July 22, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee who heads Catalyst Agape Church in New Jersey, was first posted on May 18, 2015.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Clay in the Potter’s Hand”

Jeremiah 18:6

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!” 

I would watch my children play with clay. The clay would get stretched, pulled, and dirtied. In other words, the clay would get abused, and eventually the poor clay would be thrown away because it cannot be used anymore. Clay in the hands of a child becomes a toy to be used and discarded; clay in the hands of a potter is similar yet very different in a profound way. This clay is also stretched and pulled, yet it is being stretched and pulled not to be discarded but to become something that is valued, useful, and beautiful. The greater the potter, greater the value of what the clay becomes.  A Ming Dynasty vase can cost over $10 million dollars today. You, in the hands of the Master, are worth infinitely more. 

Yet it is not easy to stay in the hands of the Master. Therefore, let’s cast off the things that make us move away from the Potter’s hand. I have learned that staying in the hands of God is not about being silent and just waiting; it is hard spiritual work. There are many different ways we knowingly and unknowingly move away from the hands of the Potter. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light on anything that makes us move away from the Potter’s hand. It might be worldly philosophies, wrong mindsets and belief system, lies, a temptation you are facing during this season, or it might be simple as a complaining spirit. 

As the Holy Spirit shines His light into your heart, turn away and renounce those things that hinder you from drawing close to God. And spend the rest of the day submitting yourself to the Lord. The world tempts us with comfort and riches, but God wants to do much more for you—a life that is much more worthwhile. But to do this work, He is looking for clay that is compliant and moldable—clay that trusts and is completely yielded to Jesus.

Prayer:  You know my going in and my going out. You know my innermost thoughts. Sovereign Lord, You have the best plan for my life. I submit to your agenda and for you to shape me into the person You want me to be, for I am clay in Your hands.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 139:1-8: “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

Questions to Consider

1. David mentions several areas of his personal life that God has “searched and known.”  List many as you can where God has searched and known your life. 

2. Does God know your thoughts?  If yes, should we be afraid?

3. Meditate on how God knows about your life.

Note

1. It could be your thought life, prayer life, relationships, entertainment choices, etc.

2. Of course, God knows our thoughts but we don’t need to be afraid because our God is a good and kind deity.

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

We began the day reflecting on God’s sovereignty. Did you experience that today?  

Share your story.

July 21, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on August 13, 2015.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Getting Even With the Enemy?”

2 Kings 6:18-23

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria. 20 When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22 He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

I can only remember two times in my life having what I would describe as an enemy. The most memorable was a boy in my 5th grade class who just wouldn’t leave me alone. Finally, at the end of the school year, I’d had enough – when he took his teasing too far, I chased him all the way to the playground, socked him a good one, and shoved his head in the sand underneath the tire swings. Needless to say, he stopped bothering me after that. And now we can look back on the whole thing and laugh. 

In our story for today, Elisha and the people of Israel have an opportunity to get even with their enemies. Through God’s power at work in Elisha, Israel’s enemies, the Arameans, are struck blind and led right into the middle of Israel’s camp. At this point (blind and in their enemy’s camp), the Arameans could easily have been captured and killed. But Elisha chooses a different way. Not only does Israel not put the Aramean army to death – they show them great hospitality and bless them before sending them on their way. 

It’s not often that the average person has enemies in the conventional sense – but we all have people who are far from “friends” in our lives. Whether it’s an annoying person at work or the relative who always has something negative to say or even institutions that make life more difficult – for all of us a name or two likely comes to mind. 

In dealing with these people, we stand to learn much from the prophet Elisha. Not only did he not get even when he had the chance, but he went so far as to be a blessing to those who opposed him. Why? Because through his kind and righteous behavior, his enemies were able to see the power of God at work, the result of which is much more valuable than vengeance. His enemies ceased to pursue him anymore and, even more importantly, quit opposing the sovereign work of God which was at work through His people Israel. 

I remember reading a prayer by Scotty Smith that said, “Lord, I am certain that I want to honor you more than I want to feel vindicated.” That’s not an easy prayer to pray, but it is one that can both free us from those who oppose us and open their eyes to see God at work in one fell swoop. 

