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

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 22, 2016.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God Gave You the Gift of ________”

Acts 2:7-12

Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Genesis 11:7-9

Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Whenever the late evangelist Chun Suk Lee, a physically imposing man, spoke, people listened; I certainly did in 1982 when he said to me, “God gave you the gift of language.”  I had no clue what he meant.  

We love Acts 2 because the 120 “were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (4).  But what is often ignored is connecting this event with the entirety of what Jesus said ten days earlier.  Of course, it’s easy to see why we become enamored with the first part of Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”  But some quickly associate this power with the ability to claim health and wealth from God.  Had they read the rest, they would’ve realized that the power was given so that we can testify of Christ “to the ends of the earth” (i.e., all nations).

Nations or tribes (etnos) were birthed on the day when God confused the language of men.  What was a common speech up to that point, which unified men in defiance against God (the tower of Babel), became so diverse that men, now unable to understand each other, “scattered over all the earth.” 

However, at Pentecost, God, after gathering all nations (symbolically) scattered in confusion, began implementing the long awaited program of making them one again, not through a common speech but through the Holy Spirit, as Paul says, “We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks” (1 Cor. 12:13).  Understanding and wonder replaced confusion and bewilderment as if God were saying, “I’ll redeem the nations that bear my curse.”  

While I was becoming fluent in Spanish in Mexico where I served as a missionary, I wondered whether this was what Evangelist Lee meant.  Perhaps.  But the language that we need to gain fluency is the gospel that bears witness of Christ who was “slain, and with [his] blood . . . purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9), so that they may be one worshiping body before God (7:9).  That is why we do missions.  Now get busy!    

Prayer: Lord, you are the God of redemption and for that I am infinitely grateful.  Like useless and rusty junk, we could’ve easily been discarded for our sins, but You saw fit to send your Son to take our place to redeem us.  Now that I realize that You want to redeem the nations, may I be a mission-minded Christian.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 40

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Lunch Break Study

Read Jonas 4:5-11

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Question to Consider

1. In what sense does this dialogue between God and Jonah reveal God’s heart?  Keep in mind that these Ninevites (i.e., Assyrians) were cruel and ruthless people.
2. What did God want to show Jonah through the object lesson of a leafy plant that died over night?
3. There is no question that AMI takes missions seriously.  In light of the morning QT and the Jonah narrative, what should be our motive for doing mission?  

Notes

1. Jonah hated these Ninevites for what they had done against Israel and they no doubt deserved it.  However, here we see an amazing concern God has for these pagan Gentiles: “Should I not have concern for . . . more than a 120,000 people” who are spiritually blind?  Those who say that God championed only the Jews in the Old Testament obviously never read Jonah.
2. God showed Jonah three things: first, he cared more for silly plants than people; two, he cared more for his own comfort than eternal damnation that the Ninveites were about to suffer; third, God was using Jonah in spite of his immaturity and selfishness, not because of his greatness.
3. We do missions to redeem the nations: first, we are to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19), i.e., people who don’t look like us; second, so that all nations are represented when the redeemed are gathered to worship God at the “wedding supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9, 19:9).       

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Evening Reflection

Before wrapping up this day, let’s pray for missionaries.  Of course, AMI has its own missionaries: Kate, Paul, Nate, John, Esther, Kelly, Billy, Sung, Christina and Eun Mi in E. Asia.   Also, don’t forget our interns sent from respective AMI churches.  I am sure you know other, non-AMI missionaries.  I do too and I pray for them regularly just as I pray for ours.  Pray for open doors, wisdom, health and protection. 

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Quiet Time, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 10, 2016. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Imitation”

John 5:19

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

Parents know that, for better or for worse, kids adopt their characteristics. (Actually, you don’t even have to be a parent to have learned this.) I have a distinct memory of channeling my parents. I was six years old, helping my brother wash his hands in the church restroom. I got so upset at him for being heavy to carry, squirming, and splashing water on me, that I did what I thought my mom would do at the end of her rope: I chastised and lightly spanked him.

The best part of this was that a number of church aunties were standing behind us and thought this was a “precious” scene they had to relay to my embarrassed parents. Guess who got in trouble that day? Unfortunately for me, I hadn’t been able to help but imitate what I had seen my parents do before.

When we became believers, we became children of God. We are no longer just the products of the families we grew up in, with the same the habits, philosophies, and characteristics. Instead, our new identity through Christ allows us to be like our Heavenly Father. Our redeemed selves can be “holy as He is Holy,” and we can learn to love one another in the same complete ways that He demonstrates.

