April 13, Wednesday

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

“Doing Something About Worry Producers in Life”

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, which, then, produces worries. 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 1

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.

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.

April 12, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought, first posted on November 3, 2015, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, 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

“Stress and Prayer”

Nehemiah 4:4-5

Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

We have all had those days at work that were irritatingly stressful, frustratingly unproductive, and/or mind-numbingly tedious. After such days, most of us feel the need to “unwind”—and how we do so depend on the person: Some of us eat comforting foods, others veg out in front of the TV for a couple of hours, or others work out. One pastor shared how he would sometimes have to go walk the aisles of his local grocery story or toy store, not buying anything, but allow the time to clear away the frustration. I suppose each of these methods has a way of calming our nerves and relaxing us a bit, but I wonder whether these forms of unwinding are ultimately beneficial to us, or if they act as just band aids. Honestly, how much can television help us overcome work and family issues? And when we “unwind,” are we seeking resolution or escape?

Yesterday, we read about how Sanballat and Tobiah both tried to discourage the Jews from rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. I’m sure their words caused Nehemiah and the people much grief. In today’s excerpt, Nehemiah gives us the time honored Christian method of dealing with stress: prayer. He prayed to the One who was able to fix their situation and avenge His people. Enough of us have adequate theologies when it comes to prayer—we know God hears and answers prayer. We also know it is a powerful force in the advancement in God’s kingdom. In fact, many of us have experienced the Lord’s comfort, direction, power, and love through prayer. However, not enough of us have practically gotten into the habit of taking things to the Lord before it becomes a crisis.

How is your prayer life? What is your initial reaction to stressful or difficult times? It would be amazing if the AMI community learned to turn to God and tell Him about our stressful days and the problems we face before or instead of looking to escape through other avenues.

Prayer: Lord, help me to cast my anxieties on You, knowing that You care for me (1 Pet. 5:7). Help me to look to You first as Your child and friend. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 28

Lunch Break Study

Read James 5:13-18: Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Questions to Consider

1. When did James exhort us to pray? Under what circumstances?

2. Why did James reference Elijah? What was he trying to show?

3. How are you doing when it comes to praying in faith?

Notes

1. Although the passage says that we should pray when suffering, in joyful circumstances, and when sick or under sin, the breadth of circumstances implies that we should always be praying (1 Thess. 5:17).

2. Verse 17 is interesting because the implication is that Elijah asked God to usher in the three year drought described in 1 Kings 17-18, as opposed to God telling Elijah to make the declaration. If this is true (and the 1 Kings account gives no reason to think otherwise), then think about the power that a man/woman of God has through prayer!

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Instead of reflecting on your day, take 10 minutes to pray to the Lord. If you’ve already prayed earlier today, sit and wait (or meditate) on Him to speak or give you an impression. Let’s use this time to listen as well as to speak.

April 11, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 19, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Spirit of Civil Rights Movement that is Being Quickly Forgotten”

2 Cor. 10:4 (NIV)

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.”

Is. 53:7 (ESV)

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

The 18^th century historian Edward Gibbon argued that Christianity contributed to the demise of the Roman Empire in two ways: first, a belief in a better afterlife discouraged people from making sacrifices for a greater cause; second, pacifism fostered by Christian “doctrines of patience and [cowardliness]” weakened Rome’s warrior spirit. Gibbon’s first point has some merit even today: yearning for the rapture to come, some Christians seem unconcerned about making this world a better place. Gibbon’s second point, however, shows his ignorance on how human hearts are really changed: It is “not by might nor by power” but by [the] Spirit that enables us to valiantly uphold a just cause.

When the 4^th century monk named Telemachus came to Rome from the East, he was shocked by the gladiatorial combats. So, “stepping down into the arena, [he] endeavored to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another” (Theodoret). The spectators, indignant at the interruption, stoned him to death. Emperor Honorius, impressed by the monk’s conviction, officially put a stop to gladiatorial fights at the outset of 404 A.D.

