December 25, Tuesday

Merry Christmas

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Perfect Gift”

Matthew 2:9-11

“After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

As a kid, I went to a church that gave away practical gifts and prizes. So at church picnics, we’d play your garden variety relay race games, but instead of being awarded a ribbon or a trophy, winners would get a three pack of paper towels, or an eight pack of Lever 2000, and during those years when the budget was particularly strong, a family sized bottle of laundry detergent. As teenager, I thought those were the strangest prizes and figured that’s just what immigrants do. Now that I’ve become the person who has to pony up the money to make sure that our house is stocked up with supplies like paper towels, soap, and laundry detergent, I see the brilliance of practical gifts and prizes. When it comes to presents, I’m very much into practical. So I’m very fine with socks, underwear, and Amazon gift cards. Now on the flip side, I understand that there are people who love to give and receive fun gifts. The thinking behind fun gifts is, I want to give something that this person wouldn’t or couldn’t buy on his own. FYI, when practical gift people receive fun gifts, they often think, “Can I return them?”

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day today as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. If you haven’t done so already, my guess is that today you will either give a gift to someone or receive one. Did you give fun gifts or practical ones? Hopefully, a lot of the former and enough of the later. When I think about the gift that our Heavenly Father gave humanity some 2,000 years ago by sending His one and only Son into the world, I realize that the Son was the ultimate combination of a fun and practical gift. Perhaps “fun” is the wrong word, but the idea that I’m trying to get across is that the righteousness of Christ is something we could never get on our own. You throw in the idea that God came in the form of an infant, and you realize that this gift is more lavish and extravagant than a string of pearls or a luxury car. Practically speaking, how else could the sin of humanity be forgiven? Only by the life of a perfect God-man. So, in that sense, Christ’s life was more necessary and more “practical” than anything we could ever need.

Today, I hope you spend some time with loved ones. I hope you have a lot of fun. Dads—don’t get frustrated if you feel like you’re building toys all day. Moms—don’t stress out if Christmas dinner doesn’t go as planned. Readers, don’t get angry that I stereotyped your gender roles☺. But most of all spend a few minutes and thank the Lord for the wonderful gift of the Incarnate Son, a gift that we couldn’t get on our own but desperately needed.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for your Son. Thank You that today we celebrate the gift of his life, without which we would all be dead in our sins.

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 4:14-16:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

In general, why is the Incarnation such an important doctrine to the Christian faith (not found in this passage)?
From this passage, why was the Incarnation such an act of kindness?
How should the Incarnation impact us?

Notes

The Incarnation is critically important because for many reasons. First, the idea of substitutionary atonement. As a human, Christ’s sacrifice atones for the sins of humanity. Second, the idea of imputed righteousness. Christ’s obedience as a human can be transferred to us as righteousness (sorry for the super brief explanations).

In vs. 15, we see that because Christ came in the flesh, he understood first hand our weaknesses, yet was able to overcome temptation.

Therefore, we can draw near to a God who is not distant but wants to be with us so much that he would take on the limitations of having a human body. God loves us and wants to be with us, so let’s draw near to him!

Evening Reflection

How are you doing with the Lord? Do you desire to draw near to him in an intimate relationship? One of the reasons he came to the earth in the flesh some 2,000 years ago was to let mankind know that God is near. Is He near to you now?

December 24, Monday

The AMI QT Devotionals from December 24 to 30 are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Remnant Church, New York City. Yohan graduated from University of Pennsylvania and Cairn University, where he studied theology. He is married to Mandie, and they have four adorable children.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Blessed?”

Luke 1:46-48

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

Whether it through personal experience or—as silly as it sounds—through TV and movies, I think we all have at least some idea of how scary and “inconvenient” an unplanned pregnancy can be for a woman. I know that some in our reading audience are actively trying to have kids now, but for the rest of us, imagine how much an unexpected pregnancy would flip your life around. For students, what would a child mean for your studies and your future? For you singles, how would a child impact your career and personal life? For you DINKs, are you ready for your cool vacations and trendy restaurants to turn into theme parks and Red Robin? On the other end of the spectrum, maybe your children are grown up or are teenagers: how would a baby change your life now? Money set aside for retirement quickly converts to college tuition? I just moved my last two kids from car seats to boosters, and that felt like a game-changer. You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to a world of strollers, bottle warmers, and diapers.

