December 10, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on July 17, 2015.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning 

“Some Factors Behind Climate Change as Well as Heart Change”

1 Kings 18:1-19

When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. 

The worse eruption of a volcano took place in 1816 in Indonesia, claiming the lives of 92,000 people. The volcano itself was reduced from 13,000 feet to 9,000 feet. 1816 became known as the “year without summer” because the ash in the atmosphere reduced the temperature, which was felt worldwide, not just in Indonesia. Interestingly, it is thought that an additional 100,000 people may have died from crop failures as far as Europe and America due to the decrease in temperatures from the eruption.

Following the reign of King David and his son Solomon, the kings of Israel did much evil in the sight of the Lord. The worst king in this list of infamy was Ahab who did enough evil on his own, but to make matters worse, Ahab married Jezebel, who was bent on building temples and altars to Baal, and eradicating Israel of the prophets of God. Ahab was an evil king who had no regard for God’s commandments. 

Ahab, however, convinced himself that the drought Israel was presently suffering was the fault of the prophet Elijah. When Ahab finally finds Elijah, we hear in his accusation, “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” the fundamental truth: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Or as our Jesus said, “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil” (Matthew 12:34-35).

Ahab’s heart was filled with evil treasures, hatred, resentment and vengefulness. So seeing Elijah, his volcano of corruption erupted in accusations, name-calling, slandering, condemnation, and blame. That’s exactly what a heart filled with evil does; it is ready to erupt, causing incalculable damage to all within its reach. All it needs is the right situation, and bang! The mouth speaks out the corruption that has been festering within.

More than the words we speak, we need to keep a close check on our hearts. Our words, whether they be disparaging or life-giving, will be consistent with what is happening in our hearts. We must guard our hearts, for Jesus teaches us that “murders, adulteries, thefts, false witness, and slanders come from the heart” (Matthew 15:19). If we are to have shalom in our lives, for ourselves and for others around us, we must examine and become students of our own hearts.  And when we find ourselves tempted with hate, resentment or bitterness, we must quickly confess them and ask the Lord to give us a way out of temptation.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to own up to my sin and seek forgiveness from You and those have been wronged by me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 6:44-45: For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. 

Questions to Consider 

1. Why does Jesus say what we store in our hearts are like treasures, whether they be evil or good?

2. What does the inevitability of “each tree being known by its own fruit” suggest to those who are following Christ?  

3. What is a sin or temptation you are secretly harboring or entertaining in your heart?  

Notes 

1. The thoughts we harbor are like treasures because we value them and put our trust in them. We keep them because we think they will provide us with our needs and wants, as well as solve our problems. We think they will handle our pain or meet our needs as we perceive them.

2. We will eventually know that we follow Christ by the fruit we bear. Our fruit will tell on us. 

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

“Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.” –C.S. Lewis.  Pray “succinctly” to the Lord what’s in your heart.

December 9, Thursday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 27, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Meeting a Billionaire-Turned-Missionary”

Mark 8:35-7: 

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?

In Korean, a tycoon is called a “jaebeol” (i.e., a billionaire), and I’ve never met one in person until I went to Dominican Republic in 2014 where I met a missionary named HK who, in 1980, had become the president of the top steel company in Korea at the age of 29.  Enjoying a lifestyle that most people could only dream of, he rubbed shoulders with the top businessmen and politicians of Korea; but it all ended one day.  In speaking to him, I learned how this ambitious man (at one time, he had thought of buying the Major League team Montreal Expos) not only became a believer, but a man totally dedicated to serve the Lord on the mission field.  

So, what did it take to change him?  Personal failings and a downturn economy that sunk his conglomerate, leaving him almost penniless, as well as a grave illness that almost ended his life and his son’s.  Looking back, however, he has no regrets because the new life in Christ and doing the Lord’s “business” is so much better and significant than what he had before.

No doubt, Mr. HK was well on his way to “gain the whole world” but “forfeit his soul” since, while he was on the top of the world, God didn’t mean much to him.   For many, losing it all would mean bitterness, despair, even suicide, but for HK, it turned into an opportunity to encounter his Creator, who had “created [him] in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [him] to do” (Eph. 2:10).  In short, being given a second chance, he took it.

