August 3, Thursday

The AMI QT Devotionals for July 31-August 6 are provided by Christine Li. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, currently lives and works in New York City. She serves at Remnant Church in Manhattan.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

“Masterpieces on Display”
Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In college, three friends and I completed our Senior Design project together. As a team, we spent a lot of effort brainstorming, building, and creating the final product–even using our own money to buy parts and finish it. We were quite proud of our final product. Naturally, that’s what we presented officially to our teachers and classmates: the final product. We never pulled out the simplistic proof-of-concept, the machine parts that burned out, or other rough drafts we had scrapped.

The things we are most proud of, the objects that show our talent, gifts, and skills are the ones we put on display. Isn’t it amazing that God’s word says that we are similar? We are not rough drafts or beings that He would rather hide. We are His handiwork—creations that He has meticulously shaped and created. And God has allowed us to roam around the earth to display His skill and artistry.

Perhaps today you and I don’t consider ourselves masterpieces. But the truth is that God, through Jesus Christ, has given each of us the great honor of displaying Him. This should lift up our heads to know that He has dreamed up and given each of us glorious new life, identity, and purpose. We are not forgotten by God, but rather we are His valuable, thoughtful creations.

We are bearing His image today! So, let’s reflect on what it means for us to individually bear His image. It is not meant to inflate our egos—instead, He has our work cut out for us. We each are meant to show the world a different facet of His character and goodness. Today, let’s take time to think about what it means for us to display who our God is and orient our lives around that purpose.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your love for us. How astounding that You have given each person specific purpose. Would You gently show us how You want to use us and help us not to waste our opportunities to display who You are. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 2:12-18: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”
Questions to Consider

What are the attributes of a believer who has had salvation work out in his/her life?
What are the results of having this salvation life transforming our lives?
Why is “fear and trembling” important to mention when it comes to working out our salvation? Are we doing the same in our sanctification process with God?

Notes

Attributes of our salvation changing us include a cheerful, uncomplaining spirit (v. 15), a purity that is set-apart from the world (v. 15), and a steadfast faith (v. 16).
Not only is God displayed as we present a different character than that of the world; other believers, like Paul, will also give praise and glory to God from seeing our faith bearing fruit in character and witness.
The word says that ”it is God who works in you to will and to act,” meaning that any kind of transformation comes directly from God, not our own attempt at behavior modification. Therefore, our ability to transform ourselves is wholly dependent on the God who shapes us! Let’s take dependence on Him as our role in this transformation.

Evening Reflection

Was there an opportunity for you today to display God? Let’s reflect on a particular conversation or an acquaintance that He might be giving us opportunity to represent our Savior, and pray for more chances tomorrow.

August 2, Wednesday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

“Theory vs. Execution”

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

For more than ten years, I have followed food bloggers intently. Whenever I tell people, they become acutely interested and ask, “Are you a good cook?” Unfortunately, I must say no. I have acquired a lot of knowledge through these blogs, their videos, and eating, but I’ve spent very little time actually practicing any of those things. I can throw fancy words around like “julienne” and “batonnet,” but I am totally unable to follow through in reality. What a waste it is to know so much and be so terrible in execution. Because it’s never translated from my head to my hands, all this knowledge is essentially useless.

In one of his closing passages, Paul exhorts the church of Philippi to intently fill their minds with godly things. However, he follows by saying that they must also practice what they have seen and heard. It is not enough to merely know the right things and to spend time pondering them. These truths and ideals have to be lived out with their lives.

There is no shortage these days of commentaries and insights about the Bible and spiritual life. But when we read them, have we only built an encyclopedia of interesting facts about God, or have these truths taken hold of our lives?

Since you and I are reading this devotional this morning, it’s likely that we try to habitually fill our minds with thoughts of God. But let’s not just settle for good thoughts! We want the truths to transform us. Let’s focus on one or two things we have learned recently that we can put into practice today. Slowly then, as we make our thoughts about God cohere with our activities, we will find that He draws near as we reflect Him in our lifestyle.

Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us so much about You. We repent of having settled for just collecting information about You when we could have truly encountered You instead and been transformed through applying what we know. Let Your Word transform us so that we can truly live up to what we know. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 10

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:19-27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Questions to Consider

James draws a distinction between true faith and religiosity. What should we expect true faith to look like?
What does it mean that God’s word could be a “perfect law that gives freedom,” when James has written so many stipulations and rules about holy living?
What is our role in making sure we have true faith? Let’s reflect on whether we are intently doing this.

Notes

True faith results in a transformation of our inner being – not merely rule-keeping but an above-and-beyond character. True faith results in an extraordinary patience, an extraordinary generosity, and a great desire to set ourselves apart from the world.
James writes that the word can save us; it is planted in us, but its growth and fruition is not up to us. The perfect law gives us freedom because now we are under Christ alone. Instead of a burdensome Law with many rules and regulations, we have been given a perfect righetousness that is impossible for us to acquire on our own. Therefore we are free to take part in God’s righteousness, knowing that He has already made a way for us.
James suggests that we must first humbly accept the word. Not only should we be intently familiar with what it says; we must also stay humble to be obedient to it and what it asks of us.

Evening Reflection

Let’s spend time in response to the passage–training our minds to think about what commendable, godly things we saw or learned. Then, let’s ask God for wisdom and obedience to carry out some of these in our lives tomorrow.

August 1, Tuesday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

“Displaying Your Scars”
John 20:24-29

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

I had a co-worker who had some very expensive travel luggage. I was marveling not only at how expensive it was but also how beaten up he had allowed it to get—it was scuffed over, with bumper stickers messily taped around. He assured me that that the whole mess was deliberate—you had to show off that you’d done quite a bit of traveling. His luggage, therefore, publicly bore the battle scars of wear and tear.

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus, who had already miraculously risen from the dead, chose not to make His physical body perfect? Instead, God kept these wounds on display. For Thomas, He readily showed His scars so that he would put his faith in God.

How often do we display the scratch marks on our lives to tell a story? If we know our testimony of sharing the work God has done in our lives, what keeps us from sharing it with others? Sometimes, it may be that we are ashamed of what our stories may sound like to others, or we might be uncomfortable with what details will be revealed. Let’s remind ourselves of the better focal point—all our details demonstrate that Jesus has redeemed and restored us all.

Our Lord and Savior publicly bears the marks of His love for us, and He can give us strength to display the testimony of His love in our lives. Today, let’s remind ourselves of the good story that God has written in our lives, and let’s look for an opportunity to share it with someone. We never know the outcome when we share, but we can be sure that God’s love is revealed when we display the depths of which He has healed us.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your healing in our lives! Make our lives full of witnessing Your goodness through every trial and hardship. Help us not to be ashamed or uncertain of the great power You have displayed in our circumstances. Teach us how to live our lives without fear of judgment so that we may freely share the testimony You have given us.

Bible Reading for Today: John 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 32:23-32: After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

Questions to Consider

In what kind of position do we find Jacob before he encounters God?
Contrast God’s comment in v. 28 with Jacob’s recounting in v. 30. What does the difference tell us about Jacob’s understanding of God?
What aspects of Jacob’s wrestling with God can we apply to our lives?

Notes

Jacob is completely alone. He has separated himself from his family and also from his possessions. By the same token, there is also nothing preoccupying his attention.
God pronounces Jacob victorious, but Jacob remembers the struggle as an act of mercy, for he did not die. While it is incredible that Jacob could have ’won’ the struggle, he has proper reverence and fear of God to know that it was a very bold and audacious encounter.
Firstly, Jacob was unrelenting. He clung onto God tenaciously and relentlessly. Secondly, Jacob came away from encountering God with an enlargened sense of His mercy and power – this should be our byproduct when we spend meaningful time with God. Lastly, Jacob and his descendants commemorate the limp tendon, keeping it as a reminder of his transformative encounter with God.

Evening Reflection

Was there an opportunity for you today to display God or tell someone about how He has changed your life? Let’s reflect on a conversation that He might be giving us opportunity to shine our light to, and let’s pray for more chances tomorrow.

July 31, Monday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Seeking Glory like Pokémon Go
Genesis 28:16-19

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel,[e] though the city used to be called Luz.

