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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Sabbath Rest”

2 Chronicles 36:20-21

He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia, 21 to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.

In the midst of the lockdowns and quarantines, there has been some expected good news.  In normally overcrowded and bustling cities all around the world, people are hearing birds chirping for the first time in ages.  In many places, mountain ranges are now visible because the smog has lifted, due to the lack of emissions from cars, power plants and factories.  The water in the famed canals of Venice has typically been murky from pollution and overcrowding from tourism, but now due to all the shutdowns, the water is now crystal clear, so much so that people can see the fish swimming in them.  To quote this Chronicles passage, it seems that the world is enjoying its first Sabbath in a long time.

In Leviticus 25, God commanded the Israelites that every seven years they were to take a Sabbath year and refrain from their normal agriculture work and not sow seeds or prune their vineyards.  They were to just leave the land alone and let it rest.  At the end of 2 Chronicles, we see the complete decline of God’s people as Judah is forced into exile in Babylon, and the author says it was a Sabbath for the land; it then became desolate.  The implication here seems to be that the Israelites had not been practicing the Sabbath year for a long time and in some sense, God was forcing their hands and giving the land a rest.

While we recognize how difficult and trying these times are in this global pandemic, at the same time, I think we can recognize that there is something that God wants to do in us and our world.  In our formerly normal lives, we all carried on with the usual: work, school and family affairs.  But in between all of that, we packed in social clubs, workshops, workouts, eating out, vacations, shopping, social media, Youtube and Netflix (just to name a few).  It feels like the goal of our lives was to fill every moment with something, to be busier, more educated, more entertained, more everything.  One of the last things on our minds was taking a Sabbath.  Sure we took days off or “mental health” days, but even then, we usually rested for the sake of being recharged to do more!

But now, perhaps God is forcing our hands, as most of us in some way or another have been compelled to put our normal, busy lives on hold.  I believe that God wants to remind us to not make our lives about more achievement or more progress but to trust him by resting from our work.  The environment is enjoying the rest with cleaner air and clearer water and skies, and we all the more are meant to enjoy this rest since, as Jesus says, the Sabbath was made for man. Let us then enjoy this rest that God has given us, and let us witness His work in our lives.

Prayer: Jesus, we surrender our lives to you in this season.  It’s hard to not work and achieve as we once did before, but all the more, may we rest from our work and trust in Yours.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Acts 22

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Lunch Bible Study

Read John 6:11-15: Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Questions to Consider

1. What good work was Jesus doing in this passage?
2. What would you do after performing such an amazing feat?  How do you typically feel after a great accomplishment?
3. What might have happened if Jesus stayed with the crowd? Why did he withdraw instead?

Notes

1. Jesus was feeding the five thousand miraculously with the five loaves of bread and two fish.
2. Personal reflection question.  I think many of us feel a “high” of some sort after we accomplish something.  Most of us in Jesus’ place would have stayed for the adulation and adoration of the crowd.  We’d use this opportunity to be congratulated and affirmed.
3. It says here that they may have taken Jesus and forced him to be king.  Jesus withdrew because he was not meant to be a king like other earthly authorities.  Also, Jesus withdrew because he was not defined by his work or accomplishment or by how much the crowds loved him.  He could rest from his work because that work was not all he was about.

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Evening Reflection

In this season, I believe God wants us to reconsider what or who defines our lives.  In the midst of our busy lives, we can so easily let ourselves be designed by our work or accomplishments, but now is one of the best opportunities to rest from our work and to trust God to show us who we are.  Let us close this day by surrendering our lives and our work to Him; let us seek rest for our busy souls.

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by then (2013) staff of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan, was first posted on September 22, 2013.  It has been updated.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Fulfillment of God’s Ultimate Promise, in Christ”

Psalm 89:29-37

I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. 30 If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, 31 if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, 32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, 33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. 36 His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. 37 Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah

There are many covenants between God and man that we see in the Bible, such as the rainbow covenant between God and Noah, the Abrahamic covenant between God and Abraham, the Mosaic covenant between God and Moses, and so forth. While each of these covenants was made primarily between one individual and God, they had far reaching implications for humanity. In this Psalm, this particular covenant shows how God will persevere with the line of David and establish the house of David. Even with severe chastisements, God will establish the line of David. We see the ultimate fulfillment of this in Jesus, who is also called the Son of David.

