March 26, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“A Divine Warrior”

Exodus 15:3

“The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.”

There have been a couple of near-death experiences in my life.  One in particular occurred during a visit to the tunnels of Cu Chi outside of Ho Chi Minh City.  According to Wikipedia, “These tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces.”

As I navigated through the maze of tunnels, the walls became increasingly narrow, and fresh air became scarce.  The Vietnamese certainly knew that US soldiers were generally taller and wider! Before I knew it, I was stuck in the tunnel, my heavy backpack lodged firmly between the side walls of the tunnel.  Panic began to set in! I couldn’t breathe! I thought I was going to die!

At that moment, my Vietnamese tour guide managed to get me out of the cramped quarters, remove the backpack from my shoulders, and led me out of the Cu Chi back to safety.  During those panic-stricken moments, I was truly paralyzed. My guide had literally “fought for my safety”.

Today’s passage reveals that our God is a warrior God.  After Moses and Israel made it through the Red Sea unharmed, the Lord is called a “man of war”—a warrior who fights for the good of His people.  It is in God’s nature to wage war against those who rise up against His name and His children. We can rejoice in that our covenant-keeping God will never leave us nor forsake us.  His outstretched arms are always present to defeat the enemies of His Kingdom (Deut. 5:15; Heb. 13:5).

Exodus 15:4-10 talks about God’s weapons.  His right hand can control the sea. He is sovereign over the elements and uses them to destroy those who oppose Him.  He even displays His power in the form of psychological warfare—His enemies trembling in fear when hearing of the Lord’s salvation of Israel (vv. 13-16).   

As ones who live in the new covenant era, Satan and his army fear the power of Christ.  Jesus fights for us, with the sword of the gospel to transform nations. Our Lord wields His power on our behalf, so we can truly claim it is our strength.  Psalm 28:7 says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”  In Him alone we must rely, not our own strength.  The Puritan William Gurnall wrote, “The strength of the general in other hosts lies in his troops…but in the army of saints, the strength of every saint, of the whole hosts of saints, lies in the Lord of hosts.”  (The Christian in Complete Armour, p. 18)

Take some time this morning to hand over our battles to the Lord of War.  He is our divine warrior. David knew this when we surrendered his showdown with Goliath to the Lord by declaring, “The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will help us defeat all of you!”  Surrender your fears, your Red Seas, your immovable mountains to the Lord. He knows us, cares for us, and will deliver us for His glory!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I ask that You take my present battles.  In these, I will not lift a finger. I ask You to fight on my behalf.  I thank You that You do not allow the battles of life to overcome me. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Bible Reading for Today:  Acts 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Judges 7:2-9: The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. 4 And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” 5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” 6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. 7 And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” 8 So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.  9 That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand.

Questions to consider

  1. Judges 7:2 shows that as humans, we will naturally boast in our own work.  What do you think Gideon was thinking when his army went from an already overmatched 32,000 Israelites against 135,000 Midianites to only 10,000 Israelites?
  2. In what way is boasting “over”/against God (v.2)?
  3. How does our sinful nature to boast in ourselves change the way we respond to areas of weakness in our lives? (See 2 Cor 12:5-10)

Notes

  1. This was a great test of Gideon’s faith.  Although outnumbered almost 1 to 4, God thought his army was too big, and He commanded Gideon to invite all who were afraid to go home.  Gideon was probably surprised at the number of men who were afraid to fight and hoped that only a few hundred would leave.  But we are told that they assembled in a place where they could see the 135,000 Midianite troops (Judges 7:8). This sight of the huge opposing army must’ve left Gideon and the Israel army afraid.
  2. This explains why the army of 32,000 was too large.  Israel could still take credit for a victory if they had 32,000 troops.  They could believe they were underdogs who triumphed through their own great bravery or strategy.  God wanted the odds so bad that the victory would clearly be His alone. If we really believe the principle, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6), then our smallness does not matter.  
  3. Paul was not immune to the danger of pride.  No one is. Even the best of God’s people have in them a root of pride, or a disposition to be exalted above  measure, upon their receipt of grace from God not common to others. Paul was desperate in his desire to find relief from his burden but knew that God’s method was to give sufficient grace.  We don’t really believe God’s grace is sufficient until we believe we are insufficient. Especially in American culture, this is a huge obstacle. We want to be “self-made” and want to rely on ourselves.  We can’t receive God’s strength until we know our weakness.  

