пятница, 9 августа 2024 г.

God Sees Everything:Divine Step Counter and Scales

"Does He not see my ways and count all my steps?" (Job 31:4)
"Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed." (1 Samuel 2:3)
God has a step counter that not only tracks every step I take but also knows where I walk, why I walk, and where I will end up. He sees my ways, and I desire them to be paths of holiness. He counts my steps; I want them to be on the narrow road leading to my heavenly home.
God has scales with which He weighs our actions. His scale reveals the purpose and motive behind what we do. Both Barnabas and Ananias, along with Sapphira, performed the same outward act: they sold property and gave the proceeds to the apostles. But after weighing their actions, it was revealed that Barnabas acted with generosity and charity, while Ananias and Sapphira were motivated by a desire for praise and hypocritical show.
Arrogance will disappear when we remain aware that God is weighing our actions.

Topical meditation 2024

August 9

 

четверг, 8 августа 2024 г.

God Sees Everything:The Maker of senses hears and sees

"He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?" Psalm 94:9
These are sobering words, a powerful remedy against secret sins, sinful thoughts, and wrong desires. If a person always remembers that God sees the actions that no man sees, they will make every effort to put to death the works of the flesh and sinful desires, fleeing from every appearance of evil. If a person realizes that there is someone listening to all their words, they will surely watch on every word they speak to ensure that no sin is found in them.
Every morning, before I see anyone, let me remember that the Almighty sees me from heaven and desires to see me doing things that please Him. Let me remember that there is someone listening to my words, and I will speak only what my Lord will be pleased to hear.

Topical meditation 2024

August 8

 

среда, 7 августа 2024 г.

God Sees Everything: The Record of Our Deeds

"And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face." Hosea 7:2
This verse is a sobering reminder to examine ourselves and turn away from sin. God has promised the repentant that He will remember their sins no more (Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 8:12). However, this promise does not apply to those who commit sins and do not repent of them. Since God maintains a record of our deeds, words, and thoughts, we must diligently examine our lives and abandon anything that is not in accordance with God's will.

Topical meditation 2024

August 7

 

вторник, 6 августа 2024 г.

God Sees Everything:Every Step Observed

"Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?" Job 31:4
"For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps." Job 34:21
"For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths." Proverbs 5:21
This truth is both comforting and convicting. Comforting because it assures me that He is watching over me and knows all my worries, problems, concerns, and fears. Convicting because my actions and thoughts are always before Him.
It motivates me to live a holy life, knowing that the Lord sees all my works. The realization that my ways are before the eyes of the Lord prompts me to carefully examine my ways, to watch over every word, deed, and thought. Knowing that He observes all my steps gives me peace and a sense of security, because there is someone watching over me, someone who cares about me, someone who protects me.

Topical meditation 2024

August 6


 

понедельник, 5 августа 2024 г.

God Sees Everything: The Omnipresence of God


 “Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?” says the LORD. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:24

Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? This question from the Lord prompts us to engage in careful and reverent self-examination, recognizing that the Lord judges not only our actions but also our thoughts, motives, desires, and intentions. He sees both our public and hidden sins: secret pride, envy, and neglect of duty.
The awareness of God's omniscience encourages us to be extremely cautious and to foster a deep-seated aversion and relentless battle against even the smallest sin. Blessed are those who hide in God instead of hiding from God.
I choose to hide in God.

Topical meditation 2024

August 5

воскресенье, 4 августа 2024 г.

Guarding Against Unbelief


So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19
The bad example of others serves as a warning to us. When we remember that Israel could not enter the promised land, it is a reminder to beware of the sin that prevented them from entering: unbelief. Unbelief is a sin that begets other sins. We are saved by faith and condemned by unbelief. Our hearts are purified by faith and hardened by unbelief.
We approach God with faith and turn away because of unbelief. By faith, we please God; by unbelief, we displease Him.

Let me root out every seed of unbelief, so that these words will never be said about me: "Because of unbelief Hripsime could not..."

From my diary,

August 4, 2024


суббота, 3 августа 2024 г.

Trusting God in Desperation

"And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. " -2 Chronicles 13:14
"Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers. "- 2 Chronicles 13:18
True faith grows stronger in desperate situations, not weaker. God's people, seeing that they were surrounded by enemies on all sides, cried out to the Lord. Weak faith would say, "The Lord has left us; there is no way out; we will lose." But they were aware not only of their own weakness but also of God's power.
Awareness of danger strengthens faith and leads us to God. God’s people won not because of their strength or military skills but because they relied on God. People rely on someone who is stronger than they are and can save them. God does not disappoint those who trust in Him. If the forces of the enemy surround me, whether they be temptations to sin or the servants of the devil who want to hinder God's work, I must trust in the Lord alone.

