April 16, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on April 1, 2013, was written by Pastor Barry Kang. Barry is the Lead Pastor of Symphony Church in Boston.

“The Path to Happiness”

Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV)

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. ”

Our culture suggests many paths to happiness: accomplishments, career, “bucket-list” experiences, and romance.  We seek these things to anaesthetize the pain or boredom that many of us feel.  However, the authors of scripture are clear: the true path toward happiness is to live a life approved by God (Phil 4:11-13).  

Both forgiveness and a right relationship with God are the only way we can attain true happiness.  This is why Jesus came—why this past weekend, we celebrated the cross and resurrection of Jesus—so that we could be forgiven and come into a right relationship with God.  We are indeed blessed to have a God who loves us so! God’s mercies are new with every morning (Lamentations 3:23-23).  

Let’s begin our day right.  As you prepare for the day, reflect upon your need for forgiveness and thank God for the repentance, cleansing and love that He offers you.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You forgive my sins anew every morning. I thank You that the blood of Jesus covers every one of my sins.  Help me to live this day in the freedom that comes from being forgiven and in a right relationship with you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 4

Lunch Break Study  

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV): “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ”

Questions to Consider

  1. How can we be reconciled with God?
  2. Focusing on this passage, what are three consequences of our reconciliation with God?
  3. What does it mean to regard no one from a worldly point of view (cf. Matt 5:43-48)?

Notes

  1. In verse 19, it is clear that reconciliation with God happens through the forgiveness of sins, which is by the work of Jesus Christ.  True reconciliation is not possible without forgiveness.
  2. Some consequences of being forgiven:  
    (1) “We no longer regard anyone from a worldly point of view”; 
    (2) We are new creations;
    (3) We are given the “ministry of reconciliation”.
  3. The way of the world is to seek revenge:  “You hurt me. I will hurt you back.”  The way of the Kingdom is to forgive.  As one pastor put it, “forgiven people forgive people.”  If we are unable to extend forgiveness, it may mean that we have not fully comprehended the forgiveness that God has extended to us through Christ Jesus.

When God forgives us, we receive not just peace and happiness, but a new ministry! As children who are reconciled with their father, we are new creations; we have completely new paradigms of treating others.  We are also given a ministry to help others to be reconciled with God.  When we reach out to others, we are extending the forgiveness that we have received from God.

Evening Reflection

Is there anyone who needs your forgiveness today?  Just as importantly, do you know God’s forgiveness? Write down a prayer and a plan for anyone who needs your ministry of reconciliation.

April 15, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on July 22, 2019,  is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Anger”

Psalm 4:4-5, 7-8

“In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah  5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.  6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Anger is an emotion most of us know all too well; I certainly do. Now that all three of my children have left home to live their own lives—and we enjoy good relationships despite my many shortcomings as a father—there’s one thing I wish I had done far better: being patient instead of blowing my top. Typically, after my outburst, I would feel guilty and condemned—mostly self-inflicted, though the enemy was always glad to make it worse.

The truth is that, regardless of how we are provoked, unresolved anger “gives the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:27), for it begins to chip away at our joy, peace, and freedom in Christ. Blaming others is always easier, but when our hearts grow quiet before the Lord, the Holy Spirit will show us our own faults as well.

Once, I became upset with my wife because she interrupted me while I was praying in the morning. (One of our children had called from school about something urgent—for him.) Seeing my anger, she asked, “With whom are you spending your time?” The subtext was clear: “How can you respond that way if you were spending time with the Lord?” Of course, that only made me more upset.

Two days later, while praying, a Scripture suddenly flashed through my mind: “Do not be over righteous” (Eccl. 7:16a). I quickly repented of my self-righteousness and apologized to my wife—who, by the way, vowed never to interrupt me while I’m praying again. (Trying to prove I had truly repented, I invited her to “interrupt” me anytime; she replied, “No way.”)

So how was your day? Did anything—or anyone—make you feel upset or even angry. What might that reveal about you as a person and as a Christian. (My own anger revealed a self-righteous heart.) Before leaving home today, ask the Lord to give you the courage to make things right with God and with others.

Prayer: Dear God, as I start a new week, I desire a life devoid of strife and anger.  Lord, strengthen me to overlook and forgive the faults of others. Help me to not anger others as well. Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 11:15-17 (NIV): “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Questions to Consider

1. Who said this and to whom was this said?          

2. Why were they conducting this business in the courtyard of the temple (Deut. 16:16)?  Was it a bad thing?

3. Why was Jesus so indignant?  Notice that the business was conducted in the Court of the Gentiles, the only place in the temple where the Gentiles could pray (2 Chr. 6:32).

