REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was originally posted on December 22, 2019. Christine serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“Holding Out to the End”
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Recently, the New York City Marathon happened. Do you know what the fastest race time was? Two hours and 8 minutes. (Some days, it takes that much time to get out of the house!) By contrast, do you know what the slowest race time was? While official times get cut off after a certain point, it is reported that some stick it out to the end with a 10-11 hour finish!
This accounts for why, when a good friend of mine was going home after a long day at church, roads were still closed off as the marathoners were still en route to the finish line. While there were runners still left, just as impressively were there onlookers still cheering them on. Though the last of the marathoners were nowhere close to the ability or the prowess of the earliest finishers, people were still dedicated to encouraging them to press on!
My friend texted me that she was reminded in this moment about God, who continues to entreat us to finish and who does not give up on us even when we are slow. To this, I responded: yes, and more! He is better than a cheerleader watching us from afar! The Lord our God is faithful to His people, and better than our own abilities (or lack of abilities), He is always at our side. He is not just observing on the sidelines but is the very power behind our ability to persevere – He carries us and is the one who ensures we will make it across the finish line.
Paul tells us that, in this life, the end goal and the finish line of our lives is to stand firm until the return of Christ. We are aiming to be found faithful on that day. But even as we orient ourselves towards being found holy and blameless that day, He is the one who also sustains us and keeps us on course.
Brother and sister, I don’t know where you are in the marathon of your spiritual life today, whether you feel nimble or weighed down and far behind. But I encourage you to draw strength not from yourself but from Him. Our ability to “make it to the end” rests in His faithful and capable hands. We do not have to be disheartened that we may not be the fastest or strongest as we continue on the course set before us. Let’s put ourselves in His hands and trust in His power to keep us steady for that day. He will sustain us through to the end!
Prayer: Father, thank You that have loved us and called us Your own. Thank You for Your unending faithfulness in our lives. Lord, we trust You to keep us and to sustain us. Help us to draw from Your unending power and rest in knowing that You have completed the work and will complete Your work in us.
REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 29, 2019. Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“Hosting the Presence of God”
Exodus 40:34
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
In today’s passage, we read about a momentous occasion. As Moses erects the tabernacle, the glory of God comes down from Mount Sinai and fills the tent of meeting. It must have been an awesome event to behold. Just a while ago they could not even approach the base of the mountain lest they die. Now, the very presence of Yahweh descends and dwells with them. God is right there in their midst! It was a visible sign of their covenant relationship—a sign of intimacy and, thereby, privilege, that Israel would be able to enjoy by God’s grace.
Nevertheless, while this may appear as a step forward, it was not the type of communion that was originally intended by God. When we go back to the Garden of Eden, we read about God walking in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve—without the need for tabernacles, tents, and veils. Humanity was designed for intimacy with its creator in a direct manner; but sin shattered this intimate fellowship between God and man.
An amazing truth is that through the work of Christ, we are able to experience an intimacy with God that is greater than what Adam and Eve experienced. In Acts 2, the disciples are in the upper room waiting for God and “suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” Later in the chapter it says that this event was a fulfillment of a prophecy in Joel—that God would pour His Spirit on all flesh. In other words, just like the glory of God filling the tabernacle, God’s Spirit comes like a rushing wind and fills the disciples—not a tent or a temple but the flesh of Jesus’ followers.
What we have been given by the gospel is not a communion experienced externally from us; it is much more special than that—God Himself dwells internally within us. It is a scandalous truth—that people like us can host God’s presence. Therefore, let us be reminded that God dwells within us! So, today, thank Jesus for giving us a type of intimacy with God that we could have never earned on our own!
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of your presence. That You are a God who does not remain distant but insists on intimate communion with your people. Help us to always be aware of this amazing truth!
