REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 3, 2015.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Unmitigated Gall”

Luke 15:12-3 (ESV):

“And he divided his property between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country….”

Is. 57:17 (NIV)

“I was enraged by their sinful greed.”

In an agrarian society as in the biblical times, what was given to the younger son wasn’t like a cashier’s check worth one-third of the net asset (since the oldest received a double portion), but a deed transferring the ownership of the land and animals.  The son, before leaving for a distant country, first had to liquidate the property; thus, the Good News Translations says, “The younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money.”

Imagine a knock on the door by a potential buyer and the clueless father who, upon opening it, was told by the stranger that he came to buy the land as advertised.   As the father was about to say, “You have the wrong house,” he is rudely interrupted by the younger son who says, “Dad, that’s for me.”   “Son,” says the trembling father, “that land has been part of our family for generations.”   The son, totally driven by self-interest and utterly indifferent to how his selfish action is affecting his old father, responds, “It’s my land now; I will do as I wish.”  This is the unmitigated gall of fallen humans.

That is what the human heart, ravaged by sinful greed, is really like: “More deceitful than all else
and is desperately sick” (Jer. 17:7 NASB).  It is totally committed to the advancement of self-interest, whether relational or financial; it hardly thinks about its effect on others.  Every adultery or lie to bring someone down to advance one’s career is driven by selfishness and indifference.  And Jesus has the younger son embody that, to show its final outcome.   

Of course, social science has long tried to obliterate the word “sin” out of existence, but that hasn’t stopped its destructive effect on people.   Over half a century ago, Hobart Mauer, who was the head of the American Psychological Association, declared, “If a psychologist is going be able to deal with the reality of shame and guilt, we have to somehow understand a new term.  We just can’t talk about it as wrong doing or maladjustment.  We may have to reintroduce the word ‘sin’ into the vocabulary of the psychologists.  I’m neither a believer nor a religious man.  I don’t even like the word ‘sin’ but it carries a greater sense of reality of what it is all about than the words we use.  I am just pragmatically borrowing the word only to be able to alleviate the sense of guilt and shame with which we live.”   

As we will discover from further study of this parable, there is only one way to deal with sin; and it is not therapy or psychoanalysis.   Ironically, the clearest response to this problem came from another psychologist, Larry Crabb, who simply said that “repentance” before a holy God was the answer.   Sadly, Mauer never reached that conclusion; he committed suicide.  What would the younger son do once his sin takes him to the deep bottom?  What would you do?  But there is a better way; turn back to God before reaching that gloomy state of hopelessness.  Do it today.

Prayer: Dear God, forgive us!  We are greedy, selfish, and narcissistic.  Apart from you we are dead!  Father, thank You for forgiving us in Christ. 

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 9-10

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 10, 2016, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Make Decisions”

Galatians 3:23 – 4:7 (ESV)

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The Gentiles were able to become a part of Israel if they were circumcised and kept the law, identifying themselves with the nation of Israel (Ex. 12:48). The Judaizers that were trying to get the Gentile converts to be circumcised were trying to be faithful to that command. But Paul is proposing that they have entered into a new season, where the way to come to God was through Jesus. Whether you were a Jew, under the guardianship of the Law, or a Gentile, an outsider adopted into the family, the promise was now fulfilled in Jesus. There is no differentiation between the adopted son and natural born son – both were heirs to the inheritance through faith in Jesus. 

If we stop to think about it, there is a very natural progression in human history, particularly with God’s plan in mind. Paul equates this to a child growing up. When a son has not yet reached the age of maturity, though the inheritance is set out for him, he does not have full rights to it. He is still under guardians that discipline and control him. This is the role of the Law before Jesus came into this world. This was the season that God’s people were transitioning out of into a new season, marked by freedom and authority. But the Judaizers were still stuck in this “old season” and could not see where God was going with His redemptive plan. 

