UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, prepared by Pastor Jason Sato who is currently serving in Japan as a missionary, is an updated version of his blog first posted on December 11, 2013. Jason is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Our Posture During Uncertain Times”

Psalm 125:1-5

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. 3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. 4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! 5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!

We have known all too well that we live in a rapidly changing world where technology, culture, and even values are changing at a dizzying pace.  What none of us really knew is how invisible virus can greatly disrupt our personal lives just as swiftly: our finances, relationships, and health, to name a few.  In the midst of such uncertainty, who cannot be “moved,” that is, ready to give up on God?  But those who trust in the Lord will not be moved!

We often try to find stability in money, power, and acceptance by others, but these things are shaky ground.  Now, that is a gross understatement in view of all that has happened just in the past few months.  Entrusting ourselves to them will only lead to disappointment and even despair, day to day, hour to hour.  Only God and our faith in His goodness are a firm foundation, even if we don’t always understand what He is doing in our lives.

Why should we trust this God?  Because He is the One who is near, who is faithful, who protects His people; He is holy and just who shuns evil.

Take a moment to meditate on the One who remains constant.  Reflect on His character and His promises that remain the same even though everything else is continually changing.

Prayer: Father, You are my rock.  You alone are ever faithful, unchanging in Your power, goodness, and love.  Thank You for being my firm foundation in the midst of a world that is so unstable.  Enable me to entrust myself to You today.  May my joy, freedom, purpose, and life be firmly fixed regardless of my circumstances because of Your Son.  In Jesus’s name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 13

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1:1-4: 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.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the path to blessings?
2. Who is like a planted tree?
3. What are the signs of a tree planted by the streams of water?

Notes

1. Avoiding the counsel of the wicked, the way of sinners, and the seat of scoffers.  This may include advices given by experts that may sound humanly acceptable but are antithetical to God’s truth.
2. The one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night, and then puts it to practice (Matt. 7:24-7).
3. It certainly would include bearing good fruits and not withering.  In the same way, those who dwell in Christ would be just as fruitful in their lives, bearing fruits such as love, peace, kindness, etc.  (Gal. 5:22-3).

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day in light of the signs of a tree planted by the streams of water.  Does your life reflect these kinds of fruit?  As your read Acts 20, ask the Lord to help you to delight in His Word.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 2, 2014.  Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Why Is Our Prayer So Weak and Ineffective?”

James 5:16^b-17

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

What is prayer to you? Is it a chore? Is it fruitless whispering? James reminds us that there is great power in prayer, such great power that an ordinary man could pray earnestly to God and it would stop raining for three and a half years.

Do you consider yourself to be a man “just like” Elijah? I know that I don’t, and I also give a lot of complicated excuses for why my prayer life is not like Elijah’s: “He was a chosen prophet and what he prayed was probably more in line with what God’s will was. He probably had more faith than I do, too. Also, it sounds a little prideful to consider myself ‘righteous.’” It is very easy to look at all these reasons and attribute the inefficacy of my prayer life to these reasons. But what ends up happening is that I also dull the desire to engage God in prayer.

In making prayer about ourselves or our abilities, we fail to see that it is a powerful activity that shows us more of God and His power. First, we know that in Christ, every believer is counted as righteous in standing with God. If that is true (and as believers, we do believe it to be true), then our prayers are powerful and effective!  Second, let’s not neglect the idea that Elijah was “just like us,” and let’s really trust that Elijah’s life could seem not too far off a reality from each Christian’s life because the power that filled him is the same power that we have access to. In fact, we have more than just “access” to it: this Spirit resides in us (Romans 8:11)!

Do you think yourself unworthy to pray for your church, your pastor, or others? I hope that here, with James’ reminder, we will not only readjust our attitude towards prayer, but that we will act on it and begin to seek God in prayer even more actively. As He answers our prayers, He will show us even more of His power!

Prayer: Dear LORD, thank You not just for new life but for also making us righteous. We don’t always understand what implications it has for our life, but for now, please change our attitudes about prayer. Every day, LORD, teach us how to pray with faith, really trusting in the new nature You gave us and the free access we have to approach Your throne.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 12

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Sam Lee who leads Catalyst Agape Church in Northern New Jersey, was first posted on October 18, 2013.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Standing Up Against a Spiritually Bully”

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

There is a bully in the spiritual realm that works hard to bring condemnation. He is very good at using intimidation, shame, guilt, fear, or whatever else is at his disposal to beat us down. This bully knows that once we allow condemnation to come into our heart, he can influence and control our life.  Therefore, being aware of his strategy, let’s make up our mind not to allow this to happen. Especially during times of weakness, failures, and spiritual attacks, don’t let this spiritual bully have his way.

