REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on December 19, 2016.  Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.  He and his wife Jessie are the proud parents of two young boys. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning 

“More Than Doctrines and Theologies”

2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises. 

Sadly, many of us have minimized the gospel to a set of doctrines and theological truths that need to be accepted. In one sense, this is correct. Part of the demands that derive from the gospel require our belief in its propositional truths, such as the identity of Christ and His atoning work on the cross. However, this is only part of the picture. As the apostle Paul states in Romans 1:16, the gospel is also the power of God; it is more than a list of facts—it is also the very power that grants salvation and transformation in our lives. It is neither our self-discipline nor our willpower that changes us, but it is the power of the gospel that ultimately shapes us.  

And we are reminded of the dynamic nature of the gospel in the opening statements of 2 Peter. Here, the Apostle makes an astonishing claim: God has provided by His divine power everything necessary for life and godliness; all of which is made available through our knowledge of Christ. In other words, trust and belief in the gospel affords us all that we need to be transformed into the likeness of God. He has given us the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live differently, a new heart made of flesh and responsive to the commands of God, and a community that walks alongside us for the entire journey. There is nothing that we lack in our endeavor to become more like Christ!

This is an important truth to remember. We all go through seasons where true change seems impossible, and we find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle of sin. In moments like these, it is so easy to give up and believe that victory is out of reach. However, Peter reminds us that God does not leave us ill-equipped. He gives us all that we need to live lives of freedom and true transformation. Let us take time this morning to meditate on these truths and find hope and encouragement, as we strive to reflect the character of Christ! 

Prayer: Father, I come before You broken in my sins. I desire to live a life of godliness, one that is pleasing to You, but I cannot do it on my own. Help me to understand that when I depend on You alone, You provide all that I need to overcome my areas of struggle. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: John 13

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Ezekiel 36:26-27: And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Questions to consider

1. What are we promised in this passage? 
2. What is the result of receiving of new heart and God’s Spirit? 

Notes 

1. God promises that those in the New Covenant are going to receive hearts that are made of flesh. They will no longer have hearts of stone. Furthermore, God will put His Spirit in them. 
2. Man is finally able to walk in the statutes of God and obey His rules. 

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Evening Reflection 

As you went about your day, did you take time to acknowledge your dependence on God? Oftentimes, we fall into sin because the busyness of life, which makes it difficult for us to sense our need for Him. Take some time tonight to ask God to make you more aware of your need for Him. The more we are aware of our need for God, the more we will learn to depend on His strength and not our own! 

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on March 29, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Well-Ordered Heart”

Heb. 12:2 (NIV)

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

When I was in college, I perpetually mismanaged my time on the weekends.  I would hang out late into the night with my friends, sleep in, say yes to any social invitation that seemed fun, and lived most Saturdays in denial that there were deadlines to meet on Monday.  Then Sunday morning would roll around, and school work all of a sudden became my top mental priority – so much so that I would squeeze loads of information onto index cards and sneakily go over them during the Sunday sermon, my Bible conveniently shielding them from view.  If the service went a bit long, I would grow antsy and rudely pull out my planner to make to-do lists and schedule things for the upcoming week. If I had been the owner of a smartphone, I would have most definitely expanded my multi-tasking behavior by checking email or scrolling down a social media feed. 

While my church etiquette has improved since my college days, a closer examination of my life reveals that the heart issue behind that behavior persists: I struggle with entering deep, sustained moments with God or even entertaining it as a passing thought many days.  My mind often wanders to worries and future plans; it grows restless until I’m measurably productive, whether it’s “spiritual” productivity (filling more pages in my journal or working towards finishing a Christian book) or general productivity (running a few miles while praying or writing lessons while listening to a sermon).  These combinations aren’t necessarily wrong, but it can be harmful to my heart when they replace a time with God that is silent and still.  

A well-ordered heart takes time to develop; it requires discipline that is built gradually and with persistence.  It forces us to finally admit what we try to ignore amidst busy schedules and earthly plans: that underneath all this striving, there’s an empty feeling inside of us.  All our ambitions will fall short of giving life meaning.  I’m slowly learning that unless I allow God to expose the parts of my heart decaying beneath the appearance of health and order, I won’t ever experience what it feels like to have a well-ordered heart.  A heart that is so fixed on Christ that it can endure whatever hardship or overcome the strongest temptation because it is sustained by a deep friendship with Jesus.  For those with well-ordered hearts, life’s purpose is no longer to become financially successful or complete some noble humanitarian deed or live a life that would garner hundreds of likes on Instagram.  Pastor John Ortberg describes a well-ordered heart as one that is organized around what Jesus would think, say, and do in our place.  And that begins during our alone time with God, when we become available for His voice to penetrate our hearts.  God can’t speak to us when we’re too busy multi-tasking.  Lord, let our hearts desire just one thing. 

