UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on August 26, 2013.kk

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“That’s Way Too Much”

Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

I would like to address the matter of what you consider excessive (“too much”).  

Many people in Jesus’ days, as well as ours, may deem what the woman did in this passage as being overly emotional or exaggerated.  We don’t mind if we get emotional about things that can bring us happiness, or if it’s about what we love to do.  In fact, some people are willing to pay an incredible amount of money just to experience something for a few hours.  But when it comes to expressing our love and devotion to God in worship, anything longer than one hour is seen by many churchgoers as unnecessarily long.  

Now, this event (a sinful woman wiping the feet of Jesus with her hair and ointment) is not to be confused with similar stories in the Gospels.  Here, the Pharisee was not concerned about the woman’s alleged wastefulness (John 12:5); but rather, the following two issues were raised: a sinful person before God’s holiness and Jesus’ reputation as a prophet.  The bottom line is that the only way a sinner can approach God is through worship in love and gratitude of His grace of forgiveness (v. 47); and the exaggerated expression of thankfulness becomes a tiny, miniature expression of the overwhelming grace of God’s forgiveness.  

When it comes to worshiping God, nothing can be too emotional nor overly exaggerated, for God is worthy of our total devotion.  The issue is not about how I am known by others but whether I have come to know and love my Savior who pardoned my sins (vv. 42-42).  During our Sunday worship, the goal of preaching is to show how great and merciful our God is; and afterwards, the only legitimate response from the congregation, that is, the worshipers, is an abundant expression of our love for God who, after all, has forgiven us of all our sins.  

So, have you been holding back your emotions before God in worship fearing what others might think?   Has the expression of your gratitude toward Him diminished?  Ask the Lord to take you back to that place where He found you, where nothing mattered, other than the Lord Jesus Himself.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are the only one who has the authority to forgive sins on earth.  Therefore, I display my emotions publicly to glorify your magnanimous love for me.  I praise you, Lord.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 5-6

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 27, 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

“Who Do You Call When You are in Trouble?”

2 Kings 1:1-4

After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.

It’s obvious that in this passage God is upset at King Ahaziah because he didn’t inquire of Him as to how his illness would turn out.  What is interesting, however, is the king’s reaction to the news from his messengers regarding the “stranger” that they had met on the road.  Through nothing more than a description of his outfit, Ahaziah knew that it was the prophet Elijah (v.8).  What we can see from this is that Ahaziah was very much aware that there was a prophet of the Lord in his land, yet he had no interest in inquiring of the Lord through him.  For this, he was condemned to die from his wounds.

We take encouragement from this passage that we serve a God who wants us to inquire of Him.  Imagine that!—being invited to ask for wisdom and knowledge from the source of all wisdom and knowledge!  Our struggle, however, is that too often we don’t take God up on His generous offer.  We’ve replaced God with Google or friends or medical professionals.  Not that any of these things are wrong—these things can all be a blessing—but the problem comes when these things effectively replace God in our lives.  Inquiring of God through prayer is considered impractical.  Like Ahaziah, we know that He’s there and He’s real, but in times of trouble, we go elsewhere for answers.

Prayer: What do you need to ask God about today?  James reminds us that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (1:5).  Spend time inquiring of the Lord. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 4

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Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Questions to Consider

1. How does Jesus’ ability to “empathize with our weaknesses” encourage you?
2. If Jesus never sinned, can He truly empathize?  Why is it important that “he did not sin”?
3. Where do you turn to in your “time of need”?  What does this say about where you place your trust?

Notes

1. It gives me confidence that he genuinely understands what I am going through.  He is a God of Immanuel—one who is with us and among us.
2. Since He is God, he doesn’t need to do anything in particular to learn what we are going through.  But since he went through temptations without succumbing to them, it does give us more confidence in approaching Him.
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

How much did you interact with God today?  How much time did you spend talking to Him?  Was He an active part of your day?  Spend some time talking to Him about your day—the victories and defeats, the exciting things as well as the mundane.  Give Him an opportunity to speak to you.

REPOST Today’s QT Devotional—first posted on March 12, 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

“Being Too Concerned About Saving Face”

I Sam. 15: 24-31

Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.”26 And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” 30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the Lord.

About a month ago, my wife asked me my thoughts on the Brian Williams’ scandal, to which I responded with a blank, inquisitive, and ultimately clueless look.  My wife then rebuked me, telling me, “You’ve got to look at more than just sports on the Internet.”  She then proceeded to fill me in on the details of how Williams claimed to have been in a helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2003, but over ten years later it was reported that he was not on that helicopter.  He then claimed to be foggy on the details, and how embarrassing this incident was looking for him. 

