January 2, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was originally posted on February 15, 2019.  Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Name of the Lord”

Exodus 3:13-15

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Moses asked the Lord, “What is your name?” A simple question, yet have you ever thought about that? We call God by certain names – “Lord,” “Father,” “Savior,” etc. But does He have a proper name? Asking someone their name is usually the first question you ask when you get to know someone. So, what is God’s name? Other deities have names – Marduk, Ra, Zeus, Pluto. Does the one true and living God have a name as well?

It’s amazing that we do not think about this more often because our God actually does have a name! We most commonly refer to Him as God or Lord, but that is not actually the Bible’s most common way to refer to Him. Over 6,000 times, the Bible uses a proper name to speak of our God. By comparison, the Bible uses the Hebrew word for “God” only about 2,000 times. What is this proper name?

Pardon me while I nerd out a bit. The proper name is derived from four consonants YHWH. Scholars are not 100% sure of the vowels, though most believe Yahweh is the right vocalization of the name. But this name is loaded with meaning. God answered Moses’ question about His name by saying, “I am who I am.” In Hebrew this is ehyeh asher ehyeh. Though most translations render this as “I am who I am”, this literally means “I will be who I will be.” Alright, so why don’t we call God ehyeh asher ehyeh? Well, God answers the question about his name a second time by shortening his response to just ehyeh, or “I will be”. But God’s name is not ehyeh either. God answers the question a third time in verse 15 by saying, “Yahweh, the God of Your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” If Moses were to talk about God, he wouldn’t call him “I am” or “I will be” because that would not make sense. Rather, he would use a the third-person form, “He is” or “He will be”. Yahweh is similar in pronunciation to the third-person form. But God paired His name with a description: He is the God of Moses’ fathers, namely, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The same God who made the promises to Moses’ fathers is the same God who is with him now. His name signifies His faithfulness. He is the One who was, and is, and is to come. He is who He is and He will be who He will be, always. God’s name signifies His faithfulness.

Out of respect for the name, Hebrews in antiquity eventually started to say “Lord” instead of “Yahweh”, which is why we do not use the divine name frequently. Still, the Israelites were called to trust in the name of the Lord. This meant trusting in the God who keeps His promises. It’s in His very name to be faithful. He is and always will be who He is. That is His name.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Your name is faithful. I trust in Your name because I know You will always be who You are and that You will always keep Your promises. Help me to trust in Your name day by day.

Bible Reading for Today: John 2

Lunch Break Study  

Read Psalm 86:11-13: Teach me your way, Lord,that I may rely on your faithfulness;give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

Questions to Consider

  • What is the result of being taught the way of the Lord?
  • What do you think a “divided heart” looks like?
  • What is the connection between trusting God and worship?

Notes

  • According to this psalm, we are taught the way of the Lord in order that we may rely on His faithfulness. This is similar to what Jesus taught when he said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Walking in the way of Lord results in us relying on God’s provision and faithfulness in our lives.
  • The psalmist asks for an “undivided heart” in order to fear the name of the Lord (biblical fear is about honor and trust). If we have a divided heart, it means we are not honoring God and we are trusting in other things. This could be trusting in money, or worldly talents, or our thoughts/ideas, or countless other things. All those things turn our eyes away from the faithfulness of God. An undivided heart trusts that God is always faithful, in every way. An undivided heart is a heart that is fully surrendered to God.
  • If we do not actually trust in God, our worship is superficial. If we worship God on Sunday but then trust in ourselves Monday through Saturday, our worship is a lie. The psalmist says that he will praise the Lord God and this genuine praise is possible because the psalmist relies on the faithfulness of the name of the Lord. Note also that this trust has been built on experiencing God. As we trust in God, we experience His deliverance and this in turns builds our trust more. May we experience the love and deliverance of God in more and more ways!

Evening Reflection

Tonight, call on the name of the Lord. Remind your soul that He is the One who was and is and is to come. He will never change and His promises to us are sure. If you feel your trust wavering, ask God for help to build more trust. May this trust lead to greater worship of the name of the Lord!

