March 23, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 7, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What’s That Blurry Object Running Towards Me?”

Luke 15:20-4 (NIV)

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

What was the younger son thinking when it became evident that the blurry object from afar running towards him was his father? Perhaps, the son was assuming that the father was still fuming with anger, and even might have appeared to be so; his eyes might’ve been closed and his teeth clenched as the father lunged forward. But instead of a blow, the son was warmly embraced with a kiss, and given a hero’s welcome: a robe and ring of the highest quality, fancy footwear, and a party where nothing was spared. The stunned son was speechless; it was so unexpected. The words out of his mouth, initially part of a soliloquy to impress his father, now came out of the heart: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” The father’s grace had deeply moved him.

Many years ago, I used to exchange long e-mails with this seminarian, discussing many theological matters, including the order of salvation. Being a Calvinist who firmly upheld the doctrine of depravity of man (i.e., the corrupt man is unable to contribute anything to his salvation), he insisted that regeneration precedes faith because sinful humans, who are spiritually dead (Eph. 2:5), are unable to respond to the gospel on their own; thus, God must first make them spiritually alive so that they could believe. I used to tell him, “Don’t make science out of salvation; all aspects of salvation—regeneration, faith, repentance, justification—happen simultaneously.” Now a seminary professor, he wrote me recently, saying, “I believe that regeneration and faith occur at the same time.”

However, one thing does precede everything else, and that’s what the younger son received from a father who not only forgave him, but gave him gifts that he didn’t deserve. This is called “grace,” of which Paul states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

Not every day can be great, right? So, if today doesn’t go your way, remember that you’ve been tremendously blessed because the gift of salvation that was graciously given to you by God.

Share that good news with someone today.

Prayer: My Lord and my God, how I love and praise You this morning. All the glory and honor belong to You, especially in light of your amazing grace that no words can aptly capture. I am just thankful that your grace was more than sufficient to melt my crusty heart. Thank you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 5

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Sam. 30:3, 8-10, 18-24 (NIV): “When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive . . . [8] and David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?’ ‘Pursue them,’ he answered. ‘You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.’ [9] David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind. [10] Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit. . . . [18] David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. [19] Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. [20] He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock. . . . [21] Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were. [22] But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, ‘Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.’ [23] David replied, ‘No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. [24] . . . The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.’”

Question to Consider

1. How would you describe the action taken by the two hundred men who quit the dangerous mission of rescuing their families? Do the four hundred men have the right to be upset at them?

2. How would you differentiate the response by David and some of the four hundred men? Note: The two hundred didn’t have many supplies to guard since the Amalekites had takeneverything.

3. In what sense do David in this historical narrative and the father in the parable typify Jesus Christ? What is one thing that you can do today that would reflect that attitude/spirit of Christ?

Notes

1. The two hundred men were totally irresponsible, callous and selfish (like the son in the parable). In effect, they were saying to the four hundred, “Risk your life to save my families while I get my tan.” Of course, the four hundred men had a legitimate beef with them.

2. On the one hand, the four hundred men treated the two hundred according to what they deserved:

why should they get a portion of the plunder when they didn’t lift a finger to help out? On the other hand, David was being gracious with them, equally sharing the plunder with those who clearly didn’t deserve it. “Staying with the supplies” was said in “love” because that wasn’t really true.

3. David and the father typify the ministry of Christ in which he would die for an undeserving people to give them what they could never merit or earn. They beautifully capture the grace of God—a great favor imparted to those who least deserve it. Look for someone to do the same today.

Evening Reflection

Did you experience today God’s grace through someone who embodied it? Were you able grace someone with special favors? As you reflect on God’s grace, pray about gracing someone tomorrow.

March 22, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on November 10, 2015. Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“How Important is the Bible to You”

Nehemiah 8:2-3

So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. ³He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

How important is the Bible to you? Before you give the quick “Christian” response, please pause for a moment and reflect honestly.

It was reported that Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish writer and poet, and a committed Christian, while on his deathbed, said to his secretary, “Bring me the book.” To this request, his secretary thought of the thousands of books in Scott’s library and asked, “Dr. Scott, which book?” “The book,” replied Scott, “the Bible – the only book for a dying man!”

Of course, the Bible isn’t just a book for a dying man, but for a living person as well. Jesus once said in the heat of spiritual battle: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matt. 4:4).