But I need to remind you that the battle against condemnation is a spiritual battle, and not fought through conventional means. That is, we cannot fight this battle with human weapons. We may think we can overcome condemnation through good works, but it is not good enough.

Good works is our calling, but it does not save us from our sin. If it cannot save us from sin, it cannot free us from condemnation. Sin has brought physical, spiritual, and eternal death, bringing into the world every disease and sickness. From the beginning of human history, sin has broken relationships. It has perverted everything that is good, and has opened the door to every demonic activity. Ultimately, sin has separated us from God, bringing condemnation to every human being on earth. And the truth is, no amount of human good works combined can make even a dent to bring freedom from condemnation.

Freedom doesn’t come through regulations but through a relationship. The focus cannot be on what we can do or what we have done. The focus is on what Christ has done for us; Jesus was condemned so that we would be free from all condemnation: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: In Jesus’ name, I reject condemnation and embrace the freedom in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 10-11

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 4, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Highway to Where?”  Your Heart

Psalm 84:5-8

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

What does it mean for the heart to be a highway to Zion? In the Bible, Zion is synonymous with Jerusalem, the city where the temple of God rests. As the psalm focuses on the desire for the presence of God that is found in the temple, the highway imagery paints a picture of the psalmist’s heart angled and directed to meet with Him.

The writer also alludes to the pilgrimage that people make to enter Zion through the Valley of Baca. The scholars debate as to where the Valley of Baca is and its significance, but the emphasis of the text is not on the location of the valley but on the blessings the people receive as they journey through this valley, longing for the presence of God. When God’s people long for Him and go through the valley, letting God be the strength in their journey, that valley becomes a place of spring, of rain, and of pools.

The imagery of the desire for God’s presence, resulting in blessing for the land, is vivid in this text. What this shows is that our desire and pursuit to host God not only brings individual or personal blessing, but the blessings will spill over to those around us. Our prayers of desiring to host God will even impact our classmates, co-workers, friends, or family. When we fully desire to “appear before God,” God will send His rain into that valley.  Today, direct your prayers solely focused on an encounter with God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be Your sanctuary in which Your presence is abundantly clear to those around me.  Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can commit myself to a life of holiness, for without it “no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14) in me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 9

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians* 1:6-8: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

*Paul first came to Philippi in AD 50 as part of the Macedonian call (Acts 16:6ff).

Questions to Consider

1. Do you wrestle with the question, “Am I really a Christian?” How does verse 6 encourage you as you try to honestly answer the question?
2. What’s one danger of the belief that once saved, always saved?
3. How should the knowledge of God’s sovereignty affect us?
4. Are there people you “hold in your heart” that genuinely bring you joy when you think of them? How can you encourage them? How can you pray for them?

Notes

1. Verse 6 highlights the theological concept of the “Perseverance of the Saints.” This is just a fancy term stating that once a person is born again (i.e., regenerated), they will continue to live out the Christian life until the Lord brings them into heaven. Sometimes, this is referenced as “once saved, always saved.”
2. This doesn’t mean that all who have ever professed to be Christians will be saved no matter how they live their lives. This is to say, “by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt. 7:20).  No matter what some people may profess, for “even demons believe that . . . there is one God and shudder” (Jam. 2:19), only the truly regenerate believers will persevere in their walk with God, who sustains them, while those who are not saved, despite their alleged profession of faith, will not endure in their “walk” with God.
3. The knowledge of God’s sovereignty should lead us to deeper love and devotion to the One who is sovereign.
4. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

“The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Rom. 3:22).

Jesus, I thank you that through Your triumphant sacrifice, I can enter the Most Holy Place in heaven and receive strength to overcome worldliness, fleshly desires, and self-will. I declare Your righteousness in my mind and heart, for it is in and through You that I now live.                                                                                                                           

Take time to ask God, “In what ways have I been seeking my own way?”  God wants to bring forth renewal in these areas.  Repent and decree God’s righteousness over an area in which you are presently struggling in, and thank Him.

NEW Today’s AMI QT blog is written by Andy Kim.  Andy, a graduate of Northwestern University (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), currently serves associate pastor at Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.

Devotional Thought for Today

“We Must See!”