Prayer: Dear Father, help me to order my heart in such a manner that You and Your eternal word take the precedence over all the urgent matters in my life that demand my immediate attention. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 12

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 4, 2016, is provided by Joanna Tzen, a friend of AMI, who attended and served at Grace Covenant Church for a long time. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“I Live Here But This Isn’t My Destination”

Phil 3:20 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Something else that has been making me long for my heavenly home is all of the recent election rhetoric (2016). Political and government news is somewhat interesting for me, but I usually keep my opinions to myself. This is probably due to my confrontational-avoidant nature, but that’s for another day’s devotional.

I work on a very liberal campus and I was struck by the somber nature of the day after the election. I understand the disappointment and fear many felt that day, and continue to, but at the same time, it has never been more apparent to me that who and what the world hopes in truly is not eternal. I am an advocate of us as Christians being good stewards while we are here, meaning we vote and stay informed of and engaged in the world around us, but it became very clear to me that those at my workplace placed all of their hope in a person or political party or a government. 

That day, I thought about how I am ultimately a citizen of heaven, and no earthly authority can change that truth. My trust and hope is in the One who laid the foundations of earth and overcame death. He is unshakeable and immovable. Not only do we hope in Jesus while we are here, but we have hope that there is a renewal coming for all things, when there is a new heaven and new earth.

My prayer is that even in divisive times, Christians of all persuasions can identify that we hope in the same God; and even in this time, this will allow us to point others to the One who will never fail us.

Prayer: Lord, search my heart and show me if I have placed my hope in the things that will pass, either in my own dreams or things of this world. If so, please forgive me, Lord, and help me to place my hope in You once again. Remind of how faithful You have been in the past and how You keep your promises in the present and future. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  John 10-11

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on July 3, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“An Astute Career Move That Wasn’t”

1 King 12:16, 25-31

And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. . . . 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. 31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites.

People used to like Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, and Miley Cyrus—especially when they, as young pups with major talents, broke into show business.  The young Jeroboam had some major talents as well—not in song and dance, but in military exercise. So, “when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force” (11:28).  Even God, through a prophet, told Jeroboam, “I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes” (31). 

For Miley, opting for a bad girl image is a calculated career move.  The famed singer Dolly Parton said regarding her godchild, “[Miley] was very proud of the work she did as Hannah Montana, but people were gonna leave her there forever. And she was just smotherin’ and chokin’ in it.  So she felt she had to do something completely drastic.  And she did.”  Her makeover has been so successful that adding “See Miley Cyrus” next to the word “raunchy” in the new edition of Webster’s Dictionary wouldn’t be a surprise. 

Jeroboam also made an “astute” career move.  Liking the feeling of being in charge, he completely destroyed the spiritual foundation of Israel by instituting a counterfeit religion; while doing so, he showed no fear of God.  After changing the place of worship from Jerusalem to Bethel and Dan, Jeroboam told the people to worship golden calves.  He then opened the priesthood to everyone even though God had limited that just to the Levites.

Miley Cyrus is purposely going “bad” so she can do anything that Hanna Montana wouldn’t do, but what about Jeroboam?  Fearing that he may lose his kingdom, Jeroboam went “bad” in order to keep his subjects from offering annual sacrifices in Jerusalem (i.e., enemy territory).  Displaying some talent in acting as well, Jeroboam, in pretense, said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.”

What about you?  Do you want God’s approval or man’s accolades?  For those who no longer fear God in order to go after their desires, one word of warning: it will not end well (14:12-3).  Repent and cease your reckless pursuit of your wanton desire.  Choose God.

Prayer: Father, the lure of the world is real and palpable; it’s everywhere!  Put the fear of God in me so that I would think twice before stepping into the traps of the enemy.  Help me to love You more.  May the Spirit fill me each day so that I have the power to love God and say no to sin.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 3:1-6: Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.  He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Question to Consider

1. Like all of us, Jeroboam was a son of Adam.  What did he learn from the first man? In what ways are their acts similar?
2. In what ways are the consequences of their actions similar (both personal and collective senses)?
3. Examine the manners in which you go about getting what you need or want.  Are you more like “shameless” Cyrus Miley or “lawless” (breaking all rules) Jeroboam?