The Civil Rights movement, inspired by Rosa Parks and led by Rev. Martin Luther King, was no different. King, using the biblical narrative of Exodus to inspire African-Americans in their fight for freedom from racial repression, never wavered from the just cause even when batons and fire hoses were used to halt the marchers. That is to say, they fought the Bull Connors of the world with meekness and prayer—totally counterintuitive to secular world. However, the conscience of the indifferent American public was stricken upon seeing on television the images of Black Americans being treated like lambs being slaughtered by butchers and yet not responding with violence of their own. While neither the terrorism of the Black Panther Party nor the radicalism the Nation of Islam melted America’s hardened heart, the valiant and non-violent Civil Rights marchers did—a lesson that is being forgotten in today’s divisive America.

On this day, remember that the spiritual unity in Christ triumphs over any other affiliation, even racial, for “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slaves nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). This is why the church, as salt and light of the world, can strive for a just cause (but not with the weapons of the world), even if it affects people who do not look like us.

Prayer: O God, we’re ashamed that despite the unity in Christ, we’ve allowed every sociological barrier, including racial, to divide your church. We’re guilty of relying on the weapons of this world—violence, false information, dishonest analysis, to get our ways. Lord, let your truth reign in our hearts! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 26:52-3 (NIV): “With that, one of Jesus’ companions (Peter) reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’”

Zech. 4:6 (NIV): So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Question to Consider

1. Contrast Peter’s action with that of Christ’s. How are they fundamentally different?

2. How would you interpret Zechariah 4:6 in light of the examples of Telemachus and Rev. King?

3. Racial tension has been escalating since last year. What can you do to be part of the solution rather than the problem?

Notes

1. Peter’s action represents waging a spiritual war with the weapons of the world; it always results in the escalation of the problem; Christ’s way shows that the road to victory, that is, after a temporary setback, is submission to God’s will that does not involve violence.

2. The “Spirit” in these contexts would mean demonstrating essential aspects of Christ’s character and work, which means willingness to suffer for a greater good and not resist, as well as to strive for justice and peace, etc.

3. I know many people who are making a difference: teachers in inner-city schools who tough it out with students, many of whom need extra attention. Also, this includes people who serve in a shelter for the homeless to help the children as well as the women by sharing of God’s love, etc.

Evening Reflection

You probably heard and/or saw some public demonstration of Martin Luther King’s day. No one except Christ is flawless; King was no exception. While we recognize that God used him, we worship Christ. Pray for the relief of racial tension in America. Pray about getting involved in the inner-city ministry.

April 10, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on September 13, 2015, is written by Andy Kim who is an associate pastor at Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco. Andy is a graduate of Northwestern University and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Thought for Food for the Weekend

“The Myth of Multitasking”

2 Kings 17:24-33

And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. 25 And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the Lord. Therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So the king of Assyria was told, “The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.” 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, “Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.” 28 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the Lord. 29 But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities in which they lived. 30 The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, 31 and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. 32 They also feared the Lord and appointed from among themselves all sorts of people as priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. 33 So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

There’s a good chance that as you are reading this QT (perhaps after having returned from church), you are in transit, planning out the rest of the day, preparing your next project, etc. Efficiency and productivity is life’s game and multi-tasking is the winning chip. However, recent studies have shown that multi-tasking is simply a myth that doesn’t exist. No matter the activities involved, multi-tasking has counter intuitive consequences such as losing focus, creativity, productivity, and time.

Today’s passage shows us the consequences of multi-tasking, or in the case of the pagan nations, “multi-worshipping.” Ironically, these pagan nations are brought into the land of God where they are taught to fear God. Rather than simply turning from their previous religious practices, they took the “best of both worlds” approach—they worshipped both their own gods while fearing God Himself. That’s like mixing gasoline and water; it is good for nothing.

Many of us take the same approach with God. We think that we can live for God while still living for many of our own desires. That’s like mixing gasoline and water as well; it is good for nothing. As long as our theology includes the fear of God and our apologetics prove His existence, we feel everything is okay—even though how we spend time and money indicates a divided heart. Just as the mind was not created to multi-task and focus on different activities, the heart was not made to love more than one God. In other words, we cannot follow both the world and God; to do both would rob us of fully experiencing God.

