Devotional Thoughts for Today

“His Love, His Way”

Exodus 2:11–15 (ESV)

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. [12] He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. [13] When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” [14] He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” [15] When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.

After many years of ministry, I’ve learned profound lessons like “pray a lot,” “smile more,” and “people like it when you buy them food.”  Another important ministry principle I’ve learned is that wanting to help someone is not the same as knowing how to help or having the power to do so.   

When we see our children or our friends struggle, the solution can seem so simple and clear.  Just follow our amazing advice and all will be well. Yet experience tells us that our wisdom and power have not solved all of our own problems, and therefore, have very real limits.

In today’s text, though Moses is living comfortably as part of Pharaoh’s household, he is distraught over the condition of his people.  When he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, Moses kills the Egyptian, longing to deliver the Israelites from their suffering. Unfortunately, all Moses manages to do is anger Pharaoh, and as a result, earn himself exile.  The Israelites do not appreciate Moses’s attempt to deliver them and their experience of oppression and slavery remains exactly the same.

Certainly Moses cared for the Israelites and he was even willing to sacrifice his place in Pharaoh’s house to help them, but Moses chose his own method and relied on his own power to bless his people and he utterly failed.

When it comes to loving the people in our own lives we can have compassion in our hearts and a willingness to sacrifice, but if we continue to stubbornly cling to our own methods and wisdom, we too will fail to bring lasting blessing.

Only God is able to give the joy, freedom, and new life that we desire for those we love.  Only by caring for others His way, in His strength, for His purposes will our love impart eternal blessing.

Prayer: Father, forgive me that I am so wise in my own eyes.  Teach me how to be a better parent, spouse, child, friend, coworker and neighbor.  Guide me that I may love with Your love, in Your way, for Your glory. Use me to impart freedom and joy to those around me.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 44

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Samuel 13:8–13 (ESV): He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. [9] So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. [10] As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. [11] Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, [12] I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” [13] And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever…

Questions to Consider

1. Why does Saul offer the burnt offering?
2. When confronted by Samuel, is Saul repentant?
3. What is the result of Saul giving in to fear and taking matters into his own hands?

Notes

1. Saul is afraid that Samuel is not coming and that his army will entirely desert him before the battle with the Philistines.
2. No, Saul blames Samuel for being late and feels like he had no choice but to offer the burnt offering.
3. Saul’s reign as king will come to an end, ruining his own legacy as well as the future for his descendants.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day.  What opportunities were you given to trust in the Lord as you related to other people?  Ask God that your obedience would bear the fruit of His blessing in their lives.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Compassionate Providence of God”

Exodus 2:1–10 (ESV)

“Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. [2] The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. [3] When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. [4] And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. [5] Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. [6] When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” [7] Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” [8] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. [9] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. [10] When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

Consider the heartbreaking situation the Levite woman finds herself in.  She is a slave. After Pharaoh’s pronouncement that all newborn boys must be killed, she gives birth to a beautiful baby boy.  The Levite woman cannot bear to lose her son, and so she hides him for as long as she can. When she can no longer hide him, she places him in a waterproof basket, pleading in her heart that the impossible might happen, and someone—anyone—might come and save him.

Consider the heartbreaking situation Moses’ sister finds herself in.  She watches her mother, desperate and despairing. She listens to her baby brother’s cries, and she can do nothing but watch.

Consider the heartbreaking situation Moses finds himself in.  He is born to an oppressed people who are enslaved and murdered with full governmental and societal approval.  His life is to be taken before he gets a chance to live at all.

Now consider the compassionate providence of God.  The daughter of Pharaoh comes to bathe in the river at exactly the right time.  She is curious about the basket when she does not have to be. She takes pity on the child when her entire nation fears and hates the Israelites.  Moses’s sister is on hand to ask the perfect question, and so Moses’s mother is paid to nurse her beloved son.

In our own lives, we come across heartbreaking, impossible situations, more often than we would like.  We are not guaranteed a fairytale ending to every story, but we can count on our compassionate Father to be present, to be actively at work, and to passionately pursue our good at every turn.

