Heralds Digest

  “ Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭165‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Naturally, fear is a torment; and those who are fearful are naturally unfruitful in all their engagements because of lack of focus. But since the scriptures say “ the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ”, it implies that fruitful fear loves the Lord, His law, precepts, and testimonies. Any soul that fear the words of trust from the Lord cannot fear the words of threats from men at the same time. Unfortunately, the psychology of disobedience against the commandments of the Lord preys unstable hearts with ‘what if’s? ’ threats, especially in times of apparent delays and droughts. Whereas, faith in God treats the undeniable words from the Lord as settled forever in heaven, even when the prevailing words from men raise the storm and the challenges of life. It is just okay when the only concern of the hearts is “ how can I possibly disobey the words of the Lord ” at...

  “ For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ” Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Our world is blessed by great men and women with great memoirs. And most of these memoirs are influenced by the cash and carry of celebrities, men of timber and calibre, and adorable social influencers. Unfortunately, not many of these memoirs are satisfactory to either the personalities in question or their God. As I personally reflected on the admonition of Apostle Paul to the Hebrews, I remembered the last words of my late mother “ I am satisfied!” . This poor woman had no fortune to transcribe those three words into a great memoir for publication in this world’s famous billboards, m...

  “ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Finding gifts in life is all about the worst of man’s weaknesses meeting the best of man’s beauties and beautification. Life’s sacrifices and exchange of gifts are usually motivated by this human conceived path to empowerment. Even when most believers approach God, they are usually interested in His gifts and not grace. After all, the popular mindsets are captured by the theme ‘what can grace do in the prevailing weaknesses? ’ or ‘heaven helps those who help themselves ’. Whereas, the most soothing experience of grace is the fellowship of the Saviour in man’s seasons of weaknesses. Grace does not relate with smokescreens in a believer's life and relationships. He gets underneath the fire with bel...

  “ Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart .” Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Those who usually slump into disobedience against the promised rest from God always have their disappointment. The path to the promised rest in life is usually rough. And the enemies know how to move fast and cut the crap of diligence before every disappointed soul, offering deceptive pleasure, promotion, and prosperity. Unfortunately, the rigged rest through deception and unrighteousness cannot guarantee anyone the apparently rough rest from God. It doesn’t and wouldn’t offer the passage and privilege of soul searching, timely transformation, and real righteousness. But when any righteous child of God believes and abid...

  “ The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live .” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭144‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ While it is true that there are no testimonies without a test, testimonies are expected to be self-proclaiming and self-propagating. Unfortunately, tests can be more overwhelming and extremely captivating than the traces of testimonies in every believer’s life. And like the psalmist, we need constant reassurance on the righteousness of the testimonies of God’s faithfulness in our lives, especially in seasons surrounded by the overarching influence of the enemies. “ Give me understanding, and I shall live ” suggests that the hearts are tempted to focus on the activities of the enemies and their brazen zeals and manipulations. These tough realities of life often bring discouragement and depression to those who cannot rely absolutely on God. Whereas, trusting in the Lord and leaning only on His understanding bring life, vitality, and focus on the everlasti...

  “ For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren ” Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Wretched and lost into sin, it was evident to God that no one can come up for mercy. So, the Saviour not only came down with mercy, He came for the sinners’ messes. The messes and sufferings were considered fitting for Him, “ for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory ”. No doubt, it is the coming down of the Saviour to get fitted with sinners that makes the experience of salvation so unique. As reported by Nicky Gumbel, the former televangelist, Jim Bakker, in his autobiography ‘ I Was Wrong ’, tells of his descent into ignominy, impoverishment and imprisonment for accounting fraud. He lost his fr...

  “ The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me .” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭130‬, ‭133‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ According to the psalmist, the realities of life are simple steps made complex.  Expectedly, human’s advances in knowledge make complex phenomena, produce sophisticated interpretation of scenarios, and present a confused representation of intentions. And when teams at home, workplace, and social groups are pulled out of these types of advances, they come together more to scatter than collaborate. Notwithstanding, the entrance of God’s words still gives light at the thickest and blackness of darkness. The Lord’s words bring illumination, guidance, and discretion to those who are sensitive to His leading. Therefore, the hearts of the righteous can be reassured of God’s appearance and guidance in the right paths, even when it appears we are heading towards disaster. It takes the hearts to ...