REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on February 15, 2016.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Who Really is in Control?”

Acts 4:1-4

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

In my current job, I work on the release of tech products. There is much momentum as we work on the hottest new trend and put great effort into launching the product; but then once we finish and release it, there is a lull. Since we are not in sales, we do not know right away how the product is doing in the market—and so all we can do is wait and see.

In some ways, this is what Peter and John may have been feeling. They had been ministering to people, Peter had just given a powerful sermon, but now they were sitting in prison, blind to what fruit that may have resulted from their ministry.

Yet, we as readers of the Bible know what happened: “many of those who had heard the word believed” (v.4). Though Peter and John were not aware of this at the time, God was at work, drawing thousands of people to Himself. What they needed to do was to simply wait and see what God was doing, because ultimately He was the One in control.

In our ministries, we need to remind ourselves who is in control. We often can get so result-oriented that we forget that God is the one who is at work, not us. And then we lose heart because we do not see immediate fruit. But instead of worrying—wait and see. Wait and see what fruit God is going to bring through your ministry. Wait and see how God is at work around you. Wait and see that our God is faithful to us.

Doing any sort of ministry is challenging—we want to see results. But God is in control and He is the One we need to trust. Today, let’s surrender our work, our ministries, and everything else to Him!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being in control. So often we try to take control of our lives, orchestrating our own success, our own results, when really everything is in Your hands. Help us to surrender to You, to trust that You really are sovereign. Come and have Your way in our lives!

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 12

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Psalm 127:1-2: Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. 

Questions to Consider

1. Why is it “vain” to build without God or watch over the city without God?
2. How is sleep or rest a sign of trust?
3. Are there any “houses” that you are building in vain? Reflect on how you trust God with these things.

Notes

1. Remember the message of Ecclesiastes: anything done apart from God is vanity. All work, all pursuits are vanity when not done with God, because He is the one in control and He can easily disrupt our plans—just like He did at Babel!
2. When we rest or sleep, we choose not to do some activity or task. While this could seem like laziness (and it sometimes can be!), choosing to rest instead of getting something done is showing that we trust God more than ourselves. Remember, “It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest”! 
3. Think carefully about this. Try to practically apply this truth in your life, trusting God to be in control of all your pursuits.

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Evening Reflection

Are you nervous about something coming up, or maybe worried about the results of something you are doing? Lay these things up to God and allow Him to bring you peace and comfort. Trust that though you may be sleeping, God is always at work around you, and He is the one in control.

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on June 19, 2016, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Do You Like to Talk About Yourself?”

Galatians 6:14-15

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

There’s something about people who like to talk about themselves:  what they have accomplished, bragging about all of their awards and accolades—and no one likes boastful people.  I would guess that even boastful people don’t like other boastful people.  So I doubt very few of us would admit to be boastful, because we’re not like those loudmouth, boastful people.

Perhaps it is this picture of boasting in our minds which takes away from the extremity of what Paul says in this passage.  When Paul talks about “boasting,” he’s not talking so much about bragging, but taking pride in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.  It is not taking pride in our education, careers or titles.  It certainly is not taking glory in the praises and approval of man, though we often try to   find our worth in our social status, relationships, or our net worth.  Now, even as believers, we often boast even in our knowledge of the Scriptures, how often we fast, pray, give and serve.  We can recognize this type of boasting when it makes us feel superior, accomplished, or put on a pedestal.  It is anything that we can look at or we want others to look and see glory.  Paul would have none of that. 

Paul says he desires to not boast, find glory, pride, or worth in anything else in this world, except that of the cross of Jesus Christ.  Paul is declaring that the only thing in his life that he wants to find worth in is of a picture of Jesus beaten and bloodied, hanging and dying to a cheap piece of wood.  Nothing else in this world gives him any meaning, purpose, or worth, except that of Jesus being shamefully executed on a tree.  In Philippians 3:8, Paul says, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”  

Even as followers of Christ, we still tend to stray and boast in ourselves or our own accomplishments. If we are not careful, we can grow complacent and comfortable in this area.  The exhortation for us in Galatians is that we live with extremity, and let the world and our boasting be crucified to us—not just for the sake of suffering but for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ and finding our glory and worth in Him.  On this Lord’s Day, let us boast only in the cross of Jesus Christ!

