Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 21-26 are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco, CA.

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Being a father of “suspicious” children helps me, in some small measure, understand why faith pleases the Lord, and conversely, why lack of faith is so annoying.  I feel like I am constantly trying to convince my children that I am not completely incompetent, or that I have learned something in my life.  The other day, my seven-year-old looks at me like I’m from Mars because I tried to convince him that the platypus, despite laying eggs, is a mammal.  Apparently his first-grade teacher taught him that one of the characteristics of mammals is that they give birth to their young.  Sometimes, I want to shout, “Your dad is smart too!  I went to an Ivy League university!”  Pathetic I know.  (Editor’s note: I know what you mean!)

Another area in which my children’s distrust bugs me is whether I care for them.  Sometimes, all four of them think that I am out to get them or spoil their fun, when in reality (God is my witness), my desire truly is to see their best interest.  It could be something as simple as eating vegetables or doing homework, but my kids think that I force these things on them just to be mean.  Yet they cannot truly understand how much I love them, probably until they have their own kids.

Faith is simple; it’s believing two things about God.  First, that God is really really smart, and He knows more about everything than you know about anything.  Second, God loves you, and He is for you, not against you.  Every time we act in faith, we are showing our beliefs in those truths.  Every time we display a lack of faith, we essentially deny His intelligence and/or His care.  And if that annoys a guy like me—a guy who got “C’s” in college and wasn’t the most caring person in the world—imagine how it would make the creator of the universe, the One who sacrificed His Son on the cross to demonstrate His love for us, feel.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to trust in your wisdom and your love.  If I lack belief, help me to overcome my unbelief.  Thank you for your patience with me.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 8:5-13: When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,[c] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Questions to Consider

1. What blessed the Lord about the centurion’s faith?
2. How did the centurion’s life experiences impact his understanding of Christ?
3. How do your life experiences encourage your faith?

Notes

1. The centurion had the faith to take Jesus’ word as authoritative. For him, there was no difference between Christ’s command and his presence to execute his commands.  That is another level of faith.
2. The centurion understood authority; he himself was an authority. He knew Christ was of greater authority, so much so that sickness would have obeyed him.
3. Hopefully, you have seen the Lord’s faithfulness in the past. This should fuel your faith to trust him more in the future.

Evening Reflection

Are there areas in your life where God is asking you to take greater steps of faith?  If so, do you trust his wisdom over your life?  Do you trust his love for you?  How can you grow in each of these areas?

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 21-26 are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco, CA.

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

My wife and I are trying a new thing with our seven-year-old son (Simon): chores with cash rewards. So, we give him a quarter for things like throwing out the trash, recycling or setting the table for dinner, etc. In a huge week, he can make about three to five bucks (that’s big money for the little guy). We are doing this for several reasons, but my primary motivation is that I want him to learn the value of a dollar and earn his next Lego set. My hope is that my son will look at his new set and realize that it took him three to four months of “hard work” and savings to get it; then, he’ll appreciate it more, and hopefully I won’t have to see Legos all over the floor.

Another lesson that is coming out of his chores is tithing. Now that he’s making his own money, I get to teach him about the joy of giving to the Lord. To be honest, I was not looking forward to telling Simon that as soon as he makes his tenth dollar, we are going to set one of them apart for offering. I was expecting him to complain, fuss, boycott church, or turn agnostic, but to my surprise he didn’t. In fact, just the opposite; he was kind of excited at the prospects of giving his own offering. I always knew Simon liked going to church, but I realized in that moment how much he appreciated the teachers, his friendships, and hopefully growing in his relationship with Jesus. So, when the time came for him to give toward that cause, dare I say he was thankful?

If you’ve read the account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4, then you would realize that the Bible is a little nebulous when describing why Abel’s offering was pleasing to God, while Cain’s was not. (I don’t think it’s because God loves meat.) Might I suggest that Abel’s offering came with a thankful heart and was not given begrudgingly? Hebrews offers a little more insight by stating that Abel’s faith made the difference. The connection, which I learned in church this week, is that genuine thankfulness can only come from faith. If you are truly thankful for the cross, church, jobs, family, etc., and sincerely believe that these are all gifts of grace from a generous Father, then giving is easier and comes with more joy and thanksgiving. If, on the other hand, you have taken for granted all that you have is the product of your own labor, then you would run the risk of becoming a begrudging giver, possibly like Cain.

Today is Thanksgiving, which means you will undoubtedly be asked, “For what are you thankful?” Before you shoot out the typical answers like God, family, health, jobs, homes, etc., take a moment this morning and ask yourself, “Am I truly thankful for these or have I taken them for granted?”

Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank you truly for Jesus who died so that a sinner like me could become a child. Thank you for… (you fill in the rest).

