October 17, Sunday

UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on August 14, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Did You Really Try It?”

Luke 5:1-11

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

I will share two thoughts from this passage.

First, be reminded that we have enough knowledge and experience in life to distinguish between what works and what does not work.  Someone said that the problem with Christianity is not that it does not work; but rather, since many simply assume it to be too difficult and impossible, it is left untried.  Jesus told Peter to do something that was completely out of line with his knowledge and experience.  He obeyed and it “worked,” that is, he experienced God.

Second, what would have happened if Peter just rejoiced over catching a large number of fish?  He would probably have thanked God for replacing a bad day with success.  At the end of the day, we all need to pause long enough to raise the following question: What do I consider as life’s success?  Is it fish (career) or encounter with the living God (holiness)? 

Prayer: Lord, help me to arise from the superficiality and the shallowness of my faith, and trust You for something difficult and impossible in the eyes of humans.  May I learn to obey You in all things, even against my knowledge based on human wisdom and limited experiences in life. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Jude 1

October 16, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 19, 2014.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Learning from the Tiny Creatures”

1 Tim. 6:18

“Command [who are rich in this world] . . . to be generous and willing to share.”

Upon receiving an e-mail from my son’s college about an alumnus who donated $50 million to this liberal arts school, I recalled his name from an article I read many years ago regarding a man who returned to his old grade school to promise scholarships. 

Eugene Lang grew up in a ramshackle in Harlem, N.Y.C. where his immigrant parents scraped for a living.  He himself worked as a dishwasher while attending high school.  Through hard work, he made his millions in the high-tech industry, after which, he resisted the trappings of wealth— walking to work and flying coach to overseas meetings.    In 1980, Mr. Lang told 61 sixth graders graduating from his old Harlem school that he would give them each $2,000 toward their college tuition, with more to come if they kept working toward college.  By 1985, with 18 months to go till high school graduation, 52 of the students still had not quit school.  

Proverbs 6:6 exhorts the sluggard to learn from the industrious ant.  So, whether Mr. Lang is a Christian, we can learn a lot from this man.  While his generosity quickly jumps out of the page, another attribute is just as impressive:  not forgetting his roots.   He kept returning to places that apparently impacted him the most, to give back: the grade school that he attended as a child, the college that he began at the age of 15, and also Columbia Business School, where he received an M.S., to which he also made a large donation.

There are many things in our past that we ought to forget.  When Paul writes, “Forgetting what is behind” (Phil. 3:13a), it certainly includes our sinful ways and excuses that justify them.  But one thing we should never forget: “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (1 Chr. 16:12).  The moment we forget God’s active and steadfast presence in our lives that resulted in all that we possess—inward goods, such as faith and character, as well as material goods—we become prideful and indifferent to the plight of others.   We will not be generous.  

For those who have forgotten what they used to be like, “remember the height from which you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first” (Rev. 2:5).   So, what do you remember doing to express your love toward Christ in the early days of walking with him?  Do that. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn from the industrious ants so that I will work as diligently as those tiny creatures in order that I will have enough to share with others in Your Son’s name.   Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Haggai 1-2

October 15, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who formerly served at Remnant Church in Manhattan, was first posted on May 22, 2015.  Jabez is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Columbia International University (M.A., Muslim Studies).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Reasons for being Joyful”

Psalm 16:11-11

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”  3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Changes in our circumstances can often steal our joy.  One personal example: I moved to New York City last summer because of work, not necessarily by choice. I was comfortable in my previous city and the sudden change threw off the rhythm I was accustomed to. Thus, I internally complained about whatever I disliked; fixing my eyes on perceived shortcomings instead of on Christ. Needless to say, joy was hard to come by as a result.

In Psalm 16, King David outlines why we can have joy no matter the circumstance. One particular reason is God’s presence. When we turn our ears to God and willingly listen to Him, He will counsel and instruct us, even during unexpected times (v.7). Similarly, when we turn our eyes to God, the author and perfector of our faith (Heb. 12:2), we know that we will not be shaken (v.8).  Are we turning our ears and eyes to God today? Even if our circumstances are less than ideal?