Let’s take some time to evaluate our own hearts. What are the areas that we still hold onto and put before God? At the root of multi-tasking is a fear of losing something. In the same way, many of us are scared to surrender some of the things we hold onto, having the fear of losing out. However, it is only when we fully surrender ourselves to God, can we fully experience His presence and faithfulness over our lives. Let’s stop following after things that bring temporary satisfaction; and let’s worship Christ who is the only One who can truly satisfy us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that my heart is divided and there are still things that I put before You. I repent of the areas that rob my devotion to You. As it says in Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 26

April 9, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 13, 2015, 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.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“You Can Hide Nothing from God!”

1 Kings 3:23-28 (ESV)

Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and my son is the living one.’” And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

While the wisdom of God displayed through Solomon in this story is certainly one to behold, I thought it would be interesting to look at this story from another perspective. Indeed, God is just and in due time, justice will be given to His people, but behind it we also see an important lesson—the light that is shed on darkness.

Picture yourself as a spectator in this debacle as it is unfolding. You’re standing in the king’s courtroom and watching these two women fight over the one baby that is alive. It seems hopeless in figuring out who is the real mother as both of the women adamantly declare that the baby is theirs. How could anyone know whom the baby belonged to since no one was there that night and the baby didn’t look like either of the women yet? Just when all hope seems to be gone and justice seems unobtainable, the king quiets the courtroom with a statement. There is some commotion and you see a soldier getting ready to cut the baby in half. As you turn to look at the two women, you notice one of them crying uncontrollably and the other without much emotion in agreement of what is happening. The king orders everyone to stop and hands the baby to the woman who is crying. The courtroom erupts with gasps and everyone is in awe of the wisdom of God displayed through the king. The courtroom is dismissed and people are left with the wisdom of Solomon and ultimately the wisdom and justice of God.

Beyond the wisdom of Solomon the king, we see an important principle –that nothing done in darkness will be hidden forever. In this case, God gives Solomon the supernatural wisdom to shed light on what was done in the darkness. In the dark of night, the wicked woman stole the baby from another woman and evil looked as if it were going to prevail. But God shed light on the situation through the giving of wisdom to Solomon. Oftentimes, we try to hide our sins and can sometimes use circumstances to try and cover our sins and our wickedness. But even if we might be able to fool most people, we cannot fool God. In our lifetime, we will attempt to cover up many of our sins and hope that the consequences never catch up to us. And it is true that even in this lifetime, some of our sins will not catch up to us (although most of them do). However, we will all stand before God one day and give an account of everything that we have done. On that day, the fullness of God’s wisdom and justice will be like a piercing light that cuts through the darkness of our hearts and we will need to give an account for it.

Do you believe that everything done in darkness will be brought to light? How does that affect the way you choose to walk in obedience to the Word of God? In light of the understanding that we cannot fool God, let us approach this life with much fear and reverence of the holiness of God. May we strive for holiness and walk in the light by the power of His Holy Spirit. May we not grow weary of doing good and trust that in due time, justice will be given to God’s people.

Prayer: Father, help us to walk in the light and not in darkness. Forgive us for the time we persist in walking in darkness and disregard holiness because we have gotten away with our sins. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to renew and refresh our spirits so that we are once again able to see Your holiness and justice so that we are able to walk before You in the right manner. May You be glorified in our lives. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 24-25

April 8, Friday

UPDATED Today’s AMI Devotional Quiet Time, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on May 28, 2015. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Disobedience is Costly”

2 Samuel 20: 4-10

Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.” 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

Matthew 25: 24-30

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master answered him, “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Prior to this passage, King David has asked Amasa to become the commander of his army, replacing Joab. Shortly afterwards, King David asks his newly-minted general to stir up Judah within three days in response to a new rebellion. However, the allotted time passes, and Amasa has failed to bring the people as requested. From what we know of King David, he was not an unreasonable man, but while it is difficult to know why Amasa could not fulfill the king’s expectations, ex-commander Joab seems to find this failure reprehensible and takes matters into this own hands with Amasa. It didn’t help that Joab was likely brooding over having been demoted on account of Amasa. Here, he sends a clear message, perhaps under a pretext: disobedience is costly.

