March 19, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, is an updated version of his blog first posted on March 15, 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

“Envy”

Psalm 37:1-2, 35-36

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;  2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away . . . 35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,  36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 

This may be hyperbole, but it seems to me that nothing can shipwreck our faith quite like envy.  Envy is different from other sins in that while other sins offer the potential for some kind of satisfaction (e.g. gluttony, pride, anger and lust), envy brings nothing but emptiness and pain (this is not meant to be a justification of other sins!).   Envy robs us of our contentment and satisfaction in God.  Indeed, a life filled with envy is the opposite of a life filled with Godly joy and gratitude.

How much more so when the objects of our envy are people who do not follow Jesus?  This is not a hypothetical scenario by the way.  Envy can manifest in a number of ways, beyond naked desire.  Some of us who scorn or react contemptuously toward “evil” may really be struggling with envy. 

However, David’s solution to envy was not to point out its folly or danger, but to point to the bigger picture.  When we are envious of others, it is almost always because we have lost our focus on the bigger picture of who God is and who we are in Christ.

Are you struggling with envy?  Do you wonder why “wicked” people are succeeding around you?  Does the Christian life seem overly difficult with too many sacrifices required?  Ask God today to help you see the bigger picture.  

Prayer: Father, I confess that worldly standards of success, achievement and acquisitions sometimes distract me from my desire for You.  I find myself comparing myself to others, and in those times, I lose the joy and contentment that I know You want for me.  I thank You for Your love and salvation.  Help me to remember that I am to seek treasures in heaven and not treasures on this earth.  Help me to remember all the blessings You have abundantly poured out upon me.  In Jesus’s name, I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Jeremiah 5

Lunch Break Study

In Luke 12:13, Jesus encounters a man who has fallen into the trap of envying his brother.  His brother’s inheritance had become a source of discontent and was poisoning his heart against his brother.  His desire for wealth had become more important than his relationship with his brother.  Talk about misplaced priorities and perspective!  

Jesus counters with a parable that showed the foolishness of such thinking.  There are more important things than money, wealth or success.  We can’t take these things with us beyond the grave.  But our treasure in heaven will last forever.  

Read Luke 12:13-21 (NIV): Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’  20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” 

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Jesus describe the method by which this man became successful (verse 16)?  What does this tell us about success?
  2. Why does God call this remarkably successful man a “fool”?
  3. What does it mean to be “rich toward God” (c.f. Luke 12:31-33)?

Notes

  1. Jesus says, “The ground of a certain rich man produced a great crop.”  While this rich man seems to think that he has engineered his own success, we can tell from Jesus’s language that this crop came by the grace of God.  God created the land and everything on it.  Everything we have is by the grace of God.
  2. While the rich man in Jesus’s parable would have been considered a success by this world, God calls him a fool because his investment horizon was far too short.  Instead of investing in (and for) eternity, he had invested in things that would not last.  The reality is that while we may have some fifty, sixty, seventy years in this life, we will have billions upon billions upon billions of years after this life with God.  Wise people have a proper investment horizon! 
  3. Immediately following the parable of the rich fool, Jesus explains that his followers do not have to worry for they have a Father in heaven who knows what they need and will provide for them.  Instead, they are to “seek God’s kingdom” (verse 31) and “sell [their] possessions and give to the poor” (verse 33).  These summary statements tell us that a life “rich to God” means investing the resources God has given to us in kingdom projects.  Using our resources only on ourselves is foolish short-term thinking.  Using our resources so that God’s will would be done in our communities and among our neighbors is wise long-term thinking.

Evening Reflection

Where is your focus these days?  Are you able to see the bigger picture?  As you journal tonight, confess the ways that you are focusing upon yourself rather than upon God.  If you have been envious of someone, confess that envy to God and ask for his provision and perspective.

March 18, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by a former AMI church staff, was first posted on July 2, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Spiritual Slumber”

Jonah 1:5-6

Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”

In the midst of the storm that God sent as He pursued Jonah, he is in the belly of the ship fast asleep.  While the sailors were scrambling to save their lives, the disobedient prophet was completely oblivious to what was going on around him.  The state of his physical slumber pointed to his spiritual indifference and insensitivity. This is in contrast to the (presumably) polytheistic sailors who could sense that this storm was caused by some higher power, as we will see in verse 7.