So, has your life—your finances, relationships, or even health—been tough these days?  Instead of seeing them only as meddling obstacles, view them also as an opportunity to get closer to God.   Paul, referring to the hardships in his life, wrote, “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. . . . On him we have set our hope” (2 Cor. 1:9-10).  Take a moment to reflect; perhaps you may hear a whisper from God, telling you to turn to Him and begin to really live for the Lord.

Prayer: Oh gracious Lord, I praise and thank you for allowing difficulties in my path to open my spiritual eyes.  Your immense concern for my insignificant life is hard to fathom since you are the God of universe, but the fact that you do, makes my life that much significant.  Help me to live for you. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 19:16-24 (ESV): And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God

Questions to Consider

1. What is wrong with the question that this rich young man asks?  What’s the irony?

2. What kept him from following Jesus?  In what sense did he forfeit his soul?  

3. Looking at your life right now, are you trying to gain the world without God, or losing your life (making costly choices) for the sake of the gospel (to live for and to serve God)?

Notes

1. He believed that “getting” eternal life hinged on doing good things. The irony, of course, is that he was inflicted with great spiritual insecurity, despite feeling that he impeccably kept all the laws. 

2. The identity and the meaning of life for this young man were overtly dependant on his socio-economic status.  The money he possessed, which provided more tangible and immediate benefit to him, was his security blanket instead of God.  In the end, he chose to continue to hold on to that.

3. We need to a periodic check as to how we are spending our time, money and our best energy.  If the bulk of them are spent on promoting my happiness and building my own “empire,” it may be time to repent and make changes.  

Evening Reflection

Looking at how you spent this day, would you say you were motivated by “gaining the whole world” and “forfeiting the soul,” or trying to live for God?  Either way, He still loves you but ask God to help you to do better tomorrow.

December 8, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 9, 2015, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Abuse of Mercy and Grace”

1 Kings 2:36-46 (ESV)

Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.” And Shimei said to the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days. But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei’s servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord and solemnly warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die’? And you said to me, ‘What you say is good; I will obey.’ Why then have you not kept your oath to the Lord and the commandment with which I commanded you?” The king also said to Shimei, “You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the Lord will bring back your harm on your own head. But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.” Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

To understand this text, we must understand the context behind the character of Shimei a little better. Shimei was from the family of Saul and it was customary at the time for the descendants of the previous king to be put to death to ensure the reign of the current king. Technically, Shimei should have been executed, but David showed him mercy. When David and his men were fleeing Jerusalem because of Absalom’s attempt to replace him as king, we see Shimei following them, mocking and cursing him. Some of David’s mighty men wanted to kill him for the violence and curses towards them, but again David shows mercy. As David returned to Jerusalem triumphant over Absalom, Shimei asks for mercy, which David grants. When Solomon succeeds David, he is confronted with what to do with Shimei and again Shimei is shown mercy. In this passage, he designates Jerusalem as a city of refuge for Shimei, but if Shimei were to leave the city, he would be subject to death. Shimei ends up leaving Jerusalem for petty reasons and flippantly disregards what Solomon has told him which results in his death.

As we look at the storyline of Shimei, many of us would look at this man and think of how foolish he is to constantly take advantage of the mercy of the king. But are we really that different? One of the worst behaviors within the church is the abuse of the mercy and grace of God. In fact, one of the biggest lies floating around the church is that we can do whatever we want with no consequence, since Jesus has paid for all of our past, present, and future sins. But that is simply not true. Though we are shown grace and the eternal consequence of sin has been paid in full, it does not mean there are no temporal consequences for sin nor does it mean that our God does not discipline us. 

