March 31, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on November 7, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Did You Take a Praise Break Today?

Psalms 96:1-13 (NIV)

Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord! Praise his name! Announce every day how he delivers! 3 Tell the nations about his splendor!
Tell all the nations about his amazing deeds! 4 For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise; he is more awesome than all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are worthless, but the Lord made the sky. 6 Majestic splendor emanates from him; his sanctuary is firmly established and beautiful. 7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations, ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength! 8 Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves! Bring an offering and enter his courts! 9 Worship the Lord in holy attire!
Tremble before him, all the earth! 10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
The world is established, it cannot be moved. He judges the nations fairly.” 11 Let the sky rejoice, and the earth be happy! Let the sea and everything in it shout! 12 Let the fields and everything in them celebrate! Then let the trees of the forest shout with joy 13 before the Lord, for he comes! For he comes to judge the earth! He judges the world fairly, and the nations in accordance with his justice.

During my undergrad years, a popular craze was sweeping the cities of America that startled those who witnessed it: in various public places, at any moment and without warning, seemingly random people would collectively burst into song and dance for what seemed like no reason at all. They called these little performances “flash mobs.” One reporter described a flash mob as “an organized group of people that appear in a public place, to perform a synchronized act for a brief period, to the complete surprise and bewilderment of those around them.” These synchronized acts could occasionally be menacing and quite dangerous, but usually they were just fun and entertaining, lifting the spirits of bystanders.

When I read Psalm 96, some of my favorite flash mob YouTube videos come to mind, where people with one heart got together to express themselves for all the world to see. The psalmist is calling us to burst into jubilant song and dance of worship and adoration to our God because of who He is. Not only us, but all of creation is to join in on the praise! In the spring, following the dreariness of a long winter, it is as if the flowers come together to display their own flash mob of praise for all passersby to see. Or at certain times of the year when the waves are just right, it is as if the sea is taking its turn to do the same.

How about you? Will you praise God today? Even if not in a publicly and organized song and dance, we are called to give shouts of praise to our God for who He is and what He’s done.

For your viewing pleasure, some of my favorite flash mob worships are caught on video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfxlat-tp_Q

Prayer: Lord, help me to be exuberant and spontaneous in my worshiping of you.  Lord, help me to be free and expressive in letting you know that You are the most important entity in my life.  Praise You, Lord.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 14

Lunch Break Study

Read Revelation 7:9-11 (NIV): After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Questions to Consider

  1. In verse 9, who does God assemble to praise Him?
  2. In the following verses, what does the great multitude do and what does this tell us about the nature of praise?
  3. When was the last time you erupted in praise to God? When was the last time you shouted out songs of worship to Him?

Notes

  1. The key word in verse 9 is “every” – God doesn’t leave any group out when he calls together worshipers to praise Him. There are no national, tribal, language, or any other barriers. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! One day, we will see the manifestation of what John saw here in these verses. But, until then, whether we are together or apart, we can give God the praise He deserves. 
  2. In the following verses, the multitude “cried out in a loud voice,” praises to God. Sometimes, I forget the importance of full-bodied worship – where I cry out, with everything inside me, praises to God for who He is and what He’s done. We experience this kind of praise every now and then (e.g. at retreats when the band sings a song like “With Everything”). But in the busyness of life and certainly as I get older, I find this experience of praise far too infrequent. We should praise God in this way much more often. After all, from what I see in Revelation, there will be shouts of praise in the presence of God quite frequently in heaven for all eternity.
  3. Maybe it’s time for a praise break! Whether it’s in the car on the way home from work or walking home from class, be it in private or (for the bolder among us) in public, reflect on the goodness of God and sing out your own song of praise to Him today – for He is worthy!

Evening Reflection

Charles H. Spurgeon once said, “God is to be praised with the voice, and the heart should go therewith in holy exultation.” Spend some time verbally praising God; not only in your heart, but also with your mouth, offering words of praise to Him. What a privilege we have to bless the heart of God with our words of affection and adoration!

March 30, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on May 27, 2019, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Calling and Provision: Individual”

Exodus 31:1-6

Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Many of us have experienced the horrors of elementary school recess when the dreaded moment of picking teams comes upon us. It’s always the best athletes (or the most popular guys) who would be the captains, who then would proceed to pick one person at a time to be on their team. That’s when the bartering begins:

“If you pick me, I’ll give you the candy my mom packed for lunch.” “Pick me, I’ll just pass the ball to you, because obviously, you’re the best out there!” Then, the honor and gloat that comes from being chosen—there’s no feeling like it.

