February 18, Saturday

The AMI QT devotionals for February 13-19 are provided by Christine Li. Christine graduated from University of Pennsylvania and currently lives and works in New York City. She attends Remnant Church in Manhattan.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Expectations v. Reality

1 Corinthians 4:10-13

We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. ¹⁴I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.

In the movie 500 Days of Summer, there is a scene juxtaposing the main character’s expectations with his reality. He is invited by his ex-girlfriend to a party hosted at her house; he arrives thinking that they will reconcile, but as the scene plays out, he finds out that it is actually a party to celebrate her engagement to another man. It is a very pitiable scene; I think many of us can relate to that disappointment of rosy expectations meeting a harsh reality.

What do we expect when we become followers of Christ? Is it just a better coping mechanism for the stresses of the world? Have we been told that trusting Christ means all of our financial inconveniences and poor health will be resolved? The apostle Paul is here to put to rest any misunderstanding the Corinthians, you, and I might have about Christian life.

Paul contrasts what the Corinthians have been striving for – wisdom, strength, honor – with what he and his disciples constantly experience. He tells them about the hardships, being very honest about the details of his persecution and poverty, not to create a guilty feeling within them, but for them to see plainly that they have held the wrong expectations for faith life. Following Christ is not a lottery win for personal gain; it is an invitation to discover humility and zeal for God’s kingdom.

The apostles and leaders of the early church faced resistance and hardship from the very beginning. What would keep them going? They had no guarantee of material richness, but what they received was an investment into eternity and a transformed character from God that has the power to endure, forgive, and to be humble in spirit.

Today, let’s reflect on whether we have wrong expectations for our lives, and ask God to replace them with spiritual reality. Few of us might be ready to embrace a life of hardship like Paul’s, but we can ask Him to gently turn our eyes towards eternity. As His kingdom becomes more and more of our priority, then we will not forgo the opportunity to fully spend our lives for Him. He will help us to live this life, whatever it holds, faithfully and bravely.

Prayer: Father, thank You for plainly showing me the real promises of faith. I do not want to follow You for things of this world but for treasures that will last all eternity. Lord, give me honesty to confess which things I am afraid of letting go. Please fine-tune my heart to understand that the riches of eternity will always outweigh any temporary pleasure that I want for this earth. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 6-7

February 17, Friday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Stewardship in Our Daily Lives

1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Now it requires that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

Once, I had a friend who was going on a trip, who needed to borrow a point-and-shoot camera. I agreed, since I wasn’t in need of mine. I thought I was so cool to be so generous, but I am embarrassed to admit that I ended up extremely anxious and on-edge for the duration of her trip. I was so relieved when it was returned to me, though I really should have been more trusting and known that my friend, who was extremely careful by nature, would have taken care of it on my behalf.

This is stewardship – taking care of what does not belong to you until it is returned to the original owner. And stewardship should be the theme of our lives on earth. We believe that God has gifted us with everything in our lives. But these resources, objects, and people are not for our own taking – they are our responsibility to guard and treasure for the day that He returns.

What is there that He has entrusted to us? Stewardship not only covers traditional resources we think of (time, money, etc.), but also other gifts: relationships, intellect, opportunity, etc. Do we see the people around us as gifts to be treasured and taken care of on behalf of God? When God gives us understanding, are we using that knowledge to benefit others or to just elevate ourselves? When He gives us opportunity, do we take it so that we can further His name, or are we using it to build our own kingdoms?

At the end of our lives, we will be giving an account to God of how faithful we have been with what He entrusted to us. So, how are we doing with stewardship? If the Master came back to visit today, would we have good reports for Him? Or would we have to make some changes so that we could, in good conscience, let Him know that we are being responsible?