From my diary,

August 3, 2024

 

пятница, 2 августа 2024 г.

The Privileges of Serving the Lord


 Nevertheless, they will become his servants, so that they may learn the difference between serving Me and serving the kings of other lands. – 2 Chronicles 12:8

A true servant of God understands the difference between serving God and serving man. Knowing this difference, he serves with joy and does not desire to serve another master.
God does not require anything of His servant that will harm him. He will not withhold any blessing that is good for him. God does not place His servant in danger. He provides the necessary strength and wisdom to serve. Those who serve God experience joy and peace sent from Him. They will never lose their reward.
Those who serve God are a privileged people, enjoying benefits that others do not. They partake of God's table. Blessed are those who serve the Lord.

From my diary,

August 2, 2024


четверг, 1 августа 2024 г.

The Father's Heart of Compassion


"It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found." Luke 15:32
The return of the prodigal son caused different reactions and emotions: the father was happy, while the older brother was angry. We see the selfishness of the older brother and the kindness of the father. The older son remembered his brother's past, but the father forgave and forgot. Such is our Heavenly Father; He welcomes the repentant, erases their sins, and rejoices in their return.

From my diary,

August 1, 2024

 

среда, 31 июля 2024 г.

Humble, Pray, Seek, and Turn

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." — 2 Chronicles 7:14
There are conditions for the fulfillment of the promise given to God's people:
Humble Themselves: Recognizing our sinfulness in light of God's holiness fosters humility. It takes humility to acknowledge our guilt.
Pray: A heart humbled by guilt instinctively turns to prayer, seeking God's forgiveness.
Seek the Lord's Face: Seek His presence, His Word, and His power.
Turn from Wicked Ways: Repentance for sin is genuine if we stop committing it.
When these four conditions are met, the Lord has promised to hear, forgive, and heal.

From my diary,

July 31, 2024

вторник, 30 июля 2024 г.

Not Just Admiration But Action


 "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" — Luke 6:46

Jesus' question challenges us to examine whether we are truly His servants. It is not enough to hear, enjoy, talk about, or even quote His words. A true servant of Jesus obeys His commands. How simple it is! If Jesus is my Lord, I will do what He says. If I don't, then I acknowledge someone else as my lord, and I serve another master.
Those who ignore Jesus' words, those who admire but do not follow them, and those who decide to obey but delay, are all disobedient. By their actions, they reveal that someone else is their lord. A true servant not only listens to what their Lord says but also obeys it.
Jesus is my Lord. I want not only to hear and admire His words but also to obey them.

From my diary,

July 30, 2024

понедельник, 29 июля 2024 г.

Righteous Before God: The Ideal Couple


 "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." — Luke 1:6

Is there no perfect couple? The world's ideal couple is nothing like what God describes. It is often said that there is no perfect couple. Yet, the Bible describes an ideal couple: Zacharias and Elizabeth. It’s not written that one of them was righteous, but that both were righteous—not righteous before men, but righteous before God. They walked blamelessly not in a few of the Lord's commandments, but in all of them.
There are many exemplary couples in the Bible, but two stand out to me: Zacharias and Elizabeth, and Aquila and Priscilla.

From my diary,

July 29, 2024


воскресенье, 28 июля 2024 г.

In Tribulation, In Prayer

"Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth." — Psalm 54:2
The psalmist faces tribulation and danger, but he finds safety in prayer. I love Spurgeon's quote on this verse: "As long as God hath an open ear, we cannot be shut up in trouble."
Let me learn to run to the throne of grace in every peril. The greatest danger is the temptation to sin. But let me remember that as long as I am in prayer during temptation, I will not fall into sin.

From my diary,

July 28, 2024

 

суббота, 27 июля 2024 г.

From Him, Through Us, To Him


 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." — 1 Chronicles 29:14

In natural life, it would be considered strange if someone gave me a gift and I then took that gift back to them. Yet with God, it is exactly like that. What I give to God is His gift. Everything I can lay on His altar is what He has given me, for I have nothing good of my own. I can only offer Him the talents, money, time, and strength that He provides.
May I always remember that I am giving back to the Lord what He has first given to me.

From my diary,

July 27, 2024


пятница, 26 июля 2024 г.