There is something about being chosen that we as human beings get a sense of satisfaction from. And in today’s passage, we see two examples of individuals—Bezalel and Oholiab—who are chosen, the term being called or appointed by God to carry out a specific task. But it goes much beyond that. With the calling comes a provision of the very skills and talents they would need to accomplish the task at hand. There is calling, and there is provision.

The thing is, these skills didn’t just appear. Yes, it does say that the Spirit of God endowed it upon them, but it’s not so much that Bezalel all of a sudden had these skills uploaded to him. Rather, understanding that most trades were developed through apprenticeship and learning from, most likely, their fathers, we see that there is a period of grooming of the individual to the point of excellence.

Not to disregard the truth that the Spirit of God endows these gifts upon individuals, but the wonderful thing we must remember is that God’s hand was on these individuals since their youth, grooming them in such a way that they may one day serve in the making of these instruments of worship onto God.

All of us have been endowed by the Creator with incredible skills and talents. We see in the world how these talents can be used for our own benefit, building temporary kingdoms of earthly glory. But when these God-given skills are joined together with the calling of God for His purposes—this is the satisfaction that is available to those who serve the Lord.

How has God endowed upon you incredible gifting? It may not look like much in the eyes of the world, but when used in the name of Jesus, there is incredible power and fruitfulness available. Brothers and sisters, God is at work all around us, and He is calling us to join Him, utilizing our God-given gifts and talents. So, how will you respond to Him today?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that in Your provision of salvation, You have given me purpose and calling to join in Your work. Thank You for the Spirit of God that imparts me with gifts and skills that allows me to uniquely join You in Your work. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 13

Lunch Break Study 

Read Ephesians 4:1-3, 7, 11-13: Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is the main idea that Paul conveys in this passage? What does it mean “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called”?
  2. Paul explains that through Christ’s victory through the Resurrection, one of the outcomes is that He gave gifts to men. In particular to people who serve within the church (v.11), what is the reason for these gifts?
  3. How have you seen this happen in your life? Have others built you up so that you can utilize your gifts for the sake of building up others/the church?

Notes

  1. As for the theme of Ephesians as a whole, Paul’s focus is on the unity of the church. Walking in a manner worthy of the calling entails humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance (amongst others) so that through this, we are able to preserve the unity that the Spirit gives to the church.
  2. Although verse 11 is a more specific calling to serve as leaders within the church, it can also be applied generally. Everyone has received gifts in order that they might fulfill their calling. Leaders within the church are called to equip others so that they too may join in ministering to one another.
  3. Personal response. Think of how you have personally been equipped by others so that you may use your gifts for the blessing of others.

Evening Reflection

As you have gone throughout the day today, in what ways have you recognized God using your gifting or skills He has provided to bless others? How do you feel about these moments? Spend some time thanking God for His calling and provision in your life.

March 29, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on April 1, 2018, was written by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church in New Jersey alongside her husband, Pastor Sam Lee.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend Before Easter

Matthew 28:1-7

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead….

The dawning of the first day of this particular week was a spectacular day, because it followed the death of Jesus. The old things have passed and new has come (1 Cor. 5:17), as Jesus’ body was not in the tomb.  When Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, arrived at the tomb to endow spices upon the Lord’s body, an angel tells them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said…” (v.6). Then he instructs them to go quickly to tell the disciples that He is risen! Jesus had resurrected as promised. 

This is glorious news, because the power of His resurrection also privileges us today. It has given us a new life through Him, as well as granting us access to the power of the living risen Christ! What does this mean?  For one, the penalty of sin has been completely paid, and we are no longer slaves to its power (Rom. 6:14).  We can overcome sin and temptation and choose to  live out of the Spirit of God in us.  Jesus has deemed powerless sin’s power by taking on all of its effects on the cross and making us the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). We are on the winning side.  Secondly, the resurrection power of Christ overcame death and death will no longer have any sting on us (1 Cor. 15:55). Eternal life is a promise that we are beholding even now—not only when we die. This means that we ought to live everyday from an eternal perspective. 

Finally, Christ’s resurrection has given us access to its very power to carry out the Great Commission and the work of God, which has been prepared for us to do in advance. Ephesians 1:19-20 says, “…and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” We are now able to partner with the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of God in the same way that Jesus did: preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and casting out demons (Luke 9:2; Matt. 10:8). We are able to do this because the very Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in us (Rom. 8:11). 

