September 30, Saturday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by David Kwon from Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

The Power of Gratitude

Genesis 8:20 -21

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  21  And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma…

When Oprah Winfrey had her talk show many years ago, I remember watching one episode where she talked about the power of gratitude. (I confess I have watched a few episodes of Oprah but not enough to call myself a fan.)  She talked about how she kept a gratitude journal and how every night she would write down five things she was grateful for that day. She emphasized how much power it had over her life and how it could also help others as well through life.

In the Christian life, gratitude is powerful. In today’s passage, we read that the flood has ended and Noah and his family were saved. The striking thing is that the first thing Noah does when he leaves the ark is to offer a burnt offering to the Lord.

Any offering burned over an altar was a burnt offering, but in more specific terms, a burnt offering was the complete destruction of the animal in an effort to renew the relationship between a Holy God and sinful man. It was a symbol of worship, but it also meant giving thanks to the Lord for who He was and the worship He deserved. Noah gave thanks as a response of worship to the Lord and the Lord was pleased by it. What a scene, as they knelt down in the mud and gave thanks! One commentator put it like this: “It is because, of course, giving thanks means we recognize reality. When you give thanks you are recognizing the undergirding of God, the presence of God, in the midst of life, and his control over the affairs of life. Thus you cannot give thanks without recognizing the situation as it really is.” The apostle Paul put it like this: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

As you examine your life, what are you thankful for? Do you have a habit of gratitude that the Lord would be pleased with? Take time this morning and give thanks to the Lord. Even when we don’t feel like it, it is a great discipline to practice in our Christian lives. May we live as people who are forever grateful unto the Lord.
Amen.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are always at work in my life even though I don’t clearly see that at times. Help me to be grateful and faithful, and continue to trust Your plan for me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 54-55

September 29, Friday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by David Kwon from Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“God’s Reckless Grace”

Genesis 8:6-12

At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. 10 He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. 11 And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.12 Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore.

A few days ago, we looked at the judgment of God and how He sent the flood because He saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth. Today, we want to look at the other side of judgment—the grace of God.

We read that the Lord has ended the flood and as a sign, Noah had sent out a dove to see if indeed the waters had ceased. When it had not returned after several days, it was God fulfilling His promise that He would stop the floods and restore humanity. At the end of this great act of judgment, we see the grace and love of God as He spared Noah and his family. Grace is simply getting something you never deserved in the first place. This passage portrays a great picture of that truth. Noah did not deserve to receive God’s grace but instead received a new beginning to life, which is often the response of grace. One commentator put it like this about this passage:

“This is symbolical of the beginning of a Christian life. It marks the end of the old; the end of our dependence on man, on ourselves, and the beginning of our dependence on God. It is to be lived in a world, which is yet a mixture of good and evil, truth and error, but it is a new beginning. “

One of the first Christian books that I read was What’s so Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancy. He gives a brilliant definition of grace: “Grace means there is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and nothing I can do to make God love me less. It means that I, even I who deserve the opposite, am invited to take my place at the table in God’s family.”  Is that how you understand grace in your life? More importantly, do you experience and live out of grace, which results in freedom and security? Take some time and ask the Lord today that you would experience this amazing grace!

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 53

Lunch Break Study

Read John 8:2-11: Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What struck you when you read this story?
  2. What do we see about the character of Jesus?
  3. How does this passage encourage you?

Notes

  1. It is clear that this woman is guilty of adultery and should have been punished as the scribes and Pharisees desired. She did not get punished but rather was shown grace.
  2. Jesus does not condemn us as our sins deserve. His grace and forgiveness are bountiful and we worship a God who continually extends, even when we stray from His ways.
  3. We are called to live in freedom because Jesus has forgiven us. We are no longer bound by shame and guilt, but rather, we can truly live as redeemed children of God.

Evening Reflection

Reflect and spend time thinking on Christ’s great love for you. In our constant fight against sin, we must always remind ourselves that we have a God who loves us unconditionally, despite all of our weaknesses and failures. Thank Him for His constant love that never ceases.

September 28, Thursday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by David Kwon from Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

The God who Remembers

Genesis 8:1

But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark.

A few months ago, I read in the news about a family and their friends who went for a fun filled day at a local amusement park. After experiencing many thrilling rides and enjoying the company of other friends and children, one of the parents realized that they had forgotten their child somewhere in the park! After a frantic search, the young boy was found safely at the security office enjoying himself to ice cream and cotton candy. I hope that as a parent that never happens in my life because one of the most despairing feelings is being forgotten.