Shimei had blatant disregard for the mercy that was shown to him and was under the impression that there would be no consequences for his sin against the king. Perhaps we need to also be reminded of the severity of sin and repent so that we might not fall into this false thinking. May we be wiser than Shimei and approach God with humility and reverence, confident that we are forgiven by his grace, but having a healthy fear of the temporal and eternal consequences of sin. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy towards us again and again. Thank you that your work on the cross was sufficient for all of our sins. Though we fail again and again, we pray that we would hold that healthy tension of confidence in your grace, but a fear of the severity of sin. May we never take your grace for granted, for we are a people that are bought with a price. May we grow in humility, reverence, and awe of who you are. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV): This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Question to Consider

1. What is John warning against?

2. What is the difference between walking in darkness and walking in light?

3. If Jesus has cleansed us from all sin, how come we can’t say we have no sin?

Notes

1. He is warning against Gnosticism (the idea that as long as you have the “secret knowledge” you are saved). There is still modern day theology that follows the same train of thought that we must be weary of (say a prayer once and do whatever you want for the rest of your life). 

2. John warns against living a lifestyle of sin versus sinning (because of our sin nature). Deliberately choosing to live a lifestyle of sin (and rebellion against God) is immensely different from sinning because of our fallen nature. When we walk in darkness, we do not see ourselves clearly, but when we walk in light, though we see our uncleanliness, we can be sure that Jesus has cleansed us from all of our sin.

3. Although Jesus has cleansed us from all of our sin, on this side of eternity, we still sin. We are simultaneously sinners and saints. Saints because of the grace of God through his son Jesus Christ, and sinners because of the sin nature that we are being rid of in this lifetime through the sanctification process.

Evening Reflection

When was the last time you thought of your sins and more importantly, your sin nature? Many of us have become experts of grace, but need to re-think our nature as sinners. Repent of your sin, ask for forgiveness and trust that Jesus’ work on the cross is enough so that you will not end up justifying your sin with His grace.

December 7, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 20, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Engineering a Comeback”

Mark 16:7

“But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’” 

Peyton Manning, a brilliant quarterback who led the Indianapolis Colts to multiple winning seasons, including a Super Bowl victory, was not re-signed in 2012 because of concerns over his surgically repaired neck.   Thus, taking his new team, the Denver Broncos, to this year’s Super Bowl was a great comeback for him.   It was much like his comeback victory in a 2003 game when he led his team from being down by 18 points with only five minutes left in the game.   The real losers were those fans who, after giving up, left the game early.  Had Jesus been there though, he would have stayed because he believes in comebacks.  

The apostle Peter knew about failures.  Even a child in Sunday school knows about his three denials of Jesus. Despite loving Jesus, Peter gave into momentary lapse of fear; but later, “he broke down and wept” (Mk. 14:72).  So when the apostle heard from the women that Jesus had resurrected, he probably had mixed feelings: happy, because he gets to see Jesus again, but ashamed or even afraid, because Jesus gets to see him.   

But Peter, upon hearing what the angel told the women to tell him, perhaps felt hopeful that the reunion wasn’t going to be that bad, for the angel had said, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’”  How would you feel if your name is singled out in a list of people invited to a grand reunion with the Lord?  Very special, indeed!  Had the angel just said, “Tell his disciples,” Peter, feeling unworthy, might have felt, “the disciples, but not me.” Yet not taking any chances, Jesus had the angel say, “Yes, you too, Peter.”  That was the very first step toward Peter’s eventual comeback, which culminated in his martyrdom for Christ’s sake (Jn. 21:18-9).  

Maybe you are in the middle of reaping the consequences of your personal failures from the past.   Small or big, they produce a sense of despair and hopelessness.  But this morning, realize that the Lord is an expert in engineering comebacks that last.   The first step is to see that the Lord still loves and cares for you.  Take a moment this morning to speak to him about your comeback.  

Prayer: My Father in heaven, I come before you today with a heavy heart and desperate longing for you to intervene in my life.  Lord, I have made a mess of my life and I don’t know what to do from here and out.  You are my only hope.  Help me and hear my cries; respond to me in your mercy and grace.  Oh Lord, I need once again a stirring up of my spirit by the Holy Spirit from within.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 9:36-7, 40 (ESV): “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.  She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. . . . 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.”

Acts 5:15 (ESV): “So that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.”

Gal.2:9a (NIV): “James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.” 

Questions to Consider

1. Describe Peter’s comeback in light of some amazing things he did later.

2. How do you think Peter felt, seeing himself elevated to such a high degree in Christ’s ministry following his devastating failure?

3. When someone possesses the power that Peter had, one real temptation would be pride.  How can we keep ourselves from falling into it?  Do you struggle with that issue?  How do you deal with it?

