Heralds Digest

  “ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ” Philippians 3 : 9 - 10 NKJV The understanding of Apostle Paul’s concept of right righteousness is deeper than the ordinary struggle with filthiness or unrighteousness in life. After a believer has had the experience “ and be found in Him ”, the basic experience of grace - God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense - is obtained. But then, deeper than this foundational righteousness is the possible struggle for personal ambition instead of daily surrendering to God’s agenda. Absolute consecration demands the laying down of personal pursuit of relevance, respect, and recognition, even while engaged in all activities at the centre of God’s will. Unfortunately, believers are readily tempted to beg...

  “ The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, Both small and great.” Psalms 115 : 12 - 13 NKJV When the scriptures say the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it implies that wisdom is one of the blessings or the fruitfulness of the fear of the Lord. Unlike the non-renewable blessings of this world’s fruitless fear, other blessings of the fruitful fear include peace of mind, sound and sweet satisfaction, sustainable empowerment, etc. The fear of earthly benefactors can only enforce the depletion of resource from the poor and the undiscerning few to promote the empowerment of the rich and the popular others. This is definitely a fruitless and non-renewable supply of benefits. Whereas, the fruitful fear of the Lord demands believers’ confidence in God, through a faithful sacrifice of time, talents and treasures as a seed on a divinely-cultivated ground. Whe...

  “ Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you. ”” Jeremiah 1 : 8 , 19 NKJV There is something phenomenal about fretful faces. They feed on the fears of supposedly fearless people, but get suffocated and frustrated by sincerely fearless people. But like the call of Jeremiah, God’s people are called to be fearless people at all times, through all shades, and in all spaces related outside the glory of God. Faith in the calling of God and the pursuit of His glory are clearly sufficient basis for believers’ fearlessness. Unfortunately, the presence of fretful faces often intimidates supposedly fearless people because they are readily distracted from God’s agenda and the pursuit of His glory. Whereas, the frustrations of fretful faces are too overbearing for them to cope with, if fearless people are sufficiently undistracted. ...

  “ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1 : 9 - 11 NKJV From the woesome reference to “ Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine ( Proverbs 23 : 30 )”comes the understanding that winery is only meant for the production of intoxicating drinks. Yet, Apostle Paul says what if the intoxicating drinks are the fruits of righteousness? Our world is not relenting on its constant innovation with intoxicating darkness, wickedness, corruption, deceits, and all forms of unrighteousness. As long as the pursuits of position, prestige, promotion, and prosperity depend on collaboration with these woesome indices, where would any canal man get the courage to confront th...

  “ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand .” Ephesians 6 : 11 - 13 NKJV Curious about the possible lessons from last Saturday’s knockout of Anthony Joshua by Daniel Dubois, a pre-fight face-off analysis and post-fight review of boxing techniques reveal underestimation on the part of Joshua and unquenchable anger on the part of Daniel. While the former appears unprepared, the latter came to the ring with his full armour ready to slay the reigning king. Likewise, spiritual battles in life require consistent putting on and courageous taking up of the wholesome armour of God against the wiles of the enemies, inc...

  “ Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord! Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord! ” Psalms 113 : 1 , 5 - 6 , 9 NKJV The praise of the Lord God by His children, amidst all arrogant posturing in life’s affairs, is a rewarding and sacred service. Little wonder the first commandment to the redeemed children of Israel is the reverence of God and a dissociation from all other gods. Notwithstanding, a pleasing praise has always been a challenging and discouraging service offering in believers’ journey of faith. How do we seem to consistently live to worship God in the midst of (1) persistent newsflash of the wicked activities in the world, (2) redundant radiance of the import of righteousness amidst believers in God, and (3) dullness of empirical manifestations of the won...

  “ Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. ” Psalms 112 : 4 - 5 NKJV Goodness defined by the distribution of goods is not sustainable, because goods are exhaustible. In the absence of goods at home, within the neighbourhood, and in a toxic environment or society, it is understandable why goodness is scarce. Whereas, true goodness emanates from the distribution of grace: “ Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness“ . While those who haven’t found grace can distribute goods for political and socioeconomic reasons; but even in the blackness of darkness, grace has found love, compassion, and righteousness very expedient in all its relationships. Therefore, goodness is the actual distribution of God by a good man, who has found grace in the presence of a gracious God; aliens to the courtyard of grace can only distribute goods...