October 2, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT devotional, originally posted on August 13, 2019, is provided Joe Suh. Joe is the Leader Pastor of Canvas City Church in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Who Am I?”

I Peter 2:9 (NASB)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . .  

Understanding who we are is of the utmost importance.  Our identity is what defines us and is ultimately a driving force in who and what we are.  However, very often our identity as we see it is wrong, distorted, and taken from the wrong places.  Generally, most people are not self-aware, and they are unable to see who they really are.

Often, we feel that we should define ourselves by our careers, financial or marital status or even the successes in life.  Sometimes our identity is found in our failures, disappointments and the shortcomings of our life.  However, whenever we find our identity in the worldly things we do and possess, we do not understand who we truly are.

For a long time, I found my identity in my career path.  At one point in my life I was an attorney.  I actually liked it when people asked me what I did for living because I felt a certain pride in saying that I was lawyer.  I felt there was prestige in my chosen career path and it artificially pumped up my ego.  I know that this was sad and lame, nevertheless, for some reason I did find comfort in it.  But in reality that was not who I was; rather, it was what I did.  My career is not my identity—my relationship with Jesus is.

Ultimately, for those who have faith that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, our one and only identity is “Child of God” (See Galatians 3:26).  No matter what we do or what stage in life we are currently at, the truest explanation of who we are is defined by our relationship with Jesus.  

In our verse for today, Peter is quoting from Exodus 19:6.  He is reminding us of our true identity and that we are to be separated from the world.  Really think about what is being said here.  We are set apart in order to proclaim who the true King really is.  On our own we do not have standing to be a part of the “holy nation”, however because of our relationship with Jesus, we have a seat at the table and are able to live out the calling in our lives.  

By His righteousness we are able to stand before God and be called His children.  So no matter what we do or don’t do, no matter what we have or don’t have, our true identity is precious child of God! Amen!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that in Christ I’m able to stand before You and be called Your child.  Thank You that no matter what I do or don’t do, no matter what I have or don’t have, my true identity is found in You alone as your precious child. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 28

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 3:26-28: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Questions to Consider

  • When we trust in Jesus for our salvation, what do we instantly become?
  • Why is Paul stressing that there is no distinction between race, status or even sex?
  • What does it mean to you to be one in Christ Jesus?

Notes

  • When we have faith in Jesus as our Savior, we instantaneously become sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.  This is an important distinction because Jesus is the perfect son sent by God the Father to intercede for all of us.  Once we believe, we too are able to stand as God’s children.
  • In God’s Kingdom there is no separation of race, status, class or sex.  We are all one people.  We are all one in Christ.  We are God’s chosen people.  We are only identified in Christ and He lives in each of us.
  • Personal response

Evening Reflection

As you continue your journey of faith what does it mean to be a child of God?  What is the significance of your true identity?  How does it affect what you do and how you live?  Take some time this evening to pray through these questions and ask God for clarity and direction.  I pray that each of us will find new purpose and conviction in living out our lives for Jesus!

October 1, Wednesday 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on May 18, 2019, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The God of Mercy”

Exodus 25:17-22

“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. 21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. 22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

In 2011, Sandra Walker, a mother of two, lost her husband in a car accident that also caused her to have a life-changing brain injury.  At the trial for the accident, in her court statement Walker said she sympathized with the woman who crashed into them—who herself lost a child in the accident—and gave her a hug. “I know she is going through as much pain as I am feeling. I wanted her to know that I forgive her for what she did,” Walker told a local new station.  Stories like Sandra’s shows a picture of mercy, which is the topic for today’s devotional.  

Mercy is defined as “compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, 

an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence” (Dictionary.com)

Mercy and grace are similar but not the same. Putting it simply, grace is getting favors what we don’t deserve while mercy is not getting the punishment what we do deserve.

As Ark of the Covenant was being constructed, the Law was placed inside the ark, and a lid called the mercy seat closed the box. God knew that Israel would break His law; nevertheless,  He would be merciful by covering their law breaking—to guard those who truly loved Him from His wrath. Ultimately, this was achieved through the death of a substitute and the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat itself (Lev. 16). The ark’s cover was used in making atonement for sin as the high priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat—this showed that sin was forgiven and the people were covered by God’s mercy.  What does this mean for us?