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 25, 2014, is provided by Pastor Charles Choe. Charles has been leading Tapestry Church in Los Angeles since 2014.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Something to Consider Regarding Our Freedom in Christ”
1 Timothy 5:14-15
So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
Lying, cheating, slandering, stealing, and sexual immorality are all clearly sin. But things we ought not to do are not always so clear. Like for example, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 8, is instructing the young church how to manage food that was offered to idols. Paul knows there is no such thing as other gods, so it’s a moot point that certain meats were offered to these idols. But by the same token, Paul knew that for some in Corinth, eating food offered to idols was akin to idol worship itself. So he advises those who thought it was acceptable to eat to restrain from their liberty for the sake of not causing others to stumble. This is why Paul says, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:13).
Of course, we are free to enjoy whatever the Scripture does not forbid. Even if someone thinks it’s wrong, it shouldn’t really matter since it’s not wrong. However, our freedom must always be wrapped in concern and care for others. If our freedom actually leads someone else to violate his or her conscience, then we have become a stumbling block. Love for my brothers in Christ guides and restrains my liberty in Christ. Love always triumphs over liberty. Unity always triumphs over personal rights.
It’s this principle Paul has in mind when he counsels Timothy to have the young Ephesian widows remarry. It appears that many of the young widows in Ephesus were using their singleness in a scandalous behavior; and because of that the Ephesian church was being slandered (1 Timothy 5:14-15). So Paul tells the young Ephesian widows to correct this problem through living in a way the wider culture might esteem: Get married and have children and manage your home well. There is no commandment to do so; but if it helps others from not stumbling, we ought to pursue that path.
In giving this principle, Paul is saying that we should not create unnecessary obstacles to the Gospel. If it helps to advance the Gospel, we ought to consider doing it, whatever it may be. We are free to eat, drink, dress or go anywhere we please; after all, we are free in Christ Jesus. But our guiding question should be, Does this advance the Gospel? If it doesn’t, then we must be willing to let go of it, adjusting our choices so that the Gospel takes front and center in our lives. Consider if there is anything in your life you may have to surrender your freedom for so that the Gospel is advanced.
Prayer: Lord, help me to examine my life. May I always be on a mission. May advancing the Gospel be the reason for what I do and don’t do. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Romans 10
Lunch Break Study
I Corinthians 9:19-23:For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. [20] To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. [21] To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. [23] I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Questions
What is Paul’s aim in making himself a servant to all?
What does “winning” look like for the apostle Paul?
According to v.23, what is the ultimate reason for all that he does? Could you say this is how you would define your ambitions?
Notes
He aims to be a servant to all so to win them over to Christ.
Saving people into salvation.
Paul does all things ultimately for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our lives should reflect the same values.
Evening Reflection
How much did the Gospel get advanced through your life today? Consider how it was reflected in your thoughts, words and actions today.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, originally posted on September 4, 2014, was written by Pastor Mark Chun. Mark has recently planted a new church called Radiance Christian Church, East Bay.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“The Cure for Entitled Hedonism”
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (ESV)
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
After winning his third Super Bowl in 2005, Tom Brady was interviewed on “60 minutes”; and this man, who seemingly has everything in life – fame, money, women, good looks, etc. – gave this perplexing answer about his own life: “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, ‘…It’s got to be more than this’” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdcJSsRfL8s). Now that Brady has won three more Super Bowl rings since that time, you wonder whether he feels any differently?
The perplexity that Brady felt actually sheds light on what life in America has truly become: “entitled hedonism” in which we believe that a life of increasing pleasure is simply the reward for all of our hard work. However, the paradox is that we are not any happier than people of past generations. Philip Ryken rightfully points out that the average American has a better selection of food, wine, entertainment, music, and means of sexual satisfaction than Solomon could have dreamed of. We overload our senses with every imaginable pleasure and justify it because of our strenuous work schedule.
Yet how many of us are truly happy and fulfilled? An increasing number of us struggle with anxiety, depression, and other stress related issues, but we are afraid to ask, “What is this all for?” because deep in our hearts, we know that it’s madness to continue down this path. And the prolonged social distancing prompted by COVID-19 has only exacerbated this problem.
