Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Need for Repentance”

Jeremiah 49:7-22

“Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished? 8 Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths,
O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time when I punish him. 9 If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? If thieves came by night,
would they not destroy only enough for themselves? 10 But I have stripped Esau bare; I have uncovered his hiding places, and he is not able to conceal himself. His children are destroyed, and his brothers, and his neighbors; and he is no more. 11 Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me.” 12 For thus says the Lord: “If those who did not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, will you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you must drink. 13 For I have sworn by myself, declares the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a horror, a taunt, a waste, and a curse, and all her cities shall be perpetual wastes.” 14 I have heard a message from the Lord, and an envoy has been sent among the nations: “Gather yourselves together and come against her, and rise up for battle! 15 For behold, I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind. 16 The horror you inspire has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as the eagle’s, I will bring you down from there, declares the Lord. 17 “Edom shall become a horror. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss because of all its disasters. 18 As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown, says the Lord, no man shall dwell there, no man shall sojourn in her. 19 Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him[d] run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? 20 Therefore hear the plan that the Lord has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate. 21 At the sound of their fall the earth shall tremble; the sound of their cry shall be heard at the Red Sea. 22 Behold, one shall mount up and fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Bozrah, and the heart of the warriors of Edom shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains.”

Although we live in a culture of instant gratification, some people’s short-sighted choices can still surprise us.  One such instance arose in The Matrix, which depicts humanity being enslaved to robots through living in a virtual world (i.e. the Matrix) resembling the 1990s. One free man, Cypher, desires to re-enter the Matrix and live in blissful ignorance. Thus, he betrays his fellow escapees over a virtual steak dinner, despite his acknowledgment that the dinner itself isn’t real.

A more foolish choice occurred in the Old Testament, when Esau forsook his birthright to Jacob over a single meal (Gen. 25:29-34). Esau eventually became the father of the Edomites (Gen. 36:1), a people who also made foolish decisions in their dealings with the Israelites. At the time of the Exodus, the Edomites refused to let the Israelites pass through their land (Num. 20:14-21) and later fought against King David and Solomon (2 Sam. 8:14, 1 Kings 11:14-25). According to Jeremiah, they even rejoiced in Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians (Lam. 4:21).

Because of the Edomites’ constant rebellion, Jeremiah prophesied that the Lord will bring destruction on Esau (Jer. 49:8), that He would strip Esau bare (49:10) and that Edom would become an object of horror (49:17). Additionally, the Edomites were known for their stone city of Petra, an ancient military fortress, yet God declared in verse 16 that “you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill . . . though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down”. This came to pass in the fifth century B.C., when the Nabateans defeated the Edomites and removed them from Petra. Consequently, the Edomites no longer exist as a people today.

The story of Esau and the Edomites serve as a stark reminder of our need for continual repentance, as a point of no return does exist. In fact, Hebrews 12:17 declared that it was too late for Esau to repent despite his tears. No matter where we are, let’s repent before our hearts have become too hardened.

Prayer: Father, you know how stubborn and proud I can be. Many times I refuse to admit I’m wrong, even to You. Help me develop the humility to turn away from my pride and turn to You and follow You. May my life be one of continual repentance. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 41

(Once again we apologize for making a mistake with yesterday’s Bible reading.)

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 4:1-10: What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Questions to Consider

1. What in this passage does James identify as the root of sin?
2. What in this passage does James identify as the antidote to sin?
3. What are the sins in your life that you have tried but cannot overcome without God’s strength?

Note

1. James notes that there are selfish desires within us that manifests in coveting, fighting and even killing (v.1-3). Specifically, James describes us as adulterous people (v.4), implying that we turn to other people or things besides God to meet our needs.
2. In short, humility. We are told to submit ourselves to God (v.7), to come near to God (v.8), and to humble ourselves before God (v.10).
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

Part of the process of repentance may involve making amends to those you have hurt. Are there people in your life that have been affected by your sin? Pray for wisdom and strength to take the next step to make things right.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“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: Job 40

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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

1. What does it mean to walk in darkness?
2. What is so important about verses 8-10?
3. 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.

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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.

