en yan hua fang

“Communion • Convergence” ~ ✨

If someone asks you, “How can you know if the thoughts in your heart align with God’s will?” The answer is simple: you must know God. So, how does one know God? The short answer is to be thoroughly familiar with God’s word, worship Him in spirit and in truth, experience walking with Him, and have your inner being renewed day by day, becoming more like God each day.

For the inner being to be renewed daily, one must first be pure in heart, for only the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8) and enable the soul to grow and be daily renewed. We know God through every word that comes from His mouth (John 1:1). Those who do not know God’s word and do not follow it cannot have their souls grow; for God’s word is spirit, and spirit is life, which gives life. To know the eternal God, one must know His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, whom He sent; this is eternal life (John 17:3). Jesus Christ said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63). From knowing comes belief; through belief, a relationship with God is established (Hebrews 11:6). By believing and receiving Jesus Christ, one gains life; and by obeying God’s word, one gains hope and a glorious position in eternal life (Romans 8:17).

The Bible declares to the world that blessed is the one who delights in the law of the Lord, and meditates on it day and night (Psalm 1:2). So, what is this blessing? God says, “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3). God’s word is the Word of God; the Word of God is alive and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). I will share a small portion from Psalm 119:

i) Ps 119:9 – God’s word can purify one’s conduct; for it is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable;

ii) Ps 119:11 – Hiding God’s word in one’s heart helps guard against sin;

iii) Ps 119:24 – God’s word can be one’s counselor. If you need wisdom, ask God. Do not rely on the world or the words of others;

iv) Ps 119:28 – God’s word can strengthen one who is greatly weary and sad;

v) Ps 119:105 – God’s word illuminates the path of life;

vi) Ps 119:130 – God’s word gives understanding to the simple; therefore,

vii) Ps 119:165 – Those who love God’s word enjoy great peace, and nothing can make them stumble.

Do you desire the experiences mentioned above? Do believers feel the efficacy described? People seek earthly treasures, but I urge you to buy the truth; for the Spirit of truth brings you joy and purchases heavenly treasures. Those who follow the flesh pursue earthly pleasures; all these will ultimately come to nothing and cannot be exchanged for heavenly treasures. If one lives according to God’s word, their joy is given by God and is recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20).

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). I smile from the heart, having obtained the truth, which is knowing God’s word; knowing God’s word gives life and converges hearts. If one’s thoughts and actions align with God’s way, and do not bypass it, wisdom will protect them; for wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Ecclesiastes 7:12).

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and sin separates people from God (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; those who believe in Him can be reconciled to God (John 14:6-7). Those who already believe in Christ should accept Him as the Lord of their lives, take His yoke upon them and learn from Him, and they will receive every blessing (Matthew 11:28-29). Perhaps you say everyone can do what they believe. But if what one believes in is “self”—one’s own perspective, one’s own ways, and one’s own conduct, rather than the Lord’s perspective, the Lord’s ways, and the Lord’s conduct —everything will be in vain.

All who determine to live godly lives in Christ—those who have the Lord’s perspective, the Lord’s ways, and the Lord’s conduct—are those who have entered through the narrow gate and walk the narrow path; they are disciples who will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). If living under persecution, do not boast, and even more, do not self-pity; for this is the necessary path for the Lord’s disciples. For the joy set before Him, the Lord endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). The path the Lord walked, we also follow, persevering and running the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Though bitter, it is sweet (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In ancient times, there was Job, whom God called blameless and upright in his generation. Before experiencing trials, he had only heard of God, but in the midst of his suffering and pain, he saw God with his own eyes (Job 42:5). This means that his heart was connected with God’s heart! Refined in the furnace of affliction, Job witnessed God’s evaluation of him as “blameless and upright, a man who fears God” (Job 1:8). What followed was God blessing Job more than before (Job 42:12-17). Job’s experience shows us a classic example of “what seemed a curse was actually a blessing”—hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23, 35).

In life, many experiences that seem like suffering are actually materials shaping eternal life; for example, Job. The work of refining the “heart” is like gold refined in a furnace, becoming purer and more refined. Such a journey of the heart brings such blessing, benefiting both oneself and others. Today we have the more perfect example, Jesus Christ, to trust. Imitating Him keeps our hearts steadfast in the truth, moving unswervingly along the path of life (John 14:6).

In my life journey, I have truly experienced God’s word as a lamp to my feet, teaching me to follow the Lord humbly (Psalm 119:105). I feel the abundance of life because of walking with the Lord. However, this is a lifelong commitment, leading one to know the Triune God through experience, and from knowing Him to loving Him more.

Believers are sanctified by the truth, set apart from the world (John 17:16-19). As 1 Peter 2:9 says, they are a royal priesthood, meant to be a bridge between those who do not believe in the Lord and God. Thus, I see “service” as a blessing, not a burden. Whether proclaiming the Savior Jesus Christ to the world or striving for the unity of the church body, believers allow both people and angels to witness the wonderful works of God in them (1 Corinthians 4:9). In the process of sanctification, believers should not count the cost, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3-4).

I see that Moses, though eighty years old, was called by God to do what no one had done before. By faith, he led the rebellious Israelites through the wilderness for forty years; labouring mentally and physically until exhausted. He was faithful to God, serving Him until his death. The strength by which he persevered was walking with God. Among the figures in the Old Testament, besides Enoch who walked with God for three hundred years before God took him away (Genesis 5:21-24), who else was as blessed as Moses? God said Moses was one whom He knew face to face; and when Moses died, God Himself buried him (Numbers 12:7-8; Deuteronomy 34:6). Moses’ faithfulness, endurance, diligence, humility, and selflessness are all recorded in heaven (Matthew 17:1-3)!

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). In hope, we see a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). With such hope comes such joy; with such joy comes the motivation to live for the Lord and live with the Lord. The heart communes with the Lord, converging all hearts!

I conclude with the following poem:

“Heart Born • Born Heart” ✨

The face reflects the heart, the tongue reveals its state

Medicine cures illness, but the heart is hard to treat

Hypocrisy and pretence, fools adore

A cold face with warm heart, the wise see more

Character is first, conduct is second

Most crucial of all, faithfulness is paramount

To change heart and face, who is capable?

The wicked heart’s nature, how can it be altered?

Under heaven, among men, how can it be done?

To heal the heart and tongue, only Jesus can.

✨✨💖 ~