May 29, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“A People of Rest”

Exodus 31:13-14

“But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.

You know you’re from Atlanta (pronounced At-lan-na) when Chick-fil-A isn’t just fast food; it’s a way of life. And you know that there’s no other day that you want Chick-fil-A more than on a Sunday—the day when this icon of delicious Southern hospitality is closed nationwide. This is what is said on their website in regards to their weekly Sunday closure:

“Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett [Cathy, founder] saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose – a practice we uphold today.” And despite opening one day less than most of its competitors, we see that Chick-fil-A on average sales per restaurant is greater than the likes of McDonalds and KFC.

In today’s passage, God once again reiterates the importance of the Sabbath. We see how important the Sabbath is by looking at the language used: “you shall surely… it is holy… put to death… cut off from among his people.” And the ultimate reason why this commandment is given is so that in observing the Sabbath, the people may know God is the Lord that sanctifies them. It is recognizing that it is God alone who delivered the Israelites from Egypt, it is God alone who provides for them as they wandered in the desert, and it is God alone who shall lead them into the Promised Land.

The Sabbath represents the relationship that God’s people enjoy with Him as they are able to rest from all labor and worship Him on this day. What is implied is that those who are not under this covenantal relationship with God cannot enjoy this kind of rest—they must continue to toil and struggle. It is an expression of trust—trusting that in our obedience, God will take care of the rest. Not that we believe that just because we observe the Sabbath, we will be rewarded with financial success like Chick-fil-A, but there is a peace and freedom that comes from knowing that He is our God and we are His people.

In a society driven by grit and hustle, it is truly refreshing to believe that as God’s people, we can live with this sense of peace and rest, because we know who we truly are in Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus who is our peace. We thank You that because of the cross, that we no longer have to live based on our own righteousness, but we are able to live in the reality that we are Your children. Help us to observe the Sabbath as a testament of that truth, not just on Sundays, but everyday of our lives. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 6:25-27: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

John 1:12-13: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Questions to Consider

What lesson is Jesus drawing for the crowd as He directs their attention to the creation? If the argument is from lesser to greater, how are we to understand our relationship with God?
What does the John passage teach us in regards to who we are for those who have received Christ? What connections can we make with the Matthew passage?
When you think about the things you are anxious or fearful about, how might these things conflict with your identity as a child of God? How is the Spirit leading you toward peace?

Notes

When looking at creation, we see that the animals and plants are taken care of by the natural order of God. Unlike their human counterparts, we see that creation does not have an elaborate tactic of security. And if God cares for them, the rhetorical question asked is, how much more so does our Heavenly Father care for us?
John teaches us that through Christ alone have we been given the right to be called children of God. In connection to the Matthew passage, Christ’s offer of grace seals our right to be children of God; therefore, more than all of creation, our Heavenly Father will provide and protect His children. This security is given to us by something more precious than our blood-lineage; it is guaranteed by the righteousness of Jesus.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Gratitude is a good thermometer of how we are doing in terms of casting our anxieties upon Him. As you end another day, take some time to recognize and give thanks for God’s many provisions for you, how you can live in true freedom rather than under the yoke of constantly seeking security that can only be held by ourselves.

May 28, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Calling and Provision: Corporate”

Exodus 31.6b-11

“. . . and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of testimony, and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent, 8 the table also and its utensils, and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and the laver and its stand, 10 the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, with which to carry on their priesthood; 11 the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.”

A favorite story of mine growing up is called “Stone Soup.” It is a story of a lonely traveler who seeks shelter in a village. But when the villagers refused to provide food or shelter, he begins to cook what he calls “stone soup.” Placing a large stone in a pot full of water, he shares how excited he is for his meal. This obviously perplexes nearby villagers. Long story short, the traveler tricks the villagers into contributing carrots, potatoes, meat, etc. so that the soup would be that much better; the moral of the story being how much better the outcome can be when everyone contributes.

Yesterday, we reflected on how God calls individuals to join Him in His work, having already placed within them through the Spirit the gifts and means through which they can uniquely contribute to that work. Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on how this can impact a community when people come together to contribute their gifts and talents for the work of God.