Prayer: Lord, I want to honor you more than I want to feel vindicated. In every relationship or area of opposition in my life, make this prayer genuine in my heart. Help me to truly believe that loving my enemies is always the best way.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 12:14-21: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean to bless and not curse our enemies? How might that practically play out in your life? 
  2. How might our actions in taking revenge fail to leave room for God’s vengeance? 
  3. Why are God’s instructions to us in verse 20 so important? What is He ultimately asking us to do? 

Notes

  1. Our tendency when someone opposes us is to speak negatively against them and wish ill towards them (and understandably so). But instead of doing this, we are called to bless them – not only with our words but also with our actions. This could take many forms, none of which will likely be easy to do. 
  2. When we seek revenge, we always are in sin. This is the first problem Paul instructions seek to help us avoid. But even further, God can enter into situations where we’ve been wronged and make things right in ways we often can’t imagine. Even more, He is able to change the heart of our oppressors. This is the greater victory. 
  3. Where our natural response to opposition is to destroy the source, God calls us to not only resist that impulse but to respond with actions that bring life. Feeding the hungry and giving a drink to the thirsty are all life preserving actions. As people of God, we are called to bring life, even to the one who seeks our destruction. In so doing, we both preserve our life and theirs as well. 

Evening Reflection

In what ways can you “over come evil with good” in your life right now? Who are the people around you whom God is calling you to bless even as they oppose you? Spend some time seeking the Lord about these things. Ask Him to show you practical ways to be a blessing. Ask Him to forgive you for ways you’ve breathed curses and for His love to fill your heart for your enemies. Spend some time reflecting on the cross and Jesus’ willingness to come for us when we were God’s enemies. 

July 20, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on September 2, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Raw Deal from God”

2 King 14:23-29

In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27 But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers . . .

Jeremiah (12:1) once complained to God, saying, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” Perhaps, he thought of Jeroboam II whose penchant for evil rivaled that of his predecessor Jeroboam I who, to avoid losing his power, introduced a counterfeit religion to Israel (i.e., worshiping golden calves, non-levitical priesthood) “that led to . . . its destruction” (1 Ki. 13:34).  And for that, God rightfully punished him (14:10-13).  

When compared to how God treated Jeroboam II, however, maybe Jeroboam I got a raw deal because God, instead of punishing Jeroboam II, blessed him like no other kings before or after him.  Under his regime, Israel enlarged its territory like never before, extending it border as far as the Sea of Arabah near Jordon and Damascus.  And according to Amos (1:1) who prophesied during this period, it was a time of unprecedented economic prosperity.  People had winter as well as summer mansions adorned with ivory (3:15); they “dine[d] on choice lambs and fattened calves” (6:4). As for the king himself, unlike other evil kings who suffered a tragic ending, he died peacefully (2 Ki. 14:29).  

So, why did God bless Jeroboam II and Israel despite their continued rebellion?  He was calling them to repent!  Now, this may come as a surprise to those who equate God’s call to repentance to warnings of dire consequences if not complied to.  While that is not untrue, we mustn’t forget that God is always “kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Lk. 6:35), thereby giving them an opportunity to experience His unmerited favor (i.e., grace) that would elicit the kind of response the fisherman Peter had upon realizing that the man responsible for his large haul of fish was the Christ: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man” (5:8).  

Unfortunately, Israel’s response was just the opposite: Thinking that they deserved everything they got, they fell into pride and callousness.  And that’s when God came with a sword: “I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it” (Amos 6:8).

One word of advice: Respond to God when He is being “nice” to us!  Repent. Today.

