October 29, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, was first posted on October 29, 2015. He is a graduate of Stanford University (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Giving According to Your Ability”

Ezra 2:68-69

Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments.

We are not told much about the journey of the returning exiles to Jerusalem, but we do know what they did first when they got there. They gathered at the ruins of the temple and, according to their ability, each made freewill offerings for the house of God to be rebuilt.

We learn something remarkable about the priorities of the returning exiles here. They had left their homes in Babylonia to return to their ancestral home, but after nearly 50 years of captivity, they wouldn’t know if they had homes to return to. We would well understand if their first priority was to resettle the land and build homes. And indeed, they did do that, but only after making provision for the house of God first.

Their example teaches us much about the heart of true worshipers. Worshipers prioritize their giving to God, not because they are obligated to give, but because they put God and his work above all other things. When God is not our first priority, we ask, “How much should I give?” A true worshiper simply asks, “How can I give?”

Prayer: Father, I am thankful for the example of these worshipers in Ezra, for it reminds me that You are a God who is worthy of being my first priority. Like these people in Ezra 2, I want to give generously for Your kingdom work. Help me to join in that work today. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 12:41-44: And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Questions to Consider

Why do you think Jesus was watching people put money into the offering box?
Why did Jesus say that the widow had given more than the others? What is the lesson He is teaching?
Read Mark 12:38-40. Does the preceding passage help us learn a broader lesson?

Notes

I don’t believe Jesus was in the habit of watching the offerings at the temple, but He certainly was interested in teaching His disciples a lesson about giving.
Jesus considered the widow to have given more than the others, as she had more relative to what she had. What is important is not so much how much we give, but how we give. Do we give sacrificially, acknowledging God’s worth and provision?
This passage seems like a simple lesson in giving, but when read in light of the preceding verses, there may be a deeper lesson. In verses 38-40, we see Jesus lamenting the actions of the scribes who “devour widow’s houses.” In verses 41-44, Jesus praises the actions of a poor widow whose house may have been devoured, if all she had was two copper coins. Jesus celebrates the widow’s act of radical giving, but also laments her circumstance. Perhaps if those gave “out of their abundance” were to be more radically generous and caring, fewer would have to give “out of poverty.”

Evening Reflection

As disciples of Jesus, God asks us to radically participate in His work, using our material resources, skills, time and energy. How are your priorities? Let us journal a confession or declaration of intent as the Spirit leads.

October 28, Thursday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 18, 2015, is written by Andy Kim. Andy, a graduate of Northwestern University and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Jane and they have two small children.

Devotional Thought for this Morning

“No One Understands Me!” Your Point Is . . .”

1 Samuel 22: 6-8

Now Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him. Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him. 7 And Saul said to his servants who stood about him, “Hear now, people of Benjamin; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds,8 that all of you have conspired against me? No one discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day.”

“You don’t know what I’m going through . . . You don’t understand.” I’ve heard those words come out of my mouth and that of others countless times. It seems to be the go-to answer when we, while going through rough and confusing times, don’t want to heed the advice or warnings of those around us unless they are sympathetic to our cause. This frustrating syndrome is aptly referred to as victim mentality.

I still remember having to make a significant personal decision to leave my previous job to a new one; the entire process was very laboring at the least. People gave me advice, but it only seemed to go so far. It felt like no one understood me or knew what I was going through; thus, rather than accepting their help, I found myself becoming defensive.

In today’s text, it appears that King Saul went through the same except his condition, in time, became very toxic. He once had an entire kingdom under his rule; now he couldn’t even rule over his own sanity. He lost control of the people near and far, but more importantly his own mind. Rather than listening to God and properly addressing his lack of trust in Him, he victimized himself to the detriment of everyone around him. Even though David never mentioned nor tried taking the throne, Saul couldn’t help but feel jealous and paranoid. In reality, no one was against him, except himself. He had lost control to the point of even killing God’s priests.

Do you feel like no one understands you? Do you feel that no words can actually give you peace? We can learn from Saul’s account that such sentiment, when left to fester, only leave us feeling further alienated. It may, then, lead to making rash decisions that hurt both you and others around you. That is when we need to look to Christ who empathizes with our weaknesses and calls us to approach Him with confidence (Heb. 4:14-5). Let us remind ourselves that Christ is not only with us, but also for us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember the cross and that you were the ultimate victim for my sins. Your promise to never leave me nor forsake me still stands today. I know that in everything either good or bad, you are working in me even when I cannot see it, for you are always with me. Jesus, help me not to victimize myself but constantly turn to you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:31-39 (ESV): What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Questions to Consider

Paul asks, “Who is to condemn?” How can we overcome our victim mentality?
Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” What are some things in our lives that can separate us from Christ?
What assurance can we take from this passage?