These are privileges we have inherited because of our Savior’s victory over the grave, and when we access its presence in us, our lives will testify that Jesus has indeed risen! And that’s what next week’s Easter Sunday is all about. Let’s prepare our hearts for it this week.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the finished work of Christ on the cross! Thank You that this is truly the good news, and its power of resurrection has been made alive in me. Please help me to not keep it to myself but allow its power to be activated in my life by sharing with others that the Lord has risen. Thank you!  Amen.

Bible Reading for today: Judges 12

March 28, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on July 20, 2019, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee. He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Waiting Faith”

Jeremiah 42:7-14

At the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he summoned Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest, 9 and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your plea for mercy before him: 10 If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the Lord, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. 12 I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land. 13 But if you say, ‘We will not remain in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God14 and saying, ‘No, we will go to the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war or hear the sound of the trumpet or be hungry for bread, and we will dwell there’ . . .

I believe that faith fundamentally comes in two forms: faith to act and faith to wait. People generally tend to gravitate toward the former as “real” faith, because people who act in faith don’t just sit around and let the world pass them by; they boldly go out in the name of the Lord and conquer lands and win souls. These people are like the action heroes of Christianity.

Rightly so, we admire guys like Hudson Taylor who pioneered missions to inland China, or Jim Elliot who gave his life in preach to the Auca tribe in Ecuador, or even our many AMI missionaries who serve the Lord abroad in various countries. The Bible even seems to support the notion that faith to act is a superior form. Read Hebrews 11: everyone mentioned was commended for some kind of action. If you need further convincing of this, look no further than the apostle James who declared, “Faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26).

But every so often, the Bible gives us a glimpse at what waiting faith looks like. Waiting faith hears the gentle whisper of God that says, “Stay where you’re at, even though the circumstances look bleak. Trust Me, I’ll turn things around.” In a lot of ways, I think waiting faith is harder than “faith in action”, because when we are doing something, at least we feel like we have some control over the circumstances. But waiting that requires us to stretch muscles we are not used to moving is easier said than done. It requires us to trust, pray, persevere, hope, and stay optimistic, all of which I would argue are also actions.

I understand why the remnant of Israel would want to go to Egypt. Look at vs. 14: Egypt seemed like a land of peace, abundance, and opportunity. For the last how many years, Jerusalem was a warzone, people went hungry, and the threat of being conquered constantly loomed overhead like vultures circling a carcass. Simply put, the Israelites were tired, and Judah probably looked like Pride Rock after years of being ruled by Scar. (Did anyone see that movie last night?). So why would they want to hanging on, in Israel? But despite all this, the Lord tells his people to stay in Judah and trust Him—talk about a seemingly powerless position.

This morning, let me ask you this: Is there something that you feel like the Lord is telling you to wait on? Isn’t it funny how it seems like when the Lord wants you to act, He practically shouts, but when He wants you to remain, it feels like He’s whispering? He’s there—you might just have to learn to distinguish His gentle voice.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to walk by faith and not by sight. If You want me to wait, let me do so in prayer, patiently, steadfastly, and hopefully. Help me to trust You, especially when I don’t see a way out of this situation. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 10-11

March 27, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church, East Bay) was originally posted on March 6, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Despair Not”

Psalm 22:1-2; 19 (ESV)

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?  2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,  and by night, but I find no rest.  19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!”

There are times in our Christian life when God seems distant and when there seems to be nothing but silence in answer to our prayers.  During those seasons, there is always a temptation to give into our doubts and believe that God has stopped listening or that it’s useless to continue seeking Him. We may feel alone in these circumstances but this is an experience that is common to all believers.  Everyone goes through those valleys in their spiritual walks with God. 

Knowing that Christ endured through a much greater abandonment can be a source of comfort in the midst of our distress.  We know that Christ uttered these exact words from the cross (Matthew 27:46) revealing that even the Son of God was not excluded from the isolation caused by sin.  But because we know that he endured the scorn of the cross and overcame, we can have hope that God’s help is not too far off. 

In our own times of despair, it’s easy to believe that we are alone but the cross reminds us that we have a Savior who not only knows our pain but has suffered through so much more.  To Him, we can cry out and place our complete trust even in the darkest moments.

As you prepare for another day, does God’s presence seem close or is there a distance?  Does it bring you comfort to know that Jesus knows exactly how you feel?  Think about how Jesus identifies with our everyday struggles. 

