February 22, Tuesday

Updated Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 28, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“In This Word You Will Have Trouble”

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

El señor Philip, who always sang passionately, was by far the oldest member of our church’s choir. But I noticed that while he was present at most of the church functions, Philip was always alone even though he had a wife.  And on the anniversary Sunday of this church founded in 1972, Philip was one of the original members who came out to the front to be recognized.   His wife would have come out as well had she been in the service, but she stopped coming to church a long time ago.  Why? A terrible accident occurred while her husband was driving a motorcycle with his young son sitting behind him, instantly killing him.   For Philip, an unbearable guilt outweighed the pain while his wife was engulfed with bitterness towards God for allowing this tragedy.  In time, Philip found forgiveness and comfort in God’s love whereas his wife fell away. 

The Parable of the Sower seems to adequately explain what happened to her faith. In reference to the seed sown on rocky places, Jesus says, “Since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away” (Mk. 4:16). Could it be that because her faith was not founded on a deep understanding of God’s word, she fell away when faced with a difficult circumstance?  While that may be true, it also sounds callous.  Who can, C.S. Lewis notwithstanding, absolutely resolve the problem of pain?

But an adequate answer comes from Christ who said, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).   He overcame it by “endur[ing] the cross, scorning its shame” (Heb. 12:2).  Consequently, God, at the very least, earned the right to tell us, “Don’t give up; I, too, lost my Son, to redeem you.  Meanwhile, ‘fix [y]our eyes on Jesus’; he’ll help you to overcome the pain, guilt, and bitterness.”

Philip, who died in 2010, is finally at peace, having been united with God as well as his son.  I pray that his wife will get to experience the same. 

Prayer: Father, we exalt You and extend our highest praise unto your merciful and gracious Name.  It is utterly frightening to think of a life without Your presence.  Thank You for your unbelievable, amazing, stupendous love towards us expressed through the sacrifice of your Son Jesus.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 58

Lunch Break Study

Background:  When the only child of the Shunammite woman is dead, she immediately sets out to see Prophet Elisha, who had blessed her to have this child in her late age. 

Read 2 Kings 4:27-35: And when [the Shunamite woman] came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”  32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 

Questions to Consider

1. How would you describe the Shunamite woman’s feelings toward Prophet Elisha?  Is it somewhat similar to what Philip’s wife might have felt?

2. How would you describe the action of Gehazi upon seeing the Shunamite woman reaching out to Elisha?  Relate that to what people might have done to Philip’s wife (a pure conjecture).

3. Ultimately, what does this narrative teach us?  How does this personally minister to you?

Notes

1.   The prophet said that she was in “bitter distress.”  Who wouldn’t be after losing a child, just like Philip’s wife?  And her words to the prophet surely reflected that: “Did I ask for a son?”

2. Both Elisha and Gehazi didn’t know the exact nature of her coming, but it wasn’t too difficult to sense that something had happened to her.  But that didn’t stop Gehazi from being insensitive by pushing the woman away from his boss.   When people are hurt, like Philip and his wife were, we must be sensitive, for Paul taught us to mourn with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15).

3. Of course, the death of our loves ones does not have this kind of happy ending.  Once they die, they are gone from us.  But through the narrative in which God expresses Himself through the concern Elisha had for the Shunamite woman, God shows that He really cares.  After instructing Gehazi to bring the boy back to life, the prophet goes there himself in case that didn’t work.  God cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

Evening Reflection

As you look back today, did anything remind you of God’s immense love for you?  Did anything happen 

today that made you feel guilt and shame?  Go to the Lord and receive his cleansing and forgiveness.

February 21, Monday

UPDATEDToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on October 26, 2015.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Great Vision: How Do I Get One?”

