August 2, Saturday

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

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Why?”

Jeremiah 12:5

“If you have raced with men on foot

    and they have worn you out,

    how can you compete with horses?

If you stumble in safe country,

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

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  And so with family and loved ones by her side, support was withdrawn, and we said goodbye to our sister until that joyous day when we meet her again in our Father’s house.  

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today  1 Kings 5-6

August 1, Friday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Daddy, again!”

Jeremiah 42:1-3

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today:  1 Kings 5

Lunch Break Study

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

Questions to Consider

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

Notes

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

Evening Reflection

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

July 31, Thursday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God’s Astonishing Grace”

Jeremiah 49:1-6

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 4

Lunch Break Study 

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

Questions to Consider

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

Note

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

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

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

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

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

July 30, Wednesday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Heart of God”

Jeremiah 31: 15-17

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 3

Lunch Break Study

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

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

Questions to Consider

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

Notes

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

Evening Reflection

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

July 29, Tuesday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Power of Words”

James 3.8-12 (NASB)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today: 1Kings 2

Lunch Break Study

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

Questions to Consider

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

Notes

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

Evening Reflection

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

. 

July 28, Monday

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

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God, I think I know better than You”

Jeremiah 43:1-4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Kings 1

Lunch Break Study

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

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

forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Questions to Consider

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

Notes

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

Evening Reflection

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

July 27, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, originally posted on May 19, 2018, is provided by Ulysses Wang who pastors Renewal Church in Sunnyvale, California. Pastor Ulysses is a graduate of New York University (BA) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Brokenness All Around Us”

Jeremiah 4:19-21

“Oh, my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. Oh, the agony of my heart! My heart pounds within me, I cannot keep silent. For I have heard the sound of the trumpet; I have heard the battle cry. 20 Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment. 21 How long must I see the battle standard
and hear the sound of the trumpet?”

“And while potential jumpers often wait for officers to arrive because they may want to be talked out of killing themselves, there are those who never give officers the chance. Detective Canale recalled a man who leapt from a lower stretch of the Verrazano and struck the rocks below. The man was still alive when the detective got to him, though many of his bones were broken, his internal organs ruptured. As the man’s shattered body was secured to a long board and he was administered oxygen, the man, in some of his final words, said he regretted jumping, the detective recalled. ‘I can’t get this right, either,’ the man said, according to Detective Canale. ‘I told him: “We’re going to get you to the hospital. We’re going to try to make it better.”’” – Ruderman, Wendy, “The Jumper Squad,” The New York Times, Oct 5, 2012

Growing up in New York City made me pretty numb to the brokenness that exists all around. From obvious brokenness, like the guy strung out in front of the methadone clinic, to the less than obvious, like the good-looking and well-dressed yet hopelessly insecure and looking-for-love fixtures of the late-night bar and night club scene—it’s everywhere. I admit that though I am a pastor—someone who’s “paid to care”—I oftentimes don’t. I can pretty easily tune out the pain around me and chalk it up to the unavoidable fate of a fallen world. But sometimes something comes along, like the Times article quoted above, that God uses to soften my New York state of heart. It made me think, What happened in that man’s life to bring him to that point? What kind of a beat down did life give him to make him feel like a failure for not even being able to kill himself “right”? It broke my heart.

Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet, and here we see why. He is not an aloof bystander to Israel reaping the wages of her sin, but rather, a family member agonizing over the fate of a loved one: “Oh, the agony of my heart!” What if we could feel that way when we see our brothers and sisters stumbling in sin, or when we look at the brokenness in our neighborhood or city, or when we observe the societal ills sweeping our nation? Surely such is the heart of God that moved the Father to offer His own Son in our stead. May we also develop God’s heart as the motivation for our ministry.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to hurt with those who are hurting and rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Open my eyes to the brokenness all around me, maybe to a brokenness that was closer than I thought—in a co-worker, a classmate, a friend. Take my eyes off of my own worries and enable me to bring life to others, trusting that You will meet all of my needs as I do so. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Haggai 2

July 26, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on November 3, 2018, is provided by Jabez Yeo. He and his family are getting ready to leave for Thailand as missionaries with OMF.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Healing for the Wounded”

2 Samuel 13:1-18

In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. 3 Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5 “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.” 7 David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. 9 Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat. “Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said. So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. 11 But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”12 “No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. 13 What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” 14 But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. 15 Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” 16 “No!” she said to him. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.” But he refused to listen to her. 17 He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her.” 18 So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. 

While tuning into the news can often be disheartening, a recent encouraging trend has been the “#Me Too” movement. In October 2017, aided by several celebrities, the “#Me Too” went viral to display the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment. This movement eventually led to the dismissals of accused perpetrators such as former producer Harvey Weinstein and U.S. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. 