Prayer: Jesus, I take peace in knowing that you have experienced the pain of unanswered prayers and the sense of being forsaken.  But more than that, help me to realize that you endured the rejection and the abandonment at the cross so that I would never have to relive that experience in full.  Give me faith to believe that you are with me through the daily struggles of life and that I can come to you, knowing that you completely understand and identify with me.    

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Jesus function as our high priest? (Hebrews 5:1, 7)
  2. What allows Him to sympathize with all our weaknesses?  (Hebrews 2:17)
  3. As our high priest, how does Jesus give us hope?  (Ephesians 4:10)

One of the great comforts of the Christian faith is the belief that we have a high priest who is constantly interceding on our behalf.   We are never left to fend for ourselves and made to feel like no one is on our side.  Jesus weeps as we weep and rejoices as we rejoice.  

Note

  1. Jesus functions as our high priest by acting as both a gift and sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 5:1).  In addition, he offers up prayers and intercessions on our behalf before the Father (Hebrews 5:7).  Jesus even now stands in the gap for each of us. 
  2. Jesus is able to completely sympathize with all of our struggles and failures because he is made like us in every way.  The humanity of Christ is one of the most comforting doctrines of the Christian faith because it assures us that God doesn’t stand outside of our suffering but has actually entered into our pain. 
  3. However, unlike an earthly high priest that can sympathize with us but gives us little hope, Christ provides for us hope for today through his resurrection and ascension into heaven.  Just as he overcame the trials of this world and even death itself, we can overcome our trials through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Evening Reflection

Were you aware of the love of Christ today?  Is your heart warmed by the fact that His love is deeper, wider, and greater than you can imagine?  Has there been a tangible experience of God’s love recently in your life?  Write about these things.   

March 26, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was originally posted on April 29, 2019.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God is a God of ___________”

Exodus 23:1-9 (NIV)

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness. 2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, 3 and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit. 4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it. 6 “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. 7 Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. 8 “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent. 9 “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

If you were to list three words describing God or things most important to God, what words come to mind? Or, to put it another way, how would you finish this statement: “God is a god of _______”?

Love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, forgiveness, kindness, holiness, righteousness, and even judgment are words I hear often in response to this question (and understandably so). But one attribute of God that I take every opportunity to highlight is justice. “Indeed, God is a god of justice.” (Isaiah 30:18b) The laws given to God’s people (like those above), the words recorded in the prophets, and the witness of the life of Jesus all scream that justice is central to God’s character and a priority in God’s heart.

So what is justice? One theologian describes righteousness (which is often mentioned in the same breath as justice in the biblical text) as “conformity to God’s character.” It speaks to our likeness to God, our ethics and character formation. Justice, on the other hand, speaks to our dealings with other persons and flows from a heart of righteousness. Righteous is something we are (we are like God) and justice is something we do (we do as God does).

Oftentimes Christians describe our mission in the world this way: we’re called to love, share the Good News, and build God’s Kingdom. But what does that look like? What does love look like in a broken world? What does God’s Kingdom look like in the face of the world’s broken kingdoms? It looks a lot like justice.   

Recently, I spent a week with Christian artists and influencers brainstorming ways to use their public platforms to advance the cause of education equity. After learning about the problems facing the most vulnerable among us (children), we prayerfully considered how we can get to work making a better world (as it relates to education). The efforts of these artists and influencers are just one example of what it looks like for Christians to begin to do justice.

We are transformed into Christ’s likeness and empowered by God’s Spirit to do good. This requires a willingness to confront interpersonal injustices (when we wrong one another) as well as unjust systems (that are structured to disadvantage and dishonor certain parts of our community). And we do all this because it matters to God how we treat one another. It matters to God that we create societal systems and structures that are equitable and honoring to all those whom God has made… and dismantle any that are not.

If God is a god of justice and we are God’s children, what does it mean for us to “be about our Father’s business” (Luke 2:49) in our world today? 

Prayer: Gracious God, You have made it clear in the Scriptures that You are a God of justice. Open my eyes to areas of interpersonal and systemic brokenness and inequity in my life and community. Give me the courage and creativity to intentionally leverage my resources toward the ends of  justice. Your Kingdom come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Amos 5:21-24 (NIV):“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Micah 6:6-8 (NIV):With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Question to Consider

  1. What do these two passages have in common?
  2. What is the content of each prophet’s rebuke of the people? What were they doing wrong and what was God asking them to do instead?
  3. If God sent a prophet to the church today, what might be the content of the prophet’s rebuke to us? Knowing that we serve the same God we find in the passages above, what might God have to say to us today? What would it look like for us to repent and respond favorably to this rebuke?

