REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 13, 2016.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Good Fish Story”

John 22:3-7a

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 

“Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” – Jesus Christ

Some years ago, a group of men from church dedicated an entire Saturday fishing for…fish. More than 20 men put on their lucky shirt, lucky hat, lucky whatever, and rented out a good-sized boat with all of the proper equipment, along with a professional crew cast off from the shores of Newport Beach. Given that the entirety of the catch would belong to the church family, we anticipated a delicious seafood dinner that evening upon our return. After spending hours and hours deep sea fishing, we returned with a handful of mackerels (fish you can catch on a pier any time). That was a sad day for the men. 

We really could have used Jesus that afternoon showing up and telling us to cast our reels on the other side, and then find ourselves fighting to reel in yellowtail tunas. Wouldn’t that have been nice?

Of course, this story in John 21 is more than just a fishing story. It’s a reminder to the disciples that from the very beginning, they were called to be fishers of men. But it was also a reminder that their fishing excursion could only be successful with Jesus and never without Him.  

I’m not sure how often you actually name and pray for someone who is unchurched or dechurched, but at Kairos, we’re on a great prayer experiment. We are committing a few moments before our staff meetings, ministry leaders’ meetings, small groups, etc., to name and pray for people who are disconnected from our Lord. (It’s not as easy as you might think since it’s a totally new practice.) We figure at least two things will happen as we embark on this new habit of prayer. One, God will answer our prayer and bring salvation to those we are praying for. Two, God will cultivate our church’s heart to care more genuinely for the unsaved. 

“Catching fish” has not been easy for us in the past. Of course there were some each year, and we praise the Lord for even one. But John 21 paints a picture that when we fish WITH Jesus, miraculous catches are nearby. We have spent lots of time training for evangelism, reading about evangelism, learning apologetics to answer the skeptics, and devising strategies: ALL good things. But we figured that it might just be easier if we fished with Jesus. And perhaps the reason we haven’t seen many saved is simply because we haven’t actually asked God to save them. So now we are praying—praying more often than ever before for the unchurched and unsaved.  

Prayer: Dear God, this morning I pray for __________________ (name an unsaved person(s) whom you can potentially have spiritual conversations with). I pray that You would open up his/her heart to You. Grant to me the courage to share about You and Your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 28

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Eph. 6:18-20: 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. 19 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.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the main topic of these three verses? 
2. What are the things that Paul is directing the Ephesian believers to pray for? 
3. How can you apply these words in your own life?  

Notes

1. Paul repeatedly uses the word “prayer” in these closing sentences of Ephesians. Clearly, Paul understood the role of prayer in preaching the gospel. 
2. Paul directs the church to pray on all occasions for all of God’s people. He particularly asks for prayer on his behalf to fearlessly preach the gospel. It’s difficult to imagine that the great Apostle Paul struggled with fear, but for many of us who fear preaching Christ, the victory comes through prayer.
3. Perhaps you can pray for your pastors.

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Evening Reflection

Who are some people that God has placed in your life so that you are better positioned to engage in a spiritual conversation? Spend some time praying for him/her and asking for boldness to share the gospel.  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 25, 2015

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Imminent Return of Christ”

Lk. 21:27-31 (NIV) 

“‘At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ [29] He told them this parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees. [30] When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. [31] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’”

Some say that Jesus was wrong since he didn’t return in the first century even though “all these things” happened during “this generation.” This misunderstanding stems from what constitutes “the end of age,” which, according to end times Bible prophesy, likely began with the restoration of Israel in 1948.  However, Peter, quoting Joel, proclaimed that the “last days” were inaugurated when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost: “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people’” (Acts 2:17). 

So, we’ve been living in the end of age since the first century.  And Jesus certainly didn’t expect to return around then. Do you honestly believe that Jesus who said in the same discourse (Matt. 24), “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,” expected that to happen within the lifetime of his listeners?  He even added, “These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away” (Lk. 21:9). 

