Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend, written by Pastor Ryun Chang, was originally posted on March 2, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“We, too, Are in Recruitment Business”

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

In 2010, when a well-known pastor of a mega church in Atlanta was accused of using his position to pressure young men into sexual relationships with him, he vowed to fight against the charges; later, his wife of 21 years, who had initially stood by him, filed for divorce.  Perhaps she suspected that the allegations were all true since her husband settled the lawsuits with his accusers, although he never admitted any wrongdoing. Then the pastor’s spokesperson declared, “He will continue to serve as the senior pastor” (i.e., without missing a beat).  This decision gives new meaning to what Jesus once said: “The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light” (Lk. 16:8b).   

Those who run the Big-Ten Football, which typically generates tens of millions of dollars in revenue, certainly qualify as “the people of this world.”  Thus, when a coach in the conference gets fired, like Joe Paterno of Penn St. or Jim Tressel of Ohio State, it is big news. While the coaches are typically fired for poor performance on the field, neither of these brilliant coaches were dismissed for that; instead, they lost their jobs over an off-the-field issue, the kind that ended coach Gary Moller’s tenure at the University of Michigan in 1995.  

Despite having won many games, Moller was suddenly fired over one incident: public intoxication.  Having lost control after much drinking, Moller was found cursing and swearing, even resisting the police who came to accost him.  Thus, news quickly spread and even casual fans knew what happened. However, the people whom the school officials feared the most were the parents of blue chip prospects who would decide which scholarship offer their son would accept.  Why? First, winning and losing in college football largely depend on recruiting the top players; second, it is the job of the head coach to personally visit them mainly to impress the parents to win their consent.  Cognizant of this, the school officials felt that Moller lost an edge in recruiting because the parents would think twice before sending their kids to be coached by someone behaving like that in public.

How does this relate to us?  Christ called us to be fishers of men (Mt. 4:19) and his “ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20).  In short, God has sent us out to recruit people to join the kingdom. To be effective in our task however, it will take more than just knowledge and persuasive speech.  The Hebrews writer reminds us that without holiness no one will see the Lord in us, meaning no one will want to join the kingdom as long as we are the recruiter. Perhaps the apostle John had “spiritual recruiting” in mind when he penned, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as he did” (1 Jn. 2:6).  So, how is your walk? 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help my walk with You to be genuine and authentic.  Help me to be holy in Your sight, not through legalism but through a distinguished lifestyle lived out in humility and love. Amen.    

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 25 and Haggai 1

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church), was originally posted on March 8, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“The Lord is My Shepherd”

Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

The twenty-third psalm is probably one of the most beloved chapters in the entire Bible.  It is classified as a confidence psalm because it describes the absolute trust that David has in the personal goodness of God.   It is not a prayer in the typical sense of that word but rather it is a proclamation of what God has done and continues to do in his life.  

For David, God isn’t merely a theological concept, He is both his shepherd and his host.  These are two images of God that David would have been very familiar with from his own life. As a young boy, David was in charge of protecting and caring for his father’s flocks of sheep.  As the king of Israel, David would have known how to treat guests at his royal table. He applied both of those everyday pictures from his life to connect with God.   

Meditate on how God manifests himself in your everyday life.  What reminds you of God on a daily basis (like the laughter of your kids)?  What are some experiences with God that continue to evoke confidence and trust in Him?   

Prayer: Lord, You alone can guide me through the ups and downs of life.  Help me to follow after You with confidence, knowing that You will lead me to quiet waters and green pastures.  Teach me how to rejoice in your goodness as I spend each morning dwelling in Your presence.  

Bible Reading for Today:  2 Kings 24

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 10:11-16 (ESV): “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Questions to Consider

1. Who said this and in what context?  (John 9:40-41)
2. What are the responsibilities of a good shepherd?  (John 10:14-16)
3. Who is the enemy of the sheep?  (John 10:12)

The picture of the shepherd and the sheep is an important one in the Bible.  For those of us who have spent our entire lives in urban settings, it’s hard to imagine the emotional connection between a shepherd and his flock.  For the average Israelite of the time, this image would have immediately stirred up feelings of care, protection, and sacrifice.  