Notes

  1. In both passages, God’s prophet is delivering a rebuke or correction to the people of God. God wants them to understand what true worship looks like. And God is very upset (particularly in Amos) – so upset that God will not accept their empty religious rituals (their offerings) and later threatens to send them into exile as punishment.
  2. The people of God were settling for empty religious behavior (festivals and sacrifices) instead of wholistic lives to truly honor God. They were worshiping and praising God in their religious gatherings and making offerings according to the law, but God’s heart had not become their heart. More so than the outward rituals, God wanted them to allow righteousness to penetrate their hearts and justice to mark their dealings with one another. God’s people were supposed to build a community marked by righteousness and justice (as a society) and they failed to do so.
  3. Personal reflection

Evening Reflection

Phil. 2:5-11:  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A dear friend of mine often says that a good place to begin the work of justice and reconciliation (I add reconciliation because injustice breeds fragmentation that doing justice begins to repair) is to take inventory of our privilege and look for ways to divest. By that she means: see what we have that others don’t have (advantages, resources, access, etc.), and find ways to not just share, but to empty ourselves for the sake of those around us.  Spend time reflecting on the passage above. What would it mean for you to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” in your present context? Who are the disenfranchised in your community? What would it look like to do justice with them in mind? What resources do you have that you can leverage toward that end?

March 25, Wednesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang, was first posted on January 7, 2019.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Eavesdropping on Conversations Between Sheryl Sandberg and Michelle Obama”

James 4:14

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

In her recordbreaking memoir Becoming, former First Lady Michelle Obama recalls her pre–White House days this way: “As a full-time working mom with a spouse who was often away from home, I became well acquainted with the juggle many women know—trying to balance the needs of my family with the demands of my job.” Indeed, this pressing issue facing many women today has been addressed in several books, but the one that stands out is Lean In (2013)—largely because its author is Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook (published before the untimely passing of her husband). A wellreceived work, one reviewer commented, “I don’t think you should sell yourself short way before it’s time [to have kids] . . . Sheryl calls this leaning in, instead of leaning back. Your tendency might be to cut back and, for example, not take a promotion because ‘you’ll have kids soon anyway,’ but that’s exactly wrong, because it will lead you to make career decisions that are guaranteed to make you miserable by the time you actually have kids.”

Apparently, Mrs. Obama doesn’t agree with Sandberg, for during her recent book tour she said, “It’s not always enough to lean in, because that ‘s***’ doesn’t work all the time.” Feeling frustrated, she added that “women can’t experience equality in both their professional and personal lives ‘at the same time,’” calling the idea a “lie” and arguing that “marriage still ain’t equal, y’all.” And coming from her, that’s saying something; after all, who would question Mrs. Obama’s qualifications to carve out her own political career if she had chosen that path? But this Harvardtrained lawyer became, in effect, a stayathome mother of two daughters after her husband became the POTUS. Clearly, motherhood elicits in Mrs. Obama immense pride, for it is said that she identifies herself first as Malia and Sasha’s mom.

So, if you are a woman caught in this dilemma, whose idea do you lean on? Suffice it to say, beyond public debates, real families face real constraints. That is to say life rarely fits ideological categories, and Christian families must make decisions through prayer, not politics

Now meet my two middleaged cousins who are married with children. Both are highly educated, having attended arguably the top women’s college in the U.S. and earned professional degrees from Ivy League schools. My lawyer cousin, who is politically leftleaning and no fan of Donald Trump, has been a stayathome mom to three children (her husband’s profession makes this possible); while the other cousin, a mother of two small children who once served on staff at a conservative church, is presently the sole breadwinner. Ideologically, this is ironic: my leftleaning cousin “should” have a career outside the home, while my rightleaning cousin “should” be a stayathome mom. But in real life, “[we] do not know what tomorrow will bring”—meaning, unpredictable and unplanned things happen, and when they do, people don’t always make decisions based on their political ideology (“What would a feminist do in this situation?”) but simply respond. 

I’ve seen this happen to people close to me one too many times: both of my siblings lost their spouses when their children were very young. (Sandberg herself knows this all too well.) Whatever life goals they had—perhaps shaped by their political ideals—were shelved in order to respond to their new daytoday reality: “Lord, give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), or simply, sanity. I think my working cousin—who loves kids—would rather stay home, but that option was taken off the table once her husband began facing health problems. And if my lawyer cousin was hoping to rush back to her career, she and her husband certainly did an odd thing by adopting a baby from overseas.