Another reason why joy can be our reality is not only God’s presence, but His unwillingness to abandon us. Despite living before Jesus’ time, David rejoiced (v.9) because he knew that God would not abandon him to the realm of the dead (v.10). How much more joyful should we be, knowing fully the privileges of being God’s children. How much more should we rejoice, knowing that nothing will ever separate us from God’s love in Christ! (Rom 8:39).

Lastly, we can have joy because God has made known to us the path of life (v.11). He has not left us alone to fend for ourselves but has provided His Word as the lamp to our feet and the light to our path (Psalm 119:105). And ultimately, we know that Christ will bring about eternal pleasures (v.11), making all things new through His return (Rev 21:5). 

Truly, the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18). Let’s come before the Lord and ask that His joy may be our strength today (Neh. 8:10).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know the circumstance that I am in. Help me to find joy in You in this present situation. Give me strength to turn my ears and eyes to You—even when I don’t want to. Help me remember that You will not abandon me, and that You have made known to me the path of life. May Your joy be my strength from this day forward. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 13

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Cor. 10:12: We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise; Gal. 5:26: Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other; 1 Thess. 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is one thing that we do that can easily diminish our joy and happiness?  Why is this not a wise thing to do?
  2. What is one practical way to regain joy, especially when we are prone to complaining about our life?
  3. What are you going through right now that is robbing you of your joy in the Lord?  Perhaps recognizing the culprit is the first step toward its recovery. 

Notes

  1. Even in Paul’s days, people compared themselves with others to feel better about themselves.  Today, we do the same by comparing our income, educational status, and/or the value of our house with those around us.   This isn’t very wise because there is bound to be someone who has more than you, which then leads to discontentment and lack of joy.
  2. Instead of looking at all the things that we don’t have and then be discontent, we should focus on the things we do have from God, while remembering that the bad things that have happened here and there could easily have been infinitely more worse, thanks to God’s grace.   Such a thankful heart is pivotal to attaining and maintaining a joyous heart. 
  3. Personal response. 

Evening Reflection

On a typical day, we go through many emotions, some happy, some sad and frustrating.  How was your day today?  Or rather, how do you respond to your day?  What do you need to ask the Lord in order to have a more joyous disposition?  Ask Him for the right motivation and strength to do better tomorrow.

October 14, Thursday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 18, 2014.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“More Important Than the Universe and Angels”

Psalm 8:3-5

When I consider your heavens the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

The universe is much bigger than what David had imagined: in fact, “it is expanding the same in all directions” (Craig).  But one thing has remained constant despite the presence of more than 170 billion galaxies in the observable universe: The earth is still the only place where God created life, men who are most dear to Him.  No one has proven it otherwise. (Sorry, UFO fans.) While humans may have been ranked lower than the angels in the Old Testament, for those who have partaken of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, these same angels now “serve [us] who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14).  Keep that in mind the next time life brings disappointments, for, in light of such a privileged status we enjoy in Christ, how can we not bounce back!  So be encouraged! 

As a new day dawns, see your problems considering how our God thinks of you: more important than the universe itself and ranked higher than the mighty angels!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so easy to get down on myself because of my many inadequacies and mistakes. Yet, it is amazing that You would consider me that important because I am created in Your likeness, and because I am a child of God in Christ.  Thank you! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 1:22-23: Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Questions to Consider

  1. Who said this and to whom was it said? (Rom. 1:1. 7)
  2. Why was this said? (Rom. 1:18-21; 1 Cor. 8:5)
  3. Why do men prefer to worship created things over the Creator? (Rom. 1:25; Acts 19:24-7)

Notes

  1. The apostle Paul said this about the Romans during the time when the decadent Nero was the emperor.
  2. Paul, being aware of the many gods worshiped in the Empire (e.g., Mithras, Cybele, Isis, Bacchus, etc.), wanted to clarify that they were doing so despite clear evidence for the existence of the Creator God.
  3. The Marxist analysis of religion is not entirely wrong: men can manipulate religion for their own benefit and pleasure. In Ephesus, many promoted the worship of Artemis (which promoted sensuality) because the sale of her image was very profitable.  By keeping the masses uninformed and ignorant of the truth, this brutal cycle could last a long time.  While the Christian church, at times, behaved shamefully, there was always a remnant who worshiped the Creator, upheld His moral and ethical laws, and loved their neighbors.