This is a sobering reminder for us. Through continual disobedience and running from God’s presence, we can easily end up in a state of spiritual slumber as Jonah did. God can reveal His presence, His glory, and His direction, but we can be oblivious to it.

Yet, God is gracious in how He pursues us so that we would be awakened to Him. Aside from the storm, God used the captain of the ship and the casting of lots (v. 7) so that Jonah would become aware of God’s activity. As a matter of fact, the captain’s words echoes the very words God used in calling Jonah: In verse 6, the captain said, “Arise, call out to your god!” And in verse 2, the Word of the Lord came to Jonah and said, “Arise… call out against it…” God is making it abundantly clear that He is the one orchestrating all of these events.

We also find the remedy to our spiritual slumber in the captain’s words: “Arise, call out to your god!” It’s when we finally decide to arise and take action and call out to Him that our hearts soften and our eyes open. This is what God desires from us as He pursues us.

This morning, examine your life and see if you are in a state of spiritual slumber. If so, how has God been pursuing you? Respond to His heart that desires for you to rise and call out to Him.

Prayer: Father, open my eyes that I may see how you are pursuing me. Soften my heart to call out to you. Open my lips to cry out for you.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 4

Lunch Break Study

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

Proverbs 6:4-11: “4 Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; 5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Jonah’s slumber reveal about his spiritual condition in light of the Proverbs text?
  2. How did Jonah’s slumber hinder the sailors?
  3. What does Jonah’s slumber reveal about our own spiritual slumber?

Notes

  1. Proverbs 6:4-5 warns that slumber creates blindness to the dangers surrounding you. Jonah, in his slumber, was blind to the dangerous spiritual condition he entered due to his disobedience.
  2.  We are warned of impending poverty due to our slumber in Proverbs 6:10-11. In today’s Jonah text, this poverty doesn’t just affect Jonah, but it affects the sailors in a vey real way. They had to cast off all their cargo and goods to lighten the ship.
  3.  When we are in a state of spiritual slumber, we become numb to the presence and activity of God around us.

Evening Reflection

The difficulty with being spiritually asleep is that we are usually unaware of it. This calls for us to examine ourselves carefully, but to also have brothers and sisters who we can grow in accountability with. Tonight, examine how you are doing with the Lord, but also ask God to provide a community of accountability if you do not have one.

March 17, Wednesday

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 18, 2013.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Thanking God”

Psalm 107:1-43

[1] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

[2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble

[3] and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

[4] Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;

[5] hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

[6] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

[7] He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.

[8] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

[9] For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

[10] Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,

[11] for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

[12] So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.

[13] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

[14] He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

[15] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

[16] For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

[17] Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;

[18] they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

[19] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

[20] He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

[21] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

[22] And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

[23] Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;

[24] they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.

[25] For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

[26] They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;

[27] they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.

[28] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

[29] He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

[30] Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

[31] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

[32] Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

[33] He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,

[34] a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.

[35] He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.

[36] And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;

[37] they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.

[38] By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.

[39] When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,

[40] he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

[41] but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.

[42] The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

[43] Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

One major theme that continually comes up in the Psalms, including the one just read, is thanksgiving.  The psalmist speaks of the steadfast love of God, which in Hebrew means “an eager and ardent desire,” referring to the fact that God’s love never gives up. Even when God’s people were extremely rebellious, God’s love never ceased for them.  In his love, God delivers his people from the many dangers, toils, and snares in this life (v. 4-32).  

This particular Psalm is a praise song of the re-gathered people of Israel after their Babylonian bondage.  Psalm 105, 106, and 107 are a trilogy:  Psalm 105 recounts Israel’s experience from the time of God’s covenant with Abraham to the people’s entrance into the Promised Land; Psalm 106 tracks their unfaithfulness during that same time period and reflects the years of exile to Babylon; and Psalm 107 thanks God for their deliverance from exile.  

