September 17, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 17, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Ultimately Kills our Faith”

Mk. 4:18-20 (ESV)

“And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, [19] but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

It had been nearly 70 years since many Israelites (including Daniel and Ezekiel) were forcibly taken to Babylonia as exiles, but unexpectedly their life there was comfortable as Jeremiah had prophesized: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I carried you into exile” (Jer. 29:7). But one day, God moved their heart (Ez. 1:5) through Cyrus, the king of Persia, who said to the Jews, “Anyone of his people . . . let him go up to Jerusalem . . . and build the temple of the LORD” (1:3).

Whereas all the Jews in Egypt who suffered as slaves left for the Promised Land, only a minority of the Jews (42,000) of Persia left for Jerusalem. It was understandable since the Jews had settled comfortably in Persia and moving to Jerusalem, which was still lying in ruins, didn’t appear attractive. In addition, the dangerous trip would last four months (7:9). Instead, those who stayed just contributed funds (1:6); those who left contributed funds as well—1,100 pounds of gold, which would be equivalent of about $20 million (2:69).

Upon arrival, they worked feverishly to lay the foundation of the temple, and when this phase was finished, some “wept aloud” while “others shouted for joy” (3:12). Unfortunately, their enemies, who opposed the temple project from the outset, managed to halt the work after convincing the new Persian emperor that the reconstructed temple wouldn’t be in Persia’s best interest (4:1-24).

But around the time the work had ceased for 16 years, God sent Haggai to remind the exiles about why they had left Persia in the first place. Their response was so underwhelming that God said, “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built. . . .’ Is it a time for you and yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin” (Hag. 1:2-3)? These once-committed people had become callous, and instead of admitting their unwillingness to rebuild the temple, they flippantly said that it wasn’t the right time. Meanwhile, they busied themselves by building a mansion (paneled house) for their own home.

What happened? Like weeds that sap nutrients that the plant needs to grow, “the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things choke[d] the word” (NASB), making them unfruitful. This happened to the best of the committed; so, watch out! Try to live as close to the apostle Paul’s philosophy of life: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Tim. 6:6-8 NIV).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that I can truly be content in You. But, whenever I wonder off in pursuit of cheap substitutes, gently remind me that in You I have all that I will ever need in this life. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 23-24

September 16, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on September 16, 2016. Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Why Do We Say at the End of our Prayer, ‘If It Is Your Will?’”

John 15:7-8:

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Mark 10:51-52

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, ‘Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Many of us know all too well from our everyday experience that God does not always just grant us what we wish. When we petition God, there is a condition to Him answering our prayers with a “yes”: that our hearts are aligned with His will (v. 7).

But what is God’s will? When we ask for healing, we tag on, “if it is your will,” not always as an expression of humble submission but sometimes as one of just plain uncertainty. Because we’ve experienced God’s “no’s,” we’ve become not really sure what we are asking is His will after all, and our prayers lack boldness and confidence.

Yet this lack of confidence is the exact opposite of the intent of this verse. Why did Jesus say these words? His main point was wanting to expand the scope of His disciples’ asking (“whatever you wish”) rather than limit it. He was not saying these words out of a fear that His disciples would take Him for granted. He wanted them to be bold in asking.

Though He was not presenting Himself as a genie, this was still the Jesus with the servant heart who asked the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” (v. 51). When the blind man says he wants to see, Jesus does for him what he wishes because it ends up being to his Father’s glory; this was the fruitfulness His Father desired of Him.

In trying so hard not to misapply this verse (John 15:7) out of a fear of wrong motives, we can lose the sense of empowerment that it was meant to give. Are we trying to obey God’s commands? Love God and love people? Then we can ask whatever we wish. We do not presume that the answer to our prayers will always be a “yes,” but let’s be bold in asking!

Prayer: God, as I look at the world around me today, there is so much that I wish for. I wish people could see You for who You really are. I wish they would be healed and set free. I wish for wisdom and love to speak Your words of life into their hearts. Hear my prayer. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 22

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Kings 3:3-12:Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered . . . 8 “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning a heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him . . . 12 ”I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart . . .”

James 1:5: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Questions to Consider

1. When Solomon offered sacrifices at Gibeon, was he walking according to the statues of his father David (vv. 3-4)?

2. How does God respond (vv. 5, 12)?

3. Considering the two observations above: what principle can we draw from this passage? How does this passage teach me to approach God?