He Has Done All Things Well


 "He has done all things well." – Mark 7:37

Reflecting on all the works of my Lord and what He has done in my life, I can say with conviction, “He has done all things well.” When I look at His creation, rejoice in His statutes, see His power, admire His wise works, and marvel at His countless mercies, which I do not deserve, I am compelled to say: “He has done all things well.” Delighting in the salvation He has granted, witnessing the renewal of my life, tasting the sweetness of His Word, and finding comfort in His love, I can confidently declare: “He has done all things well.” His daily guidance in my life, the remembrance of the captivity He has delivered me from, and even His negative answers to my prayers that are for my good, all lead me to testify: “He has done all things well.” Seeing how He makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, I am assured: “He has done all things well.”
Everything, without exception. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

From my diary,

July 26, 2024

четверг, 25 июля 2024 г.

Seeking His Nearness


"Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me!" — Psalm 38:21
This prayer of David resonates deeply in the hearts of God's children. No child of God can bear being distant from Him. His presence is vital for us at all times, not just in times of trouble.
Lord, do not be far from me. Do not depart from me, and sin will depart from my life, complaints will leave my lips, and sadness will flee from my heart. Do not depart from me in times of joy, lest my heart be consumed by that joy. Do not depart from me on my journey, for my path is full of snares and dangers.
Be not far from me, and do not let me stray far from You.

From my diary,

July 25, 2024

 

среда, 24 июля 2024 г.

Reassured by His Presence


 "Is not the LORD your God with you?" — 1 Chronicles 22:18

What David said to all the leaders of Israel, God's Word says to all His children. This rhetorical question is an important reminder: the Lord my God is with me.
He is with us to guide, to comfort, to deliver, and to protect.
When temptations arise, is not the Lord with us to grant us victory? When we are troubled, is not the Lord our God with us to provide peace? If He is with us, why should we fear? Why should we worry?
Amid today's worries, God's Word reassures me that the Lord my God is with me.

From my diary,

July 24,   2024

вторник, 23 июля 2024 г.

Keys to Victory

Be of good courage, and let us be strong  for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight. — 1 Chronicles 19:13

Joab's words teach a principle for victory.

The right motive: for the cities of our God

The right action: to fight with courage

The right trust: may the Lord do what is good in His sight

To achieve victory, we must both fight and rely on the Lord. We will fight against sin with courage, and God will do what is good: He will grant us victory.

From my diary,

July 23,   2024


 

понедельник, 22 июля 2024 г.

Belonging to Christ: A Life of Holiness and Joy


 "And you belong to Christ…" — 1 Corinthians 3:23

I belong to Christ; there is no greater happiness than this. May my life reflect that I belong to Christ. To temptation, I will declare, "You cannot overcome me because I belong to Christ." To the allurements of the world, I will assert, "You cannot ensnare me because I belong to Christ."
In tribulation, I will find encouragement because I belong to Christ. In sorrow, I will experience joy because I belong to Christ.
Above all, I desire to live a holy life, for I belong to Christ who is holy.

From my diary,

July 22,   2024


воскресенье, 21 июля 2024 г.

Yes, Lord: Understanding God's Word

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” — Matthew 13:51
Today, as I read Matthew 13:51, a question lingered in my mind: "Have I truly understood?" Blessed are the disciples who could confidently answer "Yes, Lord" to Jesus' inquiry. They understood because the Lord personally explained it to them. It was not men, but the Lord who opened their minds to understand, and it was the Lord who predestined them to understand His teachings. Anyone who understands what Jesus says has no reason to boast, for it is not through their own wisdom. Instead, they will be thankful and humble. If they have understood, they will apply it in their lives, rejoice, and seek more understanding from God's Word. There is no one who sincerely wants to understand whom Jesus will not help.
Let me open the Bible with the desire to understand the Word of God and not close it until I understand what will bring me closer to Him, what will renew my mind, and purify my heart and life. And when Jesus asks me, “Have you understood all these things?” I want to be able to give the disciples' answer every time: "Yes, Lord." If I have understood, let me realize that it was not by my own wisdom, but that the Spirit of God enlightened my eyes to see the wonders of His Word.
So, with gratitude, with humility, and with a desire to know more, I will practice what I have understood.

From my diary,

July 21,   2024

суббота, 20 июля 2024 г.

Equipped to Instruct: Full of Goodness and Knowledge

I am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another. — Romans 15:14
To teach others effectively, we must be filled with goodness and knowledge—the knowledge of God's Word. Without a solid understanding of Scripture, we cannot offer sound advice. Goodness is not something that exists naturally within us; it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
If someone lacks the fruit of the Spirit, their instruction will likely be harsh or judgmental. Likewise, without knowledge of God's Word, their teaching will fall short. Before admonishing others, I must first be well-versed in Scripture and obedient to it. When I offer guidance to my sisters—whether they are of my age or younger —let me do so with humility and love. Likewise, I should be open to receiving instruction and advice from other believers with willingness and gratitude.

From my diary,

July 20,   2024