November 26, Wednesday

REPOST Todays’ AMI Quiet Time, originally posted on November 26, 2025, is provided by Pastor Ryun.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Conflicts that Rattle our Security—What Does that Say About Us?

Psalm 3:1-4

O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah. 3 But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the Lord I cry aloud and he answers me from his holy hill.

This Psalm was King David’s prayer when his own son Absalom, after having overtaken the throne, was looking to kill him. For some people, their own family becomes a seedbed of trouble instead of a place of comfort. Even Jesus’ own family rejected Him at first as the Son of God, believing that he was crazy. In fact, on one occasion, when [Jesus’] family heard [about what he was doing], they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind” (Mk. 3:21).

Where people live side-by-side, conflicts are inevitable. I am sure in your work and church, you encounter people who are better or worse endowed than you in terms of education, talent, physical appearance, and socioeconomics. That’s just a fact of life! Wherever humans live, that will always be the case!

Therefore, one source of conflict is dealing with those who seem to be better or less endowed than us. If our measurement is more impressive than that of others, we become condescending toward the latter; but if the reverse is the case, we are given to unhappiness and envy. What does this then say about the basis of your security?

Looking at what happened to David (losing his secure position overnight to his own son), where should our security and confidence come from? What is the theological basis for our security in Christ? Our security is rooted in God’s unconditional acceptance of us, regardless of our demerits. Romans 15:7 declares, “Christ accepted you”—just as we are, in him.

So what are some practical steps we need to take (2 Cor. 10:12)? One practical step is refusing to compare ourselves with others. Learning to be content is the key. Are you content in Christ?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this wonderful new day of experiencing again your amazing love & grace. I lift up to You every member of my family that each may know the surpassing love of Christ and be found in Him!

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:9-14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Questions to Consider

1. To whom was this parable said?

2. Why was this said?

3. Why is humility so important in being justified (i.e., saved) by God (Eph. 2:8-9)?

Notes

1. This was said to unnamed people who, like the Pharisees, mocked others on account of their flawless obedience to the requirements of the Law.

2. This was said because Jesus wanted to make sure that his hearers understood what God was looking for: a humble and penitent heart over those who are intoxicated and impressed with their own religiosity.

3. Without it, humans will boast that their good works, at the very least, nudged God toward saving them. When good works are added, according to Paul, we fall away from grace (Gal. 5:4-5).

Evening Reflection

Though family relationships can stress us out, they can shed much light on God’s love and grace

as well. Did you have any interesting experiences with anyone in your family? Have you resolved the last family conflict? If not, then ask God to give you the strength to reconcile. Don’t delay. Trust God who, in all things, including our conflicts, works for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28)? Even as we pray for and love our family, we look to God for comfort; He alone is our deliverance and our security!

November 25, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was originally posted on September 10, 2019. Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Cultivating Generosity”

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

When we think of Paul, we probably think of him as an apostle, a writer, an evangelist, a preacher, a church planter, etc., and indeed he was all those things. But what about this one: fundraiser? That might not be near the top of our list of who Paul was. In fact, it may make us uncomfortable to think of him as such. We tend to get suspicious when people ask us for money. However, when you read his letters, it’s hard to miss how often he mentions the need for Christians to give. He was not blindly fundraising, he had a cause – namely, raising funds for poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem – and he boldly asked the Gentile churches to contribute to this cause. That is the context for the passage above – here, Paul was exhorting the Corinthians to contribute to this collection he was intending to bring to poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.

In Paul’s other letters, he does not always explain in much detail why he is asking for the churches to give, but here in 2 Corinthians, especially chapters 8 and 9, Paul covers in length how important it is for Christians to be generous. And Paul uses a key word to describe generosity: righteousness. Righteousness is an important word for Paul because it describes the relationship between the Christian and God. Those who believe in Jesus are considered righteous. This is a righteousness that is given to us by God because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet, here Paul seems to connect generosity with righteousness. This means that in Paul’s mind, those who believe in Jesus, who have been counted as righteous in God’s eyes, demonstrate their righteousness through generosity.

