Today’s blog, written by Pastor Sam Lee of Catalyst Agape Church in New Jersey, was first posted on July 20, 2014

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Being Holy”

1 Peter 2:1-2

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

We, as Christians, have a wrong conception of what holiness is.  Many feels that a holy life is something we grudgingly live in order to please a demanding God, taking away pleasures in life.  Our negative attitude towards holiness is partly due to inadvertently glorifying sin (e.g., in our entertainment choices) instead of God.  For instance, during my high school days, I would hear so many testimonies of how they used to party, get drunk, do drugs, and live immoral lives. They would go in great details of their life of debauchery with lots of excitement, and at the very end, they would squeeze in how Christ came into their lives; and now, their changed lives merely consist of Bible studies, prayer meetings, and Sunday services.

Yet Peter tells us that holiness is not about taking away things, but something good that is added to our lives. It can be compared to tasty milk that is given to a newborn baby.   In a similar way, to a spiritual newborn is given pure spiritual milk, consisting of, among other things, God’s word and the Holy Spirit that can help us to be separated from the values of the world (a.k.a., holiness).

Now, my third daughter doesn’t understand why we, as parents, don’t allow her to eat candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though she might misunderstand our intentions, our reason is simple: because we love her, we want to give our daughter something better to eat; something that will make her healthy and give her strength as well as to make her grow.

And our God feels the same way.  If we get rid of “all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind,” that is, things that hurt us, the Lord has room now to give us something so much better.  As we let go of those things that are not good for us, God fills our lives abundantly with far greater things (joy, peace, a clear conscience and purpose, to name a few). So today, let’s clear out the junk in our hearts so that God can bless us with his precious things!

Prayer: Dear God, help me to be holy by adding goodness and kindness to my faith. Lord, embolden me to get rid of junks out of my heart, such as bitterness and resentment, but choose love and forgiveness.  Please help me because I cannot do it on my own. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 32

Today’s QT blog was first posted on May 11, 2013. 

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Trusting God Amid Betrayal”

Psalm 55:12-14; 22-23 (ESV)

For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng . . . 22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.  23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

Have you ever been betrayed?  In this Psalm, we see that David is betrayed by a close friend.  He discloses his anguish in vv. 12-14 as he reveals how this betrayal is bothering him.  It is the root of David’s pain and he desires to run away from what is hurting him.  

How often we are hurt by others and find ourselves in painful situations.  David himself discovers that those who are closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most.  And, of course, we ourselves are quite capable of hurting those who are close to us as well. 

Although he faced betrayal, however, the Psalm ends by declaring, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”  This statement is similar to 1 Peter 5:7, where we are told to “cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.” Learning to cast our cares on God enables us to not run away from things but to stand tall and carry on what God calls us to be steadfast in.  

Verse 22 gives us three reasons why we should cast our cares on God:  First, since “he will sustain you,” we are always able to bear the troubles that are pressing down on every side.  Second, “He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” And third, “God will cast down the wicked as we trust Him.”  

So, the next time when we feel overwhelmed, can we say, “But I will trust in you.”

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, that I can lay down every burden before You.  Whenever I am faced with anguish, even pain from those closest to me, I will find my strength in You alone.  Teach me to lay my burdens down and to trust in You.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 30-31

Devotional Thought for Today

“Be on Guard”

Numbers 31:13-20

“Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the chiefs of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp. 14 And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, who had come from service in the war. 15 Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? 16 Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. 17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. 18 But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves. 19 Encamp outside the camp seven days. Whoever of you has killed any person and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. 20 You shall purify every garment, every article of skin, all work of goats’ hair, and every article of wood.” 

Do you remember the story of the Trojan Horse? After a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse and hid a select force of men inside. The Greeks pretended to sail away and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army which had sailed back under cover of night. The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy, ending the war. Troy didn’t lose the battle to the Greeks because of an overwhelming force; they lost because they let their guard down.

In this passage, the Israelites were commanded to fight the Midianites. The Lord commanded Moses to command the Israelites to kill every male but keep the plunder. However, the Israelite commanders took captive the Midianite women and brought them before Moses. Moses was furious with their decision and said, “Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord” (vv. 15-16).

