Today’s blog, written by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Church in San Diego, was first posted on November 25, 2014.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“Keeping Your Mouth Sealed”

Prov. 17:27-28: 

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Years ago, we held a men’s retreat at a small religious conference center managed by three nuns from a Catholic church. The conference center hosted both groups as well as individuals who retreated from their busy schedules. That particular weekend, our group was told that there would be a couple of priests using the facilities for their “silent retreat.” It was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing. A silent retreat was a weekend in which these priests would withhold any speech from their mouths for 3 days. As one Jesuit priest explained: “All you have to do is show up—and shut up.” 

Could you imagine keeping silent for 3 whole days? (And please don’t get snarky now wishing your talkative spouse or roommate would read through this.) We typically hate silence. To remain silent takes tremendous discipline. Dallas Willard wrote about the discipline of silence: “Practice in not speaking can at least give us enough control over what we say that our tongues do not ‘go off’ automatically. This discipline provides a certain inner distance that gives us time to consider our words fully and the presence of mind to control what we say and when we say it.”

James, too, knew all about the tongue. He had seen man’s capacity to tame all sort of wild and vicious animals. However, there was one thing that man could not tame: his tongue. He writes:  “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (Jas.3:8). This deadly tongue of ours have too often damaged reputations, destroyed friendships, split marriages, and even divided churches. Who hasn’t given themselves to a little lie, a gossip here, and a slander there? 

Solomon warns us to use words with restraint. He even draws a picture of how a fool can be mistaken as a wise person just in keeping his mouth closed. In Prov. 10:19, Solomon had also observed that “when words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” 

What if you were to hold your tongue today instead of complaining about the bad service? What if you were to practice restraint rather than expressing your critical opinions? What if you kept your words today to a minimum and actually praised others? 

Prayer: Dear God, forgive me if I have developed the habit of overusing my tongue, and in doing so, I have participated in gossip, slander, and lies. Help me to live with your wisdom and use words with restraint and intentionally to bless others throughout the day. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 66

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Lunch Break Study  

Read James 3:2-12 (NIV): We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Questions to Consider

1. Why do you think James uses the comparisons of a bit (horse), rudder (ship), and spark (forest fire) when teaching about the tongue?
2. What are some damaging effects of an undisciplined tongue?  

Notes

1. James wants to show that though the size of the tongue is small, the kind of effect that it can have on something is so much larger. 
2. James says that the undisciplined tongue corrupts the whole body and even sets the whole course of one’s life on fire. One’s life can be ruined because one does not practice wisdom and restraint. 

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Evening Reflection

How do you think your tongue was used today? Did you bless others or curse others? Spend some time this week in solitude (including shutting off social media). Be silent before the Lord and let His power and grace overwhelm you.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, prepared by the staff at Remnant Church Westside (NYC), was originally posted on September 10, 2013. 

 

Devotional Thought for Today

Look to Him—Not Your Phone!

Psalm 86:8-13

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

In the midst of the influences and voices of this world (mostly through your smartphone), this psalm reminds us that it is only God and God alone who is worthy of worship. The psalmist extols the greatness of God, but he doesn’t end there.  He responds to his understanding of who God is by crying out to God for instruction and guidance so that he may continue to glorify the Lord. 

When God opens our eyes to see more of Him, what should our response be? Is it to simply acknowledge the glory of the Lord as a mental concept, or to feel a sense of emotional wonder? While these are good and proper reactions to the revelation of God’s glory and wonder, the psalmist understands that this revelation of God should lead us to a deeper relationship with God. 

This morning, God is reminding us that His works are wonderful and His name is glorious. As our response to this great truth, may we not just check this truth off our mental list, but let us ask the Lord to teach us how to walk this day in a deeper relationship with Him.  Look to Him, not your phone.  

Prayer: Lord, You have said that You have drawn me with an everlasting love, with loving-kindness. Oh Lord, You love with kindness and have captured my heart, for You always hope in me.  I see my brokenness, yet You say I am lovely.  I see my faults, and You see my righteousness. I see my failures and You see unlimited potential that I have in You. Your kindness stuns me and I confess that You are the Mighty One who created all. Thank you Lord Jesus!