Notes

1. No, which meant that he was not worshipping God in the way that God had prescribed. He was not exactly in the center of God’s will.

2. He still meets Solomon and grants his request. It wasn’t that it didn’t matter that Solomon was not worshipping God where he was supposed to, or the Bible would not have mentioned it (v. 3). But there was this grace.

3. God responds to us, even when we don’t get everything exactly right. It does not mean we can have a casual attitude toward obeying His commands, but there is this grace; and He gives us credit for what we do get right. We can approach God trusting and believing in His grace.

Evening Reflection

What happened today when I asked God for whatever I wished? Whether He immediately granted my request today or not, how did my obeying His command to ask Him freely impact my relationship with Him today?

September 15, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on May 21, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pounding the Rock”

Luke 5:1-11

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret; the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this; he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Jacob Riss was a famous 19^th century social reformer who was known for using photography to highlight the living conditions of the poor. Although Riss fought valiantly for a noble cause, he faced much opposition throughout his life. During a particularly hard time, Riss explained how he was able to persevere: “When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock a hundred times without as much as a crack showing. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

Like Riss, we too will face dry seasons in our lives. What’s even harder to accept is that living in accordance with God’s will does not necessarily exempt us from these hard times. Perhaps you have been actively looking for employment or have diligently studied for your exams but have not achieved success. Or maybe you are faithfully sharing the Gospel and ministering to others but do not witness any spiritual fruit. Like Peter, we may feel as if we have let down our nets all night but have no catch to show for our hard work (v.5).

Despite our setbacks, Christ’s call for us remains the same: to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). For many of us, that call might mean to continue persevering in our current situation. What will our response be? Will we obey like Peter and let down our nets one more time? Will we do so despite the hardships and merely because Christ has told us to?

As this passage shows, obedience to God will eventually bring privilege greater that we can ever imagine. Yes, Peter received the biggest catch of his life (v.6). But more importantly, he saw the power of God at work, realized his own inadequacy (v.8) and received the greatest call—to become a fisher of men (v.10). Thus, let’s continue to strive for daily obedience; we never know how God will use us as a result.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know my desire to honor You with my life, You know the struggles I face while trying to obey You in all that I do. Help me each day to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You. Give me the strength to persevere and to let down the nets again when You say so. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Gal 6:9-10 (NIV): Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

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

Prov. 24:16: For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Questions to Consider

1. Whether it be what we try to do in ministry, at work or with our wayward family members, what causes us to become weary to the point of quitting or no longer trying?

2. What is God’s admonition to us when we find ourselves in such predicament? What is its basis?

3. What situation has brought you down? Maybe this isn’t the first time. Write about it and then ask the Lord to give you the strength to overcome and then grow from it.

Notes

1. We become weary for these reasons: first, we don’t see the “harvest” (i.e., result); and second, we feel as if God has forgotten about us. Of course, all this is compounded by ungrateful and unresponsive people who take you for granted.

2. In short, God wants us to continue, that is, rise again. Its basis is rooted in His promise made to us: first, the Lord ensures us that there will be a harvest, and second, He hasn’t forgotten about us—in fact, He will remember all that we have done in His name.

3. When we fall, we try to get up too soon as if we don’t want others to see us struggle. Are you down? Stay down. Allow others to come to heal and minister to you. Stay down long enough to be refreshed and properly restored before you get up (e.g., serve again in the church, take on new projects, etc.).

Evening Reflection

Probably more things happen each day that makes us feel discouraged than encouraged. What happened today that made you feel like, “I give up.” Take that to the Lord and ask Him to give you the motivation and encouragement not to become weary in doing good. Reflect. Meditate. Pray.

September 14, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on September 19, 2016. A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of the UC site of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Threat to Our Faith”

John 16:1-4

I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

What would cause you to fall away from the faith? That may seem like an unanswerable question to many of you, but sometimes it is good for us to ask ourselves that. Are there holes in your faith? Blind spots you’ve been ignoring? Any lack of trust? Do I really trust Jesus with my entire life?

For the early church, the threat of persecution and even death were common reasons for people to fall away from the faith. Maybe those are not real threats in our lives today, but there are other threats bombarding us day after day – the media, culture, and maybe even family – things that could be opposed to God and pull us away from Him. It’s hard to go through a single day without being reminded that this world is in many ways opposed to God.

