December 14, Saturday

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

December 13, Friday

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

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

What did Job learn about God?
What did Job learn about himself?
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.

Job was reminded that God’s power is limitless and His purpose unstoppable.
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.
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.

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?

December 12, Thursday

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

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

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

Notes

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?
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.
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.

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?

December 11, Wednesday

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

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

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

Notes

To scatter seed on the ground; that is, to share the gospel with those around us.
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.
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).

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.

December 10, Tuesday

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

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

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

Notes

A personal question, so please consider it truthfully.
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.
God arranged his church (vs. 18). The differences in the church help us to function properly.

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?

December 9,Monday

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

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

Why did Jesus say this to the disciples? (John 16:32)
Is the Christian life devoid of trouble and grief? (John 16:33)
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

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)
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.
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.

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.

December 8, Sunday

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

December 7, Saturday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought was first posted on May 12, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

(This is a reflection on a short article that Jeremy Taylor wrote on “The Grace of Humility”)

“Coming to the End of Ourselves”

Luke 14:7-11 (ESV)

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflect on these questions:

Humility begins with a realistic assessment of ourselves, namely, that we are unworthy. How does this contrast with a constant emphasis on building high self-esteem in today’s culture?
“Some people spend their time dreaming of greatness,” Jeremy Taylor observes. “Although there is nothing directly evil in this,” he goes on to say, “it is the off-spring of an inner evil.” How have your dreams of greatness been a hindrance in your spiritual life?
We should not be ashamed of our birth, economic position, or vocation. In what ways have you been made to feel ashamed concerning those areas?
In Luke 14:7-11, Jesus tells a parable to a group of people because he noticed how they chose places of honor for themselves. What are the lessons on humility that this passage teaches us?

Apply these thoughts to your daily life:

During this week, out of love for other people do good things for them in secret. Let your acts of kindness go unnoticed. Simply do them for the sake of others, not for the praise you would receive.

When you receive praise, attempt to reflect it back to God.

As you spend some time in confession, be careful not to see your faults and failings as random and sporadic actions in an otherwise good life, but rather “unite them into one continuous representation of your life.” This exercise, notes Taylor, when really applied to your soul, will be useful for increasing the grace of humility.

A final thought: Let’s come to the end of ourselves and rest at the feet of Jesus, loving and worshiping him only.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me the courage and strength to live out my life that truly reflects your amazing love and grace. Help me to take my eyes off from myself and fix them on you instead.

Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 54-55

December 6, Friday

Devotional Thought for Today

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”

John 10:1-6: “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Contrary to popular belief, sheep are extremely intelligent animals. According to the Department of Animal Sciences of Illinois University, sheep rank just below the pig and are on par with cattle among farm animals. They may have poor eyesight and herd mentality, but they have excellent hearing. In fact, sheep can distinguish their shepherd’s voice among 100 voices.

In this passage, Jesus uses the relationship of a shepherd and sheep as a metaphor to describe His relationship with us. Because Israel was an agrarian society, they fully understood the importance of this relationship. And since sheep have poor eyesight, they rely on the shepherd’s voice for protection. They rely on the shepherd’s voice to guide them to greener pastures, to call them back if they wander too far, and to lead them back to safety at night.

Like sheep, we need to rely on our Good Shepherd to guide us through life, which means we must know His voice. However, this can be extremely difficult because we live in a culture where there are hundreds of voices simultaneously shouting at us. So how do we hear His voice?

Because we live in such a busy culture, we need to learn how to block out these voices in our hearts. Oftentimes, this requires us to physically block out these voices. I am reminded of Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

While this verse is about practicing spiritual disciplines for the secret reward, there is truth to finding a quiet spot to temporarily block out the noise. For some, it means waking up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to pray. For others, it means finding a quiet place during lunch to pray.

Hearing God’s voice is crucial to being a disciple of Jesus. Like a shepherd, His voice protects us and guides us in this noisy world. Let’s strive to make hearing His voice an important part of our lives.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 53

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 23:1-6: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Questions to Consider

For David, how does the Lord act as a shepherd?
How does the Lord guide us along the right path?
Based on the notes for question one, what are some ways the Lord has acted as shepherd towards you?

Notes

The Lord provides (v.1), refreshes (v. 3), guides (v. 3), and He comforts His people (v. 4).
God guides us along the right path because it brings Him glory. When we follow His commandments, that in itself brings glory to God, but it also is a testimony for our friends, co-workers, and family members!
Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

This evening, take a moment to find a quiet and comfortable space to spend time with God. During your prayer time, make sure you set aside time to be silent and hear from the Lord. Remember, prayer is a conversation with Him!

December 5, Thursday

The AMI QT Devotionals for December 5-6 (new) are provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson and his wife Annie (and their son) are serving as AMI missionaries in E. Asia.

Devotional Thought for Today

“Maybe God Has a Different Plan”

Mark 15:6-15 (NIV)

“Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate,10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”

In this passage, we see that Pontius Pilate gave the crowd a choice to free any man from prison because it was the Passover Feast. Hoping they would choose Jesus, Pontius Pilate gave them a choice between Jesus and a man named Barabbas, a bloodthirsty revolutionary and a murderer. But to Pilate’s surprise, they chose Barabbas.

So why did they choose Barabbas? It seems like they were disappointed with Jesus. Remember, this was the same crowd that we see in chapter 11 who welcomed Him into Jerusalem. The city was filled with people Jesus had healed: the eyes of the blind had been opened, the deaf made to hear, and the lame to walk. Through these signs and wonders, the Jews started to believe that He was the Messiah, who was to free them from the oppression of the Romans. However, Jesus had a different message—so they rejected Him.

Now, when they saw Him standing helplessly before the Roman governor, they saw weakness. As a result, their loyalty to Him collapsed and, in disappointment, they chose to free Barabbas, a murderer.

Our natural reaction is to become frustrated with the Jews. Why would they choose to free a man who murdered people over a man who brings hope to the world? Yet, oftentimes, we make the same mistake.

Like the Jews, we are often disappointed in God because we expect Him to act in a certain way. Because of these disappointments, we decide to walk our own path and deal with situations in our own ways. We choose Barabbas over Jesus.

However, we are reminded that God sometimes has a different plan for us—and that plan is always good. In this story, God’s plan was to deal with a more detrimental issue than the Roman Empire—He came to deal with sin.

Since Genesis 3, sin had distorted God’s creation, and He had a mission to restore everything back to its original intent. And we need to remind ourselves of this truth. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This morning, think about certain situations where the outcome was not what you expected. What was your reaction? Were you disappointed in God? Oftentimes we are disappointed in God because we forget that He truly is a good God. Take a moment to meditate on this truth: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Prayer: Dear Lord, there have been many times that I have been disappointed in You. I pray for a certain outcome, but it doesn’t happen. I get disappointed often because I forget that You are a good God that always wants what’s best for me. Holy Spirit, please remind me that I do not have to fear when my plan is not fulfilled, because I know you have something better in store for me. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 52

Lunch Break Study

Read Jeremiah 29:10-13: “This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”

Questions to Consider

Who is the Lord speaking to?
What does this passage reveal to you about God’s character?
What is the purpose of these promises?

Notes

The Lord is speaking to the exiles that Nebuchadnezzar had taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. They were in bondage and the Lord promised to free them after 70 years.
This passage reveals that God has good intentions for you. He can take the bad experiences and turn them into good. Therefore, we can place our hope in Him.
God’s ultimate purpose for us is to have a relationship with Him.

Evening Reflection

God is a good Father who knows what is best for you. You might be experiencing a situation where things might not be going your way. However, we must trust in the truth that God is good –all the time!