For all of Solomon’s worldly wisdom, he couldn’t figure out the solution to this vexing paradox that eluded him until it was nearly too late. In fact, the most obvious answer, which is to abstain from pleasure, still falls short of being a viable solution. The reason can be found in the heart of God who isn’t the eternal killjoy, but the Creator of everything that was meant to give us pleasure. And it is here where we can begin to find a way out of this paradox. Pleasure was never meant to be enjoyed merely for one’s self-indulgence but to be shared with others, to serve them, and to bring glory to God. Pleasure for pleasure sake eventually becomes nothing but grief because it increases our selfishness. But when we realize that all the pleasures of life are a gift from God and not simply a reward for our hard work, we can finally shed our “entitled hedonism” and come to enjoy life as God intended.
Prayer: (In writing this devotion, I found that reflecting on the fact that God, my Father, created this world for my eternal enjoyment was meaningful. I encourage you to spend some time in worship this morning, perhaps even listen and watch the following song on www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEBmj7JO_Os.)
Father, it is amazing to think that everything You created, You did so to share with us, Your children. Forgive us for being so selfish with the gifts that You have given so freely and lavishly. Teach us how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and to live with heaven in our eyes. In the name of your precious Son, we pray. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Romans 9
Lunch Break Study
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV):But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Questions to Consider
1. What does Paul cite as the reason for the times of difficulty in the last days?
2. What does it mean to have an appearance of godliness but deny its power?
3. How can we avoid falling into this trap?
Notes
1. Paul is specifically citing corruption in the church as the main source of our difficulties in the last days. We would expect non-believers to be selfish and lovers of pleasure, but when those same problems enter into the church, we lose our credibility and witness in the world. When the center of our lives shifts to ourselves, we allow a host of sins to enter in.
2. The danger of heterodoxy is that it can continue to have a religious exterior, but at its core there is no power. On the surface, many things look like Christianity, but when you take a closer look, the power of the cross is no longer the foundation. An example of this is the Prosperity Gospel that teaches that every Christian should be wealthy and focuses on the material blessings of God.
3. For the believer, the best way to avoid this trap is a conviction of the truth. In the armor of God, we see that the first piece of our defense is the belt of truth.
Evening Reflection
Take time to reflect on the following anonymous words of devotion from Kent Hughes’ book, Set Apart: Calling a Worldly Church to a Godly Life.
“I do not know when I have had happier times in my soul than when I have been sitting at work, with nothing before me but a candle and a white cloth, and hearing no sound but that of my own breath, with God in my soul and heaven in my eye. I rejoice in being exactly what I am — a creature capable of loving God, and who, as long as God lives, must be happy. I get up and look a while out the window. I gaze at the moon and stars, the work of an Almighty Hand. I think of the grandeur of the universe and then sit down and think myself one of the happiest beings in it.”
Did you take time to enjoy God today? Are you content in who God has made you to be? Write down your own words of thanksgiving.
REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on June 20, 2020, is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Always Perfecting Timing”
Galatians 4:4
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…”
Luke 1:13
“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’”
One thing we must get used to—the earlier, the better: God’s timing and ours are not usually synchronized. That is to say, God always moves according to His “internal clock”, and no one can rush or delay Him (unless, of course, God sovereignly allows it—see Joshua 10:12-14).
Consider the case of an old couple—Zechariah and Elizabeth (“they were both well along in years”—Lk. 1:7)—who had been praying for a child for an awfully long time. They were godly people whom Luke describes as “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandment and regulations blamelessly” (Lk. 1:6). Nevertheless, being childless led the old couple to suffer “disgrace among the people” (Lk. 1:25).
In a perfect world made according to our thoughts and ways, which, of course, are different from God’s thoughts and ways (Is. 55:8-9), you would expect the LORD to gift this godly couple with a child. No, that didn’t happen for a long time, not until Zechariah was so old that, when an angel told him about the impending pregnancy of his wife, he said, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (Lk. 1:18).
