Heralds Digest

  “ O Israel, trust thou 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. Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: He is their help and their shield .” Psalm 115 : 9 - 11 KJV Those whose motivations in decision making are wired by facts and figures spend so much resources in intelligent gatherings. Career, business empires, corporate vision and national development for success and breakthrough in life have been built on the basis of facts and figures, especially when these dreams are not negatively confronted by opposing forces. Unfortunately, every successful accomplishment in life erects an imaginary god that demands worship, allegiance, and dedication; and thereby creating uninvited rivalry between different gods with diverse interests. But there is a God in Heaven, who knows the end of everyone He has created from his beginning. Anyone who trusts absolutely in God has nothing to fear; “ He is their help a...

  “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.” Philippians 1 : 25 - 26 KJV Birthday celebration comes with a balanced wish of long life and prosperity for a purpose. This is because everyone understands that long life without prosperity is synonymous to life imprisonment. Long life with restriction to impactful living is like the exercise of a furtherance of faith without appreciable fun to anyone around. Even though Apostle Paul was alive in the prison, his impactful living was evident to the Philippians outside the prison walls: “ And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again”. Had he lived in today’s age of social media and network connectivity, the imp...

  “ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil .” Ephesians 6 : 10 - 11 KJV Those who have expressed the gruesome exercise of human strength are mostly cautious when relating with the delight of principalities in their workplace engagements. For example, Nebuchadnezzar could cast anyone into the lion’s den and the burning fiery furnace; and nothing else on this earth would stop him. When anyone is strong in the power of their associates’ armour and strength, it takes the grace of God to trust in another deliverer’s ability. Whereas, the whole amour of God is greatly superior to the combined harassment of the wicked. The full armour consists of the believer's trust in God, and without reference to his natural strength or the lack of it. Definitely, it is built with truth, righteousness, faith, word of God, and prayer. Unfortunately, a look at some associates...

  “ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. ” Ephesians 5 : 8 - 10 KJV The people’s light comes with different kinds of colours. Sometimes, the spectrum of the people’s colour reflects gender, religious affiliation, ethnicity, political party or interests, business advantages, etc. Even in our churches and assemblies of the redeemed children of God, there are shades of grey with perspectives on issues of life and relationships. Unfortunately, Apostle Paul and the spirit of the Lord confronted believers with the necessity to always reflect the Lord’s light, rather than the people’s light. “ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: “ implies that believers are redeemed by the grace of God to never reflect societal influences or sentiments. Sentiments on the bas...

  “ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour .” Ephesians 5 : 1 - 2 KJV Until love transitions from being an act to a lifestyle, it cannot cease from feeding on the acts of others. Invariably, no one can be free from the influence of envy, wickedness, bitterness, and malice in our world, until he is able to respond to the gracious admonition of love without reservation to “ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us “. Christ is every believer’s model of love, who “ hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour ” without taking anything in return. Unfortunately, an act of love in the family, workplace, and societal relationships feeds on the law of reciprocity; and it becomes easily offended or withdrawn when starved. However, a love l...

  “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4 : 1 - 3 KJV Just as increase in knowledge and technological advancement in these latter days are breathing international conflicts, war, and social disorder, empowerment of members of family, community, and society is sometimes dreaded as the source of discontentment, disunity and disorderliness. Even in the household of faith, like in the Ephesian church with the expression of diverse spiritual gifts, believers must endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Otherwise, the common practice would be the censorship of members’ charisma and spiritual vibrancy into the courtyard of malice, bitterness, and envy. Unfortunately, while many believers readily flow with the concept of their cal...

  “ that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God .” Ephesians 3 : 16 - 19 KJV The basic principle of earthing or grounding buildings with their foundations is readily instructive. By grounding with copper wires or thunder arrestor, these buildings or valuable installations within the building envelope are spared the havoc of electrical shocks, damages, and destruction due to thunder strikes. Life experiences, exposures, and expectations can sometimes act like thunder strikes; and only those who are securely grounded in the love of Christ can stand straight and strong in moments of emotional shocks, damages, a...