August 6, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s Devotional, originally posted on November 5, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Son.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Truest Identity”

Jeremiah 51:5

For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord of hosts, but the land of the Chaldeans is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.

Disney’s “Tangled” is one of my favorite movies of all time. If you haven’t watched it, the basic premise is that a girl named Rapunzel is kidnapped as an infant, and held captive by a wicked woman who pretends to be her mother. Rapunzel grows up thinking that this villain is actually her mother, until one day she begins to realize the truth about who she is. One of my favorite scenes in the film is precisely the moment she realizes her true identity; she is in fact the daughter of the king! In that moment, everything about Rapunzel’s life changes. She realizes her true worth and she discovers who her true enemy is. The reason I love this movie is because I see a biblical principle at its core… our truest identity is defined by our relationship to the King.

In our world, there are numerous ways to define oneself: ethnicity, gender, occupation, degrees you’ve earned, grades, etc. But, without taking away the validity of any of the above, this principle is still true: our truest identity is defined by our relationship to the King. What I mean is that, in light of eternity, your identity in God weighs more than what you have accomplished in your lifetime.

At first glance, our passage seems harsh, and even a bit unfair. After all, Israel and Judah were not sinless nations either. In fact, the Old Testament talks more about the sins of Israel and Judah than it does about the sins of the Chaldeans (Babylon). Then why are Israel and Judah remembered and the Chaldeans condemned? I’ll tell you, it’s not because one behaved better than the other. Rather, it’s because of their relationship to God. Israel was not remembered because they were better… but rather because the Lord was “their God”. In the same vein, the Chaldeans aren’t condemned because they were worse, but instead because they stood “against the Holy of One of Israel”. This is the reason the Gospel is simultaneously a stumbling block to the self-righteous and also the power of God to save sinners.

How do you define yourself? Though many may acknowledge that they are children of God, it’s very easy to be sucked into different identities in the workplace, at school, or among family. Today, let’s remember our truest identity, that we are sons and daughters of the King.

Prayer: Father, thank you that our truest identity is not one that we need to earn. But to all who believe in Jesus’ name, You gave the right to become children of God. Help us to live in the reality of this identity. Remind us of our true worth, and who the true enemy is. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 10

Lunch Break Study

Read: John 1:9-13: The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 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

  • Who is John referring to in this passage?
  • According to John, how do the children of God become children of God? 
  • What does this passage say about our identity as children of God?

Notes

  • John is referring to Jesus. This is made even clearer in the surrounding verses of this text.
  • According to John, the children of God are…
    • NOT born of blood. In other words, the children of God isn’t passed down through biological family. This is counter-intuitive to what the Jews believed about being God’s chosen people. 
    • NOR of the will of the flesh. In other words, you don’t earn the title “child of God.”
    • NOR of the will of man. In other words, you can’t be given the title “child of God” by any other person.
    • But of God. In other words, your identity as a child of God is made possible only by God, and it’s received by believing in Jesus’ name.
  • The passage implies that our status as children of God is not one that was earned by us. We aren’t children of God because we did better, or are somehow more qualified compared to anyone else. We are who we are because we believed and God gave. This gives us no grounds to boast, but rather, we should earnestly seek to share this good news!

Evening Reflection

There are many “Rapunzels” today, who are living within the lies and playing by the rules of a false identity. Many don’t know the true hope that the Gospel brings. This evening, spend some time praying for those who are living this way, that they might come to realize the identity that they were created for.

August 5, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on July 30, 2018, is provided by Christine Li. She has been faithfully serving as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan for a long time.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pushing Through”

Jeremiah 25:1-3 

The word came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. 2 So Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people of Judah and to all those living in Jerusalem: 3 “For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.”

The “midlife crisis,” as commonly called, is a phenomenon when individuals who feel dissatisfied with the repetition and pace of their life may desire to make some drastic changes. Factors could range from the unhappy observation that their stamina and energy are slipping or that their best efforts are not applied in meaningful places. Individuals may quit their jobs or begin to spend their time pursuing exciting hobbies that will stimulate them: fast cars, thrilling travel excursions, etc.