January 1, 2026—Thursday 

REPOST Today’s Devotional Thought for Food, originally posted January 1, 2020, is provided by Andy Kim. Andy is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

A New Year Resolution?  How About This . . .

Haggai 1:7-11

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”

Happy New Year! 

The beginning of a new year always has a sense of excitement as we think about what lies ahead of us. More importantly, it’s a time for us to reconsider our priorities and, as the Lord tells the people of Israel in our passage this morning to consider your ways, we too must consider our ways. To start this year well, we ought to ask ourselves, what are we working towards and what are we really building in our lives? 

Haggai speaks to the people of God during a time very much similar to ours where there is political turmoil and economic instability. Even though they have returned to their homeland, instead of comfort and joy, they seem to be just as frustrated. And to this, the Lord clearly says it’s because they have busied themselves with their own houses while neglecting to rebuild the temple of God. For the Israelites, they understood that the temple was the centerpiece of worship. In fact, if you trace the movements of the Israelites after they were freed from Egypt, God made it clear that each time they settled, they were to first build the tabernacle. When Joshua finally entered the promised land, he first builds an altar before the Lord. In other words, every new move, new season, or even transition was to begin with worship. 

Worship resets our priorities by reminding us who God is and who we are in Him. Often, a lack of worship leads to misplaced priorities. I love how the Psalmist puts it: “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, I  will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 

As we begin this new year, may we have the same heart—that we will not begin this year, until we found ourselves in a posture of worship. This is what it means to start the new year well! As the Lord says, spend a few moments considering your ways. As we prioritize building His kingdom over our own this year, may we experience the blessings He has in store for us. 

Prayer: Father, as we begin this new year, may we have a heart of worship. May we submit ourselves and all our plans for 2026 before you. Help us to always focus ourselves on eternal things rather than the temporary. We bless your name! 

Bible Reading for Today:  John 1

Lunch Break Study 

Read Romans 12:1-2:I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.; 

Questions to Consider

  • How does Paul define worship?
  • Why is worship so important? How does it change us?
  • What does worship mean to you? How can we worship him in all of our lives? 

Notes

  • Paul begins with by the mercies of God to show that worship is first and foremost a response to God’s grace. When we understand how a perfect and loving God accepts sinners, our response is worship. Paul uses an OT concept very familiar to the Israelites on the idea of sacrifice. For worship to be a sacrifice meant that it was both costly and intentional. Worship was never meant to be passive or consumeristic. 
  • Worship gives the lens through which we ought to see the world. Worship transforms our thoughts in order that we may submit to His will. Worship opens our eyes to see that His will is both good and perfect for our lives. 
  • Personal Response. 

John Piper says: “Worship is: showing God’s value, supreme value over all other things. So if you have a job, do your job in a way that shows that Christ is supremely valuable…when your life becomes worship, God begins to look valuable to other people. God looks infinitely worthy when others look at you.” 

Evening Reflection

As mentioned, Haggai was written in a time very similar to ours where there was much political turmoil and economic instability. Without having to dive into politics, we are facing some difficult times both in the US and across the world. And yet, God reminds us how much more urgent it is for us to build his temple during such uncertainty so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10). 

When we as a church humble ourselves, turn from our ways, and seek His face; then He will heal our lands. Worship not only as personal implications, but communal blessings. As we think about 2020 and all the things it has in store for us personally, may we also think and pray for all the things it has for us as believers. More than ever, the church must reflect His love and glory to the world. 

Spend a few moments praying for your church. How is God calling you to build His church this year? 

December 31, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on July 17, 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

“Okay, Now What?”  

Jeremiah 41:10

Then Ishmael took captive all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, the king’s daughters and all the people who were left at Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah took them captive and set out to cross over to the Ammonites.

