July 24, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on February 22, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Finishing Well”

Genesis 47:29-31

And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

Yesterday was a sad day as we mourned the death of evangelist Billy Graham. He preached to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history, which was nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories, with “hundreds of millions more” viewing him on television, video, film and webcasts. He continued to do crusades even into his 80’s, and when asked what his purpose in life was, Billy responded, “My one purpose in life, is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.” Billy will be remembered for his impact he had proclaiming the gospel in the world. He lived a life well-lived and finished well.

In today’s passage, Jacob is also nearing the end of his life. He requested to be buried in Canaan instead of Egypt, which was a declaration of his faith in the promise of the land to Abraham and his seed forever (15:17). This episode at the end of Jacob’s life confirmed the future-oriented character of his trust in God. Faith looks to the future, knowing that the Lord will surely do all that He has pledged to do. By faith he looked to the day when Yahweh would keep His promise, and he knew blessing would come upon his people if they would trust in God’s abundant grace and obey His commands in the Promised Land. Burial there manifested Jacob’s trust in God for such blessing—even in death.

How do you want to be remembered at the end of your life? What would others say about you, especially when it comes to your faith and trust in the Lord. Let’s continue to be faithful and steadfast until the very end!

Prayer: Lord, we pray that we would finish well. The journey of faith is not easy at times, but give us the power and strength until the Day we see You face to face. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 11

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Questions to Consider

How does Paul describe the Christian life?
What does he want to let his readers know about his own walk with Jesus?
How did Paul view the end of his life? How do you view yours?

Notes

He describes it as a spiritual battle. The idea Paul was conveying was a potential fight to the death. This reminds us that the Christian life is a conflict. Once you enter into this new relationship with God, you discover that your adversary, the devil, will try to undermine you.
He remained faithful till the end. In the original language, this statement carries the meaning of having guarded the faith as an armed soldier would guard his post against enemy attack. Paul was saying that he had not strayed from the truth of God’s Word, but that he lived it out.
He knew that the Lord would reward him for his faithfulness—and that was his joy and what he looked forward to.

Evening Reflection

“The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray. “– Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

As we finish the day with our evening reflection, think about the quote above by Charles Swindoll. Our God will never lead us astray because He is faithful. It means that we can trust Him with our life, time, money, career, future, family, etc. Are you trusting God in all the areas of your life?

July 23, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on November 21, 2018, is provided by Jennifer Kim, who served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Greater Are His Ways”

James 1:19-21

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

(To continue yesterday’s story) After my running accident, I was told I needed surgery. Devastated—knowing that I did not have the money to pay for the surgery—I shared with a church sister in tears. About a week later, I received a text that this sister had made arrangements for me to attend a healing conference in Georgia. Humbled and overwhelmed, I flew to Georgia with so much confidence that God would heal me. Every passing day I waited for God to do what seemed like the impossible, but every day nothing changed. I left Georgia still in pain and distraught that nothing had changed. But a week after I arrived home, something was radically different in me. That is, it took me about a week to realize God had healed me of my depression during the conference!

In our moments of trial, anger is usually the first emotion we feel. Anger was not only my first reaction during my accident, but it was my perpetual attitude after hearing I needed surgery. Today’s passage teaches us, however, that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (v.20). How many times have we found ourselves in the wrong place for allowing our anger to get the best of us? In our anger we say things that hurt others, we blame God, and we act in full rebellion to God’s Word. But James calls us to righteousness by humbly accepting the Word planted in us (v.21). We are called to respond to every situation with the truths declared in Scripture. While human anger will always reap works of the flesh, the Word will always reap righteousness in our lives.

I went to this conference angry and hurting, wondering how I got to this point after a simple attempt to change my life. But God’s plan was always to bring healing and restoration in ways I did not expect. That is the promise in Scripture that God “knows the plan [He] has for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). Whatever you are going through, may today’s passage be a reminder to look to the promises of Scripture instead of responding in human anger. His plans are always good, and we can trust and hope in His promises that never change.

Prayer: God I thank You that I can trust in every word You have declared. Help me to respond to all situations with humility and not in anger. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Titus 3:1-7:Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Questions to Consider

What reminder does this passage give to all Christians?
What does this passage say regarding what we used to do before God our Savior appeared?
Why do you think the author reminds us of what Christ has done for us after telling how we should act as well as how we used to be before meeting Christ?

