Today’s devotional, first posted on March 18, 2018, is provided by Pastor Ryun Chang

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

Matt. 6:19-20

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The senior pastor of a church passed away and proceeded to heaven. At the pearly gates, his guardian angel met him, ready to escort him to his heavenly abode—the place prepared by Christ (John 14:1-3). As they walked, the pastor spotted the church janitor who had died a few months earlier. He marveled at the grandeur of the janitor’s mansion and thought, “Wow, if his heavenly home looks like that, then surely mine must be even bigger and more splendid!”

A little further along, the pastor encountered the elderly widow from the church, who had passed away just weeks earlier. Next to her stood an even more stunning mansion. Again, the pastor thought, “If this woman—all she ever did was cook and clean for the church—received such a magnificent reward for her faithfulness, then surely mine must be far greater!”

Filled with eager anticipation, the pastor pressed on, only to be stopped by the angel. “Here is your home,” the angel said. The pastor looked around, puzzled. “What do you mean? I don’t see anything,” he replied. “Look down,” the angel instructed. The pastor’s eyes fell upon a small house that resembled a doghouse. Shocked, he exclaimed, “How can this be?! The janitor and the cook of our church received huge mansions, yet the pastor—me—gets only a doghouse?” The angel calmly responded, “Well, Pastor, we wanted to build you a bigger and nicer mansion, but you didn’t send us any supplies. So, we did the best we could with what little you sent.”

I first heard this story many years ago and wrote it down as best as I could remember. It’s a humorous yet thought-provoking tale that raises an important question: What does it mean to send materials to heaven now, so that Christ can use them to build our eternal home? These materials, of course, represent the rewards we store up in heaven—“God . . . rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

This naturally leads to another question: Whether rich or poor, whether holding a high position in the church or none at all, are you laying up treasures on earth or in heaven? Jesus instructs us: “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). And what does that mean? It means investing whatever wealth we have—whether large or small—in God’s work, so that many may come to believe and later thank us in heaven for what we did.

Now that is a mansion worth striving for! So, let’s become long-term investors in eternity.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to count the number of our days and prepare for our end accordingly. Remind us to invest into our eternity while living in this world. Help us to fix our eyes on the Lord. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 16

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on October 6, 2018, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is the Lead Pastor of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Good Intentions”

Jeremiah 42:5-6

Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the Lord your God sends you to us. 6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”

I have good intentions all the time:  Several times a week, I intend to exercise; I have good intentions to eat healthy; and, as my wife can attest, I even have good intentions to do the dishes, pick up the clothes that I leave on the floor, and clear off my occasionally messy desk.  Every January, we all have good intentions to get physically fit, become financially stable, and grow in our relationship with God.  

In Jeremiah 42, the people of Israel come to Jeremiah with really good intentions.  They proclaim to the prophet, in verse 6, “Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God.” Considering the desperate situation that the Israelites were in, this declaration sounds sincere, and it is filled with good intentions.

There’s a problem with good intentions, though. Good intentions don’t mean as much as we think they do.  There is a big difference between intending to do something and actually doing what is intended.  Though I may have intentions to exercise, eat better, and to clean, but if I don’t follow through, I don’t get credit (especially from my wife) or benefit from just having thought about doing them.  In the end, my unfulfilled good intentions are meaningless.  And unfortunately, the same went for the Israelites.  They declared their good intentions in this passage, but in the next chapter, we discover that those good intentions were not followed through with obedience.

Having sincere intentions to follow Jesus is a great place to start, but in order for us to experience the full benefits and blessings, we need to trust Him with our lives and live out our faith through obedience.  Following Jesus is not merely an internal decision or an intellectual agreement with doctrine, but a lifetime of discipleship: walking with Him, taking daily steps of obedience, and bearing fruit for Him. Let’s not mistake our sincere intentions for a growing relationship with God: John 14:23 says, “If any one loves me… he will obey my teaching….” And let us be a people who resolve to live our lives in obedience, with the help of the Holy Spirit, no matter the sacrifice! 

