November 24, Tuesday

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who is the Fenway Site pastor at Symphony Church in Boston. Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Story Telling”

Exodus 20:16

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Imagine that you and your roommate (or spouse or sibling, whatever makes sense for you) planned a dinner date at home tonight at 6pm. The plan was to cook a nice dinner together and catch up on life in this busy season. But 6pm comes along and your roommate isn’t home still. You text and call but don’t get a response. You give it some time, but it’s 6:45pm and not a word still.

In a situation like this, what happens in our minds is that we tell ourselves a story of what’s going on and the story we tell has a great effect on our emotions. If we assume that our roommate completely forgot about the dinner and went to hang out with other friends, anger bubbles up quickly in our hearts. We think that maybe he doesn’t care about our friendship, and we start to recount the record of wrongs that our dear roomie has committed against us. But if instead we think, “Maybe he got into a car accident” or “Maybe she got caught up at work and her phone died”, instead of anger, we may feel compassion towards our roommate.

Our brains are wired to fill in the gaps and make up stories about people and situations, and the kind of stories we make up can have significant and often devastating effects on our relationships with others. The hypothetical situation is likely not that hypothetical for the majority of us. When a friend, coworkers, family member or fellow church member says or does something bothers or upsets us, we so quickly default to stories about their lack of love or the abundance of sin in their lives. And beyond the people we are close with or we work with, think about our assumptions of the people who are distant or different from us. Especially in our divided and politically-charged world today, people assume the worst of the other. Depending on which side of the fence you are on, the people on the other side are either racist, homophobic, privilege conservatives or they’re Marxist, family-destroying, baby-killing liberals.

In Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Geri and Peter Scazzero say “Every time I make an assumption about someone without confirming it, I am at risk for believing a lie about this person. My assumption is just a breath away from misrepresenting reality because I have not checked out my assumption with the other person, it is very possible that I’m believing something untrue and effectively bearing false witness against my neighbor.” When we make assumptions about others, we’re breaking the 9th Commandment, bearing false witness against our neighbors, and that can have devastating effects on ourselves, on our communities and even on society. Bearing false witness against others builds up walls and barriers between us.

As followers of Jesus, we must seek to break down these walls and barriers; instead of making up stories in our heads about others, we must approach others with grace. Instead of assuming the worst of others and distancing ourselves, we can take the simple yet powerful step of approaching with love and grace and simply talk and seek to understand what’s going on in our neighbors’ lives.

Maybe there’s someone who comes to mind right now or maybe today God will bring someone into your life of whom you have told or will tell yourself a negative story. To that person, seek to approach them with grace and love.

Prayer: Jesus, give me a love for my neighbor that comes from you. I confess it is easy for me to love based on when it’s convenient for me. Help me to break down the walls in my own mind and heart even and to approach others with your love and grace. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 10

Lunch Bible Study

Read Ephesians 4:29-32: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Questions to Consider

What is the reason for being kind and gracious to others?
What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit”?
If you were judged just by the words that you speak to others, would you be reflecting the forgiveness and love of Jesus to others? Or are you grieving the Holy Spirit?

Notes

The reason for kindness towards others is the kindness and forgiveness of Jesus. Paul exhorts us to forgive with the knowledge and recognition of how Jesus has forgiven us of our sins. When we remember the forgiveness, love and kindness of Jesus for us, it changes how we treat and interact with others.
Broadly speaking, it is our sin that grieves the Holy Spirit, but in this passage, it seems that Paul has our sin towards one another particularly in mind. “Corrupting talk” would be speaking words of complaint or gossip or saying derogatory or cutting remarks, and this kind of “talk” would be in the context of a relationship. It grieves the Holy Spirit when we break community by speaking these types of words to others. Also, the sins listed in verse 31 (bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice), these are not sins that only affect the person who commits them; they are by natural sins that affect and infect relationships and community.
Personal response

Evening Reflection

As we seek to love and bless those around us, inside and outside the church community, we need to continually remember the love of Jesus for us. Take some time tonight to reflect on Jesus’ forgiveness and kindness toward you and pray that His love will be reflected to those around you.

November 23, Monday

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Divine Artist”

Colossians 3:12-14

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

For all of us, at one time or another, we encounter someone that rubs us the wrong way for whatever reason. Maybe it’s how they talk or the views they have. I remember hearing someone complain to me about how loudly his roommate chewed his food and how that drove him crazy. Whether it’s petty pet peeves or stark and serious differences in personality or ideology, we can easily find ourselves irked by others.