Jeremiah might likely have encountered a similar crisis. He has been going to the people for twenty-three years, and still no progress has been made. Time after time, he entreats them to amend their ways, but they continue to rebel. But he has not yet given up. It is possible that, at some point, he must have wondered whether his best years were well spent serving a people who continued to ignore his prophecies. How much longer must this continue?

We will all encounter some hard times and situations that may seem interminably long. What can we learn from Jeremiah to gain some perseverance and not be paralyzed by how far away our breakthrough seems? The most helpful thought I have around perseverance is that it is wholly dependent on grace; it comes from God. Try as we might, we cannot create lasting tenacity in our character. But this is good news for us. Just as Jeremiah perseveres because God continues to equip and send him back to the people of Judah, we too can be similarly strengthened by God.

Do you find that you need strength to persevere? Today, we will not be able to sign up for an ambitious, twenty-year commitment of perseverance. But, we can ask God to make us faithful with each small opportunity that comes our way. By taking a day at a time in His power, eventually weeks, months, and years will pass. Let’s start with today, ask Him to give us the ability and power to plow through, and trust Him to snowball it into a lifestyle of perseverance. 

Prayer: Father, You know that I am weak and do not have the natural stamina to stay faithful and perseverant. However, by Your grace, I can be strengthened to stand firm each day. Help me to take each opportunity to be faithful and create a long-term perseverance in me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:4-13: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Questions to Consider

  • The apostle Paul experienced no shortage of discouraging circumstances, yet he suggests that it is possible to always rejoice. How does he instruct the believers here?
  • Paul quickly follows with a charge for the believers to put into practice the things they have learned from him. Why is this?
  • According to this passage, what are the keys to Paul’s ability to stay content in any situation? Let’s take hold of what he teaches and dwell also on the qualities he focuses our attention to.

Notes

  • Paul says that the peace that comes from God guards not only our hearts but also our minds, and he seems to suggest that receiving peace from God is one crucial component for our joy. The first encouragement is prayer: by drawing close to God, we receive peace that He is settling all things on our account. The second instruction is training our minds: we must contemplate excellent and praiseworthy things (the most excellent and praiseworthy being God Himself as, well as the work He has done in our lives / in one another).
  • It is likely that the believers do not lack philosophy or theory here. Paul knows it is not just enough to “know” how to receive God’s peace—the power comes from putting that knowledge into practice. By doing so, the believers will experience both the promised peace as well as the very God who gives peace. 
  • Paul’s contentment does not come from the measurement of what he has tangibly but from the internal spiritual richness. To recap what we have observed, Paul cultivates this by bringing all needs before God in prayer to be reminded that God can provide. He also directs and focuses his thoughts on the beauty and loveliness of God. These actions help Paul stay aware of the spiritual realm and God’s presence, which redefines all his experiences.

Evening Reflection

What are your thoughts on perseverance in current situations? Are there steps we can take to receive help from God? Let’s spend some time reflecting on areas how and where we would like God to help us stand firm.

August 4, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 28, 2018, is provided by Jabez Yeo. He and his family are getting ready to leave for Thailand as missionaries with YWAM.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pride and Its Destruction”

Jeremiah 50:1-16

This is the word the Lord spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Babylonians: 2 “Announce and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep nothing back, but say, ‘Babylon will be captured; Bel will be put to shame, Marduk filled with terror. Her images will be put to shame and her idols filled with terror.’ 3 A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it; both people and animals will flee away. 4 “In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord, “the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Lord their God. 5 They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten. 6 “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. 7 Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.’8 “Flee out of Babylon; leave the land of the Babylonians, and be like the goats that lead the flock. 9 For I will stir up and bring against Babylon an alliance of great nations from the land of the north. They will take up their positions against her, and from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed. 10 So Babylonia will be plundered; all who plunder her will have their fill,” declares the Lord. 11 “Because you rejoice and are glad, you who pillage my inheritance, because you frolic like a heifer threshing grain and neigh like stallions,12  your mother will be greatly ashamed; she who gave you birth will be disgraced. She will be the least of the nations—a wilderness, a dry land, a desert. 13 Because of the Lord’s anger she will not be inhabited but will be completely desolate. All who pass Babylon will be appalled; they will scoff because of all her wounds. 14 “Take up your positions around Babylon, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her! Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the Lord. 15 Shout against her on every side! She surrenders, her towers fall, her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the Lord, take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done to others. 16 Cut off from Babylon the sower, and the reaper with his sickle at harvest. Because of the sword of the oppressor let everyone return to their own people, let everyone flee to their own land.