Prayer: God, I pray that I will be a follower of You today.  I have thoughts about who You are and what You’re calling me to do; so today, I pray that Your Spirit will help me to walk in faith, trusting You with my life. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today:  Ezekiel 14-15

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on October 12, 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 Thoughts for This Morning

“Make some Adjustments”

Jeremiah 44:11-14

“Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am determined to bring disaster on you and to destroy all Judah. 12 I will take away the remnant of Judah who were determined to go to Egypt to settle there. They will all perish in Egypt; they will fall by the sword or die from famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine. They will become a curse and an object of horror, a curse and an object of reproach. 13 I will punish those who live in Egypt with the sword, famine and plague, as I punished Jerusalem. 14 None of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, to which they long to return and live; none will return except a few fugitives.”

Dieting is difficult since it requires many adjustments to our lifestyles such as: needing to workout, regulating how much food we eat, and even getting the right amount of sleep. While it may sound straightforward, these adjustments are difficult to make, especially when we are too tired, or facing a choice between kale or pizza. But, without making these adjustments, we will never achieve our goal of shedding those unwanted pounds. 

In today’s passage, the Jews in Egypt find themselves facing a similar but much more consequential situation. The LORD tells them to “adjust” (read, change) their hearts and return to Judah so that they would not suffer His judgement. Jeremiah warns that God will punish them with the sword, famine, and the plague. So severe is the punishment that not one remnant of Judah will be able to return to Judah with the exception of a few fugitives.

While the sword, famine, and the plague are disastrous, one more punishment that stands out to me is found in verse 12. Jeremiah says, “They will become a curse and an object of horror.” In what sense is this a severe punishment? If you remember in Genesis 12:2-3, God says to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” As evidenced here, God’s purpose for having chosen the Israelites is so that other nations may come to know Him through them.  However, because the Jews in Egypt disobeyed the Lord, refusing to adjust their attitudes and follow the Lord, they were about to be removed from fulfilling this purpose. Instead of becoming a blessing to other nations, their disobedience caused them to become a curse and an object of reproach to other nations.

Like the Jews in Egypt, our disobedience can also sidetrack us from fulfilling God’s purpose. To keep this from happening, we must adjust (change) our thoughts and actions to obey Him. Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, says, “When God speaks to you to reveal what He is about to do, that revelation is your invitation to adjust your life to Him. Your faith will be most clearly demonstrated by your actions.” These adjustments can be painful and challenging, but necessary. Remember, when we refuse to adjust, it hinders us from being in God’s purpose. 

While this is not easy (much harder than passing up chocolate pie), let us learn how to adjust our thoughts, attitudes, and actions to be in God’s purposes. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You have a purpose for me on this earth. If there is anything in my life that hinders me from fulfilling this purpose, give me strength to make the necessary adjustments. I know that it will be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for spiritual growth. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 13

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 19:1-10: Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Questions to Consider

• Why were people surprised that Jesus wanted to eat at Zacchaeus’ house?
• What adjustment did Zacchaeus make? What was the result of the adjustment?
• Based on this, how would define repentance?

Notes

• The people were surprised because Zacchaeus was a tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were deemed as greedy turncoats who allied themselves with the hated Romans. So, since they were considered “unclean”, a good Jew would not enter their home. Because Jesus was a rabbi, for him to willingly enter a tax-collector’s home was a shock to many.

• When Jesus told Zacchaeus his willingness to go to his house, this sinner adjusted his attitude by way of repentance. Thus, he promised to give half of his possessions to the poor, and return four times the amount to those he cheated. As a result, salvation had come into the heart of Zacchaeus (through this faith in Christ).
• Repentance is more than changing one’s opinion about Christ (as some teach); it is having the intent and desire to turn from sin. It may or may not happen right away, but through the sanctification process (of the Spirit and word), we ought to and will change. 

