November 11, Tuesday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was originally posted on February 2, 2019.  Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Lord Appears” 

Exodus 3:3-4

And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Our church currently is going through Experiencing God, so I can’t help but use another quote today (I promise this will be the last one for this week): “God’s revelation of His activity is an invitation for you to join Him…When you are in the middle of God’s activity and He lets you see where He is working, you know God wants you to join Him.” 

The Lord did not appear to Moses simply to say, “Hey buddy, how’s it going?” I cannot think of any time in the Bible that the Lord spoke to His people simply for conversation (please tell me if you know of an example). When God appeared and spoke to His people, there was a reason. God was up to something and He wanted to bring His people on board. God’s revelation is always an invitation.

God revealed Himself to Moses to call him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God appeared to Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. God appeared to Ezekiel at the Chebar Canal to call him to prophesy to the Israelites. God’s appearance is always an invitation to join Him in what He is doing—we see this countless times throughout the Bible.

This means that God’s appearance demands a response. When God called Moses, he responded, “Here I am”—which is basically the ancient equivalent of saying, “I am ready to listen.” Moses turned his full attention to God. Though we know Moses was hesitant about the specific task given (which we will see later), Moses’ ears were turned to the Lord. He was ready to listen and respond.

How about us? Are we ready to say, “Here I am” when the Lord appears to us? Are we ready to respond to Him? Yesterday, we prayed for eyes to see God when He appears, but this appearance is meaningless if we do not respond. God’s appearance is always an invitation for us to join Him – will you accept that invitation?

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You reveal Your ways and purposes to us. Thank You that You involve us in what You are doing! Who are we to be included in Your plans, yet You choose to use us nonetheless. Please give us ears to listen and hearts to respond to what You say to us. May You use us for Your kingdom purposes. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 24

Lunch Break Study  

Read Judges 6:11-16: Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Questions to Consider

  • What was Gideon doing when the Lord appeared to him?
  • Why did God appear to Gideon? What did He say He would use Gideon to do?
  • What was the guarantee of Gideon’s success in God’s mission?

Notes

  • Gideon was working. He was beating out wheat, which was an ordinary task. He was hiding in a winepress due to the fear of the Midianites, but still the Lord appeared to him in the midst of the mundane.
  • God appeared to Gideon in order to invite him to be a part of God’s mission to rescue Israel from the Midianites. God said to Gideon, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do I not send you?” Though Gideon would be the unexpected hero, God appeared in order to set in motion a plan to use Gideon in a great way. Thankfully, Gideon eventually did get on board with God’s plans.
  • When God appears to us and invites us into His plans, He does not simply then send us off to figure it out on our own, saying, “Don’t worry, you got this.” No, he goes with us. Gideon asked how he would know that he could actually do what God asked of him. God responded by saying, “I will be with you.” That was the guarantee of Gideon’s success. We have the same promise, as Jesus said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Evening Reflection

Have you felt the Lord inviting you to partner with Him in some way? Perhaps you have recently felt a desire to serve in some capacity at church or maybe there is a friend or coworker you have felt led to share the gospel with, or maybe there is something else on your heart. Take time to say “yes” to God and commit to doing what He is inviting you to do. 

November 10, Monday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on April 8, 2019, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who now serves as a missionary in East Asia, is a father of four children and is married to Annie.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Accepting the Invitation”

Exodus 19:1-6

On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There, Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Do you remember the feeling of receiving an invitation to a friend’s birthday party? I remember always feeling really excited because I anticipated the games, the cake, and the goody bags containing Pokémon cards. Looking back, I think I was really excited because out of some thirty students in the class, I was chosen to attend—and that made me feel special.

In this passage, the Israelites had just been rescued from the hands of the Egyptians. The Israelites were trapped between the Egyptians who chased them and the Red Sea. While all seemed lost for the Israelites, the Lord parted the Red Sea for them to cross. But, the Lord kept the Egyptians from crossing themselves; instead, they all drowned. 

From the Red Sea, the Israelites entered the wilderness of Sinai. And after encamping near Mount Sinai, Moses climbed up the mountain where the Lord met him.  It is here when God made a covenant with the Israelites. The stipulation of the covenant was that if the Israelites obey the Lord’s commandments, then they would be called God’s most treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. 