We read that the same kind of anointing God placed upon Bezalel and Oholiab will be placed in the hearts of all who are skillful. God did this so that they may make all that he had commanded them. Calling and provision: the commandment given by God along with the means provided by God to accomplish those commandments. I want to remind you of the context in which this is all happening. They have been wandering the deserts. There is no Walmart or Home Depot for them to pull into to get the materials to make the altar of incense or burnt offering, the utensils required, the thread for the garments for Aaron and his sons, the anointing oil, and the list goes one. Just take a glance over chapters 25-30, and you’ll see how exact God’s instructions are for the construction of these things. Even with a Walmart or Home Depot, these things would be near impossible to bring together.

And yet the people of God are able to fulfill the commandments collectively because God had called them, and through them, provided every means and skills required. We see the beauty of what happens when God’s people collectively respond in obedience to join in what He is doing. We see how the provisions for accomplishing these things are found right within the community. The joy an individual experiences in making his God-endowed, unique contribution to the work of God is that much more amplified when God’s people corporately respond in obedience. In this, we see that as much as we are called individually, we are called collectively—this is what it means to be the church of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help us to recognize the importance of the Body of Christ, after which we immerse ourselves fully into its corporate functioning in such a manner that we all make important contributions to Your work of redeeming the nations. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 18

Lunch Break Study

Read: 1Peter 2:4-7a: As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe…

Questions to Consider

Take a moment to delve into the imagery used by Peter in this passage. What insights can you draw from the picture?
What is the promise that is provided in this passage when the holy priesthood of God is built up as a spiritual house? What might this imply to those who choose to be a part of God’s spiritual house?
Whether in the ministries you are serving in or your small groups, do you see this building up of living stone happening? In what ways is God calling you to a greater cohesiveness with other living stones?

Notes

There can be a lot of things we can pull from this image, but couple of highlights: (1) the imagery shows that Christ is the first stone that was rejected, and He is the ultimate cornerstone upon which we are built to become the spiritual house of God. Us being living stones = being Christlike. (2) One stone cannot be a house; only when stones are built upon each other can it become a house. Similarly, the church is built not only by one individual, but when all contribute for the sake of building up of the body.
The promise is twofold. When we become living stones like Christ, we will be rejected by the world. But despite being rejected by the world, the promise here is that the honor will be for those who believe. There is a great honor waiting for those who are part of God’s spiritual home.
Personal response. The passage we studied yesterday (Ephesians 4) can also help provide insight in your reflection.

Evening Reflection

When was the last time you took a moment to thank God for your church? Your local church community is one of the most tangible ways in which you see this collective response to God’s calling. It is the place in which you are built up and where you build up. This evening, take a moment to thank the Lord for your community.

May 27, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from May 27-June 2 are provided by Pastor Joshua Kim of Church of Southland. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot School of Theology (Th.M.), serves as the pastor of Access group (singles). He is married to Christina. They recently had their first child.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Calling and Provision: Individual”

Exodus 31:1-6

Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Many of us have experienced the horrors of elementary school recess when the dreaded moment of picking teams comes upon us. It’s always the best athletes (or the most popular guys) who would be the captains, who then would proceed to pick one person at a time to be on their team. That’s when the bartering begins:

“If you pick me, I’ll give you the candy my mom packed for lunch.” “Pick me, I’ll just pass the ball to you, because obviously, you’re the best out there!” Then, the honor and gloat that comes from being chosen—there’s no feeling like it.

There is something about being chosen that we as human beings get a sense of satisfaction from. And in today’s passage, we see two examples of individuals—Bezalel and Oholiab—who are chosen, the term being called or appointed by God to carry out a specific task. But it goes much beyond that. With the calling comes a provision of the very skills and talents they would need to accomplish the task at hand. There is calling, and there is provision.

The thing is, these skills didn’t just appear. Yes, it does say that the Spirit of God endowed it upon them, but it’s not so much that Bezalel all of a sudden had these skills uploaded to him. Rather, understanding that most trades were developed through apprenticeship and learning from, most likely, their fathers, we see that there is a period of grooming of the individual to the point of excellence.

Not to disregard the truth that the Spirit of God endows these gifts upon individuals, but the wonderful thing we must remember is that God’s hand was on these individuals since their youth, grooming them in such a way that they may one day serve in the making of these instruments of worship onto God.

All of us have been endowed by the Creator with incredible skills and talents. We see in the world how these talents can be used for our own benefit, building temporary kingdoms of earthly glory. But when these God-given skills are joined together with the calling of God for His purposes—this is the satisfaction that is available to those who serve the Lord.