The Israelites had returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s supervision. And while the walls would provide some level of safety and protection from surrounding enemies, the leaders understood that unless the Lord watched over the city, the walls and the guards were only standing in vain (cf., Ps. 127:1). Thus, they gathered all of the citizens in one assembly under the ministry of the Word.

The scene depicted in these verses of Nehemiah reminds us to hunger for God’s word, for it is truth that will bring us true freedom.

Prayer: Lord, Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Please use it to guide my life. Help me to hunger for Your Word and to understand it; and help me to apply Your word into my everyday life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1:1-6: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Questions to Consider

In what ways do you personally meditate on the Law of the Lord?
What is the outcome of a person who meditates on the Law of the Lord, day and night? What is the outcome of a wicked person who neglects the Law of the Lord?

Notes

To “meditate” means to “read carefully” or “pore over.” The Hebrew verb is defined as “read in an undertone”—meaning intensive, careful reading and study. One may say “they read it carefully day and night,” or “they read and think about its teachings all the time,” or “they are always reading and thinking about its teachings.”
Whose leaf does not wither. The withering of leaves is an indication that the tree is dying, or dead; so in some languages, it may be more effective to say “it stays strong and healthy.” In all that he does, he prospers. The verb “to prosper” includes all areas of life, not only spiritual but also financial and physical.

Evening Reflection

Meditate on the Word of God that you read through today. Re-read it once more carefully, and then think about why God wrote the verses/chapter.

March 21, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional provided by Cami King, now a friend of AMI, was first posted on October 12, 2015. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Facing Opposition and Difficulties”

Ezra 4:11-16

“To King Artaxerxes, from your servants in Trans-Euphrates: 12 Now let the king be aware that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and odious city. They are completing its walls and repairing its foundations. 13 Let the king also be aware that if this city is built and its walls are completed, no more tax, custom, or toll will be paid, and the royal treasury will suffer loss. 14 In light of the fact that we are loyal to the king, and since it does not seem appropriate to us that the king should sustain damage, we are sending the king this information 15 so that he may initiate a search of the records of his predecessors and discover in those records that this city is rebellious and injurious to both kings and provinces, producing internal revolts from long ago. It is for this very reason that this city was destroyed. 16 We therefore are informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will not retain control of this portion of Trans-Euphrates.”

“No project that seeks to honor God and advance His will in the world will go unopposed by Satan and his agents.” (Dr. Thomas Constable, Th.D.)

We read Dr. Constable’s quote above yesterday when we talked about the temptation to compromise that comes to those who seek to follow the will of God. Today we read it again as we learn about the opposition that Israel continued to face as they followed God. The basic point for this morning is this: opposition will not only come, but it will also persist as we follow God’s will in our lives. Biblical scholars and historians believe that the letter contained in these verses was actually written well after the Temple had been rebuilt (the story we learned about yesterday). This tells us that the opposition to the Israelites persisted for many years and well after they began to rebuild God’s temple and follow His will. Not only did they face opposition when they built their house of worship, but right down to their construction of the city wall (a basic need for any city at that time), as the surrounding cities tried to thwart their efforts by writing to the current king and slandering the Israelites’ intentions, hoping he will step in and oppose them.

As a seminary student I talked to many believers, particularly those in ministry, and one thing I found, one constant thread in all their lives, was difficulty. It’s natural to assume that the longer we live for God and the more we do for God, the less struggle we will have, and life will get easier. But the opposite is true. And any believer who has been in the “game” for a while probably knows by experience that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12); in fact, “we were destined for them” (1 Thess. 3:3).

So, if you are facing opposition and difficulties today as you strive to live for the Lord, take heart in knowing that you are not alone and all God’s people (as we see in scripture and in the lives of saints around us) face opposition in many ways as the enemy, through circumstance and people around us, tries to thwart God’s work in and through us. Take heart and don’t give up. May we not allow opposition and difficulties to hinder us from faithfulness to the will of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the good work you’ve prepared in advance for me to do. Thank you for empowering me through your Holy Spirit to be participate in your coming Kingdom. As I seek to follow you today and everyday, please help me to remain faithful in the face of any opposition. Help me to rely upon you and trust you when you say that no weapon formed against me will prosper. In Jesus’ name.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 6:10-18: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Questions to Consider

What does Paul teach us about the true nature of opposition we face in our lives?
What does Paul encourage us to do in the face of this kind of opposition?
Where might your “armor” need to be strengthened? Where are you vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks? Identify from Paul’s teaching some areas that you need to surrender to God, asking Him to give practical steps to position you to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in those areas so that you can stand firm when facing opposition.

