Heralds Digest

  “ For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You .” Psalms 89 : 6 - 8 NKJV The movers of this world are respected shakers or shockers of love; and it is understandable why people who desperately need a shake of love to make advances or necessary movement in life do catch cold when these movers sneeze. Unfortunately, fellowship with these mundane movers often requires compromise in believers’ desirable fellowship or intimate relationship with God. And when Paul submitted a rhetorical question “ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ”, he attested to the reality of persecution that awaits anyone who dare disrespect a mundane mover, in reverence of the mightier mover. And like the psalmist affirms the faithfu...

  “ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. ” Romans 8 : 11 NKJV The concept of liberalism on the basis of freedom of the flesh has always been the greatest deception from the pit of hell. This carnal freedom offers a voluntary license to the enemy to cage the flesh into all forms of unrighteousness, wickedness, and sin. But a truly liberalized life is a life of the spirit of God, breaking the heart and mind from fleshly frivolity, moral messes, and the great Goliath in every believer’s daily living. And speaking of GOLIATH, the liberalized life is free from (1) greed that makes the flesh overtly unsatisfied by God’s provisions, (2) offences against humanity and God, provoking the wrath of God, (3) lust that indulges the flesh into immoral tendencies and appeals, (4) idleness and licentious waste of time on unproductive activities, ...

  “ Lord, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. ” Psalms 88 : 14 - 15 NKJV There are several propositions as to the reasons for unanswered prayer, but the only scriptural revelation is sin and unrighteousness. Otherwise, the prayer line that is free from unrighteousness is always laced with sincere and timely help. Therefore, when the psalmist cried out “ Lord, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? ”, he was actually unloading the sincere and timely help from the Lord with the possible revelation of the unrighteousness that is keeping the face of the Lord away from him. Answers to prayers doesn’t often start by taking away pains from the head; it commences by drawing peace from God into the heart of man. Like it revealed unto Ephraim, the holy helpline invites believers into the presence of God with clean hands and pure hearts. Unfortun...

  “ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness .” Romans 6 : 16 , 20 NKJV The misconception of freedom is the ability to exercise personal decision on life’s matter without any external interference. This deception from the pit of hell has always been the excitement to ignore the ‘thou shalt not’ mindset of the commandments of the Lord. Adam and Eve can tell the true story of the fake freedom outside the garden of Eden. Yes, it is a fake freedom and a voluntary entrapment into the den of satanic manipulations and unending enlistment as agents of unrighteousness, with consequent attendance with emotional disturbance, anxiety, and wickedness. Being created as a free moral agent doesn’t command absolute freedom from spiritual influence. Therefore, every man by the depravi...

  “ His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah ” Psalms 87 : 1 - 3 NKJV The best of life’s accomplishments is a celebration of breakthrough and excellence in career, business, ministry, and even a natural birth in a family. For example, when a man is born naturally, the people rejoice with the family in celebration. Whereas, this best of breakthrough and excellence in man reflects an insignificant possibility in every man, originally created in the image of God. God created man to be a reflection of His love and holiness. Unfortunately, when the depravity of sin robbed man of God’s virtue of love and holiness, the best of breakthrough and excellence in man became a symphony of filthy and inglorious rags before God. Thereafter, God’s redemption plan offers the hope of salvation and restoration. And, to be born again is to invoke the celebration of heaven an...

  “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. ” Proverbs 17 : 17 - 18 NKJV Parties in all healthy relationships know both what it means to love at all times, and how to foolishly shake hands in a pledge. Friendship is all about an enduring burning, while bearing the burden of love and togetherness in marriage, family, fellowship, and business relationships. The only challenge is that there is no friend like Jesus, who is born for adversity. Apart from Jesus, everyone in any friendship relationship is hopeful of some returns of investment, even if it is a promissory note. Therefore, every believer is expected to always keep the understanding that Jesus is the first friend. And with this understanding and the enabling grace provided, believers can actually emulate the friendship lifestyle of Jesus in their business, societal, and family relationships. In fact, if every ...

  “ Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. ” Psalms 86 : 16 - 17 NKJV It is a lame ideology for anyone to attempt the show of life with just his physical strength. When bullies strike, they understand their checks and bounds. Otherwise, they get easily run down, disgraced and disregarded by stronger bullies. But when prophet Amos responded to his bully in the veil of priest Amaziah “ I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel (Amos 7 : 14 - 15 )”, he attested to the authority behind his mandate. Unfortunately, most bullies are often too proud to recognize the stronger strength in the almighty God, even when the mercy...