To be clear – fear should not be our motivation to steward well; instead, stewardship is best an expression of love and affection for God. He has been so generous to give us so much each day, so let’s ask to be in-sync with Him. We want it to be our joy to take care of His work and His resources while we are on this earth.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your many gifts in our lives. Teach us how to steward Your gifts and Your people wisely, Lord. Let us not use them for our own selfish gain, but give us hearts that will rightly protect and grow the things and people You’ve entrusted us with. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 5

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read Matthew 25:14-25: For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’”

Questions to Consider

It is interesting that the master gives such different amounts to the servants. Do you think the master entrusted his property to the servants fairly?
What do the responses from the account settling reveal about the first two servants?
What motivates the third servant to hide his talent in the ground? Since we are cautioned away from his example, let’s reflect on which things we must steward better so we do not make the same mistake.

Notes

It is interesting to note that God has given each person a different amount to be responsible for. However, the text says that the master distributed according to the servants’ abilities. He already knew their capacity. There is not a distinction at the moment of the worth of the servant; each one has a specific task he is appointed for.
The first two were diligent in carrying out how to steward the money, and both were honest with the master about their earnings. Also, neither concealed any of their earnings for personal gain, showing that they fully trusted their master would take good care of them.
The third servant’s decision to not work with the talent showed that he had little affecton for the master. As a result, he had no motivation to do something good with the investment since he had no personal care for the master.

EVENING REFLECTION

As you went through the day, were you able to identify things or people that God has called you to faithfully steward? Let’s ask Him for the integrity and strength to be faithful to the task tomorrow as well.

February 16, Thursday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

An Antidote for the Daily Grind

1 Corinthians 3:16

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

How much money are you willing to spend on an article of clothing? I know people who will spend only $10, to others who are willing to spend hundreds at a time. How about $4.8 million? That’s how much one of Marilyn Monroe’s dresses auctioned off for last fall. When asked whether the price was justified, the representative of the buying company answered that they did believe the dress to be so valuable – it was the “most iconic piece of pop culture.” At the end of the day, it is only a dress, but its brief encounter with splendor and fame made it so much more valuable and special.

There is an idea here from Paul: God, the most wonderful and beautiful entity the world has ever known, has chosen to make His dwelling place among us. He does not just choose to be among the people with exciting jobs, celebrity friends, and nice vacations. Instead, God, who dwells in Heaven, willingly sends His Spirit to all believers – yes, us! Us with our common, normal, sometimes-boring habits.

To be honest, the more days I work, the more often I have found myself falling into the trap of the “daily grind” mentality, ending my evenings wondering, Lord, was that really Your best plan for me today? There are days that seem to lack something meaningful. Perhaps, it would do me (and all of us) well to reflect seriously on the truth that God’s Spirit is being carried by me all the day long. Indeed, God spends the entire day with me, from reading Excel spreadsheets, to eating lunch at the desk, to riding the bus home.

Do you also have trouble getting through the long stretch? Let’s not settle for passing excitement that comes from the next episode of a show, the upcoming weekend, or fun plans that would liven up our days. We have the privilege of hosting the Lord of hosts—all the day long! Every moment and action could be filled with the potential of something exciting simply because He is now on the scene. So let’s ask to become more sensitive to His presence and that we will find His glory all around us. He is always listening and always with us, so even today we may discover something new in our routines.

Prayer: Father, remind me once again that this life with You is an excellent and exciting one. Don’t let me limit what I can experience of You in my daily living. Won’t you give me freshness and newness in my daily life so I can honor You fully and be aware of what You are doing? Give me eyes to truly see how You are working all around me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 4

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read Romans 8:6-11: The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Questions to Consider

Paul writes about the difference between those of the flesh and those of the Spirit. What are the marks of believers?
What are the “powers” that we gain through the Spirit of God?
This passage puts very little emphasis on what we are able to do; everything is governed and done by the Spirit. What does that say about our role in our spiritual life?

Notes

The Sunday School answer would be that a believer has the Spirit of Christ. Paul says that those of the Spirit live in harmony with God, but those of the flesh are at odds with God, unable to please Him.
The benefits we receive in being a believer are the ability to be fully reconciled to God and to live eternally with Him. Paul says that the Spirit that raised the dead to life dwells within us – that is an immense amount of power residing within us that we have access to!
Everything is stated as a result of being ”governed by the Spirit” or because the Spirit is ”in you.” It emphasizes that we bring nothing to the table of our salvation and our sanctification; all of this is done and accomplished by the work of God in our lives. Because He is able and He makes His dwelling among us, this should fill us with confidence that He will carry out His transformative work in our lives!