The AMI QT Devotionals from September 23-27 are provided by Jabez Yeo.  Jabez, an alumnus of University of Pennsylvania, recently graduated from Columbia International University with a M.A. in Muslim Studies. He is currently working in NYC and serving at Remnant Church-E.  He hopes to become a missionary.

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Suffering Servant”

Jeremiah 49-50 (This week we are switching the order of the chapters studied.)

Jeremiah 7:27-28

“So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.’”

In times of prosperity, it can be easy to ignore certain warnings to one’s peril. Such was the case in the mid-2000s, when almost any American could qualify for a mortgage. Despite warnings from certain regulators and investors, the U.S. government failed to curb the excessive lending. Subsequently, America’s housing market collapsed, bankrupting many lenders and triggering a global financial crisis that lasted for years.  

Similarly, around 586 BC, the kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians despite many warnings from the prophet—Jeremiah. While Judah was economically prosperous, there was deep spiritual decline because of the Judeans’ idolatry and disobedience. Undeterred, Jeremiah faithfully delivered God’s word to the unbelieving Judeans (Jer. 7:27-28) and to other nations (Jer. 46-51) amidst intense hardships. Consider the following about Jeremiah:

• He was set apart as a prophet to the nations (Jer. 1:5) but preached for about 40 years without witnessing much spiritual fruit or revival.
• He ministered to the last five kings of Judah but only one (Josiah) sincerely sought after God. The other four were either exiled or did evil (2 Chron. 36).
• He was instructed to remain single and did not have children to carry on his name (Jer. 16:2);
• He endured great physical suffering, including torture (Jer. 20:2), unjust imprisonment (Jer. 37:14-15) and suffocation (Jer. 38:1-13). He was even physically abducted (Jer. 43:1-7).

Throughout this week, we will be reading Jeremiah 49-50, which contains some of Jeremiah’s prophecies to the nations. It may be tough for some of us to believe how prophecies to nations that are non-existent today apply to our personal lives. I myself struggled with writing these devotionals due to my lack of Old Testament knowledge. However, we can take comfort in the fact that these prophecies were given to a man who suffered tremendously for his faith and served as a precursor to the ultimate sufferer, Jesus Christ, the one who gave His life for us and was obedient to death (Phil. 2:5-11).  Let us trust that God will speak to us as we read His Word.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that Your Word is applicable to our lives, just as it was to ancient civilizations throughout history. Thank You for believers like Jeremiah, who remind me that faithfulness to You and Your Word is possible even amidst great hardship. Build my life so that my character would be refined and that my faith would prove to be genuine no matter the situation. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 39

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Lunch Time Study

Read Hebrews 12:1-13: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed

Questions to Consider

1. At first glance, reading Hebrews 12:4-13 may seem especially harsh or militaristic. Why is this not so?
2. Jeremiah is surely in the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us today (Heb. 12:1). How can we persevere as he did?
3. Who are the witnesses in your life (living or dead) that you can gain encouragement from?

Note

1. Context is key. We are given these commands because there have been others who exhibited faith even in severe situations (Heb. 11). Furthermore, we are told that these same saints surround us today (Heb. 12:1), and that Christ Himself is at the right hand of God the Father (Heb. 12:2), interceding for us (Rom. 8:34). Thus, we are not running the race of faith alone.
2. The author encourages us to fix our eyes on Christ, just as Christ gained encouragement through remembering the joy set before Him during intense suffering (Heb. 12:2). We need to remind ourselves of the gospel each day, no matter what.
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

What setbacks did you face today? How did these events remind you about who’s really in control? Pray that God would help you surrender what is necessary so that your faith would be made stronger.

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided Jasmin Izumikawa. Jasmin, a member of the Church of Southland, is currently a high school teacher.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“He Walks with Me”

John 20:15-16

“Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher, in Hebrew).       

One of the first classes I taught was an English immersion class. The school called it “Creative Dramatics.” This class consisted of students with minimal to no English proficiency. There was no set curriculum and the only core text recommended for the class came out of a conversational English workbook from the 1980’s. Students sat in scraggly rows, chanting basic conversational English phrases back and forth to each other. It was painfully loud, the lessons were dry, and the students sounded like sad, monotone robots chanting in unison, “Where-is the- library?” “Turn-left, walk down-the- hall, then- turn right.”