Just as a child ages and transitions through seasons, so does human history. It is easy for us to forget that there is a plan set in motion from the beginning. Isn’t it amazing to know that things don’t just happen randomly, but there is a God-ordained progression that we are following? I realize that so often, I make decisions in life based on my calculations and plans, and then I ask God to bless my decisions. If I don’t think about it, I might wander through this life aimlessly, just following whatever trend I am met with, or stuck in a particular pattern of thinking. But I realize how important it is to actually know what season we are in, so that we are able to join in on what God is doing. This is a divine season that you and I are in. Let’s seek God together and ask Him to show us what He is doing in our generation, in this season, so that we might fulfill the plans God has set out for us. 

Prayer: Father God, we don’t want to miss out on what You are doing in this season. Help us be attentive to your Holy Spirit so that we might fulfill the gospel mandate for this generation.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 8

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV): “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Question to Consider

1. In light of the morning devotion, does this “season of grace” we are in mean that there is no more need for the law?

2. What can this passage tell us about the Law? 

Notes

1. The Law is not discarded in this season of grace. It’s important to realize that the Law is still very important, as it is the guiding principles that we are to live by. When a child is young, he is told not to touch the hot stove and is restricted/restrained from doing so. When the child has reached maturity, he is no longer told not to touch the hot stove, but he understands the governing principle. So also, we are to understand the Spirit of the Law in this season, as God’s instruction to us on how to live.   

2. The Law is still important. Even though it doesn’t have the power to save us, it is still given for our benefit and we are to pay careful attention to it. It is working with grace for the benefit of the believers.

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Evening Reflection

Are you actively trying to understand what God is doing in your life, your church, and your community? We can easily spend our entire lifetime without having a clue as to what God is doing in our world or even in the communities. Just as the Judaizers were oblivious to what God was doing, we can also be unaware of what God is doing. Let us approach God with humility and ask for understanding so that we will not miss out on what God is doing.

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on December 31, 2015.  Andrew is pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.  Please pray for him and his family. 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“The New Year Resolution Revisited at Midpoint”

Psalm 25:4-5 

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 

As we are fast approaching the mid-point of 2022, some of us may be looking back to the New Year’s resolutions we made earlier. Whether it was to hit the gym or do more for our careers, we were all eager to make good on our new commitments.  Perhaps, you are about make additional resolutions!

But I want to encourage you to slow down, because too many of us are quick to plan out our lives on our own. We only seem to invite God to bless our new plans rather than to shape them. But this shouldn’t surprise us. We live in a time where the self is king. It is the self who possesses all authority to determine its own path; and to suggest otherwise is an affront to the unspoken laws of our culture. For this reason, we’ve grown accustomed to planning our lives however we see fit. But the psalmist shows us a better way.  

What I love most about this passage is the psalmist’s hunger for guidance. It’s almost as if he refuses to act or plan until God provides the next steps. In other words, it’s not about setting forth his own agendas but more about receiving them from God. He humbly recognizes that his own wisdom is not enough; that he desperately needs God to lead him to the right paths. 

I pray that we would all take on this posture. It’s imperative that we recognize our lack of wisdom, and allow God to shape our goals and ambitions for not only what’s left of 2022 but the rest of our lives. If living for the kingdom is our main objective in life, we must go before the King to receive His guidance. If our desire is to follow Christ, let us ask Him where He’s going so that we’re on the same path. I believe that beginning the mid-point of what was a new year in this manner will lead us to be more like Jesus by the end of it! 

Prayer: God, just like the psalmist, this is also my prayer: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me.” I want the rest of 2022 to be shaped and led by You. Allow my heart to desire the things of You, rather than seeking out my own wants and needs, so that this year would be all about You and what You’re doing in the world around me!  Amen.

Bible Reading: Acts 7

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Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Peter 1:3-7: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 

Questions to consider 

1. What has God granted to us? 
2. Why should we make every effort?
3. How can this passage shape your goals for the rest of 2022?

Notes 

1. God has granted to us everything that we need to live a life of godliness. Many of us feel as though we lack so much when it comes to working on our character. However, Peter says that God have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Here, he’s alluding to the Holy Spirit, for he says that we “become partakers of the divine nature.” And what else do we need than the power that raised Christ from the dead? 
2. We should make every effort to supplement our faith with the characteristics listed above. We should desire things like virtue, knowledge, and self-control. Peter says that we should strive after these things, even though it seems difficult, because God has equipped us with everything we need to succeed. Hopefully, this encourages you! 
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection 

I remember one pastor telling us that the one question he frequently asks himself is, “What does faithfulness to God look like for me?” He wrestles with this question in regards to the present and the future. Take some time to pray through this question. What does it look like to be faithful to God in your life?

