REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, which was originally posted on June 23, 2018, is provided by a writer who wants to remain anonymous. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Hinders Our Spiritual Growth”

1 Peter 1:13-21

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 ywho through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Summer is here, and there are probably some of us who are hoping to become healthier and fit. There are many ways to get there. One option is to go on a crash diet, where we restrict ourselves of food, and exercise without proper nutrition. But most of us may already know this option is neither sustainable nor even healthy. The other option is to start a lifestyle change and adopt better eating and exercise habits. This results in improved health and fitness. The resolve to become healthier, or grow in any aspect of our lives, is great. However, we see here that it’s important not only to want to grow, but also to know the right way to do it.

In our passage today, Peter makes it clear that believers should not be conformed to the passions of our former lives, but to our new life in Jesus Christ (v.14). He calls us to be holy as He who has called us is holy (v.16). How do we do so? Peter instructs us to prepare our minds for action, be sober-minded, and set our hope fully on the coming grace and glory of Jesus Christ. We are to acknowledge and fear God, knowing that He ransomed us with the greatest cost—the precious blood of Jesus Christ. It’s awesome that we want to grow in faith and holiness, and maybe some of us are taking next steps to do so. However, let’s remember that the power lies not in what we can do, but to who are our eyes and hearts set on.

In our pursuit of spiritual growth, it’s easy to get caught up in less important measures. Do I sound like I know what I’m doing more as a Family Group leader? Have I finally stopped sinning in this way? Does my Instagram make me seem holy? Instead, let’s ask ourselves this: Are my eyes fixed on the coming hope and glory of Jesus Christ? Do I know that no matter what happens that I have been ransomed with the blood of Christ? Is my greatest hope not in this world, but in the coming Kingdom of God? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to see where You are growing us in faith and holiness in our current season of life. Thank You that as we fix our eyes on You and Your promises, You fill us with faith and transform us. Help us to walk through this day in confidence of that. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 15-16

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 13, 2018, is written by Phillip Chen, who has been serving as the associate pastor of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego for many years. He and several like-minded people are planting, the Lord willing, a new AMI church in Houston this summer. Please pray for them.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“You’re Better Than That!”

Ephesians 4:1-7 (ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

One of the pastors that I work with likes to say, “Come on, you’re better than that,” when I do or say something dumb. Normally, this phrase has a negative connotation, but I think it can also be seen as an encouragement. When Paul says, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” I can imagine him saying, “Come on, church of Ephesus, you’re better than that.” 

Paul has spent quite some time laying down the groundwork for the believers to understand their identity in Christ, their relationship with God, and their relationship with one another. They are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God; they are no longer divided, but they are one body, Jews and Gentiles alike; and they are all heirs in the kingdom of God—they are royalty! I want to highlight what Paul says here, because I believe that there is a need for the church to wake up and start walking in a manner worthy of our calling. 

The crux of this passage is Paul’s encouragement for the church to act like a church, by loving one another and maintaining unity through peace. Where do you think he got this idea? Right before Jesus was about to be arrested, He prayed for His disciples and those that would come to believe Him—this is referred to as the high priestly prayer. He prays that the church would be one just as the Father and He are one. We know how elusive unity within the body can be. When things are going well, it’s easy to maintain peace and walk in unity, but the moment things start souring, the moment disputes arise, we see the ugliness of division and hostility towards one another. 

Scripture commands us to be eager to maintain this unity and to bear with one another in love. What practical way can we do this? We can start by deliberately choosing not to be offended. We can choose to take a loss for the sake of unity. We can even choose to humble ourselves to serve others, even when they are undeserving of it. This is the high calling that the Body of Christ is called to. 

Prayer: Father God, help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling that we’ve been called to. Remind us of our identity as sons and daughters of You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Help us to treat one another with love and respect, eager to maintain unity through peace, and bearing one another’s burdens with love. Fill us and fill our churches so that we may be one as You are one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 14

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 17:20-23 (ESV): “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.²² The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, ²³ I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

Question to Consider

1. Who is Jesus praying for?

2. What does Jesus pray for the church to be like?

3. What are ways that you could promote unity within your church? As Jesus desires the church to be one, do you also desire unity among your church (and the many churches in our midst)?

