February 7, Sunday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 5, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What God’s Sovereignty Should Mean in Our Lives”

Luke 2:1-7

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Who is ruling the world?  If our answer is anything other than “God,” then, I know this about us:  When facing temptations or trials, we will look to everything else other than God for help.  We may be fearful because of the economy or the possibility of contracting COVID but let us place our trust in God’s sovereign hand to watch over you. 

Throughout the history, we see that God is sovereign over the highest authority of nations.  In order to fulfill the prophecy where Christ was to be born, God’s hand had to be upon Caesar Augustus (v. 4).  It is comforting to know God is sovereign.  

So, to those who are disappointed by the result of the recent election, take heart, for God is in control.  And to those who are overjoyed by the same election that brought in a new administration, don’t put your faith in men but in God. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me and help me to place my trust in You.  May Your unfailing love rest upon me as I trust in Your holy name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 43

February 6, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, prepared by Pastor Jason Sato, was first posted on April 26, 2014.  Jason, along with his wife Jessica, is currently serving in Japan as a missionary.  Jason is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Are You Impressed with Jesus?”

Matthew 13:31-33

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. [32] It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” [33] He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

It seems that as we get older, we become less and less surprised, having less amazement and wonder. Instead, we tend to become more skeptical. With these parables, Jesus surprises His hearers by declaring that the Kingdom of God may appear to be unimpressive, but it is, in fact, amazingly glorious: The Kingdom of God “is like a grain of mustard seed” (v. 31); “It is the smallest of all seeds” (v. 32); and it is also like leaven, hidden in an enormous bag of flour, nearly invisible to the naked eye (v. 33).

This is not the kingdom the Israelites were expecting. They anticipated a kingdom of military power like that of David’s, and longed for a kingdom of unimaginable peace and prosperity like Solomon’s. Instead, they encountered an uneducated, carpenter’s son from Nazareth; and he wasn’t even good looking.

Perhaps the appearance of Jesus was not impressive, but we might think that the miracles of Jesus would practically compel a sense of awe and wonder. While many were brought to a place of worship, some saw the miracles and remained unimpressed. In fact, though Judas saw more miracles in three years than most of us will witness in our entire lives, he was completely disappointed with Jesus and His Kingdom.

We need to understand that Judas was not an evil villain from a Disney cartoon. He lived with the disciples, and he fit in. And that’s why others were surprised at his betrayal. But Judas’ heart was very hard. He may have thought to himself, “Sure, seeking and saving the lost is nice, but what does that have to do with destroying the Roman army?” Or perhaps, “It’s neat that you can walk on water, but that doesn’t help my family that is being oppressed at all!”

We, too, are tempted to be bored or disappointed with Jesus and His Kingdom. Though we hate to admit it, we ask, “What good is the love of God if I can’t get a [job, girlfriend, etc.]?” We wonder, “How impressive can this Kingdom be if I still have the same hardships and struggles?”

Jesus does not answer all of our prayers or fulfill all of our desires. More than giving us a better version of our current lives, He makes us new people – people who can know and love Him. Jesus does not offer us circumstances or possessions: He offers us Himself.

Prayer: Lord, I need to be satisfied only with you, but the sad truth is that I am not.  Change that for me, please. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 41-42

February 5, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 7, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Sound Do We Hear?”

Philem. 1:3

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

One sound that I don’t like is the ringing phone.  It all started in Mexico when most of the calls for me meant another invitation to teach and preach and all I wanted to do on Sundays was rest after a week of constant talking and writing.  That tendency continued as I began living in the States but for a different reason.  As a family, we are not phone users; when calls are made, it is usually because something happened, like a car accident, stolen wallet or not feeling well.  Today, I received a call from my mechanic who informed me that an additional $200 is needed to buy another part; without it the gear will not shift properly.  Just another bad news! 

Now, when we open the Scripture, what “sound” do we hear?  Is it bearing good or bad news?  “Grace to you” (plural in Gk), says Paul to all who believe.  To those worn out from trying to accrue enough merits to earn God’s approval, this is indeed good news for, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—not work by works” (Eph. 2:8-9a).   Yes, we’ve freely received a wonderful gift of salvation because Christ did all the “heavy lifting” (i.e. paying the penalty of sin by dying on our behalf). 