I’m doing my best not to be one of those helicopter parents (parents who hover over their kids ready to jump in at the first sign of trouble), so I do my best to give them a lot of room to get into some amount of trouble.  Lately, they’ve been really into climbing trees, and my town boast that we are a “borough of trees.”  So when we go out to the park, my kids will try to conquer as many trees as they can.  I’m proud to say that they’ve generally gotten pretty good; I have a nice little family of monkeys.  However, occasionally one of these little monkeys will climb a little too high or get to a branch that they can’t climb out of (up is sometimes easier than down).  So they’ll get up there, and think to themselves, “Now what?  I’m up here, but how do I get down?”  In things like climbing and hiking, it’s important that we plan both the route in and out, this way we aren’t at the top of the summit thinking, “Now what?”  

In a lot of ways this is how I think Ishmael feels at this point in the biblical narrative.  On Monday, we read that he killed the appointed governor of Jerusalem, Gedaliah, and yesterday, we read how he slaughtered about 70 men who were presumably coming to mourn the downfall of Jerusalem.  By this point, he’s made enemies of both the remnant in Israel and the Babylonians.  Now, since he has no place to hide, got prisoners to haul around, and no friends and countrymen to take him in, he decides to flee to the land of Ammon.  This may seem like an insignificant detail, but no self-respecting OT Jew was going to run to Ammonites for help.  Talk about a guy running around like a chicken with his head cut off!  

Maybe in your life, you feel like you’re just scrambling too?  Perhaps you’re running from job to job, or place to place, or event to event because you didn’t quite think things out fully.  And when you’ve reached your next destination, you too are wondering, “Now what?”  Perhaps the problem is not so much the lack of a plan, but lack of proper priorities.  You see, priorities are important because they keep us on track toward a noble goal, and if we don’t schedule life according to our priorities, we get off track and feel like we’ve been tossed back and forth by life and the circumstances we created for ourselves.  So, a wise thing for us to do just about now is to review our life’s priorities and recalibrate them from the standpoint of eternity.    

Prayer: Lord, what are the things that are most important now?  How would You like me to prioritize my life, so I don’t live like in FOMO mode.  I want to follow You and Your leadings, not whatever looks great at the moment.  

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 6:25-33: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[g] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Questions to Consider

1.  How does the Lord want us to plan or prioritize our lives?

2.  Based on this passage, how can you tell the difference between carefree/careless living and genuinely trusting in God?

3.  Are you a planner?  Is this a good thing for you or are you constantly anxious?

Notes

1.  Verse 33 is the key—we need to seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness.  So planning and prioritizing doesn’t make sense unless God is our first priority.  

2.  This passage does not say that we shouldn’t plan or work hard, but rather it speaks to those who fear that God won’t take care of them.  So planning is generally a good thing, but we realize that we’ve trusted in our own abilities more than God when worry and anxiety creep into our lives.  

3.  Personal response

Evening Reflection

What are the plans you have for you life?  Are they God’s desire for you?  On the other end of the spectrum, do you even have a plan for anything in your life?  Does your life line up with your priorities or are you kind of just running around aimlessly?  

December 30, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on October 10, 2019, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“One Another”

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Have you ever thought as you were listening to a sermon at church, I wish my friend was here to listen to this, or I hope my small group member is paying attention?  My guess is that most, if not all of us, have thought something like that before.  While there are some good intentions behind this kind of thinking, I’ve found that it’s easier for us to think about how another person is receiving a message more than actually receiving that message for ourselves.  This verse in Galatians is a prime example of this.  

Paul exhorts the church to carry one another’s burdens, to help comfort and counsel one another in difficult circumstances or to challenge one another in our struggles against sin and temptation.  When we read this, our tendency may be to think about others: We think about that small group member who has been struggling and how we can help them; or we remember that friend of ours who has been having a hard time at work and how we can encourage him or her.  It is great for us to stop and consider how we can be a blessing to others and carry their burdens, but when we do this, there’s a really important person that we tend to forget—ourselves.  Paul is not just saying to carry other people’s burdens, but we should mutually carry one another’sburdens.  An intrinsic part of “one another” is ourselves.  We don’t only consider how to help others, but we ourselves must allow others to help us with our own burdens.  

