September 27, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 15, 2015

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Not Everyone Receives the Same Amount From God”

Lk. 19:12-3, 15-26 (ESV)

He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. [13] Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come’. . . . [15] When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. [16] The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ [17] And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ [18] And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ [19] And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ [20] Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; [21] for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ [22] He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? [23] Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ [24] And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ [25] And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ [26] ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’”

Matt. 25:14-5 (ESV)

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. [15] To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.

Some egalitarians might prefer the Parable of the Ten Minas, since each servant receives one mina, over the Parable of the Talents, where some received more than others (Matt. 25:14-28). Which one is true? Based on Jesus’ statement, “Everyone who has been given much, much will demanded” (Lk. 12:48), it’s safe to assume that in God’s economy, not everyone receives the same amount of talents or gifts. But God is still egalitarian. How?

Recall that both the servant with a single talent and the other with one mina did nothing with it, even though they were told to put it to work, on account that their masters were unreasonable and unjust. Peeking into the vanity of the human nature, the servant with the one talent probably pouted over the fact that others received more: “Since you don’t think much of my ability, I will do nothing.” What he forgot is that when God judges our works, it isn’t based on how much we have gained; but rather, how much we have gained in proportion to how much we have been given.

At the judgment seat of Christ, where our works will be evaluated for rewards (2 Cor. 5:10), God will treat everyone as if they had received only one mina. How so? In God’s equalitarian judgment, it is possible that those who have received less will be given more rewards than those who have received more. For instance, God will be more pleased with a servant with a single talent who gained three more (300% yield) than one with five talents who made five more (100%). This is why Jesus said, after seeing a poor widow putting in two small copper coins (about $2) into the temple treasury and others giving much more: “[She] has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Lk. 21:4).

So, whatever talent God has given you, don’t bury it. Edify and encourage people with it; help support missionaries and your church; heal the wounded and instruct the young in faith.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving me talents and gifts that I did not earn. I admit that I’ve spent more time complaining about what I don’t have instead of using what I’ve received to yield more for your kingdom. May I constantly be reminded that I was given a great privilege; help me to be faithful. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 10

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Cor. 5:10 (NASB): For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1 Cor. 4:5 (NASB): Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

Lk. 12:48 (NIV): But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Question to Consider

1. What is the main difference between how we receive salvation and how we receive rewards?

2. What is one key aspect of our works that will be evaluated at the judgment seat?

3. So, what does God expect from those who have received talents and gifts from him? How are you doing with God’s investment into to your life?

Notes

1. Salvation is not earned but is “a gift of God, not by works . . . but by grace . . . through faith” (Eph. 2:8). Rewards, on the other hand, are based on what we do. But this too is based on God’s grace since He doesn’t have to reward anyone; yet He chooses to do so out of His kindness and goodness.

2. Our motives will be evaluated—meaning it’s not just what we do or how we do it but why we do it.

3. God wants us to put to work every talent and gift given to us so that people’s lives are saved and healed: That’s why He takes it so seriously and displeases Him when we bury them (i.e., not use them) instead of using them to reach out to people.

Evening Reflection

As you are about to turn in, how do you think you used your talents and gifts today for the Lord? Was anyone encouraged and strengthened by you? Did anyone find out God’s grace through you? Pray that you will put your talent to work tomorrow.

September 26, Monday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 30, 2016, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“You Want Power? You Got Power, In Jesus”

John 18:1-8

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.

In the movie “The Lion King,” the villainous Scar and his band of hyenas are only afraid of one thing: Mufasa. In fact, the mere mention of his name is enough to make them shudder. Even after Mufasa is dead, Scar bans the name Mufasa from being uttered. Why? Because there was power in that name. At the end of the film, Mufasa’s son, Simba, returns bearing the authority of his father, to defeat Scar and his minions. Of course, that’s just a children’s story, but the principle behind the story remains true.