Nehemiah 1:1-4 (ESV)

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

If you can swap your eyes with any animal, what would you choose? I would choose the eyes of an eagle. Scientists tell us so sharp is the vision of eagles, that if I had their vision, I would be able to see an ant crawling on the ground from the roof of a 10-story building. I would also be able to go watch the Los Angeles Dodgers play from the cheapest seats and even make out the facial expressions of my favorite players. Objects would appear magnified, colors would be more brilliant and everything would move in high definition. 

This makes me think about what it would be like to have the eyes of God. If I had God’s vision, what would I see, and what would I notice? This is essentially how the story of the prophet Nehemiah begins. Around 587 BC, the Babylonians invaded Judah and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, along with Solomon’s temple. About 70 years after the Babylonian invasion, Cyrus, King of Persia, gave the Jews permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Things were looking up for awhile as the exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. 

The exiles, however, not only stopped their building project, but they continued to adopt the religious practices and culture of the surrounding nations. There were no sacrifices or prayers being offered at the temple, and God was relegated to just another god, as people went about their lives seeking only their own interests. When Nehemiah heard of this, it broke his heart. Nehemiah’s concern over the condition of Jerusalem consumed him, to the point that he wept, prayed and fasted (v. 4). Thoughts of what was, as opposed to what could be, devastated him. This was no casual concern—it was a vision in the making. 

How do you become a man or woman of great vision? You start with noticing the tension between what is and what could be. Nehemiah caught a vision for God’s temple, and this compelling picture is what caused him to grieve over the neglect of the temple. When we allow this disparity to ruin us, we have the makings of a great vision. 

Anyone who is frustrated or brokenhearted about the way things are, in light of the way they believe things could be in the Kingdom of God, is a candidate for vision. A God ordained vision will begin as a concern. You will hear or see something that gets your attention. Something will bother you about the way things are or the way things are headed. Unlike many passing concerns, this will stick with you. You will find yourself thinking about them in your free time. You may lose sleep over them. You won’t be able to let them go, because they won’t let you go. Consider now what vision God is giving you. If you cannot see anything, pray today that God will grant you the gift of vision—His vision.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 57

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 10:9-33: The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. [10] And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance [11] and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” [14] But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” [15] And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” [16] This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. [17] Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate [18] and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. [19] And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. [20] Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” [21] And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” [22] And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” [23] So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. [24] And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. [28] And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” [30] And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. [32] Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ [33] So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” 

Questions to Consider 

1. This is one of the most important visions the early church saw through the apostle Peter. What was Peter doing when he fell into a trance and saw a vision that would change how people relate to God and to the world? 

2. In verse 13, Peter is commanded, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”  Why was this command so incredulous for Peter?

3. What are some legalistic tendencies you may have that you use to judge others?  

Notes 

1. Peter was in the middle of prayer. We cannot see the vision of God if we do not know how to spend time in prayer.

2. The command to eat forbidden food made no sense to Peter, since it violated Jewish food laws. God was overturning the old dietary laws as a way of marking the new covenant God’s people shared with the Gentiles.  

3. Personal Response

Evening Reflection

“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position” (John C. Maxwell).  Of course, it matters greatly what we are passionate about.  So what are you passionate about?

February 20, Sunday

UpdatedToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 31, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“My Identity”

Col. 3:11

“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

In my last Sunday blog, we read about the frustration of an American-born Asian American co-ed who got tired of being asked, “Where are you from?” or told, “You speak English very well.”  She even added, “My little brother takes pride in the fact that he can’t pronounce his Korean name at all . . . and he refuses to hang around with Asians.”  

Obviously, this sort of differentiation can take its toll on the psyche of Asian Americans.  For some, this affects their mental health, causing anything ranging from simple unhappiness, to alienation, or even denying one’s ethnicity.  They may see discrimination by the dominant society as being the result of the failure of ethnic minorities to fully assimilate themselves into the mainstream American society.  Another reaction is to enclose oneself within the social boundary of his subculture, largely out of fear of interacting with Caucasians or other races: He accepts discrimination as a fact of life and may not even seek employment in the mainstream sector.  Is there another option?  Yes, there is.  As believers, we can live in the world neither as ethnically defined individuals nor as a “white wannabes,” but as Christ’s followers.  