When we are faced with such people, what do we do? Many of us tend towards avoidance. We see that particular person when we walk into a gathering and then we go towards the other side of the room. Or if we get a text from them, we respond curtly. Or, even if we can push ourselves to not avoid, we likely just bear with it. Deal with it. Grit our teeth and suffer through our annoyances.

St. Thérèse, a French Catholic nun in the 19th Century, shows us that these kinds of differences can even happen in a convent. In her autobiography, she shared about a fellow nun who would irritate her in whatever she did or said. But instead of avoiding her sister or gritting her teeth through it, this is what St. Thérèse said, “I set myself to do for this sister just what I should have done for someone I loved most dearly. Every time I met her, I prayed for her and offered God all her virtues and her merits. I was sure this would greatly delight Jesus, for every artist likes to have his works praised and the divine Artist of souls is pleased when we do not halt outside the exterior of the sanctuary where He has chosen to dwell but go inside and admire its beauty.”

What if this was our heart and attitude towards every person we encounter, especially those we find it hard to love or get along with? Even the most irritating or infuriating person is the artwork of our Divine Artist, Jesus, and with each of His masterpieces, Jesus wants us to see and to admire their beauty.

Let us seek to have this kind of heart for our brothers, sisters and neighbors today. If there’s someone in particular who you find it hard to love or get along with, set your heart to love them as someone you love most dearly. Let bring delight to our Divine Artist by loving those He has beautifully created.

Prayer: Jesus, remind us today of your patient and enduring love for us. Show us how we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and help us to see the beauty of your creation in others around us. Especially with those with whom we find it hard to love, may we set our hearts to loving them as you love them. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 9

Lunch Bible Study

Read Acts 9:10-19: Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

Questions to Consider

What reasons does Ananias have for not going to Saul?
What moves Ananias to go to Saul?
What happens as a result of Ananias’ ministry to Saul? What can happen if we love those we find it hard to love?

Notes

In verse 13, Ananias said that he had heard of Saul and about “how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.” As a disciple of Jesus, Ananias in his mind thought that going to Saul at this point in time would be putting his own life at risk. For Ananias, it could have felt like a suicide mission.
Ananias ultimately goes because God tells him to go. Going a little deeper than that though, God tells Ananias that Saul would be His chosen instrument to share the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles. In going to Saul, Ananias was trusting that Jesus was working in Saul’s heart and life. Note that in verse 17, Ananias doesn’t just call him Saul, he says “Brother Saul”
In the short term, Saul is healed from his blindness and is baptized, but in the bigger picture, Saul would go on to be Apostle Paul who planted churches and wrote half of the books of the New Testament. Let us consider the impact our love for our neighbors can have!

Evening Reflection

More than ever with social distancing and quarantining and virtual relationships, it is easy for us to avoid being in relationship with people who we find it hard to love. Consider again if there’s someone that Jesus is calling you to love and bless. Pray for a heart of love and compassion and also pray for your actions towards them to reflect Jesus’ love for them.

November 22, Sunday

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 28, 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

“The Great Enemy of Spiritual Life? It’s not What You Think”

Mark 6:31

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Dallas Willard once gave this sage spiritual advice to young John Ortberg: “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.” Many of us suffer from what might be called “hurry sickness.” Here are some symptoms to see: When driving, you constantly switch back and forth between lanes to stay in the fastest lane; when cars pass you, you feel physically ill. You catch yourself frustrated saying, “I wish I could do more for the church or for my spiritual life, but I just don’t have the time.” Sometimes you are resentful of those who prevent/delay you from doing the next thing on your to-do list. Additionally, you find it difficult to read this because you are wondering when I’ll get to the point!

For many of us, hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life. God said, “Be still and know that I am God.” But we find it difficult to be still! Hurried and impatient, our minds and hearts race to the future and unable to rest in the present. From my own experience, hurrying kills my capacity to experience and give love, whether it be to God or to other people.

While being hurried is different from being busy (busyness is an outward condition caused by circumstances versus hurry which is an inward condition), nevertheless there is a correlation between the amount of things we schedule and hurry which enters our soul. The problem is that our culture worships speed and efficiency. We view positively at people who overschedule and overachieve as go-getters. But Jesus asks, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).