What was the purpose of this covenant? Recall that in Genesis 12 God had made a covenant with Abraham concerning His descendants. He said, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (12:1-3). The Lord was inviting the Israelites to fulfill their purpose and, as Abraham’s descendants, to become a blessing to other nations. Through the Israelites, the Lord wanted to restore fallen humanity. 

Like the Israelites, we have the privilege of being God’s treasured possession through His son, Jesus. However, God has set us apart, not only to enjoy His blessings, but so that we can become the channel of God’s blessings to the people around us.

Often, we get lost in the routines of work, family, and friends, and forget what God is doing in these spheres. Thus, we must remember that God is always working in every aspect of our lives, and there is a reason why we are in our situations. Through you, God’s treasured possession, God is inviting you to be part of His work of restoring humanity! Will you accept His invitation?

This morning, take a few minutes to think about your workplace, family, friend circle, and invite the Holy Spirit to help you become aware of what God is doing in these areas.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 23

Lunch Break Study

Read John 5:1-19: Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Questions to Consider

  • How long has the man been an invalid? From his point of view, why can’t he get well?
  • Why did the Jewish leaders persecute the invalid man and Jesus?
  • When does the Son do the Father’s work?

Notes

  • The man has been an invalid for 38 years. He cannot get well because no one is willing to carry him into the water.
  • The Jewish leaders persecuted the invalid and Jesus because they were doing work on the Sabbath: the invalid picked up his mat and Jesus healed the invalid.
  • The Son can only do the Father’s work when He sees His Father working. Therefore, the Son must wait, see, and recognize when the Father is moving.

Evening Reflection

This morning, we invited the Holy Spirit to help us become aware of the what God is doing in different spheres of our lives. This evening, ask the Lord to give you wisdom in how to join Him. It is a privilege to be invited to be part of what God is doing around us.

November 9, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on October 14, 2018, was written by a lay leader serving at an AMI church plant in East Asia.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Do Not Worry”

Luke 12:22-28

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 

Riding an airplane is a terrifying experience for me. The minute the airplane takes off, I start to feel anxious. So as soon as I enter the plane, I sit next to the emergency exit, fasten the seatbelt as tight as possible, stare at the route map on screen, and never take a nap. I end up getting off the plane feeling very exhausted. 

In today’s passage, Jesus challenges His disciples to not worry but have faith. He tells His disciples to look at the birds and lilies around them because He wants them to see how content they are. Through this simple observation, He reveals a spiritual reality that we often neglect: do not worry because God will provide for His children.

Worrying may seem like a harmless emotion that we all experience daily—we worry about school, the future, our kids, or work. But the truth is, worrying is dangerous because it blinds us to the reality that God provides for His children. It causes us to think that we need to control our situation because He is not in control. 

So, when Jesus commands us not to worry, He is not simply asking us to stop feeling an emotion, but He is protecting us from taking action into our own hands. Because once we control our situation, we usually mess things up.

While this is a simple truth, we easily forget His faithfulness. Yet, God has placed His creation around us to remind us that, as His children, we are more valuable than these. 

On this Lord’s Day, let’s come before Him with greater faith that God will provide! 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us today that You are a sovereign God, and that everything is created by You and for Your glory. Lord, help us to not worry, but rather to trust in Your goodness and love. Today we choose to surrender our lives with a restful heart, for only You know what is best for us. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 22

November 8, Saturday

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on September 8, 2018, is shared by Pastor Mark. He is currently preparing to launch a site church (of Radiance Christan Church) in the East Bay area near San Francisco. Please keep him and his planting team in your prayers.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

Jeremiah 36:17-25 (ESV)

Then they asked Baruch, “Tell us, please, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?” 18 Baruch answered them, “He dictated all these words to me, while I wrote them with ink on the scroll.” 19 Then the officials said to Baruch, “Go and hide, you and Jeremiah, and let no one know where you are.” 20 So they went into the court to the king, having put the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, and they reported all the words to the king. 21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. 22 It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. 23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. 24 Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. 25 Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. 