A largely forgotten doctrine called the “imminent return of Christ” postulates that Jesus can return at any time.  But once end-times prophecy became popular, it was believed that Jesus wouldn’t return until certain events took place beforehand.  However, the fig tree sprouting its leaves (vv.29-30), an annual event, doesn’t refer to specific events that will happen during a specific period; rather, it points to wars and natural disasters that are always happening in every generation.  And “these things” are to remind the people of every generation that Christ’s return is imminent; so be ready for it. One of these days, the last of these wars and disasters will precede Christ’s coming, but we aren’t to accentuate that; instead, we “ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of [the Lord]” (2 Pet. 3:12).  

A few years after Buster Douglass knocked out Mike Tyson, his weight ballooned to 400 pounds.  It isn’t uncommon for professional athletes to experience substantial weight gain during the off-season or after retiring.  But for us, there is no off-season or retiring because “by standing firm you will gain life” (Lk. 21:19). 

Prayer: God, help me to hear the internal clock in my heart that tells me what time this should be in my life. While I may need to take care of many earthly things at the moment, remind me that “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), which tells me that I need to always share the good news.  Help me, Lord.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 27

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Chron. 12:32 (ESV): “Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.”

1 Sam 11:1-4 (NIV): “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. [2] One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, [3] and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ [4] Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.”

Hag. 1:4 (ESV): “‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?’[5] Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways. [6] You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.’”

Question to Consider

1. What do you think 1 Chronicles 12:32 (“understanding of the times”) means? 

2. Do you think David and the Israelites who received the letter from Haggai had the understanding of their times?  What went wrong for them?

3. Looking at the “fig tree” in your life, what time is it for you?  (You may consult the list in Eccles. 3:1-8.)

Notes

1. Understanding of the times is always connected to something that ought to be done at that moment. While the Chronicler doesn’t provide more details, it appears that this involved some type of military campaign in which timing was everything.  Folks, “seize the moment” (carpe diem)!

2. In the spring, kings would go off to wars; David didn’t.  Instead, he was where he wasn’t supposed to be and this led to his great demise.  Likewise, for the people to whom Haggai wrote, it was their time to rebuild the Lord’s temple, but they were too busy enlarging their own homes. This sort of thing doesn’t go unnoticed by God who is displeased when He is not our top priority.

3. While my wife and I foresee returning to the mission field in the future, for now, we see ourselves being faithful to the AMI ministry, as well as praying for opportunities to serve the Hispanics in America.  God has already opened one door this year, in Fresno, California.  ¡Gloria a Dios! 

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Evening Reflection

A mom asked her young son why he threw the clock out the window.  His answer: “Since you always say, ‘Time flies,’ I wanted to see it for myself.”  As we get older, we can see that time flies very quickly.  How did you spend your time today?  It’s not too late to make this day count: spend this moment talking to the infinite and personal God of this universe who loves you very much. 

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 11, 2016.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“Why Would We Need to Experience the Comforter if Our Lives Are Already Comfortable”? 

John 21:21-23

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

“Why would we need to experience the Comforter if our lives are already comfortable?” That’s the question Francis Chan raised in his The Forgotten God.

If you google, “What is San Diego known for?” to no one’s surprise, the search results point you towards beaches, nice weather, breweries, Mexican food, the world famous SD Zoo, and much more. You have all the makings for a nice weekend to relax and to unwind from all of the rigors of life. It’s no wonder that San Diego hosts more than 30 million visitors each year and is a top US travel destination. In my years of ministry in San Diego, I’ve come to understand that many have come seeking “comfort” that they believe can be found in our city.  (Would you believe that even the drivers in SD drive at a nice comfortable pace? You hardly hear any honking in this city.) 

Today, many of us are tempted to seek a more “balanced, relaxed, and comfortable” Christian life—one that does not infringe upon my weekday schedule, career, family, weekends, vacation time, valuables, goals, hobbies, etc. But, as long as we keep Christ at the fringes, we arrive at a place where our faith is totally impotent. 

The word of God calls us to a mission of saving souls and transforming lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, the greatest power this world can know. While this mission is the most difficult and challenging endeavor in life, we are never alone. 