How has God endowed upon you incredible gifting? It may not look like much in the eyes of the world, but when used in the name of Jesus, there is incredible power and fruitfulness available. Brothers and sisters, God is at work all around us, and He is calling us to join Him, utilizing our God-given gifts and talents. So, how will you respond to Him today?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that in Your provision of salvation, You have given me purpose and calling to join in Your work. Thank You for the Spirit of God that imparts me with gifts and skills that allows me to uniquely join You in Your work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 17

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 4:1-3, 7, 11-13: Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Questions to Consider

What is the main idea that Paul conveys in this passage? What does it mean “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called”?
Paul explains that through Christ’s victory through the Resurrection, one of the outcomes is that He gave gifts to men. In particular to people who serve within the church (v.11), what is the reason for these gifts?
How have you seen this happen in your life? Have others built you up so that you can utilize your gifts for the sake of building up others/the church?

Notes

As for the theme of Ephesians as a whole, Paul’s focus is on the unity of the church. Walking in a manner worthy of the calling entails humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance (amongst others) so that through this, we are able to preserve the unity that the Spirit gives to the church.
Although verse 11 is a more specific calling to serve as leaders within the church, it can also be applied generally. Everyone has received gifts in order that they might fulfill their calling. Leaders within the church are called to equip others so that they too may join in ministering to one another.
Personal response. Think of how you have personally been equipped by others so that you may use your gifts for the blessing of others.

Evening Reflection

As you have gone throughout the day today, in what ways have you recognized God using your gifting or skills He has provided to bless others? How do you feel about these moments? Spend some time thanking God for His calling and provision in your life.

May 26, Sunday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Fragrant and Pleasing Aroma”

Exodus 30:22-38

Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekel of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 24 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 26 Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. 30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’” 34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”

Six years ago, while taking my last film class of my college career, I had the privilege of attending a guest lecture by an Oscar winning producer. When she walked on stage, to our surprise, she had brought a special friend to stand next to her the entire lecture. He was only 13.5 inches tall and weighed 8.5 pounds, but he caught the biggest attention and response from the crowd. The moment we saw her friend, everyone stood a little taller, our eyes grew wider, we became more attentive, and you could sense that everyone wanted to show their very best version. If you haven’t figured out who her friends was, it was the famous Oscar statuette.

Today we read the meticulous details of what it took to make the precious anointing oil that would be poured onto Aaron and his sons for their priestly work. It was, in fact, such a delicate work that verse 25 describes it as “the work of a perfumer.” Along with these instructions comes a clear command that the misuse of this oil would lead to their excommunication from the people (v.32-33). This passage may seem like a contradiction to yesterday’s devotional where we talked about the heart being the most important thing. However, the tabernacle was created for the unique purpose of offering worship to God. Worship is the place where we are called to give our very best to God, and the distinct role of giving God our best worship still applies to us today. We are called to exude worship that is holy and pleasing to God, like a pleasing and fragrant aroma.

I am confident that almost every aspiring filmmaker in that lecture hall wanted to give their very best when they saw the prized Oscar statuette. Timothy Keller once said in his message about worship, “If you’re not worshipping God, you’re worshipping something else.” God created every person to worship Him and the truth is, if God is not receiving the fullness of your worship, something else is. Can I ask you, where is your affection and worship pointed to? Is your desire to give God your very best or are you worshipping worldly idols? Let’s bring these things to the Lord that we may be able to give God true and proper worship. This is the heart that God has placed in us, to give our best to the things we love.

Prayer: God may my worship today be a fragrant and pleasing offering to you. Forgive me for the things that have taken your place and help me to lay down my idols to give you true and proper worship. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 16

May 25, Saturday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“It’s About the Heart”

Exodus 30:17-21

Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.19 Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it.20 Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, 21 they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”

When I was a teenager, I had bouts of rebellious tendencies where I would lie to my mom to get my way. Most times I felt I had to lie because I thought that she would not understand, or she would impose her own way. One afternoon, I lied to my mom that I was hanging out at the local Barnes and Noble, when in fact, I went to go watch a movie with my friends. When I came home after my rebellious hangout, I went to greet my mom and noticed she had been crying. She did her best to act normal and hide it, but I knew something was wrong. After asking me to sit down, she proceeded to tell me that she knew where I was. As I attempted to justify myself, she stopped me to ask one question: “Did you lie or did you not lie?” Of course, I avoided answering the question and proceeded to justify myself again. However, she stopped me mid-sentence to ask me the same question. All I could do at that point was say, “Yes I lied.” As she looked at me, she said, “I’m not mad. I’m upset because something in your heart made you feel like you had to do the wrong thing to get something you felt was the right thing.”

