July 14, Sunday

Today’s blog, written by Jabez Yeo (who served for a long time at Remnant Church, NYC), was originally posted on October 19, 2014. He was recently married to River. Congratulations.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Measure of True Success”

Jeremiah 7:27

“When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer.”

For most of my Christian life, I measured success in my service to God either by growth in attendance or the number of people accepting Christ. In one particular year, the Bible study I served in rarely had people attend (besides our leadership team), which made me feel dejected, wondering what exactly I was doing wrong. But the next year, I helped to start a new Bible study, and we had 20-25 people attending weekly with some coming to know the Lord. I would be lying if I said that some pride did not creep into my heart about my “awesome” leadership skills; which was especially ironic since I had spent the same amount of time and energy serving during both years!

As we think about successful service to God, a good case study to consider is the prophet Jeremiah. He received the call to prophesy at an early age (Jer. 1:4-8) and faithfully preached the message of repentance to Judah. Sadly, he did not witness spiritual revival nor repentance; but instead, the wicked prospering (12:1-6), two deportations from Jerusalem (24-25), Jerusalem’s destruction (39), and an ill-advised escape to Egypt (43:1-7). Even more tragically, Jeremiah himself was not exempt from these trials but had to suffer the consequences of his people’s actions (43:6-7).

Was Jeremiah ineffective because of unconfessed sin? This seems unlikely since he interceded for his people and included himself among the guilty (14:19-22). Then, was he not being faithful? This would definitely not be true since he gave 40 years of service and ministered to the last five kings of Judah. Furthermore, he was single by God’s command and did not have any children to carry on his name (16:2). He was beaten, placed in the stocks (20:2), thrown into jail, and into a cistern by his enemies (37-38). In terms of social persecution, he was plotted against (11:18-20; 26:7-15), mocked (20:7) and even the scroll which contained his prophecies was burned by King Jehoiakim, who was unwilling to listen to God (36). All things considered, the case could easily be made that Jeremiah was one of the most faithful men to have ever walked on this earth.

From Jeremiah’s life, it is clear that faithfulness and obedience doesn’t always translate to the results or the “success” that we want. And as we enter into a new season of serving God, this might be a lesson that some of us will experience. While some will be called to fertile ground, to people who will come to know Christ, others will be called, like Jeremiah, to hard soil, to a people who will not listen to us even as we call (7:27). Wherever God leads us to serve, let us remember that He is ultimately the one who brings spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:5-7). All we can do is obey His commandments and calling in our lives; let us surrender the rest to Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that I am already successful in You regardless of whether the world sees me successful or a failure. Please forgive me when my pride gets in the way and I fail to recognize that all good things in my life come from You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 17

July 13, Saturday

Today’s blog, written by Pastor Ryun Chang, was originally posted on March 16, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Imitate Well”

1 John 3:11

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.”

The former NBA player, the great Charles Barkley, perhaps the only man to slam Shaquille O’Neal to the floor, once said, “I’m not a role model. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” Many critics, assailing his remark as being irresponsible and evasive, reasoned that professional athletes, whose fans include many impressionable children, have obligations to be positive influences in society. In retrospect, it was a good thing Barkley said that, since he later made headlines for running sizable gambling debts and drunken driving.

Certainly we need role models, especially children. One Christian author wrote: “Our world is desperately in need of models worth following. Authentic heroes. People of integrity, whose lives inspire us to do better, to climb higher, to stand taller.” No athlete fits that bill better than Tim Tebow, who was previously the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He thanks Jesus after every victory, has committed to chastity until marriage, and helps the poor, such as building a hospital in the Philippines. Tebow says that for him, the goal of playing football “is to be a great role model that parents can look at their son and say, ‘That’s someone who is trying to do it the right way. . . . He is trying to honor God and do the right thing.’” That’s great and I’m so blessed and challenged to hear that, but if the Bible says anything at all, it is that sooner or later the so-called “heroes of faith” will disappoint their fans.

