Heralds Digest

  “ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. ”” I Peter 2 : 5 - 6 NKJV Suffering and shame from times immemorial have been useful tools in the hands of the enemies for the destruction of homes, families and institutions. Unfortunately, careless believers often joined the agents of darkness to play politics with these tools. And in times of genocide, ethnic and religious cleansing, banditry, immorality, etc, the undiscerning will often send out the query “ Where is God? ”. Just as Jesus Christ became the Chief Cornerstone of our salvation through suffering, true believers are designed to be God’s living stones through their engagements and perseverance in seasons of suffering. Therefore, the right...

  “ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” I Peter 1 : 13 NKJV By cross referencing the holy hope in the Epistle by Apostle Peter with the humiliating hope in Proverbs 13:12 “ Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life ”, it implies that believers are called to always deal with unholy agitations in their quest for excellence, breakthrough and general accomplishment in life. If the priority in our relationship and engagement in life is the revelation of Jesus Christ, it would be possible to remain unperturbed by the manifestations of moveable stuff and agenda in our world. As long as any believer’s hope is powered by the true Sun and Shield that gives grace and glory, his holy hope can never ever lead to humiliation and depression. Unfortunately, when believers shift their hope away from the revelation of Jesus Christ into p...

  “ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ” James 5 : 7 - 8 NKJV Besides the blissful peace of paradise, practising the presence of the Lord in all of this life’s endeavours is priceless. Unfortunately, hearts often ache at either the absence or insufficiency of material prosperity, social relevance, and political recognition; and would readily sacrifice waiting upon the Lord at the altar of these perilous presence. Therefore, believers’ hearts need consistent feeding on the promises of the Lord for development of courage and perseverance in moments of emotional instability. Thereafter, the hearts must pray consistently to get the hearts to wait patiently for the fulfillment of these promises. Obviously, without faith in the Lord primarily, it ...

  “ Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him .” Proverbs 28 : 15 - 17 NKJV Leaders who oversee the spates of insecurity, instability, and injustices are often passionate about their investments into tenure elongation, political maneuvering, and social propaganda. While these ungodly regimes will no doubt attract unpleasant suffering and oppression of the poor, the zoo-like social and economic landscape do not always present our loose and corrupt leaders with prolonged prosperity. The scriptures say the dilemma of all misguided leaders is caused by their ignorance and lack of understanding. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has showered almost all developing nations and economies with corrupt and sit-tight leaders, diverting state resources into hedging out threats to prolon...

  “ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ” James 3 : 17 - 18 NKJV Just as light shines on darkness for celebration of illumination, the wisdom from above is meant to enlighten the wicked wisdom of this world. When Jesus says ‘I am the Way’ , it implies that relationship with Jesus is meant to offer the perfect wisdom of coordination in our wicked, self-centred and wayward world. That the world is broken and disconnected from the understanding of God is not news. What is always news is the righteous’ misrepresentation of the wise way in our wicked world. Therefore, God is more concerned about believers who are disconnected from the wise way than unbelievers who are creatively connected to wickedness. There is always a wise way out of the wickedness at home, workplaces, neighbourhood,...

  “ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.” Psalms 128 : 3 - 5 NKJV When the scriptures say “ The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant ( Psalms 25 : 14 )”, it laid the foundation of the only fruitful fear in this life. Other types of fear are slavish, selfish, and satanic. For example, the fear of prosperity, protection and preservation of family members make many people to bow down to stranger altars that eventually bind them into satanic covenants. Whereas, believers’ wives and children are part of the heritage of the Lord, fully covered under the new covenant. As long as we obey the commandments of the Lord, we and our families are completely free from slavish, selfish, and satanic fear; b...

  “ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ” James 1 : 3 - 4 NKJV If only perfect patience produces perfect personality, imperfect patience is deficient in the grace to let God have His way completely. Like a litmus test on the character of anyone who claims a relationship with God, the challenges of life are simply the testing of this claim. Godliness demands trust in God, endures trials around God, resist temptation against God, controls tongue for God, and administers turn of people toward God. Invariably, patience with the challenges of life is the perfect internship or school for the experiencing of God. Therefore, anyone who is genuinely enrolled in the school for perfect patience is always grateful for all the perfect works and deliverables from all the elements of imposition, impatience and imperfection in the curriculum. Godliness is always focussed on ...