And today, amid the chaos brought on by COVID-19, we celebrate the fulfillment of God’s ultimate promise stated in an earlier psalm of David (Ps. 16:10-11) : “. . . you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  While David certainly said this under the Spirit’s inspiration, it wasn’t said of him since he later died and decayed.  Instead, this psalm points to the coming of the Messiah—the king of the Jews in accordance to the Davidic dynasty—who will one day die for the sins of the world; but he will rise from dead, thereby not being subjected to the decaying of corpse.

This morning’s Psalm reminds us that God is faithful to His word and promises. His covenants stand firm and are dependent upon Him and Him alone. Even during the times of history where the line of David experienced the anger of God, God did not violate His covenant with them. When we look to Jesus, we are reminded that God will fulfill His promises. Yes, He will correct and rebuke us, but His covenant with us will stand. We can put our trust and hope in God, no matter how difficult our lives may become in the aftermath of COVID-19, who will remain true to Himself.  This, then, is the basis for our hope in the resurrected Christ. Amen.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being faithful to Your many promises made to us.  In times like these when everything has been turned upside down, we desperately need You.  Actually, it’s a blessing to finally recognize our constant need for You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 21

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an updated version of AMI QT Devotional first posted on August 31, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Living by Faith, not by Sight”

Luke 8:40-48: Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.  As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Amid social distancing necessitated by COVID-19, touching someone without consent is sure to raise the ire of the person touched. And it’s not inconceivable to imagine the offended person calling for the police. It was no less scandalous or offensive in the days of Jesus in situations where a person deemed unclean (e.g., lepers or women suffering from hemophilia) touched clean people, thereby making them unclean.

With that said, on this day, many people were touching Jesus—given that “the crowds almost crushed him” (v. 42^b)—but there was one touch, by the bleeding woman, that did not go unnoticed by Jesus. The woman must have felt elated since she got healed immediately because the power of Jesus was released when she touched him (v. 46).  But that happiness was short lived when Jesus began to look for the person who touched him. At first, it appeared as if Jesus was upset (he had his reasons), but she quickly discovered that Jesus wanted to commend her.  For what?  This is to ask, how was the touch of this woman different from that of others?  In short, she touched Jesus in faith.

Allow me to put it this way: The Bible “forces” us to touch Jesus in faith; all other touches will never suffice.  For instance, the Lord, after resurrecting, told Mary Magdalene that, after he ascended into heaven, she could no longer relate to him “by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7), which she had been doing for three and a half years.  Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father . . . I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17).

Then how was Mary supposed to relate to Jesus?  How are we to connect with Jesus who is in heaven?  It is by faith, not by sight that we are to relate to Jesus, for the Lord said to doubting Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The woman in today’s passage touched Jesus with faith, and this act stood out as being radically different from the faith (or lack thereof) of the rest of the crowd.

Even though Jesus is not here with us on earth, do you still reach out to him in faith like the woman who touched Jesus? Is he real to you?  He can be, since we have been given the Holy Spirit. How?  Read his words, be reminded of his promises and develop an intimate prayer life.  We live by faith, not by sight.

Prayer: Lord, please make yourself real in my life.  Lord, help me to make you real in my life.  Lord, help me to develop a deeper walk with you.  Help me to discern what things to get rid of in my life in order to spend more time with you.  Lord, help me to live by faith, not by sight.  Amen.   

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 19-20

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Monastic Bell”

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As I am now isolated at home with my family, on a rare occasion during the day, I’ll have a free moment to sit down in my home office and try to do some work (like writing this devotional).  I’ll turn on my computer, open up a document like this and start writing a few words of precious wisdom and then suddenly, out of nowhere, I’ll hear the pounding of footsteps and then “DAAAADDDYYYYYY” as my 4 year old son Tyler screams.  So I’ll then run upstairs and say, “Yes Tyler?” and he’ll say, “Daddy… I didn’t take a nap!”  And I’ll say, “Ok” and then go back to my office, sit down and try to get working again.  If I’m lucky, I’ll get 15 minutes and then I’ll hear footsteps again and another “DAAAADDYYYYYY.”  At these points, all attempts of decency and civility are done with; so, I’ll just scream semi-annoyedly, “WHAT TYLER?!”  This has pretty much been my daily routine and by the way, there’s a 10 month old boy in the house too.  Every day now is a challenge to do work or have alone time or do anything without interruption.

