REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on September 30, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Forgiven to Forgive”

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[h] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,  and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Forgiveness is one of those topics easier talked about than actually done.  That’s why C.S. Lewis once said; “Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive.” In today’s passage, Jesus talks about the nature of forgiveness and that we should extend forgiveness to those who have hurt us.  

Peter starts by asking the question, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”  Peter thought he was being so generous, as it was taught by rabbis in those days that they should forgive up to three times.  So Peter doubles it and adds one for good measure.  But Jesus responds in a typical fashion: “not seven times but seventy-seven times.”  His point: If you are counting, you are not really forgiving.

Jesus is showing us a new kind of forgiveness that should be radical in nature.  It’s a kind of forgiveness that takes away grudges and all kinds of record keeping of those who have offended us.  He then tells a parable of what forgiveness should look like:  The king cancels a debt of a servant worth 10,000 talents; if you add up that amount, it would be about 200,000 years of accumulated debt.  This servant turns around and demands money from a fellow servant owing about 100 denariis, which is worth about three months wage.  Just think about that comparison!  It is absurd to think about the small amount of debt this servant is asking for when he had been forgiven of an unpayable debt.  

The point is this: our forgiveness of others has to start by recognizing how much our King – Jesus Christ – has forgiven us of our own sin and debt.  We could never repay Him with our good works or our own righteousness.  It was our disobedience and rebellion that sent Him to the Cross so that He could freely forgive us.  If we do not recognize our own need for forgiveness, it makes forgiving others nearly impossible.  

Is there anyone you need for forgive?  Jesus knows and understands the wrongs that have been done to us, but He asks us to choose to forgive, regardless of our emotions.  We need to understand that forgiveness starts with a choice, not with an emotion. 

We need to experience the power of the gospel to forgive in this way.  I want to challenge us to take the courageous step of forgiving those who have hurt us—out of obedience to Him.  May He show you His grace to enable us to show that grace towards others. 

Prayer:  Lord, give me the strength to forgive people in my life who have hurt me.  Help me to walk in obedience in taking the necessary steps to do that.  I ask for Your guidance in this area of my life.  Amen!  

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 16

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Though, originally posted on December 8, 2018, is provided by Andy Kim who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.  Andy is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Burden”

Acts 21:11-14

And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

A few weeks ago, an American Christian missionary John Allen Chau was brutally killed by islanders off the coast of India. The story captured the hearts of many Americans and news channels on what seemed like a suicide mission. The islanders, unreached by any civilization for over 50,000 years, were well known for their hostility toward outsiders; and so, some have accused Chau of “cultural imperialism and insane arrogance” while others have heralded his attempts. Sadly, I too found myself in some ways questioning his wisdom and tact.  However, after reading about his last few journal entries and his motivations as to why he went, I was both humbled and convicted. It was clear that Chau had a burden for these unreached people—a burden that gave him the boldness to risk his life to share the gospel with them. 

And this is what we see in our passage today. Though Paul knew and heard from others the persecution awaiting him, he refused to be swayed. He was determined to go and reach the people in Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord. By no means is this a call for us to go and risk our lives, although a few of us may actually be called to do so. It is a reminder that all of us have been called to reach the lost. Even thinking about this can be daunting, especially if it means reaching out to people who are close to us. Sometimes our courage to reach out can get lost in our own methods and excuses. But before we ask for such boldness, may we pray that God would start with giving us a burden for them. It is a burden rooted in the desire for people to know the love of Christ as we have experienced. And may this love give us the same boldness to overcome our own fears and doubts. 

Spend a few moments praying that God would give us a burden for those who have yet to know Him.  

Prayer: Father, Your burden for us sinners was so great that You sent Your one and only Son to die for us. Jesus, Your love is too great for us not to share. Birth in us a desire to reach the lost, and may we have the boldness to go. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 14-15

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on October 11, 2019, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Stir Up One Another”

Hebrews 10:24-25

 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

When I’ve read these verses before, this exhortation to “stir up one another to love and good works” would often stand out to me.  I always thought about it as a beautiful picture of a community or a group of faithful followers of Jesus coming together to motivate and encourage one another to love Jesus and love others.  I’d imagine this exhortation to be like an inspirational or motivational speech that we see in movies, like the halftime speech of a sports movie or a speech from a general to his troops before they go in battle: “Let’s go and win one for Jesus everyone!”

Yet if you look up this word for “stir up” in the original language (παροξυσμὸν), it means “a provocation which literally jabs (cuts) someone so they must respond.”  The implication here is that stirring up one another isn’t just a motivational or inspirational thing, but it involves provoking, jabbing, and cutting one another—meaning, it can bring discomfort or pain.  It doesn’t really sound very inspirational or motivational, does it?  Why should there be any discomfort or pain?