The problem with pride is that it makes us blind to its existence. I experienced this when I moved to New York City four years ago for a new job. Beforehand, I had been working for 2 years and was actively involved in ministry. Thus, I thought I had the “faithful Christian” lifestyle down pat. However, it didn’t take long before trials in corporate culture, church dysfunction and relational conflicts made me realize that I had, and still have, a long way to go.

At its root, pride contains the belief that we can live our lives apart from God, the giver of life. An egregious example was the Tower of Babel, as “they said ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city . . . so that we may make a name for ourselves’” (Gen. 11:4). This spirit of autonomy was also present in Babylon, a civilization that worshipped gods like Bel and Marduk (Jer. 50:2) while taking pride in their accomplishments such as the Hanging Gardens and Hammurabi’s law codes. Thus, God declared that Babylon would be plundered and that “all who plunder her will have their fill” (Jer. 50:10).

In the New Testament, Babylon continues to serve as a symbol of pride, specifically in Revelation 17-18. Depicted as an adulterous woman, Babylon is denounced by God, along with the kings of the earth who committed “adultery with her” and the merchants who “grew rich from her excessive luxuries” (Rev. 18:4). Thus, God pronounced the destruction of Babylon by declaring that He will “give back to her as she has given” (Rev.18:6), just as He declared to ancient Babylon that He would “do to her as she has done to others” (Jer. 50:15).

Ultimately, there are many ways in which the lie of pride can creep into our lives. As many of us do not live paycheck to paycheck (thank the Lord), perhaps we unconsciously trust our wealth to provide the comfort or status we seek. For others, it might be our accomplishments in work or ministry-related successes. Whatever our struggles may be, let us humble ourselves before the Lord to recover the sense of our absolute dependence on God almighty.   

Prayer: Father, it is so easy to embrace the thoughts of this world and believe that I make and control my own destiny. Help me remember that this is simply not the case, that every breath I take is only because of Your mercy and grace. Help me to internalize the simple truth that apart from You, there can be no fruit in my life. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 16:18-20: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. 20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Questions to Consider

  • Verse 18 is probably one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. Why do you think this may be true?
  • What alternative to pride does this chapter of Proverbs provide?
  • In light of verse 20, who are the people in your life from whom you could heed instruction? Are you willing to listen to them?

Note

  • God created the world for us to be His image bearers and to reflect His goodness. Pride is the antithesis of that and claims that we can live our lives apart from God.  Thus, it’s not a surprise that anything against God’s purposes will eventually fail. 
  • Verse 19 declares that it is better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed (i.e. the poor). Generally speaking, humble people can be found among the poor or oppressed since they  often feel helpless when they are subjected to discrimination and contempt. 
  • Personal response

Evening Reflection

Jesus declared in his most famous sermon that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3). Ultimately, this brokenness can’t be manufactured by us but is prompted by God, especially when we are undergoing difficult situations. Let’s ask for that brokenness, which acknowledges the simple truth that we cannot live our lives for God without Him.  

August 3, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on June 3, 2017, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Middle Man”

Jeremiah 8:18-22

18 My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me. 

19 Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people  from the length and breadth of the land: 

“Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images and with their foreign idols?” 

20 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 

21 For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded;  I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. 

22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored? 

I think one of hardest things in ministry (not just fulltime as a pastor, but in any aspect of relational ministry), is when you know through prayer and discernment that someone is not walking in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, and yet this person is either unwilling or oblivious to that reality. Especially in sensitive situations, it’s often difficult to come right out and speak the truth to them, let alone if they would even listen to you in the first place. It’s almost as if you are stuck in the middle between God and the individual.

