REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 6, 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
“Run Away from Sexual Immorality; Run Toward Ants”
Proverbs 6:24-27
“Keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?”
There are too many great verses in Proverbs 6. I love the example about the ants., but I did notice that there is much warning about immoral sexual activities. Stay away from it! It will destroy you. You will get burned. You don’t want to be reduced to a loaf of bread.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Is there an area in your life that you are being lazy about? What is it? Bring it before the Lord. Ask God for strength to get it done. Remember, God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of love, power and self-discipline. Laziness can destroy your relationship with Jesus. Ask God for His love, His power, and His spirit of self-discipline.
Prayer: Lord, give me strength and grace today to keep my heart and thoughts pure. Amen.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 21, 2013.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“How Did We Become So Righteous?”
Psalm 18:20-22, 24
The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 23 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
I get little uncomfortable whenever I read David’s Psalm where he appears to be self-righteous. Yes, he did the right thing in his dealing with Saul, to which this Psalm apparently alludes, but he did not always lead a blameless life. God certainly rewarded David for being a man after His heart (Acts 13:22), but it was not solely based on his righteousness. Perhaps, this Psalm is better understood in terms of David the shepherd as a type of Christ, the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20).
Thus, those who are in Christ have become “the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21), and thereby, are blameless before the accusation of the enemy (Col. 2:13-4). It is not by our righteousness that God deals with us but that of His Son. While God will reward us based on our works (1 Cor. 3:14; 2 Cor. 5:10), His rewards will far exceed our expectations. So it is safe to assume that “God will reward us according to the richness of His grace” (Eph. 3:20), and not based on our actual “performance.” I think David would have agreed.
Before leaving the house today, take a moment to ponder on the greatness of our gracious and merciful God. He loves you.
Prayer: Dear LORD, I praise and worship You this morning. God, I tend to blame people for my problems because deep inside I see myself as a victim, which I realize is a warped view of myself. In the end, I am where I am in life because of my unwise choices. There is only one who is righteous—Christ. In Him and through the Holy Spirit, I’m no longer a victim but someone who is enabled to lead a fruitful life. Thank You. Amen
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 9
Lunch Break Study
Read Romans 8:1:Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Questions to Consider
How is it possible that we are no longer condemned for all the sins that we ever committed (2 Cor. 5:21, Col. 2:13-4)?
What is God’s reward based on (1 Cor. 3:14-5, Matt. 10:40-2)? What does it mean that giving a cup of water is rewarded?
We need to do our part to avoid sinning, but there is more to it than that; what’s God’s part (1 Cor. 10:13, Phil. 2:12-3)?
Notes
In short, Christ assumed our debt (i.e., becoming sin for us), which we didn’t have the“spiritual capital” to pay for, and “took it away, nailing it to the cross.” So, in the legal sense, we are no longer guilty of the sins that were charged against us.
While salvation is God’s gift freely given to those who believe in Jesus, God’s reward is based on our works. Thus, David was right when he said “the Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness.” However, the fact that God considers our works to be worthy of being recompensed, and that He gives far more than what we deserve (e.g., even over giving someone a cup of water), shows God’s magnanimous grace.
In today’s Psalm, David said, “I did this” and “I did that” to keep himself from sinning. Indeed, it ultimately comes down to us making the right decision, but we aren’t doing it alone. First, God provides a way out from succumbing to temptations; second, the Holy Spirit strengthens our will so that we will make the right decisions, but because the Spirit is gentle, he won’t force us do anything. However, we have been greatly empowered to “keep the ways of the LORD”. Now that’s grace!
Evening Reflection
John 15:5:Apart from me you can do nothing.
The crowd wildly cheered as Jesus, riding on a donkey, entered Jerusalem a few days before being crucified. Had the donkey mistakenly believed that the cheers were for him, how silly that would have been! While that was highly unlikely, the same cannot be said about us since we have limitless desires for self-recognition and capacities for self-delusion. Jesus’ disciples were no exceptions since they often discussed who was the greatest among them. Once when Jesus asked them, “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 disciples did not stop there; they had the same discussion right after Jesus revealed that one of them would betray Him (Lk. 22:24). We can be sure that God, who “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” will not tolerate such attitudes. Before using us, God will teach us that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. It is a lesson that we need to be reminded of constantly.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by a former AMI church staff, was first posted on December 9, 2014.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“A False Sense of Urgency”
Proverbs 21:5
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
In the book, Why We Buy, Paul Underhill describes various aspects of retail psychology. There are strategies that retailers employ in order to manipulate us into buying more. It’s to the point that over half of the grocery purchases in the U.S. are unplanned. One of the strategies is to create a false sense of urgency by using phrases such as “limited time offer” or “while supplies last,” even if they don’t indicate the available quantity of the item.