In our world, we come across heartbreaking, impossible situations more often than we are aware.  When we are removed from the suffering, as Pharaoh’s daughter was, we have the option of closing our eyes and our hearts.  May we proactively go to the hurting, be His hands and feet, and bring His compassion to the world.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You see and act in my times of need.  Give me Your love that I might see the suffering of those around me, and that I might act to make Your love and power visible to hurting people. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 43

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 68:4–10 (ESV): Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! [5] Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. [6] God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. [7] O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah [8] the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. [9] Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; [10] your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

Questions to Consider

1. According to vv. 4-6, why is God worthy of worship?
2. According to vv. 7-10, what did God’s love for the downtrodden lead Him to do?
3. How should God’s people respond to His great compassion?

Notes

1. Among endless other reasons, God is worthy of worship because He loves and protects the oppressed and helpless.  He takes notice of those who are suffering alone (orphans, widows, prisoners) and restores them.
2. In the wilderness and even in the Promised Land, God provided food and protection for the needy.  His love was extended in very practical ways as His people followed Him.
3. We should frequently remember His good deeds, sing and declare His goodness, and care for those whom He cares about.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day.  Was there an instance when you needed God’s compassion?  Bring your burdens to Him now. Did God give you an opportunity to demonstrate His compassion for others?  Pray for them as well as for opportunities tomorrow to love as He loves.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Unstoppable”

Exodus 1:6–7, 11-12, 16-17, 20 (ESV)

Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. [7] But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them… [11] …they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel… [16] “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live… [20] So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.

My plans are easily frustrated.  If I plan something as simple as a nice outing to the park with my family, it can be ruined by an endless number of factors that are outside of my control.  Bad weather, unexpected sickness, or moodiness (my kids’ or my own—ha ha) can prevent us from even getting to the park, let alone having a great time. But, while my plans may be easily frustrated, God’s plans are unstoppable.  

Joseph, the second in command in Egypt, dies, but the people continue to multiply and grow.  The Egyptians actively seek to weaken the Hebrews through systematic oppression and slavery, but “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied.”  The king of Egypt commands that all male babies be killed at birth, but God grants the midwives the fear of the Lord and the people continue to multiply and grow strong.  The Lord is almighty; He has a purpose for His people, and no opposition, human or otherwise, can stop Him.

In our day-to-day lives, our everchanging circumstances and the whims of people around us appear to be impossible to overcome.   We aim to progress in various areas of life (relationally, financially, etc.) yet so often we feel as if we are behind and things are not going according to our plans.  In response, we may “invite” God to bless our plans and empower us to accomplish them, but He invites us to something far better. Jesus invites us to give up our insignificant and easily stoppable plans and embrace His certain and unstoppable plans.

May our time and energy be invested in the plans of our sovereign Lord in whom we have hope that will not fail us.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You accomplish Your will.  Forgive me that I hesitate to entrust my future to You.  I imagine that my plans could be better than Yours. Help me to surrender my own plans that I might walk in Your will and receive all that You have for me.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 42

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Questions to Consider

1. What prevents us from being steadfast in the work of the Lord?
2. What allows us to continue in the work of the Lord?
3. Is there labor in this world that is in vain?

Notes

1. We can grow discouraged when we face opposition, see little fruit, or do not receive what we had hoped from our investment.  It can seem as if our work for the Lord is in vain.
2. We must know that our labor for the Lord is not in vain as Jesus is faithful to receive and use all that we give to Him.  
3. Yes, labor that is not done for the Lord.  Even works that are impressive from a human perspective are ultimately in vain if they are not done for Jesus.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day.  At any time, did God invite you to surrender your plans and embrace His?  At any time, did God demonstrate His sovereign power to accomplish His purposes?  Take a moment to thank the Father for His presence in your life and invite Him to accomplish His will in your life.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Reward of God”

Exodus 1:15–21 (ESV)

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, [16] “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. [18] So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” [19] The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” [20] So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. [21] And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

Fear is a powerful motivator.  Fear can drive us to work long hours.  Fear can drive us to avoid certain people.  Fear can drive us to compromise our integrity. Yet the right kind of fear can drive us to stand up against those in power.

