NEW Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI who had served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“No Worries”

Matthew 6:25-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I got into a fight with my youngest daughter Abbie last week; she’s eight.  It was concerning her Halloween costume.  She was going as Xialing, Shang Chi’s behind-kicking sister (my apologies if you’re not a Marvel fan).  We got her costume from the Disney Store, and just like all things Disney, we had to pay more for extras.  In this case, no weapons.  So my daughter asked me if I could make Xialing’s rope dart.  After looking it up on the Internet, I found out that a rope dart is nothing more than an arrowhead on the end of a 5-to-10-foot length of rope.  On a scale of ten, the difficulty in making a craft rope dart is maybe a two if I somehow lost the use of my left hand.  Some rope, red duct tape, cardboard, and 30 minutes—it’s that easy.  

On the Wednesday before Halloween, we sat down together to start making the dart head, and Abbie started questioning my plan, “Pa, are you sure you know what you’re doing?”, “Pa, I don’t think this is gonna look good.”, “Pa, I think we should use metal.”  After about three minutes of this badgering, I got up and told my girl, “Abbie, if you don’t trust that daddy can do this, then I’m not going to help you.”  Then I walked away.

Try to ignore my childishness while I explain what I was feeling.  Overall, I was a little hurt and saddened because at her core Abbie was questioning my ability to care for her and to a lesser extent my love for her.  Understand that in my house, I’m the go to person for arts and crafts (this and sports are the only arenas where the kids prefer me over mom!), and I can tell you with genuine humility that I am really good at crafts.  Even in her limited life span, Abbie has seen me make incredible school projects, over-the-top cheerleading posters, movie-prop worthy costumes, you name it.  She has no excuse not to believe that I could pull off a simple rope dart.  In fact, if anything, she should have thought this project was beneath me.  Second and more importantly, I was hurt because Abbie didn’t think I cared enough to make something awesome for her.  Look, Abbie is my last child, my baby girl; she’s the only one in the world who calls me “Pa”, and she gives the best cuddles.  She should know that her father is not going to send her to school on Halloween to face soul-eaters, the Dweller-in-Darkness, or worse yet, third grade boys without some kind of weapon.  

I don’t want to make the mistake of portraying my shortcomings and insecurities on to God, but I am willing to bet that when we worry, God feels a similar holy offense.  In essence, when we worry, don’t we doubt his ability to provide for our needs and/or his love and willingness to do so?  But this type of thinking is silly, is it not?  As Jesus pointed out, since our Heavenly Father takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, doesn’t it stand to reason that He would take care of you, his beloved child, even more so?  In fact, God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  So, to paraphrase Paul in Romans 8:32, if God was willing to give us something of infinite worth like his Son, how could we think he’d be too stingy to provide anything else?  I believe with all my heart he is not going to hold out on us, and he genuinely wants what’s best for us.  So trust Him; He’s more than capable and more than willing.  

Have a great weekend everyone!  

*As a disclaimer, if you are suffering from clinical anxiety or similar difficulties, I do not mean to imply there is a faith problem.  Please see a mental health professional.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me to worry less and trust more!  Open my eyes to see that You are a wonderful provider and that I need not be given to worries of this life.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today:  John 6-7

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 26, 2015.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Everyone Doing as They See Fit” 

Romans 2:10-2 (NIV)

“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one’ there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away . . .’”

We had two dogs while living in Mexico for a decade: a Labrador (“Hemi”) and a Cocker Spaniel (“Miju”).   Before returning to the States, we had found a home for Hemi, but our plan was to bring Miju with us.  Unfortunately, that never happened because one day when we returned from a short trip, Miju, whose house was in the open garage with access to the front yard, was nowhere to be found. Apparently, she had squeezed through a small gap in the fence and ran off.  (A piece of plank that was blocking it off had been slightly moved.)