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Evening Reflection

Based on this morning’s devotion, what are some adjustments you feel that God is calling you to make? What are some things that are hindering you from making those adjustments? Take some time to ask the Lord to help you overcome these hindrances.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 26, 2018, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children, serves in Japan as an AMI missionary. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is currently planting a church in Tokyo. Please pray for this work.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Speak the Word”

Jeremiah 23:16-17, 28-32 (ESV)

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. [17] They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’” [28] Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. [29] Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? [30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another. [31] Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’ [32] Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.

Let’s say a well-meaning friend tells you that the latest health craze involves drinking bleach.  They have read many blogs and heard many testimonials regarding the health benefits of bleach.  This friend loves you and is completely sincere.  Their heart is “in the right place,” but their advice will kill you.

In the days of Jeremiah, there are many well-meaning prophets who are sharing their dreams and their words from the Lord.  They are declaring God’s love and salvation, but they have not been sent by the Lord.  Though their message sounds right, they are not declaring God’s Word but their own imaginations.

These prophets, condemned by the Lord, appear to be compassionate, but they are leading God’s people toward death and destruction.  They declare peace and blessing on a people who despise God’s Word and follow their own hearts.  These words can only harden the people’s hearts and prevent them from repenting and receiving forgiveness and life.

We, too, can speak well-meaning, soothing words that mislead people into thinking God’s love allows them to remain in their sin.  A world destined for judgment needs more than a Christianized version of worldly wisdom.  With eternal life and death in the balance, we must declare something different than what a nonbeliever might share or agree with.

The ugliness of sin and the wrath of God are not polite topics of conversation, but love compels us to speak with the heart of God and plead that as many as possible would turn from their rebellion and be saved.

May God grant us compassion, courage, and opportunity to speak the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You tell us the truth that we might be saved and given eternal life in Your Son.  Forgive me that I am often tempted to speak spiritual sounding lies to myself and to others.  Thank You that when we hear the truth and turn to You, You are faithful to pour out Your grace. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 12

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Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 3:14–15, 19-20 (ESV): But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses…[19] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, [20] that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…

Questions to Consider

• What does Peter claim his hearers have done?
• What response does Peter aim for in his preaching?
• What is the fruit of such a response?

Notes

• They have denied God and killed Him.
• Peter hopes to lead his hearers into repentance, that they might turn from their sins.
• If the people repent, God will blot out their sins and bring times of refreshing!  Peter does not intend to guilt or curse the people but to bring God’s blessing to them.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect upon your day.  Was there a moment when God gave you courage to speak the truth about Him?  Was there a moment you were tempted to avoid or downplay the truth of God’s Word?  If necessary, confess your fear of man and receive the forgiveness and refreshment of God.  Ask for compassion and faith to declare the gospel when God opens doors for you to do so.

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, first posted on August 8, 2018, is provided by Pastor Doug Tritton. Doug has been pastoring Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia since 2021.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Yoked Part 3 – The Yoke of Lies”

Jeremiah 27:9-11

“So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ 10 For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish. 11 But any nation that will bring its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave on its own land, to work it and dwell there, declares the Lord.”

 When I graduated from college, I bought my first car. The dealership offered a warranty plan—and they assured me it was worth it—where I was guaranteed my money back on the warranty if no issues ever arose with the car after five years. In my naïveté, I bought the warranty; and five years later, having had no issues, I brought all my paperwork back to the dealership, and they said they’d be sending a check in 6-8 weeks. Eight weeks went by and no check. When I returned to the dealership, they said there must have been an issue, reassuring me a check was on its way.  Time went by, still no check. I kept going back and kept being given false promises, so I eventually gave up. Sadly, I was duped by a lie.

Though that is a more extreme example, we are often led astray by various lies the world throws our way: promises of happiness with certain products, promises of success with certain programs, or promises of comfort with certain vacations. Lies surround us, telling us we need to be influenced by this or that. These lies want to yoke us to something and thus influence us.

This was what was happening to the people in Jeremiah’s day. False prophets were going around selling a message of peace and comfort, a message of false hope. But the Lord saw through the lies of these prophets and told Jeremiah to warn the people about these lies. Only the Lord knew that truth, for His yoke is best. The other yokes were all lies.