My response after hearing all of this was something to the effect, “Wow, that is unbelievable, but hey, I’ve been there before.”  No, I’ve never been to Iraq or got shot down in a helicopter, but I am ashamed to admit that there have been several times in my life where I have lied to save face.  What’s worse, even when everyone knew I was lying, I continued to lie because perpetuating the lie felt less embarrassing than revealing the truth at that moment.  For example, has your boss ever asked you to do something, but you totally forgot to do it?  Then when she asks if you did it, you respond with a false yes.  Then when she proceeds by asking how it went, you perpetuate the lie by just making stuff up.  Why did you do this?  Because at that moment, the truth now entails not only admitting that you forgot in the first place, but that you just lied to her to save face.  (For the record, I never lie to my current boss.)  

When I look at Saul in 1 Sam. 15, I see this guy who is so concerned about saving face that he will say and do just about anything.  When Samuel asks, “Why didn’t you obey the Lord?”  Saul responds, “I have obeyed” (v. 20).  But as Samuel rebukes him for not fully obeying (vv. 22-23), Saul says that “he feared the people” (v. 24). Finally, when Samuel proclaims that the Lord will replace him as king (vv. 28-29), Saul seems more concerned that Samuel attend the feast to “honor him before the elders” (v. 30).  At this point, Saul seems misguided in his priorities, wouldn’t you say?  Instead of being right before the Lord, he wants to look good in front of people.

How about you?  Do you ever fear the thoughts and judgments of people more than you fear the Lord?  Does that fear cause you to act with less than 100% integrity at times?  Today, let’s determine to be people who live in fear of the Lord (not fear of man) and act righteously and blamelessly in what we say and do.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to fear You more than I fear people.  Give me integrity of word and deed to speak only truths, even if that means embarrassment to me.  Thank you that You are the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:16).  

Bible Reading for Today:  Galatians 3

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Lunch Break Study

Read Eph. 4:25-32: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Questions to Consider

1. Concerning words, what are the things Paul tells us not to do?
2. Concerning words, what are the things Paul tells us to do?
3. Who are some people you could “build up” (v. 29) with your words or deeds?

Notes

1. Paul tells us to put away falsehood/lies (4:25), corrupting talk (4:29), and slander (4:31).  These are the specific verbal sins, but of course, there is more than just verbal sin mentioned.  
2. Positive words include, speaking the truth (4:25) and building each other up (4:29).  And likewise, there are many positive actions and emotions mentioned.  
3. Personal application, but please try to think of a specific person.  

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Evening Reflection

Where you completely honest and forthright today?  On the positive side, did you have an opportunity to build someone up?  If so, did you take that opportunity?  Has Christ sanctified your pattern of speech, thought, and/or personal integrity in the last few years?  

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 30, 2013.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Constitutes God’s House for Us?

Psalm 92:12-15

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, 15 to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

This morning’s Psalm reminds us that the root of the blessings and goodness in our lives stems from being found in a right place.  Just like cedars can grow in Lebanon (and other similar environments), the righteous (i.e., those who live by faith in Christ) cannot grow unless they dwell in God’s house and courts, which is more than just going to church.  It is the way we live our lives, that is, places we go to spend our time and money, the people whom we meet to socialize.  

Among the many attributes of God, the psalmist here underscores God’s holiness, which implies separation.   This raises the question of whether our lives are separated from the values of this world even as we live in the world as his ambassadors.   

Theologically and spiritually, what constitutes God’s house for us?  It is being in a right relationship with God by being justified through faith in the person and work of Christ (Rom. 5:1), thereby having peace with God instead of receiving His wrath for our sins (Rom. 5:9).  Thus, we can enter boldly into the presence of God because of what Jesus has done. We are invited into His presence. It is in that place where we truly experience the promise that we will flourish even as we grow older. 

Today, we are encouraged to enter the presence of God, not based on how righteous we can make ourselves, but because of Christ. God is calling us to desire more of His presence in our lives, to host Him, to be planted firmly in His presence. He is declaring our ability to do so because of the righteousness of His son, Jesus. Today, do not wait or hesitate, but call out your desire to flourish in His presence. 

