REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., was originally posted on September 5, 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

“Looking at Life from the Standpoint of Eternity”

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (ESV)

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. 13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

One of the frustrations in life is coming to the realization that no matter how carefully we plan for the future, there are always things that are out of our control:  Illness, accidents, and other tragedies befall everyone independent of education, social status, or financial means.  

The prudent individual realizes that statistically, at least, the chances of a better life come to those who follow the advice of Oprah and Dr. Phil. So we try to manage our money, make good use of our time, and try to maintain a positive attitude.  However, in the end, the lives of both the wise and the foolish, rich and poor, strong and the weak are all equalized by the same unavoidable fate: namely death.  

Alexander the Great learned this lesson in a dramatic way from the famous philosopher, Diogenes.  One day, Alexander found his friend standing alone in a field, looking carefully through a pile of bones.  When Alexander asked what he was doing, Diogenes replied: “I am searching for the bones of your father Philip, but I cannot seem to distinguish them from the bones of the slaves.”  

When you look at life from this perspective, it is not hard to come to the same conclusion as Solomon: to hate the very idea of life itself.  What is the point of accumulating knowledge, wealth, and fame if everything will be negated by death and all will be forgotten?  The famous existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre expressed his despair by stating, “Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal.”  

For the Christian, eternity is neither an illusion nor just a future hope, but it is a daily reality to cling to.  We know that if life is just what is under the sun, then it is something to hate.  But if life is eternal and our good deeds remembered for all of time, it makes every decision and every act of kindness significant.  The resurrection of Christ is our reminder that death is not the great equalizer but merely the door into true life.  This makes our existence not something merely to be endured but to be cherished and used for its fullest potential.

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to overlook how important the concept of eternity is for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual health.  Help us to live everyday with an eternal perspective because if we don’t, we will despair of life itself.  We pray that the resurrection of Christ would be the power behind our daily living.   Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Esther 1

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Matthew 18:13-21: Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” 

Questions to Consider 

1. What is the danger of covetousness?   
2. How should the man have responded to his land producing so plentifully?
3. Why is it foolish to live a hedonistic life?  

Notes

1. The real danger of covetousness is that it is the same sin as idolatry.  We covet the idols we have made in our lives, whether that be money, power, comfort, relationships, etc.  In fact, the preliminary step in committing any sin is coveting something in your heart.  For example, adultery is preceded by coveting another man’s wife; stealing begins with the coveting of another man’s property.  This is why Jesus tells us to be on guard against all covetousness.   
2. The man should have seen his riches as a blessing from God and used it to serve others.  God calls us to be good stewards of our material riches and using it solely for our own pleasure is a poor investment in the Kingdom.  
3. It is foolishness to live only for personal pleasure because you don’t know when your life will end, and God will call you to give an account.  Everyone will ultimately be judged by their generosity towards God.  

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Evening Reflection

Take some time to think about the brevity of life.  How will you invest your money, talents, and other resources in the window of time that you have been given?  Pray that God would give you the wisdom to make the most of every opportunity.    

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 11, 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 11:14 

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

I thank God for the Biblical advisers in my life. It takes prayer and work to find them. And once I find them, I don’t let them go. 

Who do you go for godly advice?  Do you have a community that can speak biblical truth into your life?  Try to write down the names of godly advisers in your life.  If you cannot write down any names, you need to pray and go find them. 

I believe one of the wisest things to do is develop a community of godly advisers. It will save you from a lot of headache.  If you don’t have godly advisers you need to pray and ask God for them.  If you do have godly advisers don’t let them go!!!

Prayer: Lord, make me teachable.  Make me a humble man who will listen to godly advice and apply it.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Habakkuk 3

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 14, 2013.  He is a graduate of Stanford University (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend 

“Be Joyful Always” (1 Thess. 5:16)

Nehemiah 8:9-11

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” 

When you think of spiritual disciplines, joy may not be one of the first disciplines to come to mind.  Joy seems like something that happens to us, rather than something we do.  And yet, the scriptures clearly command us to be joyful!  Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

As C.S. Lewis once put it, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”  Why is joy so important?  First, joy is important because it reflects the heart of our master (Matthew 25:23).  God is the most joyful being in (and out of) this universe.  God is a supremely joyful God!  Second, true joy comes from the presence of God in our lives (Psalm 16:11).  When our joy comes from God, we are no longer seeking satisfaction from the world, and like Paul, we will be able to say, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12).  