How do we stand up against such hostility in this world? Well, this passage has the answer for us! Jesus says, “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.” The Word of God! We can withstand the pressures and hostility of the world by guarding our hearts in God’s Word. In His Word, we see promise after promise of His faithfulness to us, a faithfulness that is impenetrable by this world. Today, let’s feast our hearts on God’s Word, on His promises of love and faithfulness towards us, so that when we do face hostility, those threats will seem nothing in comparison to God’s great love for us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your promises. This world often distracts me, causing me to turn my eyes from You, but help me to keep my eyes fixed on You this day, knowing that You are always faithful to me, so that I may withstand the hostility of the world. Give me strength this day to keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 43:1-3a: But now thus says the Lord,he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Questions to Consider

Why does God say we should not fear?
Where and when will God be with us?
How can we face the trials of this life?

Notes

In this passage, God tells His people to not fear because He has redeemed us; and more than that, He has called us by name, and He has called us His own. We belong to God, and since as, this passage says, He is our creator, we know that He can protect us.
If we belong to God, He is always with us – anytime and anywhere. This passage highlights that when go through trials – through water, rivers, fire, or flame – He will be with us. There is a special way in which trials help us to know God’s sweet and enduring presence in our lives, even though His presence is always with us regardless of whether we are in a season of trial or not.
The Lord, the Holy One, is our Savior. Reflect on that a bit. If the Lord of everything is with us, then there is no trial that can ever be too difficult for us. So how do we face trials in this life? We remember God’s promise that He is always with us, through it all!

Evening Reflection

Tonight, reflect on God’s promise that He is always with you. Perhaps you are going through some trial or difficult season; give space for God to speak to you and remind you that He is with you, and He will see you through this trial.

September 13, Tuesday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Just Greet First”

Esther 5:9

And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

(Esther 3:2, 5: And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman . . . but Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. . . . And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury.)

In 597, Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine of Canterbury (not St. Augustine of Hippo), along with forty monks, to Great Britain in hopes of evangelizing the Anglo-Saxons who lived there. But upon arrival, after seeing buildings with crosses, they realized that someone had already beaten them to it. No one knows who first evangelized the Anglo-Saxons, but their church was known as the “Celtic Church” (which earlier produced the great missionary St. Patrick in the 5^th century). In time, Augustine, after learning about this church, insisted that the Celtic Christians adopt the Catholic way (e.g., celebrating Easter on the Sunday following Passover instead of on the day of Passover). In an important meeting in which the two sides were to talk, it is believed that Augustine—the pope’s deputy no less—greatly offended the Celtic delegation when he refused to get up to greet them. Suffice it to say, they got off to a rocky start.

That being said, it is still stunning to find that what triggered Haman the Amalekite (1 Sam. 15:20; Esther 3:1) to plot an empire-wide genocide (from Ethiopia to India) was the feeling of being slighted by Mordecai because he didn’t greet Haman. Subsequently, “having learned who Mordecai’s people were, [Haman] scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all . . . Jews” (Esther 3:6). Haman’s over-the-top reaction certainly gives a new meaning to the notion of punishment-not-fitting-the-crime.

So what drives people like Haman and Augustine to act so entitled? Certainly, pride is a factor. Can you imagine Donald Trump greeting anyone first? For others, it may be an extreme case of shyness or fear that the other person won’t reciprocate the greeting. Personally, my favorite excuse is, “I don’t know that person very well.”

What is often overlooked in our reading of Paul’s epistles is how he begins them with a hearty greeting: “To the churches in ______: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It is such a simple, courteous gesture that can mean so much—particularly to those feeling lonely. So, let us “greet the brothers with a holy kiss” (like in Mexico). Now, if no one greets you first, don’t get mad; instead, you greet them first. Shalom.

Prayer: Father, I exalt and magnify Your wonderful Name. Forgive me for my prideful attitude of expecting others to greet me and thank me first. Lord, help me to be authentic and humble. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 23:5-7: They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

Luke 18:11: The Pharisees stood up and prayed about himself: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evil doers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

Phil. 2:4b: . . . in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Question to Consider

1. Why do you suppose the Pharisees expected to be greeted first?

2. What is the greatest antidote for the kind of bad attitude embodied by the Pharisees?

3. Think about three people whom you can greet right now, whether through e-mail, text, or phone.

Notes

1. They truly believed that they were better than everyone else; that is, God loved and approved of them more because of their many religious activities. That became part of their entitled mentality which led them to expect and demand respect from people

2. Considering others better than ourselves is a lot easier said than done since, on paper, some are better than others. How do we do this? In 1 Cor. 8:11, Paul says, “…this weak brother, for whom Christ died.” Isn’t that enough of a reason? But if you are a boss, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you hire or promote individuals who aren’t as prepared or competent as others; rather, it would mean that you would treat them with dignity and courtesy.