Ultimately, our identity ought to come from what God thinks of us.  We are not defined by what the society says about us, but what God’s word declares.  What is the implication of Jesus’ declaration that “to all who received Jesus, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (Jn. 1:12)?  Being given such right is a great privilege, hence, why should we feel ashamed due to what men, an entity much less significant than God, think?  Since God is happy to call us His children, we neither have to act any differently just to please certain people nor do we hide in fear because of them.   

Ultimately, in Christ, race, gender, and class differences are made irrelevant.  Instead, as God’s new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), Christ’s followers are uniquely equipped by God’s word and the Holy Spirit to implore the sinners of all races, genders and classes to “be reconciled to God” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:20); and then work together to bring about a society that reflects God’s kingdom (Matt. 6:10; Rom. 14:17).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be deeply rooted in my identity as Your child who has been adopted into the family of God through my faith, which was a gift from You, in Christ. Let that affect all that I do, think, and feel.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 56

February 19, Saturday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 3, 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 Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Lord, Give Me Patience . . . Now!”

1 Samuel 13:8-14

He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince[a] over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

We live in a world where patience is losing its value. Remember when the Internet was first introduced, and you could hear the sound of the AOL dial up struggling to make that connection – only to hear your mom picking up the phone and that entire precious waiting wasted in a second? Today, we complain about lagging YouTube videos or long lines. We have entered into an era of instant gratification, and sadly this mindset is plaguing our spiritual lives as well. In many cases, waiting means losing, and we must do whatever it takes to win as self-sufficient people.

However, impatience is not a recent pandemic, but one that can be found in our historical roots, in the life of King Saul. Here in this passage we see that Saul is hiding in caves with his enemies surrounding him, his fellow soldiers abandoning him, and his heart wavering at the thought of death. After waiting seven days, he focuses on the situation and takes matters into his own hands. But when Samuel returns and rebukes Saul’s disobedience, Saul makes excuses, blaming the circumstances. 

It’s easy to recognize Saul’s mistake and judge him for it, but I do want to give him some credit for some of his waiting – I certainly wouldn’t have lasted that long. Technically, he did partially obey the commands, but here we see that partial obedience is not obedience. One of the greatest tactics the enemy uses is for us to partially obey and think it is enough.  Charles Spurgeon writes that because of impatience, “We have missed most privileges, and have wasted many opportunities in which we might have honored God, might have been an outstanding example of Christianity, and might have greatly benefited our own souls. Affliction has been the fire which would have removed our imperfections, but impatience has robbed us of its purification. Impatience is unprofitable, dishonorable, and damaging; it has never brought us reward or any good, and never will.”  In Romans 5, we see that patience builds our character and leads us to an enduring hope of glory. 

In the context of Saul’s mistakes, we learn that a man after God’s own heart is one who keeps God’s commands by trusting in His faithfulness and protection, despite the circumstances. Saul’s mistake was that his impatience led to faith in himself rather than God. This does not mean we are to only wait and not put in any effort; but we are to remind ourselves that God is in control. Patience is more than about just waiting; it is an act of worship.

Take a moment and reflect on areas in your life where you find yourself lacking patience or faith in Him. Whatever or whoever the situation may be, instead of creating a world of excuses, let us repent and have a heart of surrender and worship. There is something so sweet and intimate that develops when we wait and cling onto our Savior in the midst of trials and tribulations. I pray that we all may have a heart after God’s heart.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to really see what it means to believe in a God of patience.  Help me to be patient with others as You have been so patient with me all these years.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:  Isaiah 54-55

February 18, Friday

Updated Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 13, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Preaching, Sockless”

2 Timothy 4:2a

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.” 