Just as there’s a false sense of urgency that retailers create which can lead us to financial poverty, there is often a false sense of urgency in our lives when we get caught up in the busyness of life, which then leads us down the path of poverty in our intimacy with the Lord.
There have been too many days when my intimacy with the Lord has been rushed. I would speed through His Word, rush through the list of prayer topics, say my “Amens” and rush out the door. If I’m being really honest, there are too many times when I skip it altogether and rush out the door. I find myself so hasty doing things for God and God’s people that I neglect being with the One who called me in the first place. I’ve made too many minute issues more important than they should be, and while I get things done with my time, I find myself becoming more spiritually dry.
It’s during this season that God has reminded me that a persistent, diligent, ardent longing for His presence is what will fill me. The life of abundance He has for me is received through the diligent study of His Word, the diligent prayers in His presence, and the diligent soaking in of His goodness.
Has your hastiness in this life brought upon spiritual poverty in your relationship with the Lord? This morning, God is asking us for diligence in hosting His presence because He wants us to live the life of abundance.
Prayer: Father, I ask for an increase of diligence when it comes to Your presence. Fill me with an abundance of Your love and goodness. Grow me in my longing of You. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 8
Lunch Break Study
Read Psalm 16:7-11: I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Questions to Consider
According to these verses, what is God’s desire for us?
What allows us to receive this blessing?
What is the assurance given to us in these verses?
Notes
God’s desire is to preserve us in life and to pour into us the fullness of joy.
We receive this blessing by blessing the Lord (v. 7), by setting the Lord before us (v. 8), and by being in His presence (v. 11).
In verse 11, it says that God makes all this known to us. It’s not about what we can do to earn the fullness of life, but about what we do to receive it.
Evening Reflection
Tonight is as good of a time to practice diligence with the Lord. Spend some time in slow, intentional engagement with Him, whether through the Word, conversational prayer, or praise. Let’s have some quality time with our heavenly Father.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., was originally posted on March 3, 2015; it has been updated. Mark is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for the Morning
“Success without Integrity or Integrity without Success: Your Move”
1 Samuel 11:6-14 (NIV)
When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.
9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’ ” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.” 11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. 12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.
Some years ago, I had a discussion with a friend on whether if would be preferable to have a large ministry whose leaders were powerfully gifted but lacking in character, or to have a small ministry where the leadership was high in character but not as visibly anointed. It was a fun conversation because I think we both knew the right answer. But admittedly, it was difficult not to entertain the thought of being highly successful without having to pay the cost of growing in integrity. In a perfect world, we would want the best of both scenarios—high character leaders impacting large numbers of people with their anointing; but in an imperfect world, you can have one without the other.
In Saul’s first act as king, we see that he leads Israel to a resounding victory over their enemies, the Ammonites. In the process, he appears to be more than a capable leader who is able to rally the people to a just cause, and coming up with a brilliant strategy to ensure the conquest of the enemy. Even afterwards, he shows mercy towards those who questioned his right to be king. On the surface, this appears to be the best possible beginning for the new monarch. Perhaps, the Israelites were justified in asking God to give them a king and that everything would turn out well after all.
However, just because something appears to look good on the surface does not mean that trouble is not brewing underneath. What is even more disturbing in this passage is that Saul is described as being empowered by the Spirit of God to accomplish this specific task of leading Israel into battle. I think this is one of the saddest facts regarding the life of Saul, because even as the Holy Spirit worked through him, the Spirit of God never worked in him. In reflection, given a choice, I realized that having a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit and yielding to His intimate work of inner transformation is more valuable than simply having some powerful gifts of leadership. Remarkably, when we ask for the former, God graciously gives us the latter.
Prayer: Lord, it is easy to fall into the temptation of success without integrity and character. There are always shortcuts in life. Help me to yield to Your Holy Spirit as He brings about conviction of sin and leads me into the righteousness of Christ. Also, help me to use the gifts of the Spirit to impact people—great and small—and to be faithful with every opportunity that comes my way. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 7
Lunch Break Study
Read Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV): Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Questions to Consider
What is the good fruit that is the evidence of a true relationship with Christ?
How can people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus perform the mighty works described in verse 22?
What is the end result of doing ministry in the name of Jesus without having a personal relationship with Jesus?
