The AMI QT Devotionals from November 6-12 are provided by Pastor Paul Liu, who pastors the Grace Covenant Church Singapore. He is a graduate of University of Illinois (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He and his wife Ailsa have three beautiful daughters.
Devotional Thoughts for Today
“Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs of God”
Genesis 19:12-14
Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
I’m not sure if this is a trait more common to men or women, but I’ve often been guilty of testing fate by letting the gas tank run all the way to empty. I know I shouldn’t do this, and it’s probably an excuse to say I’m testing the fuel efficiency of my car or wanting to know how many miles to the gallon I’m getting. But I keep doing it, in spite of all the warning systems around me: my wife, the actual light on the dashboard, the occasional loss of power when I press the gas… When will I ever learn?
Warnings are all around us. In fact, if you just look around you, there are probably a dozen in plain view—labels describing proper dosages, the battery indicator on your phone, weather alerts, what not to do with your electronics, etc. Most of these warnings are common sense. And when life is at stake, the signs get noticeably bolder: “Peanut-Free Zone,” “Construction Area,” and the always effective, “Danger.” Warnings save lives.
So when Lot’s guests cause all the men in the city to go blind, the warning lights come on. And when these messengers of God inform Lot that Sodom is facing God’s judgment, he takes the warning to heart. Knowing the severity of the danger brought out an urgency in Lot’s heart. He immediately goes to and begs his future son-in-laws to flee the impending doom. Sadly, they thought it was all a joke. Maybe because it seemed unlikely; maybe because the city had great security; likely because they shared the brazen confidence of Sodom’s citizens—who thought nothing of abusing strangers to satisfy their own appetites. They did what they wanted. Why listen to God? Again, confirming the lack of righteousness in their midst, the warning of God went unheeded.
As we think on this passage, we must ask ourselves: Are there any warning signs in my life that I am willfully or unintentionally ignoring? Am I taking seriously the warnings of God’s word about the priorities and values that lead to flourishing, and the way that leads to disgrace? What warnings do those around me need to hear? And how urgently do I sense their need of it?
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the truth of Your word, which informs and inspires but also warns. Give us a teachable spirit that we might learn from You and live in a manner that brings You glory. Stir in us urgency for those around us who live with an unfounded security in their own strength, in the foolishness of men, and in the lies of the Enemy. And give us opportunities to share Your truth with gentleness and respect. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 5
Lunch Break Study
Read Ephesians 5:15-21: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Questions to Consider
- What activities does Paul suggest would lead us to wisdom?
- What warnings does Paul give about our times?
- Think of one way in which you can invest in wise living and heed the warning of this passage?
Note
- Positively, the wise person has learned the value of self-evaluation (v.15), maximizing time (v.16), and seeking God’s will (v.17). This person also avoids that which dulls his/her senses (i.e. wine in v.18) and pursues that which stimulates his devotion (corporate worship in v.19-20). Ultimately, what we need to live wisely is not just lectures or experience, we need the Holy Spirit , who leads us into truth (John 16:13). Lastly, the wise person knows to invest in relationships. There is strength in numbers and a strengthening that comes when we choose to submit to other believers.
- Paul is a realist about both the struggles and the adversity these early Christians would face. He reminds them that a “walk” –meaning, a way of life—can be compromised by carelessness, laziness, and foolishness. So they must be vigilant and self-aware. He also tells them “the days are evil,” not to scare them, but to remind them that until Christ returns, there is a real battle that is being waged for our integrity, our faith, and the souls of men and women. This is again a call to vigilance and consistency in our worship and self-watch.
- Personal response.
Evening Reflection
While it’s true everyone needs encouragement in order to persevere in faith, it’s also true that God’s word rebukes and corrects us (2 Timothy 3:16). How regular is your time in God’s word? Think about how often you sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit about sin in your life. If it’s very rare, begin to ask the Holy Spirit to make you more sensitive to His activity in your life.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and not liked what you saw reflected back? Of course you have. We’ve all gone through puberty… But where we might think a pimple or a rebellious strand of hair ruins everything, the reality is usually quite different. We oftentimes think worse of our looks because we’re insecure. The reality probably is—it’s not that bad.