Shocked by this, everyone looked for her for days but to no avail.   To fill the vacuum, especially for our youngest child, whose birthday was coming up, we purchased a puppy Basset Hound whom we named “Sadie” and brought her with us to the States.  Sadie, a lazy and affectionate dog, is now enjoying the comforts of the American life.  Sometimes, when I see the picture of Miju placed on the refrigerator, I mutter to myself, “Look at what you are missing out because you wanted to do your own thing.”

Wanting to do one’s own thing (Judg. 21:25) is what got the very first humans in trouble as well: “I am going to do this because I want to no matter what God says.”  The thrill of taking that first bite, or for Miju, the excitement of running around the streets, lasted all too briefly: no longer were they able to live in the comforts and the safety of a place provided by those who loved them.   Especially for humans, having rejected God’s way, they have thrust themselves into a world of their own making, a place full of uncertainty, confusion, and evil.  

Before viewing sin as a specific action (e.g., adultery), it ought to be seen for what it is: a mind-set that predisposes us to do our own thing, due to its apparent pleasure to the flesh, regardless of what God says. Don’t be like my dog who, for a brief moment of independence, lost out on a lifetime of care and love at the “father’s house.”  Stop and think before you step outside of God’s will. 

Prayer: Lord, I am mindful of the fact that even as you had to banish the first couple from the garden, you first clothed them with garments of skin.  In the midst of meting out your justice, you never ceased to be merciful and gracious.  Dear God, remind me, help me, and strengthen me to stay in the Father’s house.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: John 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Jeremiah 42:1-2, 7, 19, 43:1-2, 4 (ESV):  Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, came near 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant—because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— . . .               7 At the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah .. . . 19 The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day . . .            When Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people all these words of the Lord their God, with which the Lord their God had sent him to them, 2 Azariah the son of Hoshaiah and Johanan the son of Kareah and all the insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to live there . . . 4 So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why did Johanan and his people refuse to accept what Jeremiah told them?  On what basis did they reject it?

2. This begs the question: why did they, then, bother to ask Jeremiah to pray for them with respect to what they should o?

3. What are some decisions you are facing right now?  Have you already made up your mind and is now seeking God to bless it?  What are you going to do if that’s not what God wants you to do?

Notes

1. That’s not what they wanted to hear.  They had already made up their minds what they were going to do.   While rejecting God’s will, they never admitted it; rather, they blamed the messenger for being misinformed.  

2. They merely sought the appearance of seeking the Lord in the religious sense.  They would have 

looked very spiritual had God agreed with their pre-determined plan, but when it didn’t, it showed their real motives: they wanted to do their own thing, hoping for God to bless it. 

3. Enter into a time of seeking God’s will without having made up your mind.  Be willing to bend your will to whichever way God is leading you.   A struggle and reluctance is natural if what God wants for us is not what we want, but we must adjust our desire to obey the Lord’s will.

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Evening Reflection

Reviewing this day, did you face any situation in which God’s will and yours were in conflict?  How did you resolve it?  Let’s pray for His strength to do better tomorrow. 

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 8, 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

“Don’t Set Your Own Rules” 

1 Kings 2:1-4 (ESV)

When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

When I was a child, I loved inventing new games with new rules. What was most enjoyable was the fact that I would always win because I would set the rules to benefit me. Many of us did this and think we have moved on from this, but believe it or not, many of us still do this as adults. Many times, we blame postmodern culture for the moral decline, as what is ‘right’ becomes increasingly subjective in our society. But wanting to set our own rules for our lives is not new; it is something that is inherent in us. However, when we are the ones in charge of making the rules for our own lives, we are set on a course of self-destruction.

King David knows this well. In fact, Solomon is a living testimony of his sin with Bathsheba that resulted from his flagrant disregard of the ways of the Lord. So he actually takes the last few moments of his life to relay this important truth: Keep the charge of the Lord, walk in his ways and keep his statutes so that you might prosper in all that you do. In his lifetime, he has seen the hand of the Lord upon him and the hand of the Lord against him. He has also experienced firsthand the blessing of God that comes through obedience. 