In fact, Paul quotes Psalm 112 to show that generosity is a sign of a person who fears the Lord (see Psalm 112). “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Righteousness is shown through generosity.

Today, let’s reflect on this idea of generosity. As Christians, we are called to strive for righteousness and often we think of that in terms of the avoidance of certain activities, which is certainly a good start. But as we see in our passage, generosity is a key part of righteousness. So, if we desire righteousness, we must strive to live generously. Perhaps today can be a day you start to cultivate a generous way of life.

Prayer: God, thank you that you are the source of righteousness and the example of true generosity. May we strive to be generous in all we do. Let generosity be a regular part of how we live our ways, such that we reflect your character with our generosity.

Bible Reading for Today:Romans 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 112:5-9: It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;who conducts his affairs with justice.6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

Questions to Consider

What does the Psalm say about the outlook of the person who is generous?
According to this passage, what are some of the effects of being generous?
What is stopping you from cultivating a generous heart?

Notes

Verse 5 says that “It is well with the man who deals generously and lends.” However, this does not mean that being generous is a guarantee of good circumstances. Rather, the person who is generous and lends “is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” (v.7) A person who is generous has cultivated a deep trust that keeps things “well” even if circumstances are not good.
They will never be moved and will be remembered (v.6). They are not bothered when things go badly (v.7). There is less fear and more consistency of emotions (v.8). They are exalted for giving freely to those in need. (v.9) There really is so much blessing to be received when you freely give!
Invite God to speak to you regarding this!

Evening Reflection

Tonight, reflect on the ways you have been on the receiving end of generosity. Think of how you felt. Now, invite God to help you to be a source of blessing to others through your own generosity.

November 24, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on October 21, 2019, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato. Jason is serving in Japan as an AMI missionary.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Dad, Help”

Proverbs 2:1-8

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, [2] making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; [3] yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, [4] if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, [5] then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. [6] For the LORD gives wisdom;from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; [7] he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, [8] guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

Proverbs 2 invites us to receive, treasure, make our ear attentive, incline our hearts, and cry out for wisdom (v.1-3). Simply put, we’re called to desire and ask for insight and instruction. The act of asking presupposes trust.

Sometimes my son “accidentally” breaks apart the tracks to his train set while I am working at the kitchen table. Then, I would hear his voice, “Dad…Dad…help!” He asks for help because he assumes two things. First, I am able to help him (train sets are still within my abilities); second, I am willing to help him. I suppose I could walk over and flip his train table upside-down but my son trusts that I want to help, not hurt.

Do we trust that God is able and willing to answer our prayers for wisdom and understanding? In other words, is God a personal-infinite being worth speaking to when we need insight and help? The author of Proverbs answers with a resounding YES!

Proverbs 1 speaks of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. Fearing the Lord is the path to becoming wise. But as we become wiser, we will gain a greater reverence and fear of the Lord as well (v. 5). It turns out that the fear of the Lord is both the beginning and the end of wisdom!

How does this happen? As we walk with God in reverence, our fear increases based not only on abstract knowledge but through personal experience. As we seek and ask for help, we come to find that the Lord is the one who shields, guards, and watches over his saints (v. 6-8).

As we ask for wisdom and experience God’s faithfulness when our petition is granted, we know with that much more certainty that God will come through and His ways lead to righteousness and life.

Take a moment to remember the faithfulness and answered prayers God has given to you in the past. Then come to Him for the wisdom you need for today.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your faithfulness throughout my life, for you have always been good to me. Grant me the wisdom I desperately need that I might always honor You as I labor at work, love my family, and steward Your gifts.

