July 29, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by a former AMI church staff, was first posted on December 16, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Messiness of a Life Unexamined”

Proverbs 24:30-34: 

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, 31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

I consider myself neat and orderly and tend to associate with similar people, but during college, I had a friend who was lacking in this area. In the course of one year, his dorm room exemplified the gradual march of entropy, going from order to chaos. Just as the vineyard in this proverb was overgrown with thorns and nettles, my friend’s floor became overgrown with unwashed clothes, papers, and garbage.

As an observer to this madness, I asked him the only question I could: “What happened?” With tears in his eyes, he honestly replied, “I really don’t know. I kept putting off organizing my room, and then suddenly I realized that my floor disappeared.”

Likewise, our sluggishness in addressing issues in our lives leads to our “sudden” downfall. Whether it is a certain sin, lack of reconciliation, dragging our feet in fulfilling our promises, our inaction leads us into ruin. This is not about perfection or legalism, for we belong to a God of grace and mercy; yet, wisdom counsels us to consider the results when things are left unchecked and procrastinate.

Through this morning’s text, God is reminding us to be people who are not afraid to address the issues in our lives. His desire for us is to live out the goodness and righteousness He has created us for. So He calls us to submit to His work of sanctification so that our lives can reflect the abundant life awaiting us.

What issues have you been putting off? Is there unforgiveness, sins, or unfulfilled promises made to God that you need to address? Today, receive the grace of God and take action!

Prayer: Father, examine my heart, and if there is anything I’ve put off, reveal it to me. Lord, give me the strength and boldness to wrestle through it with You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:21-26: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What is the new paradigm of sin that Jesus introduces in this text?
  2. What does this text tell us of God’s priorities?
  3. What wisdom can we gain from this text?

Notes

  1. Jesus tells us that it is not only our actions that are sinful, but also our intentions and words.
  2. Verses 23-24 tell us that God desires reconciliation more than sacrifices and offerings.
  3. Verses 25-26 warn us that sluggishness in reconciliation can lead to punishment. If someone has something against you, they might act on it if you do not reconcile.

Evening Reflection

Take a moment to honestly assess how you are doing with the Lord and with those around you. Are there unspoken words hanging in the air, tensions never worked through, things that have been hidden due to fear of confrontation? If so, we have placed ourselves and others in bondage. Tonight, let’s ask the Lord for His grace and strength. If there are specific things that He is placing in your heart, pray over them and ask for an opportunity to take action.

July 28, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on April 15, 2015.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Be Smart About It—Repent When It Matters”

1 Samuel 28:6 (ESV)

And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 

With the Philistines gathered at Shunem, ready to attack in the morning, Saul was “afraid, and his heart trembled greatly” (v. 5). Before his precipitous fall from grace, when Saul still walked in the Spirit, he was a man of great courage (see 1 Sam. 11:6-11). But Saul began to lose courage when the Spirit departed from him (1 Sam. 16:14); and now after the death of Samuel, his courage appears to have eluded him completely. 

Saul was in a terrible lot, but what made this even more troubling was the silence of God. Saul hoped God would speak to him through dreams, the Urim (High Priest), or the prophets, but God would not talk to him. So Saul, longing for the guidance of Samuel, seeks out a medium to perform a séance for him. 

This silence demonstrates that God will not always answer everyone who seeks Him—not when the seeker is living in active disobedience as Saul was. He not only rejected God’s previously revealed will, but King Saul continued to live in active rebellion by desiring to destroy David. So when Saul was seeking to hear from God, his interest was not in finding out the will of God; rather, he was seeking to gain knowledge to benefit himself. Since Saul didn’t care to obey God in what he already knew, God would not give him more to know.

Having said that, we can still be comforted by the fact that the silence of God is often followed by a second chance; that is, God will speak to us again because he wants us to repent.  God did this for Saul who, after realizing that David didn’t kill him when he had the chance, wept, saying, “You are more righteous than I . . . May the Lord reward you well” (1 Sam. 24:17, 19).  But that repentance was short-lived as Saul tried to kill David afterwards.  The point is, if we continue to reject His word, time after time, and actively live in disobedience to his Word, the only thing left is God’s judgment. 

As followers of Christ who have the revealed Word of God and the Spirit of God living in us who gives us the power to obey, we have no excuse for not knowing God’s general will for a righteous living.  Once we have come to understand it, the next step is obedience; and as we submit to God’s general will, it will bring greater clarity to God’s specific will for our lives (regarding jobs, relationships, where to live, etc.).  So, be smart about it—Repent when it matters. 

