March 20, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, originally posted on April 24, 2019, is provided by Joshua Chzen. Joshua, originally from San Diego, is now part of AMI’s newest church plant, The Pillar Church in Houston.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Playing Favorites”

James 2:1-4

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?

When I was serving as an intern in E. Asia after college, I was asked to meet up with some brothers at the church and spend time with them. There were these two guys (“Matt” and “Luke”) who were always together—they were the same height, around the same age, and worked together as coworkers doing similar jobs—so I lumped them together in my mind. However, their differences quickly became apparent as I got to know them. Matt had been at the church for a few years and had gotten very plugged in. He helped lead worship, had a very passionate personality, and seemed to just mesh well with what I thought a good leader should be in a church. 

Whereas Matt was warm in personality and demeanor, his friend Luke was noticeably cooler in the way he processed and communicated. So, without much thought, I dismissed him as a typical intellectual, analytical East Asian guy, and started spending more time with Matt in whom I saw potential. Not long after that, the church went through some transition. Matt left, while Luke stayed. Today, Luke serves as one of the staff members at that church—certainly not what I was expecting when I first met him. Looking back, I’m struck at how quick and easy it was for me to play favorites, and how badly I was proven wrong.

In his letter to the scattered believers, James warns them against this sin of favoritism and partiality. For these people who were forced to start over in new towns and cities, it would have been common sense for them to focus their attention on people who had means, resources, and connections. In a society where upward mobility was already uncommon, James’ audience would have simply been trying to get their best shot at making a living. However, James calls out this behavior as discrimination and judgment, rooted in evil thoughts and ungodly standards.

In today’s context, we may not be so quick to discriminate based on someone’s wealth. But our partiality might show up in other areas, such as cultural background (do we perceive entire groups as being “rude”?), life stage (are people dismissed as immature or out of touch based on their age relative to yours?), politics, personality, academic/career experience, etc. We can end up having all sorts of standards to judge people worthy or unworthy of our time, resources, and efforts; but God has chosen to provide redemption, freedom, and grace to all of us who are unworthy by His ultimate standard. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the mercies You have shown me. I know I’m ultimately unworthy to know You and be known by You, but it’s because of Your grace and mercy that I meet your standard of righteousness. Help me to live in Your grace, so that I can live it out to others.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 7:1-2, 15-20 (NIV): “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Jesus say about judgment in verses 1-2?
  2. What does Jesus say about judgment in verses 15-20?
  3. How do we reconcile these two statements?

Notes

  1. Jesus warns against judgment, and says that the standard we use to judge others will be used to judge us. 
  2. People are to be recognized and judged as false prophets by the outward fruit that they bear; bad trees bear bad fruit.
  3. In order to assess the fruit of one’s life, there needs to be some form of examination and judgment. However, in that process we are to remember the love, grace, and forgiveness extended to us by God, and bring that same heart into our own judgment.

Evening Reflection

Who are the people we tend to favor at school, at work, at home, etc.? Who are the people around us we tend to dismiss? Ask the Holy Spirit to bring people to mind – who are you thinking about? Spend some time asking God for a heart of love, humility, and grace toward them.

March 19, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was originally posted on March 16, 2019. Christine serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Though for This Morning

“A Sharp and Effective Tool”

Hebrews 4:12-13 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

As part of a group of friends, we recently gifted someone a boning knife. When I first heard of this gift, I wondered why anyone would specifically want one. But as I researched and read reviews online, I found legions of people who sang its praises: chefs love its pliability and how it’s malleable in their hands to make intricate cuts. It’s specifically useful to separate meat that clings to the bones so you can get some very tasty (but otherwise hard-to-get) pieces. It’s not just that this knife needs to be sharp, but it can get into some very difficult places.

The author of Hebrews mentions that the word is living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing! Just like a sword (and I suppose, a boning knife), it gets into all the crevices of our soul and pokes around quite effectively. 