Though it is important for us to strive to be a blessing to others, we shouldn’t forget that we ourselves need to be blessed by others.  Because we have a desire to serve others, we can easily put on a brave face, telling others that we’re okay, instead of being vulnerable and open and letting others bless us. And ultimately, this can lead us into a dangerous place.  On our own, we cannot handle all of the burdens of our circumstances, struggles, sins, much less the burdens of others as well.  What we all need is the support of others, of a community that desires to bless one another and point one another to the love of Jesus.  

Today, take a moment and think about how you yourself need others to help carry your burdens.  If there’s an opportunity, share with a friend about your own needs and struggles and ask for prayer.  Let’s bear one another’s burdens today.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for the love that You have shown me through others. I pray today that I can share my burdens with others and experience Your love through my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Bless me today through Your church.  AMEN 

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 2

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:7-10: 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 cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us

Questions to Consider

  • What is the foundation of our fellowship within the church?
  • If you’ve been a Christian for a while, you probably know better than to say you are without sin.  However, it’s still pretty easy for us to deceive ourselves and think we’re not that bad or don’t need much help.  What are some areas in your life where you may be deceiving yourself?  What are some sins that you’re not admitting to others or yourself?
  • What happens if we confess our sins to others?

Notes

  • It is walking in the light, i.e. walking with Jesus.  The foundation of all that we do within the church is Jesus.  
  • Personal reflection question.
  • When we confess our sins, we experience the forgiveness and “cleansing” of Jesus.  We don’t have to be in a community nor do we have confess our sins to someone else in order to be forgiven of our sins.  Forgiveness is offered to us unconditionally by the blood of Jesus.  However, when we confess our sins to one another, we not only understand the forgiveness of Jesus, but we also experience a deeper and typically more powerful cleansing.  Confessing to one another gives us a greater freedom and confidence in the love of Jesus.

Evening Reflection

We are not meant to walk with Jesus on our own.  We are deeply in need of the fellowship of the saints to help us carry our burdens and point us to Jesus.  If you haven’t yet, reach out to a friend from your church tonight and simply ask for prayer.  Offer to listen and pray for your friend as well.  Let us strive to be people who are dependent on one another to follow Jesus.

December 29, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 30, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

James 4.11-12 (NASB)

Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

 In a podcast series I recently finished (Serial, season 3) that investigated the judicial and prison system of Ohio, there was one law held by every person interviewed. No matter how unjust or unreasonable their situation was, no one broke this rule: you don’t snitch on anyone. And these young men would go to such great lengths to uphold this law—a law that isn’t even recognized by the judicial system. You may have differing opinions on this issue, and that’s fair; but one thing for sure: All of them understood that no one is above this law.  

Whether it’s in Christian leadership or in the corporate setting, when someone begins to think that they are above the law—certain rules apply to some but not to me—it signals a grave danger ahead. The arrogance of this thinking is morally reprehensible, but more importantly, it is disdainful in the eyes of God. The tricky realization is that all us do commit this offense. We have areas in our lives that we know go against God’s heart, but we choose to disregard them. 

We need to closely follow the argument here in this short passage. The teaching is to not speak against one another, especially about those within the community of faith. For when we do, three things occur: we (1) speak against the law, (2) judge the law, and (3) are not doers of the law. For James, when we disobey God’s commands, we are judging the commands by saying they are not applicable to us. This is judgment of, that is, rejecting, the validity of the law itself. And one example of this pattern is when we believe the command to love our neighbor as ourselves does not apply to us, and thus, speak out against our brothers/sisters.

The question we must ask ourselves is when we cast judgment on others, do we recognize that it’s not just “having a hard time with this person”? The seriousness of the indictment is that we have made ourselves above the One Lawgiver and Judge. There is no minor command that the Lord gives us, especially when it involves loving others. We cannot pick and choose lest we become judges of the law. 

