March 6, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on August 16, 2015.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Missing Out on God’s Best”

1 kings 7:15-20

They went after them to the Jordan, and behold, all the way was full of clothes and equipment which the Arameans had thrown away in their haste. Then the messengers returned and told the king. 16 so the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the lord. 17 now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. 18 it happened just as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “two measures of barley for a shekel and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, will be sold tomorrow about this time at the gate of Samaria.” 19 then the royal officer answered the man of God and said, “now behold, if the lord should make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?” And he said, “behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.” 20 and so it happened to him, for the people trampled on him at the gate and he died.

We talked yesterday about the joy that comes from experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives. Often times we have to wait – sometimes until we reach eternity with Him – to experience the manifestation of promises God has made. But there are those precious and holy moments when, in our own lifetime, we see God make good on his word. 

On the converse side, there are people for whom this is not the case.  The king’s royal officer (as an extension of the king himself) was not given the privilege of enjoying the blessing of God’s promise fulfilled for Israel (bread in the midst of famine). Because of doubt in God’s promises and in God himself, the official missed out on partaking in God’s blessing. This is not the first time we see this happening in Scripture. When God’s people lose heart and lose hope, we can sometimes cut ourselves off from experiencing the fullness of the work that God is doing in, through, and around us. 

If you’ve been a christian for a while, you’ve probably heard someone talk about “missing out on God’s best” in your life. What this means is, regardless of what our reasoning may be, we can (like the king and his royal officer) position ourselves in such a way that we are unable to partake fully in the blessings that God so desperately desires to bestow upon us. More often than not this happens because we are unwilling to let go of our own imaginings of what can be, our own plans for the future, and ultimately our own understanding. 

One pastor tells the following story – “my family and I recently got back from a cross country trip to L.A., and in the name of preserving our sanity, we gave our kids a bundle of apple products to play with on the trip. My old iPhone became my son’s obsession (nothing makes you feel like a better parent than being at the grand canyon and all your 7yr old can talk about is how much he needs to charge his iPhone). To the point where as soon as we got home, we had to take it away and hide it from him. Because we love him, we took the phone away, before it destroyed his ability to enjoy anything else. The sad part is that my son has something better than my old iPhone. He has me. He’s my son, I’m his dad. And even though I fall short in so many ways, our relationship is worth so much more than an old iPhone. I’m the one who even made it possible for him to have an iPhone in the first place.”

Much like children, we can hold too tightly to our own way of doing and seeing and risk missing out on God’s best for us. Of course, there is grace and God will be faithful even when we are not. Yet with that said, the abovementioned sentiments should give us pause. May we not hinder ourselves in any ways from experiencing God’s best. May we hold our lives with open hands, willing to trust in God’s way over and against our own. 

Prayer: Gracious Father, help me to follow You faithfully and always position myself to receive Your best for me. Help to lean not on my own understanding or my own desires or my own ways of doing things. Help me to lean exclusively on You and Your power and willingness to fulfill Your good promises to me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 6

March 5, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought, first posted on June 6, 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).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks”

1 Kings 1:1-4

When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. 2 So his attendants said to him, “Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.” 3 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.

In the English language the common idiom, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” points to an idea that once a person has reached a certain age, he or she cannot change by giving up the old ways to learn new habits, ways of thinking, skills, etc. In other words, as you get older and more set in your ways, you become less teachable, and more stubborn.  Although I have never been particularly fond of the idea conveyed by this expression, I do have to admit that I have found it to be incredibly true.  In fact, most people I’ve encountered to whom this idiom holds true aren’t even that old.  I can’t tell you how many people in their 20’s and 30’s I’ve talked to who do not heed good advice or who have surrendered into a resolve of, “Hey, this is who I am, and I will never change.”  

