UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought—first posted on April 11, 2014—is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee, a friend of AMI, who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Revisiting This Thing Called ‘Grace’”

Galatians 3:1-5

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

Let’s be honest; most of us still struggle with grace.  In our high-achieving culture—that, for the moment, has been jolted by the pandemic—we think grace is a little unfair, don’t we?  For example, let’s say at work you are in line for a promotion; in fact, you’ve worked for years to get this position, but instead of giving it to you, your boss gives it to the fresh MBA grad who happens to be his son.  This would probably drive you bonkers!  Today, let’s revisit this thing called “God’s grace”.

Now, I understand that there is a vast difference between nepotism in the marketplace and salvation through grace, but might I suggest to you that fundamentally, the idea that some people get far more than what they merit bothers all of us.  In the church, we see the same phenomenon.  Some of you may have been praying for a particular gift or ministry opportunity for several years, and lo and behold, the guy who has only been a Christian for like two months gets it.

The truth is, we gravitate toward works because it appeals to our sense of economics; if we work, then we can say we have accomplished.  Unfortunately, we have to acknowledge our sinfulness in this line of thinking, and to see that we are trying to steal away from the glory and power of the cross.  The Galatians made this mistake; they wanted their works to count toward their salvation. But the reason God poured his Spirit on them (and us) was because they simply believed.  Let’s be clear; our works and efforts do count toward our sanctification (becoming more like Christ) and rewards in heaven, but they can never justify us (take away our guilt) before God.

Today—amid so many people who have lost so much during the pandemic—instead of growing in jealousy, let’s come to grips with the fact that we have received far greater than a job promotion, and we were far less deserving than even the boss’ bumbling son.  Let’s clothe ourselves in thankfulness that God would choose to save us and to use us for his Kingdom.  As we work/serve, let us remember that while our labor is not in vain, God is never obliged to do anything for us; his love, mercy, and favor are a gift.

Prayer: Father, help me to serve You faithfully with my hands, but let my heart depend on Your grace.  Remind me that I was lost and hopeless without You; make me thankful for Your mercy; and never let me rely on my own righteousness. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 45

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Lunch Break Study

Luke 16:28-32: “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Questions to Consider

1. What do we observe about the older brother?
2. What do we observe about the father?
3. With whom do you relate the most in this parable?

Notes

1. Let’s not kill the older brother, for we would all be angry with the younger brother.  But we see that the older brother is jealous of the father’s love, and does not understand the fullness of the father’s love for all his children.  We also see that the older son has viewed his labor as “slaving,” being self-righteous.
2. The father is lavish with his love.  He was the one to initiate reconciliation with his older son by pleading with him to come in.  The father didn’t stop loving the older brother, but at that moment, it was more appropriate to celebrate the younger son’s return.
3. Many of you who have been in the church awhile probably feel like the older brother; but know that your labor is not in vain.  Some of you may be able to relate with the younger son, who have come to your senses and have run to God.  Others who have wayward children may feel like the father; be ready to celebrate your son’s return.

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Evening Reflection

Were you able to cultivate a thankful heart today?  Did you allow jealousy, comparisons, or self-righteousness too much free reign?  Did you serve or work to honor God?

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, is an updated version of his blog first posted on September 17, 2014.  He is a graduate of Stanford University (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Starting is Easy—Finishing is What Counts”

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 (ESV)

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

I love to go to Home Depot.  There is something about purchasing the materials and tools needed to start a home improvement project that makes me feel “handy,” even though I’m not really “handy.”  And sometimes I will start a project and never finish it, but I still give myself partial credit for starting.  For example, I might make plans for Symphony Church, but never implement them; I still give myself credit for even thinking about it.  Oh, the absurdity of the human condition!

We are all capable of beginning something, for it’s quite easy.  Beginning appeals to our sense of pride and ambition, but finishing it is much harder.  We need more than pride or ambition to finish; finishing requires patience:

 

1. The patience to fight through difficult circumstances.
2. The patience to do hard and sometimes inglorious work.
3. The patience to resist getting angry when our pride or ambition is thwarted.

