April 20, Monday

REPOST Today’s Devotional Thought for this Morning—originally posted on March 17, 2019—and the Lunch Break Study/Evening Reflection—originally posted on January 8, 2018—are provided by Tina Pham, who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Don’t Live Without the Word”

2 Kings 23:3, 24-26 (NASB)

The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant. 24Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums and the spiritists and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.

Some of us who follow a reading plan to  read the Bible in one year, have had times when we had absolutely no idea what we had just read; nonetheless, we were content to mark off another 5 chapters from the reading chart. But King Josiah wasn’t like that. Upon discovering the Book of God’s Law that had been lost for a long time, he devoted himself to purify the land of Judah of its idolatry so that Judah’s ways would conform to what was written in God’s book. He read God’s Word to the people of Judah and led them to renew their commitment to walk in the way of the Lord. The majority of this chapter (vv. 4-20) records how Josiah removed idolatrous priests from the house of the LORD, removed altars that previous kings of Judah had built, burned vessels that were for Baal and Asherah worship, and more. Josiah truly turned to the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and certainly, with all his might. 

Though Josiah knew that God was going to “remove Judah and cast off Jerusalem” (23:27) because the generations of his forefathers had forsaken God, the Book of the Law (God’s Word) led Josiah to lead the nation back to God in his lifetime. He let God’s Word, which Judah had neglected for many years, define his course of action and his leadership. Though the outcome for Judah was sealed, Josiah was instrumental in preserving covenant faithfulness for Judah in his lifetime. In this way, Josiah was successful and Scripture records, “there was no king like him…nor did any like him arise after him” (23:25). Though he had no control over Judah’s future, he glorified God by faithfully keeping a covenant relationship with God. 

The Word of God provides power for endurance and faithfulness. Nothing can nourish our souls and strengthen us to do the work of the Lord than the very words of God. If reading or listening to the Word of God is lacking in your daily spiritual life, ask the Lord today to renew your thirst and devotion for His Word. Don’t live with the Word.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I desire for your commands and your Words to be near and dear to me. As your Word is able to equip me to do every good work, help me to spend time in your Word daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ephesians 1

Lunch Break Study 

1 Corinthians 10:13-14. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Questions to Consider

1. Why is Paul giving the Corinthians this encouragement and warning?

2. How does Paul describe God’s faithfulness?

3. What is idolatry?

Notes

1. In the context of this passage, Paul tells the Corinthians of Israel’s history of displeasing God, in their acts of idolatry, immorality, testing God, and grumbling. His point is that Israel’s history was written down in the Old Testament for our instruction, so that we may be aware that our struggles with temptation are common, and that people in all generations struggle with common trials. This is supposed to encourage us as well as to exhort us to actively overcome these temptations.  

2. In our trials and temptations, we may humanly feel that they are beyond what we can handle, but from God’s point of view, He is able to provide you the way of escape and to teach you how to endure it. He is faithful to help you become an overcomer!

3. Idolatry is anything in our hearts that replaces our security and trust in God. It could be a material thing, but also be way of thinking or impure desires.

Evening Reflection

Tonight, reflect on the word “arise.” Often, Jesus used the verb “arise” to command the sick to receive His healing and to instruct His servants to go on a mission. God called Jacob to arise as well and to take a step of faith towards Him. How is the Lord leading you to arise and to do His will? 

April 19, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was originally posted on March 10, 2019. Christine serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Retiring Old Wonders”

Exodus 10:14b 

“Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again.”

Along with many other children in the United States, I believed in the Tooth Fairy growing up. My parents kept up the ruse by making sure the “Tooth Fairy” left money for both me and my brother whenever we lost a tooth. I tried several times to trick her with an old tooth under my pillow, sometimes with a day or a week in-between. Somehow, she always seemed to know when it was an old tooth, and I would wake up the next morning disappointed. 