Notes

Paul asks a rhetorical question implying that nothing in this world can condemn us. Christ became the ultimate victim by taking our sins upon the cross on our behalf so that rather than being condemned, we are now saved. Actually, before God we were never victims but transgressors. Now, having been forgiven by God in Christ, we are more than conquerors, including over our erroneous victim mentality.
Paul provides a list of things as a warning that will distract us from the inseparable love of Christ. Consider how these items can be relatable in your life (i.e. tribulations can represent hardships or struggles that you may be going through).
There is nothing in this world that can separate us from His love—not physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental. He continually intercedes for us (v. 34) in our weaknesses.

Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with Christ. What are the areas, times, situations, or even relationships that keep you from His love? How have you felt victimized and then let that spiral into a mess like Saul? Ask God to open your eyes to see His inseparable love and the people whom He has placed in your life to release you.

October 27, Wednesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 25, 2013

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“When It Comes to God’s Answer to Our Petitions, One Size Doesn’t Fit All”

Psalm 9:9-12

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.11 Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.12 For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

Is this psalm too good to be true? Certainly not. For instance, God immediately responded to the prayer of a terminally ill king (Hezekiah) who had just prayed, “I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!” (Is. 38:14b). Immediately after the conclusion of this prayer, “Isaiah . . . said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and [you] will recover’.” (21).

Nevertheless, God doesn’t always rescue us in the way that we prefer! He may wait a while before helping us, like Jesus who waited until Lazarus actually died. (The Lord had his reasons.) And at times, God uses our trouble to rescue us from a more serious problem. Once, a child was kicked hard in the stomach by a bully, and his dad, while taking him to hospital, wondered where God was. During the examination, an ailment was discovered in the area where the kick landed that needed an urgent treatment. And sometimes, His comfort is entirely inward—His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit. This means the troubling situation remains unaltered.

The last thing we want is a nice formula. Are you in trouble? Look to His abiding presence even as we hope for a quick delivery. Pray!

Prayer: Dear God, I admit that at times, I have questioned Your goodness because You seemed distant from my problems. I do not want to see You merely as my problem-solver. You’re my LORD regardless of whether my troubles still afflict me. I thank You for your abiding presence. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Daniel 3:18: “Even if he doesn’t, we want you to know, O king, that we’ll not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Questions to Consider

1. Who said this and to whom was it said (Dan. 3:1-6, 13-8)?

2. What does their terse response to the king reveal about the basis of their faith (2 Cor. 5:6-9; Phil. 1:21-3)?

3. Their story ended happily (Dan. 3:24-7) but the same can’t be said about Paul whose imprisonment in Roman ended in execution. Did God not intervene (2 Tim. 4:16-8)? If He did, then in what sense?

Notes

1. The three young exiles from Israel—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—declared that to the most powerful man alive at the time: King Nebuchadnezzar of Neo-Babylonian Empire.

2. It clearly showed that they were moving by faith, not by sight, since their faith in God was not predicated upon His physical deliverance of them. I think such faith stems from, first, a strong desire to uphold God’s honor; second, trusting that something better (like being at home with the Lord) awaits after death.

3. In Paul’s case, all he got from the LORD was His inward presence (“The LORD stood at my side and gave me strength”) and that was enough! Since Paul already had accepted his imminent death (2 Tim. 4:6), being rescued from “every evil attack” meant that God will rebuff the devil’s accusation against Paul (Rev. 12:10) and gladly receive him into heaven, rather than be released from the dungeon. There is no trick to having this kind of faith: Paul practiced for many years a lifestyle of total dependency on God (Phil. 4:1-13).

Evening Reflection

Another busy day? Did you experience God’s tangible presence today? If the truth be told, because we have not cultivated sensing God’s inward presence, we miss out on his comfort. To hear Him, we need to hide his word in our mind, and learn to stay still before Him, so that God can impress upon our mind the words that we need to hear. How have you been doing in these areas? Before going to bed, stay still for a moment and allow the LORD to speak to you, through a thought, verse, or even a picture! If your life has been somewhat difficult, please receive His comfort through the inward presence of God.

