Heralds Digest

  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ There is something unique about every true and honest bride. She reserved her beauty only for the attraction and embrace of the true and worthy bridegroom all the life of their matrimony. As long as she is approved of by her husband, being ashamed by every other standard by the world or the opinions of other people is not consequential. Likewise, every believer is a purchased bride of Christ, and called to present herself approved only to Him. Unfortunately, those who are infected by approval syndrome in the world and its standards are wrongly pressured to pursue the line of compromise to the word of truth. Whereas, to rightly divide the word of truth, believers must be prepared to get ashamed by men in order to retain the approval of God. After all, Jesus is the truth-personified; and those who do not need to be ashamed of ...

  “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,” II Timothy‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Effective prayer has nothing to do with a pure head. Although, pure head can keep the strategies, organization, and frequency of prayer sessions, it cannot guarantee access into the presence of God. For “ Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? (Psalms‬ ‭24:3‬)”. The response to the psalmist’s concern has a variety of colours by religious people, like the ability to keep a good organizer, calendar, etc. Meanwhile, in making reference to the privilege of his frequent prayers for Timothy, Apostle Paul appreciated God for the power of a pure heart or conscience. Obviously, it is “ He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully ”. A pure prayer is the sole product from a pure heart, not even a pure head. When the heart is pure...

  “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭4:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ There is no doubt about the fact that those who are often quick to engage in jungle justice against their fellow men are extremely disturbed by their perception of the victim’s actions and not the actions of his Creator. Otherwise, everyone will always know and act appropriately to the revelation “ For every creature of God is good” . This revelation about the work of God does not cancel the fact of wickedness about the works of man; but conveys the truth towards freedom and salvation from wickedness. Unfortunately, even amidst those who claim redemption from sin and slavery, the perceived acts of wickedness, unrighteousness, and disobedience from their fellow men are often melted with a reactive anger, bitterness, and revenge. Whereas, humanity will always be a piece of work under the influence of ...

  “having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Those who engage in a fist fight sometimes do quote the scriptures out of context. That the violent take their possessions by force do not make reference to earthly inheritances. The same scriptural phrase is preceded by ‘…the kingdom of heaven suffers violence’, not the kingdom of this world (Matthew 11:12). The enemy knows that no one can engage in a fist fight on earth, and walk away with good conscience. And whenever the heart of believers become polluted with anger, bitterness, unforgiving spirit, and all forms of unrighteousness, it becomes disqualified to command the attention of the throne of grace and mercy. Whereas, God knows that it takes only faith to fight with good conscience and defeat the enemy. That’s why the scriptures encourage believers that they remain strategic in deploying faith fight, instead of fist fight. “ For we d...

  “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” ‭‭II Thessalonians‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The concept of dominion in God’s original plan for humanity is productivity in business. In line with the curse of fruitlessness due to the fall of man, fruitless engagements would dot almost all activities of busy people or busybodies. Even in the fellowship of God’s people, busybodies are loud infidels with the perfect ideas of walking without working and consuming without producing. Unfortunately, these people often have the loudest template for business propositions, and work implementation plans. Their disorderly manner of business executions always become evident after the deal is done, either at home, or outside in the fellowship of people. And like the exhortation to busybodies in the church in...

  “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 ...