December 2, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, provided by Emerson Lin, was first posted on December 2, 2016.  Emerson, a graduate of University of California (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), serves as a missionary in E. Asia (along with his wife Annie). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Examining Our Hearts”

Hebrews 13:3

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Growing up, I was a typical rebellious teenager in high school and would often fight with my parents. Thinking they were being too hard on me, I decided that I had enough of their “parenting.” One day, I told my parents I could not live with them anymore and made a decision to leave the house. I packed my bags and walked out the door and disappeared for a whole week, without any contact. After a week, my friend’s mom drove me home. Looking back, the whole ordeal was quite comical. 

In college, when I asked my parents what their thoughts were during that situation, they said that while they were worried, they understood that I needed some space. However, for a whole week, they knelt by my bed and interceded for me – asking the Lord to bring me home safely. 

In this passage, the author of Hebrews concludes this letter with fourteen exhortations. In one of the exhortations, the author encourages the readers to remember those in prison as if they were together with them in prison. The people who were put in prison and mistreated were, most likely, those who were persecuted for their faith. I believe that the author was encouraging the readers to not only remember them, but more importantly, to intercede on behalf of them.

Many of us – including myself—struggle with the exhortation to intercede for other believers. We struggle because of the individualistic society we live in today. Even the rhetoric we use indicates how we view our faith, “Our personal Lord and Savior.” Sometimes we are so focused on our own faith that we forget that we belong to the body of Christ. Because we constantly forget, the author of Hebrews encourages us with the word “continue” to remind us that it is an ongoing process, and that we should not cease remembering the community of believers

While it is not wrong to have personal requests, the Bible does remind us, quite often, to pray for all believers. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Also, 1 Timothy 2:1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people.” This is God’s command to us!

I want to encourage you to examine your heart. Do you intercede on behalf of your brothers and sisters? Do you pray more for yourself or for others? If you pray for yourself more, why?

Prayer: Lord, please continue to remind me to intercede for saints around me, as well as, those who are suffering in other nations. I do not want my faith to be so inward focused, but to be outward focused for the sake of the body of Christ. Amen.

Bible reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 5

Lunch Break Study

Read John 17:20-6: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What is Jesus’ prayer for all believers?
  2. Why is complete unity important for believers? How does this encourage you to strive for unity?
  3. Verse 26 says, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them.” In what areas of your life do you see the fruit of the Father’s love?

Notes

  1. Jesus’ prayer is that there may be unity among all believers, just as the Father and the Son are one. 
  2. The purpose of our unity is so that the world will know that the Father has sent Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and our unity points to that. The body of Christ is like a lighthouse that displays the love of Christ for the lost. If the world sees the Father’s love through the body of Christ, then it places a greater responsibility for us to love our brothers and sisters as best as we can. 
  3. Spend some time in personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

In view of today’s theme of intercession this morning, how did this impact you? Were you reminded of someone that you could pray for? Review your day here.

December 1, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 1, 2016, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“Islam: So Near and Yet So Far from the Biblical Faith”

Hebrews 12:3-7

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

 Last month, I visited an Islamic Jummah prayer meeting in one of the college campuses near our church. Of course I told them that I was a Christian, and my purpose for attending was merely to learn. As I was sitting in the back of the room, observing the prayer time, the imam (spiritual leader) began his sermon with these words: “Life and death. Why did Allah create these things? – To test us. Everything in this life is a test, to see which one of you is the best, and to see if you will fall away or obey….” 

The rest of the sermon was strikingly similar to several Christian sermons I’ve heard, in terms of it being an exhortation to strive for perseverance and moral uprightness. However, I couldn’t shake the weight of his opening words, “Everything in this life is a test….” In other words, until their dying breath, people must strive to pass each test from Allah, lest they fall out of his favor.

This couldn’t be further from the truth of our God. The author of Hebrews tells us that those who are in Christ are already accepted as sons (and daughters) of God. The various trials, hardships, and even struggles against sin, are not entrance exams into His Kingdom. Even when God does test us (He does sometimes), they are not tests that determine His acceptance of us. Jesus already determined His acceptance of us! Instead, God uses all these things to discipline us, to teach us, to grow us, and to sanctify us. This changes everything! While Muslims must strive in order to pass the test, Christians strive from a place of already having been accepted.