Prayer: Lord, amid Your palpable presence, I will declare that You are my strong and powerful Guide. Your love and mercy washes over me, for You are good every day! You give me abundant life each day, making a way for me to be victorious even when I cannot see it. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 2

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Questions to Consider

1. What is the major theme of this book? 
2. Two other major themes of Philippians are having the right attitude and the importance of fellowship, respectively.  What does the attitude consist of?
3. In addition to Philippians, Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon during his Roman house arrest. Collectively, these books are often referred to as what?

Notes

1. It is “rejoice in the Lord.”  The words joy, rejoice, and gladness appear in 15 out of the 104 verses in Philippians.
2. Regarding attitude, Paul gives a number of instructions regarding one’s inner life—the world of his feelings, thoughts, and dispositions.
3. The Prison Epistles

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Evening Reflection

Psalm 31:3: “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”

Heavenly Father, tonight, I thank You for Your mercies that are new each day, drawing me to Your heart, providing for me and protecting me, and giving me rest in Your wise ways. In Your Word You tell me that You do this for all Your children, for the sake of Your great Name.  Amen.

Tonight, take time to thank the Lord for how he has guided you throughout the day.  Think about how God puts his arms around you, gives you hope, encourages your heart, and strengthens you in His presence.  Take time to rest upon the comfort of the Lord.

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 21, 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

The Humblest Person Who Actually Wasn’t”

2 Samuel 7:18-21

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.”

There once was a church that realized the importance of humility, so it formed a committee to find the most humble person in the church. Many names were submitted and numerous candidates evaluated. Finally, the committee came to a unanimous decision. They selected a quiet, little man who always lived in the background and had never taken credit for anything he had done. They awarded him the “Most Humble” button for his faithful service. However, the next day they had to take it away from him because he pinned it on.

Humility is a bit tricky, because once you know you have it, it’s hard to keep! Has anyone ever come up and told you, “Wow, you are so humble!” How are you supposed to respond to that? Today’s passage sheds some light on what genuine humility can look like.God had just promised to make David’s kingdom an everlasting one, an amazing covenant that would likely prompt many to boast. But David comes before the Lord in an amazing confession of humility, declaring, “Who am I, O Lord God… that you have brought me thus far?” What this passage tells me is that true humility comes from reflecting on our past and recognizing that God is the one who has brought us to where we are.

Where would you be today if it weren’t for God working in your life? Today, let us spend some time sitting before the Lord and making that confession: “Who am I, O Lord God… that you have brought me thus far?”

Prayer: Lord, who are we that you pour out your love, mercy, and grace ceaselessly upon us? Thank you for your faithfulness, from the time of Abraham to David, and even to the present—you have always been faithful. We cannot thank you enough.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Galatians 1

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 5:5-6: Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.

Questions to Consider

1. Who is Peter writing to?
2. Why do you think Peter uses the analogy of clothing in his exhortation to be humble? 
3. What is God’s stance towards “the proud”?

Notes

1. In the context of the letter, Peter is writing to Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. But in application, we can say he is writing to all Christians.
2. Clothing comes up in many places in the Bible. Here, Peter is using it to say that humility is not a status that you achieve, but like clothing, we need to put it on every day.
3. “God opposes the proud” (v. 5b).  If you think about it, this is scary, because one place you definitely don’t want to be is in opposition to God. Pride is something we need to deal with seriously.

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Evening Reflection

In Deuteronomy 8, Moses repeatedly urges the Israelites to remember the Lord and not forget what He has done for them lest they become proud. Today, spend some time remembering what He has done for you—how He first encountered you, and how He saved you! Reflect on how He has sustained you through difficult times, blessed you with every good thing, and that He is still faithful to you. 

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 31, 2015, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“When Facing Hopeless Situations”

1 Samuel 17:41-47

And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

On this battlefield, the Israelites were cowering because of this giant, the mighty warrior Goliath, and the army of Philistines behind him.  And as the Israelites looked at the battle in front of them, they were fearful and hopeless because they had no chance against such a great foe.  

We face battles in our lives all the time, and often these situations look hopeless: How can we deal with family problems?  How can we possibly get out debt?  How can we possibly manage all of the different things going on in our lives?  What do we do about the burdens in our lives?  And how can we overcome the sin and darkness in our hearts?  What hope do we have?  

David’s hope in this situation (and our hope) is that . . . the battle is the Lord’s.  Like us, David went into this battle with absolutely no chance on his own.  Goliath scoffed at him because he was just a little kid with a wooden stick and some rocks, coming at a mighty warrior armed with sword, spear and javelin.  But as David approached the giant, he did not fear because he knew this was not his battle to fight, but that God himself would win the day and that it is the Lord who saves.  Our salvation comes from God, who makes our battles His battles.  

