January 24, Tuesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on April 26, 2016.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Unity Despite Theological Disagreements”

Ephesians 4:1-3

I (Paul) therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The media often portrays conservative Christians as being not too intelligent. A while back, a prominent writer for TIME magazine quipped that Christian conservatives are “poor, uneducated and easy to command.” While I hope that’s not the case today, I know for a fact that it wasn’t so in the early church when some of the best and brightest minds led the new faith.

The 2^nd century church spent much time combating Gnosticism, which proposed that Christ’s work on the cross was “purely spiritual…and that the human life and death of Jesus played no role in redemption.” Irenaeus effectively refuted Gnosticism by using passages such as Romans 5. Olson writes, “Because Christ is the second Adam…; God reverses Adam’s life that resulted in corruption. For Irenaeus, Christ provided redemption by going through the entire scope of human life and…reversing the disobedience of Adam….” This was an essential point that Irenaeus emphasized, as it established redemption as a process of restoring creation rather than escaping creation, as in Gnostic heresy. Through Irenaeus, Christian theology became rooted in the truth that without Christ’s full divinity and humanity, salvation is impossible.

Because of his influence, Irenaeus was called upon to resolve all types of conflicts. One such non-essential conflict was the Quartodeciman controversy, which centered around whether Easter should be celebrated on Passover (the Quartodeciman position) or on Sunday. After much debate, Victor, the bishop of Rome, was so fed up with the Quartodecimans that he excommunicated them from the church. Although Irenaeus believed that Easter should be celebrated on Sunday, he admonished Victor to preserve unity in the body of Christ. For Irenaeus, the fact that the Lord’s resurrection was being celebrated by both parties was sufficient. This is to say, as far as this Church Father was concerned, Gnosticism had to be opposed and disfellowshipped; but not so with the Quartrodecimans with whom he disagreed theologically but still desired some level of fellowship.

As Christians, may we not only learn from Irenaeus’ writings but also from his eagerness to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Let’s pray for wisdom to engage in essential conflicts and to preserve unity otherwise.

Prayer: Lord, as I often engage in arguments and conflicts for the sake of doing so, give me the wisdom to fight over what is crucial and the discernment to look over non-essential issues. Help me to mediate the conflicts around me with Your peace and love. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 27

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Cor. 1:10-12: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Questions to Consider

1. What appears to be the problem described in the above passage? What would be its modern equivalent?

2. What is so sad and tragic about this problem?

3. What realization is necessary in order to keep the believers with a strong conviction from beating each other up?

Notes

1. The Christians who favored or followed different Bible teachers became divisive probably because they insisted that their teacher was more biblical and spiritual than others. This would be equivalent to Calvinists and Arminians arguing over who is more faithful to the Scripture.

2. The believers, while arguing over matters relating to the Bible and God, end up losing their Christian testimony before the world. It shows that the Christians are no different than the feuding politicians and contentious businessmen.

3. They have to realize that Christ cannot be divided, that no human teacher can be placed above Him. Sometimes, the best policy is to agree to disagree, and leave it at that. As long as we agree on the essentials of our faith, we have reason to maintain the Christian unity in Christ.

Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this day, think about those situations that are slowly dividing your family and/or church: Are you part of the problem or solution? Please spend some time in prayer to ask God what to do. If you are the one causing the division, repent and ask for forgiveness; if not, then, ask God for boldness to address the divisive individual. Remember what Christ said: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity” (Jn. 17:22-3).

January 23, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King, a friend of AMI, was first posted on March 23, 2015. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Why Am I Always Repeating the Same Mistake?”

1 Samuel 26:17-25

Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18 And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? 19 Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.” 21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Do these verses sound familiar? Well, if you’ve been following along with us in our study of

King Saul, then they should. This is not Saul’s first time pursuing David only to come to his senses and relent. In an almost verbatim repetition of what we just read, Saul acknowledged his wrong and repented.

Yet with all the emotional language of apology and remorse, here again we find Saul doing the same thing, in the same place, offering the same apology for the exact same behavior. Saul is the definition of a repeat offender. But before we condemn him for his knuckle-headed behavior, let’s think of all the times we ourselves were repeat offenders. How many times have you fallen victim to the exact same sins? To whom have you offered apologies so many times that you now sound like a broken record?