A few weeks in, I had just enough. Driven to my wit’s end, I halted this tired chorus of GPS voice navigators and decided to fly by the seat of my pants. I scribbled the words of Emily Dickinson on a transparency sheet and slapped it on top of a dusty overhead projector. I recited to my students the poem, “’Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers.”

Their assignment: Translate the poem into their own native languages. They precariously took out their pocket translators and began to write. Translations in Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Indonesian began to emerge on pieces of paper. Almost immediately, I started to see engagement and excitement as students began to collaboratively piece together their understanding and translations of this poem. The next day, they jabbered away in various languages, correcting each other, making suggestions, and revising their writings. Then, I gave them the task of reciting the poem in English, line by line, from memory. As the days went by, the class would nominate students, calling them out to the front by name, one by one, to recite the poem in English and from memory; for the brief minute they stood there reciting, their peers listened, hungrily. Although some words were slurred and choppy, they understood the heartbeat of the poem, and I could tell because the tones of their voices changed, the tempo slowed, and there was joy as their peers patted them on their backs and applauded them. From a classroom of dry, reluctant readers, there was now the presence of thirty-six hungry poets who had breathed new life into Dickinson’s poem. Those words would not mean anything at all if the students could not connect to it, struggle through it, and celebrate it in their own encounters with it first.

Up until the point Jesus appeared before the tomb, Mary Magdalene may have recognized Him only as a teacher. Jesus must have known this, so He says to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God’” (John 20:17). It is as though He was saying, “I’m fulfilling what I came to do. Did you forget I am your Savior? I’m always with you, Mary.” She had now encountered Jesus as risen LORD, living God, and her personal Savior. Her life changed completely. Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the LORD!” Then she gave them His message.

The hymnist, C. Austin Miles, who wrote the words to “I Come to the Garden Alone,” celebrates his personal encounter with Jesus. He wrote:

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear,
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

How beautiful, how life-changing, and how exciting is the life that encounters the living God, our loving Savior? His Word is not a lifeless and disconnected book. It is a living promise that beckons you to join Him in the struggle and in the joy of knowing Him personally. Perhaps you have found yourself in a season of spiritual dryness. Have prayers fallen from your lips? Sing to Him and hold onto His words. Let go of your fears and doubts and be reminded, He is always with You, He embraces you, and calls out to you. Maybe today, more than ever, you need to hear Him call out your name and to walk with Him in the garden alone, to be told you are His. May the LORD bless you and give you the assurance that He is with you.

Prayer: LORD, what an incredible encounter Mary had with You. I want to meet with You in a personal way and walk with You through this life. Your voice is what I want to hear, so open my ears so that I may hear. Thank You for Your assurance that You have never left me. I love You, God! You are so good to me. Soften my heart and help me to let go of my fears and doubts. Breathe life over me with Your words. What have I to fear when You’re right here with me, speaking to me? Thank you, LORD, for being my personal Savior, the living God, our risen King. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 38

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

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

For a while, the Lord has been challenging my idea of servanthood and humility. “I’m older, I’m a leader, I disciple these people, I have kids, I’m tired ….” are reasons I give God when I am confronted to serve in a way that I think is beneath my scope. I can get frustrated when others don’t serve, especially when there is a need. But God has been asking me: “Are you the first to serve when there is a need? Are you a servant or a leader?”

I know I am a servant, but in this season, God has been working in my heart and bringing me to another degree of glory where He has freed me from lifelong lies.  He is bringing me to repentance of long forgotten sins, and I realize just how much of my time and mind is taken with ME (my anxieties, desires, hopes, boundaries, etc.).  But it ceased being about ME when I said yes to God and I am experiencing this next layer now.

He wants a servant’s heart, not just acts of service so I can get some imaginary merit badge. It’s not just in discipleship, administration, teaching, or counseling (my roles and responsibilities as a leader). I am called to be a servant where there is need, in or outside my church, teaching from the front or on my knees scrubbing a toilet, in public or private, whether someone else has a servant heart or not. Because what floors me about Jesus is that He served me to His death when I was His enemy.