EVENING REFLECTION

How was your day? Did it help to become a little more aware of God’s presence around you? Or, maybe, if you were unaware, take some time to think about where He was throughout the day. Let’s ask Him to give us more sensitivity tomorrow and every other day to see what He is doing all around us.

February 15, Wednesday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

What Gift Will You Give Your First Love?

1 Corinthians 3:12-13

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. A lot of people might have celebrated this with a significant other, giving gifts to each other, or doing something nice together. Everybody has different preferences, but there are some things that likely would have been unacceptable: re-gifted presents, or reheated leftovers. Why? Because we expect an expression of love to be generous and sacrificial, expressing the worth the gift-giver places on the receiver.

Some of us think about doing God’s work as an obligation, but let’s think of it instead as a demonstration of devotion and love to Him. Why does Paul say that the day of fire will reveal the quality of the work based on its material? Because straw, hay, and wood burn up easily. They cost very little time and energy to find; you could go to any park and lawn and collect these things.

But materials such as gold, silver, and precious stones require something more—even their raw forms require additional time and energy to prepare before you use them. They are much more durable, and they require a greater personal cost to obtain. When you bring them for His use, you are showing how much you prioritize and value Him.

Let’s think about what our presents to God are as well. Do we give Him the cheap, convenient, and leftover things of our lives? Or are we giving Him the first-fruits, the best of what we can do? Just as in any relationship, there is considerable grace even when you fail to properly value Him well. But, as we can, and helping one another, let’s strive to give the One who loves us most, the things that show He is worth our best.

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us! We yearn to love You more and more, but we confess that we do not always honor You rightly with the best we can offer. Teach us how to rearrange our time, our schedules, and our giving so that we can properly convey how valuable and worthy You are. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 3

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read James 1:16-18:Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Questions to Consider

James writes that we should know rightly where good and perfect gifts come from. Why is this so?
Take some time to reflect on this description of God: “Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” What does this tell us about God, and why would James include it talking about gifts?
The word says that we are a type of first-fruit from God. What does that also say about our identity and our purpose? Take some time to reflect on what it means for us to be a first-fruit from God.

Notes

God alone is the provider of good and perfect things. But it also means that His plans and ways are higher than ours, as we cannot always fathom what is truly ”good and perfect” for our lives.
This description of God calls to mind how He is not only glorious and other-worldly, but His character is also steadfast and dependable. We might fear gifts coming from a capricious being, but when we know that the loving Father does not change, we can eagerly and gladly accept what He has for us.
It says here that the identity of a born-again Christian is the firstfruits among all His creation. The firstfruits are the most valuable and precious; they are the best one has to offer. God has placed us in this world with so much worth and value; we are His gifts to be sources of blessing to one another.

EVENING REFLECTION

Today’s theme was about gifts and gift-giving. Are you giving God the best you have to offer? Do you also believe that God is gifting you unto this world to be used? Let’s take some time to see whether we can shape our lives in light of one of these ideas.

February 14, Tuesday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Whose Side Are You On?
1 Corinthians 3:5-8

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.

Among my group of friends in middle school, we had some real battle lines drawn for two pop stars we admired. Not only would we endlessly proclaim how talented and wonderful our guy was, but we would try to take down the enemy, giving ourselves reasons to talk the rival singer down. We made our allegiance so intense that it felt sacrilegious to think anything positive about the other singer. To this day, when I find myself bobbing my head to a throwback song by him, I still feel a little strange.

Isn’t it a human tendency to rally around specific groups of individuals? We have our favorite artists, writers, entertainers, shows – and when we find that someone has an opposite preference, we are inclined to definitely prove our choice to be better. But within the Christian context, I have to admit that I am still guilty of the same tendencies. Under this guise of a holy pursuit, I still try to elevate my choice of preferred speaker, worship artist, writer, etc. over others’. More often than not, our desire to justify our choices only breeds disunity and dampens our ability to encourage others in spiritual growth.