When we dig deeper, the reason we want to make our own rules rather than follow the precepts of our God is because of our pride. We think we understand ourselves better than our creator does. What we need to ultimately understand is that God is our creator who understands the inner workings of our being. He has designed us and given us statues, commandments, and rules for our benefit, because the Designer knows His design the best. 

David’s reminder to Solomon serves as an important reminder for us as well, to diligently seek to follow the laws and ways of the Lord. In order to follow the ways of the Lord, we need to actually know the ways of the Lord by vigorously studying the Word of God. As we devote our lives to this, we will increasingly see the beauty of the law of the Lord – that it is meant to protect and prosper us rather than simply restrict us.

Prayer: Father God, truly your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Help me grow in my hunger for your word and live my life in obedience to your every word. May I know the power in walking in your ways and keeping your statutes.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 4

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV): Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Question to Consider

1. What is the psalmist encouraging us to do?

2. Why is the one who delights in the law of the Lord compared to a fruitful tree?

3. Can we always expect to prosper if we follow God? 

Notes

1. The psalmist encourages us to meditate on the law of God day and night because it is for our benefit. 

2. Jesus refers a lot to fruitfulness as something that God is looking for. A tree that is planted by streams of water must be constantly receiving water for its roots and is pictured to constantly have the nutrients needed for bearing fruit. In the same way, those that delight in the law of the Lord have the necessary nutrients for living a godly life.

3. It depends on what prosperity means to you, but does not always mean “earthly” prosperity. We can be sure that those that follow the Lord and delight in His word (and obeys) will receive an abundance of treasures in heaven. But not only that, general and practical wisdom tell us that following the Word of God does indeed have temporal benefits as well.

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Evening Reflection

The shocking thing of the church these days is biblical literacy. We simply do not cherish the Word of God enough. Something that challenged me in an article that I read was a statement that an Atheist made to his Christian friend – If you Christians really believe the Bible is the actual words of God, how come you don’t spend time to really study it? How come it’s so difficult to spend time reading it? What a sobering truth, but challenge to the believers to get to know the Word of God better so that we are able to follow the ways of the Lord with faithfulness. 

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Quiet Time, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on May 27, 2015.  Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Tough, Loving Words”

2 Samuel 19: 7-8

“Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.

Prov. 12:1b, 27:5

He who hates reproof is stupid . . . Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Yesterday, we looked at this passage with the focus on King David’s willingness to accepting rebuke. Today, we will talk briefly about delivering rebuke (a touchy subject!). Though Joab spoke harshly, his bold statements against King David were not driven by a desire to elevate himself or a desire to tear down the King. He brings up the reasons for his harsh words: the feelings of the people who had been dedicated to David, and David’s safety.  (By the way, Joab didn’t always act this caring toward David.)

In our modern church, we rarely engage in rebuke. While some hesitation is borne out of wise caution (because we have seen abuse), most of us demure out of an attempt to appear tolerant and understanding. We are content to live and let live because this method saves us the time, work, and heartache of being intimately involved with someone else’s life. 

The Bible frequently mentions the task of believers to teach and admonish one another in the setting of the church (Rom. 15, Col. 3, 1 Thess. 5). However, I believe we rarely model this Biblical principle because of two reasons: (1) We do not care deeply enough about our brothers and sisters to speak into their lives, (2) We do not care enough about God’s standard of holiness for the church. Without aspiration to be pure, holy, and set apart from this world as He commands, we neglect true accountability and candidness in our relationships. 

I am not suggesting that we suddenly go around and bring up every last thing we might dislike about the people around us. The purpose is to exhort the believers around us to turn away from anything that leads away from God towards fullness of life. Rebuke should be humbly, wisely, and lovingly administered; when well-delivered and well-accepted, it is life-giving and an immense blessing (Proverbs 15:31, Psalm 141:5).