Perhaps you are going through a trial, a hardship, or a struggle against sin. Take encouragement in the truth that God is growing you, even through the things that are unpleasant. If you are in Christ, you are a child of God, and nothing can take that away!

Prayer: Lord, we thank You that our adoption into Your family was not by our own merit or performance. Thank you, Jesus, for taking our sins and giving us Your righteousness. Holy Spirit, help us now to endure through the various struggles in this life, and that we might grow in discipline and faith.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 4

Lunch Break Study

Deuteronomy 8:2-3: And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Questions to Consider

  1. What kind of test did God put the Israelites through?
  2. Why did God test His people in this way?
  3. What can we learn about God’s method of teaching in this passage?

Notes

  1. God tested his people by leading them in the wilderness for 40 years. He humbled them by letting them go hungry, and then feeding them with manna. This was intentional, that is, to show the Israelites that they have to depend on God to provide each meal, every day. The Israelites had no control over the manna. When it would fall, how long it would last all depended on God. But it was their only source of nutrients, and they had to trust God for it. It’s important to note that during the entire wilderness narrative, no one ever died of hunger.
  2. God tells us that He tested His people in this way so “that he might make [them] know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” All the suffering, hunger, and trusting, was to teach the Israelites to live by God’s Word on a daily basis. Although the wilderness wasn’t a pleasant experience, God was disciplining his children, showing them that they could put their whole-hearted trust in Him, because He loves them.
  3. Among other things, this passage tells us that God will allow seasons of hardships and trials in our lives, if it will lead us to trust and love Him more. 

Evening Reflection

It’s easy to thank God when things are going well. But Paul writes in Romans 5:3-4, “…but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope….”

This evening, spend some time thanking God for the things you feel the LEAST thankful for. It might just be God’s most effective tool for producing endurance, character, and hope in you. 

November 30, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on November 30, 2016.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Columbia International University where he studied Islam (M.A.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Heady Theological Discourse is Part of Our Journey Too!”

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

As mentioned yesterday, Cyril, in spite of his character flaws, ably explained how Christ took on human nature while remaining fully divine; that, however, did not end the debate because of the monophysites, who argued that the divinity and humanity of Christ were so fused in him that it resulted in a third nature.  

In response, the theologian Leonitus explained the principle of “enhypostatsia” (i.e. “in person”) by noting three ways that two beings are united: 

  • Side by side as in friendship, which was the Nestorian belief: Jesus’ humanity and divinity in two natures and two persons working together.
  • Blending into a hybrid, which was the monophysite belief: Jesus is a mixture of human and divine but neither one fully.
  • Two natures so united that their distinct natures exist in a single hypostasis (i.e. an underlying reality), which was what Leonitus taught.  He used the example of a torch, which is both wood and flame, completely united by fire. While wood and flame can have its own existence, they do not in the torch; they interpenetrate because they are held together by the underlying reality of fire. 

Leonitus then noted that Christ’s unfallen human nature had everything except independence from the Logos (i.e., Christ’s divinity). From the moment Jesus’ humanity existed, it had its personhood in the Logos. Thus, the personhood of Jesus (hence “enhypostatsia”) is the underlying reality that held together Jesus’ dual natures of humanity and divinity.  (Did you get all this?)

Despite Leonitus’ theological contribution, not much is known about him, except that he began serving at a monastery when he was twenty years old. He remained faithful and continued to participate in various theological discussions  before his seminal contribution of “enhypostatsia.”

At times, we discount ourselves because of our youth and believe that Christian living is possible only after attaining a certain level of maturity. We may feel like our efforts won’t contribute much, if at all. However, as shown in Leonitus’ life, we have no idea how God may use our present efforts to prepare us for His future work. Let’s not use our youth as an excuse and begin living for Him today!  

Prayer:  Lord, there are times when I feel so helpless because of a lack of experience. I often feel like there are things only “spiritual giants” can accomplish, and that I have nothing to contribute. Lord, help me to fully depend on You, and I ask that You work in and through me. Help me not let anyone,including myself, look down on me because of my youth. Rather, help me to be unafraid of living for You in all aspects of my life. In Your Name I pray. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 3

Lunch Break Study 

Read Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

1 Cor. 16:17: I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Questions to Consider

1. When we feel discouraged because no one seems to notice the hard work we put in to help build a ministry, what should we remember?