Paul and Apollos were effective workers, and both men had the same vision to build the kingdom of God. However, their ministries, attracting different people, were divided because their “followers” could not reconcile their preferences. The same teaching is for us today. Whenever we settle our eyes on the “face” or the “leader” of a group, we take our eyes off the One who created and sustains it. All the people we know and hear of are indeed instruments for His kingdom, but they are the wrong ones to rally around.

Let’s re-fix our eyes on God once again. The variety of people who glorify God should be celebrated, not scorned. Our God is worthy to be praised with such variation of talent, temperament, and style. When we admire or look at leaders, let’s look past them to see God moving and growing. And when we serve, let us strive to make sure that others’ eyes are turned away from us and onto Him.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for forgetting who gets all the glory and honor. Remind me that the focus is You, not the person who is trying to build Your kingdom. In me, Lord, let my life be a means of clarifying who You are to others, not a means of obscuring You. May others ultimately not remember me but be pointed towards You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 2

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read Luke 10:17-20: The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Questions to Consider

Jesus gave the seventy-two their mission and had told them of the power they would have already. When they return marveling, why does He reiterate again what their power is?
Why does Jesus tell them that they should re-orient their excitement here? Let’s take some time to reflect on what, of our spiritual lives, we marvel over.

Notes

Jesus is also suggesting here that they should not be so surprised. The authority that He has given them is full of power.
Jesus is suggesting here that, while seeing great and mighty works of God is interesting, what should be most fascinating for these disciples is their reconciliation to God. The work that Jesus will do to reconcile men to God is worth the greatest celebration of all. It is the most marvelous thing we will encounter.

EVENING REFLECTION

Isn’t it so easy to settle our eyes and ears on the men and women we see rather than God Himself? Let’s take some time to practice looking for God rather than men and women. As we practice this habit, we will be able to truly affirm what God is doing in all of His servants.

February 13, Monday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Growing Up in Christ
1 Corinthians 3:1-3: Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. ²I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. ³You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

delete The house I grew up in is still the same one that my parents live in. When my younger brother and I are home, sometimes we will look at the wall that has all of our height charted. We will marvel at how little we used to be, but my brother also likes to point out, in particular, where he first caught up to me in height – and where he began to overtake everyone in the family in stature. I will never know, but reminding others of his exceptional growth seems to be very satisfying for him.

Paul says that our spiritual selves also have markers from which we can track our development. In early stages as Christians, most of our concerns are all personal, and our thoughts are mostly occupied with ourselves – when we are unleashed onto others, there is disunity and distrust. As we “grow up” in the faith, those scenarios should decrease.

Today, let’s take some time to assess how we are growing. Have we let ourselves stagnate in spiritual growth, still being mired in personal concerns? Or are we growing and showing genuine love and patience for one another?

Usually, when we measure our spiritual growth, we use a lot of numbers: How many things am I getting involved in? How many chapters of the Bible can I read a day? How much money am I giving to the church now? While these are a good start, I want to share what Dallas Willard writes about measuring spiritual growth: “We measure things like attendance and giving, but we should be looking at more fundamental things like anger, contempt, honesty, and the degree to which people are under the thumb of their lusts. Those things can be counted, but not as easily as offerings.”

As we strive for true spiritual growth, let’s ask God for the right measures of success. May He give us grace to see where we are immature in our behavior and a true desire to grow. We do not want to stay spiritual infants and children long-term; we want to grow into a mature family of Christ so that we might bless one another.

Prayer: Father, we want to truly grow in You. You do not count our growth by the number of years we followed You but by the depth to which You have refined us. Show us where we must grow up, Lord, and give us Your grace so that we might be a blessing to one another. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 1

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read Ephesians 4:11-16: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Questions to Consider

How does Paul define Christian maturity here?
What are aspects of Christian infancy that Paul warns against here?
What are the practices that we can use to build one another up in love? Let’s take time to reflect on whether we are helping one another in this way.