Last year around this time, the game Pokémon Go was released. It sent a flurry of students and working people exploring their neighborhoods, searching for Pokémon to collect. Wouldn’t you know—an empty park or hotel lobby in real life actually teeming with Pokémon! Who knew that a game could turn such common landmarks into places of treasure?

Somewhat similarly, we often go through our normal habits and spaces, thinking them commonplace and mundane. The work, circumstance, or environment we are in might seem so devoid of God’s presence. Just like it seems to be for Jacob, who is fleeing to his uncle Laban after outwitting Esau, the visible, physical world (and its troubles) are all there is. But because of his dream, Jacob awakens to realize that the God of his forefathers is present, and his primary response is to worship God.

I’m sure many of us woke up this morning to another routine-filled day, thinking that our reality is not quite as spectacular or as fun as we might hope. But if we know that God’s kingdom is on this earth, then we are never truly in a boring place—we are always in a place of worship. God is with us, and He is waiting to reveal Himself.

Would that God open our eyes today to see this reality and for us to believe and sense that He is present! At every place, in every moment, His glory is waiting to be found. Let’s remind ourselves of the good news that God has broken the divide between us and Him–He is already near us, engineering our circumstances, keeping close watch. May we ask Him to awaken us to a renewed earth of wonder and worship once again.

Prayer: Father, You are indeed the Lord over all the earth! Help me to be more aware of Your presence, and open my eyes to see the spiritual reality beyond the physical world. Every inch of ground belongs to You, and because You are near, I am on holy ground. Make every place of my life a place of worship. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 8

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Kings 6:13-20: “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

Questions to Consider

How does Elisha use the strength of the angel army against the army of Aram?
In what ways does Elisha demonstrate faith in God’s power?
There are spiritual and physical visions turned on and off throughout the passage. How does Elisha cause this to happen? How can we get them in our lives?

Notes

Strangely, Elisha does not. The spiritual army is still only a sign of God’s might and power, which is what Elisha fully relies on. Notice that He calls on God directly to blind the eyes of the army from Aram.
Not only has Elisha prayed for God to directly blind the eyes of the enemy, but he himself goes out to meet them. He personally leads the entire army, all the way to Samaria (sources indicate this is a distance of 10-13 miles). In these ways, he demonstrates faith in God’s power.
Each time that vision is changed—to see the army, for them to be blinded to the truth, for their eyes to be opened—occurs after Elisha prays. Corrected vision, one that sees spiritual and physical realities, comes only from God. It is not something we can do ourselves, but is something we must pray for Him to do.

Evening Reflection

Were you able to discover God’s presence and glory where you were today? Let’s reflect on where it was easy to see God working and where it was hard to find His presence. Let’s continue to ask Him to increase our sensitivity to His presence and His work so that we may worship Him continuously.

July 30, Sunday

Devotional Thoughts for Today

God’s goodness in our scary moments

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations

Two months into my one-year term in Shanghai, our church was wrapping up our China Prisoners weekly Sunday service when the police raided our church. As the police rushed into our meeting, our members did their best to make it appear like we were simply having a casual gathering; however, the police knew exactly what we were doing and immediately ordered us to stop. With my heart pounding in shock, I looked at the worried faces of the locals and the leadership, and it was in that moment when I finally began to understand what it meant that there’s a cost in following Jesus.

Upon David’s anointing to lead the chosen nation of Israel, King David’s life was filled with persecution. Right after he is anointed king, David defeats the great Philistine warrior, Goliath, and the women of the city sing a victory song that sings, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7). It is a great, momentous moment; however, the minute Saul hears this song, it sets David up, for the next fifteen years of his life, to be on the run because Saul is jealous of the throne. It’s hard to see this as a coincidence that the moment David chooses to obey God’s call, he begins to face immense persecution. Nonetheless, King David, amidst all the turmoil, writes psalms of thanksgiving and worship to the Lord.

The apostles throughout the New Testament warn us that when we choose to follow after Christ, there will be a cost. But because we know that the “Lord is good, his loving-kindness is everlasting, and his faithfulness is to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5), we can “shout joyfully to the Lord, serve the Lord with gladness; [and] come before Him with joyful singing” (Psalm 100:1-2).