I’m not proud of this, but when I was a youth pastor, I burned a few pages of the Bible as an object lesson to highlight how we often disregard and dismiss the commands of God.  My hands were literally shaking as I tore out a few pages and lit a match to burn the paper.  My intention was to make the point that our lives would be greatly diminished if the word of God was lost to us.  Besides really scaring the students and making a few of them cry, I think I got the point across—maybe a little too well.  

Could you imagine if passages like Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd…”) or 1 Corinthians 13 (“Love is patient and kind…”) never existed?  What would our lives look like if we were never told the truth of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son….”  You don’t realize how important something is unless it is threatened to be taken from you.   After the Bible-burning exercise, I could better understand why so many Christians throughout history have placed their lives in peril in order to save copies of the Scriptures from being destroyed by their persecutors.  

Here in America, we have so many copies of Scripture that we take it for granted, and we often forget how important God’s Word is to us.  Could you imagine what our lives would be like if significant portions of the Scriptures were lost to us?   Sadly, the Word of God is something that we have lost in our homes, our schools, and even in some of our churches?   Though we have millions of copies of the Bible in the United States, we act as if there isn’t a copy to be found anywhere.  Consider these stunning statistics about the average American’s knowledge about God’s Word:


· 1 out of 4 Americans can correctly identify John 3:16.
· 1 out of 5 Americans can correctly define the gospel.
· 1 out of 3 Americans read their Bible regularly.
· 4 out of 10 Americans cannot name one of the four Gospels.
· Only 1 out of 10 Americans can identify the Great Commission.

It is not hard to see why we are losing the culture wars because very few people hold to a biblical worldview.  If we are to see a move of God in our lifetime, we must rediscover the Bible and place its teaching at the center of our lives and society.   Chuck Swindoll spoke these words at Liberty Theological Seminary’s graduation:  “The greatest need in our times is for God’s people to be biblically literate.” I could not agree more.  When God’s people find God’s Word, amazing things start happening in the spiritual character of the church; and that carries the potential to change a nation.    

Prayer: Lord, we know that Your Word is life.  Those who build upon this solid foundation will survive through storms and difficulties, while those who disregard Your truths are building their lives on sinking sand. Help us to see the value of seeing every situation and world events through the lens of Your eternal Word.  Though society tells us that the Scriptures are outdated and irrelevant, reveal to us its timeless nature.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 20-21

November 7, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on February 1, 2019, is provided by Joshua Chzen. After many years of leading worship at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, he recently moved to Houston to join a new church plant led by Pastor Phil.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Always Worthy”

Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Our church has been going through a study on the book of James in our life groups. (We just finished up the first chapter this week.) Since James begins his letter talking about enduring through trials and testing of our faith, we naturally spent a lot of time discussing the topic of suffering. 

If I’m being completely honest, I haven’t experienced much suffering.  As someone who grew up in relative stability and now lives in relative comfort, there hasn’t been a lot in the way of adversity or trauma. Depending on your perspective, you could argue that it was to my benefit, or to my detriment (or both). You may find yourself relating to my background, or you might be reading this as someone from the opposite end of the spectrum.

Looking to the prophet Habakkuk, we see someone who understood the pain of suffering, for God had shown him the impending destruction and violence that was to come upon the people of Judah. They would be subject to attack, plunder, and oppression by Babylonian Empire, and consequently, experience the ultimate humiliation and injustice.  In response, Habakkuk voices unhappiness, confusion, and pain—even questioning God’s method and challenging His motive in allowing something like this to happen to His own people. And at the end of his closing prayer he paints a bleak picture of complete desolation: there is no fruit on the trees, no crops in the fields, no animals in the farmland; there is nothing left in which to find value, comfort, or joy. However, it’s in this same breath that Habakkuk reaffirms his faith and joy in God, and that He is still worthy of praise. It makes little sense from a worldly perspective, but Habakkuk knew God so deeply that his conviction to worship Him remained even in the worst of circumstances.