Notes

Christian maturity is the ”whole measure of the fullness of Christ” –it is when our lives begin to reflect the character of Jesus Christ. The passage suggests that this comes as we experience unity in faith and grow in our knowledge of Christ Himself.
Christian infancy is uncertain about the truths of the gospel and easily swayed; since Christian maturity is marked by Christ’s character, we know that ungodly behavior will be an indicator of immature faith, too. We can begin to grow when we are rooted in God’s truth and character, not chasing after teachings here and there, but by learning to discern between truths and deceit.
Paul mentions that some are gifted to teach (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers). We can build the body up by speaking God’s truth lovingly to one another. As we also discover and exercise the spiritual gifts that God has given us, we will properly bolster and support one another.

EVENING REFLECTION

Is spiritual growth currently a priority for you? If so, how are you measuring your growth? Let’s take time to reflect on how we want to grow and ask Him for the help to get us there.

February 12, Sunday

The AMI QT devotionals from Feb. 6-12 are provided by Cami King. Cami, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, recently completed her M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary. She is currently serving as a staff at Journey Community Church in Raleigh.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I Can Only Imagine!

1 Corinthians 2:8-9

None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

Read the following statements and decide if they make sense:

A seashore is a better place than the street because you need lots of room.

At first it is better to run than to walk.

You may have to try several times.

It takes some skill, but it is easy to learn.

Even young children can enjoy it.

Birds seldom get too close.

If there are no snags it can be very peaceful.

But if it breaks loose, you won’t get another chance.

Without any context to frame the sentences above, they don’t mean much. Now re-read them with this one-word interpretive key: kite.

A seashore is a better place than the street because you need lots of room. At first it is better to run than to walk. You may have to try several times. It takes some skill, but it is easy to learn. Even young children can enjoy it. Birds seldom get too close. If there are no snags it can be very peaceful. But if it breaks loose, you won’t get another chance.

The context helps the paragraph to make sense. In the same way, when it comes to the Bible (or theology, or Christianity, or the gospel), once you have the context or the framework, all of the details start to fall into place.

Without the proper context, most things don’t make much sense or seem significant. We can manufacture our own sense of meaning and significance (as some of us did with the first set of statements above), but true understanding requires appropriate context.

In a similar way, our lives require context if we are to extrapolate significance and meaning from them. Without proper context, we are just stringing together a series of seemingly random events and unrelated experiences from season to season. While we can manufacture our own metric that gives our life a sense of purpose and meaning, a genuine (and fulfilling) understanding of anything requires appropriate context. And the appropriate context for life is God.

Apart from God, our minds fail us in our efforts to make sense of life. He is the Contextualizer. And as much as we know (from the revelation in Scripture, the witness of the Saints, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit), we have not yet seen or even imagined all of God’s good plans for our lives or for His redemptive work in the world.

May we take comfort in this truth, especially during difficult and confusing times, knowing that one day we will see God face to face and He will be the final word to make sense of it all. This will be a day of great rejoicing for those who’ve put their trust in Him.

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for the good plans You have for me and for the world. When things get tough and when life seems confusing, help me to remember that I have only begun to taste and see the height and depth of all that Your love is accomplishing on my behalf. May I take comfort in merely beginning to imagine what You have in store and may I trust You completely to fulfill Your promises beyond my wildest dreams. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Obadiah

February 11, Saturday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The Humble Circumstance of Our Calling

1 Corinthians 1:2

Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.

A pastor recounted the following story:

In 1994, two Christian missionaries answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics in a large orphanage.

It was nearing Christmas and they decided to tell [the children] the story of Christmas. It would be the first time [they] had heard the story of the birth of Christ. When the story was finished, they gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger.

… It was all going smoothly until one of the missionaries sat down at a table to help a 6-year-old boy name Misha. When the missionary looked at the little boy’s manger, she [saw]not one, but two babies in the manger. She called for the translator to ask Misha why there were two babies in the manger.

Misha began to repeat the story very seriously. He related the happenings accurately until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.