Notes

1. Both of them, in order to go after their desires, totally ignored God and His word.  They couldn’t claim ignorance since they were well aware of God’s clear instructions.  In short, they had no fear of God.
2. At the personal level, their actions greatly injured them—Adam and Eve were banished from the garden while Jeroboam’s family paid a dear price for his sin.  At the collective level, their sin affected the rest of the people in their world. Through Adam, sin entered the world, making everyone sinful from the outset; through Jeroboam (922-01), the Israelites in the Northern Kingdom were introduced to idolatry which would last until its eventual demise in 721 B.C.
3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

As you wrap up another busy day, reflect on how the day went.  Did you do anything “shameful” (thinking that it was funny or amusing) to get on the good side of the people?  Did you compromise your beliefs just so that you won’t be persecuted for what you believe?  Paul says in 2 Tim. 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  Pray for God’s strength to live a life worthy of the cross.   

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King, a friend of AMI, was first posted on November 10, 2016.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Seeing Our Reality Through the Spiritual Realm”

Hebrews 7:23-28

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

In his book Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey summarizes C.S. Lewis’ theory of “transposition” in which he explores the human tendency to overemphasize natural realties (because they are the ones we can see and most readily understand) over and against spiritual ones, even to the point of reducing our human experience solely to natural realities with little or no consideration for their spiritual components. 

Yancey explains, “Lewis suggested the analogy of a beam of light in a dark toolshed. When he first entered a shed, he saw a beam and looked at the luminous band of brightness filled with floating specs of dust. But when he moved over to the beam and looked along it, he gained a very different perspective. Suddenly he saw not the beam, but, framed in the window of the shed, green leaves moving on the branches of a tree outside and beyond that, 93 million miles away, the sun. Looking at the beam and looking along the beam are quite different.

We are experts when it comes to looking at the beam. We reduce our experiences and circumstances to the natural realm – what we can see with our eyes and process with our own reasoning and wisdom. And, in so doing, we find ourselves relying on those things for answers and understanding. Yet, there is another realm – the spiritual realm. And in it, we have a high priest who is enthroned at the right Hand of God Almighty in power and majesty. One who is ministering on our behalf. One who has made atonement for our sins and affords us access to God Himself (the source of all that is life). And (at the risk of sounding like a broken record this week) One who is bringing forth a perfect Kingdom and an awesome plan of redemption for the whole world. 

May we challenge ourselves to resist our tendency toward reduction (based on what we can see as we merely look at the things going on around us) and instead depend on the Holy Spirit within to give us His understanding and a fuller perspective as we move through life today. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your word commands me to trust in You with all my heart, relying not on my own understanding. Give me grace to obey. Grant me Your perspective as I look out on the world today. May I see as You see and respond in a life of worship to You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 8

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Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 6:10-18: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 

Questions to Consider

1. What does Paul remind us in verse 12? What are some areas in your life where you may have lost sight of this truth?  
2. What does Paul command us to do in this passage? What are some ways you can do this today? 
3. Paul’s final words deal with the importance of prayer. What is the connection between praying and remaining alert? 

Notes

1. Paul reminds us that our war is not against flesh and blood. In other words, we are not merely battling against other people, but there is much more going on in the spiritual realm and ultimately there is a battle going on for souls and hearts. Spend time reflecting on areas of your life where this truth needs to sink in. 
2. Paul gives quite a few commands in this passage. First, he tells us to find our strength and confidence in God and His strength (not our own). Then he tells us to put on the full armor of God, with all its many components. Are you standing strong in God’s strength and might or another kind of strength? What parts of your armor need attention today? 
3. Prayer is what enables us to be alert because it grants us a pipeline to the One who sees all things and knows all things. Without prayer we are unable to have the perspective we need to live in wisdom. 

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Evening Reflection

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (C.S. Lewis, This Weight of Glory)

Spending time thinking about spiritual things not only gives us a truer perspective on what’s happening around us but it also grants us hope for what is to come. What are some ways you’ve settled for less than what God has in store for you? Spend some time thinking of eternal life and building anticipation for the great gift God is offering to each of us. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 7, 2016, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Win-Win Situation”

Philippians 1:21-26

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

If someone came to you today and said, “You can have either a brand new BMW or a brand new Mercedes Benz for free, as my gift to you.  You just have to pick one.”  You, in theory, would have a dilemma on your hands, trying to decide between the two cars; but either way, it’s a win-win situation, right?  No matter what you choose, you get a free luxury car.  It’s not often that we encounter a win-win situation.  Most of the time, life can feel more like an endless stream of lose-lose situations:  If we choose this particular career path, we make less money, but if we choose this other career path, we have less time with others.  If we live in this city, we’re too far from home, but if we live in this other city, we have fewer opportunities.  It can sometimes feel like no matter what we choose in life, we’re missing out on something. 