Evening Reflection

From the OT (how God set Israel free from Egypt; how He warred on their behalf in bringing them into the promised land; and how He turned to war against them when they no longer followed Him), into the NT (how the Messiah accomplished salvation by way of the Cross) and ending in the return of Christ and renewal of all things, the Bible is about a God who wars on behalf of His people.  Often, we can feel that we are fighting our battles on our own, wondering if God really cares about what we are going through. I want to invite you to surrender the biggest battles that you are currently facing, meditating on the entire counsel of Scripture until you experience God’s peace and His fighting on our behalf.

March 25, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from March 25-31 are provided by Pastor Matt Ro, the Lead Pastor of Journey Church of Atlanta.  Pastor Matt, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.), has been married to Julia since 2006 and they have three beautiful daughters: Ella, Audrey and Claire.

 

Devotional Thought for Today

“The Art of Celebration”

Exodus 15:1-18 (ESV)

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider[a] he has thrown into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. 4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble. 8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ 10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. 16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. 18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

The Rocky Run.  You know it. An early morning run beginning in the streets of South Philly, then sprinting along the waterfront of Penn’s Landing, moving to the banks of the Schuylkill River, culminating with a final climb up the 72 steps to the top of the Art Museum.  The steps scene in the movie “Rocky” is arguably one of the most iconic shots in film history; it’s an allegory for personal victory and has been copied and parodied countless times over.

Today, we find ourselves celebrating so many things.  Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, job promotions, a good grade on a test…the list goes on and on.  It’s so easy to celebrate something that goes in our favor, and we often remember to thank God for His goodness when things are going right.

In Exodus 15, Moses and the Israelites sing a song to the Lord in celebration and thanksgiving of their escape from the Egyptians through the Red Sea.  Verse 2 states, “The Lord is my strength and my defense: he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”  It is so easy to remember that God is the reason for anything good in our lives when everything is good. When we’ve experienced a victory, it’s easy to praise and thank Him and give Him the glory.  

But what happens when things aren’t so good?  Where is our urge to give thanksgiving and praise to God when a loved one is dying, our car breaks down at the worst possible time, or our marriage is falling apart?  How can we thank God for being good when we just don’t see the good?

Exodus 15:13 says about the Lord, “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed.” As Christians, we have the ability to trust in God in the good times and bad because we know God’s love never fails.  He is always leading us to something better than we could ask or imagine. Praising Him and thanking Him even through the trying times will help give us clarity and discernment, and it will remind us that God really is good all the time.

Do you find it difficult to praise and thank God when times are hard?  How do you think your perspective of God could change if you begin to praise Him in all circumstances?  Take some time today to thank God for the good in your life and ask Him to show you the good in the situations that may be trying.

Prayer:  Lord, you are my strength and my song; you have become my salvation.  You are my God, and I will praise you, I will exalt you. Teach me to give thanks always; to bless Your name!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Acts 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:4 (ESV): “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice.”

1 Thess. 5:18 (ESV): “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Question to consider

  1. Based on these passages, why is it important to practice the discipline of thanksgiving and celebration (i.e., rejoicing)?
  2. What are some benefits we derive from giving thanks to God especially when facing difficult moments?
  3. What are you going through at the moment? Regardless, give thanks unto the Lord.

Notes

  1. Thanksgiving and celebration remind us that every success happens by the grace of God.  It is important to remember that we contribute nothing to our own salvation, and subsequently, our journey in faith.  All our success is from Him, through Him, and for Him.
  2. Thankfulness is not an add-on activity.  Gratitude towards God removes pride and opens the door to future blessings.  Without it, we would forget what is truly important—faith in God.
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

The spiritual discipline of celebration is not just an outward expression.  It is also something internal. Joy is something we have to find in our own relationship with God.

Were you able to celebrate God’s blessings in your life today?  If not, take some time to celebrate them now.

March 24, Sunday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Our Words Matter”

James 1:19

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” I’ve found that to be horribly incorrect. Rather, it should state, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will absolutely destroy you.”

We’ve all been stung by people who have spoken too soon or gossiped about us. We’ve felt the pain of degrading words filled with anger and wrath. We’ve been the target of jokes and ridicules. We’ve also known the joys of receiving compliments and encouragements, as well as experiencing delight in meaningful conversations and familial fellowship. We know firsthand that words carry a lot of power, having the ability to lift us up or pull us down.  At the same time, we also know that a lofty praise is not always good for our soul, just as a harsh rebuke can be beneficial for us.