What would it do for those I lead if they see me spent to the end for Jesus, not just in the front or at the top but in the lowly and despised things? What would it do for my heart as a leader if I were the first to clean a toilet or take out the trash? Would it keep my heart tender, soft, and humble before God? Maybe a servant’s heart is God’s protection against pride and self sufficiency for me as I lead.

I am not advocating or suggesting doing more to do more. But we should ask ourselves, Is my heart in a posture of humility and servanthood that I can hear God when He whispers that it is my turn to serve and love with the lowliest of things. Am I free enough from my dreams, desires, agendas, and hopes (even in ministry) that I can hear when God says, “I want you to take out the trash today”?

What is God saying to the servant’s heart He is cultivating in you today?

Prayer: In our busy lives, Father, we become deaf to You. We believe it’s about position, responsibilities, and capabilities, but it’s about You reclaiming us. Teach us to be servants in all that we do as we listen for Your leading.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 36-37

Today’s AMI Devotional is written by Jin Ha Lee who serves at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia.  Jin Ha, a CPA, graduated from Drexel University and is getting married this November. Congratulations!

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Listening Ear”

Jeremiah 38:17-20

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. 18 But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.” 19 King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, lest I be handed over to them and they deal cruelly with me.” 20 Jeremiah said, “You shall not be given to them. Obey now the voice of the Lord in what I say to you, and it shall be well with you, and your life shall be spared.”

There was a season in my life when I sought advice from many different older brothers and sisters—I would go to this person to get his advice, call this person to get her perspective, and on-and-on. But, I had a problem. In going to many people, I wasn’t really hearing what they were saying, but I was looking for people to give the answer I wanted to hear.

King Zedekiah was had a similar problem. He sought Jeremiah for God’s Word multiple times and even heard what God said, yet he lacked faith. King Zedekiah was not seeking after an answer from the Lord to direct the course of his life—though he cared enough to seek it—but not enough to respond in faith to it.

The context of this passage was that the Babylonians had been temporarily deterred by the Egyptians. It was only a matter of time before the Babylonians would be at his doorsteps. In desperation Zedekiah sought out Jeremiah—again. Jeremiah gave a clear answer from the Lord: “…if you surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live….” It was actually a very gracious response to the mess that Zedekiah created by rebelling against Nebuchadnezzar who had set Zedekiah as king. He had the chance to save not only his life but his family and the city.

However, Zedekiah immediately responds that he’s scared of the deserters mistreating him. Maybe he felt that the Israelites would be upset at him and blame him for the loss, or he felt embarrassed for starting a conflict with the Babylonians that he couldn’t win. In any case, his fears spoke more loudly in his heart than God’s Word. He focused so much on his fears that he missed out on the chance to respond to God’s Word.

Going back to my story, the situation I was trying to handle blew up.  But through that experience I was humbled and learned to seek what God has to say through godly counsel more than what I wanted to hear. It was a very valuable lesson! Let’s ask ourselves this question:  Am I truly ready to listen and respond to God in faith when God speaks to me? Or am I just going to ignore His word if it’s not what I want to hear?

Prayer: Lord, we want to listen intently to Your Word. Would You please reveal Yourself to us and help us to know You intimately? Please help us to respond in faith, knowing that You are holy, loving, and good. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 35

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Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 18:9-10: And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Questions to Consider

1. How did God reveal Himself to Paul during the hardships of missions?
2. What does Paul’s response show about what he believes about God?
3. How can we live by faith despite our fears or difficult scenarios?

Note

1. God revealed Himself by encouraging Paul in a vision. He told Paul not be afraid but to continue his mission for the gospel, knowing that God is with him and that He would protect him. God also let Paul know that he was not alone but surrounded by believers. Up to this point Paul had already been persecuted by the Jews from Thessalonica who chased him out of Thessalonica and Berea.
2. Paul believed in the Lord and stayed at the city for one year and six months; he had faith that the Lord was with him. His response in 2 Corinthians showed that he believed that God’s grace was sufficient for him, even in difficulties and weaknesses.
3. Personal response. Zedekiah focused so much on his fears, instead of trusting in God, whereas, though Paul also faced difficult and costly situations throughout his mission trips, he focused on the Lord. Both of their actions showed where their faith was. I don’t think faith is a matter of rolling up our sleeves and blindly jumping headlong into situations in our own strength. Certain situations have legitimate concerns, costs, and fears. But, spending time with the Lord, seeking Him, being in an intimate relationship with Him and the church helps us to move forward in faith by His encouragement, grace, and love. We can ask God to show us and remind us of who He is, and that we could look at Him rightly and step forward despite the fears, difficulties, and weaknesses.