Here is the spiritual truth: If the Holy Spirit is truly living inside of you, not only are you capable of change (no matter your age), but you are expected to change more and more into the image of Christ.  Unfortunately, I’ve noticed two primary thought patterns that have inhibited growth in many believers.  First, is the aforementioned defeated position where some settle into saying and thinking things like, “I’m just an angry guy with a short fuse, and I’ll never be gentle.  I can’t change.”  The other pattern is that we actually like our old selves too much and do not want to embrace the characteristics of Christ, thinking, “I like being the snarky, sarcastic, say what I feel, guy.  I don’t really need to season my conversations with salt” (Col. 4:6); neither way of thinking is becoming of the disciple of Christ.    

Though weird, I find today’s passage to be quite encouraging.  Think about David’s biggest sin—sleeping with Bathsheba and killing her husband to cover up the conspiracy.  It was a sin sparked by lust.  As we read about David many years later, we see how far he has come to overcome lust.  The beautiful young Abishag was brought in to keep the king warm at night—you know the royal advisors had R-rated intentions,  yet the Bible is clear that King David never slept with her.  In essence, Abishag became a professional teddy bear (odd job put on your resume), and this odd relationship took on a sweet PG tone.    

For those of you who are struggling with a persistent issue, David is proof that every sin can be overcome by the follower of Christ.  In other words, we are not “too old to be taught new tricks.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to see some of the thought and life patterns that have been beating me.  Give me courage and the resolve to overcome.  Fill me with the Spirit.  Also bring to light any areas that I need to change but am hesitant to submit to You because I actually like these things.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Romans 4-5

March 4, Friday

Updated Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 21, 2014.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“A Timely Gift”

Proverbs 11:25

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  

Knowing that the recently married Alex and Ana were preparing to go out on the mission field, I wanted to encourage them.  Having gone through it myself, I felt their anxiety.   So after a class, I gave Alex 500 pesos ($45), saying, “Take your wife to a nice restaurant; this is NOT a mission’s offering.”  I learned the importance of clarifying the money’s purpose from a supporter from the U.S., who sent $500 directly to us instead of our mission agency with a note: “Take a vacation with your family; this is not a mission’s offering.”  

What I gave was so insignificant; nonetheless, Alex profusely thanked me.  Shortly, when I returned from a teaching trip, my wife told me that Alex thanked her at church; the following Sunday, Ana thanked me!  Then, it dawned on me that a timely gift and words can refresh one’s soul.   Proverbs 15:23 says, “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word,” especially when the word is accompanied by cash for a date night with your wife.

Apostle Paul certainly gave many timely words and gifts to people in need during his lengthy ministry; but once, while he was under house arrest in Rome for two years, Paul was the recipient of a timely word and gifts.  Imagine the surprise when he saw Epaphroditus, a “messenger, whom [the church in Philippi] sent to take care of [his] needs” (Phil. 2:25).   Covering 700 miles to reach Rome, Epaphroditus didn’t come empty handed, for Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I have received . . . the gifts you sent.  They are a fragrant offering . . . pleasing to God” (4:18).   So encouraged and grateful was Paul that he added, “It was good of you to share in my troubles” (4:14).   

So, look around to see if anyone can benefit from your timely word and gift.  Maybe you are in need of encouragement.  Regardless of whether or not anyone refreshes you, you can always go to the Lord and receive his comfort, which is far better. 

Prayer: I praise you Lord this morning for your marvelous concern for me.  I thank you for sending me people to refresh my soul whenever I feel down.  I know I haven’t done much for those whom I know are going through a tough time.  Help me to share with them so that they may be reminded of your love for them. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 8:1-3 (NIV): After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others.  These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Acts 16:13-5: On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate [Philippi] to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Questions to Consider

1. Feeding his twelve disciples for 3½ years was not easy for Jesus, since he didn’t always resort to his supernatural powers (e.g., the feeding of 5,000).  So, what was one supply source?  

2. What motivated these women and Lydia to be so generous?

3. What should that mean to us?  Pray about someone who can use your timely word and gift.

Notes

1. A group of women who voluntarily supported Jesus and his men out of their own “purse.”

2. They were motivated by gratitude for what the Lord had done for them.  For Mary Magdalene, she was finally freed from years of demonic oppression; for Lydia, she now had the real reason and meaning for living that her lucrative business had failed to deliver.