Why did Moses become so angry? What happened at Peor? In Numbers 25:1-9, King Balak of Moab wanted to defeat the Israelites, so he invited Balaam to curse them. However, Balaam could only do what the Lord commanded him to say. Four times Balaam blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them—and Balak was furious! However, Balaam told Balak that the only way to defeat the Israelites was for them to worship other idols.

Therefore, King Balak went with a different approach and invited the Israelites to feast with them. At the end of the feast, the Moabite women invited the Israelites to sleep with them as a way of worshipping Baal. Slowly, the Israelite men fell into temptation and the Lord brought judgement upon them. 

What the Israelites saw as harmless women, Moses saw them as potential temptations for the Israelites. In the same way, the Lord is reminding us that we must guard our hearts with different temptations in our lives. There are many things in this world that may seem harmless, but they can be incredibly hurtful to us—it could be relationships that lead to pre-martial sex, social media, alcohol, money, or power. Again, these things may not be sin, but they can be sneaky temptations that cause us to become ineffective Christians. For instance, we would not walk into a temple to offer incense to Buddha or our ancestors, for those sins are obvious and we know to avoid those. But the “harmless” things that sneak into our hearts are the sins that we need to be on guard against.

This morning, reflect on the “harmless” things that you feel can be potential temptations. Maybe God is inviting you to stop dealing with these things for a season. Ask the Lord to give you strength to put these things down. Our souls are too precious to let “harmless” things turn us into ineffective Christians. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You are always watching over us. Thank You that we are secure in our salvation, yet we have many blind spots in our lives. Many things may appear harmless, but they can lead us to sin against You. Lord, help me to be like Moses and be strict with what I let into my life. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 29

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Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:6-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Questions to Consider

1. When we are faced with anxiety or temptations, what does Paul encourage us to do?
2. What will guard our hearts and minds against these attacks?
3. What is the significance of the phrase “in Christ Jesus”?

Notes

1. In the midst of anxiety and temptations, Paul commands us to ask the Lord for help with a thankful heart. While this may be a simple truth, it is difficult to do this when things are going wrong. However, Paul reminds us that God will hear us.
2. Paul says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. This is significant in two ways: First, we will know that this comes from God because it is a peace that we can’t comprehend. Second, Paul doesn’t say that God will “fix” our issues, but He will guarantee peace to face these issues.
3. “In Christ Jesus” signifies our identity in Christ. We can only have access to this “surpassing all understanding” peace when we are God’s children.

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Evening Reflection

This evening, spend some time with the Lord and invite Him to reveal any blind spots in your life (you may also call a small group member and ask them). Write these blind spots down and ask the Lord to help you work through them.

The AMI QT Devotionals (new) from November 14-15 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

“Rejoice in Your Suffering”

Numbers 31:21-24

 “Then Eleazar the priest said to the men in the army who had gone to battle: “This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded Moses: 22 only the gold, the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean. Nevertheless, it shall also be purified with the water for impurity. And whatever cannot stand the fire, you shall pass through the water. 24 You must wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you shall be clean. And afterward you may come into the camp.” 

1 Peter 1:6-7

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Fire is such a unique and natural element: When uncontrolled it can create great devastation, such as wild-fires and destruction of buildings; but when controlled, it creates warmth on cold nights, heat to cook our favorite dishes, and purifies precious metals for jewelry.

In this passage, the Israelites had just defeated the Midianites and collected the plunder. Those who had killed any person, the Lord commanded that they must purify themselves and everything they own. Things that could not withstand fire—such as garments and materials made of wood—had to be purified in water. However, all the precious metals had to be purified through fire to burn away the impurities. Once they went through this process, the soldiers would be able to enter the camp.

This passage reminds me of Peter’s exhortation about rejoicing in our trials. Like these precious metals, God longs for our faith to be pure like Jesus; therefore, He uses the trials that we encounter to burn away the impurities in our faith. Maybe you are encountering suffering because God is trying to teach you how to become more compassionate like Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Maybe you have to deal with an annoying coworker because He is trying to teach you how to love your enemies. Or, you may be going through a season where it is difficult to find a job, and God is teaching you to trust in Him. Peter encourages us not to grow weary but to rejoice because our faith is becoming more genuine. Isn’t that reassuring?