Then Paul adds, “Peace to you,” which implies hostility existed between God and man prior to this declaration.   Doesn’t God love us?  Yes, but something got in the way; it’s called sin and it always stirs up the wrath of God whose nature demands that all who violate His Law must be punished; thus, “we were by nature objects of wrath” (Eph. 2:3b).   But Paul could declare, “Peace” only because “we [have been] saved from God’s wrath through [Christ]” (Rom. 5:9b), who became sin for us in order to undertake God’s wrath on our behalf. 

I know of no other news that ought to get us out of depression or discouragement than what God did through Christ, to be able to offer his grace and peace to the undeserved.  We are truly loved!  Now, have a great day in the peace and the grace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, during the course of a hectic day at the office, school or home, I often forget what I have in you.  And after hearing bad news and anticipating more of the same, I become discouraged and fearful.  But I am reminded today that your love for me came at a cost so that my life can be lived in your grace and peace.  Thank you.  Help me to be always mindful of what you did for me in Christ. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 40

Lunch Break Study

Read John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give it to you as the world does.”

Eph. 2:14: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility; Luke 12:51: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?  No, I tell you, but division”; Matt. 10:34: “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

Questions to Consider

  1. When comparing Jn. 14:27 and Eph. 2:14 with Matt. 10:34 and Lk. 12:51, what can you conclude?
  2. Obviously, these passages are addressing different human situations or conditions.  So, in what sense does Christ gives us peace?
  3. In what sense does Christ take away our peace, instead, giving us division and sword (conflict)?

Notes

  1. It appears to be a total contradiction.  The way to solve this dilemma is to understand each within its proper context without synthesizing the two apparently contradicting meanings; in other words they mean different things.  
  2. As alluded in the morning QT, Christ broke the barrier of hostility between God and man by suffering the consequence of sins that we committed on our behalf.  In this way, God reconciled us to himself through Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-9).
  3. The peace alluded in Lk. 12:51 and Matt. 10:34 is the type of peace that the world gives based on a false sense of security rooted in wealth, power and useful relationships.  Christ is willing to break down that façade so that we yearn for the peace that he gives. 

Evening Reflection

How peaceful was your day?  Were you being gracious to others?  Summarize your day around those two themes.   We can always improve but only through the strength that God provides; and that comes from earnestly praying in humility.  So pray! 

February 4, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., was originally posted on September 9, 2014; 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 This Morning

“The Two Mistakes to Avoid”

Ecclesiastes 4:4-7

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. 7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. 

Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us that all of our toil is meaningless.  Many of us who are in the workplace can relate all too well with this sentiment.  We wake up every morning, tired of the monotony of our work and wonder whether we are getting anywhere with our life.  Amid this sobering reality, we tend to make one of two common mistakes.  The first is that we use our envious desire of other people’s lifestyles to motivate us and drive our ambitions.  It seems like things that were once considered to be luxuries reserved for the wealthy are now marketed as necessities for the common man.  Gourmet dinners, extravagant vacations, and designer clothes that mimic the lifestyles of the famous have become the constant temptations that cause us to live beyond our means and to justify why we have to work so hard.  Solomon tells us that this is like chasing the wind.  It will never end.  

The second mistake is to realize that it is impossible to reach this level of wealth and decide to give up on work.  Solomon tells us that the person who folds his hands and refuses to work is actually a bigger fool than the man who works out of his envy.  He is a greater fool because he will eventually cannibalize his own life.  In the end, a man’s laziness eats away at not only what he has but who he is.  In time, idleness will erode a person’s self-image, self-control, and self-worth.  So this passage describes two equal and opposite errors.  As one commentator puts it, “As toil can be all-consuming, so idleness is self-cannibalizing.”  