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 65

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 2:1-2: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Background tidbit: The word participation is the Greek word koinonia. As mentioned last week, this word is commonly translated fellowship.

Questions to Consider

1. How should you pray, according to verse 1, for your church and for AMI?  
2. What are some things about your church that make you joyful? How do they compare to the kinds of things that would make Paul’s joy complete?
3. What do you think “being of the same mind” mean?  

Notes

1. We should pray that the people in our ministries would be encouraged in Christ, comforted through love and affection, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit!
2. The apostle Paul is joyful, and he mentions that his joy can be even greater as the church grows in unity! He states their common experiences in Christ as the basis for this unity.
3. “Same mind” doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be differences of opinions, but rather, it is having a common attitude of working together and serving each other.

Note that these verses are contained in a conditional if-then structure. The contents of the response (v. 2) are to be the result of the validity of the conditions (v. 1). One could say that a great level of grace and forgiveness is needed to experience such unity.  And Christ gives us abundance of grace and forgiveness as we trust and walk with Him.

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Evening Reflection

Tonight, declare that this Almighty God, powerful and kind, will be the Lord of your life. Ask Him to strength those weak areas of your life that need transforming.

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Sam Lee of Catalyst Agape Church in New Jersey, was first posted on October 5, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“My Incredible Worth Before God in Christ”

Hebrews 10:19-22

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

We work hard to open the door of opportunities: high school students spend hours each day doing homework to open the door to a good college; college student go without sleep to open the door to a good job. Once we get a job in a company, we strive and perform to open the door to higher positions and pay. 

The Scripture reminds us that the door of heaven is already opened for us through Christ: “…we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…” (v.19).  The citizens of heaven (in the present as well as in the future) have a new life; all our past sins are completely forgiven, and we are washed clean from guilt, shame, accusations, and condemnations. The radical love of God is poured down upon us. And it is the power of God that transforms us and gives us the power to disciple nations. Here is the good news: We don’t have to work to get into the Kingdom of God. Our faith in Christ makes us heirs of the Kingdom of God.   

So then, let’s take a little breather today and remember what we have in Christ. Let’s confidently walk through the door that has already been opened for us!

Prayer: Lord, constantly remind me of who I am in Christ: I am a beloved child of God for whom the Lord of universe spared no expense to redeem and restore.  God, allow that truth to change my outlook and attitude so that I can live in truth, authenticity and love. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 64

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is an edited version of a blog first posted on August 29, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Meek Jesus?  Yes, but He isn’t What You Think”

Luke 8:22-25

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Do you believe in a Jesus who is always meek and safe to be around?  Well, he is always meek and safe but not necessarily according to the way we prefer.  While being meek, Christ can still rebuke us; while being safe, the Lord can still make us feel quite uncomfortable. In fact, Jesus himself declared, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Mt. 10:34).

And that’s the Jesus we see here in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, as he rebuked the disciples sternly (“Where is your faith?”) for giving into fear over a windstorm that rocked their boat, this, despite the Lord’s presence.  Elsewhere, Jesus called the two men with whom he was speaking, “O fools” (Lk. 24:25 KJ), for being “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”

So, what was the main problem with the disciples in the boat?  Like salt that needs to come out of the saltshaker to be useful, our faith needs to be put into action (Mt. 7:24-7); that is, it needs to be applied.  The disciples failed to apply their faith when facing a threatening situation; instead, they gave themselves over to fear and doubts. A typical problem facing many Christians is not necessarily the absence of faith or the presence of a weak faith, but a faith that is rarely applied, especially when facing hardships in life.  But even a cursory reading of the New Testament (e.g., James 2:15-7) would clearly indicate that God expects His people to put their faith in their daily situations.  

Ask yourself this question: When my circumstance goes from bad to worse, what is the first thing that I do?  Do I run to God in faith (manifested through prayer and worship) or run from Him toward men and the things of the world (relying on substances, human networking, etc.)?

Prayer: Lord, help me stop merely talking about faith; instead, help me to apply my faith in every situation and circumstance that surround me.  And help me to accept your rebuke so I may grow in faith. Amen.    