As we conclude this month’s theme of training vs. trying for righteousness, let me encourage you with this: We must ruthlessly train the hurry out of our lives! Let us consider ways to slow down our lives so that we can become more in tune with God.

Prayer: Father, it is sometimes difficult to discern Your presence amid my hurriedness. Lord, help me stop and enjoy You in the present moment. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 8

November 21, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee who leads Catalyst Agape Church in Northern New Jersey, was first posted on October 26, 2013. He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food Thought for the Weekend

“What Is the Name of Your Idol?”

Joshua 24:31 (NIV)

“Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.”

Unlike the generation of Moses, the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua experienced great favour and blessings of God: spiritually, physically, and even territorially. So, what was it about Joshua’s generation that they were able to experience God’s blessings?

Ironically, Moses’ generation, despite experiencing amazing displays of God’s supernatural power for 40 years, grumbled and complained whenever their expectations were not met. The next generation, however, under the new leadership of Joshua, entered, conquered, and received the Promised Land as their inheritance. More importantly, their spirits were refreshed as they readily saw God moving on their behalf.

From Moses’ generation, we learn what to avoid, but from Joshua’s, what we ought to do. The generation that complained and grumbled was always wavering between worshipping God and the gods of the Canaanites. Having seen the divided heart of his people one too many times, the first move Joshua made as the new leader was to call the Israelites to a single-minded devotion to the LORD. He declared:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14, 15 NIV)

In response, Joshua’s generation chose to serve Yahweh alone. And it was during this time that the Israelites, fearing the LORD and ready to obey Him, experienced all kinds of breakthroughs and miracles, which finally resulted in inheriting the Promised Land.

We always have an option to either serve God or idols that allure us. The Israelites chased after idols with names like Baal or Asherah; what is the name of your idol? Is it career, prestige, a thick wallet, good grades, or relationships? God always gives us this wonderful gift called “free will,” and He desires that you choose Him among all the other options. Joshua’s challenge rings clearly in our ears: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that worries and complaints (grumbling) are like cousins, and their parents are our idols. So, help me from being derailed by them and strengthen me to have a single-minded devotion to You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 6-7

November 20, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King who serves as associate pastor at Remnant Church in Manhattan, was first posted on April 7, 2014. Cami is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). We are truly sorry for the recent passing of her young brother.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Conflating ‘Christianity’ with our Own Cultural Preferences”

Galatians 2:2-5

I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

I think most of us know that the gospel message is offensive. Jesus taught His followers that he did not come to bring peace but the sword, separating even the closest relationships because of the offensive nature of His message.

But throughout Church history, during certain missionary efforts, it was not the gospel itself that was the site of offense, but the cultural particularities that came with it. Instead of teaching people to praise and worship God in their own culture and language (with their own style of music, preaching, etc.), some believers have made the mistake of conflating culture and religion, teaching both as one in the same.

This is similar to the situation Paul was facing. As a missionary to the Gentiles, he taught the gospel (God’s salvation plan for the world through Christ’s death and resurrection) and many were being saved, but Jewish believers came in and taught that the Gentiles had to also abandon their culture and adopt Jewish cultural practices (namely circumcision and dietary restrictions) in order to truly be saved.

Some years ago, I traveled to Brazil and encountered a small minority group that had not yet been reached with the gospel. They were not unreached in the sense that the gospel message had not made it to their region (there were Christians all around them). But the Christians had so demonized their culture over the years that most of them were no longer interested in hearing anything Christians had to say.

One of the most beautiful characteristics of the church is its multiculturalism. People from all different places, with different languages, cultural practices, food preferences, and worship styles can come together as a family, loving one another and learning from each other. When we conflate “Christianity” with our own cultural preferences, we often miss out on this amazing experience – by either rejecting differences (separation) or by erasing differences (homogenization). But God’s kingdom is a multicolored one and we benefit far more from our difference than we often think.

Prayer: Father, thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world and that You value our various cultures and worship styles and all the many things that make us different. But more than these things, thank You that You unite us as one in Christ through the Gospel. Help me to be apart of building up your many-colored kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Colossians 3:11-14: Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Questions to Consider

Why point is Paul making in verse 11?
How are we called to treat one another? What enables us to do this?
Why might Paul have needed to give these instructions?