When was the last time you thanked Jesus for his steadfast and unrelenting love?  In our busy and chaotic lives, it’s so easy to forget all that the Lord has done for us; so as you meditate on this Psalm, spend time thanking God for your salvation and his great love for you.  May our prayers echo what is said in verse 31: “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

Prayer: Dear God, help me to be thankful always, for Your steadfast and unrelenting love.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:4-13: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] 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. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does Paul command believers to “rejoice in the Lord always”?  How are we able to do that?
  2. How do you think Paul learned to be content in any circumstance?  
  3. Does this describe your life?  

Notes

  1. One of the challenges we face as believers is to be content– not only when things are going our way or when life is easy – but in all circumstances. Paul is exhorting his readers that Christians should live with joy, peace, contentment, and thanksgiving.   It should be a daily way of living, not based on our circumstances, but because of who Jesus is. 
  2. Paul learned that in every situation God provides the strength to overcome it. 
  3. Are you living the Christian life that Paul describes in these verses?  If not, ask God to give you a heart of joy, peace, and contentment.  Ask him to remove the barriers that might hinder you from living this kind of life in Christ.  

Evening Reflection

As we have been thinking about having a thankful heart, if we are honest, difficult circumstances in life makes it hard to always be thankful.  I love how one author writes on the topic of gratitude:

Being thankful is not telling God you appreciate the fact that your life is not in shambles. If that is the basis of your gratitude, you are on slippery ground. Every day of your life you face the possibility that a blessing in your life may be taken away. But blessings are only signs of God’s love. The real blessing, of course, is the love itself. Whenever we get too attached to the sign, we lose our grasp on the God who gave it to us. Churches are filled with widows who can explain this to you. We are not ultimately grateful that we are still holding our blessings. We are grateful that we are held by God even when the blessings are slipping through our fingers.  

– Craig Barnes

Spend some time thanking the Lord for his goodness and steadfast love.  

March 16, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Sam Lee who leads Catalyst Agape Church in Northern New Jersey, was first posted on July 25, 2014.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“We Shouldn’t Let Them Hurt Us Twice”

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

It is neither godly (in the spiritual realm) nor beneficial (emotionally) to focus on the person who has offended or hurt us.   Before long, we are thinking of different ways to “repay evil with evil or insult with insult.”   It is bad enough that someone has hurt us; it would be worse if we allow the bitterness to enroot in our hearts, because that becomes poison that brings dysfunction (in relationships with others), opens us to spiritual attacks from the Enemy (loss of joy, peace, a clear conscience, etc.), and keeps us from moving forward in life.  We should not let him or her hurt us twice. 

The more we hold on to bitterness and unforgiveness, the spiritual and emotional strongholds against us become stronger.  And God’s blessings and His promises seem meaningless since a prolonged bitterness always causes spiritual and emotional deadness.   Finally, the bitterness, once it is full-grown, demands that actions be taken to repay evil with evil against the offender:  We plan, plot, and implement until we have gotten our revenge.  In the meantime, the bitterness towards one person affects our relationship with others, including those who are trying to help and love us. 

Consider the case of the brothers of Joseph who hated their younger brother for his boasting (Gn. 37:5-11).  Embittered by this, they successfully implemented their plan to get rid of Joseph, which left their father Jacob, who loved all his children, miserable for the rest of his life (Gn. 37:34-5).  

Do not repay evil with evil; it is not worth it.  In fact, Joseph shows the importance of releasing bitterness and the desire to take revenge when he forgave his brothers, particularly in light of God’s bigger picture.  To his brothers, who continued to worry, wondering, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” (Gn. 50:13), Joseph said, “Don’t be afraid. . . . You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gn. 50:20).

Bitterness hurts us, and in turn, we hurt others.  Therefore, let us free ourselves from bitterness by internalizing God’s promise (Rom. 14:17) in the Holy Spirit.  Only then can we clearly hear the voice of God that may tell us why a hurtful situation was allowed in the first place.  Then God can truly use us to do his work, including setting free those who are mired in bitterness. 

Prayer: Lord thank you that the command to forgive is to help me. You want me to forgive so that I will be free. Help me to give up all my bitterness and anger. Replace my bitterness with Your grace, freedom, and love.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does the Lord emphasize the number seven?  Do some research on the number seven in the Bible?
  2. What did Jesus mean when He said to forgive seventy times?