In the monastic movements in the 12th century, there was a rule at monasteries regarding what was called the “monastic bell.”  The rule was that whenever the bell rang, all of the monks were to immediately stop doing whatever they were doing and go to do whatever they were being gathered to do.  The response was strictly to be immediate, even if they were in the middle of deep prayer or were studying the word of God.  And if they were in the middle of writing a sentence, they were to stop immediately and not finish writing that sentence.  So, why was there this insistence on dropping everything immediately at the sound of a bell?  The idea of the monastic bell was to teach the monks that their time was not their own.

As we are in this season of COVID-19, a giant metaphorical monastic bell has gone off all around the world and we’ve all been, in many ways, interrupted by this pandemic; that is, we’ve been forced to stop whatever we were doing. Whether it was our work or relationships or recreation or ministry even, we’ve all been compelled to pause in some way.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book Life Together said, “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions.“  If we believe these words and also the words of Paul when he says “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28), perhaps we all need to recognize that God is working through the big and small interruptions in our lives today.  And one important thing He is trying to teach us is that we are not in control and our lives are not our own.

And as the monastic bell rings constantly throughout my day, with interruptions from my children, and as many of us have faced small and large interruptions to our work, education, family life and ministry and church life, it’s easy for us to grow frustrated, to lament our loss of agency, productivity and time.  But all the more, let us remember that our lives are not our own and there is a good work that God is striving to do within us.

Prayer: Jesus, it is challenging for us, but we thank you for reminders that we are not in control and that our time and our lives are not our own.  We surrender our lives and hearts to you this day.  May your will be done in our lives. AMEN

Bible Reading for Today:  Acts 18

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 5:17-26: On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Questions to Consider

1. How do you think you would react and feel if you were in Jesus’ place in this narrative?
2. How does Jesus respond?  What happens as a result of Jesus’ response?
3. What good work do you think God wants to do through interruptions in your life?

Notes

1. Make sure you put yourself in Jesus’ place here.  Imagine that you’re doing a teaching session.  You’re sharing the words and wisdom of God, giving elaborate illustrations and parables, doing all you can to grab the attention of your audience and praying and hoping that the word cuts to their hearts.  And then suddenly, the ROOF starts to shake and dirt and dust are coming down and then there’s a hole in the roof.  Now whatever you have been teaching has been forgotten.  My guess is that all of us would have at least some level of irritation.
2. We have no indication of annoyance or irritation from Jesus in this passage.  He instead sees this first as a moment to bring forgiveness and healing to this paralytic man and second, he uses this as an opportunity to teach his audience, the Pharisees and teachers of the law.  We don’t know what he was teaching them before this, but I’d guess Jesus thought this was an even better teaching moment.
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

These days of quarantining and self-isolation have been challenging for many of us.  Our lives have been greatly interrupted.  As you close out this day, take some time to consider what God is trying to teach you in this season.  Even though it may be difficult to recognize and accept, surrender your time and heart to him.

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), is an updated version of his blog first posted on January 17, 2013.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Dear Media and Politicians: ‘You Got Nothing on Wenliang, David and Jesus’”

Psalm 7:7-9

Let the assembled peoples gather around you.  Rule over them from on high; 8 let the Lord judge the peoples. Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. 9 O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.

What irritates me the most about politicians and mainstream media amid COVID-19 pandemic is the tit-for-tat blaming game they all play.  So, to Biden who says, “[Trump’s] delays [are] causing real pain for so many Americans,” Trump retorts, “Obama was slow to address swine flu.” Then there are all typical situations in which the blamers are oblivious to the fact they have done the same thing.  There is no better example than the media’s insinuation that President Trump’s reference to the origin of coronavirus being Wuhan/China borders on racism when, in fact, that’s what the media said at the outset of the pandemic.

If there is anyone who stands blameless in the coronavirus fiasco, it is the late Li Wenliang, a doctor in Wuhan who, after finding a mysterious virus (known now as coronavirus), raised the alarm.  Has anyone ever falsely accused you of doing wrong? If so, you have nothing on Dr. Wenliang because Wuhan police arrested him for “spreading false rumors” and “seriously disrupt[ing] social order.”

And, one biblical character who can truly empathize with Wenliang, is David—who was accused of trying to kill King Saul to take his throne (1 Sam. 24:9).  Look, David wasn’t theologizing when he said, “Judge me according to my righteousness.”  Neither was David saying he was sinless.  It was just a different way of saying to God what he had told Saul: “I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion.  I’ve not wronged you” (24:11).  This worked on that day, but Saul would come back to try to kill David.