How are we to minister to the people in these situations? What is the wisdom here? And the truth is, there is no set answer.

Here in this last portion of chapter 8, we see this dynamic at play. In these few verses, we come to know Jeremiah’s feelings about the situation (v. 18, 21-22), we see the people response (v. 19b, 20), and we see God’s reply to the people (v. 19c). It’s clear that the people just don’t get why they are facing such tragedies. They question God, complain He has deserted them. There is an entitlement for healing despite an unwillingness to repent. And Jeremiah is stuck in the middle of all of this and can do nothing other than to grieve. 

When we find ourselves in situations like Jeremiah, I don’t think the right term is “middle-man” as if to imply that we are to negotiate some kind of settlement. Rather, we are called to be available conduits of how God may move His people to repentance, because in the end, it is He who will. I have to remember that I am not called to make people repent—only the Holy Spirit can. 

But we are called to pray. In the end, that is all that we can do. We pray and allow God to speak to us and to the person. And when He does, we must be ready to respond. This is ministry. 

I am constantly challenged at the thought that while ministering to those who are deceived and disobedience, I am just as susceptible to deception and disobedience while trying to minister to people. I pray that as we continue to ask God on how we can join Him in His work, we would respond according to His wisdom, His ways, His power, and His timing. 

Prayer: Father, thank You that You would use people like us as conduits of Your grace. We acknowledge however that we are just as sinful and prone to self-deception as the people that we are seeking to minister to. But we find great hope in that when we rely fully on You, You will speak and move in such a way that reveals Your incredible glory. We ask for that. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 7

August 2, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on June 16, 2018, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Why?”

Jeremiah 12:5

“If you have raced with men on foot

    and they have worn you out,

    how can you compete with horses?

If you stumble in safe country,

    how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (NIV)

Our church family lost a dear sister a couple of weeks ago.  Massiel was 26 years old and had been coming to Remnant for several years before I got here.  To my understanding, she had eaten a sandwich which contained a nut she was allergic to.  While in the ambulance, she went into cardiac arrest and lost oxygen to her brain for several minutes.  For over a week, Massiel was in a coma until doctors determined her brain had sustained too much damage to sustain life.  And so with family and loved ones by her side, support was withdrawn, and we said goodbye to our sister until that joyous day when we meet her again in our Father’s house.  

I didn’t know Massiel very well; I certainly thought she was great to have in our church, and I’ll remember how she almost always had a genuine word of encouragement for me.  But after she passed, many of my church members made comments that she had overcome so much in her childhood and upbringing that it felt especially tragic that she would pass this way and so young.  I remember visiting in the hospital and a close friend of hers lamented that she didn’t ask what was in the sandwich (which she always did) nor that she wasn’t carrying her epipen (which she always did).  Thinking about all the “what ifs” can drive a person crazy. 

If you have not experienced the untimely death of a loved one or an inexplicable accident, unfortunately, I think you eventually will.  In these times, you’ll probably ask God, “Why did this happen?”  The truth of the matter is that there are a number of things in life that make people ask, “Why?”  If you’ve been following our devotionals the last couple of days, you know that Jeremiah 12:1-4, represents the prophet’s “why” to the Lord, as in, “Why do the wicked exploit others and prosper, and you Lord, seem to do nothing about it?”  

Today’s passage gives the Lord’s response to the prophet’s “why” in a manner that is likely going to be unsatisfactory to most; God basically says, “I have my reasons, and you wouldn’t understand them.”  Now before you go storming off, let me say this, I’m very comfortable not knowing why.  When it comes to even relatively small things in life, I find myself worrying about making the wrong choices, and I always wonder if I have the right or complete information.  Am I seeing things from the right angle?  Truth be told, oftentimes, I’d rather just let the smartest guy in the room choose for me.  Fortunately, I my world, the smartest guy in the room has infinite knowledge, infinite perspective, and is by nature good, and He loves me and everyone else around me more than I ever could.  So when it comes to the big things in life, I find it freeing to not have to know the “why” all the time.  Perhaps this is just me, but perhaps, maybe some of you need to find more comfort in knowing less and trusting more.  

