December 1, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on April 15 2019, is provided by Pastor David Son who pastors Thrive Church in Taipei.  Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Purpose of Rules”

Exodus 21:1

Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.

In 2012, my mom and dad became foster parents to an orphan refugee from North Korea. Prior to coming into our home, he had spent his entire life as an orphan, living on the streets of North Korea. As you might imagine, this was one of the most challenging seasons of my parents’ lives. Their primary objective? To help this child understand that he was loved by his family. Where did they begin? Well, after bringing him into the family, my parents began by setting rules. That’s right, rules! 

One by one, my parents began implementing rules to help this kid understand what it looked like to live in his new identity as a child of this family—and these rules were very specific. For example: 

  • Do not steal dad’s watch
  • Eat slowly/respectfully during dinner
  • Come home by 6pm after playing in the park

The purpose of each of these rules wasn’t to restrict him, but rather to transition him from his old patterns of living (stealing, hoarding food, wandering off alone) to a new mindset—the mindset of a son.

Today’s verse inaugurates a series of rules given by God to do exactly the same thing. The nation of Israel was birthed into slavery. They were spiritual orphans, with no prior knowledge of what it meant to live as children of God. So, after God redeems them and makes them His… He immediately begins to implement a set of very specific rules. The purpose of these rules? To help God’s children transition from their old patterns of living, to a new mindset—the mindset of sons/daughters of God.

Are you living in the mindset of a son/daughter of God? Perhaps there are specific patterns in your life, right now, that God wants to adjust. Let’s spend some time today reflecting on this.

Prayer: Father, we want to live in the fullness of the identity You have given us. Help us to identify the areas where we are still acting like spiritual orphans. Help us to surrender these areas to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:5-11: And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Questions to Consider

  • According to this passage, what does discipline from God imply?
  • Why does God discipline us? What is the purpose?
  • How does the author of Hebrews exhort us to respond to God’s discipline?

Notes

  • This passage states several times that discipline from God is a feature of being His child. It implies that God loves us, and that He has our good in mind.
  • Verse 10 says that God disciplines us because: (1) it is good for us; and (2) through discipline we can share in his holiness. In other words, the purpose of God’s discipline is so that we might develop Christ-like character within ourselves.
  • The author of Hebrews exhorts us to take God’s discipline seriously and not to be wearied by it. Although being disciplined by God may not feel good in the moment, when we understand His purpose we can receive His discipline with joy.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time reflecting on the type of person you were before you met Jesus. What has changed since then? What has not changed since then? Are there areas that ought to have changed, but haven’t? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these areas to you as you reflect.

November 30, Sunday

NEW Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is provided by Charmer Pratt. Charmer, a longtime member of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia, has served faithfully in the welcoming ministry since 2016.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Like a Child” 

Matthew 18:3 

And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

I tricked my niece into thinking I have a superpower. 

Last summer at the Zoo Atlanta, my then six-year-old niece challenged me to a series of footraces, thinking that she can outrun anyone. For a few minutes, I decided to be a good uncle and obliged, running alongside her to the finish lines she created in the park area between the parking lot and the park entrance for several races. After a few runs, I told her that I was going to use my “super speed” on the next race and sprinted as fast as I could. When she saw how fast I could really run, she ran after me and yelled, “Don’t use super speed anymore!” 

As time passes, my niece will grow to be faster, and I will grow to be slower. Eventually, she will grow up and realize that her uncle not only never had super speed, but he was just a normal runner. With that realization, my niece will look at me as just another person and less like the superhuman she thought of me as a child. 

As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we can easily fall into that trap. We can learn more about God and think that because of our new knowledge of Him, we’re closer to being on His level. This is why Jesus calls us to become like the little children, so that we can realize one great truth about the Lord. 

The exact opposite of the trap is true! The more you and I learn about the Lord, the more we realize how much greater He is than we are. Our knowledge of God should make us more childlike, bringing us more in awe of Him and more amazed at the fact that He would bother loving us.  