As we grow in understanding and wisdom, we begin to realize that wise words are not simply what we say, but a combination of what we say, when we say it, and how we present it. Let’s take Nathan and David for example. After David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, Nathan was given the task from God to confront David about his sin. Rather than yelling at him in anger (possibly causing David to be defensive), Nathan, with the wisdom of God, presented a story that represented the sin that David had committed. Rather than being defensive, David repented of his sin. There is wisdom in not only knowing what to say, but when to say it and how to present it; that wisdom comes from God alone.

As we head into another week, think before you speak. Ask God to give you wisdom in the words that you say, knowing full well that your words carry much weight and power. Your words have the ability to lift someone’s spirit or ruin someone’s day. They have the ability to bring life or death. May His wisdom rest upon you this coming week, as you tame your tongue to be one that glorifies Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask for wisdom and your Spirit to fill me so that my speech patterns will edify and build up those around me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 17

March 23, Saturday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Numbering our Days”

Psalm 90:12

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

One of the most profound things that Moses said was this exact verse – that the Lord would teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. But what does that mean to us?

Many of us live as though we were immortal. As a group of relatively young people, we rarely think of death; but the truth is, our lives will pass in the blink of an eye. We are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14).  With that in mind, we are encouraged to seek the things that are eternal, rather than storing up temporal treasures that are bound to fade away.

Whether it’s having a lot of wealth, or being a person that makes important decisions, we all have a desire to leave a lasting legacy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – God has created us to be a people of purpose and of vision. We want our life to have meaning and will do what it takes to establish a legacy that will be remembered. It is our natural state. We cannot avoid it.  But what I’ve learned that has rung more and more true each day is this: If we try to etch our name into history, I can guarantee you that it will fade. It might last a while, but eventually, it will all fade away.

But if we decide to participate in God’s redemptive history, it is an eternal legacy that cannot and will not be shaken. Imagine etching your name in the sand. It might be there for a while. Some names are washed away immediately, while others might last a while longer, but eventually, all are washed away. But if you carve your name into a rock, then it will last forever. Jesus is that rock of our salvation that lasts forever.

Jim Elliot summed it up with the following quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  So spend yourself in this lifetime. Give yourself to kingdom matters, ushering in the eternal Kingdom of God. Live as if eternity really mattered. May the Lord give us all a growing heart of wisdom, that we would see clearly that our days on earth are numbered, and with that in mind, seek after the eternal, living our lives in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me even when I make bad decisions and turn away from You.  Thank You for restoring me time and time again. Hear my cries for help and restore me. I confess to You my failures and that I am in need of you.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 15-16

March 22, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Everyone Gets to Play”

Exodus 14:21-22; 26-28 (NIV)

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

My children play in a football league where “everyone gets to play.” Regardless of one’s skills or the score, the coach will manage the roster so that every child is given a chance to play the game. It’s clear that some kids are better than others; nevertheless, everyone gets to play albeit in different positions (e.g., not everyone gets to play the quarterback).

That is a picture of God’s community.

In today’s passage, as God is about perform one of His greatest miracles, He invites Moses to play the quarterback, if you will. The parting of the Red Sea is a miracle that is still celebrated by the Israelites today; it was the day of their glorious freedom as they crossed on dry land while the Egyptians were later destroyed. Now, while God could have performed this feat from the heavens, He allows Moses to stretch out his hands in performing the miracle. It’s perplexing to think that an Almighty God, who has all the power over all of creation, chooses to use humans. But there is no denying that God’s desire is to use us to accomplish His works on earth—how wonderful, amazing and humbling!

Therefore, do not doubt that God can and does use His servants to accomplish some of His greatest works. As a follower of Christ, you are certainly one of His servants. God can and will use you. So, instead of assuming that God uses everyone else except you, ask Him to take your hands and use them for God’s purposes and God’s glory.

John Wimber, founder of Vineyard Christian Fellowship and head of Vineyard Ministries International, often said, “Everyone gets to play.” He understood clearly that following Jesus wasn’t a spectator sport—meaning, Jesus wanted everyone to discover their own set of gifts and use them to make a unique contribution towards building each other up in the Lord.

So, stop spectating; instead, stretch out your hands and see what God can do through you.  And give Him all the glory for using us despite of us.