Evening Reflection

This afternoon we talked about idolatry.  In what ways do we commit the sin of idolatry, worshiping “things” instead of our Creator?  What does it mean that we worship “things” (last part of Col. 3:5)?  It means that, because we are greedy for more things (e.g., wealth, fame, power), we dedicate the best of our thinking, energy, and time to get more wealth and power instead of serving God’s interest.  In view of that, who are you truly worshiping?  Is it time for a change?

October 13, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 18, 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

“A Reason to Sing”

Nehemiah 12:27-31 (ESV)

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. [28] And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; [29] also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. [30] And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall. [31] Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks.

When was the last time in your life that singing was the most appropriate response to an event?  At a wedding?  After the birth of a child?  In the car on the way to work?  Now life may not be one long Disney musical (thankfully? haha), but the Lord can and does give us a reason to sing.  In our passage, God fills the hearts of His people with praise.  Despite all the obstacles, the wall is rebuilt in a mere 52 days.  The threats of their enemies are harmless.  The promises of God are being fulfilled right before their eyes, and the only appropriate response is to have a worship celebration.

There is great gladness, thanksgiving, and singing; musical worship includes cymbals, harps and lyres (12:27).  Leaders of Israel and two choirs walk on top of the wall that was built (12:31)—the very wall that Tobiah said a fox could break down (4:3) supports dozens of people. 

One choir sings from the north side of the city while the other sings from the south (12:31, 38).  Worship can be heard throughout the city as the two congregations meet at the temple (12:40).  Great sacrifices are made and all the people—men, women and children—rejoice with such a loud voice that worship can be heard from far off (12:43).  

As the people consider the faithfulness of God, they are blessed with both thankful hearts and great hope.  On the one hand, God is present and active today in blessing His people; and on the other, He is not done and the best is certainly yet to come.  

Imagine the people walking on the wall, their city still in need of restoration, singing of the day that the nations would gather at Zion to bring their offerings to the Lord.  May the acts of God in the past and the promises of God for the future give to us great joy and courage in the present!

Prayer: Father, put praises on the lips of your people!  May thanksgiving rise up in my heart for You have given me countless evidences of Your loving-kindness.  In times of trial, fix my eyes on Your coming kingdom that I might sing of my certain hope to come. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 150 (ESV): Let Everything Praise the Lord. [1] Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens![2] Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness![3] Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp![4] Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe![5] Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals![6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Question to Consider

  1. Why should we praise the Lord?
  2. Where should the Lord be praised?
  3. Who should praise the Lord?

Notes

  1. For who He is (“his excellent greatness”), and what He has done (“his mighty deeds”). 
  2. God should be praised in the sanctuary (the church as well as the heart of every believer), but He should also be praised in the heavens (in every corner of creation).
  3. Everyone!  Everything that has the breath of life ought to praise its Maker, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord.

Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect.  What things in your life make it difficult to sing the praises of God?  How can the great works that God has done in the past help encourage you?  How can the great promises He has for the future give you hope?

October 12, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on October 7, 2014.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Making Good on God’s Investment”

Luke 12:48b (NIV)

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

The place where the AMI Institute 2012 was held, Wilshire Boulevard close to Korean town in Los Angeles, was familiar to me since I lived there in the 1980s.  Jogging around the streets early in the morning, I saw another familiar sight: Hispanic men waiting for someone to give them work.  Some 30 years ago, I could have justified ignoring them since I couldn’t communicate in Spanish; but now, after living in Mexico for a decade, language isn’t a problem.  So, I should get involved but do I want to, on the street, no less? 