Note

1. This is one of the seven “I am” statements from the Gospel of John.  Jesus said these words to the Pharisees who were harassing the blind man that he had healed on the Sabbath.  Without compassion, they had kicked the man out of the temple for his association with Jesus. (John 9:13-16)  
2. The duties of the shepherd are to know the sheep by name, to protect the flock even with his own life, and to bring other sheep who are not in the fold.  
3. The enemies of the sheep are the hired hands who have no vested interest in the flock.  As soon as danger comes, they scatter and leave the sheep to defend for themselves because they have no real concern for them.  Jesus was implicating the Pharisees as hired hands who only cared for their own well-being and not the well-being of the people they were called to minister to.    

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Evening Reflection

Have you spent some time worshipping God today?  Has life been so busy that you feel like you have no time to spend in prayer?  Try to take a few moments before going to sleep to pray and listen for the voice of God.  Write down what you feel like He is saying to you.

Today’s devotional, provided by the staff of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, led by Pastor Peter Yoon, was originally posted on July 1, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“That Which Sets Apart King Jesus from All of His Predecessors”

Psalm 72:1-4

“Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.”

Psalm 72 records King David’s prayer for his son Solomon.  In this stage of Israel’s history, the king represented the people before God.  Depending on the faith of the king, the people were blessed or cursed. A king faithful to God like Hezekiah brought blessing, whereas an idolatrous king like Ahaz brought God’s curse.  Solomon reigned during the golden age of Israel’s history, but his descent into idolatry began a downward spiral for the nation.

Thank God that our King who represents us is none other than the Son of God!  Perfect in righteousness, justice, and compassion, Jesus brings prosperity to His people.  He not only begins His life and ministry in faithfulness, but He is perfectly obedient even unto death on the cross.

Meditate upon the perfect righteousness and obedience which Christ has accomplished for you.  How does his work on the cross free you from the need to validate yourself today? How does his work on the cross compel you to live with gratitude and joy in your heart today?

Prayer: Lord God, I thank You that You have given us Your Son!  I fail to reflect upon Your righteousness and justice, even in my own home.  My own attempts at goodness only bring greater despair and condemnation. But Your Son is perfect and glorious!  May I live today free from condemnation but filled with thankfulness.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 23

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:1-4 (NIV): James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

Questions to Consider

1. To whom does James write this letter and why?
2. How are they to respond to the “trials of many kinds”?
3. What should motivate their joyful response? 
4. Application:  How can you respond to the trials you face?

Note

1. 
   The letter is addressed to the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations.”  Persecution broke out following the death of Stephen causing many believers to flee for safety to other cities and countries (Acts 8:1-4; 9:1-2). As these Jewish Christians attempted to start life over in new communities, they found themselves facing insurmountable obstacles. Their shops and business were being boycotted. Their children were being tormented in the schools. Their wives were being cheated and hassled in the markets. The citizens of the towns hated them because they were Jews, and the Jews of the towns hated them because they were Christians. The believers found themselves isolated, challenged, and harassed by an intimidating world.
2. Naturally, the believers began asking, “Why is this happening to us? Why must there be so many hardships? What is God doing? What are we to think?” Their former pastor, James, heard about their difficulties and wrote to encourage them that they ought to consider it pure joy when facing trials. Though James refers to himself simply as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, he was actually a physical brother of Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph a few years after the birth of Jesus (Mark 6:3). Along with his other brothers, James did not believe in Jesus at first (John 7:1-5), but became convinced after the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5-7), and went on to become an early leader and pastor of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:12-13; 21:17-18). 
3. “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”: James urged his readers to “consider it pure joy” when they faced trials. He wasn’t suggesting that they greet every difficulty that came their way by exclaiming, “Yea! Isn’t this wonderful?”  No, Christians are not to pretend that the sufferings of this life are not real and painful. Rather, they are to find joy in the midst of their sufferings, and they do so when they can say it has not come because of sinful choices; when they trust the Father’s loving purpose in it, and when they can look beyond it to see that coming day when all suffering will be over. Sometimes God’s purpose in suffering is to make our faith strong and to make us more like Christ. One aspect of Christlikeness is patience, a virtue James specifically says is produced by trials. Also, God’s purpose in suffering is always to bring glory to himself. The apostle Peter says faith that is “tested by fire” will at last be found to bring “praise, honor, and glory” to Christ (1 Peter 1:7). How does God receive glory in our sufferings? One Christian who has suffered a terrible illness for a long time might say he would not have been able to bear it if God had not been with him to strengthen and help him. That brings glory to God. Another Christian who has suffered financial hardship might say how the promises of God have encouraged and comforted her through it all. When God’s faithfulness to his promises is emphasized, God is glorified. Lastly, we can find strength to face suffering by looking to that unspeakably glorious time when all our sufferings will finally be over. The tears of this life will be wiped away, sorrow will dissolve, and death itself will be finally and forever crushed. Let us never forget the reason we can have this confidence regarding the life to come; it is all due to the redeeming work of our Lord Jesus Christ there on Calvary’s cross.
4. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