Notes

1. Jesus said this to the venders of animals and money changers who conducted their business in the courtyard of the temple.

2. Since no one was allowed to appear before the Lord empty-handed, they provided a service for those Jews coming from faraway places who couldn’t bring their own animals for sacrifices. The money changers conveniently supplied the Jewish currency, which they then used to buy the animals—not a bad thing at first.

3. Despite this, the Jews still had a place to pray in the Temple area but not the Gentiles, since their place was now occupied by the Jewish businessmen.  Jesus’ indignation was caused by Israel’s complete disregard for the spiritual welfare of the Gentiles.  That’s why the Lord declared that the Temple is a house of prayer for all nations.

Evening Reflection

Earlier, we reflected on not allowing our unresolved anger to rob us of our joy and peace.  As you look back, did anyone anger you today, or did you anger someone? How did you deal with it?

April 14, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, originally posted on March 5, 2013, was written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church, East Bay.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Can the Wrath of God Bring Comfort to Us?”

Psalm 21:8-12 (ESV)

“Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate  you. 9 You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear.  The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them.  10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. 11 Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. 12 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.“

Understandably, most Christians in America are uncomfortable with the idea of God’s wrath.  In our theological grid, there is little room for the justice of God and it seems unloving to talk about God outside of the parameters of His love, mercy, and grace.  

We rarely think that our views of God are purely cultural and don’t realize that these opinions are not shared by much of the world.  Miroslav Volf, who is a theologian at Yale Divinity and eyewitness of the violence in Croatia, talks about the weakness of a God who is unable to exact final vengeance upon his enemies.  If men cannot be certain that God ultimately is just, then we will take justice into our own hands, ensuring that the cycle of violence and war will continue indefinitely.  

In this way, the wrath of God is something to be greatly feared but also something that brings great comfort for those who have suffered for the sake of righteousness.  There is much wisdom in obeying the words of Romans 12:9, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”  

As you get ready for the day, is there an aspect of God’s character that you haven’t given much thought to?  Spend a few moments thinking about the many different attributes of God and give Him your worship.    

Prayer: God Almighty, I confess that my thoughts of You are often too small and limited in scope.  Help me to see You more clearly and to seek a greater revelation of all that You are.  May I never lose my sense of awe and amazement as I think upon Your loving goodness and moral perfection.  You are truly Lord of my life and God above all.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:39 (ESV): “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Questions to Consider

  1. In what context were these words spoken? (Matthew 5:38-42)
  2. What Old Testament commandment was Jesus clarifying?  (Exodus 21:24)
  3. Is this proof that all Christians should be pacifists and stand opposed to war?  

Notes

  1. Jesus spoke these words in the Sermon on the Mount, which represents the most important collection of the moral teachings of Christ. It describes the ethics of those who are members of the Kingdom of God.  Properly applied, it has tremendous power to bring about incredible change in our lives and the world we live in. 
  2. Jesus was clarifying and intensifying the rule of lex talionis found in the Old Testament that restricted retribution so that the punishment would fit the crime.  He wanted believers to be above this tit-for-tat retribution that is common to the world and break the cycle of evil actions that break human relationships.  
  3. This command cannot be taken as an absolute rule.  There are clearly times when Christians must resist evil and even use force in certain contexts. There is a Christian organization in India that forcefully rescues women enslaved in sex trafficking because of the government’s indifference to this evil. In certain situations like this, righteous anger is needed and appropriate.

Often times, the commands of Christ seem far too difficult to seriously consider.  This is when we realize that the Christian life is not simply hard, it is impossible unless we are continually filled by the Holy Spirit.  

Evening Reflection

Was there a chance to act in kindness towards someone today?  How did you react in negative situations at work, on the commute, and with your family?  Were you mindful of the Gospel in these situations?

April 13, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, originally posted on February 2, 2019, was written by Jin Ha Lee. Jin had served at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia for many years. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Sure Return”

Galatians 6:6-10

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” 

 Around a year ago there was a craze around “cryptocurrency” (e.g. Bitcoin), but I didn’t pay attention to it as something to invest money into. However, during this hype, one of my friends told me that he had invested into cryptocurrency and made X amount of money in one year. I was shocked because within one year of his investment, he had profited an amount that was equal to an annual salary! Long story short, I hastily tried to invest, but after praying through it and receiving wise counsel, I backed out because it was an impulsive decision made out of envy. Soon after, the cryptocurrency trend took a downward turn and had sunk in value.

