December 15, Saturday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Transformed: Part 1”

Ephesians 4:17-24 (ESV)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Tim Keller says this: “You can take the people out of slavery, but you can’t take the slavery out of the people easily.” He gives the example of the Israelites, whom God delivered out of Egypt in a miraculous fashion from bondage to freedom—yet somehow, the Israelites were not completely free. Even though they were no longer under the bondage of Egypt, they were still operating out of a slave mentality. It took God perhaps a few months to take the people out of slavery, but it took 40 years to take the slave mentality out of the people.

Paul constantly reminds the Ephesian Church that they are no longer the people that they once were—the enemies of God. In fact, Paul describes their “old self” as having such hardened hearts that they would not even listen to rational logic, but they gave themselves to every sinful desire of their flesh. Now, they are no longer enemies of God, but sons and daughters of God—this is a drastic and immediate identity shift. Isn’t salvation such a profound miracle? It’s pretty crazy to think about how sudden that identity change is: We go from enemy of God to friend of God, from darkness into light, from sinners into saints, etc. So we see that deliverance out of bondage is a quick process that is done by God. But after that, we see the growing pains of sanctification—the process of being transformed into the likeness of Christ. This is not an easy process, and it will last the rest of our life until we stand face to face before God.

What is important to notice in this passage is that there is an active task of putting off our old self and putting on our new self. The language Paul uses reminds us of taking off our old clothes and putting on new clothes. One commentator explained it this way: Imagine you are a prisoner and have been released from prison. You are no longer in prison, yet you continue to wear your prison clothes. How ridiculous would it be if you decided to wear prison clothes for the rest of your life?

We have stepped into our new identity as co-heirs with Christ. But we need to actively shed our old self and actively adopt our new self.  I’d like to give two encouragements to two types of people: Perhaps you are someone who has recognized that Jesus is your Savior and you’ve become a child of God, but you have not walked in this important aspect of shedding off your old self and putting on the new self. My encouragement to you is to heed the Apostle Paul’s advice to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Perhaps you are someone who struggles to put off the old self and put on the new self, and you are discouraged that old habits seem to die hard. Let me encourage you by telling you that sanctification and transformation is a process. Who you are in 10 years is not who you are now, and as long as you are actively putting on the new self, you will see that transformation in years to come. Don’t lose hope.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for doing all of the work on the Cross. You saved me when I could not save myself. Thank You for adopting me into this family of God. I know that I am no longer bound to my old self, but You have given me the right to put on the new self. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may live out the promise of God in my life every single day. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 16-17

December 14, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Beautiful Body of Christ”

Ephesians 4:8-16 (ESV)

Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Have you ever watched a basketball team play so beautifully together that they make it seem too easy? I’m a San Antonio Spurs fan and the Spurs of the past two decades have been the model for team basketball. While many teams had superstars that could dominate in stretches, the Spurs had talented yet unselfish players to complement one another so that they could play the game to perfection. The result was a sustained excellence on the court that lasted two decades.

A leadership podcast (Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast) that I recently heard stated that the most important element of an organization is . . . the people. What a surprise!  Yes, we can often be fooled into thinking that things such as the right location, abundant resources and cutting-edge technology are the most important elements, but in the end, people are indeed the most important factor to the success of an organization. And it boils to what kind of people we have: selfish or selfless.

It’s no different in the church—people are the most valuable components, and it is through unselfish believers the body of Christ is built up. This is to say, God doesn’t simply “baptize” the church with the Spirit’s fire so that it grows quickly (except in rare occasions); instead, He gives each member spiritual gifts so that they can work together to build up the church in love.

In today’s passage, we see that God has given the gift of the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers) for the purpose of training up people in the church so that the rest of the body may realize their gifting, become adept in it, and build up the body. When each member of the body of Christ works unselfishly, the body grows.

Remember, the church was never meant to be a place for people to become spectators, but for them to become participants in the glorious task of building up the church. Your church needs you to be an active participant! Of course, you need to go about it through the right channels and with unselfish attitude, but may this be a reminder that God has given this important task of building up the church to you and me. Let’s take this seriously and be part of the exciting adventure in seeing the body of Christ grow in maturity!

Prayer: Father God, what a privilege it is that You call us to be part of the body that works together to build itself up in love. I want to be a part of that process. May You use me in whatever way You see fit; may I experience the joy of seeing Your body come into full maturity.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 15

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 (ESV): For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Question to Consider

  1. In this passage, how does Paul describe the Church?
  2. Why do we need different functions within the church?
  3. What does this passage ultimately tell us to do?