Many of these lies in the world are external, but there are also internal lies we hear from our thoughts or even from the enemy. These lies tell us we are not good enough, we need to work harder or to get this or that job, we need to have the best Facebook pictures or Instagram posts, or we are incomplete without this or that person in our lives. These lies trap us and give us false promises, resulting in anxiety and hopelessness.

Just as the Lord said to the people in Jeremiah, He says to us as well: “Don’t listen to those lies!” Let’s listen to the Lord, for He knows best, as we talked about yesterday. It’s His yoke we need and nothing else, for He is our Good Shepherd.

Prayer: Lord, help me to discern the lies that I hear in the world and in my mind. Help me to hear Your voice, since You are my Shepherd who calls me by name. May I hear You and follow You, while ignoring all other voices and lies. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 11

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Lunch Break Study  

Read John 10:1-5: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Questions to Consider

• Who are the thieves and robbers?
• How do the sheep know to follow the Shepherd?
• Are you able to hear the voice of the Shepherd?

Notes

• They are those who do not enter the sheepfold by the door. These false prophets use lies to get ahead, and they try to take advantage of the sheep for their own purposes. They are not true shepherds. These are the yokes of lies we need to avoid.
• They know His voice! This is a great promise for us. We have a God who speaks to us personally, who guides us in His ways. He searches our hearts, leads us away from grievous ways, leads us toward what we need, and restores our souls. He cares for us. This Shepherd is Jesus and He can be trusted, for He knows us and we know His voice.
• Hearing God’s voice is an important part of the Christian life. The Bible is full of promises, like in this passage about us being able to hear God’s voice. Today, try listening for His voice. He is faithful and He speaks to us! 

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Evening Reflection

Tonight, as you go to sleep, take time to quiet your soul. Our minds are often filled with lots of voices – the voices of bosses, friends, and family. Take time to surrender those voices and listen for God’s voice above it all.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 9, 2018, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. Tina is a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Broken Beyond Repair”

Jeremiah 19:1-3 

Thus says the Lord, “Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests. Then go out to the valley of Ben-hinnom, which is by the entrance of the potsherd gate, and proclaim there the words that I tell you, and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold I am about to bring a calamity upon this place, at which the ears of everyone that hears of it will tingle. 

When I was a little girl, I checked out some of my mom’s expensive glassware that she had stored in a cabinet. I thought I was careful with handling glass, but I still managed to shatter one glass right in front her eyes.  I had broken a lot things as a curious young girl, but this one I knew was beyond repair and no longer usable. Its shattered pieces could only be swept and thrown away. In this morning’s passage, the prophet is told to purchase a clay jar, only to break it in front of Judah’s leaders (19:10) at the valley of Ben-hinnom, as a symbolic message to the nation of the Lord’s impending judgment, for they had remained stubborn and unrepentant after many warnings. Proverbs 29:1 says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed–without remedy.” In speaking of Judah’s soon-to-happen exile to Babylon, Jeremiah’s prophetic act conveys that it will be a calamity in that God’s people will be “broken,”  as one breaks the potter’s clay jar and throws it into the dump.

By standing at the valley of Ben-hinnom, a location that had at that time become the “dump area” of the city, Jeremiah brings the jar there to illustrate that Judah’s exile is likened to a dishonorable vessel that the Lord is removing in His justice and righteousness. Even though this message will cause people’s ears to shudder, it provides the chance for people to hear the call to repent and to become the people who would persevere through the exile in order to rebuild Jerusalem later. The news of calamity serves the higher purpose of pointing to God as Israel’s hope. Their brokenness is beyond repair from the earthly perspective, but God can indeed restore the brokenness of Judah, as the prophet Amos declares, “In that day I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be” (Amos 9:11).

Have you lost hope in an area of your life, or do you consider anything as “beyond repair”? Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you with hope this morning that He can indeed provide restoration and newness in the area that seems beyond repair. 