Bible Reading Today: Isaiah 62-63

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Yohan Lee who previously served at Remnant Church (NYC), Radiance Christian Church (SF) and Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia), was first posted on December 18, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“What Crying Babies and Restless Christians Have in Common”

Psalm 131:1-3

“My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

Our church (GCC) has become quite a “baby factory,” having around 25 births in the last five years.  My wife, who has given birth to four kids during this span, has become quite an expert in the newborn stage, particularly in the area of “sleep training”—training infants to fall asleep as they sooth themselves to bedtime verses.  Meanwhile, we hold and rock them until they fall asleep; once they do, we put them in the crib, and then tiptoe out of the room, hoping that they don’t wake up. Amazingly, after a few months our babies typically sleep well over 11 hours at night. This is quite a contrast to some untrained babies who wake up every three or four hours for up to a year.

The sleep training is incredibly hard at first because babies can cry up to 90 minutes before they fall asleep.  For the parents, those first few days are beyond excruciating and heart-wrenching, for the sound of their cry is worse than nails on a chalkboard.  Many become anxious, tense, sad, and constantly second-guessing if what they are doing is right. But after about a week of regimented training, the payoff comes; within five minutes, the baby is asleep with barely a peep. 

Although there is a difference between a weaned child and one who is trained to sleep, the analogy is similar.  The picture of a satisfied and contented child is compared favorably with that of a person who is at peace with the Lord, though he does not understand everything about God or his own life.  Having surrendered his life before the will of the Lord, he is content no matter the circumstances of life. Conversely, the one who constantly seeks control and overthinks about God, that person is likely to be restless as a wailing infant longing for sleep.  

Are you content to trust in the Lord even when you don’t have all the answers?  Do you need to be in control of everything all the time? Here is a better way: study to understand and make plans to succeed but always find rest for your soul in Christ (Matt. 11:29); spend daily meaningful time with Him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to stop trying to controll everything around me; instead, remind me to simply trust in Your goodness, knowing that the One who didn’t spare His own Son to forgive my sins and give me eternal life, is absolutely trustworthy.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 61

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Lunch Study Break

Read Job 42:1-6: Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

Questions to Consider

1. What did Job learn about God?
2. What did Job learn about himself?  
3. What was Job’s ultimate response?  What can we learn from his example?

Notes

For those who are unfamiliar with this book: Satan gets God’s permission to harm Job, but not because of anything he did wrong.  Job asks why he had to go through this ordeal but none of his friends can give an adequate answer. Claiming his blamelessness and innocence, Job boldly asks God for an explanation, to which no direct answer is given; instead, He reminds Job of who God is, His power and wisdom.  Job’s response to the Lord’s rebuke is found above. 

1. Job was reminded that God’s power is limitless and His purpose unstoppable.  
2. Job learned that compared to the Lord, his understanding was limited.  In fact, there are many things that the Lord knows that are too “wonderful” for us to understand.  
3. First, Job repents.  But more importantly, Job discovered the difference between knowing about God and knowing God (42:5).  In your struggles, does your academic knowledge of God turn into a deep living relationship with him? That’s the difference between information and truth.  Truth liberates (Jn. 8:32); too much knowledge can puff up (1 Cor. 8:1) and neutralize the emotion. 

The book of Job ultimately deals with the issue of why bad things happen to good people. There is never an easy explanation, but Job’s struggle was a spiritual battle.  We can also say that sometimes God allows/uses our sufferings to defeat Satan and gain glory for Himself. 

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Evening Reflection

If you haven’t already, consider one thing that you are struggling to understand in your walk with Christ.  Are you any closer to having peace, despite not understanding, than you were last night? Is there someone who is struggling with a similar issue that you can pray for and speak with?

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor David Son, was originally posted on September 18, 2014.  David and his team launched the Thrive Church in Taipei this past February. Stay up to date with the church plant by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“The First Time I Laid My Eyes on a Crisp $100 Bill”

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 (ESV)

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it

I remember being a child of about 10 years of age when I received my first $100 bill. It came in the mail on my birthday from a family friend who lived in another state. I didn’t know her very well, but she instantly became my favorite family friend. When I peeled open that envelope and beheld the glory, my eyes grew big. There was an awesome feeling of power, and brewing excitement in my gut as I held that piece of green paper. 