Through the grace of God, none of our missionaries were sent back to the US and none of our members were flagged; however, we had to increase our security, take extra precaution, and scrounge around for a new place to meet for worship. Through divine connection the Lord provided us with a meeting place the following Sunday in a small garment shop where we had to fill every nook and cranny with chairs to fit everyone in; nevertheless, the worship that Sunday was one of the most powerful worship services we ever had. There was certainly a cost for our members to attend our church and follow after Jesus, yet they chose to proclaim the goodness and faithfulness of God and worshipped with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Today, on the Lord’s Day, no matter what struggle you are facing, whatever circumstance you are in, or whatever persecution you are enduring, I want to encourage you to remember God’s faithfulness in your life and His loving-kindness to you so that you can give full worship and thanksgiving to the Lord who is faithful.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your everlasting love and faithfulness that brought me from death to life. Help me to remember all that you have done in my life so that I may give thanksgiving and worship to You no matter the circumstance, for You are worthy of all praise, glory, and honor. Amen.

July 29, Saturday

Jennifer Kim, a graduate of Boston University, spent a year in Shanghai as one-year intern from 2013-14. She is currently serving as a staff at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) while attending Alliance Theological Seminary.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Overcoming Fear to Serve God

Exodus 4:1-12

Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” 2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.

While many have heard the testimony of my time serving in Shanghai, not as many people know about the long two-year journey I had wrestling with God before I obeyed Him to serve overseas. On a regular Friday night worship service, our church was singing the song, “How Great is Our God,” and while I was meditating upon the words, I was so encompassed by the truth of the lyrics of how majestic and awesome our God is. Captured by His presence, I prayed to the Lord, “There is nothing more that I want than to serve the awesome God You are for the rest of my life.” Immediately after, I heard the Lord say to me, “Then will you go.” While this was one of the greatest moments of my faith, it also became one of my most shameful moments, because while I had just prayed this prayer of submission to the Lord, the moment God asked me to go overseas a fear came upon me, and all I could say was, “God I can’t do that.”

In today’s passage, Moses encounters the living God through a burning bush, and immediately after, the Lord commissions Moses to go to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh. While Moses is in the midst of God’s presence and given this incredible calling to be used by God, he wonders how he could be used for such a task as this, sharing all his doubts to the Lord. Yet the Lord addresses all of Moses’ fear by telling him exactly what to say to Pharaoh (3:13-22), by showing him miracle after miracle to show His incredible power (4:1-7). God even eases Moses’ insecurity regarding his inability to speak by allowing him to bring his brother Aaron (4:13-17).

My greatest insecurity regarding God’s commission to serve the Lord overseas was my fear of leaving my comfort zone, as well as the reaction of my non-Christian parents. For the next year, God addressed all of those insecurities when I had to be re-located to another state for a job and saw God’s amazing provision in my life, and when my parents gave me their full blessing to serve in China. While I had never asked God to ease these insecurities, He showed me powerfully that He is the God of miracles and the sustainer of our lives, and thus I could trust that He would be with me in Shanghai.

God has called each and every one of us to serve His Kingdom. We may struggle through fear and doubt, but I want to encourage you today to be honest about these fears. Ask God to show you His provision and grace, so that you may align yourself to God’s calling over your life. For: “God will supply all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

Prayer: God, what an amazing privilege it is to join Your Kingdom work. Help me to surrender my fears to You so that I may serve faithfully in all that You ask of me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 5-6

July 28, Friday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

“What do you see? A Rabbit or a duck?”

The word “compromise” probably isn’t popular among some believers who see themselves as committed to Scripture. To them, the compromisers lack the backbone to uphold their convictions. While that may be true in some cases, it isn’t always so. Now, upon seeing this image, some will see either a duck or a rabbit, initially. But, unless a person is dogmatically committed to his/her preferred position regardless of evidence, most people will see that the image contains both animals.

While studying theology in seminary, I became aware of the longstanding feud between Arminians, who focus on freewill that enables people to choose salvation, and Calvinists, who see salvation as the outcome of God’s sovereign election/predestination to save some. But, I believe that Arminianism and Calvinism can be considered two sides of the same coin; that is, free will and sovereign election need not be considered mutually exclusive.

