Heralds Digest

  “ Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. ” Mark 9 : 5 - 6 NKJV The exclamation of Peter at the mount of transfiguration in the New Testament, and the experience of Moses with the overhanging clouds of glory at the tent of Tabernacle in the Old Testament, shows that the presence of God always comes with the realms of awe. Even today, when believers practice the presence of God in their relationships with people and their engagement with work assignments, the glory of God is made to hover and shine with greater amazement than the mundane glories of wealth, status and position. When Peter said to Jesus “ Rabbi, it is good for us to be here“ , he wasn’t courting the presence of Jesus because of His position as Rabbi. He knew so well how the status of Jesus as Rabbi does readily intimidate the scr...

  “ Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly .” Mark 8 : 22 - 25   It makes all sense for any man to give up a contest for the touch of love and affection to women in the family. Even the scriptures attest to the uniqueness of mothers’ touch when it says “ Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? ( Isaiah 49 : 15 )”. Notwithstanding, the fundamental principle of true touch is the sacrificial love and the loss of self in service rendering. True touch must make a difference or impression in the touch substrate. For example, when the touch of Jesus first made the...

  “ But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side .” Mark 8 : 12 - 13 NKJV Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit in response to the Pharisees’ dispute over outstanding manifestations of the work of faith; and He would probably do more than sigh today over many people’s fact-finding disposition to the move of God in their lives and circumstances. Unfortunately, believers today do not see their signs because of their lack of faith in God, coupled with their absolute disdain for scriptural and convincing revelations of His will. Whereas, what the Lord requires from everyone is just a little faith, without which it is absolutely impossible to please God. With just a little faith to seek the Saviour, rather than seeking a sign, we stand the chance to see the wonders of God in our lives, family, work, and m...

  “ The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. ” Psalms 25 : 14 - 15 NKJV Loyalty is built on covenant relationship; and those who are attracted by the sacred eggs from the altar of the devil should not be confused about their covenant relationship with the kingdom of darkness. Unfortunately, it does seem that carnal minds and compromisers are a bunch of deceived folks, who pledge their loyalty to the devil without understanding the eternal consequences of their relationship with doom and darkness. Whereas, every relationship of the redeemed with the Lord, through His words, reveals the sufficient secret of God’s clear covenant of peace, purity, and power. The fear of the Lord is the expression of the believer's loyalty to His revealed will and counsel; and the evidence of the believer's intimate relationship with the Lord is the revelation of His clear co...

  “ Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat .” Mark 6 : 30 - 31   Life’s performance metrics often appear to go by the quantity of mental or physical activities. The apostles had returned from the field with their proud accounts of “all things, both what they had done and what they had taught”, expecting the normal commendation. And while the commendation on life’s excellent performance, great administrative capabilities, and great resource management skills is really not out of place, Jesus’ emphasis on quiet time as life’s victorious virtue is more profound. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while”. By always doing otherwise is tantamount to running life completely with a show of mechanical skills, h...

  “ So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” Mark 6 : 12 - 13 NKJV Life is full of planning practices and ceremonies. Essentially, orderliness and organization are divine traits, especially leading up to godliness. Even in the Old Testament, “ And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them ” takes some significant planning practices and ceaseless ceremonies “ that they may minister to Me as priests ( Exodus 30 : 30 )”. Notwithstanding, the same primary practice is emphasized by Jesus Christ’s engagement of the disciples during His earthly ministry. And if “ So they went out and preached that people should repent“ , Christ’s disciples today are primarily meant to go out…on the streets…to the workplaces…and within the neighborhood and preach that people can repent. Unfortunately, for the want of obedience and misplacement of priorities, the unsafe people in ever...

  “ Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. ” Psalms 24 : 3 - 5 NKJV Like the dedication of Aaron and his sons for the priesthood involves the wearing of holy garments, including the ephod, breastplate and the coat of mail with the engraving ‘Holiness unto the Lord’ , ascending into the hill of the Lord has always been the reserving of cleans hands and a pure heart. It is simply reserving the physical hands for contract signing and report writing in the offices, work and waste distribution in workplaces without hypocrisy, and social engagement with cordial enlightenment, etc, with holiness and righteousness. Unfortunately, many people would not readily see the motivation to ascend into the hills of the Lord, especially when the hearts can assess th...