Heralds Digest

  “ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ” James‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The difference between self-seeking and system-seeking is not the absence of wisdom at all, but the presence of weird wisdom. Of course, meekness is distasteful to the concept of self-seeking in all of human relationships. Whereas, God’s love teaches believers the opposite of the weirdness of wisdom, which is self-sacrificing to promote the glory of God. And where there is agitation for self-centred rights, there cannot be the want of envy, bitterness, and the manipulation of lies in the name of smartness and diplomacy. Unfortunately, we cannot hope to have the best of the world’s evil merchandise and the best of heaven’s riches and righteousness at the same time. Therefore, those who care to retain the presence of God must place...

  “ As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. ” Ezekiel‬ ‭34‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The gathering of scattered sheep remains the primary responsibility of Christian workers. But while the primary responsibility is not prioritized, we are easily engaged to advance the scattering agenda of the enemies of God. When workers seek first the matters for stomach infrastructure and societal relevance, the words of hope and spiritual awakening are left unfetched from the throne of grace. This is the dilemma of prayerless and powerless Christians, who cling to the relevance of the office as the Shepherd without the requisite commitment to the responsibilities of soul-winning and spiritual refreshments. Whereas, there are scattered sheep all around the corners of the shepherd who is willing to seek out the flock of the Lord. When the Lord promised “ so...

  “ Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain ”. Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The construction responsibility of a solid building structure is readily delegated to the reliable selection of building consultants and contractors. Notwithstanding, all building contracts will still carry the force majeure clause to indemnify against the unforeseen ‘act of GOD ’. It implies that, even in the management of physical, structural, and material projects in our world, we need the blessing of God against accidents. Needless to mention that the physiological development of every human being into the intended manifestation of dreams represents a house to be left under the supervision of God. Based on the personal experience of the psalmist towards his making of a prosperous king in Israel, any wise person can use his principle of success in professional, ministerial, family, social, and business life. It is a...

  “ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The sacrifice of praise to God is only complete in a warm service fellowship or communion within the community. Interestingly, while every human being belongs to and interconnected with another through many fellowships, including church, family, workplace, neighborhood, institutional alumni, social, etc, he is readily tempted to promote racism, partiality, discrimination, and the services of nepotism better than the desirable sacrifice of praise to God. The sacrifice of praise to God is just exactly what it is; the sacrifice of treasure, talent, and time to trust the purpose of God in the lives of others; endeared to everyone by virtue of fellowship. When we open wide our doors to the community through fellowship, and break the...

  “ Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him .” Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The universal law of sowing and reaping is conditionally valid, depending on the readiness of the soil. Uncultivated and fallow ground require additional labour on plowing, sometimes with tears and weeping responses to the apparent instances of unfruitfulness, discouragement, and disparagement. The reality of unproductive engagements in life underscores the irresponsive disposition of many sowers in the field of evangelism, entrepreneurship, and establishment. These realists will readily drop the fight in the face of opposing giants and intimidation. Obviously, without the inspiration by another spirit like that of Caleb of old, there can never be an account of  “ He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing ”. Conversely, the seed for continuous ...

  “ Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. ” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Since those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, those who trust in their own strength and abilities would readily pride themselves on being like Mount Everest. And just as being the tallest mountain on earth, trust in personal strength and abilities motivates the unrest and earthly competition among the princes and principalities on earth. This is always the Genesis of the rise and fall of kingdoms, nations, institutions, empires, and clans in our world. It is just a matter of time, Mount Everest becomes moveable. But ‘ Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion’ , which is unmovable. Why? It is not a physical mountain with finite and competitive height, might, and strength; but a trust in the infinite str...

  “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In human economy, the pulling down of strongholds like the walls of Jericho will require the side support of tractors and heavy machinery. Unfortunately, when we are surrounded by enemies with more sophisticated access to these machinery, like the experience of the children of Israel with the men of Jericho, we would need something or someone else to come to the rescue. Luckily, Israel had the sovereign God as her side support. ““ If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say— “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us ” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭1‬-‭2‬). And with the sovereign support, heavy machinery had to give way for a humble movement for seven days. Likewise, in all the battles of life, it takes humility for anyone to trust absolutely in God; and just move ahead in simple obedience to the counsel of God. Of course...