I made brief eye contact with my mom, who was watching the whole scene. With a gentle smile she held out her hand and said, “Let me hang on to that for you.” For the next couple seconds, war broke out in my head. I wanted so badly to possess this $100 bill! I wanted to store it in my secret hiding spot. It was mine! But something in me decided that it was better that the $100 bill was in the hands of mom. I didn’t get to possess that $100 bill. I didn’t get to hide it away and idolize it. What I really received that day, in a profound way, was the beginning of wisdom in learning to let go, and trust God with my money. Wealth is a blessing, but only when we exercise the wisdom of putting it in the hands of God can we truly be blessed by.  So today, if you have money to spare, bless someone with it as an expression of God’s love for that person.  

Prayer: Lord, thank You for providing everything I have always needed. Help me to trust You with everything I have, especially those things that are most precious to me. Give me wisdom to see that You are my inheritance; You are my protector; and You are the preserver of my life. 

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 60

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Lunch Break Study  

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Questions to Consider

1. Paul says that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” What are some of the dangers of loving money?
2. When it is time for you to go to heaven, what can you bring along with you?
3. How much time and effort are you putting into things that you cannot take with you to heaven? 

Notes

1. Money is not inherently evil, nor is wealth a sin. And certainly, working to earn money is a biblical concept. It is the love of money that Paul warns us against. But sometimes, the love of money is unnoticed in our lives because it doesn’t always manifest as greed; rather, as anxiety, worry, or an unwillingness to give generously. Does your financial situation cause you to be anxious, to worry, or stifle your generosity?
2. The Bible says that we brought nothing into this world, and we can bring nothing out of it.  Money, assets, possessions, titles: none of these things carry over. But one thing that isn’t explicitly mentioned in the passage that we do bring to eternity is: people. You, and those around you are eternal beings.
3. This passage is not written to pagan non-believers, but 1 Timothy is a pastoral letter; that is, it’s written to the church! Furthermore, it is written to the leaders of the church. No one, not even a pastor, is safe from the danger of the love of money.

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Evening Reflection

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Consider the tasks/people you have worked on, invested in, and/or accomplished today. Have you been seeking His Kingdom today?

Today’s devotional, prepared by Pastor Jason Sato, was originally posted on December 13, 2013.  He and his wife Jessica (along with their three young children) recently moved to Japan to serve as missionaries. 

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“Childbearing of a Different Sort”

Psalm 127:1-5

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

How many of us feel frustrated at working so hard, yet having nothing to show for at the end of the day?  In this Psalm, the Lord declares that true meaning in life, blessedness, and real rest will not be found in one’s anxious toil, but only in Him; these things cannot be obtained by our effort but by God’s gracious favors.  And the writer shows that the sign of God’s blessedness is having many children—to the singles and childless couples, this may be a turnoff, but read on!

Theologically, childbearing was the means by which the Israelites could participate in the land promise God gave to their forefather Abraham (Gn. 13:14-6).  This means that the land (i.e., the Lord’s heritage to the Israelites) would be passed down and remains in their possession. Childbearing, in this way, contributed to the fulfillment of God’s promise to make Abraham a great nation that would bless all families of the earth (Gn. 12:3).  

In the New Covenant, believers, whether single or married with children, participate in the promises of God as well. It is not through childbearing, but in their involvement in God’s work of making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-9). The ultimate goal of seeking prosperity for ourselves, therefore, is so that we can bless the nations, which also depends on the favors and might of God, as we work hard as well (Prov. 14:23).

Often our labor is filled with anxiety, sleeplessness, and a disappointing lack of fruitfulness.  Even our successes fail to bring us the peace, security, and significance that we strive to obtain.  Pray that the Lord would give you eyes to see the Kingdom work He is calling you to today. Ask that He might give you freedom to simply obey His will and entrust the fruit to Him.

Prayer: Lord, so often I find myself laboring in vain, rising up early, and eating the bread of anxious toil.  I thank You that You give sleep to Your beloved. May I rest easy, knowing that ultimately, my blessing and significance is secured by Your hand and might.  Grant me freedom and joy that I may participate in Your Kingdom work today. May my labor bear the fruit of worship. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 59

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Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 4:26-29: And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is man’s role in the Kingdom?
2. What is not man’s role?
3. What time is most important for the man to recognize?