Every beginning holds the seductive promise of glory, while finishing requires endurance and humility.  Though I lack in patience, our God does not; He is patient and enduring.  Furthermore, God is the furnisher of the patience we need to finish what He would have us start. Thank God that Jesus finished his mission!  Thank God that Jesus cried out, “Let your will be done!” in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He finished every step needed to walk to the cross!  Thank God that on the cross, it was finished!

“Therefore . . ., let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1b-2). In that spirit, let’s finish what we have begun whether at home, work, or church.

Prayer: Father, this morning, I place myself in your hands.  I know that I am driven by pride and my own ambition, but I want to have Your patience and humility.  I look to Your cross again and surrender myself to Your finished work.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 44

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Luke 14:25-33: Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Questions to Consider

1. Why is it important to “count the cost” before taking on a task?
2. Why did Jesus stress the need to “count the cost” of following Him?
3. Are there any costs to following Jesus that you have not counted?

Notes

1. Being unprepared for a task leads to failure. Generally, it’s better to stop yourself rather than begin something without being prepared. Take the examples in this passage: Think of the waste in starting to build a tower and then stopping because you are unable to finish it.  All the time and resources put into the building are wasted.  Or likewise, for a king going to war, if he doesn’t first prepare and assess the battle, he will lose the war and suffer much casualty.
2. Following Jesus is demanding, for there will be challenges as well as sufferings.  Christ warns us of this, which is why we need to count the cost beforehand and prepare ourselves for the challenges.  If not, then we will find ourselves falling away as pressure mounts. Counting the cost helps us to prepare for the battle of faith and enables us to persevere despite the oncoming obstacles.
3. Take this time to reflect on your spiritual walk: What unexpected challenges have you faced? How did these affect you?  After thinking through what you believe it means to follow Jesus, develop ways to prepare yourself. We know challenges will come; Jesus assured us of that!  But He also assured us that He will be with us to the very end of the age. Let His presence be your strength as you prepare for the challenges of obedience to the gospel.

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Evening Reflection

Have you started anything recently that you haven’t finished?  Have you made any commitment to God that you have not followed through?  What is stopping you?  As we journal, let us surrender to Him anything the Holy Spirit brings to our minds.

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Always Perfecting Timing”

Galatians 4:4

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law . . .”

Luke 1:13

“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’”

One thing we must get used to—the earlier, the better: God’s timing and ours are not usually synchronized.  That is to say, God always moves according to His “internal clock”, and no one can rush or delay Him (unless, of course, God sovereignly allows it—see Joshua 10:12-14).

Consider the case of an old couple—Zechariah and Elizabeth (“they were both well along in years”—Lk. 1:7)—who had been praying for a child for an awfully long time.  They were godly people whom Luke describes as “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandment and regulations blamelessly” (Lk. 1:6).  Nevertheless, being childless led the old couple to suffer “disgrace among the people” (Lk. 1:25).

In a perfect world made according to our thoughts and ways, which, of course, are different from God’s thoughts and ways (Is. 55:8-9), you would expect the LORD to gift this godly couple with a child.  No, that didn’t happen for a long time, not until Zechariah was so old that, when an angel told him about the impending pregnancy of his wife, he said, “How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (Lk. 1:18).

So, why did God choose that moment to grant this couple’s wish?  Well, their son—to be known, one day, as John the Baptizer—was going to be the last prophet of the Old Testament period whose role was to “prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him” (Lk. 3:4).  So, the divine mind determined that John would precede the birth of Jesus in line with John’s role as the trailblazer for Christ.  Subsequently, the birth of John had to occur precisely “when the set time had fully come [for] God [to] sen[d] his Son.”  No sooner and no later!