Three times Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Do you love Me?” In what ways are you falling deeper in love with Christ? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to respond patiently when I face trials and difficulties. Help me to deeply understand that You are producing perseverance in my life that will lead towards maturity in Christ. May that understanding produce insurmountable joy in my heart.  Amen.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee (Catalyst Agape Church), was originally posted on October 1, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“Clay in God’s Hand”

Jeremiah 18:6

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!” 

I would watch my children play with clay. The clay would get stretched, pulled, and dirtied. In other words, the clay would get abused, and eventually the poor clay would be thrown away because it could not be used anymore. Clay in the hands of a child becomes a toy to be used and discarded; clay in the hands of a potter is similar yet very different in a profound way. This clay is also stretched and pulled, yet it is being stretched and pulled not to be discarded but to become something that is valued, useful, and beautiful. The greater the potter, greater the value of what the clay becomes.  A Ming Dynasty vase can cost over $10 million dollars today. You, in the hands of the Master, are worth infinitely more. 

Yet it is not easy to stay in the hands of the Master. Therefore, let’s cast off the things that make us move away from the Potter’s hand. I have learned that staying in the hands of God is not about being silent and just waiting; it is hard spiritual work. There are many different ways we knowingly and unknowingly move away from the hands of the Potter. This morning, I am convicted to concentrate on one area: the complaining spirit in our heart. When we complain, like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are forgetting God’s goodness and power; we are forgetting God’s past work in our life; we are not seeing the future work of God in our life. When we complain, the circumstances dictate our spiritual life instead of who we are in Christ. Comfort and riches become priority, instead of transformation and bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

The very act of complaining is a picture of the clay walking away from the hands of potter. Today, let’s pray through to overcome a complaining spirit. Please remember that God is not molding us to be rich and comfortable; He wants to do much more, much more worthwhile. But to do this work, He is looking for clay that is compliant and moldable; clay that will trust and is completely yielded to Jesus.

Prayer: You know my going in and my going out. You know my innermost thoughts. Sovereign Lord, You have the best plan for my life so I submit to Your agenda and all Your plans to shape me into the person You want me to be. I am clay in Your hands, so mold me, Lord. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 22

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 139:1-8: “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

Questions to Consider

1. Based on this description of God’s ability, what divine attributes of his are highlighted here?
2. David mentions several areas of his personal life that God has “searched and known”; list as many as you can. Then mediate on how God knows about your life.

Note

1. His love (He is a God who looks for us to know us personally); His omniscience (“before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely”); His transcendence (“too wonderful . . . to lofty for me to attain”)
2. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

We began the day reflecting on God’s sovereignty. Did you experience that today?  

Share your story.

Today’s devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on May 2, 2014.  

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“In Search of a Mentor”

Titus 1:4-5

“To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.  The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” 

Whether our reference is Karate Kid, Star Wars, or Kung Fu Panda, most of us have a certain image that comes to mind when we think of a “spiritual mentor”:  someone who is older, wiser, perhaps unexpected and unrecognizable at first glance, but mysteriously having extraordinary skills and timely advice to pass on to a disciple of the next generation.  Though the disciple is less adept and unfailingly more foolish, the mentor invests in and grooms the disciple to accomplish a mission that, in the end, is uniquely his.

In today’s passage, we get a glimpse of Paul’s mentoring relationship with Titus.  He has entrusted Titus with a mission, to set things in order and finish what Paul himself had started.  He thus sees Titus as a co-laborer, and as he reminds Titus of the task at hand, he continues to provide direction, guidance and encouragement.  Paul begins the body of the letter with, “The reason I left you in Crete . . .” to re-affirm Titus’ purpose there. Had Titus written him, asking, “Why am I here on Crete again?”

Do we have anyone like a spiritual mentor in our lives?  If not, wouldn’t it be good to have one? Someone who believes in us, challenges us, and entrusts us with important tasks as we engage in God’s kingdom work together?  Someone who can help steer us back on course when we lose our sense of direction? If we don’t have anyone like this in our lives currently, perhaps we can consider inviting someone to be involved in our lives in this way.