Prayer: Lord, please hold me by your hand and constantly remind me of your might and power lest I foolishly assume that I am self-sufficient and autonomous.  I know that apart from You, I can do nothing.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:Nehemiah 7

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

Questions to Consider 

  1. What are the benefits of Scripture?  
  2. What is the goal of being in the Word?   
  3. What is one way the Word of God helped you this week?  

Notes 

  1. It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.  
  2. That one may be complete, equipped to do good work. 
  3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.” –Elizabeth Elliot

July 27, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 24, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Great Misunderstanding about God’s Intention”

Malachi 3:2-4

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?  For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.”

My kids used to love listening to “Adventures in Odyssey,” a family-friendly radio drama.  In one episode, the coach of a girl’s softball team is sued by the father of his star pitcher over unfair treatment.  The father thinks that the coach, an old political rival in local politics, did that as a payback.  During a court proceeding, the coach freely admitted his “double standard.”  Yet, it was not to get even with the player’s father but to help her get better because she had told the coach her desire to be good enough to earn a softball scholarship.  So the coach pushed her, but not others, to do more repetitions, refine her mechanics, and eliminate mistakes.   In short, the coach got sued because neither the player nor her father understood what he was trying to do.

Some of us imagine that God is ready to punish the unbelieving world that throws out a fist at Him in defiance.  He may certainly do that in due time, but the subjects of God’s fire in Malachi are the Levites, the priestly tribe, with whom God had established “a covenant of life and peace” (Mal. 2:5); they were God’s messengers (2:7).  For some time, however, they “have not followed [His] ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law” (2:9).  Even so, instead of abandoning them, God came with fire and soap to refine and purify them, so that they could once again be acceptable and useful for His purpose.  

God’s punishment always “begins with the family of God” (1 Pet. 4:17), but its intent is not punitive—a great misunderstanding—but restorative.   And like the young pitcher’s misgivings about her coach, we wonder about God’s love when facing a major trial through which we’re disciplined.  The Hebrews writer, thus, notes, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11). 

Perhaps, faced with several upsetting situations lately, you have wondered why or who is at fault.   But many things in our lives are neither completely your fault nor someone else’s.  A better response is to ask, “Lord, why are you allowing these things to pass?  Are you refining and purifying me?  What lessons should I learn?”  Reflect.   Pray.  

Prayer: God, as I start this day, I appreciate You for giving me another opportunity to experience and enjoy life.  I admit, however, that in my pursuit of doing the things that I want, I forget you constantly and for too long.  I need a good jolt to remember what You desire of me.  So Lord, give me understanding and insight into whatever You are allowing to pass in my life so that I can learn, grow, and change.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 6

Lunch Break Study

The prophet Habakkuk was sick to his stomach seeing the Israelites willfully sinning and yet not being punished; he felt worse as God told the prophet of his plan.

Read Habakkuk 1:1, 3: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? . . . . 3Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.” 1:5-6 (God’s plan): “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. 6 I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.” 1:13 (Habakkuk’s response): “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?  Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?”

Genesis 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you (Israel), and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Jeremiah 4:2: “If you (Israel) put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, 2 and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ then the nations will be blessed by him, and in they will glory.”

Questions to Consider

  1. How was Prophet Habakkuk shocked twice by what God was and/or was not doing?
  2. What can you learn about God who was willing to use the Babylonians to punish His people Israel?
  3. What was God’s ultimate purpose behind his punishment of Israel (Gn. 12:2-3; Jer. 4:1-2)?

Notes

  1. First, the prophet was dismayed that the holy God of Israel would let evil prevail among His people without the due course of justice; second, he was even more shocked that God would use a people more wicked than the Israelites to punish them. 
  2. No one should put limits on what God will or won’t do. Throughout the Scripture, we see many surprises: a donkey who rebukes the foolish prophet Balaam; a prostitute (Rahab) who is enshrined into the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11); a terrorist who is transformed into the greatest evangelist (Paul). Implication: God may speak into your life through an unlikely person or source.
  3. Israel was chosen to be the instrument by which God’s blessings (i.e., the knowledge of knowing God by faith) were to reach the nations, but that wasn’t happening because Israel allowed herself to be co-opted by the idols of the nations.   So the intent of the punishment was for Israel to repent, thereby restoring the purpose for her existence: being God’s channel of blessings to the nations. 

Evening Reflection

In looking back to what happened today, was there any situation that you feel God was using to speak to you about some aspect of your life?  Take a moment to reflect.  Jot it down.  Pray over it. 