Notes
The good fruit that Jesus speaks of is a life of obedience to God. It doesn’t matter how big your church is or how many miracles you have performed. Without personal devotion and love towards God, these things are actually in vain.
Not surprisingly, we see many people who don’t have the right motives, using the Spirit of God and the name of Christ for personal gain. There are two possible answers: Like Balaam (Numbers 24:2), God can choose to give His Spirit to non-believers to fulfill His purposes; or these signs could be performed through a deceiving spirit.
There is absolutely no benefit to doing ministry or good works in the name of Jesus without a saving relationship with Him. The end result is eternal separation from the One whose name was used for selfish desires and to promote personal gain.
Evening Reflection
In our modern world, it is so easy to judge everything by the outward appearance, and to be tempted by the world’s standards of value and success. In what ways are you attracted to outer success, whether in your choice of churches, career, or even relationships? How can you learn to see through the eyes of God and judge people not by the outward appearance, but by their inward character?
“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.”
Family honor should matter, but too much emphasis on this can result in something bizarre or even violent. For example, at a wedding ceremony of his son, the proud father (a pastor) abruptly announces a prayer huddle in front but just with his sons who bear his name, which excluded the bride. Standing all alone, the bride perhaps wonders whether it is too late to back out.
In some Islamic countries, brothers are willing to kill their sister if her behavior is deemed dishonorable. While we can agree that “a good name is more desirable than great riches” (Prov. 22:1), these guys are way too much.
God is also concerned about his name and He doesn’t like it when it is dishonored. One grievance against King David was the effect of his adultery with Bathsheba among the Canaanites: “Because by doing this you made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt” (2 Sam. 12:14). The grievance against the Israelites living abroad whose lives were undistinguishable from the Gentile sinners, despite “brag[ging] about [their] relationship to God” (Rom. 2:17), was no different: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Rom. 2:24).
Is the motivation behind protecting the family honor the same as God’s concern for upholding His name? Definitely no. The families are mostly concerned about how others view them, usually a self-flattering portrayal that others do not see. However, God’s concern for his name stems from His love for people among the nations. The Lord knows that the defamation of His name by those who claim to follow Him will prompt the nations to think that the God of the Bible is no different than the capricious, even immoral gods whom they grew up worshiping. Thus, they will neither seek nor believe God when He is finally presented to them. It’s their loss as well as God’s.
As you start this day, don’t just focus on you and your family, but think about the kingdom. Today, it snowed here. As I was shoveling snow out of the driveway, I decided to clear out some snow for my neighbor. They are not believers but they know we are. They thank me. I hope the name of our God was exalted just a little bit. Now, go and shovel some “snow” so that God’s name may be exalted.
Prayer: Glorious God, how great and excellent is your name. We exalt your name on high and the name of your Son Jesus, the only name through which we can go to the Father. Lord, I want to make your name great at the place where I live and work so that others may desire you and ultimately be found in Christ. Motivate me and empower me to do something today that would make your name to stand out. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 6
Lunch Break Study
Read 1 Pet. 2:12, 15: “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. . . . For this is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.”
Jeremiah 4:1-2: “If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the Lord. “If you 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 him they will glory.”
Questions to Consider
What is one main factor that causes us to be ineffective in serving God and furthering his kingdom?
In what way did the failure of the Israelites to distinguish themselves among the nations hurt those very nations?
What is the best way to distinguish ourselves from the world so that what we do gives further credence to the greatness of our God?
Notes
We become co-opted by the values and practices of the secular world, thereby losing our Christian distinction; that is, our saltiness. As a result, we become good for nothing as far as representing God. In fact, we may become recipients of ridicule by the skeptics of the Christian faith.
Israel’s wayward ways, in effect, blocked God’s channel of blessing for the nations since her undistinguishable life prompted the nations not to hold God in high regard. They thought, “Why bother seeking the God of Israel when these Israelites prefer our god and our ways?”
Nothing is more powerful that leading a credible public life, backed by a corresponding private life, consisting of good and kind deeds performed “with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15).
Evening Reflection
Did you have an opportunity to exalt God’s name today? Wrap up your day by briefly journaling what happened today. Pray for a more effective tomorrow.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 20, 2014.
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“What We Say Matters”
Malachi 2:17 (ESV)
“You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ By saying, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.’ Or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’”
Malachi 3:13-5 (ESV)
“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
A young pastor, having grown impatient with the travel agent who again put him on hold, murmured in frustration, “What a dork!” He thought that the agent was away from the phone. She wasn’t. Oops. Who, among us, hasn’t done the same?