Notes

The passage reminds us to be submit to authority, to be obedient, do what is good, slander no one, be peaceable and considerate, and gentle towards everyone.
The passage reminds us we were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passion and pleasure, and we lived in malice, envy, and hatred.
The conjunction “but” in verse 4 seems to imply that because God has saved us, we are saved from our old ways and we are able to act according to verses 1 to 2.

Evening Reflection

Today we looked at James’s call to respond in righteousness by the way of the Word in moments of trial. Although our natural response may be anger during times of difficulty, our lunch break passage reveals that because of Jesus’s work on the cross we can respond in obedience and gentleness. Take some time to reflect on the day and write down instances that you may have responded in your old nature. Go in repentance before the Lord, but do not be discouraged, for it is God’s work on the cross that will allow the Holy Spirit to help you overcome. Remember, you are a new creation and God’s mercies are new every morning.

July 22, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was originally posted on November 13, 2018. Cami served faithfully as a staff member at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The World to Come”

Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV)

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

One of my favorite pastimes is engaging my imagination in musings about the world to come. I love imagining what eternity might be like! Most of us have learned about what it is Jesus saved us from. We know intimately our own sin and the brokenness and dysfunction of the world around us. Some of us have even learned what we think God intended before things went wrong in the beginning. But how often have we been taught or challenged ourselves to think seriously about the nature of the new world God is now making (Revelation 21:5)?

We are not just saved from something but to something—ultimately to Someone (God) and some place (New Heavens and New Earth)—but also to a new reality of life together that we can begin to taste and sense even now. We get glimpses of it throughout Scripture and sometimes see it in the life of the Church—not just in the four walls but in the places where the people who are God’s are living into love that is God (1 John 4:8). So, what will this new world and new life together be like?

One thing that exists in the Kingdom of God (in this new way of life) is that difference is no longer a point of contention or distinction a point of exclusion. All are one in Christ. A friend once explained to me how she just assumed in heaven we’d all be the same—same ethnicity, same language, same everything—one big, tan family of carbon copies. I think I may have laughed out load. After which, it was my joy to show her in Scripture that God seems to care more about having every kind of person around the throne than melding everyone into one kind of person (Revelation 7:9).

The kind of world God is making is not one that erases difference. It is one that honors them by giving us the power and freedom to love every kind of person God has made. God knows and loves the good in who you are and where you come from! Yes, we all have equal access to God. We are all one family. But that oneness is not accomplished by erasing or eliding our difference. It’s accomplished through a shared faith and hope in Christ, and shared commitment to the love and truth of God in the midst of our differences.

Prayer: Creator God, thank You for the care with which You made me. All the good that is in me, who I am and where I come from, are part of Your design. I celebrate Your creativity and the goodness of all You’ve made. Thank You for redeeming this broken world and my brokenness through Your Son Jesus. I trust You have a plan to make all things new. Open my eyes to truly see the beauty in my sisters and brothers in Christ from every tongue and tribe. Teach me today how to live into the reality of oneness with them. In Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Colossians 3:1-17 (NIV):Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Questions to Consider

What is Paul’s main instruction to the believers in this passage?
How are believers to focus on things above and not on earthly things? What do all these instructions have in common?
Of the list Paul gives, what things strike you most as areas in need of attention today— whether it’s things you need to put to death or things you need to put on?

Notes

They are to set their minds and their hearts on the things above, not on earthly things. Instead of being bogged down by things of this world, believers should focus on the things of God and the new world God is making through us.
In order to do this, believers must put to death the things that belong to our earthly nature. Paul supplies the Christians at Colossae a list that will help them begin to do this in vv. 5-10. This same list is a helpful place for us to start as well. And in lieu of those things believers are to put to death, Paul also instructs them to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, and being ruled in heart by the peace of Christ. In order to do any of this, we have to remember that “Christ is all and is in all” (v. 11) – in other words, we are all one in Christ.

What all these things have in common are that they are relational and deal with our interactions with one another.