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought, first posted on June 1, 2015, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Taking Many, Small Manageable Bites”

Nehemiah 4:15-20

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Metaphorically speaking, how do you eat an elephant?  The correct answer is: one bite at a time.  The point of this metaphor (or is it a joke?) is that in order to tackle seemingly overwhelming projects, the best and only strategy is to take many, small manageable bites until the project is complete.  I know many of you have real, overwhelming problems: stress at work, financial struggles, marital difficulties, troublesome children, aging and sick parents, etc.  And on top of it, you may feel like God is distant, and your spiritual life is in neutral or even reverse.  As you look at life as a whole, life may seem as impossible as trying to eat an elephant.  

Even if you feel this way only sometimes, today’s passage has some wisdom for you.  Nehemiah and the Jews were on a mission to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem; however, Sanballat and Tobiah were not only were ridiculing them, but they were now threatening physical harm in opposing this project. Additionally, in Neh.10:11, we see that the labor force was getting discouraged: “Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’”  

Many in Nehemiah’s shoes would have fallen into stress, panic, self-pity, or maybe even minor depression.  But what Nehemiah ended up doing was quite ordinary and practical—he simply told some of his men to strap on swords while others worked the wall.  So everyone worked with tools in one hand and a sword in the other.  As far I can see, God did not give this plan in any special revelation, but Nehemiah just went about his work and used some practical wisdom.  

Where I am going with this? Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves spiritually is to be faithful and diligent in practical ways. For example, if you are running yourself ragged at work because deadlines are coming up, then get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy meal, get some exercise.  If you haven’t had QT in weeks, and you feel like God is far, sit down tonight and read one chapter of the Bible or pray for 10 minutes.  You do not have to solve every problem immediately, all at once—just like you don’t have to swallow the whole elephant.  Take small bites.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be responsible and do what is assigned to me faithfully, to work hard, but also to have the understanding that I have limitations.  Give me peace of heart and trust in You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 6 

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thess. 5:12-22: We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies,21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Questions to Consider

1.  Why does Paul ask the Thessalonians to esteem those who labor in the Lord?

2.  In v. 14, Paul gives specific instructions for dealing with different people.  What principles in ministry can we gather from this?

3.  In your life, how can you be better at rejoicing always and praying continuously?  

Notes

1.  Obviously, Paul wants us to respect our church leaders, but it’s just a reminder that those who labor in the Lord serve God and His people.  

2.  What I find most interesting about these instructions is that they are very appropriate for each person: The lazy ones need to be warned, the timid need encouragement, and the weak need help.  People have different problems and need different methods of support; we can’t take a cookie cutter approach to all. 

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Evening Reflection

How did you handle the stress and difficulties of the day?  Did you waste time and energy fretting about things that you could not control?  Were you willing to work hard and be satisfied with the results?  Ultimately, are you growing in your trust of God?

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on November 13, 2015.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the UC site pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning 

“Spiritual Amnesia”

Nehemiah 9:9-17

And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters. By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go. You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them. But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them.

A common trope used in media is the story of an individual being removed from his or her true belongings (i.e., home) and not remembering where he or she came from. The animated movie Anastasia comes to mind, or more recently, Tangled. In Tangled, the main character Rapunzel is born a princess, but as an infant she is kidnapped by an evil witch and grows up in the witch’s home, not knowing where she actually came from (confession: I listened to some Tangled songs after writing this). 

What these stories show us is that not knowing where we come from can have serious consequences on our lives. The Israelites often reminded themselves where they came from. They were slaves in Egypt, afflicted by Pharaoh, but God heard their cries and rescued them from their captivity. God then brought them to the land of Israel, giving them the land as their own.

But when the Israelites forgot where they came from, they “acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck.” Having forgotten what God had done for them, they turned away from Him and tried to live on their own. In this passage, the Israelites are turning back to God, having now completed the walls of Jerusalem. In confessing their national sins, they reminded themselves from where they came – slavery in Egypt.

