October 24, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was originally posted on March 24, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Amazing Faith of Atheists”

Hebrews 11:6b

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Many years ago, I met a university professor at his home, quite drunk at the time, at the urging of a student from my church who was concerned about his mental health. Distraught by loneliness after his divorce and by backstabbing at work, he was deeply despondent.

As we spoke, I quickly learned that his father was a pastor in the same denomination in which I had been ordained and that he had grown up in the Christian faith. Somewhere along the way, however, this Doctor of Music lost confidence in the Bible because he became convinced that science had disproved it and exposed it as nothing more than myth. For instance, he insisted that the Big Bang proved that the creation account was untrue. In response, I asked him, “Where did the very ‘stuff’ (for example, the singularity, infinite density, or the physical laws themselves) from which the Big Bang emerged come from? How did inorganic matter suddenly become self-replicating molecules?” The professor replied, “That’s one problem science hasn’t solved.” I responded, “That’s one problem it will never solve.” Then he muttered to himself, “But we all have to be honest with ourselves and with our intellect, even if what we believe leads to despair. I must believe it because it is the truth.” The Bible says that the truth will set you free (John 8:32), but the “truth” embraced by Nietzsche and by this professor led instead to despair and, ultimately, mental collapse.

Human beings are created in such a way that without hope and purpose, life loses much of its meaning. The Christian belief that an infinite, personal God created each of us individually provides both hope and purpose. Christians and atheists alike have one thing in common: both begin their inquiry with certain faith commitments.

In the movie A Beautiful Mind, John Nash, the brilliant mathematician who won the Nobel Prize in Economics, is about to propose to his girlfriend Alicia. Presumably because of Nash’s scientific mindset, he asks her for evidence or proof of love. She responds by asking, “How big is the universe?” Nash answers, “Infinite.” When Alicia asks, “How do you know that?” Nash confidently replies, “Because all the verifiable data indicate it.” However, when she follows up with, “Have you seen it with your own eyes?” Nash pauses briefly and admits, “No. I simply believe it.”

Like Nash in the movie, Christians readily admit that their starting point is faith in God’s existence, a faith supported by plausible evidence (Ps. 19:1-4). What many atheists do not wish to admit is that statements such as “God does not exist” and “the universe has no beginning” also rest upon faith commitments. Given those alternatives, I will choose the one that offers hope and purpose rather than the one that leads to despair and meaninglessness. Let this truth encourage you today. Worship the Lord more passionately and show greater care for others in His honor.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for the gift of faith. Thank You that You have enabled me to believe that which the so-called “smart” people of the world find it beneath their intellect. “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matt. 11:25). Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Numbers 6-7

October 23, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on September 26, 2014, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan leads Dwell Church in Manhattan.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“No More Putting My Foot in My Mouth”

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 (NIV 84)

Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. 13At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—14and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming—who can tell him what will happen after him?

When I was in college, I knew one brave sister who decided to give up sarcasm for Lent. I thought that this was a great idea, so I considered giving it a shot myself. But as I thought more about it, I realized how impossible this would be. To endeavor for 40+ days not to mock nor make any witty disparaging comments to anyone was too great a task for me, so I concluded that it would be easier not to speak for 40 days (but I didn’t do either one).

Solomon would likely have called someone like me a “fool,” but I don’t think I’m the only one, for James 3:8 says, “No human being can tame the tongue.” Maybe you don’t have a problem with sarcasm, but we all have said things that we regret; words that have offended or stumbled others. And what do we typically do when we’ve said something that we know we shouldn’t have said? We “multiply our words” and try to justify ourselves, digging our graves a little deeper. We are all fools when it comes to controlling our words.

James tells us, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). This is a path to wisdom. The wise person listens first, learning and understanding what others are saying; and slow to speak, meaning they take time to process their thoughts and speak well. Also, he doesn’t speak with many words but with a few thoughtful words. Solomon tells us, “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious” (v. 12). While we will all struggle with the foolishness of our words, let us strive to be like the wise man and speak words of grace.

Prayer: Father, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. We pray that You will set us free from the folly of our own lips. Give us the wisdom to speak words of grace and love towards others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Numbers 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 2:14-16: Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is it about grumbling or disputing that prevents us from being blameless and innocent?
  2. Why do we shine as lights in the world when we refrain from grumbling?
  3. How can you use your words to shine like lights in a dark world this day?