As “inconvenient” as it would be to have a child now, think about how utterly terrifying it must have been for Mary. What must have gone on in her head after the angel Gabriel left her that night? How would Joseph react? There’s no way he’s staying, right? No one’s gonna believe that this is God’s Son; everyone’s gonna think that I had an affair. Are my parents gonna kick me out? Who’s gonna help us? Am I gonna have to raise this baby alone? How will I support myself and a child? Given all these overwhelming thoughts, would you have felt “blessed” as Mary says she was in v. 48? My guess is that many of us would have felt the exact opposite. In reality, Mary was blessed and was given an opportunity no one in the history of the world will ever have again. However, in order to see this, she had to overcome her overwhelming circumstances by faith.

Here’s the truth for us today: Oftentimes, God’s biggest blessings will feel overwhelming at first, and if we aren’t careful, we’ll mistake them for a burden instead of the blessings they were meant to be. Think about some of the hard things you’ve gone through. Looking back on them, did you grow through them? Did God become more real to you afterwards? Can you use those experiences to encourage others? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, my guess is that you’ve seen how difficulties can become blessings. What are you going through now? I’m sure they feel overwhelming, but can you, like Mary, see the blessing on the other side?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the example of Mary, who showed that even in difficult circumstances You are still with us and we are still blessed. Give us faith to trust You through all times. Thank You also for sending Your Son into the world to save us! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 2

Lunch Break Study

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

What are the imperatives that Paul gives us?
Instead of being anxious, what should we do?
What are the benefits of God’s peace, and are you experiencing them in your life now?

Notes

Paul commands us to rejoice; he also says not to be anxious, but to pray and give thanks to God.
Pray and ask God. Also give thanks. This is a reminder that while we are often powerless in our circumstances, we can ask the One who is powerful for help. Giving thanks reminds us of His goodness and faithfulness.
God’s peace is transcendent—meaning, it goes beyond human reasoning. In other words, when we have no reason to hope, God’s peace can help us to see past our circumstances. Of course, the second part of the question is an introspective one.

Evening Reflection

In John 14:27, Jesus tells His disciples that He is giving them his peace, which is a peace that is not of the world, a peace that can only come from the Lord. This Christmas Eve, as we celebrate when God’s peace offering entered the world, let me ask you this: Do you live in this peace, or are you anxious and worried? Take some time to reflect on what the Lord wants to do in your heart.

December 23, Sunday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is written by Joshua Chzen who serves at Kairos Christian Church, San Diego.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Imperfect Love”

Ephesians 5:28-33

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.

After a few months into my marriage, my wife pointed out a bad habit of mine that I hadn’t really paid attention to before: I love eating junk food, and I love eating it late at night. (In reality, there were quite a few more things to be pointed out.) When we moved to our new apartment, there were two Jack-in-the-Box restaurants within a mile of us. So after a long day of work or a late meeting, I didn’t think it was harmful to treat myself to something satisfying—it was my way of “loving myself,” even if a little bit indulgent. Of course, this sort of habit would be detrimental to my health, both in the short and long term, which is why my wife took issue with it in the first place.

In reality, my imperfect way of loving myself affects not only myself, but my wife as well. Paul directs husbands to love their wives as their own bodies, and he’s talking about complete selflessness in love and attitude. But even as I look at how my heart is shaped through something like indulging myself, I can see that same heart reflected in how I love and care for my wife—that is, if my desire is to grow in and prioritize holiness, then I will love and care for my wife in a way that reflects that for her. The way I “feed and care for my body” will be the same as how I “feed and care for” my wife.

