REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 6/7, 2013.  Young is a graduate of University of Illinois (BS), Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Westminster Theological Seminary (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Wisdom from God for Our Daily Lives”

Proverbs 6:24-27

“Keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?”

There are too many great verses in Proverbs 6.  I love the example about the ants.  But I did notice that there is much warning about immoral sexual activities. Stay away from it! It will destroy you. You will get burned. You don’t want to be reduced to a loaf of bread.

Proverbs 6:6-11

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Is there an area in your life that you are being lazy about?  What is it? Bring it before the Lord. Ask God for strength to get it done.  Remember God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of love, power and self-discipline.  Laziness can destroy your relationship with Jesus. Ask God for His love, His power, and His spirit of self-discipline.

Proverbs 7:21-23, 27

“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”

Sex was God’s idea. He intended it as a gift to be used inside marriage. It was to be a beautiful act of love shared between husband and wife.  But the enemy has hijacked this gift of sex and uses it to tempt us. It is one of the biggest battles of our times. Please read this chapter and gain wisdom in this area!!!

Prayer: Jesus I want to keep my eyes on you.  Jesus, fill me with your love so my heart will not have room for lust.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 14-15

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Shan Gian who is the Fenway Site pastor at Symphony Church in Boston, was originally posted on September 26, 2014.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“No More Putting My Foot in My Mouth”

Ecclesiastes 10:8-11 (ESV)

Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. 13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness–14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming– who can tell him what will happen after him.

When I was in college, I knew one brave sister who decided to give up sarcasm for Lent.  I thought that this was a great idea, so I considered giving it a shot myself.  But as I thought more about it, I realized how impossible this would be.  To endeavor for 40+ days not to mock nor make any witty disparaging comments to anyone was too great a task for me, so I concluded that it would be easier not to speak for 40 days (but I didn’t do either one).

Solomon would likely have called someone like me a “fool,” but I don’t think I’m the only one, for James 3:8 says, “No human being can tame the tongue.”  Maybe you don’t have a problem with sarcasm, but we all have said things that we regret; words that have offended or stumbled others.  And what do we typically do when we’ve said something that we know we shouldn’t have said?  We “multiply our words” and try to justify ourselves, digging our graves a little deeper.  We are all fools when it comes to controlling our words.   

James tells us, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19).  This is a path to wisdom.  The wise person listens first, learning and understanding what others are saying; and slow to speak, meaning they take time to process their thoughts and speak well.  Also, he doesn’t speak with many words but with a few thoughtful words.  Solomon tells us, “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious” (v. 12). While we will all struggle with the foolishness of our words, let us strive to be like the wise man and speak words of grace.

Prayer: Father, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts will be pleasing to You.  We pray that You will set us free from the folly of our own lips.   Give us the wisdom to speak words of grace and love towards others.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 13

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Philippians 2:14-16: Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Questions to Consider

1. What is it about grumbling or disputing that prevents us from being blameless and innocent?
2. Why do we shine as lights in the world when we refrain from grumbling?
3. How can you use your words to shine like lights in a dark world this day?

Notes

1. Grumbling or complaining ultimately reveals a heart of discontentment towards God and his rule over our lives.  It’s a declaration that we know better than God, and that is, of course, a sin of pride.
2. If we “do all things without grumbling or disputing,” then we would shine brightly in the world since most people are constantly grumbling and complaining, dissatisfied with everything. (Just browse through some reviews on Yelp to see how dissatisfied and entitled people feel.)  But if we as Christians can refrain from a heart and mouth of grumbling, we will stand out as people of joy, content with what we have and who we are in Jesus Christ.
3. Consider how you can encourage someone today with your words.

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Evening Reflection

Think about how you used your words today.  Were you encouraging people with words of grace?  Or did words of grumbling and complaining come from you?  Take some time to reflect on your words and what it shows about your heart and relationship with God.  Pray for wisdom and joy to overflow to the words you speak.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., was originally posted on September 5, 2014.  Mark is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Seeing Life from the Perspective of Eternity”

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (ESV)

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

One of the frustrations in life is coming to the realization that no matter how carefully we plan for the future, there are always things that are out of our control:  Illness, accidents, and other tragedies befall everyone independent of education, social status, or financial means.  We can, of course, add COVID-19 to that ominous list.

