Պարսպից չեմ իջնելու

 

 (Նեեմիա 6:3)

Վերանորոգման աշխատանք եմ սկսել,

Սանաբաղատն ու Տուբիան ինձ չեն կարող շեղել,

Բազմիցս եմ նրանց հրավերը մերժել,

Մտադիր եմ աղոթքիս պարիսպը նորոգել:

 

Չեմ ուզում որ աշխատանքս դադարի,

Որովհետև մեծ գործով եմ զբաղված,

Ոչ մի հրավեր ինձ չի հրապուրի,

Աստծո գործին մասնակցելու եմ կանչված:

 

Գիտեմ, թշնամին փորձելու է  ինձ նորից կանչել

Բայց ես նույն պատասխանն եմ ամեն անգամ տալու,

«Չեմ իջնի իմ պարսպից, շարունակելու եմ նորոգել»,

Իմ պատասխանը երբեք չի փոխվելու: 

 

Չեմ վախենա նրանց սպառնալիքներից,

Տերն է իմ ձեռքերը զորացնում,

Չեմ խաբվի նրանց խորամանկ հնարքներից,

Նորոգման գործս Նա  է առաջնորդում:

 

Մինչ կառուցում եմ, պատերազմը չի դադարում,

Մի ձեռքումս ծեփիչն է, մյուսով  Հոգու սուրն եմ պահում,

Հավատքով ու աղոթքով պարիսպս եմ ամրացնում,

Ամենազոր Տերն է աշխատանքս հսկում:

 

Այս գործը Նա է սկսել, Նա էլ կավարտի,

Թշնամու ջանքը իզուր կլինի,

«Սանաբաղատի» ձայնը մի օր կլռի,

Աղոթքիս պարիսպը ամուր կկանգնի:

13.08.25

Spiritual Workout : Faith Fitness in Fellowship

 Day 7
Faith Fitness in Fellowship
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Spiritual workouts are effective not only when exercising alone, but also in the  group with other persons who want to be trained in godliness.  Just as physical training becomes more effective in a group—with a coach to guide and peers to encourage—so also spiritual growth flourishes in the fellowship of believers.

A personal study of the Bible is helpful, and fellowship  with God's children is more effective because we learn from each other. Prayer is necessary both alone and in group. To learn to pray, I should  pray both alone and with other christians. It is necessary to resist the temptation of sin, and  it will be even easier when we hear the testimony of people who have overcome the same temptation, and when they pray for us to overcome. The original Church knew the importance of Christian fellowship (Acts 2:42, 46).

God’s Word urges us not to neglect meeting together, but to encourage and exhort one another—especially as we see the Day of Christ drawing near (Hebrews 10:25). Fellowship is not optional for those training in godliness.

We are called to:

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)

Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

Pray for one another (James 5:16)

Instruct one another (Romans 15:14)

Serve one another with our spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10)

When God works in our lives, He teaches His Word, delivers us from sin, and we testify about these things,  we strengthen our faith and  the faith of our listeners. Remembering the promises of the Lord trains our faith, reminding others of His promises trains the faith of all of us. The hope of the coming of our Lord helps us to be patient, watchful, and sanctified, and when we talk about it with the children of God, we all wake up and strive to be sanctified.

Therefore he who practices godliness does not train alone, but with other Christians. Christian fellowship is a must. If I want to have a progress in sanctification, I must first have communion with the Holy One, my Lord, and also with the sanctified ones, His children. In order to become a prayer warrior, I must not only persevere in the habit of prayer, but also have prayerful friends. A Christian girl should surround herself with the daughters of God.

The church is  a spiritual gym for us to train in godliness.

Fitness Parallels

·         Team Drills:
Just as gym partners prevent injury, believers “spot” one another—lifting each other’s burdens, correcting form in love, and stepping in when someone’s faith grows weary (Galatians 6:2).

·         Group HIIT:
Prayer circles are spiritual High-Intensity Interval Training—bursts of intercession and agreement that ignite collective faith (Matthew 18:20).

·         Cool-Down Circle:
Testimonies are like post-workout protein shakes—rich in spiritual nutrients that restore hope and rebuild weary hearts.

·         Church as Gym:
The local church is God's fitness center: pastors serve as coaches who help us correct our form, fellow believers cheer us on, and the Holy Spirit is our ever-present Trainer (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Topical meditation

May 31st, 2020

 

Spiritual Workout : Voices lifted, Spirits trained

 

 Day 6
Voices lifted, Spirits trained

Singing is not only an exercise for singers to train their voices, but also a spiritual exercise for those who want to train in godliness. If the song is based on scriptures and praises God, exhorts the children of God, then it can train in godliness.