Notes

We are one in Christ. Not that we don’t have differences, but that our differences don’t make us better or worse than others (as in the world). We are different, yes, but united and equal in Christ.
With compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Essentially we are called to love each other as Christ has loved us. We are able to do this because God has purified us and loved us.
Because conflicts are bound to arise – especially between people who are different from one another. But Christ enables us to love through difference.

Evening Reflection

Are there people whose cultural difference have created a barrier for you (especially within your Christian community)? Are there different types of people in your workplace, school, neighborhood with whom God may want you to build a relationship? Ask God to identify practical ways you can overcome difference with love in your community.

November 19, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional Thought—first posted on April 15, 2014—is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for the This Morning

“The Lost Art of Hospitality”

Gal 4:14

Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

A friend of mine recently bought a new house, so when my family went over to visit for the first time, to make conversation, I asked, “So, have you gotten to meet your neighbors? Do they seem cool?” The wife, somewhat sadly, reported, “No, nobody has come to welcome us to the neighborhood.” Her response and tone kind of made me giggle, so I followed up with, “What did you expect? Your neighbors to come over with a pie or cookies?” She responded, “Yeah, I guess a little, why not?” To that, I jokingly responded, “Because we don’t live in the 1950’s, and June Cleaver doesn’t live next door.” (Leave it to Beaver, an old show; those who are young probably won’t get the reference.)

Hospitality is kind of a lost art in our day and age, isn’t it? It’s ironic because the hot trend in housing is the huge designer kitchen that opens seamlessly into the dining and living rooms for entertaining purposes, yet nobody entertains. We see this phenomenon carry into the churches as well. People are generally reluctant to welcome newcomers or provide dinner for a family with a newborn.

Based on today’s passage, Paul might have been the worst guest ever. Could you imagine if your church invited a speaker for a conference, but when he arrived, he was too sick to speak? If your pastor were to ask the church for volunteers to host this guy until he got better, how many people do you think would volunteer? But this display of hospitality and Christian love opened the door for the Galatians to have a relationship with one of the greatest men of faith the world will ever see.

How many ministry opportunities do you think hospitality could open up for you? How many blessings do you think God can bestow on you because you are willing to demonstrate hospitality (see Heb. 13:2)? What will you do today to demonstrate Christ’s love through hospitality? Get the point? Now, go home and learn to cook (just kidding, sort of).

Prayer: Lord, give me the gift of hospitality and service. Help me to see a need in another that I can fill. Also, put in my heart a person or family to whom I can reach out to with the love of Christ.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt 25:31-46 (only verses 34-40 are provided): “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Questions to Consider

What is the point of this parable/teaching?
How will Christ (the King) recognize his people from others?
What is the value of good works? What good works are in your life?

Notes

By caring for others in need, we are serving and caring for Christ. By neglecting others in need, we are neglecting Christ.
God’s people will generally be recognized by their care for others.
This parable is the last in a series between Matt. 24-25 on the Kingdom of Heaven. It is important to note that none of these parables fully describe the Kingdom by itself. So it would be wrong for you to conclude, based solely on this passage, that unless someone helps people in need, he will not be saved. Good works do have value, but they cannot save you. The point again is, by serving others we are serving God.

Evening Reflection

Was there someone that you felt the Lord wanted you to serve today? What did you do about it? Is there someone you can encourage? The day is not over; you can still do something to cultivate hospitality, like emailing someone to see if he/she wants to come over for dinner.

November 18, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., was originally posted on September 1, 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

“Our Desperate Hope in God”

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (ESV)

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

One of the most unusual circumstances surrounding a sermon was a message given by John Chrysostom in the late fourth century. On this particular Sunday, a man by the name of Eutropius was clinging to the altar at the Hagia Sophia and literally begging for his life. Up to this point Eutropius had been the closest adviser to the Emperor Arcadius, but he was found guilty of abusing his imperial power and sentenced to death. In an effort to save his own life, Eutropius escaped from the palace, ran to the nearby church, and claimed the legal protection of sanctuary. The soldiers and the mob surrounded the church demanding for his immediate execution. But as nightfall came, the crowds dispersed, knowing that they could return the next morning to witness the drama unfold during the Sunday service.