As was said yesterday, as we honestly reflect upon our character and heart, I pray that this would lead all of us to greater humility. I pray that the Word of God would peel back the deception that we have come to accept and be freed of the arrogance of our hearts. 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that Your word is sharper than a double-edged sword. Thank You that it pierces us deeply so that we may be refined and become more like You. Send Your Holy Spirit so that we may love our neighbors as ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:9-14: And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Questions to Consider

  • What are the reasons for which the Pharisee felt that he stood right before the Lord? Was he wrong? What does this reveal about God?
  • If you were to put these characters in your current context, who would be like the Pharisee and who would be like the tax collector? Who are you more like?
  • What are the thoughts and feelings you experience when you find out that it is the tax collector that goes home justified? Why?

Notes

  • The Pharisee religiously did/did not do what he was supposed to: he doesn’t swindle, is not unjust, does not commit adultery, and, unlike the tax collector, doesn’t cheat his own people. He fasts and pays his tithes. In one sense, he’s not wrong that he is more righteous than the tax collector. But God’s standards of righteousness are far different from ours. Scripture teaches us that even the most righteous person is no better than anyone else in regard to His standards.
  • Perhaps the Pharisees are like church-goers. They do the “right” things. But ultimately what’s revealed is that they expect God to act in a certain way because they are not like the other people. The tax collectors are ones who truly understand that apart from the grace of God, we are hopeless and forlorn (and deservedly so).
  • Personal response. You may find yourself experiencing a mixture of feelings. Perhaps you feel relieved that God’s mercy is so great. But others, you might feel slighted. You may feel like there’s something unfair about the situation. Bring these feelings before the Lord and ask Him to reveal what this reveals about your heart.

Evening Reflection

As you close today, meditate on James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy… what does it mean to you that this one Lawgiver and Judge provided the way of salvation for you through His Son? What do you feel when you reflect on the fact that the Judge has also shown you mercy, and no one else can bring anything against you? Spend some time thanking and praising the Lord for this truth.

December 28, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on December 16, 2018, is provided by Pastor Phillip Chen. Phil is spearheading the planting of Pillar Church in Houston, which is scheduled to launch on February 22, 2026. Praise the Lord!

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Transformed: Part 2”

Ephesians 4:25-32 (ESV)

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 

People can mistakenly think that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. While they may see the Old Testament God as one who is all about rules and is like an angry and disappointed dad who is grumpy, they may see the New Testament God as one who gives grace and is always forgiving and loving. Yet this could not be further from the truth. In fact, a heretic named Marcion actually espoused this idea that the Old Testament God was different from the New Testament God, and he didn’t see the Old Testament Scripture as authoritative for Christians—this was ultimately deemed heretical. The truth is, the God of the Old Testament is the exact same God as the God of the New Testament—Jesus was the visible manifestation of the invisible God, and He came to make God known to us. 

In reading these instructions and commands to the church from today’s passage, I was reminded of Exodus 20 – the Ten Commandments. Both texts give us commands of how to live life before a Holy God. It’s also worth noting that both are prefaced with our relationship with God (see yesterday’s devotional). In Exodus 20, God starts out the Ten Commandments with one simple phrase: “I am the Lord YOUR GOD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” We have to understand that the context of these commands is not simply that we should obey because of God’s power, but it is also in the context of love. God is relating to His people and saying I am going to be your God; I belong to you as you belong to me. In the same way, in the New Testament, Paul first reminds people that transformation always starts with the understanding of our new relationship with Him—and then he tells us that we are to shed off our old self and put on our new self.  We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to Jesus Christ. With this new found understanding of the grace we have received, only then do we see the power and ability to transform.

There is a famous scene in “Les Misérables” of Jean Valjean being apprehended for stealing the Bishop’s silver. He is brought back to the Bishop’s house, and when the Bishop opens the door and sees Jean Valjean, he greets him like a brother. Instead of accusing him of thievery, he plays it off as though the silver was given to him as a gift. He then goes on and asks why Jean Valjean did not also take the candlesticks, which could also be sold for money. The police are dumbfounded as they were certain Jean Valjean had stolen these items (which he did), but the Bishop insists that these were gifts. After the police leaves, the Bishop tells Jean that he is free to go, and he says this: “Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I buy from you; I withdraw it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.”