Life is like that, sometimes—it seems to only get worse.  The apostle Paul, facing a crisis that, to him, felt like the enormity of COVID-19 pandemic, writes, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death” (2 Cor. 1:8-9a).  But, spiritually, that isn’t a bad place to be (briefly, we hope), since that’s where we usually discover that, as Paul did, “this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raised the dead” (2 Cor. 1:8).

Returning to being falsely accused, Jesus understands how it feels since it was through slanderous accusations that He was put on the cross.  This morning, find yourself in the sympathetic arms of Christ!   

Prayer: Father, thank You for your Son, who, because He Himself suffered, is able to sympathize with me when I am falsely accused.  I cry out to You in my distress.  While I eagerly await for Your deliverance, I’ll continue to enjoy Your presence in my life. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 17

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Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 64:6*: All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Luke 18:9-14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

*What Isaiah said about Israel here resonates with the NT theology of what God thinks about our righteousness: neither sufficient nor adequate enough to get anybody into heaven apart from Christ. (Rom 3:20a: “No one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law.”)

Questions to Consider

1. Surely some live more righteously than others but what’s the NT rationale summed up in Romans 3:20 (James 2:1-11)?
2. We should strive to live righteously, but what can happen to our hearts if we get too caught up with it (Lk. 18:9-14)?
3. What can we do to avoid falling into this ego trip (Phil. 3:13; Matt. 6:3; 2 Cor. 10:12-3)?

Notes

1. For a mountain climber, all it takes is one break in the rope for him to fall to his death.  Likewise, the NT rationale behind why our impressive righteousness cannot save us, is because all it takes is one breaking of God’s law to be declared a lawbreaker. So, have we broken any laws?  Since highly righteous people such as Mother Teresa or Gandhi would have readily admitted to having broken some of God’s laws, none of us stands a chance!  Our righteousness cannot save us.
2. As our lives improve morally and ethically, we have the tendency to compare ourselves to those who are at the bottom of the moral totem pole, thereby making us look even better!  We become holier-than-thou and start judging everyone!  That’s how our righteousness can become like filthy rags.
3. Paul suggested two things: first, do good and then forget it; second, don’t compare yourself to others!

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Evening Reflection

Considering Luke 18:9-14, which we read for Lunch Break Study, with whom do you identify with: the self-righteous Pharisees who lived morally on the outside, or the penitent tax collectors who still might demand extortions (on any given day)?  Where do you find yourself?

What righteous (or, unrighteous) acts did you do today?  What positives did you derive from that? Were there any negatives?  How do you process all this considering that we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9) but our works verify whether we are saved (James 2:24)?

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Pastor David Son, who 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

“Make Room for Compassion”

Mark 1:40-42 (NASB)

And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

A few weeks ago, I was doing some work on my computer at a café. A few feet away, an elderly gentleman sneezed. I don’t know how it is in your city, with COVID-19. But in my city, there seems to be an unspoken rule: an individual is allowed to sneeze ONCE. But starting from the second sneeze, laser beams of dirty looks from others around the room will immediately lock onto you. These days, I don’t think I’ve observed anyone sneeze or cough more than twice in public.

But on this day, this particular gentleman at my café sneezed about 15 times in the span of one minute. You better believe that every eye was on him! My first thought was, “is this how it ends for me?” But as I joined the others in glaring the man down, for a split second I caught the look of shame on his masked face. I could see it in his eyes, as he quickly gathered his belongings and hobbled out of the café. When he left, there was a collective sigh of relief, but I couldn’t help but feel badly for the man.

Perhaps this is a fraction of what the leper in Mark 1 must have felt. COVID-19 is certainly a dangerous virus… but imagine leprosy: a disease that destroys your nervous system and eventually leaves your body to slowly rot, limb by limb. If you think being in quarantine is bad, imagine being kicked out of society and left to live the rest of your life on the outskirts of town, with only other lepers to commiserate with.

The amazing thing about this encounter with Jesus was not only the healing that eventually came; it’s the fact that Jesus reached out and touched the leper. Would you touch a person whom you knew had COVID-19? Probably not willingly. Yet Jesus, moved with compassion, regardless of all social and health implications, touched this man!