I’m sure we can all empathize with King Saul in this way. Even with all our greatest efforts and with God’s grace to make the truth clear to us, we are prone to wander from the truth and fall back into our old patterns of sin. In the Hillsong song “All for Love” the songstress asks of the Lord, “How many times have I broken your heart?” If we were to stop for a moment and think about the times we’ve returned to the sin from which Jesus died to free us and the broken heart of God as a result, it may be too much to bear. But the song quickly follows this pondering with the powerful truth, “But You still forgive me if only I ask.”

And that is true for us today. We, like Saul, are repeat offenders. But our heavenly Father is faithful even in our persistent struggles. May this truth empower and compel us toward a different course of action and lead us back to the arms of our loving Father whose grace is still sufficient for us.

Prayer: Gracious Father, I am sorry for the times I’ve wandered away from Your truth and returned to my life of sin. Please forgive me and help me to take hold of the freedom from sin that I now have in Christ. Thank You for Your covenantal love that is everlasting, for Your mercy that is new every morning, and for Your grace that is sufficient even in my weaknesses.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 26

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

What does it mean to “hold fast to our confession”?
In what ways does verse 15 comfort you in light of your struggle against temptation and sin?
What keeps you from confidently approaching the throne of God? Why is it so important that you overcome those things and go to Jesus in your times of need?

Notes

The writer of Hebrews encourages us not to waver in our faith, but to stand firm in what we claim to believe. We do this in response to and because of the faithfulness of Christ to us (as our High Priest). And bound up in our faith is not merely belief (cognitive ascent) but faithfulness to what we believe (the actions that follow).
Jesus understands our struggles. It’s always more comforting to come to someone who understands what we are facing. Not that he excuses our sin (obviously that’s not the case), but he does understand experientially the temptations we face.
Most people are kept from God, especially in situations of sin, for one of two reasons. First, they feel too guilty to come to Him (sin has become bigger than the cross). Second, they have misappropriated grace so much so that they don’t even bother to repent anymore (the weight of sin and what the cross actually overcame has been lost). No matter what, we have to come to Jesus because He is the only one from whom we can receive the mercy and grace we so desperately need.

Evening Reflection

What are the areas in your life where you struggle with being a “repeat offender”? What are those sins and habits that you struggle to overcome? Spend some time surrendering these areas to God. Repent of the sin in your heart (be specific) and ask for the power of the finished work of Christ to help you to overcome. Consider seeking accountability and being proactive with the Holy Spirit in receiving help in your areas of need. Above all, remember our High Priest, Jesus, who has already walked the path we must walk and made a way for us to live in victory over sin.

January 22, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on May 24, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Tolstoy’s Tragic End Says About Life”

Mark 8:36

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

The story of greedy Pohom in one of Tolstoy’s novels, who died of exhaustion from trying to get just a little more land, reminds us of the parable of the rich fool (Lk. 12:15-21). Perhaps Tolstoy was inspired by it since in “his middle years, after many painful struggles . . ., accepted the Jesus Christ of the Gospels” (R. Niebuhr 1951:57).

In the parable, Jesus says: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And he told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21).

So how much land (or big of a barn) does a man need? Apparently, Tolstoy himself seemed to have struggled with this for a long time. Before he became a Christian, Tolstoy described in a candid work entitled Confession (1882) “his growing spiritual turmoil, castigating himself and his class for leading a selfish, empty existence, and started his long quest for moral and social certitudes.” He found them in two principles of the Christian Gospels: love for all human beings and nonresistance to the forces of evil.

However, at the age of 82, increasingly tormented by the disparity between his teachings and his personal wealth, and by endless quarrels with his wife, who resisted his attempts to renounce their material possessions, Tolstoy left his home one night. He fell ill three days later, and died at a remote railroad station.

Here are two practical reminders for us so that we don’t end up like Pohom or Tolstoy. First, remember that one key to a successful Christian life may hinge on whom we marry (that is, if you decide to marry): Find someone who is not greedy: “Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife” (Prov. 21:19).

Second, it is crucial to develop a habit of giving up a portion of our wealth, that is, long before we reach the peak of our earning potential—even though it creates some discomfort when we do so. All studies bear out the fact that the richer we become, the proportion of our giving to the risen income goes down.

Don’t b a fool by hoarding things on earth that you cannot take with you after you die (1 Tim. 6:7). When you are generous toward God, you will truly become content.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for blessing me with all that I need. Help me not to become attached to my possessions, but open my eyes to the needs around me so that I may share my blessings with others. May I truly find contentment in You alone. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 25

January 21, Saturday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on March 28, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Integrity”

Job 27:1-5

“And Job again took up his discourse, and said: “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit. Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.”