While serving in Mexico as a missionary during the 2000s, a teaching trip I took in 2004 to the mid-part of that country was not only exhausting but one that I can never forget.  First, I went to Durango on a 10-hour bus ride where I taught for a week; then, I flew to Tula to speak at a pastors’ conference: It was here where I learned what 2 Timothy 4:2 meant through a very embarrassing situation.

Dismissing this verse may come easy for some, thinking that it is only applicable to pastors who preach regularly.  But the Greek word kerussō (preach) can also be translated as “publish” or “proclaim,” which makes it more of everyone’s responsibility.   How so?  First, since Paul likened us as “a letter from Christ . . . written . . . with the Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor. 3:3), our lives are like a book for others to read.   Since we’re always around non-Christians, we cannot afford to be unprepared to live “such good lives . . . that . . . they may see [our] deeds and glorify God” (1 Pet. 2:12).  As for proclamation, we need to be always prepared to share our faith since such opportunity may suddenly be thrust upon us, which is what happened to me in Tula.

Exhausted from traveling, and since I wasn’t scheduled to speak until the next day, I was resting in my hotel.  But around 8 PM, I heard someone calling my name.   Upon opening the door, a wide-eyed pastor shouted, “You are speaking tonight!”  Going by an old schedule I had received a few weeks back, I had no idea about the change.   So, I hurriedly got dressed, grabbed my Bible and off I went.  As I walked into the auditorium full of 500 people, it felt like everyone was staring at my sockless feet.   Once reaching the podium, just with the Bible and a desperate heart (no notes, no PowerPoint), I preached a message I knew by heart slightly out of season.  God had mercy on me that night as many responded to the message.

Today, if someone asked you about Christ, would you know what to say?  Peter says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15a).

Prayer: Father God, I confess that while I spend much time trying to learn about many frivolous things, I don’t put nearly as much effort to know your Word.   Forgive me.  I know that there is nothing more precious and powerful in the world than your Word.  Help me to hunger and thirst for it. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 53

Lunch Break Study

The following incident occurred in Athens where Paul had just arrived. 

Read Acts 17:18-22: Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.  22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens . . .”

Questions to Consider

1. Was this speaking opportunity planned?  What does it mean that he got to speak at Areopagus? 

2. How did Paul respond to this sudden challenge?  Who was he dealing with?  What does this say about his overall preparation for ministry?

3.    How is your preparation?  Is there anyone whom you need to talk to?

Notes

1. This golden opportunity to share wasn’t planned, but it just fell on Paul’s lap at the most influential place in town, the high court of appeal for criminal and civil cases (Areopagus).  

2.  He didn’t have any time to prepare; whatever he was about to say had to be something he had been preparing throughout his life.   And he couldn’t just say anything since he was dealing with the Stoics and Epicureans, the two leading philosophical groups.  But Paul held his own ground because he was prepared. 

3. 1 Peter 3:15 is an apt reminder: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Evening Reflection

If you were a book, what did people read from the pages of your life today?  Did you have a chance to let anyone know of God’s existence and His love?  Pray for someone who needs to know the Lord.

February 17, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 23, 2015.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Silence of God”

Esther 1:1-5; 10-12; 16-22

Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, [2] in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, [3] in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, [4] while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. [5] And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace . . . [10] On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, [11] to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. [12] But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. At this the king became enraged, and his anger burned within him . . . [16] Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. [17] For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ [18] This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will say the same to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty. [19] If it please the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be repealed, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. [20] So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.” [21] This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. [22] He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household and speak according to the language of his people.

My mother is an avid gardener, and growing up, I observed her put many hours of labor and toil in growing fruits and vegetables of various kinds.  As a young kid, I would often think that her labor was useless, because there would be no visible harvest for many weeks or months until the spring came, where I would see the fruit of her labor.  It seemed that in those months of no fruit, nothing was seemingly happening.  

