Heralds Digest

  “ But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ” Matthew 9 : 34 - 35 NKJV The rot in material success, political sagacity, and professional development has nothing to do with the ends, but the means. Good success as the end follows the scriptural principles, while bad success does not care about the means that lead to great fortune, glamorous fame, and gorgeous fashion. Whereas, the scriptures is littered with several examples of the signpost to marital success (Genesis 24:6-7), ministerial accomplishment (Matthew 9:34-35), political sagacity (Genesis 39:2-3), administrative skills (Joshua 1:8), and business development (Genesis 26:2-3), like Abraham, Jesus, Joshua, Joseph, and Isaac, respectively among many others. Unfortunately, Satan has always offered a distracting s...

  “ And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm .” Matthew 8 : 24 - 26 NKJV Despite the fact that fretful faith is better than zero faith, it denies believers the privileges of the presence of Christ - the embodiment of the fullness of God. Like the disciples of Christ experienced the roaring of the stormy sea against their obedience to cross over to the other side of the sea for divine assignment, we had a glimpse of the terror of little faith yesterday when our flight from Orlando to Newark was caught up by a fearsome turbulence. I could hear and feel thunderous variants of “ Lord, save us! We are perishing!”. Obviously, it is important to note that fretful faith could call on God fo...

  ““ Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ” Matthew 7 : 24 - 25 NKJV Yesterday’s visit to the Kennedy Space Center was definitely more than a side attraction.  Beyond the amazing revelations of the beauty of exploration touring through the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Heroes & Legends, IMAX, and the Universe Theatre, the simulation experience at the Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex offered a glimpse into the unforgettable wonders of God, the intelligent designer of the universe. Little wonder one of the visitors during our session at the Universe Theatre’s astronaut encounter with the veteran Julie  Payette was forced to ask ‘are there evidence of aliens during the astronaut’s space mission experiences?’ , and ‘are these wonders created or jus...

  “ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” ” Genesis 18 : 14 NKJV Just as the words of kings shape kingdoms, and the words of presidents govern policies in nations, the words of God establish activities both in heaven and on the earth. Notwithstanding, life is defined by seemingly impossible situations, apparently irretrievable breakdown in relationships, and almost impossible challenges or circumstances beyond the capabilities of kings and presidents. For Abraham and Sarah, old age and the breakdown or expiration of the natural law of childbearing spelt ‘impossibility’ to their abilities to crack. The reality in the faith circles is that it is easier to provide a positive affirmation to the question “ Is anything too hard for the Lord? “, than living out the rhetoric. Just as Abraham and Sarah laughed within their hearts to the possibility of childbearing at old age, believers ca...

  “ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. ” Matthew 5 : 46 - 48 NKJV Isn’t it true that those who hate are in dare need of love? Hatred and hostility are true reflection of the absence of the influence of the God of mercy. And when the natural response to hate and hostility invites the extension of hate and hostility, the absence of the influence of the God of mercy is promoted. Whereas, believers are called to be the reflection of the God of mercy in our day-to-day social lifestyle, work engagements and family relationships. Therefore, mercy mirror extends the mercy of God to all, including the haters and hostility drivers, for the exhibition of the God of mercy. “ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect ...

  “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” Psalms 5 : 3 NKJV Human response to  a reliable SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats) analysis on life’s project depends on personal perspectives. For example, Abram and Lot responded differently over the land distribution project in Canaan. Now the benefit of scriptural hindsight, where Lot’s assessment depended on a reliable SWOT analysis, teaches that healthy help is not always a holy help. Since God is always the source of every believer’s holy help, it is understandable why the psalmist cried “ My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You “. Therefore, each day in the New Year must start with the Lord, in order to avoid hasty generalization in project meetings, business propositions, partnerships and residency. It is better to align the outcome of SWOT analysis within the premises of divine guidance, t...

  “ Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer .” Psalms 4 : 1 NKJV Thank God for the first Sunday or Sabbath in the New Year. What a day of rest! Without prejudice to those who are necessarily, or by emergency, must work today, the rest from the Lord is not in the day; but the true rest is in the Lord, who gives righteousness to His people by His grace. Even in the deepest of distress, the psalmist found rest in the God of his righteousness. It implies that rest is not in the absence of hostility, but in the presence of the Holy God in the heart of His redeemed. When He said ‘Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ’, He meant restful righteousness. Therefore, before you list stuffs on the covenant slip for the New Year, let restful righteousness top the list. When you truly find restful righteousness, you become completely blessed by the Lord to enjoy the best of ...