This reminds me of a well-known passage, the parable of the talents. The master, before going away, entrusts his wealth with a number of servants. While some of them put the investment to work, one servant hides the money in a field, doing absolutely nothing in response. When the master returns, he is angered by the squandered opportunity, takes away the investment he entrusted, and throws out the servant! The message is echoed here: disobedience is costly.

Few of us have responsibilities on seemingly grand scales, but our relationship with God is a serious matter. Living in accordance with God’s standards is extremely difficult; although we can pretend that some of our sins are less egregious, Jesus warned us that even sinning in our thoughts is as answerable as committing the crimes (Matthew 5:12, 28). Living in accordance with God’s standards seems near impossible.

However, what drives us to obedience should not be a fear of costly consequences. Because of the cross, our prior offenses are covered over by God’s grace, and the costly penalties of our disobedience have already been paid (which, of course, doesn’t mean that God won’t discipline His children [Heb. 12:5-11]). Now, our motivation has been transformed out of fear into a great love for God and a desire to be made like Him.

For this reason, let us be devoted to His Word, learning to understand what pleases God and urging one another to seriously live as new creations. Thankfully, we are not left alone in this journey; we have a community of believers to point us to Him, and the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit equips us with the power to live as God calls us to.

Prayer: Father, without Your help, I cannot remain obedient to You. However, although it can seem tempting to live apart from Your standards, I know that fullness of life comes from an obedient life. Help me to abide in You so that I may produce good fruit in keeping with this faith and so that I can spur others on to you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 23

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 15: 12-28: Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Questions to Consider

1. Why would Paul’s preaching and faith be in vain if Christ has not been raised, and why should people be pitied if Christ has not been raised?

2. What’s another danger of being incorrect about Christ’s resurrection?

3. Because we know that Christ has risen, how should this truth affect our lives? Are you banking all you have on His resurrection?

Notes

1. Believers ought to live in this world in a way that would be pitied if Christianity were not real. The end goal is not to have created “nicer people” for this world – the end goal is to have set all of our hopes and bets on an unseen world that we have not taken hold of yet.

2. If Paul and the other believers were wrong about Christ’s resurrection from the dead, then they are guilty of blasphemy when it comes to the nature of God and for teaching others about Him falsely.

3. Christ’s resurrection gives us joy – we are no longer in sin, and death is destroyed. Because we no longer have to be in bondage to sin, we can live freely and give up all things for Him.

Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, did you face any decisions that were clearly between pleasing and obeying God or man? How did you fare? We are told to count the cost before walking with Christ? What is that you need to give up in order to obey God more readily? Ask the Lord for more wisdom and conviction?

April 7, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on October 22, 2015. Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia.

Devotional Thought for this Morning

“The Bride’s Date Time”

Ezra 8:15-17

“ . . . When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. 16 So I summoned . . . [leaders and men of learning], 17 and . . . I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God.”

Ezra 8:32-35

“So we arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested three days. 33 On the fourth day, in the house of our God, we weighed out the silver and gold and the sacred articles . . . 35 Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel . . . ”

If the church is the Bride of Christ, Sunday worship is the bride’s date time with her bridegroom.

It’s the time when, as a body, the church decides to set aside all other things and focus solely on building her relationship with Him. Just as each believer builds his or her own special relationship with God through individual Bible reading and prayer, I believe there is a special and unique relationship each believing community builds with God as they all physically come together as a group once a week, hearing the same message together, praying and singing the same songs of adoration together. The worship service, then, becomes the core of a church’s relationship with God; one could say it is the most important thing that she does.

That people spend time with Him together, as a group, has been important to God from the earliest days of the Israelites’ history with Him as His people. In today’s passage, we see how central worship was to this community by how much attention it is given throughout the chapter. Ezra’s entire description of the journey is about everything they needed in order to worship God, whether it was the Levites (without them, how would the sacrifices be made?) or the temple articles and offerings, and how they made it safely from Babylon to Jerusalem. When they do arrive, after a few days’ rest, the first thing they do is gather at the temple and worship God. This was the most important thing for them to be able to do.