In today’s passage, we are told, “God remembered Noah and all the animals that were in the ark.” When Moses writes of the Lord “remembering,” he does not mean that God forgot about Noah. Wherever Scripture uses the phrase God remembered, it is the sense of God taking action on His promises. When God was about to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, He “remembered Abraham” and spared Lot on his behalf (Gen. 19:29).  When God remembers Noah in the ark, it points to God’s faithfulness. From our point of view, it may seem like God forgot. Perhaps He has been silent for a long while; but He will act on our behalf in His time. He remembers; He is faithful to those who are His.

What does this mean for us? First, we can have hope that God is faithful to His promises. His love is constant, His forgiveness is unconditional; He is a Father who provides for us, and He is strong and mighty to save. These are just a few of the promises made in Scripture that the Lord has declared to us. Second, we are never forgotten. The Cross reminds us that we are eternally His and even though He may seem silent in moments of our lives, He has never forgotten about us; it should encourage us that He is constantly working for our good.

Take some time this morning and remember the unwavering promises of God for your life. Have hope and be encouraged that He stays the same – yesterday, today and forevermore.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 52

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 19:1-10: He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What do we see about Zacchaeus?
  2. Why do you think Zacchaeus changed so dramatically?
  3. What do we learn about Jesus?

Notes

  1. We see that Zacchaeus was quite wealthy, but he was searching for something more or something entirely different. That is the reason why he was so determined to see Jesus and what He really offered.
  2. He realized that Jesus was the Savior and that He offered abundant life. Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully and repented of his sin which resulted him giving away half of his goods to the poor. His life was transformed which is what happens when we encounter the risen Jesus.
  3. The Lord knew Zacchaeus and called him by name. In the midst of a large crowd He knew what Zacchaeus needed. That is the same for us today.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time remembering the promises of God. Thank Jesus for his kindness and faithfulness in your life today.

September 27, Wednesday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by David Kwon from Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Wait on the Lord

Genesis 7:17-24

The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.

I do not like waiting. I have gotten better over the years but patience has been a virtue in my life that I have had to work on. Whether it is waiting for an email reply, waiting for my food to be served at a restaurant, or waiting for the birth of my children while my wife was in labor, patience has been something that I have asked God to grant me over the years.

Thus, I take to my heart Scripture’s constant call for us to be patient. Job had to endure a long period of trouble before hearing from God. The Psalms regularly urge us to wait for the Lord’s deliverance (for example, 37:5–7). Paul lists patience as a fruit of the Spirit’s work in the Christian (Gal. 5:22–23) as well as a key component of love (1 Cor. 13:4).

In today’s passage, Noah and his family are in the midst of the flood that the Lord had sent. We read how great and destructive this flood was as it covered the mountains and destroyed every living thing on the earth. God sent rain upon the land for forty days and nights and the waters covered the earth for 150 days in total (v. 24). One lesson we can take away is Noah’s life encourages us to wait upon the Lord especially in seasons of suffering and despair. For Noah, there must have been moments when he might have doubted the Lord or even wondered if God would ever end the flood. But Noah waited patiently and was faithful to what the Lord had commanded him to do. We are also called to do the same.

Are you waiting patiently for the Lord? Maybe for you it has been a prayer you have been praying for many years. Or are you waiting for a person to change or a situation to turn out differently? God is calling you to wait upon him and to be faithful.

Prayer: Lord, help us to wait patiently upon You in all the areas of our lives. May we never think that Your timing should be the same as ours but help us to have patience and to be faithful. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 51

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Peter 3:8-10: But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Questions to Consider

  1. What do we learn about the timing of God? What does this mean for you?
  2. What is our hope according to Peter?
  3. What do you feel you are called to do in light of these verses?

Notes

  1. We need to be reminded that God’s timing is not our timing. He is sovereign over time and we need to be reminded of that truth daily.
  2. Our hope is that the Lord fulfills his promises. He is faithful to His Word and we are commanded to trust.
  3. The Lord is patient because He does not want anyone to perish. It means we are called to be witnesses for Him and to share the Good News to all who hear.

Evening Reflection

Gratitude is one of the best ways to overcome a discouraged and complaining heart. Spend some time this evening giving thanks to the Lord especially for the many blessings he has given you.

September 26, Tuesday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by David Kwon from Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Seeing God as Judge

Genesis 7:6-11

6  Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. 7  And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.  8  Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground,  9  two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah.  10  And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth. 11  In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.  12  And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. 