Notes

  1. Grumbling or complaining ultimately reveals a heart of discontentment towards God and his rule over our lives. It’s a declaration that we know better than God, and that is, of course, a sin of pride.
  2. If we “do all things without grumbling or disputing,” then we would shine brightly in the world since most people are constantly grumbling and complaining, dissatisfied with everything. (Just browse through some reviews on Yelp to see how dissatisfied and entitled people feel.) But if we as Christians can refrain from a heart and mouth of grumbling, we will stand out as people of joy, content with what we have and who we are in Jesus Christ.
  3. Consider how you can encourage someone today with your words.

Evening Reflection

Think about how you used your words today. Were you encouraging people with words of grace? Or did words of grumbling and complaining come from you? Take some time to reflect on your words and what it shows about your heart and relationship with God. Pray for wisdom and joy to overflow to the words you speak.

October 22, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on December 11, 2013, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato in Japan.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Our Posture During Uncertain Times”

Psalm 125:1-5

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. 3For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. 4Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! 5But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!

We have known all too well that we live in a rapidly changing world where technology, culture, and even values are changing at a dizzying pace. What none of us really knew is how invisible viruses can greatly disrupt our personal lives just as swiftly: our finances, relationships, and health, to name a few. In the midst of such uncertainty, who cannot be “moved,” that is, ready to give up on God? But those who trust in the Lord will not be moved!

We often try to find stability in money, power, and acceptance by others, but these things are shaky ground. Now, that is a gross understatement in view of all that has happened just in the past few months. Entrusting ourselves to them will only lead to disappointment and even despair, day to day, hour to hour. Only God and our faith in His goodness are a firm foundation, even if we don’t always understand what He is doing in our lives.

Why should we trust this God? Because He is the One who is near, who is faithful, who protects His people; He is holy and just who shuns evil.

Take a moment to meditate on the One who remains constant. Reflect on His character and His promises that remain the same even though everything else is continually changing.

Prayer: Father, You are my rock. You alone are ever faithful, unchanging in Your power, goodness, and love. Thank You for being my firm foundation in the midst of a world that is so unstable. Enable me to entrust myself to You today. May my joy, freedom, purpose, and life be firmly fixed regardless of my circumstances because of Your Son. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Numbers 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1:1-4: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is the path to blessings?
  2. Who is like a planted tree?
  3. What are the signs of a tree planted by the streams of water?

Notes

  1. Avoiding the counsel of the wicked, the way of sinners, and the seat of scoffers.  This may include advice given by experts that may sound humanly acceptable but are antithetical to God’s truth.
  2. The one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night, and then puts it to practice (Matt. 7:24-7).
  3. It certainly would include bearing good fruits and not withering. In the same way, those who dwell in Christ would be just as fruitful in their lives, bearing fruits such as love, peace, kindness, etc. (Gal. 5:22-3).

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day in light of the signs of a tree planted by the streams of water. Does your life reflect these kinds of fruit? As you read Acts 20, ask the Lord to help you to delight in His Word.

October 21, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church East Bay), was originally posted on March 1, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Adversary and Prayer”

Psalm 20:1-5

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob
protect you! 2May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from
Zion! 3May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt
sacrifices! Selah 4May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
5May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our
banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

Psalm 20 is the prayer of Israel for their king as he prepares to lead his armies into battle. It is a proclamation of God’s protection, salvation, and favor as their nation faces the challenge of going to war.  This passage and all of its promises can be properly applied to the New Testament believer who is called into constant and unceasing spiritual warfare.

Many times, we can forget that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of evil—led by the adversary—that are unseen. The apostle Peter puts it like this: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Sometimes turning defeat into victory and failure into success is simply a matter of turning to God in prayer. In fact, there is no other recourse in dealing with “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12) apart from prayer.

As we live out our faith day to day, we should remember that there is an enemy that is lurking nearby but more importantly we should be mindful of a God who is willing and able to answer all of our prayers according to His plan and purpose. Prayer paves a clear path to the victorious life that we all desire. Pray with confidence for victory in areas of your life where you are struggling.

Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize that the battles in my life belong to You. You are the one who leads me to victory and helps me to prevail over situations and circumstances that seem out of my control. Teach me how to rely on Your protection and favor as I live out my faith today.

Bible Reading for Today: Numbers 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Daniel 10:13 (ESV): The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.

Questions to Consider

  1. These are the words of the angel Gabriel to Daniel. What is the main reason for the delay to Daniel’s prayers?
  2. Who is the prince of Persia and Michael? (Daniel 11:2, 12:1)
  3. What was Daniel doing prior to the arrival of Gabriel? (Daniel 10:2-3)

Daniel lived constantly in the awareness that there is something beyond the material world. Therefore, he was able to fast from the things of the world so that he could increase his spiritual vision. As we prepare for Easter, what are some things that you can give up as preparation for the observance of Christ’s death and resurrection?

Notes

  1. Gabriel, who is one of the archangels of God, was delayed because of an on-going battle with the demonic forces of Persia where Daniel and his countrymen were being held in captivity.
  2. The Prince of Persia is not just the title of the video game series but actually the demonic principality that was in command of the region of Media-Persia (Ephesians 6:12). We see through this passage that demons can exert a wide range of influence from personal, to territorial, and even socio-politically. Michael is a ruling angel who leads the forces of God in the spiritual war that is on-going in the heavenly places.
  3. Daniel was engaged in a 21 day fast in which he kept himself from delicacies and meat and wine as an expression of mourning for the state of Jerusalem.

Evening Reflection

What prayers were answered today? Were you able to overcome a temptation to sin? Was there a chance to forgive, love, or share your faith with someone?

October 20, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s blog, written by Pastor Barry Kang of Symphony Church in Boston, was originally posted on March 6, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

1 John 2:1-6 (ESV)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Since God is light (1 Jn. 5), we who are in fellowship with Him, must necessarily walk in the light. However, because the power of sin still dwells in us, the light often exposes our defective character that manifests through faulty behaviors. As we fellowship with God, we are in desperate need of being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  John Newton (writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace” and a former captain of a ship carrying slaves) put it this way, “I am not what I ought to be; but I am not what I once was. And it is by the grace of God that I am what I am.”

Moreover, we learn here that the metaphorical phrase, “Walking in the light,” really means keeping Jesus’ commandments. Among several commandments that the Lord gave us, I am reminded of the one he gave at the very end before ascending to heaven: “Make disciples of all the nations, …teaching them to obey everything.” Ultimately, this is the test that shows whether we are following Christ or not: Do we seek to obey the commandments of Jesus? Of course, in order to obey them, we must first know what they are. It is possible that some people are blissfully ignorant, because they don’t study the Bible. So, how are you doing with, first, learning, and then second, putting into practice the commandments of Jesus? Begin with something simple today.  Buy a bottle of water for someone thirsty (Matt. 12:42) or pray for an AMI missionary.

Prayer: Father, help me to fall deeper in love with You. I want to walk in the light. I want to know and keep Your commandments. By your grace, may I do so. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Numbers 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 7:24-27: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Questions to Consider

1. What do you think Jesus means by, “These words of mine”?

2. Compare and contrast the wise man and the foolish man: What is similar and what is different in the two accounts?

3. Why should we “do” the words of Jesus?

Notes

  1. Matthew 7:24-27 closes what is traditionally known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus is most likely referring to the teachings contained in Matthew 5-7 [e.g., “Give to the one who asks”; “Do not judge” (by mere appearance)].
  2. For both the wise man and the foolish man, “rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat” on their homes. In other words, being wise or righteous does not mean that trials won’t happen to him. The difference is how one prepares for the inevitable. The wise man had built his house on rock and so it stood, while the foolish man had built his house on sand and so it fell.
  3. Our lives need to be built upon the foundation of Jesus’ commands in order to last the storms of life. Many people are reluctant to do that because it doesn’t appear to pay immediate dividends. We think that way because our values are still worldly. The most important component to our existence is having a right relationship with Christ, and that is predicated upon our obedience.

Evening Reflection

How are you doing with obeying the commands of Jesus? Is there a command that God is reminding you which you need to obey? Let us pray and ask for God’s help as we resolve to obey.