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up into investing our money, time, and energy into earthly activities that are uncertain in their “return”—especially when it seems like everyone else is thriving and we’re missing out. However, Paul’s reminder to the Galatian church was to endure in investing in a return that is secured by the Lord Himself.

In the backdrop of grace, there is a principle of reaping what we sow, and in due season, reaping what we sow for the Lord is not an uncertainty—but a promise! The reward of living for the Lord and being used by Him for His kingdom is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when.” 

Exerting our energy into selfishness (different from self-care), sin, and fleeting materialism will reap exactly that—more selfishness, deeper bondage in sin, and emptiness (because all that we own on this earth will rust away). 

I still stay in touch with that friend who invested in cryptocurrency, and we joke around about investments. With what we know today, what investments would we make if we could go back 20 years? We bring up investing in stocks like Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and others because we know today that they grew exponentially in value. Only if we knew 20 years ago!

One day, we will come face to face with the Lord; except then, we won’t be able to joke around about what we should have sown into—it would be too late. Today, God’s Word clearly tells us that we will reap what we sow. We can have a sure expectation that the ways we are sowing for the Lord now will result in reaping in its due season—if we do not give up.

Are you weary of doing good? The Lord understands. Let’s rest and strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Paul follows the call to endure with this reminder: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us opportunity to do good, especially to those who are part of the body of Christ. God, please use us to strengthen, refresh, and bless others. As we serve others, please bring alongside brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us so that we can all continue to sow faithfully. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 1

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John. 1:5-9: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Questions to Consider

1. Positionally, the believers are always in the light but our actual life can get pretty dark sometimes.  What causes temporary spiritual darkness in our lives that sometimes lasts too long?

2. Why do we, from time to time, act like we are walking in the light when, in fact, we are in darkness, much like the Pharisees who claimed to see but were blind spiritually (John. 9:39-41)?

3. What is one sure and fast way to rid ourselves of temporary darkness so that we tangibly experience “righteousness (e.g., a clear conscience), peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17b)?   

Notes

1. In short, it is sin (in actions and attitude), which, when left unrepented for awhile, hardens the heart.  Once that happens, other more sinful things that we couldn’t fathom committing before become quite easy to do.      

2. Among several reasons, one is this: Looking good before the people.  Of the Pharisees who did many outwardly good things, Jesus said, “Everything they do is done for men to see” (Matt. 23:5a).  That leads to hypocrisy, which is leading a double life.   In other words, we care more about what men think than what God thinks.

3. An honest evaluation of ourselves followed by an authentic confession of our sins that ought to lead to a genuine repentance; that is, a concrete plan not to commit the same sin (Lk. 19:8).

Evening Reflection

Evaluate how the day went: Did someone say or do something that made you feel sad or mad?  Stay close to Christ and hear his heartbeat. What is he saying to you? It could be this: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).

April 12, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on January 20, 2018, was written by Tina Pham. Tina, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Surprised by Listening”

1 Kings 3:9 

“So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Having served on multiple short-term mission teams and lived overseas for over one year, I learned that while entering a new country is a cross-cultural experience, collaborating with different people after meeting them for the first time in a short span of time is a cross-universe challenge. Teamwork is like entering another person’s world to understand his or her perspective and realizing that others have to make the same leap to understand and “get” me. It is where God orchestrates multiple “nations” to work as one; and working through the friction and disagreements is a part of His refining work so that our capacity to love would expand. What brings victory to the cross-universe challenge is the ability to listen to the other. There is great joy in being loved and understood, and serving my teammates through listening, than in being right. 

When Solomon began his kingship, he asked the Lord for an understanding heart so that He would gain wisdom from God to rule Israel. Some translations say, “discerning mind” instead of “understanding heart,” but in Hebrew it literally means “a listening heart.” While Solomon gives us an example of growing a heart for listening to God, we can also apply this desire to our relationship to others. In your life has there ever been a person who surprised you with listening? It is common that we listen by default because of a role or position. Employees listen to their boss and students to teachers, but a person with a listening heart invites people to their safe space and takes genuine interest in them to understand them as a person. 