Notes

1. The man who had lost all courage to identify himself with Christ ended up becoming a key pillar of the early church, someone who raised the dead and whose shadows were even coveted by the people desperate for healing.   What a transformation!   What a comeback!

2. For most people, the response would be one of gratefulness and humility.  Apostle Paul, who also made a great comeback to become very useful for God’s work, said this about himself: “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church God” (1 Cor. 15:9).

3. It would take more than just words to keep us humble, but we need the basic understanding that the gifts and talents were all given to us by the Lord.  Therefore, we shouldn’t act as if we originated or earned them.  We should stay transparent and stop presuming that we are above it all.  

Evening Reflection

Perhaps your morning wasn’t so good (e.g., losing your cool), but how are you ending this day?  It’s not too late; you can still call or write an e-mail to reconcile.  Review your day here.  Pray.

December 6, Monday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on July 13, 2015.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pete Rose and King Omri”

1 Kings 16:21-28 

Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. 22 But the people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king. 23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah. 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. 25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him.

An enigma in Major League Baseball is Pete Rose. They don’t know what to do with him. As the all time hit-leader, he is clearly one of the best the game has known. But he bet on baseball games, as both player and manager, and for that reason he has been banned from MLB and the Hall of Fame. The most successful hitter in baseball is seen as a failure. 

This brings us to King Omri. Of the many kings listed in this chapter, Omri stands out because he was one of the most successful kings to reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He took the small nation in political turmoil and brought a long period of internal peace and stability. His family formed the longest lasting dynasty in Israel, holding the throne for a number of generations. He built Samaria, a brand new capital, which was considered one of the great cities of the day. He was rich and his country became more powerful. We know from archaeology that he conquered such formidable enemies like the Moabites and even managed to take parts of some of the Assyrian Empire’s territory. 

Now it goes to reason, a book chronicling the kings of Israel would be full of praise for such a great king! But this is not the case at all. He only gets six verses and, far from being full of honor, they are scathing about him. He is not depicted as one the best, but one of the worst. How could he have accomplished so much, and yet, his own nation remembers him with such a negative view? 

This has to with the fact that the book of Kings is ultimately written by God, although through human agents. So how success is measured is not by humans or nations—but by God. Great material and political success is not necessarily a sign of God’s blessing, for God measures success by one’s obedience to him. 

We are told Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of King Jeroboam, who set up two altars, one to God and one to a golden calf. Like Jeroboam, Omri ruled with his own selfish interest in mind. This is why God saw him as a failure— despite all his power and wealth and defeating the old enemies of his country and people, his reign was a failure.

If we are to be successful in life, we must not seek our own glory, but the glory of God. If we run around pursuing our own ambitions and doing what pleases ourselves and not seeking and obeying the will of God, then, no matter what we achieve in a worldly sense, God will deem as our one big failure.

Prayer: Lord, remind me not to seek glory for myself but the glory of the One who gave His one and only Son to save us.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 1

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (NASB): “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Questions to Consider 

1. We are called to live by faith and not by sight? What does look like in practice?   

2. Ambition is not a vice; in fact, it can be a virtue. When is it a virtue? 

3. What are some of your goals for school, career or life? 

Notes 

1.  This is not a reference to believing the unbelievable but to living all of one’s life based on confident trust in God’s promises for the future, even when one cannot yet see the fullness of the coming glory. 

2. When we are using our ambition to please him (verse 7). 

3.  Personal response

Evening Reflection

Dedicate your study or work to be used for God’s purposes and it will succeed. Whatever you want God to bless, you give to him first. Dedicate it, consecrate it, sanctify it, and then God will bless it. “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

December 5, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 11, 2015.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Convenience and Preference”

1 Sam 23:5-7

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

Two times (1 Sam 23:5-7 and 1 Sam 26:9-11), David is given a golden opportunity to take the life of his nemesis, King Saul, the man who was completely bent on killing David. Yet, on both occasions, not only does David refrain from taking Saul’s life, but he denies his men the opportunity as well. 