The words that wearied God in Malachi’s time are awful but none worse than these: “Now you have rejected us. . . . All this happened to us, though we have not . . . been false to your covenant. . . . Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep?” A psalmist said that (Ps. 9a, 17b, 23a). “Know that God has wronged me. . . . Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.’” Job said that (19:6a, 7). But they pale in comparison to what the frustrated the prophet Jeremiah said (20:7a), “O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived.”
These are biting words aimed at God’s very character and “men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matt. 12:36). Even so, God, in His mercy, gives us opportunities to amend our errors before that day. After all, the One who knows “all men” and “what [i]s in a man” (Jn. 2:24, 5) understands that we are weak, and that when pushed and shoved, our words turn careless and thoughtless. But He also knows that if we keep on saying them, before long, we may actually believe what we say, which is not good.
So the Lord will gently remind us through the words of Scripture or caring brothers, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit, that He isn’t like that. Thus, God, to help Job realize his error, begins the dialogue by saying (38:2), “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words of without knowledge?” By the end, the penitent Job says (42:3), “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to speak.”
Today, be mindful of using your tongue to bear witness of God’s wonderful character to unbelieving friends or coworkers like, “God is good,” “God loves and cares for you,” “God is in control,” etc.
Prayer: My Father, the one area where I have erred the most is what I often say with my mouth. Instead of praising and thanking you, I complain, criticize and even gossip. What can I say, Lord? Forgiven me. Make me aware of the great importance of using my words to honor you whether I am at work, church or home. So I say now, “Thank you, my glorious and wonderful God; my soul exalts you.” Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 5
Lunch Break Study
Read James 3:2, 6, 9-10 (ESV):“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. . . . Cross references:
James 3:2 : 1 Kgs. 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccles. 7:20; 1 John 1:8
James 3:2 : [Matt. 12:37]
James 3:2 : See ch. 1:26
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
James 1:9 (ESV): “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
Eph. 4:25, 9:“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. . . . 29 Let 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.”
Questions to Consider
Describe the situation with our mouth: what is so ironic about how we use it?
What are some practical ways to limit our careless and thoughtless words from hurting others and ultimately ourselves?
How should we use our words instead? How have you been doing with your spoken words?
Notes
With our mouth, we praise our God as well as speak badly of others (even God sometimes). Those who think they don’t commit many sins must have laryngitis because sooner or later, we say things that hurt others as well as dishonor God. It’s like the law through which we become conscious of sin (Rom. 3:20); our words make us conscious of sin. So cry out, “Lord, forgive me, for I’m a sinner!”
Listen well; speak slowly, meaning think before you talk; limit your words. Don’t talk nonstop because sooner or later you will end up saying what you will regret.
We should edify others with words of encouragement as well as through constructive criticism: truthful words, not empty flattery; fair evaluation, not personal attack.
Evening Reflection
How did you use your tongue today? Was God honored and others uplifted, or was it the other way around. Lift up a prayer to the Lord.
UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 8, 2013.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“The Three Prayers”
Luke 3:4-6, 16
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’. . . John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”
Repentance has a number of different purposes. Prior to seeing God’s salvation, true repentance is needed. In Jesus’ days, many failed to see God’s salvation through Jesus. Some religious leaders were relying on their ethnicity and religious heritage (v. 8), and failed to repent. When the Holy Spirit reminds us of our wrongdoings, we must not procrastinate; we need to do something about it.
Pray that you will take immediate action followed by repentance in order to see God’s salvation (vv. 10-14).
It is comforting to know that no matter what we do, there is a limitation in what we do before God, and it would not suffice for God’s glory. For this reason, more than the external ritual, the true baptizer Jesus Christ has to come. He is the one who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16).
Take time to pray asking the Holy Spirit to touch you in order to bear the fruit of repentance.
What is “good news”? Basically, that which we are incapable of doing, God provides the remedy for us (Matt. 19:26). We cannot truly repent of our sinful ways with our own strength; it is only possible when there is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. This is the reason why the prophet John concluded with the following exhortation: “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them” (Luke 3:18).
Pray for the people around you who may be struggling with sin and need to be liberated.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to take immediate actions followed by repentance. The Spirt of God, touch me so that I may bear fruits of repentance. Lord, I pray for the liberation of sin-bound people around me. Amen.
UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 23, 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
“The Art of Being a Parent”
Proverbs 23:13, 14
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.”