Knowing that all of the city would be fixed on what he would say, John Chrysostom chose to preach out of Ecclesiastes 1:2, using Eutropius as the perfect sermon illustration. He duly noted that this man who had been second only to the emperor in power, wealth, and position had become “more wretched than a chained convict, more pitiable than a menial slave, more indigent than a beggar wasting away with hunger.” But the pastor’s purpose that morning was not to condemn the man but to save him by moving the crowds to compassion. To that end, he noted that his own words could not convey the agony of a man who had to suffer with the thought of being executed at any given moment. Then he turned the attention of the crowd toward themselves, challenging them to realize the vanity of their own existence. Whether rich or poor, powerful or weak, everyone would find themselves before a just and holy God on the Day of Judgment. Their only hope was the same hope to which Eutropius clung to– mercy at the altar of Christ.

The sermon had its intended impact. The crowds, with tears of compassion, spared Eutropius’ life. The Word of God, particularly the words found in Ecclesiastes, saved a man’s life. As we go through the book of Ecclesiastes over the next month, I pray that we would all understand how God saves us from ourselves and gives true meaning to life.

Prayer: Father, without you there is no meaning to our lives. Everything is meaningless and without purpose but with you in our lives, all things even the small things have a meaning. Help us to look to you today and cling to the altar of Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 3

Lunch Break Study

Read James 4:13-17: “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Questions to Consider

Why should we not spend excessive time and energy mapping out our own life plans?
How does James describe our time here on earth?
What can you do practically to avoid the sin of self-sufficiency and pride?

Notes

James reminds us that we have no control over the future and that we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. For that reason, we should not be so rigid in the way we plan our lives. Your five-year plan may not necessarily be God’s five year plan, and our view of life has to be flexible enough to account for that. When we are self-sufficient and blinded by pride, we can become very inflexible in the way we handle the inevitable ups and downs of life to our own harm.
In the second part of verse 14, human life is described as a vapor or a mist. James uses the same word/concept of the Hebrew word hebel that is found in Ecclesiastes 1:2 and translated as vanity or meaningless .
Personal response

Evening Reflection

Take time to reflect on your life. Are you living with meaning and purpose? Pray that God would be at the center of all your plans and decisions. If you are struggling with feelings of meaninglessness, trust that God will provide meaning for everything that you are going through.

November 17, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by the then (2013) staff of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, is an updated version of their blog first posted on July 16, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Struggling with Who? God?”

Psalm 77:3-9

I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. 4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. 5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; 6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: 7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

The psalmist is in no ordinary trouble. His spirit is faint; he is so troubled he can’t even speak. He remembers the goodness of the past in contrast with the present which causes him to ask, “Where is God?”

If nothing else, the psalmist is honest. He recognizes that the excruciating struggles in his heart are ultimately struggles with God. His enemies and his circumstances have not simply produced a material or emotional crisis; he is in a crisis of faith.

When our hearts are filled with turmoil, we are tempted to believe that we are not struggling with God. We know that “good Christians” do not doubt God, but we are not “good Christians.” We doubt Him daily, and difficulties simply magnify those doubts. We must face the fragility of our faith. When we do, we finally come to a place where we can receive His grace.

Pray that today your heart would constantly say, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” As you encounter difficulties and challenges, ask the Lord to search and expose your heart and to give you the forgiveness and power you need.

Prayer: Lord, I am so ready to blame others or to blame my circumstances. But Father, I thank you that your primary concern in my life is my heart. Lord, search and expose my heart in such a way that it drives me to the cross. Make my heart pure before you and grant me the grace I need to please you even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 2

Lunch Break Study

Read James 3:1-8 (NIV): Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Questions to Consider

James now turns his attention to wisdom and speech. Why does James warn the believers not to become teachers too quickly?
What is James trying to teach us by the use of metaphors to describe the effects of the tongue (bits, rudder, a small spark, taming of animals)?
Before you speak to others today, think about the kind of ramifications it may have on those who hear your speech. If it will be for the good, speak sincerely. If it will be for the worse, remain silent. So, how are you doing with your tongue?

