Heralds Digest

  ” But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. “ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬, ‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The counsel of the ungodly, the path of sinners, and the seat of the scornful represent everyday life’s family-work social servings. Everyone’s career progression, business proposition, and project management embrace the global collection of these counsels, privileges, and opportunities. Therefore, not walking in the ungodly counsels is not the same as not walking through these counsels. It just suggests the determination and conviction to spotlight the righteous counsels from God along the path. Unfortunately, this conviction requires courage and willingness to face persecution from the ungodly, sinners, and the scornful. Anyone can prove innocence on the island of isolation, but almost all things done in our world requires active collaboration with diverse mindsets and quest...

   ” Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people .“ ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Remuneration remains one fundamental motivation for services rendered for humanity and posterity. Even in volunteering services, there is always a special consideration for future benefits. The only drawback in most remuneration systems is the mindset of limiting service rewards to human benefits and recommendations. This unholy mindset often prevents sincerity and promotes insecurity in service delivery. And since whoever pays the piper dictates the tune, humanity is often robbed of originality and sincere creativity whenever the heart is restricted from divine inspiration. Unfortunately, many people’s hearts have been so blackened or deadened by an unrighteous, wicked, and malicious reward system that they no longer remember the sovereignty of divine recompense. For example, Eku Edewor’s recent ‘Breath of Life’ movie painted a graphic detail of a true life e...

  ” Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord .“ ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ There is no doubt that the goal of the birth of Emmanuel is the salvation of the world from sin slavery. But there is always doubt that the reason for every season which celebrates His birth is kept consistent by believers with this goal. Why? Our goals are easily in conflict with God’s goal as life happens, opportunity arises, and knowledge increases. For example, even when everyone with Nehemiah had earlier agreed to join hands to rebuild Jerusalem, the scriptures signed out the nobles of Tekoites for a divergence of goal during the period of implementation. Perhaps, their exposures to knowledge have now offered them a better way of getting the work done without the use of their shoulders. Notwithstanding, the record of their contributions was never provided in line with the great achievements of the Lord’s project completion, especiall...

  ” He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. “ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ It is true that if grace depends on human qualifications, it will be rationed and reserved for the mighty shakers with wealth, strength, position, and prosperity in our world. But, fortunately, God “ …does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man ”. As we navigate the last week of 2023, it is instructive for all to briefly reflect on our personal qualifications for the grants received from the Lord. What sincerely good thing have we got through our personal manoeuvres, political sagacity, and intelligent surveillance better than disgrace and disappointment? Whereas, there are numerous grants from the throne of grace for those who choose to fear God alone. Truly, human grants will come mostly with intimidation and intrigues; but tho...

  ” Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” Then Ezra arose, and made the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear an oath that they would do according to this word. So they swore an oath .“ ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Repentance without responsibility is fake; but the drawback has nothing to do with the potency of God’s grace. Unfortunately, many religious people are fond of the rituals of the confession of sins without genuine commitment to forsake their sins. And since the corruption in the culture of any system, institution, and home is mostly promoted by leaders of religions in the society, anyone can understand why some people regard religion as a major menace of civilization. Unlike these corrupt leaders, Ezra was encouraged by the congregation to take courage in his responsibility to institute reforms, restitution, and righteousness. Even today, while grace remains God’s righteousness at Christ’s...

  ” These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. “ ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Grace is not just God’s riches and redemption at Christ’s expense. It is equally God’s righteousness and revelation at Christ’s expense. And like Rick Warren posited, private purity in ministry is the source of public power. The intent of the deposit of God’s grace in the lives of believers is the total separation of them from sin and the separation of sin from them. When the influence of grace is completely unleashed, there can no longer be tolerance for defilement, deception, and deprivation in the hearts of man before the holy God. Unfortunately, those who fall short of the influence of grace in their social, public, and private affairs do en...

  ” Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, and has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. So I was encouraged, as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me. “ ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The gifts from king Artaxerxes to Ezra made a significant difference in the project of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord. Prior to this time, many kings and governors have fought vigorously against the project; and repressed every attempt to undertake the same project. Obviously, it is true that when the hands of the Lord are upon any project in life, He uses even our enemies to make significant contributions to the success of the project. Even when it appears the people’s hands are vigorously against the pursuit of God’s purpose in our lives, their actions and ...