So, what’s on their mind? In the few conversations I’ve had with them, I heard neither frustration nor elation about their careers (or the lack thereof); rather, they were concerned with raising their children to be conscientious and generous human beings who take their faith seriously.

The way women (and families) navigate the tension between work and home won’t always look the same—sometimes it’s the man who becomes the stayathome parent—because of variables beyond their control, extenuating circumstances, or even reasonable lifestyle choices. What’s important amid this tension is that “on [God] we . . . set our hope that He will continue to deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:9b) from life’s many challenges, including “train[ing] up a child in the way he should go; [so] even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).

Ultimately, whether to get married or have children is a personal decision to be made with much prayer. But once we have children, the responsibility of raising them falls on those who chose to bring them into the world. And the goal of Christian parenting isn’t to raise the next Bill Gates or Sheryl Sandberg, but individuals who love God and obey Him. There is no work more valued, vital, or difficult than that. In the end, the question is not whether we lean in or lean back, but whether we kneel.

Prayer: Lord, as a man, forgive me for not appreciating all the heavy lifting our women do in order to keep everyone in the family alive! We pray for the women in our lives, that they would stop every now and then to be able to hear Your approval of them in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 18:1-3: After this Pau left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

Acts 16:12-15: And from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of thedistrict of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Ruth 2:7: “She [Ruth] said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.” 

Questions to Consider

Note that what’s addressed in the morning devotion is a class-bound discussion—meaning, it is an issue encountered mostly by women with means and options, and not necessarily those who have no choice but to work to put food on the table.  Wendy Kaminer, a former board member of ACLU, once put it this way: “Why do some young women on Ivy League campuses, among the most privileged people on the globe, feel oppressed? Why does more middle-and upper-class whites feel oppressed than among lower-income women and girls, of color?”

1. Three women are seen in the three passages we read above.  What do they have in common? What are they all doing? 

2. Some teach that mothers with kids should stay home to raise them.  Yes, that is ideal and part of the biblical picture, but what about those mothers who really don’t have that choice? Are the two Acts passages clear about the sociocultural status of Priscilla and Lydia? What if they were married or single-parents with kids? Do you think women like Ruth, who lived in an ancient agrarian society, never joined others in sowing and harvesting after she became a mother? What do you think?  If she did work, then, what would that mean?

3. You are a professional man or woman with kids at home. You have a big house, nice cars and plenty of money in the bank. One income is not going to wipe you out, especially if you lower your living standard.  Now God’s Word says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Tim. 6:6-8). It further says that one of the good deeds we can do is “bringing up children.”  We are not necessarily talking about breaking God’s principle here (i.e., sins leading to both short- and long-term consequences) but not heeding God’s precepts (i.e., unwise choices leading to long-term repercussions).  Your move.

Note

1. They all worked to make a living: Ruth was a day-laborer, Priscilla was a skilled worker, and Lydia was a business owner catering to high-end clientele (indicated by selling purple goods).

2. My point is that not every father or mother can afford to stay home to take care of the children, because they just don’t have the financial means to do it. I, as a pastor, need to teach God’s principles and precepts (see question 3) on this matter and let the parents prayerfully and honestly make their decisions, but with God’s kingdom and children’s best interest in mind. The final decision may look different from family to family. 

3. Really personal response. 

Evening Reflection

Are you married with kids? The best you can do for them is to pray consistently for them.  If that has not been your practice, do it right now and then do it every day from here and out.  Are you aspiring to be the next Sheryl Sandberg? While I don’t know much about her, one thing I do know is that she abruptly lost her husband over a freak accident—another reminder of how brittle and fleeting life can be. Yes, do all that you can to prepare for a robust career, but remember to heed what King Solomon, who had it all to his great disappointment, declared at the end: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth . . . The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccles. 12:1, 13).

March 24, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on May 28, 2019, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Calling and Provision: Corporate”

Exodus 31.6b-11

“. . . and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of testimony, and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent, 8 the table also and its utensils, and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and the laver and its stand, 10 the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, with which to carry on their priesthood; 11 the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.”

A favorite story of mine growing up is called “Stone Soup.” It is a story of a lonely traveler who seeks shelter in a village. But when the villagers refused to provide food or shelter, he begins to cook what he calls “stone soup.” Placing a large stone in a pot full of water, he shares how excited he is for his meal. This obviously perplexes nearby villagers. Long story short, the traveler tricks the villagers into contributing carrots, potatoes, meat, etc. so that the soup would be that much better; the moral of the story being how much better the outcome can be when everyone contributes.