Prayer: Lord, use me to serve others. Use me to tell Your story to others. Use me to bless others. Use me to encourage others. Use me to build up others. Use me to perform miracles. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 14

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 4:8-11 (NIV): Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Questions to Consider

  1. What is the purpose of the gifts you have been given?
  2. Do you think that some gifts are more notable than others? How does verse 11 dispel that notion?
  3. Do you believe that God can accomplish His works through you? Why or why not?

Notes

  1. To serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace.  
  2. Whether one speaks or simply serves, “in all things” God is praised.
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

In what ways were you able to serve others today? If you missed an opportunity, ask God to grant you another opportunity tomorrow to use your gift to serve others.

March 21, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Standing Firm in God’s Presence”

Exodus 14:1-4; 13-14 (NIV)

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this. 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

In verses 1-4, after the Lord reveals His “clever” plan to Moses, he leads the Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea, where they are pinned between the great sea and the great armies of Egypt chasing after them. Some cleaver plan this turned out to be—they are now stuck between a rock and a hard place. They can either drown or be struck down by the sword. The Israelites are unaware of the Lord’s plans and cry out with fear and hysteria, ““Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?”  As their desperate cries get louder and louder, Moses answers the people to do three things:

  • Do not be afraid.
  • Stand firm and you will see.
  • You need only to be still.

In ministry, I’ve learned that fear is the great enemy of faith. Jesus often rebuked his disciples by saying, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” When we are operating or making decisions based on fears, it is certain that faith has no room to grow in our hearts nor in our ministries. The enemy preys on our insecurities and fears to prevent us from living out our faith.

We often seek the Lord’s “plans” rather than seeing the Lord’s “presence” in order to address our fears and anxieties. Without a clear knowledge of the future “plans” that the Lord has for us, we find ourselves immobilized by fears. We think to ourselves, “If God will just tell me His plans, then I will be able to walk by faith.” However, the Lord often gives us something better than just His plans. He asks us to trust in His “presence”, the pillar of cloud/fire, that visibly led the Israelites. Then the Lord tells us, “You need only to be still.”

If you are constantly operating out of fears, spend some time meditating on vs 13-14: “Do not be afraid; stand firm; be still.”

Prayer: Lord, it’s subtle, but I admit that I operate more out of fears than out of faith. Help me to no longer be afraid; to stand firm and be still in Your presence. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 13

Lunch Break Study

Read James 4:6-10 (NIV): “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Questions to Consider

  1. What steps does James encourage the believer to take in order to receive God’s favor and grace?
  2. How does it strike you that the devil actually flees from you when you stand up and resist him?
  3. Is there an area in your life where there is a need for grief?

Notes

  1. To submit to God; resist the devil; come near to God; purify your hearts.
  2. Most average Christians might fear the devil; however, it is the devil that flees when one takes a stance against him and draws near to God.  
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time confessing your fears and worries before the Lord. Ask Him to fill your heart with courage and faith.

March 20, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Highway Signs”

Exodus 13:20-22 (NIV)

After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Have you ever been on a very long road trip? At certain points, you begin to wonder not only how long it will take to arrive at your destination, but whether you’re still on the correct highway. So, thank God that the United States Interstate Highway System has posted signs to inform the traveler of not only the distance remaining, but a reminder that you are indeed on the right highway.

This makes us wonder: Without such signs posted in the desert for Israelites, how would they figure out if they were on the right path towards the promised land (Canaan) or not?

Yesterday, we learned that sometimes God takes us on a longer journey in fulfilling His promises. In our path towards spiritual maturity, it’s common for many of us to grow impatient; in fact, we can even become restless or discouraged as doubts crept into our hearts. We wonder if God has forgotten His promises to help us grow. We begin to think that perhaps it’s totally up to us to figure out how to arrive at our destination. But rest assured that God knows that we will need “signs” or encouragements along the way so that we won’t give up. He will, therefore, remind His people that He is present and that He will provide both protection and guidance.

We see this clearly in the way the Lord led and guided the Israelites. Of course, as they headed south after leaving Egypt, in the opposite direction of Canaan, the Israelites had no idea where they were headed.  Neither did they know that God’s plan was for them to avoid conflicts with surrounding groups they could not handle. In the midst of all this, God gave them a tangible sign of His presence: a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; it would provide shelter by day, and warmth and light by night. But more than practical purposes, it was God’s way of reminding His people that they were on the right path towards their final destination.