  • We have been shown incredible mercy through the blood of Christ.  It is said that Jesus came to “make atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb 2:17).  It means that we can live each day with gratitude and freedom knowing Christ took on the punishment we deserved.  
  • It also means we can show mercy toward others.  When people hurt or wrong us, we can have the strength to show forgiveness and mercy because it was first shown to us.  Paul writes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for the mercy You show us when we do not deserve it!  Help us to live each day remembering Christ’s mercy for us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 12:1-2: I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Questions to Consider

  • What should be our response to the mercies of God?
  • How does true transformation come in our lives?
  • How can these verses challenge you to surrender in view of God’s mercy?

Notes

  • It is offering our bodies as worship to the Lord.  It means surrendering every part of our lives – physical bodies, possessions, careers, etc. to Him in light of the mercy He has shown us.  
  • Transformation starts in the mind – specifically through the Word of God.  The word changes the way we see life, God and others and that’s where we should start when it comes to making changes in our lives.  
  • Take some time and mediate on what this means for you in every area of your life.

Evening Reflection

Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn’t mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness. – Tim Keller

As we look at the topic of mercy, take some time to think about the following:

  • In what areas do you need to give to the Lord in response to his mercy on you?
  • Is there anyone you need to forgive as God has shown his unmerited mercy on you?

Take some time to pray and ask the Lord to reveal these truths to you.  

September 30, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Quiet Time, originally posted on March 19, 2019, is provided by Pastor Peter Yoon who is the Lead Pastor of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Are We There Yet?”

Exodus 13:17-18 (NIV)

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

Parents have often heard their children ask the question from the backseat of the car, “Are we there yet?” I wonder how many times the children of the Israelites asked their parents this same question. What should have been a relatively short journey from Egypt to Canaan turned out to be a very long journey for the Israelites. 

At the outset of the journey though, the Israelites finally got to enjoy the freedom after 430 years of servitude in Egypt. With the 10th and final plague, Pharaoh had been defeated after losing his firstborn; in anger, therefore, he releases the Israelites. 

Now, Moses was given the task of leading God’s people from Egypt to Canaan. For mapping purposes, point A was the land of Goshen in Egypt where the Israelites had been slaves; point B was the land that flowed with milk and honey and was promised to the Israelites. With so much at stake and only a desert separating point A and point B, I’m sure Moses looked for the shortest and the quickest path to Canaan. That path was the clearly marked trade route that ran NE along the seacoast of the Mediterranean Sea. It must have been about 250 miles or so, and traveling slowly with a massive number of people, Moses may have estimated about two weeks of travel time. He had no idea that the journey would actually take 40 years! 

Perhaps God’s warning should have given Moses some expectations that this was going to be a longer journey than he had planned. God warns Moses, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Afterwards, God leads the Israelites South, in the opposite direction. 

We can see that sometimes, in our faith journey, God will deliberately take us on a much longer and, at times, puzzling paths. We must learn to be patient and trust in the Lord. Behind every movement, God understands that if we were to take the shortest, most efficient path, it’s very likely that we will face obstacles along the way and never make it to our destination. It’s difficult for us to follow; however, following the cloud by day and fire by night is the best path that God has in store for us. 

So what path are you on right now?  To where is the Lord taking you? 

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your wisdom as You lead me towards maturity. Help me to also trust in what You are doing in our church. I admit that I have been impatient and making efforts to project my own will. Forgive me and help me to trust in Your perfect ways. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 26

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt 16:21-23: From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Questions to Consider

  • Why does Jesus’ explanation of his upcoming suffering disturb Peter and the disciples? 
  • What does Jesus’ rebuke of Peter reveal about the contrast between man’s will versus God’s will? 
  • What sort of dialogue have you had lately with the Lord? What are you hearing from Him?

Notes:

  • The disciples expected to march on Jerusalem, pick up supporters on the way, fight an unexpected battle (and win), take over the Temple, and install Jesus as king. They assumed that’s how ‘the son of man’ will be exalted in his kingdom! Suffering was out of the picture. 
  • Peter did not have in his mind the concerns of God. His concern was for himself and his personal and national agendas. 
  • Personal response. 