If we are in the position of mentoring others, whether at work, school or raising our own children, what good example do we see here that we can follow?  Do we think about empowering others by entrusting them with important and meaningful work? Do we stay by their side and provide key help and guidance, giving them the tools they need to tackle challenges and succeed at their task?  How can we become better mentors?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gifts You give me through the people in my life who can be my spiritual mentors.  Thank You also for the privilege and meaningful responsibility You have given me to mentor others. Would You help me to be better at empowering and encouraging them?  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 21

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 14:12-13: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Questions to Consider

1. How did Jesus empower his disciples?  
2. Jesus speaks these words to his disciples towards the end of his time with them on earth.  What do they show about his perspective of his role and the role of others in God’s kingdom work?  
3. How can knowing that our own time is limited help us think about investing in others more?

Notes

1. He promises his help when they ask.  He sends them with the backing of all his authority.  He promises to always be with them in this mission. Do we have the backs of the people we are mentoring in the same way?  When we give them responsibilities, do they have our full support?
2. He knew it was never the plan for him to do all the kingdom work in his short time on earth.  Once he had accomplished his personal mission, he would be departing with important things left unfinished (just as Paul did in Crete), but he entrusts these to his disciples to complete.
3. People with a strong sense of responsibility can sometimes feel they need to do everything themselves.  But when we have a sense of how limited our time is, we realize that the most responsible thing to do is to make sure that others can continue the work when we cannot ourselves.

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Evening Reflection

Did I make any effort to connect with a spiritual mentor today?  Did I micromanage anyone or just do things on my own because I thought I could do it better?  Or did I entrust others with important tasks? If I haven’t yet, I release control and place my trust in God regarding all these things even now.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Charles Choe (Tapestry Church in Los Angeles), was originally posted on December 4, 2014.

 

Devotional Thought for Today 

“Where Are You Headed?”

Proverbs 14:12

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” 

In the children’s book Alice in Wonderland, Alice finds herself at a fork in a road that leads off in different directions.  Seeing the Cheshire Cat, she asks him for advice: “Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” says the cat. “I don’t much care where,” says Alice. To that, the cat responds, “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” 

The importance of understanding your purpose and living accordingly is clear all throughout Scriptures. For instance, if we don’t have a particular destination in mind, any road will do. But most of the time, we like to travel with a purpose—a destination— before we begin our journey. 

One reason why we sometimes make terrible choices in life is because we do not know the point of life, where life’s path is leading us. If we believe that life is for our own happiness, we will make every decision based on that self-interest. But if we believe, as the Bible says, that life’s goal is to glorify God and delight in Him, our choices in life will look remarkably different. In other words, though we might make choices that may “seem right,” if it does not serve the purpose of exalting Christ, no matter how noble, sacrificial, or meaningful, “its end is the way to death.” 

Take a moment now and consider your ultimate purpose. Do the choices you make serve that end? Whether you are considering a new major for college, a possible job change, or even something more mundane, like choosing to surf that particular website, ask yourself: Do these decisions seem “right” just for the moment or do they serve the ultimate purpose of bringing honor to God? To mature in Christ is to increasingly see that it’s all for Jesus, for his glory. Knowing and living in this truth is the only path to life. 

Prayer: God, make my life count for your glory. Help me not to waste the one life You have given me so that I might live for that one purpose, to glorify You, and help my decisions this day to reflect that choice. In Jesus’ name, amen.   

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 20

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 10:31-33: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, [33] just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”

Questions to Consider 

1. What should be the ultimate motivation for everything in life?  
2. What is one measurable way to determine if we are seeking the glory of God with our lives? 
3. Why is it helpful to exhale and think twice about the ultimate reason for everything? 

Notes 

1. The glory of God. 
2. Paul tells us that he does not seek his own advantage but that of many–that they may be saved. We are to be mindful that the end of everything is to bear the Good News of Jesus for the benefit of others.  
3. It gives us a proper perspective and keeps us focused on the mission of God. 

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Evening Reflection

Every aspect of every Christian’s life has the potential to honor God. How did you do today? Did you attempt to use every opportunity to use it to bring God glory?

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 2, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“In Search of Wisdom” (2)

Proverbs 2:12, 16 

“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse . . . It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,”

Amid so many alluring temptations that besiege us, we need wisdom to save us from the foolishness of this world.  While there are many temptations that look very ominous—which, therefore, are easier to turn away from—some look very benign, even good (e.g., social media, worldly definition of success, etc.)!  The apostle Paul declares that “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). Consequently, we can so easily be led astray by lies of the enemy and not even know it. 