As God attentively listens to our prayers, let us consider how we can serve others with a listening heart, though it is costly and requires us to put down our agendas to fix people or problems. We can echo the prayer that St. Francis wrote: 

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled, as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved as to love.”

Prayer: Dear Father, I desire to grow a listening heart towards Your Word as well as towards others. Enable me to minister Your love and compassion to others through the art of listening and being with people. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Philemon 1

April 11, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on January 5, 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

“Serving Jesus”

 Luke 1:38 

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

In preparation for the past advent season, I was struck by Mary’s character, childlike trust and deep faith in God. Though just a teenager, she displayed maturity beyond her years.  And while tracing the progression of her life recorded in Scripture, I, as a child of God, and a wife and mother, have been convicted and challenged by her example.

First, her response to angel Gabriel’s visit and revelation—“I am the Lord’s servant”—revealed an identity strongly rooted in God.  Before the visit, she was a daughter, fiancée, and a member of her community; but now she was first and foremost God’s child and servant.  Evidently, she grew up in a family that had nurtured her faith in God, which led to having an intimate personal relationship with Him.  Thus, having recognized God’s voice and leading, she trusted Him with unconditional surrender and submission to His will, believing that God could fulfill His yet-unknown plan for her life.  God’s redemptive plan was made in eternity past, and now she would be called upon to serve a crucial role in bringing it about; she responded with a wholehearted surrender to His sovereign will without any hesitation.

Mary was willing to do whatever God asked of her because she understood that the primary purpose of her life was loving and serving God above all else. She trusted God as her defender who would be able to convince her future husband of the divine conception.

It’s easy to see why God chose and entrusted both Joseph and Mary to be Jesus’ earthly parents.  Individually and as a couple, they made a conscious choice to love God above themselves and each other. They were willing to put Him and His plans above their own and make necessary adjustments and sacrifices to be obedient to His leading. So they deferred the consummation of their marriage and humbly embraced and endured the journey to Bethlehem and later to Egypt. 

As I reflected on Mary and Joseph’s life, I see a sharp contrast from my own. With all my heart I want to love God; yet, when push comes to shove my response to God’s own plan is more often self-centered rather than God-centered. When I was confronted with uncertainties of my future, and as I struggled with making necessary but risky changes to my life, I tended to retreat in doubt and fear rather than move forward with a firm faith, and say “Yes” to Jesus continuously without reservation, hesitation and condition.

Praise God that in those moments of questions and doubts, He reminded me that the secret to faith is found in Christ Jesus who now lives within me. God already knows that I can never love and serve him wholeheartedly on my own, no matter how sincere my desires are.  In my own strength and effort, I am guaranteed to fail. But with Jesus all things are possible. In Him I can rest assured by trusting Him and entrust my all to Him one moment, one step at a time.        

Prayer: God, please help me to begin this year with Mary’s heart and obedience. I am a servant to the Holy Spirit; please help me (and my family) to center my life around you and make necessary adjustments to do your will above my own. God, I know I cannot do this without your help, bring me to a place of total surrender to your control and plan for my life. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ruth 3-4

April 10, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on January 8, 2019, is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Marriage Still Ain’t Equal’ but for a Different Reason Than Mrs. Obama’s”

2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 

Michelle Obama, in her bestseller Becoming (2018), argues that “women can’t experience equality in both their professional and personal lives at the same time.” Calling the idea of having it all a “lie,” she quipped, “Marriage still ain’t equal.” She is right, of course, since women still juggle work and family far more than men. Mothers—not fathers—are the ones taking maternity leave. And no matter how generous the maternity package may be, months away from work inevitably mean lost or delayed opportunities to gain skills, experience, and networking that contribute to upward mobility.

Nevertheless, I disagree with Mrs. Obama’s conclusion that marriage isn’t equal because it is skewed toward women. Why? Because her concerns, though legitimate, are limited to “this world…[that] is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31a). Her viewpoint is, in essence, secular. But when marriage is viewed through the lens of “the age to come, eternal life” (Lk. 18:30b NIV), we see something different: marriage isn’t equal because it is actually skewed toward men.

How so? Scripture teaches that while salvation is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8–9), rewards in heaven are based on good deeds done on earth (Matt. 10:40–42). And one good deed specifically mentioned for women is “bringing up children” (1 Tim. 5:10). This does not diminish the father’s role (often more associated with discipline—Heb. 12:7), but it highlights a unique and formative influence that mothers typically have.