I recently introduced the habit of journaling to my class, and they were asked to spend the beginning of the period writing about whatever came to mind. A cheeky little sixth grader promptly raised her hand and asked if I was going to read her journal; it was clear that my answer would determine how pithy her entry would be. In my eagerness to have them experience true, unfiltered journaling, I announced that if they didn’t want me to read this entry, the students could write a “p” for “private” on the corner of the page and circle it. Many of them approved this proposal and started writing away.

I’m not sure how resolutely I intended to keep this promise as it left my lips, but as soon as class was dismissed and the journals were neatly stacked on my desk, there was nothing more tempting to me in that moment than to read the very pages I pledged to not read. So after a brief, hardly identifiable struggle against my better judgment, I gingerly paged through each entry marked with a circled “p” and read them all.

If I were to be completely honest with myself, I’d have to sadly admit that demonstrating integrity matters more to me when I’m around people than when I’m alone. It’s more motivating to do the right thing when it visibly strengthens my reputation and when acting otherwise might result in being judged or disappointing someone. But when no one is around, my truest self is revealed — the self that often resembles nothing like the self that presents herself at family group or at Sunday service. The self that, on a recent visit to New York, stopped by a hotel to use the restroom and then decided to sneak herself into the complimentary breakfast area and indulged in an English muffin. And some scrambled eggs. And some bacon. All while sitting at a table as a perceived patron, doing my morning devotions – not bothered enough by the irony of my actions to leave before helping myself to another scoop of eggs.

My pastor or friends or family group members may never know about these private moments of defeat (well, I guess they might now), but they don’t just vanish away. Each of those little decisions does its part in paving a path that is wide; the further I proceed, the more unrecognizable my sins will become to my hardening heart. Instead of leading a double life, I am called to live for an audience of One, who will give me the strength to overcome temptation so that I don’t live this life in vain. Let’s fight for a soft heart today, pressing on to live our private moments with integrity so that we can hear His gentle voice not just in theory, but powerfully in our daily lives.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am devoid of integrity. Put the fear of God in me so that I take the matter of integrity with an utmost seriousness. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 23-24

January 20, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 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 Thought for This Morning

“Curry Is Just a Man!”

Acts 14:8-15

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

In the past few years, Stephen Curry has become a household name. Analysts, coaches, fellow players, and fans are gradually coming into agreement that he is the greatest shooter in the history of basketball. Winning an NBA championship, being crowned MVP, holding all sorts of all-time records— these are just testaments to the beauty of his game, the likes of which the world has never before seen. But perhaps the most admirable thing about Mr. Curry is his constant effort to point glory towards God, both on and off the court. In nearly every way that an athlete possibly can in public, Stephen points attention to God.

Barnabas and Paul, even with their impressive resume of teachings and miracles, said it well: “We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news….” So averse to self-glory that they tore their clothes at the news that men had begun worshipping them. Instead, they urged the people of Lystra to turn their praise towards the living God.

It’s incredible to see heroes who willingly step down from their pedestal and point the glory to another. These people touch us in a way that transcendent heroes never can. While there are plenty of talented and impressive people in the world, there is something paradoxical and yet beautiful about a humble hero that draws us in. Jesus Christ sits at the center of this beautiful paradox. He Himself could have said those very same words: “I also am a man, of like nature with you, and I bring you good news….” Take a minute today and reflect on the incredible humility of our King. How can we imitate the humility of Christ in our lives?

Prayer: Jesus, there is no one like You. Thank You for being our humble King, stepping down from Your pedestal, and becoming a man. Help us to understand this mindset that You had, so that we might imitate You. Thank You for the Christ-like examples that we have: pastors, teachers, athletes, and also friends. Strengthen Your people to continue living in Your grace. In Your name I pray, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 22

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, 16: But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Questions to Consider

In this passage, what is Paul’s rebuke towards the church in Corinth?
After explaining that both he and Apollos are just servants, how does Paul redefine the Corinthian church?
What does it mean that we are God’s temple?

Notes

Paul rebukes the Corinthian church because of jealousy and strife, which was causing division in the church. This division was because some people were fans of Paul’s teachings, while others were fans of Apollos’ teachings. Paul chastises them for bringing division in the church over such matters.
Paul says that the church is God’s field, God’s building, and God’s temple.
Many people misuse this verse to say something like, “You shouldn’t smoke cigarettes” or, “You should eat healthier because you are God’s temple.” But this is not the correct interpretation according to the context. Being God’s temple is a corporate call for unity within the church. Paul is urging churches to protect the unity of God’s dwelling place. Destroying God’s temple, in this case, has nothing to do with cigarettes, eating fried food, or getting tattoos. Destroying God’s temple happens when we cause division in the church.

