December 16, Friday

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.   

December 15, Thursday

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

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. 

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. 

December 14, Wednesday

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

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.

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.

December 13, Tuesday

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

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. 

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.

December 12, Monday

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

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.

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.

December 11, Sunday

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

December 10, Saturday

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

December 9, Friday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God is Love Even Though It May Not Look Like It”

Esther 3:1, 6; 7:10

After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. . . . 6 [H]aving learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. . . . 7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

The New Atheist Richard Dawkins said, “The God of the OT is . . . a petty, unjust . . ., a vindictive, bloodthirsty . . . bully.”  His exhibit No. 1: God’s command to King Saul to “attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them,” including, “men and women, children and infants” (1 Sam. 15:3).  

In light of this, exonerating God from Dawkins’ charge would be impossible, but realize that the meta-narrative regarding Israel and Amalek begins about 400 years earlier when Israel out of Egypt was roaming the desert in search of the Promise Land.  To do that Israel encountered many battles, and from the perspective of several Canaanite nations, they had a legitimate beef since, for instance, Israel sought to cross their land to get to her destination (Deut. 2:27-30).  But, that wasn’t the case with the Amalekites who actively searched for Israel to destroy it.  Thus, God, before telling Moses, “When the LORD . . . [gives] you . . . the land . . . as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven” (Deut. 25:19), reminds him, “Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.  When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God” (18).  

So, why was God so livid against Amalek?  Inasmuch as Israel was God’s chosen instrument to carry out his redemptive plan, Amalek, in effect, was Satan’s tool destroy it.  From the very outset, the Amalekites sought to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth. What was in it for Satan?  Once Israel was gotten rid of so was God’s redemptive plan, for it was through Israel that the Messiah was going to come.  It really was a zero-sum “game”: if Amalek prevailed, then, the “dominion of darkness” would have continued to envelop the world; if Israel prevailed, then, the imminent threat against God’s plan would have been thwarted.  

But evidently, Saul’s disobedience left some members of King Agag’s family alive, which, 500 years later, resulted in the rise of Haman the Agagite who tried to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire, including ones in Jerusalem.  Had he succeeded, it would have obliterated God’s redemptive plan for the world.  This was why God ordered Saul to eliminate all the Amalekites, for His love for the world was such that God risked being labelled as a “bloodthirsty bully” in order to send the Savior to redeem us from the miserable penalty of sin.  Dawkins is wrong, again!  “God is love” (1 Jn. 3:8) and “light; in him there is no darkness” (1:5).  With that in mind, go take on the day in Him. 

Prayer: Lord, I’m so thankful that I possess a life that is eternal that can never be taken away.  Then how sad is it that I continue to distrust You and doubt your promises.  I’m once again reminded today that your providence is real and that I can truly trust in your guidance of my life.  Thank You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 1

Lunch Break Study 

Read Esther 6:5-6: His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” (Remember that the king had in mind Mordecai, Haman’s enemy.)

Luke 14:7-11: When [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Question to Consider

1. What do Haman and the guests who picked the places of honor at the table have in common?

2. What is the lesson of the parable and how would it have helped Haman?

3. What makes us act like Haman and these guests? How are you doing with humility?

Notes

1. Both assumed that they were better than others, thus felt entitled to a better retreatment. 

2. The lesson is about humility which will save you from a ton of embarrassment; and it would have helped Haman in this way: Ask the king whom he has in mind before simply assuming that you are the man the king wants to honor.  Lack of humility and wanton assumption always go hand-in-hand.

3. A sense of entitlement: for some it takes no more than a mere college degree to feel like they are so much better than others.  Just take Christ’s advice: stay humble; don’t assume that you are the most decorated and educated person in the room; you are not!

Evening Reflection

God’s providence often seems accidental or coincidental; it is when our favorable circumstances are seen through the eyes of faith in a personal God that we come to realize that it was God after all.  In looking back to today, was there a moment (however insignificant of a matter) in which you sensed that it was God who was favoring you once again?  Reflect.  Thank Him.

December 8, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 8, 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

“Teamwork”

Philippians 1:27

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

In basketball, I, as much as anyone, enjoy seeing highlights of windmill dunks, off balance three point shots with the shot clock running down, and plays where the defender jumps in from out of nowhere to block the shot.  It’s in plays like these that the talents and the athleticism of basketball players are highlighted.  To me though, the beauty of basketball really shines in teamwork.  There is something special about watching five guys on the basketball working in concert, seeing the ball being passed around, players working in unison, screening, cutting, passing; when a player has a good shot but instead passes the ball to his teammate for a great shot.   

When we read what Paul says to start this verse, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ,” our first inclination might be, like the basketball highlights that we see on TV, that we as individuals need to grow in our holiness or gifting.  We might think that living for the gospel is a personal project and that we as individuals need to shine for Jesus.  However, when Paul talks about living for the gospel in Philippians, his focus is on unity and teamwork.  He says that he desires to see the church “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side.”  It sounds like a great basketball team that works together in unison.  