In passage’s today, a small army of soldiers, armed with weapons, makes their way to arrest Jesus at the garden of Gethsemane. Upon being found by them, Jesus asks, “Whom do you seek?” Jesus, when told that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth, declares His identity, saying, “I Am he” (ego eimi). At these mere words, the soldiers collapse and fall to the ground. Why? A closer look will reveal that these are not just any words, but Jesus is declaring Himself to be equal to the Great I AM (Ex. 3:13-4)—Yahweh. The Hebrew verb hayah, used in Exodus 3:13-14 to refer to Yahweh as “I Am” (meaning “to be”), is translated in Septuagint (the first Hebrew Bible in Greek) as ego eimi (“I Am”); ego eimi, then, is applied to Jesus in the New Testament. Although Jesus’ intention was to surrender Himself, the mere mention of the name of God—His name—caused the soldiers to fall to the ground.

As you go through this day, remember that because you are His son/daughter, you have power in the name of Jesus to overcome temptation, trials, and works of the enemy. Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” May this be your prayer today!

Prayer: Lord, You are our source of strength and power to overcome the enemy. Help us to stand firm today. Teach us not to lean on our experience, abilities, or even our own righteousness, but instead to lean on You. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 9

Lunch Break Study

Read: Acts 19:11-20: And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Questions to Consider

What does this passage teach us about the source of power?
Why did the sons of Sceva fail in their ministry?
How did the believers react?

Notes

The passage makes it clear that the source of power is God, not Paul, not the handkerchiefs, or aprons, not even invoking the name of Jesus. The first verse says, “God was doing extraordinary miracles….”
The sons of Sceva used Jesus’ name as an incantation, thinking that uttering certain words in a certain order might invoke power. But the evil spirits know the real from fake. They knew there was no real power behind the sons of Sceva because the Spirit of Christ was not actually within them.
The believers reacted by fearing the Lord, confessing, repenting, and burning their bridges to old sinful practices. And the name of Jesus was extolled. Although what happened to the sons of Sceva was tragic, the response of the believers is correct. Instead of speaking ill of the sons of Sceva, they recognized the seriousness of their own sinful ways and repented. Likewise, when we hear tragic news today of people in ministry falling/failing, we must have the humility to confess and repent for ourselves.

Evening Reflection

Today we talked about how powerful Jesus is, but also how He humbled himself and submitted Himself to being arrested. Spend some time this evening asking God for either boldness or humility. If you tend to be meek, ask God to fill you with boldness through the Holy Spirit. And if you tend to be bold by nature, ask God to fill you with humility through the Holy Spirit.

September 25, Sunday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on July 4, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Funny But Not Really”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

At my brother’s recent college graduation ceremony, a student from his class was chosen to give a speech, and he cheekily compared their school to an assisted living facility: All of your friends are here, everything you need is within a seven minute walk, the food is prepared for you, and eventually, everybody leaves. Some of us are going to a better place, and some of us, myself included, are stepping into the unknown…

While the comparisons are superficially true, his remarks reminded me of when I recently visited a local nursing home, an experience that wildly clashed with my idealistic notions of life as a young adult. Inside this facility, I encountered so many people whose former lives boasted of prestigious academic degrees and military adventures; calendars brimming with social events and exciting trips. But now, at the final chapter of their lives, a communal schedule posted in the hallway suggested that the highlight of the day would be afternoon bingo and apple crisp for dessert. I conversed with a few who could talk, and it was clear that relatives seldom made visits; most of the residents spent entire days planted in the same chair by the same TV screen. I was introduced to a man who was once a successful medical doctor, but could now hardly hold a spoon to his mouth.

As a young adult, it’s easy to dismiss mortality as a far off reality that doesn’t concern me yet. There are too many personal and professional milestones that seem to separate me from old age and its accompanying side effects. But rather than denying death until it comes, I’m starting to realize that a healthy acceptance of my earthly end strengthens my hope in the Father, who has promised eternal life for those who believe in His Son Jesus. In his letter to Timothy, Paul had clearly lived his life with the end in mind; the faithfulness with which he lived his life belonged to someone who knew that his health would one day fail and his earthly accomplishments would fade, but in Christ he would have all that he needs to have true peace and joy beyond the very last day. For Paul, there was no fear in death. In fact, it was during his times of imprisonment, when death was a daily possibility, that he grew in boldness for the Gospel.