Today, let’s reflect back on where we come from. Let’s remind ourselves how God has worked in our lives and remind ourselves of His enduring faithfulness to us. As we remember all that He has done in our lives, we may find renewed desire to love and worship Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your great faithfulness to us. We confess that we are so often not faithful, yet You always remain faithful to us. Remind us again of what You have done in our lives and let these memories draw us even closer to You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 6

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 3:1-2: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Questions to Consider

1. What kind of love has the Father given to us?
2. Why is John reminding us that we are God’s children in this passage?
3. How does reminding yourself of your identity as God’s child impact your life?

Notes

1. He has given us love that calls us children of God! This is a truth we so often forget, that we are His children, but this identity is ours because God has given it to us.
2. There seem to be two reasons. One, John wants us to know that the world will try to diminish our true identity as God’s children since the world does not even know that we are His children. Two, John wants to give us hope that, as God’s children, we will one day be like Jesus when we see Him as He truly is.
3. When we remember our true identity as God’s children, we suddenly see life differently. Take time to reflect on how this identity changes the way you see your life.

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Evening Reflection

As you get ready to sleep, remind yourself how God has worked in your life up to this point. Allow Him to bring to your mind ways He has been faithful. Let these memories remind you that you are His child and He is your loving Father.

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Unpreoccupied and Contrite Heart”

Mk. 4:14-5 (NIV):  “The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”

Once, there was this elderly pastor (Hong) whose sermon I didn’t care to listen to.  At the time, I was part of an in-house discipleship training at my church along with other young men.  Our day began with a 5:30 AM prayer meeting, which we attended mostly out fear of our pastor who would discipline us if we didn’t attend; so whenever he was out-of-town, most of us slept in.  But this greatly upset Pastor Hong who used every pulpit opportunity to call us out as hypocritical, lazy bums.  Naturally, whenever he spoke, I gladly let the evil one snatch away his word.    

When we don’t like or understand a sermon, it’s easy to blame the speaker for not delivering the message well.  But oftentimes, the listener may have thought that he was listening, when in reality he really wasn’t.  Once, Jesus was sharing a serious message about not disowning God before men, not blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, and being persecuted for one’s faith (Lk. 12:8-12).  At that moment, “someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me’” (Lk. 12:13).   Evidently, this person was so preoccupied with losing out on the family inheritance that he failed to pay any attention to Jesus’ words.  This had nothing to do with whether the teaching was inadequate or the delivery was off, but everything to do the listener’s predisposition that kept the word from being planted in the heart.  

Maybe there is a 3-step method to having the right attitude when listening to God’s word, but what happened to me in 1983 was definitely the work of the Holy Spirit.   One day, while I was reading a book on servanthood, I became convicted that I was far from it.   In the evening service in which Pastor Hong spoke, again calling us out as hypocritical bums, I, having come with a broken and contrite heart, responded to his message by coming to the altar to repent with tears.   

So, the next time you’re about to hear God’s word proclaimed, pray for an unpreoccupied and contrite heart so that the powerful Word of God can penetrate into your soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12). 

Prayer: LORD, how precious and wonderful that You have given us a Book that we can readily access to obtain the knowledge of salvation as well as the instruction for guiding this life.  Thank You also for the office of preaching through which we hear God’s word being proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.   

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 5

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Lunch Break Study

A man blind from birth, after being healed by Jesus (without knowing that it was him), was brought  to the Pharisees who wanted to investigate how or what happened.  

Read Jn. 9:28-34 (NIV): “Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! [29] We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.’ [30] The man answered, ‘Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. [31] We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. [32] Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. [33] If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ [34] To this they replied, ‘You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!’ And they threw him out.”

Lk. 18:17: “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Question to Consider

1. How did the Pharisees respond to the answer given to them by the formerly blind man?

2. Why did the Pharisees reject the truthful words spoken by him?  Does this happen today?

3. Describe your typical attitude whenever you are listening to someone expounding the Bible.  What kind of an attitude should we have?

Notes

1. They categorically rejected it, meaning it didn’t matter what the formerly blind man said; the Pharisees came to the meeting with a mindset determined to not consider anything he had to say. 