Where, ultimately, lies the power of transformation? I believe that it’s not just behavior modification, stronger will, or even greater discipline; it lies in the heart that has understood the unfathomable grace that we have received. If you are currently struggling with transformation in your life, don’t just try harder. Lean back into the grace of God that once stirred your heart, and then press forward into becoming more like Christ! 

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your grace that sparks the change in my heart. Thank You that I have a relationship with You, and that You are transforming me as You restore the image of God in my life. May I continue to grow in a deeper understanding of Your grace in my life that propels this wonderful transformation in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 3 John 1

December 27, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on December 22, 2018, was written by Claudia Robbie. She has faithfully served on staff at Journey Church of Atlanta for more than ten years.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Humility”

Luke 1:48

For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. 

This Christmas season, I have been drawn to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and I wonder at the kind of relationship she had with God. There must have been anxiety and fear when she received the news that she was going to be pregnant with the Son of God, but she aligned her life to what God had laid out as His plan. 

Mary risked being stoned (Old Testament punishment for adultery), and being misunderstood and ostracized by those around her. This woman walked in obedience, her soul glorified the Lord, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. When I am misunderstood for even the smallest of things, I am thrown into emotional and spiritual turmoil.  So how did Mary do this? It hinges on her humility. “For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant” (Lk. 1:48).

Humility, as it is defined by Andrew Murray, is the place of entire dependence on God. When I think of humility, my thoughts are usually filled with surrendering my pride or beating back my own desires; but Mary’s humility reminds me that it is about cultivating a heart/place that is completely dependent on God. 

It reminds me that it is a daily encounter with the greatness of God that allows me to lay down my fears, anxieties, and thoughts of myself to put on His person and His confidence. It is trusting on Him to go before and behind me as I listen for His leading, obey and align my life to what He wants so that my soul will glorify the Lord. This kind of cultivated heart happens with intentionality and over a period of time. It is also God’s grace to us. God chose Mary, not because she was deserved, but He was mindful of the humble state of His servant. 

It is a commitment to keep cultivating a heart of dependence, even in the face of adversity, even when we are faced with our own sin, and even when the odds seem insurmountable, because we are loved by a great God who has called us to live a life that will glorify Him. 

So today I will not be shocked by my own shortcomings or the ways in which I can improve. Instead, I choose to trust God who knows my thoughts, my attempts to serve, my intentions, my sins—and loves me still. I choose to cultivate a heart of dependence on the One who has a plan for me, and who is now restoring and refining me for that purpose. 

Prayer: Lord, cultivate in me a humble heart like Mary, who could let go of all her fears and risk even her life in order to glorify You. May Your greatness far outweigh anything else in this world. May I bring glory to You in this Christmas season and rejoice in the gift of Your Son/my King. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 28 and 2 John 1

December 26, Friday

REPOST Originally shared on December 19, 2019, today’s AMI QT Devotional—written by an anonymous contributor—continues to offer quiet insight and reflection.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Loving God with our Minds” 

Read Luke 10:27 (ESV)

“And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’”

The story is all too common. A child is raised in a loving Christian home, grows up in the church, develops deep and close relationships with the congregation and when the time comes, leaves home for college. However, in school, the young student fills one of his elective slots with a religions class where the professor lays into Christianity, outlining its contradictions, borrowed mythology and overwhelmingly negative sociological impact. He is never the same again. He comes home after his first year with more questions than a busy parent or pastor cares to answer, and slowly but surely, the once Christ-grounded child loses his faith and turns away from the church. 

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answers: “Love God with all of their being and love their neighbor as themselves.” While the average person does well to love the Lord with the first three items, the tragedy of the hypothetical above can become a reality if we fail to love God with our minds. JP Moreland (Talbot School of Theology) writes, “That the mind is the crucial component in the spiritual journey cannot be accurately denied.” Truly there is something to it, as an estimated 70% of college students leave the faith. Institutions of higher learning are a wonderful place of knowledge and exchanging of ideas, but with the marginalization of the Christian worldview so great, it is more critical than ever that church leaders teach their people how to love God fully, minds included. 