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Was it another busy day today and did you run into a lot of people? How was your greeting? Did you greet first, or did you wait for the other person to greet you first? Ask the Lord to give you the strength and motivation to say “Shalom” to everyone you meet and that Christ’s love will shine through you. Though it may seem like a small matter, it can make a world of difference to someone feeling down, alone, and unappreciated.

September 12, Monday

REPOSTToday’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on December 7, 2015. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“Bold Prayers Before the King”

Esther 7:1-6

Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said to Esther on the second day alsoas they drank their wine at the banquet, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 3 Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; 4 for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he who would presume to do thus?” 6 Esther said, “A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!” Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.

The story of queen Esther is a familiar one. Esther, with fear and trembling, goes before the king to make a request that could cost her life. Yet she does so knowing that it was what she must do to save her people, believing the potential sacrifice to be more than worth the potential outcome. Her confidence, as we learned yesterday, came from the Lord her God, whom she knew was at work in the unseen to protect and defend His people. And we see today that her boldness and courage paid off. She was granted her request before a king with whom she found favor – and many were saved as a result. What an amazing opportunity and immense power available to Esther. And what a worthy way to utilize it!

As I read through this familiar story again, I was reminded that believers today are far more like queen Esther than we might think. We too have the opportunity to approach the throne of a King who holds enough power in his hand to incite fear and trembling in all who dare to draw near. Yet, much like the response of King Ahasuerus to Esther’s request, our King, the King of Kings, has a compassionate disposition toward each of us and delights in giving us the things for which we ask (see John 14:14). Yet, how many of us realize the power made available to us because of our ability to approach God’s throne and ask of the Lord? Moreover, when we do come before God with our requests, what is it that we ask for? Most of us ask for things for ourselves and for our loved ones and maybe for a few good friends. But Esther made a request that would save a whole nation. She offered her life and asked for something great. What will we ask for? What are we willing to offer? We can ask for the pedestrian and the possible (success and wealth and comfort) or we can ask for the Kingdom… we can ask for the nations… and our God delights in giving them to us.

“Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less. If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, they are insulting to God.” (Mark Batterson, Circle Maker)

Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for your compassion toward me and your willingness to listen to my prayers and move on my behalf. Give me the courage to pray bold prayers. Give me the vision to pray impactful prayers. Give me the conviction to pray according to your will for the world. May you accomplish great things through me as I offer you my life and my requests. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

What does the writer of Hebrews encourage believers to do in this passage? What hinders you from doing this in your life?
What should motivate us to do what the writer of Hebrews is calling us to do in this passage? How does this encourage you?
Are there some areas in your life that are in need of God’s mercy and grace to help in a time of need? Spend some time offering those things to the Lord with boldness and confidence.

Notes

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to come to God with confidence (boldness) and ask for his help (grace and mercy) in our times of need. Many of us are hindered from doing this for a number of reasons. We may not feel worthy of God. We may not fully believe he will help us if we ask. We may be self-reliant and think we can take care of things on our own. Some of us are just plain lazy when it comes to prayer. Whatever it may be, anything that hinders us from approaching God in times of needs, prevents us from receiving the grace and mercy He’s made available to us.
We should be motivated to come to God for help in times of need by our knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Jesus became one of us and walked on this earth and lived a life just like we do. And while He was without sin, he does very much empathize with our struggles and our needs. This should give us all the more confidence when we come to Him.
Spend some time in personal prayer.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time reflecting on this morning’s quotation:

What are the situations around the world most in need of God’s help? Who are the people around you most in need of God’s grace and mercy at this time? Are there any bold prayers God is calling you to pray in response to these needs? Spend some time listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking God’s courage and vision for these areas. Then end in prayer accordingly.

September 11, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 4, 2015.

Food for Spiritual Thought for the Weekend

“The Only True Satisfaction in Life”

Luke 15:13-15 (NIV)

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.”

What was the younger son thinking? Did he think that the inheritance money from his father was going to last forever? Of course, when a person is preoccupied with seeking pleasure, he rarely thinks about the future, much less prepare for it.