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Evening Reflection

How has the Lord revealed Himself to you recently? Although different situations we face may bring about fear, hardship, or even apathy, we can find rest, strength, and joy in the Lord. Let’s ask the Lord to reveal Himself to us, and that we would grow in an intimate and genuine relationship with Him.

Today’s AMI Quiet Time is provided by Pastor Peter Yoon who is the Lead Pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Thank the Lord for Timely Friends”

Jeremiah 38:7-13 (NIV)

But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, 8 Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, 9 “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city.” 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”11 So Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. 12 Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, 13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Our family recently moved into a new place—but not without some resistance from our children. In our previous home, our children had developed lots of friendships around the neighborhood. They spent hours and hours with friends engaging in all sorts of fun activities, but in moving into a new home, my kids (particularly our 4^th grade son, Nathan) knew that they’d have to start anew the daunting task of making new friends. Soon enough, as our boys began to explore the new neighborhood, they met few other boys who were just as interested in sports, video games, …sports, video games…and more sports and video games. =)  That afternoon, Nathan came back home with a big smile on his face and said to me, “Dad, Nick and Tommy are my friends now.” There’s something about good friendships that even children know to value in life.

In this passage, Jeremiah was thrown into a well by the city’s officials. He had been warning of the impending doom of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonian Empire. God had revealed that the only chance for survival was to surrender. The public officials did not want the Jews to listen to Jeremiah’s prophecies, although the words came from God. So they approached King Zedekiah to obtain a permission to put away Jeremiah. The king, perhaps in despair or fear, barely raises any concern and says: “The king can do nothing to oppose you.” And the officials immediately arrest Jeremiah and leave him at the bottom of a well to die of starvation. Jeremiah was in a bleak and hopeless situation.

However, God sends a “friend,” a Cushite, to foil the plans of the officials and rescues Jeremiah from the well (see https://www.gotquestions.org/Cushites.html). The Cushite could have been severely punished by King Zedekiah for going against the wishes of the officials as well as the king’s permission to put away Jeremiah. With courage, the Cushite changes the mind of the king and carries out a rescue plan in lifting Jeremiah out of the well.

At times, God sends a timely friend. This “friend” might not be someone who is popular with the crowds, nor wealthy. This “friend” might even have been overlooked as an insignificant person. Yet, their timely presence and the encouragement he/she brings may perhaps be the difference between despair and hope.

Today, I’d like to encourage you to be that “friend” to others.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the friendships in my own life. But today, lead me in extending Your friendship to those around me in my workplace, school, church, neighborhood, etc. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 34

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Lunch Break Study 

John 15:12-17 (NIV)  

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

Questions to Consider

1. What qualities does Jesus highlight in defining a friendship?
2. What separates a mere servant from a friend in God’s Kingdom?
3. What comparison does Jesus use in describing how we are to love others?

Notes

1. Jesus highlights the quality of laying down one’s life. He also highlights obedience to the command of loving others.
2. A servant is outside of God’s business plans, while a friend has been invited into knowing everything that Jesus had learned from the Father.
3. Jesus says that we are to love others as “I have loved you.” It’s a tall order. However, when the Spirit of Christ dwells in your heart, you are moved to love others as Jesus has loved us.

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Evening Reflection

How are you being a friend to those around you these days? In what practical ways can you show your friendship and encouragement to few people in your own life?