Notes

1. To scatter seed on the ground; that is, to share the gospel with those around us.  
2. To make the seed sprout and grow; that is, to convert people.  After we clearly communicate the gospel at an opportune time, it’s God’s job to convert and grow the people.
3. When God calls us to do our part in building his Kingdom (e.g., sharing the gospel, persuading a skeptical person to believe, and discipling a new believer).

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Evening Reflection

Would you describe your labor today as anxious toil?  What opportunities might the Lord give you tomorrow to participate in His Kingdom work?  Ask that He might give you, His beloved, restful sleep tonight.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Yohan Lee who previously served at Remnant Church (NYC), Radiance Christian Church (SF) and Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia), was first posted on November 11, 2014.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“Finally Accepting Who I Am in Christ—Thanks to My Wife)”

Proverbs 5:15-17

“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.  Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?  Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.”  

Warning: this devotional may feel like a Hallmark card. 

Recently, I’ve been noticing how the Lord has been using my marriage as a means of grace to transform me more and more into the image of His Son.  Like many people, I was a little insecure about my being: my family background, my abilities, even my looks as a teenager, which carried over into my 20’s.  I wasn’t anywhere near self-loathing, but deep inside, I knew that I wasn’t totally comfortable with myself. Cognitively, I knew that I was unconditionally loved through Christ, made in the image of God, and fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), but for whatever reason, I didn’t make Christ sufficient to overcome these insecurities.  (Notice I did not say that Christ was “not sufficient,” but rather, I didn’t allow Him to be so in my life).  

In his grace, Christ didn’t beat me down until my heart believed what my head supposedly knew.  I got the kid-glove treatment; I got married, and my wife believes in me, accepts my shortcomings, actually finds me attractive (even after I overeat), and loves me despite of my imperfections.  After several years of marriage, I realized that I am now way more comfortable with who I am and how God has made me than before. Such understanding has allowed me to minister to others who also struggle with insecurities (which is virtually all of us).  What helped me to believe that I am worthy of love is that I have a person who serves as tangible proof that I am actually loved. So in a sense, my wife is a means of grace and sanctification that God has given me to make me more whole and complete. Hopefully, my wife would say the same about me.  

The point of this Proverb is this:  If my wife expressed thoughts of deep love and appreciation not just with me, but with five, three, or even one other guy, it would completely lose its meaning for me; that is like “strangers drinking from my cistern.”  Though some things are better when shared, such as Asian food, others things obviously are not. This Proverbs refers to marital relationships, but the concept of finding joy and contentment in what God has given you has several applications outside of marriage.  How is God using your circumstances to mold you into the image of Christ? Do you value, guard, and take care of such things so that they can be a continued blessing? As an FYI, I believe God uses all of our relationships to mold us in our sanctification, not just marriage.  

Prayer: Father, please help me to be thankful for and treasure every relationship that You have given me.  Help me to see that You are transforming me into the image of your Son through these relationships. Please also guard my marriage, and help me to appreciate my wife or husband as a means of grace.  

Bible Reading for Today:  Isaiah 58

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Cor. 12:12-20: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Questions to Consider

1. Have you ever wished for another role within the church or outside of it? 
2. Do you know how your strengths help to edify the body (the church)? 
3. Who arranged the members of the body for their roles?  Why do you suppose it was so?

Notes

1. A personal question, so please consider it truthfully.
2. Some people have never explored what they enjoy or what they are good at in ministry.  This is a shame because we do not feel useful when we do not contribute; this makes us feel like we have no positive role in the church, which is not true.  
3. God arranged his church (vs. 18).  The differences in the church help us to function properly.

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Evening Reflection

Spend a few minutes to thank the Lord for your significant relationships.  List three things you appreciate most about these people. How have these people helped you become more like Christ?  How can you help these people to be more like Christ?

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church), was originally posted on March 18, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“Turning Over to God that which I’ve Hidden”

Psalm 25:16-21 (ESV)

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.  18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.  20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 

Henry Thoreau is famous for his statement that “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”.  The general context in which this quote is written deals with the plight of the common man who has no time to pursue anything of significance and is relegated to living life as a machine.  