In the parable of the talents, the master, before leaving on a journey, apportions different amount of money to his servants.  Upon returning, he is pleased that those who had received five and two talents, respectively, put them to work and multiplied them by two-fold.  But the servant with one talent hid it in the ground, choosing to do nothing.  Not too pleased, the master orders that the lone talent be taken away and given to the one who now has ten talents, saying, “Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matt. 25:29).

Evidently, God doesn’t want his investment wasted, although many do just that.  The master minces no words when calling the irresponsible servant “wicked” and “lazy.”  Lazy, yes, but wicked?   You may say that too if you are called “a hard man,” as did this servant, whose gains came from exploiting people (v.24).   The passive-aggressiveness of this servant, miffed at having received less than others, likely was his way of getting back at his boss; meanwhile, he refused to see that a talent was still worth more than a thousand dollars. 

So the next two mornings, armed with fresh coffee and donuts, I went to minister to the men with God’s word and prayer.  It was a good return for God’s investment in enabling me to speak Spanish and to have a few bucks in my wallet.  Today, look around to see whether God’s investment in you can bring some hope and smile to those caught in a difficult moment.  

Prayer: Glorious Father, how awesome it is to encounter You every day, and to have access to You at any moment and any place.  Thank You for everything that you have given me, but forgive me for often assuming that they are all for me.  Remind me every day that I MUST use your investment in my life to expand your kingdom.   Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 9

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Timothy 6:17-9 (NIV): Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Eccle. 5:19:Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God

Questions to Consider

  1. What are the two things that God wants us to do with the riches that have been given to us?
  2. What should motivate us to share what God has given us?
  3. What are some talents that you feel God has given you?  Honestly appraise how you are using them.

Notes

  1. First, it is for us to enjoy, but we shouldn’t take this for granted:  God must give us the ability to enjoy in order to really take pleasure in our riches. Second, it is using them to do good works and share with those in need.  I think the ability to enjoy our wealth is tied to whether it is making a difference in the lives of others.
  2. The ultimate motivation is the hope of heaven; and our reward is based on how we have lived on earth, which includes having used our wealth to do good works.  
  3. The basic things that everyone has are time and money.  Also, everyone is slightly better than others in something: that can be considered talent.   It can be used to help those who aren’t as good as you are in that area. 

Evening Reflection

When you see someone who has so much more than you, how do you feel?  Don’t fixate on how little you have; instead, focus on what you do have and use it to do positive things.  Ask God for strength. 

October 11, Monday

REPOST Today’s QT Devotional—first posted on June 3, 2015—is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Valuing Friendship”

2 Samuel 23:13-17

During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

 The state of California has this thing called “transitional kindergarten,” which is basically an extra year of kindergarten for kids who are months too young for regular kindergarten.  What is interesting is that in San Francisco, transitional kindergarten is not done at the elementary school where the kids will eventually matriculate—meaning, just because kids are in the same school for TK doesn’t mean they will be in the same elementary school.  As a result, my son will be separated from his “bff” (as they call each other) next year.  My wife and I are heartbroken over this, but I think we are taking this worse my son is. 

One of the unique attributes of King David that we see in the Bible was his ability to draw people to himself—to make friends if you will.  Although we do not often think about David’s mighty men as his friends, these men were drawn to serve David out of a love that resembled friendship more than a sense of duty that soldiers have for their king—why else would these three men risk their necks to make this incredible water break? (As an aside, husbands, if your pregnant wife asks you to make a “craving run” and you don’t want to do it, think of this story.)  David also is to be admired, for he understood and respected their commitment and service and did the best thing he could do with such a humbling gift—he devoted it to the Lord.  

While at GCC, Pastor Young probably spoke on or mentioned the value of Christian friendships at least every month or so.  Sheepishly, I must admit that it has taken me almost 20 years to start to take to heart what he was talking about.  I’ve always had friends, but I think in my younger years, I relied on them less and trusted in myself more.  As I am getting older, and the stakes in my life get bigger and bigger (marriage, kids, ministry, etc.), I realize how important it is to have friends who can help me think through things, share prayer requests with—and yes, even laugh with.  