The college graduate who made that comparison, though meant to be humorous, identified a tendency as humans to obliviously enjoy lives that are artificially stable and predictable. It was meant to be funny but not really so. Instead, let’s follow Paul’s example and acknowledge that life on earth is fleeting but life in Christ is eternal.

Prayer: Lord, help me to count my days so that my remaining time here on earth can be used to extend your kingdom and glorify God. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 8

September 24, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 11, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“An Elder Brother Like No Other”

Luke 15:4, 8, 28 (NIV)

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it. . . .

[8] Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? . . . . [28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.”

The Christian faith in the wrong hands can turn into a weapon of condemning others, thereby, making the accuser feeling superior to the accused. Recall the prayer of the Pharisee who said, “I thank God that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers” (Lk. 18:10). But in Luke 15, Jesus presents the parable of lost sheep, coin and son to show that “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk. 19:10). So we see that the shepherd and the woman immediately set out to find what was lost and, upon finding it, both say, “Rejoice with me” (Lk. 15:6, 9). However, no one is looking for the younger son. Theologian Edmund Clowney, when asked if culturally the father would have gone out looking for the son, responded, “The older brother would have done that”; but the older brother in the parable stays put.

At the very least, the Pharisees, whom the older son represents, were known to “travel over land and sea to win a single convert.” Their problem was the message which made their convert “twice as much a child of hell as [they] are” (Matt. 23:15). But the older son is acting worse than the Pharisees: first, he thinks worst of his brother, assuming his association with prostitutes (something Jesus never said); second, he doesn’t care whether his brother is alive or dead. While the older son has always been near his father physically, his heart is as far from the father’s as east is from the west; while the father rejoices, the older son growls at the return of his brother.

Where the older son in the parable fails, another steps in: “His Son (Rom. 8:29 NASB), the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (NIV). There have been discussions over whom the father in the parable represents. While the traditional answer is God the Father, some note that since the father is the one who suffers (i.e., shame and humiliation), he represents Jesus who suffered in order to redeem the lost. But unlike the elder brother in the parable who doesn’t care, the elder brother in God’s family does: he runs after the younger brother to keep him from being condemned by the villagers (Qetsatsah ceremony); he goes out to the older son who had been lost as well, to save him. Jesus is an elder brother like no other.

Those who have been believers for a while tend to become disgusted by sinners around them. It is always easier to judge than reach out to them. “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mk. 2:17 NIV).

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for always looking to find what had been lost, some long away from home, others right at home. We love You for it. We love you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 6-7

September 23, Friday

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Crown of Thorns”

John 19:1-3

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.

In the ancient Roman military, crowns were a symbol of honor. There were various crowns, symbolizing various feats and achievements of valor. Crowns were always given by someone of a higher-ranking office, to a lower-ranking one. For example, the Caesar might bestow a crown upon one of the generals in his army. Or a commander might place a crown on one of his subservient soldiers. However, there was one scenario when common soldiers would place a crown atop a higher-ranking officer. When the actions of a commander/general had saved an entire army, a “grass crown” was twisted together and presented to him by the very army he had saved. It was considered the highest honor in the Roman military.

How ironically fitting that a crown of thorns was placed on the head of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, by the very ones He had come to save! When we look upon the suffering of Jesus, beneath the mockery and humiliation, we can see the beauty of the Gospel. The good news that our God is the kind of God who would endure such shame, if it meant that his beloved people might be saved.

Take some time today to meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus, who endured the cross to save the very ones who crucified Him. There is truly no one like our God!

Prayer: Lord, we are amazed at your love for us. Thank you for being the kind of God that you are. Thank you for suffering, and ultimately dying on a cross, to rescue us. We honor you and worship you today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:3-8: Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Questions to Consider

In this passage, how does the author of Hebrews reframe our struggle with sin?
How can we have the strength to endure trials and temptation?
According to the author of Hebrews what would a life without discipline indicate?