When the body of Christ works in unison there is a greater power to advance the gospel.  When we are a team, we can look after one another, helping one another through trials and setbacks, carrying each others’ burden, while helping one another to stay focused on the mission that Jesus has given us as the church.  It’s not that our individual gifting and talents don’t matter, but if the world sees us as individuals laying down our need to shine, and striving and standing firm together for the gospel, they will see the beauty of the body of Christ.  Let us seek to live lives worthy of the gospel.

Prayer: Jesus, I pray that I will live a life worthy of the gospel by being a part of the body.  Help me to see that advancing the gospel isn’t just about me, but it’s about us as a church, standing firm and striving together for your gospel.  May the world see the beauty of your gospel through the church.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 12

Lunch Bible Study

Read John 17:20: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Jesus pray for those who believe in him?
  2. What is the purpose of unity according to this passage?
  3. How can we seek to bring greater unity to the church?

Notes

  1. Jesus prays that everyone who believes in him will be one.
  2. The purpose of the oneness of the church is stated twice in this passage.  Verse 21, “so that they world may believe that you have sent me,” and verse 23, “so that the world may know you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”  Jesus is not praying for unity for the sake of unity, but he prays for unity for the sake of the advancement of the gospel.
  3. The source of unity is not in own ability to find common ground, but it is Jesus Christ in us, our hope of glory.  If we are followers of Christ, then it means Christ is in us.  And if Christ is in us, Jesus tells us that we are perfectly one as Jesus brings us together.  We of course still need intentionally to have unity, but we intentionally seek unity that is already there in Christ.

Evening Reflection

How are you a part of the teamwork of your church?  Or how can you be contributing to the unity of your church in a greater measure?  Take some time now to pray and ask God to help people see the beauty of the gospel through your local body of Christ.

December 7, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on December 2, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Let Another Praise You”

Esther 5:10-14

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits (75 feet) high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.”  This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.   

After the end of a long drive from Philadelphia to Houston to take my youngest child to college, it was nice to sit in a cool auditorium, listening to several speakers in a program called “New Families Orientation.”  As was customary, before the speakers approached the podium, the master of the ceremony read off a long of list of their academic pedigrees and accomplishments.   Although it wasn’t quite the same sensation as seeing a Harvard Medical School diploma hung on the office of my new doctor, knowing that these speakers weren’t “hacks” put me at ease.   

Now, what Haman did here isn’t all that different from what took place in that Houston auditorium—recounting all his accomplishments and pedigrees.   He was wealthy, had a large family of many sons, and was sitting on the top of the Persian bureaucratic totem pole.  The icing on the cake was Queen Esther’s preferential treatment of him.  The difference between the two, of course, is huge: while the praise of the speakers came from another person, Haman was busy praising himself.  Solomon quipped, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).  

A practical reason for not praising oneself is to avoid embarrassment; something may happen that would pull the rug from under the very thing you felt proud of.  For Haman, whose fortune would soon take a nosedive, this meant leading Mordecai, “on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming . . ., ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights on honor’” (Esther 6:11).  Another reason why some people praise themselves is because no one would compliment them for the hard work they have done.  Since human nature does need some positive reinforcement, we should heed what Paul said: “They have refreshed my spirit and yours also.  Such men deserved recognition” (1 Cor. 16:18).  But a spiritual reason for not praising ourselves is because self-praise diminishes God’s glory, as if our ability or spirituality keyed our success.  

Do find yourself praising yourself too much, hoping that people would approve of you then?  Maybe you aren’t spending enough time alone with God.  Be approved by Him, because Jesus found you worthy enough to die to save you.

Prayer: Lord, I lift Your glorious Name on high for Your kindness.  Please open wide my prideful eyes so that I may see what is really going on in my life .  Help me to respond quickly in humility and repentance, rather than to wait a long time to make things right with You.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 11

Lunch Break Study 

In the morning, we examined the vanity of Haman; this afternoon we will deal with his penchant for violence (killing all Jews on account of one Jew, and to kill him on gallows 75 feet tall).

Read Judges 9:47, 48b-54: Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 . . . And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.” 49 So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about 1,000 men and women. 50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. 

Question to Consider

1. In what ways are Haman and Abimelech similar in how they lived and died?

2. What fuels (thoughts, ideas, etc.) such violence?  

3. While we may not be that violent, what are some ways through which we show contempt for others?  Are you having any issue with anyone at the moment?  Are you concocting a plan to do something about it?  How can you turn that negativity into something positive?

Notes

1. Evidently, both men had no regard for human life.  To get what they wanted, killing became a necessary and rational means to go after it. 

2. A low view of life certainly is a necessary rationale for a total disregard for human life.  This  low view stems from denying that each human is created by God in His own image with a special purpose.   Haman and Abimelech saw men as being no different from insects or mammals. 

3. I think a common weapon deployed to show our contempt for people whom we dislike is telling half-truths or lies about them.  While we aren’t physically killing anyone, we are destroying their reputation and maligning their character.   The best way to turn that negativity into something positive is this: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

Evening Reflection

Jesus says, “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. . . . Anyone who say, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Matt. 5:22).  Okay, fess up before going sleep: to whom did you get angry?  Was it your spouse or child?  Ask the Lord to give you the motivation and strength to mend this relationship—then just obey Him!