In the moment of crisis for the disciples, they were comforted by their resurrected Lord. Jesus appeared and immediately peace filled the room. The disciples did not retreat to the shores of Galilee; they did not seek comfort in foods and drinks; nor did they try to become more religious. They simply received the Holy Spirit, the great Comforter, as Jesus breathed upon them and had promised this earlier in John 14. If our goal is comfort, it is very likely that we will end up with utterly ineffective faith. However, if our aim is for God’s Kingdom, even in spite of all of the discomforts and sacrifices, we will be greatly comforted by the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer: Dear God, if I’m being honest, engaging in the works of Your Kingdom is never easy. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I would be filled with peace and comforted as I struggle through new challenges. Help me to make sacrifices and take up the cross daily and follow after You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 26

Lunch Break Study  

Read Matt 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Questions to Consider

1. By talking about two types of gates, what is Jesus’ challenge to His listeners? 
2. What is the inevitable result of choosing the wider gate and the broader road? 
3. How does this teaching shape your idea of a more biblical Christianity?  

Notes

1. Jesus makes it clear that there are two ways in life—and two ways only—that are set before all people; thus, it is important that the right choice be made.
2. Jesus is picturing a scene where the broad road leading to a splendid gate is obvious and easy to be seen, whereas the path that brings the traveler to the unpretentious gate is inconspicuous and is perceived only by those who look for it carefully. But the commodious road leads to destruction, a fact that its popularity does nothing to alter. 
3. Presenting a rosy picture of the Christian life and minimizing that it is filled with trouble does not follow the lead of our Lord. 

*From Logos commentaries

Evening Reflection

Spend some time actually thanking God for your hardships that have served as a pathway for God’s Spirit to work in and through your life. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on September 12, 2016.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Devotional Thought for this Morning

John 14:1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you,  I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

On a recent visit home, I came out of my room one afternoon to hear my mom in conversation with someone at the door.  Overhearing the person give my mother the name and address of a church, I thought perhaps it was an over-zealous evangelist and wondered how they had gotten to this point in the conversation.  Perhaps my mother, shy and language ability still limited, hadn’t been able to convey that she was a believer and already had a church she regularly attended?  Mild concern brought me to the door to find out what was going on when my mother turned to me with a sad, surprised look on her face and said, “C—- passed away.”  C—- was our good neighbor of over 20 years, and the person at the door was a relative delivering the news of her prior week’s passing, giving my mother the address of the church where the funeral services would be held.  

The thought crossed my mind that my aged parents might be deeply affected by the news, but it passed when they seemed to be OK, going about the tasks of daily life without seeming particularly wanting to talk about it.  So I also let my mind focus on other things, the agendas of my trip back, and the two weeks flew by.  After a busy last few days, in a quiet moment at the airport while waiting to board my flight, an offhand comment my mother had made came to mind, and I suddenly realized that it had all affected them much more than I had thought.  By then, however, I’d already lost the chance to comfort them in person.

Jesus, at the moment He was facing the most difficult test of His life, was also able to care about how His disciples were feeling, and He took time out to comfort them.  He tells them, “Don’t worry or be anxious,” and “I will come back for you.”  What a personal picture of the God of all comfort.  How can we avoid being too busy to comfort someone today?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive me, I can be so self-centered at times.  Help me to pay a little more attention to others today.  Remind me of anyone needing comfort that I may have been overlooking.  Thank you for showing me the way.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 25

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Lunch Break Study 

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Questions to Consider

1. How are we able to comfort those going through a hard time (v. 4)?

2. What do the phrases “all comfort,” “in all our affliction,” and “in any affliction” suggest about the comprehensiveness of God’s comfort?

3. Is there any current area of your life or past experience for which you feel you haven’t been able to receive God’s comfort?  In light of today’s passage, what can you do?

Notes

1. When we ourselves are able to receive comfort from God when we go through hard times.

2. His comfort is available to us for any and every circumstance.

3.  Comfort comes when we can see a situation in the light of God’s truth, but hurts, pride, lies of the enemy, etc. can blind and keep us in darkness.  Ask God to remove all obstacles keeping you from receiving His comfort, which is surely available to you today.