If you are very uncomfortable with the idea of offering correction, do not worry. Ask God to give you wisdom and also love for members of your community so that you can also be used as His instrument. And if you have a reputation for being harsh, now is the time to ask God for greater compassion and humility in approaching others. A house divided against itself cannot stand, but if the community is devoted to loving God and become more like Christ, teaching and submitting to one another will bring us joy. 

Prayer: Father, give me greater love for You and greater love for others. Let Your holiness be the bar I aspire to and also what I desire for others. Do not let any fear of man or lack of confidence keep me from speaking openly and honestly to those around me. May Your wisdom and a desire to bless others guide the words we speak to one another. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 3

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Lunch Break Study  

Read 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.   6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Questions to Consider

1. Why is love an important component to the tasks mentioned in v. 1-3?

2. Why does Paul deliberately place v.9-12 within this section on love?

3. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” How can we really live up to exhibiting these qualities of love in our lives as a testimony of our faith?  

Notes

1. Speaking, fathoming, acting, and showing compassion do not require love to be done. Because love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres, without it, we will quickly lose our purpose and motivations for these actions.

2. While we can learn many attributes of love from the first seven verses or even believe that we exemplify them, our understanding of love will not be truly complete until we experience the fullness of God in heaven. 

3. Take some time to reflect on your life and how you can demonstrate the love of Christ more.

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Evening Reflection

Were there any moments today when you should have spoken up but felt unable to? What held you back?  One prerequisite before correcting anyone is whether we have been praying for the individual?  If you feel like you have something to say, please pray for a while before doing so.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on August 24, 2015.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Where the Humanity Has Gone?”

2 Kings 11:2-3

“But Jehosheba . . . took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered.  She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.  He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.”

My mom became a grandmother last year, and the new addition to our family is the joy of her life.  There are pictures of baby Ziggy (his parents started calling him that while he was still just a zygote and the name stuck) all over the house, and though she’s tiring of traveling as she grows older, she’s already gone the length of the country twice to see him.

Grandmothers are usually known to dote on their grandchildren, but not so Queen Athaliah.  Because of her ambition to rule, once her son, the king of Judah, was dead, “she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family” (v.1) by trying to kill off all of the royal princes, among whom was her own grandson, baby Joash.  What kind of ungodly influence could be so strong that it could trump a woman’s basic instinct to nurture and protect the young?  It’s hard to imagine, yet as the country was falling more deeply into the sin of worshipping gods other than the one true God, this is the kind of event that resulted.

In contrast, however, we also see Jehosheba, his aunt, bravely rescuing Joash, believing for a better time to come.  Though the six years of rule by an evil queen may have been bleak, all the while, hope was hidden away and growing, preparing to be revealed when the time was right.  Sometimes when we look at humanity or the lack thereof in this world, at the distortion of all that was meant to be good, we wonder where the hope has gone.  But throughout history, God has always reserved hope, and in due course, the dark times do come to an end.  

Is there a situation you are looking at where you are wondering where the humanity has gone?  Appalled at the lack of common decency?  Take heart, for God has a plan, and he will not wait a moment longer than is necessary.  Even if it seems premature (Joash became king at age seven), he will bring that hope to the light as soon as the moment is right.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when times look dark, help me to place my hope in you.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 2

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Lunch Break Study 

Read 2 Kings 10:25-27: “In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign . . . His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.  He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.” 

Questions to Consider

1. At this time, the nation that was originally Israel was split into two kingdoms, “Israel” and “Judah.”  Jerusalem and the temple were located in Judah, so it was supposed to be the kingdom that was truer to God, yet what do we notice here?

2. Omri led the nation into further idolatry and was the father of Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in the history of Israel.  How does Athaliah’s family background help us understand her later actions?

3. What warning can we take to heart regarding the sin of idolatry and the influence it can have?  Is there idolatry in our lives that we are not dealing with because we don’t take it as seriously as we should?