Bible Reading for Today:Romans 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 11:9-13: And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; [12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Questions to Consider

1. What does v. 9 tell us about how we ought to pray?

2. What causes us to fail to persist in prayer?

3. How are you tempted to believe that you are (or would be) a better parent than God?

Notes

1. We ought to pray with persistence, effort, and faith.

2. We doubt whether God will answer. Ultimately, we question whether God gives good gifts to his children.

3. Answers will vary but could include the following: we feel as if we are more generous and attentive than God, or we care more about our children’s needs.

Evening Reflection

What opportunities did you have today to ask the Lord for His help and insight? How did the Lord provide His fatherly care for you today? Take a moment to thank God for His faithfulness.

November 23, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was originally posted on July 22, 2018. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Failure and Forbearance”

Jeremiah 22:20-23 (NET Bible)

²⁰People of Jerusalem, go up to Lebanon and cry out in mourning. Go to the land of Bashan and cry out loudly. Cry out in mourning from the mountains of Moab. For your allies have all been defeated. ²¹ While you were feeling secure I gave you warning. But you said, “I refuse to listen to you.” That is the way you have acted from your earliest history onward. Indeed, you have never paid attention to me. ²² My judgment will carry off all your leaders like a storm wind! Your allies will go into captivity. Then you will certainly be disgraced and put to shame because of all the wickedness you have done. ²³ You may feel as secure as a bird nesting in the cedars of Lebanon.
But oh how you will groan when the pains of judgment come on you. They will be like those of a woman giving birth to a baby.

After a week of reading about judgement of God, it’s nice to end by remembering His forbearance. In v. 21 (and throughout the book of Jeremiah), God repeatedly warned the people of Israel to turn from their wicked ways, that they might avoid judgment. God, in His patience, exercised forbearance (self-control, restraint, tolerance) for a time, that the people might be saved. Yet they refused to listen.

In an article for Christianity Today, one writer reflects on the reality of failure and forbearance.

R. O. Blechman is one of the most famous illustrators in the world. In his recent book, Dear James: Letters to a Young Illustrator, he shares a series of letters that he wrote to a younger fellow illustrator. In one of the most poignant letters, Blechman addresses the reality of failure:

“Preliminary drawings and sketches often are discouraging things, pale shadows of one’s bold intentions. Seemingly nonsense, they’re especially dispiriting for beginners … ‘Is that what I did,’ the novice might ask, ‘and I consider myself an artist?!’ … Speaking for myself (but also for other illustrators, I’m sure), my trash basket is full of false starts and failed drawings … There should be a Museum of Failed Art. It would exhibit all the terrible art that would have ended up in trash bins and garbage cans, lost and unknown to the public life.

“Surprisingly, the Bible contains a ‘Museum of Failed Discipleship.’ Over and over again, the Gospels record the ‘false starts’ and spiritual failures of the disciples. Thankfully, they also record Christ’s willingness to encourage and challenge his flawed disciples. We tend to cover up our heroes’ faults; and we’re even more likely to gloss over our colossal flops. Instead, the Gospels allow us to see the disciples’ failures—and most of those stories came from the disciples themselves. This honesty provides encouragement to us when we feel like saying, ‘Is that what I did, and I consider myself a Christian?’ Our security is in Christ who continues to love us even when we stumble and fail.”

Jesus Himself hand-picked twelve disciples, all of whom deserted him in His last hours. As far as we know, only John was even at the cross during Jesus’ final moments. All of them failed miserably, by running from Him, doubting Him, denying Him, over and over again. Yet I do find it comforting to know that God chooses to work through such broken people. One of my favorite passages in Scripture reminds us of this: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; (2 Corinthians 4:7)

One thing we must remember is that our failures and missteps are a product of sin, a terrible debt whose redemption cost Jesus His life. May we never take His sacrifice lightly. But the resurrection assures us that there is life after failure, and freedom and power to live anew. May we also never take that for granted! Let’s honor God’s forbearance today by living fully for God’s Kingdom and His glory.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for your patience and forbearance with humankind as we fail time and time again to live up to your intentions at Creation. Help us to learn to love one another, and to bless the creation which You’ve entrusted to us. Thank You for the means by which I can do this, which is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 10