People can recognize whose parents children belong to by their looks and mannerisms. If we are God’s children, do we emulate Him? Do His character, His words, and His actions really come through in our lives?

Don’t be discouraged if you feel that His character seems far from yours today. Just as many of our human mannerisms and tendencies are “caught” from the time we spend in contact with one another, so it will also be with God. As the Spirit dwells within us, and we surround ourselves with His words and His presence, He will shine forth!

Prayer: Father, I want to be a child who reflects You! Make me like You so that others will look on and know without a doubt who I belong to. Today, let Your character blossom and bear fruit in my life as part of my witness to the world. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 39

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:38-48: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Questions to Consider

1. Matthew 5 is full of Jesus’ instruction on righteous character we should aim for. What are certain qualities outlined here about the man/woman of God?
2. Verse 44 says that we should follow these guidelines so that we “may be children of [our] Father in Heaven.” What about these qualities would confirm our son -/daughter-ship?
3. Jesus ends this section commanding us to “Be perfect.” Why is that the theme of this section? What will it mean for you to seek God’s perfection in this area?

Notes

1. Qualities found in the man/woman of God are the following: meekness, forgiveness, extraordinary generosity, love for those who show us no love.
2. These qualities are significant because they are directly opposite of the decisions this world teaches. Revenge is our world’s modus operandi, but God’s path has mercy and grace. Showing love demonstrates God’s nature in us, because that is not our natural instinct.
3. Striving to ”be perfect” seems impossible, but because Jesus came to impart the power and life of God in us, living in accordance with God’s nature is not unattainable. The theme to be perfect is a reminder that only one – God Himself –lives and loves in the most perfect manner. All we can do is be wholly dependent on Him to make any of this extraordinary power manifest in our lives.

Evening Reflection

No man has ever seen God, but we know His character and His habits, and all we have to do is simply carry His presence wherever we are. Are there places and opportunities in your life to demonstrate the Father’s character? Let’s pray that God will make Himself evident in our words and actions.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on October 19, 2016, is provided by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church (Raleigh).  David, a graduate of Drexel University and Columbia International University (M.Div.) is married to Helen (“Pie”) and they have three beautiful daughters (Cara, Phoebe, and Ruth).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Greatness of Our God”

Hebrews 1:7-9

Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

As we have been reading through Hebrews, the author of the book is giving us a picture of the greatness of God.   He is greater than all things and all of creation points to Him.  Today, we are going to see that God is sovereign over all things because He is a mighty Ruler.  In verses 7-9, the writer demonstrates the superiority of Christ to angels by contrasting their status: the angels are servants, but the Son is sovereign.  His throne and scepter show us that His rule is ultimate and will never end.  

The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God’s rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11).  The Christian author A.W. Pink in his book The Sovereignty of God puts it like this:

“What do we mean by [the sovereignty of God]? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.” 

What does this mean for us?  Simply, it means that we can trust God in all things because He is in control.  When we worry and fear about circumstances and situations in our lives, it often means that we forget the sovereignty of God – which is that He is in absolute control of all things in this world and in our lives.  Are their areas in your life where you are neglecting His sovereignty?  Take some time in prayer this morning and ask for a greater trust in Him as you are reminded that He is the Sovereign Lord.  

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You rule and reign over all creation and in our personal lives.  Help me to trust You in all things as I am reminded of that truth.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 29

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 6:25-34: “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? 26Look 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? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But 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? 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Questions to Consider

1. When it comes to the area of worry, what is the main issue Jesus is pointing to?
2. What is the solution to anxiety over our future?
3. How can we be comforted by this passage?

Notes

1. The reason why we get anxious about our life and future is because we lack faith.   We lack faith that God’s ways are best, and that He will provide for us in His time.  
2. The way that we overcome worry is by making His kingdom the highest priority (v. 33).  We seek His kingdom, and we trust that He will add things that we need.
3. We can be assured that God knows and cares for our every need.  He desires us to trust in and to seek the things of His kingdom.  

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Evening Reflection

In what areas do you need greater trust in God?  Be specific and lift those areas up to the Lord in prayer.  

REPOSTToday’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on July 15, 2016, is written by Tina Pham who serves as AMI missions coordinator.  Tina is a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Moses the Privileged One”

Exodus 2:11-14, 23-25 

Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?”14 But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you [s]intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well. . . . 23 Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. 24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

After growing up as a privileged prince in the Egyptian palace, Moses started to sense a calling or an urgency to save his Hebrew people from slavery. Sadly, Moses took things into his own hands and tried to act on behalf of the Israelite slaves by his own strength. Even worse, he did it through murder. When he could no longer watch his Hebrew brothers be so powerless, he killed an Egyptian slave master when he thought no one was looking. 