When the author of Hebrews exhorts the church to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, it implies something very important:  that on our own, as individuals, without the prompting or provoking of others, we won’t make decisions or choices that lead us to love and good works.  If we were perfectly capable of growing in Christ individually, we wouldn’t need others to stir us up.  We need to be stirred up because otherwise, we wouldn’t love others or do good works.

In our communities then, we need to cultivate relationships and friendships for ourselves where others can stir us up to love Jesus and others, even if that means discomfort or pain, even if that means our friends rebuke or challenge us.  No one really looks forwards to being rebuked or challenged.  None of us really want to be told that we’re headed down a wrong or unhealthy path.  But I believe all of us should desire to be pointed to Jesus by our brothers and sisters in Christ; and one of the most crucial ways this happens is when we allow others to speak truth in love into our lives.  Today, let us consider how we can allow others to stir us up towards love and good works.

Prayer: Jesus, I think you for the community that you have provided for me. I pray that you will use my brothers and sisters to speak truth into my life.  Stir me up towards loving You, Jesus, and others through Your body.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 13

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Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 2:11-14: But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Questions to Consider

• Why did Paul confront Cephas (Peter) in this passage?
• What do you think would have happened if Paul never confronted Peter?
• Why would it have been difficult for Paul to rebuke Peter?  
• Why is it difficult for us to rebuke and confront others too?  How can we grow in this?

Notes

• Peter was at one point eating and fellowshipping with Gentiles, but when the circumcision party came, Peter changed his behavior out of fear of them and stopped being present with Gentiles.  Paul calls him out on this, because Peter was giving into fear of man and helping to create division over bad theology.
• If Paul didn’t confront Peter, the church itself would have been divided, people would have been led astray by the bad theology of the circumcision party, and perhaps, many people would have been deeply discouraged or even led away from faith in Jesus.
• Paul could have easily felt awkward or uneasy rebuking Peter, because of Peter’s stature within the church.  He had been one of Jesus’ key disciples, and he was one of the primary leaders of the early church.  I think no matter our age or position, most of us would find it difficult to confront people who are older than us or more accomplished than us.  There could have been fear on Paul’s part of speaking out of place or as the idiom says, going above his pay grade. 
• Reflect on this for yourself, but I think, generally speaking, we all fear confronting because we worry about what people will think about us or ruining a friendship in some way.  At the same time though, rebuking and confronting should be something that we do for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  How do we grow in it then?  We must remember that we speak truth in love.  Our motivation is love for our friends and love for Jesus.  If we truly love our friends, we should be willing to rebuke them if it means that they will love Jesus.

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Evening Reflection

A church community is necessary and crucial for growing in love for Jesus and others, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy.  Take some time and thank God for the church community that you’re in.  If you’re struggling to be thankful for your church, pray for your heart first.  Pray that you will love the church like Jesus does.  And then, pray that God will grow His church in love and good works. 

REPOST Today blog is a reprint of Pastor David Kwon’s AMI QT Devotional posted on December 17, 2014. David is the Lead Pastor of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

Proverbs 25:28

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

My children love all kinds of dessert – ice cream, cookies, cakes, etc.  A few months ago, my wife made a batch of cookies, so I told my kids that they were not allowed to have any until after dinner.  But right before dinner, I saw that several cookies were missing, along with a mess of crumbs all over the table.  I realized that the gratification of cookies was too much to handle and as a result my kids gave into temptation.

Solomon, the writer of this proverb, compares a person without self-control to a breached wall.  The city walls protect the people from all sorts of attacks from surrounding enemies.   So the picture the writer gives is that of a city whose walls have been so nearly destroyed as to be without defense against the enemy;  likewise, the man who has no restraint over his spirit is also defenseless and exposed to temptations, which eventually leads to sin.  He has no defense against anger, lust, and the other unrestrained emotions that are harmful for the soul, as well as to others. Solomon reminds us that we should see self-control as a wall for defense and protection from the appetites of our flesh.

What area in your life do you need to ask for greater self-control?  It could be lust, anger, shopping, your speech or something else.   Only the power of the Holy Spirit can change us and give us the self-control we need to live a godly lifestyle.  Spend some time this morning asking the Lord to search your heart and surrender the areas you need more self-control in.   

Prayer:  Lord, only You can change my heart that lacks self-control at times in various areas of my life.  Through the power of the Spirit, change me and fill me with more of You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 12

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Lunch Study Break

Read 2 Timothy 1:6-8: “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God . . .”