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Through Thick and Thin”

Jeremiah 37:11-21 (NASB)

Now it happened when the army of the Chaldeans had lifted the siege from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh’s army, ¹² that Jeremiah went out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin in order to take possession of some property there among the people. ¹³ While he was at the Gate of Benjamin, a captain of the guard whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah the son of Hananiah was there; and he arrested Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are going over to the Chaldeans!” ¹⁴ But Jeremiah said, “A lie! I am not going over to the Chaldeans”; yet he would not listen to him. So Irijah arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. ¹⁵ Then the officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him, and they put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which they had made into the prison. ¹⁶ For Jeremiah had come into the dungeon, that is, the vaulted cell; and Jeremiah stayed there many days.

¹⁷ Now King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from the Lord?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!” ¹⁸ Moreover Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, “In what way have I sinned against you, or against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison? ¹⁹ Where then are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land’? ²⁰ But now, please listen, O my lord the king; please let my petition come before you and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, that I may not die there.” ²¹ Then King Zedekiah gave commandment, and they committed Jeremiah to the court of the guardhouse and gave him a loaf of bread daily from the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the court of the guardhouse.

We live in a world of ideas. Whether at school, work or church, one will most certainly encounter someone expressing their ideas, or express their own. However, one of the many critiques set against this age of ideas, is society’s growing inability to discuss ideas without becoming combative. Timothy Muehlhoff of Biola University once lamented how we now live in, what he calls, the “argument culture.” Interestingly enough, I don’t believe we’ve only recently entered the argument culture. Mankind has been fighting over ideas for quite some time, from current socio-political issues to biblical times. Sometimes debates over ideas has been civil, while others have not. In extreme cases, people have even experienced violence for expressing themselves. In fact, the further back in time one goes, the more violence over ideas one would expect to see. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, was imprisoned and beaten for faithfully expressing the Word of God.

In the passage above we see Jeremiah make his way to the land of Benjamin to claim property. When Jeremiah reaches the gate, the captain, Irijah, accuses Jeremiah of defecting to the Chaldeans. Several years prior to this, Jeremiah had been preaching the word he’d received from God, warning Israel of the coming destruction of the city (Jer. 21:9 [NASB]). Irijah probably concluded that Jeremiah’s message stood against the best interests of Benjamin. Because of this, despite Jeremiah’s denials, Jeremiah is arrested and imprisoned without trial. Pausing here in the narrative, I can’t help but wonder how often the message of the Gospel is deduced to be against the best interest of the people, especially here in California. The reality of the current cultural climate is sometimes troubling to reflect on. How often do I sweep my convictions aside, succumbing to social pressure? In Pastor Josh’s words, “How often do we [I] live as if God didn’t exist?” Do I have the strength to go to prison for the Gospel? Or to the grave?

As the passage progresses, things do not improve for Jeremiah. He is brought from the prison, in secret, before King Zedekiah and asked, “Is there a word from the LORD?” (Jer. 37:17 [NASB]). Now it’s obvious, Zedekiah isn’t asking for the actual word of God, rather, for some favorable news regarding the kingdom. Sometimes I ask myself what makes someone a hero. Generally, a hero is someone admired for their courage or accomplishments, or perhaps both. Unflinching, Jeremiah looks into the eyes of the king, and delivers God’s message exactly as revealed. “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!” (Jer. 37:17 [NASB]). What makes someone a hero? Standing in the face of the authorities that threaten you with prison and death, and holding firm to God’s word. I hope we can all look to God for the strength to follow Jeremiah’s example. Let’s stand hand-in-hand together for God’s word, holding steadfast to the Truth, speaking it to the world in love.

Prayer: Father, it’s easy for me to be strong and stand up for you in church, around brothers and sisters in Christ and in my quiet time alone with You. It becomes much more complicated when I fear for my job, my freedom, my safety or even meaningless things, like social status. I pray You would remind Your church every day, that in You we find the resolve to stand up for the Truth. We need you more and more each day.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 33 (We apologize for the error on yesterday’s QT. The reading should have been Job 32. It has been corrected accordingly.)