As you faithfully follow His word and His purposes, you too are on a long journey. At times, you may feel as though you are lost or that God may have forgotten about you. Yes, He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us and that should suffice; nevertheless, at times, we, being frail humans, need something more tangible.  In those moments, ask the Lord for encouraging “signs” to remind you that you are on the right path, and that He is with you always to the end of the age. It may come from your daily scriptural reading or seemingly random comments by a friend or a sudden recalling of past events—whichever way, the Lord will remind you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that You are always with me. I ask for encouraging “signs” along the way to help me remain confident in Your leading and guidance. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 13:5-6: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Questions to Consider

  1. Why is there a correlation between love of money and the knowledge of God’s eternal presence in our lives?
  2. Verse 6 is a quote from Psalm 118:6. Turn to Psalm 118:5 and see the context of the original verse.
  3. When was the last time you felt the magnitude of this verse, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”?  Do you need a reminder of this awesome promise of God?

Notes

  1. In the Sermon on the Mt., Jesus tells the listeners to live a life free of worries because the Father in Heaven knows the needs of His people. Loving money and losing sight of contentment results when one loses sight of the Father’s providence.
  2. The passage is a declaration of a psalmist who was “hard pressed.”
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

If you journal, look back through some of your previous entries and be reminded of God’s signs that He’s been providing along the way towards maturity.

March 19, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Are we There Yet?”

Exodus 13:17-18 (NIV)

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

Parents have often heard their children ask the question from the backseat of the car, “Are we there yet?” I wonder how many times the children of the Israelites asked their parents this same question. What should have been a relatively short journey from Egypt to Canaan turned out to be a very long journey for the Israelites.

At the outset of the journey though, the Israelites finally got to enjoy the freedom after 430 years of servitude in Egypt. With the 10th and final plague, Pharaoh had been defeated after losing his firstborn; in anger, therefore, he releases the Israelites.

Now, Moses was given the task of leading God’s people from Egypt to Canaan. For mapping purposes, point A was the land of Goshen in Egypt where the Israelites had been slaves; point B was the land that flowed with milk and honey and was promised to the Israelites. With so much at stake and only a desert separating point A and point B, I’m sure Moses looked for the shortest and the quickest path to Canaan. That path was the clearly marked trade route that ran NE along the seacoast of the Mediterranean Sea. It must have been about 250 miles or so, and traveling slowly with a massive number of people, Moses may have estimated about two weeks of travel time. He had no idea that the journey would actually take 40 years!

Perhaps God’s warning should have given Moses some expectations that this was going to be a longer journey than he had planned. God warns Moses, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Afterwards, God leads the Israelites South, in the opposite direction.

We can see that sometimes, in our faith journey, God will deliberately take us on a much longer and, at times, puzzling paths. We must learn to be patient and trust in the Lord. Behind every movement, God understands that if we were to take the shortest, most efficient path, it’s very likely that we will face obstacles along the way and never make it to our destination. It’s difficult for us to follow; however, following the cloud by day and fire by night is the best path that God has in store for us.

So what path are you on right now?  To where is the Lord taking you?

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your wisdom as You lead me towards maturity. Help me to also trust in what You are doing in our church. I admit that I have been impatient and making efforts to project my own will. Forgive me and help me to trust in Your perfect ways. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt 16:21-23: From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does Jesus’ explanation of his upcoming suffering disturb Peter and the disciples?
  2. What does Jesus’ rebuke of Peter reveal about the contrast between man’s will versus God’s will?
  3. What sort of dialogue have you had lately with the Lord? What are you hearing from Him?

Notes:

  1. The disciples expected to march on Jerusalem, pick up supporters on the way, fight an unexpected battle (and win), take over the Temple, and install Jesus as king. They assumed that’s how ‘the son of man’ will be exalted in his kingdom! Suffering was out of the picture.
  2. Peter did not have in his mind the concerns of God. His concern was for himself and his personal and national agendas.
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Are you still waiting on any particular promise of God to be fulfilled in your own life? Are you growing impatient still waiting on the Lord? Express to Him that you trust in His timing as well as His path of fulfilling His promise to you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

March 18, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from March 18-24 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Peter is a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason.  

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Mighty Hand of God”

Exodus 13:3-10 (NIV)

Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving. 5 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: 6 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

I was born in Korea and immigrated to the U.S. when I was 8 years old.  Because I was so young then, I only have a few vague memories of my childhood years there. One of them resurfaced some years ago, during my visit to Korea, when I decided to eat something I hadn’t eaten since I left my motherland: “Beondegi” (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beondegi).