If the Bible is so effective, why is it that reading it can be such a hard discipline for many Christians to acquire? I wonder (for myself and for you) if many Christians are loath to read the Word and effectively engage with it because we do not want to be faced with our own inner realities. Instead, it is easier to keep the Word, which would have so much to say about our hearts, at arm’s length. 

But, at the end of the day, don’t you and I want to grow? Let’s receive God’s instruction and insight and dedicate ourselves to reading His word. He may point out to us, very quickly, the errors in our thoughts and actions. But He is also ready to gently and kindly lead us with His guidance. Today, I encourage you to take extra time to read the Bible and let Him examine your heart with it. Let’s not keep His Word at arm’s length. Let’s ask Him to speak to us directly and graciously so that we may live well. 

Prayer: Father, I know that You have the words of life, and I need them. Help me to overcome fear, shame, and guilt when coming into Your presence. I want Your correction and your guidance to live in a way that pleases You. Let Your word reshape and mold me today!

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 24

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What are attributes of Scripture listed here?
  2. Why is it important that Timothy not just know the Scriptures but also know “those from whom [he] learned it”?
  3. What is the ultimate benefit of knowing Scripture?

Notes

  1. Scripture comes directly from God and is filled with His Spirit. It instructs, admonishes, and instructs hearers to grow in a godly manner. A more general statement would be that Scripture is an effective tool for apprenticeship in Christian life.
  2. Reading and understanding texts is one thing, but Paul mentions that spiritual formation is also crystallized when godly examples of spiritual life are available to the learner. Close examples of godliness and love for the Scripture directly teaching Timothy were critical to him accepting its truth and becoming a student of it.
  3. Paul writes that a servant of God can be thoroughly equipped (not just slightly, or adequately, but thoroughly) for every good work by being immersed in Scripture. The necessity and need for Scripture take prominence here and remind us that all we need for godliness is found in God’s word.

Evening Reflection

How was your time in God’s word today? Did it bring a sense of refreshment and encouragement? Let’s ask God to keep feeding and nourishing us through His Word (not just rebuke or conviction) so that we really see it as our daily bread.

March 18, Wednesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang, is an edited version of a blog first posted on January 14, 2013.

Devotional Thought for Today

“Experiencing God in our Desperateness”

Psalms 6:4-7

Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? 6 I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

I suppose some of us may feel distant from this Psalm because we are not presently walking through life’s travails. But it rains on everyone, eventually. No one is immune from moments that leave us vulnerable, helpless, and fearful.

Often, we come to God with an expectant list of problems we want solved. Yet if what we truly seek is to experience His presence and to know Him more deeply, then we must remember that such encounters often occur in the very moments when our cries to the Lord are most desperate.

I wrote the portion you just read in the original version of this blog, posted on January 14, 2013. I reposted this Quiet Time on October 28, 2019 with this addition: Recently, a man in his 30s—someone with whom I had spent the entire afternoon in a church-related meeting—lost his young son that very evening due to a sudden illness. We were all shocked and utterly heartbroken for the parents. And it led us to cry out desperately to the Lord on behalf of this grieving family. But ultimately, we have hope. In death, we are reminded that while David had to contend with many foes, we have already gained victory over our ultimate foe—death itself. For the apostle Paul writes that in Christ, “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:26). So today, instead of bringing God a list of requests, pour out your heart before Him. Cry out to the Lord. Cry out for this grieving family—in hope.

And now, as I was preparing to repost this for today’s vlog, I couldn’t help noticing the title of this blog: “Experiencing God in Our Desperateness.” My family and I are now living in that very space of utter desperation because of the catastrophic illness my wife is enduring. Faith in God feels and smells different now—stripped down, raw, and honest. In many ways, I find myself returning to the basics: crying out to the LORD for my family.