First, Calvin’s (1509-64) central belief was in “the absolute sovereignty of God” and God’s position as “governor of all things” (Shelley 261). Subsequently, He must be sovereign over and always initiate the work of salvation. According to Romans 8:30, God is the one who predestines, calls, and then sanctifies all believers. Second, Arminianism, originating from Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) and popularized by John Wesley, looks at salvation through the believer’s perspective. Wesley taught that “men had enough freedom of will to choose or refuse divine grace” (Shelley 338). In Luke 1:15, consider how Jesus invites people to engage their free will and repent because the Kingdom of God is near.

This implies that we must see both the “rabbit” and the “duck” in Scripture. Is it not possible that God’s sovereign plan is playing out perfectly through the free will of believers? Although we may feel uncertain of our choices, is it not possible that God is not? I would agree with Spurgeon that we cannot understand election now, but we ought to preach so others freely accept Christ.

The orientation needed to resolve theological polemics is also applicable to our relationship conflicts. In most cases, the key is compromise based on recognizing that “now we see but a poor reflection. . . in part” (1 Cor. 13:12), meaning while I may see some things better than others, others may see what I fail to see. This recognition, I believe, is the key to maintain unity, whether theological or relational. So today, let’s try to learn some things from others.

Prayer: Father, I praise and thank You for Your eternal word encased in Scripture that has been freely given to us. How amazing that we have access to Your infinite wisdom and unfathomable thoughts in a book! Give us the insights and humility to properly understand Your word and then obey it. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 4

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Pet. 3:9: 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; John 6:65: And [Jesus] said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father”; Acts 13:48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed; Jn. 6:40: For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day”.

2 Pet. 3:15-6: Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Questions to Consider

Which of these verses appears to back Calvin’s view of salvation?
Which of these verses appears to back Arminianism?
What is one outlook that can really help us to have a healthy attitude toward matters like this?

Note

John 6:65 and Acts 13:48, respectively, seem to back Calvin’s view on salvation. While the Acts passage says that only those who were appointed to eternal life believed, the John passage asserts that only those whom the Father granted can come to Christ.
2 Peter 3:9 and John 6:40 back Arminianism since both use inclusive language (“any,” “all,” and “everyone”). It is hard to dispute the meaning of “all should reach repentance.”
I think this seemingly antithetical teaching on salvation found in Scripture qualifies as “hard to understand.” The worst thing we can do to this scriptural reality is to distort it. It is better to uphold the stance of “both/and” at best, and “not sure” at worst, rather than choose a side.

Evening Reflection

How did you feel while reading something quite theological for your morning devotional? Did you have a hard time finishing it? Before you give upon anything theological or doctrinal, consider what the apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Most of us understand the critical nature of leading a life free from sin, but I am not sure whether we take doctrines, some of which are the foundation upon which our beliefs are anchored, all that seriously. Before you turn in tonight, pray that your approach to doctrinal matters is serious, loving, and humble. Also, consider reading some good books on basic doctrines (e.g., Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Wayne Grudem).

July 27, Thursday

The AMI QT Devotionals for July 26-7 are provided by Min Soo Choi. Min Soo, a graduate of University of Illinois, is currently serving as the college pastor at Journey Church of Atlanta while attending Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his wife Ah Rim were married last year.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Winning is . . . not everything!

2 Samuel 19:18-23

And they crossed the ford to bring over the king’s household and to do his pleasure. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan,19 and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.

Recently, our church hosted a friendly yet competitive kickball tournament to help raise funds for our short-term missionaries. During the game, someone in the crowd started booing to one of the teams on the field! So, when I asked her why she was booing, she responded, “Because my team was losing.” In truth, I wanted to know why she thought it was necessary to demoralize a group of college students at missions’ fundraiser, but her answer reminded me of how there is an innate part of us that always wants to be on the winning side.