When we look at what Paul says here in Philippians though, there is no fear of missing out at all.  It seems that each and every day of his life was a win-win situation—if he dies, he gets be with Jesus, but if he lives, he can keep on laboring to help others grow in their faith.  To Paul, this was a dilemma, but either way—if he were to live or to die—it was a win-win situation.  

It can be hard to see life as a winning situation and/or death as a winning situation.  We might think that if we live, we have hard lives and difficult situations before us.  But if we die, we miss out on life itself.  So why was Paul able to feel like this about life and death?  Simply, Paul understood his identity and purpose.  He was able to look at his life and know that he had a purpose to live and labor for the sake of Jesus.  And at the same time, he was able to look at death and call it “gain,” because he knew that as a child of God, regardless of what he was able to accomplish, his life was in the hands of Jesus.  Either way, his life was about Jesus.  And so when we struggle to see the wins in life or death, we need to make our lives about Jesus, to know our identity and purpose in Him.  When it’s about Jesus, it’s always a win-win!

Prayer: Jesus, help me to make my life about You.  I pray that instead of being wrapped up in the things of this world, my life will be wrapped up in You alone.  Help me to understand my identity and purpose in You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 7

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Lunch Bible Study

Read John 14:1-4: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

Questions to Consider

1. According to Jesus, how do we find hope in the midst of trials?
2. What does it mean that Jesus has prepared a place for us?
3. How is your heart troubled right now?  How can you find hope in Christ today?

Notes

1. Jesus tells us to believe or trust in Him when we find ourselves in difficult times.  We can trust in Jesus, because He tells us that there are many rooms in His Father’s house, where He has prepared a place for us; and He Himself will take us to that place.
2. It means that we have a room in heaven waiting for us. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can have an eternal life with Him and the Father in heaven.
3. Personal reflection question.

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Evening Reflection

Paul says, “For me to live is Christ.”  Is that how you would define your life?  If you’re like me, there are probably at least a few other things competing to fill in that space. Take some time to reflect on those other things that seek to define you, and spend time repenting and putting your whole life in the hands of Jesus.

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on May 5, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God Tests, Not Tempts, Us”

2 Sam. 11:10-5 (NIV)

David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” [11] Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” [12] Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. [13] At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. [14] In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. [15] In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

When I was teaching in Mexico, I would go over the exam material beforehand so that my students would do well.  That probably reflects the heart of most teachers, and it certainly captures the heart of God.  

God “tests our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4), but he “does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13); that’s what the enemy does.  In theory, distinguishing between the two seems easy: testing is when we are being tested of the things we have learned for our growth; whereas, tempting is being tested of the things we don’t have the capacity to overcome so that we may fail.  But in reality, it’s difficult to distinguish between the two.  For instance, while the Greek word ekperizō  is translated as “tempt” when referring to what the devil did following Jesus’ 40-day fasting (Matt. 4:1), it’s translated as “test” in Luke 10:25 when the lawyer was testing Jesus.  But one thing is clear: whether tested or tempted, God won’t let us face it alone.  Paul writes, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor.10:13b). 

We see that God certainly does that for David here.  David wishes that Uriah goes home and has a conjugal relationship with his wife Bathsheba, for only then her pregnancy could be explained away, and David will no longer be under suspicion.   However, Uriah is too honorable to do that; instead, he sleeps at the entrance to the palace.  Stunned by his loyalty, David should have scrapped his scheme, but he doesn’t.  Plan B is to make Uriah so drunk that he will go home afterwards; again he doesn’t.  Having given two chances by God to stop the charade and confess his sins to Uriah, David opts for Plan C—which is murder.  His life will never be the same again.

It could be a ringing phone or dog barking or a sudden remembering of a Bible verse you’ve heard a while back: consider that as God’s way of “provid[ing] the way of escape” (NASB) so that you may not fall into temptation and be miserable.