Try to understand a little of the context in these accounts: David is tired of fleeing from King Saul, hiding in the wilderness. He remembers that he has been anointed by the prophet, Samuel, to be the future King of Israel. He has heard of the despicable things that King Saul is doing, for example, killing the priests of Nob. If those reasons weren’t enough to end Saul’s life, one of David’s men, Abishai, is willing to dirty his own hands so that David would remain clear from any complicity (26:8). 

One swift thrust of Abishai’s spear would have finally ended David’s fear for safety. He would have finally gone home to the praise of the crowds who once hailed David has a heroic warrior. He would have taken the throne and become king just as Samuel had prophesied. He would have ended a ruthless reign and instituted a new era of benevolence over Israel. All of this would come to fruition, while he remained clear of any crime against the throne. 

Yet both times, he was refrained. What would you have done?  

We live in a totally different time with totally different way of life, and so we cringe at the thought of taking anybody’s life, even if the person had all of the traits of King Saul. We’d refrain from taking King Saul’s life as well, but not because of the reason David states. For David, it was clear that as long as Saul remained alive, he was still the Lord’s anointed servant. David may not have agreed with Saul and his ways as a king, yet David knew that God had His own timing, His own way of accomplishing His will, His own way of displaying His glory. 

I don’t believe that today’s churches are filled with people who want to slay corrupt leaders.  However, I believe our activities (and sometimes inactivity, namely prayerlessness) reveal that we’d much rather be the kind of church that takes matters into our own hands, at our own convenience, using our own preferred ways of carrying out God’s ministry. In refraining from taking Saul’s life, David shows that he understood one of the most critical truths in spiritual growth: God’s timing and His ways are perfect. The word of God has given us many insights into the ways in which God accomplishes His works. 

For reflection:  

  • Convenience: Do you sometimes take matters into your own hands rather than wait on the Lord for His timing? 
  • Preference: Do you at times become critical of your church’s mission and ministry because it makes you feel less than comfortable? 

Prayer: Lord, give me a heart that is humble and teachable to Your perfect timing and ways.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 3

December 4, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 15, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“My Heart is Restless Until It Finds Its Rest in Thee” (St. Augustine)

Isaiah 40:30

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.” 

Concealing facial expression on the football field is relatively easy since a player’s helmet covers the head, and the face mask and protective shield mask the face.  Brian Hiemer certain hid himself well while playing tight-end for the University of Nebraska when they were No. 1 in the nation many years ago.  After being cut in his freshman season, he not only made the team but became a starter in his junior year when he led the team with four touchdown receptions.  He even carried a 3.3 G.P.A.  So it was shocking to everyone when he committed suicide at the tender of age of 21. 

Hiemer’s suicide was baffling on two ends: first, as a young man, he should have been full of dreams and hope.  Unfortunately, his short life proved the truthfulness of Isa. 40:30: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.”  Second, people like him are not supposed to do that.  A friend wondered, “You look for something, a warning.  May be there was a reason, but Brian didn’t tell us.” But he did confide to a friend, “People made too much of [me] being on a No. 1 team in the number 1 position.” Evidently, no outward success was able to erase the emptiness that lingered inside. 

Ultimately, the trouble with us is that no fountain of youth or success is adequate to recover the peace that was forever lost through sin, thereby pitting God and men as natural enemies.  Trying to do so is like attempting to fit a square handle into a round hole.  The peace deal between them was brokered by Jesus Christ who, through his substitionary death on our behalf, “fully met the righteous requirements of the law” (Rom. 8:4).  Consequently, God is no longer indignant at those who are in Christ because what was completed on the Cross thoroughly and permanently satisfied God’s justice.  Subsequently, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).  

I don’t like being in a hostile situation with my wife caused by an argument.  There is no peace.  I can wash dishes or take out the trash to make up for it, but they mean very little apart from a simple admission: “I’m sorry; it was my fault; will you forgive me?”  Jesus, as our advocate, did that for us and God has accepted his plea.  Truly, “my heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.”

Of course, the recent suicide by Rick Warren’s son reminds us that Christians are not immune from despondency.  Suffice it to say for now, Jesus brings us back to God, and then helps us to manage and cope with the pain that is bound to arise in our fragile earthly existence.  Turn to Jesus for a way back to God today.  Turn to Christ for comfort and encouragement.