Notes

  1. After describing the church as the body of Christ, the apostle Paul points out the need for different members of the body to work together for the common goal of building it.
  2. If everyone functions the same way with the same gifts and talents, the body of Christ would not be able to reach its full potential; in fact, it wouldn’t function at all.
  3. This passage instructs us to give honor to every person in the body of Christ. While functions may be different (some more glamorous than others), all members of the body of Christ have equal value. We must be watchful to care for one another equally (not just the ones that seem more important).

Evening Reflection

Have you ever thought about spiritual gifts God has given you for the building up of the body of Christ? How are you using these gifts?  Think of ways you would be able to steward these gifts for the building up of the body. I would suggest talking with the leadership in your church to see what would be appropriate for you to participate in. Let’s be participants and not just spectators as we work together to build up God’s church!

December 13, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“You’re Better Than That!”

Ephesians 4:1-7 (ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

One of the pastors that I work with likes to say, “Come on, you’re better than that,” when I do or say something dumb. Normally, this phrase has a negative connotation, but I think it can also be seen as an encouragement. When Paul says, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” I can imagine him saying, “Come on, church of Ephesus, you’re better than that.”

Paul has spent quite some time laying down the groundwork for the believers to understand their identity in Christ, their relationship with God, and their relationship with one another. They are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God; they are no longer divided, but they are one body, Jews and Gentiles alike; and they are all heirs in the kingdom of God—they are royalty! I want to highlight what Paul says here, because I believe that there is a need for the church to wake up and start walking in a manner worthy of our calling.

The crux of this passage is Paul’s encouragement for the church to act like a church, by loving one another and maintaining unity through peace. Where do you think he got this idea? Right before Jesus was about to be arrested, He prayed for His disciples and those that would come to believe Him—this is referred to as the high priestly prayer. He prays that the church would be one just as the Father and He are one. We know how elusive unity within the body can be. When things are going well, it’s easy to maintain peace and walk in unity, but the moment things start souring, the moment disputes arise, we see the ugliness of division and hostility towards one another.

Scripture commands us to be eager to maintain this unity and to bear with one another in love. What practical way can we do this? We can start by deliberately choosing not to be offended. We can choose to take a loss for the sake of unity. We can even choose to humble ourselves to serve others, even when they are undeserving of it. This is the high calling that the Body of Christ is called to.

Prayer: Father God, help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling that we’ve been called to. Remind us of our identity as sons and daughters of You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Help us to treat one another with love and respect, eager to maintain unity through peace, and bearing one another’s burdens with love. Fill us and fill our churches so that we may be one as You are one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 14

Lunch Break Study

Read John 17:20-23 (ESV): “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

Question to Consider

  1. Who is Jesus praying for?
  2. What does Jesus pray for the church to be like?
  3. What are ways that you could promote unity within your church? As Jesus desires the church to be one, do you also desire unity among your church (and the many churches in our midst)?

Notes

  1. Jesus is not only praying for the disciples who were there, but for all who will believe in Him through the words of the disciples. Basically, He is praying for the Universal Church – every single person who will come into a living relationship with Him and with the church.   
  2. He prays that they would be one just as the Father and He are one. This is deeply profound in that He desires the church would reflect the union that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit has, which has been a perfect union since before time existed. He mentions that this is so that the world would see how the Father sent the Son and loves His people.   
  3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

Our passage for the morning carries an admonishment for the church of Ephesus, because they were not behaving like a church that was loving one another and maintaining unity through peace.  We also need to ask ourselves: Are we behaving like people of God? Are we walking in a manner worthy of the calling in which we have been called to? Have we responded to God’s grace and mercy towards us with gratefulness and a desire to change? May Paul’s words ring true for us today, that we would understand our identity as sons and daughters of God, and that we would begin to start walking in this identity.

December 12, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Beyond Our Imagination”

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 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. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I recently decided to restudy Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby for my own personal realignment. One major theme that the author tries to get across is that after seeing where God is working, we need to join in with what He is doing. Blackaby points out that our best effort does not even come close to what God can do; in fact, it would be naïve to think that we are able to dictate our future. Sure, we might be able to control a few factors in our lives, but the truth is that millions of variables are completely out of our control. For instance, consider the following factors that we don’t control: who our parents are and what they are like, our upbringing, the neighborhood in which we grow up, the education opportunities we have, the health factors, even the political landscape of the area where we live. All this to say: We may want to do many things, but ultimately, it is God who is able to do far more in and through our lives than we are able to imagine.

