Heralds Digest

  “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.” Proverbs 15 : 13 - 14 NKJV The major difference between hedging and hunting is the use of intelligence in the former, compared to the probable reliance on faith in the latter. Hedging makes use of the head, while hunting depends on the heart. And unlike the use of head hedging in our competitive world, heart hunting is inspired by divine revelation and spiritual discernment on every subject matter. Those who will use the heart hunting in life must have faith in God, without which they are inadvertently subjected to the whims and caprices of men and the system of this world. Unfortunately, the best of worldly intelligence for the feeding of head hedge is summarized by the scriptures as foolishness. Whereas, a merry and wise heart is redeemed from the corrupt world to seek the knowledge ...

  “ And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord .” I Kings 8 : 10 - 11 NKJV A persistent preparation of the people’s hearts has always preceded the prevailing presence of the Lord. Just as the preparation of the temple materials and their setup were exhaustive (even the reading of their documentaries is often boring!), the entertaining and preparatory events with their circumstances leading up to the prevailing manifestations of God’s presence in life and ministry is always not funny. Notwithstanding, the experience of the eventual presence of God filling our homes, workplaces, and the places of the believers’ engagements is always worth the waiting time. It is worth the sacrifice for preparing the hearts and ministering to invite the prevailing presence of the Lord in any system that aw...

  ““I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’ ” For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another .” Psalms 75 : 4 - 7 NKJV Without prejudice to the omnipotence and sovereignty of God, networking is key to breakthrough and promotion in our world. Anyone who has tasted the influence of political power, professional excellence, and business dominance can attest to the boastfulness of networking. Actually, God also leverages the influence of networking in the execution of His projects and purposes through the immeasurable wealth of His resources, including the diverse shades, senses, and sincerity or subtleness of people. Unfortunately, many of God’s boastful children often walk away from His superior networking to pursue their personal and limited agenda to their shame and de...

  “ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied .” Acts 12 : 23 - 24 NKJV Only God gives both grace and glory. Any other source of glory in the absence of grace is simply not great. For example, Herod’s glory pumped him into the wrath of God; and he ended up being eaten by worms. Therefore, great glory is only promoted by the word of God; and everyone who extols the study of the word of God is bound to experience promotion from glory to glory. And as succinctly referenced by Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the carnally pumped up Corinthians, “ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” ( II Corinthians 3 : 18 ). Unfortunately, almost all who are deceived by self glory have been hired to withstand the promotion of the words of Go...

  “ When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. ” Acts 11 : 23 NKJV Our reference for today describes the true picture of greatness in the city of Antioch, including the sweet fellowship of persecuted disciples, the spontaneous turning of sinners to saints, the attraction of believers from neighbouring cities, and the incubation of prophets, teachers, evangelists and many other battle axes and weapons of war in the hands of God. Yet, it took the visit of Barnabas from Jerusalem to discover the secret of Antioch, which is the unique measure of the grace of God - great grace. For “ When he came and had seen the grace of God ”, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Likewise, the challenges in believers’ lives and the grossness of oppression and persecution in their world are designed to lead disciples and saints into the pr...

  “ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” ” Acts 11 : 17 - 18 NKJV Even in secular organizations and systems, fellowship demands fruitfulness. Needless to talk of the empowering influence of the Holy Spirit on all believers for fruitful services. The only challenge is that we often oppose the influence of the Spirit, knowingly or unknowingly, instead of following His leading. Peter’s experience and rhetorical question to his contending apostles and disciples opened the regular floor of contention in our everyday ministry: “ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God” ? Unfortunately, opposing God is the common cause of fruitlessness, frustration, and...

  “ The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth .” Acts 10 : 9 - 11 NKJV Palace is literally a place of power and decision making. But in human context, it is also a symbol of privileges and entertainment. That was why the palace has often accommodated the activities of the devil, indulgences, and frivolities. For example, in spite of the numerous inspirational activities from the palace towards governance during the times of David, King David understood the vulnerability of the palace and the consequences of taking a wrong decision. Notwithstanding, unlike the pleasure palaces, the prayer palace is known for its accuracy, consistency, and divine guidance. Like its usefulness in ...