposed leaders at home, workplaces, and society will always find an alternative to a worthy walk of God. Whereas, Apostle Paul and his team chose the path of suffering and persecution for righteousness to drive home the call of God unto worthy walk. Obviously, whenever the people of God within our sphere of influence struggle in vain to draw the line between worthy walk and worldly walk, chances are that they have failed, even before the struggle, to find an example of a wort...

  “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...