Prayer: Dear Father, You are righteous and just. I confess that in the ways that I have dishonored You, I taste the consequences of my sinful ways. Yet, thank You that I can fully hope in You to restore and redeem me. Make me to be like a jar of clay that allows Your glory and power to transform me and to dwell inside of me. In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 10

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Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Timothy 3:19-21: Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Questions to Consider

(1) In writing to Timothy, what is Apostle Paul’s purpose in this message?

(2) What is the importance of the statement, or seal, “The Lord knows those who are His”?

(3) How have you considered becoming “a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work?”

Notes

(1) The background noise to Timothy’s ministry was that there were numerous false teachers who have indulged themselves in quarrels over words (2:14), godless chatter (2:16), and whose false teachings (i.e. the denial of resurrection) have spread fast—destroying the faith of some people (2:18). These teachers’ works were dishonoring to God and unfortunately had “spread like gangrene” (2:17). Therefore, Paul instructs Timothy to “present yourself to God as one approved” (2:15) and to consider the type of vessel he ought to become so that his work is honoring to God.

(2) In the time period and place that Timothy was ministering, there were influential false teachers among teachers who correctly handled the word of truth. Though the influence of false teachers seemed out of control and many of them claimed to be teachers of the Law and appeared to have authority and influence, Paul affirms that “the Lord knows those who are His.” And only the teachings that stand upon the firm foundation of God will stand.  

(3) Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

Psalm 130:7-8: Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 23, 2018, is provided by Jennifer Kim who served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Holy Fear of God”

Jeremiah 5:20-25 

“Announce this to the descendants of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: 21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: 22 Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. 23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. 24 They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’ 25 Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have withheld good from you.”

Growing up my mother was the epitome of the Asian tiger mom: authoritative, controlling, and all about her rules. Truth be told, I grew up fearing my mother out of apprehension of how she would dictate my life if I went against her ways. And thus, I got good grades in fear that she’d send me to more after school programs, I never argued back in fear that she would scold me, and I stayed home when asked in fear that she would never let me hang out with my friends. While it would take me years to understand that it was my mother’s love for me that compelled her, my fear certainly instilled in me the need to do what was right.

In today’s passage, God declares the descendants of Jacob as foolish and senseless people for their failure to fear the Lord. In attempts to instill the fear of the Lord in them, God reminds them that He is the God who made the sands of the sea, brings rain to the crops, and assures the fruit of the harvest. In other words, God reminds the people of Judah that He is the God of the earth who creates all things, controls all things, and takes care of all things. However, it is precisely Judah’s failure to recognize who God is that leads them to a lack of fear that ultimately leads them to their apostasy.

When we fail to recognize who our God truly is—the maker of heaven and earth, and the provider and sustainer of our life—then we lose our holy awe of God and become masters over our own lives. While I may not have had the right motives for obeying my mother when I was younger, my fear in knowing I was at the mercy of her words and decisions led me to obedience. When I matured and saw my mother’s deep love for me that led her to parent in the only way she knew how, I was not only able to obey but to submit. When we see God in light of His power and Lordship, alongside His unending love for us that compelled Him to the cross, then our only response is to turn from our ways and worship the King of all kings.

In light of this, let’s take time today to reflect on whether we are living a life in holy fear of God. When we recognize God’s magnificent work and love for us, then our response is to surrender the idols and sins of our life to worship the God who makes all things work for the good of those who love Him. May we be people who have a healthy fear of the Lord that compels us to a life of love, obedience, and worship.

Prayer: God, how amazing and majestic are Your ways. I pray that You would fill me with holy reverence as I reflect on Your power, glory, and love. Thank You for all that You are and all that You do. In Jesus’ name.  Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 9

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Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 9:10-12:The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Questions to Consider

• What does this passage say is the foundation for wisdom?
• How can we begin to have a holy fear of God?
• What promise is given to us when we live a life of wisdom?

Notes

• The foundation to true wisdom is fear of the Lord.
• By filling ourselves up with the knowledge of the Holy One.
• God promises to increase the years of our life.