So I encourage you to learn as much as you can about the Lord and spend as much time with Him as you can. You’ll continue to be awestruck by our awesome God! 

Prayer: Lord, You are more amazing than I can ever imagine. As I learn more about You and walk with You, keep me in a childlike state that remains in awe of Your presence every step of the way! Amen 

Bible Reading for Today: Haggai 2

November 29, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on October 13, 2019, was written by a native pastor serving at an AMI church in East Asia.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Forgetting His Promises”

Genesis 15:1-21

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your
very great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” 8 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” 9 So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.”

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to walk across a glass bridge. While it was an amazing experience, it is not for the faint of heart. The bridge was suspended several hundred feet above a rushing river, and all I could feel were my legs shaking. Although the glass is made of a material that can sustain the weight of thousands of people, I still feared that the bridge would break.

In this passage, the Lord appears to Abram (Abraham) in a vision to encourage him. However, Abram’s response to the Lord’s encouragement was a question regarding his heir. While the Lord has tremendously blessed Abram in previous chapters, Abram was still longing for a child. Yet, the Lord does not deny Abraham, but promises an heir to him. In addition, the Lord reveals to Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars.

Many of us are like Abram. We’ve experienced the blessing of God, and we know that He is faithful. Yet, we are still worried about the uncertainties in our lives such as: the future, our financial situation, or our health. Even with our knowledge of God, there is a part of us that doubts the promise that God will provide for us.

However, what we learn from this passage is that God is merciful and does not get tired of reminding us of His promises. While we easily forget of His faithfulness, God is there to remind us that He is our provider. When we are having a difficult time, or when we find it hard to trust in Him, let us be encouraged to ask the Lord to remind us of His promises once again.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your daily grace. I pray that You would open our eyes, so that we can clearly see how faithful You are. In difficult times, help us to trust that You are in control. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 16 and Haggai 1

November 28, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on November 32, 2018, is provided by Jennifer Kim who served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Look After the Distressed”

James 1:26-27

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

For many families the Thanksgiving tradition goes far beyond a traditional turkey meal with family members gathering from all over town to express their gratitude. Instead, Thanksgiving means getting past the turkey food coma to wait in line to snag the best Black Friday deals. It’s estimated that in 2016, 101.7 million people braved the crowds to grab their long-awaited discounts. It’s always puzzling to me to that the busiest shopping day would be after a holiday designated for gratitude and family gatherings. Every year I hear stories on the news about lines circling around buildings, people getting trampled on, and fights being broken up at the wee hours of the night. It’s as if Thanksgiving did not happen a few hours before as people fight for material possessions, pushing anyone aside to get their bargains.

Today’s passage talks about a religion that our Father accepts as pure as one that looks after the marginalized. We see that on the top of God’s priority is for His children to take care of those in need. While it may be easy to dismiss the problem of homelessness, hunger, and poverty as a problem too big for us to solve, God highlights throughout Scripture our call to bring, not only spiritual revival for others, but physical as well. We are called to be the light of the world in every situation by serving God’s children in all areas of need. 

In America, while 101 million people wait in lines during Black Friday every year, about 40 million people face hunger every day. If every person who goes shopping on Friday serves one person who may not have the opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal, we could provide a Thanksgiving meal for two years. While I am not saying discount shopping is bad, let’s remember that God calls us to look after those in need. 

Can I encourage you this Black Friday to continue in a heart of gratitude by serving someone who may be in need it? It can be as simple as blessing a retailer worker who missed Thanksgiving to work, donating to a local food pantry, or using the money you saved for Black Friday shopping on someone in need. Whatever it is, may we, in Thanksgiving, be a light to those who are in need.

Prayer: God I thank You for Your constant provision in my life. Help me to be a light to those who need it most this season. May I be able to inconvenience myself to serve those who may be less fortunate. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 15

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 2:5-8:In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Questions to Consider

  • What attitude should we have while serving others?
  • How did Jesus model the attitude of service we should have?
  • List some practical ways that you can serve someone today.