2. For the Pharisees, well-educated people with great credentials, it was quite easy to dismiss those who were considerably inferior to them in every aspect: religious pedigree, social status, and theological knowledge.   Yes, it happens today for the same reason.  

3. If what is taught or preached makes any kind of sense, just accept it like a child; don’t fight too hard to criticize the sermon; don’t let some negativities outweigh the positives.  Don’t be a wise guy! 

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Evening Reflection

Did you read Psalm 81 yet?  If not, read it now and meditate on it.   If you have, read Psalm 42 and reflect on this psalm. 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on November 22, 2015, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children, serves in Japan as an AMI missionary.  Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), just moved to Tokyo where he plans to, the Lord willing, plant a church.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Was All This For?”

Nehemiah 13:14 (ESV)

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

One of the most discouraging things that can happen in ministry is to see years of labor and sowing result in a complete lack of apparent fruit.  If someone we mentor walks away from the faith, or if a ministry we have invested ourselves fully into falls apart, we would wonder what all this was for.

Nehemiah has sacrificed his time, his finances, and his position in the royal court to petition the king so that he can rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.  He has done everything he can to lead the people of God in the ways of the Lord.  And God has graciously answered the prayers of His people and reestablished the temple and the wall.  As the people recommit their lives to the Lord and sing His praises on the wall of Jerusalem, Nehemiah probably hopes that this is the beginning of a new golden age in the history of Israel.

But instead, the people of God fall quickly into the same sins that led to exile.  All that Nehemiah has labored for quickly falls apart.  Will God’s people ever be restored?  Were Nehemiah’s sacrifices in vain?  Following the time of Nehemiah, God sends no more prophets, and His people wait amidst silence, wondering whether God has withdrawn His promises and forsaken His people for good.

And then, at the right time, the Son of God enters the world.  All that the people had waited for, and all that Nehemiah had hoped in, is fulfilled in a way that far surpasses anything Israel could have asked for.  

The eternal King is the very Son of God.  The temple, the place where God dwells, is in our own hearts.  The kingdom of God is invading every tribe, people, and nations, and the day is coming soon when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

We may not see “fruit” in particular relationships or ministries in the near future. We may not see the full fruition of what we have sowed in this lifetime.  But God is faithful, and our labor in the Lord is not in vain.  God will get His glory, and the reward of our service to Him is that we will have more crowns to cast before our Savior.

Prayer: Father, I get discouraged so easily and grow weary so quickly.  Remind me that You are the God who sees and remembers!  Use everything I give for You to magnify Your name – if not in this life, then in the next.  You are sure to receive all the glory!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 4

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI,  was first posted on July 10, 2015.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God in Our Rearview Mirror”

1 Kings 14: 7-11, 14-16

Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel ⁸ and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes, ⁹ but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, ¹⁰ therefore behold, I will bring harm upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will burn up the house of Jeroboam, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone…  ¹⁴ Moreover, the Lord will raise up for himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam today. And henceforth, ¹⁵ the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. ¹⁶ And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and made Israel to sin.”

If I’ve learned one thing in recent years, it is that this world is passing away (see 1 John 2:15-17). I heard this growing up in church, but my heart has been thoroughly convinced of this truth as of late. Nearing the end of our journey with King Jeroboam, I can’t help but imagine that his heart was never convinced of this truth. In God’s final judgment of Jeroboam, He says something very interesting – that Jeroboam cast the Lord behind his back (v. 9). What does that mean? The king literally turned his back on God. How? I don’t think he actively tried to leave God behind, but what he failed to do was to love God with his whole heart by walking in full obedience. In so doing he turned away from God and toward another (the world). Through doing things his own way and seeking to fulfill his own desires, Jeroboam allowed his heart to be wooed away from the God who loved him and had given him everything (v. 7). 