Spend time in personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

What we see in the early church are believers just beginning to take steps into the new way of life Jesus has ushered in. If the Kingdom of God was an ocean, they were only just beginning to dip their toes in from the shore. But we can gather much from them about the direction in which things are moving and, by extension, the direction in which we are headed as well as the people of God. So I ask again, what kind of world is God making now? Keeping in mind our reflections from today about our unity in Christ even in the mist of our diversity in many other areas, spend some time reflecting on this question with God.
Consider meditating on the verses below as you do:

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:1-7)

July 21, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted September 3, 2018, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun. Mark is now serving as a staff at Radiance Christian Church in S.F.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“To Drink or Not to Drink”

Jeremiah 35:1-7 (ESV)

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink.” 3 So I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites. 4 I brought them to the house of the Lord into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was near the chamber of the officials, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, keeper of the threshold. 5 Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, “Drink wine.” 6 But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’

To drink or not to drink, that is the question! I recently read an article on the latest research on alcohol consumption, and the conclusion of the study was that any amount of alcohol is bad for your health. (If you are interested, the study can be found here: http://time.com/5376552/how-much-alcohol-to-drink-study/) We have been told for years that red wine is good for cardiovascular health, but it turns out that any moderate health benefits that you get is outweighed by the other risk factors that come with drinking. Coincidentally, I also talked with a friend who gave up drinking her daily glass of wine, which immediately resulted in a drop in blood pressure and helped decrease her feelings of anxiety.

Although we understand that the consumption of alcohol is a Christian liberty (after all, we have been told at nauseum that Jesus turned water into wine by those who staunchly defend their right to drink), we should note that abstinence from alcohol has always been a mark of special devotion. Going back to the Nazerite vow in Numbers 6, we see that any period of special thanksgiving and focus on God was to be done without any wine for a set period of time. I believe that it would be beneficial for some of us in the church to make a similar vow, because, in honesty, some of us drink too liberally and without any thought to how easily our liberties can turn into license.

Sometimes in life, God places tests in our path to refine our resolve and our obedience. We don’t know much about the Rechabites, but we what we do know is that God recognized their noble character and their willingness to be different from the rest of society. As Christians, we too are called to be in the world but not of the world. If our views on alcohol are seen as prudish by the standards of society, then so be it. In the end God will see the motivations of our hearts and whether we decide to drink or not to drink, He alone can measure the things that have been done for His glory.

Prayer: Father, I pray that we would honor You with every area of our lives, even what touches our lips and goes into our bodies. Our bodies are a temple for Your Holy Spirit, and as such, it is not our own but something that has been bought with a price. Help us to understand that no warning or commandment was given to burden us unnecessarily. Give us the grace to be credible witnesses to the world by setting us apart from the world. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 8

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33: “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Questions to Consider

What is the abiding “rule” that governs the exercise of our Christian liberties?
Why does it matter what others think as long as my conscience is clear?
For what higher purpose should we limit our liberties?

Notes

As we think about the liberties that we have as believers, it is important for us to recognize that just because something is lawful does not mean that it is helpful or even good. Some of the factors that we need to account for is whether something is bad for our health or stumbling to other believers.
In our highly individualized society, we tend to forget that Christianity was meant to be other-centered. How we affect someone else’s conscience is very important in the way we determine the limits of our freedoms. Even if your own personal conscience is clear on a certain issue, you still have to take into consideration the conscience of someone whose faith might be weakened by your action. As Paul writes elsewhere, this is the law of love.
Christians are called to endure limitations to their liberties for the purpose of saving some. Paul makes it clear that he tries to please everyone, not because he is a people pleaser, but because of his overriding mission in life, which is to bring as many people into a saving relationship with Christ as he can. If that means not exercising some of his liberties, that is a small price to pay for the chance to win another priceless soul for Jesus.

Evening Reflection

What does it mean to do all things for the glory of God? We often fall into the temptation of making the glory of God a cliché instead of a driving motivation for life. Today, did you make decisions based on God’s glory? Consider how your life can best reflect the glory of God, just as Christ was the perfect reflection of His Father’s glory.

July 20, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally shared on July 1, 2018, features Pastor Phillip Chen, who is currently in the process of planting a new church—Pillar Church—in Houston. Please lift up Pastor Chen, his family, and the entire planting team in your prayers.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Scars of Remembrance”

Jeremiah 16:14-15 (ESV)

“Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ ¹⁵but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers.”