This makes it all the more important to pursue a life of love in Christ. We understand how Jesus “feeds and cares for” His body, the Church: He sacrifices Himself for it, builds it up and equips it, casts out its fears and covers its weaknesses, and brings it to holiness, righteousness, and purity. As members of His body, we can personally experience this perfect love. And we understand that as Jesus calls us to love others as we love ourselves, He’s not referring to an imperfect love that’s been shaped and affected by worldly understanding or fleshly desire; rather, He’s calling on all of us to reflect that same perfect love that we experience as Christ Himself loves His Body.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me and caring for me as part of Your Body. Show me how to love like You do—and if it seems unnatural, difficult, or in conflict with where I am, I pray that You would reorient my heart back to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 26

December 22, Saturday

Today’s AMI Quiet Time Devotional is written by Claudia Robbie who serves at Journey Church of Atlanta.

Devotional Thought for Today

“Humility”

Luke 1:48

For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

This Christmas season, I have been drawn to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and I wonder at the kind of relationship she had with God. There must have been anxiety and fear when she received the news that she was going to be pregnant with the Son of God, but she aligned her life to what God had laid out as His plan.

Mary risked being stoned (Old Testament punishment for adultery), and being misunderstood and ostracized by those around her. This woman walked in obedience, her soul glorified the Lord, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. When I am misunderstood for even the smallest of things, I am thrown into emotional and spiritual turmoil. So how did Mary do this? It hinges on her humility. “For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant” (Lk. 1:48).

Humility, as it is defined by Andrew Murray, is the place of entire dependence on God. When I think of humility, my thoughts are usually filled with surrendering my pride or beating back my own desires; but Mary’s humility reminds me that it is about cultivating a heart/place that is completely dependent on God.

It reminds me that it is a daily encounter with the greatness of God that allows me to lay down my fears, anxieties, and thoughts of myself to put on His person and His confidence. It is trusting on Him to go before and behind me as I listen for His leading, obey and align my life to what He wants so that my soul will glorify the Lord. This kind of cultivated heart happens with intentionality and over a period of time. It is also God’s grace to us. God chose Mary, not because she was deserved, but He was mindful of the humble state of His servant.

It is a commitment to keep cultivating a heart of dependence, even in the face of adversity, even when we are faced with our own sin, and even when the odds seem insurmountable, because we are loved by a great God who has called us to live a life that will glorify Him.

So today I will not be shocked by my own shortcomings or the ways in which I can improve. Instead, I choose to trust God who knows my thoughts, my attempts to serve, my intentions, my sins—and loves me still. I choose to cultivate a heart of dependence on the One who has a plan for me, and who is now restoring and refining me for that purpose.

Prayer: Lord, cultivate in me a humble heart like Mary, who could let go of all her fears and risk even her life in order to glorify You. May Your greatness far outweigh anything else in this world. May I bring glory to You in this Christmas season and rejoice in the gift of Your Son/my King. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 24-25

December 21, Friday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is written 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 recently married in 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Self-Less Love”

Ephesians 5:22-27

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

My wife Sandra and I celebrated our first anniversary last month. Upon reflecting on the past year, I thought I had been doing my best to love my wife. I would go out of my way to take care of chores and errands knowing that my schedule had more flexibility than hers. I learned to adjust my expectations of my wife considering her busy season of balancing ministry, school and work. The past year has been fun, but not without struggles and disagreements—much of which stemming from my self-centeredness.

Christ’s love is selfless. Not once did he struggle to consider the needs of those whom God called into His service. He gave himself up completely so that his church could be redeemed into something radiant, holy and righteous. It was with a complete regard for the well-being of his people that Jesus completely disregarded his own well-being, suffering and dying on the cross. In this passage, Paul calls on the married men in the Ephesian church to love their wives in that same way—to love those God has called them to love, with complete selflessness, so that they might be built up in holiness and righteousness.

I thought I had been doing a good job of loving my wife; nevertheless, being married for a year has revealed to me how natural it is for me to consider my needs first. Even though I’ve grown in my tendency to think about my wife’s perspective, desires and needs, I’m still infinitely far away from the bar of selfless love that Jesus sets. It’s only through being filled with that love, through the Holy Spirit, that I can hope to do an adequate job of giving that same love to my wife.