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Evening Reflection

Today we spoke on the fear of the Lord that leads us to the ways of reverence, obedience, and worship. Take time to reflect on the things that you have been filling your life with that have not been of the Holy One. Only the knowledge and understanding of Christ can lead us to true wisdom while all other types of learning simply lead to information. What are some ways you can develop your knowledge of God that you may fear the Lord and walk in the ways of righteousness?

NEW Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought is provided by Charmer Pratt. Charmer, a longtime member of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia, has served faithfully in the welcoming ministry since 2016.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“It Starts in the Heart” 

Exodus 32:1-6 

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”  ² Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” ³ So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. ⁴ He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”  ⁵ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” ⁶ So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. 

This is a story that many of us are familiar with, and if you’re not, I highly recommend reading Exodus 32 in its entirety. It tells the story of the golden calf—how Israel turned to idolatry after forty days of not seeing Moses return from the summit of Mount Sinai. As a result of this blasphemous act, the Lord punished Israel in three ways: drinking the golden dust of the powdered calf (v. 20), a mass slaughter among the people (v. 27-28), and a plague (v. 35).

However, Israel’s blasphemy began well before a single gold earring was handed to Aaron to craft the idol. Let’s examine verse 1 to see what the people of Israel said to Aaron: “Come, make us gods who will go before us.” Here, they ask for multiple gods—an unmistakable sign of the polytheistic influence they absorbed from Egypt. In essence, they seek to be like the very nation that their true God had just defeated. In other words, God alone is not enough for them, and they feel compelled to look elsewhere. “As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt…” This is the clearest example of their blasphemy. It was God who delivered them from Egypt, yet they credit Moses with the work that belongs to Him. “…we don’t know what has happened to him.” They disregard the last thing they were told. In Exodus 24:14, Moses instructs the elders to wait for his and Joshua’s return—mirroring what God told Moses in verse 12. 

It is profoundly disrespectful to turn to the world for wisdom that only God can provide, to attribute His works to a mere man, and to forget His words. No wonder Israel faced these three severe punishments! But if we’re honest, haven’t we all been guilty of these sins at some point?  Thankfully, redemption is always possible. Even in the wilderness, God extended mercy and used Israel mightily to build the tabernacle (see Exodus 35–36).  

Have you found yourself growing impatient with the Lord, seeking fulfillment outside of Him, crediting others for His work, or forgetting the last thing He told you? Turn back to Him—He is always ready to restore you.

Prayer: Lord, I’m sorry for the ways in which I’ve blasphemed Your Name. Thank You for always providing a path for redemption no matter how far I stray from You. Please fill me with love for You so that I don’t forget Your words, give anyone else credit for Your works, or look to another for wisdom only You provide. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 8

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on March 3, 2018, is provided by Pastor Peter Yoon, who is the Lead Pastor of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Final Picture”

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Do you like jigsaw puzzles? 

My wife sometimes gets in the mood for jigsaw puzzles, so we’ll get out a 500 or a 1000 pieces puzzle set and get to work putting the picture together. You can spend hours or even days putting the puzzle together, depending on the picture. I’ve asked people their opinions on puzzles; while some feel that it is a total waste of valuable time, others enjoy the satisfaction of finding the matching pieces as they rummage through hundreds of pieces searching for that match. Our family enjoys jigsaw puzzles as our children also get involved. 

As we diligently work on the puzzle, our second son will ask over and over again if he can see the cover of the box. He wants to see the final picture—sort of the answer key—to see where the random piece he’s holding fits within the bigger picture. Each time he gets a new puzzle piece, he will ask to see the cover of the box—it actually gets a bit annoying, since he asks so often. 

In this well-known passage from Genesis, we are seeing the final picture of what God had already seen for years. When the brothers had sold Joseph into slavery, he had no idea where this was all heading. But Joseph worked hard for Potiphar, only to be betrayed by his wife and Joseph found himself in prison. There he interpreted dreams of two servants for Pharaoh, hoping he will be shown favor; yet, he remained forgotten until Pharaoh himself had a dream.  