Paul continues with this letter by letting the church know that it is our Father in heaven who strengthens and sustains us, and He is the one who actually shows us the fullness of the love of Christ. Paul may be the one teaching and instructing, but ultimately, he prays on behalf of the Ephesian believers that God would help them to understand this glorious love. No doubt Paul is a great apostle, but, as a mere man, he can only take them so far; it is God who is going to reveal the fullness of His presence and His love to the church. Paul knows this, and therefore, he is confident that the church in God’s hand will prevail.

When you think about the struggles in your life, are you quick to pray and bring it into God’s hands? Or are you quick to turn to others for advice? Do you acknowledge God’s presence and His activity, or are you trying to make things right by yourself? May this passage serve as a reminder that we have a God who is able to do far more than we can think or do, and may it cause us to draw near to Him, especially in times of struggle, so that we may remain in His perfect peace and love.

Prayer: Father God, I want to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge. Though I am quick to take matters into my own hands, help me to be one that trusts that You are a God who is able to do far more than I could ever imagine. Give me the faith to live out my life with that understanding. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 81:10-12 (ESV): “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.”

Question to Consider

  1. What did the Lord do for Israel in the past? What was He promising to do for them now?
  2. How did Israel respond to the Lord’s offer of granting them great favors?
  3. What was the consequences of Israel’s response?

Notes

  1. God already had miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt without their help. Not only that, the LORD allowed Israel to plunder the Egyptians on their way out to enrich them. Moreover, God promises to continue to bless them, filling their mouths and providing for them.
  1. Inexplicably, Israel refused to listen to God’s voice and would not submit to His leadership.  That’s human nature—we quickly forget all that God has done for us.
  2. God gave them over to their stubborn hearts, and as they followed their own counsels, we see how it led to aimless wandering and death in the wilderness.

Evening Reflection

What is one thing you innately believe you can do by your own strength? Perhaps it is dealing with your finances, or maybe it’s a relationship in your life that you need to give up to God. Whatever it is, surrender it to the Lord and trust that He can do far better with it than you can by yourself.

December 11, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Gratitude in Ministry”

Ephesians 3:7-13 (ESV)

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Recently, my infant daughter has been having a minor sleep regression: She wakes up in the middle of the night crying and not being able to soothe herself back to sleep. It reminded me of when she was first born—for the first three months she was relentless in not being able to fall asleep without constant rocking and shushing. I remember having feelings of resentment, and even Googling, “Why do I get mad when babies cry?” Then one day, as I stared into the eyes of my daughter, I thought to myself, What a privilege it is to raise her! I’m so grateful that God has stewarded her to me, entrusting me to care for this baby girl.

Paul is a prisoner for the sake of the gospel–and to a certain extent, it’s for the sake of these churches that he helped plant and nurture. Yet he doesn’t mind the suffering, but he sees it as a gift of God’s grace, that God would entrust to him this wonderful message of salvation for all people. He is grateful that God made him to be a minister of God’s grace. Wow! I am struck by this attitude since I certainly don’t always see it that way. Sometimes, I am more like Moses, who complains to the Lord: “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? …I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” (Numbers 11:11-15).

If you have ever been in a position of leadership in any capacity, you’ve probably shared Moses’ sentiment before. Maybe you’re even going through it right now, feeling burnt out by ministry and the people that you minister to. Today, instead of continuing in that downward spiral, let’s instead be grateful that God has given us the privilege of co-laboring with him. Whether you are a pastor, an elder, a deacon, a small group leader, a ministry team leader, or serving in any capacity, let’s choose to thank God for this gift of grace. Especially when it comes to dealing with other people, let’s be grateful that God has given us people whom we can minister to.

Prayer: Father God, I am once again reminded of the privilege to be considered worthy to be a minister of this precious gospel that You have entrusted to me. Even if the situation and circumstances around me is tough, help me to choose joy. Help me to see the opportunities You have given me to minister powerfully in Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 12

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Samuel 23:13-17 (ESV): And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 15 And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!”16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord 17 and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore, he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

Question to Consider

  1. Why does David refuse to drink the water that the men brought to him?
  2. After understanding why David pours out the water to the Lord, what does this show you about David’s leadership?
  3. What type of a leader are you? Do you see yourself using people for your personal gain or do you bring them closer to the Lord?