On a more “grown-up” (but no less foolish) level, I have often asked God to give me the same old things based on prior experience. Could He also save me the way He did before on a final exam? Can He miraculously give me a job the way He did before? Can He provide the same kind of breakthrough as He did the last church retreat? The list goes on..

Unlike the problem with the Tooth Fairy, the problem with asking God for the same old things is not that I exhaust God’s ability to deliver, but that I settle for my limited understanding of what He is able to do. If we only ask God to repeat what He has done in the past, we will never learn new things about His power and provision. We will grow familiar and numb to His wonders. This is why certain miracles and works will not be repeated; they fulfilled their purposes in what they taught us about God, and now there will be new things to look forward to. 

Brothers and sisters, our God is unfathomably powerful and glorious. We have not grasped the full extent of what He is able to do, nor should we expect to know all He wants to do. Before we launch into our petitions and requests today, let’s ask Him to fill us with expectation that He is able to do more than we can imagine. When we believe and trust that He has more to show us, we will find our understanding of Him expanded. We will no longer keep searching for the things that we have seen before but will trustingly look forward to new things.

Prayer: Father, Your ideas are always better than my ideas. I want to surrender my assumption of what You can or should do. Give me a heart that desires solutions that will glorify You the most. Help me not to settle for yesterday’s wonders but that I would look forward to what new things You can bring tomorrow. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 3 John

April 18, Saturday

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on March  2, 2019, is shared by Pastor Mark. He is currently pastoring Radiance Christian Church East Bay (near San Francisco). Please keep him and his planting team in your prayers.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A New Name”

John 1:35-42 (ESV)

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

We often overlook the significant actions that Jesus performs in the gospels.  In this passage, Jesus changes the name of a man whom He has just met.  This is clearly not an ordinary everyday event, which, to the modern reader, sounds completely random.  However, the Jewish people would have understood the two-fold significance of someone changing their name.  First, only God has the right to give you a new name. This makes a lot of sense.  Other than your parents, no one else should have the right to change your name.  Second, your new name speaks of a new identity and destiny over your life.  Names in the ancient Middle East meant much more than the arbitrary labels that we give our children.  Changing your name meant changing who you are and the purpose of your life.  When Jesus met Simon, I’m sure he knew how unstable this young man was—how impetuous, and how unreliable.  But Jesus, seeing who he could be, that is, his potential in God’s hand, called him Peter—the rock on which He would build the church.  

Like Peter, God has a better name for each of us but we have to be willing to receive it and live it out.  There is an interesting British reality show called the Monastery that takes completely irreligious people and challenges them to spend several weeks living as monks in a monastery.  In one of the shows, there was a young man who had been working in the porn industry and at the end of his time in the monastery, he realized that he didn’t want to go back to his old life.  He was afraid that he would lose everything that he had gained during his time separated from the world and separated from sin.  When the monk who has been his spiritual director saw this young man struggle with this decision, he told him slowly and deliberately, “You have a name given to you at birth but you also have a name that you don’t know.”  The monk then described how in the book of Revelation, Jesus tells us that our true names are written down in heaven on white stones, and this name on the stone is our real name, which points to our true identity: “To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Rev. 2:17). 

In the final moments as this young man began to prepare to leave the monastery, the monk took one smooth white stone out of his pocket and gave it to this once hardened, insensitive English hooligan and told him, “This is a symbol of your quest to find out who you really are before God.”  Needless to say, the young man left his job, began to attend church, and started to meet regularly with the spiritual director.  It’s a deeply moving story that reminds us that whether you are Christian or not, we all share this quest to find our true identity, to receive the name that God has reserved for us.   To receive this name, you have to overcome and conquer the pull of the world that is constantly trying to dictate to you what your identity should be instead of what it is in Christ.  Perhaps, you need to start that journey today. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to see that my true name and my true identity is only revealed when I am found in you.  May my life be hidden in you so that I no longer live but you live in me.  Give me the eyes to see that titles like “successful,” “wealthy,” “powerful,” and “intelligent” will all fade away.  Help me to reject the many different but temporary names that the world tries to label me with.  Only then can I receive this glorious name that you have written down on a white stone, a name that will last into eternity. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 6 & 2 John 

April 17, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was originally posted on April 3, 2020.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Is Our Witness?”