Questions to Consider

• What is Paul telling Timothy concerning the Holy Spirit?
• Why do you think Paul is reminding him of this truth?
• How is this applicable in our daily lives?

Notes

• The effective Christian worker must have the power of the Holy Spirit, but that power must be expressed in a loving spirit. The Spirit also gives us self-discipline to flee from temptations and to live a God-centered lifestyle.
• We tend to forget the power that is available to us in our everyday lives.  The Holy Spirit gives us the power to change as we abide in Christ (John 15) and is not an act of self-will.  
• We need to be filled with more of Jesus so that we can experience His power and love, and to better minister to others.

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Evening Reflection

What are some areas you need to surrender to the Lord so that you would be “protected” by self-control?   We need to allow the Spirit to continue to work in our lives so that we would experience his transforming power and grace.  Spend some time in prayer.   

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was originally posted on October 16, 2026. Christine serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Caught in the Act of… Doing the Right Thing?”

Matthew 25:14-19“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”

When I was in high school, I would study in my own room. But I was always looking for a way to take a break, maybe watch a drama secretly on my computer or browse some internet wormhole. My mom would sometimes pop in with fruits, dessert, or tea to help me along. The reaction on my face whenever she burst in would completely betray me. If I was calm, she would know that I had been working hard. But if I was tense or nervous, I was totally busted! She could tell that I had been caught in the middle of my procrastination.

I use this story to illustrate what I’m always reminded of when reading this parable, especially because I don’t often live with this urgency. Most of us don’t live as though Jesus is coming back soon; in fact, we seem to live as if He is certainly going to return in another lifetime. This attitude begins to give us a free pass to take it easy when it comes to our work. After all, we might have another time to make it up, or someone later on could pick up the slack.

But as the text reminds us, we should not live like this; rather, we should faithfully make the most of each day and be productive in the tasks He’s set before us. If He does come back, what kinds of workers will He find?

To be careful because we want the right motives, I propose that the key to diligent faithfulness should not be fear that we would be found wanting if He drops in. Rather, our motivation is that He is worthy of our faithfulness. Out of love and a desire to witness to others that we serve a good and wonderful God, we work hard joyfully and vigorously!

The King is coming back one day, and our work will have to be accounted for! Let’s work hard today not out of fear, guilt, or shame that He might be displeased. Instead, let us work hard because He’s worthy for us to say to a watching world: my King deserves all my diligence and faithfulness.

Prayer: Father, thank You for this life You’ve given me. I want to honor You with faithfulness and diligence. Help me to be a good witness and steward of the time and opportunities You’ve set before me, and free me from laziness and procrastination. I want my work ethic to show that You are worthy of my best efforts. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 6:7-10: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why is it important to state upfront that God cannot be mocked and a man reaps what he sows?
2. What are the two things we can sow? Why might it be important to know there are only two options?
3. What is the motivation for perseverance that Paul states here?

Notes

1. This is important for Paul to establish and remind us that there are no inconsequential actions and investments in our lives. Every action does beget some reaction.
2. There are only two possible investments we can make: destruction or eternal life. Paul says to us that we either sow for the flesh or sow for the Spirit; we either invest in worldly pleasures or eternal life.
3. The fruit of not giving up is that a harvest is assured. We should not become weary in doing good because we will always find a yield when our efforts go towards eternal life; God will never disappoint us in that reward.
   

Evening Reflection

Let’s think back to the day. Were there ways that we were faithful? Let’s celebrate those. Are there places where we can improve? Let’s ask God for increased faithfulness and for His Spirit to overcome any laziness or sloth in the coming day.

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on November 18, 2019, is provided by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Inviting God to Help Us Overcome Anger”

Ephesians 4:26-27

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Psalms 30:4

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime.

As our social media notifications alert us to check our account for the latest message, the negative emotions we feel are internal “alerts” for us to look inward, and to identify our honest emotions. This morning let’s look at how Scripture invites us to navigate the emotion of anger and may it propel us to be renewed with joy and freedom.

David’s description of God in Psalm 30:4 depicts for us a godly model of handling anger. In the Old Testament, God’s anger is expressed towards the Israelites when they relied on a god for security, instead of on Him. Even though no one compares to their God, who had split the Red Sea by His mighty hand to deliver them from slavery, the Israelites often struggled with unbelief and chose to trust in the golden calf or the gods of other nations. In these situations of being forsaken, God, in His indignation, would turn His face away from Israel (Is. 45:15); that is, He would temporarily distance Himself from her and the event that brought Him displeasure.  This wasn’t to reject Israel, but to show how a holy God hated sin in all its forms (e.g., Is. 1:14, 61:8; Mal. 2:16).  But His righteous anger was always temporary, meaning He would turn to gather the Israelites with His mercy and look upon them with covenant faithfulness and love. Again, note that God didn’t suppress, avoid, or deny His righteous anger when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf.  Humanly speaking, He felt His anger and expressed it; yet He always chose to continue being the compassionate God of Israel.