July 26, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Quiet Time, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on May 26, 2015.  Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“How Hard Is It for You to Accept Correction?”

2 Samuel 19: 7-8

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

Even though David was a man after God’s own heart, he was not immune to moments of weakness. After hearing that Absalom, his son who had betrayed him, was killed by the army, David began to mourn in a way that made all his people uncomfortable. Joab, David’s commander of the army, rebuked him sharply for an inappropriate display of grief. Though Joab’s tirade was extremely harsh, David’s meek response showed that he was humble enough to accept correction.

When I began a new job last summer, I had only 10% of the skills and knowledge to complete my tasks each day. In addition, I didn’t know anyone’s name, where to get lunch, or even where the restroom was – needless to say, I made quite a few mistakes in my first few weeks on the job. However, because I was open to learning and began to ask others for feedback, I grew in my ability to do my work and to take on more difficult tasks.

Unfortunately, even though I know that my relationship with God is a journey of continuous learning, I must admit that I do not similarly invite correction and teaching. In fact, I try to present myself as not needing anybody’s rebuke! But Scripture is full of the reminder that the wise man not only responds to rebuke but is thankful for it (Psalm 94:12-13, Psalm 141:5, Proverbs 9:8, for some examples). It seems that by avoiding correction, I only relegate myself to foolishness.

Do you invite correction into your life, and do you gladly accept the words that others offer? It can be very difficult to accept rebuke, and certainly very few people are keen on being criticized or told that we are wrong. Our pride will certainly blind us to our own faults and keep us from respecting the opinions and words of others.  

It is not easy to cultivate a humble heart, but God is the one who can transform us. I urge us to pray for three things: (1) vulnerability to let others into our lives, (2) recognition of someone whose guidance and correction we can accept, and (3) the humility to accept correction when it is delivered. I am sure that as God changes our hearts, we will find ourselves open to correction and reacting with grace and wisdom just as David did.

Prayer: Father, You know that I can be too prideful to let others into my life. Give me eyes to see that You have placed me in a community so that I can be correctly taught. Give the people around me wisdom and love to speak into my life, and give me humility to learn their well-intentioned corrections. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 5

Lunch Break Study  

Read 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, 14-26: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . . . 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Paul say about the distribution of gifts?
  2. What does Paul say about the body having many parts?
  3. What is the significance of sandwiching the passage about “many parts” within this passage of spiritual gifts? How can this be practically applied in our lives? 

Notes

  1. One, gifts are distributed individually, meaning that each believer is important and has individual work to do for the Lord. Second, distribution comes from the Spirit- therefore, no one can boast of any gift or any work, because it has all been distributed out of the grace of God. 
  2. As a body, each part is significant and needed. Although others may be completely different in skill or gifting, they should not be rejected as a result of their differences. As God is triune but one, so the church should be of many parts but wholly united. 
  3. We are called to honor all others in the body; this respect and love will guide our ability to work in harmony and also accept one another’s gifts. We must ourselves also discern what our spiritual gifts are as our contribution to the body of Christ.  

Evening Reflection

Did you discover anything new about yourself that you weren’t aware of before?  How did you respond to someone who criticized you today?  How did you handle a situation in which you didn’t really know what you were doing?  How did you react when someone shared a nasty gossip about a mutual friend?  How can your faith in God be relevant in such situations?  Ask the Lord for wisdom and boldness to live the life of faith in where you work, study and live.

July 25, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by a former AMI church staff, was first posted on December 14, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Day When My Heart Aligned with My Father’s Heart”

Proverbs 23:15-16

“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.”

My relationship with my father has been distant for much of my life. I’ve never fully doubted his love, but his long hours at work and the language barrier created obstacles to our closeness. To be honest, though, much of the distance has been my fault. I looked at more of our differences, as well as believing the lie that he would never approve of my accomplishments, which exasperated the separation.

There was one event in my early twenties that became the catalyst for change. I don’t remember how we began, but we started to talk about church and God, as well as what it means to live for Him. As I began to share my thoughts and what I had been learning about faith, he seemed both satisfied and relieved. At one point, he said, “You’re right.” This was an affirmation with no sense of patronization. 

His approval and pleasure came when the words I spoke aligned with the wisdom he spent years raising me to live it out. As he saw that my worldview and faith reflected the biblical truths he held onto, there was a realization that he may have just raised his son correctly. I believe that this is the fruit of parenting. At the end of the day, a child of godly wisdom is a delight to his/her parents. I also believe that when we look at this proverb, the desire of God for us is revealed.