Acts 1:8; 2:5-13

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” . . . 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

A topic of much discussion at the present moment is how will churches respond to our current global crisis. There are those who feel we waited too long to close our doors (signaling a lack of consideration for the surrounding community) and others who feel churches shouldn’t close their doors at all (because it signals faithless and fear). There are those who believe we should all just stay at home (respecting city mandates out of care for our neighbors) and others who feel it’s our duty to be out and about looking for ways to serve. There are those who feel we should double down and lean into the Lenten Season, not focusing so much attention on the anxiety of a global pandemic (because God knew it was coming) and others who believe it’s best to embrace the present moment, abandon all regularly scheduled programming and lean fully in (because can move uniquely in this time). 

There are many convictions, judgements and opinions, many of which are valid, albeit varied, and rooted in the best of intentions. Yet at the heart of them all is the issue of witness. How will the church bear witness in a season of suffering and uncertainty? You may have heard stories of Early Church Christians who responded to plagues by staying behind to care the sick, almost always at the expense of their own lives. Their witness has stood the test of time – their actions a tangible and distinct display of God’s love. While we’re not facing a plague and we thankfully have modern healthcare systems that can, for the most part, support the sick during a pandemic, the question of witness still stands. 

When we think about our Christian witness, we often think in terms of something we should be doing. But the New Testament usually uses “witness” to describe what Christians are. In other words, our lives are saying something about Jesus regardless of what we do. Thus, witness is not primarily a matter of doing (figuring out the right thing to do amid crisis), but a matter of being (what we call in the Church Christian formation). 

Are we the kind of people God can move through when the need arises? Better yet, are we the kind of people God is already moving through for the sake of the life of the world? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have sent me into the world to be a light and a blessing. May my faithfulness in even the most menial tasks and during the most trying times be pleasing unto You and a blessing to those around me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 5

Lunch Break Study

Hebrews 12:1-3, 12-17: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart . . . 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is the context of the instructions above? (i.e. what does the writer mean when saying “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses?) Why is this important. 
  2. What instructions are given in verses 1-3? What is the difference between weights and sin? 
  3. What instructions are given in verses 14-17? What’s at stake if believers fail to heed these warnings? 
  4. In what ways do you need to strengthen feeble limbs and make straight paths for your feet (verses 12-13)? What are the weights slowing you down? What are the sins over which you need victory? In what ways do you need to pursue peace, extend grace, or practice self-discipline? 

Notes

  1. In the previous chapters the writer of Hebrews outlines a list of believers who leveraged their lives and ultimately died in faithful anticipation of God’s redemptive work in the world (God’s plan of salvation through Jesus and coming Kingdom through the Church). Their stories give us hope and confidence as we do the same. 
  2. (1) Throw of every weight and the sin that clings closely. (2) Run with endurance – we do this by fixing our eyes on Jesus who is not only the object of our faith but our greatest example of a faithful life. Sin is missing the mark of God design for creation or falling short of God’s law. Sins are specific and well-articulated in the Bible. Weights, on the other hand, can be neutral things, even good things, that are simply hindering our ability to run well the race before us (distracting or restricting our ability to faithfully follow Jesus).   
  3. (1) Make every effort to live in peace with everyone – if we don’t, it will be hard for others to see God through us. (2) Be gracious with one another – if we don’t, bitterness and division will rise up and destroy fellowship. (3) Do not be controlled by the passions of your body or self-indulgence – if we are, we risk missing out on the blessings of God. 
  4. Spend time in prayerful reflection. 

Evening Reflection

Let’s end day by way of reflecting on Acts 2:44-45. 

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

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

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