Shiphrah and Puah are Hebrew midwives.  They are women in an ancient patriarchal culture, and they are slaves.  The most powerful person in Egypt demands that they kill every boy born to the Hebrews—this is a horrific and evil command from someone who would not think twice about killing them too.  But the midwives fear God. They spare the newborns and as a result God gives them families.

At face value, it appears that the women do a good thing and get a good thing.  But God is not simply giving the women something highly prized in their culture (a family).  They receive something far greater: participating in the promises of God for His people.

In Genesis 12, God promised to make a great nation from Abraham’s descendants.  The growth of the midwives’ families is part of the larger work God is doing of multiplying and growing the people of God in strength.  They are blessed to be fully included in the fulfillment of God’s promises.

When we fear and obey God, He will be faithful and reward us.  This doesn’t mean we will receive whatever seems good to our culture (successful children, a more high profile job, etc.).  Our reward is to be included among His covenant people and to experience the fulfillment of God’s promise to them.

In this stage of redemptive history, the promise of God is that He will bless all the families of the earth and make disciples of all nations through His Son.  Our reward for faith and obedience is to get to see and participate in the fulfillment of this promise.

Prayer: Father, may I fear You above all others, for what can humans do to me?  Thank You that You are almighty and worthy of my trust and obedience. May my household be privileged to be part of Your work of saving the world! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 41

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Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 29:31–35 (ESV): “When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. [32] And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” [33] She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. [34] Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. [35] And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah …”

Questions to Consider

1. In His great love, what does the Lord do for Leah?
2. What is Leah’s response?
3. What significant role do her four sons (especially Judah) play in biblical history?

Notes

1. He opens her womb and gives her four sons.
2. Leah acknowledges that her sons are from the Lord.  With the first three, she hopes that Jacob will now love her.  With her fourth son, she simply praises God for His goodness to her.
3. All four of Leah’s sons are namesakes of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.  Through the line of Judah, Jesus is born.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day.  Were there moments you were tempted to fear man rather than God?  If so, go to the Lord in repentance and receive His grace to fear Him.  Were there moments you acted in fear of God? If so, thank God for His strength and pray for more opportunities to seek the Kingdom.

The AMI QT Devotionals from February 4-10 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato who is presently serving at Church of Southland in Anaheim, California. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (B.S.) and Westminster Theological Seminary in California (M.Div.), is married to Jessica, and they have three young children: Jonah, Lily and Ayla.

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Promise Keeper”

Exodus 1:8-14 (ESV)

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. [9] And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. [10] Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” [11] Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. [13] So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves [14] and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

Many years ago, I served in a high school youth group.  Some students were very concerned about their grades and they could feel as if the presence or absence of God in their lives was as simple as whether they got an A or a C on their latest test.  While this is sort of silly, we are also prone to let the circumstances of our lives dictate what we believe about God. If we are in a season of success, God is good and He loves us. If we are in a season of suffering, we wonder whether God is absent and if He may be angry.

During the time of Joseph, God’s people are honored and shown great favor in the land of Egypt.  They flourish economically and numerically. They can clearly see how God is fulfilling His promise to Abraham to make of his offspring a great nation.  Yet this time quickly comes to an end and there arises a new king who does not know Joseph. The Israelites are feared and then enslaved. God’s people had risen to the top of Egyptian society only to then plummet down to the very bottom.

Yet “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread abroad.”  In the midst of suffering and oppression, God’s people are being grown into the very nation He had promised they would be.  While God’s people are confused, this is His chosen plan to set the people apart for Himself, to prepare them to go into the Promised Land, and to demonstrate His greatness.  Thus their suffering does not occur because God is failing to keep His promises but because He is faithful to keep them!

Many times the challenges or suffering we face are God’s ordained means of fulfilling His promises in our lives.  Jesus promises to cleanse and heal us, to set us free from bondage, to make us into His likeness, and to draw us near to Him.  Even when we cannot understand how, He is sovereignly working all things to fulfill His promises to us and give us life and joy in Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You are always faithful in Your love for me.  There are many things in my life that I do not understand, but I do know that You love me and are working all things for my good.  I put my hope in You! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 40

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Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 37:5–11 (ESV): Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. [6] He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: [7] Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” [8] His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. [9] Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” [10] But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” [11] And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Questions to Consider

1. What does God promise Joseph?
2. In this passage, what was the immediate fruit of Joseph’s dream?
3. Based on your knowledge of Genesis, what necessary events occur in Joseph’s life that lead to the fulfillment of God’s promises to him?