Having only a limited experience with pain and trial, it can be easy for me (and likely many of us) to default to unhappiness and confusion when difficulties arise. That combination can often give way to doubt—doubting God’s character, His intentions, and His plan. Paul presents one way to keep suffering grounded in perspective—it produces perseverance, character, and ultimately hope (Rom. 5:3-5). James writes that trial leads to maturity (Jas. 1:2-4). And while these are good reasons to rejoice in difficult moments, ultimately, they are grounded in God Himself. He is our deepest source of joy. Tough circumstances may change (for better or for worse), or they may not; but God himself is always good, always faithful, and always worthy to be praised.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You’re unchanging in character, intention, and plan. I could have nothing going my way, or everything going my way; but God, You are still the same, and You’re my greatest reason to rejoice. Help me to remember who You are when things are hard. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 19

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:2-8 (NIV): Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Questions to Consider

  • What does James say about trials? What is the ultimate result?
  • What does James say about doubt?
  • What role do you think wisdom plays in this context?

Notes

  • James states that trials serve to test faith, which produces perseverance, which ultimately leads to maturity and completeness. It’s because of this that we should approach these situations with joy.
  • James refers to those who doubt as “double-minded and unstable in all they do” and demonstrates this with the imagery of waves. He also says those who ask with doubt should not expect to receive anything from God.
  • Those who lack wisdom presumably have not completed the process of becoming “mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Evening Reflection

Are you going through any sort of difficulty? Are there circumstances you’re unhappy with? Relationships that only bring you frustration? Ask God for joy to fill your heart and wisdom to live out His will – He might not change our surroundings, but He will change our hearts when we are open.

November 6, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on June 7, 2019, was written by Pastor Phil Chen, who recently relocated to Houston, Texas, to plant a new AMI church. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Character of God”

Exodus 34:6-7 (NASB)

Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

God’s loving kindness and mercy and compassion is on display here. If you recall where we are in this story, Moses has returned up Mount Sinai to renew the covenant on behalf of Israel. Israel has broken covenant with the Lord by worshipping a golden calf, and there is a key moment where the wrath of God comes down upon Israel, and three thousand are killed that day. Where is the mercy of God there? Where is the compassionate and gracious God who is slow to anger? First of all, we need to understand that God has already been incredibly slow to anger. Even though God has shown Himself again and again by taking His people out of Egypt through signs and wonders and pledged Himself to them, they committed spiritual adultery by worshiping a golden calf, a god made from their own hands. 

Secondly, it’s important to understand what God is saying here, because it can be easy to see His statements as contradictory when read the wrong way. Yes, He does show loving kindness, forgiveness, and grace, but only for those that will repent and turn back to Him. In Exodus 32, Moses cries out “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” The sons of Levi gather to him and they are spared from the wrath of God. This is a picture of God’s call to us – whoever is for the LORD, return to Him and receive His forgiveness, His compassion, His loving kindness. However, God will not leave the guilty unpunished, and He will punish the sins of those that remain unrepentant, even to the third and fourth generation. Does this sound familiar? The first time God makes a covenant with the people of God (in Exodus 20), He tells them not to make any idols, because God is a jealous God who visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Him. 

As much as God is Love, Mercy, Compassion, Forgiveness, God is Just. His justice and wrath will come upon those who hate Him, and it makes sense for Him to do so. Because God is love, He must hate sin, and He must punish and wipe away that sin. May this be a reminder for us – to hate sin as our God hates sin, and to turn to Him, knowing that when we do, He will shower his forgiveness and mercy upon us. Do not take His grace and mercy as a license for sin and rebellion. Rather, love Him because of His incredible love for you. 

Prayer: Father God, thank you for your love and compassion. Thank you for your forgiveness and mercy. Soften my heart so that I may walk in the path of your forgiveness and mercy – that I may know the fullness of your love and compassion and be a recipient of your blessing. In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen.         

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:7-11 (ESV):Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Question to Consider

1. What does this passage list as the importance of discipline?

2. What is the fruit of discipline?

3. What are ways you are currently experiencing the discipline of God? 

Notes

1. Discipline is for all who are considered children. When discipline occurs, it reminds the one that is being disciplined that they are legitimate children (of God). Sometimes, we don’t care for the discipline, nor do we understand the reason, but we submit to the Father who disciplines for our good.  

2. Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Those that have been disciplined and have experienced the fruit of discipline are not as allergic to the thought of further discipline, for they know that there is more fruit to come out of the discipline. 

3. Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

Sometimes the discipline of God can feel like the judgment of God coming down on us. However, we know that as children of God, we have been shown mercy and compassion. Even though we mess up and turn away from Him, we know that He disciplines us so that we will be restored to Him. However, as we learn today, the judgment of God will come upon those who continually choose to turn away from Him and reject His forgiveness and mercy. 

November 5, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on March 14, 2019, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Meal that Nourishes Faith”

Exodus 12:23-27

For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. 24 And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. 25 When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. 26 And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ 27 you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped. 

The Lent season has already started, and we are about five weeks away from Easter Sunday. This is a great time in the year to consider ways to prepare our hearts to remember the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry before His death and the victory He won for us through the resurrection. Before we consider how we will make room in our schedules to recount the victory Jesus won for us, let’s look at how the Lord in the Old Testament taught the Israelites to remember His works through the Passover meal. 

After they had prepared the Passover lamb for their deliverance and before the deliverance actually took place, God instituted the Passover meal as an ordinance that Israel should keep every year as a remembrance of God’s salvation. It would also serve to teach the future generations about God’s salvation for His covenant people. The key spiritual principle to draw out in this passage is from the phrase, “When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite.” What is already apparent is that God will give Israel His promise. Israel can look forward to enjoying God’s promise and blessing, but obedience to God’s law, which in this case is the law to observe the Passover, will enable them to continuously live in God’s promise. For them to remain in the promised land for the long haul, they must hold fast to God’s rule and what He requires of them. Where there is grace, there is also a response of obedience required. 

God requires His people to commit to observing the Passover, and “re-enacting” the night of their deliverance, because it will lead them to worship God and remember that He is the source of their salvation and the fountain of life. Observing this ordinance regularly will protect them from the temptation to trust in other gods, as they will see other powerful, successful nations worship their gods and be enticed to draw security from their gods instead of from God of Israel. Obeying the Passover ordinance will ascribe to God the worship that is worthy of Him, but the benefit is for the Israelites, for it will keep them steady and faithful to trust in God in their future battles. 

How will you make room in your schedule in these next several weeks to remember the victory Jesus won for you? What are new blessings or promises that God is leading you to possess this year? In preparing for these new seasons, what habits do you want to build to regularly recount God’s goodness and making thanksgiving a regular part of your worship to Him?

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You that You are the God of my salvation! Thank You that You place spiritual habits in my life because they lead me back to you and remind me of how You have led me from the beginning until now. Preserve me from my own forgetfulness and tendency to wander. As You lead me to walk into Your plans and promises, teach me to obey what You command so that I can continuously remain in You. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 17

Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 1:3-7: Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 

Questions to Consider

  • When and where is God saying these words to Joshua?
  • What is God promising to Joshua?
  • What is the most important task for Joshua?

Notes

  • God is speaking to Joshua after Moses died and when the right time came for Joshua, as the appointed one, to lead the Israelites to possess the promised Land. The Israelites are on one side of the Jordan River and are preparing to cross over to the land. 
  • God is promising that the land which He has promised to give to the children of Abraham indeed belongs to them, even before they go in to physically possess the land. He not only promises the land but His presence and protection as well.
  • Besides conquering the land, the most important task for Joshua is to keep God’s word close to him and to obey all that he has been taught through the Law. By holding onto God’s word, he will not only be able to conquer the land, but will also be able to continuously possess God’s promise and live in God’s promise. 

Evening Reflection

Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 

What key events and breakthroughs in your life could you give thanks for today? In what way would it breed hope for you regarding the future?

November 4, Tuesday 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on May 7, 2019, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God with Us”

Exodus 25:10-16

“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. 13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.

Throughout history, mankind has constructed many remarkable structures and buildings.  Just think about the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the palace at Machu Picchu, the Parthenon, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.  But, probably the most important structure that was ever built in history was the Ark of the Covenant.  The very center of God’s presence was the ark, which was placed in the Holy of Holies – the innermost tent in the tabernacle.  