Prayer: Father, we praise and glorify Your Name.  While we feel like we are inundated by more temptations now than before, the truth is we’ve gotten better at sinning. For the sake of temporary enjoyment, we’ve bartered our souls to our own dismay.   Lord, help us to seize every opportunity You give so that we may not yield to these enticing temptations.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: John 6

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Chron. 21:1-8 (ESV): Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. [2] So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.” [3] But Joab said, “May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” [4] But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. [5] And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword. [6] But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab. [7] But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. [8] And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 

Ps. 20:7 (ESV): Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Question to Consider

1. What was so bad about David taking the census?  Why did it displease God?

2. In what sense did God provide a way out so that David didn’t have to fall into that temptation?

3. Joab wasn’t a spiritually-sensitive man; in fact, he was often in the flesh.  Yet, God used him to try tostop David from doing something that would later cost the life of 70,000 people.  What kind of attitude should we cultivate so that we would allow just about anyone to speak into our lives?

Notes

1. David had proclaimed and taught that Israel was going to trust God for victories, not the strength of  its army or weapons.  By counting the number of soldiers, David, in effect, was saying that he was going to depend on his army for victories.  As a result, he broke what is called Suzerain-vassal covenant in which he was to completely rely on God for everything.   

2. Even Joab, not known for spirituality, understood the implication of counting the number of soldiers.  Thus, he tried to persuade his boss to drop the project but to no avail.  That was the way out which God provided so that David didn’t have to give into temptation, but again, he didn’t listen. 

3. The Bible is replete with examples of unlikable people (including a donkey) whom God used to speak into the lives of people more holier than them:  God used the Babylonians  to judge Israel, which puzzled Habakkuk  and he asked God, “Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (1:13).   Thus, we should have a humble attitude. 

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Evening Reflection

Are you so numb spiritually that you aren’t even aware of having been tempted today?  Is our standard of holiness so low that we actually feel okay even though we typically yield to any and every kind of temptation?  So, what temptation did you face today?  Are you walking any differently than the world in areas that truly matter?  Ask God for discernment so that you may know what temptations you are facing in the first place.  Then, ask God to overcome them.

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 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.).

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“What Truly Matters”

Philippians 3:2-11 (ESV)

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c]blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

If you were to think of modern day heroes of the faith, who would you think of? We typically think of the popular Christian artists, the itinerant speakers, authors, theologians, and the up-and-coming pastors. Rarely do we think of the faceless martyrs, the ones who are toiling and laboring in the hardest parts of the world to bring the gospel to places where people have not yet heard. We don’t like to make them our heroes (although we do look in awe upon them); and I think the reason is because it forces us to face the uncomfortable question: Is this someone I want to become – someone who has completely surrendered everything for the name of Jesus? I am not trying to take anything away from the popular Christian artists, speakers, and pastors, but my point is that we are a culture that is too impressed with degrees and titles that it sometimes becomes the crux of our focus in this life, even in Christian circles. We are more inclined to respect and listen to those who have more degrees and are more influential based upon their accomplishments. 

When we think of Paul’s circumstances, we see why he feels the need to defend his credibility. Remember, Paul is writing this from prison in Rome, and he is writing to the Philippians to warn them about the Judaizers, those who are trying to distort the gospel to include Jewish customs in the package, rather than faith in Jesus alone. Contrast Paul with the Judaizers: While Paul is in prison far away, treated as a criminal, the Judaizers are there, highly respected as spiritual authorities. But Paul makes a case here that he has the most to brag about if it came to credentials, but he became a prisoner for the very gospel that he is trying to convince the Philippians to hold fast to. Once he became sold out on knowing Christ and making Him known, Paul’s own degrees, status, and rights—because of his citizenship—became something of little concern to him. Of course he used all these things to make Christ known, but his focus shifted from confidence in his flesh, to confidence in Christ, and the finished work on the cross.

Our human tendency is to boast in our accomplishments and strengths, which would make us seem respectable to others. Even in “living the Christian life,” we make the task of loving Jesus an accomplishment that we can add to our credentials so that we can boast in our own flesh, making it into a stepping stone, rather than making it the ultimate aim in life. Have we made knowing Christ and making Him known our final aim and ultimate cause? As we end this year and start a new one, my prayer is that we discover what truly matters – that we may love Jesus with all of our heart, considering everything else as a stepping stone to loving and honoring Him.

Prayer: Father God, I repent for making You a stepping stone for my accomplishments. Help me root out the things that I place my hope and sense of accomplishment in. I want to boast in You and You alone. Forgive me for placing so much emphasis on my own status and position rather than on You. I choose to boast in You and not in my own flesh. Help me make this my ultimate cause.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Question to Consider

1. How does Paul define grace? How would you define grace?

2. What are ways that we rely on our works?

3. What should we do with the grace that has been given to us?

Notes

1. Grace is merely a gift, and not a result of what we have done to earn it.  

2. It could be about the degrees we have, the type of job we have, the good works that we do, and even the people we know. Paul, in Philippians 3, lists off a number of personal accomplishments that he could boast in, but he finds all of that as contributing nothing to his salvation, because it is only by grace that he is saved.