Yesterday, we reflected on how God calls individuals to join Him in His work, having already placed within them through the Spirit the gifts and means through which they can uniquely contribute to that work. Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on how this can impact a community when people come together to contribute their gifts and talents for the work of God.

We read that the same kind of anointing God placed upon Bezalel and Oholiab will be placed in the hearts of all who are skillful. God did this so that they may make all that he had commanded them. Calling and provision: the commandment given by God along with the means provided by God to accomplish those commandments. I want to remind you of the context in which this is all happening. They have been wandering the deserts. There is no Walmart or Home Depot for them to pull into to get the materials to make the altar of incense or burnt offering, the utensils required, the thread for the garments for Aaron and his sons, the anointing oil, and the list goes one. Just take a glance over chapters 25-30, and you’ll see how exact God’s instructions are for the construction of these things. Even with a Walmart or Home Depot, these things would be near impossible to bring together.

And yet the people of God are able to fulfill the commandments collectively because God had called them, and through them, provided every means and skills required. We see the beauty of what happens when God’s people collectively respond in obedience to join in what He is doing. We see how the provisions for accomplishing these things are found right within the community. The joy an individual experiences in making his God-endowed, unique contribution to the work of God is that much more amplified when God’s people corporately respond in obedience. In this, we see that as much as we are called individually, we are called collectively—this is what it means to be the church of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help us to recognize the importance of the Body of Christ, after which we immerse ourselves fully into its corporate functioning in such a manner that we all make important contributions to Your work of redeeming the nations.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 6

Lunch Break Study  

Read: 1Peter 2:4-7a: As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe…

Questions to Consider

  • Take a moment to delve into the imagery used by Peter in this passage. What insights can you draw from the picture?
  • What is the promise that is provided in this passage when the holy priesthood of God is built up as a spiritual house? What might this imply to those who choose to be a part of God’s spiritual house?
  • Whether in the ministries you are serving in or your small groups, do you see this building up of living stone happening? In what ways is God calling you to a greater cohesiveness with other living stones? 

Notes

  • There can be a lot of things we can pull from this image, but couple of highlights: (1) the imagery shows that Christ is the first stone that was rejected, and He is the ultimate cornerstone upon which we are built to become the spiritual house of God. Us being living stones = being Christlike. (2) One stone cannot be a house; only when stones are built upon each other can it become a house. Similarly, the church is built not only by one individual, but when all contribute for the sake of building up of the body. 
  • The promise is twofold. When we become living stones like Christ, we will be rejected by the world. But despite being rejected by the world, the promise here is that the honor will be for those who believe. There is a great honor waiting for those who are part of God’s spiritual home.
  • Personal response. The passage we studied yesterday (Ephesians 4) can also help provide insight in your reflection.

Evening Reflection

When was the last time you took a moment to thank God for your church? Your local church community is one of the most tangible ways in which you see this collective response to God’s calling. It is the place in which you are built up and where you build up. This evening, take a moment to thank the Lord for your community.

March 23, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional—originally posted on May 20, 2019—is provided by Jennifer Kim, who faithfully served on staff at several AMI churches in years past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Priesthood of All Believers”

Exodus 29:1-9

“This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect. 2 And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil. 3 Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams. 4 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. 6 Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred emblem to the turban. 7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. 8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.”

When I first started as the youth pastor at Catalyst 5 years ago, I was convinced that I would easily relate to our youth kids.  I was 23 at the time—meaning, the age gap was only about 10 years, I was technologically savvy, I understood pop culture, and the list goes on.  Well, it took less than a month to realize that I was completely wrong.  I not only struggled to understand their interests, but I couldn’t understand some of their lingo.  Twenty-three certainly is not old, but these kids made me feel old, and worst of all, irrelevant!

Often, when we read books containing the Mosaic law, we ask ourselves, “How is this relevant?”  I mean how many of us have tried to do the one-year Bible plan but gave up when the long list of laws continued for the next 100 plus chapters?  So why would God utilize the first books of the Bible to go through the meticulous details of the Old Testament law?  Well the simple answer is quite relevant, as a matter of fact, it’s life changing.  It was to reveal the cost and weight of sin in order to point humanity to the ultimate Messiah who would take on the sins of the world.