How do we enter into this joy?  We can train ourselves to becoming more joyful!  The first step is to start today.  As the psalmist declares, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).  Not yesterday.  Not tomorrow.  Today.  Celebrate every blessing you see from God.  Ask God to help you to be unshakably joyful even in the midst of adversity.  Take a page from Nehemiah and enjoy every meal you eat.  And share the joy with those who haven’t prepared for it (Nehemiah 8:10).  There is nothing like sharing joy to make it grow.

Rejoice in the Lord always!  I will say it again: rejoice!

Prayer: Father, please help us to have joy in You.  Help us to live lives full of your joy so that we may be part of your dispelling of hopelessness in this world.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Habakkuk 1-2

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, was first posted on November 13, 2014.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA), Yohan served as a staff at several AMI churches in the past. 

Devotional Thought for this Morning

“Value of Hard Work”

Proverbs 6:6-11

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.

Having recently moved to San Francisco, which is not too far from Silicon Valley, it seems like just about everyone I meet works in tech.  Also, there are a significant number of young people who have won the dot.com lottery and hit it rich by being part of a company that went public. (I know none of these people.)  So every once in a while, I will see a 20-something year old driving a Ferrari, which totally freaked me out the first time I saw it, and I indignantly commented, “I would never let my kid drive my Ferrari.”  But I nearly broke my jaw on the ground when the person I was with informed me that that “kid” was likely the owner.  

I wonder what the dot.com goldmine has done to shape our view of the work ethic.  Do we value hard work and a steady income as our parent’s generation did?  For example, let’s say that you were working at an Internet based company, and it never blew up to become the next Facebook, but it did provide you with a good income for your family and to give generously to the church and missions. Would that be okay for you or would you feel like you were wasting your time?  For those not working in tech, but are highly educated and in relatively “professional” careers (which includes the majority of the AMI community), how do you view those who have “blue collar” jobs?  Do you treat the check-out girl at your local Target with the same dignity and respect that you show your physician?  

Today’s Proverb speaks about the value of hard work.  When God created Adam and Eve, he gave them the job of working the garden; so work was God’s idea.  The ant is praised for her daily diligence, and the sluggard chastised. Paul says in 1 Thess. 4:11-12: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  Does your work ethic win the respect of outsiders?  Do you respect those who work hard in whatever job they have, because they, too, work for a living?  

Prayer: Lord, please remind me continually to know that I work not for men, but for You (Col. 3:23).  Help me to honor hard work as it builds character and trust.  Also, help me to be content with my job, and to respect those who work hard, knowing that they are made in Your image, and they too are doing their best to provide for themselves and their families.  

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 13

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Lunch Break Study

Read Col. 3:22-25: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, how can we worship God through our work?  
2. What are some incentives for working hard?
3. How do you view your job and work?  Would you say that you worship God through your work?  

Notes

1. First, we work with integrity, even when no eyes are on us.  Second, we work with a sincerity of heart, with the understanding that we are really working for God, not man.  
2. First, we know that God sees our work and how we work.  Second, we have faith that God rewards us if we are faithful in work (3:24).  
3. Personal application question.

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Evening Reflection

How was work today?  Did you work hard and faithfully?  Were you honest in your dealings?  Did you represent Christ in your workplace?  Did you thank the person at Starbucks who served you (or whoever served you lunch)?  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., was originally posted on September 3, 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

“I Know Nothing Except This One Thing”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 (ESV)

I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.  15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.  16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.  18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 

It seems like every year there is a new set of self-help books on the New York Times Best Seller List.  Each of them promises the secrets to a more fulfilling, more effective, and happier life; and Americans spend millions of dollars and hours trying to glean wisdom from the authors.   However, the very fact that there is always a new book that offers the latest insights on life should tell us that none of these books give us the keys to life in its entirety.  Yet, we continue to read and to search for that elusive piece of information that will help us figure out why life is the way it is.  

The author of Ecclesiastes made it his main purpose to seek and search for every bit of worldly wisdom and knowledge that he could get his hands on.  If he had lived in our day and age, he would have read “The Power of Habit,” “Blink,” “Good to Great,” as well as every other book that provides some measure of insight to our existence.  But after years and years of accumulating all this wisdom under heaven, he realized that the pursuit was in vain, not because the information wasn’t true but because it really didn’t change anything.  The reason why so many people continue to buy self-help books year in and year out is precisely because they realize things haven’t really changed.  

The Preacher, near the end of his quest, comes to a sobering conclusion:  What is bent cannot be straightened and life simply doesn’t add up.  There will always be misunderstandings in relationships, conflict in churches, dissatisfaction with work, moral failings, and the list goes on and on.  No amount of books you read can fix what has been bent out of shape and fill what seems to be lacking in our lives.  Many great minds have come to the same conclusion.  Before he passed away, the modernist poet, Ezra Pound said, “All my life I believed I knew something. But then one strange day came when I realized that I knew nothing; yes, I knew nothing. And so words became void of meaning.”  