Notes

  1. It almost seems ridiculous that David would pour out the water that these men risked their lives for. But if you read closely, you’ll see that David pours out the water before the Lord, signifying that this type of devotion that the men showed was to be reserved for God alone.
  2. David values each of his men and he doesn’t pour out the water out of contempt for his people, but because he understood the sacredness of this devotion. He did not just use people for his own personal gain, but brought people’s devotion to him to the Lord
  1. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

What is your view of your role as a minister? We believe in the priesthood of all believer,s where we are all called to minister in the family of God. Do you do it joyfully, or with complaining? Ask God to give you a joyful heart as you serve the people He has entrusted into your care.

December 10, Monday

The AMI Devotional Blogs from December 10-16 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, completed his Master of Divinity program at Talbot School of Theology this past spring.  More importantly, he and his wife Esther recently became brand new parents—congratulations! May God richly bless this family.

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Co-Heirs in Christ”

Ephesians 3:1-6 (ESV)

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

If recent American politics shows us anything, it’s that people on one end of the aisle are becoming more distanced from those on the other end—and the division is polarizing. Unfortunately, the Church can also be a place where we see just as much division and hostility. At the time Paul was writing this letter to the church in Ephesus, I’m sure that the division between the Jews and the Gentiles was still very real and big. When Paul says that the Gentile believers are now fellow heirs in the promise of Jesus, I can imagine some Jewish believers literally feeling sick to their stomach. Yet, the Gentile believers weren’t without fault either, for the early church history tells us that they were arrogant towards the Jewish believers.

But I find it interesting that Paul—a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, someone so entrenched in the Jewish tradition—is the one that God radically changes and uses to reveal this mystery and bridge that gap. He is the one fervently pushing that there is no distinction between the Jews and Gentiles in the eyes of God, even though there were clearly “distinctions” that separated these two groups which had been built up for over a thousand years. Paul tirelessly teaches the church to accept that this revelation is truly from God, and that he’s not making this up; in fact, he suffers much pain in order to carry this mystery faithfully. God truly uses the most unlikely people to do the most unlikely things.

Paul is adamant in proclaiming that the gospel is for the Gentiles to partake in—it’s not just for the Jews—and that though there was once this “wall of hostility” between the two groups, it has been torn down by the blood of Jesus Christ. So we see Paul as a bridge-builder, used by God to extend the gospel to those on the other side. Where he once would have been the last person to embrace a Gentile, the gospel radically changed him, and he became the biggest advocate for the people he once hated.

We are in need of more bridge-builders in our time—people who are willing to cross the proverbial aisle to love others and welcome them into the family of God. Has the gospel changed you in such a way? Are you willing to let God use you in the most unlikely way, reaching out to the most unlikely people? May we be those who take our call seriously to be ministers of reconciliation.

Prayer: Father God, help us to be people who can extend Your grace to those who have yet to receive this grace. Help us to be careful stewards of this awesome mystery that has been revealed to us, this gospel message that invites all to become fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. May we not differentiate and discriminate against others but be the bridge-builders who bring the gospel to the most difficult people in our lives. Give us the courage to do so. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 2:11-14 (ESV)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.  13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Question to Consider

  1. Why do you think Cephas (Peter) separated himself from the Gentiles?
  2. Why did Paul have to confront Cephas (Peter) in front of everybody?
  3. Reflect on ways that you succumbed to peer pressure and ended up alienating people from the gospel (not in a self-condemning way, but in a self-awareness way).

Notes

  1. Peer pressure gets the best of all of us. When Peter saw the circumcision party, he probably didn’t want to stir the pot and cause any commotion, so he just distanced himself from any controversy. By doing so, he also caused others to follow his lead  
  2. Paul had to make it very clear that the gospel was not just for the Jews but for all peoples. When there was a large contention of whether the Gentiles had to become circumcised in order to become a believer, Paul makes a stand on a very important issue that separates Christianity from just being another Jewish sect into what Christianity is now.
  3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

We are told to love our enemies and extend grace to them, but we have a hard time even loving those within our churches—particularly those who are different from us. Think of the people that are part of your church: How can you show them more grace and love? What are ways you can build bridges? Spend some time reflecting and praying for these people and allow God to use you as a conduit of His love and grace.