What will help us?  It is the wisdom from above that will guide us through all the foolish and destructive temptations.   We need the wisdom from God to navigate through this sex- crazed and success-driven world. Call out for wisdom. James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).  So, cry out for it with confidence. Seek Jesus!!!

Prayer: Jesus save me from the seductive words of this world by filling me with Biblical wisdom.  In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:  2 Kings 19

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 24, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“In Search of Wisdom” (1)

Proverbs 1:23 

“If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.”

While I like all the books of the Bible, I particularly like the book of Proverbs.  Whenever I read it, my prayer is that my relationship with Christ will be strengthened as I seek biblical wisdom. Proverbs 8:11 states, “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” 

So, how can we attain wisdom?  Wisdom can sometimes come through a rebuke. Of course, it takes humility to accept a rebuke. It is hard to take, and it gets harder as you get older. But if we heed what is being said to us, it will lead us to great wisdom.  Therefore, be wise and learn from even a rebuke. I pray, as we get older, we will still be humble and teachable. I believe this is the mark of spiritual maturity. 

Prayer:  Lord, give me a humble heart to gain wisdom this day. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:  2 Kings 17-18

Today’s blog, written by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church in Raleigh, was originally posted on November 2, 2013.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

What is Sweeter than Revenge?

Psalm 94:1-3 

The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. 2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. 3 How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant? 

Robert F. Kennedy made popular the phrase, “Don’t get mad. Get even.” When it comes to dealing with those who have wronged us, this is the motto our culture teaches us to live by. It is human nature to feel it’s our job to hold others personally responsible for their transgressions against us. This is precisely why lawsuits have been so rampant in our legal system. 

For fun, I googled Kennedy’s quote mentioned above and came across a book with the same title. This Big Book for Revenge claims to be “your reference for retribution.” The back cover reads: “Had enough? Good –It’s time for payback! From creative real estate advertising that will give annoying neighbors a taste of their own medicine to fun tricks with cars for those charming parking space hogs, you’ll find the best recipes for sweet revenge right here.” 

As sweet as revenge may seem, the psalmist reminds us of something very important: God, and God alone, is judge. Our world is broken and people are sinful and as a result we sometimes get hurt by others – be it intentionally or unintentionally; we, of course, hurt other as well.  Instead of taking our cues from culture and rising up to get revenge, we can offer our concerns to God, trusting that He is true to His promise to avenge us. Sometimes it seems like God is taking His sweet time, but we can be confident that God will act in His perfect time and in His perfect way—and that’s sweet!  And if we have hurt others, then, we ought to seek forgiveness.  

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for being merciful towards me, that is, not meting out the punishment I so deserve.  Constantly remind me of what You did for me in Christ so that I may be merciful towards those who irritate and annoy me.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 16

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Lunch Break Study

Romans 12:17-21 (NIV): Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Questions to Consider

1. According to the passage, what is human revenge? 
2. What is the result of our revenge? 
3. How are we instructed to treat those who transgress us? 

Notes 

1. Paul says that human revenge is evil. When we take it upon ourselves to pay back or get even when we’re wronged, we are sinning just as much as the person who has sinned against us. Instead, we have to do what we know is right, to extend forgiveness and allow God to punish and correct as He sees fit. 
2. We don’t leave room for God’s wrath. In other words, we take God’s place as judge. As good as we may think our plans for retribution are, they certainly don’t compare to God’s. And in the end, our plans are guided by our flesh while God’s plans are guided by His Spirit. Our plans lead to ruptured relationships whereas God’s plans lead to reconciliation. 
3. We are instructed to care for those who oppose us. This could point to providing for their physical needs which we should do for anyone we see in need to the extent that we are able. This could also point to realizing that people transgress us because they are lacking spiritually – sin at its core points to a separation from God. Therefore, when people sin against us, they are hungry for the Bread of Life and thirsty for the Water of Life. We have to remember that what they ultimately need is Christ. We can offer Him to them as we extend grace and love and pray for them. 

Are there people in your life right now who have wronged you – maybe a coworker, a family member, or a friend? How have you responded? Spend some time offering these situations to God. Repent for taking it upon yourself to judge and condemn them. Acknowledge that God alone is judge. Pray for them, that God would give them more of himself – maybe even through you. 