Notes

  1. The number six is considered man’s number, while seven is considered the perfect number; it certainly is the number favored by God.  Throughout the Bible, the number seven is used in reference to a variety of activities of God: creation, Sabbath, prophecy (Daniel 9:24), etc. 
  2. In short, don’t count; always forgive!

Evening Reflection

Meditate on Matthew 18:23-35.

March 15, Monday

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 6, 2013.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Remembering the Faithfulness of God”

Psalm 105:2-39, 42-45

[2] Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! [3] Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! [4] Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! [5] Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, [6] O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! [7] He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. [8] He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, [9] the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, [10] which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, [11] saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.” [12] When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, [13] wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, [14] he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, [15] saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” [16] When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, [17] he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. [18] His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; [19] until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. [20] The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; [21] he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, [22] to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom. [23] Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. [24] And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes. [25] He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants. [26] He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. [27] They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham. [28] He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words. [29] He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die. [30] Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings. [31] He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. [32] He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land. [33] He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country. [34] He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number, [35] which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground. [36] He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength. [37] Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. [38] Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it. [39] He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night . . . [42] For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. [43] So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. [44] And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, [45] that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!

When I was a child, I remember my father promising me that he would get me a bike if I got good enough grades in school that semester.  As I worked hard and kept my grades up, my father was faithful to his word and kept his promise.  I was the owner of a brand new bike and it was a promise and memory that I did not forget even to this day!

Psalm 105 is about remembering the faithfulness of God to His people. From Abraham (v.1-6) to Joseph (v.16-25) to Moses (v. 26-41) it is evident that the Lord is the great promise keeper and is worthy to be praised.   The word ‘covenant’ is used three times in this passage (vv. 8, 9, 10) emphasizing that our God is the one who initiates and carries through his covenants.  Derek Kidner writes, “Like a jewel turned this way and that, the worship of God displays some of its many facets here, with its concern to proclaim him to the world; to delight in what he has said and done and what he is; and to show gratitude for past mercies.”  Jesus is the one who deserves all glory and worship for what he has done in each of our lives. 

Spend some time this morning reflecting on the faithfulness of God in your life.  He has been so good to you (even when you cannot see it right away).  His hand has always been on your life through the joys and hardships.  He is a faithful God. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, amid a turbulent world, it is comforting to know that You never change, that Your faithfulness and trustworthiness remain the same.  Thank You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean to you that God never changes?
  2. How should it change the way we live?
  3. What should be the goal of our desire to change?

Notes

  1. As we have been meditating on the faithfulness of God, take some time to remember that our God never changes.  It means that his love, mercy, grace, forgiveness never changes despite what we do.   His goodness for you is constant. It means that his character never changes as well.  Pray that as we remember who Jesus is, it would give you greater confidence in the Lord because who He is and what He has done.
  2. At the end of the year, people often reflect on what has happened and what they want to change. You may remember successes and failures, joy and happiness, failed expectations and surprising accomplishments, sickness, health, and a host of other memories. Some things have prompted us to make changes. Other things have forced us to.
  3. We are constantly changing and change can often be good.  Most of us want to change and grow spiritually. We want to become more like Jesus. We want to forsake our sins, to honor the Lord God, to be more loving and forgiving, and to let the world know what Jesus has done for us.

Evening Reflection

The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.

– Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

As we finish the day with our evening reflection, think about the quote above by Charles Swindoll.  It summarizes what we have been reflecting on all day that our God will never lead us astray like His people throughout history because he is faithful.  It means that we can trust him with our life, time, money, career, future, family, etc.  Are you trusting God in all the areas of your life? 