Let me illustrate. A dear relative of mine was considered a stunning success among Korean mothers. Through tireless work, she became very wealthy, and her sons became a doctor and a lawyer. Yet once her faith in Christ became real in her middle age, she recognized the spiritual poverty of her sons, who did not walk with the Lord. She deeply regretted that God had not been part of their upbringing because she had neglected to include Him. As she was dying of cancer almost 20 years ago—still in her prime—she agonized over the uncertainty of her sons’ eternal destiny.

My point is this: most children first hear about God from their believing mothers; in fact, their earliest experience of discipleship usually comes from them as well. A rabbi, speaking of his own mother, said: “A traditional woman, she saw it as her responsibility that her sons regularly attend Sabbath and holiday worship services and observe common Jewish rituals… While there were many important Jewish influences in my life, there is no doubt my mother was the primary one.” Thus the Yiddish proverb: “God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.”

One such mother was Eunice, the mother of Pastor Timothy. She likely was not highly regarded among the Jews of her day—she married a Gentile and did not circumcise Timothy (Acts 16:1–3), both taboo in Jewish culture. Nevertheless, my late relative, with all her worldly success, might gladly have traded places with Eunice. Why? Because Eunice did something my relative wished she had done: she helped her son develop a sincere faith in God. Listen to Paul’s words to Timothy: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your mother Eunice and now… dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:5).

If you are a parent, you already know that children are not easily impressed by their parents’ faith—they see too much at home. But Timothy was different: he imitated his mother’s faith. This may mean nothing to the world, but it should mean everything to believing mothers.

Yes, “marriage still ain’t equal,” but not for the reason Mrs. Obama gives. It is “unequal” because mothers are uniquely privileged with the first opportunity to shape the eternal destiny of their children. And they will be rewarded for a job well done. This is a high calling from God.

You will never hear this from the trifecta of our leading institutions—the academy, the media, and Hollywood—because they are profoundly secular; for them, this material world is all there is. But they are wrong. “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 Jn. 2:17). Let’s not forget that.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we men are so insensitive to the many challenges facing modern women. We make promises to our wives that we will help out with housework, but we end up doing something else, like playing video games! We repent. Help us, God, to be real men! Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Ruth 2

Lunch Break Study

Gloria Steinem, once the most glamorous face of modern feminism, said, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” After making that statement, Steinem began a relationship with a billionaire that lasted for 4 years; when that relationship ended, she married someone else. 

Read 1 Corinthians 7:29, 32: “This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none . . . I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man [woman] is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.”

Luke 2:36-38: “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Matt. 23:3: “So do and observe whatever they [the Pharisees] tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

Questions to Consider

1. While I am not quite sure what Steinem really meant in her quote (any man or just chauvinistic man or predators like Weinstein or Lauer?), but in what sense can a man be a distraction to a believing woman?

2. Imagine that Steinem and Anna got into a conversation.  What would Anna say to Steinem?

3. Ultimately, what error did Steinem make, an error that all teachers have made? 

Notes

1. A man or a woman can easily be a distraction to one’s undivided devotion to the Lord, if we allow our devotion and desire for a person to overshadow our time spent with and service unto and thinking about the Lord.

2. “Gloria, you are right, a woman doesn’t need a man for the things only God can give:  unconditional and permanent love and acceptance. That’s what He promised in Christ. Upon seeing the baby Jesus at the temple, I thanked God for the consummation of that promise.”

3. I am happy that she found the love of her life and married him. But I hope no impressionable young women took her statement and made it her motto.  Steinem’s mistake is the same as that of the Pharisees: “For they preach, but do not practice.”  I am guilty of that as well.

Evening Reflection 

Did you have another long and hard day at the office and/or home? Are you tired? Exhausted?  Here is a comforting passage for the weary:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

April 9, Thursday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on November 15, 2019, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Be on Guard”

Numbers 31:13-20

“Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp. 14 And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come from service in the war. 15 Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? 16 Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. 17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. 18 But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves. 19 Encamp outside the camp seven days. Whoever of you has killed any person and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. 20 You shall purify every garment, every article of skin, all work of goats’ hair, and every article of wood.” 

Do you remember the story of the Trojan Horse? After a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse and hid a select force of men inside. The Greeks pretended to sail away and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army which had sailed back under cover of night. The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy, ending the war. Troy didn’t lose the battle to the Greeks because of an overwhelming force; they lost because they let their guard down.