So, why did God choose that moment to grant this couple’s wish? Well, their son—to be known, one day, as John the Baptizer was going to “prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him” (Lk. 3:4). So, the divine mind determined that John would precede the birth of Jesus in line with John’s role as the trailblazer for Christ. Subsequently, the birth of John had to occur precisely “when the set time had fully come [for] God [to] sen[d] his Son.” No sooner and no later!
Are you experiencing the anguish Zechariah and Elizabeth felt over uncontested prayers? It’s tough, right? Nevertheless, God is good, and His wisdom is infinitely greater than ours; at the end we are the ones who will be blessed by delayed answer to prayer. In the meantime, I recommend this old Maranatha song to you: “In his time,in his time. He makes all things beautiful. In his time. Lord please show me everyday. As you’re teaching me your way. That you do just what you say. In your time…” Let us “extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on [our] lips” (Ps. 34:1).
Prayer: Lord, I praise You this morning. Truth be told, I don’t have the strength to be patient as I wait for You to answer my prayers. So, please help me to be patient and praise You in the meantime. Help me to serve You faithfully as I wait for the arrival of Your time. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Romans 8
Lunch Break Study
Philippians 2:12-13:Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Questions to Consider
1. In what way can verse 12 (“…work out your salvation with fear and trembling”) cause a bit of angst among Christians?
2. How can we reconcile the apparent theological problem in verse 12?
3. What is your understanding of the phrase “fear and trembling”?
Notes
1. The statement seems to suggest that salvation can be obtained through good works.
2. Salvation through faith in Christ alone, is a theological doctrine that the apostle Paul himself, under the Spirit’s leading, developed throughout his epistles (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore, Paul is not suggesting here that we are to earn our salvation through our good works which pertains to our justification. Paul, here, is mindful of sanctification, a process of transformation that ought to take place after we are justified in Christ.
3. “Fear and trembling” isn’t so much this awful dread that God will zap them if they mess up; but rather, given the majesty of Christ portrayed in the preceding verses (vv.9-11), the idea appears to be that of reverent awe and wonder.
Evening Reflection
A day can go by so quickly. Before turning in for the night, consider these questions:
What are some personal or work issues that are causing you to lose sleep at night, or at least make you feel stressed? Did anything happen today that caused you to stress out even more? What have you done about them? Have you earnestly sought after God regarding these issues? If not, do you know why you haven’t? Do you have trust issue with God? Write out a prayer to Him honestly telling the Lord how you feel. Pray about your condition.
*First posted on September 14, 2013, it was prepared by Pastor David Alas.
REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on May 8, 2014. Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“The Telling Sign of Someone Who Truly Knows God”
Titus 1:15-16
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. [16] They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”
1 John 2:4-5
“Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. [5] But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them . . .”
What does it mean to claim to know God but deny Him by one’s actions? How can our actions reflect whether we truly know someone?
One common theme among romantic comedies today has become the “fake marriage” or “contract relationship.” Two people pretend to be in a relationship for mutually beneficial purposes, and a point of suspense for the rest of the movie becomes, “Will they be found out?” The relationship is tested in various ways, often revolving around the question of how well these two people really know each other. A girl claiming to be in love with the lead singer of a band (and therefore presumably his biggest fan), for example, begins to be suspected when she doesn’t seem to know the lyrics of one of his most popular songs. Her actions belied her confession.
With us and God, the test of whether we really know Him may not come down to whether we know His favorite color (preferences) or have His number in our cell phones (communicate frequently), but the Bible does say there is a way to tell: our obedience. But would obeying someone and knowing someone be connected?
Two thoughts come to mind:
I would obey someone if I knew that person was in a position to reward or punish me based on my actions, and if I trusted that person to judge fairly.
I would obey someone if I knew that person loved me and knew that whenever that person asked me to do something, it was with my best interests at heart.