As we look at the book of Esther, the story is about an invisible God at work, despite not seeing the immediate results.  The book of Esther is unique in the sense that the name of “God” is never mentioned and almost reads like a short, history novel.  God never appears nor does He speak; no prophet speaks on God’s behalf. No angel shows up. The heavens don’t open, and God does not deliver a word personally. There’s nothing supernatural.  There’s no quoting of other books of the Bible and no giving of God’s laws. No one repents, no one prays. There is no action from God or to God that is revealed anywhere in the entirety of the book of Esther.   It makes us ask the question: “Where is God in all of this?”

Chapter 1 starts with the story of a king who tried to degrade his own queen; and when he found that it was impossible to do so, by his own choice, he cut himself off from her fellowship forever. An edict was then written to not only banish Queen Vashti but to also start a search for another queen (v.19).  Esther has not even come into the story but that is the wonder of God’s sovereignty.  Working behind the scenes, he is moving; arranging events so that His perfect plan will carry forth.  In spite of God not being mentioned, He is working sovereignly. 

Do you feel like God is silent at different moments in your life? You feel like God is distant or not moving in a particular way. You’ve never gotten a dream, a vision, an audible word. You’re sick and you haven’t been healed. You’ve prayed and it’s not been answered. 

Be encouraged that God is at work in your life, despite the silence.  Be faithful in what God has called you to do as a student, parent, and son/daughter.  Be fervent in prayer and in obeying His Word –loving those around you, because God always uses our faithfulness just like we will see in this great story.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that You are at work in my life despite not seeing it clearly at times.  Help me to be faithful and continue to trust Your plan for me.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 52

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:10-13: I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Questions to Consider

  1. How was Paul able to find contentment despite writing this letter from a Roman jail cell?
  2. How does Paul connect his contentment with his circumstances?
  3. What is the Lord’s promise according to v. 13?

Notes

  1. He was able to find contentment because Christ was his life and that was all he needed.  Paul was able to learn the secret of contentment through is relationship with Christ Jesus.
  2. His contentment was not based on his circumstances.  He had plenty and was in need, and yet he knew how to stay content despite what life my have thrown at him.
  3. The Lord gives us strength to find our contentment in Him.  We have the power to overcome any circumstance we face.

Evening Reflection

Take some time to worship the Lord – meditate on His greatness and give Him praise and thanksgiving for the awesome God He is.  Ask for greater joy and peace as you strive to live for Him.  

February 16, Wednesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 9, 2015, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun who pastors Radiance Christian Church in S. F.   He studied biology at University California, San Diego and completed his Master of Divinity at Talbot School of Theology.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Our Discomfort Over Talking about Money”

2 Kings 16: 5-9 (NIV)

Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him. 6 At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram by driving out the people of Judah. Edomites then moved into Elath and have lived there to this day. 7 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. 9 The king of Assyria complied by attacking Damascus and capturing it. He deported its inhabitants to Kir and put Rezin to death. 

Believe it or not, in 1994, shock disc jockey Howard Stern tried to run for the governor of New York!  Stern is probably best known for his obnoxious, vulgar, and crude antics on his radio and television shows.  He had been fined a total of $1.5 million in FCC violations from his show. Yet when Stern found out that running for governor would require him to issue a public financial disclosure statement, he withdrew his candidacy.  His reasoning: a person’s financial matter is far too personal to be made public.  What an irony it is that a guy who regularly described his drug use and sex life in vulgar details over the airways, felt that money was such a personal issue that it was inappropriate to discuss in public.

The reality is that most people aren’t all that different from Howard Stern in their discomfort about talking about money.  Most of us want to keep our income, our spending, our giving and our assets a private matter.  Let’s face it: money is even hard to talk about with people whom you know and trust, even those in the church.  A study by Princeton University sociologist Robert Wuthnow found that 95% of Christians never discuss personal finances with other church members.  It’s a topic that’s off limits.

However, the Bible speaks frequently and very candidly about money.  Malachi 3:8 tells us that when we withhold our tithes and offerings, we are actually robbing God.  We may read in horror that Ahaz stole money from the temple in order to buy help from the king of Assyria, but are we that much different when we fail to give because we feel like our financial security is threatened? 