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 12

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Lunch Break Study 

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

Questions to Consider 

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

Notes

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

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Evening Reflection

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

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, is an updated version of his blog first posted on May 21, 2014.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Faith and Good Works”

Titus 3:8

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Some of us grew up in Sunday school singing, “For by grace…do..do..do..do…I’ve been saved…Ephesians Two…eight…nine….” (Are you reminiscing?) It was to underscore the importance of grace alone in our salvation. The truth of Eph. 2:8-9 reminded us that it was “not by works” so that we would not “boast” in any of our seemingly righteous acts.

Many of us may have struggled with our assurance of salvation due to our imperfections which always brought forth a sense of shame and guilt. So the message of God’s grace was preached over and over again to scream into our hearts that our feeble attempts to do “good works” does not earn us salvation. And praise the Lord for that truth!

However, it seems that by emphasizing God’s grace, we have distanced ourselves from engaging in Christian “works” altogether. Dallas Willard observes that in most churches, believers are not only saved by grace, they are sadly paralyzed by it. He writes: “The funny thing is we will preach to people for an hour that they can’t do anything to be saved, and then sing to them for a half an hour trying to get them to do something. This is confusing.”

Most definitely, there is a place for “good works” (although not earning grace) in Christian living. Paul admonished that believers must devote themselves to doing what is good. Eph. 2:8-9 flows into verse 10 which echoes today’s passage. Paul says that we are God’s handiworks “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Give effort today to engage in good works that reflect the goodness of God to a broken world that needs healing. Grace is never opposed to effort, but enables us to do good works.

Prayer: Lord, lead me where I can engage in your good works today so that Your light might be seen in and through my life.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 11

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Acts 4:32-37: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Questions to Consider

1. How did God’s grace manifest tangibly in the New Testament church?
2. What good works by the church are displayed in these passages?
3. In what ways are you engaging in good works on behalf of the Body of Christ?

Notes

1. The incredible revival at Pentecost brought an overwhelming number of people into the family of God. Many people had traveled from other regions to Jerusalem and had now over-extended their stay. The believers of Jerusalem shared everything they had. Some went even as far as selling their possessions in order to distribute the wealth to those in need. These were signs of God’s grace powerfully at work.
2. Works of generosity and sharing to the extent that “no needy persons were among them.”
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

Did you see an opportunity today to give or help or share with someone in need? If not, ask God for another opportunity tomorrow to engage in His good works. Determine in your heart that you will “devote” yourself to doing what is good.   

NEW Today’s AMI Devotional QT is provided by Christine Li.  Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God our Refuge”

Psalm 46:1-5

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;  he lifts his voice, the earth melts.”

As a child, I was told that in the event of a tornado, the safest place in my house was the bathroom (we didn’t have a basement). The reasoning of this was that the pipes of the toilet would be connected far underground and be a better anchor to hold onto if the house was sucked away. Thankfully, I have never had to experience this personally, but have always filed it away wherever I moved: what is the safest place to be?

As an adult surveying the news, this world seems filled with enough dangerous accidents and storms, it does often seem that this earth is on the edge of erupting in uproar. We wake up and spend our days barraged by bad news. In this time, my comfort is the truth that God is immovable and unshakeable. Though this earth and many things we hold dear may give way, God will not.

Where will you and I turn today? Where will we find our refuge and our strength if the days of bad news and events seem unbearable? I pray that you and I would not find our comfort in distraction or numbness but rather in our unchanging and faithful God.

Prayer: Father, I confess that I remember You are my refuge and strength in times of greatest need and chaos. Thank You for Your steadfast love and Your presence that cares for each one of us.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 10

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Lunch Break Study

Read Job 37:5-13 “God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. 6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. 7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it.8 Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens.9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds.10 By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. 11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning.12 They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. 13 Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.”