Notes

Paul teaches us that our opposition is ultimately a spiritual one and reminds us of the reality of a spiritual battle happening in the unseen. Too often we forget that various circumstances, emotions, experiences, and difficulties in our lives are not just coincidence or wholly material, but there is a spiritual component, that is, a crafty enemy who scheming and using these things to try to steal, kill, and destroy us.
He tells us to take up the “whole armor of God” so that we are able to stand firm in the face of opposition. He calls us to take up:

Truth (to be people of integrity and not hypocrisy)
Righteousness (to be people with a strong moral compass and a track record of right actions)
Readiness given by the gospel of peace (to be people who constantly preach the gospel to themselves, remembering the peace we have in Christ and being compelled to share it with others)
Faith (to be people who trust in God’s promises, even without having yet seen them come in their fullness)
Salvation (to be people who yield our lives to God, acknowledging our need for him and receiving his aid to us)
The word of God (to be people who know God’s word – allowing it, and it alone, to inform us of what is true – about God, ourselves, etc.)

Then and only then will we be able to stand firm in the face of opposition. And finally he calls us to pray not only for ourselves as we face battle, but for all saints around the world who too will face opposition as they seek to do God’s will.

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Are you facing opposition today? Spend sometime asking the Lord to strengthen you in the face of difficulties so that you can continue to fight the good fight. Reflect on previous times of struggle in your life where God demonstrated His faithfulness. Thank Him for those moments and declare your trust in His promises.

March 20, Sunday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 22, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Studying the Words of Jesus”

Luke 6:37-49

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. 43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

I would like to point out three important lessons from the words of Jesus recorded in this passage.

First, those who want no correction or accountability in their lives misapply too often verse 37. The real issue here is, “With what measure/standard are we discerning/judging others” (v. 38)? The emphasis in this command is “forgiveness,” not “tolerance.” The difference between the two is this: forgiveness is acknowledging that what was done is sinful and wrong, while tolerance is keeping one’s silence, even though what was done could be wrong, for the sake of maintaining superficial peace. This morning, we want to pray that our spiritual eyes would be opened, judging things in the way Jesus would. After all, the goal in life is to be like Jesus, is it not?

Second, in this passage Jesus is not advocating minding our own business; instead, he is talking about being trained, discipled (v. 40). The goal of discipleship is to be like Christ by being discipled by those who have been walking in that path earlier and longer than we have. If I were to apply this passage to discipleship without having to distort the very fundamental teachings of Christ, I would raise the following three questions. First, with the kingdom standard/measurement what do I need to give to those whom I seek to disciple (vv. 37-38)? Second, the parable of verses 39-40 is a no brainer. But at the same time there is a subtle assumption that we often try to help others to grow without focusing on our growth at the same time. In light of that, what areas in my life that God has to constantly open my eyes as I am involved in discipling others (vv. 41-42)? Third, the heart of discipleship training or for that matter any gospel ministry is about dealing with the heart (vv. 43-45). What is deeply rooted in other people’s hearts and mine?

The third lesson is this: The goal of any reading or reflecting on God’s word is putting it into practice (vv. 46-49). Until we actually put them into practice in a real-life situation, all the teachings of God’s word would remain as just knowledge; subsequently, life would not be able to weather the storm. It seems like the same unexpected and “unfortunate” things happen to both the faithful and unfaithful. Reflect on how your life could stand strong and count before the Lord.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to deeply cherish Your word in my heart. Lead and guide me through Your precious Scripture to establish Christlikeness in me through the work of the Spirit. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 2

March 19, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on June 23, 2015. Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Lost Virtue of Happiness”

1 Kings 10:8-9

“How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof)

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth)

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you know what happiness is to you)

Because I’m happy (Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do)

~lyrics from “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

I love the sequence in Despicable Me 2, perfectly set to this song, when Gru is dancing down the streets because he’s on cloud nine. His impromptu date with Lucy the night before ended with a kiss on the cheek, and he is happy. A few scenes later, however, we see the sequence played comically in reverse because circumstances have changed, and it becomes a classic example of the distinction we sometimes make as Christians between “happiness” and “joy.” We associate happiness with the emotional high so exuberantly depicted here but which is dependent on circumstances, and we say that joy is better because it does not.