The vast majority of us live at such a hectic pace that we simply feel like we don’t have the time to deal with the emotional wounds that linger deep within.   Everyone goes through seasons of life where loneliness, distress, affliction, and anxiety are acutely felt but never examined. When life seems to crash in from all sides, it is easy to distance ourselves from our emotions and bury our heads in our careers or families. 

Eventually, these emotional wounds will catch up to us if we don’t take the time to deal with them at the spiritual level.  The psalmist understands that God is the guardian of our souls and the healthiest response to our troubles is to turn to Him for protection and forgiveness.  

Identify some of the negative emotions you have been dealing with recently.   Turn to the Lord and pray for protection and deliverance. Jesus declares, “I am the door” (Jn. 10:9); enter unto him and find life.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to pray daily for Your protection and deliverance so that I can be aware of feelings and thoughts that are a result of enemies working in my life.  Give me the strength to deal with all my wounds by turning to You in prayer. In the end, it is the healing found in Your grace and forgiveness that can restore my soul and bring me the peace that surpasses human understanding.

Bible Reading for Today:  Isaiah 57

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Lunch Break Study

John 16:32-33 (ESV): “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why did Jesus say this to the disciples? (John 16:32)  
2. Is the Christian life devoid of trouble and grief? (John 16:33)
3. What is the ultimate source of peace that Jesus promises?  (John 14:26-27)

The peace that God offers us is found in the Jewish understanding of shalom.  It is not simply an absence of turmoil but a restoration to wholeness in every aspect of our being.  

Notes

1. Jesus said these things because he knew that his death on the cross would lead to anxiety and discouragement amongst the disciples.   Many would fail him and lose their sense of purpose but in the midst of all the confusion, Jesus promises that he would never leave them nor allow the enemy to snatch them out of his hands. (John 10:28) 
2. In the Gospel of John, the troubles that come with discipleship are plainly laid out for the reader.  Although the health and wealth movement has misled many people in regards to the true blessings of God, John spells it out very clearly that believers will have trouble in this life.  Though we are not of this world, our presence in this suffering world is God’s ways of communicating the Gospel.  
3. As Jesus tells the disciples about his departure (ascension into heaven), he reveals that the Father will send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to teach and guide the believers afterwards.  The believers will have a newfound peace in their reconciliation with God and the ministry of his Spirit.        

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Evening Reflection

Did you make the most of your time and the opportunities that God gave you today?  Write down any convictions that God has placed on your heart.

Today’s devotional, prepared by Pastor Jason Sato, was originally posted on November 9, 2014.  He and his wife Jessica (along with their three young children) recently moved to Japan to serve as missionaries. 

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Scrutinizing Everything & Everyone Except the One that Really Matters” 

Proverbs 4:23-27

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Are you vigilant about small things?  Do you notice the dust on the floor, the number of calories in that cookie, or the wrinkle in your son’s shirt?  The important things in life (or at least the ones important to us) require a great deal of attention to detail. Yet it’s so easy to ignore the details when it comes to righteousness.  The author of Proverbs directs our attention to the ordinary words we use and the direction that they take us.

We tend to go through life a frantic pace while being unaware of what is really going on in our hearts.  We’ll stop to consider large matters, like a crisis of faith or relationship on the verge of a breakdown, but are often oblivious to the ordinary direction of our lives.  Longstanding patterns of small but corrosive indulgences do not trouble us because we refuse recognized them. I find it difficult to even identify the crooked speech or devious talk that I am tempted to utter.  Maybe I’m that unaware of myself. Maybe I’m just not paying attention. 

My use of words was brought to my attention by a brother whom I was pastoring a few years ago.  A steady stream of sarcastic comments, criticisms disguised as jokes, and unhelpful off hand remarks had been slowly eating away at our relationship.  Thankfully, he took the initiative in bringing this to my attention and we were able to reconcile.

What direction are we going?  Are we slowly walking down the path of cynicism and hard-heartedness?  Is it the path of life or the path of complaining and ingratitude? Are we indulging in gossip and finding out too late that we are heading toward broken relationships?

Take a moment to dwell on the goodness of God in your life.  What words can you speak to Him and to others today that are true?  Pray that your words would lead to a life of faith, hope, and love for yourself and those who hear you.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 56