Questions to Consider

1. The context for this chapter is that Elihu speaks to Job and his friends about God. What happenings on earth are attributable to God?
2. From Elihu’s words, what attributes of God can we understand?
3. Let’s take time to consider the numerous works and actions of God that have surrounded you today (from the world you woke up to or circumstances in life). Spend time praising Him for His hand in all things and remembering how active He is in our world.

Notes

1. This passage says that many natural phenomena are attributed to God. He dictates snow, rain, lightning. He also dictates our success / progress in work and even affects where animals dwell.
2. Much of this passage revolves around God’s vast power and majesty. The reminder that God commands the precipitation and lightning as well as the fact that it is from His hand whether we progress in our work reminds us that He is almighty God. But God does not wield that power aimlessly. He is intentional, desiring to accomplish correction and to show love to His creation in all things.
3. Personal reflection

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Evening Reflection

How was your day today? Did you notice the option to turn towards God or to turn to yourself more? Let’s ask Him to cultivate a greater dependence on Him and ask Him to show us tomorrow how we will find exactly what we need when we approach Him first.

NEW Today’s AMI Devotional QT is provided by Christine Li.  Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Returning to the Mission”

Romans 10:14-15

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

I recently met a new sister in Christ. In our short conversation, the subject turned to current world and domestic events. Unexpectedly, she asked, “Do you think we are living in the End Times?”

I was totally caught off-guard (not to mention, very unequipped to address any eschatological concerns), so my immediate response was, “I don’t know.” But after thinking about the implications of her question, I confessed, “I know that as believers we should long for Jesus to come back, but I’ve been so focused on my life that I seem to forget there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of people to reach.”

It is true: this pandemic has brought about a disruption in many people’s experience of church life, community, discipleship, evangelism, and missions. Affected by social distancing and isolated from others in our churches, I (and I suspect, many others), have found ourselves extra preoccupied with our personal lives and felt disconnected from the greater mission during this time.

I write this devotional not to condemn (for God is doing a distinct work in each person in His timing), but to spur you onwards. We all need the reminder that God’s Kingdom is not on hold. It advances day by day through the work of the Spirit globally, and there are still many who are yearning to know Him.

Today, let us ask God for a renewed vision and creativity for understanding what being “on mission” may look like. Whose salvation will you pray for? Who can you reach and are currently “sent” to? To whom can you bring a message of new life and salvation?

Perhaps after reflecting on these questions, He will give us new vigor and clarity in how we can still pursue His Kingdom. May God stoke in us an ardent desire for His name to reach all the nations, beginning with our neighborhoods, and use even a ‘disruption’ ‘to bring forth new goals.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your continual goodness to us. Thank You for the new life and hope that You have given us and the privilege of partaking in Kingdom work. Open our eyes to see who You are sending us to in this time and give us a renewed desire for more to know Your name.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 9

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philemon 1:10-20 “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is the purpose of Paul’s letter to Philemon here?
2. What is the benefit to Paul to advocate on behalf of Onesimus?
3. What kinds of relationships does Paul mention here? Why are they significant?

Notes

1. Paul is advocating on behalf of Onesimus, who has been separated (likely voluntarily) from Philemon, his master. Paul is asking Philemon to accept Onesimus back. He also charges any losses that Philemon incurred because of Onesimus to himself personally.
2. Paul mentions that he would regard Philemon’s acceptance of Onesimus as a reason why he would be refreshed in Christ. In short, Paul would rejoice in the Lord and would find this spiritually refreshing if Philemon were to do so.
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

How was your day today? What do you think about all that is going on these days? Let’s ask God to give us wisdom to discern our time.  As a result, may we be ready for Christ’s Second Coming whenever it may be.     

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, was first posted on April 7, 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

“Training Ourselves with the Help of the Spirit”

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

The crown we pursue is the one conferred upon us by Jesus.  Paul is not speaking here of a ruler’s crown, but the winner’s crown:  the crown given to the one who has conquered.  I want to wear that crown.  I want victory over everything that prevents me from living the abundant life that Jesus wants me to live.  And I’m afraid that there are a lot of things over which I need victory: pride, impatience, lust, anger, self-righteousness, ambition, fear of man, etc.