March 14, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who formerly served at Remnant Church in Manhattan, was first posted on October 18, 2014.  Jabez is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Columbia International University (M.A., Muslim Studies).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Drink from His Cistern”

Jeremiah 2:13 

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” 

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during extremely challenging times. At the start of Jeremiah’s ministry, the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians, despite the warnings of Hosea and Isaiah. While these prophets rebuked Israel for their religious harlotry (shown through their worship of idols and other gods) and their political harlotry (engaging in foreign alliances instead of trusting in the one true God), their message fell on deaf ears. Sadly, even though Judah witnessed Israel’s downfall from a distance, they did not learn from Israel’s mistakes but rather engaged in the same sins themselves. This then led to God’s verdict of Judah’s sinfulness in forsaking Him and digging their own “broken cisterns” (Jeremiah 2:13)

To understand God’s charge, we have to understand what cisterns were used for during the time of Jeremiah. They were receptacles in the ground that were used to store water, either from a nearby spring or from rain-fall. As cisterns were about 15 to 20 feet deep, water was hoisted up with ropes and a bucket, similar to a well. Unfortunately, there were several unavoidable problems: First, a cistern could only hold a limited supply of water. Second, over time, these receptacles would begin to crack and water would leak. Additionally, scum would begin to collect in the cistern and would have to be dispersed by plunging the bucket several times before drawing water. Thus, the Israelites constantly had to draw water from a supply that was limited, leaking and rarely fresh. 

It is then no surprise that God uses the reality of cisterns to illustrate the sins of Judah and of our lives today. While most of us no longer worship hand-made idols or align ourselves with foreign nations, we still engage in idols (power, wealth, success, lust, affirmation, etc.) that leave us thirsty and unsatisfied; either due to limitations in quantity and/or taste. In contrast, God uses the reality of a spring to illustrate the pleasure that can be found in Him. Unlike a cistern, a spring’s supply of water is endless and there is no need to go to another source. Additionally, because the spring is outdoors and always running, there is no need to worry about leaking or about the quality and freshness of the water. The spring is a constant source of refreshment and joy for the people that draw from it. 

Centuries after Jeremiah’s ministry, Jesus declared that the living water He gives would become “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). And as He had invited the Samaritan woman, He is also inviting us today to drink from His living water instead of the broken cisterns we may run to. Today and each day, let us resolve to drink from Jesus and from Him only. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to believe that You alone can satisfy. Sometimes the things of this world overwhelm me and I succumb to temptations instead of trusting in You. Help me to taste and see that You are good; and believe that I will be blessed when I take refuge in You (Psalm 34:8). Help me to experience Your life-giving water again and again. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jonah 4

March 13, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 13, 2013.  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 Wise Woman”

Proverbs 14:1

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Do not underestimate your God given potential, sisters. You have been given great influence. You can build a home or tear down a home. You can help build a man to be a great and godly man or tear down a man to be a very defensive and defeated. 

Of course, men also have to step up and be wise.  They must do their part. But this verse is talking about sisters.  Again, be wise sisters you have been given much influence.  

Prayer: Lord, today we pray for the sisters in AMI.  Empower the AMI sisters with wisdom to build godly families and churches.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:  Jonah 2-3

March 12, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 20, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Moment that Transcends Everything”

Philem. 1:10

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”

The most powerful image from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics had to be this British father, who ran to the track field to help his fallen and injured son to finish the race; it was a moment that transcended sports.  Paul does the same here for Onesimus, except that he was not the apostle’s son and this didn’t involve a sporting event.  

Onesimus, whose master was Philemon, was a runaway slave from Colosse (in today’s central Turkey), who somehow met Paul in Rome.  Since the apostle was under house arrest for two years while waiting for his trial before Cesar, perhaps one day Onesimus went there to look for a job.  Evidently, Paul, instead of feeling sorry for himself over his predicament, reached out to Onesimus with God’s love, and at some point, he became a believer through the apostle.  That’s why Paul, who had no son of his own, given that he was likely never married (1 Cor. 7:8), could call him, “My son.”  

Actually, Paul must have shared more than the Four Spiritual Laws with Onesimus to show such fatherly affection toward him.  He did.  Like the aforementioned father, Paul helped this torn and battered fugitive off the ground and nurtured him to such an extent that the apostle could say about him, “No longer . . . a slave, but better than a slave, [] a dear brother” (Philem. 1:16).   Who was once a useless person (Phile. 1:11) had now become a useful and “faithful . . . brother” (Col. 4:9).