Although Paul directs this passage at husbands and wives specifically, we know that as Christians our call is to extend this Christlike love to everyone around us (Matt. 22:39), even our enemies (Luke 6:27). There are likely people we’ll be seeing during the Christmas season who we know we’re supposed to love. We may feel like we’re doing an adequate job of loving them already. Or we may not want to love them at all. Regardless, let’s take the time to ask for the love of Christ to fill us and the Holy Spirit to transform us, so that the conversations, interactions, and thoughts we have will radiate the love of Christ to our friends and family (as well as neighbors and enemies!).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the selfless love you demonstrated when you gave yourself up completely for our sins. Sometimes I take that love for granted, but I pray that you would remind me specifically of the people in my life I know you’ve called me to give that same love to. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and change my heart so that I can demonstrate that same selfless love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 23

Lunch Break Study

Read John 15:9-17 (NIV):

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Questions to Consider

What does Jesus say about keeping his commands?
What is Jesus’ command?
Whose love does Jesus demonstrate?

Notes

If we keep Jesus’ commands, not only will we remain in his love, but he will call us friends instead of servants.
Jesus’ command is to love each other, which he reiterates twice in this passage. He gives more details the first time: we are to love each other as he loved us, exemplified in laying down one’s life for one’s friends.
Jesus himself refers to being loved by the Father as his model for loving us. Ultimately, in demonstrating the love of Christ, we also demonstrate the love of the Father.

Evening Reflection

Ask God who (specifically) He’s challenging you to love during this Christmas season. Spend some time reflecting on your heart toward this person and pray that the Holy Spirit would fill your heart with more of the love of Christ to soften, restore, and radiate this same love.

December 20, Thursday

The AMI QT Devotionals for December 20-21 provided by Doug Tritton. Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently serving as a staff at Symphony Church (Boston), while pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary. He is married to Cindy and they are proud parents of Audrey.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Who Are You?”

Galatians 4:6-7

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Even though December is the Advent season—a season meant to be filled with joy—many people are quite stressed. I imagine some of you who are reading this are stressed right now. For those who are students, finals and papers are probably occupying all your thoughts; for those with families, there is the stress to complete all your Christmas shopping—for the children, for the extended family, for children’s teachers, and so on. Or others are just trying to get things done before the holidays come. Personally, I am a bit stressed as my family waits for our son to be born—any day now!

In the midst of the stress and the craziness of life, it can be easy to forget who we are—who we really are. We know we are employees and students, mothers and fathers: these are the responsibilities that are at the forefront of our minds right now and certainly we should not forget about them. But we can easily forget our true identity, our identity as children of God. This is the foundation of our lives— being daughters and sons of our Father in Heaven. Knowing this brings freedom. Knowing this means acknowledging we are not slaves to this world and its fears and troubles. We belong to our Heavenly Father, a Father who cares for us.

When we lose sight of our true identity, we ultimately grow deaf to God’s voice in our lives. Our passage says that God sent His Spirit into our hearts, the Spirit who speaks into our hearts and reminds us who we are. Forgetting our identity as God’s children means we are not listening to the voice of the Spirit within us. Can we pause for just a few moments in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season and just listen? Can you listen for God’s voice? Listen to Him crying out for you to come to Him. Listen for Him to remind you of your identity as His child. Listen to Him to remind you of His great, unchanging love for you. You are His child, you belong to Him. Knowing this reality enables us to truly enter into the joy and peace of this advent season.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for sending Your Spirit in our hearts to teach us who we are. May we not grow numb to Your Spirit and to Your voice. May we not grow numb to our true identity as Your child. Remind us again and again and may we not lose sight of this identity during this season. May we know Your love so that we can experience the joy of Advent. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

What does it mean that “the Lord is at hand” (v. 5)? How is that connected to verse 6?
How do we receive the “peace of God”?
Are you in need of God’s peace right now? Spend time lifting up your burdens to God and invite His presence over you.

Notes

Many people know and memorize verses 6 and 7 and say these verses to others in times of difficulty. Yet, we often leave out the best part: the Lord is at hand! This means He is near to us. He hears us and responds to us. We pray because God is near to us and listens.
There are two main exhortations here: rejoice and pray. Peace comes through doing both of these: rejoicing and by praying. May we find peace this season through worship and through prayer!
Worship and pray in order to seek God’s peace!