During this week let’s remember and celebrate what our Lord Jesus did for us.  He himself walked the road to Calvary, took the cross, bore our sins on it, shedding His blood for us.  Why?  Because the battle is the Lord’s—our God made our battles his battles. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for taking my burdens on the cross.  On my own, I have no hope to face all of the battles and burdens in my life, but I can walk forward in confidence and faith because I know that my battles belong to You, for you are the God of my salvation.  Thank you, Jesus.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Lamentation 5

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Lunch Bible Study

Read Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Questions to Consider

1. What kind of rest does Jesus offer us?  How does the cross of Jesus Christ give us rest?
2. Why do we as Christians still feel burdened and heavy laden at times?  
3. Reflect on burdens that you are you holding on to.  How does the rest of Jesus help you?

Notes

1. The rest that Jesus offers us is a rest for our souls.  He’s not talking about a physical rest but a spiritual one.  Because Jesus took the cross for our sins, he did the work that we could not do in atoning for our sins, thereby taking the burden of our sins off of us.  Jesus offers us rest because when we depend upon him, we no longer have any burden to earn our own righteousness or salvation.  
2. We get weary and heavy laden as Christians when we stop depending on Jesus and put this burden back on our own shoulders.
3. Personal application question

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Evening Reflection

As you have been reflecting on what Jesus has done for us, how do you feel about the burdens and struggles that you are facing in your life?  Are you experiencing the rest that Jesus offers us?  Take some time to journal and remind yourself that the battle is the Lord’s.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 5, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“No, It Isn’t for You, Donkey.”

James 4:6b

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

As Jesus rode on a donkey to enter Jerusalem just before his crucifixion, the crowd wildly cheered for him, shouting, “Hosanna!”  Imagine if the donkey assumed that they were doing it for him, how silly that would be.  While we need not worry about that, the same cannot be said about us since humans have an unlimited capacity for self-grandeur.  Once, a gentile woman with a troublesome daughter shouted to Jesus, “Lord, Son of David. . . have mercy on me!”  Perhaps, bothered by the fact that she was not a Jew, “his disciples . . . urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying after us’” (Matt. 15:23).  Us?  If I were Jesus, I would have quipped, “Me, not you.  Check your hearing; better yet, your heart.”

That Jesus’ disciples were plagued with pride may come as a surprise to some but their favorite pastime was discussing who was the greatest among them.  Once when Jesus asked, “What were you arguing about on the road,” they said nothing because “they had argued about who was the greatest” (Mk. 9:33-4).  The repeated admonitions by Jesus hardly made any dent; they continued this discussion all the way to the very night of Jesus’ betrayal (Lk. 22:24). 

God, who “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,” will not tolerate such attitude.  So then, how did Jesus handle the situation in which his disciples thought that the woman was crying after them?  Perhaps looking straight into their faces, Jesus declared, “Woman, you have great faith” (Matt. 15:28^a).  Such lofty appraisal was what they wanted to hear from their master but never did.  That’s called, “Facing the music.”

How about us?  I cannot begin to tell you how many different ways God had to humble me because I thought people were cheering for me instead of the One who gave me the strength to be effective and whom I was representing.  Once, I thought I was pretty a good speaker, but after my partner in ministry had left, all I heard from the congregation was how much they missed his preaching!  That stung but, looking back, it was necessary.

Are you staying humble, or is too much success gets in the way?  Change your thinking; it’s not really you— it’s HIM!  One way to show that is through “offer[ing] to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving” (Ps. 50:14).  Take a moment to consider what sacrifice may be acceptable to the Lord, today.

Prayer: Dear God, keep me humble!  Help me to see what I am really like without all the additives and adornments in order that I clearly see how I am nothing apart from Your abiding grace. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Lamentation 4

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on August 12, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“About Demons”

Luke 4:31-37

And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

I want to talk about demons today. (Well, it’s in today’s text.)

First, there is a fine line between a demonized person and one who is captive to sin.  We often want to avoid using words like “demons” or “evil spirits” even in our typical evangelical churches.  We just want to label everything as “sin” without having to recognize the ever presence of the power of darkness in our culture.  Biblically speaking however, we are in a spiritual warzone.  It is ironic that a demon manifested, out of all the places, in a synagogue—perhaps one of the most respectable places at that time.  “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness” (John 1:5) was not able to handle or overcome Jesus’ presence; that is to say, it was exposed.  Perhaps you need to pray that God’s presence would be strong in your both private and public life. 