Yet J.P. Moreland in his book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, tells us that the concept of happiness was not always perceived in this way. He writes, “Here we must examine the classical understanding of happiness proclaimed by Moses, Solomon, Jesus, Aristotle, Plato, the church fathers and medieval theologians, and many more—the understanding that has recently been replaced by ‘pleasurable satisfaction.’ According to the ancients, happiness is a life well lived, a life of virtue and character, a life that manifests wisdom, kindness, and goodness.”

This is the kind of happiness that in today’s passage the Queen of Sheba is attributing to the people who are under the rule of a good and wise king. Though she has just seen the vast wealth and splendor of Solomon, she interestingly connects his people’s happiness, not to these but instead to how God has given them a just and righteous leader, someone they can trust to maintain these values in their society.

What truly makes us happy? And how do we strive to bring happiness to others? For some parents, it may be in providing materially for their families, which is most honorable. But do we also seek to foster a family environment where wisdom, kindness and goodness reign? For some leaders, it may be by trying to engage people in exciting projects, taking them from one success to another. But is our character such that people feel safe under our guidance? Knowing that they can trust us to make the right decisions? Let us do the latter without neglecting the former; it is how we may best be able to bring happiness to the people under our care.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You because I am truly happy because my life is rooted in a firm anchor and is headed toward a fixed direction, and both are named Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Zephaniah 3, Acts 1

March 18, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought, first posted on August 21, 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

“Obeying God is Hard”

2 Kings 9:24-26

And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot. 25 Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him:26 ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”

The one phrase that stuck out at me in today’s passage is when Jehu says to his assistant Bidkar in v. 25, “For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father…” I wonder how Jehu felt about overthrowing Joram, Ahab’s son. Put it this way: imagine if you rode behind the king for many years, being his faithful army commander, supporting him in many battles, then leading a rebellion against his son. How would you have felt? I know that Jehu was no choir boy, but even he had to feel some remorse over what the Lord had called him to do. The truth is, obeying the Lord is sometimes hard, and it can drive a wedge between you and your loved ones.

A few years back, we were on the topic of sharing our faith in a Bible study group. One of the sisters said that she will never share the gospel to a close friend since when she tried it in high school, it ended up straining their relationship. I was a little taken aback because I had been going to church with her for over a decade, and I assumed that sharing the gospel was vital to her. Yet I know that this type of stuff happens all the time when it comes to following God—your friend one day can become your enemy the next all because of your faith.

In Matthew 10:34-35, Jesus says, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother…” In the end, Jesus never said that following Him would bring popularity and peace; sometimes, following Him will cost your relationships. The question we need to ask ourselves today and every day is, “How worthy is He?” Is He worth fracturing our relationships if need be? Is He worth your reputation if you have to stand up for Christ against popular opinion? Is He worth your job if you have to do the right thing? Is He worth your life?

Prayer: Lord, help me to know that You are worthy of it all. There is no relationship more important than my relationship with You. Help me to choose You— no matter the cost or heartache. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Zephaniah 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt 10:34-39: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the Lord’s point in this passage? Does He literally want us to be at odds with our parents or those in our household?

2. What are the relationships you have that compete with your devotion to the Lord?

3. What does it mean for you to lose your life and take up your cross?

Notes

1. Jesus was being very matter of fact. I don’t think His intention is for us to hate our parents; however, sometimes following Christ will bring divisions in the family. We see this happening to many non-Christian families when a family member converts to Christ. Following Christ can be a great divide.

2. This is a personal question; however, I have met a lot of parents whose love for their kids is borderline idolatry (or straight idolatry). I have also seen children who obey and love parents more than God.

3. Personal application question.

Evening Reflection

Who are the idols in your life? How can we release these people to the Lord? Are there relationships which you feel like you might have to strain in order for that person to know Christ or grow in Him? What does it mean for you to love God first and foremost?