Prayer: Dear God, I often come to You asking You to fix my life and solve my personal problems. I speak to You at times as though You were merely there to serve my needs. Lord, forgive me. Teach me to cry out to You in true desperation and dependence. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 23

Lunch Break Study  

Read Matthew 26:6-13

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Questions to Consider 

1. Who said this and to whom was this said (Mt. 26:6-13)?    

2. Evidently, some people are remembered even after they are dead (Ps. 6:5a).  Why was her act so significant? (Lk. 21:1-4)?  

3. How should we understand Ps. 6:5b: “Who praises you from the grave?”

Notes

1. Jesus said this to His disciples who were shocked by this act because they knew how costly it was.  

2. After spending several years with Jesus, the disciples still hadn’t grasped what loving the LORD your God with all your heart meant (Mt. 22:37). As a result, they only saw waste in what the woman did while Jesus saw something else that He deeply appreciated.  The expression, “Spare no expense” (on account of another person) refers to an extravagant expenditure just to make a simple point: You are very important to me.  That’s what this woman and the poor widow (who gave all she had to live on) did!  Sometimes it’s the people who are deeply involved in ministry who forget that.  

3. The Bible does not teach “soul sleep” after death; instead, human souls will continue to exist in either heaven or hell. Here, David wasn’t making a theological statement; it was a metaphorical expression driven by how close he felt to death due to his foes, and he frankly wasn’t ready to die quite yet.  That’s why the book of Psalms is a timeless truth because our emotive responses, such as sadness, happiness, anger or fear to life’s circumstances have not changed and will not change.  

Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this day, did anything happen that made you feel vulnerable, weak or fearful?  Were you insulted?  Did you hear any news that may affect your future? What situations in your life (perhaps at home or work) are presently making you feel vulnerable, helpless, and fearful? 

Like the woman we meet in Matthew 26, who expressed her love for Jesus with all that she had, would you take a moment to worship Him right now (perhaps silently).  More precious than expensive perfume is your heart!  Pour out your heart to Jesus!

March 17, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was originally posted on April 30, 2019.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“God Who Delivers”

Exodus 23:9 (NIV)

“Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

This is the second mention of God’s concern for the wellbeing of strangers and foreigners. (This same command is given near the end of Exodus 22.) In this command, what God is calling the people of God to do is have empathy, caring for others in light of their own experiences. While we’ve never been slaves in Egypt and experienced God’s deliverance through the parting of the Red Sea, we have experienced our own forms of bondage and God’s deliverance in our lives, the greatest of which being the salvation afforded us through Christ. We must remember our former state and allow the grace of God in our lives to inform our dealings with those who are oppressed, vulnerable, and in need around us. 

In light of this, I’d like share a QT I wrote back in 2013 on Psalm 114 – a song of remembering God’s deliverance. 

Psalm 114 (NIV)

When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, 2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; 4 the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5 Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? 6 Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

This is a psalm that God’s people would sing at Passover. It tells of God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt and of his sparing them from the plagues of judgment (particularly the death of the firstborn). As we now know, God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery and the Passover celebration (to remember that time) all pointed to Christ’s coming – when God would not only deliver the Israelites, but all of humanity not merely from physical bondage, but spiritual slavery to sin and death. 

The notable element of this praise is that it highlights an appropriate response to the salvific work of God. All of nature yields to the work of God. The sea, river, mountains, and hills all tremble before the Lord and move according to His will. We see this literally displayed when the Red Sea parted before the people of God during the exodus. Likewise, the psalmist calls for all of humanity to follow suit and appropriately respond to God’s salvific work in the world. We should tremble before the Lord – in awe of God’s power and in full submission to the amazing things God is doing in the world around us. 