Are you experiencing the anguish Zechariah and Elizabeth felt over uncontested prayers?  It’s tough, right?  Nevertheless, God is good, and His wisdom is infinitely greater than ours; at the end we are the ones who will be blessed by delayed answer to prayer.  In the meantime, I recommend this old Maranatha song to you: “In his time, in his time. He makes all things beautiful. In his time. Lord please show me everyday. As you’re teaching me your way. That you do just what you say. In your time . . .”  Let us “extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on [our] lips” (Ps. 34:1).

Prayer: Lord, I praise You this morning.  Truth be told, I don’t have the strength to be patient as I wait for You to answer my prayers.  So, please help me to be patient and praise You in the meantime.  Help me to serve You faithfully as I wait for the arrival of Your time.  Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 43

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Lunch Break Study* 

Read Philippians 2:12-13: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Questions to Consider

1. In what way can verse 12 (“…work out your salvation with fear and trembling”) cause a bit of angst among Christians?
2. How can we reconcile the apparent theological problem in verse 12?
3. What is your understanding of the phrase “fear and trembling”?

Note

1. The statement seems to suggest that salvation can be obtained through good works.
2. Salvation through faith in Christ alone, is a theological doctrine that the apostle Paul himself, under the Spirit’s leading, developed throughout his epistles (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore, Paul is not suggesting here that we are to earn our salvation through our good works which pertains to our justification.  Paul, here, is mindful of sanctification, a process of transformation that ought to take place after we are justified in Christ.
3. “Fear and trembling” isn’t so much this awful dread that God will zap them if they mess up; but rather, given the majesty of Christ portrayed in the preceding verses (vv.9-11), the idea appears to be that of reverent awe and wonder.

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Evening Reflection

A day can go by so quickly.  Before turning in for the night, consider these questions:

What are some personal or work issues that are causing you to lose sleep at night, or at least make you feel stressed? Did anything happen today that caused you to stress out even more?  What have you done about them? Have you earnestly sought after God regarding these issues?  If not, do you know why you haven’t?  Do you have trust issue with God?  Write out a prayer to Him honestly telling the Lord how you feel.  Pray about your condition.

*First posted on September 14, 2013, it was prepared by Pastor David Alas.

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S.F., is an updated version of his blog originally posted on March 28, 2015.  Mark is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Approaching God Daily with Confidence”

1 John 5:13-15 (ESV)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Many people see eternal life as just a fairy tale ending to the gospels and something that doesn’t impact our day-to-day lives.  We can mistake the resurrection as simply a happy ending to a life filled with sin, discouragement, stress, and heartache.  Since all of us go through difficulties in this life—literally all at the same time amid the present pandemic—it’s tempting to see eternity as nothing more than a way of escape.  However, the resurrection of Christ is far more than just a guarantee of life after death:  It also guarantees that we will have sufficient power to overcome this world and to find joy in the present age.  I love the pastoral cliché, “Christ came not to add years to our life, but life to our years!” 

A great part of our joy in this life comes from having confidence that God hears and answers our prayers.  Some of the most amazing experiences that I have had spiritually have come as a result of answered prayers.  I’ve always wondered how we will pray in heaven without the presence of pain and sorrow because so many of our prayers are driven by difficulties.  From that perspective, praying presently with an eternal mindset is one of life’s greatest gifts.  Our personal assurance of eternal life allows us to approach God daily with confidence.

However, there is nothing that hinders this relationship with God faster than a lack of conviction, because, ultimately, mistrust ruins relationships.  If we are not convinced that a person is trustworthy, or convinced that he’s genuine, then our relationship with that person will fall apart.  Our relationship with God and our prayers to Him need to be based on conviction. The resurrection of Christ gives us the power to believe that God is everything that the Scriptures tell us, that He sent His only Son to take the sins of this world, and to bring the hope of the resurrection.  We need to believe and live out the impact of eternal life here and now.  And we will need plenty of this conviction as we all are entering the uncharted territory of post-COVID world.  So, remember the resurrection of Christ and continue to approach God with confidence.