The proverb mentions a heart that is wise. God’s desire for us isn’t wisdom that comes from objective, distant truths that we recite and follow. Rather, if wisdom is a matter of the heart, then we become wise when our hearts reflect the heart of God. In intimacy and understanding our Father, our heart begins to treasure the things on God’s heart. Our values and priorities change, and our worldview changes because of this. Then our decisions align to this wisdom that reflects God’s heart. 

This is what delights God: It’s when we don’t squander the lives He has given us, and when we steward it with wisdom. This Sunday, as we worship the Lord, search honestly in our hearts: Are you making wise living a matter of do’s and don’ts, or are you seeking to treasure what God’s heart treasures? If we want to bring gladness to God, let us begin by aligning our hearts to the heart of the Father. 

Prayer: Dear God, strengthen me with Your truth and through the Holy Spirit, in order that my heart continues to align with Yours.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 4

July 24, Saturday

UPDATEDToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 30, 2013.  Pastor Young is a graduate of University of Illinois (BS), Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Westminster Theological Seminary (MA). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“True Contentment”

Proverbs 30:8, 9 (NIV)

“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

I love this message! I pray this regularly. I pray that you will be satisfied in Jesus so that it does not really matter how much or little you possess.  The apostle put it best when he declared, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Phi. 4:11-12).  This world tries to tempt us away from our pure devotion to Christ.  I pray that you will be rich in Christ.  Abide in him.

Prayer: Dear God, give us our daily bread. Give us Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 2-3

July 23, Friday

REPOST 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

“Giving and Receiving”

Matthew 10:8; Acts 20:35

“Freely you have received, freely give”; “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

In 2003, when my sister-in-law gave us a 1995 Camry, we were thrilled since we were still driving our 1989 Accord while living in Mexico. But since our old car was still running well, we gave it to a Mexican pastor who lived in another city, an acquaintance of a fellow missionary who told us about his need.  Several years later, this pastor and others were at my house for a meeting.  As we spoke, he told me with a beaming smile how he made a handsome profit by selling my old car to someone desperate enough to buy a 20+ year old car! Perhaps, he either forgot or decided to ignore what Jesus taught:  “Freely you have received, freely give.”  While this man didn’t sin by opting to do this, he certainly wasn’t blessed by selling that which he received freely.  

Of course, we should not do good with the hope of getting more in return.  Rather, we do good, among other reasons, to bring glory to God, particularly in a world hostile to Him.   Apostle Peter, living in such a world, wrote, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Pet. 2:12).  Nevertheless, we should neither ignore what Christ said about how giving affects the extent of God’s blessings: “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Lk. 6:38).   

One day, while I was teaching in Mexico, the stand that held by my laptop fell over and totally destroyed my computer.   Later, a man from that church, who heard about the accident, gifted me with a brand new laptop.  God was being very generous with me!  And having realized how much God had blessed me through other people’s generosity, naturally, as we were leaving Mexico to move to the states, we gave away the Camry and the tent-trailer, which was so useful to me.   I sure hope those who received them for free didn’t sell them; for their own good.  Folks, let’s be generous!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we once again recognize the magnitude of your generosity towards us in every sphere of our lives.  Thank You for giving us so many things that we don’t deserve.  Remind us and empower us always to be generous so that others may be blessed as we have been.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 12:11-21: And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Questions to Consider

  1. Why did Jesus tell this parable in the first place?
  2. What caused the rich man in this passage to be greedy instead of being generous?
  3. How is your generosity?  What is keeping you from freely giving what you have freely received?

Notes

  1. Jesus was talking about something very serious (being persecuted for faith), but the only thing on the mind of this person in the crowd was getting his share of the family inheritance.  His sole interest was, somehow, using Christ’s power and authority to make sure he got his share of the pie.
  2. The reason for this man’s wealth, according to Jesus, was the fertile land that produced an abundant crop.  God was directly responsible for his prosperity, which meant that it wasn’t his to keep, at least, not entirely.  But this man planned to keep it all to himself.  
  3. Our default position is always wanting more, and on top of that, we are always insecure about our future.  A toxic mixture of those and other sin-related factors causes us to be ungrateful and be narcissistic misers. Knowing our weakness, we need to intentionally plan to be generous.  

Evening Reflection

As you look back, did you have an opportunity to be generous today with your money, time, or even talent?  How did you fare?  Instead of focusing on our failure, look to God who loves us unconditionally. 