I am dreading the day that I will have to discipline my daughter. When my parents used to say, “This hurts me more than it hurts you” before spanking me, I would mouth back, “Yeah, right.” I didn’t understand how it could hurt them more than me when they were the ones who were punishing me; but I suppose I can say that I understand them now. In the end, the discipline of a loving parent always hurts the parent more than the child. The parents know that the discipline is good for the children, but it’s not an enjoyable experience.

We’ve been following along this dialogue between the LORD and Jeremiah this week regarding the judgment that is to come upon Judah. The LORD has made up His mind and tells Jeremiah that nothing can cause His wrath to relent. Judah has turned so far away from God that they don’t even know they are sinning against Him anymore. Yet as this conversation draws to a close, it seems as if the LORD can’t help but blurt out a promise of restoration—even before Judah encounters the wrath of God. Not only will they be restored, but their restoration will be more glorious than their initial deliverance—this is a powerful word that the Lord is giving Jeremiah. The LORD is saying that people will no longer talk about the exodus, where God delivered Israel out of the hands of Egypt; instead, people will talk about how God gathered His people back from exile into the land that was promised to their forefathers.

The nation of Israel has looked upon their deliverance from Egypt as a watershed moment, the forming of their nation as they know it. It is a moment that they can look back upon and declare that their God is not only powerful, but that their God is with them. However, God is promising that their restoration to the land of Israel will be even more glorious than when they first entered into the Promised Land. How is that possible? And why does God choose to give this promise in the thick of His pronouncement of judgment over Judah?

If we see God as a God who disciplines with the end goal of restoration rather than out of anger or frustration, then we can see why God would give them this promise—even in the midst of this pronouncement. He knows that a very hard time will be coming for this nation, and He wants to reassure them that restoration will be coming.

As we’ve gone through the book of Jeremiah, it is a particularly sad book to read through. Not only is it sad to see the judgment that is coming for the nation of Judah, but it’s also sad to see it from God’s vantage point. Yet the exile is not the end. Discipline may last for a while, but God promises that His people will be restored—and the glory of that restoration will surpass the former glory of their deliverance. Perhaps you are going through a particularly difficult time: maybe you are going through a season of discipline, wilderness, or silence of God. Whatever God may be doing, you can be sure that He has restoration in mind. Hang in there as you look to the light at the end of the tunnel!

Prayer: Father God, thank You that You always have restoration in mind—even in the midst of discipline. Help me to persevere in seasons of Your discipline, that I may not become hardened or jaded, but rather look on hopefully to the point of restoration that You are leading me towards. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 7

July 19, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on April 22, 2018. Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Being Tethered to God”

Mark 12:38-40

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

I remember going bouldering for the first time with a group of friends. It was fun learning the basics and trying to figure out how to climb the different parts of the wall. As we were resting, my friends shared funny stories of experienced climbers who loved to show off their skills by climbing the part of the wall that others failed to do. It would be in such a way to make sure everyone saw that they could do something no one else could. For them, it was not enough to be good at something; they had to make sure others recognized their abilities. It was not enough to climb the wall, but they had to look good doing it for others.

We find something similar in this passage. Jesus condemns the type of religiosity that the scribes practiced. It was not really about God and loving people, but they used their piety to draw attention to themselves. They seemed godly but there was no actual substance of godly character. They prayed long prayers to show off their knowledge and oratory abilities. They took the best seats during meals and in the synagogues and walked around in long robes in order to be seen. Jesus did not approve of such practice of flashy religion—He rightfully condemns it.

The temptation to be ostentatious about our relationship with God and religious practice still exists today. Many of us use ministry and the church to draw attention to ourselves—we desire positions of leadership to feel important and superior to others. In other words, we can have ungodly intentions that are fulfilled and masked with ministry. It happens all the time. And for this reason, we have to remain vigilant about our motivations. We must intentionally remain tethered to God and abide in Christ as we do ministry. Without intimacy with God, ministry can often devolve into something ungodly. In prayer, come before God and ask Him to help you to minister and live out your calling with the right motivations and with much humility.

Prayer: Father, I want to confess that my desires and motivations are often a mixed bag, even when it comes to ministry and service in the church. Purify my heart and help me to serve with pure intentions and motives. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 5-6

July 18, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional Spiritual, first posted on August 24, 2018, is provided by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) along with her husband Pastor Sam Lee.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Life Beyond”

Jeremiah 32:17-20

“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, to this day, and in Israel and among other men; and You have made Yourself a name, as it is this day.”