Jesus reminds us that where our treasures are, there will our hearts be.  This isn’t preaching against prudent saving for a rainy day (Prov. 6:6-8) or our children (13:22), but a reminder that nothing we do with our finances should come at the expense of being generous toward God.  This morning where is your heart? Is it in the security that money seemingly buys or in the love of Christ that cannot be purchased?   

Prayer: Lord, remind us again that you love us more than the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, that we don’t need to worry about our daily provisions because you care for us.  Give us wisdom in how we are to steward the financial resources that you have given us, and also the courage not to put our hearts’ desire on earthly treasures.  We lay all of our anxiety and stress upon the cross and ask for your peace in return.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Isaiah 51

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV): “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, ’Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” 

Questions to Consider

  1. What are the dangers of riches?
  2. What are the dangers of poverty?  
  3. What are the blessings of moderation?

Notes

  1. The author of this proverb knows that being wealthy is filled with temptations. When people get rich they build an illusion of self-sufficiency around them. They fail to acknowledge God’s work in their lives because they’re lulled into a sense of independence. This is why Jesus said it’s so hard for wealthy people to see their need for salvation, harder in fact than stringing a live camel through the eye of a needle. Even though the writer is completely committed to God, he knows that given enough money, he’d be tempted to forget God.
  2. The author also acknowledges that poverty has its own temptations. He sees that being in a desperate situation might lead to sin that he’d otherwise never consider committing. When your stomach is growling and your children are shivering cold, you find yourself thinking about doing things that you’d never considered before.
  3. The blessing of moderation is the ability to experience contentment.  We learn moderation when we decide ahead of time what income level we’d be comfortable with.  By deciding ahead of time, we’re less likely to keep climbing and climbing, for no other reason than to climb higher. 

Evening Reflection

The eighteenth century preacher John Wesley summed up his attitude toward money with this saying: “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” That’s a pretty good summary of what Proverbs says about how to be wise with our personal finances.  We are to avoid being lazy but also to be aware of being consumed by money.  Tonight, reflect on your attitude towards money, how you have been earning it, how you have been spending it, and how you have been glorifying God with the financial resources He has given you.

February 15, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on August 27, 2015.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Financial Management”

2 Kings 12:13-16

The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins . . . it was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple . . . The money from the guilt offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the temple of the LORD; it belonged to the priests.

With all the financial scandals that abound in both secular and Christian circles today, it is natural for people to want an honest, straightforward accounting of how organizational funds are used.  It seems the people of King Joash’s day were no different.  From the careful reporting of what funds went where, what they were spent on and not spent on, it seems the author is addressing concerns people may have had regarding how their offerings were put to use.  

In general, we hold those who manage our finances to a high standard of accountability.  When the financial reports are given, we examine them carefully to see whether the funds have been spent wisely; we check to see whether there are any glaring inconsistencies.  Yet have you ever thought to turn that same high standard of accountability on our own selves?  Have we ever thought about how one day God would be examining our financial report to him and asking us those same tough questions that we ask of our church treasurers?  

The finances that He has given us to steward towards specific projects that build up His house and kingdom, are we releasing them in a timely manner?  Or are they sitting idle in our bank accounts (not from wise saving but rather fear of not having enough or laziness in allocating), preventing His work from moving forward?  Are the funds getting redirected towards other, less essential projects as we’ve got distracted from the task at hand?  Or are we putting them to use – paying his workers, purchasing the materials (vv. 11-12) needed to build His kingdom here on earth?

Perhaps our mismanagement is not intentional, just as the priests may not have been grossly misusing the funds during the time the temple repairs were at a standstill.  Perhaps they were simply saving the funds or using them towards other temple administrative needs.  But they had lost sight of the main task at hand.  In King Joash’s days, the priority was to repair the damaged temple.  What is it that we are supposed to be focused on today?  