Prayer: Father, we ask that You give us the confidence to approach You daily with all our needs and struggles.  Teach us how to trust in You and to pray with the assurance of eternity in our hearts.  As we receive answers to our prayers, help us to be content and satisfied with Your will and that we would imitate the prayer of Your Son, “Not my will but yours be done.”  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 42

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Lunch Break Study 

Read James 5:13-18: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

Questions to Consider 

1. How does James teach us to pray for the sick?
2. What is the connection between sickness and sin?
3. Who has the power to pray for healing?

Notes

1. James accents the need to pray in faith for the sick.   Obviously, we should always pray with faith, but the prayers of faith are most visibly noticeable in our ministry to the sick.       
2. The Scriptures frequently allude to sin as a sickness.  There is clearly a connection between sin and physical maladies.  Emotional sins like unforgiveness, anger, resentment, and bitterness are often the cause of headaches, back pain, and other ailments.
3. This passage reminds us that the prophet Elijah had a nature just like ours (sinful and human), and yet God answered his prayers miraculously.  We can have the same conviction that God will do the same for us when we pray according to His will and purpose

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Evening Reflection

How is your prayer life?  Do you feel like God is hearing you or do you feel as if your prayers are hitting a spiritual ceiling?  Ask the Lord to search your heart and to give you the desire to pray according to His will in faith.

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Pastor Joseph Chung who heads Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  He is a graduate of Bethesda Christian University (BA) and Evangel Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Let the Justice Roll”

Amos 5:23-24 (ESV)

“Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Oh no, not again!

After watching what can only be described as hateful and senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota, I spent the day praying and mourning. Like many I felt deeply troubled.  As I prayed, having been reminded of Amos 5:24, I prayed that God’s justice will roll on like a river and his righteousness like a never-failing stream.

What a broken, injustice-filled world we live in.  As I watched that horrible video—even with my heart pounding—I felt a piece of my soul dying.  So much pain.  So much anger.  The issue isn’t what Mr. Floyd allegedly did or did not do that made the police involvement necessary at the outset; rather it has everything to do with the self-evident fact that NO ONE BEARING GOD’S IMAGE DESERVES TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT—NO ONE!  As God’s handiwork, we all are, despite being marred by sin, precious in His sight.  John 3:16 says so: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

When will this injustice and hatred end?

Amos 5:24 starts out with a “BUT” because of what is said in previous verses: God’s condemnation of the nation of Israel—His people—for oppression and injustice.  “You trample on the poor,” said “the LORD to the house of Israel,” and “you exact taxes of grain from him . . .” (Amos 5:4, 11).  It is after that the LORD declares, “But let justice roll on like a river.”

So, amid all the chaos and hate, let God’s justice flow. As His people, we must love His justice.  And as we worship Him, the way we live must demonstrate His justice!  Please note what verse 24 says: Worship without justice, to God, is a noise; He will not listen.

Let us, therefore, cry, cry out to God for His justice to reign.  Let us stand and mourn with those who are oppressed and treated unjustly.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for “JUSTICE.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You heart-broken, deeply grieving as we have witnessed the murder of George Floyd.  We live in a deeply fragmented community where injustice and hatred run rampant. Lord, would You pour out Your mercy and compassion over us, that we may truly grieve and mourn with those who are hurting because of injustice.  Open our hearts so that we have the courage to include and stand with those who are victimized and oppressed.  May we find such joy in being vessels of Your justice. Help us to love as You have loved us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 41

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Lunch Break Study* 

Read Colossians 1:11-14: May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Questions to Consider

1. What does the apostle Paul pray that we may be strengthened for?
2. What is the source of our joy?
3. What is the inheritance of the saints?

Notes

1. Endurance and patience with joy.  The fact that Paul was in prison at the time underscores the importance of these spiritual virtues.  How many people let go of their faith when difficult times come?
2. The inheritance of the saints.  This begs the question, “What is our inheritance?”
3. The inheritance consists of two components:
   • First, being redeemed and forgiven on account of the work of Christ, and as a result, freely receiving eternal life; second, rewards, which are based on what we did for the Lord while living on earth (2 Cor. 5:10).