In today’s passage, we read the next command of priestly duties that consists of a ceremonial washing before entering the tent. They are told that any priest who fails to follow this command will surely die. This washing was to remind the Aaronic priests the holiness that God required for their service.

Throughout the New Testament, we see this ceremonial washing come up numerous times by the Pharisees who insisted that before every meal there should be a ceremonial washing. In fact, in Mark 7 it states that the Pharisees were surprised to see that Jesus and his disciples did not hold the ceremonial washing tradition before eating, and they questioned Jesus. Jesus’ response turns the table on the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites who hold on to human traditions (v.8). Then he adds, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them” (v.15). This is to say, while we are called to holiness like the Aaronic priests, true holiness comes when our hearts and thoughts are pure before the Lord and free of “sexual immortality, theft, murder, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, folly” (v.12-22).

I lied to my mom that day because I felt that she wouldn’t understand me, so I portrayed myself the way I thought she wanted me to be – a good, studious daughter. But my mom’s desire was to see her daughter live in integrity regardless of the circumstances. In the same way, God does not demand worldly perfection or wants us to present ourselves in the version we believe He wants, but He desires for our heart to be made right so that we may live in the fullness of His plan and purpose for our lives. Take some time to reflect on your heart today. Is there anything that is defiling your heart? Bring it to the Lord and let His blood, which was shed to forgive our sins, wash you and redeem you.

Prayer: God I thank You that Your work on the cross has sanctified me once and for all. I pray that You would help me to live a life governed by a pure heart—a heart that seeks to honor You, honors others, and honors my body. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 14-15

May 24, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Fairness of God”

Exodus 30:11-16

“Then the Lord said to Moses, 12 “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. 13 Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. 14 All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. 15 The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. 16 Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

Serving at a church with about 100 children, I’ve noticed a common behavior in all children – an innate need for fairness. Whether the fairness is exhibited by something as simple as getting the same number of gummy bears during snack time to something as big as getting treated equally as their peers, I’ve noticed that all children want equal treatment. Any behavior that falls outside of this standard will usually be proceeded by a loud, “That’s not fair!” At the heart of it, however, I recognize that these are the beginning seeds of justice. We know that God is a just God, and if we are created in His image, then, all humans have some degree of desire to see justice in the world.

In today’s passage, we see for the first time in Israel’s history a census taking place. During the census, God tells Moses that all who are counted must pay a ransom for their life. However, Moses says that the rich must not give more than half a shekel and the poor must not give less than half a shekel (v.15). In other words, God requires all to pay an equal amount regardless of their socioeconomic status. “How is that fair?” you might wonder. Why does the rich who live in abundance need to pay the same amount as the poor who are lacking and in need? We certainly see this discussion constantly occurring in politics. Well, it might surprise you to know that God does this precisely because He is a just and fair God.

Wealth and status did not matter in the eyes of God when he looked at each individual. He required all to give the same amount because He see us equally – equally loved and equally in need of grace. God’s desire was to restore all His people to right standing with Him and this meant everyone needed their sins atoned for. Thus, all were required to give equally to the priest what was needed for their sins to be made right. God sees all souls equally precious and there is no outward circumstance that can affect the state of our souls—as Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Let’s take some time today to reflect on whether we are living a life that seeks justice through worldly fairness or justice in the eyes of God. Are you frustrated or grumbling about something of outward significance or are you fighting for the justice of people’s lives and souls? True equality is when we see all of God’s people under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God, I thank You that You do not look at merit or status, but You see us all equally. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. And help me to fight for the things that lead people to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 7:1-6: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Questions to Consider

What does Jesus warn the people against?
Why does Jesus give this warning?
Jesus did not prohibit judgment, but he required fair judgment (Jn. 7:24)– that we would judge others by the same standard we judge ourselves. Are there people or situations in your life where you are setting different standards than the ones you are living by?

Notes

Jesus tells the people not to judge
Jesus warns the people against passing judgment because when we do so we will be judged in a similar manner.
Personal.