Prayer: Lord, thank You for entrusting me with more than just what it takes for me to have my daily bread.  Help me to be a good steward, not passive when it comes to spending to build your kingdom.  I want to be able to present to you a financial report that pleases You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 50

Lunch Break Study 

Read Luke 19:12-13, 15, 20: He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ . . . 15 He was made king . . . and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it . . . . 20 Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.’”

Questions to Consider

1. What did the master expect his servants to do with the money he gave them (v.13)?

2. What did the master do when he returned (v.15)?

3. The servant who returned his master’s one mina to him, had he done anything wrong (v.20)? If Jesus returned today and asked for an account of your stewardship, what would your report look like?  

Notes

1. Put it to work.  Make use of it.

2. He asked his servants to give an account of the money he had given them.  God will indeed one day ask us to give an account; this theme appears often throughout the Gospels.

3. Though he had not lost his master’s money, the instructions had been for him to put the money to work.  By letting it sit idle, he had disobeyed.  In your personal stewardship review, are there any resources of God that are sitting idle that need to be put to use?

Evening Reflection

How did I invest God’s resources today?  The time He gave me?  The energy or money?  Though we won’t be asked to give a final account until the end of our lives, it’s good to review along the way to make sure we’re on track.

February 14, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought, first posted on August 17, 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

“Coincidence?”

2 Kings 8:1-6

Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” 2 So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5 And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”

How do you view coincidences?  Do you see them as good or bad fortune, or do you see them as God intervening in your life?  Several years back, I had a very small incident in my life that got me thinking about this question.  I was in seminary and on one night I was finishing up a paper.  The paper was due the next day around 6:00 pm, and I was done around midnight the night before, so I had plenty of time.  I decided to submit it that evening, but for whatever reason the school’s system for uploading documents electronically was down.  

The next morning when I woke up, I decided to look over my work one more time before submitting it.  It was a good thing I did that because not only I hadn’t proofread it, but I forgot to finish my last paragraph.  Needless to say, I was glad that I was not able to submit my paper the night before.  I later found out that my school’s system for electronic submissions shuts down for several hours each night; that is why I was unable to make my original submission.  In the grand scheme of life, the grade I got on a paper in seminary is not that important, but at the same time, I still felt the Lord’s incredible care in this whole incident.  The truth is that it would have annoyed me to no end to have gotten a “B” on a paper simply because I forgot to proofread.  

Through these little coincidences, I realized that our God is not “so big” and “too” important to bless his children in even little ways.  Some of us think that God is in only willing to act in huge life events, but I think we need to learn to see his care in everyday moments.  We also have to choose to see him working in big and small “coincidences”.  

If you recall, we were first introduced to this Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4, where this previously childless woman is not only given a son, but years after his birth, this son is brought back to life after dying from a mysterious head injury.  Now several years later, after she had deserted her homeland in order to survive a famine, she found herself in the precarious position of having to beg for her lands back from the king.  Now, if you were the king, would you be favorably disposed to giving the land back to this woman, who deserted your country during the rough times, but was now coming back when things got better?  I wouldn’t!  

Of course, God was not going to allow this Shunammite woman to lose everything.  So he sent Gehazi, the former aid to Elisha to the king to tell stories of his former master’s exploits, and right as Gehazi tells the story of the Shunammite woman whose son was raised from the dead, in she walks.  Crazy coincidence?  Or was God once again watching out for this Shunammite woman?  I hope you can cultivate the faith to see things as the later, not only for the Shunammite woman, but yourself as well.  

Prayer: Lord, give me the faith to see that You are constantly working and moving in great and small ways.  Help me to trust in Your sovereign plan and to believe that You are good.  Help me to see Your presence in my life today. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 49

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 139:1-16:O Lord, you have searched me and known me!2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar.3 You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways.4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.5 You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9 If I take the wings of the morningand dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light about me be night,”12 even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is bright as the day,for darkness is as light with you.13 For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well.15 My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them.