3. Since we also have benefitted and have been blessed by the Lord, then we should be as generous as these women were.   

Evening Reflection

Before turning in, say a prayer of thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done for you and given you; then pray for someone who is need of the same blessing.    

March 3, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 16, 2015, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“‘Stick and Stones May Break My Bones, but Words Will Never Hurt Me!’  Really?”

2 Kings 19:1-7

As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the Lord your God heard all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.” 5 When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’”

One of the common phrases that adults tell children to recite is: “Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  What an incredible lie!  When we think back to the times where we’ve been hurt, it’s not the physical pain we remember; it’s the words that cut deep into our hearts.  

That’s what Hezekiah experienced in 2 Kings 19.  Hezekiah tears his clothes and covers himself with sackcloth because of the demeaning and hurtful words of Rabshakeh, threatening the people of Judah of impending doom at the hands of Assyria, as seen in 2 Kings 18.  Rabshakeh proclaims in verses 32-33: “Do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, ‘The Lord will deliver us.’ 33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?”  It wasn’t even the actual physical attacks of the Assyrians that brought Hezekiah to a place of mourning and sorrow, but it was these threatening words of Rabshakeh.  

Words can have incredible power over us.  You could be having the best day of your life, everything going really well, but just a few harsh pointed words from a friend, relative or boss can just ruin everything.   There are many people who were hurt by someone else’s words spoken to them years ago but still carry that pain deep in their hearts.  At the same time, we know that our own words have power over others, and that we just as easily hurt as we can bless.  

How can we face the power of hurtful words?  We must remember that God hears every word.  In this passage, Isaiah reassures Hezekiah that God heard every word that the Assyrians said, and that He would be the one to bring justice.  Similarly, when the words of others come against us, we need not respond and get our revenge; but instead, we remember that God heard all of it.  And when we think about our own words, we should also consider that God will hear them as well.  In the end, when it comes to words spoken or words received, we speak and receive with grace.  Others can bring us down, just as we can bring others down with our words.  But either way, as people of God, we should strive to give grace.  


Prayer: Lord, today, help me to remember the truth of your Word, and that I am your beloved child.  Enable me this day to receive words with grace and to speak words of grace.  Give me strength to remember Your presence and to be a blessing to others with my speech.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Romans 2

Lunch Bible Study

Read James 3:2-12: For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Questions to Consider

  1. How does James describe the power of the tongue?
  2. In verse 2, James says that only a perfect man can tame the tongue.  Why is it so difficult?  What, then, is our hope?
  3. How can you use your words to bless our Lord and Father, as well as others today?  

Notes

  1. James describes the power of the tongue as something very small that has, in contrast, really great power.  It’s like how a small rudder can guide a large boat, or like a small fire that can set an entire forest ablaze.  
  2. The words that come from our mouths are a reflection of our hearts.  Jesus says in Matthew 12:34-35: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” It is incredibly difficult to tame the tongue because our words are a reflection of the sin in our hearts.  Therefore, our only hope is the sanctification of our hearts through the blood of Jesus Christ.
  3. Personal application

Evening Reflection

The words we hear and the words we speak have incredible power.  Were there any words spoken to you that hurt you?  If so, take some time to forgive that person.  On the flip side, were your words spoken today a blessing to others and to God?  If not, turn to God for forgiveness and ask Him to redeem your words to be a blessing. 

March 2, Wednesday

Updated Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 23, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Being Used by God in a Way Not Intended”

1 Cor. 12:11 (NIV)

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” 

I had no idea why the students were laughing so hard while I was lecturing for a week at a seminary in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2005.  Sitting in the class was the school’s interim director and whenever I called him by his name, “Oliver,” what came out instead was “Altivez.”  Had I known what that word meant, I wouldn’t have used it, but only later, did I discover its meaning: “arrogance.”  During the break, one student told me that I must be a prophet for calling the interim director, “Mr. Arrogance.”  Of course, I had no way to verify stories that several students told me about his antics, but they all felt that God was using me to rebuke their leader.  To this day, I don’t know what to think about that. 