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for considering us worthy to die on the cross.  Forgive me for wanting man’s approval and boasting about myself.  Help me to boast in nothing else but what you have done on the cross.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Leviticus 11

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on May 14, 2016, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David, a graduate of Drexel University and Columbia International University (M.Div.), was recently ordained. Congratulations. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Being Falsely Accused”

Acts 25:8-12

Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Have you ever been falsely accused of something?  How did it make you feel about the situation, but more importantly, how did it make you feel about the accuser?  I have a childhood memory in elementary school where one of my classmates falsely accused me of stealing their lunch money.  Ironically, after he accused me, he found the money in his pocket—he forgot that he put it there.  I remember even at a young age, how upset and betrayed I felt.  

Paul, in this passage, is being falsely accused of being a wrongdoer.  They had accused him of stirring up trouble all over the Roman Empire, but they did not have any witnesses.  They had accused him of sacrilege, but they could not prove it.  They had accused him of speaking against Caesar, and they could not prove that either.  Even though he could have faced death for these charges he did not commit, he was bold enough to say that death is something he did not wish to escape (v.11).  If you were in Paul’s position, how would you have felt towards your accusers?

One of the most challenging teachings of Jesus is to love our enemies – even those who have wronged us.  He says in Matthew 5:43-47: 

43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Is there someone you need to pray for who has wronged you?  Is God asking you to forgive someone who might have falsely accused you through criticism or slander?  Ask God for the strength and courage to pray for supernatural love for those people in your life.  

Prayer:  Lord, we want to pray for those who have hurt us or wronged us in the past.  We ask for your love and strength to forgive them.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 9-10

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 22, 2016, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.) just planted a church in Seattle called “Seattle Upper Room”.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Two Larger-Than-the-Average Persons Sitting Next to Each Other”

John 2.8-11

And [Jesus] said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So [the servants] took it to him. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

I was on a flight early in the morning, and all I wanted was some sleep before I landed. Being a “larger-than-the-average” Asian man, the worst thing on a plane is to sit next to another “larger-than-the-average” person. The gentleman who sat next to me was this “larger-than-the-average” dude. He looked like a bouncer that stands in front of clubs. Turns out he was a bouncer that stands in front of clubs. I just wanted to sleep, but God kept pressing me to talk to him. 

It seemed crazy to think that this guy would even want to talk to me. But in a pathetic attempt at small talk, I joked, “They should really have sizing charts so that big guys like us don’t end up next to each other.” He responded with a half grunt/half laugh. By the end of the flight, two “larger-than-the-average” men were sitting there in tears because of how faithful God was in their lives. 

In the passage, we see a group of servants in the midst of a wine-crisis. We today cannot grasp the cultural magnitude of running out of wine at a wedding ceremony, but it was serious. Then this man named Jesus responds to the crisis by having them take water, fill up the ceremonial waterpots, and then take some of that same water to the headwaiter. You can imagine what the servants are thinking: “Is this a joke? This is crazy!” But can you imagine the awe that fell upon these servants (John emphasizes that only the servants knew where the wine came from) as they heard the headwaiter’s praise of the wine?

Our complimentary water bottles didn’t turn into wine. But God definitely amazed us in that plane. And despite the fact that it was all His doing, for some reason He shared the credit with me. My new friend thanked me for encouraging him. He thanked ME. I didn’t do anything. In fact, I resisted wanting to do anything. And yet God allowed me to be the recipient of his thanks on behalf of Him, much like the bridegroom at the wedding. 

In what ways is God inviting you to join Him in His work today? The reality is that He doesn’t need us, but what He does want is for us to share in the joy of that work. Will you respond to that invitation today?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You want to share the joy of Your work with me. Forgive me for taking Your invitation as an obligation. I want to enter into the Master’s joy! Give me the grace to not only recognize Your invitation, but the grace to be able to walk in obedience to it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 8

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Matthew 25:19-23: After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!

Questions to Consider

1. What do you notice about the master’s response to the one who brought back five more talents versus the one who brought back two more talents? What do you learn about the master based on his response?
2. What is the reward for the faithful servants?
3. If you have time, read the interaction between the last servant and the master (verse. 24-28). In what ways are our responses like that of this servant, and what does this mean in terms of our relationship with God?

Notes

1. The response of the master is exactly the same, which shows us that the amount that they brought back isn’t necessarily what matters to the master. It can be assumed that if the last servant had brought back one other talent, the response would be the same. 
2. The reward of the faithful servants is to enter into the joy of the master, to enjoy and celebrate the same things that the master enjoys and celebrates.
3. Personal response. Note that the last servant did not understand who or what the master was doing. He didn’t see it as an invitation; rather, a burdensome task.