November 22, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on September 29, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Kwon. David leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Priceless”

Matthew 13:44-46

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Recently, I read a story about a man named Michael Rorrer of Virginia who, while cleaning out his great aunt’s home following her death, unexpectedly found a chest full of old comic books—345 in total. As he was going through them, he realized that many of these comic books were rare collectables such as the original comic with the first appearance of Superman and the first issue of Batman. Then it suddenly dawned on Rorrer that he had come upon a great wealth of treasure. So, he immediately went to a local pawnshop where it was estimated that the entire collection was worth $3.5 million!

In today’s passage, Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a great treasure. In the parable, we read about two men who found something very valuable, so much so that they were willing to give up all for it. It is a great picture of what is it like when we gain Jesus in our lives. Friends, do you realize what a priceless treasure it is to gain the Kingdom of Heaven? In Christ we find all that we truly need: eternal life and the purpose for which why we exist on this earth.

Furthermore, we need to see that joy was the motivation that led both to sell all that they had to buy the precious field and pearl, respectively; in fact, it was a pleasure to give it all up. The idea is what the treasure is compared to—it is compared to what they had. The conclusion: There is nothing in my possession that is worth more than Jesus; he is to be treasured.

So, don’t treat Jesus as if he is just another important person in your life. He is not just another source for your life to get richer and happier; he is not just an add-on. Jesus is “the life” (Jn. 11:25)! He is everything to us! Notice that both men in these parables had to leave literally everything else to possess this treasure. That is the requirement to live the kingdom life: No conditions. No refusals. No half-hearted commitment. Would that be how we would describe our relationships to Jesus? If not, what is getting in the way of following Christ with all that we have?

So then, take some time today to treasure him. Spend time treasuring him in the Word and worship. CS Lewis in his book “The Weight of Glory” put is like this: “If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Prayer: Lord, may we treasure Christ with all that we are. I pray that we would be willing to let go of everything else to gain more of him. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 8-9

November 21, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 28, 2019. Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Priestly Role of the Church”

Exodus 40:12-15

“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water 13 and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest. 14 You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them,15 and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

In today’s passage, we find directions given to Moses from God about the line of Aaron serving as a perpetual priesthood throughout the generations. Aaron’s descendants would fulfill the role of representing God to their people—acting as an intermediary between God and the Israelites. It was a very crucial role in the life of Israel. However, in some sense, this role was not limited to only those of Aaron’s line; all of Israel was called to a priestly role.

You see, Yahweh delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt through a powerful demonstration of His power and might. However, God’s plan was not limited to just freedom from bondage. He had a grand purpose and role reserved for them—a vital part in His mission to redeem and renew all of creation. After going through the waters, the Israelites find themselves at the bottom of Mount Sinai and God declares to them, “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests…” (Exodus 19:6). In other words, their nation would not exist for itself but represent God among the nations (Exodus 15:27). They would be commissioned to declare God’s glory in both word and deed.

Interestingly, 1 Peter 2:9 calls the church a royal priesthood. The role originally bestowed upon ethnic Israel has been transferred to the church. It is an important reminder that the church does not solely exist for itself. A pivotal role the church plays in God’s story is one of a priest-we are called to represent God and demonstrate His love and glory to our cities who desperately need Him. Sometimes churches can be so inward focus that we lose this aspect of our calling as a body. Let us remember that our churches are called to the lost! Let us remember that we are priests who have the gospel to proclaim to the nations!

Prayer: Father, we thank You that we have been called to represent who You are to the world around us. I recognize how weighty of a responsibility this role is. Fill me and my church with the power of Your Spirit to reflect your character well to those in our cities! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 7

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 2:9-12: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Questions to Consider

What are the titles given to the church? What ultimate purpose do these titles speak to?
Why does Peter call the church to abstain from the passions of the flesh and to be honorable among the Gentiles?
What are some “good deeds” you can begin in your life to bring glory to God?