We want to be used by God, perhaps according to our preferences.  For instance, I would’ve preferred that the seminarians thought of me as God’s servant who delivered great lectures instead of someone whose slip of the tongue was supposedly used to call out a proud person.  But no one gets to choose how they get to serve the Lord, because God has already distributed appropriate gifts to each believer to buttress their ministry and/or calling.  For every “Peter” whose lone sermon netted 3,000 converts (Acts 2:41), there is a “Stephen” whose sermon was so offensive to his hearers, that they stoned him (Acts 7:52-8).  Jeremiah, so stricken by people’s rejection of him on account of his gloomy message, once cried out, saying, “O LORD, you deceived me. . . . Everyone mocks me. . . . Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction” (Jer. 20:7-8).  The prophet, however, continued with his unpopular message until the end. 

What would you like to do for the Lord?  That, of course, is a wrong question.  Our job is to simply obey God’s particular calling in our lives:  some may become popular while others remain in anonymity.  God is not asking us to be stars, but that “those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).  

Prayer: Lord, it would be enough that you have saved me from going to hell, but how much more blessing it is that you also want to use me.  But Lord, my narcissistic nature and the worldly influence upon me often compromise my motivation and I end up wanting something more than You.  Forgive me and help me to be satisfied only in You.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 8:9-10, 14-21 (NIV): Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.”

Questions to Consider

1. What attracted Simon to the ministry of Peter and John?

2. What made Simon’s request so unacceptable to God (i.e., a heart that is not right before God)? 

3. What would you prefer to do in order to serve the Lord?   What should be our proper attitude toward the Lord when it comes to serving Him?

Notes

1. Apparently, Simon, who was used to receiving accolades from people, was more impressed by the power that Peter and John possessed than the fact that people were being blessed.  What he wanted to get from the apostles was actually a good thing, but his motive was wrong.  

2. It wasn’t acceptable because his only concern was to elevate his status among people; it was neither to glorify God nor to help people.  In short, “serving God” was the means to another end, which was hearing people say, “You are the Great Power of God.”

3. Our proper attitude should always be:  Not my will, but Your will be done.  (When my attempt to get a teaching position at a seminary in 1999 didn’t pan out, I was nudged in becoming a missionary to Mexico.)  

Evening Reflection

In looking back to today, in what ways did God use you today?  Did you have opportunities but didn’t take them?  It’s not too late.  Offer up a prayer on behalf of someone with great needs right now.   

March 1, Tuesday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Peril of Leadership and Your Responsibility”

2 Kings 21:11-15

Manasseh king of Judah has committed these detestable sins. He has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him and has led Judah into sin with his idols. 12 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle . . . 14 I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hands of enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their enemies; 15 they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day.”

Leaders will be held accountable by God for the influence they exert, for good or for evil, and the direction in which they lead people; but people are also responsible for their choices.  In 1 & 2 Kings, we have seen a succession of good kings and bad kings, their reigns and legacies defined by this one standard: whether or not they did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  If they did what was right, the nation flourished; if not, the nation suffered.  When the nation’s history is recorded in a structure that highlights the lives of the leaders, it can be easy to start thinking that it was all the kings’ responsibility.  Even in today’s passage, if we just read verses 11-14, it could seem that Manasseh was a wicked king that led a hapless people into sin, and that because of what he had done, God was going to punish the whole nation; how sad, unfortunate, and almost unfair to the people.

But in verse 15 (and even v. 9, which says, “But the people did not listen . . . ”), the author shows how God holds the people accountable.  The leader did lead the people astray, but the people themselves also ignored God’s word and did what was evil, even before Manasseh was born.