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Evening Reflection*

What are the sins that seem to habitually entrap you?  Considering what was addressed this morning, it behooves to ask, “How is your attitude towards people of other races?”  Pray that God would supernaturally grant you freedom from all that plagues.  Commit to confessing your sin to a close brother or sister who can pray for you and remind you of your inheritance in Christ.

*First posted on December 15, 2013, it was prepared by Pastor Jason Sato who now serves in Japan.

NEW Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang who serve as AMI Teaching Pastor.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“It’s Not Enough Just to Believe”

Luke 1:1-4

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

Among the books included in the New Testament, two really stand out—Gospel of Luke and Acts of Apostles produced as a two-volume set—because they are written by a Gentile, namely Luke, while all the rest are penned by Jewish people.  And, as any good writer would, Luke, at the outset of his letter to Theophilus—likely a Roman sponsor of  Luke’s writing project—states his purpose:  “So that you many know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (v. 4).  This is to suggest that it is not enough just to hear the gospel message and believe; in addition, we need to read and study God’s word so that we can be more certain of the things we have been taught.

Note that in the parable of sower, people who have no in-depth understanding of God’s word are liken to seeds sown on rocky ground, and the eventual outcome of their “faith” is not pretty.  Jesus says, “And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away” (Mk. 4:16-17).  Notice that the root here can stand for the depth of one’s understanding of God’s word.  So, what happened?  A shallow faith without a strong root crashed and burned when troubles came (as they always do in life—Jn. 16:33).

So how is your root?  Maybe not too deep, much like the faith of Theophilus, probably a young believer who was at a disadvantage compared to the Jewish Christians since he didn’t know the Old Testament like the latter. While knowledge isn’t everything—in fact it can putt you up (2 Cor. 8:2)—“people [can be] destroyed from lack of knowledge” as well (Hos. 4:6).  One way this can happen is when biblically illiterate believers are led astray by “deceiving spirits and things taught by demos” (a.k.a., unsound doctrines—1 Tim. 4:1b).

Pray that you may be more certain of what you believe based on 2 Peter 1:19: “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts . . .”  Diligently study God’s word.  Start today.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to increase my appetite for Your eternal word.  May I become tired of always being attracted to latest teachings just because they sound good.  Lord, strengthen my resolve to love You with my mind as well. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 40

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, 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 15, 2013.  Jason is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Freedom from Oppression”

Psalm 129:1-8

“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—let Israel now say—2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” 4 The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. 5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! 6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, 7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms, 8 nor do those who pass by say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord

Have you ever been oppressed, not psychological but politically? Those who grew up in other countries may have but I doubt whether any of us who was born and raised in U.S. can say “yes” with a straight face.  But the nation of Israel was very familiar with oppression: first, Israel suffered as slaves in Egypt; and later, in the days of the judges, she was repeatedly oppressed by the surrounding pagan nations (i.e., the Canaanites).  Eventually, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks and finally the Roman Empire took turns in crushing this nation.

Yet in the midst of affliction, the Psalmist exudes hope.  While the common saying is, “Greatly they have afflicted me from my youth,” he adds, “yet they have not prevailed against me.”  The hope stems from his belief that the justice and blessings of God are still to come; the plowers have plowed his back but the righteous Lord will not abandon his people.  

What about us?  While very few of us have experienced political or material oppression, we are certainly familiar with slavery to sin.  Sin is a hard master, for it intends to inflict harm, causing misery (e.g., unfruitful life) and death (e.g., eternal separation from God).  But in Christ Jesus, we have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of the Son of God.  Now, as we cooperate with the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we can gain tangible freedom from those things, such as selfishness, insecurity or addictions that makes us miserable and unbearable to others.

Thank God for your freedom won by the body and blood of Christ.  Pray for and rejoice in the coming day when sin and death will be utterly destroyed.  Therefore, we who are in Christ can be joyful while leading a meaningful life—even in the midst of oppression or, in our case, pandemic.  Thank you, Lord.