Evening Reflection

In today’s Bible study, we talked about the importance of unity in the church. Spend some time and pray for the unity of your church community.

January 19, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on May 16, 2016. A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Will Do You When They Call You Names?”

Acts 22:21-22

“And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

When I was much younger, I used to get very upset when people would not believe me about something I knew was true. I recall a time I was playing a board game with my family, and they thought I cheated because they refused to believe I could have made this one particular move. But I did not cheat! Being young, I threw a temper tantrum and stormed to my room in righteous indignation.

In this passage in Acts, Paul is in a similar but much more severe circumstance. He explained his calling from God, but the Jews absolutely did not believe that he was really called to be a minister to the Gentiles, for this did not fit in with the “truth” about God that the Jews believed. They were so against what Paul said that they even called for his death! Paul, though, did not storm away in a temper tantrum; rather, he endured the indictments and endured the resultant flogging.

In our Christian lives, there will be many times when the world will question our faith, our convictions, our pursuits; we may be called ridiculous or senseless or deluded. How will we react? Will we storm away from the world in anger, or will we turn back with love, knowing that Christ endured an even greater hardship? Will we be patient, trusting that God is in control?

We are called to be witnesses; we are called to be image-bearers of Christ. Though this is not an easy calling, we know that we have the power of God on our side. Let’s not turn from the world in anger or fear, but rather embrace the suffering and embrace this world in love.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have overcome the world. As You have overcome, give us the strength to overcome. Though hardship and persecution may come, may our love and patience simply grow in the face of adversity. This is only possible by Your strength, so come once again and empower us for Your ways. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:11-12: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Questions to Consider

Is there a contradiction in being considered “blessed” while being persecuted?
What do you think persecution looks like in our culture?
What should our reaction to persecution be?

Notes

I don’t think many people would post #blessed while suffering. Yet this passage tells us that there is blessing in being persecuted. We are blessed because persecution is the best means of preparing us for the reality that we have a better home (see Hebrews 11).
This passage speaks of reviling and uttering evil against us. Those are likely the most common forms of persecution we may face in our culture, since, God-willing, we will not likely endure any physical suffering in our culture. Still, persecution is a reality in our day and we need to be prepared, or else we may be overcome or turn bitterly away from the world.
As crazy as it sounds, this passage tells us to “rejoice and be glad” while suffering in persecution. We rejoice because we are blessed. So how can we best endure suffering? We worship and praise our great God who has overcome the world!

Evening Reflection

Reflect back on today. Did you encounter any antagonism towards your faith or any opposition to your convictions, whether minor or major? How did you react? Take some time to thank God that He is the only One who can give us strength to overcome.

January 18, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 27, 2016. Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Who is Your Biggest Encourager in Your Faith?

Acts 20:1-3a

When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. ²He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, ³where he stayed three months.

An uproar had just been quieted by a reasonable city clerk in Ephesus. This uproar had been caused by a crowd opposing the ministry of the gospel. Wherever Paul and his companions traveled, opposition and persecution often pursued. Yet what is amazing is that though Paul faced discouraging situations and circumstances, he pressed forward, even while encouraging the younger believers to remain faithful to the Lord.

We will consider where Paul received the constant drive to keep going later during the Lunch Break study. But for now, let us consider how encouragement helps us to remain faithful to the Lord and His ministry. Personally, some of the most meaningful encouragements have often come from testimonies of brothers and sisters in our church. Recently, as I was listening to testimonies of spiritual growth and transformation that each person had experienced through God’s grace at our church, I was overwhelmed with encouragement of how God was at work in each person’s life— I realized how oblivious I had been to God’s work right under my nose.

At home, we placed a growth chart on the wall of our children’s bedroom. Each new season, we measure our children’s height. Most of the days, we are oblivious and unaware that our children are growing, but with each new measurement, we are always amazed at just how much they have grown in just a short time.

In the same way, I may not be always aware that spiritual growth and transformation are taking place right within our church family. But when I pause to hear a testimony, I am amazed at God’s work of growth and transformation, and that encourages me tremendously in the midst of trying and difficult challenges.

In your life, how do you receive encouragement from others as you serve in God’s Kingdom? It’s important that we be challenged, taught, and corrected, but at the same time, how are you being encouraged in your faith today? How are you encouraging others in their faith?