2 Kings 6:15-17

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

“2020 vision”

Companies rallied behind this overused mantra believing that 2020 would be the year of clarity and new breakthroughs. Yet no one could have anticipated the events unfolding today. Instead of a year of moving forward, it seems we haven’t moved very much. If anything, we have moved backwards as we have been inundated with tumultuous events no one saw coming. And in response, we can become, like the servant in our passage today, so fixated on the events themselves that we lose sight of God.  Thus, more than ever before, we need to pray as Elisha prayed for his servant: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”

Matthew 6:22-23 describes the eye as the lamp of the body. Simply put, if your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light and vice versa. This is to say, how and what we see has a direct impact on the state of our being. For the servant, his circumstances compromised his vision because he could only see the looming threat of the Syrian army and this left him trapped in his own fear.

Likewise, when we see all the events happening around us, what do we see? For some, we would rather choose to look away blinded by our own apathy and distractions. Maybe for some, they are too near-sighted, thereby being lost in their own immediate needs; for others, they are too far-sighted, thereby focusing only on what’s to come. And in our passage this morning we see that a compromised vision can often lead us to fear; yet a vision clearly fixated on God always leads us to faith and hope.

This morning, we must pray as Elisha did, “O Lord, please open our eyes that we may see.” Before we hear what social and mainstream media has to say about our world, may we start each day by praying “O Lord, please open my eyes that I may see.” And as we pray, may we see the mountain full of horses and chariots of the Lord’s hand and how He is working even in the midst of this. May we not react to what we see but respond to what He reveals to us in faith.

Prayer: O Lord, please open our eyes that we may see. Forgive us that we often react to things out of fear and make decisions based on fear. Thank You that in the midst of all of us this You are in complete control. We put our trust and hope in You.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 8

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:7-11:  But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

 Questions to Consider

1. What does Paul mean “but whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ”?
2. For Paul, losing everything, including his many accolades, was worth it. Why?
3. During this time, what does it look like for us to know Christ?

Notes

1. In the verses before, Paul outlines his many accolades that point to his legalistic righteousness. Paul reminds us our righteousness before God is not and cannot ever be based on our own doing but can only come through Christ.
2. For the sake of knowing Christ. Notice here that Paul does not say for the sake of “doing” things for Christ, but simply knowing him. Paul experiences a relationship with Christ based on grace and this makes everything else he had done dim in comparison. For Paul, knowing Christ was far greater than doing things for Christ.
3. Personal Reflection. Paul calls our attention to this relationship between knowing him and sharing in his sufferings. What does it mean for us to share in his sufferings as well?

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Evening Reflection

Recently, I read an article about the burden leaders have to carry during this time. In addition to balancing their marriages and families, they must also lead the church and our members. More than ever, leaders are called to discern truth in the midst of all the noise happening around them. We need more Elishas who can pray for our leaders to have a clear vision focused on Him. Spend some time praying for your leaders. Pray they would continue to persevere to have eyes of faith.

NEW Today’s AMI QT blog is written by Andy Kim.  Andy, a graduate of Northwestern University (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), currently serves associate pastor at Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.

Devotional Thought for Today

“We Must Sing.”

2 Chronicles 20:18-22

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice…21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.

Sunday worship is no longer the same. No more donuts and coffee, greeters to welcome you, a praise band to uplift you, or even the fellowship afterwards. But, perhaps, what I miss the most is hearing everyone sing together. Sadly, as worship becomes confined to a screen over Zoom, we see less people praising God. I suppose it’s a bit awkward to hear your own voice especially when you don’t have a band to drown it out. And yet in our passage this morning, God reveals to His people the importance of praising and signing, that is, the importance of worship.

Imagine being surrounded by your enemies with nowhere to go, feeling scared, trapped, and hopeless. But rather than planning their escape or plotting their battle strategy, the passage shows us that they “fell down before the Lord, worshipping Him…praising the Lord with a very loud voice.” They started to sing that led to the realization that the battle belonged to the Lord—which is precisely what the Israelites did when they marched around the walls of Jericho. Singing comforted them in His presence, as it did for Paul and Silas trapped in a dark cell where the presence of God overwhelmed the entire prison as they sang. “And when they began to sing and praise”, the Lord delivered them—for in their worship, God revealed His power to rescue them.

A while back, I attended a memorial service in which a leader led us through a well-known Gospel Spiritual. The melodies and lines were so simple, yet full of so much perspective, presence, and power. As I listened and sang along, I could not help but feel my soul being lifted.