In the middle of suffering, we might be tempted to think that God doesn’t care about us, He is punishing us, or that He might not even be real. May we be reminded that God is walking with us. In fact, it’s possible that He is using this difficulty to shape us to be more like Jesus. So then, let us rejoice in our suffering!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You do not leave us as we are, but You desire for us to become more genuine in our faith. Lord, You sanctify us in different ways, especially through suffering. And in my suffering, I know the enemy is going to lie to me that God has abandoned me. Lord, remind me of this truth: that You are using it to make me better. Help me to rejoice in my suffering.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 28

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” 

Questions to Consider

1. What is the significance of the word “when”?
2. What happens when we let steadfastness have its full effect?
3. How do you view trials and tribulations?

Notes

1. The word “when” reminds us that we will face trials, and it should not be a shock to us. In fact, James reminds us that we will have different trials: it could be persecution for faith, spiritual attack, emotional attack, or physical ailment. In these circumstances, James reminds us to rejoice!
2. When we persevere in these trials, we become mature Christians that lack nothing. 
3. Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

Trials are God’s way of shaping us to become more like Jesus. Instead of acting defeated during these times, New Testament authors command us to rejoice in our sufferings. Are you currently going through difficulties? This evening, invite the Holy Spirit to transform the way we view our suffering.

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Church in San Diego, was first posted on November 26, 2014.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“How Happy Are You?”

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

In the summer of 2015, Pixar is going to introduce a movie called “Inside Out” to a worldwide audience.  Those who’ve seen the previews undoubtedly are looking forward to meeting the movie’s characters, such as “Fear,” “Sadness,” “Joy,” “Anger” and “Disgust.” These emotions that we feel daily often influence how we behave.  Sometimes, they come into our hearts for a quick visit and before you know it, they are already out the door; other times, it feels like these emotions have parked their cars in our hearts, having thrown away their keys. 

Here, we see that Solomon, long before the rise of psychology, had already recognized how the inner disposition affects the well-being of the body. He recognized that happiness would generally lead a person towards good health while a crushed spirit dries up even the bone of that person. 

So the question today is, how happy are you?  You might be quick to think about your present circumstances to answer that; the question, however, is not, “How are your circumstances?” The question is, “How happy are you today?” 

A researcher by the name of Shawn Achor (Harvard), while he was studying about happiness, had an opportunity to visit schools and talk with kids living in Soweto, South Africa.   Realizing that his Harvard education and background were irrelevant to the children, he made an attempt to bond with them with something more universal: Dislike of homework. He asked what he thought was a rhetorical question: “How many of you like to do school work at home?” Shockingly, almost all of them raised their hand in favor of school work at home. Achor learned that two groups can approach the same situation, or the same assignment, or the same work, or the same class, and come to totally different conclusions. One group would express their disdain and complain while the other group would express joy and gratitude. 

It was because what some people perceived as their “right” (not to be hassled by homework), these Soweto students saw it as a gift to grow: “I get to learn. I get to read. I get to discover. I get to use creativity. Develop critical thinking skills. I’m so fortunate.” When you see what you are given as a “gift” that you did not deserve, you naturally develop joyful gratitude.  

Today is a day before the annual Thanksgiving day; count your blessings and be happy because God loves and cares about you even though we really don’t deserve any of it. 

Prayer: Lord, there is so much to be thankful for today. I rejoice because You have given me life. I rejoice because You are with me. I rejoice even in my troubles because You will refine my character and produce within me a hope that does not disappoint. Thank you for your gift of joy. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 27

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Phil. 1:12-19: Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Questions to Consider 

1. What is Paul’s surrounding circumstance as he writes this letter to the Philippian church? 
2. How do some believers, presumably acquaintances of Paul, behave that further agitates the apostle?
3. How does Paul respond in the midst of his trying circumstances? 

Notes

1. Paul is “in chains”. He is actually sitting in prison (most likely Rome) having been arrested for his faith. 
2. Since some of the leaders of the church were threatened by Paul’s presence in the city, his incarceration became their opportunity to shine.  In other words, they were ministering out of envy and rivalry and selfish gain. 

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Evening Reflection

Spend some time reflecting with the Lord about your family. Take some time to thank the Lord specifically for each of your family members.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional (new) is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who serves at Symphony Church in Boston. 