What can we learn from this story, as we navigate this pandemic? Obviously Jesus knew what He was doing; He was not being reckless and neither should we. But Jesus made it a point to go out of His way to show love to those who were suffering. Likewise, we must not let self-preservation dull us from compassion, lest we lose sight of Jesus’ heart.

How can you (wisely) show compassion today to those around you who are in fear, loneliness, isolation, and/or sickness? The ripple effects of COVID-19 are complex and multi-layered. But one thing is for sure. People are more desperate now than they have been in a long time. Let’s not let the virus bottle up our compassion. If anything, now is the time the world needs the compassionate touch of Jesus-followers, more than ever before. Spend a few moments to ask God to show you what that might look like in your situation.

Prayer: Jesus, enlarge our hearts, that we may seek the interests and needs of others, even before our own. As we endure this pandemic, may we plant many seeds of testimonies in the people around us, so that when this is all over, Your Name would be glorified in our neighborhoods and cities.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 16

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Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 7:22-27: This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Questions to Consider

1. In this passage, who is the author of Hebrews comparing Jesus to?
2. What makes Jesus different than the priests that came before him?
3. According to this passage, what is Jesus doing for those who draw to near to God?

Notes

1. Throughout Hebrews, the author compares Jesus to the Levite priests. More specifically, Jesus is often compared to those who served as high priest. In the days following Moses, it was the job of the high priest to stand before God on behalf of the people. Today, Jesus is our perfect High Priest.
2. The author lists several things. While every other priest has died, Jesus continues in priesthood forever. He is holy, innocent, unstained, and exalted. He has no need for a sacrifice, but instead became a sacrifice for us. And in doing so, he once-and-for-all made the payment for our sins.
3. This passage tells us a wonderful truth. That Jesus is always making intercession for us. That is, He is standing before God the Father on our behalf. Let us draw near to God with confidence because we have such an intercessor who is on our side!

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Evening Reflection

When this pandemic is over, what stories will you be telling? What stories will others be telling about you? We may not have control over what happens around the world with the virus. But we can choose how we want to live each day. This evening, allow God to reshape your mindset regarding this virus situation.

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee who leads Catalyst Agape Church in Northern New Jersey, was first posted on December 2, 2013.  He is a graduate of University of Wisconsin (B.A.) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Waiting on the Lord”

Acts 1:4-5

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Introduction: Once the dust of COVID-19 settles—whenever that may be—many of us will truly discover how much toll it has taken on our lives.  There will be a lot of hard work to be done and much waiting on the Lord—even as we seek God’s favor in our endeavors to rebuild. In today’s blog, Pastor Sam talks about the importance of waiting on the Holy Spirt.

An encounter with the Holy Spirit is so important to the Christian life that Jesus commands His disciples to wait for this promise. The disciples waited for the Holy Spirit because they knew they could not live the Christian life and fulfill their calling without the work of the Holy Spirit. Like many of us, I can be impatient, but when it comes to the work of the Holy Spirit, I have experienced the value of waiting.

It was in the waiting that God prepared my heart to hold the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is in the waiting that the clay in the hands of the Potter becomes a vase; it takes time for the clump of clay to be molded into a vase that can hold God’s presence and power. It is in the waiting that we learn to pray and seek the Lord. It is in the waiting God works on our character and motivations. It is in the waiting God fixes all the cracks and leaks in the vessel. I have seen vessels with cracks trying to bring the Holy Spirit’s revival but ultimately can’t hold it for too long. God is looking for vessels that can hold a revival so that it spreads to the ends of the earth.  It was in the waiting that I have come to value the person of the Holy Spirit. Please remember that the Holy Spirit is a person and not some New Age impersonal energy.

We know how to wait for things we value, but we find it hard to wait for a dollar hamburger at a fast food restaurant because it is not of much value. If the burger doesn’t come fast enough, we become angry and want our money back.  Although I have no patience when I go shopping, when I go with my wife, I can wait because I value her. It took me many years to learn that while waiting during shopping, I didn’t have to just twiddle my thumbs, but I could build relationship with my wife.

In a similar way, it is in the waiting that we build a relationship with the Holy Spirit. We talk about loving God the Father and Jesus the Son, but we need to love the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity. While waiting, why not talk to the Holy Spirit? It is in the connection that the branch is able to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, as I brace for the storm of COVID-19 to run its course, pleases strengthen me.  I will need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to steady my trembling feet—so help me!  May I not falter even as I wait on the Holy Spirit to strengthen me.  Amen.    