For many of us, we can often feel helpless and trapped especially in this season of our lives. And as we pray and reflect on the many injustices happening in our world today, may we start by singing to Him and to ourselves. May we take every opportunity we have to sing unto Him.

We must sing.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for the gift of worship. We worship You not because of what You do, but because of who You are. You are worthy of our worship. We thank You that we can sing to You no matter where we are or what we’re going through.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 7

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Lunch Break Study

Read Colossians 3:12-17: 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. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Questions to Consider

1. What does Paul mean to “put on” the virtues outlined in the passage?
2. Why is it important for us to put on these virtues?
3. Reflect on your relationship to your church. What does it look like for you to “put on” these virtues? Where have you fallen short?

Notes

1. The word “put on” is used in the sense of putting on one’s clothes. As we put on clothes everyday, as believers we must also put on these virtues daily. Notice here, Paul puts the burden on the believer to have these virtues rather than expecting it of others.
2. Paul notes, we “put on” as God’s chosen ones; holy and beloved mean that these virtues are the fruit of our understanding that we have been loved by God. Warren Wiersbe writes, “If a believer is out of fellowship with another believer, it is because one or both of them have gotten out of fellowship with God.” Therefore, just as Christ committed to us, we must be committed to one another for the sake of unity in the church.
3. Personal Reflection and prayer

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Evening Reflection

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Spend a few moments singing a song unto him. Start with turning on a worship song and follow along. Perhaps, even sing a new song unto him that comes from your heart. Allow Him to minister to you in worship. Ask that the Lord would give you a new song even in this season.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Son, was first posted on September 19, 2014.  David pastors Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of UC Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“One Complement that Tops Them All”

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (ESV)

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Some experts say that looking in the mirror and complimenting yourself actually helps to build your self-esteem. As silly as it seems, telling yourself, “You’re awesome!” has a real effect on how you feel, at least temporarily.

However, there is a compliment that is 1,000 times better than a self-compliment. When someone else tells you, “Wow, you’re awesome!” then that has an effect that is worth more than 1,000 mirror gazing self-compliments. Don’t you agree?

But going even further, there is a type of compliment that is 10 times more potent than when someone else compliments you. It’s when you overhear someone complimenting you (sort of like the opposite of what Solomon says in today’s passage). Imagine walking down a hallway, and two people are talking about you. They don’t know you’re listening, but you hear them say, “Seriously, [your name] is so awesome!” The power of an overheard compliment is incredible in lifting you up and encouraging your spirit.

But there is still one more type of compliment that outruns all of the above by a mile. It is when you stand before the Lord God Almighty, your Creator and Redeemer, and He says to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

The words of man have the power to lift us up or bring us down. We have been on both the giving and receiving ends of this broken system. The Bible has much to say about our words and the power of words.  But above all words of man, the most potent words come from the mouth of God.  Let us tune our ears and take to heart the words of God; and then encourage someone, who is facing a difficult situation, with the very words through which God blessed you today.

Prayer: Lord, give me strength, and an ear turned to heaven, to find my approval in You and You alone. Today, whatever work I put my hands to, whatever words I speak, whatever thoughts I think, may they be pleasing to You. Thank you for your steadfast love towards me.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 6

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Matthew 23:5-7: They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

Questions to Consider

1. Here, Jesus is speaking about the Pharisees and scribes. What is His problem with them?
2. Whose approval are the Pharisees seeking?
3. Whose approval is Jesus seeking?
4. Whose approval are you seeking?

Notes

1. Phylacteries were bags worn by rabbis, which contained excerpts from the Torah (Pentateuch). Phylacteries were worn during prayer, and a broad phylactery would indicate that the person wearing it was a man devoted to prayer. Being devoted to prayer is obviously not the reason Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees.  Jesus was speaking out against the appearance of devotion to prayer, in order to win the approval of man.
2. The Pharisees were seeking recognition and approval from people.
3. Jesus, we know, did only what He saw God the Father doing (John 5). Jesus’ teachings are the antithesis of the Pharisees’ attitude. He teaches us to do our good deeds in secret, for the approval of God, and not man (Matthew 6). Instead of taking the place of honor, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13).
4. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

Before Jesus began his ministry, before He preached a single sermon, before He performed a single miracle, before He finished His mission on the cross, God said regarding Him, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”  In Christ, we are also pre-approved. Before you wake up each morning and take that first step out of bed, God has already put His stamp of approval on you because you have been clothed with Christ. Let’s take these words to heart!