What kind of friendships do you have?  Do you truly value these relationships?  What kind of friend are you?  Do you share and speak with your closest friends about things that truly matter?  Do you push each other on to love and serve Christ more?  If not, let’s make it a goal today to deepen some of the relationships we have.  

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the friendships I have.  Help me to be someone who sharpens my friends, and grant me the humility to allow them to speak into my life as well.  Ultimately, help me to love others.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 2:42-47: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awecame upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Questions to Consider

  1. What was the community devoted to?
  2. How did the early church take care of one another?
  3. What happened in this community?

Notes

  1. The early church was devoted to the apostle’s teaching (consider it the Bible), fellowship (being together), breaking of bread (communion or remembering Christ), and prayer.  
  2. They shared their possessions, continually met together, ate together, and won the favor of people.  It is also important to note there was power in this community.  
  3. God added to their number those who were being saved.  

Evening Reflection

How do your views of or commitment to community/church need to change?  Do you have friends who help you love Christ more?  Do you help your friends love Christ more?  Is there giving and sacrifice, as well as genuine love for one another in your church or cell group? 

October 10, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on October 25, 2015.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What to Do on Rainy Days”

Ezra 10:9-13

“Within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. And on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people were sitting in the square before the house of God, greatly distressed by the occasion and because of the rain. 10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, ‘You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt. 11 Now honor the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.’ 12 The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: ‘You are right! We must do as you say. 13 But there are many people here and it is the rainy season . . .’”

In church growing up, I often found it strange when a pastor or whoever was making announcements would thank or praise the people for coming out on a Sunday even though it was a rainy day.  To me, church was like school or work or even plans to go watch a movie – if it was a pre-planned indoor activity, it would never cross my mind to cancel just because it was raining.  Not being willing to go through rain seemed kind of silly to me.  And then I moved to Asia.

Of the many things that clicked for me after moving here, all the things that I’d never quite understood (like why do Asian older people always seem to be so concerned about whether I’ve eaten or not?) but have since moving here figured out were cultural (“Have you eaten, yet?” is a greeting not meant to be taken literally), rainy days was one of them.  At first surprised by how easily people cancelled plans on a rainy day, now I, too, take it in as a factor for whether or not I want to go out (or still ask someone to come out to meet me) on a given day.

On first reading about how the gathered Israelites were “distressed by the occasion and because of the rain,” as if the two of were equal importance, it seems almost comical.  But on further reflection, it is a touching detail that the historian chose to record, an acknowledgment of human frailty and vulnerability to the inclemencies of weather.  That the leaders took the people’s emotional state, affected by their physical discomfort and threat of illness, into account is touching as well.  

The way the leaders and people interacted showed a healthy mutual respect.  The leaders had come up with the “what” they needed to do, the people responded with the “how” with suggestions for adjustments to the original plan, and the leaders listened.  The leaders could have taken the people’s suggestions the wrong way, misinterpreting their not wanting to deal with the problem right there and then as their not taking the matter seriously; it is to the leaders’ credit that they were able to see the people’s heart was to do the right thing.  A good example to take to heart today.  

Prayer: Lord, when interacting with others today, help me to put the person first, trusting their intentions, taking into consideration their concerns.  Help me to be loving.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 7

October 9, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 18, 2014.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for This Morning 

“Yes I can, in Him”

1 Cor. 1:28

“God chose . . . the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.”

Many years ago, AMI planted a church in Iasi, Romania; but there was a time when planting a new church in this country was impossible because of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.  As the leader of this communist state for 30 years, he treated the people with cruelty and harshness, while he himself was living in luxury.  

Who, then, was responsible for toppling this dictator in 1989?  According to the secular magazine Time, it was none other than Laszlo Tokes, an ordinary pastor who served the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania.  No, he didn’t secretly train a militia to topple the government; rather, he stood upon a biblical mandate that exhorts the believers to cry out against injustice: “Learn to do right!  Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow” (Isa. 1:17). Tokes spoke against the Ceausescu government, especially its effort to dissolve Hungarian communities by forcefully relocating them against their wishes and confiscating their lands.  