Notes

1. There seemed to be no difference between Israel (ruled by the house of Ahab, described as doing evil in God’s sight) and Judah.

2. Athaliah came from a family that practiced evil and idolatry; her later slaughter of all the royal princes can be seen as the fruit of this kind of spiritual influence she had received.  

3. Worshipping other gods puts us under an evil spiritual influence that can cause us to act in less than human ways.  If there is even a hint of worship of other gods in our hearts, we need to deal with it swiftly and decisively.

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Evening Reflection

Rather than adding to the darkness, was I part of the hope in the world today?  Was I decent human being?  Was God my one and only true God today?  Did I seek to be ruled and influenced by him and him alone?

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 20, 2015, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children, serves in Japan as an AMI missionary.  Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), recently planted an English-speaking church in Tokyo. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pursuing Mercy”

2 Samuel 1:23-25 (ESV)

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!  In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. [24] You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.  [25] How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!”

When a murderous dictator dies, what might be said in his obituary?  What words might be used by an actual victim of his violence, whose very life was threatened multiple times?  We probably wouldn’t hear words like “beloved” or “lovely,” yet this is how David describes Saul as he laments his death.

For years, David lived on the run, fearing for his life even though he had been chosen by the Lord as Israel’s next king.  David had shown only faithfulness and mercy to Saul, yet time and time again, Saul sought his life.  But rather than rejoice in his newfound safety or his impending coronation, David mourns over his enemy’s death and calls the daughters of Israel to weep over Saul.  

David not only mourns his enemy, he exalts him.  We are far more likely to remember the faults or the wounds caused by people around us than their good qualities.  Yet David can describe Saul as swift, strong and mighty.  He remembers Saul as the king who brought riches to Israel.

When I’m hurt by another person, it’s not that I wish any kind of violence against him.  But if I’m honest, I would be disappointed if he completely got away with what he’s done.  Many thoughts would run through my mind:  “How would he learn his lesson?”; “Wouldn’t it be an injustice if there were no consequences for sin?”; “What if he sins against more people?”

David has no such thoughts for he is that rare man who is not driven by vengeance, self-righteousness, or even his own well-being.  After many years of following the Lord and finding Him trustworthy, David is free to be moved by love.  He is free from the need to be judge, and he can even mourn the suffering of his enemy.

The example of David challenges us to pursue mercy for those who don’t deserve it, just as the Son of God pursued mercy for us at the cost of His life.

Prayer: Father, we live in a world in which we sin against others and others sin against us.  Give us grace to forgive freely and to bless those who have hurt us.  May we trust you to be the righteous Judge that we might concern ourselves with acting always for the good of those around us, even our enemies?  Help us to reflect your Son in this way. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 1

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 23:37-39 (ESV): O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! [38] See, your house is left to you desolate. [39] For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Question to Consider

1. What kind of people is Jesus speaking about?

2. How does Jesus describe Himself in relation to them?

3. Jesus is filled with compassion and even sorrow.  According to verse 38, what contributes to this heart Jesus has for them.

Notes

1. People who reject God and murder those sent by Him.  Jerusalem is the capital city so these are Israelites, people who should have been very familiar with God’s goodness. 

2. Jesus describes Himself as a mother hen.  Despite their rebellion, Jesus has a great deal of compassion and affection for the people of Jerusalem.

3. In v. 38, Jesus considers the coming judgment.  In light of it, He looks upon the people who would later reject and murder Him with compassion.

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Evening Reflection

Take a moment to think about your day.  Did you have any opportunities to extend blessings to those who mistreat you?  Are you harboring any bitterness from an offense that occurred?  Take some time to bring these things before the Lord and pray that God would extend mercy and blessing to those who you struggle to love.April 21, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 8, 2014.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Is ‘Shacking Up’ a Good Idea to Test Compatibility for Marriage?” 