Oh and by the way, I’d also say that God doesn’t always give us the “You can’t handle the truth!” answer to our questions, but His work may take many months before it’s discernable to us.  Unfortunately, so many times we are so stung by the sadness/anger of the moment, we actually harden our hearts and don’t see God’s working.  Think about the tough things you’ve gone through; how did they turn out months or years later?  Now that there’s some distance, do you see how God worked?  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, just like the opening line in the “Serenity Prayer”, give me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, not because I’m being passive, weak, or lazy, but because I trust in your goodness and wisdom.  Lord, I also want to pray for __________ who is going through a very difficult period in his/her life right now.  

Bible Reading for Today  1 Kings 5-6

August 1, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on October 4, 2018, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian, who serves as the lead pastor of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Daddy, again!”

Jeremiah 42:1-3

Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, came near 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant—because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— 3 that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” 

Two of my son’s favorite words to say to me are “more” and “again.”  Like most toddlers, I’m sure, my son will eat something, read something, watch something, see me do something, and he’ll come back to me and say, “Daddy, more!” or “Daddy, again!”  It is pretty adorable, but I have a confession to make to all of you… I get pretty tired of it eventually.  After reading the same book 20 times or after listening to Baby Shark for the 50th time in a row, I get really sick of it and I try to find a way to move on to something else.  As much as I love my son, I don’t want to hear “Daddy, again!” after a while.

In Jeremiah 42, all of the people of Israel come together, approach Jeremiah, and ask him to appeal to the Lord for mercy and direction.  If we look through the Old Testament, we’ll notice this pattern: The Israelites would grumble or complain to God, or neglect and turn away from God, but then they would face adversity; so they would go to God and appeal for mercy—and the process would repeat.  This was their version of “Daddy, again!”  I know that I (and likely all of us) would’ve been tired of hearing it from the Israelites over and over again.  We would’ve been tired of answering and forgiving, tired of showing mercy, and tired of having to do it all over again.  But God being so rich in mercy and having immeasurable patience with His people, listens and answers them—again and again.

When I think about God’s patience for me—and for all of us—I am so amazed at our Father’s heart.  No matter how many times we say to Him, “Daddy, again!” how many times we fail, how many times we neglect him, how many times we have to turn back to Him, our Father will never grow tired or weary of us.  Praise God for His enduring patience and love for us!

Prayer: God, we thank You for allowing us to come to You again and again.  You have shown us so much mercy and grace.  Thank You for never giving up on us and being so good to us.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  1 Kings 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Timothy 1:15-17: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Questions to Consider

  • What is the main statement that Paul is making about Jesus?
  • How would you describe Paul’s attitude towards the grace that has been shown him?
  • Think about your own sin.  How do you understand the patience that Jesus has shown you?

Notes

  • Paul is pointing out that Jesus shows amazing grace and patience to him and to all who believe and trust in Him.  
  • In calling himself the “foremost” of sinners, Paul’s attitude is one of humility and awe of the grace that Jesus has shown him.  I think Paul really understood the depth and darkness of his own sin, which led him to truly be thankful and awed by the perfect patience that Jesus had shown him.
  • Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

God’s repeated patience towards us is something that we should be amazed by all of the time.  No matter what happens in our lives, or how far we may fall, God wants to hear us call out to Him again and again.  Pray and reach out to your Father in heaven again, and thank Him for His patience and love for you.

July 31, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on September 25, 2018, is provided by Jabez Yeo. He and his family are getting ready to leave for Thailand as missionaries with YWAM.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God’s Astonishing Grace”

Jeremiah 49:1-6

Thus says the Lord: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then has Milcom[a] dispossessed Gad, and his people settled in its cities? 2 Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will cause the battle cry to be heard against Rabbah of the Ammonites;
it shall become a desolate mound, and its villages shall be burned with fire; then Israel shall dispossess those who dispossessed him, says the Lord. 3 “Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste!
Cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth, lament, and run to and fro among the hedges!
For Milcom shall go into exile, with his priests and his officials. 4 Why do you boast of your valleys, O faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’
5 Behold, I will bring terror upon you, declares the Lord God of hosts, from all who are around you,
and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, with none to gather the fugitives. 6 “But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites, declares the Lord.”