Notes

1. God promises Joseph that his brothers and even his parents would one day bow down to him.
2. Joseph’s brothers hated him even more than before and he was rebuked by his father.
3. In order to bring Joseph to a place of authority, he needed to be sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown in jail, and forgotten in prison.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day.  Did you encounter any unexpected suffering or challenges?  Bring these things before the Lord. Ask Him to draw near to you as the God of all comfort.  Ask the Father to help you trust and walk in His sovereign plan for you.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Looking to the Lord”

Psalm 63:1-8

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

As the psalmists describe God’s greatness, we can find an awesome opportunity to look to the Lord instead of ourselves. Personally, this is very restful for my soul because some mornings are challenging to be grounded in the Lord.

Every day, I wake up, get ready for work, and go onto my commute. From the time I wake up to the brisk morning walk to the train station—though my body moves with the daily routine—it is easy for anxiety and busyness to muddy my heart. By the time I’m finally sitting in the train, my mind catches up and then a sense of emptiness sets in. Though I am very thankful for my job and to be working, there are days when my heart feels “off.”  But it’s not until I meet with the Lord that my heart is filled. As I look to the Lord, the work I need to do for the day doesn’t go away, the backed-up projects don’t finish by themselves, difficult situations and people to face don’t suddenly get resolved, but as I rest in God’s greatness and love, my soul is strengthened for what’s ahead.

Worshipping the Lord and experiencing His faithfulness is where our hearts are meant to be. When we seek the Lord and find Him in worship, just beholding Him in His power and glory, it is powerful—we do not need to earn, but just behold. Unlike possessions, no one can steal or take away His steadfast and unfailing love that is available to us.

No matter how empty may we feel it is true that our souls can be satisfied as with fat and rich food—for true soul food is found in the Lord! The Lord has been faithful to us and has helped us. Our help comes from the Lord, and the One who made all the heavens and the earth—who knows how intricately everything works together—He is the One who secures us. He is fully aware and at work. He is the One who keeps His people through the highs and lows.  It’s God, not money, health, or people that keep us blessed and protected—He is the One who is keeping us.

Our God is steadfast. He is our hope and stay. Though the day ahead might be heavy, let’s not muddy our hearts by fixing our gaze on the day, but let’s meet with the Lord and behold Him in His power, glory, and steadfast love!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for who You are. You are powerful, glorious, and loving. Lord, the day ahead may be busy, so we especially want to rest our souls in You. You have been our help and so we cling to You. Holy Spirit, please help our hearts to behold Jesus this morning. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 39

The AMI Spiritual Food for Thought for the weekend of February 2-3 is provided by Jin Ha Lee who serves at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. Jin Ha, a CPA, graduated from Drexel University and just got married to Aerin this past November. Congratulations!

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Sure Return”

Galatians 6:6-10

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

 Around a year ago there was a craze around “cryptocurrency” (e.g. Bitcoin), but I didn’t pay attention to it as something to invest money into. However, during this hype, one of my friends told me that he had invested into cryptocurrency and made X amount of money in one year. I was shocked because within one year of his investment, he had profited an amount that was equal to an annual salary! Long story short, I hastily tried to invest, but after praying through it and receiving wise counsel, I backed out because it was an impulsive decision made out of envy. Soon after, the cryptocurrency trend took a downward turn and had sunk in value.

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up into investing our money, time, and energy into earthly activities that are uncertain in their “return”—especially when it seems like everyone else is thriving and we’re missing out. However, Paul’s reminder to the Galatian church was to endure in investing in a return that is secured by the Lord Himself.

In the backdrop of grace, there is a principle of reaping what we sow, and in due season, reaping what we sow for the Lord is not an uncertainty—but a promise! The reward of living for the Lord and being used by Him for His kingdom is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when.”

Exerting our energy into selfishness (different from self-care), sin, and fleeting materialism will reap exactly that—more selfishness, deeper bondage in sin, and emptiness (because all that we own on this earth will rust away).