Notes

1. Jesus is not only praying for the disciples who were there, but for all who will believe in Him through the words of the disciples. Basically, He is praying for the Universal Church – every single person who will come into a living relationship with Him and with the church.   

2. He prays that they would be one just as the Father and He are one. This is deeply profound in that He desires the church would reflect the union that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit has, which has been a perfect union since before time existed. He mentions that this is so that the world would see how the Father sent the Son and loves His people.   

3. Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

Our passage for the morning carries an admonishment for the church of Ephesus, because they were not behaving like a church that was loving one another and maintaining unity through peace.  We also need to ask ourselves: Are we behaving like people of God? Are we walking in a manner worthy of the calling in which we have been called to? Have we responded to God’s grace and mercy towards us with gratefulness and a desire to change? May Paul’s words ring true for us today, that we would understand our identity as sons and daughters of God, and that we would begin to start walking in this identity. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 28, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“I Am Better Than You”

James 3:17-18 (NASB)

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Throughout my study of philosophy in undergrad, I had some amazing professors. They were amazing not just because of their grasp of the subject matter but because of the humble and inquisitive manner in which they taught. This had a deep impact on my own pursuit of wisdom. However, despite their positive impression on me, I distinctly remember a time when I refuse to follow their example. 

For some odd reason, I needed to take a 100-level philosophy course in my final semester of college. Being the “big bad” senior who had already finished his senior project for my major, I strolled into this class, ready to “educate” the freshman that filled this 100-level course. I scoffed at their attempts of putting on their berets and “philosophizing.” Every comment they made that didn’t agree with my reading of the material, I quickly interjected my “superior deducing abilities,” refuting in a tactful-yet-passive-aggressive way why they were just plain wrong.

The reason I still remember that class today is because of the sheer arrogance and foolishness I see in my heart. Philosophy (philo – love, sophia – wisdom) is the love of wisdom. But I had weaponized it to put others down. It is quite the indictment when we read James’ description of the wisdom that comes from above—it is first and foremost pure, that is, morally blameless. This wisdom is peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. The “wisdom” I displayed in class was not this. And the thrust of James’ message is that the wisdom not from above is not only useless, but it is earthly, natural, demonic. 

True wisdom is one that makes peace with people. It is one that builds up someone. It shows mercy. It bears good fruit. It comes from a place of humility because we recognize that this wisdom is truly not from ourselves but from above, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. 

The question for us today is again concerning the condition of our hearts. When we reflect upon the wisdom by which we navigate through life, especially in our interactions with others, does it reflect a worldly wisdom that is harsh and rigid? Or does it reflect the wisdom from above, pure and full of mercy? Perhaps today’s passage is calling us to turn away from that which is worldly to claim that which is heavenly.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You give generously and without reproach Your wisdom to those who ask for it. We reject the earthly, demonic wisdom that causes strife and division amongst us. We reject the arrogance and hypocrisy of this wisdom in exchange for Your pure, peaceable, merciful wisdom. Help us to live out of this wisdom today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 13

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1^b: We know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Questions to Consider

• Focusing on the language used by Paul in 8:1^b, what can we understand of worldly wisdom/knowledge?
• Why do you think Paul writes in 13:1-2 that wisdom and knowledge alone results in “nothing”?
• What can we infer about the nature of the Giver of wisdom and His desire for us?

Notes

• The language used here juxtaposes “puff” and “build”. The former is big but insubstantial. Whereas it is frail and can be deflated, love solidifies and enhances. Love builds something that is lasting.
• Love is the vehicle upon which wisdom and knowledge can be shared in a manner that is, as the passage in James teaches us, pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, etc. Without love, knowledge and understanding remains as is—static and without effect.
• It points us to a God who not only is the Giver of wisdom but is wisdom as well as love. It teaches us of a God whose wisdom leads us to His love. Thus, God gives us this wisdom so that we may learn to love and build up others. This wisdom and knowledge are not meant to remain static. It calls us to action. 