When I was in college, I had to go to court because of a traffic violation. It is the first and only time I have ever been in a courtroom as a defendant (I have gone as a jury though). I was hoping to get my ticket reduced or even waived by showing up and pleading my case. As I stood before the judge, I realized that he had all the power to determine the fate of my ticket. I did eventually get the ticket waived, but it was interesting to see how different people who went ahead of me pleaded their cases for a favorable judgment.

When we think about the character of God, we often do not think of God as a judge. Or maybe we don’t want to think about it. We love thinking and talking about the love, grace, and mercy of God—which is very important to our faith—but we must also remember that God is the ultimate judge. Because He is the ultimate judge, it ought to change the way we live and behave on a daily basis.

In today’s passage, the Lord sends a flood that would cover the entire earth and destroy everything in it because he saw the wickedness of man (Genesis 6:5). Because of man’s great sin and rebellion, God promises to send judgment. Our God is a God of patience and mercy, but He is also a God of judgment that is real and just. What does this mean for us? I want to give us two short application points:

  1. We will give an account – The apostle Paul writes in 2 Cor. 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” It means that we are called to live righteously and blamelessly as believers because we will have to give an account for our lives.
  2. Praying for those who do not know Christ – Because all will be judged, we should also have urgency and pray for those who do not know Christ. We are called to be fervent in sharing the Good News of Christ until the day He comes back.

How has the reality of God’s judgment affected your life? Pray this morning that we would see Him as the loving King but also the ultimate Judge.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 50

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 7:24-27: 24  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  25  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  26  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Questions to Consider:

  1. What determines a wise and foolish person according to Jesus?
  2. How will the wise and foolish be tested? Why is this so important?
  3. What do you think is the point of this parable?

Notes:

  1. The wise is someone who desires to live out God’s word and build their entire life on that principle. The foolish is the exact opposite–someone who does not put God’s word as the focal point of his or her life.
  2. The great equalizer in this parable is that storms will come to both the wise and the foolish. In times of trials and suffering, it often shows us what we really are building our lives on. The parable goes on to say that any other foundation that is not Jesus is like sinking sand.
  3. The entire point of this parable is asking the question – on what foundation are you building your life? Right before this passage, Jesus says something shocking: many people will say Lord, Lord on the final day but he will answer back, “I never knew you.” It’s a sobering reality check to see on what foundation our lives are being built on.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time this evening praying for those who do not know Christ. It could be a family member, friend, or coworker in your life that seems far from God. Pray that the Lord would move their hearts one day to understand and accept the Gospel.

September 25, Monday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by David Kwon from Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Walking in Obedience

Genesis 7:1-5

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.  2  Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate,  3  and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.  4  For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.”  5  And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.

My daughters often play a game called ‘follow the leader’ where one of them would play the leader and the other would have to do what she says. When I watch them, it gets silly at times as the leader would command the other person to do funny things like jump up and down thirty times or eat something that they normally do not like to eat. As funny as it may sound, it gives us a picture of what it means to walk in obedience.

In today’s passage, we see a Noah’s example of what it means to follow the Lord in obedience. Noah demonstrated his faith by constructing an ark in obedience to the word of God. He made an ark against the ridicule and contempt of his age. Imagine the mockery that greeted Noah and his family as he built his ark on the plains, far away from any adequate river or ocean in which it might float. Also, there were no physical signs of coming judgment. All Noah had was God’s voice, which commanded him to build this ark. Noah believed God and constructed an ark, thus condemning the world. We are reminded that it was not easy for Noah to obey God and follow in obedience since humanly speaking; it did not make much sense.

That’s often what obedience is like. At times it does not makes sense or it might be difficult and even costly but we are called to trust and follow him. One pastor and author put it like this:

“Radical obedience to Christ is not easy… It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” – David Platt

Are you following the Lord in obedience in all the areas of your life? Is there something you need to surrender or maybe God calling you to something in faith that might require walking in obedience? Pray that the Lord would give you faith and courage to follow and obey.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that you would help me walk in daily obedience to you no matter what it might require. Grant me the courage and strength to follow and obey you. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 49

Lunch Break Study

Read John 15:1-11: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  3  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  6  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  7  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  8  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  9  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  10  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  11  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Questions to Consider:

  1. What do you think it means when Jesus says that we are called to ‘abide in him’? Why is this so important?
  2. What is the fruit Jesus is referring to and what is required to bear it?
  3. What is the result of abiding in Christ according to verse 11? Is this true in your life? Why or why not?

