October 14, Saturday

The AMI QT Devotionals from October 9-15 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Peter is a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Another 438 Years?”

Genesis 11:10-26

Patriarch	Age	Bible Reference
Shem	600	Genesis 11:10–11
Arphaxad	438	Genesis 11:12–13
Shelah	433	Genesis 11:14–15
Eber	464	Genesis 11:16–17
Peleg	239	Genesis 11:18–19
Reu	239	Genesis 11:20–21
Serug	230	Genesis 11:22–23
Nahor	148	Genesis 11:24–25
Terah	205	Genesis 11:32
Abraham	175	Genesis 25:7

From: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/genealogy/did- adam-and- noah-really- live- over-900- years

I once asked my wife after thinking about the ages of some of the Bible patriarchs of Genesis, “Honey, can you imagine being married to me for another 438 years?” I think I actually asked her this question during one of our wedding anniversary dinners—meaning on a good day. Well, you can imagine what she said in response. =)

When I read about the number of years some of our forefathers lived, I cannot fathom what life would have been like living so many years. Could you imagine feeling this way in this single-panel comic?

On the positive side, I thought, we’d be really good at developing some of our skillsets. Could you imagine playing basketball for 438 years of your life? You’d be really good. But on the flip side, could you imagine working for another 438 years at your job? Even if you love your job, you’re probably saying to yourself, “No thank you.”

Well, either way, you won’t have to work for another 438 years. Nor do you get to refine your skills for that long. And I won’t have to figure out how my wife and I will celebrate our 438th anniversary, let alone our 20th (whew…), but for many of us, we still have a good number of years and decades ahead of us.

Job 14:5 tells us, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

Whether it is 438 or 38, we all have a limited number of days on earth. Given that perspective, the big question is, “How then will we live this One.Life we get to live before our time expires?” In other words, what dream will you chase with your One.Life?

In a book I recently read titled, One.Life Jesus Calls, We Follow, the writer, Scot Mcknight, proposes: “Religion isn’t enough. Climbing the corporate ladder isn’t enough. Solving intellectual problems isn’t enough. Chasing the American dream isn’t enough. Finding the person to love isn’t enough. Sex isn’t enough. Friends aren’t enough. Science isn’t enough. Politics isn’t enough. Money isn’t enough. Food and drink aren’t enough. Fame isn’t enough. Nothing’s enough. The only thing that is enough is Jesus, and the only way to get to Jesus is to follow him, and that means one thing: giving your One.Life to him and to his dream.”

I truly believe if we are living that sort of life of following Jesus, 438 years might not seem that bad after all. None of us will get to 438. But given the One.Life that we have, let’s not waste it on anything else but following Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, You have numbered my days. Help me to live today and everyday that follows, following You, Jesus. I don’t want to follow anything or anyone else, but You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 4-5

October 13, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“God Uses Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways”

Genesis 12:10-13

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

We understand that faith plays a critical role in our Christian life. Faith is critical for our salvation. Faith moves mountains. Faith heals people. In fact, without faith, we know it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). But if we are honest, we often struggle with doubts. Many in the church wonder if they are genuinely saved. Mountains still remain while healings are sparse. It’s easy to scrutinize ourselves and have a low view of our own faith.

As a kid growing up in the church, I remember singing, “Father Abraham Had Many Sons.” Do you remember that song? (You can google it if you want to hear it.) It was a silly song with even sillier calisthenics, but I remember one time asking my Sunday School teacher, “Who the heck is Father Abraham?” Usually, we are told that he was a great man of great faith. He was called by God to leave his family, and he did. He was asked by God to sacrifice his son, and he almost did. He would receive a promise that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky. But they never told you that he lied about his wife…TWICE.

Here, we read the first time where Abraham lies to Pharaoh about his wife because he is afraid (the second time is found in Genesis 20). Both stories reveal a faithless man filled with self- preserving fears. I’m sure that Sarah didn’t appreciate being called Abraham’s sister, just so her husband can save his own hide. But that was who Abraham was. Now go ahead a google “father of faith” on your phone or laptop, and guess who comes up. You probably already guessed it, but it’s no one other than Abraham himself. NT passages such as Romans 4:16 (father to us all) and Hebrews 11:8-9 (by faith he made his home in the Promised Land) lead us to Abraham’s moniker, the “father of faith.”