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Evening Reflection

As you think about today, were there moments when God revealed His wisdom that led you to a greater understanding of His love? As you think about the way God’s wisdom has built you up, pray and ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to use that wisdom to build up someone else.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional was originally posted on December 19, 2018.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Loving God with our Minds” 

Read Luke 10:27 (ESV)

“And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’”

The story is all too common. A child is raised in a loving Christian home, grows up in the church, develops deep and close relationships with the congregation and when the time comes, leaves home for college. However, in school, the young student fills one of his elective slots with a religions class where the professor lays into Christianity, outlining its contradictions, borrowed mythology and overwhelmingly negative sociological impact. He is never the same again. He comes home after his first year with more questions than a busy parent or pastor cares to answer, and slowly but surely, the once Christ-grounded child loses his faith and turns away from the church. 

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answers: “Love God with all of their being and love their neighbor as themselves.” While the average person does well to love the Lord with the first three items, the tragedy of the hypothetical above can become a reality if we fail to love God with our minds. JP Moreland (Talbot School of Theology) writes, “That the mind is the crucial component in the spiritual journey cannot be accurately denied.” Truly there is something to it, as an estimated 70% of college students leave the faith. Institutions of higher learning are a wonderful place of knowledge and exchanging of ideas, but with the marginalization of the Christian worldview so great, it is more critical than ever that church leaders teach their people how to love God fully, minds included. 

So what does loving God with your mind look like? A long-lost spiritual discipline is study. Pastor Peter (Kairos) describes the spiritual disciplines as the “wax on, wax off” parts of the faith—meaning, performing them seemingly serves no purpose until the occasion in which they’re useful arises. While not everyone needs to think through the faith to the degree of someone like C. S. Lewis, it is vital that, at minimum, we keep ourselves grounded in the Word while seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. By engaging the faith with our minds, we give the Spirit another piece of ourselves to step into and work His wonders. The Holy Spirit can teach us how to speak of Jesus to unbelievers, how to disciple our immediate and church family members and even defend the faith, if necessary, from opposition. Just as we have done so, so easily with our hearts, let’s give our minds over to the Lord as well. Let’s love Him with all of our being, as commanded.

Prayer: Father, Your Word and Your truth have been under attack since the beginning. We know You are there, we feel You and we praise You. Please help us to love You fully, with everything we are. Holy Spirit, we ask that You move in, and shape our minds to Your will. All for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 12

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Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 1:1-7: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Questions to consider

• What is the beginning of knowledge?
• What is King Solomon’s goal(s) in writing these proverbs?
• Which of King Solomon’s goals would you like to work towards in your life?

Notes

• The beginning of knowledge is “the fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:7). King Solomon goes on to note only a fool rejects wisdom or instruction, thereby advocating for the spiritual discipline of study.
• In general, King Solomon seeks to increase and refine his vast knowledge and gift of godly wisdom in order to best serve God and His people. I am particularly invested in verses four and five, as I hope to be able to help equip fellow Christians moving forward.
• Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

Romans 12:2 reads, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” According to Moreland, the Greek word Paul uses here is nous, which means “the intellect, reason, or the faculty of understanding,” (Moreland 2012: 65). What changes can you pray for God renew your mind with? 

REPOST Today’s Devotional Thought for Food, originally posted December 4, 2018, is provided by Andy Kim. Andy is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What’s God’s Will for My Life?”

Ephesians 1:11-14

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Growing up, I wanted to be so many things—a policeman, a racecar driver, and an architect. What did you want to be when you were growing up? Oh, the good days, where the sky was the limit to our wildest dreams! It’s interesting that even at a young age, there’s this underlying question driving all of us: what is the purpose of my life? And as believers, we tend to rephrase it as, What is God’s will for my life?  Yet it’s a question that brings more frustration than motivation for many of us. Every major step we take, we wrestle with the question: Is this God’s will for me? 