While anger is a valid emotion, it is meant to be temporary. When it remains unresolved or permanent, we become vulnerable to doing hurtful and sinful actions, such as rage, bitterness, and unforgiveness. These give our Enemy a platform to attack us and to lead us down deeper cycles of unhealthy expressions of anger. For this reason, Paul exhorts his readers to “be angry, and yet do not sin.” He is not commanding us to be angry but in the situation in which we are angry, we shouldn’t let a long-time pass with the anger unresolved, and thereby, sin.” In the temporary stage of anger—when we are the recipient of it—we need the Holy Spirit’s help to separate the action, words, and behavior from the angry person, and through forgiveness, choose to love and embrace the person again. 

As we start a new week, we have an opportunity to go to the Lord and journey with Him for healing from a past wound and to gain strength to forgive the person whom we may have been holding an offense against. Spend some time in prayer and confession this morning and invite the Lord to be your help and your strength. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I begin this new week with an open and teachable heart. Give me strength and humility to identify any unresolved anger or unforgiveness. I ask for your strength to help me to overcome my anger in the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 10

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:21-26.“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

Questions to Consider

• What teaching is Jesus referring to in Mt. 5:21? What issue is Jesus addressing that is considered liable before the court?
• Under what circumstances are disciples of Jesus called to approach their brother (or sister) to be reconciled?
• What is the heart of Jesus’ message? Why do you think He elevates the significance of reconciliation and highlights this issue of anger?

Notes

• Jesus is referring to the Ten Commandments in the OT, of which one of them is “You shall not commit murder” (Exodus 20:13). While murder is a violation against God’s commandment, Jesus teaches we are also accountable to God when we have anger towards a brother (or sister).
• When we are preparing to offer our worship to God, but know that someone has an offense against us, we are to first go and be reconciled before giving God what we prepared for worship. 
• Personal Response.

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Evening Reflection

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).

This evening reflect upon how you have tasted and experienced God’s forgiveness and grace in your life recently. May His love strengthen you to be committed to bear with others with love and to forgive them. 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional (new) is provided by Emerson Lin.  Emerson and his wife Annie (and their son) are serving as AMI missionaries in E. Asia.   

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Disconnect to Connect with Him”

John 1:9-13 (NIV)

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

In psychology, there is a term called “inattentional blindness” where when subjects are focused on one stimulus, they completely miss out on another stimulus that was right in front of them.

One of the best-known experiments demonstrating this phenomenon is the “invisible gorilla test”. Participants were asked to watch a video of six people passing a ball to one another and to count how many times the ball was passed. In the middle of the video, a person in a gorilla costume would walk through the group. In most of the tests, 50% of the participants did not even see the gorilla. Because the people were so focused on counting the number of passes, the gorilla became invisible to them.

In this passage, John is sharing the good news of Jesus’ incarnation. The ultimate creator took on flesh so that He could be with His creation. While that sounds amazing, John explains that His creation did not even recognize Him or accept Him; however, there were some who believed Him, so He called them His children.

As I read this passage, I am reminded of how easily we can miss out on God’s presence and His voice. In today’s age, we are too busy and too distracted to spend time with our Father. As we wait on the subway, wait in line at the grocery store, or sit on the couch at home, our cell phones have taken up potential moments with Him. Our wealth allows us to enjoy more things and more activities. While they are not bad in and of themselves, they make us too busy for our Father. It’s no wonder that we, especially I, might feel that God is distant in our life. 

In John 5:17, Jesus says, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” Our heavenly Father is always working in us, around us, and through us. He desires for us to experience these moments in every aspect of our lives. However, like the “invisible gorilla test”, we miss out on these precious opportunities because we are being distracted by other worldly stimuli.

So what are some ways you can disconnect? For some, it means not checking your phone when you have moments of boredom. For others, it means limiting the number of activities you or your child participate in. For me, I made a commitment not to check my phone before I sleep and not check my phone when I wake up. We must remember that these moments are potential moments to be with our heavenly Father. 