Evening Reflection

Before going to sleep this evening, take some time to listen for the Spirit speaking within you. Hear His voice as you go to bed this evening. May His voice bring you comfort, peace, and restful sleep!

December 19, Wednesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Charles Graham. Charles, who serves at Kairos, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology to prepare himself for a life of service and ministry.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Loving God with our Minds”

Read Luke 10:27 (ESV)

“And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’”

The story is all too common. A child is raised in a loving Christian home, grows up in the church, develops deep and close relationships with the congregation and when the time comes, leaves home for college. However, in school, the young student fills one of his elective slots with a religions class where the professor lays into Christianity, outlining its contradictions, borrowed mythology and overwhelmingly negative sociological impact. He is never the same again. He comes home after his first year with more questions than a busy parent or pastor cares to answer, and slowly but surely, the once Christ-grounded child loses his faith and turns away from the church.

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answers: “Love God with all of their being and love their neighbor as themselves.” While the average person does well to love the Lord with the first three items, the tragedy of the hypothetical above can become a reality if we fail to love God with our minds. JP Moreland (Talbot School of Theology) writes, “That the mind is the crucial component in the spiritual journey cannot be accurately denied.” Truly there is something to it, as an estimated 70% of college students leave the faith. Institutions of higher learning are a wonderful place of knowledge and exchanging of ideas, but with the marginalization of the Christian worldview so great, it is more critical than ever that church leaders teach their people how to love God fully, minds included.

So what does loving God with your mind look like? A long-lost spiritual discipline is study. Pastor Peter (Kairos) describes the spiritual disciplines as the “wax on, wax off” parts of the faith—meaning, performing them seemingly serves no purpose until the occasion in which they’re useful arises. While not everyone needs to think through the faith to the degree of someone like C. S. Lewis, it is vital that, at minimum, we keep ourselves grounded in the Word while seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. By engaging the faith with our minds, we give the Spirit another piece of ourselves to step into and work His wonders. The Holy Spirit can teach us how to speak of Jesus to unbelievers, how to disciple our immediate and church family members and even defend the faith, if necessary, from opposition. Just as we have done so, so easily with our hearts, let’s give our minds over to the Lord as well. Let’s love Him with all of our being, as commanded.

Prayer: Father, Your Word and Your truth have been under attack since the beginning. We know You are there, we feel You and we praise You. Please help us to love You fully, with everything we are. Holy Spirit, we ask that You move in, and shape our minds to Your will. All for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 1:1-7:

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Questions to consider

What is the beginning of knowledge?
What is King Solomon’s goal(s) in writing these proverbs?
Which of King Solomon’s goals would you like to work towards in your life?

Notes

The beginning of knowledge is “the fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:7). King Solomon goes on to note only a fool rejects wisdom or instruction, thereby advocating for the spiritual discipline of study.
In general, King Solomon seeks to increase and refine his vast knowledge and gift of godly wisdom in order to best serve God and His people. I am particularly invested in verses four and five, as I hope to be able to help equip fellow Christians moving forward.
Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

Romans 12:2 reads, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” According to Moreland, the Greek word Paul uses here is nous, which means “the intellect, reason, or the faculty of understanding,” (Moreland 2012: 65). What changes can you pray for God renew your mind with?

December 18, Tuesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Tina Hsu. Tina, a graduate of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), currently serves as a staff at the Church of Southland, Anaheim, California.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Fasting That Produces Hope”

Luke 2:36-38

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary brought their child Jesus to Jerusalem to fulfill the required offering to the Lord, Anna, the prophetess, recognized the significance of this child, and perceived that he was central to the redemption of Jerusalem. Having been at the right place in the temple at the right time, and without any former announcement to her, Anna was under God’s divine orchestration to witness the arrival of the Messiah in the child, Jesus Christ. Thus, she praised God and shared about the child to those around her.