Evening Reflection

Are you still waiting on any particular promise of God to be fulfilled in your own life? Are you growing impatient still waiting on the Lord? Express to Him that you trust in His timing as well as His path of fulfilling His promise to you. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

September 29, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on September 16, 2019, is provided by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Meeting Place with God”

Luke 1:11-15 (NIV)

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

Have you ever experienced God providing you an answer to your prayer, but the answer was a greater outcome than your expectation? Recently, I was given good news that my mom will be getting married to a kind, Christian brother. For a long time, she had been praying about pursuing a second marriage in a God-honoring way because she wanted God’s blessing. However, from several previous situations in which things did not work out, she had learned to become content in serving God as a single woman. But, this past year, God didn’t simply grant a good answer to her prayer, but a great answer, for the brother to whom she is engaged is not just a Christian, but someone who shares similar values and commitment towards serving and ministry.

In introducing this elderly couple to his audience, Luke particularly recorded that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, though barren and childless, were “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (Luke 1:6). This was to shed away any misconception that Elizabeth’s barrenness was a result of moral failure or spiritual uncleanliness, which was a social stigma at the time. Barrenness in those days also brought on the stress of economic well-being—who would take care of and provide for them in their old age? Verse 13 implies that Zechariah had prayed for Elizabeth to bear a child and now the Lord says, “Your prayer has been heard.” 

For this couple, barrenness was devastating to face, but their barrenness became a contact point and a meeting place between them and God. They poured out their pain and desires to God and in the waiting, they faithfully continued to serve God. God did not give them a “good enough” outcome—of course, having a child would’ve made it a happy ending—but gave them a great outcome, because their son would not only bring joy to them, but would also bring joy to Israel. He would play a very important role in Israel that would usher and prepare the way for Jesus Christ. 

What outcomes are you earnestly seeking from God: financial breakthrough, a job opportunity, healing in relationships? Let the lack you are facing become a contact point that brings you to meet with the Lord.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You that Your works exceedingly surpass my prayers and expectations. You are a God of great things, not just “good enough”. You teach me to hope and desire for Your great purposes to be accomplished through my life. I pray that You would keep me steady and faithful in the waiting. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 25

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 63:1-11: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. 9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”

Questions to Consider

1. What condition or situation was David facing when he wrote this psalm?

2. What is unique about David’s song to God amid his dire situation?

3. How can this psalm be a prayer for you or someone in your life, given your or someone’s difficult situation?

Notes

1. Very likely, David was in the desert and wilderness, hiding from Saul who was pursuing to destroy him.

2. Amongst many praises to God, David declares that God’s love is better than life. David really needed physical safety for his life at this time, but he still declared that God’s love is better. In fact, God’s love is fully satisfying, like the richest of foods. He found comfort in God’s presence alone. 

3. Personal Response

Evening Reflection

What situation or moment in your life is prompting you to seek God earnestly? Take a moment to vocalize or write down the things for which you need God’s help. 

September 28, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on October 7, 2018, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

Jeremiah 42:19-20

The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, “Do not go to Egypt.” Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day 20 that you have gone astray at the cost of your lives. For you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, “Pray for us to the Lord our God, and whatever the Lord our God says, declare to us and we will do it.” 

In Monopoly, there is a card called “Get Out of Jail Free.”  If in the course of the game you find yourself in jail, all you have to do is to play this card and you are home free—meaning, you don’t have to worry about paying a fine or penalty. For many Christians in our day, this “Get Out of Jail Free” card has become metaphorical for anything that can get you out of trouble.

In the history of Christianity—and in my own ministry and even my own walk with Jesus—there has been an attitude towards the forgiveness of sins as a “Get Out of Jail Free” card:  Because Jesus died for our sins on the Cross, all of our sins are forgiven, and even if we sin again and again, our sins can be forgiven.  Even if we deliberately sin, those sins can be forgiven as well.  But as we can all imagine (or already see in our own lives), it’s easy to think about this forgiveness as an unlimited “Get Out of Jail Free” card. I’ve heard people say things like, “It’s okay, I can just ask Jesus for forgiveness later.” This forgiveness is an excuse for some to live a YOLO kind of life. Even in my own mind I’ve thought, “God already knows I’m a sinner, and Jesus will forgive me anyways.”