October 19, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was originally posted on April 6, 2020.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Is God Actually Doing?”

Acts 2:22-24, 36-39

“‘Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him . . . 36Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’ 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ 38Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”

Over the years, I’ve noticed a repeated trope in the Church (both in Scripture and in present day): Folks who identify themselves as the people of God or followers of Jesus are inclined to miss (misidentify or ignore) what God is doing in their present time. And, it’s only after the fact, when they find themselves under God’s judgment (1 Pet. 4:17) or when their descendants look back, that the error is identified (and occasionally corrected). And the few, like the prophets, who are aware of what God is doing at the time—well, things don’t end so well for them (e.g., Jer. 38:6).

In the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) we read story after story of God’s personal revelation to the descendants of Abraham, oddly coupled with their continued confusion about what God is like and who God is calling them to be. They get hung up on technicalities of the law when God is instead inviting them to build a just world (Mic. 6:8). They focus on religious rituals (Mk. 7:5-13), when God is calling for acts of love and mercy to both neighbor and stranger. They look for ways to build empires and kingdoms in the world, when God is inviting them into loving community that transcends this world. God sent numerous prophets to signal a large-scale redemptive work, and yet when Jesus came, most were confused about the nature of his ministry, of salvation, and of the Kingdom of God (Lk. 24:21). The history of the Church (our history) tells a very similar story.

We are inundated with woefully unhelpful and often irresponsible speculations about the times in which we are living, particularly within charismatic and evangelical church spaces. There is a temptation to spend more time arguing about things that are deeply subjective and nonessential and speculating about things we literally can’t know (Acts 1:7-8, Matt. 24:36), than we spend actually practicing what we already do know (Mic. 6:8; Isa. 58:6). And in so doing, I wonder if we miss what God is up to in our time and inadvertently reject an invitation to get involved (Matt. 16:2-3).

What is the nature of the redemptive work God is doing in the world? How is the Spirit that works, doing that work right now, today (in our neighborhoods or cities)? How is God inviting us to get involved?

Bible Reading for Today: Numbers 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 2:14-21: Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:17“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Question to Consider

  1. What do you learn from these verses about what God is doing “in the last days”?  What do they teach us about the nature of the Kingdom of God and His plan for the world?
  2. What is God’s ultimate mission or goal in these verses (v. 21)?
  3. How do these verses speak to you (encourage and/or challenge)? How might you respond in faithfulness to God’s work in the world.

Notes

  1. God’s work is Spirit-empowered and done through the Church. The Spirit of God is empowering individual believers to bring forth the Kingdom of God as they do life together in community. This is done as believers prophesy (see as God sees and speak accordingly), dream dreams (of life in the Kingdom of God) and see visions (of God’s wisdom for our present time). These verses teach us that God’s Kingdom and God’s work in the world is available to all people (vs. 17). God’s Spirit doesn’t discriminate but moves powerfully through any willing participant. The intentional naming of specific groups makes this point clear.  The mention of sons and daughters eliminates limitations based on gender. The mention of young and old eliminates limitations based on age. And the mention of servants eliminates limitations based on class or social status. All are invited into the Kingdom and all can be empowered by the Spirit to do God’s work in the world.
  1. Salvation is available to all who will come because God’s goal is to save the world and redeem all of Creation.
  2. Maybe you don’t feel empowered by the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’re not sure God can work through you. Maybe you’re learning for the first time that God’s Spirit can move powerfully through all people. Maybe you’ve become distracted or disconnected from God’s work in the world. Wherever you are, ask God to speak to you in light of the passage above.

Evening Reflection

Tonight, we’ll end the day reflecting on the final segment of this passage, Acts 2:42-47:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

What do you think it means for believers to be together and have everything in common? What, if anything, keeps you from this kind of radical togetherness? How can you live out the heart of these verses in your present context?

October 18, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI Quiet Time blog, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 4, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Guard Your Heart”

Proverbs 4:23-25, 27 (NIV 84)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

We have all seen properties guarded by a secure fence; that’s how we ought to guard our hearts. Once the heart is breached, all moral and spiritual pollutants from the world will enter our thoughts to our demise.  