December 9, Sunday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Standing Up for the Family”

Ephesians 2:16-19

. . . and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God….

I still remember when I threw my first punch: I was in middle school and the boy made fun of my mom. Perhaps it was the hormones or the suppressed aggression, but something in me went off. After throwing him to the ground, I threatened him to never say such things about my family again. As I look back at that moment, I realize that—more than anything— it was because he had attacked something very dear to me: family. Family meant everything to me—so much so that I often struggled putting God before them. And this is the image that Paul uses to illustrate the unity that comes through Christ. Gentiles and Jews, two people groups that would never be mentioned in the same sentence, have been reconciled both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility—so that all would become the members of the household of God.

Francis Chan once said that there is no greater bond between two people than the blood of Christ. It is a bond that is stronger and closer than even blood ties. The practical consequence of this can be a little daunting—meaning, the same love and priority we show our family members, the same care and resources we give them, should be for all who are of the household of God. Can you imagine such a community that loved one another in such a manner? Perhaps this was the image Christ had in mind as He prayed His last words before the Father (John 17). Through our love for one another, the world will see Him. May we be the family of God who stands up and fights for one another. Spend a few minutes praying for the family of God. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ by name.

Prayer: Father, I confess that I think more about my own needs rather than the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, help me to love others as You have loved me. In this, I pray that the world will see Your love. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 10

December 8, Saturday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Burden”

Acts 21:11-14

And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

A few weeks ago, an American Christian missionary John Allen Chau was brutally killed by islanders off the coast of India. The story captured the hearts of many Americans and news channels on what seemed like a suicide mission. The islanders, unreached by any civilization for over 50,000 years, were well known for their hostility toward outsiders; and so, some have accused Chau of “cultural imperialism and insane arrogance” while others have heralded his attempts. Sadly, I too found myself in some ways questioning his wisdom and tact.  However, after reading about his last few journal entries and his motivations as to why he went, I was both humbled and convicted. It was clear that Chau had a burden for these unreached people—a burden that gave him the boldness to risk his life to share the gospel with them.

And this is what we see in our passage today. Though Paul knew and heard from others the persecution awaiting him, he refused to be swayed. He was determined to go and reach the people in Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord. By no means is this a call for us to go and risk our lives, although a few of us may actually be called to do so. It is a reminder that all of us have been called to reach the lost. Even thinking about this can be daunting, especially if it means reaching out to people who are close to us. Sometimes our courage to reach out can get lost in our own methods and excuses. But before we ask for such boldness, may we pray that God would start with giving us a burden for them. It is a burden rooted in the desire for people to know the love of Christ as we have experienced. And may this love give us the same boldness to overcome our own fears and doubts.

Spend a few moments praying that God would give us a burden for those who have yet to know Him.

Prayer: Father, Your burden for us sinners was so great that You sent Your one and only Son to die for us. Jesus, Your love is too great for us not to share. Birth in us a desire to reach the lost, and may we have the boldness to go. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 8-9

December 7, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Body”

Ephesians 2:18-22

 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

In a recent survey by Dave Olson, the director of the American Church Research Project, found that at least 80% of Christians today believe they can be Christians and not be a part of church. In an age where modern beliefs of individualism and liberalism are celebrated, people have fallen into the misconception that their personal relationship is what matters and church is merely optional. Some have even walked away from the church completely due to past hurt experiences.

But in our passage, Paul points us to a fundamental truth that the gospel was more than just about individual salvation, but about communal redemption. When Christ redeemed our relationship with the Father, consequently all of our other relationships were now redeemed through Him. For, before Christ, our relationships with others were like that of strangers and aliens. There were more things that separated us and we have all witnessed the costs of such divisions. But through Christ, we come together to be the household of God, meaning we are invited into the very family of God. This is the beauty of the gospel and the church Christ calls his bride.

A pastor said it like this: “There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalized.” The vision Paul puts before us is the church becoming the very temple of God—in other words, a place for all to encounter His presence. And in His presence, we would see the community of God coming together as one to worship Him. May we restore our hope in the church and remember we are part of something far greater than just ourselves.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that You not only invite us into a relationship with You, but into a new relationship with one another. In a world where division and hate can be so prominent, we know that in You, we become the family of God. May our churches become the very temple of God where Your presence dwells.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Colossians 3:12-16: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does Paul command us to put on these things?
  2. What does Paul reveal as our motivation to love one another?
  3. What would this look like in our lives? How does this change the way we treat one another? Are there people that come to mind as you read this?