The average lifespan of a person is said to be about 79 years. In comparison to the infinitude of time, a human life is very brief. Perhaps this is why we tend to think in the scope of finiteness. We tend to get caught up in our current situations and gauge our lives in the context of what is happening in the now. It is unnatural for us to think in the scope of eternity. We may even wonder if this is possible to do.

The Lord, however, is boundless in His thinking and establishes His purpose down to the thousandth generation. After all, He did create the grand expanse of the heavens and earth as it says in Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” This perspective of eternity allows us to process the experiences of current day in the greater scope of God’s purpose being established in our lives. This is a purpose that is being resolved in order to take us from one state of glory to another. It is also for us to experience the benefits of eternity now.

Consider what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” This extends comfort to us that no matter the current situations that we are facing, we can be confident that the promises of God lie in every problem; and that these promises will bring us out with increased glory and blessing.

Therefore, let us not be fixated on what we need to see happen now but on the grander scope of the reality that God operates in. We are spiritual beings more than physical. Look not on the things that are seen but gain the habit of processing in the light of God’s truth that is taking you into a greater weight of eternity. This takes stillness. It is God’s desire for us to experience seeing Him and His promises that are found at the center of every problem life brings us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that I live in the realm of eternity. Through Your finished work on the cross, I have been set into a life that will take me from one measure of glory to another. I am thankful for this and choose to embrace a mindset that is set on Your eternal purposes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 4

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Questions to Consider

How have you been living for the temporal?
What does it look like to live with an eternal mindset?
What are your current “light” afflictions that are helping to establish in you an “eternal weight of glory”?

Notes

It is important to be honest with your true values. Reflect on what consumes your thoughts, priorities, and time to gauge whether you have a mind set on the things above or on the things on earth.
Consider what a renewed mind looks like. How would it go about processing situations and relational challenges in the light of God’s truth? Eternal mindset looks not at the immediate gains for self, rather to the likeness of God that every situation would mold us into.
Consider how the challenges you are facing now has a promise of God in it to build you more into the likeness of Christ.

Evening Reflection

In the light of this morning’s reflection on the importance of having an eternal perspective on life, how did you fare today?

July 17, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, originally posted on February 18, 2018, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian, who serves as the lead pastor of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God’s Generosity”

Genesis 45:16-20

When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, 18 and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’ 19 And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”

My parents came to the United States as refugees who fled from Vietnam. They, along with my sister who was a toddler at the time, immigrated with no money or possessions, and no knowledge of the culture or English. You would think that they had little chance of surviving or that they were doomed to live a life of poverty, but what they experienced was far from that. They were sponsored by a local church that gave so freely and generously to my family. This church helped my parents find housing, taught them English and how to drive, and helped find jobs and even childcare. My parents were incredibly blessed and so thankful for the lavish generosity and favor shown them by strangers.

I couldn’t help but think of my own family’s story when I saw this passage in Genesis. When Pharaoh finds out that Joseph’s brothers were in Egypt and that the whole family would be coming to Egypt, he welcomes them with more than just open arms. Pharaoh not only offers to provide transportation to Canaan and back, but he also tells them that the best of all of Egypt would be theirs. He goes so far as to say, “Have no concern for your goods”—basically telling them that they didn’t even need their possessions because Pharaoh was going to provide them not just a home, but a fully furnished home with all of the amenities they could ever want. Joseph’s family was shown lavish generosity and the full favor of Pharaoh.

The generosity shown to Joseph’s family was not by accident, but it was because of God’s covenant and promise to Abraham that his family and descendants would be blessed. This was not just Pharaoh’s favor that they were receiving, but it was God’s covenantal favor and love that was working to show this family that God was with them.

As children of God, we also have God’s favor and love in our lives, and we have the promise of God’s presence working in our lives always. When I think about my family’s story, I know it was God’s hand working, not just so that we wouldn’t be in poverty, but to show us His lavish love and draw me and my family into a relationship with Him. Think about your own story or your family’s story. How have you seen God’s favor at work in the past and in the present as well? Spend some time reflecting on our lavish and generous God who has been at work in all of our lives.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank You for Your presence and favor in my life. You have been so faithful and generous to me. I pray that I will never forget that You are with me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 3

Lunch Bible Study

Read Luke 19:1-10: He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Questions to Consider

What did the crowds think of Zacchaeus when they saw him?
What led Zacchaeus to suddenly be so generous?
How should our hearts be moved to be generous like Zacchaeus?