Conflict with others is inevitable but few situations hurt more than betrayal. One example occurs in The Empire Strikes Back when Han Solo and his Rebel Alliance flee to Cloud City to escape the Empire. Upon arrival, the group is warmly welcomed by Han’s long-time friend and Cloud City Administrator, Lando Calrissian. Unfortunately, Lando himself is under the Empire’s influence and soon betrays the rebels by handing them over to Darth Vader. 

In Old Testament history, one people group that continually interfered with and betrayed Israel was the Ammonites, who resided east of the Jordan River, between the Jabbok and Arnon rivers. During Moses’ lifetime, the Ammonites had lost some territory to King Sihon (Num. 21:21-35), who was subsequently defeated by Israel and whose territory was granted to the tribe of Gad (Num. 32:33). Despite Israel’s victory, they did not encroach upon Ammonite territory, as the Lord specifically dictated that it was “given as a possession to the descendants of Lot [the Ammonites]” (Deut. 2:19). God’s mercy is even more astounding in light of the fact that Ammonite ancestry originated with Ammon, Lot’s son born through incest with Lot’s daughters (Gen. 19).

In spite of God’s grace, the Ammonites frequently fought against Israel during the eras of the Judges and Kings (Judges 3 and 2 Sam. 10). Furthermore, the Ammonites continually encouraged Israel to engage in idolatry through worship of their god, Molek (Lev. 2 and 1 Kings 11). As Israel had fallen by Jeremiah’s time, Jeremiah’s prophecy against Ammon (49:1) begins with a lament, “why then has Molek taken possession of Gad?” Subsequent verses in this prophecy foretell imminent destruction and terror for the rebellious Ammonites.

However, God declares that “yet afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites” (49:6). Some scholars suggest that this indicates New Testament fulfilment, as the Ammonites were “eventually absorbed into the peoples of Arabia, some of whom were present on Pentecost”. Thus, it is likely that some souls saved on Pentecost included Ammonite descendants. What an amazing testimony of God’s astonishing grace to humanity!

Prayer: Father, I confess that I am not all that different from the Ammonites. Despite Your many gifts to me, I engage in rebellion and idolatry against You by looking to others to meet my needs and fulfill me. Thank You for Your saving grace; help me lead a life of repentance in step with the faith I declare. In Your Name I pray. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 4

Lunch Break Study 

Read 1 John 1:5-10: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Questions to Consider

  • What does it mean to walk in darkness?
  • What is so important about verses 8-10?
  • Where may you be walking in darkness right now?

Note

1. From this passage, as well as other passages from John (John 1), walking in darkness

can be described as living a secret life of intentional sin. 

2. Verses 8-10 indicate that sin is inevitable because of our rebellious nature. Verse 8 is probably the clearest indication of this and verse 9 indirectly refers to this as well (it begins with “If we confess our sins…” not “If we sin…”). However, the fact that we have sinned is not as important as our need to confess to God and to others (verse 9), as well as to depend on God for His help.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

As you reflect on your day, how may you have looked to others to fulfill your needs? Take some time to confess specifics to God and ask for His strength for the next day. 

July 30, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional Spiritual, originally posted on July 30, 2018, is provided by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) along with her husband Pastor Sam Lee. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Heart of God”

Jeremiah 31: 15-17

Thus says the LORD: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Thus says the LORD: “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the LORD, that your children shall come back to their own border.”

We see here an image of Rachel, wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, weeping for her children who are no more (v.15). In the picture portrayed, Rachel, who represents the mother of Israel, grieves over the captivity of her descendants who have been taken into Babylonian exile. In the midst of such denoted grief and remorse, the voice of the Lord breaks through yet again with hope: “Thus says the Lord: ‘refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded,’ says the Lord; ‘and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future,’ says the Lord, ‘that your children shall come back to their own border’” (v.16).  The Lord promises renewal and restoration. 

