Heralds Digest

  “ He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28 : 25 - 26 NKJV The primary ignorance of self defense in life is a vain trust in the potency of personal plan and agenda. The pursuit of personal agenda at home, workplaces and social relationships creates an imaginary throne room in parenting, project management, and operational principles for the worship of self. Unfortunately, the protection of this imaginary throne room from invasion often leads the hearts into vices and crimes, ungodly associations and secret cults. Whereas, the scriptures called those who trust in castles built by their own hearts fools because they voluntarily relinquished the real throne room provided by God for imaginary throne rooms. When we absolutely trust in God, there would be no need to scheme for anything in all of life’s engagements. The secret things o...

  “ 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...