When things aren’t going too well, we typically turn inward, pouting and complaining; this makes us feel even worse.  Paul, however, would have none of that.  Instead, his example demonstrates that every encounter with another person can become an opportunity to bless them (with apt words and kind actions).  It may even turn into a special relationship in which you become a “father” to someone because that person comes to know the Lord through your sharing of the gospel.   

Today, pray for an occasion to share God’s love with someone.  It may change your life! And that will, indeed, be a moment that transcends everything.

Prayer: God, I praise you this morning.  I look back with great fondness the day I became your child through that person who shared the gospel with me.  Bless that person for being my spiritual father.  I also ask for your divine appointment so that I can meet that one person today who needs to hear what you did for him in Christ.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Jonah 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 8:26-31, 34-5, 38: “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means ‘queen of the Ethiopians’). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’  Philip asked. 31 ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ . . .   34 The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus . . .” [Later] 38 “Philip baptized him.”

Questions to Consider

  1. In all things, we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, as Philip was.  What must we experience in order to be led to someone who needs to hear God’s word, including the gospel?
  2. One cannot lead someone to Christ, thereby giving a spiritual birth, without any prior preparation. How was Philip prepared for this day?
  3. In what sense was Philip, out in the open, similar to Paul under house arrest (Two things)?  What does this mean to you?

Notes

1. Philip met this Ethiopian officer through God’s divine appointment.  There is no secret to this: first, we need to pray (“Lord, lead me to someone who needs you today”); second, if someone’s name or face comes to your mind, or someone “walks” into you at that moment, then, trust that that’s the person with whom you need to share God’s love; third, just do it because there is nothing to lose.   

2. He had already developed the discipline of discerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit and possessed the knowledge of the Scripture to answer “everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15).

3. First, both were eager to do God’s work in general and share the gospel in particular; second, both became a spiritual father because Onesimus and Ethiopian eunuch, respectively, became believers through their sharing of the gospel.  As for us, don’t think too much: prepare, anticipate, then do it. 

Evening Reflection

What kind of day did you have?  Even if it wasn’t good, that’s no excuse for not being proactive about our faith, right?  But, sometimes it is hard.  Let’s do better tomorrow; for now, soak in God’s love.  

March 11, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, is an updated version of his blog first posted on April 12, 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

“Our Words Fail Us in View of God’s Greatness”

Psalm 36:5-6

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. 6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.

When we contemplate the greatness of God, our minds strain under the stress of describing what is essentially the infinitude of his majesty.  That is why when David sought to describe God’s greatness, he looked to nature for analogies that might help us grasp the ungraspable.  God’s love, he tells us, reaches to the heavens.  His faithfulness stretches to the sky.  God’s righteousness is like the mighty mountains.  His justice is like the ocean’s deep.

Amazingly, even these images as beautiful and evocative as they are, fail to adequately describe God’s beauty and character.  How beautiful is God?  He is more beautiful!  How loving is God?  He is more loving.  When we stretch our imaginations to consider the immensity of God, we still fall short.

So is considering God’s greatness a pointless exercise?  NO!  The unsurpassable majesty of God’s beauty means that we will never stop finding things to marvel at when we set our eyes upon God!

Have you marveled at God’s greatness recently?  What helps you to consider God’s goodness and greatness?  This day, let us look for scenes that will help us begin to picture the greatness of God.

Prayer: Father, I ask that you open up my heart that I may gaze with fresh delight upon your beauty.  This day, may I see reminders of your majesty all around me.  Help me to pause in those moments and give you the glory and praise you deserve.  In Jesus’s name, I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 28

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV): For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Questions to Consider

  1. For what reason does Paul kneel before the Father (verse 14, c.f. Eph 3:1-13)?  From what you know of how Jewish men were accustomed to pray, what does it mean that Paul was kneeling?
  2. What are four specific things that Paul asks for in this prayer?
  3. How can one know a love that surpasses knowledge (verse 19)?