God, in being perfectly righteous and perfectly loving, is all of these things and more, yet why is it that we still disobey Him? Although we know those things about Him, perhaps there is a part of us that doesn’t really experientially know Him as this kind of God.
If we are having trouble obeying God, feeling frustrated in a struggle with a particular sin, could it be that the solution is not more willpower but more time with God, trying simply to truly know Him more?
Prayer: Lord, I want to know you more / Deep within my heart, I want to know you / Oh, I want to know you and / I would give my final breath / To know you in your death and resurrection / Lord, I want to know you more / Lord, I want to know you more, Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Romans 7
Lunch Break Study
Read Titus 1:1: “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—”
Titus 1:16: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him . . .”
Titus 2:1-9:“You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. [2] Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect . . . [3] Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live . . . [4] Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children . . . [6] Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled . . . [9] Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them . . .”
Questions to Consider
1. Titus 1:1 and 1:16 serve as bookends for this first chapter. What common theme do you see? What should Christian “knowing” lead to?
2. In chapter two, what does Paul go on to talk about? Look again for the running theme. What do you think is the relationship between the “sound doctrine” he mentions in 2:1 and what follows in 2:2-9?
3. How do the above observations challenge you in terms of your own godliness? How seriously do we try to apply the things we learn on Sundays, during Bible studies, or in our own quiet times?
Notes
1. When we know the truth, it should affect the way we live. Knowledge of the truth should lead to godliness; knowing God should lead to obedience.
2. In chapter two, Paul expands on the theme he has introduced in chapter one by giving specific examples. Sound doctrine is the “knowledge of the truth” from 1:1, and the specific instructions on living that follow are examples of the “godliness” that the sound doctrine should affect in people.
3. See number 1 above.
Evening Reflection
How were my actions today? Did they reflect a denial of God or an acknowledgment of Him? On a scale of 1-10, how obedient was I today?
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 1, 2020, is provided by Pastor Joseph Chung who heads Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Let the Justice Roll”
Amos 5:23-24 (ESV)
“Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice rolldownlike waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Oh no, not again!
After watching what can only be described as hateful and senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota, I spent the day praying and mourning. Like many I felt deeply troubled. As I prayed, having been reminded of Amos 5:24, I prayed that God’s justice will roll on like a river and his righteousness like a never-failing stream.
What a broken, injustice-filled world we live in. As I watched that horrible video—even with my heart pounding—I felt a piece of my soul dying. So much pain. So much anger. The issue isn’t what Mr. Floyd allegedly did or did not do that made the police involvement necessary at the outset; rather it has everything to do with the self-evident fact that NO ONE BEARING GOD’S IMAGE DESERVES TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT—NO ONE! As God’s handiwork, we all are, despite being marred by sin, precious in His sight. John 3:16 says so: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
When will this injustice and hatred end?
Amos 5:24 starts out with a “BUT” because of what is said in previous verses: God’s condemnation of the nation of Israel—His people—for oppression and injustice. “You trample on the poor,” said “the LORD to the house of Israel,” and “you exact taxes of grain from him . . .” (Amos 5:4, 11). It is after that the LORD declares, “But let justice roll on like a river.”
So, amid all the chaos and hate, let God’s justice flow. As His people, we must love His justice. And as we worship Him, the way we live must demonstrate His justice! Please note what verse 24 says: Worship without justice, to God, is a noise; He will not listen.
Let us, therefore, cry, cry out to God for His justice to reign. Let us stand and mourn with those who are oppressed and treated unjustly.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for “JUSTICE.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You heart-broken, deeply grieving as we have witnessed the murder of George Floyd. We live in a deeply fragmented community where injustice and hatred run rampant. Lord, would You pour out Your mercy and compassion over us, that we may truly grieve and mourn with those who are hurting because of injustice. Open our hearts so that we have the courage to include and stand with those who are victimized and oppressed. May we find such joy in being vessels of Your justice. Help us to love as You have loved us. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Romans 6
Lunch Break Study
ReadColossians1:11-14: May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Questions to Consider
What does the apostle Paul pray that we may be strengthened for?