Notes

Chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, a people for His possession. All of this is for the ultimate purpose of proclaiming the excellencies of God to the world.
He calls them to be honorable so that by their good deeds they may glorify God.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

1 Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Take some time to reflect on your life. How are your deeds, lifestyle, and character leading others to glorify God? How might you be hindering people from seeing God?

November 20, Thursday

REPOST Todays’ AMI Quiet Time, originally posted on January 16, 2019, is provided by Pastor Ryun.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Media Loves To Dig Up the Past, but God Does the Opposite”

Isaiah 54:4 (ESV)

“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.”

It was quite a spectacle to watch members of the Judiciary Committee—Senator Richard Blumenthal (DConnecticut) in particular—attempt to gauge Brett Kavanaugh’s fitness for the Supreme Court based on entries in his high school yearbook. One writer summarized it as “lots of football, plenty of drinking, parties at the beach.” Others focused on a cryptic reference allegedly pointing to a sexual conquest.

No doubt, to the news media and senators, Supreme Court justices seem far more important than ministers of the gospel like myself. But not according to how God sees things. Kavanaugh was trained in law school to interpret the Constitution of the United States; I was trained in seminary to interpret the Constitution of a Higher Order—the Scripture. Thus, before the eyes of the Lord, what I am called to do in God’s Court (i.e., the church) ranks higher than what Kavanaugh has now been appointed to do in the Supreme Court. So if Kavanaugh’s youthful behavior is grounds for denying his appointment to the lower court, then shouldn’t I resign from the higher court, since I too behaved badly in my youth? I confess that I did things in my youth that would greatly embarrass me if they were exposed. So did King David, who prayed, “O LORD… remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions” (Ps. 25:7).

Are you any different? Senator Blumenthal wasn’t. The same senator who took a hard stance against Kavanaugh’s nomination felt the boomerang effect when a 2010 New York Times report resurfaced during the hearings: he had falsely claimed to have served in Vietnam. President Trump, never one to pass up ridicule, quipped, “Da Nang Blumenthal.” The issue here is not whether one’s background should be weighed in assessing fitness for office—it must—but how far back in time the digging should go. For the 53yearold Kavanaugh, it was high school; for 21yearold Kyler Murray, whose antigay tweet surfaced immediately after he won the 2018 Heisman Trophy, it was age 15. Do you have anything to hide yourself? At some point, the digger must be reminded: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone” (Jn. 8:7b).

Nevertheless, I have good news for people like Blumenthal and Kavanaugh. God is not like the media, which never forgets our most disgraceful moments because such stories sell. First, the bad news: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb. 9:27). At that judgment, “the Lamb’s book of life” will be opened (Rev. 21:26). But here is the good news: if your name is found in that book—because you have believed the promise that “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life”—then you “do not come into judgment, but have passed from death to life” (Jn. 5:24). God promises, “You will not be ashamed or disgraced,” for He declares, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 10:17). That is the New Covenant of grace!

But those who have not believed that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (Jn. 20:31) will find that every act of rebellion against God—including rejection of the gospel—will be remembered. As a result, they will be “thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). If this describes you, then be your own media: recall every sin you have committed. But instead of despairing, turn to Christ and repent—He will save you. Guaranteed.

Meanwhile, resist the temptation to dredge up the past mistakes of others when it suits your agenda. Instead, forgive and forget, just as God has done for us in Christ.

Prayer: Father, there are no words that can adequately capture our awe at discovering that You, in Christ, choose amnesia—no longer remembering our most shameful and disgraceful moments. Thank You! May I extend that same grace to others. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 6

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (ESV): ^“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV): “For we must all appear before the judgment seat [“bema” in Greek: elevated platform] of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV): “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Questions to Consider

I attended a dispensationalist seminary where it was taught that there will be an additional

judgment (a.k.a., the Bema Seat Judgment) just for the believers to determine their rewards. Admittedly, there is a paucity of teaching on rewards. Today, we take a small stab at it.