Notes:

  1. To abide in Him simply means to be in union with Christ. It’s having a constant and intimate relationship with him so that we would grow into his likeness.
  2. Bearing fruit means that we are producing the character of Christ in our lives (see Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus says that this often requires pruning of our selfish nature and old ways so that he can do the work that is required for transformation.
  3. As we abide, we are promised joy to the fullest. As we walk in obedience, we are promised true joy that only comes from Him.

Evening Reflection

What are some ways that the Lord has been challenging you in the area of obedience? Reflect and pray that you would honor him in those areas.

September 24, Sunday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by Cami King of JCC (Raleigh).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

FRIEND OF GOD

 

Genesis 6:13, 17-19a

Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.

17 Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you;

John 15:13-16                                                  

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Who are your favorite famous friends? Batman and Robin? Bonnie and Clyde (for the dangerous among us)? David and Jonathan (for the extra holy among us)? Woody & Buzz? (“You’ve got a friend in me!”)

Friendship is a precious thing. Thirteenth-century theologian Thomas Aquinas once said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” The Bible affirms this and is full of proverbs about it. I’m sure you could easily bring to mind the special people you call friend and the things that make that friendship delightful.

In Genesis 6, we see that God and Noah were friends. How do we know this? Because God shared His heart with Noah (a broken heart in Gen. 6) and even shared what He was up to (bringing a flood – Gen. 6:17). Many generations later God would come even closer in the person of Jesus and the disciples would enjoy friendship with God as well. And later still, Jesus would extend that friendship to all who would receive it through the Holy Spirit living within them. Of all the things we are privileged to call God – parent, savior, shepherd, teacher – I find it special that God also chooses us as friends. In God, we find the greatest friend imaginable (beyond what we can imagine, even).

I once read of a middle school teacher who asked her students to define friend. Their responses: “A friend is a pair of open arms in a society of armless people.” / “A friend is a warm bedroll on a cold and frosty night.” / “A friend is a mug of hot cocoa on a damp cloudy day.” / “A friend is a beautiful orchard in the middle of the desert.” / “A friend is a hot bath after you have walked 20 miles on a dusty road.” (Some pretty deep middle schoolers!)

Sometimes I find that I’m too busy and too self-absorbed to notice God’s gestures of friendship in my life. Maybe you can relate. But when I stop to remember, I know God is the greatest friend I’ve ever had. And I wonder too if those same traits keep us from being good friends to God in turn – sharing our heart and plans with Him, partnering with Him in His dreams – the way He does for us. Let us not forsake today the gift of friendship with God! And let us not only be partakers of God’s friendship, but may we also offer our friendship to Him as well.

Prayer: God, You are my friend. That is an amazing truth. Thank You for choosing to share Your heart and Your life with me. Forgive me for the times I’ve not been a very good friend to You. Help me not to take our friendship for granted, but to offer You my time and affections, inviting You into all the parts of my life because that’s what friends do. Help me to experience the reality of friendship with You today.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 48

September 23, Saturday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by Cami King of JCC (Raleigh).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“THE FAVOR OF GOD”

Genesis 6:8-10

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved [in His heart. 7 The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”]

 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. 10 Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

Favor is a fairly pedestrian idea in our culture today. We all probably use this word most often in the phrase, “Can you do me a favor?” when we ask another person to do something for us that they are not required or obligated to do and would only do out of the generosity and kindness of their heart. Well, there is nothing pedestrian or mundane about the favor of God! This idea in Scripture is loaded with significance. When a person finds favor in the eyes of the Lord, they are blessed beyond measure. Take a moment to think of the most significant person alive – whomever you’d give that title. What if you were their favorite person! And you had direct access to all their power, money, influence and connections – to all their significance! Wouldn’t that be amazing?

 

 

I remember when I first became a Christian, I was convinced that I was God’s favorite child. There was just no other explanation for how good He was to me. God was always caring for me in such specific and personal ways that I was certain I consumed all His attention and affection. I remember reading the passage in Scripture that says God doesn’t show partiality or favoritism. I wasn’t so sure about that! I had experience after experience to suggest otherwise. Yet, the longer I walked with God, the more I understand that verse. God doesn’t have favorites because His favor is available to all who choose to enter into relationship with Him. There is enough favor to go around!