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 15

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Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV):  “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Questions to Consider

1. In what sense does the calamity of COVID-19, happening in real time, prove Isaiah’s point?
2. What do you think “wait” means in this context?
3. What are some things you can do while you wait for the Lord?

Notes

1. At first, it was said that the coronavirus won’t hardly affect those young adults who are infected, that only old people and those with preexisting conditions should really worry.  But later, analysis indicated that millennials are not invincible.  For instance, “up to one-fifth of infected people ages 20-44 have been hospitalized.”
2. The word “wait” doesn’t mean just sitting back and doing nothing until something happens, but it implies an active kind of waiting.
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

When something is not happening, people use hype, manipulation, or try to force things to happen. I believe that those things hurt the movement of the Holy Spirit. In the area of prophetic gifts, healing, and the supernatural, what would be a better attitude or response when not much seems to be happening?

NEW Today’s AMI QT Devotional is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, 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

“Shame and Blame”

Genesis 3:8-13

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Reading through the news, I couldn’t help but notice different nations’ reactions to the coronavirus pandemic in their own country. In a recent article I read, there was speculation that the Japanese government has been covering up the number of COVID-19 cases, reporting lower numbers than were actually known. Although the cover-up didn’t help alleviate the situation, I can understand how Japan may have wanted to save face and appear more put-together, especially in light of the coming Tokyo Olympics. On the other side of the world, as the case count continues to swell in America, many Americans have resorted to playing the blame game, pointing the condemning finger at China, and/or other Asians.

A crisis always reveals the ugliness of our hearts. We shouldn’t be surprised at either of these reactions to the virus… nor should we consider ourselves above those who have reacted in these ways. The truth is, when things go wrong it’s human nature to either hide or cast the blame. This was true from the very beginning. After committing the first sin, Adam and Eve initially tried to hide. When they were eventually discovered, they immediately placed blame away from themselves. Isn’t this how many of us often deal with our own sin?

I, too, lived in hiding for nearly a decade, as I was battling addiction to pornography. Even now, I am inclined to hide my flaws because of fear of being put to shame. But the good news is that we don’t have to hide anymore! Nor do we have to accuse others for our own shortcomings! Psalm 51 says, “a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” This is great news! King David knew this very well. He didn’t pretend to be perfect, nor did he cast blame on others for his own faults. Instead, he brought his broken self to God, confessed, and repented. Did doing this solve all of David’s problems? Not necessarily (David had one of the most messed up families of all time). But it did do one thing for sure: it brought him into an intimate relationship with God.

No one is sure when or how this pandemic will end. Much like our struggle against sin, it seems like there will be lingering consequences. The question I have for us this morning is: how will we respond to crises in our lives? Will we hide? Or cast the blame? Or own up to our own flaws and seek the mercy of God. The good news is that He will never turn away a humbled heart. May we humbly seek Him now, more than ever before.

Prayer: Father, humble our hearts during a time of crisis. May we not be quick to blame, nor hide away in fear. Rather, may we trust in your goodness and faithfulness. May we trust You to be You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 14

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Samuel 15:22-23: And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you (Saul) have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why did God reject Saul as king?
2. According to this passage, what does God delight in, more than sacrifices?
3. What does this mean for us?

Notes

1. God rejected Saul because he disobeyed God’s direct orders. Instead of destroying everything in his victory against the Amalekites, he allowed the people to plunder the livestock and spoils of war. When confronted with his sin, Saul refused to repent, and instead cast the blame on the people. When that didn’t work, Saul admitted to his sin, but asked Samuel to appear before him in front of the people, in order to save face. Overall, this was a man who was more concerned with pleasing people than obeying God.
2. God delights in obedience, more so than offerings and sacrifices. To be clear, offerings and sacrifices were part of God’s instructions to the Israelites on how to worship. So, offerings and sacrifices are actually good things. But the point is that God would RATHER have us simply obey him, than go through all the proper worship procedures without a willingness to obey him in our lives.
3. This means that there is something that God desires, even more than our singing, prayers, and tithing… it’s obedience! Have you been living in obedience to God?

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Evening Reflection

This evening, let’s spend some time praying for our nation’s response to this present crisis. On both a physical AND spiritual level, let’s pray for an attitude of humility. And let’s pray that God would pour out His mercy upon us all.