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Evening Reflection

In what ways do you feel like God invited you to His work today? How did you respond to these invitations? What have you learned about God through this process? What have you learned about yourself? Take some time to jot down your thoughts.  

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on August 18, 2016.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“When Jesus Surprised Everyone”

John 8:3-5

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

There were so many things Jesus could have said. I know what I would have said – “Where is the man with whom this woman was caught in the very act? I assume he was also there.” Or maybe, “How precisely did you catch these two in the act… I mean, really… all of you just stumbled upon them….” (I’ve always wondered exactly how this all went down.) 

Nevertheless, Jesus surprises everyone, including the woman, with His response: “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (Mt. 8:7). I can only imagine the tension in the crowd as they waited in suspense to see who would be first. And when they all eventually dropped their stones and walked away, too aware of their own sin to condemn another for hers, I imagine the woman waited with bated breath for Jesus to do the job. But the jaw-dropping story continues. “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more” (Mt. 8:10). The only one with the right to condemn (the only sinless one), chose instead to offer forgiveness and called her to a new way of life.  

This story is painfully familiar to most of us I know, but it is just too good to pass over. This is how Jesus deals with sinners who come before Him – He forgives and offers a new life. He went the distance to condemn sin so that never again will a sinner have to stand condemned. This is a picture of the gospel in one woman’s life, and we each have similar pictures of the gospel at work in our own.  

Is there sin you’re battling today? Are there crowds condemning you (real or imaginary)? Maybe you are your own loudest crowd of condemnation. May you remember the gospel today and know that one voice not in that condemning crowd is the voice of Jesus. He instead bids you come, be forgiven, and live anew. 

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for Your forgiveness in Christ. May I take hold of it today and live anew through the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name.     

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 7

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Lunch Break Study

Read the following passage through a few times, meditatively

Psalm 51:1-4, 10-13: Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquityand cleanse me from my sin.³ For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.⁴ Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight,so that You are justified when You speakand blameless when You judge. ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvationand sustain me with a willing spirit.¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,and sinners will be converted to You.

Questions to Consider

1. On what grounds does David appeal to the grace of God? 
2. What do vv. 2-3 teach us about the importance of confession? 
3. What should believers do once their sins are forgiven? What should receiving God’s grace compel us to do? (HINT: see v. 13)

Notes

1. David appeals according to God’s lovingkindness (or mercy) and God’s compassion for him. 
2. David doesn’t ignore his sin or downplay it. He knows his sin well and acknowledges it. This allows him to confess it to God and receive forgiveness. 
3. Share about God with others. Anyone who has freely received something so amazing wants to share it with others. Is there anyone in your life with whom you can share of God’s love and forgiveness? 

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Evening Reflection

The only prerequisite for receiving forgiveness is confession of sin. Psalm 51 that we partially read this afternoon is David’s famous prayer of confession. Spend some time reading through Psalm 51 and praying it in your own words. Ask the Lord for a clean heart and receive the forgiveness that He freely gives. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 20, 2016.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Waiting”

Acts 2:1-4^a

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit . . . .

Ps. 130:5

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Surely, no likes to wait in line—especially for a long time. However, if we want something bad enough, we’re willing to put up with a sleepless night, shiver in the cold, and wait in order to get that thing—in my case (1980), it was to purchase a ticket to the Bruce Springsteen concert.  But it was pure elation once I had the ticket in my pocket, even though it cost me a night’s sleep.

This day of Pentecost was awesome, for it was the first time in history that the Holy Spirit came into the human heart to take residence there (2 Cor. 1:22).  And there were 120 people (Acts 1:14) who experienced this—yet, there should’ve been 380 people more.   How? 

Jesus ascended to heaven after he had “appeared to [people] over a period of forty days” (1:4), and the largest crowd to see Christ alive had to be the ones who had gathered at the Mt. of Olives (1:12) to witness His ascension.  Paul seems to allude to this occasion in 1 Corinthians 15:6:  “After that, [Christ] appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time.” And they all heard the same thing from Christ:  “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait. . . In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4, 5).  