Notes

James warns the believers not to become teachers too quickly because teachers (who depend so heavily on the use of their speech) will be judged more strictly when they sin (because they have more widespread influence.) And the teachers are just as susceptible to reckless speech as anybody else.
The tongue is a powerful influence for good, completely out of proportion to its size. Right speech is a sign of Christian maturity. In the way that a small bit can turn a horse or a rudder can turn a ship, a small tongue can accomplish great things for the Lord. In the same way, the tongue can also cause disproportionate damages; a small spark can burn down an entire forest or this small part of the body can corrupt the body entire. And unfortunately, man has not figured out how to tame this tongue.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Think about the way in which Jesus used his tongue when he spoke to men, women, and children during his ministry. Which of his sayings or teachings comes to your mind? Journal about that particular teaching or saying.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to recognize my own speech patterns. If my tongue has been used for destruction, please fill me with Your Spirit so that it will be used for God’s glory. Amen.

November 16, 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 26, 2014. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God’s Heart for the Lost”

1 Timothy 2:3-7

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. [7] For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Have you ever had a close friend or family member come to know Christ because of your prayers or influence? There is such indescribable joy when the people we pray for come to faith in Christ. Throughout my years as a Christian, I have seen people who were far away from God come to know Christ, and in each of these conversions, I am amazed at His power that saves.

In this passage, we see God’s heart for those who do not know him: He “desires all people to be saved and come to know the knowledge of truth” (v.4). This truth is that God loves the whole world, desires all people to be saved, and so commands us to preach the gospel to all the nations and pray for their salvation. It is through one mediator, Christ Jesus, that all can come to know his incredible love and grace.

Spend some time this morning praying for those who do not know Christ. Maybe it is a family member, coworker, neighbor, small group member, etc. Since prayer is one of the means through which the Lord redeems His people, we are called to intercede. Let’s remind ourselves that God desires all to come to know Him, and that He calls us to be part of His redemption work.

Prayer: Lord, I want to lift up those in my life who do not know Jesus. May they experience your saving grace. May you use me to share Christ boldly. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 15:1-7: Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. [2] And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”[3] So he told them this parable: [4] “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Questions to Consider

Why do you think Jesus tells this parable? What does He want to communicate?
How does Jesus view people who are lost?
Do we have this kind of heart for those who do not know Jesus?

Notes

God rejoices over the recovery of a lost sinner, and therefore it is Jesus’ supreme desire to seek and save the lost.
This attitude is illustrated by the willingness of a shepherd to go out over the hills searching, so that not even one sheep may be missing from his flock. There may be some who ask: “What does one lost sheep matter compared with ninety–nine safe in the fold?” and ignore the value of the individual. Not so with God. He rejoices even more (if that is possible) over the return of the lost than over the safety of those at home.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

We have been reflecting on God’s heart for the lost today. Spend some time in prayer asking that He would give you his heart for people.

November 15, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on June 22, 2014. Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Helping the Widows”

1 Timothy 5:3-16

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Paul now turns to the problem of widows. In Paul’s time, widows were in an especially difficult position because employment for women was not readily available, nor was there some type of government assistance for the elderly. Perhaps some could receive help through family or friends, but many lived in poverty, never having received an inheritance. Since the outlook for many was dire, it was important for the church to support them. In fact, soon after the birth of the church, not too long after the Pentecost, the book of Acts records that the caring of widows was the first internal problem the church had to address (Acts 6).

This problem was also found in the Ephesian church, and Paul addresses this issue to Timothy in today’s passage. The primary concern in today’s passage is to identify which widows the church should provide for. There are two key indicators: not having other family members and general godliness of the widow. But the point that should not escape us today is precisely the church’s mandate to care for the widows. Why? Because the church is to reflect the heart of God on earth. When we love those who have nothing to offer in return, and we care for those who can’t help themselves, then we reflect the very love that God has demonstrated to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

So Paul gives Timothy admonitions as to how to deal with this matter in v.3: Honor widows who are real widows. Paul is saying, “Don’t be taken advantage of, but if there are real needs, real widows, honor them by providing for them.” And herein lies the principle the church is commended to live out: When there are people with genuine needs, the church should do all they can to help them. In fact, the apostle James says this is the sign of true religion (James 1:27). When we help widows and orphans, this is a certain way to demonstrate the genuineness of our faith.

So consider how helpful you are when it comes to those who are helpless and can offer nothing in return. When is the last you helped someone without expecting anything back? Challenge yourself to look for someone who needs help so that you can serve them without being paid back.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have put us in a position to help the needy, including the widows. May we be generous in reflection of Your generosity toward us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 8