Whenever I read through the Gospel of Luke, I am always amazed at these few verses, and how three sentences speak volumes about Anna’s character and focus. As a person who faced heartache and loss, she didn’t live a life of regret; instead, she looked forward to God’s promises and lived richly in hope. In this short passage, we can see Anna’s single-minded devotion to the Lord in her many years of widowhood. Fasting and prayer had been a regular focus. The beginning of her fasting may have stemmed from facing the loss of her spouse and navigating the path of widowhood. It may have been an act of mourning and the pouring out of her soul to God. However, it didn’t end in her own life circumstances, but her expression of piety through fasting and prayer was larger than herself. It was a way of accessing hope and practicing patient waiting for Israel’s salvation. Considering that meals were of social significance in her time and culture, regular fasting meant a departure from the norms, a way of asserting that something is not yet complete and to hope in God to bring about His redemption.

The end of the year involves busyness, travel, holiday gatherings or much needed rest. While there are many praises to be sung, some of us may sense unease as we look back in 2018, and recognize goals that were not met, unfinished business, or expectation that ended in disappointment. This morning, allow God’s Word to invite you to access hope again in the Lord through setting apart time to pray and increments of time (or days) to fast. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You that You are the God of hope and You are the lifter of my head. Guide me to look at my circumstances through the eye of faith and renew my strength to wait upon You to reveal Your good and perfect plans. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 9:14-15: Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Questions to Consider

Why did the disciples of John approach Jesus with this question about fasting?
Who is the bridegroom and who are the attendants?
What is Jesus implying in his response? What does Jesus expect of His disciples?

Notes

During that time, a teacher (or rabbi) was responsible for the disciplines of his disciples. Religious groups such as the Pharisees commonly fasted twice a week, though the Law only required the Jews to fast on the Day of Atonement. The disciples of John were probably sincerely curious as to why Jesus, being a teacher, seemed to avoid this spiritual practice altogether for His disciples.

Jesus is referring to an analogy that He is the bridegroom, the attendants are His disciples, and the wedding feast (celebration) is the present time in which He has arrived as the Messiah.

Wedding feasts in the Jewish culture lasted several days, and it was crucial as part of the culture for rabbis to pause their instruction and acts of mourning to observe with joy the bridal processions. Jesus is defining the appropriateness of fasting for His disciples. Before He came, and after He is “taken away,” it is appropriate and expected to fast and devote time to prayer and waiting, but while He is with His disciples, He expects His disciples to take joy at the presence of the bridegroom.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Tonight, as you reflect on God’s promise for those who wait patiently, write out or say a prayer expressing your desire for God’s answer to your hopes. Consider how you may position yourself to wait upon God with patience that honors Him and expect Him to reveal Himself to you in ways greater than you imagined.

December 17, Monday

Today’s AMI Devotional is written by Jin Ha Lee who serves at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. Jin Ha, a CPA, graduated from Drexel University and got married last month to Aerin. Congratulations!

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Holding onto Jesus”

1 Peter 1:3-7

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As the year comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect on the Lord. For some, it’s been a great year of spiritual growth, while for others, it’s been a slow or even discouraging year—in every case, all of our faith has been tested in some way. But what’s most likely been tested isn’t something vague about God, but very simple, clear, and powerful truths: “Does God really care about me? Is He really faithful to take care of my family? Is God’s presence really with me?”

Several years ago, I was studying for a licensing exam: I went to work, came home, ate dinner, and then studied. Rinse and repeat. Day after day. It felt so monotonous. During this time, I was also serving at our church. Remembering Matthew 6:33, I believed that if I sought God’s kingdom first, He would take care of the rest—meaning, He would allow me to pass the licensing exam. But behold, after months of studying I did not pass!

When I looked up that dreadful test result, I brushed it off at first; but as time passed, different thoughts and feelings crept in. At the heart of it, I honestly felt disappointed and almost embarrassed that I trusted in God’s promise in Matthew 6:33. Seeking God’s kingdom first didn’t mean that everything I want will fall into place. But I really wanted to pass that exam and I felt that I was doing my best to seek His kingdom first. Through this experience, I learned that I need to seek Him first and that His provisions are exactly what I need.