This morning, take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to bring to mind what are some commitments you can make to disconnect from stimuli. Remember, our God is always at work.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you are always at work around us and in us. However, I know I am addicted to my cell phone, Netflix, and my wealth. While these things are not bad in of themselves, they can distract me from potential time with you. Give me strength to quiet the voice of the world and make Your voice louder in my life. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 9

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Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 1:35-38: 35: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Questions to Consider

• To where did Jesus go early in the morning? What is significant about the location?
• What was the difference between Jesus’ priorities versus the disciples’ priorities?
• How do you begin your mornings? Are you more like the disciples or like Jesus?

Notes

• Jesus goes to a desolate place, away from all the busyness of His work. It is a quiet place where He can be with His Father.
• For Jesus, being in His Father’s company is the most important thing in His life. For the disciples, they were more focused on the “work” they had to accomplish.
• Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

As you lay in bed this evening, try not to look at your cell phone. Use this precious moment to connect with Him. Meditate on John 5:17.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Though, originally posted on December 9, 2018, is provided by Pastor Andy Kim. Andy is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Standing Up for the Family”

Ephesians 2:16-19

. . . and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God….

I still remember when I threw my first punch: I was in middle school and the boy made fun of my mom. Perhaps it was the hormones or the suppressed aggression, but something in me went off. After throwing him to the ground, I threatened him to never say such things about my family again. As I look back at that moment, I realize that—more than anything— it was because he had attacked something very dear to me: family. Family meant everything to me—so much so that I often struggled putting God before them. And this is the image that Paul uses to illustrate the unity that comes through Christ. Gentiles and Jews, two people groups that would never be mentioned in the same sentence, have been reconciled both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility—so that all would become the members of the household of God. 

Francis Chan once said that there is no greater bond between two people than the blood of Christ. It is a bond that is stronger and closer than even blood ties. The practical consequence of this can be a little daunting—meaning, the same love and priority we show our family members, the same care and resources we give them, should be for all who are of the household of God. Can you imagine such a community that loved one another in such a manner? Perhaps this was the image Christ had in mind as He prayed His last words before the Father (John 17). Through our love for one another, the world will see Him. May we be the family of God who stands up and fights for one another. Spend a few minutes praying for the family of God. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ by name.

Prayer: Father, I confess that I think more about my own needs rather than the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, help me to love others as You have loved me. In this, I pray that the world will see Your love. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 8

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 1, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Now Matters”

James 5.7-9 (NASB)

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 

 One Friday night when I was praying at church, I received a picture of what looked like a banquet hall during the times of Jesus. You could hear the clattering of plates as all these people were running around, getting the tables set. There was an urgency to their preparation. I was quickly reminded of the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14). One of the key details of that parable is when the king notices a man amongst the guests who did not have the right wedding garments, that man is immediately thrown out of the banquet to a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is to foreshadow what it will be like when Jesus returns. Those who have the right garments will be welcomed into the wedding banquet.

The reason why I share this is because of the conviction the Lord placed upon my heart through this vision. When I asked for understanding, God’s responded, “The preparation for the banquet has started. What are you doing to help others to find their wedding garments?” 

As those who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior, what is included in this confession is the belief that Christ will come back. It is on that day where all things will be made new, death will be no more, and God’s people will be eternally in His presence (Revelation 21). There will be a great wedding banquet. No one knows when this will happen, only the Father. But as we see how quickly things are changing in the world, you can sense that it’s not too far off. 

In my heart, I have assurance of salvation; I believe that because of Christ, my wedding garments are ready. But what am I doing to help others prepare?

James in today’s passage exhorts the church to patiently wait for the coming of the Lord. Just as the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, he calls the believers to be patient. The day is near. And then verse 9 seems to repeat all the teachings he had covered so far. What I believe James is calling people towards the day of the Lord with great hope and anticipation, while at the same time, reminding them to be mindful of the manner in which they are currently living their lives. There is hope that has been secured, but there is manner in which we are to patiently wait. We can easily become nihilistic, thinking that the end will soon come, and so not to worry about how we live our day-to-day lives. But this is not so for those who are in Christ.

The manner in which we live now matters. The way God challenged me in prayer to think about how I am spending my life now is the same message that James is reminding all of us here in this passage. We are a people who will behold unimaginable glory. But until that day comes, until we see our God face to face, I pray that the lives that we lived to that point would be ever so pleasing onto Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your promise that You will return. The Spirit and the bride declare, “Come!” But we ask for Your mercy that when You do come, we would be found living lives in a manner worthy of Your calling. And we cannot do this without Your Spirit— fill us with Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 6-7

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Charles Graham, a former staff at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on December 19, 2018.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Loving God with our Minds” 

Read Luke 10:27 (ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 5

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Lunch Break Study

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

Questions to consider

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

Notes

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

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Evening Reflection

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