Notes

The author of Hebrews describes our struggle with sin as God’s discipline over His children. From context we can infer that the “struggle” that these early Christians were going through was related to persecution for their faith. But the author also mentions holiness and sexual immorality in the following verses. Whether it is a struggle to stand up in our faith, or it is a struggle to pursue holiness, we are encouraged to see our struggle as God’s work in disciplining us, because we are his beloved children.
The author encourages us to “Consider [Jesus] who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” He endured sin, and ultimately defeated it, so that we would not grow weary or fainthearted! When we remember that Jesus has conquered the power of sin, we find strength to continue fighting.
A life without discipline. A life without struggle. An easy, comfortable, smooth-sailing life… according to the author of Hebrews, indicates that we are illegitimate children, and not true children of God. Because God disciplines those He loves.

Evening Reflection

Jesus is our sympathetic high priest (Heb 4:15). That means that whatever hardships we are going through, even when we feel like no one else quite understands… Jesus understands. May you find peace in that truth tonight.

September 22, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 18, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Following Jesus with a Wrong Motive”

Lk. 19:12, 14, 27 (NIV)

He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. . . . [14] But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king’. . . . [26] He replied,. . . ‘But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me’”

Lk. 20:9-16 (NIV)

He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. [10] At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. [11] He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. [12] He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. [13] “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ [14] “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ [15] So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? [16] He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

Israel’s Davidic monarchy was broken when Babylonia destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 586 B.C., and exiled its king (1 Chron. 36). When a remnant returned some 70 years later, their hope of restoring the Davidic monarchy never materialized. But they never gave up hope, especially because Israel continued to suffer the indignity of being conquered by foreign invaders for the next 400 years; at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Israel had been under the Roman’s control for 100 years.

Now, when Christ came and did amazing miracles, like feeding thousands of people with just five loaves and two fish, the Israelites said, “‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world’. . . . [Then] they intended to . . . make him king” (Jn. 6:14-5). This means that the subjects themselves wanted the nobleman to be their king; the tenants initially welcomed the heir of the owner.

Then, what went wrong? It was a case of an unfulfilled expectation. After Jesus had been crucified, a disillusioned Israelite said, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Lk. 24:21), meaning to defeat the Romans and then restore the world order with Israel on top (Is. 14:2). But, instead of plotting to defeat the enemy, they heard Jesus talk about “Bread from heaven.” “At this the Jews began to grumble” (Jn. 6:41), became offended (61), and finally, “many . . . turned back and no longer followed him” (66), presumably to look for another king who will do their bidding. That’s how the subjects ended up rejecting their king; and the tenants, the son.

Do you expect Christ to do for you what you want? If so, you will be disappointed. Instead, align your life to God’s plan; that’s the secret to happiness in life as well. What are you struggling with at the moment? Submit to Christ’s lordship today.

Prayer: Hear my prayer, O LORD; do not let me disappointed or disillusioned by my false expectation of You. Help me to set my eyes on You and your plan for me; remind me that true satisfaction in life is found in You and You only. You are my King and I shall submit my will to yours. I love You! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Lk. 20:19 (NIV) which identifies to whom the Parable of the Tenants was initially given:

“The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.”

Matt. 9:33-4, 27:18 (ESV): “And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’ [34] Bt the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the prince of demons’ . . . . For [Pilate] knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.”

Jn. 3:26-7, 30 (NASB): “And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him’ . . . . [27] John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. . . . [30] ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”

Question to Consider

1. Why did the Pharisees end up disliking Jesus so much? How did they handle this situation?

2. In what sense did John the Baptist face a similar situation which the Pharisees faced?

3. What can we learn from John’s handling of the situation? How do you plan to handle your envy?

Notes

1. The Pharisees envied Jesus because people were more impressed by Jesus and his ministry than their ministry. Once, “the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See this is getting nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!’” (Jn. 12:19). So, they resorted to publicly defaming him and ultimately to kill him.

2. Before Jesus, people went to John to hear his preaching and to be baptized by him. But after Jesus came on the scene, everyone began to go to him rather than John.

3. John knew and accepted the purpose of his life and ministry; he knew he wasn’t the main attraction but just the opening act. So, John didn’t fret over losing out to Christ because he saw that Jesus’ ministry was more important than his. He was content, knowing that his job was completed.