The case in point is the aforementioned author, a leading Bible expositor in America who, after talking about the need for true heroes, pointed to King David as being such a man. One example he gave to vouch for his character is the time when he crept up unnoticed, and cut off a corner of the robe worn by the sleeping King Saul, a man on a mission to kill David. Afterwards, David, so conscience-stricken by his action, lamented, saying, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him . . . .”(1 Sam 24:6a). I wonder whether David himself would have felt comfortable with such flattery or with the idea of becoming a role model for people living in the 21st century. A man who committed murder, adultery, and evasion of responsibility that resulted in the deaths of 70,000 people (2 Sam. 24:12-17) would have probably said, “No, not me.”

It was said earlier that our heroes in the Bible often disappoint us. To that extent, Eugene Peterson offered a refreshingly candid view on David. He wrote: “The narrator refuses to idealize or glamorize him to show that God’s sovereignty works through just such a mixed bag of human failures and sin. . . . The entire biblical story never lets us forget that it is a God’s story of our salvation, not a collection of moral achievements for use as a moral handbook. This is the narrative of what God does to save us, not what we do to please him.” What does this mean? The life of David is intended for us to get excited about God, who continued to love and use him despite of him! If David were to say anything to today’s evangelicals enamored with him, or any other human heroes, even Tebow, he might have said: “Please, I am neither your hero nor your role model, only Jesus is.”

I am sure Tebow would agree with that sentiment as well because he understands, as he said in the aforementioned quote (which I purposely left out), “[I’m] not perfect but everyday [I’m] trying to get better, [I’m] trying to honor God.” Barkley is no hero, not necessarily because of his weak moments on and off the court (for we all have them, including Tebow), but his declaration is to free him so that he could live any way he desires. Tebow’s declaration, on the other hand, is to limit his freedom so that he does not do whatever he pleases; but in order to please his hero, the one whom he calls “my Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s a good thing to try to be a hero to the discouraged and deprived people “just as [we] also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1b NKJ). Inasmuch as salty food creates thirst for water, our lives must create a thirst for Jesus Christ who, like an offensive tackle throwing his body to create a path for his running back, gave up his body to save us. So how is your life? Is anyone seeing Christ through your life? Or have you given that up for more freedom to please yourself? It’s something to think about.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 15-16

July 12, Friday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Sam Lee (Catalyst Agape Church), was originally posted on July 17, 2014.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“We are Rich in Christ”

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I know someone who should never worry about money, but he always mentions all the different ways he can lose it all. He worries about the past and future stock market crashes, thefts, scams, natural disasters, the many other unforeseen and real competitions, and the list would go on and on. The more money he makes, the more fearful he becomes.

Unfortunately, some believers act like this rich man. Though we have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,” yet we act as though we were spiritually poor. We treat the Christian life as a list of do’s and don’ts instead of an abundant life of God overflowing through us. For many of us, it’s a life of performance and going through guilt trips to please a demanding God instead of worshipping a God who loves us so much that He sent His own Son that we may have life. Christianity is not just gritting our teeth and just bearing it. But Paul says that we should run as though we are going to win the race: “Run in such a way to get the prize” (1Cor.9:24). We shouldn’t think of victory just to mean avoiding temptations for a single day, but Jesus reminds us that we, as Christians, will break down the gates of Hades and overcome it.

Let’s remember that we are not poor, but rich. God wants to bless us abundantly so that we can change the world. He wants us to encounter Him, not just to experience a touching, memorable, and emotional revival meeting, but so that we can change the people around us with the overflowing presence of God.

Prayer: Lord, you bless us so that we may bless others. Thank you that your blessings are unlimited. I open my heart so that you may fill every empty place in my heart. Fill me, Lord!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 14

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 12:2-3: I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Questions to Consider

If I want to experience the blessings of God, I always start with thanksgiving. Spend some time thanking the Lord from your heart.
Lies and wrong belief system hides and even steals the blessings of God in our lives. Identity some lies and wrong belief system and reject it.