1. Based on these passages, what should the believers be concerned about regarding their present life on earth: whether going to heaven or hell or something else? Back up your response.

2. What is one key area that God will examine to decide whether we will receive rewards (not salvation) for the things done while we were on earth? In other words, what are the things that we did that would constitute “wood, hay, straw”—combustible materials?

3. Certainly, these verses seem to suggest that bad things we did on earth will be mentioned at this judgement as well, which, then, goes against God’s declaration that “[I] will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12). How can we reconcile this?

Notes

1. The believers need to be concerned about rewards, not whether they are going to make it to heaven. Whereas salvation is a free gift (i.e., the “foundation . . . which is Jesus Christ”), the rewards are determined by “what sort of work each one has done” while on earth.

2. I am under the impression that “wood, hay, straw” do not refer to our sins (since we don’t expect to be rewarded for these); rather, these point to apparently good deeds done while we were on earth that were, nevertheless, done for our own glory, not God’s. Paul calls this “the purposes of the heart” and God will disclose the true nature behind each of our “good” deeds at the judgment seat of Christ.

3. I wrote a book called Theologizing in the Radical Middle whose main thesis is this: when seeing two seemingly conflicting Scriptures that are, nonetheless, true, we accept both in tension. We may have worked out positions that harmonize them (some more convincing than others) but never to a point in which we divisively argue (2 Tim. 2:14). My position has already been stated: in the bema seat judgment of Christ, what are referred to as “bad” things in 2 Corinthians 5:10 are apparently good things, but they were done for the sake of our own glory (“wood, hay, straw”), rather than for God’s glory.

Evening Reflection

Before going to sleep, review your day—focus on those things that you would consider good deeds. Maybe you bought an extra cup of coffee for your co-worker or gave money to a homeless individual. Were you cognizant of your motive in those moments? Looking back, what was the main motive behind those deeds? If it was done for God’s glory, what would that look like? Is this too much thinking for everything we do? Or, should we be more in-tuned with why we do what we do? What do you think? Pray about it. It is important: salvation is free, but rewards are earned. But since our rewards will far exceed what was actually done to deserve them—I mean, who expects to be rewarded for giving a cup of cold water to a child (Matt. 10:42)?—you can say that grace is very much factored in determining our rewards.

November 19, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on November 20, 2019, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Power of Love”

1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

In my early attempts to understand and apply 1 Peter 4:8 into my life, I asked God how my acts and attempts to love—or any person’s love—could possibly cover a multitude of sins. We know that only Christ by His blood and righteousness could cover sin, and furthermore, a multitude of sins, right? Also, as much as I seek to love others, isn’t my love limited and always a work in progress? How could it wipe away or stop sin from happening?

It wasn’t until I served with my team in Asia for my one year AMI internship that this verse began to become real and clear to me. I can testify now that love amongst brothers and sisters through the thick and thin of teamwork really does cover, and prevent, the multitude of possible sins that could dishonor God and hurt one another.

As our team was formed to work towards one mission, all of our insecurities surfaced to the forefront, and we also brought out each other’s insecurities and fears: these would manifest itself through sinful behaviors, such as judging, holding grudges, and comparing. We would be busy protecting ourselves, and not supporting each other because covering our own insecurities was a greater priority. No one liked feeling inadequate. This is where I learned that sin is rooted in insecurity; and on the contrary, security comes from an intimate relationship with God. When we are secure, we sin less. Therefore, we learned and had to work at trying to reflect God’s love towards one another so that our security would increase and give us strength to sin less.

By providing a safe place in our team to be weak and make mistakes, we were tempted less to put each other down and empowered to love. I learned that we were “winning” at teamwork when we learned of each others’ insecurities (particularly in speaking and leading) and found ways to “love” one another’s insecurities away through words of encouragement and support. By doing so, the energy used towards comparing, blaming, being jealous, disputing over ideas, and judging lessened. Loving one another became above being right and seeing our ideas being executed.