Joseph must have been confused about his life, wondering where any of his life’s experiences fit within the grand picture. Yet, piece by piece, the pieces of his life were being put together. There was a picture that God already had in mind, and that picture was God’s goodness for Jacob’s family to be spared during a harsh famine. (Of course, we discover further in OT that God was building a nation from Jacob’s family within the safety of Egyptian empire.) 

Our God sees the cover of the box. He has a final picture in mind. It is actually given to us in Revelation 21-22. All of creation is moving towards the New Heaven and the New Earth. That picture is the cover picture of the jigsaw puzzle. The experiences we live through in life might at times feel random. In fact, it’s difficult to figure out just where it belongs in the bigger picture. It was confusing for Joseph, since what his brothers did to him was truly evil. However, God saw a good and complete picture that would be displayed at the end. 

Brothers and sisters, although some of our life experiences may seem random, confusing, and painful, let us trust that our good God already has the final picture in mind. One day, we can see how none of our days were wasted but meant for God’s good purposes. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to fear You and honor You. Allow me to live a life of integrity that goes beyond the minimum requirements. Please reveal Your glory in my life more fully, so that I will respond with honor to You.  In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 6-7

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 11, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Yoon. David, a graduate of California Baptist University and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is serving at Tapestry LA Church as its executive pastor. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Backsliding”

Jeremiah 2:23-25

“How can you say, ‘I am not unclean, I have not gone after the Baals’?  Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done—a restless young camel running here and there, 24 a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her. 25 Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go.’” 

My family had many pets during my childhood years. We had turtles, finches, dogs, hamsters, rabbits and the list goes on. As a child, I was somewhat traumatized when I saw my dog mounting other dogs, or my gerbils chasing and “tagging” each other. If you have ever worked with horses or visited a ranch and seen a stallion in heat, you know exactly what vivid figures God is using to awaken His people to where they are. Animals were given a different kind of sexuality from humans, but it helps us see how we look when we start to lust after everything that comes along or chase any thrill or drive other than God Himself. 

Judah had no desire to give up its gods in spite of God’s warnings of the consequences that would come. Among all of Judah’s wrongdoings, their denial of not being unclean or not chasing after Baals is preposterous. Their inability to abandon idols meant denying the freedom that God has given them. Therefore, God tells His people, “This is what you’re like” and uses the imagery of an animal in heat, eager to be satisfied. It must have been a clear message to the people of Judah.

In Jeremiah 2:19 (NIV), it says, “‘Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,’ declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.” Are you backsliding in your life today? Backsliding comes as a gradual process. It may begin with a general feeling of spiritual indifference as we fail to focus on spiritual things but on fleshly desires. It is not over a day or week that our hearts turn into stone, but months and even years that our hearts begin to callous and grow cold to the working of the Holy Spirit. In light of this, reflect on the cross, and be reminded of the love Christ demonstrated for us through His death and resurrection. 

Prayer: Father God, I praise You today for Your mercies are new every morning. Help me to see the desires of my heart and give me the strength and courage to fight and turn away from the idols in my heart. My desire is to love and worship You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 22:31-34: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Luke 22:60-62: But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Questions to Consider

• How did Peter’s pride affect his backsliding? 
• With what expression do you believe Jesus was looking at Peter?
• Peter went out and wept bitterly. What might have this meant for Peter?

Notes

• Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
• Jesus prayed for Peter and for his faith to not fail. He tells Peter to strengthen his brothers when he has turned his heart back to Him.
• A commentator once wrote, “The tears that Peter cries are the sorrowful, anguished tears of a broken man who has committed a great sin against the Lord, but they are also the tears that mark the beginning of Peter’s journey toward restoration” 

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Evening Reflection

Our emotions are an important expression of the desires in our hearts. When we are not aware of our emotions and the desires that underlie them, our idols can gain strength and power in our lives. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. What is God saying through these feelings? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to something that God wants you to pay a bit more attention to.