Singing praise trains gratitude in the heart, brings joy, reminds us of the Lord's love, mercy, His great deeds, reminds us of God's Word, helps to exhort, encourage God's children.

’’Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord’’. Colossians 3:16

The spiritual song teaches, exhorts and encourages to trust in God , to be thankful, to live a holy life, to pray. Singing the song "Sweet hour of prayer" is an exercise for the spirit of prayer. He who sings with all his heart  "Trust and obey" will learn to trust and obey God. He who sings "Only believe" exhorts not only listeners to believe in God, but also himself. He who sings ‘’Nearer my God to Thee’’,  longs for holiness and God’s presence and encourages the listeners to do the same. The song which is inspired of Spirit,  is a spiritual workout  for those who sing it heartfully.

Topical meditation

May 30^th 2020

Spiritual Workout: Self-Examination – Strength Training for Character

 

 Day 5
 Self-Examination – Strength Training for Character
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5

Self-examination is a vital part of our daily spiritual workout. Just as physical strength training develops muscles, self-examination builds character and spiritual strength.

I must regularly examine my actions, thoughts, motivations, goals, words, habits, and even how I spend my leisure time. But this is not a casual glance—it must be done in the light of God's Word, with sincerity, reverence, and a willingness to change.

Self-examination protects us from hypocrisy, pride, and spiritual carelessness. When I honestly confront my sins and weaknesses, it leads to repentance, humbles me, stirs a desire to change, and deepens my prayers. It teaches me to forgive others more easily, to flee from temptation, and to stay alert spiritually.

When I discover growth and progress through self-examination, it strengthens my faith, fuels my gratitude, and increases my joy.

Self-examination also helps us detect the enemy’s traps and avoid them. It renews our minds by identifying harmful patterns of thinking and replacing them with God’s truth.

So, self-examination is a necessity.

 Fitness Parallels

Mirror Drill:
Just as athletes check their form in a mirror, we must examine ourselves through the mirror of Scripture (James 1:23–25).
▪ Spot Your Form: Compare your thoughts and motives to God’s Word.
▪ Correct Imbalances: Repentance is like dropping pride to lift humility.
▪ Isolate Weak Areas: Identify one sin and do focused “repentance reps.”

Flexibility Parallel:
Stretching prevents injury; humility prevents hardening. When God reveals sin, surrender stretches us toward grace, keeping our hearts soft and responsive to Him.

 Reflection
▪ What did I notice about my inner life today when I looked through Scripture’s mirror?
▪ Is there a “weak muscle” in my character that needs focused training in repentance and renewal?

Topical meditation

 May 29th, 2025

Spiritual Workout : Scripture - Feast and Fitness

 

 Day 4

Scripture : Feast and Fitness

The study of the Bible is both spiritual nourishment and active training—it feeds us like a meal and drills us like a workout.

Just as athletes must eat healthy food to stay strong, those who pursue godliness must be nourished by God’s Word. Scripture is the soul’s diet, giving us strength, clarity, and endurance. Reflecting on the Word of God is a powerful exercise: it builds faith (Romans 10:17), trains discernment, imparts wisdom, and fills us with joy—and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

God’s Word also shapes our prayers. When we read His commandments, we pray for obedience. When we read His promises, we pray to trust and receive them. When we read of godly lives, we ask to live likewise. When we read of sin, we pray for protection and purity. When we read about God’s mighty works, mercy, and love, our hearts are stirred to praise and thanksgiving.

So, if I want to have a trained faith, joy, discernment, a spirit of prayer, I will meditate on God's Word every day.

Fitness Parallels

Feast:
Scripture is a banquet for the soul—feeding us with joy (Nehemiah 8:10), wisdom (Psalm 119:130), and conviction (Hebrews 4:12).

Fitness:
But it is also a spiritual gym—where meditation “reps” develop discernment, build faith, and strengthens the spirit of prayer.

Bible “Macros”:

Protein: Truths that strengthen (Psalm 119:28)

Carbs: Promises that energize (Isaiah 40:31)

Vitamins: Words that protect from sin (Psalm 119:11)

Just as athletes need both fuel and exercise, God’s Word feeds and trains us. Psalm 119:11, for example, has been my soul’s feast and faith’s drill: it nourishes my love for God while helping me to resist sin. When temptation comes, this verse is like a resistance band for my soul—helping me stand firm and walk in holiness.

What verse has been both your meal and your workout this week?

Reflection:

How has God’s Word acted as "spiritual protein" in my life this week?

What "junk food" (distractions) compete with my Scripture intake?