March 17, Thursday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on October 27, 2015. Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“The First Thing Before Doing Anything”

Nehemiah 1:5-11

“Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.”

The other day, I found myself putting together an IKEA bookshelf. I confess that assembling furniture is not something I enjoy—at all. It’s a bit of an overstatement, but it’s the biggest waste of time known to humanity. Why such hatred? The combination of my impatient temperament and having to patiently do each step doesn’t seem to work for me. On more than one occasion, I have had to disassemble furniture pieces I was assembling, because I either missed a step or did not do them in the right order.

Here we find Nehemiah understanding this principle. When Nehemiah was frustrated with the temple walls not being erected in Jerusalem, Nehemiah didn’t make it a point to blame others or start making plans to rectify the situation. Instead, he simply went to God first.

Too often we see prayer as a last resort rather than as our first thought. Prayer is usually something we do at the end, and after having tried everything else we say, “Oh well, I guess all we can do now is pray!” And at times, many of us are guilty of “praying on the fly”—that is, asking God what to do while we’re in the process of doing it. Even worse, most of us only start praying when we’ve really gotten ourselves into a jam. Then we start shouting, “Help me!” without really acknowledging that seeking God’s will would have prevented us from getting into the mess in the first place!

When we find ourselves in one of life’s many messes (and we will), and when the walls have fallen down on us, let’s take the first moments to respond with prayer. When we feel discouraged, when we feel like it’s better to isolate ourselves, or it would feel good to blame others, just stop and pray. We will see that in that pause, in that prayer, God will show us how to respond in a way that is most consistent with values of the Kingdom. Nehemiah chose to pray first; and when we do the same, God will show us the next steps to take.

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to seek You first and not try to do things by my own strength. Thank You that You are a God who generously gives wisdom to those who ask. I praise You and worship you for being a loving Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Zephaniah 1

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:5: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Questions to Consider

1. If we are lacking wisdom, where can we get it?

2. When we ask for God to give wisdom, how does He give it to us?

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

Notes

1. From God through prayer. (Read about wisdom’s call in Proverbs 8.)

2. God gives it to us generously and without reproach.

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

“The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You’ll feel more patient and less pressured.” – Rick Warren

March 16, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on September 2, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What To Do When God Is Being ‘Nice’”

2 King 14:23-29

In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27 But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers . . .

Jeremiah (12:1) once complained to God, saying, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” Perhaps, he thought of Jeroboam II whose penchant for evil rivaled that of his predecessor Jeroboam I who, to avoid losing his power, introduced a counterfeit religion to Israel (i.e., worshiping golden calves, non-levitical priesthood) “that led to . . . its destruction” (1 Ki. 13:34). And for that, God rightfully punished him (14:10-13).

When compared to how God treated Jeroboam II, however, maybe Jeroboam I got a raw deal because God, instead of punishing Jeroboam II, blessed him like no other kings before or after him. Under his regime, Israel enlarged its territory like never before, extending it border as far as the Sea of Arabah near Jordon and Damascus. And according to Amos (1:1) who prophesied during this period, it was a time of unprecedented economic prosperity. People had winter as well as summer mansions adorned with ivory (3:15); they “dine[d] on choice lambs and fattened calves” (6:4). As for the king himself, unlike other evil kings who suffered a tragic ending, he died peacefully (2 Ki. 14:29).

So, why did God bless Jeroboam II and Israel despite their continued rebellion? He was calling them to repent! Now, this may come as a surprise to those who equate God’s call to repentance to warnings of dire consequences if not complied to. While that is not untrue, we mustn’t forget that God is always “kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Lk. 6:35), thereby giving them an opportunity to experience His unmerited favor (i.e., grace) that would elicit the kind of response the fisherman Peter had upon realizing that the man responsible for his large haul of fish was the Christ: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man” (5:8).

Unfortunately, Israel’s response was just the opposite: Thinking that they deserved everything they got, they fell into pride and callousness. And that’s when God came with a sword: “I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it” (Amos 6:8).

One word of advice: Respond to God when He is being “nice” to us! Repent. Today.