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Evening Reflection

Did I see or think of anyone in need of comfort today?  Take a moment to pray that they would truly be able to receive (by being able to see in the light of His truth) God’s comfort that is available to them in any situation they may be in.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 8, 2015

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Story Within a Story”

LK. 10:29, 36-7 (NIV):  

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” . . . . [36] “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” [37] The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Many parables fall in the category of “story within a story” –one story is told during the action of another story.  While the parable of the Good Samaritan tells the importance of loving our neighbors—

regardless of whether we like them or not—the intention of Christ is to use this parable to address a more pressing matter. 

It all begins with an expert in the law who is unsure about whether he has eternal life.  Having grown up under the Mosaic Law, which stipulated that “the man who does these things will live” eternally (Rom. 10:5), something wasn’t quite right and he wondered:  “How come I lack assurance of eternal life despite having kept all the laws of God?”  Jesus goes immediately to the root of his problem and asks, “What is written in the Law?” (Lk. 10:26).  That is too easy of a question for the lawyer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . and love your neighbors as yourself” (27).   If he felt validated upon hearing Jesus say, “You have answered correctly” (28a), it doesn’t last long because the Lord quickly adds, “Do this and you will live.”  The lawyer is no dummy; he knows what that implies: Contrary to his own self-assessment, he has failed to love his neighbors.  Disagreeing with this and somewhat offended by Jesus, the lawyer defends himself by asking, “And who is my neighbor?”

The parable demonstrates that while Samaritans are willing to help a Jew in need, the Jews, including this lawyer, will never do that for Samaritans whom they despise as unholy.  When Jesus asks, “Which of these three . . . was a neighbor to the man who fell in the hands of the robber?” and the lawyer’s responds, “The one who had mercy on him” (i.e., the Samaritan), that is a self-admission of guilt: If being a neighbor means having mercy on anyone who is in need of it—regardless of whether he belongs to my tribe or not, then I haven’t kept all of God’s laws because I have not loved the Samaritans. 

At no point does Jesus actually give him the gospel.  When Jesus says, “Do this and you will live” (28), He  shows that that path never works because “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10).  Since the lawyer has broken at least one law, which makes him a sinner, the reason why he cannot have assurance of eternal life is because “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).  

Now that“through the law [the lawyer has] become conscious of sin” (3:20), he is ready to hear and then respond to the gospel: Jesus Christ, who “bore our sins” (1 Pet. 2:24), “died for all” (Rom. 5:15),

and . . . by believing you may have life in his name” (Jn. 20:31).  If you haven’t made that decision, believe the gospel today; if you already have, then have mercy on someone of other tribe today. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving myself from the pit of hell.  It is all grace, pure and simple!  Thank You, God, for your Son.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 24

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 28, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend  

“Jesus and His Earthly Family”

Luke 8:19-21

 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

I want to share two thoughts today.

One: It must not have been easy for God’s Son to leave His heavenly home in order to come “to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).  Today’s passage shows that those who did not believe him, at least at first, included his own brothers and mother (Mark 3:21).  What gives us hope is that eventually his brothers James and Judas, not only came to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but also served Him. 

Spend some time in prayer for those who are being persecuted by their own family members because of their faith in Jesus, especially in AMI churches in E. Asia. 

Two: Was experiencing the miraculous conception enough for Mary to put her trust in her son, the Savior Jesus Christ?  No, for it takes the work of the Holy Spirit to regenerate a dead spirit to come to life (Eph. 2:5).  Now, becoming a Christian truly is an awesome privilege but having faith in Jesus Christ does not happen by human effort (John 1:13: “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”)  Today’s passage, therefore, helps us to see the value of the covenant community, the church.  Perhaps, it is very hard for us to accept this spiritual family more so than our biological family, yet the spiritual family is where there is genuine fellowship.  Pray for AMI churches both here and abroad that their relationships with one another in the Lord would not be superficial, but genuine.

Prayer: Lord, even as I love the members of my spiritual family, help me to really love those family members who do not believe and, at times, are antagonistic towards me for believing in God. Lord, save them. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 22-23

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 19, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Makes You Bad?”

MK. 7:14-9 (NASB) 

“After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, ‘Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: [15] there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. [16] If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’ [17] When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. [18] And He said to them, ‘Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, [19] because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?’ (Thus He declared all foods clean.)”