While popular culture has only begun to address these tragedies, the reality that survivors of sexual assault face is not ignored in the Bible.  In 2 Samuel 13, we read about how Tamar, a daughter of King David, was brutally taken advantage of by a man who was supposed to protect her, her brother Amnon. Like most victims, Tamar had no desire for such an encounter (v.12), had her refusals ignored (vv.13-14) and was physically overpowered (v.14). After the rape, Tamar was cast aside as if what had happened was her fault (vv.15-18). 

Understandably, Tamar displayed a tremendous amount of grief after this traumatic encounter (v.19). Unfortunately, her brother Absalom instructed her to be silent, and her father, while furious, did not display justice (v.21), an experience all too common for survivors of sexual abuse. The last mention of Tamar in the Bible was that she lived “in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman” (v.20). Perhaps Tamar lamented, for the rest of her life, that her family viewed her to be of lesser importance than protecting their reputation. 

For those of us who have faced any kind of abuse, there are no words that can properly address the grief and loss you have endured. While I cannot imagine what you have experienced, I do know that our God is the healer of the brokenhearted and is able and willing to walk through the pain with you. For those of us walking alongside friends or siblings with such stories, we have been entrusted to have great empathy and wisdom. No matter where we are in life, may we live in light of the Cross, which displays that God Himself did not ignore, but rather endured our pain.  

Prayer: Father, in the midst of the sin in us and in the world, we pray that Your light will shine through, even in the darkest areas.  As Christ implored us to pray that Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, we pray that Your healing and justice would continue to be made manifest in our world—not only when You return, but also in the present. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 13 & Haggai 1

July 25, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, originally posted on April 13, 2018, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Spirit of the Law”

Mark 10:1-10

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

Growing up, I suppose I was like most kids, and my parents were like most parents.  And I had several manipulative ways to get what I wanted.  Direct attacks didn’t usually work—my parents would win every argument because they wielded the authority. But, if Mom was in a bad mood, I knew to tip toe around the corner to ask Dad and that would increase the chances of achieving my goal. The sneakiest of all was this: when I knew they both opposed what I wanted, I would try to tell Dad, “But Mom said I could…”—my plan would usually backfire shortly thereafter.

My parents, of one accord, were looking out for my good, but I, as a disobedient child, tried to go around their will. Like the Pharisees, I could only see the rules placed in front of me, around my neck—I couldn’t understand my parents’ heart behind them. 

In my eyes, my parents enjoyed making so many rules so they could restrict me. On the other hand, I wanted more rules so I could take credit for following them. In my mind, I would receive glory for being obedient, instead of my parents receiving glory for creating a good rule. My will was focused on my own delight and my own glory.                   

When Jesus recognizes the hardness of our human hearts, He still sees us with compassion. Though Jesus has all of the authority that His Father has given Him, Jesus doesn’t punish us when we still “don’t get it.” Hard hearts, deaf ears, and blind eyes keep us from experiencing the new life that God desires for His children. 

Jesus and the Father have one will and one mind. For a God who created everything, and knows everything, and sees everything— in our past and our future—there’s little we can get away with. We can try to manipulate the law to serve our desires, but this twists what protection Jesus offers us in His will. 

As we appeal to authority, Jesus guides our minds, our hearts, our souls, our strength to be one with Him, in the fullness of our being. Let us not separate what God has brought together, but wholeheartedly surrender to our Father’s heart and will—even when we think we know better.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we praise You, for Your will is good, acceptable, and perfect. Help us, as your sons and daughters, to know You as our Father, so we can know Your heart for us and for the world. We want to delight in what You delight in with all of our being. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hebrews 12

Lunch Break Study

Read: Philippians 3:1-10: Finally, my brothers,1 rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God 2 and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,3 blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death . . . 

Questions to Consider

  • What are Paul’s reasons for having confidence in the flesh?  In what ways do you put confidence in your flesh? 
  • How does Paul now describe his previous reasons for confidence in the flesh?
  • What is the one thing that Paul now strives for? In light of your previous confidence, what does this look like for you?

Notes

  • Paul was circumcised on the eighth day; he is an Israelite (Benjaminite), a Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee blameless under the law, a persecutor of the church. (Personal reasons will vary. Go deep!)
  • Trash and rubbish. He considers all as loss that he may gain Christ and be found in Him.
  • Pressing on toward the upward call of God, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

Evening Reflection

As Paul describes his confidence in the flesh as a loss for the sake of Christ, he reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. Even if we don’t carry a physical passport, reflect on how you (tomorrow!) could live out the power that comes from belonging to Our Father in Heaven. 

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?