Prayer: Father, my heart is often heavy in this world ruined by sin.  At times, suffering and disappointment are overwhelming.  I thank You that death does not get the last word.  I thank You that You stand by me and prevent sin from prevailing against me.  I trust in Your righteousness.  You will make all things right.  Mercy and life are coming soon.  In Jesus’s name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 38-39

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by then staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, is an updated version of a blog first posted on September 1, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Beholding our God Amid Darkness”

Psalm 82:1-8

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!

Upon examining this morning’s Psalm, it would be rather easy to focus on the cry of the psalmist, who is troubled by an unjust world that seemingly points to an indifferent and partial God.  Maybe some of us felt similarly amid so many losses incurred during the pandemic while God seems silent.  In verse 2, the psalmist dares asking how long the Lord will judge unjustly. It seems to him that those who are wicked, especially those who serve other “gods,” prosper and rule with impunity.  In fact, the 7^th century B.C. prophet Habakkuk put it like this: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice?  Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Hab. 1:2-3b).

Yet, as we consider today’s psalm again, there is a confident hope and faith that God will act with justice.  Despite what situations and circumstances may indicate, the psalmist calls out, “Arise, O God, judge the earth.” He holds firmly to the character of God (that He is just) and lets that inform his prayer. As the Psalm is bookended by this confidence (in the midst of the gods he holds judgment… for you shall inherit all the nations), it exhorts us to call out confidently to the true Lord of justice in faith, despite what our situation and circumstances may be telling us.  That is living by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

This morning, God is encouraging you to remember His character; He is just, and His rule will be established in the entire world.  Like the psalmist, let us cry out for Him to arise and break the power of injustice as well as the pandemic. God hears the cry of the downtrodden.

So, what are some areas of your life or the lives of those around you who may be experiencing injustice, including losses due to no fault of their own during the pandemic? Let us arise in faith to claim and proclaim the just character of God in those areas.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to really see who You are so that I can live by faith, not by sight.  Though things may look bleak at times, strengthen me to fix my eyes on the author and perfecter of my faith—Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 37

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 1:18b-26: “Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

Questions to Consider

1. Based on the above passage, what seems to be a major theme of the book of Philippians?
2. One reason Paul felt joy was because he saw how his circumstances were furthering the cause of Christ.  What is another reason for his joy?
3. How is your joy in the Lord today? Ask him for greater joy to infuse into your life as you seek and adore Him today.

Notes

1. Joy is a major theme in the book of Philippians and is very evident in the words of the apostle Paul despite his dire circumstances (i.e., imprisonment).  Remember, joy is an integral part of the Christian life.
2. Paul alludes to a second reason for his joy, namely that his circumstances will result in his deliverance (v. 19-20).
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

Psalms 69:30-33: I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.  31 This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 32 When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 33 For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners

In order for us to cultivate a God-centered perspective and a greater ability to hear God that can powerfully affect our everyday living, adoration is the key, which is remembering and magnifying God all throughout the day.  Adoration or “Face to Face” (i.e., intimate) prayer is loving and exalting (i.e., prioritizing) the Lord before anything else and above all things, including our disappointing situations that whisper into our ears, “No, you cannot seek God under these circumstances.”  It is fixing our eyes on Christ Jesus, knowing and delighting in Him. Adoration brings us into a state of falling in love with Him and giving Him our allegiance, which only He deserves.  It is not just talking or thinking about God, but being next to Him and conversing with Him.  When we adore the LORD in this manner, that is when we are truly glorifying Him since we are saying this: God, you are the most significant entity in my life.

Tonight, begin by magnifying God instead of looking at your circumstances.   