Prayer: God, how awesome it is to be given this privilege of knowing and worshiping You.  How amazing it is that You show the best of Your grace when I deserve it the least.  I am in awe of your unfathomable ways in which You continue to favor me on account of your Son Jesus Christ.  Thank you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 3

Lunch Break Study 

Read Romans 2:3-4: Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

2 Cor. 6:1: Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Jude 1:4: For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Question to Consider

1. What is the spiritual logic behind God’s kindness leading us to repentance?

2. Describe what God was doing for Jeroboam II and Israel by blessing them in accordance to Romans 2:3-4?

3. What is the worst thing we can do with God’s grace? How are you handling it at the moment?

Notes

1. When we do wrong, our conscience (unless it has been desensitized) is bothered and we expect to be caught and then punished.  Let’s assume that a policeman stopped you for a traffic violation.  But instead of issuing the ticket, he gives you a pep talk about safe driving and a piece of bubble gum to boot—now, that’s kindness!  And when the officer is leaving and says, “Drive safely,”  we say, “Yes sir!”

2. God was forbearing, being kind and patient with Jeroboam II and Israel so that they would repent.

3. The worst thing we can do with God’s grace is to receive it in vain and then abuse it with this type of thinking: “Since He is not willing to punish me for my sins, I’m going to continue in them.” Don’t forget: “You may be sure that sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

Evening Reflection

In the same way that fish may not be conscious of water that surrounds it, we may not be all that conscious of God’s grace and mercy which we receive from Him daily.  Look back to this day and recall the times when it was evident that God was being gracious and merciful to you.  Thank Him.  

July 19, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 12, 2016, is written by Tina Hsu who serves as AMI missions coordinator.  Tina, a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.) and is married to Anthony.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Obeying Our Loving God”

Mark 12:28-34 

One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

I grew up with a pretty good record of being an obedient daughter towards my earthly father. I obeyed and listened to him, but I didn’t obey because I loved him. I obeyed primarily because I was afraid of him—his temper and the idea of disappointing him. God has held my hand to overcome fear and to begin obeying my father because I love him. Even though my dad’s response is not in my control, this change in my heart has helped me to overcome fear.  This has also revealed to me how God wants me to relate to Him. He desires that I obey His word because I love and adore Him. God calls us to obey Him because we love Him, for love is the channel through which He relates to us and desires us to relate to Him. He loved us first by sending His beloved Son to defeat sin and death, so that we could be reconciled to Him. He whole-heartedly loved us and calls us to whole-heartedly love Him in a relationship.

Jesus affirms that loving God with our heart, mind, soul, and strength is the greatest commandment, next to loving our neighbor, because the love command is the preface for the whole Law. Every command and every prohibition that comes from God teaches and guides us how to express our love for God. He is not saying all other statutes are less important, or that we should pay less attention to other laws. But He is saying that the love command is the most important, because it sums up the spirit of the Law. For this reason, Jesus was pleased to hear the scribe’s response, because he seems to have understood that God delights in obedience that comes from a person’s love for him. On the contrary, he does not delight in acts of obedience that are empty of love.

There comes a point in our walk with God in which we have to ask ourselves, “Why do I obey and serve God?” May God work in you and me so that the reason we obey Him is because we love Him.

Prayer: Dear God, let my obedience and sacrifice for You be an overflow of my love for You and out of a joy of being Your servant. Thank You for loving me first, so that I could experience what true and unconditional love is. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 2

Lunch Break Study

Read John 14:19-24 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.21 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?”23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word, which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.

Questions to Consider

1. What is Jesus preparing the disciples to face?

2. How should the disciples expect to see Jesus after He leaves them?

3. What does this passage teach you about discipleship? What does it mean that you are a disciple of Jesus?

Notes

1. Jesus is about to leave the world by dying on the cross, rising again, and ascending to be with the Father. Jesus is preparing the disciples to trust that they will still continue to see Him.

2. They will receive guidance and instruction from the Holy Spirit. They can expect to experience the love of God by pursuing a mutual love relationship with Him. Jesus calls them to express their love for Him by keeping His words.

3. Personal Response. 

Evening Reflection

Mark 12:32-33 “…He is One, and there is no one else besides Him…” Before we can offer God anything, we must remember and absorb the truth that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him. Reflect on an area in your life that competes with honoring God and spend time praying for your relationship with God to be renewed and restored. 