Singled out by the government, Tokes was denied of a ration book needed to buy food or fuel; the police barred him from meeting relatives and shut off his phone; he was beaten and stabbed by thugs; finally, the Court evicted him out of his house.  However, as Time reported, “Hundreds of supporters formed a human chain around Toke’s building to protect him, thus triggering the crackdown that helped inspire the nationwide demonstrations that toppled Nicolae Ceausescu.”

So, this morning, be encouraged that God, who used an ordinary pastor to set in motion forces that led to getting rid of an unjust government, can use you as well.  Remember, God “chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong . . . to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him” (1 Cor. 1:27, 29).  

So, are you feeling the blues, perhaps feeling useless?  Don’t give up hope; stay in God’s word.  Do something today that will cheer up someone and do it in Jesus’ name.  

Prayer: Lord, constantly remind me to look up and see that in Christ I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 5-6

October 8, Friday

UPDATEDToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 25, 2015, is written by Tina Hsu who serves as AMI missions coordinator.  Tina, a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.) and is married to Anthony.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Is It Just a Matter of Formality?”

2 Kings 23:3, 24-26 (NASB)

The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant. 24Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums and the spiritists and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25 Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.

Some of us who follow a reading plan to read the Bible in one year, have had times when we had absolutely no idea what we had just read; nonetheless, we were content to mark off another 5 chapters from the reading chart. In this way the reading of God’s Word becomes a matter of daily formality. 

But King Josiah wasn’t like that.  Upon discovering the Book of God’s Law that had been lost for a long time, he devoted himself to purify the land of Judah of its idolatry so that Judah’s ways would conform to what was written in God’s book. He read God’s Word to the people of Judah and led them to renew their commitment to walk in the way of the Lord. The majority of this chapter (vv. 4-20) records how Josiah removed idolatrous priests from the house of the LORD, removed altars that previous kings of Judah had built, burned vessels that were for Baal and Asherah worship, and more. Josiah truly turned to the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and certainly, with all his might. 

Though Josiah knew that God was going to “remove Judah and cast off Jerusalem” (23:27) because the generations of his forefathers had forsaken God, the Book of the Law (God’s Word) led Josiah to lead the nation back to God in his lifetime. He let God’s Word, which Judah had neglected for many years, define his course of action and his leadership. Though the outcome for Judah was sealed, Josiah was instrumental in preserving covenant faithfulness for Judah in his lifetime. In this way, Josiah was successful and Scripture records, “there was no king like him…nor did any like him arise after him” (23:25). Though he had no control over Judah’s future, he glorified God by faithfully keeping a covenant relationship with God. 

The Word of God provides power for endurance and faithfulness. Nothing can nourish our souls and strengthen us to do the work of the Lord than the very words of God. If reading or listening to the Word of God is lacking in your daily spiritual life, ask the Lord today to renew your thirst and devotion for His Word. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I desire for your commands and your Words to be near and dear to me. As your Word is able to equip me to do every good work, help me to spend time in your Word daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 4:1-4 (NASB): Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What is happening during this time in Jesus’ life and ministry?
  2. What is the nature of Satan’s temptation?
  3. How does Jesus’ answer minister and encourage you today?

Notes

  1. This takes place at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist baptized Jesus at the Jordan River, where Jesus revealed that He came to “fulfill all righteousness” (Mt. 3:15). He came to fulfill and complete what man, tainted by sin, could not do. The world fell under the power of sin because man was overcome by temptation, but Jesus has now come to face temptation and to overcome it by the Word of God.  
  2. Satan’s temptations begin with “If you are the Son of God” (v. 3). Satan desires to drive a wedge between Jesus’ love relationship with the Father. He wants to deceive Jesus into using His own power and role for His own personal gain. He wants to hinder Jesus from trusting and obeying the Father’s will. 
  3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Meditate on Psalm 119:103-104

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.