Notes

  • We should have an attitude of humility, like Jesus.
  • Jesus modeled a life of humility and service by coming into the world to face death for the sins of the world. 
  • Personal response.

Evening Reflection

This morning we discussed a religion that God deems pure and faultless as one that looks after the marginalized. We reviewed in the afternoon, Jesus’s life as the greatest testimony of service to the marginalized when he faced death on the cross for sinners. How did you do in being a humble servant today? Were you able to help someone in need, pray for someone who may be struggling, or give what you have to those less fortunate? Tomorrow is a new day, but remember Christianity is called to be a religion that helps those in need.

November 28, Thursday 

REPOS Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on November 28, 2013.

Devotional Thought for Today

“Happy Thanksgiving . . . Because of Him”

Psalm 117:1-2

Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! [2] For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

This is the shortest Psalm in the Psalter, but as Derek Kidner rightly notes, its faith is “great” and “its reach is enormous.”  He added, “The shortest Psalm proves, in fact, to be one of the most potent and most seminal.”  How so?

The first striking feature of this Psalm is its call for all nations and all people to praise God. It is, therefore, a missionary psalm, calling on all peoples everywhere to extol God.   The second important feature is the reason why all nations should praise God: His steadfast love and faithfulness, which endures forever.  

On this day of Thanksgiving, we should be reminded of the greatness of His love for the nations as well as for us.   God expressed the fullest measure of His love for us in Christ; in Him, we have abundant life (Jn. 10:10) in this age and eternal life in the age to come.  The innumerable promises of the Lord, such as tarrying with us in our trials or answering our prayers, are as fresh and intact now as on the day they were made; and they will remain so.  

Take some time this morning praising and thanking the Lord for His love and faithfulness.  Meditate on the Cross and how it shows His great love for you.  May worship and praise arise as you think about Christ.

Prayer: Dear God, I thank You for everything!  Forgive me for complaining, pouting and comparing myself to others to complain and pout even more.  You are so good to me, Lord; and that’s all the more reason why I shall worship and praise You forever.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 14

Lunch Break

Read Ephesians 2:1-7: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—[3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1. According to verses 1-3, what is the true condition of humans?

2. In response, what has Christ done for humans in their miserable state?

3. What moves our Lord to do this?

Notes

1. Ephesians 2 is one of the deepest and richest passages in all of Scripture.  Paul describes man’s condition apart from the grace and mercy of Jesus in verse 1-3: man is not only spiritually dead but is an object of the wrath of God, who is holy and just.   

2. Thankfully, Jesus has not left men in their miserable state, but has chosen to rescue those chosen from the foundation of the world (1:3–6).  

3. It certainly is not any good we have done; being separated from God because of sins, we were undeserving of His love.  Whatever righteousness we thought we possessed was nothing but dirty rags (Isa. 64:6). What moves Him, Paul tells us, is His own mercy, love, grace, and kindness (Eph. 2:4–7).  It bears repeating that God has shown His grace and mercy when we did not deserve it.  It is only fitting that on this Thanksgiving Day, we spend some time thanking Jesus for His salvation and His great love for us.

Evening Reflection

One of our greatest needs as human beings is to be loved.  We have the need to know that we are important to somebody and that someone truly cares and accepts us unconditionally.  If this need is not met, we are liable to develop unacceptable behavior patterns to compensate for this need.

Remember, there is nothing we can do to make Jesus love us more, and nothing we will ever do will cause Him to love us any less. He loves us perfectly and completely regardless of how we perform; His love is unconditional.  Even if we don’t love ourselves, He still loves us. 

Having known and experienced His great love and mercy, we should show that same kindness to others in our lives.  Take some time to pray so that God’s love and mercy would be manifested abundantly in your life.  

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)

20 People 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