2. When we see people work hard among us, what should we do?

3. What is one lesson we can learn from the important work of Leonitus that hardly gets recognized? 

Notes


1. We must remember that God will not forget our work done to help His people—God is just and does not forget to reward those who merits it.  (Since He gives us more than what we truly deserve, this, too, is His grace.)

2. I agree with the apostle Paul who teaches that such men deserve recognition.  Recognizing those who work hard should be done at appropriate moments; on the other hand, those who do the work shouldn’t do so to be recognized by men.

3. We are assured that God gave Leontius his due reward in heaven for making an important contribution to the understanding of the dual nature in the single person of Jesus Christ.  At the end of our life, that’s all that truly matters. 

Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, were you annoyed that your good work went unnoticed by those who should have done so?  Even worse, did you feel like the wrong person got the credit you deserved?  How should you respond when you feel like injustice was done against you?  

Perhaps a verse like Matthew 6:3-4 gives you the perspective you need: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  

November 29, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on July 1, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Rich ‘Poor’ Life” or “A Poor ‘Rich’ Life”

1 King 11:14, 23, 26, 40

And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. . . . 23 God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. . . .  26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. . . . 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam.  But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Larry Dean, having grown up poor, worked hard to build his own software company; later, he sold it for a cool $68 million.  With that, Dean built a 68 acre estate consisting of a Moroccan theater, a Hawaii-art gallery, 24-karat-gold sinks, 15 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces, a 24-seat dining room, and an 18-hole golf course worth $40 million. He wanted to establish a family compound where the Deans could watch their children and grandchildren grow up.  Nevertheless, Dean’s mansion paled in comparison to the magnificent palace that took King Solomon 13 years to build for himself (1 King 7:1). 

To us, this is the dream life—a cavernous mansion with all the amenities at your finger tips.  But would you really want to trade your present life with theirs?  You might be tempted to say yes in a heartbeat, but upon a closer examination, making that deal is akin to trading away eating “a dry morsel with quiet,” with “a house full of feasting with strife” (Prov. 17:1); it is like trading away “a dinner of herbs where love is,” with “a fattened ox and hatred with it” (15:17).  

Solomon always had plenty to eat but rarely got a good night’s rest.  How could he when adversaries—like Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam—constantly arose to take him out of the throne?  Even worse, God was allowing it to happen as a disciplinary measure against the profligate Solomon.   

As for Dean, he didn’t fare too well either.  After only1½ years, a marital separation ensued, and Mrs. Dean and their four children left the estate.   Then, disliking living alone in a big house, Dean moved to an apartment above the garage.  He quipped, “I’d say this was a big mistake.”  The saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” seems true until you get closer to see that the grass is spray-painted green!  Is this “a rich ‘poor’ life” or “a poor ‘rich’ life”?

Even as you strive to be upwardly mobile, “learn[] the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4:12).  How?  Cultivate such an intimate relationship with Christ that that becomes what truly matters in life.  When we live in His presence, our social status, the amount of our paycheck or the value of our house won’t matter as much.   Seek God first.

Prayer: O the great and mighty God, I exalt and glorify You today.  There is no one like You in this universe, for You are magnificent and majestic.  It is You whom I need and I desire.  Lord, help me to put my gaze upon You instead of the fleeting and temporary things of the world.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 2

Lunch Break Study 

Read Col. 3:2: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Phil. 4:19: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Tim. 5:6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Ps. 84:10: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Question to Consider

1. Ultimately, what causes us to feel that the grass is always greener on the other side?

2. I think the secret of being content begins with a certain mindset.  Based on above passages, what are some building blocks for this attitude?

3. Being content doesn’t mean we stop striving to improve our situation.  What is the key to maintaining a balance between these seemingly opposing forces?

Notes

1. Setting our minds on things that are on earth means that we continue to fix our eyes on what people in the media and Madison Avenue dictate what our needs are to be cool and successful.  As long as we don’t have them, it becomes increasingly hard to be content with our present life.

2. First, God always provides to meet our needs; second, anything above food and clothing is a bonus.  If we have these, then the minimum requirement for contentment has been met. 

3. In our striving to move upward, if we become negligent in worshipping and desiring God, then being content in any and every situation will never materialize.  It is the seeking of God during our striving to move upward that restrains its excess. 

Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, did you experience a momentary discontentment because of what someone just bought, received or wore?  What does that say about you?  How is your worship of the Lord these days?  Reflect on these questions.  Even as you look to move upward, always take time each day to worship Jesus—at the very least, it will keep your priority in order. 

