New journal: His deeds, my decisions

 This year, I’ve dedicated this journal to reflecting on God’s works and my personal resolutions. Each day, I will write a verse that speaks of God’s mighty deeds and a verse that inspires a commitment or action on my part. In this way, I’ll record what God has done and what I will do.

Our Best Gifts for the King

 "And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 1:8)

No one would give a bad or inferior gift to their governor. If someone had the privilege of presenting a gift to a king, they would ensure it was not tasteless or low-quality. Even when choosing a gift for a close friend, one would carefully select something meaningful and useful, avoiding anything flawed or unnecessary.

How, then, can we give a bad gift to our God, who is our King and our best Friend? A bad gift is worship without spirit, service without heart, or prayer without fervency. Formal prayers, blind fanaticism, half-hearted devotion, or insincere singing are all bad gifts for God.

Giving such gifts to the Lord is evil. Our Lord deserves wholehearted devotion.

From my diary,

December 31 2024

Victory Belongs to God’s Servant

 "In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant." (Psalm 143:12)

This is a strong argument for praying for victory and expecting victory: because I am Your servant. A servant of the mighty and victorious God cannot be defeated by the enemy. Like the psalmist, I pray that the Lord will destroy those who afflict my soul. My soul is afflicted by the works of the flesh and desires that are contrary to the will of God.

Lord, destroy everything that comes from the army of the enemy of my soul, for Your servant must not be defeated by Your enemy. By Your mercy, grant me complete victory over all sin, for I desire to live in a manner worthy of Your servant.

From my diary,

December 30, 2024

Strength for the Journey

 "So I will strengthen them in the LORD, and they shall walk up and down in His name," says the LORD. (Zechariah 10:12)

This is the Lord’s promise to His people. Without Him, they have no strength. We need strength to resist sin, to walk the narrow path, to work in God’s vineyard, and to fight against the devil. When God gives strength to His people, they must use it. They walk up and down in His name—they do not sit idle.

If I lack the strength to fight, to walk, or to work, let me go to my Lord and claim the strength He has promised.

From my diary,

December 29, 2024

Drawn by His Presence

"We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." (Zechariah 8:23)

Why will the Gentiles say to God’s people, “We will go with you”? Nothing else will truly attract the unconverted—not fancy programs, exciting events, or eloquent sermons—but only the presence of God. If they have heard that God is with us, they will desire to come with us because they too long for the blessings that God’s presence brings.

Where did they hear this? They heard it from our own testimonies—accounts of God’s protection, guidance, and transformative power in our lives. They also heard it from others who have witnessed these changes in us.

If they have heard, they will say, “We will go with you.” They will come, drawn by Him who is with us—the One who has the words of eternal life.

From my diary,

December 28, 2024

 

Different Reactions to the Word of God

"So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath." (Acts 13:42)

The Word of God brings division. Those who do not seek God turn away, while those who long for Him desire to hear more about Him. When Paul and Barnabas preached about Jesus, many from their own nation and religion left, but the strangers, the Gentiles begged to hear the Word of God again the next Sabbath.

Those who hungered for God’s Word returned the following Sabbath to listen. However, the Jews were filled with envy and opposed Paul’s message. In contrast, the Gentiles received the Word with joy, and all who were appointed to eternal life believed.

The same sermon can evoke different reactions: some will remain indifferent, others may respond with hostility, but those who are destined for eternal life will believe.

From my diary,

December 27, 2024

 

Dwelling with God: A Reason to Sing

 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming, and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD. (Zechariah 2:10)

God’s people have every reason to sing and rejoice, for the Lord dwells among them. His presence is a true cause for celebration and joy.

Let God’s people sing of His great mercy, everlasting love, boundless power, unsearchable wisdom, and unfailing faithfulness. Let them rejoice in the wonders of His Word, the countless blessings He has bestowed, His marvelous works, and the gift of eternal life.

We have a reason to sing—indeed, we have countless reasons to rejoice!

From my diary,

December 26, 2024

Work Without Fear, For He Is Near

"And work; for I am with you," says the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:4)

There is no greater encouragement for those engaged in building God’s house than the assurance of His presence. The Lord does not want His people to be discouraged. He strengthens them with the promise of His presence. When the Lord is with us, our labor in His vineyard is never in vain. Our struggles against the temptations of sin are not in vain; the enemy will be defeated. His presence provides the strength and courage we need for the battle, the race, and the work. Each of us has a role to fulfill in the kingdom of God, and we can accomplish it successfully because God is with us.

From my diary,

December 25, 2024

 

Walking in Truth: A Cause for Great Joy

 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. - 3 John 1:3–4

This is the heart of a servant of God who preaches the truth. He rejoices when the Christians who have grown under his ministry walk in the truth. This demonstrates that such servants of God love God, who is the Truth, love God’s Word, and love God’s children.

Gaius’ walk in the truth brought great joy to the apostle John. It reflected the fruits of his labor, glorified God, and gave John the assurance that he would see Gaius in eternity.