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Matt Ro who formerly pastored Journey Church in Atlanta, is an updated version of his blog originally posted on May 27, 2013.  Matt is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Is There to Dislike About Short-Term Mission Trip?”

Psalm 67:1-7 (ESV)

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah 2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Introduction: Have you been on a short-term mission trip?  Did you like what you experienced in a foreign land?  Well, what is there to dislike? Seeing cool things, meeting new people, tasting different cuisines, and hearing exotic tunes. Right!  Now, answer this question: why should we do missions?  If you aren’t sure, then pay close attention to today’s morning devotional.

This psalm is often referred to as a missions psalm.  Alexander Maclaren writes:

“It has a clear anticipation of the universal spread of the knowledge of God, in its firm grasp of the thought that the Church has its blessings in order to the evangelization of the world, and in its intensity of longing that from all the ends of the earth a shout of praise may go up to the God who has sent some rays of his light into them all, and committed to his people the task of carrying a brighter illumination to every land.”

In v. 1, we see the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6.  Here, a shining face implies favor and a friendly, warm personal relationship.  The implication is that God Himself is what the people of God are after.  But this extends into a desire for all nations (Gentile salvation) to know God (v. 2).  God’s blessing is to be upon the nations (vv. 3-5) and His desire is to reveal His Word through His people.  God desires worship and praise from all people.  It is the church’s responsibility to be a blessing in the light of having received God’s blessing (vv. 6-7); and in that future day, multitudes from all the nations of the earth will be praising God with us.

Why are we here?  Amazingly, God chooses to use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.  In the New Testament, through some of the disciples (Peter and the apostle Paul) God revealed that salvation was for all mankind, not just for the Jews.  This psalm was written around the time that David was king or shortly thereafter, yet, even here we see this truth introduced: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let ALL the peoples praise you!  Psalm 67 ends: God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!  God has left us here to be a witness of God’s great love and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Salvation is for all the nations!

Prayer:  Father, use me as a witness and testimony to everyone I come across today.  May my family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, sales clerks see Your face shining upon me.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV): Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Questions to Consider

1. How does the idea of submission from Ephesians 5 extend into chapter 6?
2. What is the role of fathers/mothers in this text?
3. Examine your relationship with your children/parents today.  Is it one of submission, honoring, and nurturing?

Notes

1. The relationship between children and parents is just one of the many submission relationships in Paul’s teachings (Eph. 5:21-6:9).  He exhorts children to obey their parents in the Lord, with the perspective that in the Lord they are no longer darkness but children of light.  Paul’s reference to the Ten Commandments, in this regard, goes to show the continual use of the law in the life of believers (as a guide of righteousness and holiness).   The result of such obedience is none other than blessings from the Lord.
2. Although Paul does not mention mothers, they still have a responsibility and role in the upbringing of their children.  Paul simply focuses on the fathers since they are the head of the household and therefore have the main responsibility.  Paul’s exhortation to the fathers to refrain from provoking their children to anger suggests that this is a common temptation for fathers.  Instead, the kind of love we practice toward our children should be instructive (“bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”).  The word for instruction is “putting” the Lord’s words in the mind.
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

Join me in offering this prayer to the Father:

“Dear God, thank You that You are the perfect Father for my life.  Help me to honor my parents in the same way that I honor You.  Help me to raise my children up in the instruction and training of the Lord.  Help me to refrain from provoking my children to anger or rebellion by allowing my personal emotions to bleed into how I interact with my children.  In Your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, is an updated version of his blog first posted on May 31, 2014.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Grade Will Your Church Get?”

 Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Sport analysts often give grades to each team after a draft day. That’s the day in which collegiate athletes are drafted by professional teams that hope to find the next Michael Jordan or Lebron James. Some teams are given a confident outlook of the future and receive an “A” grade from the analysts. Other teams are given the horrid “F” and is projected to continue as losers in a highly competitive market. Sometimes they are right, while a lot of the times, they get it wrong.

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul hands out a strong grade for the Philippian congregation. In this verse, he gives a greatly confident outlook as the day of Jesus was approaching. What made him so sure? Certainly, it was not the confidence in the people.

Every church gathers to herself broken people: fearful, proud, jealous, and the undisciplined people from all around. Eventually, you start noticing these flaws in your own church members. The Philippian church was also a gathering of flawed people. There were the typical grumblers and complainers, those who worried more than necessary, those who bragged and boasted about their accomplishments, thereby making others feel inferior. In fact, Paul goes as far as naming two ladies who kept bickering with each other, causing disunity in the body (4:2-3). However, despite such problematic people, Paul held a confident outlook about the Philippian church.