How precious is our church’s time of corporate worship to me? If I haven’t been as committed as I should, or if there is another activity that brings a time conflict this week, what decision do I need to make about this today? How can I prepare my heart, my offering, etc., even today, as I look forward to this weekend’s service?

Prayer: Lord, what a special example this heart of Ezra is for me today. Just reading about his preparations and concerns blesses my heart. Help me to have the same concern and passion for our church’s times of meeting with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Ezra 8:24-25, 28-29 : “Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests . . . and ten of their brothers, 25 and I weighed out to them the offering of silver and gold and the articles . . . 28 I said to them, “You as well as these articles are consecrated to the Lord. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the Lord, the God of your ancestors. 29 Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem before the leading priests and the Levites and the family heads of Israel.”

1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is described as being “consecrated to the Lord” (v. 28)?

2. What did Ezra ask the priests and their brothers to do (v. 29)?

3. What conclusion can we draw from the answers to the two questions above? How should we consider those (including ourselves) who serve at the temple so that His people can worship?

Notes

1. Both material goods (temple articles & offerings) AND people (priests + brothers).

2. Guard the offerings carefully.

3. If material goods were to be guarded carefully because they were set apart for God, all the more the priests should also take care of themselves – not just so that they can protect the offerings but because they themselves are also set apart for God. As people set apart to serve, we are important and should take care to guard our conditions so that we are able to serve Him and His people well when the time comes.

Evening Reflection

The weekend is just around the corner. Do I have excitement and anticipation in my heart as I look forward to meeting Him with my brothers and sisters in gathered, corporate worship?

April 6, Wednesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 14, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Can Go Wrong with Date-Setting for the End of the World?”

Matt. 24:44-50 (NIV)

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. [45] Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? [46] It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. [47] I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. [48] But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ [49] and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. [50] The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.”

The church where I became a believer in 1981 was steeped in end-times Bible prophecy. My fascination with this grew all the more after seeing Christian movies, such as “A Thief in the Night” and “Image of the Beast,” which portrayed a terrifying world following the rapture. My ears perked up when several respectable pastors predicted the Lord’s coming in 1988. The fact that the prediction didn’t come true that year hasn’t stopped others from setting additional dates, as evidenced by Harold Camping in 2011 and, most recently, Pat Robertson who believes that the war in Ukraine is the beginning of the end.

One consequence of failed date-setting is an increased disinterest in Christ’s coming. Anticipating this, Peter wrote: “They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’” (2 Pet. 3:4). I plead guilty to that because I went from passionately teaching the end time prophecy to becoming somewhat unenthused about reading the book of Revelation (always as the last book while reading the Bible in a year).

The above parable suggests that a pitfall of not taking seriously of Christ’s return is apathy towards fulfilling our responsibilities from God. The servant in charge of taking care of others became selfish and irresponsible, assuming that the master wouldn’t return any time soon; consequently, instead of being faithful, nothing was denied in the pursuit of pleasure for here and now.

Ironically, those who take Christ’s return seriously can be just as callous as those who don’t. For instance, in a mission’s conference organized by a church known for its strong emphasis on end-time prophecy, the speaker chided some in the audience who cheered over a war that just broke out in Russia, believing it to be a fulfillment of a prophecy. He said, “We should be mindful that people die in a war without knowing Christ.”

Peter asks, “What kind of people ought you to be?” (2 Pet. 3:11). Regardless of when Christ will actually return, we need to live each day as if he is coming today. Unlike the irresponsible servant, we should continue being faithful to God’s task; “[we] ought to live holy and godly lives as [we] look forward to the day of God” (3:11). So, approach today with eagerness to let Christ be known through your faithfulness.

Prayer: O God, I glorify and praise You this morning for your Son Jesus who, in His first coming, died for the sins of the world so that we might live with You eternally. Father, help us to rely on the Holy Spirit to keep our focus on the responsibility that you gave us, even as we wait for your second coming. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 21

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thess. 5:1-8 (ESV): “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. [2] For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. [5] For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. [6] So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. [8] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

John 9:4 (ESV): “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

Question to Consider

1. In what sense (biblical and current) would the Lord’ coming be a surprise to many?

2. Should this day catch us off guard? If we are found to be unprepared, what does that imply?

3. How should we live in anticipation of his eventual coming? Hide on a mountain top?

Notes

1. Being creatures of comfort and habit, it doesn’t dawn on people that something cataclysmic can happen, destroying peace and security that they’ve always known. In our current world, since many are secularists, they simply don’t believe in anything divine and supernatural.