So, with what should we guard the heart? Guard it with God’s word (Eph. 6:17); guard it with prayer (Eph. 6:18); guard it from bitterness (Heb. 12:15); guard it from selfishness (Phil. 2:3). Above all, keep it away from hopelessness (Prov. 13:12). 

But remember this—even if you failed to guard it and the heart is wounded, you can find forgiveness and healing in Jesus!!!

Prayer: Jesus, I am weak, so I give you my heart.  Let the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you today. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 16

October 17, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI Quiet Time blog, written by Pastor Sam Lee of Catalyst Agape Church in New Jersey, was originally posted on July 20, 2014

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Being Holy”

1 Peter 2:1-2

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

We, as Christians, have a wrong conception of what holiness is. Many feels that a holy life is something we grudgingly live in order to please a demanding God, taking away pleasures in life.  Our negative attitude towards holiness is partly due to inadvertently glorifying sin (e.g., in our entertainment choices) instead of God. For instance, during my high school days, I would hear so many testimonies of how they used to party, get drunk, do drugs, and live immoral lives. They would go into great details of their life of debauchery with lots of excitement, and at the very end, they would squeeze in how Christ came into their lives; and now, their changed lives merely consist of Bible studies, prayer meetings, and Sunday services.

Yet Peter tells us that holiness is not about taking away things, but something good that is added to our lives. It can be compared to tasty milk that is given to a newborn baby. In a similar way, a spiritual newborn is given pure spiritual milk, consisting of, among other things, God’s word and the Holy Spirit that can help us to be separated from the values of the world (a.k.a., holiness).

Now, my third daughter doesn’t understand why we, as parents, don’t allow her to eat candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though she might misunderstand our intentions, our reason is simple: because we love her, we want to give our daughter something better to eat; something that will make her healthy and give her strength as well as to make her grow. 

And our God feels the same way. If we get rid of “all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind,” that is, things that hurt us, the Lord has room now to give us something so much better. As we let go of those things that are not good for us, God fills our lives abundantly with far greater things (joy, peace, a clear conscience and purpose, to name a few). So today, let’s clear out the junk in our hearts so that God can bless us with his precious things!

Prayer: Dear God, help me to be holy by adding goodness and kindness to my faith. Lord, embolden me to get rid of junks out of my heart, such as bitterness and resentment, but choose love and forgiveness. Please help me because I cannot do it on my own. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 14-15

October 16, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Quiet Time, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was originally posted on May 23, 2014.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Divisiveness in the Church”

Titus 3:10-11

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Although a common theme in the NT is unity (both Jesus and Paul prayed for unity), a weapon of choice that can effortlessly undermine unity is gossip. The author of Proverbs noticed that gossip served itself on a platter and was eaten as delicious morsels by its participants (Prov. 18:8), yet all gossip creates a culture of distrust, suspicion, doubt, and ultimately disunity.

Unfortunately, a divisive person is not easy to recognize in the church. The person may appear to carry the best intentions as he/she shares some “constructive criticism” about the church, the small group, the worship team, or the pastoral staff. The listeners begin to take notice of what once seemed to be trivial matters but has somehow quickly escalated into a matter of urgency and great discontentment. What was once a small church fighting for unity, a small group gaining momentum, or a worship team working harmoniously, is now a combative group—mean towards one another or at best stand-offish so that they merely put up with one another.

A divisive person is not to be tolerated in the church. His/her attacks are often taken in the shifting shadows where it is not easy to catch them in the act. Paul knows that the gospel is at stake if the church becomes fractured by divisive and toxic conversations that tear down rather than build up. The divisive person must be identified and warned sternly once, then a second time.

Do you sometimes try a little too hard to justify your discontentment with your church? Do you, therefore, find yourself talking with anyone who is willing to listen to your complaint while not saying hardly anything to the leaders? You may say things like, “I brought up this matter to see if my thinking is off; what do you think? It could be that you are trying to get that person to your side. The best thing to do is to speak to the leaders of the church directly. In fact, in any relationship, the direct approach is always the best. Try it today.

Prayer: Dear God, use my tongue to build up and edify the church rather than divide and hurt the church. Today, I pray for the leadership of my church asking that You will bless them and their families. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 13

Lunch Break Study  

Read Luke 9:46-48: An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Questions to Consider 

  1. What does this potentially divisive argument among the disciples reveal about our human nature?
  2. How are the disciples to cultivate authentic humility as servants of God’s Kingdom?
  3. In what ways do you make deliberate attempts to cultivate humility as God’s servants? Do you deliberately spend time with those with the “least” status?