And immediately the war of attrition began:  While everyone liked the notion of being baptized with the Spirit, not everyone was willing to wait for it.  Those who would’ve waited had Jesus said that it would happen in an hour, didn’t, because they didn’t want it bad enough.  No one knew that the wait would last ten days, but by the time the Holy Spirit came, as many as 380 witnesses of Christ’s resurrection had left the prayer meeting.  Just imagine those who left hours before—ouch!

We say we want God but we aren’t willing to wait for His time.  That means we’re either fibbing or didn’t prepare ourselves beforehand.  Let’s make this practical: you say you want to really experience God this year, but are you determined to wait in prayer?  Or do you desire to experience God at the next retreat or conference?  Then, work around the clock beforehand to get all your work done so that you can go.  And once you are there, you don’t have to think about anything else except God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I exalt Your glorious name; I thank You for your unlimited patience.   As I busily move about from one activity to the next, I often forget about You.  Help me to wait patiently before You so that I can hear Your directives for my life. Help me not to miss out on all that You have for me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 6

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 14:16-20: Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”

Ex. 34:14: Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Question to Consider

1. What are some common excuses we use to justify putting God on the back burner?

2. How would you summarize God’s response to that?  What’s behind His reaction?

3. Without thinking too hard, what is one thing that you need to take care of right now so that you can focus on getting closer to God and take on some of His kingdom work?

Notes

1. In the parable, the two persons offered the same excuse: “I bought something for my business and now, I need to use them to make money.”  Of course, they didn’t exactly say that, but instead, Jesus has them say something quite illogical for businessmen: Having bought the field and oxen, now they are about to go see them, presumably for the first time. Who does that?  The point is that they preferred making money over God.  The third guy preferred his spouse over God.  Read 1 Cor. 7:3-5 for more insight into how to balance these matters properly.   

2. Of course God isn’t happy when He is passed over for land, oxen and someone’s wife!  God, being a jealous God, makes an anthropomorphic statement that shows who He really is.  There is none equal to Him; and when we treat Him as if He is our second option, of course He isn’t happy with that.  

3. Don’t over-think.  It is something that has been gnawing at you for awhile; zero in on it; and take action.

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Evening Reflection

Sitting still without turning on your gadget for 15 minutes is a stretch for some.  That’s alarming.   If we are that easily distracted, being still before God while meditating on His word for a meaningful duration appears almost impossible.  Shut down your device right now and sit still for 5 minutes while meditating on Psalm 23: 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on October 4, 2016, 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.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Does It Mean to Believe?”

John 20:6-10

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

I am, by nature, a pessimistic person.  My theology about humans can be summed up by two truths: First, we are all tainted by a sinful nature, which will generally cause us to act selfishly; and second, we are all made in the image of God, who is love.  Unfortunately, I think the first truth wins out more often than the second.  When it comes to life and ministry, pessimism can be very damaging.  For example, when I look at this upcoming election, I am tempted to think, Clinton, Trump, why does it matter? Regarding racial tension in our country, it’s tempting to lose hope because overcoming hatred in the human heart seems insurmountable.  And even on a smaller scale, when people struggle in a particular area, it’s tempting to wonder how much change and victory is possible.  

Honestly, my outlook is something that I am working on, and often repent about, because I don’t think it is a very godly characteristic.  Pessimism shows a lack of faith in the power of God.  It’s somewhat incongruent that one can believe in the power of God to resurrect the dead, but lack the faith that He can (or will) heal a nation or dramatically change an individual.  Similarly, I find it funny when people say that they trust God for their eternal souls, yet don’t demonstrate a trust in Him for the day-to-day things like finances, taking care of children, and other matters.  

When the term “believe” is used in the Bible, many times it concerns other things than the traditional gospel understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection.  In other words, there are other aspects to faith than simply trusting in Christ for eternal life—there is trusting in Him to do anything.  Case in point: In v. 8 of today’s passage, it says that something about the empty tomb scene made Peter and John “believe,” but the very next verse says that they had not yet understood what the Scriptures said about the resurrection.  So what did Peter and John actually believe at that moment?  The truth is, I don’t know.  But that is not the point: The point is, you have to believe in the power of God to do anything in this life and the next.  You have to believe that there is no person too far gone for the Spirit to reach, no circumstance too far out of reach, or no miracle beyond prayer.  What are things you are pessimistic about?  What does it mean for you to “believe?”