July 18, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 18, 2016, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim of Church of Southland.  Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.). Since he is about to plant a church in Seattle, please pray for him and his family.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Jesus the Logos”

John 1.1-3, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. . . . 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

It was freshman year, first semester Philosophy 100 class. I was sitting there half nervous/half curious about what was in store for me, because I had heard countless stories of people denouncing their faith while studying philosophy. It was in the midst of this tension that an unexpected connection was made: logos. Many know that logos is the Greek word for word. What we may not realize is that this term represents more than the words that we read or speak. It describes a transcendent wisdom that orders the world accordingly. When these philosophers looked out in the world and saw how everything was ordered, to them, the only rational explanation was a Divine Wisdom that held all things together.

In the beginning was the Logos… are the first words John writes to both hellenized Jews and Gentiles who are familiar with the weightiness of this word. It describes a Jesus that not only is concurrent with God but is God. And much like the held beliefs of the ancients, all things came about through Him and nothing came about apart from Him. John is claiming that Jesus is that Divine Wisdom that holds all things together, the Logos. 

Even if we may not fully grasp this concept of the Logos, ask yourself, “Is Jesus this transcendent in my life?” We often think of the pictures we see hung up in church, the gorgeous Jesus with the nicely trimmed beard and flowing hair, holding a little lamb in His arms. We love those old songs that claim Jesus as our best friend. And although these things are true, perhaps we’ve lost a sense of the transcendence of Jesus? Even the pagan philosophers of old who did not know Jehovah knew that there was something out there who was greater than what our minds could ever comprehend.

Is Jesus transcendent in your life? Take a moment and allow the greatness of Jesus to flood your heart with awe and wonder. He is the answer, the beginning of all things.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that you are indeed our greatest friend who laid down Your life for us. I also thank You that You are so much greater than anything I could ever comprehend—greater than my wisdom, my perspective, my strength. Allow my perspective of life on this day to be transformed by gazing at a God that is truly great. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Colossians 1.15-20:  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Questions to Consider

  1. Highlight or jot down all the words that are used to describe Christ in this passage. What kind of picture of Christ is Paul drawing?
  2. What does it mean when Paul writes that in everything [Christ] might be preeminent (verse 18, ESV)?
  3. Having established the greatness of Christ, Paul writes that it is through this Christ that we have our reconciliation with God. How does understanding Christ’s preeminence enrich your understanding of salvation?

Notes

  1. “image of the invisible God” “firstborn of all creation” “by him all things were created” “all things were created through him and for him” “before all things” “in him all things hold together” “the head of the body, the church” “the beginning” “firstborn from the dead” “preeminent””all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” “reconcile to himself all things” / [answers may vary] Paul is painting a picture of Christ where not only is He above all things, but He is at the center of all things; all things are by Him and for Him.
  2. The dictionary defines the word preeminent as surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way. Looking at the language closely, there is a sense of intentionality, that Christ’s preeminence in all things is how God has established things, and in this, all other things are made right. 
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

As today’s theme was about the transcendence of Christ, in what ways were you reminded of Christ’s greatness today? In what ways have you seen the negative consequences of situations (whether in your life or in the life of others) where Christ is not preeminent? Take some time to journal your tho

July 17, Sunday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on October 17, 2015.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Mountain Moving Faith” (A true story)

Ezra 6:8-12

“I also hereby issue orders as to what you are to do with those elders of the Jews in order to rebuild this temple of God. From the royal treasury, from the taxes of Trans-euphrates the complete costs are to be given to these men, so that there may be no interruption of the work. 9 Whatever is needed–whether oxen or rams or lambs or burnt offerings for the God of heaven or wheat or salt or wine or oil, as required by the priests who are in Jerusalem–must be given to them daily without any neglect, 10 so that they may be offering incense to the God of heaven and may be praying for the good fortune of the king and his family.” 11 “I hereby give orders that if anyone changes this directive a beam is to be pulled out from his house and he is to be raised up and impaled on it, and his house is to be reduced to a rubbish heapfor this indiscretion. 12 May God who makes his name to reside there overthrow any king or nation who reaches outto cause such change so as to destroy this temple of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given orders. Let them be carried out with precision!” 

One of my favorite words in Scripture is that God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20). After reading the passage above, I’m sure Israel was blown away by God’s provision for them!  