That’s what God does. He takes people, such as Abraham, filled with doubts and fears, and simply asks us to follow Him. He already knows that we are filled with fears and reservations. I’m sure it wasn’t a surprise to God that Abraham used his wife. Yet, God simply asked Abraham to follow Him. Generations later, despite these humiliating stories, Abraham would be called the “father of faith.” When we follow Him and His ways, our fears make room for faith. One of many subplots of the Bible story is that God takes ordinary people and uses them for accomplishing His extraordinary purposes. He’s been doing that for thousands of years, and He’s still doing that today. How about allowing God to write that story in your own life?

Prayer: Lord, I admit that I’m far from having great faith. Help me in overcoming my own unbelief. Continue to work in and through me for accomplishing Your Kingdom purposes here on earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 9:17-29 (NIV): A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Questions to Consider

How does Jesus amaze you in this story?
As you read through the father’s plea, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief,” how does that encourage you in your own place of faith and doubts?
Jesus answers the disciples, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” Do you see a correlation between faith and prayer?

Notes

Consider the severity of the boy’s condition, his duration, and the lack of faith by those around him. Yet, Jesus’ authority and power brings light into darkness. Is there anything that Jesus cannot do?
There is such sincerity in the father’s plea to Jesus. He is neither presumptuous about his faith nor deeply insecure.
Prayer by definition is dependence on God.

Evening Reflection

Spend a little extra time tonight in prayer, cultivating a greater dependence on the Lord.

October 12, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The Joy of Following Jesus”

Genesis 12:1

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

Years ago, Jessica and I were ministering at a retreat, and we sensed that some of the people present wanted to get closer to the Lord; yet, they were hesitating. It was there that I identified one of the reasons why believers hesitate to follow Jesus fully (with one foot on the brake): They have this notion that should they wholeheartedly commit to Jesus, God will immediately send them packing as missionaries to the “ends of the earth,” where they will suffer miserably under harsh conditions.

C.S. Lewis described his own conversion with the admission that he was “the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England” as God would demand everything from Lewis that had ever given him pleasures in life.

Genesis 12 begins a new chapter in the story of the Bible, a story of God’s redemption. God chooses Abram to build a nation, and through Israel, God would bring His Kingdom on earth. And it begins with the calling of Abram and Sarai to leave their country, people, and family. I assume that for Abram and Sarai, their relatives and their living circumstances were sources of comfort and happiness; yet, they would leave trusting in God’s promises.

Do you find yourself hesitating in your commitment to the Lord believing that He might take something away from you? Do you have a view of God that He’s out to lead you towards a life that is hard and without happiness?

Well, C.S. Lewis, as well as many others, have discovered that following Jesus have resulted in the very opposite to their assumptions. In fact, as Lewis followed Jesus, he was quite surprised by joy that was deeper than any momentary pleasures (Surprised by Joy). He discovered that true joy only results in knowing a Person and being devoted to Him.

May the Lord help all of us who still hesitate in following Him fully.

Prayer: Lord, I admit that I hesitate in my devotion to You because I’m afraid You might take things away from me. Help me to truly understand the love of the Father and the joy of following You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Heb. 12:1-3 (NIV): Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Questions to Consider

How does the writer of Hebrews instruct the believers to continue in their faith?
What motivated Jesus to endure the pain and suffering of the cross?

Notes

He exhorts the believers to: throw off things that hinder us; to run the raced marked for us; to fix our eyes on Jesus; and to consider Christ who endured opposition.
It was “for the joy set before him.” In other words, true joy awaited Him on the other side of the cross.

Evening Reflection

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you throw off sins that so easily entangle you, so that you can continue to run the race marked for you and discover true joy that is found in Christ Jesus.

October 11, Wednesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

No Longer Confused

Genesis 11:7-9

Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

One afternoon, I took my son, Nathan, to H-Mart, a local Korean grocery store. At the check-out line, I spoke to the cashier in Korean. My son looked stunned that a foreign language was coming out of my mouth. With confusion in his eyes, he said, “I didn’t know you can speak Spanish.” I had a good laugh sharing that story with my wife later that evening. However, when confusion is a result of misinterpretations and misunderstandings, it is quite frustrating. Even when speaking the same language with one another, how often our miscommunications and misunderstandings have impeded a project, or worse, wrecked a relationship?