Evening Reflection

How is your relationship with the Lord? Have you been disappointed because God didn’t seem to come through for you? Reflect on your expectation from the Lord: Is it from God or your own heart? Speak to Him in silence; meditate on this: “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).

September 21, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 7, 2016, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in S. F. He is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS, biology), and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Light Is Brighter Than the Star of Earandil”

John 12:20-36 (ESV)

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

We often don’t look for light until it is completely dark. In the book The Fellowship of the Rings, there is a powerful scene where the Queen of the Elves gives Frodo the power of the stars. As he is entering the greatest challenge of his life, she gives him the star of Earandil, the most beloved star of her people, and says to him, “May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.” JRR Tolkien, who was a devout Catholic, understood the significance of light in dark places, but more importantly, he understood the significance of the one true light when all other lights grow dim.

When Jesus refers to Himself as the “Light,” it has a narrow range of meaning. He isn’t simply saying, “I am the source of enlightenment that will guide you through life, like Buddha or a New Age guru.” He is literally saying, “I am the shekinah glory of God.” The shekinah glory is the dwelling of God’s presence in a specific location that makes it perceivable to the human senses. During the Feast of Tabernacles— which lasted eight days— each night as the people gathered, the priest would light these massive candelabras for two reasons: first, as a remembrance of how God’s glory led them through the darkness, and second, as an expression of longing that the visible presence of God would fill the temple again. Just imagine Jesus standing up in the middle of that ceremony, as the priests began to light the candelabra, and proclaiming, “I am the light of the world!” Jesus is actually saying, “I am the light that all your ceremonies are pointing to, the light that led your forefathers through the desert, the light of God’s glory come to fill this temple, and I am the light come to rescue a world in darkness!”

I think it bears repeating the quote by C.S. Lewis: “A man who was merely a man and said the things Jesus said cannot be a good moral teacher. Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman.” We have to understand that Jesus left very little room for misunderstanding—everyone knew exactly what He was saying. It’s just that no one knew how to react to these claims. There were some who believed, many who rejected, and then there were many more who thought they believed but weren’t quite sure. Each day, Jesus issues this challenge for us: to believe in the Light with such faith that we would be transformed into the very sons of Light.

Prayer: Lord, help me to believe that You are the very light of life. I pray that You would reveal every hidden sin that remains in darkness so that I might be changed from glory to glory. As you transform me, may I become like more and more like You and shine your light in this dark world. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV): This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Questions to Consider

What does it mean for God to be the light?
What does it mean for us to “walk in the light” as opposed to “walk in darkness”?
Why is walking in the light so important for fellowship with one another?

Notes

Although some biblical scholars think that this is a reference to the ethical or moral purity of God, based on John’s use of the metaphor of light in the Gospel, it is better to understand this as a reference to God as the source of life. Since light is what leads to life, God is at the very center of our existence.
If you take this analogy further, “walking in the light” means to walk in the fullness of life, while “walking in darkness” means denying the source of life, the incarnate Son of God. In his letter, John is addressing the problem of those who have walked away from the faith by rejecting Christ. Walking in darkness is a life without Christ.
Those who deny Christ clearly have no fellowship with God, nor can they have true fellowship with other Christians. Belief in God in the general sense can never substitute for belief in God through Jesus Christ.

Evening Reflection

How have you walked in the fullness of life today? Were you able to experience God’s love today and share it with others? Has God been present in all your thoughts and deeds? Write down what it means for you to live life in all of its abundance.

September 20, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 31, 2015

Devotional Thought for this Morning

“Our Parents—A Mixed Bag!”

2 King 14:1-7

In the second year of Joash the son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. 4 But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 5 And as soon as the royal power was firmly in his hand, he struck down his servants who had struck down the king his father. 6 But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.”

Looking back at my late father, he was a lot better man than what I thought as an immature teenager; but sometimes, I harbored resentment because of his temper. Perhaps due to his long military career, he was impatient with those whose action or speech was objectionable to him. Sadly and deservedly, I got the brunt end of this because of many dumb things I did. And I remember murmuring to myself more than once, “I will not be like him.” That is why 2 Kings 14:3 caught by attention: “[Amaziah] did in all things as Joash his father had done.” I regretfully admit that I’ve been temperamental with my family one too many times. So, have I done as my father had done?