2. The expression “A thief in the night” is reserved for the unbelievers; Paul tells the believers that that day should not surprise us like a thief since we have been forewarned. This doesn’t mean we should set a date of His coming, but to live in the present by faith, love, and in hope.

3. We are the children of light, which means that instead of withdrawing from the world in anticipation of the world’s end, we “must work the works of him who sent [Jesus] while it is day.” It calls for engagement and involvement with the world to let Christ be known, particularly among the scoffers.

Evening Reflection

If you knew for sure that Christ is coming by midnight tomorrow, are there things that you would want to change immediately? What does that say about your faith right now? Make changes; be ready.

April 5, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on April 5, 2015. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Which Way Do I Go From Here?”

1 Kings 13:7-10

The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me for a meal, and I will give you a gift.”8 But the man of God answered the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here.9 For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’” 10 So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

Yesterday we reflected on those times in life when the instructions of the Lord conflict with our own way of doing things. When we find ourselves at the crossroad of God’s ways and our ways, which road will we choose? For most believers, the answer to that question is fairly easy – God’s way. Even though we don’t always follow right away, most of us know in our hearts that God’s ways are best. With this conviction, we are able to take the right turn at this crucial crossroad and follow the Lord’s ways over and against our own.

Unlike King Jeroboam, the prophet (“the man of God”) in this chapter has chosen to walk in obedience to the Lord. Instead of doing things his own way, he has instead followed God’s instructions (and brought God’s message to the king). But isn’t it true that as we walk in obedience to the Lord, we find temptations luring us to do the very thing about which God commanded us not to do? After his journey to meet the king and a successful delivery of the divine message, I’m sure this prophet was both hungry and thirsty. And he was not only given an opportunity to eat and drink at some random person’s home, but in the royal palace, at the table of the king – a feast of all feasts. But God had given instructions to neither eat nor drink. Although we don’t know exactly why God told him this, commentators point out that if onlookers had seen the prophet eating and drinking with the king, they would have likely seen it as the prophet giving the king his stamp of approval. Regardless of the reason why – the command was clear and the prophet had a choice to make.

These are the moments in life when our trust of the Lord is truly tested. Starting the race well is important and taking that initial step of obedience is crucial, but neither is as important as finishing well. You may have heard it said before that partial obedience is disobedience. On the path of following God, we will have to choose obedience again and again in the same area of our life, and often in the face of continual and escalating opposition.

Prayer: Lord, help me to resist the temptation toward partial obedience. Remind me daily through Your Holy Spirit of the things about which You’ve commanded me and help me to choose again and again to say “yes” to You and to Your ways. Give me eyes to see temptation as it comes and the conviction to be faithful no matter what. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Deuteronomy 28:1-2: If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

Luke 11:27-28: As he [Jesus] said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him,“ Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said,“ Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Questions to Consider

Notice the two qualifiers (the adverbs) of the two commands given in Deut. 28:1. Why are these qualifiers important?
How does Jesus’ words encourage you toward obedience to God?
What, if any, are the obstacles or temptations threatening to “move you” or making it difficult for you to “stand firm” in obedience to God?

Notes

God didn’t call his people to simply obey and follow, but to do so “fully” and “carefully.” This is important because of our tendency toward partial obedience. Following God takes intentionality and commitment on our part.
The woman in the crowd was expressing her delight and blessing to have Jesus standing before her and doing miracles (casting out demons in the preceding verses). But Jesus said that those who obey God’s words are far more blessed. We should be encouraged because there is great blessing in the path of obedience!
It is important that we are aware of the things that threaten our full obedience. Whether they are things within us (wrong desires, lies we’ve believed, etc.) or things outside us (pressures from others, difficult circumstances, etc.), we want be aware and to remind ourselves that our labor is not in vain.