Moses found out that what he did in secret was actually seen. Now Egypt is going to know that he has sided with the Hebrews. His own Hebrew brothers are against him too. He thought his intervention helped them, but his murderous act actually made things worse for them. Now that Egypt knows that someone is trying to deliver them, their labor is going to get worse and more intense. What was the outcome? Moses fled to Midian to escape Pharaoh’s anger and was in Midian for 40 years. 

Moses tried to accomplish God’s task in an unrighteous manner. Even though he sensed God’s call to save Israel, God was more interested in first forming Moses’ character than simply using him to accomplish the task. God used Moses’ years of isolation in Midian to shape him as he worked as a shepherd. Perhaps Moses felt defeated and thought his life would end in Midian, but God purposed in His timing to send Moses back to Egypt. However, this time, Moses would be able to lead Israel by God’s power and God’s way. 

Being driven and goal-oriented in God’s kingdom is good. We have a lot of zeal to make right what is wrong, or to fill a need, but it’s easy to take matters into our own hands; when we do that, we fail or even do God’s work in a way displeasing to Him. Without losing our passion and zeal to be used by God, we must also allow our hearts and character to be transformed so that we can carry out God’s work in a manner pleasing to Him.

Prayer: Dear God, as Your servant, You care about who I am and what I do in public and in private. Help me to live my life today with You as my only audience. Help my actions and my speech to be pleasing to You so that I may serve you effectively. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Exodos 28

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Psalm 139:1-4: O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. 5 You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Questions to Consider

1. What does David’s Psalm reveal about God?

2. What does David’s Psalm reveal about us?

3. How does God’s omniscience over your life encourage you?

Notes

1. God is omniscient. He is all-knowing, not only of the things happening in this world and the purpose behind every matter, but He is all-knowing in a personal way as well. God is acquainted with our entire being (mind, heart, body, intentions, etc.).

2. David’s Psalm reveals that we may don’t know ourselves as well as God knows us. We may not understand ourselves as well as God does. It requires us to ask God to search us so that we understand ourselves better.

3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

Colossians 3:23-24 reads, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” 

Who do you serve?  If it really were God, how would our daily lives be different at home and at work? Bette Milder, in her “From a Distance,” sang, “God is watching us.”  He does, always, to guide and help us so that we are never lost in Him.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who is now a friend of AMI, was first posted on August 1, 2016.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Columbia International University where he studied Islam (M.A.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Adoptionism!” Sounds Good But Is It Biblical? 

Proverbs 10:17

He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

You wouldn’t think that such a feel-good word like “adoption” could create a theological controversy, but it did in the early church.  Proponents of this errant view called “adoptionism” explained that Jesus’ divinity consisted of His special relationship with God the Father, which only began at His baptism. By default, supporters of adoptionism denied the Trinity, as they placed Jesus above all men due to His elevation to sonship by the Father but below God due to His humanity and God’s absolute oneness.

Thankfully, the work of the earliest theologians helped to combat adoptionism. Some pointed to verses such as Colossians 2:9 (“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”) to establish that Jesus had both divine and human nature. Others, such as the theologian Irenaeus, used Romans 5 and other parts of Scripture to explain that without Christ’s full divinity and humanity, salvation is impossible.  In light of these works, Pope Victor I, the first bishop of Rome, rightly and forcefully condemned adoptionism as a heresy. 

Unfortunately, Victor I’s forceful personality created disunity at times. As mentioned in an earlier devotional, Victor I’s feud with the Quartodecimans (those who celebrated Easter on Passover instead of Sunday) led him to rashly excommunicate them from the church.  It took other theologians such as Irenaeus who, despite agreeing with Victor I, urged him to withdraw his sentence to preserve unity. Thankfully, Victor I heeded their advice and the churches in Asia, where most of the Quatrodecimans resided, remained in communion with the Western church.

Despite our good intentions, all of us, like Victor I, will eventually sin against others through our words or actions. When those times come, do we have people who can speak into our lives and instruct us in truth? Even if we do, do we have the humility to listen to them? Let’s pray that God will supply us with both godly advisors and the humility to listen to their wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of community, and that You yourself are the best representation of community as the Three-in-One, Father, Son and Spirit. Lord, help me to seek out godly men and women who can help me run this race with perseverance when I fall. Give me the humility to listen to You speaking through them, so that I can continue to fight the good fight. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 27

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Lunch Break Study 

Read John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 8:56-8: Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

Questions to Consider

1. Refute adoptionism based on John 1:1-3. 

(Note: The Greek word logos, translated as word, refers to Christ.)  