We tend to easily underestimate the effects of sin in our lives. We take sin lightly, like a red mark on a ledger or a bad thing that has to be made up. But what we don’t often consider is that sin has greater effects upon us than just a demerit.  In verse 20, God tells the Israelites, “…you have gone astray at the cost of your lives.”  The sin they were about to commit was to go to Egypt against the clear and expressed will of God—that is, choosing to not follow God’s will but to go in a wrong direction and going astray from where God wanted them to be.  And sadly, what they didn’t realize was that this would not just cost them some red marks on a ledger or a few demerits—but this sin would cost them their lives.  

Though we continue to struggle with sin and are still constantly in need of forgiveness, we shouldn’t treat the forgiveness of Jesus lightly, like a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.  Deliberately going astray from God, expecting to be forgiven afterwards, can have serious effects upon our lives that we don’t consider.  Jesus died on the Cross so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be brought into relationship with God, but this didn’t just wipe our ledgers clean—it changed the trajectory of our lives to be pointed to God and to the good and abundant life that He wants us to live.  Let’s remember this: going astray from God leads us towards slavery, but to receive His forgiveness is experiencing freedom so that we don’t have to go astray anymore.

On this Lord’s Day, as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the Cross, let us not think of it as a “Get Out of Jail Free” card; but instead, let us remember it as an invitation to the good life with God Himself.

Prayer: Jesus, I remember that it is for freedom that You have set me free.  I pray that today I will experience the freedom and goodness of being with You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Genesis 24

September 27, Saturday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on July 28, 2019, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children, serves in Japan as an AMI missionary. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“While There is Time”

Jeremiah 24:8–10 (ESV)

But thus says the LORD: “Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. [9] I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. [10] And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.

In our passage this morning, Jeremiah continues to explain the vision of the basket of figs: The good figs are the people who are sent into exile by Babylon.  The bad figs are the people who are allowed to remain in the Promised Land, albeit under the rule of the Babylonians.  While the exiles go through a harsher experience initially, they are actually the ones favored by God.  Those who remain in the land are tempted to believe that they are more righteous than those who are exiled, and that they can continue on in their way of life. 

From high school into the first couple years of college, I managed to get by without doing much work.  I slept through lectures, exchanged homework assignments with friends, and crammed before tests.  I thought this was a viable way of approaching life.  Thankfully, I received a wake-up call in my junior year.  With harder coursework, these study habits produced failing grades.  While I stubbornly clung to my failing system as long as I could, eventually, I made the necessary changes and finally learned to work hard.

In the moment, I certainly wished that my lackluster effort would be enough.  But what if I managed to get through college without ever learning to work hard?  Eventually, it would catch up to me and instead of failing classes, I would be getting fired from jobs and the consequences would become more and more serious with time.

The Israelites who remain in Jerusalem or flee to Egypt do not appreciate the seriousness of their situation.  They assume that the worst is over, and since they’ve survived thus far, they don’t need to make any major changes in their lives.  Rather than being thankful for undeservedly being able to stay in the Promised Land and accepting God’s judgment humbly, they cling to a false sense of assurance and harden their hearts to God and His prophet, Jeremiah.

Sadly, the greater judgment is still to come and the people are less and less likely to be ready for the Day of the Lord.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You often do not give me what I deserve.  May I not mistake grace for deserved favor.  May I not be foolish enough to linger in sin but repent and turn now while there is still time.  Thank You that You are faithful to forgive and bind up the brokenhearted. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 22-23

September 26, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on April 5, 2019, is provided by Ulysses Wang who pastors Renewal Church in Sunnyvale, California. Pastor Ulysses is a graduate of New York University (BA) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“‘No One Tells Me What to Do’—Oh, Be Quiet”

Exodus 18:24-27

So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.

At this point Moses had a decision to make: Listen to his father-in-law’s advice (not always easy, as many a married man will attest) or keep doing what he was doing. But why should he listen to Jethro? After all, Moses was the one who just led the Israelites out of slavery, defying and defeating the world’s greatest superpower at the time! And it was Moses who performed miracle after miracle, wonders the likes of which the world had never seen. It may have been very tempting for him to assume that he was the one God uses, therefore he needs to do everything.