The principal of the missionary school, which my children attended in Mexico, would walk around with a ruler to measure the lengths of skirts worn by some girls to ensure that it fell within the school regulations. In time he must have gotten tired of enforcing what was in the rulebook since he stopped doing it. Or maybe he came to see that those girls whose skirts were a bit shorter weren’t bad girls after all. 

The disciples also were deemed “bad” by the Pharisees who, after seeing that they ate “food with hands that were . . . unwashed” (Mk. 7:2), complained to Jesus: “Why don’t your disciples live according to the traditions of the elders?” (5).  That’s when Jesus told the above parable to those whom he described as “people [who] honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (6).

This parable is easy to interpret because Jesus himself interprets it:  “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, [22] deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander,  pride and foolishness.” (Mk. 7:20-2 NASB).

The idiom, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” is what is meant here.  But certainly, the cover is important. Once, I told a woman in my church’s praise team that her short skirt could hinder immature men.  It was said gingerly because I didn’t want her to feel judged as if she were a “bad” Christian, because she wasn’t.  While the cover is important, what’s inside—the heart—is more so!   

So, how is our heart?   Jesus agreed with Jeremiah who said, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” (Jer. 17:9).  Sometimes, those who take holiness seriously become disappointed, even shocked by their occasional slip-ups.   Provided that they aren’t major blunders (e.g., adultery, crime), let that remind you that apart from constantly “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:2), and being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), sinning is our default mode.   So, instead of spending too much time picking your dress for church, pray: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10).

Prayer: O God, how often I make the mistake of thinking that I am so pure and holy, especially when I compare myself to the worst examples around me.   How often I must have grieved the Spirit with my presumption of innocence.  Forgive me, O Lord, for I’ve no righteousness of mine apart from that of Christ. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 21

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Lunch Break Study

Jn. 7:24 (ESV): “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

2 Cor. 13:10 (NIV): “This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.”

Read Acts 23:2-5 (ESV): “And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. [3] Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” [4] Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” [5] And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Question to Consider

1. Some say that Christians shouldn’t judge at all (“Do not judge, or you will be judged [Matt. 7:1]). What is Jesus’ understanding on this matter?

2. What is an essential foundation for making the right judgment?

3. We all err (except Christ) when making judgments; what should we do when that happens?

Notes

1. Jesus was against self-righteous and condemnatory as well as superficial (i.e., based solely on appearance but lacking evidences) judgment of others.  He is not against making the right judgment, which is based on, among others, the factors of the matter.    

2. It has to be the motive: it is to build the erring person instead of tearing him down; instructive, not punitive.   Thus, praying for that person before and after “rightly judging” that person is crucial.  

3. Who wouldn’t be upset after being slapped in the mouth?  And Paul’s response was natural, as would be for most men.  Nevertheless, when told that he was speaking against the High Priest (which the law didn’t permit), Paul immediately apologized on account that he didn’t know who Ananias was.  When we make a mistake of misjudging people, we should immediately own up to it and say, “I am sorry.” 

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Evening Reflection

Whether we had a good or bad day, is sometimes decided by the type of interactions we had with others.   Was there a moment today when you felt like someone at home or office needed to be “judged”?  How did you handle it?  Sometimes, the best way is to wait, in prayer.  Think about God who puts up with us everyday—that’s called grace.   

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on October  20, 2016.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Christ the Magnificent”

Hebrews 1:10-14

And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

“He is the Creator and the sustainer of all things. He is the unchanging, self-existent God, and that means that He depends on nobody. He is neither helped by our faith nor hindered by our unbelief.” 
― Colin S. Smith (Pastor & Author)

In today’s passage, the author of Hebrews continues his description of Jesus Christ as the supreme Son of God. To emphasize his point, the author quotes from Psalm 102 in which the Psalmist cries out to the Lord in anguish but also celebrates God’s transcending existence.  At the end of the Psalm, the writer calls upon the Lord as the one who laid the foundation for the heavens and earth, acknowledging Him as the unchangeable Lord of all creation, and it is this description that the author of Hebrews directs to Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew writer continues by contrasting Christ and that which will pass away. The heavens and earth “will perish”; the Lord will “roll them up” like a robe, and they will be changed. Christ, on the other hand, “will remain”; for He is “the same,” and His years will “have no end.”  Theologian John Owen writes, “One thing is meant by these expressions — Christ’s eternal and absolute immutable existence…To emphasize God’s eternal nature in contrast with the world’s frailty and all of its creation, it is said that his years will never end. The world comes to an end but there is no end to Christ’s existence.”