So what does loving God with your mind look like? A long-lost spiritual discipline is study. Pastor Peter (Kairos) describes the spiritual disciplines as the “wax on, wax off” parts of the faith—meaning, performing them seemingly serves no purpose until the occasion in which they’re useful arises. While not everyone needs to think through the faith to the degree of someone like C. S. Lewis, it is vital that, at minimum, we keep ourselves grounded in the Word while seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. By engaging the faith with our minds, we give the Spirit another piece of ourselves to step into and work His wonders. The Holy Spirit can teach us how to speak of Jesus to unbelievers, how to disciple our immediate and church family members and even defend the faith, if necessary, from opposition. Just as we have done so, so easily with our hearts, let’s give our minds over to the Lord as well. Let’s love Him with all of our being, as commanded.

Prayer: Father, Your Word and Your truth have been under attack since the beginning. We know You are there, we feel You and we praise You. Please help us to love You fully, with everything we are. Holy Spirit, we ask that You move in, and shape our minds to Your will. All for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 1:1-7: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Questions to consider

  • What is the beginning of knowledge?
  • What is King Solomon’s goal(s) in writing these proverbs?
  • Which of King Solomon’s goals would you like to work towards in your life?

Notes

  • The beginning of knowledge is “the fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:7). King Solomon goes on to note only a fool rejects wisdom or instruction, thereby advocating for the spiritual discipline of study.
  • In general, King Solomon seeks to increase and refine his vast knowledge and gift of godly wisdom in order to best serve God and His people. I am particularly invested in verses four and five, as I hope to be able to help equip fellow Christians moving forward.
  • Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

Romans 12:2 reads, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” According to Moreland, the Greek word Paul uses here is nous, which means “the intellect, reason, or the faculty of understanding” (Moreland 2012: 65). What changes can you pray for God renew your mind with? 

December 25, Thursday 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on December 25, 2019. Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Joy to the World”

Matthew 1:18-25

 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

As cliché as it might sound, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. This is coming from someone who starts listening to Christmas music in September. As the lights and trees go up, and families and friends get together, there is a sense of warmth even as the weather cools down. The city itself begins to look different as decorations begin to appear everywhere. Although all of this is great, it has a way of distracting us from the true meaning of Christmas. 

In our passage today, we find the shocking truth of Christmas: that the creator God is with us in the person of Jesus! Most of us have become desensitized to the scandalous nature of this truth. For the Jews, hearing that God would come in the form of a person would have been incomprehensible. God’s presence resided in the temple and only a few people were ever allowed to even step foot into the holy of holies. The idea that God would appear in a baby would have been an outlandish claim. But this is the truth of Christmas: that God is with us, Immanuel. 

As I reflect on this idea, I am reminded that we serve a God that is near and intimate with us. He is the God who does not remain at a distance, away from the suffering of His people. Instead, He decides to step into the pain and messiness of the world in order to bring us healing, restoration, and salvation. We see this in tangible examples throughout the Gospel accounts. He does not only spend time with the “righteous,” but is near to the marginalized, the heavy-laden, and the diseased. He is there to carry the burden of His people in order to give them a yoke that is easy and light. 

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many people. It can bring to the surface so much of what we’ve repressed, and the issues we’ve been wrestling with. But let us be reminded this morning that Jesus is Immanuel! God is with us! God is near to your pain, struggles, and difficulties. There is hope when we look to Christ Jesus! 

Prayer: Father, thank You so much for being a God that is near to us. There are many things that I struggle with, I pray that during this holiday season you would help me to recognize Your nearness. 

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 2 (Christmas reading)

Lunch Break Study 

Read Philippians 2:5-11: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Questions to Consider

  • What is the mind of Christ that Paul is referring to in this passage? 
  • In what ways did Jesus humble Himself? 
  • In what ways can you have the same mind in our own life? 