What does it take for us to land ourselves in the favor of the Lord? In Genesis 6, we learn that in the midst of a wicked world, Noah found favor with God. Why? Because he walked with God (just like Enoch!). In walking with God Noah was able to live a righteous and blameless life even in wicked times. I think it’s easy to look at Noah and focus on what Noah did right – imagining that he is some sort of super saint who never sinned in the ways we do. The rest of the narrative of the life of Noah let’s us know that was not the case. Instead we should focus our attention on God. It was God who showed His favor toward Noah. It was God who chose Noah. All Noah had to do was turn to God, to walk with God. That’s something that we can do too! When we do, we receive the unmerited favor that God freely gives to us, and we find access to an even greater salvation than Noah found during his day – we find eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for finding favor in me. Thank You for choosing to bless me and care for me as I walk with You. Help me today to remember that I am favored by the Almighty God of the Universe. May this truth bring me great hope and courage. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 46-47

September 22, Friday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by Cami King of JCC (Raleigh).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“THE GRIEF OF GOD”

Genesis 5:21-24

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing. At other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says. Or perhaps, hard to want to take it in. It is so uninteresting. Yet I want the others to be about me. I dread the moments when the house is empty. If only they would talk to one another and not to me.” (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)

After the death of his wife, C.S. Lewis kept a journal chronicling his grief. Those journal entries became a book called A Grief Observed. In this small but impactful volume, readers are granted privileged access to private moments of a faithful saint searching for God in the midst of life’s greatest darkness. In the excerpt above, Lewis describes the experience and sensation of grief in vivid detail. For those of us who’ve faced times of grief, it is not hard to access Lewis’ words.

Take a moment now to remember a time when you experienced grief. How would you describe that experience?

Imagining Lewis’ grief after the death of his wife is not a challenging exercise. What is difficult to imagine (for me at least) is God suffering grief and coping with loss. Yet in Genesis 6, we are told of a time when God experienced deep regret after making humanity because of their wickedness and sin. God grieved. Growing up around the church I’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit” (maybe you have too), but seeing God’s grief here in such emotive language is tough.

The sins of humanity—my sins and your sins—utterly break God’s heart. Yet we willingly sin everyday. As people in relationship with God, may we desire to live in a way that delights the heart of God, not break it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to be brokenhearted over my brokenness. Thank You for caring about the world enough to be grieved over sin. Help me today to be more aware of You, and how the things I do make You feel. Help me to also remember that You didn’t stop at grief, You moved forward to redemption and restoration. May I take hold of that today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 45

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 5:21-24: Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  6 The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”

Ephesians 5:25-31: Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. 26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Questions to Consider:

  1. According to these two passages, what kinds of things grieve God?
  2. As a person who is in a relationship with God, how does being aware of God’s grief over sin affect you?
  3. What are some specific things Paul reminds us to do in Ephesians 5 to keep us from walking in sin? Which things from this list strike you most today as areas where you can walk in greater obedience? (Try to pick one specific area.)

Notes:

  1. Sin grieves the heart of God – evil intent in our hearts and minds and wicked deeds in our daily lives. One important theme in Ephesians 4 is God’s displeasure over our mistreatment of one another. In these verses we are warned not to behave wickedly toward one another and then reminded not to cause God grief.
  2. Spend some time in personal reflection.
  3. Paul tells us (1) stop lying and speak truth, (2) stop sinning in our anger, (3) stop stealing and work and to the community from our work, (4) speak in a manner that is edifying and gives grace to the hearer, (5) get rid of bitterness, (6) get rid of wrath, (7) get rid of anger, (8) get rid of clamoring, (9) don’t slander anyone, (10) get rid of malice, (11) be kind and tender-hearted to others, (12) forgive as we’ve been forgiven.

Evening Reflection

In an article for Christianity today, Pastor Rob Strong reflects the topic, “What brings God joy?”:

“When my wife surprises me with ‘taco night’ at our house, that makes me happy. When I find a few spare dollars in my pocket or time to sit for my favorite movie, that also makes me happy. But joy is different. Joy is deeper than happiness and rises from within the soul rather than from circumstance. It redefines a situation, makes it more meaningful, and you feel it in your bones. When one of my children climbs on my lap and wants to be held, I experience joy. Or when I have a thoughtful conversation with someone who is considering a more meaningful understanding of God, that brings me joy. Or when I can spend time with [my wife] at our favorite restaurant, alone, just connecting. Yes, that brings me incredible joy. Now consider God. What could he possibly want or need that would cause him to pause, take notice, and then smile? What would provoke joy in the Creator’s heart and make him want to shout throughout the heavens?”