November 28, Monday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 28, 2016, is provided by Jane Oak who spearheads the Convergence Incubator, an innovative ministry that seeks to empower local businesses, at Tapestry Church, Los Angeles.  Jane is a practicing attorney.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God Who Shows Up at Starbucks”

Philemon 1:6 (NIV 1984)

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good things we have in Christ.”

One Sunday before worship service, I went to Starbucks with a few friends from Tapestry LA.  While ordering my coffee, I saw the cashier wince and say quietly to himself “Oooh, my back hurts.”  I paid him and then went over to the other counter to pick up my coffee.  While waiting, I sensed the Spirit telling me, “Jane, you need to pray for his back to be healed.”  I responded with, “I know you have healed my friends and cell group members, but this is a total stranger and he is busy working”; nevertheless, I felt that I had no choice but to obey.  

So, after getting my coffee and waiting for the line of people to clear out, I walked up to the cashier, at which point he turned around to wipe the back counter.  Having seen his name tag earlier, I said in a gentle voice, “Javier?”  He turned around and said, “Yes?”  I asked him, “Can I pray for your back to be healed?” Since he was surprised that I knew about his back pain, I explained how I had seen him wince earlier and muttering something about his aching back. I then told him, “My friends and I have prayed for people to get healed, and they get healed.  So, if you would like, we could pray for your back right now.  It will only take about 10 seconds.”  He paused, looked into my eyes for a couple seconds, and then said, “Yes, I would like that.”  I excitedly ushered him to the side where we could lay hands on him.  I called out to the others to come pray for Javier’s back.  They came over and when Sol asked Javier, “Is it muscular or spinal?”  Javier answered spinal.  Then, we laid hands on him and I spoke the words, “Lord, heal this back in Jesus’ name.”  There was no time to pray longer than those 7 words because we had to make sure he could get back to work.  I then stood in front of Javier and asked, “Javier, how does your back feel?”  He started moving around and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, it doesn’t hurt at all!”  So l got excited and asked him to bend down and touch his toes just to make sure.  He bent down a couple times and said there was no pain at all.  We all started rejoicing, but had to quickly let him get back to the cash register.  Yes, God “showed” up at Starbucks!

The worship service that followed was amazing for us because we knew we were worshipping a living God who loves to heal. He is just waiting for us to do our part of laying on hands and praying in Jesus’ name.  Our part is actually quite easy; God, of course, does the hard part of bringing about the healing.  What I have learned through this and other healings is that God has chosen to partner with us in bringing healing to others (physical, emotional, and spiritual) because He wants to strengthen our faith and deepen our intimacy with Him through these wonderful, supernatural experiences with Him.  Thank you, Lord.

Prayer: “Lord, I pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened so that we may perceive the needs of the people around us in order that we may minister to them in a tangible and fruitful manner.  May our lives be full of adventure and excitement as we join You in your work.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 1

Lunch Break Study

P.Ryun

Read Eph. 6:19-20: Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Colossians 4:3-6: At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 

Questions to Consider

1. We know the apostle Paul to be a very competent and fearless preacher of the gospel.  In light of that, does this passage surprise you in any way?

2. Paul asked for an open door—what would that mean to us?  What did it mean for Jane?

3. In light of the morning devotional, in what sense did Jane make the best of her time?

Notes

1. Paul’s request is surprising because he asked the Ephesians to pray for boldness and apt words to share.  Since these were two of Paul’s strongest points, how much more do we need to ask as many people as possible to pray for us, to be bold and knowledgeable when sharing God’s word!

2. We ought to pray that God will lead us to people whose disposition is more receptive to God’s word than some others—perhaps because they are going through a difficult moment.For Jane, catching the cashier’s groaning became an open door (added with boldness).

3. Jane could have left it at that: pay the bill, drink the coffee and off to Tapestry.  But she complied with the Spirit’s tugging by deciding to turn a mundane visit to a coffee shop into an experience with God for both the cashier and Jane.    How about you?  

Evening Reflection

Close your eyes for a moment and relive this day while asking this question: Was there at least one person in your office, school, or the grocery store you visited whom you could have ministered?  What kept you from recognizing it at that moment?  What could you have done differently?  Pray that you will respond differently the next time.