July 22, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by a former AMI church staff, was first posted on July 14, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What God Truly Cares About the Most”

Jonah 4:6-9

Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.”

Is it sufficient for us to only do the right things for God, or does the Lord look for something beyond than that?  That’s the conflict we find in this morning’s text. 

We already know that God’s will for Jonah was to go to Nineveh and proclaim judgment against its habitants, and that God sent a great storm to hinder Jonah from running away. Once he was thrown into the sea, God appointed a great fish to swallow him in order to preserve him.

Based just on these prior events, we are left with a God who simply wanted Jonah to fulfill the function for which he was called to do.  However, the Lord’s desire for Jonah went much deeper than that.  First, we see that God, after appointing a plant to give Jonah shade, also appointed a worm to attack it.  Since the word “appoint” used in 1:17 is used in 4:6 as well, there may be a connecting motive between the two instances from God’s standpoint. 

So, what was God’s desire for Jonah? In short, God uses the plant and the worm to confront Jonah by revealing what is really in his heart.  In a matter of hours, Jonah went from gladness in response to the miraculous growth of the plant that benefitted him to bitter anger over its destruction. Evidently, Jonah’s disposition was solely based on what was pleasing to him, both psychologically (revenge against the hated Ninevites) and physically.  

However, God is not merely interested in using Jonah for his grand purpose; He is interested in Jonah himself, to help this conflicted man to be right before Him.  God could have given up on this disobedient prophet during the storm or even when he went to the outskirts of Nineveh to see it destroyed, but the Lord persistently pursued after Jonah.

As much as God cared for the great city of Nineveh, that the people there would not be destroyed by their sins, God cared for Jonah that he would not be destroyed by anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness.  Ninevites repented when they were confronted, but will Jonah? This text, then, poses us this question: “If God confronts us, then, how will we respond?”

Prayer: Father, search me and know me. If there is any grievous way in me, reveal it to me. Lead me in the way everlasting.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 24

Lunch Break Study

Re-read the passage for this morning’s devotion.

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Questions to Consider

  1. What is significant in God’s use of the plant and worm?
  2. What led to Jonah’s state of anger and bitterness?
  3. In light of Jonah, what should be the attitude of our heart in accordance with the Psalm 139 passage?

Notes

  1. When we look at the use of the word “appoint” with the instance of the great fish, we can infer that God used these things (worm, plant) to ensure Jonah’s awareness that it was God who orchestrated everything, that it wasn’t circumstantial.
  2. Jonah felt that nothing was going his way: first, God spared Nineveh, who, in his mind, deserved the worst punishment from Him; second, what small comfort he received from the shade was taken away. 
  3. We are called to be humble before God, asking that He reveals our hidden thoughts. We are also called to hope and trust in Him so that we are led in accordance to His perfect will.

Evening Reflection

The true vulnerability before the Lord is difficult.  We have so many hidden motives. Yet, God is persistent in His desire to make us right before Him.  Let’s examine our hearts and ask the Lord to bring healing, hope, and repentance in all areas of our lives. 

July 21, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King who serves as associate pastor at Remnant Church in Manhattan, was first posted on July 8, 2015.  Cami is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“From Whom Am I Receiving Advice?”

1 Kings 13:11-19

Now there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel, whose sons came and told him all that the man of God had done there that day. They also told their father what he had said to the king. 12 Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken. 13 So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it 14 and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “I am,” he replied. 15 So the prophet said to him, “Come home with me and eat.” 16 The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”18 The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

George Washington once said, “Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.” I wonder if he learned this from the apostle Paul who warned the Corinthian church that, “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Most of us can think of times when we foolishly or ignorantly listened to bad advice and of the calamity that ensued thereafter. In these moments, we quickly learn to be more selective about those from whom we receive counsel. 

In our passage for today, the man of God (who, in his defense, had been doing a great job up to this point of following the Lord’s commands faithfully) takes some bad advice. A self-proclaimed prophet comes to him and lies, saying he’s received a word from the Lord that blatantly contradicted the word God had already spoken. The man of God listens and finds himself in trouble with God because of His disobedience. It may seem a bit like an unfair situation for the man of God. After all, how was he to know that the prophet was lying? It seems like an honest mistake. 