October 26, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on June 24, 2013. Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia.

Devotional Thought for this Morning

“A Time to Celebrate”

1 King 8:65-66

“So Solomon observed the festival at that time, and all Israel with him – a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. They celebrated it before the LORD our God for seven days and seven days more . . . . They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the LORD had done for his servant David and his people Israel.”

I used to think that the academic calendar did not matter to most people once they started working full-time because they no longer had the long summer breaks; and the beginning and ending of each year probably went from September through June to something closer to the actual calendar year. But then I realized that when people get married and start having children, they are back on that same timetable all over again.

It’s a pleasant rhythm of life, all the more significant to me because I’ve never really left it, working in a school setting for most of my adult life. And June’s special place in that calendar is being a month of celebration: celebrating the end of a school year, sometimes the end of one’s high school or college years; welcoming in the summer vacation; having a time of rest.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance . . .” And when the hard work has been put in and a project finished or a season of life brought to a close, it is good and right to celebrate, to look back upon all the good things God has done, and to be joyful and glad in heart about those things.

In our passage today we see some elements of a great celebration: 1) being able to share the moment with others who understand its significance because they have gone through the hard times together and come out together on the other side; 2) being able to acknowledge God’s hand in all the goodness, that it’s because the God of the universe was for us that we were able to enjoy all that we’ve received.

Has it been a while since we’ve been joyful and glad in heart about something? Let’s take a moment today to think back on all His goodness and let a spirit of celebration fill our hearts.

Prayer: Lord, as I go through life, sometimes I tend to remember the failures more than the successes, the defeats more than the victories. But today, I want to remember Your goodness and celebrate the good things You have done. Would You fill my heart with joy this day? Thank you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Ecclesiastes 2:17-25: “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. . . . 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. 24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”

Questions to Consider

1. How did the writer of Ecclesiastes feel about his work and life (vv. 17, 23)?

2. What realization did he come to? What was the solution to his predicament (vv. 24-25)?

3. How is my work satisfaction these days? If I am not enjoying work or feeling satisfied with the fruits of my labor, what can I do?

Notes

1. That it was meaningless; there seemed to be no point to his labor.

2. That finding joy and satisfaction in work comes from God. To seek the Giver of this gift; to seek to be connected to God while one is working, for “without him” (v. 25), joy cannot be found.

3. See #2 above.

Evening Reflection

God’s will is for us to rejoice always. Was the joy in my heart sustained throughout the day as I remembered His goodness and stayed connected to Him? If anything happened today to rob me of this joy, at this time, let me bring it before the Lord and ask Him to fill me once again.

October 25, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 30, 2015, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Importance of Water”

2 Kings 3:9-12a

So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?”

Wars require water. Especially in ancient times, having enough water for your army could be the determining factor in the outcome of a battle. In fact, water was so important to maintaining an army that poisoning enemy water sources was a common practice of ancient warfare. In this chapter, three armies (Israel, Judah, and Edom) join together to fight against the enemy Moabites. An incredible force! But they seem to have run into a major problem… they had no water. Hundreds of thousands of thirsty soldiers and many more animals are all but useless without water. In this dire situation, we see two distinct responses from two different kings: Jehoram, the king of Israel, said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab,” while Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?”

Interestingly, both kings referred to the name of the Lord. The king of Israel used the name of the Lord to pronounce blame for the impending doom. On the other hand, in a seemingly hopeless situation, the king of Judah sought the word of the Lord. When we are in tough situations, how do we approach the Lord?

Prayer: Lord, You are greater and bigger than any obstacle or problem that we can face in our lives. We seek You, and we ask to hear from You as we go through this day. Help us to meditate on Your Scripture; build up our faith as we meditate on it.

Bible Reading for Today: 3 John

Lunch Break Study

Read John 5:39-40: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

Questions to Consider

Who is Jesus talking to here? (You may have to refer to the entire chapter.)
What was wrong with the way these Jewish leaders were reading Scripture?
According to this passage, how should we be reading Scripture?