In today’s passage, Paul has an answer for us. Those who have been chosen by Him have been also predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. Notice that Paul writes, who works all things: not just the good things in our lives, but also the things we may consider bad. In fact in Romans 8:28 Paul assures us “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” But if we’re not careful, we may use verses like these to justify the bad decisions we make. God doesn’t necessarily justify the bad things in our lives; instead, He chooses to redeem them for a greater purpose beyond our understanding. While the specifics may be unclear in the moment, one thing we know for sure: He wills so that our lives may be for the praise of His glory. 

It is both humbling and freeing for us, and yet it also brings us the utmost confidence, for this promise is given to those who have been called by Him and love Him. Rather than being paralyzed with this question of what is God’s will in our lives, we can put our trust in Him—that in all things He is working for our good. Whatever season we may be in, know that He is doing something good. Our job is to be faithful to what He is doing now. May we continue to obey and follow after Him! 

Prayer: Father, we thank You that You see the greater picture of our lives. Though we only see a glimpse, I pray that we may be faithful and obedient to where You have called us now. Holy Spirit remind us and assure us that nothing can thwart God’s will being done in our lives. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 11

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Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 5:13-15: When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Additional Context: After this encounter, God reveals the plan to conquer Jericho. God commands them to march around the city once for six days. Then on the seventh day, they were to march around the walls seven times. On the seventh time, God commands them to shout and that the walls would fall down flat. 

Questions to Consider

• Imagine yourself in Joshua’s position, hearing God’s plan to overtake this formidable city of Jericho: How would you respond? How did Joshua respond?
• How does worship give Joshua the confidence to submit to His plan? 
• When God asks you to do something, what is your response? What are the areas where you are refusing to submit? 

Notes

• The Scriptures are filled with God revealing some of the most ridiculous and extra-ordinary plans. Yet for those who receive these plans, it is in the place of worship that enables them to submit to God’s will. In worship, Joshua is able to submit to God’s will. 
• Joshua comes before the Lord with his face to the earth. This teaches us that worship begins with our humble submission to the Lord. God also commands Joshua to take of his sandals, since he was standing was holy ground. Worship drives us into the presence of God and His presence sets us apart. In His presence, we are able to find confidence in His plans over our own. 
• Oftentimes, we tend to put more weight on our logic and reason. This does not mean we should make decisions rashly, but we should allow faith to always drive our decisions more than our logic. Personal reflection. 

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Evening Reflection

Meditate on Psalm 16:11:“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Reflect on the passage above. The psalmist reminds us that life is a journey and not simply a destination. We are reminded that God cares more about the process than the actual destination, or as Rick Warren writes: “God cares more about who you become than what you do.” But far greater than this, the psalmist reveals that more rewarding than our plans is His presence. Spend some time reflecting on this. When you come before Him, are you restless to hear some sort of direction? Or do you find the fullness of joy just by simply being in His presence? 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on October 29, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Listen”

Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Listening is a critical life skill.  I had a funny interaction with my oldest daughter a few weeks ago where I thought I heard her say, “Someone is at the door.”  So when I went to the front door and found no one there, I shouted back to her that no one was there. But when I went back to her she told me, “Ruth (our youngest daughter) spilled juice on the floor!”  Obviously I was hearing but not really listening to her, and I missed the point of her message!

In today’s text, Jesus emphasizes the word hear six times, pointing out that how we hear and receive the Word of God matters.  I want to briefly talk about the types of hearts He addresses and how the Word can affect or does not affect our daily life. (There are different interpretations as to whether the hearts are of Christians or non-Christians.)

• Hard heart – this is the person who is indifferent or even hostile to the gospel message.  They might find the message irrelevant and implausible, resulting in rejection of the message.
• Shallow heart – this person is initially excited about the gospel and even has emotions of joy but when hardship and trials come, the Word no longer has affect.  It never was rooted in the person.
• Distracted heart – this person may look like a believer, but because of the cares of the world and deceitfulness of wealth, growth takes a back seat to those other desires.
• Receptive heart – this is the person who is radically changed and grows because the gospel message has taken root.  No matter what things may come in life, the Word had priority and bears fruit.