I still stay in touch with that friend who invested in cryptocurrency, and we joke around about investments. With what we know today, what investments would we make if we could go back 20 years? We bring up investing in stocks like Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and others because we know today that they grew exponentially in value. Only if we knew 20 years ago!

One day, we will come face to face with the Lord; except then, we won’t be able to joke around about what we should have sown into—it would be too late. Today, God’s Word clearly tells us that we will reap what we sow. We can have a sure expectation that the ways we are sowing for the Lord now will result in reaping in its due season—if we do not give up.

Are you weary of doing good? The Lord understands. Let’s rest and strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Paul follows the call to endure with this reminder: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us opportunity to do good, especially to those who are part of the body of Christ. God, please use us to strengthen, refresh, and bless others. As we serve others, please bring alongside brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us so that we can all continue to sow faithfully. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 37-38

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Joshua Chzen who serves as the college pastor at Kairos Christian Church (San Diego, California). Joshua, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Bethel Seminary. He and Sandra were married in 2017.  

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Always Worthy”

Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Our church has been going through a study on the book of James in our life groups. (We just finished up the first chapter this week.) Since James begins his letter talking about enduring through trials and testing of our faith, we naturally spent a lot of time discussing the topic of suffering.

If I’m being completely honest, I haven’t experienced much suffering.  As someone who grew up in relative stability and now lives in relative comfort, there hasn’t been a lot in the way of adversity or trauma. Depending on your perspective, you could argue that it was to my benefit, or to my detriment (or both). You may find yourself relating to my background, or you might be reading this as someone from the opposite end of the spectrum.

Looking to the prophet Habakkuk, we see someone who understood the pain of suffering, for God had shown him the impending destruction and violence that was to come upon the people of Judah. They would be subject to attack, plunder, and oppression by Babylonian Empire, and consequently, experience the ultimate humiliation and injustice.  In response, Habakkuk voices unhappiness, confusion, and pain—even questioning God’s method and challenging His motive in allowing something like this to happen to His own people. And at the end of his closing prayer he paints a bleak picture of complete desolation: there is no fruit on the trees, no crops in the fields, no animals in the farmland; there is nothing left in which to find value, comfort, or joy. However, it’s in this same breath that Habakkuk reaffirms his faith and joy in God, and that He is still worthy of praise. It makes little sense from a worldly perspective, but Habakkuk knew God so deeply that his conviction to worship Him remained even in the worst of circumstances.

Having only a limited experience with pain and trial, it can be easy for me (and likely many of us) to default to unhappiness and confusion when difficulties arise. That combination can often give way to doubt—doubting God’s character, His intentions, and His plan. Paul presents one way to keep suffering grounded in perspective—it produces perseverance, character, and ultimately hope (Rom. 5:3-5). James writes that trial leads to maturity (Jas. 1:2-4). And while these are good reasons to rejoice in difficult moments, ultimately, they are grounded in God Himself. He is our deepest source of joy. Tough circumstances may change (for better or for worse), or they may not; but God himself is always good, always faithful, and always worthy to be praised.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You’re unchanging in character, intention, and plan. I could have nothing going my way, or everything going my way; but God, You are still the same, and You’re my greatest reason to rejoice. Help me to remember who You are when things are hard. In Your name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 36

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:2-8 (NIV): Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Questions to Consider

1. What does James say about trials? What is the ultimate result?
2. What does James say about doubt?
3. What role do you think wisdom plays in this context?

Notes

1. James states that trials serve to test faith, which produces perseverance, which ultimately leads to maturity and completeness. It’s because of this that we should approach these situations with joy.
2. James refers to those who doubt as “double-minded and unstable in all they do” and demonstrates this with the imagery of waves. He also says those who ask with doubt should not expect to receive anything from God.
3. Those who lack wisdom presumably have not completed the process of becoming “mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

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Evening Reflection

Are you going through any sort of difficulty? Are there circumstances you’re unhappy with? Relationships that only bring you frustration? Ask God for joy to fill your heart and wisdom to live out His will – He might not change our surroundings, but He will change our hearts when we are open.