Even today, while there are individuals like Diotrephes who seek preeminence and expel God’s children from the church, there are also true servants of God like John, who find their greatest joy in the spiritual growth and faithfulness of God’s children.

From my diary,

December 24, 2024

When Delay Is Not Denial

"Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. " - Habakkuk 2:3

"Though it tarries … It will not tarry." There is no contradiction between these two sentences. From a human perspective, the fulfillment of God’s promise may seem delayed, but it is never truly delayed. God’s timing is perfect. If we have waited a long time for His promise to be fulfilled, we must continue to wait with faith and hope.

The one who waits for God demonstrates faith, trusting that His promise will surely come to pass. Without faith, there would be no waiting. The one who waits for God also shows humility, surrendering their own timeline to God’s perfect plan and acknowledging that His appointed time is best.

Waiting also reveals desire—a longing for the fulfillment of God’s promise. No one waits for something they do not truly desire. Finally, the one who waits exhibits patience, knowing that God’s promise is so wonderful, that it is worth waiting for.

From my diary,

December 23, 2024

The Wicked’s Fall, God’s Victory

 Your injury has no healing, Your wound is severe. All who hear news of you will clap their hands over you, For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually? -Nahum 3:19

Here is an incurable pain that becomes a cause for joy. The destruction of Nineveh brought rejoicing to God’s people. Why?

The destruction of the wicked reduces the suffering of God’s people.

The fall of evildoers signifies the triumph of righteousness.

The downfall of the wicked is evidence that God has intervened and shown His care for His people.

.

From my diary,

December 22, 2024

All, Not Some: God's Promise of Forgiveness

He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. — Micah 7:19

The Bible contains many promises of God concerning the forgiveness of sins, as well as countless testimonies of His forgiveness. When the enemy comes to convince forgiven sinners that God has not forgiven some of their sins, he cannot succeed against those who know and believe these promises. The word “all” in this verse fills me with joy. If it had been written, “You will cast some or most of our sins into the depths of the sea,” I would have had cause to worry. But it says, “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Since my sins are in the depths of the sea, there is joy, peace, and gratitude in the depths of my heart.

Just as the Lord cast all of Pharaoh’s army into the depths of the sea, so He has cast all our sins. If all my sins are in the depths of the sea, then all my worries are baseless. I have every reason to rejoice, give thanks, and praise Him all the days of my life.

There is no greater miracle than the miracle of forgiveness, no greater happiness than being forgiven, and no greater victory than victory over sin.

From my diary,

December 21, 2024

They seem to be words of faith but they are not

 Yet they lean on the LORD and say, ‘Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.’” – Micah 3:11

“Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.”

At first glance, these words may seem like words of faith, trust in the Lord, and praise to Him. They may seem that way until you know who is speaking them. These are not the words of people who obey the Lord, love His Word, or fear Him.

These words were spoken by men in three different positions, but one thing is common to all three: they commit injustice for the sake of money. The leaders judge for a bribe, not with justice; the priests teach for pay, and therefore do not teach the Word of God but what the payers want; the prophets prophesy for money, and therefore do not deliver the Word of God but what the payers desire.

The root of all evil is the love of money, and these money-slaves dare to declare that no harm shall come upon them. They despise the Word of God and yet boldly claim that the Lord is among them.

If the judges judged righteously, the priests taught the Word of God selflessly, and the prophets faithfully delivered His message, then they could confidently say in faith, “The Lord is among us; no harm shall come upon us.”

From my diary,

December 20, 2024

The Angry Prophet and the Merciful God

 “Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4)

After seeing the amazing results of his preaching, Jonah offered a strange prayer: “O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:3). He was asking for death because God had not brought death to the city he had preached to! Jonah was angry because God was not angry. He was upset because God is merciful, forgetting that God had been merciful to him as well.

I expected God to be angry with Jonah, to remind him of his disobedience, and to rebuke him for his selfishness. But instead, the Lord gently asked: “Is it right for you to be angry?”

It was definitely not right. Jonah’s understanding of God was not right—God is merciful and forgiving. His view of the Ninevites was not right—they had repented sincerely, and so God forgave them.

Jonah expressed the same wrong desire again when the plant withered. Yet again, the Lord did not get angry but gently asked: “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” (Jonah 4:9). Jonah, acting like a spoiled child, replied: “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”

God’s patience and mercy amaze me.

From my diary,

December 19, 2024

No Room for Pride in a Heart for God

The pride of your heart has deceived you. (Obadiah 1:3)

The words of the prophet Obadiah to Edom serve as a warning to everyone who does not want to be deceived by the great deceiver, whose name is “pride of heart.” Pride of heart blinds a person, preventing them from seeing their own sins. It pushes a person to trust in their own wisdom, strength, and talents. Those who rely on these will inevitably be disappointed.

Pride of heart is a deceiver. It can even hide in the heart so subtly that you do not notice its presence. While hidden, it carries out its dark deeds and invites its “relatives” to dwell with it: envy, anger, unforgiveness, gossip, the spirit of competition, selfishness, and others. Pride has a constant follower—destruction. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

When pride is hidden, it becomes even more dangerous because you cannot see it to fight against it. The deception of pride is particularly dangerous when it wears the mask of humility, making it unrecognizable.