Prayer: God, how awesome it is to be given this privilege of knowing and worshiping You. How amazing it is that You show the best of Your grace when I deserve it the least. I am in awe of your unfathomable ways in which You continue to favor me on account of your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 16

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 2:3-4: Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

2 Cor. 6:1: Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Jude 1:4: For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Question to Consider

1. What is the spiritual logic behind God’s kindness leading us to repentance?

2. Describe what God was doing for Jereboam II and Israel by blessing them in accordance to Romans 2:3-4?

3. What is the worst thing we can do with God’s grace? How are you handling it at the moment?

Notes

1. When we do wrong, our conscience (unless it has been desensitized) is bothered and we expect to be caught and then punished. Let’s assume that a policeman stopped you for a traffic violation. But instead of issuing the ticket, he gives you a pep talk about safe driving and a piece of bubble gum to boot—now, that’s kindness! And when the officer is leaving and says, “Drive safely,” we say, “Yes sir!”

2. God was forbearing, being kind and patient with Jeroboam II and Israel so that they would repent.

3. The worst thing we can do with God’s grace is to receive it in vain and then abuse it with this type of thinking: “Since He is not willing to punish me for my sins, I’m going to continue in them.” Don’t forget: “You may be sure that sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

Evening Reflection

In the same way that fish may not be conscious of water that surrounds it, we may not be all that conscious of God’s grace and mercy which we receive from Him daily. Look back to this day and recall the times when it was evident that God was being gracious and merciful to you. Thank Him.

March 15, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought, first posted on August 18, 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 Thoughts for This Morning

“A Friend with No Shame”

1 Kings 8:10-13

And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover,’ but the Lord has shown me that he shall certainly die.”11 And he fixed his gaze and stared at him, until he was embarrassed. And the man of God wept. 12 And Hazael said, “Why does my lord weep?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with the sword and dash in pieces their little ones and rip open their pregnant women.” 13 And Hazael said, “What is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you are to be king over Syria.”

Do you have friends who fit the description, “He has no shame?” (I hope you aren’t one of them.) Let me describe this type of person: a friend with no shame will consistently come over for dinner unannounced; he is generally looking for freebies; he does not filter his conversation topics; and he can generally be counted on to do uncouth things in social settings. Sometimes shameless people are so because they are socially clueless, but others are this way because they simply don’t care what others think. Sometimes, I wish I were like the latter group.

I used to think that shame was something that I suffered because I was insecure in some aspect of my life. So if I was ashamed to talk about my faith at work, it would probably be because I was insecure in myself and my relationship with Christ, and I didn’t want my co-workers to think of me as some religious fanatic. So I always just assumed that as I grew in the Lord, feeling embarrassed and the fear of shame would slowly be crucified in the cross. However, as I look at today’s passage, I realize that there are redemptive qualities to shame. What we see in this passage is that when Hazael was confronted with the sin he was planning, he was so embarrassed he could not even look at Elisha. Unfortunately, not even the shame he felt stopped him from assassinating Ben-Hadad, but the point is that sometimes when we are about to commit sin, there can be a feeling of shame and embarrassment. We also see that after Adam and Eve fall in Genesis 3, they attempt to cover themselves, as they feel shame for the first time.

Ultimately, I don’t think that the fear of being embarrassed should be our primary motivation for living a good life in Christ, but to be completely truthful, every once in a while, we all need a little fear to motivate us. If you have been struggling with something in your life, and the love of Christ is not having the effect it should, maybe you should try thinking of how embarrassing it would be to explain later. For example, if you surf too much internet at work, consider how embarrassing it would be to tell your boss that the quarterly report is late because you were too busy working a trade for your fantasy football team. If we are going to feel shame, let’s at least redeem it for God’s glory!

Prayer: Lord, the truth is, that because of your righteousness which You give to me, I have nothing to be ashamed. Today, help me to live in a way that honors You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 15

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 25:1-7: In you, Lord my God,I put my trust.2 I trust in you;do not let me be put to shame,nor let my enemies triumph over me.3 No one who hopes in youwill ever be put to shame,but shame will come on thosewho are treacherous without cause.4 Show me your ways, Lord,teach me your paths.5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long.6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,for they are from of old.7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me,for you, Lord, are good.

Questions to Consider

1. What do you think the psalmists means when he says that “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame?” Is it literal or spiritual?