November 27, Sunday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on December 6, 2015.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Cannot Be Overcome”

Esther 6:12-13

Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”

If you have been following the NFL this season, you know that the Carolina Panthers are currently undefeated. Out of eleven games played, they have won eleven – no one has beaten them. Their quarterback, Cam Newton, has been quite dominant this season leaving many wondering, can he and the Panthers be overcome? (Editor’s Note: The Panthers did not overcome as they lost one game in the regular season as well as the Superbowl.)

When Mordecai earned the praise and honor from the king, Haman was humiliated. He was already plotting against Mordecai and the Jewish people, but here he saw his foe being honored by his boss. How humiliating! But he probably thought his plan could still work.  However, adding fuel to the fire in Haman’s heart in that moment of weakness, Haman’s wife and friends told him, “Haman, you will lose. You cannot overcome the Jewish people.” Just like the Panthers cannot be overcome this season, the Jewish people could not be overcome.

Why is that? Because of the LORD. The book of Esther does not ever explicitly mention the name of the LORD, but His name is implied here. When the people say that the Jewish people cannot be overcome, they really mean that the LORD cannot be overcome. And how very true that is! He cannot be overcome – not then and not now.

In our own lives, we must remember that just as the Jewish people could not be overcome, we also cannot be overcome, because we also belong to the LORD. When we face adversity, when the going gets tough and we feel overcome, let’s remind ourselves that we are on the undefeated team. We belong to the LORD and He shall not be overcome!

Prayer: Lord, thank You that we are Yours. Help us to remember that since we belong to You, we cannot be overcome. Thank You for overcoming the world; we pray for Your strength to overcome the adversity in our own lives. May we not lose hope but rather cling to You through every trial.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Philemon 1

November 26, Saturday

UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 12, 2015, 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

“Thinking on—Rather Early—the Meaning of Christmas”

John 1:14 

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

The month of December is almost upon us, which means, of course, it is an opportunity to reflect on the powerful message of Christmas. If I could sum up the message of Christmas in one word, it would be presence. There is power in “being with” people because presence communicates love. I came to grasp the power of presence for the first time during the summer after my sophomore year in college. I met with a Christian counselor once a week during that summer. The reason was, during the spring of sophomore year, I fell into mild depression. I lost a lot of joy in doing regular things. All I wanted to do was sleep so I could numb away my feelings. It was hard to study, and hard to worship! I was bearing a lot of hurt and anger towards my father, who was absent for a majority of my upbringing. During one session, as I shared my pain to my counselor, she cried and mourned with me over my pain. It was such a powerful moment. I felt like she was sincerely identifying with me in my pain. She was present with me with her ears and her heart. By her presence in my brokenness, I regained the strength to heal and to have joy. By her “being with” me, I felt like God’s love was so near to me. 

Presence communicates love. This is how God communicated His love to us. The message of Christmas is the nearness of God’s presence, which He demonstrated through His Son. The Son of God took on the flesh and came to be with us. He took on the form of man and came to dwell among humanity. He left where He belonged and came to reside among the chaos and the brokenness of this world. When the Son of God became flesh, he identified with our condition. Even though His own creation didn’t acknowledge Him as God, He drew near to demonstrate the grace and truth of our heavenly Father. As we rejoice at the coming of our Savior, let’s also offer the gift of presence and “be with” those whom the Lord puts on our hearts. 

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I praise You for sending Your Son to be with us so we can encounter Your loving presence. Fill me with Your love so I could actively demonstrate love by being with people today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 13-14

November 25, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional was first posted on December 4, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Peril of Oversharing the Details of Our Lives”

Matthew 6:1-5

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

I remember one time as a college student, I posted a photo on Facebook showcasing all the books I had recently purchased, captioned with a declaration that I would be reading them all throughout winter break.  I received so many approving “likes” and comments that spoke to my productivity and refined choice of leisure, but here’s a belated update to that highly publicized goal of mine: I didn’t even finish a single book.  While it wasn’t my plan to deliberately deceive people, the acknowledgement I received from sharing my goal gave me a false sense of accomplishment and thereby weakened my resolve to actually read.  

Contrary to a commonly held assumption that sharing personal goals with others helps us complete them, a recent article from The Berkeley Science Review titled, “When Telling Others About Your Goals Compromises Them,” explains that when it comes to identity goals (goals to achieve a certain identity), receiving social recognition before enacting on a plan can lead to “a premature sense that one already possesses the desired identity.”  