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Lunch Break Study

Read: 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” (NASB)

Questions to Consider

1. What did Paul’s “course” look like?
2. What would “finishing the course” look like in today’s day and age?
3. Reflect on this passage and consider what “finishing the course” would look like in your own life

Notes

1. Paul went from high social status as a Pharisee, to (what the pagans considered) a persecuted “cult leader” as he traveled all over to spread the Gospel and plant churches. Like the rest of the apostles, Paul endured beatings, imprisonment, torture and ultimately death for the sake of Christ, all with complete confidence in his convictions and commitment to God. Paul, like Jeremiah and the others God has called for His work, sets a shining example for the church to follow.
2. Though the difficulties we experience may take many forms,  finishing the course in modern times may look much the same as the past: looking to God for the strength to stand beside brothers and sisters in Christ for the sake of the Gospel.
3. Ultimately, I to serve full time in ministry. I’m not sure exactly how that will manifest, or where in the world my service will take me, so for now my answer is a bit generic: I simply hope I can faithfully serve God and His people, until my days are spent.

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Evening Reflection

According to Kairos’ Pastor Peter, the most misquoted verse in the Bible may be Phil. 4:13. Time after time this verse is cited when we haven’t trained quite as hard as we should have for the upcoming Spartan race. However in the context of standing firm for the Gospel, Paul’s words are quite relevant. Reflect on the idea of finding strength to endure in God, and what that means for you.

The AMI QT Devotionals for September 18-19 are provided by Charles Graham. Charles is a new intern with Kairos, who came aboard in September of 2017. He is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology to prepare himself for a life of service and ministry.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Full Circle: Everything Comes Back to God”

Jeremiah 37:1-10 (NASB)

Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim. 2 But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the LORD that he spoke through Jeremiah the prophet. 3 King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray for us to the LORD our God.” 4 Now Jeremiah was still going in and out among the people, for he had not yet been put in prison. 5 The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem. 6 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: 7 “Thus says the LORD, God of Israel: Thus shall you say to the king of Judah who sent you to me to inquire of me, ‘Behold, Pharaoh’s army that came to help you is about to return to Egypt, to its own land. 8 And the Chaldeans shall come back and fight against this city. They shall capture it and burn it with fire. 9 Thus says the LORD, Do not deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will surely go away from us,” for they will not go away. 10 For even if you should defeat the whole army of Chaldeans who are fighting against you, and there remained of them only wounded men, every man in his tent, they would rise up and burn this city with fire.’”

I’ve been privileged to work closely with Pastor Joshua Chzen of Kairos. Once, he challenged us by asking, “How often do we live as if God does not exist?” The absurdity of a godless worldview is so paternally obvious that Pastor Josh did not dwell on it too much; instead, he highlighted how Christians habitually succumb to the pressures of a society that has long forgotten God. As difficult as this was to hear, he rightly pointed out how often we fall short by ignoring the nudging of the Spirit to heed God and His eternal truth.

In today’s passage, Jeremiah recounts how King Zedekiah would not listen to the word of God (v. 2). And it wasn’t until Judah was besieged that the king asked Jeremiah to pray to God on their behalf (v. 3). Essentially, only when Zedekiah’s back was against the wall did he turn to God. Christians are no different. We are constantly buffeted by the push and pull of our secular world; and, too often, the pressures can become so great that we ignore our convictions, effectively living as if God wasn’t here. It is only when all the chips are down, like Zedekiah, that we turn to Him in submission. Everyone and everything will (Rom. 11:36). But, we ought to look to God first, rather than waiting for calamity. I pray we ponder on this together daily, reminding one another of Whom we are committed to.

We can also find comfort in the rest of the passage (Jer. 37:7-11). Here, Jeremiah receives word from God that the kingdom will be destroyed, just as previously proclaimed. God’s word will be done. Though this does not bode well for Zedekiah, the simple notion that God’s word will come to pass is most uplifting.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4 [NASB]).

What could be more heartwarming than to realize what has been promised by God! Remember, regardless of the difficulties of the Christian life, God’s word is true. Everything starts and ends with Him.

This is the full circle.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word. I am so thankful that I can call You my foundation. Lord, I don’t ever want to live as if You aren’t here. Please remind me every single day of who You are, so I may, in turn, reflect who You are to others in how I live.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 32

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Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 11:36 (NASB): “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Questions to Consider

1. What does this short, yet powerful, passage mean?
2. What does the meaning of the passage imply?
3. Reflect your life in light of the message of this terse verse.