Notes

One attitude that causes us to be ungrateful is comparing ourselves to others; this makes us feel like God blesses others more than us. Therefore, we fail to recognize that what we have is not something we deserve, but it is God’s gracious favor in our lives.
The two common lies Christians fall for: First, God must love me since I am doing so many great things for him; and second, God must be displeased with me since I’m not doing much for him. While we do need to bear fruits, God’s acceptance of us always begins and ends with Christ and his work on the cross.

Evening Reflection

God blesses you abundantly so that He can use you to change the world. Let’s take a step toward that blessing. Pray and ask God to help you to witness and minister to one person this week.

July 11, Thursday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church) was originally posted on March 7, 2013.

Devotional Thought for Today

“The Suffering Messiah”

Psalm 22:6-8; 16-18

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” . . . 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—17 I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

This psalm has historically been described as a psalm of prophecy because there is nothing in David’s life that correlates exactly to the suffering that he describes in these verses. More than any event in his own personal life, David seems to be writing about a future king who would bear a far greater burden and suffer through unimaginable pain. Although this was written nearly 1000 years before the crucifixion of Christ, it describes the events of the Gospel so accurately that it feels like you are at the foot of the cross.

The idea of a suffering Savior is something that seems like foolishness to both the religious and the irreligious. For Muslims, the idea that God would suffer at the hands of man is repulsive and offensive. For the modern skeptic, it seems irrational for God to subject his Son to such cruel torture. There is simply no way to get around the perceived foolishness of the message of the cross, but for those who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:18).

How can you experience the power of the cross at a practical level? What steps can you take to share the Gospel to coworkers, friends, and family during this season of your life? As you prepare for this day, think upon the wondrous cross and begin to place all your confidence there.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I will never truly understand the price that you paid on my behalf. Even though the world tells me that the Gospel is foolish and outdated, help me to hold firm to my faith and have the confidence that the cross can release the power of God into my life. Help me to trust that the wounds of Christ can bring my healing, his rejection bring my acceptance, his sorrow bring my joy, and his death bring about my life.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 52:13 (ESV): “For thus says the Lord: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.” 4 For thus says the Lord God: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing. 5 Now therefore what have I here,” declares the Lord, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the Lord, “and continually all the day my name is despised. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
8 The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. 9 Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 11 Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord. 12 For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Questions to Consider

Who is the prophet Isaiah speaking about? (Is. 53:4-5)
How will this servant be exalted? (Is. 53:12)
Who is this servant ultimately responsible for serving? (Is. 53:11)

Unlike the modern concept of servant, the Old Testament didn’t consider the idea of being a servant to be entirely demeaning. There is a sense that to serve someone who is important, who you have a close relationship with, is a source of true significance.

Note

It’s clear that Isaiah is prophesying about the future Messiah. In the book of Acts, the Ethiopian eunuch was confused about who Isaiah was speaking about. In light of the Gospel, it is evident that the descriptions of the suffering servant belong to Christ.
We see that the servant can only be exalted as he/she lives a life of obedience. For Christ, this meant obeying the Father’s will all the way to the cross and bearing the sins of many. (Luke 22:42). The servant of God is called to the same privilege as their Savior.
Jesus is referred to as “My Servant” in this passage, suggesting that he ultimately belongs to God. Although, he serves us by bearing our sins, this is done primarily as an act of service to the Father.

Evening Reflection

Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of certain people that you are called to share the Gospel with? Do you have a sense of urgency as you think about the return of Christ? Reflect on how you can live with a greater spiritual awareness.