This passage is more than an allegory regarding Israel. It is an insight into the heart of God for all of His children, which include us this day. Psalm 30:5 says, “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” The Lord is not a detached Father who passively watches His children endure hardships, struggle with spiritual bondage, or grieve through the heartaches of life. Our hope can be placed on an approachable Dad who is intrinsically involved in our current states, even if our feelings tell us otherwise. These verses are a sure hope for us, that in the dark, uncertain, or in the low days of life (which come for all of us), we can expect the Lord to surely bring us out into renewal and restoration. He is working that in your life today, at this very moment.  The Lord will restore everything to all that is entailed for you as His child. 

Therefore, lay your trust in Him. Close your ears to any confusing voices of doubt and accusations. Walk with Him. The night is passing and the dawning of a new day is arriving!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being so constant! You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank You that Your promises encompass Your nature; and You will bring me out of every brokenness, hardship, and uncertainty with restoration and renewal. Help me to ask of You and please grant me the grace to wait upon Your faithfulness! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 8:1: Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.

Psalm 3:2-6: Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.”

Questions to Consider

  • Are there any voices of doubt in you regarding God’s nature as a good and approachable Father?
  • What are the areas in your life that you are waiting on for renewal and restoration?
  • What does the renewal and restoration in these areas look like for you?

Notes

  • The constancy of God’s nature provides us with security, because we can expect Him to be the same towards us at all times. This also gives us a solid starting point for all processing of what God is like for us. We do not have to look at our current status of self or life to define God’s heart towards us; but allow what God is truly like to process the workings of our life. This provides us with comfort and hope as we ride through the challenging days of life. It also provides with confidence to take initiative with God.
  • God wants to bring healing into our lives that channel His blessings for us in every area (relationships, health, finances, giftings, call, desires, etc). Incorrect belief systems about self, God, and others give Satan the legal rights to mess with us. He can bring experiences that are not channeling God’s blessings, but what may feel like recurring curses. We can be encouraged that God will take every curse and turn it into a blessing (Deuteronomy 23:5). Take initiative with God to respond to His process of healing and freedom in your life.
  • Make a list of the areas of your life and heart that are needing renewal and restoration. Dig into the Scriptures for the promises that God has spoken regarding those areas. Declare these promises and celebrate in advance of the work that is in process for you in these areas.

Evening Reflection

This morning we reflected on the Lord’s faithfulness to bring renewal and restoration into all areas of your life. In the light of this truth, were you more hopeful today in your approach towards life?

July 29, Tuesday

REPOST  Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on November 27, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Power of Words”

James 3.8-12 (NASB)

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

As a new father, I am constantly reminded that I am not in control. Take for instance a simple diaper change: You have everything you need—the changing pad, the organic, unscented baby wipes, a fresh diaper, and a pair of clean hands. You’ve done this a hundred times by now. And while you remove the old diaper, dispose of it, and turn back to put on the fresh diaper, what happens? Your little one decides that she needs to pee… right now. No rhyme. No reason. Just because.

It’s not uncommon for us to experience these reminders that we are not in control. Specifically when it comes to our words, how many times have we come out of a conversation or dispute, thinking to ourselves, “Why did I just say that?” As we continue to reflect on the power of words, James reminds us that no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 

The general sentiment from yesterday’s QT was how our words can negatively affect others. But as we read in verses 9-12, we are also reminded of the potential our words have to bring life and blessing to God and to others. Yes, we can curse others with our words, but also, we can bless God; our mouths can be the source of both blessings and curses. So how do we keep away from cursing and fight for blessing? 

James writes that no one can tame the tongue, that is, if left to themselves. James is full of practical words, but the practice can never be taken apart from the faith. For James, everything begins with the Law of Liberty, the righteousness given to us because of Christ’s fulfillment of the law. And although we alone cannot tame the tongue, because of Christ, our tongue can be tamed.