So what is the point of coming to such a depressing conclusion?  Wouldn’t it be better to live in ignorant bliss rather than accumulate knowledge that increases sorrow?  It is until you realize God’s plan for worldly wisdom.  His purpose is to expose the futility of man’s wisdom (1 Cor. 1:19) so that we would learn to depend on the wisdom of God and turn to Him.  In 1 Corinthians 1:24 we read that Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God, and it is only through an abiding relationship with Him where our crooked roads can be made straight and life can begin to add up.  So, even if I know nothing except Jesus Christ, then, I would consider my life successful. 

Prayer: Father, we acknowledge that Your ways are higher than our ways; Your thoughts higher than our thoughts.  Yet we persist in trying to outsmart You and question Your divine purpose and plan for life.  Help us to humble ourselves and lean not on our own understanding so that when there is reason to boast, we can boast in Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 11

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Lunch Break Study  

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-30:  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Questions to Consider 

1. Why is the gospel foolishness to the world?   
2. Why does God choose people who are not wise by worldly standards or of noble birth for His purpose and plan?
3. How are you growing in the wisdom of God?  

Notes

1. The world sees the gospel as foolish because it seems unsophisticated, too easy to understand, and something only the uneducated would believe in.  The truth is of the matter is that no man in a million years could have come up with the story of God’s redemption.  Because man’s sinful mind did not come up with it, the gospel appears foreign to the secular intellect.  Only when human wisdom is destroyed will we truly consider Jesus Christ as the wisdom of God.    
2. God chooses the foolish things of the world and the low and despised for two purposes:  The first is to shame the wise and the strong so that they would reconsider the claims of the Gospel.  The second is so that no man may boast in the presence of God, but rather give God the glory for all things.  
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

As you make decisions in your life, are you trusting in your own understanding or on the wisdom of God?  Are you acknowledging His will and purpose for you?  Pray that you would be sensitive enough to hear God’s voice and humble enough to follow the Spirit’s leading.  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by the then (2013) staff of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, first posted on July 18, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God Our Shepherd”

Psalm 77:16-20

The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Have you ever doubted God? In response to his crisis of faith, the psalmist recalls the deeds of the Lord.  In particular, he remembers the parting of the Red Sea.  Far from an interesting children’s story, this event was absolutely terrifying and awe-inspiring for the Israelites who experienced it.  

The waters of the sea were writhing and convulsing.  Water was pouring down from a sky filled with lightning and thunder.  The earth itself quaked.  If that were not enough, pursuing the people of God was Pharaoh’s entire army.

But in the midst of all this, the Lord led His people as a shepherd leads his flock.  Our God takes sheep who have no shepherd and makes them His own.  He is no hired hand; He lays down His life for His sheep.  He knows each by name and leaves the ninety-nine to find that one that has gone astray.

Recall how the Lord has been the Good Shepherd to you over the years.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, your love is incomprehensible.  You are God of all, yet you are tender to me.  Thank you for being my faithful Shepherd.  Though I have often gone astray, you have always pursued me and brought me home to yourself.  Give me grace to trust in your care for me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 11

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 3:13-15 (NIV): Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

Questions to Consider

1. How does James identify a believer who is full of wisdom? 
2. What kind of attitudes were some of the believers harboring?
3. What does James say is the source of such attitudes?
4. Are you harboring any ill attitudes towards the body of Christ? Ask the Lord to fill you with wisdom from above and flush out the so-called earthly “wisdom.”

Notes

1. A wise person demonstrates their God-given wisdom through good works and good conduct. James stresses that the result (good conduct) is the inevitable outgrowth of true wisdom. 
2. Due to increased financial hardships and trials, James’ congregation members were harboring bitter jealousy and selfish ambitions. 
3. It is sobering to read that James attributes such attitude to the devil himself. James exposes his congregation’s faulty perspective as completely the opposite of anything godly. Rather, their attitude is earthbound, spiritually dead, and demon instigated. 
4. Personal application

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Evening Reflection

In what ways are you currently serving (or can begin to serve) in your local body of Christ? For those who want to start actively serving, consider making plans to meet with the church leaders to find out how you can serve. For those who are currently serving, in what ways can you encourage others to serve the Lord? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I sometimes struggle with a love/hate relationship with your Bride, the Church. Please fill me with your heavenly wisdom so that I too might reflect good conduct for your glory. Amen.  