Our growth began because one person in my life prayed this verse over our team regularly. Through prayer and waiting, we individually grew insight and understanding to live this out. Let me ask you this: What is the temperature of brotherly love in the team you are working with today? Pray 1 Peter 4:8 over your team and seek the Lord for power to love above all.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the teammates, co-workers, and leaders You have placed in my life in this season. Give me wisdom in all of these relationships so that I could serve my co-workers well and choose to love them deeply. May our workplace be a place where grace is extended, and time is generously given to grow in understanding of how to love one another. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 12:9-13: “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

Questions to Consider

What does v. 9 imply about love?
How does Apostle Paul instruct the church at Rome regarding love in vv. 10-11?
Verse 10b says, “give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,” implying that “giving preference to others in honor” is actually a way of serving the Lord. Who is someone God is leading you to love out of reverence for Christ and for the purpose of serving God?

Notes

To love well requires searching the intention of the heart (discerning if there are evil or good motives), and being sincere, instead of hypocritical.
Love is an action that involves choosing to be devoted to one another and choosing to honor and consider others above ourselves.
Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on Matthew 5:46-47 tonight: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Ask yourself this: Who are the people in your life right now that the Holy Spirit is convicting you to “go the extra mile” to express a love that reflects the love that Jesus defines.

November 18, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on November 12, 2019, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Life or Death”

Deuteronomy 30:15-18

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.

It’s probably a rare occasion now, but if you go to a bookstore, one of the biggest sections of a bookstore is the self-help books. You can find hundreds of books that give you advice on diet, fitness, mental health, productivity, etc. And if you stroll over to the magazine section as well, many of the covers offer promises of good advice that will make you happier, healthier, stronger, better. And then if you just pull out your phone and look through your Facebook feed, you’ll almost certainly encounter articles or ads about how to parent your children, have good EQ, or how to do better in business.

In a world where good advice is offered all over a bookstore or all over our social media newsfeed, it’s not hard for us to lump the Bible into that the category of good advice or self-help as well. We could read books like Proverbs that gives a wealth of good and practical advice or we could read some of Jesus’ teachings like the Sermon on the Mount and think that it’s a good way for us to live, and maybe we should try harder to live like that.

Consider what Moses says about the commandments of God in this passage in Deuteronomy though. Verse 15 says, “I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.” Moses doesn’t see the Word of God as just good advice or good self-help material; to him, it’s a matter of life and death. He goes on to say, that if we would keep the commandments of God’s Word it leads to life abundant, but failure to follow this Word results in death.

At every church, you’ll hear a pastor or leader exhort the congregation to read the Bible. For many people, it just sounds like good advice, but in reality, it’s a matter of life and death. Let us commit ourselves to reading God’s Word not just because it’s good advice, but because in it we can find life.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for Your Word today. Thank You for the invitation to experience life with You. Help me to receive much as I spend time with You in your Word this day. AMEN.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 4

Lunch Break Study

Read John 6:66-69: After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Questions to Consider

Disciples of Jesus turn away from following him because Jesus teachings’ earlier in this passage are difficult to hear and accept. What are some teachings in the Bible that are hard for you to hear and accept? Why are they difficult for you?
Why is Simon Peter able to accept these difficult teachings of Jesus?
How can we learn from Simon Peter’s example when it comes to difficult passages of Scripture?

Notes

Personal reflection question
It’s unlikely that Simon Peter accepts what Jesus teaches because he stood what they meant nor it is likely that he agreed 100% with all that Jesus said. What sad Simon Peter to stay with Jesus is that he understood that Jesus had the words of eternal life and that there is no other place or any other person to go to that leads to eternal life.
We can learn to trust that in the end, Jesus is the Holy One of God and that following His words lead us towards eternal life. Even if we find it hard to accept a given passage or even if we disagree with it, we should trust that Jesus’ words lead to life.