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought—first posted on April 4, 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).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Sports Betting and the Christian Life”

1 Cor. 15:12-19

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

One thing people have stopped doing during the shutdown brought on by COVID-19 pandemic is sports betting (no games to bet on), which is a good thing.  That said, sometimes, I liken the Christian life to a wager, say a sports bet. (I am not condoning gambling in any way.)  For anyone who has ever placed a wager, you know that the amount you bet is proportional to your confidence in the team on whom you are betting.  So, if you were Floyd Mayweather, Jr., you must have been supremely confident that the Broncos were going to win the last Superbowl, because you supposedly bet 10 million on them. Obviously, if you have little confidence on your team, you don’t place very much on the table.  The dilemma of gambling is that in order to win a lot, you have risk losing a lot.

Similarly, the way you live your Christian life is proportional to your confidence in the truth of the resurrection.  If you are supremely confident that Jesus lives and that all the promises he made are true, you really won’t care that much for the success that this world offers.   Conversely, if you kind of believe that Christ rose again (or maybe only wishfully think that he did), then you will “hedge your bets,” if you will, by sort of living for Christ, while really living for things of this world.  The problem with this kind of living is the same as the gambler’s dilemma: In order to win a lot (and truly experience the power of a life in the Spirit), you have to risk a lot (and lose your life).  If you do not have the faith to risk your life, you will never live the life God wants for you.

The Apostle Paul understood this concept well.  To paraphrase 1 Cor. 15:19, “If there is no resurrection, then I have completely thrown my life away.  I have been beaten, imprisoned, starved, for nothing!  More than that, if there is no resurrection, then I am a heretic and I spread lies about God (v. 15).”  Obviously, Paul risked greatly, but I have confidence that now he is greatly enjoying his reward.

Today, first and foremost, Happy Easter!  He is risen!  Let’s celebrate.  Secondly, let me ask you this question: If the resurrection were a scam, would your life be pathetic and worthless, or does it barely matter in your life that Christ is alive?  As we celebrate the truth that Jesus is alive today —amid the ongoing wreckage wrought by COVID-19—let’s make sure the truth of the resurrection significantly impacts our lives.  For a starter, let’s hope again, not necessarily to return to our life before coronavirus lockdown, but, with a new found sense of life built on our unshakable belief in the risen Lord, to lead a truly meaningful and fruitful life to the glory of God.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, there are no words to express, in any shape or form, my gratitude to you for paying the price—death—for my sins and then resurrect from the dead. I shall truly live out the rest of my life serving your divine interest on earth.  Use me Lord.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Acts 13

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, prepared by then-staff of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on July 14, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Watch Your Mouth”

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” I’ve found that to be horribly incorrect. Rather, it should state, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will absolutely destroy you.”  Yes, “the tongue has the power of life and death.”  And, as we find ourselves having to spend time with family members in a confined space, amid social distancing necessitated by COVID-19, for an extended period, we really need to watch our mouth.

We’ve all been stung by people who have spoken too soon or gossiped about us. We’ve felt the pain of degrading words filled with anger and wrath. We’ve been the target of jokes and ridicules. We’ve also known the joys of receiving compliments and encouragements, as well as experiencing delight in meaningful conversations and familial fellowship. We know firsthand that words carry a lot of power, having the ability to lift us up or pull us down.  At the same time, we also know that a lofty praise is not always good for our soul, just as a harsh rebuke can be beneficial for us.

As we grow in understanding and wisdom, we begin to realize that wise words are not simply what we say, but a combination of what we say, when we say it, and how we present it. Let’s take Nathan and David for example. After David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, Nathan was given the task from God to confront David about his sin. Rather than yelling at him in anger (possibly causing David to be defensive), Nathan, with the wisdom of God, presented a story that represented the sin that David had committed. Rather than being defensive, David repented of his sin. There is wisdom in not only knowing what to say, but when to say it and how to present it; that wisdom comes from God alone.

As we head into another week of social distancing, think before you speak. Ask God to give you wisdom in the words that you say, knowing full well that your words carry much weight and power. Your words have the ability to lift someone’s spirit or ruin someone’s day. They have the ability to bring life or death. May His wisdom rest upon you this coming week, as you tame your tongue to be one that glorifies Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, remind me to think before I speak. If I have to say something critical to someone, help me to find something encouraging and affirmative to add.  Remind me not to take family members for granted; help me, therefore, to watch my mouth when I speak to them.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 11-12