Heralds Digest

  “ Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. ” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The quality of every developed product depends on the reliability of its pattern. Just as it is with physical products, faith and believer’s convictions depend on the pattern of reception. For example, Apostle Paul had defended his persuasion on the heavenly vision received before many councils and magistrates. At this particular moment, he was imprisoned for his faith and about to die. Notwithstanding, his primary concern wasn’t the awaiting death by hanging; but that Timothy will uphold the pure pattern in life and ministry. Unfortunately, unlike the prosperity pattern in our crazy world, the pure pattern is not attractive. Yet, believers are called to hold fast this unpopular pattern. “ Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard...

  “ Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. ” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭74‬-‭75‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ When a man’s treasure is focused on wealth, people can predict the essence of the human priorities in business relationships, interpersonal relationships, career engagement, and professional pursuit. Many homes, ministries, and life’s projects have been truncated on the basis of the ensuing greed or misalignment in the prospect of prosperity. The problem is that wealth-based prosperity often leads the heart away from a fruitful fellowship with God. But when the psalmist said “ Those who fear You will be glad when they see me “, he boasted about the privileges of a fruitful fellowship with God. Even during the period of the believer's wilderness experience and the season of unreasonable afflictions, a fruitful fellowship with the Lord and hope in His promises rejoice t...

  “ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭71‬-‭72‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Without life’s experiences, it would have been impossible for anyone to truly know the Lord and understand His commandments. It was Smith Wigglesworth who said ‘Great faith is a product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials .’ Because no one will freely choose great fights, great tests, and great trials, God often does the serving of these goods without asking. And through these experiences, believers like the psalmist are able to look back and say “ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes“ . Therefore, it is the experiences of life that bring out the strength, the truth, the anointing, the tenderness, the understanding, the tenacity, the exploits, and the stability out of t...

  “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬, ‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ An overflow or underflow of words, good or bad, is really not a problem in God’s economy. Based on His sovereignty, He is capable of using both words to achieve His glorious purposes. Notwithstanding, the human concerns have always been the issuance of a firmly fitted word. A word that aligns with the mood of the moments, hits the nail in the head, and catches the attention of the hearers must be an inspiration from the Lord. Unfortunately, relationships break down easily and unexpectedly on the account of releases of unfit words. And man is often tempted to continue the driving of unfit words to loved ones unknowingly, with little or no anticipation of the attending consequences. Whereas, a firmly fit word is inspired by the Lord, bringing peace to troubled rela...

  “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ According to the words of the commander of the coalition forces in the Gulf War of 1991, General Norman Schwarzkopf, ‘leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy .’ Strategy can be loud with administration, management, political maneuvering, and socialization; but it is deficient in godliness, righteousness, and good works. Whereas, character shines even in the dark; because it is dressed by the grace of God. Being redeemed by the grace of God implies the possession of the character to reflect the image of God through justification, sincerity, demonstration, perfection, and glorification. Invariably, believers with character and gracious godliness are the letters being ...

  “ Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭49‬, ‭55‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Effective prayer is always a dialogue and not a monologue, based on inspired references to the scriptures. While the challenges of life and the unfortunate concerns of men are not permanent, the words of God are settled in heaven and unchangeable. Therefore, whatever brings believers to the presence of the Lord in prayer should never ever be treated with disdain and unnecessary distraction. Prayer is always an opportunity to talk with God and hear from Him the things that have been established concerning life. When the psalmist said “ Remember the word to Your servant ”, he reminded the Lord of His promises with the placing of requests. And when the psalmist said “I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law” , he heard from God with assurance of answers to his requests. Little wonder a pra...

  “ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, ” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Whenever a physical man prides himself in his absolute freedom as a free moral agent, he is showing his ignorance about the superiority of the supernatural in all affairs of life over the natural. Whereas, true freedom is found in the grace of God that breaks the soul away from the bondage of sin and the entanglement of the heart of man against the purpose of God. The essence of the statutes of GOD or the purpose of His commandments is the experience of genuine love from a pure heart. Believers will have to soak themselves in the words of God and pray daily to retain this freedom from the contagious pollution through the system of side talks, evil comments, and unrighteous tendencies. The laws of man, institutional culture, and societal pressure from worldly attractions h...