June 28, Monday

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Why God Hates Divorce”

Malachi 2:13b-16 (ESV)

“You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts.  So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Are you surprised to find God taking such offence at divorce?  In addition to defectives animals offered for sacrifices, rampant divorce among the Israelites caused God to reject these offerings.   Even so, I’m more surprised that divorce was an issue back in the 5th century B.C. Israel as it is today when hardly anyone, including some believers, would bat an eye over this.  Since divorce among the believers is quite widespread, many churches have opted to remain silent, but instead speak against same sex marriage.   

Back in Malachi’s day, God certainly cared about the betrayed wives and the forlorn children.  That was on the prophet’s mind as he reminded the men to keep the covenant of marriage.  But God was also concerned about another covenant, the bond between “Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32).   A “profound mystery” behind the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, established from the very beginning, is this: to foreshadow what God will do one day for humanity, who is separated from Him because of sins, and in time, to reconcile them “to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Cor. 5:19).   

Divorce embodies the breaking of this covenant while same sex marriage distorts it because Christ’s love and sacrifice for the church is founded upon husbands loving their wives (Eph. 5:25).   The first male and female whom God created (Gn. 1:27) were merely the first couple to have the opportunity to foreshadow the covenant between Christ and the church.  And if you are married, or hope to one day, we need to live it out as an essential aspect of the message of reconciliation which we are to proclaim.

But, if you are having trouble with your spouse right now, not much of this may have helped you.   My best move has always been this: Alone in a room, I say to God: “I’ve been telling my wife all her wrongs; tell me now my faults.”  After being informed, I tell my wife, “I am sorry.”  That’s how our marriage has survived.  Try it.  What is there to lose except a little pride, which we can do without just fine!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I marvel at Your wonderful and intricate plan to reconcile us back to You.  While I recognize that we may or may not have entered into this world through the institution of marriage, I thank You that every one of us has the opportunity to “wed” Christ through having faith in him and what was accomplished on the Cross.  How thankful I am to You that Christ loves and cares for me.  Amen   

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 45

Lunch Break Study

Read Eph. 5:21-33 (ESV): “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV): “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

Questions to Consider

  1. The submission issue always riles up some people.  What is the overall tenor of this passage?  Is it one of domination and submission as in enslavement?
  2. How should husbands treat their wives?  What should they do for them?
  3. Ultimately, what is the main message of this passage?  

Notes

  1. First of all, before wives are told to submit to their husbands, everyone is told to submit to one another.   The tenor of the passage calls for humility by all.  Before men protest, remember that even Christ submitted to his father.   The writer of the Hebrews says, “Jesus . . . offered up prayers  . . . and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (Heb. 5:7).  
  2. Husbands should treat their wives with respect, honor, care and self-sacrifice.  They should also share God’s word with them so they may be sanctified (i.e., separated from the influence of the world).   For instance, to a stay-home mom who is surrounded by career women, her husband needs to share God’s word that values bringing up children (1 Tim. 5:10) and also his appreciation of her.
  3. God in Christ loves us beyond our imagination.  This love is described by Paul like this: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-9).

Evening Reflection

Spend a moment praying with your spouse.  If you are single desiring to be married one day, pray for a godly mate.  If you are neither, then pray for the marriage of your parents or friends.  

June 27, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on June 8, 2014.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend 

“What Kind of Heart Do You Have?”

Matthew 13:18-23

“Hear then the parable of the sower: [19] When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. [20] As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. [22] As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. [23] As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

 “We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.”   -John Stott

Maturing in Christ is actually not a complicated process. It does not require an extraordinary amount of skill nor knowledge. But by the regular use of the means of grace, such as prayer and the study of Scripture, it helps us become more like Jesus. 

This parable is challenging because Jesus is describing how the Word is received in the hearts of people.  He points out the various types of hearts: the hard heart (the Word never has a chance to grow); the shallow heart (this type of heart receives the Word with joy for awhile, but is choked out when trials come); and lastly, the divided heart (the Word grows for awhile, but then is choked out because of pleasure and riches).  It is only the last type of heart – the good heart- that actually bears fruit and transforms our lives.

What kind of heart describes you?  Have you seen the Word of God yield fruit (transformation) in your life these days?  As we receive the Word in our own personal QT’s and from our respective churches, ask the Lord that all hindrances and distractions would be cast away and that the Word would yield a great crop in our daily lives.  Amen.  