2. Refute adoptionism based on John 8:57-9. (Note: Recall that Abraham had lived about 2,000 years before the incarnation of Christ.)

3. In your own words, describe the dual nature of Christ.

Notes

1. John 1:1-3 makes three assertions about Christ: first, He existed before “the beginning”; second, He has always existed along with God the Father; third, He, in fact, is the Creator of everything.

2. Accordingly, Jesus predates Abraham, even though the latter had lived 2,000 years earlier.  The Jews clearly understood its implication: Jesus was claiming to be eternal.

3. Jesus is fully man and fully God, equal to God the Father in divine essence and has always existed; He has no beginning.

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Evening Reflection

In light of all that we have talked about—mainly, the eternality of Christ—it would be fitting to end this day with a brief worship.   Let’s meditate on Psalm 95:6: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”  Relate this to John 1:3 and think about why this psalm is appropriate in worshiping Christ.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on June 12, 2016, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Justification”

Galatians 4:21-31 (ESV)

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.” 28 Now you brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

When God called Abraham to leave all that he had to follow Him, He made a promise to make Abraham a father of a great nation. However, Abraham had no son, because Sarah was barren. As Abraham and Sarah continued to wait year after year, they began to waver in their faith that God would give them a son. Over ten years passed by and they still had not given birth to a son. Sarah was already beyond the natural-child bearing age, and probably began to wonder if they had heard God wrong. Sarah ended up reasoning that perhaps, through Hagar, her servant, they would be able to have children. Abraham and Hagar end up conceiving, and gave birth to a son, Ishmael. However, Ishmael was not the son that was to fulfill the promise that God had given to Abraham. Fourteen years later, Sarah, at the age of 90, gave birth to Isaac, the son that God had promised to Abraham. 

Paul uses this story to help us understand the difference between those justified by the law, and those justified by grace. Ishmael, who was conceived by Hagar, is a representation of human effort. Ishmael was the result of a lack of faith in God, being born of natural means. On the other hand, Isaac, who was conceived by Sarah, is a representation of God’s grace. Isaac was the result of faith in God, being born of supernatural means. Now, Paul contrasts these two and brings it into context for the Galatians — Those that want to be justified by the law are descendants of Ishmael, a lineage marked by human effort. Those that want to be justified by grace are descendants of Isaac, a lineage marked by God’s grace. 

Paul reminds us that we are sons of grace, descendants of Isaac and not Ishmael. We are His children by His grace and not by our efforts. But why does he continue to re-emphasize this point about grace over works? Paul seems to know something about our human nature and what we are influenced by. We live in a works-based society, and are heavily influenced by that. In fact, if we do not take regular pauses out of our day to remember His grace in our lives, we will fall into the lie that we deserve everything we have because we have worked hard for it. It is so easy to be influenced by legalism that we are actually told to cast it out of our presence. Legalism leads to spiritual pride. Spiritual pride blinds us to the needs of others around us, to the point where we are unable to extend grace and mercy to those around us. Grace, on the other hand, leads to humility. Humility leads to receiving grace from God and extending grace to others. 

Have you accepted His grace? Humble yourself today and remind yourself that you have been made a child of God because of His grace. May this be a refreshing reminder that we are recipients of amazing grace and may it cause our hearts to leap with true joy!

Prayer: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found! Was blind, but now I see. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 26

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on May 7, 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

“Hope and Resurrection”

Acts 23:6-8

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

I really enjoy fantasy – movies, books, anything. There is something about fantasy that excites my imagination. I do not think it’s surprising that C.S. Lewis used fantasy in the Chronicles of Narnia to metaphorically speak of the Christian life. Fantasy lifts our minds out of the monotony of everyday life to a place that seems joyful, exciting, and fresh. 

Yet, this feeling should be the same when we think of our hope and resurrection. The new heaven and the new earth will be a place where we will have eternal joy, where we will no longer have pain, and where we will be with our King forever. I remember a friend giving me advice, saying, that as someone with a large imagination, I should turn my imagination to thinking about heaven because reflecting on our eternity with God ultimately brings hope. But this same advice applies to all us – we ought to reflect on heaven more. 