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, prepared by Pastor Jason Sato, was first posted on April 29, 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.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Share all good things with who?”

Galatians 6:6-10 (ESV)

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. [7] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Would you like to share a delicious steak dinner . . . with your pastor?  How about your new iPad? Or those golf clubs?  Sorry, am I starting to sound like a cult leader? Don’t worry!  I am not trying to take all your stuff. I think it’s safe to say that we are very wary of being taken advantage of.  So what do we do when it’s not some smarmy televangelist but the apostle Paul himself saying, “Share all good things with the one who teaches” (v. 6)?

While we are uncomfortable when anyone (God included) brings up the issue of money, I don’t think this passage is talking about giving your pastor a hi-five. At the same time, we recognize that neither Paul nor any other faithful minister would instruct us to do anything solely for his own personal gain. So what is he teaching here?

First, giving is a means of putting into practice the command to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). A pastor’s responsibility to provide for his family is by no means a small burden. I’ve witnessed first-hand the stress and strain of a pastor working full-time, leading a church, and ministering to his wife and children. Our responsibility as a body is to help bear our brother’s burden.

Second, giving is a means of valuing the Word of God which leads to eternal life. Our giving frees our pastors to devote themselves to the Word of God and prayer that we might be fed and blessed. While there are always an endless number of things we can sow our finances into, how many of them lead to spiritual growth and life? How many of them actually lead us further away from God?

In the end, giving is not a question of an exact dollar amount or percentage. And while we may breathe a quick sigh of relief, I would suggest the real questions are much more challenging. For example, how can our giving meaningfully contribute to the bearing of another’s financial burden? Or how can our giving reflect the true value of the Word that leads to eternal life? Invite the Lord to help you answer these questions.

Prayer: Father, You have been so abundantly generous to me. Thank You that I can trust You to continue to provide for me and that You have given me the opportunity to bless others around me that are in need. May all the earthly wealth You’ve given me be used to store up treasure in heaven.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:2 Corinthians 10

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Luke 16:1-9 (ESV): “He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. [2] And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ [3] And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. [4] I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ [5] So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ [6] He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ [7] Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ [8] The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. [9] And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

Questions to Consider

1. The shrewd manager acts in light of his knowledge. According to v. 2-3, what are two things the shrewd manager knows?
2. Whose wealth does the shrewd manager use?
3. For what does the shrewd manager use the wealth? For what are Jesus’ disciples instructed to use their wealth?

Notes

1. The shrewd manager knows what the future holds for himself. He will be unemployed. The shrewd manager also knows himself. He is too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg.
2. The shrewd manager reduces each man’s debt, essentially using his master’s wealth. The manager is simply a steward, never an owner of anything.
3. The shrewd manager uses his master’s wealth to obtain the favor of his master’s debtors. Jesus instructs the disciples to be generous with the earthly wealth they have been given stewardship over in order to bless others and have eternal rewards.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day. What opportunities were you given to be generous with your possessions? How were you tempted to make decisions fueled by love of money? 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on December 31, 2014.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Qualities Are You Looking for in the Marriage Market?”

Proverbs 31:10-12, 29

“A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life . . . 29 ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’”

“27 yrs old, 5 ft 3, female.  College grad; art major.  Monthly salary: 2500 RMB ($400).  Good-looking.”  So read the hundreds of letter-sized flyers posted along the walls near the entrance of the park.  It is  Saturday afternoon, and the area is full of men and women in their late 30s and 40s milling around looking for spouses… for their children.

The infamous “marriage market” of Shanghai.  Parents used to stand around holding these signs advertising the more desirable qualities of their yet unwed offspring.  Other parents would come up to express interest; phone numbers would be exchanged.  Now it seems in an effort to be more civilized, the signs are posted on a wall in orderly fashion, and sometimes even the younger people will come by to take a look for themselves.  

What qualities to look for in a spouse?  The Bible doesn’t say directly, but it does say that if a man ends up finding a wife of noble character, he has found a treasure.  What man wouldn’t want a wife he could be fully confident in?  Proud of (v. 11)?  A wife who will bring him good and not harm, not just temporarily, but for a lifetime (v. 12)? This is what a woman of noble character can be to a man.

What woman wouldn’t want to hear her husband say that there are no other women who compare to her?  That to him, she is the best (v. 29)?  What woman wouldn’t want to know that her husband feels so lucky to have her because she is such a rare find (v. 10)?  This is the love and regard that a noble woman can bring out in a man.

Those looking for wives, look for true value.  Those looking to be wives, develop a noble character.  Those who are wives, continue to be noble.  Those who have wives, treasure and honor the noble qualities in your spouse.