Prayer: Dear God, help me to have a soft heart that readily receives your Word.  Help me to reject a hard and divided heart so that the seed sown in my heart may produce abundant fruits.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 44

June 25, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 28, 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

“Be Diligent”

Proverb 22:13

The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”

Is there something you need to be diligent about?  Is there an unfinished task that you need to complete?  Or are you being lazy with your spiritual life? I remember talking to an older pastor who reminded me that one of the killers for ministers is laziness.  Laziness can make you spiritually unfruitful.   Although we don’t live to perform for God, we don’t want to let laziness grow in our life for the enemy will use it destroy our relationship with God.  

List three things you could be doing to spice up your relationship with God.  Ask God for His grace to carry it out.  Memorize 2 Timothy 1:7 tonight, and don’t be lazy in memorizing it: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to be diligent and not be given to laziness.  Fill me with Your Spirit and Word so that I may lead a diligent and productive life that advances Your kingdom on earth.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 42-43

June 25, Friday

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 23, 2013.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Fear of God”

Psalm 112:1-19 (NIV) 

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. 6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. 10 The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

“When Hugh Latimer was preaching one day in the presence of King Henry VIII, he reports that he said to himself, ‘Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the king is here; be careful what you say.’ Then he said to himself, ‘Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the King of kings is here; be careful what you do not say.’ For such unflinching faithfulness Latimer was eventually burned at the stake. But he feared failing God more than he feared offending men.” (Matthew Kratz)

The most repeated command in Scripture is the command not to fear. And yet we are also frequently told in Scripture to fear the Lord. The harmony between the two and the wisdom of Scripture is this: When we learn to fear that which is most powerful, we finally find ourselves free from fear of less powerful things. Fear of man, fear of failure, fear of [you fill in the blank] come quickly to an end when we truly learn to fear God – acknowledging His power and sovereignty and submitting our lives to His rule. 

Spend some time meditating on Psalm 112:1. Ask God to make this truth manifest in your life today. 

Prayer: Dear God, may the truth of Psalm become the reality in my life.  May I fear You above all else.  May I love You above all else.  May I worship You above all else.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 41

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 10:26-33: “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” 

Questions to Consider

  1. What do we learn from verse 28 about what to fear and what not to fear? Are there areas in your life where you have misplaced fears? 
  2. In calling us to fear God alone, what comfort and encouragement does Jesus give us? 
  3. In verses 32-33, how are we called to fear God in our lives? 

Are there practical ways you can acknowledge God in your life today? Spend some time declaring God’s power, majesty, and supremacy in your life and in the world. Ask God to show you ways He’s calling you to acknowledge Him. 

NOTES

  1. God is the most powerful – He is the only one who can destroy not only the body, but also the soul. No one else has that kind of power. Therefore, we are to fear God above any other person and any other thing in this world, because He is the most powerful being in all existence. 
  2. Not only is our God all-powerful, but also He is full of compassion for His children. He is mindful of us and cares for us so much so that He even knows the number of hairs on our head. The most powerful being in the world also wills good for each of us. Therefore, in submitting ourselves to God, we do so not in terror, but in a joyful reverence and awe. 
  3. Jesus calls us to acknowledge Him publically. This could be through our words, through our actions/choices, etc. Whatever the situation, we have to show that we submit first and foremost to God, even if the outcome will be persecution from man. 

Evening Reflection

The 1905 hymn, “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” reads,

“I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

‘Let not your heart be troubled,’ His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears.”

Is God the only one you fear? Or do you fear much less powerful things? Are you living in the comfort and peace of knowing that God has promised to care for you? Ask God to help you find rest in Him. 

June 24, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 7, 2015.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Playing the Victim Card”

1 Samuel 22:6-8

Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. 7 He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8 Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”

My two boys will get into a little tiff and eventually one of them (usually the younger) will come running to me making a case about how he had been victimized by his brother: “Dad, he took the controller away from me, and he’s not sharing!” Of course, then his older brother will have to plead his own case that he first had been wronged: “Dad, he’s been playing already for a long time, and I didn’t even get a turn.” Back and forth the arguments will be made, hoping that I would be persuaded to take the side of the ultimate victim. 

I can probably make the case that being born as sinful creatures, we are all prone to playing the victim card; this is where we use attention seeking strategies to either cope, or even worse, manipulate others for our benefit. Both Adam and Eve tried to blame others rather than admit their disobedience, claiming that they had been victimized. 