The usual response is to try to become humble, patient, chaste, peaceable, compassionate, etc.  But I find that when I try to become these things, I often fail.  But to pick up yesterday’s question:  what if we don’t escape from these sins by trying but rather by training?  What if, as Paul writes, we need to go into strict training in order to win this spiritual race?

I believe that a specific type of training – whereby we discipline ourselves to open up to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit – is the secret to becoming more like Christ.  In other words, we can cooperate with the sanctifying work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.  And then just as we can get into better physical shape when we work-out, or become better pianists when we practice, there are spiritual disciplines we can practice which will help us to become more like Christ.  As we train ourselves with the Holy Spirit, our natural response to this world will become more and more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, etc.

Have you incorporated any specific concrete acts of spiritual training in your life?  If not, let us invite the Spirit to lead us into practices that will attune our hearts more and more to God’s.

Prayer: Father, I confess lack of discipline to You.  I am in need of the Holy Spirit to train myself to be more like Your Son.  I ask that You bring dependence and determination into my heart and my mind.   I want to live this day in Your joyful presence.  In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 8

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, was first posted on April 6, 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

“Training Ourselves to Run a Marathon”

1 Timothy 4:7

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.”

In my high-school years I ran cross-country, and I remember having aspirations to run a marathon one day.  As the years have gone by, I have given up on those aspirations!  One of the reasons being that marathons almost always seem to be held on Sundays, and I’m too holy to miss church!  😊

But it so happens that the Boston marathon is held every year on a Monday, and so the thought once in a while crosses my mind.  What if I could run?  What if someone paid the entrance fee of thousands of dollars for me, and I was given an opportunity to run the Boston marathon this year?  Would I be able to finish?

And the answer would be a resounding NO!  The main reason I wouldn’t enter the Boston marathon is not because of the day it’s held, but because I couldn’t run a marathon right now.  Even if my entire church lined up the entire way and cheered me on, I could not run a marathon the whole way.  I’m just not in good enough shape.  I would need to train.  A lot.

It takes more than the opportunity to run a marathon.  It takes more than having motivation and determination.  It takes training, lots of training.  This is obvious.  Running a marathon is about training more than trying.

One of the greatest little books I’ve read on spiritual transformation is The Life You’ve Always Wanted by Pastor John Ortberg, from which I drew this nugget of wisdom: “Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training yourself wisely.”

Here’s the thought for today.  What if running the race of life is a little like running a marathon?  What if following Jesus is not a matter of trying to be like Jesus, but training ourselves to be like Jesus?  More on this tomorrow.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You forgive my sins anew every morning.  I thank You that the blood of Jesus covers every one of my sins.  And now help me to train myself so I can be more like Jesus.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 6-7

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Sam Lee who leads Catalyst Agape Church in Northern New Jersey, was first posted on July 18, 2014.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Clay in the Hands of a Potter”

Jeremiah 18:1-4

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

I would watch my children play with clay. The clay would get stretched, pulled, and dirtied. In other words, the clay would get abused, and eventually the poor clay would be thrown away because it cannot be used anymore.

Clay in the hands of a child becomes a toy to be used and discarded; clay in the hands of a potter is similar yet very different in a profound way. This clay is also stretched and pulled, yet it is being stretched and pulled not to be discarded but to become something that is valued, useful, and beautiful. The greater the potter, greater the value of what the clay becomes.  A Ming Dynasty vase can cost over $10 million dollars today. You, in the hands of the Master, are worth infinitely more.

Yet it is not easy to stay in the hands of the Master. Therefore, let’s cast off the things that make us move away from the Potter’s hand. I have learned that staying in the hands of God is not about being silent and just waiting; it is hard spiritual work. There are many different ways we knowingly and unknowingly move away from the hands of the Potter.

This morning, instead of complaining about what we have to face today, let’s change our outlook and perspective. The trial of the day is not to crush, expose, or to bring hopelessness. The trial is to change and transform us, to make us stronger, to make us more like Him.