What is the source of our joy?
What is the inheritance of the saints?
Notes
Endurance and patience with joy. The fact that Paul was in prison at the time underscores the importance of these spiritual virtues. How many people let go of their faith when difficult times come?
The inheritance of the saints. This begs the question, “What is our inheritance?”
The inheritance consists of two components:
First, being redeemed and forgiven on account of the work of Christ, and as a result, freely receiving eternal life; second, rewards, which are based on what we did for the Lord while living on earth (2 Cor. 5:10).
EveningReflection
What are the sins that seem to habitually entrap you? Considering what was addressed this morning, it behooves me to ask, “How is your attitude towards people of other races?” Pray that God would supernaturally grant you freedom from all that plagues. Commit to confessing your sin to a close brother or sister who can pray for you and remind you of your inheritance in Christ.
*First posted on December 15, 2013, it was prepared by Pastor Jason Sato who now serves in Japan.
REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on May 26, 2019, is provided by Jennifer Kim. Jennifer faithfully served as a staff member in several AMI churches in the past.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“A Flagrant and Pleasing Aroma”
Exodus 30:22-38
Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekel of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 24 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 26 Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. 30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’”34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”
Six years ago, while taking my last film class of my college career, I had the privilege of attending a guest lecture by an Oscar winning producer. When she walked on stage, to our surprise, she had brought a special friend to stand next to her the entire lecture. He was only 13.5 inches tall and weighed 8.5 pounds, but he caught the biggest attention and response from the crowd. The moment we saw her friend, everyone stood a little taller, our eyes grew wider, we became more attentive, and you could sense that everyone wanted to show their very best version. If you haven’t figured out who her friends was, it was the famous Oscar statuette.
Today we read the meticulous details of what it took to make the precious anointing oil that would be poured onto Aaron and his sons for their priestly work. It was, in fact, such a delicate work that verse 25 describes it as “the work of a perfumer.” Along with these instructions comes a clear command that the misuse of this oil would lead to their excommunication from the people (v.32-33). This passage may seem like a contradiction to yesterday’s devotional where we talked about the heart being the most important thing. However, the tabernacle was created for the unique purpose of offering worship to God. Worship is the place where we are called to give our very best to God, and the distinct role of giving God our best worship still applies to us today. We are called to exude worship that is holy and pleasing to God, like a pleasing and fragrant aroma.
I am confident that almost every aspiring filmmaker in that lecture hall wanted to give their very best when they saw the prized Oscar statuette. Timothy Keller once said in his message about worship, “If you’re not worshipping God, you’re worshipping something else.” God created every person to worship Him and the truth is, if God is not receiving the fullness of your worship, something else is. Can I ask you, where is your affection and worship pointed to? Is your desire to give God your very best or are you worshipping worldly idols? Let’s bring these things to the Lord that we may be able to give God true and proper worship. This is the heart that God has placed in us, to give our best to the things we love.
Prayer: God may my worship today be a fragrant and pleasing offering to you. Forgive me for the things that have taken your place and help me to lay down my idols to give you true and proper worship. In Jesus name. Amen.
REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on April 27, 2019, is provided by Joe Suh. Joe is the Leader Pastor of Canvas City Church in Philadelphia
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“My Plan Sounded Really Good Until . . .”
Psalm 121:1-3
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?My help comes from theLord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.
I once heard a very interesting quote from the former boxing heavyweight champion of the world, “Iron” Mike Tyson. In a prefight interview he stated, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. In boxing this makes a lot of sense, but I feel this applies to our daily lives as well. Basically, we all have a plan, but what happens to that plan when we are faced with adversity?