The simple answer is you. Among the things that delight the heart of God is His intimacy and fellowship with you. Spend some time alone and connecting with God tonight. This could be through prayer, listening to worship music, reading Scripture, practicing the presence of God, etc. The best way may be to just talk to God about your day, the way you would a friend and enjoy God’s company. Be sure to spend some of the time listening (as God likes to share His heart as well).

September 21, Thursday

Today’s AMI QT is provided by Cami King of JCC (Raleigh).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

LIFE AMID THE CURSE OF DEATH

Genesis 5:21-24

21  Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.  22  Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.  23  So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.  24  Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Unlike the narrative of Cain’s descendants, the story of humanity after Seth tells of a time when people again worshiped God and, as a result, experienced something amazing – life. We don’t learn much about Cain’s family from an historical perspective (we don’t know how long they lived, for example – see Genesis 4). Yet from a literary perspective, what the author chooses to include and chooses to omit is extremely telling. Moses is drawing a contrast between Cain’s descendants, who are barely mentioned, and the descendants of Seth – whose lives are full of many years and many descendants. In other words, the line of Seth is full of life, while the line of Cain is not. Why the difference? “At that time [the time of Seth], people began to worship the Lord.” (Genesis 4:26b)

The shift in humanity’s worship culminates in the life of Enoch who not only worshiped God but also is described as one who “walked with God.” “Walked” is a figure of speech pointing to deep intimacy, fellowship, and obedience. And as a result of walking with God, Enoch was not subject to the curse of the fall – he never died! One commentator explained it well: “Enoch is pictured as one who did not suffer the fate of Adam (‘you shall surely die’) because, unlike the others, he ‘walked with God’… The sense of the author is clear. Enoch is an example of one who found life amid the curse of death [emphasis mine].” In Enoch we see that, “…the pronouncement of death is not the last word that need be said about a person’s life. One can find life if one ‘walks with God.’”

May we choose today to walk with God, in close fellowship through intimacy and obedience, and in so doing may we find life, even in a broken world. While we may not be caught up like Enoch, we will find ourselves caught up in the greatest story ever told. And when our days come to an end, we will take our final breath after having lived life abundantly, just as Jesus promised, knowing that death does not have the final word.

Prayer: Gracious God, help me to walk with You. Teach me what that means in the specifics of my day today. Draw me into deep intimacy with You and give me the courage and trust to obey You. May I experience the life that is found in fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 44

Lunch Break Study

John 1:4:  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 10:7-18:  So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  8  All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  9  I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11  “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12  He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  13  He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.  14  I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,  15  even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  16  I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.  17  For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.  18  No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Questions to Consider:

  1. According to these verses (particularly vs. 10), why did Jesus come into the world?
  2. What do you think it means to have abundant life? When you think of God’s reasons for saving you and the purpose he has for your life, do you think of it in these terms (in terms of “abundant life” or “life to the full”)? Explain.
  3. What do we learn about Jesus in these verses? How do these things encourage you to seek intimacy with God?

Notes:

  1. Jesus came into the world so that people would have life to the full measure (or abundantly).
  2. Spend some time in personal reflection. This is not an easy question to answer, but in the simplest of terms, God desires that we have a full and whole life. The best life. Life as God designed it. When many people think of the Christian life, they don’t think of a full and abundant life – they often think of a deprived and difficult life. There are certainly difficulties to the Christian journey, the bible talks about this, but we can’t miss that the gift of God in Christ is abundant life. Those who walk with God through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit do indeed live life to the full measure.
  3. Jesus is the way we can be saved and find good pasture (or abundant life – peace, joy, wholeness, etc.). He is the one who makes that available to us. He also describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows us (isn’t it comforting to be known by God!). He willingly lays down His life so that we can have life. God doesn’t want us miserable – we were already miserable in our sins – God wants us to live life abundantly. All our obedience is toward that end!

Evening Reflection

One of my favorite country worship songs (not that that list is very long), “In the Garden,” recalls time spent in communion with God. The chorus says, “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” The beauty of walking with God is knowing that God also walks with us – that even more than we desire to be near to God, God longs to be near to us, to know us and be known by us. And it is in this fellowship with God that we truly find life.

What are some ways you’ve experienced life walking with God? Spend sometime reflecting on those memories. What are some areas in your life where you are not experiencing abundant life? Spend some time offering those areas to the Lord. Ask God to lead you into a greater experience of the abundant life Jesus promised.