Exodus 29 begins with the detailed procedure of consecrating God’s chosen leader.  Priests were chosen to represent others before God, and they had the assignment of entering into the tabernacle where God’s presence dwelled in order to atone for the sins of others.  This elaborate consecration process was essential because only a holy person could face God’s presence and survive.  Although not all of us are called to be pastors or ministers, 1 Peter 2:5 reveals that through the work of Christ we are all a holy priesthood.  As Jesus Christ stood in the place of sinners, offering himself as a holy and blameless offering, he sanctified all by his own blood and suffering (Heb. 2:10).  As Jesus stood in our place, he tore the veil in order that we ourselves may enter His presence as a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices.

Today let’s remember that God calls all of us chosen and a royal priesthood.  As we give God thanksgiving for His sacrifice that we may freely enter His presence, let us also remember that this came at a price, and a heart of thanksgiving is always moved to action. 1 Peter 2:5 reveals that action is to offer spiritual sacrifices to God.  Take some time and ask yourselves, what can you give God today as your spiritual sacrifice?

Prayer: God thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice that I never have to atone for my own sins.  Continue to build me into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 5

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 2:4-10“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Questions to Consider 

  1. Contrast the status appointed for the believer and the unbeliever.
  2. What assignment does God give to those He calls a royal priesthood?
  3. What is one way that you can declare the praise of God through the testimony of God’s work in your life?

Notes

  1. The unbelievers will be rejected (v.7), they will cause others to stumble (v.8), and they themselves will stumble because of their disobedience (v.9). Believers are called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (v. 9).
  2. To “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (v.9).
  3. Personal.

Evening Reflection

Today we discussed the sacrifice of the ultimate Lamb who atoned for our sins that we may freely enter into God’s presence.  Now, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are called a royal priesthood; however, this title comes with a commission to declare the praises of God that all may enter into His presence. Take some time to reflect on your day.  Did your words, actions, and thoughts declare the praise of Him?  Would others be able to see you as a royal priesthood of Christ?  Write down specific ways you can offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord that others may know their priesthood in Christ Jesus through your life.

March 22, Sunday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on January 6, 2019, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman—now a friend of AMI—who served at Grace Covenant Church UC (now in Philadelphia) for many years.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Mother’s Costly Obedience”

Luke 2:19 

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Due to medical issues, six years went by before we had our first child; we named him Nathaniel, meaning a gift of God. I consider motherhood one of life’s greatest privileges and blessings because it is through motherhood God taught and matured me about His unconditional and sacrificial love to a whole new level.  As I age, my appreciation for maternal love has deepened exponentially with each passing year.  I wonder then what it was like for Mary to raise her son Jesus.

Mary knew, from the time she supernaturally conceived Jesus, that her firstborn was no ordinary child since there were several unusual encounters surrounding her son’s birth: the angel Gabriel’s announcement of her divine conception; the celebration by her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John; special visits from the wise men who came to worship the baby Jesus and the shepherds, to rejoice over him; and the confirmation of Christ’s Messiahship by Simeon and Anna. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart throughout her son’s life.

She knew her son was special, and God was going to use him greatly to bring about the redemption of the world.  But it was beyond her understanding what it would ultimately cost her son to become the savior of the world: opposition, hatred, loneliness, rejection, betrayal, imprisonment, and finally, execution.

As her son’s journey to fulfill his life mission increasingly took unexpected turns and became a mother’s worst nightmare, I wonder whether Mary’s mother’s heart and protective instinct tempted her to stop Jesus from going to the cross.  If she did, the Bible doesn’t say; instead, she supported him and stood by his side until the very end.  She followed him to Calvary and watched him take his last breath underneath the cross.  As a mom, I simply cannot imagine how Mary’s heart must have suffered and shattered for her son.  

Yet, I can trace her inner strength back to the young Mary who thirty years before made a wholehearted commitment to be God’s servant without any hesitation, reservation, or condition.  The intuitive, perceptive Mary understood that she was not alone in enduring her son’s death; her heavenly Father’s heart wept and broke with hers, because the only way to redeemed the world was through the sacrificial death of the Son of God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

God’s ultimate plan of salvation was fulfilled through a mother with a childlike faith and a costly obedience.  As we begin 2019, may we boldly ask God to develop in us a strong faith that keeps on saying yes to Jesus with all that we have even when things become difficult or costly to follow.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the blessing of my children.  Help me to always remember that they are Yours first and foremost.  Help me to be a godly mother like Mary who loves You and follows You wholeheartedly.  We recognize that motherhood is a stewardship entrusted by You.  Empower me by your Spirit, to be faithful to bring them up to know you, love You, follow You.  Loosen my grip on their lives to follow you wholeheartedly without hesitation, reservation and condition.  By Your grace alone, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 4