I know this all too well from my wild college days. With three weeks left in school, I had no permanent place to sleep because my roommates and I had been evicted from the rented house near the campus—because of too many loud parties. Being worldly and immature, I kept partying every day, without having secured a place to sleep on some evenings, only to realize at 12 p.m. that I had no place to go. So on several occasions, I snuck into my old, vacant house and slept in the cold basement with newspapers as my blanket. A few weeks later, when I read this parable for the first time after becoming a Christian, I readily saw myself in this younger son who lived the life of a fool.

There are a lot of things overrated in our trend- and viral-happy society—one of them is pleasure, whether physical, emotional or material. But nothing lasts; it gets mundane and boring. King Solomon who once declared, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desire; I refused my heart no pleasure,” had this to say at the end of his days: “Everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Eccles. 2:11). And anyone (not named Solomon or Bill Gates) “who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich” (Prov. 21:17).

So what is your pleasure? Accumulation of wealth, moving up the corporate ladder, being seen with the right people, or wearing trendy, name brand clothes? Or is it still living a life of a party animal with lots of booze and drugs, and chasing after members of the opposite sex? Enjoy these moments, that is, if you can, because nothing in life apart from God brings lasting and permanent satisfaction. The great Church Father St. Augustine, whose earlier lifestyle would rival that of a modern gigolo, confessed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Take a moment right now to reconnect to your Creator who “has . . . set eternity in the hearts of men” (Eccles. 3:11); that longing for everlasting life as well as a meaningful life here-and-now can only be filled by the One who has made us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the only true satisfaction in life. In Christ your Son, I have all that my heart yearns. Thank You.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 17

September 10, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 27, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Train of His Robe”

Luke 8:42b-48

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians,[f] she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

What made the woman touch Jesus in faith? Was it a common belief that a sick person could be cured by touching someone who is thought to have the power of God? Or was there more to it than that? At the risk of reading slightly into the text, recall the prophet Isaiah who “saw the Lord… the train of his robe fill[ing] the temple” (Isa. 6:1). What Isaiah saw was God’s glory.

Could it be that the woman, along with many others in Israel, was familiar with the train of God’s robe and believed that it was another expression of God’s glory? Could it be that when the woman was touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak, she believed that the carpenter’s son was more than a healer of sick bodies, but the long-awaited Messiah? Was she getting a glimpse of God’s glory?

The moment she encountered God’s glory, immediately she was healed! She experienced the truth of Malachi 4:2: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The “train of His robe”, “healing in its wings”, and “the edge of His cloak” not only present a similar imagery, but they also describe one common theme: God’s glory.

Pray for God’s healing wing to touch you and others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may Your magnificent glory fill my life so that my whole self may be restored and redeemed in Your Son Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 15-16

September 9, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 9, 2016. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Seeking Help”

John 5:7

“’Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

One of my favorite books growing up was Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. If you’ve never read it (and I highly recommend you do), it tells the story of a pig, Wilbur, and how his spider friend Charlotte helps him avoid getting turned into bacon. When Wilbur first finds out what he is doomed for, he goes into a series of hysterics and is utterly helpless. If not for the calm and steady intervention of Charlotte and other friends, he would have had no fighting chance.

I find it very interesting that one of the reasons (or excuses) made by the man at the pool is that there has been no one around to help him. It might make you wonder whether this man was truly desperate to be healed. After all, with thirty-eight years in this condition and these stakes, one might expect him to take a little more initiative. He could have stayed closer to the pool and clambered in as soon as there was a chance to get healed.

But on the other hand, we can also identify strongly with his condition. When we are stuck in our weaknesses or completely helpless, what we want more than anything is for a friend to be right there alongside us. Whether or not that friend can actually restore us, we receive comfort and strengthening from others who wait along with us in our condition.

One purpose of living in community is so that we can carry each other to places of healing. If you’re currently waiting for the Lord to answer, don’t be ashamed to place yourself in a position of needing others. And if you are well, pray for God to open your eyes to opportunities to help others along.

Prayer: Father, thank You that we have communities to bear burdens with. Help us to be people who are present in each another’s sufferings. Teach us to bring others to You, for You are our greatest and ultimate source of healing. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 14

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26: The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Questions to Consider

According to this passage, God has created individuals in different capacities. Why should the members bother getting along in the first place?
What is significant that God Himself put “presentable” and “unpresentable” parts together to form the body?
Many parts in the body can function independently of one another (think: your left foot doesn’t need your ear to work). Why then, should each part have “concern for one another”? What would it look like for us to take this to heart?