So what is the solution?  In one word, it is contentment!   To want what God has given to someone else, instead of being thankful for what he has specifically given to you, is the very definition of vanity.   To the man who has two hands full of toil and the man who has his hands folded without any toil, Solomon wisely gives the counsel to have one handful of quietness.  In other words, we should work diligently, but with the right motivation-that is, not trying to grab everything we can.  At the end of each hard day of work, we should find contentment in what God has blessed us with.   

Prayer: Lord, teach us the secret of finding contentment in both, times of plenty and in times of want.  Help us to look at the example of Christ, who had little material blessings, but was filled with an unspeakable joy.  Keep us from the dangers of envy and idleness and to be grateful for every gift that you give.   Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 39

Lunch Break Study  

Read Philippians 4:10-12 (ESV): “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 is Paul rejoicing?   
  2. What is the secret to a life of contentment?
  3. Are you able to be content in every season and circumstance of life?      

Notes

  1. Contrary to what we might think, Paul was not rejoicing simply because of the monetary contributions of the Philippians.  He was not so utilitarian in his dealing with people; and when he was writing to them, he had no personal need for their financial gifts.  Paul was far more overjoyed about the renewing of the friendship between them.    
  2. The word translated as “content” is a Greek word used by the Stoics to describe a life that is lived above need and abundance.  However, the difference is that the Stoics found contentment in their self-sufficiency, while for Christians our source of contentment is Christ who strengthens us.
  3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

How was your day of work? Were you mindful to be content with what God has given you?  How were you a witness or an example of the gospel to your coworkers, neighbors, and other non-Christians around you?  Take some time to be quiet before God and to reflect on areas of your life where you are struggling with contentment.  

February 3, 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 June 3, 2014.  He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Visitors with a Strange Message”

1 Timothy 1:3-11

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, [4] nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. [5] The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, [7] desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. [8] Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, [9] understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, [10] the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, [11] in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

A few days ago, I had visitors come to my house because they wanted to share their non-Christian faith with me.  We engaged in conversation and after they were finished, I shared with them about my beliefs and how I thought the Christian doctrine was the right view. I was reminded of the truth of the Gospel message and how important it is to understand doctrine to defend our faith with love and humility.

That is exactly what Paul is charging Timothy in these verses.  Paul tells Timothy to remain at Ephesus so that he would “charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrines.”  What was the nature of these “false doctrines”? Thinking that it would aid their salvation, some teachers in Ephesus constructed mythical stories based on OT history and genealogies. They embroiled the church in endless and irrelevant question and controversies, taking precious time way from studying the Truth of Scripture.  These teachers were not teaching the truth of the Scriptures and that is exactly why Paul writes this.  

In these verses, we see Paul’s heart to defend the Gospel truth “with love, which issues from a pure heart.”  In the secular and pluralistic world we live in, do we also have that kind of heart to defend the truth of the Gospel?  It takes wisdom and boldness but we too should be challenged to share the love of Christ to this unbelieving world out of a heart of love.  Take some time and ask God to give you opportunities and courage to share your faith and defend the Gospel truth to those who may not believe.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for opening my heart to the truth of the Gospel.  May I be grounded in your Word and may you give me the opportunity to share this Good News with those who may not know you in my life.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:Genesis 38

Lunch Break Study  

Read Galatians 1:6-10: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—[7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. [10] For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Questions to Consider 

  1. How would you describe Paul’s attitude in defending the Gospel?
  2. Why does Paul bring up v. 10?  Is this relevant in your life?
  3. How can we be bolder for Christ in our lives?  What are some of the challenges you face?

Notes

  1. Again, Paul is defending the truth of the Gospel.  People in the church of Galatia were preaching a ‘works-based’ Gospel, which is not the Gospel at all.  We see Paul’s heart and courage to defend the Gospel truth.
  2. When we are living for the Gospel, there will always be a temptation to please man over Christ.  It could be our co-workers, friend, family, etc.  Pray that God would give you the courage to surrender this temptation in your life.
  3. Personal response

Evening Reflection

Take some time to pray and ask the Lord for great wisdom and courage so that we can have greater boldness in our faith in Christ.  

February 2, Tuesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on February 26, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Who is the Real Fool?”

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.