Chuck Swindoll tells the following story: I read this past week of a couple (let’s call them Carl and Clara) whose twenty-five year marriage was a good one. Not the most idyllic, but good. They now had three grown children who loved them dearly. They were also blessed with sufficient financial security to allow them room to dream about a lakeside retirement home. They began looking. A widower we’ll call Ben was selling his place. They liked it a lot and returned home to talk and plan. Months passed. Last fall, right out of the blue, Clara told Carl she wanted a divorce. He went numb. After all these years, why? And how could she deceive him…how could she have been nursing such a scheme while they were looking at a retirement home? She said she hadn’t been. Actually, this was a recent decision now that she had found another man. Who? Clara admitted it was Ben, the owner of the lake house, whom she inadvertently ran into several weeks after they had discussed the sale. They’d begun seeing each other. Since they were now “in love,” there was no turning back. Clara left Carl. Less than two weeks after she moved in with him, Ben was seized with a heart attack and died. 

I remember hearing someone describe fulfilling our desires apart from God (or following the ways of the world) as a man who went to sleep desperately hungry and dreamed of a banquet feast where he enjoyed the richest of fare only to wake up and realize that it was only a dream. Likewise, as we walk in disobedience or partial obedience to God, we find ourselves drinking from dream waters whose satisfaction will, just as soon as we wake up, vanish before our eyes. Worst still, we will look up one day and find God in our rearview mirror heading in a very different direction than we are. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to be a lover of You and not of the world. Help me to take a hard look at the choices I’m making and things I’m pursuing and surrender to you in full obedience, lest I wake up one day and find You behind me and moving in a different direction than I am. Convince my heart that all my efforts to satisfy my desires and all that I pursue apart from you will stop short in the end. You alone satisfy and the things of You alone will remain.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 2-3

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on May 6, 2016.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the UC site pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Reaching Out”

Acts 23:1-2

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

In his book Reaching Out, Henri Nouwen talks about the three movements of the spiritual life, one of which is the movement from loneliness to solitude. Nouwen says that this is a “movement from the restless senses to the restful spirit, from the outward-reaching cravings to the inward-reaching search.” Essentially, solitude becomes an attitude of being humbly sure of oneself – strengths, weaknesses, foibles, desires. And ultimately, in this posture of solitude we can be ourselves in Christ with nothing to prove.

Looking at this passage in Acts, we see Paul before the Jewish council, saying “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience….” This may seem like an arrogant statement, but in reality, Paul was just stating honestly what he knew of himself. He had no fear of what he had done; he had nothing to prove. He knew himself and he knew his calling. And because of this surety of himself in Christ, this solitude of character, he was able to endure the beatings and ridicule.

In our day, we often can be led down the slippery slope of proving oneself. Social media provides numerous outlets for us to present a handcrafted image of ourselves. But this causes us to lose sight of who we truly are, leaving us in a place of fragile loneliness. These “outward-reaching cravings,” using the words of Nouwen, become distractions from becoming our true selves in Christ. In this state, it would be quite difficult to speak of good conscience as Paul had done.

Let’s seek to make the difficult journey from loneliness to solitude. Let’s look inside ourselves, not with fear at what we may find, but with hope knowing that the grace of God changes us from the inside-out.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are the One who tells me who I am. Let not the world compete with giving me an identity, but help me to remember that I am Yours. Let me not fear myself, but rather trust in You, the One who is changing me. Have Your way in me! 

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 1

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Romans 8:15-17: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the difference between the spirit of slavery and the Spirit of adoption?
2. What does the Spirit of adoption teach us?
3. What does it mean to be an heir of God?

Notes

1. The spirit of slavery brings fear. In that fear, we are never truly sure of ourselves, constantly wondering if we are good enough. But the Spirit of adoption gives freedom. Adoption is a gift, so with this Spirit of Adoption, we simply receive and no longer need to strive to make something of ourselves.
2. The Spirit of adoption teaches us that we are children of God. And more than that, it teaches us that we can cry out to God in intimacy, in affection.  
3. As heirs, firstly, this means we are treasured by God. We are treasured to such an extent that our Father would bestow His riches on us. Further, as heirs we have surety that we belong to God. We have an inheritance in heaven and this inheritance cannot be snatched away. 

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Evening Reflection

Think about your identity. To what extent have you been trying to craft your own identity? Reflect on what may have shaken your identity or your sense of security in yourself. Take time to remind yourself that you belong to God— simply say, “Abba Father, I need You.” 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 21, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Detaching Ourselves from Those Things that Produce Anxiety”

Lk. 14:17-9 (ESV)

“And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ ¹⁸ But they all alike began to make excuses. . . .¹⁹ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them.  Please have me excused.”