Prayer: Lord, in my own weakness, I confess that I need encouragement from You and from others in the body of Christ. I ask also that I may be empowered by Your Spirit to bring encouragement to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil 1:3-6 (NIV): I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

Why does Paul pray with joy as he prays for the Philippian church?
What is the basis of Paul’s confidence that God’s work will be completed in the lives of the Philippian church members?

Notes

Paul’s joy resulted in his partnership with the Philippian church in the work of the gospel. One way in which they partnered with Paul was in giving financially (2 Cor. 8:3) even out of their poverty.
Paul was confident that God who initiated His good work would sovereignly and faithfully complete His work in the lives of the Philippians.

Evening Reflection

As you reflect back on today’s conversations with others, were you able to bring an encouragement to someone? As you look forward to tomorrow’s schedule, is there someone that you might be able to encourage?

January 17, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 5, 2016.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Don’t Leave Home Without It Him”

Acts 1:4-5

In one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵For John baptized withwater, but in a few days you will be baptized withthe Holy Spirit.”

Once, a theology professor and former academic dean of a Reformed seminary, who used attend my church, said to me, “There is no spiritual power in the seminaries.” So, there might be some truth to people jokingly mispronouncing “seminary” as “cemetery.” But behind the humor lies good reason: first, since the Bible is treated as a textbook to be studied in dry academic fashion, it begins to lose its luster as a sacred book “sent” from above; second, seminarians “forget” to pray while juggling a demanding course load, church responsibility and perhaps even a part-time job; third, some seminaries are so hell-bent on imposing their particular brand of systematic theology, that those students who believe it begin to disdain others who don’t. That’s being carnal, not spiritual (1 Cor. 3:1-4).

But what’s really missing is the Holy Spirit. As Luke writes, the disciples, who recently graduated from “Jesus Seminary”, were told to attain one more set of tools, spiritual gifts, from the Tool Giver, a.k.a., the Holy Spirit, who “distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Cor. 12:11). But many seminaries and churches alike do not really like to talk about the Holy Spirit, and even less so spiritual gifts. Perhaps, these matters aren’t all that appealing to their pragmatic and rational mindset. But that is precisely what Jesus told his seminary graduates to attain before they venture out of Jerusalem, ostensibly to do God’s work.

I am an AMI Teaching Pastor and I’m very grateful to Pastor Keith, who called me one day in Mexico (2006) to invite me to AMI, saying, “I know you have a teaching gift that you’ve developed; so join us and be our teacher.” I hope and pray that you will have someone who recognizes and appreciates your gifts, so much so that they might even ask you to serve a certain ministerial role in the church. But, while I am happy to teach, I always pray first, at length, asking the Lord, among other things, to fill me with the Holy Spirit. To leave Him out would eventually leave me as spiritually dead as a cemetery. Stealing a line from an old American Express ad, “Don’t leave home without [Him].”

Prayer: Lord, my head is full of facts, data and information, yet I am utterly powerless without the Holy Spirit. Please fill me with the Spirit so that I am empowered to say YES to your will and NO to temptations. In 2023 may I be filled with the Holy Spirit daily. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 19:13-6: Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Mark 9:17-8, 28-9: A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not”. . . . 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Question to Consider

1. What ties the sons of Sceva and the disciples together?

2. What were the problems that led to their powerlessness?

3. We are still in the first week of the New Year. Perhaps you’re tired of powerless Christian life: always giving into even the slightest temptation. Devise a plan to turn that around. What could be your first step?

Notes

Both tried to do something good—setting free demonized people—but they failed because they didn’t have what it took: the power of God.
The sons of Sceva obviously underestimated what or whom they were dealing with.With respect to the disciples, Jesus’ answer to their inquiry—“Why couldn’t we”—indicate that prayerlessness is tantamount to powerlessness.
Get your prayer life going: daily, substantial in length and alone with God (And don’t post this on your FB; for many it could even be a motive for doing spiritual things). There is no substitute: “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Evening Reflection

Haven’t we heard enough sermons on prayer? Do you pray consistently, every day? If that’s too much, then even every other day, but meaningfully? See it this way: the Spirit will lie dormant in your life unless you pray for his involvement. There are many exceptions (where the Holy Spirit does his “thing” independent of what we do or don’t do), but otherwise it should be the normative way to look at the relationship between prayer and the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life. So pray.

January 16, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on April 25, 2016. Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Mentality of Scarcity”

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed bethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessingin the heavenly places.