We all make plans for any number of things. We plan to have a daily quiet time; we plan to reach out to our family and friends to share the gospel; we plan to get our kids into a great college; or we plan to marry the person of our dreams. The plans go on and on. Some plans are more detailed than others, but to some degree we have thoughts of how things will go in our lives. Having a plan is a good thing; however, what happens when life throws us a curve ball or as Mike Tyson stated, “When we get punched in the mouth”? Does adversity or an unexpected life event derail us? Do we lose all hope? Where do we truly put our trust when things get rough?
I think about my life and the hardships I have had to endure. Not that my life has been some great struggle, but I would say I faced my share of challenges along the way. I had always thought that when the struggles came, I would be able to lean upon my Heavenly Father. In theory, that was what I would do. However, when challenges came, I would turn to my own strength or knowledge to get me through. My first thought would be, “what can I do”, rather than look to God. Sadly, this would generally cause even more struggle and strife.
Here, the Psalmist asks where does my help come from? We are reminded that our help comes from our Heavenly Father, the creator of everything. The psalmist is not stating that we will not struggle or fail; rather, he is sharing the promise that our God will be there for us. He is the one who has never left us and will catch us when we fall. The degree to which we fall may vary, however the promise is that our Heavenly Father will be there for us. He is our keeper and will not forsake us.
No matter what trials we may be facing or what plans have gone astray, remember that God’s hand is big enough to cover us all. There will be a time when we are punched in the mouth; but when that time comes, we have to make sure the wheels don’t come off the wagon. We need not solely on our own strength but be mindful to look to our Father. It is a choice that we must actively make. Let us all choose to know and believe that through it all, our Father is always there for us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, once again I come to You in need of confessing that You have been an afterthought, a footnote, in my life far too long. Lord, when trials come, instead of calling another human being for comfort or counsel, remind me to get on my knees and cry out to You. Amen.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on December 17, 2014.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Missing Cookies and a Breached Wall”
Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
My children love all kinds of dessert: ice cream, cookies, cakes, etc. A few months ago, my wife made a batch of cookies, so I told my kids that they were not allowed to have any until after dinner. But right before dinner, I saw that several cookies were missing, along with a mess of crumbs all over the table. I realized that the gratification of cookies was too much to handle and as a result my kids gave into temptation.
Solomon, the writer of this proverb, compares a person without self-control to a breached wall. The city walls protect the people from all sorts of attacks from surrounding enemies. So the picture the writer gives is that of a city whose walls have been so nearly destroyed as to be without defense against the enemy; likewise, the man who has no restraint over his spirit is also defenseless and exposed to temptations, which eventually leads to sin. He has no defense against anger, lust, and the other unrestrained emotions that are harmful for the soul, as well as to others. Solomon reminds us that we should see self-control as a wall for defense and protection from the appetites of our flesh.
What area in your life do you need to ask for greater self-control? It could be lust, anger, shopping, your speech or something else. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can change us and give us the self-control we need to live a godly lifestyle. Spend some time this morning asking the Lord to search your heart and surrender the areas you need more self-control in.
Prayer: Dear God, only You can change my heart that lacks self-control at times in various areas of my life. Through the power of the Spirit, change me and fill me with more of You. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Romans 2
Lunch Study Break
2 Timothy 1:6-8:For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
Questions to Consider
What is Paul telling Timothy concerning the Holy Spirit?
Why do you think Paul is reminding him of this truth?
How is this applicable in our daily lives?
Notes
The effective Christian worker must have the power of the Holy Spirit, but that power must be expressed in a loving spirit. The Spirit also gives us self-discipline to flee from temptations and to live a God-centered lifestyle.
We tend to forget the power that is available to us in our everyday lives. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to change as we abide in Christ (John 15) and is not an act of self-will.
We need to be filled with more of Jesus so that we can experience His power and love, and to better minister to others.
Evening Reflection
What are some areas you need to surrender to the Lord so that you would be “protected” by self-control? We need to allow the Spirit to continue to work in our lives so that we would experience his transforming power and grace. Spend some time in prayer.