Notes

  1. The custom of Jewish men was to pray standing up with hands (and arms) held high. In contrast to this custom, Paul is brought to his knees before God in prayer, as he contemplates with awe of the reconciling work God has done through Jesus Christ (Eph 3:1-13).
  2. Paul prays for four specific things for the church in Ephesus [Note: each prayer request is loftier than the one before]: first, that they may be strengthened by the indwelling of Christ through his Spirit; second, that they may be rooted and grounded in love; third, that they may know Christ’s love in all its dimensions, although it is beyond knowledge; fourth, that they may be filled completely with the very fullness of God.
  3. When we understand that the love of Christ is beyond our understanding, we are beginning to understand the love of God. This oxymoron must be taken seriously. The love of Christ is so profound that we can never plumb its depths. The love of Christ is so vast that no human mind can encompass its extent. But it is still the supreme object of Christian knowledge and so Paul prays that we might begin to grasp the ungraspable. As one scholar puts it, “the attempt to know the unknowable is a paradox which is at the heart of all true religion.”

Evening Reflection

There is nothing more worthy of our attention and meditation than the love of Christ.  Even as it dwarfs our ability to comprehend, we can take confidence in this:  Jesus loves us and he desires for us to know the fullness of his love.  He is so near us! 

How have you experienced the nearness of God this week?  Have you been able to lift up honest and bold prayers?  Write of your joys and frustrations where it comes to God and invite God to widen your perspective.

March 10, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 20, 2013.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“It Is All Him”

Psalm 89:19-25

Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: “I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, 21 so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him; the wicked shall not humble him. 23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. 24 My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted. 25 I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.

As we look at the life and accomplishments of David, it is easy to think that he succeeded because of his effort, might, military prowess, and craftiness. It is easy to look at David as a mighty man in charge of mighty men. Yet here, in this Psalm, what we find is the persistent message that God is the One who has exalted David. God anointed him, established him, strengthened him, gave him victory over his enemies, has been faithful to him, and steadfastly loved him. 

This morning’s text is both humbling and encouraging. It humbling because we know that it is God who establishes us and gives us the victory. We dare not withhold the glory for ourselves, but with every achievement and accomplishment, we turn it into praise and worship of God for what He has done. 

At the same time, this is also our encouragement because when God calls us to a task or pursuit that seems to be beyond our capabilities, we know that His strength will be made perfect in our weakness. We know that even the things that may seem impossible for man to accomplish in following God’s will is possible for Him. 

This morning, God is calling us to be a people who depend on Him instead of our own strength. He is calling us to know that our identity as victors in Christ isn’t in our own hands, but in the hands of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I seek You and tune my ear to Your voice this morning. Jesus, you are my blessed Savior, and I give you all the glory, my risen King.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:7-11: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Background tidbit: The word “rubbish” in verse 8 is actually more graphic in the original language. It literally means refuse or dung, something to be flung away in disgust.

Questions to Consider

  1. Among the many parables told by Jesus, which parable resonates with what Paul says in this passage?
  2. What is Paul talking about here? A greater mental awareness of God?
  3. How can we know Christ more intimately?                                                                                                 

Notes

  1. Verses 7-9 resonate with the parable that Jesus taught on the Pearl of Great Price (Matt. 13:45-46). Paul had spent much his life amassing things which he thought were spiritual riches, but he found something in Christ that was of far more worth than anything he could even conceive.
  2. Paul is not speaking merely of having a greater mental awareness of God, but that he has a passionate longing to encounter a deeper personal union with Him. And to that end, there is nothing that would hold him back, not suffering, not death, not anything!
  3. Ask God to nurture in you a desire to know Christ that outweighs every other desire. Think what obstacles exist that hinder your love for Christ and give thought on how you should deal with them; meditate regularly on passages like Phil. 2:6-11 and Col. 1:15-20; study a Gospel like Mark or John with Phil. 3:10-11 prominently in mind; worship and adore him in song and in prayer!

Evening Reflection

Psalms 145:18: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

“Dear God, what an incredible treasure You are to me!  It is more than I can comprehend.  I am filled with joy, for in Your presence is fullness of joy.  Oh, to see Your gaze, to hear Your whisper, to know You and recognize the grace and favor You bestow on me is too much, my God, yet You desire for all the world to receive this same blessing.”  Amen.