Paul was on trial for proclaiming this hope in Christ. Paul was a man who constantly reflected on eternity with God – just read his letters and you can tell he longed for heaven. How about you? Have you been longing for heaven lately, or has everyday life distracted you from eternity. Shift your mind to heaven, remember eternity, and suddenly everything will seem lighter, easier. Just like a great fantasy story that lifts us out of monotony, as we reflect on our eternity with Christ, on the truth of our resurrection into the new heaven and new earth, we will find that this life will be much easier to bear.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have written eternity in our hearts. Let us not block out the truth of eternity with everyday troubles, but help us to remember that we have a hope of a future forever with You. Help us to long for our true home with You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 24-25

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, which was first posted on February 19 , 2016, is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang who serves as AMI Teaching Pastor.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Generosity”

Acts 4:32-7

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

While the adherents of capitalism wouldn’t be able to say, “There was not a needy person among [us],” that was the claim long made by the communists.  But, once the iron curtain came down in Eastern Europe, we discovered that the communist leaders lived in nicer homes and ate better food, while the needs of the rest were barely met.  

Not a few Christian leaders, unhappy about individualism and commercialized churches, have called for the church to return to the practices of the early church, like meeting at homes for fellowship.  Nevertheless, none has been so radical to suggest that their followers sell their “possession and give to the poor” (Mt. 19:21) and worship God all day (Acts 2:42).  

But, are we offering the Lord a lukewarm, lip service by not doing what Barnabas did—presumably selling all that he had and giving the profit to the church?  Not necessarily.  One factor that prompted the early Christians to go beyond simple generosity was their anticipation of Christ’s imminent return.   Some actually claimed that “the day of the Lord has already come” (2 Thess. 2:2).  But under the rubric of progressive revelation, the church, in time, would learn that that may not happen any time soon, which meant that they actually needed to live.   Therefore, Paul told those who stopped working, on account of Christ’s imminent return and lived off of other people’s food (3:8), “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (3:9).  So the normal Christian life isn’t living on the dole but working hard to provide for our daily sustenance.  

But that’s not the only reason, as Paul told former thieves, “Do[] something useful with [your] own hands, that [you] may have something useful with those in need” (Eph. 4:28).  The fact that most of us aren’t that generous is why we need to be inspired by the early believers and their leaders who, unlike the communists, used every penny to help the needy instead of helping themselves.  And who knows—while you’re reading this passage again, the Holy Spirit might convict you to literally sell everything to serve God.   But for now, practice generosity.  

Prayer: I sing for joy to God our strength who has given me everything I need!  It is my greed for more and envy of other’s possessions that have kept me from truly recognizing all that You have given me.  Lord, now that I see this, motivate me to be decisive about sharing Your blessings in my life with those in need.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Exodus 23

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Lunch Break Study

Read Amos 3:15-4:1: This is what the LORD says . . . “I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished,” declares the Lord. 1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!”

Amos 6:5-7: You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.6 You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. 7 Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

Question to Consider

1. Amos prophesized during the reign of the evil King Jeroboam II in the 8^th century B.C. (2 Kings 14:23-9). Based on this passage, what was the economic state of Israel at that time?

2. Of course, it would helpful to read the entire Amos but based on this passage, what did the wealthy Israelites do with what God had given them?

3. How would you summarize God’s reaction against those who refused to help out the needy with what God had given them?   Are you doing better?   

Notes

1. The terms “winter house,” “summer house,” the houses adorned with “ivory,” “mansion,” “wine by the bowlful,” and “finest lotions” strongly suggest that this was a time of unparalleled prosperity.  The irony, of course, is that God granted such prosperity despite Jeroboam II, who was an evil king.  It was also under his reign that the territory of Israel was greatly extended. 

2. Instead of helping the poor and alleviating the sufferings of the needy, those who had been blessed by God oppressed the poor and crushed the needy, while they themselves lived it up in wanton pleasure.

3. In short, God was not happy.  Despite the fact that the Lord had blessed the Israelites who were being led by an evil king, they, instead of turning to God in gratitude, became more selfish, heartless and narcissistic.  For that and other reasons, God sentenced them to an exile where they couldn’t live like that anymore.  But God wasn’t being punitive; rather, He was being restorative (Heb. 12:10), so that they would learn to use God’s blessing in their lives to do His work. 

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Evening Reflection

As you near the end of this day, did you have an opportunity to be generous with your time, money (or possessions, like your car) and talent?  Would you say that you are sharing God’s blessing with those in need?  Pray about how you can do better tomorrow, so that people can see Christ through you (Heb. 12:14).