In this passage, King Saul concludes his tirade by playing the ultimate victim card. He makes accusations that “all have conspired against me,” and that “none of you is concerned about me.” Saul discloses that even his own son has taken the side of David—perhaps trying to manipulate his men to take his side. It would seem that while Saul still remained seated on the throne, his kingdom was slipping from his very own fingers. He needed to convince others that he was still a legitimate king and that the real perpetrator was David, while he was the victim. 

Do you sometimes find yourself playing the victim card? Perhaps it’s about your spouse, your boss, your small group leader, or your pastor. (Of course, if a perpetrator has indeed hurt you by abusing one’s authority or power, then the Lord desires to heal you.) Do you sometimes react to situations and find yourself resorting to the same strategies employed here by Saul in the secret hopes of manipulation? If so, ask the Lord to reveal the truth of your circumstances. Ask the Lord to reveal what’s really going on in your heart.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is easy to complain about others and claim that I have been wronged. I can try to make a case that I have been overlooked, abandoned, and unloved. But Lord, I know that you have not overlooked me. I know that you have not abandoned me and that nothing will separate me from Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.   

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 40

Lunch Break Study  

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

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Paul convince the church in Rome that God loves them and is for them? 
  2. What is Paul referring to when he writes, “in all these things” in verse 37?  
  3. Rather than feeling victimized by trouble and hardship, how is Paul convinced that he is more than a conqueror?  

Notes

  1. Paul reminds them that God did not spare his own Son, but gave His very own Son for us all.  
  2. Paul is talking about all of the “trouble and hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger and sword” mentioned in verse 35. 
  3. Though there’s persecution and murder of Christians, Paul says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” What I think this means is that a conqueror has his enemies lying, subdued at his feet—enemies such as distress, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, and persecution. But if we are “more than conquerors,” it means that they’re not just at our feet, but they are serving us. They’re not just in chains in prison; rather, they are serving us. Our persecution, famine, nakedness, loss—as painful and as tearful as they are—are our servants, for God works them all together for our good (John Piper).

Evening Reflection

Have you been feeling victimized due to difficult circumstances? Have you found yourself complaining and feeling hopeless? Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to readjust your perspective on those matters. Make plans to meet with a trusted person who can both listen to you but also provide you with a truthful perspective on these matters. 

June 23, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 15, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Fear of Death”

Psalm 17:13-15

Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. 14 O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life.  You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. 15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

In theory, those who believe in Jesus Christ, who promises eternal life to those who believe in him, should no longer be gripped by the fear of death.  What about in practice?  Are we any different than unbelievers who have every right to fear that which is inevitable—death? 

The New Atheist, Richard Dawkins, told a story of a clergy who told his dying colleague, “Congratulations! I wish I was coming with you.”  Noting that this clergy seemed like a sincere believer, Dawkins said, “It is precisely because it’s so rare that his story catches our attention.  Could it be that [religious people] don’t believe all that stuff they pretend to believe?”  

To some extent, this is true.  One reason is that believers are more enamored by men of this world who are getting all their “rewards” now, than the rewards of seeing God’s face.  David, always yearning to worship Him, ultimately found this satisfaction when, upon dying, awoke in heaven and saw the face of God.  

Who do you yearn to meet?  If it is anyone not named Jesus, what does that say about us?   

Prayer: My precious, righteous, and loving God, I yearn to see Your face: I thirst for Your presence, and I hunger for Your word!  Who in this world can quench this longing in the depth of my being? Oh LORD, help me to place my hope in Your grace and mercy instead of the fleeting wealth, fame, and power of those whose reward is in this life. Amen.

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 6:1-4: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What does “reward in this life” mean (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; Lk. 16:19-26)?
  2. Ps. 17:14 can be read as, “Save me from the influence of men of this world whose reward is in this life.”  How can “the men of this world” affect our outlook on life if we allow it (Matt. 11:7-9, 3:1-6)?
  3. How should we live our lives now in such a way that we would yearn for heaven and long to see God’s face (Phil. 3:7-11, 1:22-6)?