Prayer: Eternal God, you alone can save and meet all of our needs. Sometimes I find myself thinking, “If only [fill in the blank with what is relevant for you], then I’d be satisfied.” But that is a lie. You have promised to meet all my needs and I trust that you’ll do it. In Jesus’ name.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 22

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 1:13-21: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 

Questions to Consider

  1. What three commands does Peter give us in this passage? How are we to carry out each one? 
  2. What is our motivation for following these commands?  
  3. Somehow in the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection we are given freedom from our old ways of sin. Because of Jesus, we are able to live life to the fullest. Is your hope set fully on Christ? Are you no longer conforming to the ways of your flesh? Are you living in reverence of God above all things? Take some time to commit yourself to God in these areas. 

Notes

  1. Set our hope fully on the grace we receive through Christ: Not merely grace in this life but in the life to come. We have to live with eternal perspective of what God is doing for us through Christ – giving us eternal life. We do this by keeping our minds sober and ready for action – not drunk with sin and things of this world. 
  2. No longer be conformed to our passions: We should no longer give ourselves over to the desires of our flesh because we are called to be like Jesus (holy). We do this through our obedience to the word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
  3. Conduct ourselves with fear: Instead of living whatever way we want during our time on earth, we instead live our lives with reverence for God. We do this by being mindful of what He’s done for us through Christ. He sacrificed His own son so that we may have a life free from sin. Our proper response to this is complete devotion (Romans 12:1-2).
  • Peter ends this section by explaining that Jesus came for us – Christ was made know to us so that we may have faith and hope in God. Therefore we do all these things because of what Christ did for us – not because we’re obligated, but because Jesus makes it possible. Christ died so we could have life to the full! 
  • Personal reflection. 

Evening Reflection

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

For those of us who’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have died with Christ so that sin no longer has control over us. And we’ve been raised with him, so that we can (through the power of the Spirit within us) live a new life. Take time to reflect on God’s perfect sacrifice and how you can take full advantage of the new life offered in Christ. In light of yesterday’s quiet time and our passage this morning, how might that new life include caring for those in need around you? In what ways does remembering God’s deliverance lead you to care for the vulnerable folks in your community? 

March 16, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on March 29, 2019, is provided by Pastor Matt Ro. Matt is currently pastoring a church in the state of New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Do You Believe in Miracles?” 

Exodus 16:1-5, 11-16 (ESV)

They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily . . .” 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” 13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. 14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’”

The Soviet Union entered the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York as the heavy favorite to win the gold medal in men’s ice hockey.  As previous winners of four consecutive gold medals and filled with a legendary, star-studded group of professional players, the Soviet Union team was considered a virtual lock for another Olympic championship.  

Contrastingly, the US team was made up of amateur players with an average age of 21 years old, making it the youngest team in US history to play in the Olympics.  It was a bunch of no name college players going against the world’s finest hockey machine.  Imagine the US Olympic basketball Dream Team of 1992 (consisting of Jordan, Magic and Bird to name a few) losing to Angola?  Not going to happen.  But, the “Miracle on Ice” indeed happened when the US beat the Soviet Union 4-3.  Every American on the planet probably tuned into the last minutes of the game, and to this day, this match is widely held as the best international hockey story ever.  

Well, what about you?  Do you believe in miracles?  Verse one states that it had been exactly one month since the Israelites had come out of Egypt.  The time reference is not accidental: Only a month before they had been miraculously delivered, but now they forgot all about it. Although they had been given a stunning victory over the mighty Egyptians, merely a month later they were complaining because there were hungry. So God promises them manna, which literally means “what is it?”  And He would provide manna for the next 40 years.  Manna was not a product of some biological organism.  It was not man-made; it was certainly not something that the Israelites brought with them out of Egypt.  Instead, God provided the manna straight from heaven—a great miracle indeed. 

Ancient Israel had no word for “miracle” or “nature.”  They expected natural phenomena to tell them something about God.  The Hebrew words in the OT, which are sometimes translated to mean miracle, literally mean “sign”—an event that points to some future meaning, or an event that draws attention to something else, usually God.  Thus, in NT times, people expected that God would authenticate any disclosure of His intention with miracles.  The Kingdom of God is now here (Lk. 17:21) and miracles are indeed signs pointing to this kingdom.  Consider the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry at the Wedding at Cana in John 2 that was signified by his first miracle of turning water into wine, or Jesus’ declaration, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28). 