Oftentimes in life, it is hard to tell the good advice from the bad. But there are a few clues that can usually help. In our story for today, the second prophet is living in an idolatrous land (where the king had erected idols to be worship in lieu of God). Most commentators say that this points to a compromise in the lifestyle of the prophet – for he remained among an idolatrous people. Furthermore, God had not chosen to use this second prophet to deliver His message (the reason why the man of God came to the land in the first place). Lastly, the prophet’s words were in direct contradiction to what the Lord had already said. All of these things should have been red flags for the man of God. 

As we look at our own lives, we can learn much from this story. We must ask ourselves, “From whom am I receiving advice?” The character and life’s witness of a person deems him worthy to speak into our lives. We are always more likely to receive good advice from a person with life lived for God and a heart submitted to Him. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give me discernment as I listen to the advice of those around me. In every decision I make, give me a heart that is humble enough to hear from those walking faithfully with You as well as the conviction to resist the guidance of those speaking in contradiction to Your word.  

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 23

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1:1-3: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Questions to Consider

  1. Why do you think delighting in the law of the Lord helps us not to walk in the counsel of the wicked (or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers)? 
  2. Why do you think it’s important to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night? 


Notes

  1. If our delight is in the law of the Lord, we will not find enjoyment in doing things contrary to his commands. Part of becoming like Jesus is allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate in us a heart that actually enjoys doing the things of God. The more this happens, the more likely we are to resist bad counsel and sinful paths. 
  2. Even though our goal is to have a transformed heart and to delight in that which is good, we know from experience that this is not always the case. Therefore, it is all the more important to meditate on (read and re-read, learn and recite) the law of the Lord. When we are tempted to turn to the left or the right of the narrow path, the practice will help keep us on track. 

Evening Reflection

When you have to make a decision, how do you go about receiving advice? Are there people in your life through whom you can hear from the Lord? Have you been receiving advice from others that contradicts the Word of God? Oftentimes, we seek the advice of people whose lives model whatever it is we desire. If we desire the things of God, we are much more likely to receive godly advice from godly people. But if we desire the things of this world (money, power, success, etc.), we are much more likely to take the advice from people who’ve achieved those things. Ultimately, it is God (through his Holy Spirit and His word) who gives the best counsel. Spend some time with the Wonderful Counselor, asking Him to lead you in any upcoming decisions you have to make. 

July 20, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 24, 2013.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Our Infinite Personal God”

Psalm 90:1-2

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

This morning, we find the psalmist declaring the eternal nature of God as well as acknowledging that God is the creator.  As created being, we are finite, but God as the Creator, is infinite. Even though the mountains may seem to last forever is finite.

Many times, we make God out to be so small in our finite understanding. Yes, He is near and intimate and our friend, yet, He is God who has created the heavens and the earth. As close as we can get to Him and draw near to Him, God is still a mystery. 

The call for us as His people is to hold both these truths about God:  He is a God who is so near and close to us, yet He is the God Almighty who is high and lofty. This morning, let us remember that the God who calls us beloved is also the God who is infinite, eternal, and more awesome than our own understanding can contain.

Prayer: Jesus, your great Name means everything to me and today, I celebrate you as my Defender. You are in me and I am in you. Holy Spirit, thank you for falling afresh on me to be my sole source of power and authority, knowledge and insight, and wisdom and clarity in my life.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:2-3: I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Background tidbit: The word translated agree in Phil. 4:2 is the same word that is translated being of the same mind in Phil. 2:2.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is the apostle Paul’s concern here?
  2. How does the apostle admonish the people involved in this conflict?
  3. What conclusions can you draw from the fact that these godly women were not getting along? 

Notes

  1. Paul is concerned because a particular bout of relational angst has popped up in the church which is hindering the ministry. 
  2. He exhorts these women to deal with their “drama” in a God honoring way (i.e., “agree in the Lord”), and for others to assist them towards that end. And he appeals to their salvation as the primary motive, as if to say, “You are sisters in Christ! How can you argue like this? This kind of argument is beneath you.”
  3. As long as there are relationships here on earth, there’s going to be conflicts.  Some disagreements are necessary and healthy; others, not so much. In any case, conflicts are a normal part of life and you can’t escape it. The question is: how are you going to respond to it?

Evening Reflection

John 17:12: “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Prayer: “My living God, You are my Defender who rescues me and I rest in Your defense, for You say that I am Yours and You love me. You died for me and You are pleased when You see my faith and have delighted in the fact that I have Your righteousness, which cannot be taken away from me. Even though the enemy has tried to accuse me and proclaim me a failure, but You, Oh Lord, have defended me. It means everything to me to know that You are my Defender, who loves me so much when I have done nothing to deserve it.  Praise Him!  Amen.