Notes

Because the church is made up of brothers and sisters with different giftings and purposes, we understand that each person is significant in the eyes of God. While the ”eye” is very distinct from the ”ear,” brothers and sisters in the church teach us different facets of God’s grace and His character. They also fill up what is lacking with our blind spots and weaknesses.
“Presentability” is a value that we have made up with our own human frame of reference – we lift up or downplay certain parts, depending on whether we want them to attract attention. However, even if we deemed gifts or others “less honorable,” God has a special care for the overlooked. He puts them in the body so that they will all share in the honor that He bestows.
Even though the members can work independently, God made all essential to completing the body – the overall health of the body is the most important consideration. If one part is unhealthy, it affects the quality of life for all the other members.

Evening Reflection

What are your feelings about caring for others in the community? Has God opened your heart to certain individuals that you could take an active role in loving? Let’s pray for God to show us how we can be sources of encouragement and life to one another.

September 8, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 12, 2015

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Absurdity of Argument”

Matt. 12:24-9 (ESV)

“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.’ [25] Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. [26] And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? [27] And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. [28] But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. [29] Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.’”

To someone who says, “There are no absolute truths; everything is relative,” ask him whether he holds to that absolutely. If he says yes, then say, “You’re inconsistent and arrogant; if he answers no, ask him, “Then, why do you oppose what I believe?”

Here, Jesus, likewise, shows the absurdity of an argument aimed to discredit him. The Pharisees, jealous that “the whole world has gone after [Jesus]” (Jn. 12:19), accuses him of being on the same team as the head of demons. Jesus’ logic is simple: “If the devil and I are partners, why am I casting out his demons? Isn’t that like shooting yourself in the foot?”

After silencing them, Jesus explains the spiritual world through this odd parable. The strong man is the devil, “the prince of this world” (Jn. 12:31); his house, then, is the world. The goods in the house are people in the world over whom the devil “holds the power of death” (Heb. 2:14). How did this happen? When the devil was tempting Jesus, it wasn’t a lie when he said, “All the kingdoms of the world . . . [had] been given to me” (Lk. 4:5-6). The first man Adam, whom God had put in charge of governing the world, gave it away when he capitulated to the devil’s ploy, “for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” (2 Pet. 2:19). Since “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), the devil bullies the descendants of Adam with fear of death.

So Christ, coming into this world as an intruder to take back what was taken by the devil, must first bind the strong man. He succeeded when his substitutionary death on our behalf “rendered powerless [the devil] who had the power of death” (Heb. 2:14 NASB) since the penalty of sin has been paid.

Now, Christ through the church is plundering the house, meaning telling people that they are now free. But many choose not to believe that; as a result, they continue to live in “slavery by their fear of death.” Are you one of them? Christ has already finished everything to free you; all you need to do is believe.

Prayer: I praise You, Jesus, for coming into this world that had rebelled against God and chose the devil as its god. Seeing that we are miserable in our sins, You voluntarily took the penalty of our sins to destroy the work of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8), thereby freeing us. Thank You, Jesus, for your love, kindness and grace. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 13

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Jn. 5:18 (NIV): “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.”

James 4:7 (NASB): “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Acts 16:16-8 (ESV): “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. [17] She followed Paul and us, crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.’ [18] And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.”

Question to Consider

1. What are some benefits of Christ’s victory over the devil?

2. Is there a part that we need contribute in order to experience Christ’s victory over the devil?

3. The Bible talks about not giving the devil a foothold (Eph. 4:27). What are some casual habits or “harmless” sins in our lives that give the enemy a bigger hold to latch on to enslave us?

Notes

1. The devil cannot harm those who are in Christ; he will even flee from us; he can be driven out from someone or even from us in the name of Jesus.

2. We cannot continue to sin (habitual and unrepentant sins); we must resist the devil for him to flee; we must pray with the authority of Jesus by praying in His name.

3. Sin is much like a snowball rolling downhill: it gets bigger and bigger unless it is stopped. An attempt to cover a little lie produces more lies; watching soft-porn leads to hard-porn; unforgiveness, in time, turns into a bitter personality; hoarding money always turns into loving it.

Evening Reflection

As you review this day, did you face any situation where you felt uncomfortable because of the presence of some people? Why do you think that happened? The path to freedom in many cases is honesty and humility. Pray to the Lord for wisdom and courage to live fully in the freedom that Christ has won for us.