Most kings of Israel, such as Ahab and Manasseh, were bad apples; but other kings, like Asa and Uzziah, were a mixed bag—they began well but ended quite badly. This would include Joash who was faithful to God—even repairing the temple—as long as Jehoiada, his mentor, was alive; but after his death Joash turned so wicked that he murdered Jehoiada’s son for speaking out against him (2 Chron. 24:21). Joash would suffer the same fate. Amaziah, who had a front row view to all this, certainly was influenced by his father. As was Joash, Amaziah was a mixed bag of some good and bad, even mirroring his father in his own tragic death (v. 19).

So how much did Joash influence Amaziah? I think this is where our probe should stop, because parents get too much credit when kids turn out “well” but get buried when they don’t.

Certainly, my father affected me, and maybe, we share predispositional traits that make us more susceptible to being temperamental. Nevertheless, I, as a believer in whom dwell God’s word and the Spirit, and surrounded by a supportive community, can always choose not to give into my weakness.

The fact is, most parents are a mix-bag—we do our best but it really isn’t good enough to guarantee anything. So we fall on our knees and cry for mercy for our children. Then we get up and “follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). When we fail, we ask for forgiveness and try again!

Prayer: Lord, let my children follow only my good examples, and reject the bad ones. May they follow the examples of Christ. Oh God, may my children surpass me in every aspect, particularly their love and devotion to You. Thank You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Ezekiel 18:14-20: Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: 15 he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, 16 does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 17 withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. 19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

2 Cor. 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Rom. 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Question to Consider

1. What does this passage assume about the influence of fathers over their sons?

2. Breaking away from a bad influence is never easy; we often end up making the same mistakes that we saw growing up. How can we break away from this?

3. In what sense can this be an encouragement to discouraged parents who have made their share of mistakes while raising children?

Notes

1. In short, the parental influence is not deterministic; that is, just because parents were ungodly and unrighteous doesn’t mean that their offspring has no choice but to mirror their parents.

2. Of course, negative influence is everywhere, including the home, but God-given free will under the empowerment of the Spirit that regenerates and transform us in Christ can overcome it. This doesn’t mean that we will bat 1.000, but it does mean that we can have a fruitful and meaningful existence here on earth.

3. Many parents live with guilt and many regrets. But our children are one-turning-to-God away from becoming a righteous, kind and just son or daughter as described by Ezekiel. It is never too late. Once we become Christians, parent should set better examples, admit our fault when in the wrong to our children, then pray without ceasing for them.

Evening Reflection

Even if you are not a parent, we all have parents. And others are parents, perhaps for a long time. What is one thing you can do for your parents that will help them to know God better? What is one thing you can do for your child that can help him or her to love God. Do it tomorrow. For now, pray for strength to carry that out in love.

September 19, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on September 20, 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

“I Am Leaving and You Will Thank Me Later”

John 16:5-7

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

One may become quite dismayed by these verses. Jesus, who had been leading His disciples for a few years at this point, tells them that it is to their advantage that He leaves. Whaaaat? To their advantage? That may seem like LeBron James saying to the Cavs that it’s to their advantage that he leave (“You will thank me later”), yet what would the Cavs be without him? And what would the disciples be without Jesus? How could Jesus say that it’s to their advantage that He leaves? Many of us may think, if only Jesus were still around, living this life of faith would be so easy.

But what does Jesus say? He says, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.” The Helper, the Holy Spirit, was the promise of Christ to His disciples, and more than that, the Spirit was the promise of God to all His people from long ago. Joel 2:28 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” And in order for this promise to be fulfilled, Jesus needs to die and be resurrected. Only then can the Spirit be poured out on all flesh.

Above, I posed this question, “What would the disciples be without Jesus?” And thanks to the book of Acts, we have an answer to that. While the Cavs likely would not be a championship team without LeBron, the disciples became a transformed people after Jesus left. When the Spirit came upon them, they suddenly became mouthpieces for the Kingdom, bringing the good news of Jesus from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And just like the disciples, the Spirit falls on us when we believe in Jesus. So the next time you say to yourself, “If only Jesus were still around, life would be much easier,” remind yourself that you have the Spirit of Christ living inside of you, and this Spirit will enable you to do the “greater works” that Jesus promised in John 14:12.