The AMI QT blogs for January (weekdays), provided by Pastor Ryun Chang, are extended to cover important sociopolitical matters that have serious ramifications for the Christian faith.  Pastor Ryun (PhD), who serves as the Teaching Pastor of AMI, is the author of Manual de Misionología, Theologizing in the Racial Middle, and a contributor to The Reshaping of Mission in Latin America.

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“How John Tran Became Equal to Benjamin Netanyahu”

2 Kings 5:1-5 (ESV)

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet [Elijah] who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”

We often ignore seemingly insignificant characters who play important roles in great narratives. So, while we are well acquainted with General Naaman and Prophet Elijah—the two main protagonists in the above passage—we hardly ever talk about the nameless Israelite girl who led this general to proclaim, “I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel” (1 Kings 5:15). Without her informing Naaman about Elijah, there may not have been any story to tell.

Yesterday, you met John—a Vietnamese believer who not only learned to play the harp but also made harps, all without formal training in just two years. How? John’s unequivocal response: “God.” So, how well does John play the harp? Skilled enough that he was the only Vietnamese to be invited to be one of fifty harp players who led worship at the All Nations Convocation Jerusalem 2018 where 5,500 delegates from 150 nations participated.  What about the quality of his harps? Remember the thirty harps he was told that God wanted him to make? Well, they were all used at this international convocation.

So the conference organizers, amazed by John’s story, asked him to share his testimony in front of thousands of people—including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is not an overtly religious Jew. John’s sharing left no doubt that his ability to play and make harps came from Christ, who gave him strength and wisdom through the Spirit. Afterwards, Netanyahu sought out John and upon finding him, this powerful man told John—an “insignificant” person from Vietnam—“You cannot show us [Jews] that you are smarter than us; you cannot say to us that you are richer than us; but I can see now that we are the same because you have the Holy Spirit.” Suffice it to say, the prime minister was greatly moved by what he heard.

Certainly, in the world and even in church, people like the nameless servant girl and John—an ordinary guy just wanting to serve the Lord—are often dismissed.  Zechariah 4:10a says this: “Who despises the day of small things [or people]?” followed by, “Men will rejoice” when God uses these small things for something great.  This assuredly gives us a great hope that God can use us, too, for His glory! And if no one recognizes contributions you made towards God’s work, then, don’t be dismayed, for “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Heb. 6:10).

Meanwhile, let us be ready in prayer and preparation, so that when God calls us to do something beyond our ability, we will take the first step of obedience in faith.

Prayer: Father, in a world where we get beaten up because we are not good or talented enough, it is comforting to know that You choose “the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”   So whenever I am called to obey Your next assignment, strengthen me to do just that: Obey You.

Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 35

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Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 22:27 (ESV): “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men”

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NVI): “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.”

Ps. 33:3 (ESV): “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

Questions to Consider

1. Based on these passages, what is expected of us with respect to what we do for work, profession and/or ministry? What is this about?
2. What are some benefits of improving our professional/ministerial skill-set?
3. How can we improve our skill set (1 Cor. 11:1)?

Notes

1. The expectation is for our skill sets to improve, not stay at the same level. This has to do with our stewardship: getting the most of out of the talents and gifts God has given us.
2. First, our improved skill set can lead to enlarging the sphere of influence for Christ (“before kings”); second, it can also lead to less energy spent while working and gain more.
3. First, “practice makes perfect”; second, apprenticeship (i.e., learning from those who are skillful); and third, praying for God’s wisdom so that we are wise in improving our skills.

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Evening Reflection

Before going to bed, consider one tendency of ours that is counterproductive: Once we have reached a certain level of skill-set (“It’s good enough”), we become satisfied and then try to coast thereafter. Instead of continuing to improve, we focus more on leisure and recreation. Are you like that right now? What is one area in your life in which your ability to handle it is not your best (e.g., parenting, making power points, etc.).  Pray to the Lord that He will give you desire and determination to enhance and improve your skill-set, so that you will stand before “kings,”; and work less and with the time saved serve the Lord more.

The AMI QT blogs for January (weekdays), provided by Pastor Ryun Chang, are extended to cover important sociopolitical matters that have serious ramifications for the Christian faith.  Pastor Ryun (PhD), who serves as the Teaching Pastor of AMI, is the author of Manual de Misionología, Theologizing in the Racial Middle, and a contributor to The Reshaping of Mission in Latin America.