Notes

  1. In short, it refers to enjoying the trappings of success here and now without any regard for God’s rewards in heaven.  The Pharisees got the respect and accolade of men that they sought after, while the rich man, in his lifetime, was so caught up with living in luxury (“dressed in purple and fine linen”) and receiving good things that he was utterly unprepared to meet his Maker. 
  2. Jesus implied that if people were still chasing after living in luxury and dressing in fine clothes, they would not have come out to the desert to hear John preach repentance, thereby drawing themselves closer to God.  One reason some churches grow is that they no longer preach repentance but tips on how to live like a king here and now.  People are not likely to yearn to see God in such a setting. 
  3. We constantly need to let go—either temporarily or permanently—of those things that take the place of God in life.  This is a call to a radical lifestyle!   

Evening Reflection

James 4:14: “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Life is like a 100-meter race—so fleeting. Review what went on in your life today in that light.  Are you living for God or for yourself?  How can we make our tomorrow better?

June 22, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional was first posted on July 11, 2014.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“The Cost of Following God”

Jonah 4:3-5

Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” 5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.

What is our response when things don’t go as we want? This is the question that confronts us when we look at today’s text.

Here, we find Jonah who seemingly completed the task that God had commissioned him to do.  He certainly proclaimed judgment against the Ninevites and in response, they repented; as a result, God spared them.  But Jonah was livid, for this was what he feared would happen.  By acquiescing to the Lord, the Ninevites, whom Jonah felt deserved wrath, were given mercy. In reaction, he asks the Lord to take his life.  This is how extreme Jonah’s anger is towards God and His pouring of mercy on people who clearly did not deserve it. 

When we look at Jonah, it’s easy to dismiss him as someone who is bitter and unloving, but that is too dismissive of what God is revealing through this story. Jonah presents a mirror to all of our true desires. In our desire to follow the Lord, can we truly say, “Lord, have your way?”

To be honest, what I’ve found is that there is both increasing difficulty as well as ease when we say, “Lord, have your way.”  Following the Lord sometimes means that even though you did all the right things, trouble and persecution may ensue.  That is, your obedience causes others to be upset at you; the more you obey, the more this potential increases. However, the comfort comes with knowing that God is the one who is leading you. There is a level of trust and hope that allows us to be okay with whatever happens as long as God is the one who brings it about. (e.g., 2 Samuel 24:14)

This morning, let’s be reminded of looking to the Lord in whom we trust and not to the result. If following the Lord results in difficulties or hardships, let us remember that the Lord is still in control; let the hope in Him arise.

Prayer: God, following You is difficult at times. Sometimes the results of obedience are too much to bear. Renew my hope in You so I can follow wherever You lead me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 38

Lunch Break Study

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

Read Ephesians 4:30-32: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.”

Questions to Consider

  1. Why was Jonah waiting outside the city?
  2. According the Ephesians 4 text, is it wrong to feel angry?
  3. What is the stern warning against anger that is allowed to fester and simmer?

Notes

  1. Jonah was waiting to see whether or not the destruction of Nineveh would occur.  He sure wasn’t hoping that God would turn from his indignation. 
  2. Anger itself is not wrong, but what we do with it and how we let it fester is wrong. There is an allowance of anger as a righteous response [“Jesus looked around at them in anger (Mk. 3:5)] as well as an emotional response.  Whatever the reason however, in our anger we should not sin.
  3. It leaves room for the devil to cause roots of bitterness, dissension, and temptations.

Evening Reflection

In following the Lord, has there been any outcome that was contrary to what you expected? Has it caused any roots of bitterness and anger? Tonight, let’s reflect on the goodness of God and His overwhelming love for us. Let’s ask God to increase our trust and hope in Him so that we would be okay with whatever may happen.  

June 21, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, was first posted on April 26, 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

“Do Not Forget in the Darkness What the Lord Revealed in the Light”

Psalm 42:5-6 (NIV)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 

There’s an old saying, “Do not forget in the darkness what the Lord revealed in the light.” When the Psalmist sought to console his downcast soul, he had to remind himself to put his hope in God.  Hope is medicine for the downcast soul.  And hope comes as we remember what God has done.   

The book of Psalms is littered with remembrances of God’s faithfulness to the people of Israel, most notably during the exodus from Egypt.  Interestingly, here the Psalmist does not recall past salvific acts of God but certain places where he personally experienced the presence of God.  Hope comes as we remember not only how God manifested Himself to us in the past generally, but also how the LORD has worked in our past personally. 

I remind myself of all that you’ve done
and the hope I have because of your son

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am yours, I am forever yours.

-Brian Johnson (“Love Came Down”)

One way that we can actively recall the faithfulness and character of God is through songs of worship.  Today, let us take some time to worship God and remember what he has done.  