These verses remind us that Jesus is the “same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8).  For us it means that we can be assured and be confident that his love, grace and faithfulness will always be constant and never waver despite changes in circumstances, politics, nations and even our personal lives.  As a result, we can live confidently knowing that the one constant in our lives will never change.  Let’s thank him and put our confidence in that promise.  

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you are an unchanging God.  You are indeed the same yesterday, today and forever and because of that promise, help us to put our hope in you.  Amen

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 20

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 1:3-9: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Questions to Consider

1. According to Peter, what is the reason for our hope?
2. How should we look at our trials and what is the purpose of them?
3. How can we be comforted by this passage?

Notes

1. Peter reminds the believers in this letter to look at Christ’s great mercy and the inheritance that is imperishable and will never be taken away from us.  That is the reason why we have hope.  
2. We go through trials because it shows us the genuineness of our faith (v. 7).  We can rejoice with joy because we have been saved by his great love (v. 8-9).
3. We can be assured of a living hope that will never be taken away from us as believers.  

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Evening Reflection

Take some time reflecting on the passage you read today.  What challenged you? Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you were you need to make specific applications.  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 12, 2016.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“About Mr. Thomas”

John 20:24-29

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Do you tend to be pessimistic and negative in your approach to faith or ministry? Do you label yourself a realist, but in reality you are really attempting to cloak your negativity? Do you find yourself commenting, “He’ll never change,” or “That’s just impossible to do”? If you don’t know how to guard your heart, in a life full of disappointments, you tend to end up where Thomas found himself on Resurrection Sunday.

All of the disciples were in deep sorrow and fear. It was a sad scene. John writes, “The doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews” (v. 19). But the one missing disciple was Thomas. Perhaps it was too painful for Thomas to have even been around these guys, or maybe it was the other way around; it was too painful for them to be around Thomas, as he had known to be negative person in the past (John 11). 

Thomas: “See, I told you guys this wasn’t going to end well. Now we’re all just going to die.” 

Disciples: “Just get out, Thomas!”

We don’t really know why Thomas wasn’t in the room. That doesn’t seem to be important to the writer. What’s important is what happens to Thomas a week later. For an entire week, Thomas refused to believe the testimony of the other disciples: “We have seen the Lord.”  These men who were gripped with fear were now filled with joy. Yet, Thomas refused to listen to their story. A week later, Jesus enters the room once again, and this time, He invites Thomas to touch his wounds. Thomas falls to his knees with worship and is forever changed.  

Traditions and ancient testimony tell us that later on, Thomas carried the gospel as far as India. A small hill near the airport in Chennai (Madras), India, is where Thomas is said to have been buried. Now there are churches in South India whose roots are traceable to the beginning of the church age, and tradition says they were founded under the ministry of Thomas. 

He was eventually martyred—of all things—for his FAITH. Thomas himself was run through with a spear—a fitting form of martyrdom for one whose faith erupted when he saw the spear mark in his master’s side. 

There is a God who changes the hearts of those who are negative, critical, pessimistic, and hopeless. The story of Thomas reminds us that we can bring our worst, but He transforms us to become men and women of faith. 

Prayer: Dear God, I struggle with being negative and critical when it comes to You and Your ministry. Please change my heart and fill me with hope that You will truly make all things new in my life, my community, my church. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 19

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Prov. 4:20-26: My son, pay attention to what I say;turn your ear to my words.21 Do not let them out of your sight,keep them within your heart;22 for they are life to those who find themand health to one’s whole body.23 Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;keep corrupt talk far from your lips.25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;fix your gaze directly before you.26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feetand be steadfast in all your ways.