When I study this passage, I believe Jesus is actually warning His hearers because only the receptive heart is actually saved.  The mark of a Christian is that they bear fruit (John 15:8), and if there is no evidence of that, we must ask ourselves, “Has the gospel message landed on receptive soil that is bearing fruit?”

Take some time and examine your life.  What kind of heart do you receive the Word with?  Do you see evidence of growth through the Word?  There will be seasons in life where you will not bear as much fruit as other seasons, but the constant pattern should be that the Word is growing us. Pray that the Word would continue to bear fruit in your life.

Prayer:  Lord, may we be a people that continue to receive Your Word with receptive hearts.  I pray that You would help us identify and remove the other desires that can get in the way of growth.  Give us a deeper love for your Word.  Amen!

Bible Reading: 2 Kings 10

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:22-25: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Questions to Consider

• What does James emphasize when it comes to the Word?
• What is the result of being a doer of the Word?
• James uses a brilliant illustration of a mirror, showing what it is like when we are not doers of the Word.  What areas in our life are we just being listeners and not doers?

Notes

• James points out that it is not enough simply to know Scripture or godly teaching—knowledge alone is useless. We must desire to apply and “be doers” of the Word in our daily lives.
• The contrast here between the hearer and the doer is that the doer remembers the “law of liberty.”  The one who obeys the Word results in freedom and blessing.  
• Think about how the Word affects your daily life.  Do we just know the Word and fail to live it out?  Ask God to point out the areas where you need to apply this.

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Evening Reflection

Today, we looked at the importance of the Word, and how we receive and apply it.  Take some time and read Scripture before you close out the day.  Meditate on it and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the grace and strength to live it.  

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on September 2, 2018, is provided by Pastor Peter Yoon, who is the Lead Pastor of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Are You Free Today?”

Jeremiah 34:17

“Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord—‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine.”

I don’t know about you, but I do enjoy a bit of humorous sarcasm with friends. So whenever I discover sarcasm in the Bible, it tends to grab my attention. As you know, sarcasm is a literary device in which the speaker actually means the opposite of what is being said. 

In this verse, we see God using sarcasm to convey a solemn judgment upon the Israelites. During the time of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, those Israelites who owned slaves had proclaimed freedom for them. They had even made a covenant with God in verse 15 in setting the slaves free. (Note: Friday’s QT revealed that it was not economically advantageous for owners to care for the slaves during the siege.) However, when the siege was lifted (temporarily), these owners quickly cancelled their freedom and forced them to be slaves once again. This breach of the covenant only infuriated the Lord. 

So the Lord sends Jeremiah to let the owners know that He too will proclaim “freedom” for them. And just in case the owners did not understand the Lord’s sarcasm, He explained that this “freedom” would bring about their fall by the sword, plague, and famine. The slave owners who were “free” from the covenant would also pay a steep price and longer be protected by the other Party of the covenant, the Lord Almighty. 

Today, we believe that we have been given our freedom. We correctly believe that Jesus has set us free from our sins. But some of us erroneously assume that true spiritual freedom means freedom from having to obey God’s commands. Obeying God’s commands is wrongly seen as a path of legalism. However, if we continue to live a life apart from obeying God’s word, that “freedom” would only lead to death (e.g., addictions). Paul says in Gal 5:13 – You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 

For the Israelite slave owners, their freedom led them down the path of total destruction. We, too, must not allow our freedom to lead down the path of destruction by disobeying the Lord. Instead, we are to use our freedom to serve others with humility and love. 