In this passage, the Israelites were commanded to fight the Midianites. The Lord commanded Moses to command the Israelites to kill every male but keep the plunder. However, the Israelite commanders took captive the Midianite women and brought them before Moses. Moses was furious with their decision and said, “Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord” (vv. 15-16).

Why did Moses become so angry? What happened at Peor? In Numbers 25:1-9, King Balak of Moab wanted to defeat the Israelites, so he invited Balaam to curse them. However, Balaam could only do what the Lord commanded him to say. Four times Balaam blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them—and Balak was furious! However, Balaam told Balak that the only way to defeat the Israelites was for them to worship other idols.

Therefore, King Balak went with a different approach and invited the Israelites to feast with them. At the end of the feast, the Moabite women invited the Israelites to sleep with them as a way of worshipping Baal. Slowly, the Israelite men fell into temptation and the Lord brought judgement upon them. 

What the Israelites saw as harmless women, Moses saw them as potential temptations for the Israelites. In the same way, the Lord is reminding us that we must guard our hearts with different temptations in our lives. There are many things in this world that may seem harmless, but they can be incredibly hurtful to us—it could be relationships that lead to pre-martial sex, social media, alcohol, money, or power. Again, these things may not be sin, but they can be sneaky temptations that cause us to become ineffective Christians. For instance, we would not walk into a temple to offer incense to Buddha or our ancestors, for those sins are obvious and we know to avoid those. But the “harmless” things that sneak into our hearts are the sins that we need to be on guard against.

This morning, reflect on the “harmless” things that you feel can be potential temptations. Maybe God is inviting you to stop dealing with these things for a season. Ask the Lord to give you strength to put these things down. Our souls are too precious to let “harmless” things turn us into ineffective Christians. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You are always watching over us. Thank You that we are secure in our salvation, yet we have many blind spots in our lives. Many things may appear harmless, but they can lead us to sin against You. Lord, help me to be like Moses and be strict with what I let into my life. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ruth 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:6-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Questions to Consider

  1. When we are faced with anxiety or temptations, what does Paul encourage us to do?
  2. What will guard our hearts and minds against these attacks?
  3. What is the significance of the phrase “in Christ Jesus”?

Notes

  1. In the midst of anxiety and temptations, Paul commands us to ask the Lord for help with a thankful heart. While this may be a simple truth, it is difficult to do this when things are going wrong. However, Paul reminds us that God will hear us.
  2. Paul says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. This is significant in two ways: First, we will know that this comes from God because it is a peace that we can’t comprehend. Second, Paul doesn’t say that God will “fix” our issues, but He will guarantee peace to face these issues.
  3. “In Christ Jesus” signifies our identity in Christ. We can only have access to this “surpassing all understanding” peace when we are God’s children.

Evening Reflection

This evening, spend some time with the Lord and invite Him to reveal any blind spots in your life (you may also call a small group member and ask them). Write these blind spots down and ask the Lord to help you work through them.

April 8, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was originally posted on October 18, 2019. Christine serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Who’s Got Talent?”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’”

I was watching a couple videos of America’s Got Talent while babysitting recently. The premise of the show is that performers come before a panel of judges and demonstrate one skill or another that they’ve practiced. I watched one video in which the judges began by smiling politely at a young girl who was skinny and seemed nervous. Once her number started, a powerful voice suddenly erupted from her. The judges were shocked— flabbergasted to the point of dropping their jaws—and it was evident that they had severely underestimated her talent. (The girls I was with gleefully replayed that moment over and over again.)

While not a perfect analogy, Paul reminds us that we are also susceptible of determining someone’s worth, but God can easily overturn our prejudices. We gravitate easily towards external shows of power: beauty, strength, riches, education. However, we underestimate others who do not exhibit those same traits, and then we end up eating humble pie when we find out how God has actually equipped them and uses them powerfully! 

God often likes to remind us that we are too fixated on the outward appearance of things. He is not interested in our accomplishments and our attempts to impress Him through skills, talents, and looks. (In fact, to do so would be to completely miss the nature of how He gifted us with those in the first place). He has made grace a great leveler so that people we look down on—the foolish and the weak— are elevated, and we have nothing to boast of. 

