REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 27, 2013.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“One Book We All Have but Won’t Read”
Psalm 19:7-8, 10
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
Americans love self-help books, especially those that offer quick and easy steps to lose weight or make money. Be that as it may, most readers know that unless these ideas are put into practice, nothing will happen. Many do try them out only to find that either they don’t work, or the result doesn’t last.
God’s law, precepts, and commands, however, have the opposite problem. While they offer enduring truths that can change our eternal destinies and transform our character, many people will never find out because they do not put them into practice.
Is your soul weary in need of revival? Are you repeatedly making unwise choices? Are your eyes dim and your hearts sad? Then, read and study God’s word, which is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey! Earnestly ask the LORD to give you the strength and willingness to put His truths into practice.
In closing, remember that while the Bible is the bestseller of all time, it often collects dust in our homes because we simply won’t read it. It’s God’s love letter to us; we should read it!
Prayer: Dear LORD, today I’m re-minded of the great worth of Your eternal word. A sad truth is that I find myself perusing the internet to read about the latest gossip and how my favorite player did. While they do nothing to enrich my soul, I often neglect to read the one book that can. God, forgive me for this negligence and empower me to prioritize Your word in my life. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 1
Lunch Break Study
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13:For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
Questions to Consider
1. Those trying to discredit the Bible do so to destroy its primary premise: what is it and why is it important?
2. What is one reason why we aren’t that affected by God’s word even if we may read or hear it (Lk. 8:14, 11:38-40)?
3. What will improve our comprehension of the Bible and how often we read it (Heb 5:11-14, 6:1-2; Mk. 1:34)?
Notes
1. A character playing the role of a Bible critic in The Da Vanci Code says, “The Bible is aproduct of man . . . not God.” As evidenced by this, what the Bible critics are trying to discredit is this: the Bible is the word of God, not of men. Once you lose that, then the Bible is no longer authoritative.
2. We allow our distractions and worries to so preoccupy us that while we hear, we don’t really listen; while we read, we don’t really focus. We really need to discipline ourselves to block out distraction while hearing or reading God’s word so that the truth can help us to better handle our worries and anxieties.
3. First, the lazy learners may need a stern rebuke, which is what Heb. 5:11-14 amounts to; second, the comprehension level will stay the same as long as we settle for easy truths and elementary teachings. Just as muscle growth is a result of muscular tension, the growth of our mind will be a result of tension produced from thinking through the profundity of God’s word. As for reading it regularly, we must make it a priority and a habit; so do it when we are unhurried (like early in the morning before the busyness of the day begins) and preferably at a same designated place.
Evening Reflection
Hebrews 12:10: God disciplines us for our own good.
Don’t look down on the disciples for acting like babies when they saw Jesus walking on the water. What would have been your response if you, worn out and hungry from hours of rowing against a strong wind, saw a figure walking on the water in darkness? Probably sheer terror! But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Oh, what a relief that was, but the worst had not yet come. The thrill of Peter’s brief stroll on the water was quickly offset when Jesus, while reaching out to save him, said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mat. 14:31). If the wet guy, who at least had stepped outside the boat, was deemed to be of little faith, what about the dry guys who stayed in the boat (zero faith)? Peter sank because he took his eyes off Jesus, and instead, focused on the wind, which made him fearful (Mat. 14:30). Jesus’ point is clear: Apart from me, you can’t do anything! Until you learn that lesson, I need to discipline you for your own good so that you can absolutely trust me. I hope this study of God’s word opened your spiritual eyes!