A local pastor tells the following story: 

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate forthe size of the building. Until the church doubled the size of theparking lot, they would not be able to use the new sanctuary. Unfortunately, the church with its undersized parking lot had used every inch of their land except for the mountain against which it had been built. In order to build more parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain out of the back yard.

Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning that he would meet that evening with all members who had “mountain moving faith.” They would hold a prayer session asking God to remove the mountain from the back yard and to somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening dedication service thefollowing week. At the appointed time, 24 of the congregation’s 300 members assembled for prayer. They prayed for nearly three hours. At ten o’clock the pastor said the final “Amen.” “We’ll open next Sunday as scheduled,” he assured everyone. “God has never let us down before, and I believe He will be faithful this time too.”The next morning, as he was working in his study, there came a loud knock at the pastor’s door. When he called, “Come in,” a rough looking construction foreman appeared, removing his hard hat as he entered.“Excuse me, Reverend. I’m from Acme Construction Company overin the next county. We’re building a huge new shopping mall overthere and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us achunk of that mountain behind the church? We’ll pay you for thedirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge, if wecan have it right away. We can’t do anything else until we get thedirt in and allow it to settle properly.”

The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally planned, and there were far more members with “mountain moving faith” on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week!  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory” (Eph. 3:20, 21).

Prayer: Lord, may we remember today that we, with mustard seed faith and the Holy Sprit’s power within, can become mountain movers.  Help us to continue to trust in You and expect You to move in ways far beyond our wildest dreams in the face of our present struggles.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 16

July 16, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Jabez Yeo, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on May 30, 2015.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Stewardship”

Matthews 25:24-28

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master answered him, “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

During my college years, God blessed me through my parents who promised to financially support me. Knowing how hard my parents worked to provide for my education, I was careful of how I spent the money they gave me.  At times this meant making some tough decisions, but realizing that the money was ultimately not mine but theirs made the decisions easier as time progressed.  

Oftentimes, we unconsciously act as if the blessings in our lives are our possessions and for us only. In contrast, King David describes reality when he declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). Thus, we are not actually the true owners of what we possess. Rather, we are stewards and caretakers of the blessings and resources that God, the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), has graciously provided. 

Like any good owner, God wants to see His resources being put to good use. Our handling of this is called stewardship.  He wants to see a return; a multiplication of His Kingdom as a result of His gifts. But like the servant, we can be afraid to step out in faith and use our talents for His glory. For some of us, this could manifest in not tithing and choosing to use “our” money solely for ourselves. For others, it could be not serving in certain ministries despite brothers and sisters affirming the fit based on God-given abilities. Whatever the situation may be, it can be easy for us to be like the servant and hide our talent in the ground, ignoring the day that God will hold us accountable for what He gave us.

While others may have more talent or more resources, all of us have the privilege of furthering God’s kingdom through what He has given us. Let’s pray that God would give us the strength to step out in faith and use His blessings to bless others (Gen. 12:1-3). And let’s live in light of the fact that God is holding us accountable. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it’s easy for me to be selfish with what You have given me. At times, I may feel afraid of stepping out in faith and using Your blessings for Your glory. Please help me to be a good steward and to further Your Kingdom through Your gifts. May You increase and I decrease as a result. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 14-15

July 15, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 17, 2016, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Direction, Not Intention, Matters”

Galatians 6:7-8

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

We rarely have bad intentions—or at least we rarely would admit to having bad intentions.  Whatever we do, we typically think that it’s okay, as long as our intentions are good.  Andy Stanley has a great saying in his book, The Principle of the Path: “Direction, not intention, determines your destination.”  His main observation is that we put too much weight on our good intentions, when really, it’s the direction in which we are going and the decisions we make that determine where we end up.  For example, no one intends to fail out of school, but because they don’t study and play videogames all day, people are heading for   that direction.  No one wakes up one day and says, “I want to be a bad spouse!” but because they neglect their spouses in various ways, people are on a direction to have unhealthy marriages.  