Prayer: Lord, may Your failing love rest on me as I put my trust in You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 1-2

December 3, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 11, 2015, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Batman is One of Us!”

Esther 10:1-2

King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.

Batman has been and will always be one of the greatest and well-loved superheroes. But the main reason Batman is so adored is not because he has super-human strength (he doesn’t), nor is it because he can fly (he can’t); he can’t turn invisible or shoot lasers from his eyes either. I think the thing about Batman that draws us to him is the fact that Batman is “one of us.” Yes, he fights for justice and defeats bad guys, but when it comes down to it, Batman is like us—fully human!

There is something about a powerful figure/leader being “one of us” that makes him trustworthy. No one really wants to trust a leader with whom we can’t relate to, who doesn’t really understand what it’s like to be one of us. Perhaps that is why having Mordecai at the right hand of the king was such a blessing to the Jewish people of that time. One of the most powerful people in the land was “one of them”! The Jewish people prospered because Mordecai sat at the right hand of the king.

In Jesus, we have a greater “Mordecai.” Seated at the right hand of God the Father, Jesus not only understands everything we go through, but also is Himself fully human! We have a Lord who is “one of us”! Have you ever thought to yourself, No one understands me? Today, let us draw near with confidence to our Lord who understands us completely.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being our sympathetic High Priest. Because of You, we can approach the presence of God confidently. Today, may we remember Your promise that You will be with us, even to the end of the age.

Bible Reading for Today: John 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:12-16: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

  1. According to the passage, can we hide our flaws, weaknesses, and sins from God?
  2. How can we approach God’s throne with confidence?
  3. How is Jesus able to sympathize with our weaknesses?

Notes

  1. According to this passage, no creature is able to hide from God, but all are naked and exposed before Him. This is a simple, yet sobering, and potentially frightening truth. 
  2. We are able to approach God’s throne with confidence for one reason: Jesus Christ is our High Priest. He has made atonement for us and intercedes on our behalf. 
  3. Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, because He has been tempted in every respect! That means that any temptation you have felt, Jesus has felt it too. In Scripture, we only have a handful of explicit examples of Jesus being tempted. But this passage tells us that there isn’t a temptation that we’ve felt that Jesus hasn’t also felt Himself. Furthermore, Jesus overcame each of these temptations—without sinning. Looking to Jesus, we see a Lord who is familiar with our plight, and He also gives us the strength to overcome.

Evening Reflection

Imagine that your closest friend became the next President of the United States: How would your life change? What would your communication with him/her be like? Knowing that Jesus is not only the King of kings, but that He also calls you friend, how should we approach Him?

December 2, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 2, 2014.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Negative Emotions”

Ephesians 4:26(NIV)

“In anger do not sin: Do not let sun go down while you are still angry.”

It is amazing how a personal slight can lead to something monstrous.  Haman, the second highest person in the Persian Empire, was “enraged” when Mordecai “would not kneel down or pay him honor” (Est. 3:5), while all the royal officials did.  Having learned that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman began to plot a way to eliminate all the Jews in the empire, even though it was only Mordecai who offended him.   

Cain was no different.  The fact that God preferred Abel’s sacrifice over his is no ground for 1st degree murder of his brother.  The Bible says Cain was angry at God (Gn. 4:5), but he extended that anger to Abel who had nothing to do with his sacrifice being unacceptable to the Lord.  Haman and Cain, therefore, are similar in that their anger was allowed to poison their attitude to hurt others who were only tangentially related to the real object of their anger. 

In our wireless world, the line distinguishing between work and home has become blurred since it is so easy to bring work home where we can work just as well.   But that’s not the only thing we bring home: we also bring all the frustrations, disappointments and resentment over failed projects, or being overlooked.  The bottled up, negative emotions are then used as weapons to hurt our spouses, children, even our pets.    Though none of them are guilty (in the same way that no Jews in Persia offended Haman except Mordecai and Abel didn’t cause Cain’s sacrifice to be unacceptable before God), they are blamed and accused.   