Evening Reflection

Take some time to reflect on your day. Did you encounter any unfairness or injustices throughout the day? How did you respond? Also, did you pass any unfair judgments on others? Take some time in repentance and ask the Lord to help you see people the way God sees them and to respond to people the way Jesus would respond to them.

May 23, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Day and Night, Night and Day, Let Incense Arise”

Exodus 30:1-10

“Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. 2 It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it.3 Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it. 4 Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you. 7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. 9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”

One of my favorite worship songs came out in 2012 titled, “Worthy of it All”. The lyrics begin with a declaration to God that “all the saint and angels, they bow before Your throne. All the elders cast their crowns before the Lamb of God.” And as the song reaches the chorus it gives the reasoning to this declaration, because “You are worthy of it all, Jesus. For from you are all things and to you are all things. You deserve the glory.” What a beautiful picture that captures who God is and what He has done for us. But the song doesn’t just end there. As we hit the bridge, the song repeats one simple line, “Day and night, night and day, let incense arise!” To understand the imagery of incense we must turn to Scripture, which reveals that incense often times signifies the prayers lifted to God as a sweet aroma of thanksgiving and praise. In light of this, the song comes together in a new way. Not only must we recognize God is worthy of it all—because for from him and to him are all things—but we must respond to this truth by lifting up prayers day and night, night and day as a response of thanksgiving to his gift of grace.

Today’s passage discusses the altar of incense that it to be built and placed near the ark of the testimony where God will meet with his people (v.6). And God tells Aaron to burn incense every morning and every night so that there will be a “perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations” (v.9). As we recognize the gift of atonement by God’s grace, evidenced in Exodus 29, our response must be to give regular prayers before the altar of incense.

I know that many Christians struggle with the idea of praying to a holy God wondering if they can approach God with their requests in light of all the things they’ve done. However, we must remember that God’s gift of grace settled all of that on the cross so that we may approach Him. We do not pray to be in good standing with Him, but we pray as a response of thanksgiving for His ultimate sacrifice. Through this we can now freely go to the Father with our requests, worries, and praises that they may arise day and night, night and day. Today take some time to reflect on your prayer life. Do you pray to get in right standing with God? Or are you living in grace and truth of God’s gift to you? Remember this is a free gift, and as you receive this gift, may you lift up incense all the days of your life as an offering of thanksgiving to the Father who gave it all for you.

Prayer: God thank You for Your gift of grace on the cross. Forgive me for the ways I have tried to earn this gift. Help me to cultivate a life that lights incense of prayers day and night as a response to this incredible gift of grace. In Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 86:1-13: Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

Questions to Consider

Why does King David petition to God (v.1)?
After King David gives his reasoning for his prayer, what does he do for the rest of the chapter?
What is an area in your life that you need God to teach you His ways in order that you may live with an undivided heart fearing His name?

Notes

David prays to God because he is poor and needy.
He states the attributes of God’s character and who he knows God to be (v.2-10). He then asks God to teach him His ways (v.11)
Personal.

Evening Reflection

Take some time to reflect on your day. Were you able to lift prayers up to the Lord throughout your day? Or were you caught up in the busyness of life? Take some time today to lift a prayer of thanksgiving for the work He has done, for the provision He provided today, and for the work He will continue to do.

May 22, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Consecration to Communion”

Exodus 29:26-46

Aaron’s sacred garments will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them. 30 The son who succeeds him as priest and comes to the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days. 31 “Take the ram for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place. 32 At the entrance to the tent of meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket. 33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat them, because they are sacred. 34 And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning, burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred. 35 “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. 36 Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. 37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy. 38 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord. 42 “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory. 44 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

Something I distinctly remember about my college experience was the continuous love and care that I felt by people who would open up their home to cook for others and myself. As we would break bread, there would be a natural fellowship, comfort, and care that everybody in the room would feel. It’s not a coincidence that much of the fellowship we see in Scripture is precisely through the sharing of a meal. I realize now that my college leaders took the time to cook and eat with people to bring a sense of comfort and love the way Jesus brought people of different backgrounds together. And it was this experience that drew me closer to the love of Christ as I was brought into deep community and fellowship with other believers.