1 Cor. 7:29 (NIV)

“What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short.  From now on . . . ³⁰ those who mourn, [live] as if they did not; . . . those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. . . . ³⁵ I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

When we have a lot on our mind, it’s difficult to think about serving God, much less pray or read the Bible.  Thus, the Bible exhorts us to avoid circumstances that sap the desire to grow in our spiritual life.  Peter says that husbands should treat their wives with respect (thereby avoiding marital conflicts) “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Pet. 3:7).  On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter, John and James failed to stay up to pray along with Jesus because they were “exhausted from sorrow” (Lk. 22:45).   

 In addition, Paul declared, “Do not be anxious about anything” so as to “present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).  Adding to the list of things that produce anxiety, it is buying things and then using them.   Once, I counseled a newly-wed couple who, despite making over $100,000 a year (in the 1990s), still racked up a debt of $40,000.  In contrast, I was making one-third of that amount, with two kids, but without any debt.  The source of their problem?  They were part of the average American who spend 110% of their income each year, thanks to credit cards and easy loans.   

While the person in the parable may have used cash to purchase the oxen, he shares one thing in common with today’s consumers: making impulsive purchases.  He bought the animals, ostensibly to till the land, without first examining them (ESV). That’s like buying a used car without test-driving it, which is very impulsive.  The problem with modern consumers is buying things with money they don’t have, not thinking about how the ever-increasing debt will make their lives more anxious—that’s very impulsive.  Of course, once you buy new toys, gadgets and places, you need to devote time and effort to enjoy them.  A typical outcome of this lifestyle is less time spent getting to know and serving God.

If the apostle Paul were alive today, besides saying, “Don’t get too attached to the things you buy” (the nutshell of 1 Cor. 7:30), the Holy Spirit would lead him to say:  “Don’t buy things you cannot afford; buy things you need instead of trying to impress people”; and avoid debt anxiety so you can pray.” 

Prayer: Father, I acknowledge that You are the sovereign King who has lordship over my life.  As your vassal, I ought to be totally devoted to You in every aspect.  Lord, give me wisdom so that I won’t let my buying habits get in the way of getting to know and serve You.  May the Spirit fill me continuously.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 50

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Lunch Break Study

Read Jn. 14:1 (ESV): “Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me.” 

Matt. 26:38, 39 (NIV): “[Jesus] began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. . . . Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

Phil. 4:19, 6-7 (ESV): “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. . . . [6] “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Question to Consider

1. Some preachers equate worries and anxiety as not having faith.  How would you respond to that?

2. How can we better manage our worries and anxieties?  What do these verses suggest?

3. What worries or anxieties are you experiencing right now?  How should you manage them?

Notes

1. It depends on what is behind our worries.  The admission by Jesus, fully human and divine, before facing the cross indicates distress and anxiety; what human wouldn’t be?  How to pay for children’s college or being able to make the car payment (bought at a reasonable price to meet a need) can be stressful, but it doesn’t mean we do not have faith.  But there are types of worries that show lack of faith: it is when, despite God’s assuring words about our secure position in Christ, we constantly worry about what people think about us to the point of always exaggerating, making purchases to impress, etc.

2. I use the word “manage” here.  It is not like worries and anxieties are going to leave us for good.  They are going to be around and unless we don’t manage them well, they will stick to us like glue.  Through our daily time with God, we need to be reminded that we can trust Jesus, his promise to meet all our needs, and to ultimately say to God, “Not my wishes or will but your will be done in my life.”  That’s how we can decrease the size of anxiety that aims to bring us down. 

3. Right now, what causes me distress is where my last child (senior) will go to college, and whether we can pay for it.  This is ironic because God has already shown us through our first two children that He is ready, able, and willing to help us: I need to be reminded of that daily. 

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Evening Reflection

Things (more bad than good, it seems) happen every day, right?  So what happened today that increased your anxiety level?  How did you manage it?  Go to God now; let go of your anxiety through Christ.