Well, we can “thank” those who attempted to build a tower thousands of years ago in their attempts to become gods themselves. That contemptible effort only resulted in God’s judgment of confusing their language, thereby making it impossible for them to work together. But confusion, segregation, and frustration was never God’s intended plan; in fact, God made Eve because it was not good for man to be alone. God’s plan for His children was for them to enjoy harmonious relationships based on clear communication, genuine intimacy, and strong unity.

Thousands of years later, the pattern of confusion and segregation finally got reversed when Christ inaugurated the Kingdom of God (Mt. 12:28). Later, as the Holy Spirit came upon all the believers—irrespective of their gender, age or economic standing—at Pentecost, we see the reversal of effect of the Tower of Babel. There in Jerusalem, God enabled people who had come speaking different languages to hear the good news of God’s kingdom in their own language. Subsequently, the believers began to live in a new kind of community that once again reflected intimacy and unity. The language barrier no longer divided as the Spirit of Jesus brought peace, thereby destroying “the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14).

As our society increasingly becomes polarized over seemingly endless hot-button issues, our words and/or actions based on biblical conviction can often be misunderstood by those on the other side who then respond with sharp criticism and accusation. This is all the more reason why we should hold fast to the Spirit of Christ so that the Body of Christ continues to break down walls of hostility rather than erecting new barriers.

Prayer: Lord, give us unity in our churches. Help us to forgive; help us to be generous; help us to submit to one another; help us to live in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus name,
Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Acts 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 1:6-8 (NIV): Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Questions to Consider

What does the question raised by the disciples reveal about their understanding of God’s Kingdom?
According to this passage, why is it important for the disciples to receive power?
Read the prayer of Jesus in John 17:23 – “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Do you see any connection between the power of the Holy Spirit and the unity of the disciples?

Notes

The disciples still had a limited understanding of the Kingdom of God; they still thought that the nation of Israel would soon rule over Rome and other nations. However, God’s Kingdom (spiritual) would arrive on earth through the Spirit of God.
We see that power is necessary for the believers to serve as witnesses of the good news of Jesus.
The result of power and unity is salvation of unbeliever. The “power” of the Holy Spirit is often exclusively associated with sign gifts such as healing and prophecy; however, it is also necessary for the disciples to preserve the unity of peace because, without it, the world cannot tell them apart from unbelievers. When the world sees a genuine Christian unity, this makes the gospel that much attractive for unbelievers.

Evening Reflection

Ask the Lord to mend a broken relationship that might be affecting you, especially as it pertains to your family or your church (e.g., pastors, small group leaders, etc.).

October 10, Tuesday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Building in Vain”

Genesis 11:4

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Do you know the nickname of the city where you live? Mine is named, “America’s finest city.” If you don’t know your city’s nickname, perhaps you can find it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_city_nicknames_in_the_United_States.

Many cities in the US are given nicknames that reveal their civic identities. These nicknames can sometimes provide a sense of community for its residents as well as a sense of civic pride. I do sense a bit of pride about my city having its nickname. Does your city’s nickname give you a sense of pride?

Well, the ancient people also wanted a city with a proud nickname. They congregated together and said to themselves, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens.” The ancient people actually believed that heavens were not too far above the earth. They believed that if only they could build a tower to the sky, they would be allowed to climb up and be like gods themselves.

The story of the Tower of Babel is unfortunately another story of man’s rebellion against the Creator. The story shows an obvious difference between the human opinion of self-achievement versus God’s viewpoint of such activities. In God’s perspective, all human cooperation when it is fueled by autonomy and directed towards self-interest is shallow and impotent. (Mathews, NAC: Genesis)

That can also be said of our lives. We might choose to live a life of autonomy from our God aimed at promoting our name, but it is precisely this life that comes to a crashing devastation. Jesus once asked: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

Is the life you’ve been given one that is lived in autonomy, or is it lived in an on-going dependence on God? Can a person close to you observe your life and know that you live for God or live for yourself?