Like the other articles in the temple, it was made from acacia wood (v. 10), which was a highly durable wood.  The ark was covered with pure gold and it had been treated to remove any impurities (v. 11). Obviously, anything less could not be a fitting piece of furniture for the King of kings. Basically, the ark was a box fitted with poles so that it could be lifted onto the shoulders and carried without being touched directly. These poles were never removed (vv. 12–15), probably so that the ark could be carried off at a moment’s notice. The ark went everywhere that Israel went, even into battle (Josh. 6), and the ark’s constant availability to be picked up and carried off symbolized God’s willingness to go with His people wherever they might go.  I like how one author, Daniel Hyde, describes the Ark:

“Here is such a mind-blowing idea about the God of the Bible that we have to pause for a moment. The eternal God who is not constrained by the existence of time, the infinite God who is not bound by the constraints of space, the transcendent God who dwells above and beyond all time and space, and the immense God who fills all time and space condescended to the weakness of His people and became manifest for their benefit in one locale. This God is not bound by time, but He bound Himself to the time-bound experience of His people. This God is not bound by space, but He bound Himself to this box. He is above all creational constraints, but He bound Himself to them. He is everywhere, but He was there.”

One lesson we can apply today is that God’s presence is with us now and forever.  In John 17:17-18, Jesus reminds us that the Holy Spirit is in us which ensures us that his presence is always there and He will never leave us.  This means we can have comfort amid pain, joy amid sorrow and assurance that God is with us even when it does not seem like it.  Have confidence and draw near to Him!

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for the story of the Ark of the Covenant because it reminds us that You are a God who is still dwelling in our midst.  Thank You that we can come to You freely because of the blood of Jesus!

Bible Reading: Acts 16

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 23:1-5: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Questions to Consider

  • As believers, what do you think it means to not be ‘in want’?
  • How should this truth free us from anxiety and worry?  Why is this important to understand?
  • How can these verses challenge and comfort you today?

Notes

  • As a shepherd, He is the one who is our provider. He satisfies my needs. That is the place where God wants to bring us. He wants us to be independently dependent upon Him, to need Him alone.
  • It also means that he provides for our practical needs such as food, job, possessions, etc.  We should never worry or be in want but rather continually trust in Him.  Even in the darkest moments of our lives, God’s goodness and mercy follow us (v.6), which ought to give us confidence in our Great Shepherd.  
  • Take some time and mediate on what this means for you in every area of your life.

Evening Reflection

James 4:8 – Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. 

Be encouraged that we can have intimacy with our Holy and Majestic God!  Take some time in prayer and worship to draw near to him!

November 3, Monday

REPOST Originally shared on June 10, 2019, today’s AMI QT Devotional—written by an anonymous contributor—continues to offer quiet insight and reflection.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The High Priest’s New Clothes: The Ephod and Breast Plate”

Exodus 28:6-14

“And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. 12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance. 13 You shall make settings of gold filigree, 14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.

In spending time in the New Testament, I came across a passage that fascinated me deeply in the Gospel of John: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39) [ESV].

In the first century, to refer to the Scriptures would be to refer to the Old Testament. If the books of the Tanakh (i.e., Law, Prophets, Writings) testify of our Lord, then they ought to be studied and enjoyed with every bit of fervor as the New Testament, right? Thus, studying Exodus 28 was an opportunity to have some fun looking for Jesus in the Old Testament. Here’s some of what I found.

In the latter half of Exodus, God instructs the Israelites to function as His representatives on Earth. This includes protocols for worship and the priesthood, down to the clothing of the high priest (Aaron, brother of Moses). Exodus 28 covers the details of Aaron’s attire, seemingly painting a picture of the coming Jesus in the process. Painstakingly made, the priestly garments are “… for glory and for beauty,” (Exod. 28:2 ESV). Aaron’s coat, undergarments and turban are all white, signifying purity. The ephod is made of gold and woven skillfully with blue, purple and scarlet yarns matching the inside of the tabernacle (Exod. 26). On its shoulder pieces, the ephod has two onyx stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. The breast piece is made in the style of the ephod, with the same blue, purple and scarlet yarns. On its front, the breast piece contains four rows of stones, each engraved with the name of the sons of Israel (Exod. 28:15-21). 