Prayer: Lord, like the man in Mark 9, help me to overcome my unbelief.  Help me to hope, even in the last days, that the Kingdom of God is a present reality.  Let me face this day believing it is full of opportunities, not trouble. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 4:16-19: And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Questions to Consider

1.  According to this passage of Scripture (Isaiah 61), what aspects of the Kingdom of God did Christ usher in?  

2.  Do you think these aspects are important today?

3.  Have you lost sight in how God wants to work in the here and now?  

Notes

1.  From the passage, we see that the Kingdom of God ushered in by Christ would include proclamation of Good News (v. 18), as well as freedom and healing (power of God). 

2.  We often talk about the Kingdom of God as both a present AND future reality (or already here BUT not yet completed).  As believers we need to keep both aspects in mind; we need to win souls for Christ and bring peace, justice, healing to people now.  It’s important not to overemphasize the present at the expense of the future, or vice versa.  The bottom line is, that God wants to work now, bring justice now, heal now—and save souls.  

3.  Application question. 

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Evening Reflection

This morning we talked about overcoming pessimism and not believing that anything is hopeless.  This afternoon, we studied about the Kingdom of God being a present reality.  God wants to liberate and heal now.  As we connect these thoughts tonight, ask yourself these questions: Are there are things that I’ve lost faith or hope in?  If so, what does God want me to do about this?  Do I believe that the power of God is available for these things now?  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

I Corinthians 1:27-9

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

Ironically, the Civil Rights Movement, led by Baptist minister Martin Luther King, wasn’t the most popular movement then, even among African Americans.  That honor was shared by the militant Black Panther Party that launched violence against the white power structure, and the Nation of Islam that aimed, not for racial desegregation, but a complete separation from whites.  Its leader Malcolm X even called King a “‘chump’ and other civil rights leaders ‘stooges’ of the white establishment.’” 

Yet, it was the Civil Rights Movement that radically altered America (no King in the 1960s then no Obama in the 2000s), and every racial and ethnic minority should be grateful to those who sacrificially fought for racial equality. Now, it is easy to recognize why this movement was so successful and why it beat out its stiff competition.  

Undoubtedly, King, a man of extraordinary faith and courage, attained his vision from God: “Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last”—but he also had his demons.  It is now a matter of public record that King wasn’t always faithful to his wife, and Boston University had considered (Time, Nov. 1990) but ultimately decided not to revoke King’s doctorate degree, despite finding that parts of his dissertation were plagiarized.  Nevertheless, I agree with Time article’s conclusion: “Even though the revelation may tarnish King’s reputation, they hardly diminish his courageous and inspirational accomplishments in helping to achieve racial justice for millions of black American.”  

But, would God agree with this?  Yes, because He uses people in spite of them, not because of them, so that we place our faith on God, not men.  Look no further than King David, erstwhile adulterer and murderer, for proof.  And it was the sight of mostly God-fearing Civil Rights marchers (e.g., Rosa Parks) who responded to violence “like a sheep before her shearers . . . silent” (Is. 53:7) that moved the crusty hearts of white Americans.  

Do you feel like God can neither love nor use you because you have been behaving badly?  Don’t be ridiculous—but do repent!  And remember a God who used King in spite of him can do the same for you, to bring about spiritual freedom to those who still do not know Christ.  

Prayer: Father, You are the Creator of all ethnic and racial groups.  Before You, everyone has fallen short of your glory.  It was for us that You sent your Son to do what no human government can do: Forgive our sins and make us righteous before You.  God, may what I do with my life align with Your heart for the nations.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 4

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Lunch Break Study

Read Exodus 5:1: Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”

John 8:32-6: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”33 [The Jews] answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

Col. 3:10-1: . . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Question to Consider

1. Martin Luther King was inspired by Moses who boldly demanded freedom from Pharaoh.  What kind of freedom was this? 

2. While the freedom that Moses sought after was important and certainly was part of God’s will, Jesus expanded that freedom during his ministry to another, more important freedom.  What was Christ offering?

3. So, ultimately, what should be the basis for what Rev. King desired: “A nation where people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”?

Notes

1. The freedom that Moses sought after was political and social freedom. 

2. The freedom that Christ offered then and continue to offer today is spiritual freedom, that is, being liberated from Satan’s rule, thanks to Christ who destroyed “the devil’s work” (1 Jn. 3:8; Heb. 2:14-5). 