I believe that signs still exist today to remind us of God’s Kingdom.  Miracles are still as much today a “sign” to announce the kingdom message as it was then.  Considering that, are there areas in your life that seem hopeless and against all odds?  Don’t give up!  Ask the Lord for a miracle.  Whether it be a miracle of physical healing or restoring a hopelessly broken relationship, let us wait in eager anticipation, in faith and earnest prayer. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I come to You today with faith so small I cannot see a way out.  I want to believe You are able to do more than I can ever imagine (Eph. 3:20).  I want to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). God, please bring a miracle into my life.  I know that You can do the impossible in my life and I am trusting in Your promises.  Thank You for being a God who sees and hears my every need. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 9:21-24 (ESV):  And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”  23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Questions to Consider

  1. What lesson is Jesus teaching the man in v.23, and how does the man receive and respond to the lesson in v. 24?
  2. Why was the father so desperate in his response in v. 24?
  3. In what area of your life do you need God’s miracle?  Ask for a miracle.  

Notes

  1. Here, Jesus’ power is not the issue, but faith in him is.  All things are not possible to be done by the believer himself, but all things are possible to be done for him, by Jesus.  That work is done by faith which is a gift itself.
  2. He recognized his limitations in view of the severity of the situation.  Ultimately, he put his faith and hope in Jesus. 
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

The fundamental question you and I need to be more conscious of today is, “Am I living my life in the deep faith of being united to God’s presence or am I living my life as though I am in control of everything that goes on in my life?”  If we live our daily lives in the deep and personal union with God’s presence, our deep faith can give us a peace where we strongly believe that our lives are in the hands of God who cares for us. 

So, let us live in the greater consciousness and gratitude to God for His caring and compassionate love, where He never fails to work “miracles” for us daily.  The greater our consciousness and the deeper our gratitude to God, the more discerning we become in our relationship with Jesus.  

March 15, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on May 19, 2019, was provided by Jin Ha Lee. Jin had faithfully served at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia for many year. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Giving the Benefit of the Doubt—a Loving Thing to Do”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Ephesians 4:1-3


“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” 

In Matthew 22:39, Jesus makes it clear that the second greatest commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” However, we face conflicts everywhere, from work, family, friendships, and even church. When conflicts go long or deep, it’s easy for “loving one another” to take a backseat in our hearts. It can be especially challenging when conflicts arise in our church.

However, God teaches and equips us to combat division by showing us through these verses what love looks like. One practical way to show love is to give the benefit of the doubt. (v7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”)

During a conflict, a vulnerable area that the enemy attacks is our thoughts. When we begin to misinterpret the other person and question his or her intentions, it can begin to sow bitterness in our hearts. However, it is in those times that we need to prayerfully and consciously make a stand to say, “I will give this person the benefit of the doubt.” This protects our hearts against bitterness and removes the enemy’s foothold. When we give benefit of the doubt, it is a loving way to see others and disarms the disillusionment that the other person was out to “get us”.

I need to give the benefit of the doubt because I need it too. I can give mercy because I’ve been shown mercy. When God sees all that is in our hearts including our sin, He sees Jesus in us. Therefore, we can try to see Jesus in our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must remember that we are all a work-in-progress who are constantly loved by God.

It is a privilege to build up one another in this race of faith. So, let’s refocus on what God intended our church to be. We are a body of Christ that works together to build up one another with spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit distributed (1 Cor. 12). Love is the most excellent way.


There may be conflicts due to direct offenses that requires confrontation. This passage also teaches us that love is patient (v4), perhaps in timing and communication. Love perseveres through multiple hurtful conversations to reach mutual understanding and unity. But whether the situation gets resolved or not, we are “…bearing with one another in love…” out of love for Jesus and His precious church.