While there’s certainly a time and place for accountability, our present culture thrives on over-sharing the details of our lives, especially through social media.  It gets harmful when we forget what it feels like to do things in secret, without expecting any human acknowledgment at all.  In Matthew 6:6, when Jesus tells us to “go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret,” the room described here was commonly located at the center of a house to store dry goods, and it had no windows.  Tim Keller points out that of all the spiritual disciplines, the one that nobody can see is secret prayer—and its absence or presence in our lives reveals our true motive for following God.   

When you are all by yourself, do you pray naturally?  Do you often feel the need to be recognized for reading the Bible or praying? As humans, I think we’ve all engaged in spiritual acts to satisfy our need for human approval, but as we enter a secret time of prayer, God reveals the hollowness of our actions and then engages our souls with His grace and mercy until His presence is our sole desire.  Let’s continue praying corporately while also developing a secret prayer life that deepens our awareness that Jesus alone can satisfy.


Prayer: Father, I’m sorry for the times when I’ve outwardly lived a life for You but inwardly satisfied my own desires.  I want to experience the sweetness of praying to You in secret, where my words are honest and vulnerable; where the stillness quiets my soul; where Your gentle whisper penetrates my heart. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 12

Lunch Break Study 

Read Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Micah 7:5b: Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend . . .

Jn. 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Question to Consider

1. What do these seemingly disparate verses suggest?

2. What is the major difference between the biblical friendship as opposed to Facebook friendship? 

3. Abraham was called God’s friend (James 2:23).  What made him so?  What kind of a friend are you to the Lord?  What does that even mean?

Notes

1. While we need friends, we don’t need many friends; instead, we need few true ones.

2. The Facebook friendship is quantitative and artificial, and exists, for the most part, to amuse each other; the biblical friendship is qualitative and real, and exist to help each other sacrificially.   

3. The entire James 2:23 reads, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”It seems like one key prerequisite to being God’s friend is having faith in Him.  What does that mean? That we have the confidence that God will do what He said He would.  Do you have that confidence in God? If you do, then, you are on your way in becoming His friend!

Evening Reflection

We talked about friendship today.  Haman didn’t know until it was too late that he really had no friends.  Did you get to speak to any of your friends today?  How would you appraise the depth of your friendship?  Do you know what to pray for them?  If not, then, perhaps your relationship needs a major tune-up.  The first step always is to go to our ultimate Friend, God, and ask Him to empower and motivate us to be a trustworthy friend.  Pray. 

November 24, Thursday 

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on November 28, 2013.

Devotional Though for This Morning

“Happy Thanksgiving . . . Because of Him”

Psalm 117:1-2

Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! [2] For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Today is Thanksgiving!  So why should we be thankful?

This is the shortest Psalm in the Psalter, but as Derek Kidner rightly notes, its faith is “great” and “its reach is enormous.”  He added, “The shortest Psalm proves, in fact, to be one of the most potent and most seminal.”  How so?

The first striking feature of this Psalm is its call for all nations and all people to praise God. It is, therefore, a missionary psalm, calling on all peoples everywhere to extol God.   The second important feature is the reason why all nations should praise God: His steadfast love and faithfulness, which endures forever.  

On this day of Thanksgiving, we should be reminded of the greatness of His love for the nations as well as for us.   God expressed the fullest measure of His love for us in Christ; in Him, we have abundant life (Jn. 10:10) in this age and eternal life in the age to come.  The innumerable promises of the Lord, such as tarrying with us in our trials or answering our prayers, are as fresh and intact now as on the day they were made; and they will remain so.  

This is why we ought to be thankful, especially today.  

Take some time this morning praising and thanking the Lord for His love and faithfulness.  Meditate on the Cross and how it shows His great love for you.  May worship and praise arise as you think about Christ.

Prayer: Dear God, I thank You for everything!  Forgive me for complaining, pouting and comparing myself to others to complain and pout even more.  You are so good to me, Lord; and that’s all the more reason why I shall worship and praise You forever.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 11

Lunch Break

Read Ephesians 2:1-7: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—[3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1. According to verses 1-3, what is the true condition of humans?

2. In response, what has Christ done for humans in their miserable state?

3. What moves our Lord to do this?

Notes

1. Ephesians 2 is one of the deepest and richest passages in all of Scripture.  Paul describes man’s condition apart from the grace and mercy of Jesus in verse 1-3: man is not only spiritually dead but is an object of the wrath of God, who is holy and just.   