If you were a city, what would be your nickname?

Prayer: Lord, I depend on Your Spirit to fill me and guide me today. I ask you even for my “daily bread” knowing that You are my Provider. Help me to live a life that glorifies and magnifies Your name more than any other name on earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 66

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)
Unless the LORD builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Questions to Consider

Think about the phrase “in vain,” which is repeatedly used in these passages. Why does the psalmist come to this conclusion that unless the Lord is involved, your efforts end “in vain”?
Substitute the word “house” with “family.” In what ways is the Lord building your family? Or substitute the word “city” with “children.” In what ways do you ask the Lord to stand watch over your children?

Notes

All help, all protection, and all blessing come from God; without Him all labor, care, and trouble are vain.
In providing care for children as parents, it is easy to assume that we know what’s best or that we are in control. While it is important to care and provide for our children, the Lord directs us to teach His commands to our children as the most important work as parents.

Evening Reflection

What area of your life still remains autonomous from the Lord? Consider how you can yield that area of your life to the Lord.

October 9, Monday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Jude 3-4

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Churches are filled with many young impressionable believers that can make discipleship exciting. However, at times, it’s unfortunate when someone in the church twists God’s grace into a license to sin. It is true that no person is required to observe the OT Law as a means for salvation; the gospel of Jesus Christ is that Heaven is absolutely a free gift; and no church attendance or offering money is at all required for salvation. This is because when Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled the OT Law (Rom. 10:4; Gal. 3:23-25). However, the unbiblical conclusion is that there’s nothing that God expects of Christians in terms of a disciplined life in God’s Spirit, and some begin to think, “If I’m saved by grace and all of my sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven, why not sin all I want?”

Do you at times hold to that line of thinking? After many failed attempts to live a holy life, we develop a calloused “so-what” attitude towards sin. However, that thinking is not the fruit of a genuine relationship with God. God’s desire is that we become increasingly more like His Son. Though we can’t do it on our own, God’s grace and His Spirit helps us in our weaknesses as we strive towards holiness. Since God has given us His precious gift of salvation through Jesus, our response is to obey Him out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us (Rom. 12:1-2).

Are there areas in your life where you are twisting the idea of God’s grace?

Prayer: Lord, your grace is truly precious. Thank you that you required nothing from me in receiving your salvation. But now that I’ve been saved, teach me daily to give you everything in living for your purposes. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 65

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43: Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Questions to Consider

At the end of the age, all of the weeds will be pulled up and burned in the fire. However, at this present age, what does Jesus say about the weeds?
Why does owner allow the weeds to remain along with the wheat?
This parable does not teach toleration of illegitimate doctrines in the church. However, at the present age, the church will be faced with ungodly people who attempt to pervert God’s grace. How can you keep yourself from being deceived by ungodly thinking?

Notes

Jesus explains that God tolerates the wicked in the present for the sake of his elect, but will publicly distinguish between the two in the day when the secrets of the kingdom are revealed. God endures the wicked in the present to provide all those who will receive him time to become his followers (Rom. 9:22-24; 2 Pet. 3:9, 15).
Jesus’ primary point is the coexistence of kingdom people with the world’s people in this age. The point here is NOT that we should abandon our efforts to keep the church pure (18:7-14, 21-35); rather, the kingdom remains obscure in the present world and only the final day will bring God’s true children into their vindicated glory and banish the wicked from among them.
Personal response

Evening Reflection

Prayer: Lord, I confess that in my sinfulness, I can be great at selective hearing when it comes to the Word of God. Help me to humble myself before the entire counsel of Scripture. Empower me with Your Spirit to agree with Your Word in the areas that are difficult for me to obey. Amen.

October 8, Sunday

The AMI QT Devotionals for October 2-8 are provided by Doug Tritton. Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently serving as a staff at Symphony Church (Boston) while pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary. He is married to Cindy and they are proud parents of Audrey.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

A Mighty Man

Genesis 10:8-12

Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

If the Bible names someone “mighty”, this is important to notice. Typically, God is the One described as mighty, the One who fights for His people like a mighty warrior. David also had his mighty men, the people whom he trusted above all else. But here, we have this person Nimrod described as a mighty man and a mighty hunter, even though he is in the lineage of Ham, the one who was cursed in the previous chapter. In fact, in this genealogy, the story of Nimrod stands out, since he gets a special shout-out, unlike anyone else listed in the genealogy.