Let’s be determined to stay in the Potter’s hand. He is looking for clay that is compliant and moldable; clay that trust and are completely yielded to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, You know my going in and my going out. You know my innermost thoughts. Sovereign Lord, You have the best plan for my life. I submit to your agenda so that you can shape me into the person You want me to be. I am clay in Your hands.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicle 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Jeremiah 18:6: “‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?’ says the Lord. ‘Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!’”

Questions to Consider

1. When we face trials, we ask God to change the circumstances. Today, pray and ask God what He wants to change in you so He can use you to change the circumstances.
2. What part of the clay is the Lord molding or trying to take away? Submit that area of your life to the Lord.

Notes:

1. One general change all of us must consider: depending more on God rather than our own strength.  One area that ought to reflect this change: more time spent with God, for nothing expresses our dependency on the Lord than persistently praying to Him.
2. Consider these areas: lack of faith, immature character, and absence of love

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Evening Reflection

James 1:2-6 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Pray for wisdom without doubting to overcome the trials you are facing during this season.

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), is an updated version of his blog first posted on February 25, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

Psalm 18:46-50

“The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!  Exalted be God my Savior!  47 He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, 48 who saves me from my enemies . . . 49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name. 50 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

Noting the adverb “therefore” at the beginning of verse 49, a cynical person may read this as, “I’ll praise God as long as I win.” That is, in fact, how Jacob prayed soon after leaving home abruptly.  Genesis 29:20-21 reads, “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.’”  In other words, if there is nothing to eat and no new clothes to wear, then, LORD shall not be my God.”

Returning to today’s Psalm, surely, David won his share of battles, from slaying Goliath to defeating the Philistines.  Praising God after a great victory, of course, was easy, but what about when David lost, for instance, to his own son Absalom, who, after dethroning and disgracing his father, plotted to kill him (2 Sam. 16:21-22, 17:11-13).  Did his praise turn into grumbling?  During the good times as well as in his worst moments, he kept praising God, even writing a psalm: “You are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head” (Ps. 3:3).

In the end, praising God should not hinge upon whether we were victorious, for victories come and go, but on His goodness; this was ultimately expressed in sending His Son Jesus to redeem us from the wages of sin. That is why we praise and worship Him; everything else is just a bonus.

Got problems?  Do not focus on them; instead, turn your eyes on God and what He did for us through His son Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Dear God, I recognize that You have given me many victories in terms of countless answered prayers and blessings.  However, I realize today that my thankfulness towards you is based more upon these things than on what You did for me through Your Son Jesus.  While I’m still thankful for all these wonderful extras, I praise You because of Your Son who died to save me!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Chronicles 4

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Lunch Break Study

Read Exodus 12:24-28: You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. 25 And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. 26 And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Questions to Consider

1. Under what circumstances did the Israelites worship, fear, and trust God here? (Ex. 12:24-28;14:26-31)?
2. Now, read what they did shortly thereafter (Ex. 15:22-5, 16:1-3, 17:1-3)?  What was the basis of Israel’s “love” for God?
3. How can we avoid loving God based on circumstances, i.e., loving Him only when they are good (Phil. 4:11-2; 1 Tim. 6:6-8)?

Notes

1. The Israelites worshiped the LORD when God spared them of the deadly plague that killed every first-born in Egypt.  Later, they were in awe after seeing the great power of God displayed when He parted the Red Sea.  Subsequently, “they put their trust in God”.
2. Amazingly, that trust lasted only briefly; as soon as they got thirsty or hungry, they complained to God, which eventually led to them to conclude, “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Ex. 14:3).  The basis of their love for God was, “What have you done for me lately?”
3. One sure way to avoid loving God based upon circumstances in our materialistic society, is learning to be content with what we have.  Paul put the content-level at its bear minimum: “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”  If this is not internalized, we will worship, praise, and trust God only when things are going our way.

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Evening Reflection

Were the circumstances of today favorable to you or not so much? Did they affect your attitude toward God?  Review your day:

Did anything happened at your work, home, or church that made you grumpy at God?  Be honest about it.

In light of the morning devotion and afternoon study, what thought should guide us during our bad times so that we can continue to praise God?  Before turning in for the night, dwell on that thought for a moment and praise the LORD.