In today’s passage, after Aaron and his family go through the long consecration and anointing process, they are instructed to eat the food that was given as an offering. It is important to note that the eating came after the washing, clothing, and atonement process. The reason is because the eating was to signify the continuing relationship of the priest with God. However, God does not stop there in His pursuit for relationship. At the end of Exodus 29, God tells Aaron and his sons to offer a continual burnt offering throughout the generations. He promises that through this offering God would once again meet with His chosen people and speak to them in order that “they shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them” (Ex. 29:45-46). God’s purpose in all the elaborate sacrifices we read throughout this chapter was for this very reason – that God would once again commune with His chosen people that they would know He is their God.

I received my call to ministry my junior year in college after experiencing incredible healing and love through the community that God had brought in my life. I credit the many people who cooked for me, broke bread with me, and offered their time, resources, and energy to reveal the love of Christ that I may ultimately commune with God myself. Let’s reflect today on some of the ways that we can extend hospitality to others that others may be pointed to Christ. God’s desire is that all may know He is their God, and we have the amazing privilege to partner with Him in bringing others to the presence of God. May our lives be one that brings people to encounter this amazing God who desires to commune with everyone.

Prayer: God I thank You for your love that continuously pursues a relationship with me. And thank You for the people that You brought in my life to demonstrate this love that I may draw closer to You. Help me to be agent of this love to others that they may encounter you as well. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 11

Lunch Break Study:

Read Luke 14:15-24: When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.
17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

Questions to Consider

Many were invited to the great banquet, but many made excuses. What do these excuses signify? (v.18-20)
What was the master’s response to the excuses? (v.21)
Are there any excuses you are making in your life right now that is preventing you from joining the great banquet?

Notes

These excuses reveal they were more interested in their personal/worldly endeavors than feasting in the kingdom of God (v.15).
The master became angry and ordered the servant to go into the streets and alleys to bring the poor, crippled, bind, and lame.
Personal.

Evening Reflection

This morning we discussed the ultimate purpose for the sacrifices that God called Aaron and his sons to perform – to restore people back to a relationship with God. This afternoon we read about God’s invitation for people to join in on his great banquet – the kingdom of God – however, many made excuses. Reflect on the day. Did your life extend hospitality to others that they would commune with God? Or did you make excuses because of busyness or personal desires? Take some time to reflect on ways you can join in on God’s work and lead others to communion with God.

May 21, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Atoning Sacrifice”

Exodus 29:10-25

“Bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. 11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar. 13 Then take all the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its intestines outside the camp. It is a sin offering. 15 “Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.16 Slaughter it and take the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces and wash the internal organs and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. 18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord. 19 “Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then splash blood against the sides of the altar. 21 And take some blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated. 22 “Take from this ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. 23 From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take one round loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and have them wave them before the Lord as a wave offering. 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a food offering presented to the Lord.”

Two months ago, my dog of 17 years passed away. Although I had prepared myself for this sad day, the grief was one that I still cannot explain. Most of it came, when looking back, from the realization that my dog had been with me for more years of my life than not. She saw me through my rebellious, absent teenage years to my move to college that left me seeing her only a few times a year, until I moved back home during the last years of her life. As I saw all the transitions that she had gone through to cater to my absent lifestyle, I realized her undying loyalty and faithfulness to me until the end. It was precisely this realization that brought me so much grief as I regretted my choices to not be a better caretaker.

Today’s passage highlights the unusual process of laying hands on an animal’s head before slaughtering it before the Lord. This process was meant to symbolize the transference of sin from a guilty person onto an animal that, then, is slaughtered as a substitutionary sacrifice. We know that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) and to approach a holy God we must be cleansed by an atoning sacrifice. What a humbling experience: to put your hands on the head of an innocent animal as you confess the sins that you should die for, and then witness its innocent death in your place.

Although the death of my dog and the regret I felt in no way compares to witnessing something die in place of my sins, I can see the weightiness that God desired for all people to understand during this process. We must recognize that the road to sin is death and it separates us from the God who desires to be in a relationship with us. However, God does not leave us here; He gives us a gift – an ultimate sacrifice that will take our place forever. “For the wages of sin [may be] death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

Today let us remember the cost of sin and the sacrifice it took, but may it not leave us in despair or regret, but thanksgiving for Jesus’ work on the cross. And most of all, may it lead us to action to pursue a life of purity because we know, through the work of Christ, God does not just delight in sacrifice and takes no pleasure in burnt offerings, but a broken and contrite heart he does not despise (Ps. 51:16-17).