In this story of 2 Samuel 19:18-23, we see how Shimei was on the opposing side of King David. Thinking that he was on the right side, this lowly servant originally cursed and mocked David, who was God’s true anointed king. Shimei ends up the loser, however, and it’s at this point that he goes down on his knees and begs for mercy upon his life. He had wrongfully mocked the rightful king and deserved death and condemnation. However, David does something that was radically different from the time: he shows mercy upon this lowly servant and allows him to live.

When I think about Shimei’s shameful actions, I realize that I am not much different from him. Before I had understood the meaning of the gospel, I was on the opposing side of God. I had lived a life of sin, living for my own personal glory and satisfaction. I was on the side that mocked God’s one and only Son and had even cursed Him, before He was hung on the cross. As a lowly servant, I dared to curse God’s true anointed King. I was on the wrong side, yet God had spared me. Even though I deserved death and condemnation, I received mercy through what Jesus had done on the cross. It’s from this reception of grace that I can continually go down on my knees and repent for all the wrongful deeds that I had committed before God.

In light of the forgiveness that we have already received, let us continue to act out of mercy and love. Some of us may have even experienced pain from those that mocked us, cursed us, and betrayed our trust. But when we experience the mercy of a righteous King, who forgives us for all of our wrongful actions, we are empowered to show grace to those around us. Let us act in this grace.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your mercies, for they are new every day. I pray that I would never forget the unending kindness and grace that You have constantly showered upon my life. May I always seek You with a heart of repentance, knowing that You are the restorer of all things. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Mathew 5:21-26: You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Questions to Consider

What is the urgency of this passage?
Are you aware of people in your life that may hold something against you? What should we do if no one comes to our minds?
How has God brought healing upon your broken relationships?

Note

The text urges us to reconcile before leaving our gifts at the altar. It says that if a brother has something against you, you ought to go to them first and reconcile. The urgency is to seek forgiveness from those whom we have offended, and to forgive those who have offended us.
If there is no one that comes to mind, pray that God would reveal certain sins in your life that may have hurt certain people. Pray for restoration and healing upon such relationships.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

We began the day talking about God’s forgiveness and acting out in grace and love. Have you reflected on God’s mercy upon your life? If not, let us repent and spend some time in prayer. May God strengthen and encourage us for a better day tomorrow.

July 26, Wednesday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Matthew 5:1-6

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Most of us would dismiss prosperity gospel as unscriptural since it presents health and wealth as the divine right of all believers. But when it comes to our understanding of God’s blessing, are we all that different from those who advocate this theology.

The word “blessed” comes from the Latin beatus, which also means “happy”. And isn’t it true that we feel happy when fortuitous things, like health and wealth, happen to us. However, in Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus attributes “blessed” towards circumstances that naturally do not make us cheerful. For instance, he proclaims blessings upon those who are poor, mournful, and meek. If we were to face such bleak circumstances, it would be difficult for most of us to proclaim joy; yet, Jesus claims that we are still blessed even when facing hunger, rejection, or hatred from the world. How can this be?

The correct answer to this question starts with, “We are blessed because we have Jesus.” Yes, the ultimate blessing from God is His Son, but if we fail to grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us in Jesus, we miss out on God’s blessing when things are taken away from us. Who knows that better than Job from whom was taken away everything: property, family, and health? Yet, he declared, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

God’s blessing is not necessarily happiness tied to fortuitous circumstances (i.e., getting things); rather, it is joy stemming from one’s state of wellbeing regarding his/her relationship with God. We are blessed because we have a right standing before God in Christ (Rom. 5:1) that can never be taken away from us; and as a result, we can find joy in our relationship with Him. Even in our darkest moments, especially when things have been taken away, we can rejoice because God blesses us through the eternal promises that we have in Him. So, no matter what happens today, be joyful, in Christ!

Prayer: Dear God, I exalt Your holy name; I praise and thank You for being such a wonderful Father who has given us the greatest gift—Your own Son Jesus Christ. Help me never to forget that while everything can be taken away from me, Jesus whom I believe by faith, will never leave nor abandon me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 12:7-12: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Questions to Consider

Matthew 18:21-35 talks about a servant who, after being forgiven by his master over unpayable debt, refused to forgive his fellow servant who owed him considerably less debt. In light of his, why should those who have experienced God’s mercy should be merciful toward others?
In what sense are the peacemakers called sons of God? Think on Jesus who, as the Son of God, became the ultimate peacemaker who reconciled men to God.
In what sense are those who are persecuted and reviled for righteousness’ sake blessed?