Genesis 2:24

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

The ancient Jews took engagement (a.k.a., betrothal) as seriously as the wedding itself.  After Mary was engaged, she was already called Joseph’s wife even though they wouldn’t live together and consummate their relationship for another year.   And it would require divorce to end it.   In this manner, by the time the couple was married, they really knew each other.   This, of course, is not what many young people do today, which is readily reflected in the movies that we watch.  

My wife and I watched the 1998 movie, “You’ve Got Mail” because it featured two very popular actors: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. While it was a good “date movie,” I had reservations about heartily recommending this to impressionable young people, many of whom think nothing of “shacking up.”   

In the movie, the characters played by Hanks and Ryan end up exchanging e-mails in anonymity while they are both living with someone else.   Hank’s father and grandfather also have live-in girlfriends.  So, every couple in the movie is unmarried.  I wouldn’t have objected to “shacking up” had the characters struggled over whether it was morally right or relationally helpful, but the sun will freeze before that angle is ever written into a Hollywood script!  

Nevertheless, the movie does show that there is no commitment in shacking up:  Ryan and her live-in decide to split because they no longer love each other; the live-in girlfriend of Hank’s father leaves him with no choice since she runs off with their nanny; Hanks splits from his live-in after finally realizing that she is a capitalist without any heart.  

So a thumps up or down?  I gave it a thumbs up for truly showing that “shacking up” before marriage is not the same as trying out a pair of shoes before deciding to buy it.  Experiences in marriage as opposed to cohabitation (both in commitment level and benefits) are as different as using your I-Phone under a binding contract as opposed to prepaid.   While prepaid certainly gives you the freedom to “check out” at any time, you will never experience all the benefits of a contract: unlimited, faster 4G, simultaneous voice/data, available in all areas and personal hot spot.  Marriage is like that as well.  

So if you are serious about someone, don’t shack up.  Instead, get to know him or her better particularly through shared activities with others and in the church.  Seeing his or her interaction with all types of people and responses under different circumstances will give you a better idea whether this is someone whom you want to spend the rest of your life with.  And if you are already married, have fun, and stay faithful.   Plan to do something fun with your spouse today!

Prayer: Lord, we are truly sorry that we act as if we are smarter than You by ignoring Your blueprint for life.  May we be wise by submitting to Your design for life and Your right to rule over us.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Philemon 1

NEW Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI who had served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Adequate Love”

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Do you have people in your life who make you feel inadequate because they are perfect?  If you don’t, then I’m genuinely happy for you; but I’m going to guess that most of us have someone or perhaps dozens of people who make us feel a little insecure about ourselves.  For me, it’s this guy who lives in my town named Jack (not his real name).  I first met Jack about three years ago when our sons were on the same baseball team.  At the time, I didn’t see Jack as the threat that he would eventually become, mostly because my son was better than his at baseball. 

But as time went on and our paths crossed more, I began to find out some very wonderful things about Jack that made me like him less and less.  First, Jack’s family is almost exactly like mine. We both have four kids, and his oldest son and daughter are the same ages and grades as my oldest son and daughter.  And he, just like me, has boy-girl twins to round out the team.  The only difference is that his twins are a year younger than mine.  I also later found out that Jack lives in one of the nicest houses in our town, and not only is he way taller and way better looking than me (which I knew the first time we met), but the dude does crossfit, so he makes me feel like a scrawny teenager again.  Oh, and to top it all off, last year our sons were on the same baseball team again, and guess what . . . his son became a better player than mine.  Seriously, if I didn’t know Jack and scrolled through his Instagram account, I’d think he was one of those guys who makes up his life because no one could be that perfect.