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Cami King who serves as associate pastor at Remnant Church in Manhattan.  Cami is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Revolution & Interruption”

Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Acts 2:1-2

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

During the Easter season, I spent time reading through the Gospel of Luke and am now making my way through Acts as we prepare for Pentecost. Taking another look at the life and teachings of Jesus in Luke and the presence and work of the Spirit in Acts has been especially helpful for me, as we all do the hard work of reevaluating and reimagining during our present season of upheaval.

My reading of these texts, while being inundated with the statements and movements of various Christians around the country during this season, has cemented my suspicion that sometimes (often times?) we in the Church lack vision for how God moves in the world and how we come to discern those movements and, in so discerning, know what to do in partnership with God. My time in Luke-Acts has highlighted two crucial things in this regard: God’s story is one of revolution and God’s work is a work of interruption.

God is transforming all of Creation – from hearts and minds to societies and kingdoms to (one day) the literal heavens and earth. Transformation is not preservation. And transformation requires change—it’s an act of revolution. If we want to understand where God is and how God is moving, then, it would behoove us to learn a little bit about revolutions—particularly how they come about and what they’re resisting to change. God’s story is a story of revolution.

And God’s work in our present world is ALWAYS a work of interruption. From the Creation (which interrupted nothing with something) to the Exodus (which interrupted Egyptian empire/rule) to the prophets (who interrupted the religious and political status quo) to the birth of Jesus (which not only interrupted Mary’s life, but turned the world upside down), to the cross (which was a painful interruption, or so it seemed, to the disciples hopes for deliverance), to the greatest interruption of them all the resurrection (which interrupted, and so overcame, death itself).

God is authoring a revolution through a series of holy interruptions. 

If this is true, as followers of Jesus, we have to learn to discern God’s movements in any given moment in history, looking for those interruptions so we can actively participate in God’s revolutionary work in our time. Theologian Willie James Jennings suggests this is the agenda of the book of Acts, “to narrate how one discerns God’s movements” – what they look like and how Creation responds.

God is at work right now through the Spirit in the world today. So, are we discerning those movements? And how are we, who are not only creatures but those with whom the Spirit of God dwells, called to respond?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please free me from my tendency toward people-pleasing and self-gratification. Make me aware of the other masters in my life today, so that, having been liberated from them, I can discern what You are doing in the world and then join. Help me to serve You even when it is difficult. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Isaiah 36

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Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 2:36-47: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Question to Consider

1. These verses pick up right after the Holy Spirit comes to the Church for the very first time at Pentecost. What was the people’s (v. 37) response to the movement of the Spirit in Acts 2?
2. How did Peter instruct them? What is the significance of these next steps? What promise did he give them?
3. What was the result of their obedience in response to the movement of the Spirit? What do you notice about their devotion? How does this encourage or challenge you to respond to the Spirit today?

Notes

1. The people asked, “What should we do?” Why?  It’s because they were deeply convicted after hearing the truth concerning Jesus and the message of the Gospel and turned to God (through Peter and the Apostles) for guidance and direction.   
2. Peter told them to repent and be baptized. Repent simply means to change one’s mind(set) or thinking. Repentance is always required as we seek to respond to the truth and movements of God. Peter also tells them to be baptized. This is more than just being dipped or sprinkled with water. The baptism ceremony is an sign of a reality in our lives and hearts—that reality is our choice to be immersed in intimacy with Jesus through relationship and in the body of Christ, the Church, as we do life together with one another. The promise Peter gives is that the listeners will receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s presence in the lives of believers is not something we earn or have to conjure up; it’s a gift of grace given to all those who turn to God in repentance and are immersed in relationship with God and God’s people in community.
3. The result was a radical and generative community, fully devoted in self-giving love and care for one another. There are lots of things to notice about their devotion—take note of what they were devoted to and how they expressed their devotion. The thing that strikes me most is that it was all organic and unprescribed. We often need rule and law to tell us to give and share, gather and pray, love and care. But there were no laws demanding this—this was their natural (reasonable, even – Romans 12:2) response to the Good News and the gift they’d received. They were caught up in the love of God and thus drawn into God’s love for those around them.