3. We were created for good works – our good works is not a requirement for salvation, but it is not optional. It is not a contribution to our salvation, but a fruit of our salvation.

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Evening Reflection

C.T. Studd penned a poem with the tagline: “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Our life on this earth is short. Our impact and legacy on this earth is minimal, easily forgotten. Yet the life we live for Christ, the things we do in His name, for His kingdom, are the ones that ultimately last. Let’s not get caught up with earthly accolades, but to build our “heavenly resume,” one that lasts for eternity.

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 13, 2016, is written by Tina Hsu who serves as AMI missions coordinator.  Tina, a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), recently became a mom to a beautiful boy named Zachary.  Congratulations. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Belonging to a Community”

John 2:1-12

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

In your small group, would you say you are vulnerable about your struggles? It takes great courage to be vulnerable. We may not be vulnerable for fear of feeling shame. 

At the wedding in Cana, the shortage of wine was not simply a beverage issue; it was a shame issue. In the honor and shame culture of Jesus’ day, lack of wine at a wedding banquet exposed the married couple and their families to public shame. By turning water into wine, Jesus saved the married couple from public shame. He allowed them to receive honor from the host and their guests. Though His hour had not yet come (2:4), He provided an unbelievable gift for this married couple. For Jesus to save one married couple from social shame was a small thing compared to what He would provide when His hour did come. 

In light of “the hour” that was coming, Jesus knew He came to wipe away the shame of humanity. When His hour did come, He went to the cross, took our shame upon Himself, and suffered crucifixion, a shameful death. As the Word who had became flesh, He didn’t come to attain honor. Rather, Jesus came to bear our shame so we could have the honor of being children of God – fully approved and forgiven by God. The issue is, we as believers often remain bound in shame, fearing disapproval and rejection. We fear that if we are fully seen for our sins and weaknesses, we will no longer be worthy of love and acceptance from God, or from people. We miss out on the freedom that Christ purchased for us, and often cut ourselves off from community. 

The beauty of genuine fellowship is the sense of belonging. Everyone matters! Fellowship is a safe place where we can share honestly and heal from shame and brokenness as we surround one another with prayer and encouragement. Ask the Lord to help you commit to belonging to your small group and to also minister to your brothers and sisters as they openly share their lives with you.  

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You that I share the honor of being your beloved child with my brothers and sisters. Thank You for reminding me that I can’t grow spiritually on my own. Help me to humbly and courageously share my life with the community You have given me. Thank You that You have also called me to minister to my brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: John 4

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 3, 2016, is provided by Joanna Tzen, a friend of AMI, who attended and served at Grace Covenant Church for a long time. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What I Learned from Buying a 100-Year-Old House”

Heb. 11:13

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Earlier this fall, my husband and I purchased our first house. People always ask how we feel about this, expecting joy and excitement, but I think our response leaves something to be desired. As thankful as we are for this gift and experience to be good stewards, maintaining a 100-year-old house is a lot of work! It’s not just keeping up with mortgage payments, but learning how old door knobs and locks work, along with a heating system, not to mention old windows and electrical systems. All that is to say, oddly enough, the experience makes me long for my heavenly home.

Hebrews 11 is known as the “hall of faith” passage, and faith is defined as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (v.1). This is the faith for which our forefathers were lauded. They have this confidence and assurance because of who God is. God is a good and perfect Heavenly Father who is a promise keeper. Abraham knew this when he was ready to sacrifice Isaac (v.17); Moses knew this when he was ready to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (v.27).

Today, we follow the same God who was faithful to Abraham and Isaac, who furthermore, kept His promise to us of a heavenly home by sending His Son Jesus. Have you been longing for your heavenly home? If not, have circumstances overwhelmed you or made you complacent? Let’s ask the Heavenly Father to help us recover a healthy and heavenly longing today.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that you are trustworthy and a promise keeper. Thank You for showing me Your love through the sacrifice of Your Son. Remind me of how He has prepared the way for me, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies me until we meet face to face. Help me to remember Your promise and renew my mind toward heavenly things (Rom. 12:2), while You enable me to do good works (Eph.2:10) until it is time to return home. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  John 2-3