July 10, Wednesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Mark Chun (Radiance Christian Church) was originally posted on March 19, 2014.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Great Antidote to the Condemning Voice from Within”

1 John 3:19-24 (ESV)

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Adulterous woman The story of the woman caught in adultery out of John 8, illustrates powerfully how Jesus frees us from condemnation. (See below for John 8:1-11.) We are told that the religious leaders brought this woman into the temple courts, in the middle of a crowd having Bible study with Jesus, and demanded a verdict regarding her sin. Imagine the humiliation, the isolation, and the fear of this woman as the weight of her sin was exposed to the church. As the passage unfolds, Jesus speaks the famous words that lead to this woman’s freedom: “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, each of these men filled with anger, drop their stones, and leave until only Jesus and the woman are left alone. In that divine moment, Jesus turns to the woman and asks, “Has no one condemned you?” In response to the woman’s answer of “No one, sir,” Jesus sets her free by stating, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
In going through this passage, it dawned on me that not many of us will fall into public condemnation, but we leave ourselves open to a much greater threat: the voice of self-condemnation. Like this woman, we have to get to a place in our relationship with Jesus, where we are free enough to say, “There is no one left to condemn me, not even myself.” The promise of forgiveness that is found in the Gospel is greater than what our fickle hearts often feel. In fact, it is impossible to be freed from our patterns of sin unless we truly receive the love of Christ, and open ourselves to share that love with others. Then and only then, are we able we come to God with the confidence that is promised us through the sacrifice of Christ.

Prayer: Jesus, I pray that I would encounter you in such a powerful way that reminds me that you are greater than my heart. Help me to overcome the temptation of self-condemnation and to fight against the accusations of the enemy. May I come to realize that whomever you set free, will be free indeed!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 12

Lunch Break Study

Read John 8:1-11 (ESV): but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.

Questions to Consider

What was the nature of the trap that the religious leaders set for Jesus?
Why did Jesus bend down to write on the ground?
What did Jesus command the woman to do?

Note

The religious leaders wanted to trap Jesus either by making him out to be an enemy of the Roman Empire or a false teacher. In the first case, no one could pass a sentence of death without knowledge of the Roman authorities. In the second case, if he simply let the woman go, he could be cast as a teacher without moral convictions and little regard for the Mosaic law.
The classic Christian commentaries suggest that Jesus wrote on the ground to remove attention from the condemned woman and to place the crowd’s focus onto himself. This was a way for Jesus to protect this woman’s dignity and personhood.
Jesus did not minimize the serious nature of her sin, even as he forgave her. In a manner that is consistent with both grace and truth, he commanded her to leave her life of sin.

Evening Reflection

Did you struggle at any point in the day with feelings or thoughts of self-condemnation? Did you judge someone else’s sin without grace? Confess yours sins before the Lord and ask for the freedom that comes through forgiveness.

July 9, Tuesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Mei Lan Thallman (Grace Covenant Church), was originally posted on August 14, 2014.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Finding Rest in Him”

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Worn out from a busy ministry and a family responsibility that comes with caring for two young children, I was really looking forward to this summer break. Signs of physical, emotional and spiritual fatigue started to hit me hard. My mind racing with worries, responsibilities and anxieties, I would wake up from my sleep even more exhausted. In my desperation, I cried out to God for help! “Daddy God, please help me. I cannot go on like this anymore.” He lovingly responded to my desperate plea by inviting me to come to Him and drink deeply from his truth (living water for my dry and weary soul) from Matthew 11:28-30.

As I came to Him, I had to humble myself to face my own neediness and emptiness. And I had to shift my focus from myself and my circumstances, to God and Him alone; a shift from striving to survive in my own strength, to receiving His love, grace and power. In coming to Him, God’s rest began to permeate and penetrate my whole being because I was in His presence, in His love, and in His control.