In Galatians, Paul lays out two ways to sow or two directions that we can take with our life decisions:  either we sow to our own flesh or we sow to the Spirit.  Sowing to our own flesh leads to a destination of corruption, while sowing to the Spirit leads to a destination of eternal life.  None of us intends to go the path towards corruption.  Many of us lose sight of this, though, because when we’re living for materialism, power or status, our intentions are not necessarily evil.  We’re not sitting back scheming about how we will corrupt ourselves or corrupt the world.  But because we’re sowing to our own flesh—living for things of this world—it leads us towards a destination of destruction.  

The good news is that if we sow to the Spirit and live for the things of God, we will reap eternal life.  When we have both good intentions and good directions, we will find ourselves living the full and eternal life Jesus has set out for us.  Let us strive this day to sow to the Spirit and live for eternity!

Bible Reading for Today:  Romans 13

Lunch Bible Study

Read John 6:35-40: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean that Jesus is the “bread of life”?
  2. What are Jesus’ requirements for eternal life?
  3. Have you experienced true satisfaction in your life?  Or are you finding temporary satisfaction in things of this world?

Notes

  1. It means that we will not hunger or thirst anymore.  If we eat of the bread of life, we will find true satisfaction that nothing else of this world could ever give. 
  2. Jesus’ requirement for eternal life is that we look on the Son and believe in him.  There are no good works that we need to do besides believing and trusting in Jesus.
  3. Personal reflection question. 

Evening Reflection

As you’ve reflected on our passage today, consider what you’ve been sowing in your life and what destination that leads to.  Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you towards eternal life.

July 14, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 4, 2016, is provided by Pastor Barry Kang, who heads Symphony Church in Boston.  Barry is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Gordon Conwell Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Ernie’s Friend”

Colossians 3:11

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

I remember Richard Mouw, former president of Fuller Theological Seminary, talking about when he was a seminary student.  He spent many late nights in the library and got to know the custodian, an older gentleman who would engage Richard Mouw in conversations every so often. 

One night, as Mouw was working on a paper, the custodian came over and said, “So, you like books….”  Mouw wanted to focus on his work, and said, “Yes, I do,” and returned to his reading.  The custodian responded, “Ernie was like that.  He liked books, too.”  “Ummm, okay,” he said, but after a few moments, Mouw asked, “Who’s Ernie?” “Ernie was a friend of mine from way back.  He really liked books, too.” Mouw thought, “Well, okay.”“Ernie ended up writing some books of his own.  You may know some of his books.  He wrote one about a fisherman.” Something clicked in Mouw’s mind, so he asked,  “Wait, was Ernie’s last name Hemingway?” “Yep.”  All of a sudden, the custodian wasn’t just a custodian anymore.   He was Ernest Hemingway’s friend.  He was interesting!

God has placed various people in our lives: friends, family, spouses, co-workers, bosses, etc.  When we see them, do we see just them, or do we see the One who created them?  How would our interactions change if we truly saw Jesus behind them?

Prayer:  Father, help us to see You in every relationship we have.  Lord, we have never locked eyes with anyone who was not loved by You, so help us to love them as You have loved us.  We thank You for Your love.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 25:31-40: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” 40 And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Questions to Consider

  1. The passage speaks of the Son of Man coming in His glory to judge.  Who will be judged at this time?
  2. Who will inherit the kingdom?
  3. Upon what basis are we to love the people we encounter?

Notes

  1. Jesus tells us that “all the nations” will be gathered before Him (v.32).
  2. Those who gave Jesus food, drink, clothes, and welcomed and visited Him will inherit the kingdom.
  3. The basis for our love and care is not that people deserve love and care, or that we are good people doing the right thing; rather, we are to love the people whom we see around us (particularly those in need) as though we were serving Jesus, who is our Lord, Judge, and Savior.

Evening Reflection  

Take some time to journal your feelings toward the primary relationships in your life.  To what extent are you loving them as though you were honoring Jesus?  How is the Holy Spirit asking you to love them?

July 13, Wednesday

UPDATEDToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 1, 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

Abortion?  You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!