But if you look closely at Nimrod’s story, it seems like his legacy isn’t necessarily going to be a good one. For one thing, Babel was in his kingdom, and we know what happens there. Also, it says that he went into Assyria and built some of its cities, including Nineveh. If you know the story of Jonah, you know this is a city that would not be well-liked by the Israelites. Yet still, Nimrod is called a mighty man.

Yesterday, we talked about how the descendants of Noah have a heritage of righteousness and favor, and Nimrod was one of these descendants. Though the legacy of Nimrod, at Babel and in Assyria, won’t be good, he was still someone that was recorded for all time in the Bible as mighty. My encouragement for us is that we stay humble even as God may work through us, and not be given to pride when God does use us one of His mighty ones. Sometimes, the most unexpected people may be the mighty ones. And maybe even God will use us to be mighty for Him. May we strive to be mighty not in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, that we may be called a mighty warrior for His kingdom. May we all be the mighty ones before the Lord, but, unlike Nimrod, leave a legacy of faithfulness to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, we acknowledge that You are the true mighty One, for You are the One with strength and power. We confess that we are weak, but through You, may we be mighty for Your kingdom. May you use us to accomplish things that to the world may seem impossible. Yes, Lord, let us be mighty for You!

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 64

October 7, Saturday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Table of Nations

Genesis 10:1

These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.

Genealogies can be difficult to read in the Old Testament. Often, we may think to ourselves, “I can just skip these chapters and move onto the important parts of the Bible.” This is certainly tempting, but these chapters are also God’s word, so we should not ignore them.

In the Book of Genesis, genealogies play an important role. They serve as the transition points between different sections of the Book. Chapters 10-11 essentially serve as a single genealogy (with the story of Babel sandwiched inside), which sets the stage for Abraham. Genesis 1-11 basically is an extended introduction to the story of Israel, which begins in Genesis 12 with the calling of Abraham.

But what is important to realize with this genealogy here is that all these descendants came from Noah. V.32 later in this chapter says this, “These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.” From Noah, the ancient world as we know it came to be. Remember, Noah had found favor in God’s eyes (Gen. 6:8) and was righteous and walked with God (Gen. 6:9). This was the man from whom the nations of the ancient world came to be. The nations of the earth had a heritage of righteousness and favor with God. Thus, it is not surprising that God had called Abraham to be a blessing to the nations (See Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:6-9). God wanted to call the nations back to Himself.

Genesis chapter 10 is called the Table of Nations. Let us remember that our God is One who loves the nations – He is the one who formed them in the first place! There is no nation that is outside the sphere of His love and desire. Today, let’s pray for this world, for the nations, for God to restore these nations back to the heritage of righteousness and favor. May the church, the new Israel (Rom. 2:28-9; Gal. 3:7), be a blessing to the nations!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this genealogy, thank You that You are not just the God of a select few, but You are the God of the nations. May we remember Your passion to bless the nations, and may you use us to be that blessing. Lord, may we be a people who pray for Your will to be done here and abroad, as it is done in Heaven.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 62-63

October 6, Friday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

All About Jesus

Genesis 9:26-27

26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth,[d] and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.”

My family has this Bible called the Jesus Storybook Bible that we frequently read to our daughter. Though it was made for children, it is surprisingly blessing to read. The authors ensured that each story somehow points to Jesus, rather than some moral platitude as many other children’s Bibles do. As I read this Bible to my daughter Audrey, I’m encouraged as I remember that Jesus really is the plot behind the entire story of the Bible.

As the Noah narrative is coming to a close, it’s important to remember where Jesus is in this story. Our passage for today shows us how God was preparing even back then for Jesus to come. Shem, one of the children of Noah, is the great-great-great-etc…. grandfather of Jesus. Through the line of Shem would come Abraham, then Isaac, and then Jacob, from whom Israel would be formed. This blessing over Shem is a foreshadow of the blessing God would have on His people Israel, and, ultimately, a foreshadow of the blessing that God would have on Jesus.