We cannot tame the tongue, but Christ can master us. And when He is our Master, His Spirit tames even the ficklest parts of our being—such as our tongue. And when this happens, our tongues can be used to truly glorify God and bless those around us. 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we praise You for You have the words of life. And we take this moment to pause and reflect upon the words that we speak—to ourselves and to those around us. We repent not only for the words that were spoken, but we repent for our lack of mindfulness of those words. Purify our hearts so that the words that overflow may reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1Kings 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 12:33-37:“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Questions to Consider

  • What is the relationship Jesus is drawing in this passage between the tree/fruit and person/words?
  • Based on this relationship, what needs to change? How might this differ from how we normally approach on what needs to change in our speech?
  • In light of this passage, how might your prayer change when it comes to your words?

Notes

  • Jesus teaches that just as a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, an evil person cannot speak what is good, for words are the fruit of the heart.
  • For someone’s speech to change, the heart needs to be transformed. We may often think that we just need to change the way we speak, but that is simply addressing the fruit of a bad tree; what really needs to change is the heart. 
  • Personal response. Welcome the Holy Spirit to continue to transform your heart so that the fruit (words, deeds, thoughts, etc) may reflect His Spirit.

Evening Reflection

Take some time to think about your day and the words that you spoke. How might this be a reflection of the condition of your heart? Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit so that your heart may be renewed. Keep track of how that might change your words and thoughts tomorrow.

. 

July 28, Monday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on October 18, 2018, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God, I think I know better than You”

Jeremiah 43:1-4

When Jeremiah had finished telling the people all the words of the Lord their God—everything the Lord had sent him to tell them— 2 Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ 3 But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians,[a] so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon.”4 So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah.

When we were little, our parents would warn us not to touch the hot pot—but we would touch it anyway.  Upon touching the hot pot, we quickly learn that touching a hot surface leads to tremendous pain. But what drives us to touch the hot surface when we were told not to? For the scientific-minded, it could be curiosity; for the rebellious, it is our arrogance trying to prove them wrong.

In this passage, Jeremiah had just finished delivering God’s command to the remnant of Israel to stay in Palestine instead of running away to Egypt. Instead of the obedience that was promised by Israelite leaders, Johanan and Jezaniah, they rebelled against God’s command (Jeremiah 42:5-6). 

What caused the leaders of Israel to change their attitude from obedience to rebellion? In verse 2, we see that it was the Israelite leaders’ arrogance that led to their rebellion. They had thought that for sure God would want them to go to Egypt, but when God’s word did not align with theirs, they rejected Him. As a result, their pride and disobedience led to their destruction.

We may be looking at the Israelites with some judgment, thinking, “Didn’t they say, ‘Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you…’ How can they be so prideful?” Yet sadly, we are guilty of doing the same thing.

We all struggle with pride: it may not be outspoken pride such as boasting, but it silently exists in the form of disobedience. Like the Israelite leaders, we know what God wants or calls us to do, but we choose to follow our own path—thinking we know better than God. Our pride blinds us to believe that God is not for us, but against us. 

However, the truth is that God is for us and not against us! God calls us to live a life of obedience, not because He wants to control our lives, but He truly wants us to walk in His blessing. Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” 

Let us be followers of Christ, who through humility can walk in obedience to God’s word!

Prayer: Dear God, thank You that You want us to walk in your blessing. Forgive me for thinking that I know better than You. In those areas of my life where I want to go my own way, please remind me that “Your ways are higher than my ways.” Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 25:4-11: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, Lord,

forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Questions to Consider

  • What is a blessing that comes from the goodness of God? (vv.8-9)
  • What ways of the Lord are loving and faithful? Why is this important to understand? (v.10)
  • Spend some time meditating on this passage.

Notes

  • Because the Lord is good and upright, He instructs sinners in His ways, He guides the humble in what is right, and He teaches them His ways. 
  • According to the psalmist, all the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful. This is important to understand, because there are moments in our lives where His ways may not make sense or align with ours. However, we must remind ourselves that God ways are best and He is always for us and not against us.
  • Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

What are some areas in your life that you are not entrusting to God? Take some time to reflect on the reasons that prevent you from doing so. After your reflection, ask the Lord to help you remove those things from your lives, so that you can walk in a life of obedience.