I know that comparing yourself to others is generally not good practice, but there was always something different about the way Jesus did things.  In today’s passage, Jesus made two key comparisons challenging the way the general population thought about love.  First, he took the average person who generally thought, “I’m a loving and good person, I treat my family and friends well,” and whose general ethos was, “ If you respect me, I’ll respect you… but if you cross me, then I’ll have nothing to do with you” and compared that person to a tax collector, one of the more reviled groups in that society.  To bring it to 2021 context, Jesus was essentially saying, “Your standard of love is no different than that of a mobster.  Even mobsters love those who love them, so you can’t really think you’re that good.” 

The second comparison Jesus used was that of the love of God.  God was loving and kind to everyone; and in some ways (not all) treated everyone equally, by allowing the sun to shine on them and the rain to water their crops.  In this sense, Jesus called God’s love perfect in vs. 48.  (FYI, in the Greek the word ‘perfect’ conveys a sense of completeness and fullness; therefore, perfect love is whole, full, not lacking anything, or omitting anyone, etc.).  

Now going back to the point I opened with regarding those feelings of inadequacy, the truth of the matter is that when we read today’s passage and compare ourselves to a God who loves humanity perfectly, we are supposed to feel a sense of inadequacy.  We are also supposed to feel like our definitions of and abilities to love are lacking.  But guess what, when we start to feel badly about ourselves, the beauty of the Good News kicks in.  That sense of inadequacy that we feel is designed to bring us to Christ, because when we realize that we don’t have it put together, or aren’t perfect, or even as loving as we know we should be, it humbles us to look somewhere outside of ourselves and namely to God.  We are supposed to look to Jesus whose life was perfect and whose death perfectly covers all of our shortcomings, and confess, “God my ability to love is poor and inadequate, but I trust in the Savior who loved me and the world, adequately.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for accepting me as I am, in Christ.  Thank You for loving me so unconditionally.  Whenever I feel inadequate about myself for whatever reasons, may the Spirit of God remind me how good I have in God’s abundant grace.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Revelation 21-22

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Legacy You Want to Leave Behind”

2 Kings 17: 1-6 (NIV)

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him. 3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack Hoshea, who had been Shalmaneser’s vassal and had paid him tribute. 4 But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was a traitor, for he had sent envoys to So king of Egypt, and he no longer paid tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore Shalmaneser seized him and put him in prison. 5 The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes. 

This passage introduces us to King Hosea, whose place in history is that he was the last king of Israel; and on his watch, the capital city of Samaria fell.  The description of his legacy was that he was evil in the sight of the Lord, with the only caveat being that he was, at least, not as wicked as the kings before him.  This is not exactly a glowing endorsement of his life.  In truth, all of us want to leave something behind that will be remembered by future generations.  I believe this is a sign that all of humanity is born with eternity in our hearts.  

However, the Scriptures remind us that there is a right way and a wrong way of leaving behind a legacy.  People in the world like to think that through the power and wealth they accumulate in this life they can leave a legacy, which will prolong their influence and cause them to be remembered.  History is filled with the accounts of powerful men who tried to live on through monuments, great tombs, and stories of grandeur. Though some are still remembered in dusty books, they are mostly forgotten, their monuments destroyed, their tombs robbed, and their stories unknown. 

Although history is rife with the failures of men, this is not to say that we cannot leave a legacy or that trying doing so is foolish. On the contrary, it should be our greatest aim to leave behind us a godly heritage.  So what kind of life story should we seek to prepare? The Scriptures teach us that a truly divine legacy is one of righteous deeds, influence for good, and a pure soul that will live forever with God. 

Prayer: Father, You have placed eternity in our hearts for a reason.  Help us to remember that what we do in this life actually does matter, and the good we do for the sake of the gospel will build an eternal legacy before You. Show me today how to glorify you in my thoughts, words, and deeds.   Teach me Your ways so that I may one day hear You say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Revelation 20

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 112:1-9: Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. 6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are the conditions of God’s blessings?
2. What is the specific nature of these blessings?  
3. What is the source of our security?