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness and provision.  When I lack the vision to see Your love in the present, help me to recall Your love for me in the past.  I thank You that You rescued me, for I was that lost sheep that You searched for, leaving behind the ninety-nine sheep, and found.  I thank You for Your love displayed on that cross.  No matter what happens in my life, I know that the cross stands for me and proves Your love for me.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 37

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:18-25 (NIV): I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Questions to Consider

  1. What contrasts does Paul draw between the sufferings and glory of God’s children?
  2. What does Paul mean by creation and what is its destiny?
  3. How are we to wait?

Notes

  1. For Paul, our present sufferings and future glory are inextricably linked.  First, in verse 17, we are told that we must share in Christ’s sufferings in the present so that we might share in his glory in the future.  Second, the future glory cannot be compared with the present suffering (v.18) for the future “far outweighs them all” (2 Cor 4:17).  Third, the suffering and glory concern not just God’s children but affects all of creation.  
  2. By creation, Paul means not only our world but the whole universe and all that it contains (apart from people).  Paul tells us that creation was “subjected to frustration” (v20).  Theologically, the repercussions of sin not only affected humans but also the physical creation as well.  The hope we have is for the redemption of both children of God and all of creation.  Indeed, Paul tells us that creation will be liberated from “bondage to decay” and brought into “the glorious freedom of the children of God (v21).
  3. We are to “wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (v23).  Of course, we have already been adopted, and the Spirit assures us that we are his children (v16), yet we await an even deeper and richer child-Father relationship that will come.  We are also to wait patiently (v25) for we have confidence in God’s promises.  How are we to do both?  As one commentator writes, “We are to wait neither so eagerly that we lose our patience, nor so patiently that we lose our expectation, but eagerly and patiently together.”

Our hope is not just based on the past works of God but also on our expectations of what God will do for us in the future.  One day, an amazing glory will be revealed in us.  All of creation, though groaning now, will one day be liberated.  Our bodies will be redeemed and our adoption as God’s sons completed.  Let us think on our future hope even as we remember what God has already done.  Until that day comes, we wait eagerly but also patiently.  In the words of the early church, maranâ thâ, (O, Lord, come)!

Evening Reflection

Reflect upon this week.  How have you experienced God’s presence/blessing/faithfulness?  In our journals, let us give thanks for each and every instance of God’s presence.  

June 20, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 22, 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

“Wisdom and humility”

Proverbs 22:4 (NIV)

“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

Meditate on this thought: Humility is the fear of the Lord, and fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

Wisdom and humility are strongly linked together.  If you search the Scriptures, you will realize that humility before God is one of the wisest postures.   Humility before others also pleases God. Success can make us lose our humble posture.   

Have you ever met someone who is proud about nothing? Don’t be that kind of person.  There are still too many things for us to learn.  Be humble, and be teachable.  

Prayer: Lord, make me humble.  Jesus, soften my heart to be teachable.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 36

June 19, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on June 1, 2014.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Life of Holiness”

1 Peter 1:13-16 

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

The word “holiness” sounds so archaic and so irrelevant in our “anything goes” world.  But, if you dismiss it, you do so at your own peril, for a life of unholiness is not without consequences. 

So then, how should the holiness of God affect our daily lives?  Peter writes in his letter that we, who are in Christ, should strive to be holy in all of our conduct.  Our lifestyle is not to conform to the base desires that formerly dominated us and kept us from God; rather, believers should control our desires rather than to be controlled by them. Before Christ we were in ignorance, but now, because of the grace that brought us to the revelation of Jesus, we have come to know God and his will.

Verse 13 begins with “therefore,” thus connecting what Peter has addressed in verses 1-12:  that is, the great salvation we have received.  Because of this salvation, we now should set our “hope fully on the grace to be brought.”  Peter states, first, that the conduct should be holy, and then since we have been sanctified by the Spirit (1:2), we should live this set apart life.  Both “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root, having to do with a life set apart.  Our holiness is derived from our calling: God has called us to be holy, “as he is holy.”  

What are some areas that God is calling you to be more holy?  Maybe it’s sexual purity, love for others, pride, desire for material things, etc.  Surrender whatever it might be to the Lord, and ask that he would make you more holy in that area of your life.  

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that You would give me the purity of heart and mind as I desire to become more like your Son Jesus.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 34-35