Notes

The crowds looked down on Zacchaeus, literally and figuratively. Luke tells us that he was small in stature so he was not likely an impressive man to anyone. But more importantly, Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a profession that was equated with sin because tax collectors had a reputation of being unscrupulous, swindling people of their money, and lining their own pockets with dirty money.
Zacchaeus unexpectedly experiences the favor of Jesus. Zacchaeus seemed to be desperate to see Jesus—he climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse and this drew the attention of Jesus. Jesus generously honors him by going and staying in Zacchaeus’ house, which must have been an extraordinary blessing for him because he was likely shunned by most of the community. Experiencing this favor from Jesus leads Zacchaeus to repent and decide to be generous with his great wealth.
We need to recognize the lavish love and favor of Jesus in our lives, just like Zacchaeus. When we understand the amazing grace we have received, it should move us to give generously to others as well.

Evening Reflection

As you’ve spent time reflecting on God’s favor and generosity in your life, how does it make you feel? When I remember the story of God’s work in my family, it fills me with a deep sense of joy and thanksgiving, knowing the personal and intimate love of Jesus. It doesn’t end there though. Remembering God’s favor in my life leads me to consider how I can be used by God to show His love. Reflect on that same love for you and ask God to use you to be an agent of His love as well.

July 16, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on February 18, 2018, is provided by Esther Chailim. Esther, a graduate of University of California, San Diego (B.S.) and Talbot School of Theology (M.A.), is the Director of Ministries at Kairos Christian Church (San Diego).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Hope in the Promise of God”

Genesis 49:29-33 (NIV)

Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.”33 When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

For many, the end of life often calls for deep reflection on the things most important to them. Some reflect on the great memories they’ve had, while others think about what they would have done differently. In a similar fashion, this final request from Jacob was of great importance to him. Of all the choice words he could have said in his very last moments, he chose to give final instructions on the burial of his body. It’s important to note that though Jacob had been residing in Egypt for 17 years and had quite a successful life there with his sons, he knew his future did not lie there. Rather, he desired to be buried alongside his forefathers in Canaan, because it was the place in which God made his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, promising the land to them and all their descendants (Genesis 28:13-14). In other words, life to Jacob was found in the Promised Land, where he knew he would be in the special presence of the Lord. To Jacob, Canaan was more than just his hometown; it marked a statement of future hope. Thus, the burial in Canaan with his forefathers revealed Jacob’s hope and faith that God’s covenant promise would eventually come to pass.

Jacob did not fear death because he knew where he belonged. He knew that death was not the end of it all, and he rested in that security of God’s promise to him. As the late Billy Graham said, “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” As believers, our hope is in Jesus Christ who paid the ransom for our sins, so that we might have freedom from sin and walk in the way of righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). Because of Christ alone, we have victory over sin and death itself. Therefore, we no longer fear death, but rest in the salvation and eternal glory of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the Cross and the hope I have in You. I want to live my life well so that when my time is up here on earth, You will say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 2

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Questions to Consider

What kind of life did Paul live for the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Where does Paul hold his confidence?
How can we keep the focus on eternal things?

Notes

Paul lived a life that was hard pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. He was willing to die for Jesus because that meant that others might see LIFE in Jesus.
Paul’s life was not easy by any means, but he showed resilience in overcoming suffering because of the confidence and trust in the ultimate glorification of Jesus Christ. He knew that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would ultimately bring him salvation and thus never lost heart.
Paul encourages the Corinthian church to fix their eyes on what is unseen (the eternal things) and not on the things seen (temporal things). As Christians serving the kingdom of God, we can sometimes find ourselves caught in the web of the comparison game on worldly matters, struggling to fully devote ourselves to the Lord. But Paul reminds us that our sacrifice to the Lord is not only good, but grants us eternal glory that far outweighs these momentary troubles.

Evening Reflection

As you reflect on your life, spend some time honestly asking yourself these questions: Where do I put my hope and security in? Do I find myself chasing that “American Dream” and seeking security in my career, family, possessions and/or comfort? Or do I rest in the promises of God, knowing that my final resting place is not here on earth but in eternity with our Heavenly Father? Ask the Lord how you can adjust your life so that your hope rests in the eternal things.

