Heralds Digest

  “ They were not deprived of their craving; But while their food was still in their mouths, The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice men of Israel. ” Psalms 78 : 30 - 31 NKJV Right from the Old Testament, the futility of human craving for sign and wonders in believers’ relationship with God has been fully established. Unfortunately, the carnal nature and fleshly appeals remain the satisfaction of human needs and the goods in the heads, rather than the pursuit of godliness for the hearts. For example, not until fire was brought down from heaven to consume the sacrifice on the repaired altar, the people cannot respond to Elijah’s invitation to identify the true God. It implies that the cravings in human heart apparently respond to the carnal flow of goods from God. Whereas, Elijah operated with critical conviction on the manifestations of God, even before the fire came down: he mocked the prophets of baals and gathered the peop...

  “ Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.” Acts 17 : 16 NKJV The primary purpose of worldliness is the breeding of settled spirits; but those who must pursue godliness are rather stirred up than get settled down. Either by getting provoked by the Holy Spirit or by getting persecuted by the evil spirit through envy, the penalty for godliness is well laid out. For example, apostle Paul had just narrowly escaped persecution from unbelievers in Berea; but he immediately got arrested by the Holy Spirit on arrival in Athens. It implies that godliness is only possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit in the life, ministry and affairs of true believers, with evident manifestations including (1) conviction against worldliness; (2) confession of waywardness; (3) conversion into watchfulness; (4) consecration for winsomeness; and (5) conservation against wastefulness. When a soul is consistently stirred...

  “ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. ”  Acts 16 : 17 - 18 NKJV Without the help of the Holy Spirit like with Paul, no one can escape the unrighteous followership of the girl with the spirit of divination. Unfortunately, our religious houses and assemblies are filled with unrighteous followership of “ These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation ”-plated prophets, praise-worshipers, pastors and prayer warriors. Obviously, the minds of people who are moved by emotions and appealed by recommendations or rewards are easily manipulated by deceits and unrighteousness. But Paul, greatly annoyed by the unrighteous followership rebuked the evil ...

  “ That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God. ” Psalms 78 : 6 - 8 NKJV It is often said that true success in life and ministry is not measured by the metrics of a leader’s present performances, but by the treatment of the mantle left behind to others. And in our era of social media and advances in the digital age, the burden in this definition of true success for father-Christmas fathers is astronomical. Unlike in the old days of stubborn and rebellious fathers, the burden of godly parenting, Christian discipleship, and professional mentorship are now compounded by three-dimensional space distractions, disobedience by children, discip...

  “ I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.” Psalms 77 : 12 - 14 NKJV The import of psychological and sociological sciences on productive human relationships, family engagements and business partnerships is straightforward. Unlike the destructive narratives of the influence of social media on loneliness in our generation, effective interpersonal relationships and intimate friendliness have saved unnecessary marital, business, and project challenges. Fruitful friendship is built only on godliness and intentional meditation on divine principles and revelation. Whereas, the human heart is easily distracted by the personal pursuit of remedy for its self-centredness, greed, and pride; but a humble heart will always find the right answer to “ Who is so great a God as our God? ” in the sanctuary. Show me you...

  “ So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’ “Known to God from eternity are all His works .” Acts 15 : 17 - 18 NKJV In the word of apostle James, God’s plan of redemption and the evolution of dispensation along the way are pretty known to Him…but the pathway is full of surprises in human intelligence. Unfortunately, the reality of warped works in life’s social, career, and ministerial engagements is driving idolatry and the worship of any known superior intelligence in our world. Whereas, God’s plan of redemption embodies the comprehensive actions and inaction of the human race towards a singular purpose: “ So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord ”. For example, the martyrdom of Stephen by the instigation of Saul, the amazing arrest of Saul and conversion to Paul on his way to Damascus for increasing persecution of saints, and his suffering and surrendering to the cause of pre...

  ““ When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers .” I Kings 8 : 33 - 34 NKJV While reflecting on the projected WWIII of the ongoing Israel-Iran war, it is always cheap for believers to place their sentiment on the biblical covenant of God with the people of Israel without underscoring the condition. It is instructive to note that even king Solomon failed before the end of his reign to keep the terms of a triumphant temple. Therefore believers, irrespective of their current national affiliations and including Israel and Iran, are now the spiritual people of Israel and holders of the divine promise of a triumphant temple. And as rightly emphasized in the New Testament, “ And what agreement has the templ...