What should we do?  Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and answer, brawling and slander. . . . Forgiv[e] each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).  So, before walking inside your home after a rough day at work, spend a few minutes (perhaps in your car) to let the truth of Christ sink in while releasing the anger.  Then, enter home with a big smile and shout, “I’m home!”

Prayer: O gracious God, how I need your mercy for allowing petty things to seep into my soul to hate people, and then allowing that to poison my attitude toward others who didn’t do anything against me.  Forgive me Lord for my unloving and ungrateful heart.  Thank You, again, for gracing me with your conditional love.

Bible Reading for Today: John 20

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:14-5 (ESV):“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Eph. 4:28b (NIV): “And do not give the devil a foothold.”

1 Cor. 10:13 (ESV): “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Questions to Consider

1. How does sin work?  In terms of football, is it like throwing a 50 yard pass for a quick touchdown or a long drive consisting of multiple plays of measurable yardage?  

2. What promise does God make in order to help us not to fall into temptation?  

3. How can we practically apply Ecclesiastes 7:9 in our everyday life?

Notes

1. For the most part, sin works gradually, like a long drive in football: from desire to sin and then from sin to death.  The implication of Ephesians 4:28: sin begins by taking the toe, then the whole foot, and in time, the whole body. 

2. God promises to provide a way out when we are tempted.   Let’s say you are about to unload on your wife or husband, but when the phone rings, this momentarily diverts your attention from your anger.  Consider that as a way out sent by God.

3. Consider anger, not as an emotion, but a decision; so make a decision not to get angry.  Come back later when your anger has subsided, and then address the person with whom you have the conflict. 

Evening Reflection

During the course of the day, we face several situations that may cause us to lose peace and get upset.  Did anything happen that robbed your peace?  Can you forgive the person who hurt you today?  Look to Christ and say a prayer on that person’s behalf.   

December 1, Wednesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 16, 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.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“I Met the One!”

Hosea 2:19-20

And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

I’m sure at one point, all of us have thought about “the one.” It’s this person who embodies all of our dreamy attributes or perfect personality traits to fit our every need and desire. But as you get older, this list gets shorter and shorter because we begin to see that there is no such person. 

I’m sure Hosea was not thinking that Gomer was “the one.” During those days, it was wrong for a man, let alone a prophet, to marry a woman who was with another man. Gomer, in this case, was not with just one man but with many men and would continue to be unfaithful.

Like Gomer, the Israelites had been unfaithful to God, turning to worthless idols, and rejecting His glory. Yet, God does the unimaginable. Even in their unfaithfulness, God calls them back and declares that they shall be married to Him. But for a marriage to be consummated, the man would have to pay a bridal price. This price would be based on His righteousness, His justice, His love, and His compassion; and it would be fully displayed through his Son Jesus Christ. How great is our Lord who promises to be faithful to us and invites us into a relationship with him so that we will know Him! This relationship wouldn’t be based on our attributes or even our traits, but on Jesus Christ alone—this is grace. 

As you continue to dive deeper into the narrative of Hosea, my prayer is that God will reveal the magnitude of His love and grace for you.  And during this season of warm greetings and gift exchange, remember those in our midst who will receive none; perhaps you can show them what God’s love and grace truly looks “with actions and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18).  

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me, even amid my failures and unfaithfulness to You. Jesus, thank You for the price that You paid for me. Holy Spirit, may I continue to live in the grace that You have shown me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 5:6-8: You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Paul emphasize about human nature?
  2. How does God demonstrate His love for us?
  3. What does this passage tell us about the nature of God’s love?

Notes

  1. Like much of Romans, Paul is emphasizing human depravity. In the Greek tense, the words “were still” denotes an ongoing action that shows that even in our continuous depraved nature, God chose to save us.
  2. By sending His Son Jesus to die for us. Not only to die for us but to justify us from all unrighteousness so that we may enter into a relationship with Him.
  3. God’s love is unconditional, timely, and undeserving. There is nothing that we can do or be to earn His love.  The relationship that He calls us into is solely based on His merit. Using the argument of dying for a righteous person, Paul shows how undeserving we are of His love.

Evening Reflection

Maybe you haven’t done all the right things today or prayed enough. Do you feel separated from God? Remember, it’s not about what we are or how well we did something—we are saved through Christ and Christ alone.