2. Thankfully, Jesus has not left men in their miserable state, but has chosen to rescue those chosen from the foundation of the world (1:3–6).  

3. It certainly is not any good we have done; being separated from God because of sins, we were undeserving of His love.  Whatever righteousness we thought we possessed was nothing but dirty rags (Isa. 64:6). What moves Him, Paul tells us, is His own mercy, love, grace, and kindness (Eph. 2:4–7).  It bears repeating that God has shown His grace and mercy when we did not deserve it.  It is only fitting that on this Thanksgiving Day, we spend some time thanking Jesus for His salvation and His great love for us.

Evening Reflection

One of our greatest needs as human beings is to be loved.  We have the need to know that we are important to somebody and that someone truly cares and accepts us unconditionally.  If this need is not met, we are liable to develop unacceptable behavior patterns to compensate for this need.

Remember, there is nothing we can do to make Jesus love us more, and nothing we will ever do will cause Him to love us any less. He loves us perfectly and completely regardless of how we perform; His love is unconditional.  Even if we don’t love ourselves, He still loves us. 

Having known and experienced His great love and mercy, we should show that same kindness to others in our lives.  Take some time to pray so that God’s love and mercy would be manifested abundantly in your life.  

November 23, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI— was first posted on November 9, 2016.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Against All Odds”

Hebrews 7:23-28

The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Can you guess the odds of winning the lottery? Although the exact numbers change based on various factors, the odds of winning are close to 1 in almost 14 million (if you’re picking six numbers to win the Jackpot). If you play to the Mega Millions lottery, your chances are 1 in almost 176 million. The National Weather service reports that you’re over 20,000 times more likely to be struck by lightening than to win the lottery. And with these odds, people still play the lottery to an alarming degree. Don’t believe me? How much money do you think Americans spent last year trying to win the jackpot? According to the records of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, Americans spent $70.15 billion on lottery tickets last year. SEVENTY-BILLION-DOLLARS! 

Yet against all the odds, people do actually win the lottery. They take home millions and watch all their dreams come true as they live happily ever after, right? Well, not exactly. While some lottery winners do have positive experiences, more often than not, those who’ve won the lottery point to it as the beginning of great struggle in their lives. Groups that follow past lottery winners connect winning the lottery to subsequent divorce, familial estrangement, suicide, reckless and criminal behavior, drug use, gambling, and even murder. But more so than these dramatic stories, most lottery winners express profound disappointment – that winning the lottery did not do for them what they anticipated.  Actor and comedian Jim Carey once said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” 

We bet on a lot of things. Maybe not the lottery, but we leverage our precious resources (the most precious, being our lives) in pursuit of success, comfort, recognition, acceptance, and sometimes, just plain old stuff… all of which will eventually perish. But we have a sure thing in Jesus, salvation that lasts forever and the promise of His Kingdom. May we bet our lives on that sure thing today and leverage our resources for riches that never fade. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to leverage my life for You today. May I use the resources you have so graciously given me – my time, talents, and treasure – in pursuit of Your Kingdom. May the assurance of my salvation provide the foundation for all that I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:Hosea 10

Lunch Break Study

Read John 10:7-10: So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Jesus call all the things (other than Himself) that offer us life? What are those things in your life? 
  2. What is Jesus’ promise to those who enter through Him (put their faith in Him)? Spend some time reflecting on this promise. How does His promise encourage you today? 
  3. In the New Testament, the terms “abundant life” and “eternal life” are closely connected. What is abundant life? 

Notes

  1. He calls them thieves and robbers because nothing and no one apart from Jesus gives life – they only take it away. God Himself is the source of all life. 
  2. In v. 9, Jesus promises that they will be saved and will find pasture (protection, security, and provision). 
  3. Eternal life and abundant life are connected, because when God promises us eternal life, He doesn’t just mean we’ll live forever. He means we will live forever abundantly – in other words, He is speaking to the quality of our lives. Jesus desires that we have the best quality of life possible. We aren’t truly living, until we’re living with Jesus! 

Evening Reflection

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Mt. 6:33).

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3).

Spend time tonight meditating on the verses above. What are the tings you’re seeking that you believe will give you abundant (the highest quality of) life? Jesus says that eternal and abundant life is to know God. How do Jesus’ words speak to you tonight? Spend time talking to God about these things.