Maybe it was Moses’ great humility that saved him at this point. After all, he was “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). A younger, prouder man might have balked at advice from “mere mortals,” no less from one’s own father-in-law! Moses, however, was willing to receive such advice. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

How willing are you to listen to advice? Are there things going on in your life, whether difficult decisions or relationship issues or confusion about the future? Do you seek counsel from others? Or do you feel like you need to figure everything out on your own? Do you have a difficult time asking others for help or appearing “weak” by admitting you don’t know what to do? Let us consider the example of Moses, the man who the Scriptures declare “was faithful in all God’s house as a servant” (Hebrews 3:5), and learn from the wisdom of his humility.

Prayer: Lord, grant me a humble heart. Forgive me of my pride, self-reliance, and insecurity. Help me to be willing to be weak, vulnerable, or uncertain, and to be willing to reveal such things before others. Encourage me with the power of community and the wisdom of many counselors, that I may receive conviction to walk more and more with others by my side. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 7:1-6: But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

Questions to Consider

  • How formidable was the city of Ai?
  • Why did the Israelites lose the battle?
  • What effect did Achan’s sin have on the rest of the people? What does this tell you about the nature and impact of sin?

Notes

  • Ai was puny, especially compared to Israel’s army.
  • The Israelites lost because Achan broke covenant with God. God had been fighting for Israel and now His favor was removed.
  • Even though Achan did not involve other Israelites in his sin, nevertheless the entire nation was affected. The effects of sin go beyond what the eye can see and can affect the entire community.

Evening Reflection

What’s something in your life that you know isn’t right and need to begin taking more seriously? What’s one step, no matter how small, that you can take to begin addressing it?

September 25, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on July 18, 2018, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Lateral Moves”

Jeremiah 41:11-18

But when Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces with him heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done, 12 they took all their men and went to fight against Ishmael the son of Nethaniah. They came upon him at the great pool that is in Gibeon. 13 And when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces with him, they rejoiced. 14 So all the people whom Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah. 15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites. 16 Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces with him took from Mizpah all the rest of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, after he had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam—soldiers, women, children, and eunuchs, whom Johanan brought back from Gibeon. 17 And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt 18 because of the Chaldeans. For they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

Career-wise, is a lateral move a bad thing?  I’ve had many friends telling me they wouldn’t consider changing companies unless they got increase in salary, position, or both.  The logic behind this line of thinking is that since you have a certain amount of years vested in your current job, you’ve accrued more benefits like seniority, vacation time, 401k matching, etc.  And of course, in your current company, you have a known commodity.  You know what your life is like within your current workplace; you know your company’s culture, your boss, co-workers, best places to eat within a five-mile radius; maybe you’ve even found the deserted office to sneak in an afternoon nap.  Changing jobs presents a bunch of unknowns doesn’t it?  From commute to office culture, there’s a lot that can surprise you that you couldn’t really pick up during the interview process, and if you’re not being compensated for it, a lateral move could easily turn into a net negative.  I find that most people would only consider a lateral move if their current jobs were what they consider “toxic” (horrible bosses, terrible coworkers, unreasonable hours, etc.) 

Perhaps I’m exaggerating when I call the leadership from Ishmael to Johanan a lateral move.  Johanan never executed a coup like Ishmael did; in fact, his defeat of Ishmael was definitely a correction of a wrong, but make no mistake about it, this was no return to the glory days of Israel’s past.  We also see that Johanan still planned to leave the promised land, but instead of going to Ammonite country, he planned on fleeing to Egypt; as we’ll see in the next chapter, the Lord was not pleased with this plan either.  

Here’s my point, change simply for the sake of change isn’t always the best move.  This is why spiritual gift of discernment is so valuable.  In one sense, we don’t want to be people who are so resistant to change that we miss what God is asking us to do.  In another sense, we don’t want to be so impetuous that we bounce from one situation to another, and never develop the fruit of perseverance.  We need discernment to tell if God is leading us to stay where we’re at or go on a new path.  

What are the circumstances you are struggling with now?  Do you feel like the Lord wants you to remain?  Does the other alternate route feel like a lateral move?  Ask the Lord for guidance; generally speaking, I don’t think he’s asking you trade a bad situation for one that is slightly less bad.  

Prayer: Lord, I’m struggling with __________.  I don’t want to change simply for the sake of change, but I also don’t want to remain the same because it represents a known.  Please give me discernment to follow your promptings.  