Overall, I think many of us have been blessed with wonderful spiritual leaders who are earnest and sincere in seeking to do what is right in God’s eyes.  Sometimes, though, we find ourselves in a position where we see something a leader does, and we have a nagging feeling that something is not quite right with this situation.  Though God asks us to submit and obey the authorities He has placed over our lives, we are also expected to exercise discernment and hold on to our principles (God’s word); He will hold us accountable for whether or not we follow a leader into sin, or humbly and respectfully decline.  In verses 12-14, God’s judgment falls on not just the king but all the people for the evil they have done.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for good leaders and I welcome their godly, spiritual influence.  At the same time, if I have sometimes chosen to follow them even though my conscience had been uneasy, help me to recognize this and repent.  Help our leaders to stay right with you.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 66

Lunch Break Study 

Read Ezekiel 18:19-20: Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live. 20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

Questions to Consider

1. Why would people say, “Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity” (v. 19)?

2. What is the emphasis of “The person who sins will die” (v. 20)?

3. What do these verses say about the justice of God?  When God brings judgment, are there ever any “innocent victims”?

Notes

1. When someone sins, people want to hold someone accountable.  If the father was not available, perhaps they would look for the son to take vengeance upon or try to exact justice.

2. That God will hold the person who sins accountable for that sin (and not any other person).  

3. God’s justice is perfect; He does not bring judgment against the innocent.  If He is provoked to anger, it is for a good reason.  We need to understand OT judgments and the judgment of God in general in this light.

Evening Reflection

How did I do today in terms of taking responsibility for my own actions?  Was there any tendency to blame others for circumstances I found myself in when they were actually the consequences of my own missteps?  Take responsibility by repenting and then receive His peace, knowing there is grace when we come to Him.

February 28, Monday

Updated Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 17, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Pilate knew that it was out of envy that the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to him (Mk. 15:10).  

They began to feel this way upon hearing an unfavorable comparison.  Mark reports that “the people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law” (1:22).  What further amazed the people was Jesus’ lack of formal education, which prompted them to wonder, “How did this man get such learning without having studied” (Jn. 7:15).  However, since the teachers of the law underwent rigorous rabbinical training, Jesus’ popularity bothered them even more.  So, they made up lies, like accusing him of being possessed by Beelzebub, to discredit Jesus.

Meet Pastor Javier (PJ) whose church we attended for many years in Mexico.  PJ shared one thing in common with Jesus: he had no formal theological training.  But instead of trying to distance me, perhaps because I might make him look bad, he embraced me as his teacher.  His desire to be better equipped to serve the Lord overcame whatever human feelings he might have had. In 2005, as we were about to leave for a 2-month furlough to visit our supporting churches in the  U. S., PJ wrote me a letter, which he asked me to share during my travel.  

PJ wrote:  “Ryun, the Lord has used you so much to enrich my ministry particularly in the area of my greatest weakness: formal theological training that I never received but God has supplied it through you.  You are my teacher!  It’s still a shock to me that I am the pastor of the largest Baptist church in our regional convention, being that I am the least prepared among my peers. All the glory be to God who continues to use the lowly and the weak (I), encouraging and equipping them through the best of His sons (you).”  

Upon reading it, I was so humbled by PJ’s humility.  So, don’t be like the petty teachers of the law; instead, choose to be humble and teachable; learn to give credit to others.  And serve the Lord.    

Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess that my heart has become hardened.  I am neither teachable nor humble as I need to be.  Instead of trying to change on my own, I look to Jesus, who, being in very nature God, made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.  May Your word and example inspire me!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 65

Lunch Break Study

Read John 3:26-30: And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Gal. 5:15 (ESV):“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

Question to Consider

1. When people told John what Jesus was doing, what were they, in effect, doing?  How do you think John might have felt?

2. What can happen when we are given to envy?

3. Based on how John handled his situation, what is the best way to handle a situation that causes us to be envious?

Notes

1. Perhaps, unbeknownst to them, the people were comparing John’s ministry with Jesus’.  Humanly speaking, John couldn’t have been too happy about becoming second fiddle, that is, being less significant  in the eyes of people.   

2. From the example left by the teachers of the law, we see that it leads to biting and devouring one another.  Ultimately, it can consume us to the point of committing unthinkable acts, which in the case of these teachers was murder.