Notes

  1. Notice Paul commands us to put on these attributes. The phrase “put on” is like that of putting on clothes something we would consciously do everyday. Paul is saying don’t expect these attributes from others, but we should put these on ourselves despite how others treat us.
  2. Paul says to forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven us. In other words, our ability to love others does not come from our strength, but from an overflow of Christ’ love for us. Paul sums up everything by commanding us to put on love above all things.
  3. Paul paints this image of what this would look like if everyone did this—a church that keeps each other accountable through the word while worshipping and praying for one another. Personal Reflection.

Evening Reflection

Rodney Stark, probably one of the most influential sociologists of our time, studied the spread of Christianity in the world. He realized “the spread of Christianity did not expand because of individuals going out, but because the community of Christ, became so fundamentally different for others to see, they were naturally drawn and attracted to these communities.”

Spend some time praying for your local church. Let us pray that our churches will become communities so different that people will see the love of Christ in the way we love one another. Pray for your leaders and members to have this desire.

December 6, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Trap that Nullifies His Grace”

Ephesians 2:4-8

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

I’ve been a Christian for almost 20 years and spent most of those years devoting my time, effort, and resources to the church. I would say I have a pretty good Christian resume—if such thing exists. It wouldn’t be too different from the people of Ephesus to whom Paul was writing to; in fact in Revelation 2, Jesus commends the church of Ephesus for its many accomplishments and good service. So in this context, Paul sternly reminds them of one of the most basic simple truths of the Christian message: grace.

If we’re not careful, it’s easy for us to fall into the trap of basing our faith on doing things. We can easily be tempted to think, “I must be doing well with Christ since I’m doing all these things.” It might even lead us to a place of entitlement and self-righteousness. The scariest part is that all these misconceptions can go unnoticed, because if we spend enough time in the church, we can easily become professional ministers. And so Paul says to remember grace. Grace keeps us in check because it reminds us of who we were before Christ—to which Paul says we were dead in our trespasses. It’s easy to love people at their best, but it’s another thing to love them at their worst. And yet grace says that even at our worst, He made us alive together with Christ and raised us up with Him.

Whether we’ve been a believer for a few hours or a few decades, we’ve all been saved by His amazing grace. This simple truth guards us from a sense of entitlement and self-righteousness, since everything we do and serve is a result of Christ loving us first. Grace turns our duty-based serving into glad submission. Grace points us to the love of Christ so that we may boast only in Him. Spend a few moments reminding yourself of His grace for you. Can you imagine who you would be if he didn’t come to save you? Oh, the person I would be today… Thank you, Lord.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace. Thank You that even at my worst, You chose to love me. I confess that I am so prone to wander from this simple truth. Holy Spirit, allow this truth to speak over my life and reveal the areas I have deceived myself. May I boast in You alone. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 6

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 6:3-8: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean for us to have been baptized with Christ in His death and resurrection?
  2. Why does sin still exist in our lives?
  3. How should we then live in light of Christ’s death and resurrection?

Notes

  1. All the benefits and consequences of His death are ours as well. What was true of our old selves in Adam, as sinful people, is now completely gone/dead/nonexistent. Our past and sin no longer rules us. And what is true of Christ is now true of us. We have been given a new nature and identity.
  2. In verse 6, Paul says, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing.” Notice how Paul makes a distinction here between our old self and the body. Though our old self has been crucified, we still have this thing called the body in which we live in. And since old habits die hard, the body is still used to living according to the reign of sin.
  3. Because Satan cannot compromise our identity in Christ, he tries to tempt us in our flesh by appealing to its desires. We must learn to deny our desires of the flesh, and yield fully to His Spirit. See Galatians 5:13-26 for reference.

Evening Reflection

Spend a few moments reflecting on this popular hymn “Amazing Grace” by John Newton. For hundreds of years this song has been sung to give both strength and hope during difficult times, such as the slavery movement. Though Newton himself was a slave trader before he dedicated himself to Christ, the song reminds us that in our weakness, we are made strong in Him, for His grace is sufficient for us. Spend a few moments reflecting and singing this old, yet powerful hymn, and may we find our strength in Him.

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.”

The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;

but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.

– adapted by John Rees