Are you experiencing conflict? Let’s bring it before the Lord and pray for wise counsel. Even when our love has run out, the Lord has an infinite amount of steadfast and unfailing love waiting to cover us.

Prayer: Lord, You love us and Your church so much. God, though we come across conflict, please give us humility, gentleness, and patience to bear with one another in love. Please touch our hearts so that we can respond with Spirit filled love, to see our own faults, to confess, to forgive, to reconcile, and to run together as a church for You. Thank You that there will be one day when we will be in heaven, fully reconciled, and enjoy perfect fellowship with You and each other.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 20

March 14, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on May 11, 2019, is provided by Pastor David Kwon. David leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Holy Spirit”

Exodus 26:1-6

“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. 3 Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. 4 And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. 5 Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. 6 And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.

For the past few days, we have been reading about the tabernacle and the furnishings that the Israelites were commanded to build.  This chapter contains detailed instructions for setting up God’s tent – the tabernacle in the wilderness. Tabernacle in the Bible means, “dwelling place”.  It was supposed to serve as God’s own dwelling place so that He could be with the children of Israel. 

Today, we no longer have to go to a tent to be in the presence of God, we can invite Him to come and meet us wherever we may be because of the Holy Spirit.  Oftentimes we forget that the presence of God can be with us outside of the church doors.  His presence, that same presence that dwelled in the Tabernacle, can be with us today in our churches, on our jobs, in our hospital rooms, in our homes etc.   What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?

  1. He Comforts Us – In John 16 when Jesus tells his disciples he was going away to the Cross, he reminds them that the Spirit will be their comforter.  He still brings peace and comfort in our darkness moments.   
  2. He Illuminates our minds to understand the Scriptures (Lk 24; 1 Cor. 2) –
  3. As one author puts it, “God’s mind is revealed in the Holy Scriptures but we can see nothing without the spectacles of the Holy Spirit” (Thomas Manton)
  4. He Empowers us for ministry – The Spirit gifts us and empowers us to do ministry (1 Cor. 12:11); and this is done primarily through our witness.

Are you relying on the Spirit in these areas of your life?  Let’s depend on Him today.  

Prayer:  Lord, give me greater dependence on the Holy Spirit in my everyday life.  May the Spirit’s working continually be evident in my work, home and witness in the world.   

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 18-19

March 13, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on July 16, 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.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Heroes and Villains”

Jeremiah 40:13-41:3

Now Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah 14 and said to him, “Do you know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam would not believe them. 15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah at Mizpah, “Please let me go and strike down Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life, so that all the Judeans who are gathered about you would be scattered, and the remnant of Judah would perish?” 16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “You shall not do this thing, for you are speaking falsely of Ishmael.”

1 In the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family, one of the chief officers of the king, came with ten men to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. As they ate bread together there at Mizpah,2 Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor in the land. 3 Ishmael also struck down all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there.

After the Avengers Infinity War movie, a friend of mine tried to convince me that Thanos, the chief antagonist in the movie, was not so much evil as misguided.  For those of you who haven’t seen Infinity War (I don’t know where you’ve been), Thanos had a conviction that because resources like food and energy were finite and sentient life had grown to unsustainable numbers, life for half of the universe’s population would be better if the other half of the universe ceased to exist.  So my friend made the argument that from a certain point of view, Thanos could be considered a hero (which was actually how Thanos thought).  Of course, my response was that anyone who tries to kill off half the living things in the universe has to be an evil guy; Captain America agreed with me (as did Ironman before he bit it… spoiler!)  

As ridiculous as this might sound, Hollywood isn’t always that different than real life.  People do all kinds of crazy things because they rationalize the ends justifying the means.  In today’s narrative, I bet you Ishmael thought he was doing the right thing.  I also bet you a bunch of people left in Jerusalem agreed with him.  Think about it, in Jeremiah 39, we read that Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians, and Gedaliah was installed by the Babylonians to run Judah.  I bet you Ishmael and many of the remaining Israelites looked at Gedaliah as Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet and actually wanted him out.  In some sense, I bet Ishmael, and perhaps many in Israel, saw himself as the hero who was going to spark a rebellion against their oppressors.  But of course, heroes don’t assassinate people.  