We must examine our hearts through the Word of God to uncover hidden pride, unmask this disguised deceiver, and destroy it. Since there will never come a day when I can confidently say that I have fully defeated pride, I must fight against it daily.

Lord, cast out this deceiver and its relatives—its entire family—from my heart. Place the guard of Your Word over my heart, for pride has no place in the heart where You are the rightful Owner.

From my diary,

December 18, 2024

Seek Good and Live

 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; so the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken. Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5:14-15)

Seeking good comes naturally if you love it. You will not seek evil if you hate it. A man seeks what he loves; he will not seek what he does not love. Hatred for sin is a powerful 'sin-killer.' Unless you hate sin, it will persist. The result of seeking good is life and the assurance of God’s presence.

From my diary,

December 17, 2024

Companions on the Journey to Heaven

 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)

It is impossible for people going to different destinations to walk together. He who has set out for heaven walks with those who are headed in the same direction. If you have chosen the narrow way, the one who walks on the broad way that leads to destruction cannot be your companion. He who walks in God’s paths does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor does he who sits at the feet of Jesus sit in the seat of the scornful. If you have chosen the commandments of the Lord, you will also choose as friends those who keep His commandments.

From my diary,

December 16, 2024

Wisdom Through Counsel:Consult the Lord Every Time

 "After this, David asked the LORD…" — 2 Samuel 2:1

"Once more David consulted the LORD..." — 2 Samuel 5:23

"David asked the LORD…" — 1 Samuel 23:2

"Then David asked the LORD…" — 1 Samuel 30:8

"Once more David asked God…" — 1 Chronicles 14:14

In many passages of Scripture, David consulted the Lord. One of the secrets of his military victories was that he would ask the Lord before going into battle. In 2 Samuel 2:1, he asked the Lord, “Should I go to one of the cities of Judah?” The Lord answered, “Go.” Then David asked more specifically, “Where should I go?” The Lord replied, “To Hebron.” And David went. He did not ask merely to be informed but to obey.

I also want to ask the Lord before I undertake any task. From now on, I will begin my day by seeking the Lord’s guidance for my plans and actions.

Topical meditation 2024

December 15

Wisdom Through Counsel: When the Mother Is a Counselor in Wickedness

"Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness." (2 Chronicles 22:3)

Ahaziah followed the ways of the house of Ahab because he had a wicked counselor—his mother. The Bible does not speak of anything good about Athaliah. She is the embodiment of wickedness and gave her son evil counsel. The Bible highlights the significant influence mothers have within the family.

A godly mother, however, gives her children sound counsel, unlike Athaliah. Examples of such women include Jochebed, Sarah, Hannah, Eunice, King Lemuel’s mother, and the Proverbs 31 heroine, Mrs. Crown (I like to call the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 'Mrs. Crown' (based on Proverbs 12:4) or 'Mrs. Far Above Rubies' (from Proverbs 31:10), since her name is not mentioned in the passage.) These godly women nurtured their children in righteousness.

If I had children, I would first teach them the Word of God. The first thing they would memorize would be a scripture verse. The first song they would learn would be a spiritual hymn. The first and last thing they would do each day would be to pray. Their favorite place would be the church and Sunday school.

May every Christian mother be a counselor in godliness.

Topical meditation 2024

December 14

Wisdom Through Counsel:Wise Advice That the Fool Rejected

 “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. (1 Kings 12:7-8)

The wise advice given to King Rehoboam by the elders was paradoxical: the king should become a servant so that the people would serve him. Jesus would later say, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) Jesus is the King who served His people. True leaders serve those they lead.

The advice given by the elders was wise, but sadly, the recipient was not. Wisdom is not inherited. The son of the wisest man in the world—King Solomon—acted foolishly. Rehoboam rejected the elders’ advice, accepted the wrong and foolish counsel of his peers, responded to the people with arrogance and threats, and ultimately caused rebellion and division in the kingdom.

What good is listening to wise advice if you are unwilling to act on it?

Topical meditation 2024

December 13

Wisdom Through Counsel:Good Advice from a Father-in-Law

 But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.” (Exodus 18:17)

“Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.” (Exodus 18:19)

Here is an example of wise advice that a father-in-law gave to his son-in-law. Jethro’s counsel was wise, caring, and practical. He advised Moses to delegate responsibilities by choosing faithful men who feared God to ease his burden. Moses would handle the difficult cases, while these men would take care of the minor cases themselves.

The right advice was received in the right way. Moses accepted it with humility and willingness. He did not say, “I hear the voice of God; I am His messenger—how can this priest teach me?” Instead, Moses recognized that it was good advice and implemented it.

I can relate to this lesson, as I also tend to try to do everything myself. Delegating tasks is difficult for me. My sister-in-law often advises me to delegate the work so I don’t become exhausted. I must learn to accept such good advice and act on it.

Topical meditation 2024

December 12