Topical meditation

May 28^th, 2020

Spiritual Workout : Prayer – Cardio for the Heart, Weights for the Will

 

 Day 3

Prayer – Cardio for the Heart, Weights for the Will

One way to practice godliness is to pray. Prayer is an exercise for the spirit. Through prayer we communicate with God and receive strength, we get rid of anxiety, of negative thoughts and feelings, we think about the things which are above, and therefore we train the mind. Through prayer we receive peace and joy. Waiting for the answer to prayer trains patience, getting the answer trains faith, praying for others trains love. Regular prayer teaches us to strive, to be disciplined, to get rid of laziness. So by praying we can train our mind, our patience, our faith, our love, become disciplined, diligent, peaceful, joyful.

Prayer is both cardio and strength training for the soul: it pumps faith through our spiritual veins (like cardio), and it builds perseverance to endure life’s weights (like strength training).

Exercise is a repetitive act designed to develop skill and strength. Just as language learners must practice beyond knowing grammar rules, and musicians spend hours repeating scales and pieces, so too must we practice prayer. No one makes progress in the spiritual life without regular time spent in prayer. To make prayer a true spiritual workout, I should aim to pray consistently building spiritual endurance over time.

Fitness Parallels

1. Spiritual Cardio: Just as running floods the body with oxygen, prayer floods our soul with God’s presence—flushing out anxiety (Phil. 4:6-7) and pumping in peace.
2. Resistance Training: Each prayer for others is a "love rep"—strengthening our compassion muscles (Col. 1:9-10).
3. Flexibility Drills: Waiting on God’s timing stretches our trust, keeping us agile in His will.

 Reflection:
• Do I view prayer as essential spiritual training or just a religious duty?
• How can I build a regular, disciplined rhythm of prayer into my daily life?
• In what area—faith, patience, love—do I most need spiritual growth through prayer?

Topical meditation

 May 27th, 2020

Spiritual Workout : The Discipline of Reps and Routine

 

 Day 2
The Discipline of Reps and Routine

Every workout program requires effort, discipline, consistency, perseverance, and patience.

The same is true for the spiritual workout. No one becomes an athlete in a single day—it’s a gradual process. So it is with the spiritual life. You can’t achieve perfection in one day; it’s something you pursue throughout your entire life.

Just as articles with headlines like “Easy Way to Lose Weight” or “One Minute to Build Muscle” are misleading, so are spiritual shortcuts like “Three Easy Steps to Holiness” or “One Week to Godliness.” There will never come a day when I can say, “Finally, I’ve reached holiness. I no longer need to make an effort or train myself.”

Athletes train daily to succeed. The spiritual athlete must also train himself daily in godliness. Just as physical workouts should gradually increase in intensity, so should our spiritual training. A brother once advised those struggling to pray to begin with just ten minutes a day. A person who has never developed the habit of prayer won’t suddenly be able to pray for an hour. But the one who perseveres in prayer will grow into deeper and longer communion with God.

So—regularity, discipline, and effort are essential.

Topical meditation

May 26^th, 2020

Spiritual Workout :The Spiritual Fitness Plan

 

Day 1

Warm-Up – Setting Your Spiritual Goals

The Spiritual Fitness Plan

"Exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7)

This week, I meditate on training in godliness. To run the race of faith well (Hebrews 12:1), I must be spiritually fit—strong, enduring, and disciplined. Just as an athlete wouldn’t say, “I want to be strong but refuse to lift weights,” it’s foolish to say, “I want godliness but won’t train for it.”

The apostle Paul uses athletic language: the Greek word “gymnaze” (γύμναζε) means to train like a gymnast.  Bodily exercise has temporary benefits, but godliness strengthens us for eternity (1 Timothy 4:8).

Just as athletes warm up before a race, we prepare our hearts for spiritual training. No one expects to run a marathon without preparation—why would we expect godliness without discipline?

The Spiritual Fitness Plan

1. Cardio for the Heart: Just as cardio conditions the physical heart, prayer and worship strengthen our spiritual heart—pumping faith through every challenge.  
2. Strength Training: Resistance builds muscle. Likewise, resisting sin and standing firm in truth (James 4:7) develop "spiritual muscles."
3. Flexibility: A stiff body injures easily. Surrendering to God’s will (Proverbs 3:5-6) keeps our souls agile in life’s twists.

Godliness is reverence, obedience, and trust—a full-body workout for the soul. It reduces stress (faith), boosts joy (endurance), and renews the mind (flexibility). Let’s train for it!

Reflection:

• What’s my weakest area: spiritual cardio (prayer), strength (resisting sin), or flexibility (trust)?

·         What distractions (laziness, excuses ) hinder my training?

• How can I mirror an athlete’s discipline today?

Topical meditation

May 25^th, 2020