3. I think that understanding our role is critical to overcoming envy: John knew why he was sent, which was to prepare for the ministry of Jesus.  What also helps is cultivating a heart that wishes others to do well: John was happy that his cousin Jesus was doing so well.  Lastly, his satisfaction came from serving God. 

Evening Reflection

How was your day?  Did you face a situation where your humility was tested?  Did someone make you feel like you weren’t as informed or intelligent?  What did you find out about yourself?  Turn to the Lord.

February 27, Sunday

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on August 8, 2015, is provided by Joanna Tzen, a friend of AMI, who attended and served at Grace Covenant Church for a long time.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Digging Our Spiritual Heels in Anticipation of What Will Surely Come”

Jude 1:17 

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Every fall at Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia), we have an event called Mini-Olympics. The event that everyone waits for is the tug of war. Participants are usually weary at this point, as it is about five hours in and is the last event. It is such an epic event because you can see large men digging their heels into the mud, grunting and straining not to go down. But sometimes even when they put in all their effort, it’s still not enough.

Jude knew about circumstances when human effort is not enough. This passage tells us this: It is certain that the church will face difficult times. There will be mockers and scoffers and those who seek to divide. However, Jude does not advise us to react with human wisdom or effort. Jude’s prescription is not active or passive or offensive; instead, I would call it defensive. Jude suggests we should build up our faith and rely on the Lord instead of ourselves. He exhorts readers to establish their faith in truth, pray in the Spirit, and keep themselves in the love of God. By no means does Jude suggest that we keep to ourselves in a holy huddle. After we are strengthened in Jesus, he commands that we look outward, showing mercy, compassion and humility as we share the salvation that comes through Jesus. 

Isn’t this a tall order? How is this possible? This is only possible from the work of the Holy Spirit. Only when we are filled with the Spirit, can we be like Christ and offer Christ to others.  So, as we start each day, let’s earnestly ask the Lord to fill us with the same Spirit that was exerted in Christ when God raised him from the dead (Eph. 1:20).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me when I try to rely on my own efforts and think it is enough. Help me to humbly keep myself in the truth, love and mercy of Jesus. I know it is only when I sit at Your feet that I can be used for the kingdom of God. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 64

February 26, Saturday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on March 1, 2015, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman, a friend of AMI.  Mei Lan is a graduate of Asbury College (BA) and Asbury Theological Seminary (MA) in Kentucky. 

Spiritual Food for Thought the Weekend

“Being a Faithful Teammate”

Col. 4:7-18 (NIV)

“Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. [8] I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. [9] He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. [10] My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) [11] Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. [12] Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. [13] I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. [14] Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. [15] Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. [16] After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. [17] Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’ [18] I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”

It was a blessing for me to read about Billy Graham and his 3 decades of enduring lifelong partnership with his ministry teammates, of which the most familiar to the public are: Cliff Barrows, Grady Wilson, and George Beverly Shea.  In this present age, we are bombarded and accustomed to hearing about the failures of leaders from all sectors of life.  So I found it refreshing, inspiring and hopeful in reading about modern day saints who have faithfully finished their God-given calling with such humility, grace, and integrity.  It’s no surprise to find that their personal and ministry success of serving together at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association were birthed out of the spirit, mind set, and effort of being a team.  Ruth Graham, Billy Graham’s daughter described her father’s ministry team in this way: “Not only has the ministry been a team effort, but what strikes me is that it has also been an effort made largely by the same team”.

As I read about Billy Graham’s team, I began to yearn prayerfully about being part of a dream team like what they had.  Through a deeper look at Colossians 4:7-18, I got a glimpse of apostle Paul’s missionary team, and how God powerfully used their team efforts to reach the lost, as well as to plant and nurture the young churches.  In the meantime, God began to shift my mindset to prayerfully work on becoming the kind of teammate it takes to make the dream team; that is, what I can do or contribute to have that team building attitude.