1 Cor. 4:17

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

When “Jorge”—originally from Puerto Rico—saw me jogging in Chester Park this December (2016), he was happy to see me, since we hadn’t seen each other for over three years—I had moved away from that neighborhood. As we were chatting, my ears perked up when Jorge, a naturalized citizen who has long retired, said that he voted for Trump, since only a quarter of Hispanics voted for Trump. Seeing my surprised reaction, he added, “I was going to vote for Clinton, until the third debate made me realize that her position could make any abortion legal at any point during a pregnancy.” Then it dawned on me that most foreign-born Hispanics (i.e., immigrants), certainly more religious than the general population, are socially more conservative.  About 60 percent of them (PEW Research Center 2014), perhaps still bearing the influence of Catholicism, continue to hold that what’s inside the womb is life.  

On the one hand, the best defense for abortion is the consideration for life and health of the mother, which makes up for one to two percent of all the reasons given for abortion. On the other hand, the worst argument for abortion is unwanted pregnancy—meaning, adding a baby in one’s life will lead to disruption of its lifestyle. Once, my heart sank upon being told by my wife that she was pregnant, not long after our third child was born. While I was worrying about the cost and squeezing another person into our tiny house, my wife blurted out “April Fools!”  Yes, I guess I momentarily grasped how unwanted pregnancy makes you feel, but that’s no reason to abort the life inside the womb. 

I ask this question to Bible-believing Christians: When does life begin? If you say, “after the birth,” then, I fully understand why you support abortion; at least you are consistent, albeit you are blissfully ignorant of God’s word. However, if you agree with the psalmist who declares, “For [God] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:13-14), and yet support abortion, then, you are being greatly inconsistent, for belief that life begins at conception necessarily renders abortion a morally indefensible act. As today’s scripture insinuates, our private belief should match our public standing. No, you can’t have your cake and eat it too! If you believe the entity in the womb is life and you still support abortion, you are being downright hypocritical.  

And even if abortion is permitted on account of life of the mother, it must meet stringent requirements (like in legal euthanasia), or otherwise not-so-critical medical conditions can readily become a justified ground for taking the life of another human being.

The apostle John’s statements, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did,” and “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar,”simply means that we be consistent—that our belief match our action.  How about you?  Are you consistent?  

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise You this morning for giving me life, both physical and spiritual.  Though, at times, I may be dissatisfied with my life, teach me to be content and thankful, knowing that You gave me this life. Fill me with the Spirit, so that I may always find satisfaction in only You.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 11

Lunch Break Study

Re-read 1 Cor. 4:17 (NIV): For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Cor. 10:23-4: “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Questions to Consider

1. What was so important to Paul that he sent Timothy to Corinth to inform this to the believers there?

2. Apply the answer to question 1 to abortion. In light of that, what is the point of the morning devotional?  

3. The pro-choice advocates privilege women’s right to choose. Okay, going along with that language and logic for the moment, based on 1 Cor. 10:23-4, is there something more important than having the power to choose? Choosing between two socks is one thing but over life and death?  

Note

1. What was so important to Paul was being consistent: he wanted the Corinthian believers to know that his way of life in Christ Jesus was congruent to what he taught publicly in every church.

2. The morning devotional wasn’t about whether abortion is wrong per se; it was about being consistent between what you say you believe about the Bible and what you believe about abortion.  Be consistent. 

3. What’s more important than the power to choose is making the right choice, since not every choice is as beneficial or constructive.  The choice is made not from the standpoint of what is best for me but in consideration of what is good for others.  If you believe that what’s inside the womb is a person, then you need to seek that person’s good, not just yours. Isn’t that why almost all public spaces do not permit smoking precisely because it seeks the good of non-smokers.  

Evening Reflection

Perhaps, you were angry reading this morning’s devotional or the lunch break study.  It’s okay.  The issue is a volatile one and passion can run high. Before you go to sleep, would you pray that our society would give more consideration to unborn babies than, in some cases, abused animals.  I love dogs but none of them ranks higher in God’s sight than humans, which certainly should include the unborn.  Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (Mk. 10:15-6).  There is no ontological difference between this child and the unborn.  If we really walk as Jesus did, then we would love and bless the unborn.  Think about it.  Really!  And be consistent.