Heralds Digest

  “ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2 : 8 - 10 NKJV The problem of religion without relationship with Christ has always queried the essence of grace in the minds of people. Most often, aliens to the household of faith have proven to be made of higher moral standards, compared to those who claimed to be stakeholders in churches. Apparently, religious practices have the huge potential of offering a cheat charge in the minds of those who solely run the race with them. When Apostle Paul admonished the brethren at Colosse on the benefit of a complete charge in Christ, the sophistication of principalities and powers in the church then would be less than those in our days. Whenever the tradition of ...

  “ For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2 : 1 - 3 NKJV Jesus Christ being the Way, the Truth, and the Life suggests that truth is one of the treasures in every believer’s relationship with God. Conversely, the absence of truth in any believer’s actions and dealings is clear evidence of being alienated from Christ. The truth has never been based on the appearance of things, events and circumstances, but on the revelation of Christ and His abiding presence at any time and in every moment. Even though the brethren in Colosse haven’t seen Apostle Paul physically, due to his incarceration and discouraging af...

  “ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”  Colossians 1 : 10 NKJV Artificial intelligence overview has it that the rate of human knowledge growth is exponentially, transitioning from doubling every century to doubling every 13 months. Unfortunately due to digital technologies, internet of things (IoT), data capture, processing, and collaborative sharing, things made by the blessings of God are rubbing the people of God of the knowledge of God. Actually, the human minds embarked on wasteful walks, like robots, when the hearts become devoid of every good work and decreasing in the knowledge of God. Therefore, every home, assembly, and institution needs spiritual anchor on men with bended knees, like Apostle Paul, who will not cease to pray and ask for every believer’s worthy walks “ that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ( Colo...

  “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4 : 6 - 7 NKJV The difference between peace from God and the referenced peace of God here is simply the difference between gift from God and God as the gift. Since the state of human anxiety is ruled by its desperate needs, the enemies’ strategy of engagement is often dictated by a careful needs assessment. It implies that anyone who derives accomplishment in the provision of needs is an easy prey in the hands of manipulators. Even God is not readily delighted in those who derive contentment in His supply of their needs, like the children of Israel in the wilderness. They will always murmur and pursue strange gods and idols at any slightest opportunity. Therefore, the secret of contentment and perfect peace is simply “ Be an...

  “ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 3 : 12 , 14 NKJV While personal purpose and ambitions change with time and interest, God’s purpose for each of His children never change. Unfortunately, lack of vision and revelation from God makes restrictions out of men’s personal purpose and ambitions in life. Although we often cry fouls to fellow men’s actions and inaction as agents of discomfort, discouragement, depression and disappointment, the overriding factor for human underperformance in God’s economy is the lack of vision and revelation from God. Vision and revelation from God influence every man’s marching orders. Therefore, in spite of the opposition, challenges and fellowship of suffering in the ministry of Apostle Paul, we will discover vision and revelation as the s...

  “ Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the Lord our God Is the salvation of Israel.” Jeremiah 3 : 23 NKJV The reason why the productivity level of any state is determined by the government policies and programmes for the youth is obvious. The youth bracket carries the labour force for either usefulness or wastefulness. Therefore, the scriptural admonition for usefulness in life for any youth remains “ 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 )”. Invariably, the sum total of the usefulness of human engagement in life is measured by every believer’s devotion to divine guidance. Many lords, superiors, colleagues and companions will often attempt to take the driver seat of control or manipulation in life’s affairs and devotion; the wholesome works of the King of kings and the Lord of lo...

  “O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.” Psalms 115 : 9 - 11 NKJV Evidently, those who flip and flop along the path of uprightness failed to understand ‘what and who’ is God. This is the reason why the psalmist had to say repeatedly to Israel and the house of Aaron ‘trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield’. Even today, believer’s uprightness is limited by a trust in material provisions, momentary promotion, and motionless prosperity. While these mindless help and assistance are mere currencies for human convenience, they often expose the hearts to corruption and conflagration before the Almighty God. Invariably, those who ply the highway of materialism may pretend to love God rhetorically, they clearly understand their fallen state of idolatry. Whereas, the true God is both a Sun and a Shiel...