Prayer: Lord, may the freedom that You have proclaimed in our lives through Your Son, Jesus Christ, lead us to serve others with love and humility. Thank You for the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus. In His Name, Amen! 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 9

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on July 7, 2018, is provided by Joshua Chzen. Joshua has been leading worship at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, California, for many years. He recently moved to Houston be part of a new church plant.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God the Potter”

Jeremiah 18:1-6

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me. 6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

The Japanese have a tradition called kintsugi, in which broken or flawed pottery is pieced back together with gold lacquer. This process began as a simple method of repair—taking plates that had been chipped and teapots that had been shattered, and gluing them back together. But over time, kintsugi became regarded as a desirable aesthetic, a form of art, and even a philosophy. The potters behind these repairs reasoned that the cracks and chips that most would hide as flaws should instead be highlighted as part of the unique history of each bowl, cup, and vase. In essence, kintsugi underscores the beauty to be found in the natural imperfection, brokenness, and restoration of everything. Broken pieces can be put together to create something intricate and whole. This idea translates easily into a metaphor for life in God: He highlights our brokenness, takes the pieces of our self, and restores us into something intricate and whole. It sounds beautiful—putting aside the pain of experiencing the true breaking of the self. And I don’t wish to downplay how impactful this imagery can be for us at times, but no metaphor is completely perfect.

God presents a different picture here. There is still a potter with an imperfect piece of pottery; but instead of putting the broken pieces back together, he forms it into an entirely new pot, “shaping it as seemed best to him” (v.4). The difference is slight, but significant. The old pot is not restored back into the shape of the old pot, but molded into something completely different. Again, this is not to discredit the previous metaphor. Our God is most certainly in the business of healing the sick and restoring the broken, both spiritually and physically. But we often settle for these things and forget that they are just stops alongside the road to complete transformation. We’re content with being a vase that has just been pieced back together into its original form, with some small changes along the way. We ask God for experiences and opportunities that might provide slight, incremental challenge because we’re mostly fine with the way we are; we just need to be a little bit better. We allow conviction to soak in just deep enough to change what we’re comfortable with Him changing.

God’s plan for us is so much more than that—He wants to change us into something that is unrecognizable to the old self. He wants to put our old selves to death so He can make us new. He wants to heal us and restore us, and then transform us. That’s what He wants. Let’s pray that He’d make that what we want as well.

Prayer: Lord, I know that change is difficult, and transformation is impossible without You—help me to lean on You. I know that this process of being broken and formed into something different can be so painful – help me to trust in You. I confess that there’s parts of me that I don’t even want to change—  help me to give those specific things to You. I know the plans You have for me are greater, so let not my will, but Your will be done in my life. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 7-8

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 29, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“Quarreling and Fighting”

James 4.1-10 (NASB)

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

As I have been processing the death of Stan Lee, someone who shaped much of my childhood as a 90’s kid watching Saturday morning cartoons, I’m reminded again of how death causes us to reevaluate life. In death, we see what’s really important—what is the substance of man. We think of people like Anthony Bourdain or Kate Spade—people who seemingly were at the top of their careers with everything that they could ever imagine—crumble internally to the point of taking their own lives. It is a reminder that there is more to life than riches and fame. 

Today’s passage is a poignant reminder of this reality. In a community filled with quarreling and fighting, James quickly addresses what is truly at the root of it all. Especially when it comes to our conflicts with other people, it is so easy for us to look at the other side and point out everything that the other person did wrong. We even use religious language, accusing the other person of lacking humility or being worldly. But at the core of it, God’s word teaches us that it is because of our own lustful, envious desires that we find ourselves in conflict with others.

The consequence is multi-faceted: There is conflict and drama externally around us, but there is also another layer where these desires cause chaos within ourselves. A commentator notes that the word member in verse 1is more often used to refer to a bodily organ or part of the human body; in other words, our unchecked, self-seeking desires cause a war within ourselves. The pleasures we seek actually disrupts our peace and wellbeing.

There is yet another layer. Why is there a disruption of peace? Because these lustful pleasures separate us from God. We become an enemy of God because we have befriended the world. We ask and do not receive, because we ask with wrong motives. We suffer because our prayers become ineffective. God no longer hears our prayers for they will only hurt us more, for we ask with wrong motives. We are separated from the very Source of our peace.