Evening Reflection

The Bible promises us life and life to the full if we follow Jesus. Take some time to reflect on how these promises of abundant life have been true in your life. Remind yourself of God’s goodness in your life and pray that you’ll continue to experience more of it as you grow in relationship with Him.

November 17, Monday

REPOST Todays’ AMI Quiet Time, originally posted on January 31, 2019, is provided by Pastor Ryun.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“How John Tran Became Equal to Benjamin Netanyahu”

2 Kings 5:1-5 (ESV)

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet [Elijah] who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”

We often overlook seemingly insignificant characters who play pivotal roles in great narratives. While we’re well acquainted with General Naaman and the Prophet Elijah—the two central figures in the passage above—we rarely mention the nameless Israelite girl who set the entire story in motion. It was she who led Naaman to declare, “I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel” (1 Kings 5:15). Without her quiet act of faith, Naaman might never have encountered Elijah—and the story might never have been told.

Now met John—a Vietnamese believer (and my former student) who not only learned to play the harp but also crafted harps, all without formal training, and all within just two years. How? John’s unwavering answer: “God.”

So, how well does John play? Well enough to be the only Vietnamese invited among fifty harpists to lead worship at the All Nations Convocation Jerusalem 2018, where 5,500 delegates from 150 nations gathered. And what about the quality of his harps? Remember the thirty harps he believed God had called him to make? Every single one was used at that international convocation.

So moved were the conference organizers by John’s story that they invited him to share his testimony before thousands—including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is not known for overt religious expression. John’s testimony made it unmistakably clear: his ability to play and build harps came from Christ, who empowered him through the Holy Spirit.

Afterward, Netanyahu sought John out. Upon finding him, this powerful leader said to John—an “insignificant” man from Vietnam—“You cannot show us [Jews] that you are smarter than us; you cannot say to us that you are richer than us; but I can see now that we are the same because you have the Holy Spirit.” Suffice it to say, the prime minister was deeply moved.

In both the world and the church, people like the nameless servant girl and John—ordinary individuals simply desiring to serve the Lord—are often overlooked. Yet Zechariah 4:10a asks, “Who despises the day of small things [or people]?” and follows with this promise: “Men will rejoice” when God uses these small things for something great.

This gives us profound hope: that God can use us, too, for His glory. And if your contributions to God’s work go unnoticed, do not be discouraged. For “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).

So let us remain ready—in prayer and preparation—so that when God calls us to something beyond our ability, we will respond with the first step of obedience, in faith.

Prayer: Father, in a world where we get beaten up because we are not good or talented enough, it is comforting to know that You choose “the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” So whenever I am called to obey Your next assignment, strengthen me to do just that: Obey You.

Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 22:27 (ESV): “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men”; Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NVI):“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success; Ps. 33:3 (ESV): “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

Questions to Consider

1. Based on these passages, what is expected of us with respect to what we do for work, profession and/or ministry? What is this about?

2. What are some benefits of improving our professional/ministerial skill-set?

3. How can we improve our skill set (1 Cor. 11:1)?

Notes

1. The expectation is for our skill sets to improve, not stay at the same level. This has to do with our stewardship: getting the most of out of the talents and gifts God has given us.

2. First, our improved skill set can lead to enlarging the sphere of influence for Christ (“before kings”); second, it can also lead to less energy spent while working and gain more.

3. First, “practice makes perfect”; second, apprenticeship (i.e., learning from those who are skillful); and third, praying for God’s wisdom so that we are wise in improving our skills.

Evening Reflection

Before going to bed, consider one tendency of ours that is counterproductive: Once we have reached a certain level of skill-set (“It’s good enough”), we become satisfied and then try to coast thereafter. Instead of continuing to improve, we focus more on leisure and recreation. Are you like that right now? What is one area in your life in which your ability to handle it is not your best (e.g., parenting, making power points, etc.). Pray to the Lord that He will give you desire and determination to enhance and improve your skill-set, so that you will stand before “kings,”; and work less and with the time saved serve the Lord more.