A renowned scholar Walter Brueggemann suggests that so much of our societal ills that continue to plague our culture are caused by embracing a mentality of scarcity. In other words, we always feel as though we never have enough. As a result, our lives are characterized by constant dissatisfaction and frustration, which inevitably leads to a perpetual need to buy the next best thing or to find a more fulfilling relationship in an effort to feel full and satisfied. However, the sad fact is that no matter how many promotions we receive or how much money we make, it still feels like it’s not enough. It is no surprise that so many people in our culture constantly struggle with a profound sense of emptiness.

As Christians, we are not immune to this. Countless believers wrestle with the same issues as they compare their lives to those around them. At the root of this problem is that we so easily forget the amazing truth of Scripture. In Ephesians 1:3, the Apostle Paul reminds us that at the point of conversion, we have received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. In other words, all that we could ever want is ours in Christ Jesus and have now become people of abundance rather than scarcity. This is true of us no matter what our circumstances might indicate, because the blessings of heaven have been eternally secured by the work of Christ in the gospel! In those moments of emptiness, I want to encourage you to look to the word of God and remind yourself that you have more than enough— in Christ you have received more than you deserve and have been filled to the brim by the grace of God!

Prayer: Father, forgive me once again for my greed and lack of dependence on You. Remind me constantly that Christ is all sufficient in my life. Thanks for having given me all that I possess, including health and relationships. Motivate me to share what I have with those in need. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 18

Lunch Break Study (P. Ryun)

Read Ecclesiastes 6:10: Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Luke 18:9: To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else . . .

1 Tim. 6:10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. . . .

1 Tim. 6:17: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Questions to Consider

1. According to King Solomon and the Apostle Paul, respectively, what should we look out for when we seek to be financially secure?

2. What are some factors that might make us feel as though we do not have enough money even though we have plenty in the bank?

3. What should we do instead with respect to wealth? How are you managing your wealth?

Notes

1. Solomon warns that no amount of money will lead to the feeling of having enough—he ought to know since he was the richest man in Israel. Paul warns that loving money will lead to all kinds of conflicts that lead to much headache.

2. Two factors: first, humans always compare, and as a result, they inevitably find someone who has more money than they which leads to dissatisfaction; second, since we realize that wealth is not certain, we try to amass as much as possible for rainy days.

3. We are told not to put our trust in wealth, which means two things: first, engage in activities other than making money (like helping people); two, be generous with your money.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on Paul’s philosophy on possessions: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Tim. 6:7). Now reflect on Agur’s thought on wealth: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Prov. 30:8b-9).

In light of that, what is your philosophy on wealth? Do you need to make any adjustments?

January 15, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 21, 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.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Amazon Prime and King David”

Psalm 131:1-3

A Song of Ascents. Of David. O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

Amazon Prime has been among the greatest technological advances of the 21st century. It’s amazing to be able to go online, look for something you want, buy it—and it shows up at your door in two days. We don’t even need to leave our houses. But have you ever bought something on Amazon Prime, and it didn’t get to you in time? It’s happened to me before. I bought a shiny new book, and instead of the expected two days, it took a FULL THREE DAYS to get to me. Oh, the outrage that I felt at this injustice!

We live in such a fast-paced, I-want-it-and-I-want-it-NOW kind of culture that we hate it when we’re made to wait for anything. Whether it’s waiting for a package to be delivered, waiting in line at the grocery store, or waiting for the traffic light to turn green—we don’t like waiting and the uncertainty it brings us. It’s not even just the small, mundane things that make us feel impatient. No one likes the uncertainty that life brings: waiting to find out where we’ll go to college, who we’ll marry, where we should live, what job we should take next, etc.

If David in Psalm 131 were to meet most of us, he would say that we are like “unweaned” children. To wean a child means to gradually move him or her off the breast milk or off the bottle onto solid food. The picture that David gives, though, is more than about food. The weaned child is calm and quiet because he knows that his next meal is coming to him. He’s content because he trusts in his mother or father to take care of him. On the other hand, unweaned children are fussy and demanding; they kick and scream and cry, because they’re hungry and they want food now.

As David has learned to be like a weaned child, he encourages us to do the same. He is able to be patient and say, “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me,” because he trusts in his Heavenly Father to take care of him. We might not understand why or how or what is going on. We might not even know what life brings in the near or distant future. But we can be like a weaned child and be at peace as we trust in our loving Father. As we worship on this Lord’s day, let us strive for this heart of patience and contentment, trusting that our Father will take care of us.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I will truly worship You and trust You this day. I know I will not know or understand all that’s going on or all that is to come, but I pray that I will be content to know that you love me and will take care of me all of my days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 17