"Inscribed Conversations: God's Book of Remembrance

 "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name." - Malachi 3:16

I always write in my notebooks the words of my Lord: His holy commandments, His precious promises, the lessons found in His Word, the sweet meditations on His Word, the goodness and blessings He has bestowed.

How wonderful it is that my Lord also has a 'notebook,' a book of remembrance, wherein He records the conversations of those who fear Him and meditate on His name.

When we talk about His amazing mercy, matchless holiness, great power, unsearchable wisdom, His wonderful works and words, His coming, the blessings we receive, and our answered prayers, those conversations are so pleasing to Him that He not only hears them but also records them in His book of remembrance. Such conversations can only be held by those who fear God and meditate on Him.

Lord, grant me a pure heart filled with Your holy Word so that I may speak in a manner that pleases You, speaking to Your children about Your love, Your word, Your works, speaking for Your glory.

From my diary,

December 31,  2023

Harmony Between God and His People

"And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, 'It is my people:' and they shall say, 'The LORD is my God.'" - Zechariah 13:9

What perfect harmony exists between God and His people, brought through the fire and refined! They call upon His name, and He hears them. He says, "It is My people," and they answer, "The Lord is my God."

This is His people, redeemed by Him, loved with His infinite love, sanctified by the Blood and Word of Christ, safe under His protection. They respond correctly,  they  respond to  God's encouraging word, and declare, "The Lord is our God."

He is our God, the only one worthy of our worship. He is our God, the only one in whom we trust unconditionally. He is our God, the only one in whom we delight, the only one we serve wholeheartedly.

He is the eternal God, whom we will worship and serve forever.

From my diary,

December 30,  2023

 

Seeking God's face

"I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." - Psalm 119:58

God's presence is precious to the psalmist; otherwise, he wouldn't seek it with all his heart. He searches with all his heart, indicating its supreme value to him. He finds nothing better to ask for than God's presence. It's an unwavering desire for him; he will not settle for not having it.

He understands that what he receives is solely due to God's grace, not because he deserves it. He seeks only what is promised in God's Word, not what he has in his imagination. Every promise of God becomes a subject of his prayer.

When I pray for something found in God's Word and carry the desire in my heart to receive it, I will assuredly obtain it.

From my diary,

December 29, 2023

 

Clear Vision, Pure Heart

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me." - Psalm 101:3

This decision of David represents the resolution of every true Christian. Not only should there be no evil in a Christian's heart, life, words, or deeds, but also nothing wicked should be in front of their eyes. To avoid falling into temptation, we must shield our eyes from gazing upon wicked things. Hatred of sin acts as "safety goggles" for our eyes. One who hates sin will not place anything sinful before their eyes. A child of God blocks all pages in their newsfeed that might lead them into temptation, turns off the TV upon encountering something their heart loathes, and refrains from reading anything they wouldn't read with Jesus.

A person who loves holiness and cherishes the Word of God abstains from all appearance of evil and flee from all occasions of temptation. They desire to behold the wonders of God's Word and understand that viewing evil things will damage their eyesight so much that they cannot see the treasures of God's Word.

Recognizing that their heart is the dwelling place of Jesus, a child of God ensures that nothing impure resides in His house. Consequently, they refrain from allowing anything impure into their own house.

 From my diary,

December 28, 2023

Seek the right things

 "Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility." - Zephaniah 2:3

God's Word reminds me again that I often seek things that are not important or necessary. This verse guides whom and what to seek.

Whom shall I seek? The Lord! What should I seek? Righteousness, humility!

It is not possible to look for righteousness and humility elsewhere; I will find them only in the Lord. Therefore, I will seek the Lord and pursue righteousness and humility.

Humility is a treasure to be diligently sought. When seeking something, one does not simply dream of having it; instead, they search everywhere, seek information about it, and carefully examine all possible places where it might be found.

If I sincerely seek humility, every experience will humble me; every temptation will reveal my weaknesses. I will use every opportunity to become more like my Lord. Every scripture will show me my shortcomings, and in every prayer, I will ask the Lord to humble me.

I know the blessings of humility and the promises made to the humble. Thus, I will earnestly seek humility with all my heart.

From my diary,

December 27, 2023

Three deaths

"Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

Here are three deaths associated to sin:

1. We were dead in our sins.

2. Jesus died for our sins.

3. Because of this, we are dead to sin.

There is no happier life than being dead to sin. Sin does not release its servants; only through death can we be freed from its service.

I am dead to sin; I will not be its servant.

From my diary,

December 26, 2023

 

Seeing the Invisible King by faith

"By faith, he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured by seeing Him who is invisible." - Hebrews 11:27

Moses departed from the place of wickedness. He was unafraid of the wicked king because, through faith, he beheld the invisible King. Awareness of God's presence provides courage and strength. In moments of fear, fearlessness becomes possible when you recognize that the victorious Lord is by your side.