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“Life or Death”

Deuteronomy 30:15-18

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.

It’s probably a rare occasion now, but if you go to a bookstore, one of the biggest sections of a bookstore is the self-help books.  You can find hundreds of books that give you advice on diet, fitness, mental health, productivity, etc. And if you stroll over to the magazine section as well, many of the covers offer promises of good advice that will make you happier, healthier, stronger, better.  And then if you just pull out your phone and look through your Facebook feed, you’ll almost certainly encounter articles or ads about how to parent your children, have good EQ, or how to do better in business.

In a world where good advice is offered all over a bookstore or all over our social media newsfeed, it’s not hard for us to lump the Bible into that the category of good advice or self-help as well.  We could read books like Proverbs that gives a wealth of good and practical advice or we could read some of Jesus’ teachings like the Sermon on the Mount and think that it’s a good way for us to live, and maybe we should try harder to live like that.

Consider what Moses says about the commandments of God in this passage in Deuteronomy though.  Verse 15 says, “I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.”  Moses doesn’t see the Word of God as just good advice or good self-help material; to him, it’s a matter of life and death.  He goes on to say, that if we would keep the commandments of God’s Word it leads to life abundant, but failure to follow this Word results in death.  

At every church, you’ll hear a pastor or leader exhort the congregation to read the Bible.  For many people, it just sounds like good advice, but in reality, it’s a matter of life and death.   Let us commit ourselves to reading God’s Word not just because it’s good advice, but because in it we can find life.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for Your Word today.  Thank You for the invitation to experience life with You.  Help me to receive much as I spend time with You in your Word this day.  AMEN.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 26

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 6:66-69: After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Questions to Consider

1. Disciples of Jesus turn away from following him because Jesus teachings’ earlier in this passage are difficult to hear and accept.  What are some teachings in the Bible that are hard for you to hear and accept? Why are they difficult for you? 
2. Why is Simon Peter able to accept these difficult teachings of Jesus?
3. How can we learn from Simon Peter’s example when it comes to difficult passages of Scripture?  

Notes

1. Personal reflection question
2. It’s unlikely that Simon Peter accepts what Jesus teaches because he stood what they meant nor it is likely that he agreed 100% with all that Jesus said.  What sad Simon Peter to stay with Jesus is that he understood that Jesus had the words of eternal life and that there is no other place or any other person to go to that leads to eternal life.
3. We can learn to trust that in the end, Jesus is the Holy One of God and that following His words lead us towards eternal life.  Even if we find it hard to accept a given passage or even if we disagree with it, we should trust that Jesus’ words lead to life.

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Evening Reflection

The Bible promises us life and life to the full if we follow Jesus.  Take some time to reflect on how these promises of abundant life have been true in your life.  Remind yourself of God’s goodness in your life and pray that you’ll continue to experience more of it as you grow in relationship with Him.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional (new) is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who serves at Symphony Church in Boston. 

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Treasure Hunt”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”

One of my favorite types of movie is a treasure hunt movie.  In one of these movies, the protagonists are seeking some lost or hidden treasure, and they find a previously hidden map, struggle to decipher the clues, crawl through tunnels, jump over chasms, avoid booby traps, and go through many more trials to get to the precious treasure that had been lost for centuries.  

When Moses says these words in Deuteronomy, I imagine him saying them in response to treasure hunt stories.  What he tells the Israelites here is that reaching (i.e., grasping) the Lord’s commandments, the very words of God, isn’t like going on a treasure hunt.  They didn’t have to go through hoops to find them and hear them. They didn’t have to perform a whole bunch of religious rituals or find a shaman to come and explain it to them.  The word was near to them, it was in their mouths and hearts. God has given it to them freely.   

Often we come to the Word of God as if it is a mystery to solve, as if there is some secret that has yet to be uncovered; but Moses tells us that it’s near to us and it’s not too hard for us to follow or to understand.  Of course there are plenty of passages that we find hard to understand or reconcile since the Bible was written a few millennia ago. Instead of getting caught up in the small details we don’t understand though, we should be in awe and wonder of the big story that we do understand:  the story of God who loves us so much and offers us a life with Him. God loved us so much that he gave us this Word, the Bible, as a way to know him. 

