Heralds Digest

  “ But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way…And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 12 : 31 ; 13:13 NKJV It is not surprising that the most desirable way out of wicked experiences in life is primarily faith, and thereafter hope. Faith prides in its ability to remove the mountains of opposition, oppression, and obstacles to human existence, extension, and enterprise; while hope provides the confidence in the expected relief, no matter how long it takes. Whereas, God often desires an alternative way of setbacks to believers’ expectations because of His nature of love. Intentionally, love suffers long and is kind; does not envy; does not parade nor puff up itself; does not behave rudely; does not seek its own nor get provoked into evil; does not rejoice in iniquities but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; and endures all things…because it is the w...

  “ Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes .” Song of Solomon 2 : 15 There is no doubt that as made in the image of God, we are designed as fruitful branches of the true vine for sweetness, succulence, and sustainable grapes. However, while it is not hard to know that we all need the abiding grafting into the true vine to remain fruitful, it has always been difficult to personally rid off the little foxes that spoil the vines or produce vain vines in life. Just as intimate relationship with God through consistent meditation in His words and prayer provides victorious vines, unequal yokes with worldly standards and compromises promote the production of vain vines. Unfortunately, the little foxes are mostly inconsequential in appearances and appeals of styles, statements, and expressions around the family discussions, social networking, and workplace interactions. Political diplomacy, institutional policy, and cultural respects h...

  “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” II Chronicles 7 : 14 - 15 NKJV “ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place ” suggests the receipt of the reference place of prayer, fully decorated by humility. More than a go-to place or temple for prayer in the Old Testament, the believer's heart is now the temple of God - a desirable place for the worship of God through humility, honour, and holiness. Unfortunately, human invention today has hijacked the hearts and reserved the same as a proud place for hypocrisy, heresies, and hatred. Obviously, a heart that is filled with his own ways and wisdom cannot subject itself to seeking the face of God for help. Whereas, a prayer place is a humble heart reserved for the ...

  “ indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. ” II Chronicles 5 : 13 - 14 NKJV It is instructive to note that God’s glory is not necessarily in the plurality of activities, but rather in the singularity of voices. When the plurality of activities is promoted, competition tears down the unity of purpose in the family, workplaces, and any community with the assembly of people. Imagine the disturbance in a discordant tune that could have emanated from an orchestra with 120 trumpeters, and probably similar numbers of players of cymbals and ...

  “ The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory. ” Psalms 97 : 5 - 6 NKJV The major objective of the enemy in the affairs of God’s elect is the mesmerizing of their brains with whispers of insurmountable mountains, like sickness, failure, disappointment, inferiority complex, etc. And those who pay serious attention to social media, news bulletins, and the threats of bullies are readily scattered, shattered, and shunted. But those who stand like the rock of Gibraltar on the promises of the Lord and at the presence of the Lord often see melting mountains with their heavenly binoculars. Why? The appearances of mountains in this world cannot and haven’t been able to withstand the declarations of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Those whose focus is truly on the worship and service of the great King and Lord are never distracted by the whispers ...

  “ Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:” Ecclesiastes 12 : 1 NKJV It is deception from the pit of hell that often makes people see the dressing days in life as difficult days. As long as there is hope for change and transformation, everyone can always use God’s grace in the dressing days to his advantage. Today gives another opportunity in our dressing days for reflection, repentance and reconciliation with God’s purpose for existence. Therefore, the heart must be prepared to remember and remodel the present challenges, confusion, and calamities as the Creator’s creativity contest with courage. It takes pleasure and courage for anyone to daily dress down life’s difficulties, especially when there is room for improvement and progress. Little wonder it is often said ‘Tough times never last, but tough people do!’. Invariably, tough people only live in dressing days...

  “ Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” Ecclesiastes 7 : 7 , 12 NKJV Knowledge is power, irrespective of the power in focus among the following ascending orders (1) material power; (2) mental power; and (3) inspirational power. While the base knowledge for material power increases wealth, riches, and fame, it readily disposes of its occupiers of decency and decorum, leading the heart into recklessness and insensitivity to the plights of the poor. Likewise, the higher order knowledge for mental power increases wisdom and the intelligence of its occupiers for defense against injustice and oppression. Unfortunately, without the knowledge of God and access to His righteousness, both the material and mental power become a trap for the occupiers’ distraction and destruction. The preacher’s declaration that “ the exce...