Now, Aaron, as the high priest, is tasked with bearing the tribes of Israel on his shoulders and his heart (Exod. 28:12, 29). Apparently, only once a year Aaron would shed the breast piece and the ephod, and that was on the Day of Atonement. On this day, Aaron was simply to wear the all-white coat, turban and undergarments; this is to say, he was to shed his glorious clothes, and enter the tabernacle dressed humbly and pure.

Interestingly, Jesus is called our High Priest numerous times in the Book of Hebrews. To perform His work of atonement, Jesus entered creation without extravagant garments, temporarily setting aside His glory and standing pure within Himself. However, rather than bearing the weight of just Israel on His shoulders and heart, Jesus bore the weight of all His people when completing His work. Could it be the Aaronic priesthood and its garments were a glimpse of the true High Priest to come? If all of creation speaks to God’s invisible attributes (Rom. 1:20), then is it possible Jesus can be found in much more of our lives than what we currently perceive? I challenge us all to look, and then worship Him and serve Him. 

Prayer: Father, Your Word speaks of Your works and wonders from beginning to end; thank You for leaving us pictures of Your Son to look forward to as we spend time in Scripture. Holy Spirit, as You dwell within us, I pray You would open our eyes wider, giving us daily reminders of the Son, His work and the cost of our atonement. Thank You, for everything. In Christ, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 15

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16: 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. 15 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. 16 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 nee

Questions to consider

1. What are some differences between Jesus and the Aaronic priests? 

2. What makes Jesus a better High Priest for us?

3. Think about the last time you were comforted and encouraged by our high priest.

Notes

1. While the Aaronic priests needed priestly attire to outwardly display themselves as God’s priests on Earth, under the garments stood, still, a sinful man. By contrast, Jesus’ outward appearance was humble, being that of a simple carpenter. Jesus carried the necessary glory and purity to serve as God’s Priest on Earth within Himself.

2. I think Hebrews 4:15 hits this one on the head: “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” (ESV). We do not serve a God who arbitrarily makes rules for us to follow and punishes those who cannot keep to them. Rather, our God leads by example, having been tempted in the same way as we are, yet walked among us without sin. What’s more, our God provided Himself as the final sacrifice for His people to draw near to Him.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Clearly there are parallels between the garments of the Aaronic priesthood and the true High Priest, Jesus. Sometimes people refer to the parts of the Old Testament where specifications of the tabernacle are described, or the Law is given to the people, as the “dry” sections of the Bible because the narrative of the story is somewhat paused. Professor Dave Talley (Talbot) once remarked, “…it seems everyone likes watching the dominoes fall, but not so much watching the dominoes get set up,” while commenting on the Old Testament. I had never thought of it that way.  So, if we love Jesus, then we should love the whole Old Testament as well, dry stretches and all, because Christ is all over it.  

November 2, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on November 11, 2018, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  Stay up to date with the church by following her here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Grace from a Guy Named ‘Evil’”

Jeremiah 52:31-34

And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, until the day of his death, as long as he lived.

I love movies from the 90’s. Not necessarily because they are higher quality films (although many are), but mostly because after you watch a 90’s movie, you feel a fantastic sense of closure. But these days, nearly every major film that comes out ends with a cliffhanger. I concede that some of them are fairly well done, and they leave the viewers with a sense excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, many others are poorly executed, leaving the viewers angry at the fact that they have to shell out another $15 to find out what happens next.

Journeying through the book of Jeremiah, the primary theme has been about exile, judgment, and God’s impending wrath upon the nations. But this final chapter in the book is a cliffhanger of the best kind. Amidst all the language of destruction and hopelessness, the final paragraph tells us a story of grace and hope. After 37 years of imprisonment, Jehoiachin (the king of Judah) is shown incredible grace and favor, and that from a guy whose name happens to be “Evil-merodach” (his name doesn’t actually mean “evil” it just sounds like that in English). I love how the last words of this book hint at the coming redemption of God by telling us about a man who is freed from prison, and then given a seat at the king’s table, for no apparent reason at all. If that’s not a foreshadow of God’s redemptive plan, I don’t know what is! This morning, let us remember God’s final plan is always to redeem us. 

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the book of Jeremiah, which reminds us of the seriousness of sin, but also the hope of a redeeming God. We worship You today for who You are. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 14