Sure we may struggle to understand some verses or chapters, but the Bible isn’t a treasure map to be deciphered.  It’s a Word that shows us the love of our God. Let us be thankful to God that He reveals himself to us through the Word that we do understand.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for your Word.  Thank you for showing us the truth of who you are and who we are in you through the Scriptures.  I pray that today I can catch a greater glimpse of you through it today. AMEN 

Bible Reading for Today:   Isaiah 25

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 20:30-31: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to Consider

1. What do these verses tell us about the purpose of the Gospel of John and by association the Bible in general?
2. What are we supposed to gain from reading God’s Word?  
3. Think about some passages that have convicted you in the past.  How has God spoken to you and transformed you through the Bible?  

Notes

1. John tells us that these words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  The Gospel of John’s ultimate purpose isn’t to a historical narrative or biography; rather, through the historical narrative and biographical qualities, it’s meant to show us that Jesus is the Christ and lead us to put our faith in Him.  This is not only The Gospel of John’s purpose, but this is what the whole of Scripture is meant to do, to point to Jesus and lead us to a deeper faith and relationship with God.
2. The Bible isn’t just meant to give us an intellectual understanding of who Jesus is and it’s not even just meant to help us to have an agreement of Jesus’ divinity, it’s meant to lead us to trust in Jesus with our lives and through that trust, it leads us to have “life in his name” as it says in verse 31.  While building good Bible reading habits is very important, the goal isn’t to just read the Bible but it’s to enjoy the abundant life that Jesus has set out for us. We draw closer to that abundant life and ultimately Jesus when we spend time reading God’s Word.
3. Personal reflection question

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Evening Reflection

Have you spent some time in God’s Word today?  If so, is there something that God is speaking to you about through it?  If not, take some time and meditate on some verses and see what God has to say to you.  Close out tonight thanking God for the love He has shown you through His Word.

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Ryun Chang (Teaching Pastor AMI), was first posted on February 5, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Vulnerability Will Set You Free”

Colossians 3:3

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Yesterday, I mentioned that I got scolded by my daughter (then a senior year in high school) for criticizing books she was reading even though I hadn’t read them.  One of those books was The Shack by William P. Young.

The novel by Young, who describes his life as “suffer[ing] great loss as a child and young adult,” was a book I couldn’t put down.  At the end, the protagonist Mackenzie, a broken father haunted by the memory of his murdered daughter, received the closure that he desperately needed, from the Trinity! (which I addressed previously).  

Despite some things that made me wonder about its meaning, by the time I finished the novel, I felt grateful that the author, whose novel reflected his own life, did not shun God in a bitter protest as in, “How could you let this happen to my daughter?”  Instead, he allowed a measure of healing to take place through Christ. In the end, when Mackenzie said to Jesus, “‘All my best treasures are now hidden in you,” the Lord responded with “clear and true voice of assurance,” saying, “I am.”  

The fact is, we don’t always have answers.  I have a nephew and niece who lost their mother and another set of nephew and niece who lost their father when they were less than 5 years of old.  How do you make sense of that? You don’t and you can’t! But we put our trust in the goodness of the One who suffered for us all! We can ask the questions when we arrive in heaven!  Meanwhile, Christ is more than sufficient to hide ourselves in Him—“for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”    

Prayer: God, thank You that You did not save your Son when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Because You left Your Son on the cross to die for us, I know that You empathize with me when I suffer.  That’s comforting. Ultimately, I have the eternity to look forward to when we will all be reunited! Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 24

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Ryun Chang (Teaching Pastor AMI), was first posted on February 4, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Vulnerability Will Set You Free”

Philippians 2:5-7

Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

During my daughter’s senior year in high school she was reading three books that were unfamiliar to me, but I didn’t let that keep me from criticizing them; she didn’t like that! So, after reading them eventually, to my amazement, I liked Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller and The Shack by William P. Young (but disliked Brian McLaren’s Everything Must Change).  

Why? Certainly, content matters (i.e., is it biblical?) but ultimately, in reading a book, the reader is personally interacting with the author, and sometimes you end up either really liking the writer or disliking him.  In this case, I became quite fond of Miller and Young. 