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 100: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness

come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Questions to Consider

1. According to verse 1, 2, 5, what attitudes should we bring into praise and worship?
2. What reasons does the Psalmist give to support the idea that the Lord is praiseworthy?
3. Are you thankful for these things?

Notes

1. We are told to shout with joy, to worship with gladness, and sing joyful songs. We are also told to give thanksgiving and praise. Surely, our worship was meant to done with joy and enthusiasm.
2. In verse 3, the Psalmist reminds us that God created us and we belong to him and are under his care. In verse 5, the Lord is praised for his ever-enduring love. These were true for Israel, and they are true for us today.
3. Personal application question.

Evening Reflection

This was literally a day of Thanksgiving. So, this evening, take some time to reflect on things for which you are thankful. Try to list 50 things that bring you joy. Thank God for all of them.

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 21-26 are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco, CA.

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 10:26-31

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

My old youth pastor told a great story of how once, when he was jogging around the track at his local high school, some big guy jumped him from behind, put him in full-nelson, and began questioning/berating him about his ethnicity.  Apparently, this person had lost a member of his family in the Vietnam War, and because he thought that my youth pastor was Vietnamese, he assumed that somehow my pastor was responsible for the tragedy (which happened over 30 years ago).  After diffusing the situation by convincing him that there was a difference between Vietnam and Korea, my youth pastor, who was understandably very upset, went home and grabbed a wheat sickle from his garage and started to leave the house, determined to do something bad to his attacker.  Thankfully, his mother cut him off (get it?) and was able to calm him down.  At one point, his mom—trying to reason with him—asked him directly, “What about your Christianity?  What would Jesus think?” to which he replied, “I don’t care!”  His point in telling this story was that he was so angry and humiliated by what had just happened, he didn’t care about his actions, his faith, or anything else.  I know the way the story reads, it sounds really intense and scary, but the story was meant to be comical, and all of us were laughing as he told it.

Hopefully, you’ve never been so angry that you didn’t care if you committed murder, but have you ever been in a situation where you just did not care about your actions or its outcomes?  Perhaps the situation did not rise out of anger; maybe you were having so much fun that you didn’t care where the night would end, or you were in a business venture and the rewards seemed so great that you didn’t care what you had to do to make it happen.  Here is the point: as believers, you never want to look at sin and say, “I don’t care what God thinks” or even, “God will forgive me later.”  Look how today’s passage describes the one who deliberately sins; it is akin to “trampling the Son underfoot, profaning the blood of the covenant, and outraging the Spirit” (v. 29).  Without trying to sound too condemning, we need to remember that sin is serious— it is a serious affront on the character of God, and it is the reason why Christ died on the cross.  Because we are loved by God as His children, let’s do our best to “care.”

Note:  Please remember that this passage talks about those who “deliberately” sin.  If you are struggling with an issue or addiction, keep fighting—there is grace for you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to truly love the things You love and to truly hate the things You hate.  Help me to walk in holiness to honor You, and because I know it is good for me.  Allow me the strength to resist sin and run toward righteousness.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 11

Lunch Break Study

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, what can we do when we are full of anxiety?
2. Why is it beneficial to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, etc.?
3. What are some other ways you can strive for righteousness?

Notes

1. Instead of being anxious, Paul instructs us to pray (vv. 6-7). In the process of prayer, God will give us His peace.  Have you experienced God’s peace when you prayed?
2. It’s been said that in order to drop bad habits, you need to replace them with good habits. Training or renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) to honor God is similar to this: we need to replace thoughts of anger, bitterness, jealousy, lust, etc. with truth, love, and God.  This is one reason why memorizing Scripture is so powerful.
3. Application question.

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was about avoiding sin and striving for righteousness.  Are there some good habits that you’d like to pick up?  Are there things you need to avoid altogether.  Have you thanked Jesus for taking the punishment of sin in His body, so that you don’t have to?

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 21-26 are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco, CA.

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I never understood the fascination with gangster movies. Sure, movies like The Godfather or Goodfellas are entertaining, but I know people who think these are two of the greatest films ever made and just flock to the genre in general—maybe you are one of them or have friends who are. But I have a theory that explains some of the appeal of gangster movies: it has to do with this concept of loyalty. In every gangster movie there is a collection, group, or family to which all must pledge their loyalties. The expectation is that everyone must be willing to do or sacrifice any price for the “family,” and betraying it is the unpardonable sin. Of course, in the context of these movies, these loyalties are stretched to criminal levels; yet people are attracted to outrageous displays of loyalty—even if it is exhibited in a twisted manner. Deep down we all want to be a part of a group that is utterly loyal to one another; we want to be around people who would do anything for us; and we want to have friends for whom we would do anything. We are both fascinated and attracted to great loyalty.