Questions to Consider

1.  What is the theme of verses 1-6?  How is this supposed to encourage or bless you?

2.  What is the theme of verses 7-12?  How is this supposed to encourage or bless you?

3.  What is the theme of verses 13-16?  How is this supposed to encourage or bless you?

Notes

1.  In verses 1-6, the psalmist points to the Lord’s intimate knowledge of him, and to a lesser extent, the Lord’s knowledge of all that he has and will do.  It’s comforting to know that God knows every good and bad thing we have done, and He still loves us and knows what is ahead of us.  

2.  Verses 7-12 point toward the fact that we can never escape the Lord’s presence.  Or to put it more positively, we are never out of the Lord’s sight or reach.  

3.  Verses 13-16 show us that we were carefully crafted by the Lord.  He is our Maker, and we are His precious children.  

Evening Reflection

Did you feel the Lord’s care and presence over your life today?  Did you see Him work in either a small way or big way?  Does such love and care motivate you to tell others and serve the Lord?  

February 13, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 30, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Life of Immigrant”

Phil. 3:20a

“But our citizenship is in heaven.”

No matter how well the children of Asian immigrants are assimilated into the American society, some Americans will always differentiate them because of their physical appearance.  A frustrated University of Missouri senior once wrote to a local newspaper: “I am an American.  AMERICAN.  I’ve spent a large portion of my life trying to convince people of this. . . . Yes, I’ll admit that my parents are Korean immigrants, but I was born—and made—in the USA . . .. Everyone assumes Americans come in only two flavors, chocolate and vanilla.  Even if you arrived from Tanzania or Iceland two hours ago, you get the benefit of the doubt. . . . I’ve had people compliment me on my English.  Shucks, it’s only my native language. . . . Second-class treatment like this has made a lot of American-born Asians and Latinos ashamed of their heritage in a way that other Americans aren’t . . ..” 

The issue here is one of identity and acceptance.  And as long as our primary identity is defined by our earthly affiliations, such as ethnicity, gender and/or social status, while a “permit” may be given to pass one entrance of acceptance, sooner or later, we will be kept from entering another because of our differences.  

The Bible, of course, is not silent on this matter.  Joseph and Daniel, two outstanding heroes of faith in ancient Israel, had a common experience of being thrust into a pagan world of Egypt and Babylonia, respectively, as young men.  As a result, several unfavorable changes were forced upon them, including the name change: Daniel was called Belteshazzar, meaning favored by pagan god Bel, while Joseph’s name was changed to Zaphenath-paneah—the meaning being unclear (Gn. 41:44); however, nothing could rattle them.  Why? Because their primary identity derived from their conviction that they belonged to a people with whom God established a covenant of love and affection based on His goodness (Deut. 7:6-8).  Thus, no matter how hard life became, they never forgot to whom they belonged: God.

Thus, while Joseph was still as a prisoner, he declared this to Pharaoh, who was then the most powerful person in the world but disturbed by the meaning of his dreams: “I cannot [interpret] it,. . . but God will . . . (Gn. 41:16). Likewise, Daniel, facing death if he was not able to interpret the king’s dream, said: “No wise man . . . or diviners can explain to the king the mystery he was asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries (Dan. 2:27-8).

Of course, no one should discount the stress and even worse things that may result from not being readily accepted due to racial, gender, and/or social difference.  However, when our primary identity is derived from our citizenship in heaven, not only can we cope better, but are motivated to take part in our efforts to make our society better, not as social crusaders but as “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Cor. 5:20).  

So, think about a way to make our society better, today.  It may be cleaning up the corner of our neighborhood.

Prayer: Dear God, I praise and thank You this morning for all that You have done for me, particularly the fact that You have given me the citizenship in heaven through Your Son Jesus Christ. Help me to be a responsible citizen of heaven in the way I live my life to expand Your kingdom on earth. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:Isaiah 48