When I started to consider what it meant to take up His yoke and learn from Him, this is what I discovered: Before I can take His yoke, I must be willing to surrender myself and allow Him to be the Lord of my whole life. That means I am no longer in control, for I surrender to His control, His leading, and His use of my life 24/7. I must also entrust all that is dear in my heart to His yoke, His lordship, which includes my loved ones, my ministry, my burdens, my anxieties and my responsibilities. The amazing thing is that laying it all down enables me to find rest and freedom in His unconditional love, and He gives all sufficient grace to accomplish everything that He has called me to do. I can find rest for my soul because I know whose I am. He is a dependable and trustworthy Father who will see me through, and when needed, He will lovingly make me lie down and rest.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that I can come to you any time to receive, refocus, and realign myself under Your yoke (Your lordship) over my life. Teach me how to enter into Your rest and stay there by believing, trusting and relying on You. When I start to go astray, as I often do, please lead me back by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 91:1-16: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Questions to Consider

In Psalm 91:1-2, resting in the shadow of the Almighty is promised to whom?
What practical steps can you take daily to dwell (hangout) with God?
What are the benefits of dwelling with God according to Psalm 91:9-16?

Notes

This was initially promised to Moses (See Ps. 91). This type of psalm that depicts God’s comfort and protection foreshadowed the ultimate comfort and protection found in Christ, meaning this is a promise for us as well.
There is no substitute for an unhurried time with God, and it is a must. Jesus himself practiced this constantly. Mark 1:33 states (NIV), “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
The benefits are: God’s protection and rescue, answered prayers, and longevity.

Evening Reflection

What differences have you noticed in your life as you consciously work on going to Jesus throughout the day, and allowing His presence to carry you, sustain you, and empower you?

July 8, Monday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“God Works in Strange Ways”

Ecclesiastes 9:1-3

But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

You may have been in this situation before: you’ve invited a friend to Sunday service at your church, and to your surprise, this staunchly atheistic businessman miraculously agrees! You’re not sure whether it’s just to get you off his back, or there’s genuine interest, but all you’re hoping for is that the sermon this week is a “good one.”

My friend Sam was in this exact scenario. He had finally convinced his friend to join him for a Sunday service at his church, but to his utter dismay, the lead pastor was away on a speaking engagement that week; and so the eldest of all the elders took to the pulpit. The old gentleman opened to 1 Chronicles chapter 1. As Sam buried his face in his hands, the elder read in a slow monotonous voice, the genealogy of the Israelite people. Things couldn’t have gone worse. With a long sigh, Sam concluded that his friend was surely never coming back to church.

The service drew to a close, and as soon as the benediction was given, Sam’s friend turned to him, and to Sam’s absolute shock, he said, “Sam, I think I want to become a Christian.” After a short, confusing, yet joyous pause, Sam had to ask, “Wait. WHY?”

His friend replied, “As the old man was speaking about people living and dying, I asked myself, what’s going to happen to me when I die? And then I realized, I need to know more about Jesus.” God certainly works in strange ways (to us, that is).

Solomon brings to light one of humanity’s most avoided, yet most important topic: death. We’re all headed in that direction; from the morally upright to the most crooked of criminals. Perhaps we do not ponder on this truth enough, for if we did, we would be driven daily into the arms of Jesus, the conqueror of death. Today, take a moment to ponder and thank Jesus for His victory over the grave. If there is an opportunity, share this joy you’ve found with a friend, family member, or co-worker.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your death and resurrection. The hope of eternal life with You gives meaning and brings joy to the things that I do here on earth. Help me to live in light of the joy of eternal life today.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 1:21-26: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Questions to Consider

Which does Paul say is better: to live on earth, or go to heaven to be with Christ?
What is Paul’s purpose for continuing to live out his life on earth?
If going to heaven is incomparably better, why do we, as Christians, continue to live in the brokenness of this earth?

Notes

Paul says that it is better to be with Christ. The reality of our situation as Christians is that what lies ahead of us, after we pass on from this world, is far better! This is part of the glorious salvation into which Christ has saved us. But why not just end this life, and go on to what is better?
Paul says that remaining in the flesh is “more necessary on your account.” In other words, the reason God hasn’t taken him home is because he has a mission on this earth to spread the gospel and build the church.
As a believer, a glorious, sin-free, pain-free, God-filled life is waiting for us less than 80 years away. But why wait to enter this glorious new life? Because we have a mission to fulfill here, and when that mission is complete, we will enter fully into that glorious life. But until then, each day is purposefully given to us so that we may love others, spread the gospel, build up the church, and expand His Kingdom. How is His Mission influencing the way you live your life?