Today, let’s remember Jesus, the One whom God was always preparing to send, even from the very beginning. All this preparation and planning shows how great God’s love is for us, because as we know from John 3:16, God sent Jesus because he “so loved the world.” Let’s rejoice that we have a God who has power and uses that power to demonstrate His love for us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for your great love for us. May we never take for granted the lengths You went to show us the extent of Your love. May our hearts be glad because we have confidence in the power of Your love. Let that bring us great peace this day.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 61

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 4:4-7: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Questions to Consider

Why did God send forth His Son?
According to this passage, what do we receive because of our identity as children of God?
In what ways are you living more like a slave than a child of God?

Notes

Verse 5 tells us exactly why God sent His Son: “so that we might receive adoption as sons!” God’s plan all along was to gather together a family, a people who belong to Him. And praise God that He has opened up His family to us through Jesus!
We get the Holy Spirit! V.6 says that “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts”. Notice how in this passage, each of the members of the Trinity are involved: GOD sent the SPIRIT of his SON. So great is God’s love for us that each member of the Trinity is involved!
Slavery to the world is an easy trap to fall into. We get caught up in the worries and busyness of life, that we forget our identity as children. But as children, we have freedom! May you rejoice in that freedom today!

Evening Reflection

Spend time in thanksgiving tonight, thanking God that He has prepared throughout time to send Jesus for You. It can be easy to take this for granted, but, tonight, consciously thank God and praise Him for sending His beloved Son on our behalf.

October 5, Thursday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Clothed with Christ

Genesis 9:20-25

Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,

“Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”

A common nightmare people have is finding themselves naked while outside. Why is this dream so common? Why is this a fear so many people have? Maybe you’ve had a dream like this before. Likely, this fear of public nakedness stems from the Fall, when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of Good and Evil and realized their nakedness and, thus, covered themselves.

The passage for today seems to be echoing that shame felt by Adam and Eve. Noah lay drunk and naked, vulnerable, and is found by his son Ham. However, rather than covering his father, he tries to humiliate him further by calling his brothers over. But instead of joining Ham in humiliating Noah, his brothers do the loving thing and cover their father. Just like God covered Adam and Eve with clothes after the Fall, Noah’s sons Shem and Japheth cover their father in his shame.

Being covered by others is an act of love. Because of the Fall, there is sin in us but God’s desire is to cover us in love. He does not want to strip us, to bring us back to that place of nakedness. Rather, God’s desire is to swallow our shame up in His love. Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” The Greek word for “put on” can also mean “clothe”, so God’s desire is for us to be clothed in Christ. Just like Adam and Eve were clothed by God, God wants to clothe us in Christ, to swallow up our shame in love.

Let us today remember our God who does not mock us in our sin and shame, but covers us and swallows up our shame in love.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that do not leave us abandoned in our nakedness and shame as Ham did to Noah, but You lovingly cover us. And more than that, You cover us in Christ, transforming us into new people, a people without shame or guilt. May we not forget this reality in our lives. Help us to let shame control our lives, but let us live in the freedom You have given to us.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 60

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 3:26-27: for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Questions to Consider

What is the means of us becoming children of God, according to this passage?
What is the connection between being baptized into Christ and putting on Christ?
How can you immerse yourself in Jesus today?

Notes

This passage tells us that we are children of God through faith. Through faith in Jesus, we enter into God’s plan for us, His plan to call us sons and daughters, bringing us into His beloved family.
Being baptized into Christ essentially means to enter into Him, to have our identity swallowed up in Him. So, when we are baptized in Christ, Christ surrounds us, and, thus, we are putting Him on, like we put on clothes. Faith really then is not about simply belief, but about immersing ourselves, our whole life, into Jesus.
My prayer is that you may throw yourself at the feet of Jesus in intimacy today, not just momentarily, but continually. Draw near to Him, for His love is great! In every area of your live, be immersed in Jesus!

Evening Reflection

Tonight, perhaps you are putting on pajamas or other bedtime clothes. Imagine putting on Christ, like an article of clothing. That is the intimacy that Jesus desires to share with us! Immerse yourself in Jesus tonight, that you may sleep securely in His love.