Questions to Consider

1. How many body parts are mentioned by the author of this Proverb?
2. Meditate on verse 23. Think about the actions of your body. What do those actions reveal about the condition of your heart? 

Notes

1. An anatomy of righteousness follows, urging the son to keep the father’s words before his eyes and in his heart so they can direct the action of his mouth, lips, and feet. 
2. While the instruction seems to mix metaphors by moving from a stored treasure to a flowing spring, both insist that the heart that holds onto teaching is a source of life.

*From Logos commentaries

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Evening Reflection

Consider the words, “Stop doubting and believe.” Is there an area in your life where these words can apply? Allow the Lord to minister into that particular area of life.  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 11, 2015

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“How God Evaluates”

Lk. 16:10-13 (NIV)

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. [11] So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? [12] And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? [13] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Serving God is not only important, but it can also be quite exciting.  Let’s suppose that teaching the Bible interests you, but on what basis will your pastor give you that kind of responsibility?  Similarly, in order for a baseball player to move up the ladder to one day reach the Major League, he needs to demonstrate his ability to hit and pitch better than others in the Minor League.  One major difference:  while God looks for faithfulness and honesty to evaluate, a baseball GM evaluates solely on output.   

Now, desiring to do something more influential or substantial for God is honorable: “If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1).  So, how does God determine whether someone can handle greater responsibility from Him?  

For that, look at Joseph who had every reason to quit on life.  First, after his brothers’ betrayal, he became a slave in the house of an Egyptian official.  Instead of pouting, Joseph so faithfully carried out his task that his boss “entrusted to his care everything he owned” (Gn. 39:4).   But his life quickly hit rock-bottom when a false accusation landed him in jail. (It’s like going from AAA to A league).  But rather than giving up, he continued to work faithfully; seeing this, the warden “put Joseph in charge . . . [of] all that was done there” (39:22).  And it was from that pit that God brought Joseph out and “put [him] in charge of the whole land of Egypt” (41:41).  What does this show? “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).  

The parable itself deals with another important factor used to determine our faithfulness: how we handle money.  If we’re stingy and not generous toward God and people in need, then it would affect whether or not God will trust us with the true riches, which include greater ministry responsibilities.  

So, if you haven’t been faithful in this area, be generous toward God and those in need.  Start today.

Prayer: O heavenly Father, I praise and exalt You.  So often I live with a delusion that I’ve been blessed because I have worked so hard.  But apart from the strength, ability and investment You’ve made in my life, I cannot do anything.  Awake my soul, O Lord, to radically use this worldly wealth for your kingdom work.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 18

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Lunch Break Study

Read Col. 3:22-3 (NIV):  ^“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. [23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters . . . .”

1 Tim. 6:2 (NIV): “Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.”

Tit. 2:9-10 (NASB): “Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, [10]not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”

Question to Consider

1. What are some factors behind why people, in general, are unfaithful in their work, including God’s work?

2. What understanding can help us to be more faithful to God’s work as well as our secular work?  

3. How is your faithfulness?  What adjustments are needed for you to be more faithful to God?

Notes

1. We are so accustomed to doing our best only when someone is around that when no one is 

watching, we take it easy.  Sometimes, because we are on friendly terms with our coworkers or bosses, we don’t listen as readily as we should.  And oftentimes, we steal company time to do our own thing (e.g., web surfing, plan our trips with the company time and computer).

2. First, being aware that God is watching us all the time; second, as far as secular work is concerned, our faithfulness matters to God as well. For example, if you are a carpenter, it matters to God that you make quality chairs.

3. I think many of us are battling over wasting too much time with our electronic gadgets.   These are necessities, since so much of what we do for work depends on it, but every time we open our I-Phone or tablet, it is so easy to get distracted and waste time. For some, it is a matter of reprioritizing:  we need to put God before all things (Matt. 6:33).

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Evening Reflection

Anything can be God’s work, even giving a cup of cold water to “one of these little ones” (Matt. 10:42).  Do feel like you did God’s work today, or did you pass up some golden opportunities?  Did anyone do God’s work on your behalf?  Pray about how you can be more pro-active in serving God tomorrow.