Evening Reflection

Earlier today, we looked at a passage where Paul had to make a decision: to depart and be with Christ, or remain on earth for the sake of others. Departing seemed much better for Paul, for remaining on earth required much more suffering, sacrifice, and discomfort; yet Paul’s attitude was to remain in the flesh for the sake of the church.

If you think about it, Jesus had made a similar type of decision: He could have stayed in heaven with the Father, which would have been much better for Him; no one would have said anything. But for our sake, he came in the flesh, requiring suffering, (huge) sacrifice, discomfort, and death; and yet Jesus’ attitude was to give himself entirely up for our benefit.

How can we imitate such self-sacrificial love that we see in Christ, as Paul also sought to emulate? Do we love others enough to sacrifice our own comforts and rights?

July 7, Sunday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by a former staff at an AMI church, was originally posted on September 8, 2013.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Coveting the Presence of God in our Lives”

Psalm 85:10-13

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. 12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

In looking at the descriptions given to various characteristics of love, faithfulness, peace, and so forth, it is striking that they are described in anthropomorphic terms (describing God’s attributes in human expressions). These characteristics point to an infinite and personal God, who cares deeply about our welfare, including restoring and blessing the land (i.e., meeting our daily needs). In closing the Psalm, the writer is filled with the confident hope that this blessing will flow forth from the One whose very nature is to “prosper you and not to harm you” (Jer. 29:11). However, it is not enough for the psalmist to just receive the blessings; he also desires to experience God’s presence in the very land that the Giver of gifts has so blessed.

If we are honest with ourselves, we often desire the blessings of God, but are lukewarm in our desire for the presence of God. The psalmist knew that God’s greatest blessing was His presence, and so our desire for God should precede our desire for the blessings of God. As we examine our heart today, are there desires for even the good things in life that overshadow our desire for God’s presence? Do we desire good gifts but neglect the Giver of those good gifts? So today, the Lord is reminding us to reorder the desires of our hearts and to place the longing for His presence above anything else.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 9

Prayer: Lord, I want to adore, thank, and declare how beautiful it has been to stare at Your face, the Almighty God! You are the incomprehensible triumphant King and I will remember Your magnificence. Thank You for leading me to see You more profoundly this Lord’s day, looking into Your face as Almighty God. Thank You. Amen.

July 6, Saturday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Charles Choe (Tapestry Church, Los Angeles), was originally posted on December 7, 2014.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Knowing God is to Trust Him”

Proverbs 16:3, 9

“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

During my senior year in high school, I recall meeting with my guidance counselor to discuss my future college and major. For some reason, I felt uneasy and an overwhelming fear accompanying me the whole time I was with her. I felt extremely intimidated in deciding my future, for I thought that whatever decision I made now would be irreversible for the rest of my life. Feeling pressured to make the right decision within the fifteen minutes I was allotted, seemed overwhelming for me.

Today’s verses remind us that we do not need to fret or be anxious because God has a plan for our lives that will ultimately glorify Him and be good for us. We can make our own plans, but unless we’re submitting those plans to the Lord, we will continually find ourselves frustrated and being delayed in experiencing His peace. These two verses point out that God is in control even of our plans and He will ultimately establish them.

Just pause and consider that. No matter what you go through, you can go at it with the assurance that God loves you and knows what’s best for you. And if you are willing to commit your ways to Him, He will unfold His perfect plan for your life. This is a very comforting thought. This means that you don’t have to be so anxious about what to do, whether to move to a new city or stay put, whether to date this or that person, or whether to go left or go right. What’s more important than trying to make the right decision is the motive behind that decision.