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world,  but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Questions to Consider

1.  What are the prerequisites of discerning God’s will?

2.  What are the benefits of discerning God’s will?

3.  What are you struggling with concerning God’s will?

Notes

1.  In verse 2, Paul tells us that we should not be conformed to the world, meaning, among other things, we shouldn’t have the same value set and worldview of the world.  Perhaps our pursuits and goals are just like everyone else’s; if this is the case, that’s a problem.  On top of that we need to have a renewed mind, which among other things, means we need to have the same value set and worldview that God has. 

2.  God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect.  This is something that most Christians do not fully embrace.  Do we genuinely believe that God is good and he wants what is good for us, or in our hearts, do we think that we know what will make us happy, even more than God does?  Until we can believe His will is good, acceptable, and perfect will, we’ll never desire it.  

3.  Personal response

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme has been about choices we make.  Is there something that is in front of you that requires a major decision?  Where do you feel he is prompting?  Do you believe He genuinely wants good for you?  Take some time tonight to ask the Lord for the gift of discernment.  

September 24,Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on March 27, 2019, is provided by Pastor Matt Ro. Matt is currently pastoring a church in the state of New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Am I God-Centered or Self-Centered?” 

Exodus 15:1-18 (ESV)

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider[a] he has thrown into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. 4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble. 8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ 10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. 18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Our self-worth/value is greatly affected by whether we are anchored to a God-centered or self-centered viewpoint.  We know that self-centeredness, which originates from our fallen nature, focuses everything on the self, thereby causing our self-worth to become diminished or bloated based on our performance.  No doubt that we live in a culture where an individual’s value comes from an external and superficial perspective, rather than from something greater than the self.  

Often, we are swayed by other people’s opinions, or comparison to others, which, then, leads us to doubt or question our intrinsic value as God’s child.  So we say to ourselves: “My friend landed a better job and makes more money than me.  What I’m doing is nothing in comparison”;“My friend is skinny and really pretty.  She’ll have no problem getting matched, but what about me?”; “my friends do and say things I don’t agree with.  I feel they won’t like me if I disagree with them.  I want to be accepted, that’s why I support them, but what if standing up for what I believe in means I’ll lose them as friends?”Given this situation we all face (some more than others), to develop and strengthen our original God-given value, we need to intentionally make the effort to change our perspective, that is to say, it won’t change unless we make that effort.  

Notice in this passage that this great song of Moses is completely God-centered, glorifying God from beginning to end.  We may think that it took a great leader’s courage to lead approximately two million people out of the land of slavery and into the wilderness.  Yet, there isn’t a word about Moses the entire song.  The name of God is mentioned twenty-seven times (by my count!), including pronouns referring to God.  The song even moves from a celebration of God’s past deliverances to the future victories yet to come.  This is the God-centered faith that we are called to live in!

When the people stood at the edge of the Red Sea and Moses told them to go forward, they obeyed by faith.  Moses said, “Stand firm and you will see the Lord’s deliverance,” and that is the challenge to faith today.  F.B. Meyer puts it very well: Learn what God will do for his own.  Dread not any result of implicit obedience to his command; fear not the angry waters which, in their proud insolence, forbid your progress; fear not the turbulent crowds of men who are perpetually compared to waters lifting up their voice and roaring with their waves.  Fear none of these things.  Above the voices of many waters, the might breakers of the sea, the Lord sits as king upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth as king forever…Dare to trust Him.  

In light of this passage, make sure to:

  • Ask the Lord to show you how He sees you and what kind of value He has assigned to you.  Can you think of an example where you connected to your unique value as God’s son/daughter?
  • Surrender areas of your life where you have allowed society’s perspective to affect how you feel about the values and beliefs you cherish because they are rooted in God’s truth.

Prayer:  Lord, I always want to trust in You.  Thank You for Your past deliverances as well as the ones that are yet to come.  Help me to see things as You do.  If more of You is less of me, then take everything from me!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions to consider

  • Psalm 1 is a contrast between two ways in life: the self-directed vs. the God-directed life.  What are the benefits of the one who strives to make the Word of God (God-centeredness) the focus, rather than external accomplishments and opinions?
  • It bears repeating what was asked in the morning devotion: Ask the Lord to show you how He sees you and what kind of value He has assigned to you.  Can you think of an example where you connected to your unique value as God’s son/daughter?