Awareness of God's presence acts as a shield against sin.

From my diary,

December 25, 2023

 

True Knowledge, True Freedom, True Disciples

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'” — John 8:31, 32

Jesus spoke about several true things in this verse:

The True Word - The Word of Jesus.

True disciples - those who abide in the true Word of Jesus.

True knowledge - knowing the Truth, which is His Word.

True freedom - It is His Word that frees us from the bondage of sin.

I desire to be among the true disciples and to experience true freedom. To achieve this, I must attain true knowledge—the Word of God—and abide in it.

From my diary,

December 24, 2023

 

We trust, You deliver

"Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them." – Psalm 22:4

If our fathers trusted in God and were not disappointed, if God delivered them, then He delivers all those who trust in Him.

We cannot say, "Our fathers trusted, and You delivered them, we trusted and You didn't deliver us."

It is not possible. If we have done what our fathers did—trusted in God—then we will receive what they received: deliverance.

 From my diary,

December 23, 2023

Chosen by God, Accountable to God

 

“You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” — Amos 3:2

According to human logic, we would think the opposite: the people known by God, God's chosen people, were supposed to be privileged, not punished. However, God's Word is strict with His own people. They will be punished because they are known and chosen by God. If we bear God's name and bring dishonor to His name by our sins, we deserve punishment. If we have received blessings and are ungrateful, we deserve punishment.

 From my diary,

December 22, 2023

CHOOSING EFFORT OVER INSIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS

 

“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:23-24)

"Will only a few people be saved?”

It was a pointless question, the answer to which was unnecessary to know. Jesus responded to this question with a commandment that was necessary to follow if you wanted to be among the saved: enter through the narrow door. Often, we ask meaningless questions. For instance, will we know each other in heaven? Another question we should be interested in is what might prevent us from entering heaven.

"What language will we speak in heaven?" This is a meaningless question; it is better to understand how to speak on earth without committing the sins of the tongue, and how to speak in a way that pleases God.

Excessive curiosity is not beneficial for spiritual life. Instead of asking questions, we are required to make an effort. Entering through the narrow door is not easy; it requires effort.

 From my diary,

December 21, 2023

My Father knows

 "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things." – Luke 12:30

This verse has always caught my attention. Not only because it reminds me of God's care and commands us to have right priorities, but also because I am encouraged by these three words: "your Father knows."

Your: Not theirs, not others', but yours.

Father: Not a stranger, not distant, but your Father – the one who takes care of you, protects you, and provides everything you need.

Knows: Not assuming, not thinking, not guessing, but knowing.

He knows everything; He knows the struggles I have, my desires, concerns, doubts, problems, and questions.

"My Father knows."

When questions, worries, and doubts arise in my heart, I have to remind myself that my Father knows them all.

 From my diary,

December 20, 2023

He is God, not a man!

 

"I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee…" – Hosea 11:9.

Although Israel, like all of us, deserved God's wrath, He decided not to execute the fierceness of His anger and stated the reason for doing so: "Because I am God, and not man."

If He were a man, He would not have given us the opportunity to repent of sin. He would not have removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. He would not have forgiven our sins. He would not have helped us to overcome them. If He acted like a man, we would not have salvation.

But He is God; therefore, His mercy is amazing and indescribable.

He is God; therefore, He does not cast out the sinner who comes to Him.

He is God; that's why He likes to show mercy and forgive.

 He is God; that's why He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.

He is God; therefore, He not only sees my sins but also my struggle against sins, my desire for holiness.

 He is God; therefore, He answers the prayers of an unworthy person like me.

He is God; therefore, He is faithful to His promises.

He is God; therefore, I will worship Him with all my heart,  I will  appreciate His great mercy, obey His Word.

 I will  not grieve Him; I will not despair in the spiritual battle,  but relying on Him, I will continue to fight against sin and, receiving strength from Him, I will win.

 From my diary,

December 19 2023

What time is it?

 "For it is time to seek the LORD." - Hosea 10:12

What time is it in the spiritual world? Our clock always shows the same time: it is time to seek the Lord. Procrastination is dangerous and foolish. The time to seek the Lord is not in the future; it is right now. Presently, we should seek the Lord.

If He is my Savior, Guide, Teacher, Comforter, Provider, I would be a fool not to seek Him.

If we are commanded to seek the Lord, it indicates that due to sin, we have departed from Him. However, this also means that we have the opportunity to seek Him and be close to Him again.

We should seek Him with prayer, faith, diligence, and humility.

He never casts out those who come to Him.

 From my diary,

December 18 2023