… He said, “And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don’t have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn’t because I didn’t have a gift to give him like everybody else did.

“But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, ‘If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?’ And Jesus told me, ‘If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.’ So I got into the manger and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him – for always.”

The longer I live as a Christian, the easier it is for me to forget the circumstances around which I was called by our precious Savior out of darkness and into the marvelous light. I love stories like the one above that in fresh way offer a renewed appreciation for the “circumstances of our calling.” Like a little orphaned child with nothing to give to Jesus, we were invited into close intimacy with the living God and given a home with Him in His family. Spend some time to remember when you first heard the gospel and the first time you made it your own.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your calling in my life – that above all things, You call me Your child. Help me to remember the humble and needy state in which You found me. May this renew my love and affections toward You and melt away the pride, self-righteousness, and even apathy that passing years can bring in the human heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 21 & Jude

February 10, Friday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

1 Corinthians 1:26-31: Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. 27 But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, 29 so that no one can boast in his presence. 30 He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

You may have heard this familiar story about Muhammad Ali…

In Muhammad Ali’s heyday as the heavy weight champion in boxing, he had taken his seat on a 747 which was starting to taxi down the runway for take off. The flight attendant walked by and noticed Ali did not have on his seatbelt, and said, “Please fasten your seatbelt, sir.” He looked up proudly and snapped, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.” Without hesitation she stared at him and said, “Superman don’t need no plane.”

God has made each of us great in different ways. But our greatness gets in our own way when we forget its source – not ourselves, but a gracious God who in loving creativity made us and endowed us with our gifts and talents. Most of us are as guilty as Ali (although certainly without as good a reason) of thinking as ourselves Super[wo]man and boasting in our abilities (even if not in such forthcoming terms). What’s worse, our society rewards this kind of warped, inflated sense of self – so much so that we resent words like weakness and lowliness.

But Paul reminds us today that it is our very condition of weakness, the ways in which we’re regarded as nothing in the world, which affords us opportunity to be used powerfully by God. Why? So that no one will be mistaken – we are not superhuman, we just serve a Super God!

What are the things about you that you take most pride in? Is it your intellect, beauty, talents (e.g. musical, artistic, etc.), wealth/resources, family, or accomplishments? Truth be told, we had no control over what gifts we were born with, whether it be our personality type, the opportunities we were afforded, our family of origin, our country of origin, who would be in our social circle. As much as we may work hard to make much of what we have, all we have (our very breath) is from the Lord. And all the ways we are “super” are not a declaration of our own glory, but of the glory of the God who made us.

Prayer: Almighty God, forgive me for my tendency to forget that all I am and all I have is from You. Thank You for the ways You’ve made me. Thank You for all my gifts and talents. Thank You for the resources and opportunities in my life. Help me to faithfully engage each of these things today not for my own glory or to make a name for myself, but for Yours. May I boast only in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 20

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

Questions to Consider

What is Paul communicating through the image of treasure in clay jars (or “earthen vessels”)?
How might vv. 8-9 encourage those striving to live a faithful Christian life while faced with their own weaknesses?
According to the passage, what makes it all worth it for those afflicted? How does this encourage you?

Notes

The image is striking – why would anyone put something that is truly valuable in a cheap container? Why would anyone put beautiful jewels in something made of dirt? Why would anyone put something precious in an easily-broken jar? So that the jewels might shine and their beauty be unmistakably distinct from the humble container holding them. This is what God has done by placing His Holy Spirit, His gospel message, and His coming Kingdom in us.
First, it reminds us that affliction, being perplexed, persecution, being struck down, and the like are all normal part of the Christian journey. When we come face to face with our weaknesses and limitations – be it a result of our own sinfulness or of persecutions from those around us – we can take comfort in knowing we’re right on course with those who’ve gone before us. It also assures us that no circumstances or weakness or limitation can utterly ruin us – it may stretch us, test us, challenge us, wound us – but it cannot destroy us. In fact, God is using all these things to “manifest in our body” the life of Jesus. That’s good news!
As previously stated, God uses the tough stuff to birth in us the life of Jesus. The very things that should destroy us are being used by our heavenly Father to shape and mold us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

EVENING REFLECTION

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:19).