Notes

1. This passage is the declaration that “all things” find their origins in, are maintained by and ultimately return to God. He is the Creator, Sustainer and Judge of everything in existence.
2. As the Creator of all things, God is the necessary precondition for anything to exist or occur. This includes, but is by no means limited to, the existence of the universe, life, logic, morale experience, etc. Without God at the beginning of everything, the world falls into absurdity.
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection

In your personal quiet time with God, consider the enormity of His power and reach as He is described in Rom. 11:36. With this in mind, reflect on the idea that, although God has this immense power and influence, He also has the temperament described in Matt. 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Heart of Prayer”

Jeremiah 37:1-8

“Zedekiah son of Josiah was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he reigned in place of Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim.2 Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet. 3 King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray to the Lord our God for us.” 4 Now Jeremiah was free to come and go among the people, for he had not yet been put in prison. 5 Pharaoh’s army had marched out of Egypt, and when the Babylonians who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.6 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet: 7 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of me, ‘Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to support you, will go back to its own land, to Egypt. 8 Then the Babylonians will return and attack this city; they will capture it and burn it down.’”

One day, as my mom and I were taking a stroll in the park, we got into a heated disagreement, leaving me feeling pretty down.  We parted ways and once again, I was left feeling both upset and guilty. Later that week, I felt the Lord pierce my heart where it hurt the most: my pride.  He revealed to me that my attitude towards my mom was sinful because up until that point, I had always felt justified in my actions towards her. And though I felt guilty, I wasn’t willing to let all the past hurts go.  In short, He revealed a new depth of my sin that I had never realized.

In the passage today, we read about King Zedekiah asking Jeremiah for prayer. Threat was upon the king, and he was desperate for help.  Though the Lord had already prophesied Babylon’s defeat over Jerusalem (Jer. 21:4-7), Zedekiah ignored the Lord and still pleaded for a favorable outcome.  The problem is that the king was looking for circumstantial change, butunwilling to submit himself to hear from God (v. 2).  In turn, God did not answer Zedekiah’s prayer.

My prayers for my mom, though earnest and seemingly “holy,” were no different than Zedekiah’s prayer.  In truth, I wanted my circumstances, that is, my mom, to change, but I wasn’t positioning myself to hear what God wanted to reveal about me.  It wasn’t until God disclosed my sin that I was able to finally hear from God and repent of my bitterness, judgement and pride.  Then, and only then, did I truly begin to see my relationship with my mom change; not because SHE changed, but because God changed me.  

Often times, we subconsciously come to prayer with a set agenda.  We pray for people and things to change, and yet we forget that we need to be changed. I still struggle with this, but more and more, I realize that prayer is not about changing circumstance; prayer is about changing us.  The question is, do we allow God to mold and shape us through prayer?  

Prayer: Lord, You are in control, not me.  Help me to lay aside my own plans and surrender them to You.  I invite You, Holy Spirit, to come and speak into the areas of my life that are self-seeking. Help me to be God-centered and continue to shape and mold me to be more like Jesus. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Job 31

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 66:16-20: “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. 17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Questions to Consider

1. How can we posture ourselves in prayer?
2. What is one reason God does not answer prayer?
3. In respect to #2, does this mean that we have to be sinless for God to hear my prayers?

1. One way we can posture ourselves in prayer is to have reverence for God, acknowledging that He is the one in control and we are subject to His good will and purpose. Secondly, we can posture ourselves with praise on our tongues.
2. King David reveals that one hindrance in God’s willingness to hear our prayers is when we continue to walk in sin and do not repent of those sins. We can’t live a consistently sinful lifestyle and expect God to hear our prayers.
3. In verse 18, David uses the phrase, “if I had cherished sin.”  Though it is true that we are sinners, even after we become Christians, David’s use of the word “cherished” indicates the kind of sin we hold on to and are unwilling to let go of.  God isn’t expecting us to be sinless, but He does call us to face our sins and confess them.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on some of the things you are currently praying for.  Ask yourself if you are having a right heart posture as you pray for these things?  Are you allowing God to speak to you and change you, or are you just praying for circumstances to change?  Take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your heart motive.