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Evening Reflection

“God is authoring a revolution through a series of holy interruptions.”

Do you find yourself resisting change and transformation? If yes, why? How does the good news of the Kingdom of God (the Gospel, that God is bringing forth a New Creation) encourage you to desire and participate in God’s transformative work? In what specific ways is God inviting you (and your community) to be transformed in this season? What practical steps of obedience can you take in that direction?

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Cami King who serves as associate pastor at Remnant Church in Manhattan.  Cami is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Holy Discontentment”

Hebrews 12:25-29

See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

To my surprise, the pervasive sentiment I’m noticing in myself in this season is discontentment. And when I talk to others, I sense discontentment in them as well (even though some describe it as boredom). The luxury of routine and ample provision can leave us thinking, “There must be more than this!” Others express it as frustration with the brokenness we sense in ourselves and the world. Still others express it as confusion and uncertainty about our purpose, worth, and life path. And while I imagine some of these feelings were present before this pandemic, they seem harder to ignore nowadays.

God’s promise in every situation is to work for our good (Romans 8:28). And I believe that God, in grace and mercy, is entering into our present mess to shake everything that can be shaken so that what is unshakable remains. We have a profound opportunity in this moment to contend with what is broken (in ourselves, relationships, community, society, etc.), bring it to God, and begin to imagine something new and unshakable.

As the world shuts down and the effects radiate throughout our lives, our illusion of control is shaken. As the behaviors of each person pose a palpable threat to the lives of others, the lie of independence in shaken. As our present systems continue to fall short of our collective needs (to put it mildly), we are invited to question our social structures as they are utterly shaken. As our jobs change (in fact, no jobs for many), we’re trapped in the house; vacations are cancelled and weddings are put on hold.  However, as our plans are interrupted and life as we know it quivers, God is inviting us to STOP and take note of all that’s being shaken.

I suspect this is the source of much of our discontentment. In the face of a world falling apart, we are sensing in ourselves a hunger for that which is unshakable, a hunger for the Kingdom of God. As we move forward from here, our world won’t be the same. And that may seem scary, and our impulse may be to fight to preserve and revert, but we have to remember that the world is broken (and so are we) and God’s whole Kingdom project is not one of preservation but of transformation.

The longer we sit in this moment with God and one another, I pray our discontent with business as usual grows. I pray that we begin to cry, “I want a new world!” Or, better yet, “I want to join God in making a new world.” And as we do so, may we rejoice and give thanks to our God who has already promised, “I am making everything new!…these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5).

Prayer: Sovereign God, help me to remember that I am where I am and that I do what I do because of your sovereign plan. Open my eyes so that I can join You in the remaking of this world. Help me to partner with you in the Kingdom work You have for me to do today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isiah 35

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Lunch Break Study

Read Micah 6:6-8: With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Question to Consider

1. In verse 8, the prophet explains what God requires of God’s people. What are those requirements? How do they reveal God’s heart and desire for us?   
2. The prophet compares what God actually requires (v. 8) with the religious rituals God’s people chose to offer God instead (vv.6-7). How do you find yourself falling into the trap of offering rituals over relationship?    
3. What would it mean for you to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in your present context? What is at least one practical way you can live out this verse this week?

Notes

1. God requires that God’s people: (1) act justly (doing what’s right and fair and good in our relationships with one another), (2) love mercy (exercising kindness in our dealings with one another), (3) walk humbly with God (leaning into our need for and dependence upon God at every step). God’s heart and desire is for relationship—the relationship we have with God and the relationships we have with one another. This is what’s important to God—just and merciful relationships over religious rituals.
2. While we don’t practice the same religious rituals, the original audience practiced (those listed in the verses), we certainly have our own versions of religiosity. What are the things you can fall into by routine without actually engaging your heart in loving (just and merciful) relationship with God and others?
3. Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

Do you sense things being shaken in your life or in the world around you in this season? In what specific ways? How have you responded? How might God be inviting you into holy discontentment and deeper hunger for the Kingdom of God?