I wonder what today’s counselors would say about this passage.
Like any parent, I love my kids. I laugh with them and I play with them, but I also discipline them. I try to be a happy and holy dad, trying to have as much fun with them as possible, but they know that if they misbehave, they will experience the “wrath” of dad. And that is the art of being a parent.
I pray that my kids will remember the laughter we have shared, but also, at the same time, they will have a healthy fear of dad when they are disobedient. I hope I do not sound scary. I don’t think my kids are scared of me, unless they do something wrong .
So then, let us spend some time praying for children. If you are a parent pray, for your kids. Write a letter to them; I do this from time to time. I spend time writing down how much I love them and what my prayers are for them. Sometimes I send it to them and other times I just keep it in my journal.
If you are single, pray for a niece or nephew. Maybe there are children at your church; pray for them as well for their parents, for they need great wisdom in raising their children.
If you don’t know any kids, go and get to know some of them; they will brighten your day and next time you will have someone to pray for.
Prayer: Jesus, give me wisdom to raise my children in the love and fear of God. Amen.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 15, 2013. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Our Immense God”
Psalm 104:1-9 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2 The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent 3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. 4 He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. 5 He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. 6 You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. 7 But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; 8 they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. 9 You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.
One of the things I’ve learned about God over the years is that God is really BIG. And when I read through the Psalms, I see that many the psalmists have come to this realization as well. How can we describe our great God? What’s he like? Where does he live? They seem like silly questions, but for our finite little minds, tangible representations of our seemingly intangible God can be quite helpful.
In Psalm 104, the psalmist is essentially asking this same question: How can I describe our great God? As many of us do, he turns to nature for the answer. What is God like? Well if God had a robe it would be fashioned from light. And if God had a dwelling it would be the entire sky and the foundations would be the whole of the sea. What about His transportation? Well if God were to need to get from place to place, He’d ride the clouds and the wind. And what happens when God speaks? The foundations of the earth are set and the waters fall into place.
What a BIG God we serve! While no single metaphor or personification will ever do Him justice, we can turn to nature for dim pictures of his majesty and to one another for shadows of his image. And as we do, we get a fuller picture of our really big God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that You, being such an immense God, care about such an insignificant being like me. All I got left to say is to proclaim, “Thank You.” Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 1
Lunch Break Study
Read Mark 4:35-41 (NIV):That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
A few years ago, Rick Warren released a Bible study program called “40 Days in the Word” in which he outlines numerous methods to study and understand scripture. One of these methods is called “Picture It” and is intended to help readers get the most out of narrative texts (stories, like those found in the Gospels) like the one found in our passage for this afternoon. In a few steps, Warren encourages readers to picture the biblical scene in their mind (sights, smells, tastes, etc.) and engage their imagination asking questions like: What would I have been thinking at this point? How would I have felt? How would I have responded?
For the less imaginative among us, this method can be quite painful. But I think it’s helpful, especially as we look at the passage for today.
Questions to Consider
So, let’s try to picture it: you’re on the boat (and not a super advanced ship like we have today, but one according to the 2000-years-ago technology they had back then). You are in the middle of a really big lake and in the midst of a seriously fierce storm. You are wet with seawater and in serious need of some Dramamine (one of the disciples is hurling over the side of the boat… he’s not so used to being on the water… maybe that would be you). The former fishermen among you have tried everything they know to do but are now at their wits end and are convinced you’re all facing certain death. There is really noting to be done but to bear down and wait for impact. Someone goes to get Jesus; maybe he’ll know what to tell us to do. Jesus comes up, maybe a bit groggy, turns to the stormy waters and says, “Chill out! Right now.” (Or at least that’s how I imagine it…) And even more ridiculous than His solution to the problem, is that the waters actually respond, like a shamed child headed to time out.
1. What must they have been thinking?
2. What would you have thought?
3. Spend some time mediating on the greatness of God.
Notes
1. In various places in the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms (like the one we read this morning), God is personified as one who rebukes tumultuous waters. He is just that big and His power is just that great that nature moves at His command. Yet our great, big God somehow (I get a bit of a headache trying to parse out exactly how it all went down) took upon Himself human flesh and became a man. Throughout this man’s life, a lot of people missed His “God-ness” because He seemed so small – a regular old Joe, with a common name, in a lowly town, with a motley crew – and everyone knows that God is really big. But even when our understanding of the greatness of God was baffled by His ability to be the Jesus walking on earth, the rest of nature did not seem to be confused and responded as they always had when He spoke – with obedience.