Evening Reflection

Are there areas in your life where you’ve given way to partial obedience? Did you start out well by making choices to follow God, but now find yourself tempted to compromise? Spend some time offering these areas to the Lord. Reflect on the ways God has already called you to obey in these areas of your life (try to be specific) and recommit to following Him. Remember the Holy Spirit within give us the power to not only say “Yes!” to God once, but to choose daily to walk faithfully in obedience to Him and finish the race well.

April 4, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 12, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Global Evangelism”

Acts 11:19 (NIV)

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.”

Rom. 16:26 (NIV)

“But now revealed and make known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him.”

Historically, the conservative churches in America have done poorly in the area of racial relations. For instance, the Pentecostals who should have set an example were segregated from the very outset. Even though the major Pentecostal denominations were begun by the whites who were anointed during the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles (1906-09) under the leadership of the African American clergy William Seymour, the Black and white Pentecostals didn’t officially reconcile until 1994!

Luke, being a Gentile, knew that the Jews didn’t want to share God’s blessing with people like him. In his later book, Acts, he recounted how the Jews sought to kill Paul (“Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” 22:22) just because he declared, “The Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (22:21). Luke also noted that the Jews who were dispersed from the persecution in Jerusalem, shared the gospel only with other Jews—most of them simply didn’t care about the spiritual welfare of the Gentiles. Having been tossed around by the Grecian, Ptolemaic, Seleucid, and Roman Empire for four centuries, the Israelites were in no mood to share God’s blessings with them.

Evidently, Luke, writing his Gospel to Theophilus—likely a high Roman official—had a mission to declare to the Gentiles that the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son in the parables represented them, and a search would be made to find them. Unlike the older son who didn’t care whether his brother lived or died, another Son, “the firstborn of all creation” (Gal. 1:15) “came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk. 19:10). That is, the Gentiles are the other sheep that Jesus came to find: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. . . . There shall be one flock and one shepherd” (Jn. 10:16).

To many, global evangelism may seem like a distant matter; but the next time you face a major trial, consider whether that was allowed in your life so that you may prioritize God’s mission. The apostle Paul, wrapping up his monumental book of Romans, ends with, “So that all nations might believe and obey him.”

Prayer: God, I hold You in awe, knowing that You’re not a territorial deity, but a God of the whole universe who has created all things. How majestic is your transcendence (beyond this world) and immanence (in this world) at the same time. May my heart capture Yours so that I may love the nations as You do. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 19

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Kings 5:2-3, 15 (ESV): “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 who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy’. . . . [15] [Naaman] stood before [Elisha] and said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.’”

Acts 8:1, 20 (ESV): “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. . . . But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenistsalso, preaching the Lord Jesus.”

Question to Consider

1. How would you describe the circumstances that led the Israelite girl to Syria and how the Jerusalem Christians were led to Antioch? How do you think they might’ve felt? How did they handle it?

2. What is the significance of their respective accomplishment?

3. How do you personally feel about missions? What adjustments do you need to make to take missions more seriously.

Notes

1. Their lives were suddenly and forever changed by hostile outsiders who took them away from the comforts of their home. Even though this major trial must’ve made them feel sad, angry and fearful, evidently, they didn’t let go of their faith.

2. They shared the blessing of God with non-Jews. Had the Jewish servant girl not told Naaman about Elisha, the leprous general would’ve never gone to Israel for a cure, which eventually led to his salvation. The Gentile church in Antioch, which eventually became a great missionary church (Paul and Barnabas), was initiated by the Jews who escaped from the persecution in Jerusalem.

3. As a pastor, I never wanted to talk about missions for the longest time because I didn’t want to go. A serious of personal setbacks in the 1990s led me to hear God telling me to go missions; we did. Maybe for some, you need to take a vision trip to see what God is doing in other nations.

Evening Reflection

Do you work with people of other ethnic backgrounds, perhaps followers of Islam or other religions? Have you ever tried to befriend them? That’s always the first step toward expressing God’s love to them. Pray for them right now; reflect on what you can do to share God’s love with them.