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Evening Reflection 

In a Sunday sermon, a pastor told this story: “A certain judge was constantly annoyed by the sneering remarks of a certain ‘wise cracking’ and abusive attorney. Instead of cracking down on the lawyer and silencing him, the judge would only smile and chew on his pencil until people wondered at his patience. At a dinner, someone asked him, ‘Judge, why didn’t you slap down that wise guy lawyer?’ The judge laid down his knife and fork and resting his chin on his hands said, ‘Up in our town there lives a widow who has a dog which whenever the moon shines, goes out and barks all night at the moon.’ Then the judge quietly resumed eating. One of the company asked, ‘But judge, what about the dog and the moon?’ And he replied, ‘Oh, well the moon just keeps right on shining!’” 

No matter how much opposition we face from those around us, we cannot allow them to steal our joy. We are the light of the world.  We have to continue to shine our light even in the darkest of situations. Pray and ask God to give you the wisdom and grace to do just that in situations of conflict or opposition you are facing.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Truly Human (Part 2)

Genesis 1:26-28

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Yesterday, we talked about how, as humans, we exist as worship to God. As God’s image, we are objects of worship in the temple of God’s creation. But in the passage in Genesis 1, after God proclaims humankind as His image bearers, He gives them a follow-up command. He says to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Subdue the earth and have dominion over it. Basically, as the image of God, we are called to rule God’s creation in His place. Being human, then, means firstly existing as worship and, secondly, means ruling over God’s creation. But what does that look like?

The Bible actually speaks quite frequently about how people ought to rule. These passages often speak of kings in the line of David, which ultimately points to Jesus as the true king. But, remember, Jesus is the true human and we learn what it means to be human by looking at Jesus. So, if Jesus modeled certain royal attributes, we as humans should seek to follow suit. We were created to rule and Jesus shows us how.

When you read passages about kingship in the Bible, there are two words that often stand out: righteousness and justice. For example, we read in Psalm 72:1-2, “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!” Similarly, in Isaiah 16:5 we read, “Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.” In God’s eyes, a true ruler would seek righteousness and justice. Being human, as rulers of creation, we ought to likewise seek righteousness and justice. This is what Jesus did – He promoted righteousness (i.e. people being made right with God) and promoted justice (i.e. the availability of healing and wholeness for all people).

What this means is that doing justice and seeking wholeness in our communities is not just something for the “justice-minded” people to think and care about. To be truly human means to truly care about righteousness and justice, to care about communities being healed and systems being promoted that contribute to flourishing for, not just humans, but all of creation. Being human means desiring to see God’s will being done on earth as it is done in heaven. This is what Jesus did. This is what it means to rule over God’s creation in His image. Just as not living as worship is to be subhuman, to not care about righteousness and justice is likewise subhuman.

Today, invite God to show you how to rule with righteousness and justice. See the world with God’s eyes and see the hope of justice and healing, a justice that could even come through you.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to be truly human. May we seek to be bringers of righteousness and justice to this world. There is so much brokenness around us – may our response not be hopelessness, but rather hopefulness. We are Your image and so we can do justice – here and now. May Your Spirit empower us to do this.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Kings 15

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Micah 6:6-8: “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, what does the Lord require of us and what does he not require of us?
2. What do you think it means “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”?
3. In what ways can you do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God today?

Notes

1. The Lord does not require from us empty religion; rather, He requires us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. Now, this does not mean that church does not matter, that anything religious does not matter, and that all that matters is doing good works. There is a both/and here. Religion is empty when it does not seek justice and righteousness, but there is a place for religion, for church, for worship. Remember, worship is primary. But our worship is empty if we are not loving and caring for those around us. Jesus gave us the great commandment, “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” Both are necessary.
2. In Micah’s day, when this was written, there was a lot of oppression in the nation of Israel. The rich were exploiting the poor, rulers were corrupt, and worship of the Lord was hollow. The people had gotten so caught up in the routine of religion that they neglected what really mattered. Jesus summed up the law by saying we must love God and love people. That was meant to be primary. To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God is to do just that – to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. 
3. Invite God to show you how you can do this today. Allow His Spirit to guide you.

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Evening Reflection

This evening, reflect on what we have talked about as being truly human. We all fall short, that’s why we need God’s help. Invite God to fill you with His Spirit so that you can live out your calling as a human by worshiping and by ruling creation with righteousness and justice.