Notes

1. God’s blessings are for those who fear Him and find great delight in His commands.  We don’t want to fall into the danger of espousing a salvation based on good deeds and works; but at the same time, many of God’s other blessings are reserved on the condition of obedience.  
2. The specific nature of these blessings is that the godly and their children will experience prosperity, peace, and goodness in their lives.  In this way, those who are gracious and compassionate are remembered through the lives of the next generation.  We don’t want to fall into the dangers of a health and wealth gospel, but material blessings are a part of God’s reward for the upright.  
3. During difficult times, the source of security for the godly is that they will be remembered by God forever.  They will not live in fear of bad news because of their unwavering trust in the Lord. 
   

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Evening Reflection

If you were to die today, how would you be remembered by others? How would you be remembered by God? Would you pass on to your children just a bunch of stuff, some money, and some fading memories? Or would you pass on knowledge of God and a life well-lived?   As one pastor stated clearly, “Let each of us determine that we will do more in the days ahead to leave a legacy of righteousness.”    

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on August 6, 2015.   A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the UC site pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Just This One Time”

2 Kings 5:19-23

He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi.

In this passage, Elisha had just healed the Syrian man Naaman of leprosy. Upon being healed, Naaman requested to give a gift to Elisha, but Elisha refused. But Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was not so willing to say no to a gift. More than likely Gehazi was thinking, Elisha spared this Syrian man, this oppressor of Israel, so of course we deserve a gift from him! Gehazi then proceeds to tell a story of the family of prophets in need of silver and clothes, and Naaman quickly agrees to provide. Gehazi, taking advantage of Naaman’s generosity, receives the gift for himself.

On the surface, we may look at this and think, Wow, what greed! But remember, Gehazi was traveling with Elisha, a man who did not live an easy life. They likely had very little possessions as well as their lives being quite tiring and difficult. For once, someone was willing to give to them, to provide some much needed resources—but Elisha refused. Gehazi, eyes wide with anticipation, found disappointment once again. Yet, this time, he would take matters into his own hands because, as Gehazi likely believed, they deserved this gift.

Have you ever had a long battle, whether a season of emotional struggle or a period of difficult circumstances? In those seasons, we often can justify giving into temptation, giving into self-centeredness. We may think, Just this one time, it is ok for me to feed my desires. I deserve this. Self-justification is much easier in a time of struggle. But remember, our whole lives are a battle. This world is a battle and when we give in, we give room for the enemy. We are called to stand firm in all seasons, to stand firm without ever giving in, regardless of circumstances.

Today, let’s search ourselves. Are we facing any struggles that we use to justify greed, to justify selfishness, to justify self-centeredness? Let’s release those to God and pray for the strength to, again, stand firm in Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being the giver of all strength. I know You always fight for me. Help me to stand firm, knowing that You are my shield and my strength. Let me be girded in the full armor of God that I may stand strong until I see You face to face. May temptation and selfishness have no way in me, for my heart is Yours.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 19

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Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 6:10-13: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Questions to Consider

1. What does it mean to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might”?
2. What do we fight against? What does this mean?
3. What will enable us to stand firm?

Notes

1. Being strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might means that we do not find strength in ourselves. How easy it is to try to take matters into our own hands and fight for ourselves. That is what culture tells us to do: be strong, be independent, and protect yourself. But true strength only comes when we see ourselves as wholly dependent on God
2. We fight against the powers of darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil. This means we do not fight against other people. Yes, confrontation is necessary with others; yes, people can hurt us. But we are all sinners in need of grace. Let us not make other people our enemies, but rather remember we have one Enemy who has already been conquered by Christ on the cross.
3. We stand firm when we put on the full armor of God! This requires surrender, letting go of our own strength and trusting in God’s strength and protection. Only He can truly protect us in the battles we face in our lives.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on your current circumstances. Have your present circumstances made you more self-centered? Take some time to repent of any self-centeredness and pray for your heart to be reoriented to God.  Pray that God would provide His strength that you may stand firm in every trial.