I like unpretentious folks who willingly talk about embarrassing stories about themselves to share lessons learned from them.  For that reason, I liked Blue Like Jazz (Don Miller), even though I was bothered by Christians in the book who drank and cussed as if to say, “I am a liberated Christian.” Regardless, it was a good reminder not to be so legalistic.  

My favorite character was this cabinet shop worker who drank and cussed but tithed his money.  But since he hadn’t gone to church in a while, his tithing money—more than $3,000—was kept in a jar. Upon finding out that Miller didn’t tithe, he lectured him: “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.  Stealing from God and all. You write Christian books and everything, and you’re not even giving God’s money back to Him.”  

The bewildered Miller quipped, “I couldn’t believe this was happening to me.  I get a guilt trip from a fundamentalist.” What irony! A Christian who hardly looked the part taking to task a famous author who made his living writing books about God.  

The fact that Miller mentioned this unflattering story blessed me, for I took it to mean that while his reputation may be expendable, the truth was not.  What’s the lesson here? Don’t take yourself too seriously! If Jesus, being in very nature God, took the form of a lowly servant, how much more do we need to shed our pride, and become humble and vulnerable to those around us.  So practice vulnerability—it can set you free, with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

By the way, avoid cussing (Eph. 4:29)!

Prayer: Lord, remind me constantly to shed my false images so that people can see my true inglorious self.  Then, remind me that God loves me the way I truly am, warps and all. Help me never to doubt Your love for me expressed in Christ Your Son!  Amen.   

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 22-23

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church, S. F.), was originally posted on March 1, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“The Adversary and Prayer”

Psalm 20:1-5

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!  3 May he remember all your offerings  and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah  4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! 

Psalm 20 is the prayer of Israel for their king as he prepares to lead his armies into battle.  It is a proclamation of God’s protection, salvation, and favor as their nation faces the challenge of going to war.  This passage and all of its promises can be properly applied to the New Testament believer who is called into constant and unceasing spiritual warfare.  

Many times, we can forget that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of evil—led by the adversary—that are unseen.  The apostle Peter puts it like this: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).  Sometimes turning defeat into victory and failure into success is simply a matter of turning to God in prayer.  In fact, there is no other recourse in dealing with “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12) apart from prayer. 

As we live out our faith day to day, we should remember that there is an enemy that is lurking nearby but more importantly we should be mindful of a God who is willing and able to answer all of our prayers according to His plan and purpose.  Prayer paves a clear path to the victorious life that we all desire. Pray with confidence for victory in areas of your life where you are struggling.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize that the battles in my life belong to You.  You are the one who leads me to victory and helps me to prevail over situations and circumstances that seem out of my control.  Teach me how to rely on Your protection and favor as I live out my faith today.  

Bible Reading for Today:  Isaiah 21

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Lunch Break Study

Read Daniel 10:13 (ESV): The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia. 

Questions to Consider

1. These are the words of the angel Gabriel to Daniel.  What is the main reason for the delay to Daniel’s prayers?
2. Who is the prince of Persia and Michael?  (Daniel 11:2, 12:1)
3. What was Daniel doing prior to the arrival of Gabriel?  (Daniel 10:2-3)

Daniel lived constantly in the awareness that there is something beyond the material world.  Therefore, he was able to fast from the things of the world so that he could increase his spiritual vision.  As we prepare for Easter, what are some things that you can give up as preparation for the observance of Christ’s death and resurrection?

Note

1. Gabriel, who is one of the archangels of God, was delayed because of an on-going battle with the demonic forces of Persia where Daniel and his countrymen were being held in captivity.  
2. The Prince of Persia is not just the title of the video game series but actually the demonic principality that was in command of the region of Media-Persia (Ephesians 6:12).  We see through this passage that demons can exert a wide range of influence from personal, to territorial, and even socio-politically. Michael is a ruling angel who leads the forces of God in the spiritual war that is on-going in the heavenly places.  
3. Daniel was engaged in a 21 day fast in which he kept himself from delicacies and meat and wine as an expression of mourning for the state of Jerusalem.  

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Evening Reflection

What prayers were answered today?  Were you able to overcome a temptation to sin?  Was there a chance to forgive, love, or share your faith with someone?