Here’s the point: Just because you aren’t leading a rebellion or assassinating government officials doesn’t mean you haven’t rationalized the ends justifying the means.  We’re all tempted to fib a little to cover up a mistake at work, or fudged on our resumes, or convinced yourself that you don’t need to mend that relationship.  Either way, let’s just call it what it is: Rationalizing.  Hopefully, we haven’t gone so far as to call our villainous acts heroic; however, if this is indeed what we have been doing, then there is only one counter left on the table: repentance!  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, search my heart.  Is there something within me that needs to be brought to light and confessed.  If so, help me to face it honestly and act righteously.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 17

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 24:31-46: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.’  41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Questions to Consider

1.  What are the similarities and differences between the sheep and the goats?

2.  Why are the goats so surprised?

3.  What are some things that you feel like God wants you to do lately that you haven’t done?

Notes

1.  Both the sheep and the goats have encountered similar types of people, but the sheep acted in love towards these people.  Both groups were surprised by the Lord’s reaction; it’s as if sheep never noticed their tender hearts, while goats never realized their callous hearts.  

2.  The scary part about this parable is that the goats were oblivious to the state of their hearts.  They thought they were doing fine, loving God, etc.  But in reality, they were very far from him.  I hope none of us will be unpleasantly surprised on the day of judgment.  

3.  Personal response

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was searching our hearts and making sure our actions align with our calling as children of light.  How has the Lord been speaking to you about your life and how you’re living it?  Do you represent him well in this world?  Ask the Lord to reveal something that he wants to refine in you.  

March 12, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was originally posted on October 19, 2019. Christine serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Sympathetic Ear”

Hebrews 4:14-16 

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 Early in my college days, I went through a series of eating disorders. Though I felt healed from it, the road in recovering was riddled with moments of struggle that I hadn’t expected. Because so few of my friends understood the experience, I often felt that I didn’t know how to navigate my problems. But one day, while meeting with an older sister, I decided to share in order to stay vulnerable. In doing so, I learned that she experienced the same things! Immediately, I felt relieved, safe, and understood. I knew that I could ask for her guidance. Realizing that someone had gone before me in this experience encouraged me to persevere and comforted me with the reminder that I was not alone. 

The Scripture says that, for us, Jesus has gone through every temptation and trial that we face. In fact, the writer of Hebrews says that He was tempted in all things yet remained without sin. While we may know in our minds that Jesus went through some sufferings, we rarely take the time to reflect on how Jesus can and will understand us when we come to Him. 

We can go to Him for everything! He experienced abandonment and betrayal. He understands how it feels to be misunderstood by family and strangers. He understands weariness and the struggle to honor the Father to the very end. He understands the barrage of temptations that arise when we want to react to each of those situations. And He overcame! So we can come to Him, knowing that we will find a friendly and sympathetic ear and knowing that we will surely be understood.

Our Christ has gone ahead of us and overcome. Let us come to Him with confidence, knowing that He will provide the mercy, grace, and guidance that we crave. Is there something weighing your heart that makes you feel all alone in your experience? I urge you to call on Jesus today. Better than any human comfort, He understands perfectly, and He is always available and present.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for going before me in every way. I know that I can come to You as a friend and confidant. Show me more of Your understanding so that I could be even more forthcoming in my life and see how safe and wonderful it is to share my heart with You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 16

Lunch Break Study

Read John 15:13-17:“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.”

Questions to Consider

  • Why is it significant that we are now counted as friends of God?
  • What is the command that Jesus gives to His friends to follow?
  • Jesus describes a oneness in mind and spirit that comes from friendship with God. What does this oneness result in?