During World War II, some soldiers serving in France wanted to bury a friend and fellow soldier who had been killed. Being in a foreign country, they wanted to ensure their fallen comrade had a proper burial. They found a well-kept cemetery with a low stone wall around it by a beautiful Catholic church and a peaceful outlook—this was just the place to bury their friend. But when they approached the priest, he answered that unless their friend was a baptized Catholic he could not be buried in the cemetery. The fallen soldier wasn’t. Sensing the soldier’s disappointment, the priest showed them a spot outside the walls where they could bury their friend. Reluctantly, they did so.
The AMI QT Devotionals from October 30-November 5 are provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, serves as staff at Kairos Christian Church, while studying at Talbot School of Theology. He is married to Annie. They will soon leave for E. Asia to serve as missionaries.
“Are you serious? Again?” was my response as I read that a 29-year old man named Sayfullo Siapov used a truck to plow through a lower Manhattan bike path this past Tuesday. I had the same response for all these senseless killings that have been happening in United States: from Charlottesville to Las Vegas and now New York (and before the ink is dry, another random violence took three lives in Colorado). Considering this (and also the tragedy happening abroad, like the recent deadly attack in Somalia that took the lives of more than 400 people), I can’t help but feel a sense of hopelessness. Will things get better? The answer is yes!
If someone were to ask you to name your three closest friends, would it be difficult to list off, or easy? Regardless of whether we are introverts or extroverts, friendships are one of the most important things in our lives. Good friends celebrate the joyful times and walk with us through the tough times. So, in order for people to become friends, they need to genuinely enjoy spending time with one another.
Arabian horses go through rigorous training in the deserts of the Middle East where the trainers require absolute obedience from the horses. As a final test of their obedience, the trainers deprive the horses of water for a week; afterwards, the trainers release the horses so they can run toward the water. However, as they get close to the trough, the trainers blow their whistle. The horses who have been completely trained and who have learned perfect obedience stop in their tracks; in fact, they turn around and gallop to their trainer. Then they stand in front of the trainer, desperate for a drink of water. Once the trainers blow their whistles again, the horses return to the water to drink.
When I was in 5th grade, I attended a Chinese Vineyard Conference in Los Angeles that opened my eyes to the reality of God’s power. During the last session, the speaker preached on Mark 11:23: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” I was so inspired by this message that when I went home, I faced the Santa Cruz Mountains and screamed, “Move, in Jesus name!” Unfortunately, nothing happened.
In elementary school, my friend and I would make pacts with each other. We promised to be best friends forever and to write letters if one of us moved away. To seal the pact, we drew a picture of our favorite superhero and gave it to each another. Unfortunately, both of these promises were broken by the time we moved onto middle school.
Growing up, I disliked my name Emerson because it was so different. I wished that my parents named me John, Kevin, or even Michael, like my other friends. In elementary school, I convinced my entire class to call me “Em,” because I was so embarrassed by my full name. One day after school, I asked my mom why she named me Emerson. She took out a baby name book and explained that Emerson meant courageous and strong. When I was in her womb, God told her that her son would walk in courage. After hearing her story, I slowly began to appreciate my name.
The AMI QT Devotionals from October 23-29 are provided by Pastor Charles Choe of Tapestry Church, Los Angeles. Charles, a graduate of UC Riverside and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, and they have three children: Chloe, Noah, and Camden.
I pastor a church in Los Angeles, and we recently had the privilege of moving into a larger building just a couple months ago. But with a new and bigger building, we’ve come to see unexpected needs rise, including the need to install a vastly improved and expensive surveillance system to monitor the spacious structure. We are hoping to have it up and running soon, because we’ve already had a few things go missing. At those very moments, I wish I was able to see what happened or who may have taken it.