My prayer is that God would help me to be like these men: a faithful and encouraging teammate like Tychicus and Onesimus; a courageous and loyal teammate like Aristarchus, who when the ships are down one can count on him to be there even in suffering; a comforting teammate like Justus; a prayer warrior and pastor teammate like Epaphras; a single- minded, passionate, and daring teammate like Paul, who is not afraid to challenge others to fulfill their God- given potentials and hold them accountable; a brave, yet  a tender-hearted teammate like Barnabas, who is not afraid to come along side to work through conflicts, in order to make a stronger team (i.e., Paul and John Mark).  I want to imitate these people in becoming a better teammate in my family, small group, Sunday School, and church.

Our God is glorified and we are sanctified when with one Spirit, heart and mind, we work together as a team (Jn. 17:20-25).  Let’s take time to thank God for the teammates He has already blessed us with, as well as boldly asking Him to continue to grow and use us as a team builder in running the great adventure of faith.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a faithful teammate to those who are on my team, whether spiritual, familiar, or work-related.  Thank You for being my exemplary leader through and through.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 62-63

February 25, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on May 15, 2015.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Taking What Doesn’t Belong to Me”

2 Samuel 15:1-12

After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. [2] And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” [3] Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” [4] Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” [5] And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. [6] Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.[7] And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron. [8] For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the LORD.’” [9] The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. [10] But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’” [11] With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. [12] And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.

 During 1942, the Red Cross sent packages for prisoners held in German concentration camps.  At one point, the International Red Cross asked for an accounting, and it turned out that at Buchenwald alone some seven carloads were (about 21,000 packages) were unaccounted for.  Some of the prisoners who survived to see the collapse of the Third Reich were highly amused watching the SS (German) officers feverishly clearing empty Red Cross cartons from their offices in April 1945.  The packages had been taken by another group of solders that were not originally intended for them; they took what did not belong to them.  

That is what is happening in 2 Samuel 15.  Absalom is seizing what does not belong to him – the kingdom.  Instead of using force, Absalom uses his charisma and charm to win the people. Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him (v.1). Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate.  Anyone who had a dispute and came to the king for a decision, Absalom would inquire about person’s hometown and would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” He was showing empathy to win the people’s hearts and it was working!  Whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. In this manner Absalom acted like the king toward all of Israel.   He would continue his rebellious plot by sending out secret messengers who would hail him as king as soon as the trumpet sounded (v.10).  Absalom following would increase as his evil plot of rebellion would continue to unfold (v.12).  

What can we learn from today’s devotion?  We need to live a life of integrity that honors the Lord.  The definition of the word integrity is,  “Honesty, transparency. Being the same in one situation as another.”  It means that you are not deceitful in any area of your life, which was not the case for Absalom.  Integrity is the foundation for any Christian whether they are a leader, parent, student, employee, etc.  We grow in our integrity by growing in character through His Word, prayer and being part of community.  Ask the Lord to search your heart his morning and reveal any areas that need to be surrendered to Him.  

Prayer: Lord, I want to continue to grow in my character and integrity.  Help me to continually be a person who is the same in any situation.  Reveal any areas of deceitfulness in my heart, which would lead me to repentance and change.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 61

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:22-25: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does James emphasize when it comes to the Word?
  2. What is the result of being a doer of the Word?
  3. James uses a brilliant illustration of a mirror showing what it is like when we are not doers of the Word.  What areas in our life are we just being listeners and not doers?

Notes

1. James points out that it is not enough simply to know Scripture or godly teaching. Knowledge alone is useless. It is even worse than useless, for the person who thinks that knowing the Bible makes one godly is self-deceived.

2. The contrast here between the hearer and the doer is that the doer remembers the “law of liberty.” The one who obeys the Word results in freedom and blessing.  

3. Personal Response

Evening Reflection

Living a life of holiness is a process of surrender and repentance.  As we focus more on the Lord, it should reveal how depraved our hearts are but also how magnificent His grace is towards us.  As we close the day, pray for greater integrity and holiness in our lives as the Apostle Peter reminds us, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:15)”.