Notes

  1. Friends are different from servants because friends have a level of exchange and intimacy that a master-servant relationship would not. Friends disclose their hearts and thoughts in a mutual exchange. Masters only tell servants commands and tasks to do but never disclose their intentions and plans. Friendship with God is not just a warm relationship; He willingly chose us to become friends and grants us access to His ideas and plans. 
  2. The command that Jesus gives is to love each other. The love that He specifically calls us to (and emphasizes) is a sacrificial love that honors others’ lives above our own. This is not always about dying in place of one another, but a consideration of others above ourselves.
  3. Oneness with Jesus when we are exchanging our thoughts with His and also obeying His commands becomes a lifestyle in which our desires and wishes are also totally fulfilled. If our lives are bent on serving / loving others and being wholly devoted to God’s people, we can be more sure that our wishes and desires are more pure and in-line with what God desires; they are the very things He will grant.

Evening Reflection

How did today go? Were there any instances as you sought God that it felt more certain that He understood and sympathized? Let’s ask Him to be at the forefront of our thoughts so that we can always turn to Him for counsel and support.

March 11, Wednesday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on February 25, 2019, is shared by Pastor Mark. He is currently preparing to launch a site church (of Radiance Christan Church) in the East Bay area near San Francisco. Please keep him and his planting team in your prayers.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

Psalm 25:16-21 (ESV)

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.  18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 

Henry Thoreau is famous for his statement that “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”.  The general context in which this quote is written deals with the plight of the common man who has no time to pursue anything of significance and is relegated to living life as a machine.  

The vast majority of us live at such a hectic pace that we simply feel like we don’t have the time to deal with the emotional wounds that linger deep within.   Everyone goes through seasons of life where loneliness, distress, affliction, and anxiety are acutely felt but never examined.  When life seems to crash in from all sides, it is easy to distance ourselves from our emotions and bury our heads in our careers or families. Eventually, these emotional wounds will catch up to us if we don’t take the time to deal with them at the spiritual level.  

The psalmist understands that God is the guardian of our souls and the healthiest response to our troubles is to turn to Him for protection and forgiveness.  

So, this morning, identify some of the negative emotions you have been dealing with recently.   Turn to the Lord and pray for protection and deliverance.      

Prayer: Lord, help me to pray daily for your protection and deliverance so that I can be aware of feelings and thoughts that are a result of enemies working in my life.  Give me the strength to deal with all my wounds by turning to you in prayer.  In the end, it is the healing found in your grace and forgiveness that can restore my soul and bring me the peace that surpasses human understanding.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 15

Lunch Break Study

Read John 16:33 (ESV): “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why did Jesus say this to the disciples (John 16:32)? 

2. Is the Christian life devoid of trouble and grief (John 16:33)?

3. What is the ultimate source of peace that Jesus promises (John 14:26-27)?

Notes

1. Jesus said these things because he knew that his death on the cross would lead to anxiety and discouragement amongst the disciples.   Many would fail him and lose their sense of purpose but in the midst of all the confusion, Jesus promises that he would never leave them nor allow the enemy to snatch them out of his hands. (John 10:28) 

2. In the Gospel of John, the troubles that come with discipleship are plainly laid out for the reader.  Although the health and wealth movement has misled many people in regard to the true blessings of God, John spells it out very clearly that believers will have trouble in this life.  Though we are not of this world, our presence in this suffering world is God’s ways of communicating the Gospel.  

3. The peace that God offers us is found in the Jewish understanding of shalom.  It is not simply an absence of turmoil but a restoration to wholeness in every aspect of our being.  As Jesus tells the disciples about his departure (ascension into heaven), he reveals that the Father will send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to teach and guide the believers afterwards.  The believers will have a newfound peace in their reconciliation with God and the ministry of his Spirit.       

Evening Reflection

Did you make the most of your time and the opportunities that God gave you today?  Write down any convictions that God has placed on your heart.