Second, why do you think Jesus did not allow the demon to talk about His identity?  After all, the demon correctly stated who Jesus really was (vv. 34-35).  Well, the demonic manifestations around Jesus must have happened before; otherwise, the demons would not have accused Jesus of using his power to destroy them (1 Jn. 3:8).  It is one thing to acknowledge the truth (James 2:19: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”), but it is another to commit oneself to that truth.  Reflect on your commitment to the lordship of Christ. 

Bible Reading for Today: Lamentation 2-3

Prayer: Dear Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit in order that demons may fear the Spirit who resides in me.  May God’s word come to me in power and conviction through faith (1 Thess. 1:5).  Amen. 

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“When All Seems Lost . . .”

1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

The showdown between Israel and the Philistines would have to take place without David fighting alongside the Philistines. The Philistine lords sent David and his men back to Ziklag, where upon their return, they discover a terrible tragedy. We’re told the Amalekites had invaded Ziklag while the men were gone; the city was burned to the ground, and everything of value was taken, including the women and children who would likely be sold as slaves. 

Consider the utter dismay David and his men must have felt when they came over the hill, expecting their families to come out to greet them, but instead, seeing smoldering ashes with nobody left. We never know when misfortune will come home to us. It can come in the shape of a stray bullet, an incurable disease, or some tragic accident that we just can’t plan for. Since we live in a broken world, there will always be some pain and suffering. 

David and his men cried until they could cry no more. But in the midst of that pain and anger, “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”David did not always do what was right, but when push came to shove, David knew where to turn to: he turned to the Lord. He encouraged himself in the Lord his God! 

I am reminded of two things: First, when all seems lost, all is not necessarily lost; and second, when all seems lost and I don’t know where to turn to, I need to inquire of God. David sought the wisdom of God, and after receiving his counsel from the High Priest, David pursued the Amalekites, and the Lord provided the victory. 

In life, there will be pain and suffering—some being bigger tragedies than others. The right way of handling tragedy will not only offer us comfort, but also the guidance that we need. Handling tragedy without God leads to bitterness, failure, and perhaps, more tragedy. We find that as David handled this tragedy wisely, he experienced one of his great tragedies turn to triumph.

Prayer: Dear God, help me never to be too discouraged to seek You out, for You are able to comfort and guide me in the midst of my pain. May I grow through all aspects of life, but especially when pain and suffering come for me. May I confess, along with the apostle Paul, “your grace is sufficient for me, for your power is made perfect in my weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Lamentations 1

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 3:1-6: O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; [2] Many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. [3] But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. [4] I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.[5] I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. [6] I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Questions to Consider 

1. David writes this Psalm in reflection to the grief that his son Absalom is causing him. How can we tell that David is desperate in this Psalm? 
2. In spite of his pain, what enables David to sleep peacefully at night? 
3. What serves to give you confidence in the Lord today? 

Notes 

1. We see in the opening lines David’s desperate situation with its repetition of the word many.
2. David calls to mind the many ways in which God has cared for him in the past, and how he was able in faith to sleep peacefully in the face of danger. These past experiences build his confidence for the present, enabling him to walk by faith and not by sight.
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

Before going to bed, reflect on this: “The greatest good suffering can do for me is to increase my capacity for God.” –Joni Eareckson Tada.  So, how was your day?

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 22, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Meaneth This, That We Are Love by the God of the Galaxies”

Psalm 8:35

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, still “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. While humans may have been ranked lower than the angels in the OT, now they “serve [us] who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14).  Although life can be disappointing at times, considering such a privileged status we enjoy before God, how can we not bounce back!  For this reason (among others), “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Prov. 24:16). Be encouraged!

As a new day dawns, see your problems in light of our God who thinks you are more important than the vast universe!  Therefore, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

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: Matthew 28

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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 it and to whom (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; ⁴ 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. 

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Evening Reflection

Earlier today we talked about idolatry.  In what ways do we commit the sin of idolatry, worshiping “things” instead of our Creator? First, what does it mean that we worship “things”(last part of Col. 3:5)? Second, review how you spend your money and time.  In view of that, who are you truly worshiping?  Is it time to make some changes in your life?

Now, before going to sleep, step outside for a moment and see the countless stars that adorn our universe. What thoughts come to your mind as your day is ending?