For the recipients of Peter’s letter, they faced intense persecution. However, Peter reminded them to hold onto the hope they had in Jesus. With faith, they were called to hold onto an imperishable heavenly inheritance when their earthly possessions were taken away.

We are called to hold onto Jesus. Growing is not just learning new things about Him, but it includes holding onto what we already know about Him. Through trials, His promises go from words we simply know, to words we live by. It will all be worth it as one day, the tested genuineness of our faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”!

Prayer: Thank You Lord for both good and trying circumstances in my life. While I covet the good times, I also know that it is through difficult and hard times that I am reminded of my weakness and the need to truly depend on You. “In wrath remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2).

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 3:16-19: “. . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Question to Consider

What does Paul desire for the Ephesian church?
What is one result of being strengthened by the Holy Spirit?
How does this passage encourage you to hold onto Him?

Note

He desires the Ephesian church to be strengthened through the Holy Spirit
Being strengthened through the Holy Spirit gives us strength to understand with our brothers and sisters the greatness of His love.
Personal response. For me, His love is my comfort in trials. There is so much more to His love than what I know now. Holding onto Jesus isn’t about the strength of my grip; it’s about being rooted, grounded, and strengthened through the Holy Spirit in His incredible love!

Evening Reflection

How have you been holding onto Jesus and abiding in Him? Let’s pray for times of great rest in Him the rest of this year. Let’s pray that God would use us and the brothers and sisters around us to encourage one another.

December 16, Sunday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Transformed: Part 2”

Ephesians 4:25-32 (ESV)

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

People can mistakenly think that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. While they may see the Old Testament God as one who is all about rules and is like an angry and disappointed dad who is grumpy, they may see the New Testament God as one who gives grace and is always forgiving and loving. Yet this could not be further from the truth. In fact, a heretic named Marcion actually espoused this idea that the Old Testament God was different from the New Testament God, and he didn’t see the Old Testament Scripture as authoritative for Christians—this was ultimately deemed heretical. The truth is, the God of the Old Testament is the exact same God as the God of the New Testament—Jesus was the visible manifestation of the invisible God, and He came to make God known to us.

In reading these instructions and commands to the church from today’s passage, I was reminded of Exodus 20 – the Ten Commandments. Both texts give us commands of how to live life before a Holy God. It’s also worth noting that both are prefaced with our relationship with God (see yesterday’s devotional). In Exodus 20, God starts out the Ten Commandments with one simple phrase: “I am the Lord YOUR GOD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” We have to understand that the context of these commands is not simply that we should obey because of God’s power, but it is also in the context of love. God is relating to His people and saying I am going to be your God; I belong to you as you belong to me. In the same way, in the New Testament, Paul first reminds people that transformation always starts with the understanding of our new relationship with Him—and then he tells us that we are to shed off our old self and put on our new self. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to Jesus Christ. With this new found understanding of the grace we have received, only then do we see the power and ability to transform.

There is a famous scene in “Les Misérables” of Jean Valjean being apprehended for stealing the Bishop’s silver. He is brought back to the Bishop’s house, and when the Bishop opens the door and sees Jean Valjean, he greets him like a brother. Instead of accusing him of thievery, he plays it off as though the silver was given to him as a gift. He then goes on and asks why Jean Valjean did not also take the candlesticks, which could also be sold for money. The police are dumbfounded as they were certain Jean Valjean had stolen these items (which he did), but the Bishop insists that these were gifts. After the police leaves, the Bishop tells Jean that he is free to go, and he says this: “Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I buy from you; I withdraw it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.”

Where, ultimately, lies the power of transformation? I believe that it’s not just behavior modification, stronger will, or even greater discipline; it lies in the heart that has understood the unfathomable grace that we have received. If you are currently struggling with transformation in your life, don’t just try harder. Lean back into the grace of God that once stirred your heart, and then press forward into becoming more like Christ!

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your grace that sparks the change in my heart. Thank You that I have a relationship with You, and that You are transforming me as You restore the image of God in my life. May I continue to grow in a deeper understanding of Your grace in my life that propels this wonderful transformation in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 18