Let’s ask God to change our vision of those around us. We may not always accurately gauge who He means to use, but when He imbues us with His Spirit, it is undeniable. Let’s ask for humility to not measure our fellow person based on what he or she seems to offer, but let’s ask God to give us discernment to properly value and honor a person’s capacity to glorify Him. 

Prayer: Father, I confess that I am guilty of judging my fellow brothers and sisters based on their strength and wisdom in my own standards. Give me Your grace to be reminded that none of us have anything to boast about; give me humility to understand that You often use those we underestimate. Help me to see Your people with Your eyes and not mine. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 21

Lunch Break Study

Read James 2:1-7: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?”

Questions to Consider

  1. James recognizes that discrimination always happens, even within the worship service. What’s the problem with this kind of favoritism?
  2. James also asks the believers to think about both the present life and the one to come. How does that help us here?
  3. How do you discriminate against others, even in the church setting? Let’s reflect on how to apply this passage in our own lives. 

Notes

  1. Favoritism and discrimination are ungodly behaviors because we set ourselves as the judge of a person’s worth and value. God loves all His children, but when we show favoritism, we essentially try to override His decision on who is worthy of love. 
  2. While we might find people of a certain status compelling, we have not properly thought about how or whether we can live freely among them in this life. James mentions that the rich, who we love to show special attention to, give us no mercy on this side of Heaven; they also do not fear God and therefore do not practice justice correctly. We fail to understand that the poor inherit the kingdom, and so we are also being shortsighted when we do not consider what true success means in light of eternity.
  3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

How did today go? Did God give you an extra measure of grace and vision for someone unexpected? Let’s ask Him to keep changing our perception of those around us and be humbled to see them used mightily in His kingdom.

April 7, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“He is Good”

Psalm 5:8, 11-12

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies —make straight your way before me. 11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Sometimes we wonder where God is in our turbulent seasons, and we grow dismayed when our circumstances refuse to change for the better (Ps. 22). If we—living in the relative comforts of the West—feel this way, how much more must our brothers and sisters in closed countries feel, where threats to their lives are a daily reality.

The Lord, of course, has His reasons for allowing such trials—reasons we may only understand later. In the meantime, we must not forget that God remains our shield and refuge. His protection does not guarantee physical deliverance in every situation, but it does mean that His grace will always be sufficient in our darkest moments.

What does that look like? The apostle Paul, confined in a Roman dungeon, wrote (2 Tim. 4:17–18): “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me… I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” God surely did strengthen Paul—yet shortly afterward, Paul was martyred. Is God still good? Paul would answer without hesitation: “Yes, God is good”—ultimately because of the sacrificial death of God’s Son on our behalf (2 Cor. 5:21).

So today, pause and meditate on the goodness and kindness of our Lord. Take refuge in Him throughout the day. Are you following as He leads? As He spreads His protection over you, are you remaining in Him? Prayer and meditation on God’s Word are not sufficient in themselves, but they are necessary means of abiding. So pray—unhurriedly—and meditate on Scripture today.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I recognize Your active involvement in my life, to transform my faith and character, and the way I live.  Thank You for the difficult situations because through them,  I experience Your active presence in my life, as my refuge and shield.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Ezra 7:1, 6, 8:21-23: Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah . . . 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him . . . Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Heb. 12:14: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Questions to Consider

1. Who said this and to whom was this said?

2. Why did this person say this (Ez. 8:22)?

3. What really concerned Ezra here with respect to his boss, the pagan king? 

4. Do you think people base their view of God by observing those who claim to believe and follow Him (Heb.12:14; 1 Pet. 2:12)?  

Notes

1. The teacher of Law Ezra said this to the Persian king Artaxerxes before making a dangerous trip to Jerusalem that would last for 4 months.

2. Having told the king how God protects His people, Ezra felt ashamed to ask him for soldiers and horsemen to protect them from enemies on the road.

3. Ezra was greatly concerned about how the pagan king Artaxerxes would view God based on how he actually conducted himself.  Thus, he gave up the military protection in order to make a favorable spiritual impact on his boss.  This necessitated that Ezra really depended on the Lord, which he did. 

4. Both verses imply that, first, unbelievers are watching; second, the holy and kindly manner in which we live can make a favorable spiritual impact.

Evening Reflection

In reviewing today, what kind of spiritual impact (or lack thereof) did you make on unbelievers at your work or with your family?  Perhaps you thought about doing something but lacked boldness!  Pray, therefore, for boldness.  Then prayerfully consider who God wants you to reach.