Notes

  • The imagery in Psalm 1:3, paints a picture of several results in a God-centered life:
  • Stability (“he is planted”)
  • Vitality (“by streams of water”)
  • Productivity (“yields its fruit”)
  • Durability (“does not wither”)
  • Prosperity (“in all that he does, he prospers”)

2. Personal response

Evening Reflection

I invite you to think of a situation where you feel conflicted about seeing this situation from God’s viewpoint or a self-centered viewpoint.  Make a commitment to ask a close friend what he or she thinks is God’s perspective on this situation; also ask how he or she feels about the perspective you’re taking.  How would that impact your proactive approach to the situation?

September 23, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on March 12, 2019, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Called by Love”

Exodus 11:6-7 

There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again. But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 

Deut. 7:7-8 

The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

One of the privileges I have in ministry is walking alongside young adults as they figure out the big topic named CALLING. It’s an issue many gravitate towards because it’s exciting to think about our purpose and future; but it also leads to a lot of questions and patient waiting since no individuals can get the clarity they are hoping for in one instance. Our instinct is to find out what to do with our lives, but we don’t get that “microwave answer” because calling is actually something that is realized through an ongoing relationship with God and the clarity of what to do matures overtime. 

From what we can glean from the Exodus story, God first calls Israel to Himself—to a love relationship with Him. He identifies himself as a Father and Israel is His “firstborn son” (Ex. 4:22). In today’s passage, God is about to send a final plague unto Egypt, but the calamity will not hit any of the Israelite homes. The plague will “pass over” them, and the loud cry in the land will cause Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Today’s Scripture shows us that God’s act of deliverance makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. Israel is not only set free, but is “called out” of the darkness of slavery and “made distinct” as a people for God Himself. God calls Israel out of their “former life” to a relationship with Him, in which He would be their new Lord and Master. He called them because of His love for them and His promise to their forefather Abraham, and not based on their works or merit. Through the ministry of the tabernacle and the giving of the Law, they would spend the first season outside of Egypt learning what it means to obey and relate to God. 

Later, after being delivered from Egypt, God then reveals His vocational calling for them, which is to be a kingdom priests and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). They would be a vessel through which other nations would get to know God. As Christians, we each have a unique calling, or vocation, to fulfill in God’s kingdom, but the foundation to our vocation is the same, which is a calling to God Himself. We are distinct in that God pursue a relationship with us first, and it is through our response to a relationship with Him that the task He has for us becomes clear. This morning, let’s bask in the reality that God has delightfully chosen to be our Father and calls us to a personal relationship with us. 

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You that You have called me to be, first and foremost, Your son/daughter. Help me to be an unhurried recipient of Your grace and love. I praise You because there is no other God like You, who chooses people based on Your love and an invitation to a relationship with You. May Your grace and love empower to respond to Your mission and assignment for me as You make it clear to me. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Hosea 11:1-4: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.”

Questions to Consider

  • What kind of relationship does God have with Israel?
  • What event is Hosea referring to in the first verse?
  • What does this passage reveal about God’s purpose for delivering Israel out of Egypt?

Notes

  • Through the prophet Hosea, God reveals that his relationship with Israel is like a father to a son. He loves Israel like a father raising his child – teaching him to walk, taking him by his arms and bending down to feed him. 
  • Hosea is referring to the Exodus event, when the Lord delivered Israel out of slavery in Egypt by hardening Pharaoh’s heart and sending the 10 plagues which eventually caused Pharaoh to drive the Israelites out of Egypt. 
  • He delivered them, not only to set them free, but it was a calling to a relationship with Him. He delivered them so they could enter into a relationship of trust, faithfulness and obedience to Him. Israel had a history after the Exodus of turning to other gods and abandoning God as their God, yet God faithfully kept calling them back to Himself through his covenants and prophets. 

Evening Reflection

The apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:13-14, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Reflect on whether you are really living the life of the kingdom of the Son in whom we have received the forgiveness of our sins.  This behooves us to ask: Are we still holding onto old grudges that is keeping us from forgiving someone close to us? Perhaps, tonight is the night we let that go—because of Jesus.