A chapter in Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion is entitled, “Why there almost certainly is no God,” which seems to suggest that even if God were looking right at Dawkins, he would deny Him.  Perhaps, that is why David declared, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ (Ps. 14:1a).

But “through the researchers of anthropologists, we now know that almost all the races of men have some knowledge and belief in one Supreme God” (Neill 1986:13).  Why?  As the Psalmist declared, the most natural response to observing the symmetry of the universe is to acknowledge that it was created.  Mathematical physicist Paul Davies, then an agnostic, quipped, “It looks like somebody made the universe. I don’t think it was made, but it sure looks that way.”  What Davies didn’t want to admit then was the existence of an infinite and personal God, who not only created the universe for us, but wants to have a relationship with us through His Son Jesus Christ!  Why would this God do this for us finite beings?  It’s because God loves us.  God loves you!

So, if you are still doubting God’s existence, stop being a fool and follow the trail of evidence—it will lead you to the One who created you and loves you.  As those who already believe, how big is your God?  Perhaps you made Him too small!   Mediate on His amazing power and start trusting God more.

Prayer: Heavenly Father who created the universe, no words can adequately capture this amazing fact that You want to get to know me and that I matter to You.  Important people in our society wouldn’t give me the time of day, but You created the universe so that I can know that You exist.  And finally, You sent Jesus so that I can know You personally!  I praise and glorify You for that. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 37

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 1:18-23: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

Questions to Consider

  1. From a Scriptural standpoint, why are those who refuse to believe in God’s existence deemed as fools (Rom. 1:18-23)?
  2. Why do they do this?  Is it mostly intellectual or personal?
  3. What’s needed to acknowledge the existence of God? Blind faith or reasonable faith (Heb. 11:6; Rom. 1:18, Ps. 19:1-4)?

Notes

  1. Atheists are deemed fools because they refuse to acknowledge that which is knowable about God.  For instance, even though they admit that the universe is fine-tuned to make intelligent life possible (i.e., anthropic principle), they rather believe that it was a result of chance than the work of a designer (God).
  2. Suppressing the truth by their wickedness” means it is personal, denying God’s existence and His laws, so they can live any way they want.
  3. One needs faith to believe in God, for Hebrew 11:6 states “anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists.”  But this isn’t a blind faith that posits: Even if there is no good reason to suppose that God exists, I believe it anyway due to my desperate desire to live eternally.  No, the Scripture asks us to have a reasonable faith, meaning there are enough credible signs (plausible evidence) to warrant that this road will lead to God.

Evening Reflection

Go out and look up to see the symmetry that adorns the night sky. Then come back to review your day in view of God’s grandeur.  And if you are willing, consider these questions:

We all have had doubts about our faith. While intellectual answers are adequate, the most meaningful answer will come from our personal relationship with God.  For instance, what makes you believe that God exists from your personal experiences with Him?

If we believe in the God of the Bible, that belief ought to affect the way we think and behave, transforming us, however gradually.  Have you allowed God to really transform every facet of your life (business, family, finance, recreation, etc.)? 

February 1, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Matt Ro who formerly pastored Journey Church in Atlanta, was originally posted on May 5, 2013.  Matt is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Wealth Management 101”

Psalm 49:16-20 (ESV)

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. 20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Wealth is temporary.  We can’t take it with us, so we must use it for the glory of God while we have it.  1 Timothy 6:17 says, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”  We are stewards of wealth, not owners.  A person may think he owns house and all of the possessions he has attained; yet, when he dies, he is separated from them forever.  

The psalmist gives us two warnings regarding material possessions.  First, beware of having a false security in temporary, secondary things.  Second, beware of wasted opportunity.  We can invest what God has entrusted to us in His work.  We can bless other people.  The wealth that God gives to us—if we are faithful stewards—can be transformed into ministry that brings everlasting glory to Him.  Don’t waste your opportunity to serve Him in this way. This, then, is the wealth management 101 that rises from the perspective of eternity. 