2. What is the theme of verses 4-7? How is this related to shame?

Notes

1. Many times Christians do feel shame for their faith. Some will feel the persecution of standing for Christ in this country, while others have had to suffer undignified treatment because of faith in Christ. Shame before man and shame before God can be two different things. Those who trust in God will never have to stand before Him ashamed.

2. Continuing on the point above, those who live rightly before the Lord and hope in Him will never have to stand before the Lord ashamed as even their sins will not be counted against them (v. 7).

Evening Reflection

Did you walk with integrity today? Did you work an honest day and honor the Lord in all you did and said? Was there anything for which you were embarrassed? Do you see the Lord’s grace even in your shortcomings and are you secure as His child?

March 14, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 5, 2015.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Cost of Self-Autonomy”

Luke 15:14-6 (NASB)

“Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. [15] So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.”

Lev. 11:7-8 (NASB)

“And the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you. [8] You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.”

Jesus has the penniless, younger son work alongside of, not sheep, but swine—the very animal he was told from a young age not to touch, much less eat. The downward spiral of sin had reached its destination; there was no place to sink lower for this Jewish man who wished to eat the very pods that the pigs were consuming only if someone would offer them. Perhaps, he whispered to himself, what good are the lessons my father taught me when my stomach is empty?

His spiritual regression was now complete: “After desire [for self-autonomy was] conceived, it [gave] birth to sin; and sin, when it [was] full-grown, [gave] birth to death” (James 1:15). Having broken the father’s heart with ease, and wasted all his wealth on a reckless lifestyle, nothing sacred remained in his life; now, everything was negotiable.

King Ahaz of Judah grew up under a godly father (Jotham) who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Ki. 15:34). But unlike his father, Ahaz “follow[ed] the detestable ways of the [pagan] nations.” While it was hunger that made the younger son let go of the values he grew up with, for Ahaz, it was the invasion launched by a united army of Aram and Northern Kingdom that led to forsaking his values. Though desperate, instead of calling upon the God of his father for help, Ahaz sent messengers to the Assyrian king, saying, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me.” To bolster his request, Ahaz “took the silver and gold found in the temple of God . . . and sent it as a gift” (16:7-8).

An unchecked sin has a snow ball effect: once allowed to reach a critical stage in our lives, we “may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Heb. 3:13); as a result, we “remain stiff-necked after many rebukes . . . [and] suddenly be destroyed—without remedy” (Prov. 29:1). Thus, it is imperative that those who live in sin heed Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near” (NASB). Don’t wait until God is in the disciplinary mode (Heb. 12:7-12). Repent today.

Prayer: O holy and righteous God in whom there is neither darkness nor deception, I worship and exalt You this morning. Strengthen me, Father, to hate sin and to flee from the evil desires of youth; help me to pursue righteousness and a pure heart instead. Thank You always for Your loving kindness. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 14

Lunch Break Study

Read Ezekiel 18:1-5, 10, 13-14, 17 (NIV): The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?” [3] “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. [4] For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die. [5] “Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. . . . [9] He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live. . . .[10] Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things. . . . [13] He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head. . . . [14] But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: . . . [17] He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live.”

Question to Consider

1. While we recognize parental influence over our children’s thoughts and behavior, this passage shows a different side to parenting. What is it?

2. What does this passage reveal about free will and the basis for God’s judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)?

3. What are some issues in your life which you have failed to take full responsibility for? Make a short list and then own them—meaning confess your sins to God and to the wronged party.

Notes

1. Children do not automatically imitate the examples set by their parents, whether good or bad. A righteous father may end up with a wicked son; while from a wicked father may derive a righteous son.

2. This passage ultimately dismisses any excuse offered by men who would rather blame their parents or social environment for their spiritual failures; God will hold each individual responsible for his actions because the proper exercise of freewill can overcome even the worst parental example.

3. Once, I found out to my horror that I came to the airport without my luggage. So as I began to shift the blame on my wife who drove me there, she reminded me, “I came out of the house first.” Oops. So I ended up taking this international flight without any clothes other than what I was wearing.

Evening Reflection

For most of us, at the end of day, it is hard to tell whether we actually sinned or not. One reason is because our conscience has been so dulled to the point of normalizing what is clearly sin. Take a moment to reflect whether you lied today or told something that wasn’t completely true for some gain. Did you say anything that was intended as an insult or slight? Confess; ask the Lord to help you not to repeat these sins.