Notes

Jesus is talking to the Jews—more specifically, the Jews who set out to kill him, which were the Jewish religious leaders.
It seems as though these Jews had significant knowledge of Scripture but could not make the connection to Jesus Christ. In other words, their knowledge of Scripture was solely informational.
Jesus does not ever deny the importance or the authority of Scripture, but He says here that Scripture bears witness to Jesus. When we read Scripture, we ought to be thinking of how its words, stories, and commands reveal to us the person and nature of God! A great question to ask while reading any Bible passage is, “What does this reveal about our God?”

Evening Reflection

As the day ends, reflect on the different ways you interacted with the Lord today. Have you sought His voice? Have you read His Word? Especially if you are in a difficult season right now, take some time to quiet your heart and inquire of the Lord.

October 24, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought—first posted on June 7, 2015—is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Presuming Too Much”

1 Kings 1:5-10

Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. 6 (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)7 Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah.9 Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah,10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.

My friend Young (not Pastor Young) has the best “most embarrassing” story. It was near the end of his senior year in high school, and his school was having their senior awards ceremony. The award for most accomplished student was being presented, and Young was absolutely sure he was going to get it. The principal started describing the accomplishments of the actual winner by saying, “We are so proud of the work and dedication of this young woman…” However, my friend who again was so sure he was the winner of this award only heard “young” (his name) and proceeded to walk onto the stage. Could you imagine how silly he felt upon walking up to the stage to receive his award only to realize that it was for another student? I love this story, but I get embarrassed for him when he tells it.

Adonijah, like my friend Young, made the mistake of presuming too much in life. But in all fairness, who wouldn’t make the same mistake? He was probably the oldest remaining son of David (Amnon was dead; Absalom was dead, and we know nothing about this mystery son Daniel, only mentioned in 1 Chron. 3), and who would expect the son of Bathsheba (remember how they got together) to be the heir to the throne? Plus, Adonijah had the backing of the commander of David’s army, Joab, and the highly revered priest, Abiathar. I would have assumed that the throne was mine, too.

I have met many people who have been passed over for a promotion or a position that they presumed (rightly or wrongly) was theirs. I have dealt with the heartbreak of couples who presumed that having children would be an easy process. And I tried to comfort many who have presumed their dreams in life were also God’s plans for them. The problem with presumption is that it doesn’t take into account the sovereignty of God; in other words, we presume to know the Lord’s will, when we are often blinded by our own desires or biases.

In Luke 14, Jesus gives us another reason why we should not presume. He tells us to take the lowest seat at the banquet, and maybe the master of the banquet will elevate you. You don’t want to make the mistake of my friend who essentially took the best seat at the awards ceremony, only to be shown a lesser place. Avoid that embarrassment.

Prayer: Lord grant me the humility to accept that your plans for me may not align with what I presume or want them to be. If that is the case, grant me faith to remember that you are a good Father who knows best for me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 John

October 23, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 25, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Barbara Walter’s Most Memorable Interview”

1 Cor. 1:27

“. . . God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

When Barbara Walters, perhaps the most celebratory journalist of our time, was asked what her most memorable interview was, she didn’t mention a “president or a king or a movie star”; instead it was someone she first interviewed some 40 years ago. Said Walters, “He was a teacher and a poet, and the most inspirational person I have ever met. His name is Robert Smithdas.” Many years later, she revisited him, who was now married to a woman who, like him, was deaf and blind. She report[ed] “how they manage to live independently; cooking by touch, using teletype-style phones and computers.”

Now, if you ever asked Mr. Smithdas how he felt about a God who allowed him to be born deaf and blind, he would have told you in a poem: “I praise my God for giving me the sound and the sight that I hear and see from within. I praise my God for my life and all that He has done for me. I praise my God for every breath I take.” Yet, the most powerful moment of the interview came at the end when Mr. Smithdas and his wife were seen taking the Holy Communion together. Walters, who may or may not be a Christian, said to her co-host, “I shall never complain about anything.”

While her remark certainly captured what Paul said, “Do everything without complaining or arguing” (Phil. 2:14), it didn’t do justice to that which was deeply embedded in the hearts of the Smithdas couple: Christ. A more fitting passage would be, “I want to know Christ . . . and fellowship of his sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death” (Phil. 3:10). Perhaps, they understood like no other a God-Man who became mute before his oppressors (Is. 53:7: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth”) and was “blinded” by blood from his forehead pierced by the crown of thorns. Surely, that was the “fragrance of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15) that Walters sensed.