Prayer:  Father, help me to use my wealth and resources wisely.  I want to invest in eternal things.  I give you all of myself, including the things You have blessed me with.  Help me to use it for your glory.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Genesis 36

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV): But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Questions to Consider

  1. According to this passage, what are three ways that we are to identify “with Christ”?
  2. What is the importance of the word “together” when saying that God made us alive together with Christ?
  3. What is the significance of using the past tense when talking about the blessings that we’ve received?
  4. In what ways have we discovered that “his life” is “our life?”

Notes

  1. Paul goes from talking about being dead in trespasses and sin (v. 1) to being made alive together with Christ (v. 5).  Three times he says, “with Christ”.  We are made alive with Christ, raised with Christ, and seated with Christ on His throne. He has come to live in us, He has joined himself to us, and we are one person with Him. That is the most important fact upon which to build all the rest of Christian faith and experience–this tremendous statement that we are made alive with Jesus Christ. Notice those three upward steps of identification with Jesus: we are made alive with Him, resurrected with Him, and enthroned with Him. The way up is down; from the lowest, we go to the highest. God exalts the lowest to the highest, and this principle runs all throughout Scripture. It is not just a matter of history but the outworking of a universal law: Whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled. (Matthew 23:12).
  2. Later in this letter Paul likens the church to a body, of which Christ is the head. Have you examined your body lately? Have you noticed that your fingers don’t come off if you twist them a half-turn and pull? They are tied to the body, and they share the life of the body. They are not attached by any mechanical process, but rather they are an organic part. These figures are all given to us to show us the intimate way we are united to Jesus Christ, to tell us that He is our life. So never think of yourself in any other way, because the whole work of the enemy is to get you to disbelieve that and to go back to thinking that you are just an ordinary individual struggling on through life trying to make it the best way you can, needing to mobilize all your human resources to try to get ahead of the other fellow and to achieve as much of the fulfillment of life as you can. Any time you believe that, you go right back to acting as you once did–back to the misery, back to the heartaches. You can escape that only when you come back again to this central truth–we are alive in Jesus Christ!
  3. There is one final thing to notice here. These verbs are all in the past tense. This is something that has happened, not something that is going to happen. It has already occurred when you believed in Jesus Christ. You don’t have to work toward it. It is not something that great saints achieve after years of effort. It is something that is already true, and every Christian has this experience. We were made alive in Jesus Christ. We cannot be the same again. 

Evening Reflection

We often feel like a failure at times.  I know I do.  Yet our failures are swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ.  And He will be victorious in and through us too.  It is inevitable.  “37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37).  The two words “But God,” make all the difference.  How can we view our failures and hardships from the vantage point of “But God”?  Journal the ways that we can currently look at our lives from God’s eyes.  

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, for Your work on the cross.  I proclaim that I humble myself before God, identifying myself to be made alive with Him, resurrected with Him and enthroned with Him—because Jesus died my death that I may receive His life.  Amen.

January 31, Sunday

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 December 6, 2013.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Seeking a Spirit-Filled Life”

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Jesus modeled for us what would a Spirit filled life look like. Jesus is eternally God but Jesus chose to do ministry out of His incarnated Human nature “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equity with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Phil. 2:6-7). 

Therefore, Jesus waited and did the ministry until He was baptized by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14, Acts 10:38). The disciples also waited for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) and when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them, the NT church began. The disciples of Jesus before the Pentecost were unreliable and even deserted Jesus at death row. After the Pentecost, they never denied Jesus again. 

As believers we all have the Holy Spirit in us, but I want to challenge you to be hungry for the filling of the Holy Spirit. This is the promise of Jesus “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive (John 7:38-39). 

Holy Spirit is like a river. Many times in the OT when Israel was in trouble, there would be prophesy of water (A pool in the desert, flowing stream, rain, etc). I believe the water represent the prophetic word of Holy Spirit coming in great power. 

We need to believe and be convinced that no matter what we are going through, that His manifested presence changes everything. If we are convinced of this truth, we won’t spend so much time leaning on our own understanding. We won’t spend so much time being frustrated and stressed. Instead, we will spend more time hungering the manifested presence of God. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I desire to be filled by Your Spirt.  Lord, empty out the things of the flesh in my life in order that the Holy Spirit can fill me to the brim.  Fill me, Lord. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 35

January 30, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 12, 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

Proverbs 12:11 

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.”