July 15, Tuesday

REPOST Originally shared on May 18, 2018, today’s AMI QT Devotional—written by an anonymous contributor—continues to offer quiet insight and reflection.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Just the tip of the iceberg”

Jeremiah 1:9-16 (NIV)

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. ¹⁰See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” ¹¹The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. ¹²The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” ¹³The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?” “I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.” ¹⁴The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. ¹⁵I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord. “Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah. ¹⁶I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.

Have you ever been so sure about something, only to discover later, there was more to learn or realize than what you thought was the whole truth? When something grabs my interest, I love reading and studying about it. Whatever it is, I want to know its ins and outs, its background and everything else there is to know about it. I’m a nerd, and I enjoy obsessive study. When I found Christianity, the same instincts kicked in to the nth degree. Now, ignoring my early theological, epistemological, or other scholarly four-syllable word mistakes, in my pride, I really thought my obsessive study habits put me on the path to truly knowing God. Oh, my naivety!

Conventional wisdom would dictate careful, steady study is the best way to learn about something. While this is true, applying this simple axiom to Christianity only gets you so far. A person could bury themselves in the Word, read systematic theology books monthly, and comb through Scripture to learn as much as there is to know about God, and still miss the greater point. Consider your best friend telling you about someone they think you’d love to date. Your friend could tell you about this person’s likes, dislikes and general character. Your friend could even support their claims about this person by pulling excerpts from their personal diary. You could even follow the person on their social media platforms, learning everything about their daily life. When all is said and done, you’ve learned everything there is to know about this person—and yet, your relationship with them has not progressed any further than when you had no idea that they existed. Why? Because you haven’t met them yet. This is how far my obsessive study skills had gotten me before trusted friends knocked some sense into me.

The reality is, the Christian life is not predicated on knowing about God, but rather, knowing God Himself. While there are worse ways to spend one’s time than studying His likes, dislikes and character, etc., time also ought to be spent alone with God, reaching out to Him in prayer. After an honest pursuit, I’ve come to learn that sometimes, God reaches back. When it comes to spiritual giftings or even stepping into certain roles, I admit—like Jeremiah—that I harbor much doubt. However, in Jeremiah 1, we see God reminding Jeremiah that He will accompany and rescue him. What’s more, we see God sending Jeremiah visions and interpreting them to let him know that He is trustworthy. Receiving images from God is a bit new for me. While I’m certain I’ve had other encounters with the Holy Spirit, seeing prophetic images is not something that comes easy. My prayer is that as my knowledge of God catches up to my knowledge about God, and our relationship builds, that I will learn to listen and wait for Him.

Prayer: Father, learning about You and meeting You are two, very different concepts. I have spent much time on the former, mistakenly thinking it would bring us closer. I now ask for Your help in working on the latter. Though I spend much time speaking to You, please help me to perceive and understand when You speak back. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 1

Lunch Break Study

Read John 3:1-10 (NIV): Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”4“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

Questions to consider

What is Nicodemus’ role as a Pharisee?
If Nicodemus is so knowledgeable, why can’t he understand what Jesus is saying to him?
So, why do you think God has given us His Word? Give a personal answer.

Notes

As a Pharisee, Nicodemus is a Jewish religious authority. From a young age, Nicodemus was trained to be a scholar of Judaism, giving him far superior knowledge of the Scriptures than that of any ordinary person. If anyone knew how to read and interpret Jewish religious writings, law or traditions, Nicodemus would be one of them.
Unfortunately, like his peers, Nicodemus had focused the vast majority of his studies on knowing the Scriptures and following the law as he understood them on the surface. It seems, as a whole, the Pharisees had focused on the what of the Scriptures, rather than the why, making it difficult for him to understand Jesus’ answers.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Like most past times, acquiring knowledge is not intrinsically a bad thing. The key is, however, to recognize the fine line that separates a healthy activity from an idolatrous one. Studying the Word, seeking its wisdom and learning about God are all good things, until they get in the way of your relationship with Him. Oftentimes, good things are the easiest objects to make into idols for ourselves. The remedy, it seems, is to meet with God in prayer and simply ask for more of Him, and for our desire of Him to increase as His presence does.