2. Our God is really Big – so big and great that nature obeys him. But he is also so small that He can walk with us everyday. Just like the old hymn says: And he walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.” (In the Garden, C. Austin Miles)
3. Maybe you can picture the scene from the passage above or another passage that depicts His greatness. Then spend some time reminiscing with God – thinking about the times God has been personally present in your life, small enough to walk with you in seasons of plenty and want. Let those memories bring you joy and encouragement and lead you to adoration.
Evening Reflection
In our culture, we use the word “awesome” very freely – a song is awesome, a movie is awesome, extreme athletic ability is awesome, a great pair of shoes (and on sale) . . . awesome! Yet when God’s people talked about His “awesomeness” they pointed to his character and works that led them to stand in awe (jaws dropped, eyes wide, knees knocking, hands trembling). The greatness of God should blow our minds!
Spend sometime declaring the greatness of God in your own words. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of who God is and the things He’s done (in your life and throughout generations). Allow your heart to be moved to awe and adoration for God.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, was first posted on April 29, 2013. He is a graduate of Stanford University (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Into the Presence of God”
Psalm 43:3-4 (NIV)
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
There is more to Psalms 42 and 43 than meets the eye. While the same question— “Why are you downcast oh my soul” (Psalm 42:5, 11, Psalm 43:5)—is repeated in both, the Psalmist laments in Psalm 42 but he is infused with hope in the following chapter. Whereas Psalm 42 records the writer’s dialogues with his own soul, the ensuing psalm shows him turning to God in a tone that is different from the previous chapter.
And yet, I am struck that the cry of the psalmist is not merely for deliverance out of his situation, but deliverance into the presence of God so that he can render worship unto Him. The psalmist’s desperation had more to do with his difficult circumstances keeping him from worshiping God (in the only way he knew how) than the circumstances themselves.
I believe the psalmist hits upon the greatest fundamental need of the human condition. We were made to give glory to God in his presence. This is the reason that scripture paints a picture of heaven, the ultimate depiction of being “with-God”, as a place where praising and giving glory to our King will never cease.
What kind of worship are you rendering unto God? Yesterday, our churches held worship services. Were you able to give worship as your heart desires? If not, cry out to God that he would lead you in his truth and light a fire in your heart so that you may worship Him passionately.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for I know that the worship I give to You is far less than You deserve. I thank You for Your demonstration of love on the cross. Because of the cross, I know that Your desire is to be with me. In the same way, help me to desire Your presence above everything else. Help me to be value giving You glory and worship above all things. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 48
Lunch Break Study
Read John 4:21-26 (NIV): Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
Questions to Consider
Why does Jesus say that a time is coming when worship will be given “neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem”?
What does Jesus mean by “salvation is from the Jews”?
What kind of worship does God desire of us?
Notes
In John’s gospel, a reference to the coming “time” consistently means the hour of Jesus’s exaltation through death and resurrection. This crisis will throw the whole course of human relationship with God into a new dimension, thereby rendering physical location, whether Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim, an obsolete issue. Now, because of Jesus, we are able to worship God anywhere.
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. As such, even though the Jewish people had periodically turned apostate, God, nonetheless, kept his covenant with them by allowing Jesus, God’s salvation to the world, to proceed from Israel. Moreover, Jesus’s messianic renewal of worship was based on Old Testament revelation, affirming it even as he transformed it.
With the coming of Jesus, a time of true worship is at hand because Jesus is now at hand. There is to be worship in spirit and truth because Jesus is the truth who dispenses the Spirit to all who believe in him. True worship, accordingly, is offered through the Son, based not on our sacrifices but upon his. In addition, true worship is only possible through our union with Jesus by means of the Holy Spirit.
Evening Reflection
The good news of Jesus is also that every moment is an opportunity to give God worship, as any moment is a moment where we can be in his presence. But what kind of worship will we give?
Even as we worship the Lord, its focus can easily be on us. How? We evaluate worship based on how much we liked the songs that we sang, or the message that we heard, or the “quality” of people whom we met in the church. We choose our churches based on how well their worship services meet our needs. The irony is that true worship will meet our deep-seated need to be in the presence of God, which starts and ends with Jesus. If our worship is not based upon the truth of Jesus, and led by the Spirit of God, then we are not offering true worship.
Are you living a life of worship? Does your life, words and actions, give glory to God? In our journals, let us confess the ways that our worship falls short, and then give God authentic praise based upon the work of Jesus Christ, which we see in scripture and in our lives.