As an adult, the thought of eating boiled silkworm disgusted me; however, upon coming across a street vendor selling this “delicacy,” I just had to relive my childhood days. As my mouth chomped on my first scoop of boiled silkworm, so many childhood memories rushed back into my mind. I enjoyed reminiscing, but a scoop was all I could handle that day.

Food has a natural way of bringing back memories, doesn’t it?  Perhaps, that’s why the Lord used food to help the Israelites remember. Here, Moses is giving instructions on how the Israelites were to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days, they would eat bread without yeast, and on the 7th day they would hold a festival before the Lord. This celebration was not only to be observed by the people listening to Moses, but eventually it would be passed along to their children as well. Through this festival, as they ate unleavened bread, the Israelites would remember—they would remember how the Lord delivered their nation from slavery with “His mighty hand” (vs 3, 10). It was this “mighty hand” that delivered a nation of helpless slaves into becoming free people and eventually a blessed nation. At least once a year, the Israelites would eat and remember once again the incredible might of God’s hand.

By now, you may have realized that our own faith journey is also made of many ordinary days: no supernatural healings; no audible voice of God; no miraculous provisions falling from heaven. We are simply trekking along a slow and gradual progression of incremental sanctification that’s difficult to even quantify. In these seasons, it is easy for us to forget the “mighty hand” of our Lord. But our forgetfulness does not define God’s might and power.

Perhaps the next time communion is served at your church, you may want to pause and remember the might of God’s hand that delivered you from your own sinfulness and meaninglessness, thereby giving you a new life and purpose for the present age as well as in the age to come.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your Spirit is always with me and always at work within me. Help me to remember Your might even in my ordinary moments of my own faith. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 8:22-25: One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Luke accentuate the difference between Jesus and the disciples?
  2. What do you learn from Jesus’ ability to rebuke the wind and the raging waters?

Notes

  1. Luke tells his readers that Jesus actually falls asleep and remains sleeping until he was awakened by the frightened disciples.
  2. The “rebuke” does not mean that the wind and the sea are represented as demonic forces, but rather that Jesus is able to command even the forces of nature. God is described in the Old Testament as “rebuking” the sea, a demonstration of His sovereign control over all of nature. (Strauss, Mark. Luke: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary)

Evening Reflection

Open up to Psalm 68:28 and pray these words from your own words to the Lord:  Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.

March 17, Sunday

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Don’t Live Without the Word”

2 Kings 23:3, 24-26 (NASB)

The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant. 24Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums and the spiritists and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.

Some of us who follow a reading plan to  read the Bible in one year, have had times when we had absolutely no idea what we had just read; nonetheless, we were  content to mark off another 5 chapters from the reading chart. But King Josiah wasn’t like that. Upon discovering the Book of God’s Law that had been lost for a long time, he devoted himself to purify the land of Judah of its idolatry so that Judah’s ways would conform to what was written in God’s book. He read God’s Word to the people of Judah and led them to renew their commitment to walk in the way of the Lord. The majority of this chapter (vv. 4-20) records how Josiah removed idolatrous priests from the house of the LORD, removed altars that previous kings of Judah had built, burned vessels that were for Baal and Asherah worship, and more. Josiah truly turned to the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and certainly, with all his might.

Though Josiah knew that God was going to “remove Judah and cast off Jerusalem” (23:27) because the generations of his forefathers had forsaken God, the Book of the Law (God’s Word) led Josiah to lead the nation back to God in his lifetime. He let God’s Word, which Judah had neglected for many years, define his course of action and his leadership. Though the outcome for Judah was sealed, Josiah was instrumental in preserving covenant faithfulness for Judah in his lifetime. In this way, Josiah was successful and Scripture records, “there was no king like him…nor did any like him arise after him” (23:25). Though he had no control over Judah’s future, he glorified God by faithfully keeping a covenant relationship with God.

The Word of God provides power for endurance and faithfulness. Nothing can nourish our souls and strengthen us to do the work of the Lord than the very words of God. If reading or listening to the Word of God is lacking in your daily spiritual life, ask the Lord today to renew your thirst and devotion for His Word. Don’t live with the Word.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I desire for your commands and your Words to be near and dear to me. As your Word is able to equip me to do every good work, help me to spend time in your Word daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 8