So how did the apostle manage to remain so upbeat?  First, we see that Paul’s focus seem to be on God, the One who starts a good work in a person, a community, or in a city. That is, the active agent here is God, not necessarily the Philippians believers. Second, that singular focus on God provides Paul the reassuring confidence that the good work of God will continue until the end, despite our brokenness. (Of course, there is the assumption that the believers of the Philippian church are yielding to the work of the Spirit.)

Perhaps, you are serving the Lord and have lost confidence in your church. Maybe you wonder whether things will ever get better for your small group members, or you are fighting ministry fatigue and discouragement.  During this COVID-19 season, many pastors are greatly concerned about the state of their church affected by a prolong social isolation.  But as long as you and the people in your church are seeking the Lord, be encouraged that as the day of the Lord approaches, God Himself is at work faithfully and will bring your church, small group, or ministry to maturity.

Prayer: Lord, keep my eyes focused upon You. You are the Author and the Perfecter of our faith. You began this family of God in Your sovereignty and Your purpose. You will faithfully mature our church, our people, our pastors, and our children. I admit my own perception of reality often depresses me, and I wonder if it’s even worth it. Renew my heart today. Lord, fix my eyes upon You and help me to also experience this confidence that Paul held. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 4

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), is an updated version of his blog first posted on March 23, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What is So Compelling About Nietzsche?”

Psalm 14:1a

The foo^] says in his heart, “There is no God.”

Many years ago, a young man who attended my youth group in the mid-1980s sent me an email out of the blue; at the time, he was pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy.  I remembered him well.  When he was still in my youth group, his mother, concerned that he was spending too much time praying and reading the Bible, asked me to tell him to tone it down. 

Upon reading his email however, it was now my turn to be concerned.  He wrote, “Lately I’ve been doing a lot of reading in Nietzsche [and] there is a worldview in his work that I find extremely compelling.  Of course, it is completely pagan, but that’s what makes it so compelling.”  Wondering about his faith, I thought to myself, “What is so compelling about Nietzsche—’a fool’, according to the Bible—who saw churches as no more than ‘tombs and sepulchers of a dead God?’”   

Nietzsche, whose father and maternal grandfather were Lutheran pastors, had nothing but disdain for Christianity.  He once said, “The most important of more recent events—that ‘god is dead’, that the belief in the Christian God has become unworthy of belief—already begins to cast its first shadows over Europe.”   Nietzsche also knew that, as the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky declared, “If God did not exist, everything would be permitted.”  Everything meant denying the existence of universal truth, including moral truth, which naturally leads to a post-truth world in which we find ourselves now.

Then what is left to validate our actions?  “Will to power,” which means, “I do what I will to do without allowing any guilt for having done so.”  People who think like this will not admit, for instance, that torturing babies, while they themselves wouldn’t do it, is inherently wrong.  Certainly, Hitler, having been influenced by Nietzsche (Zacharias 1994:18), thought that torturing the Jews was a good thing.

Therefore, Nietzsche disdained those atheists who sought to salvage Christian morality, much like what Paul Kurtz tried to do.  This famed secular humanist once declared, “Is it possible to be moral without the benefit of the clergy?  Of course, it is [because] it is possible to ground ethical choice in rational intelligence” (1983:7).   Scoffing at him, Nietzsche would’ve said, “Why do you still want to be moral since that comes from the idea of the Christian God.”   

One compelling thing about Nietzsche was his consistency in living out the ramification of rejecting God and his moral truths: this voluminous writer became insane and “spent his last 11 years in asylums and never wrote another page” (Kramer 2001:60).   So what does atheism have to do with him becoming insane?  According to Francis Schaeffer, “he understood that insanity was the only philosophic answer if the infinite-personal God does not exist” (1976:180).   

We can always find reasons to be dissatisfied with our lives but let us be reminded of this: Had God not invited us to believe in Him through faith in His Son Jesus, our lives would be so arbitrary and meaningless.   Be reminded of how great it is to know God personally.  And let us pray for our children.

Prayer: God help us to number our days.  Let us be grateful that You led us not only to know Your truth but to have a personal relationship with the Truth himself, Your son Jesus Christ.  Embolden us to share this truth during these dark and divisive days.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  1 Corinthians 2-3