Ask yourself: Do I want to major in this career to glorify God? Am I dating this person so that I can gain a partner to serve the purposes of the Gospel? It appears to me that you can’t really go against God or make the wrong decision if you are seeking first His kingdom and righteousness.

Ultimately, it’s about committing yourself and your work to the Lord, and desiring his will to be done through your life each day. Knowing God is to trust Him. This is the kind of person that the Lord is looking for. If we become that kind of a person, then Solomon tells us that our plans will succeed. This doesn’t mean that we’ll always make a lot of money or that our lives will be easy. But it does mean that because our vision for our lives are in line with God’s, we will have peace and joy in Him, knowing that we are exactly where He wants us to be.

Prayer: Father, help me to submit myself and my plan to You out of knowing that You are a good God who “plans to prosper [me] and not harm [me], plans to give [me] hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). Most of all, thank You for giving us Jesus to save us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 7-8

July 5, Friday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim of Tapestry Church (Los Angeles), was originally posted on December 28, 2015.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”—What?

Hosea 10:1

Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.

The conclusion of a nationwide survey conducted in the early 2000’s by sociologist Christian Smith, who attempted to gauge the spiritual DNA of Americans, was unsettling: Most Americans believed in what he coined as moralistic therapeutic deism, meaning the goal of life is to feel good about oneself and that God exists to serve us. This shouldn’t surprise us since we live in a time when church services aim to entertain rather than to challenge; it’s more about keeping people in the pews happy, rather than challenging them to follow Christ regardless of the cost. Consequently, we’ve produced consumers, not disciples. So then, why did God save us?

Here, in Hosea 10, we find the prophet pronouncing a scathing judgment upon the nation of Israel for exactly the same reason—they were a self-serving people. At first glance, when Hosea writes that “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit,” it seems to be a compliment. However, in the original language it would be better translated as, “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit for itself.” And this was a serious offense. God as the vinedresser had planted Israel as a vine that would one day bear fruit for others. But instead, they chose a self-centered path. It was all about them!

Israel failed to remember that when God had promised Abraham the nation of Israel in Genesis 12, its primary purpose was to bring blessing to all nations. They were supposed to be a nation that shared God’s blessings with the surrounding Canaanites who served territorial gods that scorned other nations. But unlike Israel, we must not forget why we exist as a community. The church has been instituted, not as a means to primarily serve our own needs, but to be a conduit of God’s blessing to those around us. This means that God has given us the church, our jobs, finances, and abilities as a way to share God’s love and blessings with others. Consider today what God has given you, and begin wrestling with how you can use it all for His glory and for the building up of others. It’s when we live this out that we are most fulfilled and happy!

Prayer: God, help me to see beyond my own needs and desires. Give me a heart full of love and generosity that will allow me to use the gifts and resources You’ve given me for the sake of others and ultimately for Your glory.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 6

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 28:16-20: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Questions to consider

What is the commission given to the disciples before Jesus ascends?
What does it mean that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus?
How have you done lately in regards to living this commission out? Do you share the love of Christ or keep it for yourself?

Notes

He commissions us out to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This means that the church has the responsibility of sharing who Jesus is with the world around us. This prohibits us from making church all about us. It challenges us to look outside of our own spiritual state and to be broken for those who do not yet know Jesus.
Before His risen state, Jesus was a penniless preacher. But now, the situation was much different. No longer did the limitations of the incarnation apply to Him. He now possessed full authority in heaven and on earth. And this is good news because we would not be able to fulfill our commission unless the Jesus who promises to be with us until the end has all authority in heaven and earth. He is the only reason we can accomplish what we’ve been sent to do.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

We live in a culture where giving is not our default posture, and it’s easy to constantly think about ourselves more than ever. How can you work on becoming more other-centered? What are some areas of greed in your life? Do you reflect the generosity and the giving posture of the God we serve? Or do you reflect the self-serving pattern of our world? Take some time to assess the way you live your life in regards to these questions.