I know I will offend some people here, but upon reading this proverb, the first thing that came to my mind was fantasy football.  I think it can be used for some good (e.g., interaction with others) but personally I would rather see men praying with each other.  I also feel like video, phone, and Internet games waste so much time in a believer’s life.  

So why don’t you pray about fasting from some of these things for the rest of your life?  If you cannot do it for that long, try fasting from them at least for a season.  In place of these things read the Bible and pray.  And instead of playing fantasy football, get together with others and play real football (that is, once we are cleared of COVID).

Prayer: Lord, teach me to choose the best thing and let go of things that rob my time away from you.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:  Genesis 33-34

January 29, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 9, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Be a Real Influencer, Not the YouTube Kind”

Philem. 1:4a-5

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.”

Col. 1:5 

“. . . the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel . . .”

What are you thanking God for lately?  Is it a new job, house, or relationship?   While those things are certainly worth noting, I wonder whether many of us can readily identify with why Paul felt thankful to God here.  The apostle’s gratefulness stemmed from hearing how well Philemon was walking in the Lord and about his sacrificial love for other believers.  Having led Philemon to the Lord and discipled him (Philem. 1:19), Paul probably felt like a proud father!  

Do you know what that feels like?  I can partially understand how Paul felt because I have had the privilege of investing into the lives of others since 1982 so that they may love Christ, and in time, serve him.   Recently, a rather prominent pastor in Hong Kong, who used to attend my church in the 1990s, wrote me, saying, “Thanks for the prayers and especially thank you for investing in me those early years. . . . You are a true man of faith for . . . starting a course in my life where I have the privilege of preaching [several times] a week.”  I left the pastorate in 1999, discouraged with a sense of failure, but upon hearing something like that, you wonder perhaps God did more through me than what I had imagined.   That’s a good feeling!  So I thank God because of the faith and love of those whom God had brought into my life to influence them with “the word of truth.”

How about you?  Perhaps, it is time to invest your time, knowledge and even money into the life of a young person so that one day, you will thank God for that person’s love for people and faith in the Lord Jesus.  Don’t make a hasty decision; pray for the Lord’s direction and then make that call.  Be a real influencer, not the YouTube kind.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for several people in the past who touched me in different ways at different stages of my life so that I might know, love, and serve You.  While I may not be ready to do the same for others right now, I pray for your strength to at least reach out to someone with a hearty greeting or a pat on the back to encourage him (her).  Thank You, Lord, for believing in me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 32

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 15:36-40:  “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia (13:13) and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left . . .”

Question to Consider

  1. What was Paul, in fact, saying by adamantly opposing the inclusion of Mark on his missionary team?
  2. In what way did Barnabas’ acceptance of Mark and the price he paid to do so begin to restore him? 
  3. Some 15 years later, Paul, facing his last hour, had this to say about Mark: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11b).  Do you think Paul had some regrets about how he handled the earlier situation?  

Notes

  1. He was saying that the ministry at hand (the second missionary trip) was more critical and urgent than restoring Mark.  Paul was a great man of God, but in this instance, he failed to see the potential in a young man who would go on to write the first gospel.   
  2. This demonstrated that Barnabas believed in Mark, who no doubt felt very bad about deserting Paul and Barnabas in their first missionary trip.  The road to restoration begins with someone going the extra mile to believe in those who feel like a failure, all because Christ has accepted him (Rom. 14:3).
  3. By this time, it was apparent to Paul that Mark was no longer the same person; perhaps he had already penned his gospel by now.  Regrets?  I would be surprised if Paul hadn’t any.  He probably thanked God that Barnabas had hung onto Mark so that he would grow into a man of God.

Evening Reflection

How was your day?  Did you get to encourage anyone?  Perhaps tomorrow, you can touch someone with a gesture of love and with words of encouragement from God’s word.  Take a moment to pray.