Notes

  1. Luke addresses the issue of status. The synonym of “status” for most people is “power,” and its antonym is “lowliness.” But Jesus calls us away from pursuing status and power. Viewed spiritually, the opposite of status is humility. Such an attitude is fundamental for the disciple. There is an intense irony here: as Jesus discusses the Son of Man’s approaching rejection, the disciples are consumed by their own discipleship rankings.
  2. Jesus points to a child, a person with little status in the ancient world. Jesus does not view children as insignificant. For him every person counts. Bringing the child to his side, Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Jesus’ point is that everyone, even the lowest person on the ladder, is important. Receiving a child is like receiving God.

Evening Reflection

Were you able to bless, encourage, and edify others with the use of your tongue today?  

October 15, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Barry Kang of Symphony Church in Boston, was originally posted on April 18, 2013.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Power of Tongue”

Psalm 34:11-13

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

As New Testament Christians brought up on the concepts of God’s grace and love, it is sometimes difficult for us to understand what it means to fear the Lord. I remember the very first time I shared my testimony, I said something like this: “How can I fear God when I know that He loves me!”

We are not meant to be afraid of God, but rather God should inspire reverential awe: a fervent desire to live according to his will and pleasure. Reverential awe affects every part of the way we live, and according to the Psalmist, one clear manifestation of this fear is how we use our tongues and our lips. In other words, the words we speak. We know this instinctively: there are words that we would never use in front of our parents. How much more so should the words we speak give honor to God who is always with us!

We give glory to God when we praise him with words of reverence and praise. But we also give glory to God when we avoid speaking words that bring him disgrace.

Is our reverential awe for God evident in the ways we use our words? Today, let us commit to considering every word through the filter of worship before we speak. Ask the Holy Spirit for help so that we can fear God with our lips.

Prayer: Father, help me to understand once again how mighty and incredible you are. Help me to remember that you are always with me! May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 12   

Lunch Break Study

Read James 3:2-11 (NIV): We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does James compare our tongues to the bits put into mouths of horses or the rudder of a ship (vv2-6)?  In what way is the “tongue also…a fire”?
  2. What does James mean that “no man can tame the tongue” (v8)?  Does this mean we have no hope to follow James’s instructions?
  3. What is James’s concern in verses 9-11?  If it appears as though “fresh water and salt water is flowing from the same spring”, then what does that signify (v11)?

Notes

  1. The tongue is a very small thing, and yet like a bit which controls the movements of a horse, or a rudder, which controls the direction of a large ship, the tongue is the key to controlled living. James claims that a person who is able to control his tongue is “able to keep his whole body in check.” Winning this battle is the key to winning many of our spiritual battles. How so? The tongue is much more than what we say aloud. We cannot think without formulating thoughts into words. We cannot resent without fueling the fires of resentment in words addressed to ourselves. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves without listening to the self-pitying voice. The tongue enflames our passions and lusts. Words have the potential for destruction. Churches have split because of words spoken, accusations voiced. Nations have been divided because of words. In sum, the tongue is much more than the evidence of spiritual maturity; it is also the means toward it.
  2. When James says that the tongue can never be tamed, he means that we can never take our tongues for granted. We have to always be on our guard. At the same time, James says that “no human-being” can tame the tongue. However, the Holy Spirit can!
  3. James is concerned that with our tongues, we praise God but also curse people who bear the image of God. He compares this to fresh water and salt water coming from the same source. There is something very wrong happening!

Evening Reflection

Allow me to share a few more thoughts on what comes out of our tongues. 

The tongue is such a small thing, and yet, it is an important key to Godly living. This means much more than simply avoiding speaking evil or praising God (both of which are important).  When we control our tongues, we begin to discipline our minds and hearts so that we can give God praise with the totality of our being. With our tongues, we are also able to give encouragement and love to bearers of the image of God.

How did you do with controlling your tongue today? Did you have any conversations that you regret? Submit those conversations to God’s grace and ask for his help in future conversations.