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“With God, Watch Out for a Very Unexpected Career”

Philippians 4:13

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

I first met John and Esther in 2009, when I taught a class in Vision University in Vietnam—they both were students there. Having met in our school, they later got married, moved to Malaysia to serve for two years, and then returned home.  (They finally finished their bachelor program in 2016.) At the conclusion of my recent class in Vietnam for a master’s degree program of Kairos Global University (Nov. 2018), John invited me to dinner at what turned out to be a fancy restaurant. When he came to pick me up, I was surprised to see his vehicle—not a scooter (the mode transportation for almost all Vietnamese) but a fairly new car. Later, while eating dinner at a restaurant, John shared a recent turn of events that shook his life upside down. Here is a condensed version of it.

About two years ago, a believer in Malaysia told John that God wanted him to not only play a harp, but make one. (“That is so random,” I thought.)  Anyway, how did John—who had never seen a harp much less have $3,000 to buy one—respond? Understandably, “crazy” was the first thing that came to his mind.  Nevertheless, John began to pray that God would provide a harp—if this was His will.

In the meantime, a Christian lady in Singapore (who didn’t know John) felt that the Lord wanted her to sell the gold she recently inherited from her deceased mother and bless someone with it.  When she shared her desire in the cell group, there happened to be someone who knew John and told her about his situation. So then, this sister in Singapore decided to bless John with a new harp! That happened two months after John started praying. So John started learning to play on his own with his new harp.  Not only that, he actually made a harp, which took three months. Incredulous, when I asked him how he did it, John said, “God taught me.”  Well, what can you say to that? (See Lunch Break Study).

The craziness doesn’t stop here. Around this time, the same Malaysian believer told John that God wanted him to make 30 harps. He was shocked, yet he responded by making all of them, in two months! So stunned by what I was hearing, I put my fork down around this time. I will tell you what he did with the harps tomorrow, but so far John has made 700 harps! So, John and Esther, who still remember the time when they could afford only one meal a day, were able, with this unexpected blessing from the Lord, to buy a small vehicle for their growing family (a second child on the way) and treat me to a very nice meal.

Let John’s story remind you that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phi. 4:13); “delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:4). Yes, we must be careful with the blessings God gives us—something John and Esther are quite aware—but allow John’s story to remind us that “everything is possible for him who believes” (Mk. 9:23). So, believe, pray, and work hard (Prov. 14:23).

Prayer: Dear Lord, we love You and praise You. Thank You for all the great promises that You have given us. We are often timid and pessimistic, but we are so thankful that we can have a full confidence in You to do the impossible in and through us.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 34

Tomorrow’s Blog: “How John Tran Became Equal to Benjamin Netanyahu”

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Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 11:23-24:

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Proverbs 14:23:

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

2 Tim. 2:6:

“The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.”  

Questions to Consider

1. The Mark 11:23-24 passage is loved by the advocates of Prosperity Theology. Why do you think they like this passage so much? What is a danger of misunderstanding this passage?
2. What is the antidote to misunderstanding or abusing passages like this?
3. New Year is a time of hope! What are you going to trust God with for this coming year? Is this something achievable by talents and training you already possess/have or something beyond your ability?  Can you raise the bar a little so that you have to trust God for it?

Notes

1. One reason the advocates of Prosperity Theology like this passage is that they think that they can get whatever they desire. Also, too much emphasis is placed on what they hope God would do for them and not enough on men’s responsibility.
2. The antidote to the possible abuse is that we need to work—and work hard! While John said that God was the One who taught him how to play and make the harp, I am very sure he read some books on it or even watched some You-Tube videos.  And he worked hard and prayed even harder.
3. I trusted God to publish a book in 2017. God answered that prayer in 2018. I worked hard and prayed harder.

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Evening Reflection

Did you get to pray today? What are you praying about? Do you trust God that He is willing and able to accomplish amazing things in your life?  While we need to be content with our present life, we also ought to have a holy-discontentment, wanting everything God has planned and prepared for us.  Remember 1 John 5:14-15: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”