Prayer: Lord, fill me again with Your Spirit. Sometimes I forget that Your Spirit is within me, but remind me again that You live in me; and if you live in me, Your strength will always be with me. Thank You for Your Spirit; help me to live in the power of the Spirit each moment.

Bible Reading for Today:1 Chronicles 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Joel 2:28-30a: And it shall come to pass afterward,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your old men shall dream dreams,

and your young men shall see visions.

Even on the male and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Questions to Consider

Who is the promise of the Holy Spirit for?
How does receiving the Spirit affect our lives?
How do we receive the Spirit in our lives?

Notes

All flesh, meaning all people! The passage calls out sons and daughters, old and young men, male and female servants to emphasize that this promise is really for everyone – not just the Spiritual elite, the ones in power, or the ones who seem to be the most well-to-do. No, the promise of the Spirit is for all people who believe.
With the Spirit, we receive the power of God in our lives. Never before Pentecost had the people of God received the Spirit in such an enduring way. Previously, the Spirit was temporary, coming upon God’s people at specific times. But now, through Jesus, the Spirit is always with us so that we may prophesy, dream dreams, see visions, and ultimately live in the power of God.
The passage tells us that when we call upon the name of the Lord, we shall be saved. And more than that, when we are saved, we receive the Spirit. So call upon God and He will listen! Cry out for His Spirit because He delights to pour His Spirit upon us!

Evening Reflection

Ask again for God to fill you with His Spirit. Though we know the Spirit is always with us, the filling of the Spirit is something we need day after day. So ask again for more of the Spirit so that tomorrow you may continue to live in His power.

September 18, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on January 25, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Why We Praise Others”

Jn. 4:27-8; 39-42

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward Him. . . . Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them and He stayed two days. And because of His words many more became believers. They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’”

One movie released in 2014 that I enjoyed enough to watch more than once was Interstellar: I loved the breathtaking setting of space; the suspenseful narrative which showcased the best and worst of humanity; the deeply moving Hans Zimmer soundtrack, etc. So when a discussion among friends or co-workers about good movies to watch would come up, I would (and still do) enthusiastically recommend Interstellar. Seeing it for the second time with my sisters, and watching them get engrossed in it, made me enjoy the movie even more than before.

Perhaps you are not a movie fan or have a different opinion about Interstellar: The point is that whatever activity you enjoy or person you admire, you will naturally praise it to others—meaning to express admiration or approval. And praise is so reflexive that we don’t even think about it. Whether it is great food from a restaurant, a person’s lifelong accomplishments, or a highlight from one of our favorite athletes, all of these can be sources of praise. Whatever or whoever is the object of your praise, it will most likely make its way into your conversations or perhaps into your statuses and tweets.

The Samaritan woman has often been described as one of Jesus’ first evangelists. After meeting Jesus, she enthusiastically praised Him and shared about His impact in her life with others; and as a result, many became believers. As people who have encountered Jesus in our lives, we, too, should praise Him and share about His life-changing effect with others. No doubt we may face barriers, but keep in mind that the Samaritan woman had her own obstacles as well. Her inferior status as a woman in Middle Eastern society and her reputation as an adulterer did not prevent her from sharing about Jesus in wise ways (i.e. using a rhetorical question instead of the declaration, “He is the Messiah,” which others might have scoffed at or ignored).

But before we begin to praise Jesus with others, we have to ask ourselves, have we encountered Him recently? Have we remembered His goodness during our times of prayer or reading of His Word? Methods and strategies may be good for evangelism, but what’s even more important is a heart alive from meeting with Christ. Let’s reach out our hands and ask Him to meet us where we are this Sunday so that we will naturally declare as David did: “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done” (Psalm 9:1).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to share about You with others, but I know that I cannot because of my own limited strength and hesitancy. Help me to encounter You today so that “I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done.” May my praise to You overflow from my lips unto the hearts of many this day and in the future. In Your name, I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 25