Notes

Because God has forgiven us, we should do the same for others when they sin against us. In the parable of the unmerciful servant, the master tells him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you” (Mt. 18:32-3).
The Hebrew word for shalom is defined as “peace”, but it also connotes the idea of completeness and being whole. The peacemakers will be called “sons of God” because they will naturally imitate this character of peace from their heavenly father.
Throughout history, God’s people lived in persecution. On the contrary, false prophets lived in splendor and comfort, as they lied to the masses for their own personal gain. Those who are persecuted can rejoice because their reward is in heaven, where they will share the kingdom of God with the prophets before them.

Evening Reflection

As you are about to wrap up this day, would you consider today a blessed day? Why would you feel that way? Maybe it wasn’t the best of day circumstantially—then, may you be encouraged by what the apostle James writes: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). May we continue to look to the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ.

July 25, Tuesday

Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Lily Jang who attends Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia. Lily, a graduate of Emory University and teacher by profession, spent a year in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, from 2011-12.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

“God builds up Faith”

Mark 11:12-14, 20-22

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if He could find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And His disciples heard it. . .. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.”

How does our faith grow? Among other things (Rom. 10:17), it grows when we experience God’s power, particularly as it relates to our own lives. In today’s passage, we see that Jesus uses the fig tree as an object lesson to show His disciples that “with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26). And that’s the lesson I learned in searching for jobs in Boston and Philadelphia.

Three years ago, I was looking for a teaching job in the Boston Public School district. But with the school about to start in a week and still without a job, I found myself questioning God’s love for me and was resigned to working odd jobs. That’s when a local high school principal called me about a recently opened position. I was interviewed, then offered the job, and began teaching all in a matter of few days. Through this experience, I felt that God was doing something in my heart although I didn’t want to go through that ‘11th hours miracle’ again.

It was after this and another similar experience after a job loss that I moved down to Philadelphia last year, again without a job. And once more, the week before school started, I found one: Monday someone told me about a job; Tuesday I was interviewed; Wednesday the job was offered; and by Monday again I was teaching.

So, what was the lesson learned through all this? Each encounter with God with regards to job provision in previous years was the Lord building my faith in Him, each time trusting that He would deliver. Growing in faith through job loss and search was uncomfortable and far from perfect, but with each cycle my understanding of God only strengthened. Faith takes time: like a parent who faithfully provides their child food, giving the child trust in their provision, so too will we have greater faith as God’s testimony is built through our experience in His love. The question is whether we are open, ready and willing to step out.

How about you? Realize that God wants you to embody a faith that can move mountains (Mk 11:23), and for that He may wither a tree or allow you to lose a job; but, perhaps at the 11th hour, He will provide for you. Trust Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith through which I can experience Your great love toward me. When tough times come, help me to see that You have given me an opportunity to embody a greater faith, through which I can experience Your timely provision. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 1

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Sam. 17:36-7: “Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”

Questions to Consider

What is this story trying to tell us?
David said this before he was about to battle Goliath, a man two times bigger than him. Did God prepare him for this day? If so, how?
What are you facing now that requires you to have faith in God? Would you take a moment to give that concern to God, so that you may do what you need to do but with the assurance that He is in control?

Notes

The story of David is familiar to many and his story is one that has been told over and over again, as an example of courage and an unwavering faith in God.
This faith and confidence, however, had been built up by God way before he stepped out to meet Goliath. David’s faith grew in the Lord even as he faithfully shepherded in the pastures, all in preparation for an epic battle that would bring God glory!
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

This morning, I shared my experience with God through which I learned to put my trust in the Lord; as a result, my faith was strengthened and grown. So, how does this faith journey start? That’s an easy question to answer, for Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” So, are you consistently reading and hearing God’s word? Without that, having faith in God is as unlikely as rain falling from a blue sky. Why not then read another chapter of Scripture before calling it a day? May I suggest Hebrews 11, along with today’s Bible reading?