3. The basis is the “Oneness in Christ” which ought to resolve all our racial and class differences since Christ’s atonement resolved our spiritual difference with God.  If this truly is the case, then we should reject any racism and ethnocentrism.  

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Evening Reflection

Let’s spend this moment praying for a true racial reconciliation to occur in America.  Pray for a revival to break out among the men in blue across the nation.  Pray for the leaders of African American community, that they may seek God’s wisdom and heart even as they cry out for justice and fairness.

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on May 22, 2015, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman—now, a friend of AMI—who had served in an AMI church for a long time.   

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What a Runaway Sheep and a Runaway Human Have in Common”

Hebrews 12:5-11

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son (daughter), do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son (daughter).”  7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Our family was intrigued as we were looking at the pictures of a runaway sheep that came home to his shepherd—after six years of MIA.  When he came home, he was buried under layers of thick and dirty fur, which made us wonder how the shepherd even recognized him in the first place.  But after the shepherd sheered him, he looked like a different sheep all together.  What a relief the sheep must have felt to be able to shed the extra built up weight off his little body. But what was comical to read was that he had run away in the first place because he disliked being sheered by the shepherd.

I have encountered many Christians—myself included—who have responded to God’s discipline in the same way as this runaway sheep.  Many of us gladly receive Jesus into our lives, initially, for what He does for us: unconditional love and acceptance, forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life. Then we realize that part of belonging to Him involves a high cost of radical obedience and a gradual death to our self, through submitting to His regular sheering of our lives called “sanctification.” This sanctifying process exposes our true state of depravity and calls for our cooperation to make necessary changes according to God’s truth.  So when the going gets tough, it’s easy for Christians to think, This Christian life is too hard and costly. It’s much easier to be our own boss, call our own shots and live our own life. 

This lost sheep discovered, after six years of living on his own terms, that it’s far better to come home to his loving shepherd.  The very sheering that he had run away from, was the very thing that he needed in order to be a healthy sheep that he was created to be.

What are you trying to run away from today?  What is causing you to question and doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life?  No one likes to be disciplined or endure hardships, but it is a lifelong process that all God’s children must go through. Especially for believers, God’s discipline in our lives should point to an unquestionable evidence of whose we are.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You take the time to discipline me and cut away thoughts, attitudes, habits and relationships that are bad for me.  Please forgive me for my childish and stubborn resistance to Your corrections throughout different points of my life.  Empower me to surrender all to Your Lordship so that I may enjoy true freedom in Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 3

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on June 4, 2016.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Stop What You Are Doing”

Luke 18:35-43

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Something that I have been thinking about recently is that we spend a large chunk of our time going from one place to another. Whether driving to work, walking to class, taking the train somewhere, or just walking to get something from the fridge—much of our time is spent in transit. Usually, the only thing on my mind while moving is the destination – everything else is just an obstacle. Isn’t this why people have road rage? They just want to reach their destination as quickly as possible, and every car that hinders them is an annoyance and an obstacle. Unfortunately, we can often treat people as annoyances and obstacles when they “get in our way.”

However, to Jesus no one was an obstacle or an annoyance. I’m sure He had a very busy schedule, traveling from town to town to speak and to perform miracles. He probably had a schedule to keep; yet Jesus was willing to break His schedule in order to love people along the way. His focus was not on His destination, but on people. In this particular passage, He was on His way to Jerusalem to fulfill His purpose, yet He was still willing to step aside from His plans to bless this blind man.

When you read the Gospels, you see that most of Jesus’ recorded ministry consisted of unplanned events – a blind man crying out, a woman grabbing onto His coat, or a man being thrust through a roof. In light of this, let’s ask ourselves this: how much space do we leave in our lives for unplanned ministry? Is our ministry solely about planned meet-ups or serving at set times? Or are we willing to step outside our schedules to minister to a person in need, or to share the gospel with a person waiting to hear it?

This is very challenging to me personally because once my mind is set on a goal or a destination, I have a hard time breaking out of that. Yet, Jesus calls us to die to ourselves, to follow His example, and to love the people we encounter. Today, let’s make room for love, even in the midst of transition, even when we think we are on a tight deadline. Let’s see people as people in need of God’s love and not obstacles in our way.

Prayer: Lord, give us eyes today to see people as You see them. Let us love those we encounter and be a blessing. Not just to those we plan to bless but even the people You bring into our lives in unplanned ways. Let us love like Jesus and be willing to minister, even at the cost of our time. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 1-2