Notes

  • Even as God, Christ’s mind is defined and marked by humility.
  • Jesus as God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped, but instead humbles Himself in the incarnation on Christmas morning by taking on the form of a servant, a human being. But not only that, He humbles Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross, which was the most shameful manner of death. All of this for the sake of His people. 
  • Personal 

Evening Reflection 

“[Christmas] means not just hope for the world, despite all its unending problems, but hope for you and me, despite all our unending failings.” – Tim Keller 

December 24, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on December 24, 2018, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a longtime friend of AMI who has previously served on staff at several AMI churches.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Blessed?”

Luke 1:46-48

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

Whether it through personal experience or—as silly as it sounds—through TV and movies, I think we all have at least some idea of how scary and “inconvenient” an unplanned pregnancy can be for a woman.  I know that some in our reading audience are actively trying to have kids now, but for the rest of us, imagine how much an unexpected pregnancy would flip your life around.  For students, what would a child mean for your studies and your future?  For you singles, how would a child impact your career and personal life?  For you DINKs, are you ready for your cool vacations and trendy restaurants to turn into theme parks and Red Robin?  On the other end of the spectrum, maybe your children are grown up or are teenagers: how would a baby change your life now?  Money set aside for retirement quickly converts to college tuition?  I just moved my last two kids from car seats to boosters, and that felt like a game-changer.  You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to a world of strollers, bottle warmers, and diapers.  

As “inconvenient” as it would be to have a child now, think about how utterly terrifying it must have been for Mary.  What must have gone on in her head after the angel Gabriel left her that night?  How would Joseph react?  There’s no way he’s staying, right?  No one’s gonna believe that this is God’s Son; everyone’s gonna think that I had an affair.  Are my parents gonna kick me out?  Who’s gonna help us?  Am I gonna have to raise this baby alone?  How will I support myself and a child?  Given all these overwhelming thoughts, would you have felt “blessed” as Mary says she was in v. 48?  My guess is that many of us would have felt the exact opposite.  In reality, Mary was blessed and was given an opportunity no one in the history of the world will ever have again.  However, in order to see this, she had to overcome her overwhelming circumstances by faith.  

Here’s the truth for us today: Oftentimes, God’s biggest blessings will feel overwhelming at first, and if we aren’t careful, we’ll mistake them for a burden instead of the blessings they were meant to be.  Think about some of the hard things you’ve gone through.  Looking back on them, did you grow through them?  Did God become more real to you afterwards?  Can you use those experiences to encourage others?  If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, my guess is that you’ve seen how difficulties can become blessings.  What are you going through now?  I’m sure they feel overwhelming, but can you, like Mary, see the blessing on the other side?  

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the example of Mary, who showed that even in difficult circumstances You are still with us and we are still blessed.  Give us faith to trust You through all times.  Thank You also for sending Your Son into the world to save us!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Luke 2 (Christmas story)

Lunch Break Study

Philippians 4:4-7

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

Questions to Consider

1.  What are the imperatives that Paul gives us?

2.  Instead of being anxious, what should we do?

3.  What are the benefits of God’s peace, and are you experiencing them in your life now?

Notes

1.  Paul commands us to rejoice; he also says not to be anxious, but to pray and give thanks to God.  

2.  Pray and ask God.  Also give thanks.  This is a reminder that while we are often powerless in our circumstances, we can ask the One who is powerful for help.  Giving thanks reminds us of His goodness and faithfulness.

3.  God’s peace is transcendent—meaning, it goes beyond human reasoning.  In other words, when we have no reason to hope, God’s peace can help us to see past our circumstances.  Of course, the second part of the question is an introspective one.  

Evening Reflection

In John 14:27, Jesus tells His disciples that He is giving them his peace, which is a peace that is not of the world, a peace that can only come from the Lord.  This Christmas Eve, as we celebrate when God’s peace offering entered the world, let me ask you this: Do you live in this peace, or are you anxious and worried?  Take some time to reflect on what the Lord wants to do in your heart.