Prayer: God I thank You for Your love that moved You to stand in the place of my death. And thank You that I may now freely approach Your throne. Help me to never forget the cost of my sins, but may it lead me to a life of purity that seeks to honor You in all things. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 6:15-23: What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Questions to Consider

What are the effects of living as a slave to sin compared to living as a slave to righteousness?
What is the mark that you are not a slave to sin but to righteousness?
This passage reveals that we are either a slave of sin or a slave of righteousness, for we cannot serve two masters. Is there any sin in your life that is preventing you from living in righteousness?

Notes

Slaves of sin will reap death (v.16) while slaves of righteousness will live in holiness and eternal life (v.22).
A life of obedience (v.16).
Personal.

Evening Reflection

Take some time to reflect on the day. Were you living in the righteousness given to you through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross? Or were you living in sin? If you find yourself discouraged at the sins of your life, remember we are living under grace because of Christ. That does not mean we can continue living in sin, as we read in today’s lunch break study, but it does mean God’s mercies are new every morning. As you go in repentance, ask the Lord for strength to live in obedience and righteousness tomorrow.

May 20, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from May 20-26 are provided by Jennifer Kim, a staff at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey). Jennifer, a graduate of Boston University, spent a year in Shanghai as one-year intern from 2013-14. She is currently attending Alliance Theological Seminary.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Priesthood of All Believers”

Exodus 29:1-9

“This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect. 2 And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil. 3 Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams. 4 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. 6 Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred emblem to the turban. 7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. 8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.”

When I first started as the youth pastor at Catalyst 5 years ago, I was convinced that I would easily relate to our youth kids. I was 23 at the time—meaning, the age gap was only about 10 years, I was technologically savvy, I understood pop culture, and the list goes on. Well, it took less than a month to realize that I was completely wrong. I not only struggled to understand their interests, but I couldn’t understand some of their lingo. Twenty-three certainly is not old, but these kids made me feel old, and worst of all, irrelevant!

Often, when we read books containing the Mosaic law, we ask ourselves, “How is this relevant?” I mean how many of us have tried to do the one-year Bible plan but gave up when the long list of laws continued for the next 100 plus chapters? So why would God utilize the first books of the Bible to go through the meticulous details of the Old Testament law? Well the simple answer is quite relevant, as a matter of fact, it’s life changing. It was to reveal the cost and weight of sin in order to point humanity to the ultimate Messiah who would take on the sins of the world.

Exodus 29 begins with the detailed procedure of consecrating God’s chosen leader. Priests were chosen to represent others before God, and they had the assignment of entering into the tabernacle where God’s presence dwelled in order to atone for the sins of others. This elaborate consecration process was essential because only a holy person could face God’s presence and survive. Although not all of us are called to be pastors or ministers, 1 Peter 2:5 reveals that through the work of Christ we are all a holy priesthood. As Jesus Christ stood in the place of sinners, offering himself as a holy and blameless offering, he sanctified all by his own blood and suffering (Heb. 2:10). As Jesus stood in our place, he tore the veil in order that we ourselves may enter His presence as a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices.

Today let’s remember that God calls all of us chosen and a royal priesthood. As we give God thanksgiving for His sacrifice that we may freely enter His presence, let us also remember that this came at a price, and a heart of thanksgiving is always moved to action. 1 Peter 2:5 reveals that action is to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. Take some time and ask yourselves, what can you give God today as your spiritual sacrifice?

Prayer: God thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice that I never have to atone for my own sins. Continue to build me into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 9

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 2:4-10 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Questions to Consider

Contrast the status appointed for the believer and the unbeliever.
What assignment does God give to those He calls a royal priesthood?
What is one way that you can declare the praise of God through the testimony of God’s work in your life?

Notes

The unbelievers will be rejected (v.7), they will cause others to stumble (v.8), and they themselves will stumble because of their disobedience (v.9). Believers are called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (v. 9).
To “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (v.9).
Personal.

Evening Reflection

Today we discussed the sacrifice of the ultimate Lamb who atoned for our sins that we may freely enter into God’s presence. Now, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are called a royal priesthood; however, this title comes with a commission to declare the praises of God that all may enter into His presence. Take some time to reflect on your day. Did your words, actions, and thoughts declare the praise of Him? Would others be able to see you as a royal priesthood of Christ? Write down specific ways you can offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord that others may know their priesthood in Christ Jesus through your life.