Prayer: Lord, help me this day to value the things your word tells me is important to value in people.  Help me to value and honor noble character, in myself and in others.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 9

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Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 31:25-27, 30: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness . . . 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Questions to Consider

1. Describe a wife of noble character in your own words (vv. 25-27).
2. What are not necessarily the qualities of a wife of noble character?  What kind of a woman should be praised (v. 30)?
3. What qualities do I value more in others?  What qualities do I spend more time investing in developing in myself?

Notes

1. She is not an insecure woman but one with a strong sense of self and her worth.  She does not worry about the future, but not in a foolish, careless way.  When she speaks, the content of her speech is quality content, not empty chatter.  She is responsible, hardworking and not lazy.
2. Being charming or beautiful.  One who respects God and lives her life to honor Him.  If you encounter someone of noble character today, consider praising that person, giving a word of encouragement.
3. In others, am I attracted more by charm and appearance or inner character?  In the mornings, do I spend more time preparing to present my outward appearance to people than I do preparing my heart to meet them as I spend time praying and meditating on God’s word?

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Evening Reflection

Was I a person of noble character today?  Did I look for and encourage those qualities in others?  How were my words?  What is the state of my household affairs?  Did I make the best use of my time today?

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Quiet Time, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on October 12, 2014.  Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  Congratulations to Christine for her recent nuptial.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

Psalm 77:5b –12

One problem that I struggled with for a long time was the idea that God was in the business of forgetting me. I began to notice all my friends excelling in areas that I was diligently working at (seemingly in vain). I saw the people I wanted to deeply invest into instead gravitating towards others and asking for their company instead. All the things I was asking for, I saw other people receiving plentifully!

While I knew of God’s generosity and knew that I had experienced much of it in my own life, the disappointments and hurts slowly began to gnaw at me until I allowed myself to believe that my job on earth was being passed over by the LORD. I did not think that God was not good, but I thought I would never feel like I received great things from Him; and that I was doomed to live a life of learning to be thankful and content with all the things that I considered second-rate. 

If you find yourself going through something similar or want to avoid wandering in such a desert, I can offer you the directions that the psalmist gives: we must actively take time to meditate on the works of God in our lives. And we must remember that the LORD is not like us at all – He does not forget us, though we are forgetful; He does not forget our prayers, though we forget the words we hear from others. 

While the psalmist thinks of God’s faithfulness and generosity to all of His people, we can counter doubts about His personal love for us by reflecting on God’s mighty work in our own lives. Are we no longer awed and glad that He sustains us breath by breath? Have we forgotten about the way that He has removed a former pain or struggle in our lives? Have we forgotten perhaps a purposelessness that He has overcome for us? Let’s think back to some mighty works that God has done in our lives so that we may have hearts that anticipate the work He is doing and will be doing.

As we take time to consider the works that God has done in our lives up until now, He will help us get into a mode of being thankful for all the things He has brought in our lives. Though we find ourselves dismayed by circumstances, He will place us on a firmer ground to trust in His loving generosity for now and in the future. 

Prayer: Dear LORD, we confess that oftentimes we do not trust Your goodness; we doubt your generosity and we doubt Your love for us. Let Your truths speak more clearly and loudly than our hurts and discouragements. Give us again a heart of thankfulness and a heart of hope.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 8

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 October 20, 2013.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Shaking of God”

Exodus 20:18-21

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”  20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. 

What an opportunity for the people of God!  In the book of Exodus, God said when the ram’s horn sounded a long blast, everyone had an opportunity to go up the mountain of God (Ex. 19:13). The people heard the trumpet, but at the same time, they saw and heard the thunder, lightning, mountain shaking, and the dark cloud. It was time to encounter God, but what they saw and heard made them too afraid to approach the mountain of God, thus Israel rejected God’s invitation.

Great encounter with God requires great risk. People need to know that real encounter with God is not just business as usual. It is much riskier than hearing a good message on a Sunday. A real encounter with God is scary because there needs to be change and transformation; you cannot remain the same when you encounter God. 

People who sincerely seek after God and want to see Him move more in their life is not afraid to have their life radically changed. Those who hunger after God’s presence are not afraid to go through the shaking, lightning, and the dark cloud. The spiritual earthquake that God brings will shake everything in your life; all the things that should not be standing, all idols in your life, all the things that are false and weak, God wants to bring it all down. This kind of shaking from God is not to expose you, nor to crush you, but to transform and strengthen your life.

The trumpet is sounding. Let’s go up to the mountain of God together!

Prayer: Lord, help me to change even if it shakes everything that has provided comfort and security to me.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Corinthians 6-7