This morning we spent time thinking about ourselves in which we take most pride. What are some of your greatest weaknesses? (It can be a personality trait, past experience, present season of suffering, persistent sin struggle, personal or professional limitation, etc.). Spend some time reflecting on these things with the Lord, believing that He is forming Christ-likeness in you. Offer your areas of weaknesses to God as areas where His grace can prove sufficient and where His power can be revealed in your life.

February 9, Thursday

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Don’t Pity the “Fool!”

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Two preachers share embarrassing moments:

Hannah: I was preaching about Law vs. Grace and used Deuteronomy 23:12-14 as an example for crazy laws. One of the students generously volunteered before service to read the passage out loud…when it came time to read, he misunderstood what verse I said to begin with and just started at verse 1. I lost all attention for the rest of service.

Deuteronomy 23:1 definitely shouldn’t be read out loud in a youth group.

(“No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD” Deuteronomy 23:1.)

Robert: My most embarrassing preaching story was my 1st experience with a ‘lavalier’ mic! The choir sang and I got up to preach, but I was still getting over the stomach flu!

I felt some moving so I called the choir back to sing and ran out as they sang, “Let the Lord have His Way.” I barely made out of the auditorium. Suddenly, my wife ran into the men’s restroom and said, “Your mic is still on!”

Needless to say when I came back to the pulpit, we just dismissed!

Many moments in a life lived serving the Lord can leave us feeling silly, embarrassed, or even foolish. But unlike the funny stories above, for those who’ve positioned themselves long enough before God in a posture of surrender and obedience, the trajectory of life with Christ can manifest a more sobering foolishness. Promotions foregone in an effort to build a healthy family, shortcuts not taken in an effort to live with integrity, money given away in an effort to invest in the mission of God, relationships over working late, missions trip over summer internships, forgiveness over revenge, hope over despair – all these things look rather foolish to the world around us. But the humble life to which Jesus calls each of us is one He Himself lived perfectly and is one that will bear a profound witness to the goodness of the gospel if we are willing to walk it out.

Prayer: Lord, help me to walk humbly before You today in obedience and surrender. May the decisions I make be guided by the conviction of Your Holy Spirit and the truth of Your Word. Make me willing to be foolish in the eyes of the world for the sake of walking faithfully in the power of Your salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Judges 19

LUNCH BREAK STUDY

Read Romans 1:18-23: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Questions to Consider:

According to the passage, what are some ways God has made Himself known to us?
One Bible translation titles this passage, “Unbelief and Its Consequences.” What are the consequences of unbelief?
How have you experienced the truth of vv.21-22 in your life (perhaps in your thinking before you became a Christian, or more recently in some of your not-yet-sanctified thoughts)?

Notes:

God has made himself known through His invisible attributes, power, and nature displayed in the world He has made. If we are careful to take note of the created world around us, we will be hard pressed to miss God’s self-revelation.
Unbelief (suppressing the truth) results in foolishness that leads us to ungodliness and unrighteousness, which are both subjects to the wrath of God. When we turn away from God and shut our eyes to His self-revelation, refusing to acknowledge Him (honor Him/give Him thanks), we find ourselves thinking, believing, and doing all sorts of things utterly void of genuine wisdom.
Spend time in personal reflection.

EVENING REFLECTION

In her song “Fool For You,” Nichole Nordeman reflects on the times in life when “faith and common sense do not align,” and she found it difficult to live a life that seemed foolish to those around her (and to her own doubting heart). She concludes her musings by calling to mind the life of Jesus who, “unaware of popularity and unconcerned with dignity,” came and made Himself a fool for all of us through His incarnation and crucifixion.

^“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).

Spend sometime reflecting on the life of Jesus in light of our passage from this morning. How does this encourage you to make choices and live a life may seem foolish to those around you? (Feel free to listen to Nichole’s song during your time of reflection! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEpoBGJ9LlA)