So what is the solution? Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you (v.10). And James lays out what this looks like. He calls for us to submit ourselves to Him because He gives us a greater grace. Confess that we need Him. Mind you, the first step isn’t to try to fight this thing on our own. It is to come back, crawling if we need, to our Father who will draw near to us if we draw near to Him. Brothers and sisters, may we always be a people who seek to draw near to Him, knowing that there is no life apart from Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You provide a greater grace to those who earnestly seek You. Thank You that Your grace is greater than our lustful desires that disrupts our peace. Help us to constantly submit ourselves to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 6

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Lunch Break Study

Read Colossians 3:4-10: When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—

Questions to Consider

• What are the things that belong to our old self? What is the consequence of a life that lives in these things?
• What should be the mindset of a person who has put on the new self?
• What does it mean for you that in Christ who is your life, you are being renewed (v.10)?

Notes

• These things belong to the old self: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech. The consequence of living such a life leads to the wrath of God.
• Paul writes in verse 5, “Therefore consider…”—in other words, turn your mind to the truth that you are no longer your old self. I especially appreciate how the Amplified Version puts it:  ^“So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].” We are commanded to cut off the power of these old desires because of Christ.
• Personal response. Perhaps there is a part of your old self that you have been struggling with. What does it mean for you that Christ is your life?

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Evening Reflection

Have there been moments throughout today where you felt the nearness of God? In what ways did you experience the truth of James 4:8, where you drew near to God and He drew near to you? Reflect on these moments. Cherish them in your heart. Give thanks to God for them.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on August 30, 2018.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Placing Trust in our Faithful God”

Jeremiah 33:14-15 (The Message)

19-22 God’s Message to Jeremiah: “God says, ‘If my covenant with day and my covenant with night ever fell apart so that day and night became haphazard and you never knew which was coming and when, then and only then would my covenant with my servant David fall apart and his descendants no longer rule. The same goes for the Levitical priests who serve me. Just as you can’t number the stars in the sky nor measure the sand on the seashore, neither will you be able to account for the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who serve me.’”

I recently engaged in an interesting conversation with a seasoned missionary who had served in several Asian nations. He noted that one of the most difficult challenges he faced was creating and nurturing a united community among the local pastors and leaders. I asked for his explanation of why a united cohort was so difficult to achieve, and his answer was not only informative but quite insightful. 

I would have assumed that personality differences, feelings of jealousy, miscommunication, divergent philosophy of ministry, doctrinal variances, etc. would have been the myriad of obstacles. However, he explained that when people grow up in nations, societies, and cultures where their gods cannot be trusted due to fickleness and unpredictability, the citizens end up assuming that NOBODY can be trusted. In other words, if their best “gods” couldn’t be trusted, why would anyone trust another imperfect human being? 

Britannica article writes: “Cruel and fickle, passionate and vindictive, jealous and insecure, petty and insane: the inhabitants of Mount Olympus represent an attempt by the ancient Greeks to explain the chaos of the universe through human nature.” (https://www.britannica.com/list/12-greek-gods-and-goddesses) 

A monumental difference in the God of Israel and the gods of the world is: faithfulness. His word and His promises are as certain as “day and night.” His faithfulness gave the Israelites hope, even in the middle of despair and defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. The theme of God’s faithfulness runs all throughout Scripture. He certainly wanted us to know that He can fully be trusted, as certain as day and night. 

Prayer: Lord, I confess that I’m the one who is fickle while You remain faithful. Thank You for being so patient with me. Help me to more deeply understand and appreciate Your faithfulness. My hope is in You and Your promises. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 91:1-6 (NIV): Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”3 Surely he will save youfrom the fowler’s snareand from the deadly pestilence.4 He will cover you with his feathers,and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Questions to Consider

• According to verse 1-2, how can you grow in your confidence of the Lord’s faithfulness? 
• What is the certainty of this psalmist in relationship to God? 
• What do you observe about the nature of God’s faithful protection in verses 5-6? 

Notes

• Verse 1 invites us to dwell in the shelter of God. Verse 2 encourages us to declare that God is our refuge and fortress. 
• The psalmist is certain of his protection by God from enemies, harm, and attacks.
• The protection is given day and night. 

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Evening Reflection

How has God revealed His faithfulness in your own life? Give God praise and thanksgiving declaring that you trust His faithfulness.