In a world that is so antagonistic toward our faith, perhaps we need to talk a little less and be more like Christ in his suffering and sacrifice. Take a moment to identify with the muteness and the blindness of Christ. What would that mean to you at the present moment? Could it be not talking back to those who are insulting you? Instead, we put into practice what Ps. 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Perhaps, a whisper will be heard, saying, “The battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chron. 20:15).

Prayer: Lord, remind me and get me to get the most out of all that You have given me. Remind me and get me to stop complaining about all that I don’t think I have. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 6-7

October 22, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 28, 2015, is provided by Ulysses Wang who pastors Renewal Church in Sunnyvale, California. Pastor Ulysses is a graduate of New York University (BA) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Seize the Moment”

2 Kings 2:9-14

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

“Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary”: In Dead Poets Society, John Keating (played by Robin Williams) used these words to inspire a group of young English students to aspire to live lives of significance. He reminded them that in just a few short years, they would be dead and fertilizing the flowers of the field. Much of our millennial generation would agree with Keating – that life is short and therefore should be lived to its fullest. How this plays out, however, varies greatly by individual. Some throw themselves into making the next hot app, dreaming of millions (if not billions) as they program away into the night. Others look for meaning in experiences, whether through travel or thrills or drugs. Still for others, romantic love is the answer. Whatever the path, meaning is the goal.

Elisha was no slouch himself. When his master Elijah was about to be taken up to heaven, he asked for a “double portion of [his] spirit.” In other words, he wanted everything that Elijah had – the prophetic ministry, the power and the miracles. He wanted to be great in the kingdom of God. The fact that this was “a difficult thing” did not discourage him. Someone once said that if something isn’t difficult to do, then it probably isn’t worth doing. Elijah assented to his request, but not without condition – Elisha would have to witness Elijah’s ascension in order to receive such power. In other words, such power must be actively appropriated, not passively received.

In Acts 1:6-11, we witness a strikingly similar event. Jesus is taken up into heaven before the disciples’ eyes, and a few days later on the day of Pentecost, the disciples are filled with incredible power (as evidenced in Peter’s sermon as well as the ensuing miracles throughout the book of Acts). What cannot be missed, however, is what took place between these events— “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” The power of the Holy Spirit did not come upon casual observers or slack disciples – it came upon a people actively seeking the promise of the Father through prayer.

God wants us to live lives that count, and He provides the means to do so – the power of His Spirit. We can be great in the kingdom of God. But we have to go after it. What kind of life do you want to live? There is nothing stopping you from living it, no matter what your life circumstances. God’s grace is sufficient for you. But you have to take hold of it through radical, believing, faith-filled prayer. Carpe diem!

Prayer: God, I don’t want to live a lukewarm, defeated, mediocre Christian life. I want to live a radical, power-filled, miracle-witnessing, sin-overcoming life! Forgive me if I’ve settled for anything less. Give me the faith to believe that no matter how difficult, it can be achieved through Your Spirit. Give me a heart to pray. Give me a passion to pursue. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Micha 5

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read 1 Chronicles 4:9-10: Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Questions to Consider

How would you describe Jabez’s background/past experiences? What does this teach us about how our past should affect our future?
What did Jabez ask of God? Do you think this was easy for him?
What kind of change or freedom do you need to ask of God and to believe in Him for?

Notes

In spite of the fact that his identity was so caught up his mother’s negative experience, he cried out to God that his life wouldn’t be bound or limited by the past. No matter what you’ve experienced in the past, through Christ’s power you can have a different future.
What Jabez asked for took faith. Oftentimes, even though we may wish for freedom from the past, we fail to seek it aggressively because we just don’t believe it could ever happen. We become prisoners of the past. Jabez, however, in asking God took a step of faith.
Be bold! There is nothing in your life that God cannot change.

EVENING REFLECTION

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” – William Wallace

October 21, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 22, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Families in Mexico of Illegal Immigrants in America”

Exodus 22:21

“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

The Bible says, “Be willing to associate with people of low position” (Rom. 12:16), but this is a tall order to follow, especially when we lack empathy: Empathy is defined as an “identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings or thoughts of another person.” And I learned the meaning of that word afresh while living and serving in Mexico.

One social issue that continues to rile up many Americans is illegal immigration, the main reason being that illegal aliens take away jobs. While I don’t hold any strong position on this issue, I do believe that keeping our borders secure is important. Now, my visit to Nealtican, a small city in southern Mexico, gave me a chance to see and begin to empathize with the predicament of illegal immigrants.

While I was there to train missionary candidates, I stayed at the house of Juanita, a mother of three children, whose husband was working in the States as an illegal alien. And I quickly learned that he left because there were no jobs. I also got to see what life was like for the families of illegal immigrants: In short, the children desperately missed the father. Once a week, the family would walk to the nearest public phone and would wait for a call from the States that may not come. During dinner, they would talk about their conversations with their dad, or if he hadn’t called, how they missed him. Listening to this and eating the meals especially prepared for their Korean guest for a week, I thought to myself, “I may not agree with illegal immigration, but I must not mistreat illegal immigrants.” People without proper documents may be illegal before the law, but they are people whom God loves.

By the time I returned to Nealtican in 2007 to teach, Juanita and the children had long gone to the States, presumably without proper documents, to join her husband in New Jersey. Now that I live in Philadelphia, if I ever run into her, I want to let her know how much I appreciated her hospitality and love that she showed me. Maybe there is someone in your life for whom you need to do the same.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for choosing the way of the incarnation to save us, where Jesus became like us in every aspect. You did that not only to save us, but so that we can be assured that Jesus is able to empathize with us, and therefore, go to him. Thank you!

Bible Reading for Today: Micha 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 2:17-8: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-6: 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 need.

Questions to Consider

1. In what sense did Christ empathize with us?

2. How does that help our confidence in Christ’s capacity to really help us?

3. Think about a person in your life to whom you need to show empathy.

Notes

1. By becoming a real human, Christ went through all the experiences encountered by every human being. Though never ceasing to be God at any moment, Jesus underwent hunger, fatigue (Jn. 4:6), disappointment (Matt. 26:40; Jn. 14:9), and even anguish (Matt. 26:38). Consequently, Christ, in his humanity, has personal knowledge of what we go through.

2. Of course, Christ didn’t have be a human being to know what we go through since He is an all-knowing God. Ultimately, then, Christ underwent human experiences so that we can have more confidence in his capacity to really help us.

3. What was the last painful experience you went through? Look around to see who is going through the same thing. You can empathize with that person better than others.

Evening Reflection

Did you run into anyone who was going through a difficult moment today? Perhaps, you are that person. Before we seek empathy from man, let’s first go to Christ, for He truly understands us. Pray, casting all you cares upon Him.

October 20, Wednesday

UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 28, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Worshiping the Great One”

Psalm 92:1-5

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 5 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!

This morning’s Psalm highlights the wonderful joy and blessing of worshipping the Lord. The very act of singing His praise, of worshipping Him, of reflecting on His wonders and goodness is our delight. This praise is verbal, musical, emotional, and reflective. In view of this Psalm, we are encouraged to go deeper and more expansive in our worshipful response to God.

As the psalmist reflects on all that God has done, his response is to worship God. Too many times we gloss over the works of God in us and among us. The psalmist purposefully considers the acts of God and gives Him the proper praise due to His name.

This is a call for us to do likewise. God is calling us to remember who He is, what He’s done, and to give him the proper praise due to Him. Even if you are tight on time right now, take a moment to render unto God a proper worship due Him.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 3

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I worship and praise You because You are the greatest, for there is none in this entire universe who is more awesome than You—in power, grace, and love. Thank You. Amen.

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:14-20: Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Background tidbit: The word partnership in verse 15 has been seen a number of times in the book of Philippians. As stated previously, it is the Greek word koinonia which is often translated fellowship.

Questions to Consider

1. How does Paul encourage the Philippians to view their offerings to Paul?

2 What should be behind our giving?

3. Are you plugged into your spiritual community well enough to know what trouble people are in? How can you grow in your involvement and understanding of your community so that others would share their trials with you?

Notes

1. As Paul is teaching the Philippians about giving, he encourages them to view their gift to support him as an offering to God, partnering with Him in the work of the gospel. The gospel enterprise is teamwork where one person is on the field, while others are home supporting him, but they are one team-building God’s kingdom!

2. Note that the physical, monetary gift alone is not what makes the difference, but a heart and attitude of sacrifice and devotion before God is what makes a world of difference!

3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Father, you will always be my Most High God, my sovereign God. I will be empowered from on high, all of the days of my future, to bring forth good tidings of your kingdom. Pray for an area in your sphere of influence so that the Lord will work through you, and thank Him for what He is going to do.

How do you want me to declare your will tonight, God?