When I read today’s passage, I am reminded that loyalty is a huge aspect to the Christian faith. Our God is loyal to us, and He also expects our loyalty in return (people don’t say this very often because it feels legalistic). This passage details how in loyalty (or grace), Christ acted as our great High Priest, which allows us to enter into communion with God; no longer would a curtain separate us from the Most Holy Place. And there’s no need to fear: God’s loyalty demands for “the family” will not push us into the dark underworld; rather, it’s just the opposite. His demands bring us closer to Him and His people. From verses 22-25, we see three exhortations for us in response to God’s great loyalty, all starting with the phrase “Let us”: let us draw near to God (v. 22); let us hold fast to our faith (v. 23); and let us encourage each other for good and continue to meet together (vv. 24-25).

This morning, reflect on what a joy it is to be in “the family,” as well as God’s loyalty, grace, and love for you. Then ask yourself: How loyal am I to the family? Am I willing to draw near to God, hold on to the faith, and encourage my brothers and sisters? 1 John 5:3 reminds us that “his commands are not burdensome.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You were loyal to me first. No matter what I’ve done in the past, or the sins I continually fall into, You are always ready to forgive me. Help me this day to draw near to You, stand for You, and love the family of God. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 10

Lunch Break Study

1 John 4:7-21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Questions to Consider

1. What does this passage teach about those who love and those who do not love?
2. What else can we learn about love through this passage?
3. Are there some people you are struggling to love?

Notes

1. In verses 7-8, John states that those who love know God and have been born of Him. And conversely, those who say they know God, but do not love are liars (v. 20).
2. Some other truths about love: We love because God loved us first by sending Christ (v. 10, 19); loving one another is our appropriate response to God’s love (v. 11); those who abide in love abide in God (v. 16); love casts out fear (v. 18); and if we love, we cannot hate (v. 20).
3. Personal application question.

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was responding to God’s love by loving others. This is a requirement for the believer. Are there people in your life who you need to love and forgive? What does it mean to embody God’s love to your neighbors, co-workers, and family?

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 21-26 are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco, CA.

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 10:1-4

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

How does the phrase “fantasy football” make you feel?  For the men (sorry to stereotype) who play it, you probably got a little giddy, because to you, FF represents your last bastion of childish fun in your otherwise mature, pressure-packed, overworked, and utterly responsible existence.  For the wives, girlfriends, children, or people who like to have normal conversations with the men in their lives (again, I know women play FF), the term “fantasy football” makes you roll your eyes (or convulse violently), because you know that from mid-August to late-December, your men will be engulfed by this nerdy addiction (think of it like the 21st century’s version of “Magic, The Gathering”).

I’m not going to go into great detail about the nuances of FF, but one thing you need to know is that by the halfway mark of the season, it becomes apparent that one or two teams are hopelessly out of the competition.  Now, when this happens, it is important for these teams to continue to try and not abandon the season altogether by not playing a full roster or making stupid lopsided trades.  This ensures integrity throughout the league.  In order to prevent poor teams from mailing it in, leagues will often institute a last place punishment, ranging from things as benign as a loser’s trophy, to the extreme of having to get a humiliating tattoo.  Other than to dissuade them from quitting, these types of punishments serve as lasting reminders of one’s ineptitude and failure.

In verse 3 of today’s passage, the author of Hebrews tells us that part of the reason why God instituted the OT sacrificial system was to remind us of our sins.  The graphic ritual of animal sacrifice served as reminders of the gravity of our sin and our own ineptitude and failure to the holy standards of God.  But thanks be to God, who by sacrificing his Son on the cross did away with the old system, as well as our shame and guilt.  Because of Christ’s once and for all atoning sacrifice, we no longer need to be reminded of our failures; in fact, the opposite is true—meaning, we can and are expected to take glory in the cross.  This morning, ask yourself: Am I trying to make old sacrifices by reenacting my sin, or am I living the victory of the gospel?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross.  Thank You that I no longer need to live in the shame of sin, nor do I need to be haunted by my past.  Help me to live in the victory You had over death and the cross.  Thank You that in Christ, I am a winner, not a loser!

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:31-39: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[i] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[j] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Questions to Consider:

1. Have you ever felt that people, circumstances, or even God were against you? How does this passage speak into those feelings?
2. What is the picture of Christ given in this passage?
3. What does it mean for you to be “more than a conqueror”?

Notes:

1. First, God is for us, not against us. Second, notice the phrasing of v. 31:  Paul doesn’t say that no one will ever oppose you or make your life difficult (we can expect this); rather, he is saying that having God on your side is better than having no opposition (though it may not always feel this way).
2. In verse 34, Christ is depicted as interceding on our behalf—we can think of Him as our defense lawyer.
3. Personal/application question.

Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was living in victory and laying aside sin and shame.  How has your thought life been lately?  Do you live in the freedom and power of Christ, or do you dwell in shame and guilt?  Do you truly believe that you are more than a conqueror?  Does your life reflect this truth?

Note: The AMI QT devotionals for November 19-20 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

Psalm 23:1-4

 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

In college, after late nights of studying (or, according to our pastors, just hanging out), our church brothers would walk the sisters home to ensure that we made it home safely. I lived less than two blocks away from where we used to study; there probably would have been very little danger going home alone, but it was still a very nice favor. Now, as a more-grown person living far from my friends, getting home in the evenings can feel a lot less safe. I appreciate those memories more than ever – what a difference an extra presence can make in a dark situation!

As believers, we know that we will encounter troubling times and situations in this life. We might feel isolated or bereft at work and school; some of us even feel as though we face physical danger. Our instinct is often to look around and identify our support system – friends, teachers, loved ones – in hopes that they will support and protect us. There is no doubt that their appearance can be reassuring and comforting.

God’s word reminds us, also, that in every situation, we can be most comforted by His steadfast and faithful presence. Though He may not feel like a tangible presence, we know that we do carry His spirit with us wherever we go. Therefore, we can trust that whether we are in the valley of the shadow of death or in green pastures, the Good Shepherd is with us every step of the way.

On Sundays, we gather as believers to worship, and we should strengthen each other for the mission we are on the remainder of the week. Let’s encourage one another to be secure in His presence for all we face. We can remind each other that God is not far-removed from our lives; instead, He is present, attentive, and active in every situation. Let’s praise Him together for being Emmanuel – God with us – and take heart that, though He sends us into the world, He is the one who leads us on and protects us.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being Emmanuel – God with us. We know that when we are with You, we have nothing to fear. No matter where or how You lead us this week, give us faith to trust You. Please remove all fears and doubts, and flood our hearts with the peace that You bring once again.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 8

Note: The AMI QT devotionals for November 19-20 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

Hebrews 1:1-3a: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.”

In middle school, I gained a pen pal when one of my closest friends moved to Japan. For two years, we kept in touch by sending snail mail to each other. It was exciting to send a letter or a package to her, but the anticipation of waiting for a response was a nightmare for my insecure, teenage self. With each passing day of nothing in the mail for me, I would worry: What if she didn’t like what I had sent or shared? What if her letter to me got lost? What if she got tired of corresponding and didn’t want to continue?

Sometimes, doesn’t it feel like hearing from God can be similarly confusing? When I started getting more serious in my walk with God, I marveled when people said they heard from Him. I didn’t know how to hear Him, and I would wonder in frustration: “Have I done something that makes Him not want to talk to me? Does He even hear what I prayed? What if He’s trying to speak to me but I miss it?” Because I didn’t know what to do, the result was that I had little motivation to seek His voice.

Scripture reminds us that God has always been continuously speaking to His people. He used prophets to reveal Himself in olden times; in our days, God has spoken decisively through Christ. All the questions we yearn to have answered– whether He loves us, whether He is present, whether He has purposes and plans for us, whether He is with us– these can all be answered when we take time to consider His revelation through Jesus.

If you find yourself having a hard time learning to hear from God, don’t be discouraged. Let’s start by meditating on what He has already made plain to us. We can study the life of Christ to understand God’s character, His incredible love for us, and the promises that He will keep. As we become more and more acquainted with Him, we will start to learn and understand the messages God has for us and the world.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You have revealed Yourself to us. We want to know You better and be in constant communion with You. Thank You for revealing yourself directly through Christ and that You will always guide our hearts into Your love. Give us in Your wisdom so we can know how You want us to glorify and honor You with our lives on earth.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 6-7

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 17-18 are provided by Doug Tritton, who is now a full-time staff at Symphony Church in Boston.  Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  He is married to Cindy; in fact, they just became parents!

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 9:24-28

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

When I first became a Christian in college, I had a faulty understanding of forgiveness. I thought it was conditional—meaning, I thought if I missed a sin to repent of, I would not be forgiven of that sin. So I lived in fear, thinking I had to repent from each sin I committed. This was quite a burden I carried! But then, God showed me just how deep His grace is. It took two years, but eventually I understood that I was eternally forgiven and justified before God; and even more, I was now called righteous! If only I had grasped that earlier.

This passage shows us this reality through this powerful verse: “he has appeared once for all.” Once for all. And that is why Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.” He really meant this. It is finished—not partially finished, not just His part finished and now it’s our part; no, it is fully finished. Even though I am sinful, I am eternally forgiven in Christ. What a relief; what a freeing reality! Still, we should repent from our sins, as the Bible commands, but let us remember that our repentance doesn’t save us– it is Christ who saves, once for all.

Now that we are forgiven, we are called to wait eagerly for Him, the One who saves us once for all. Let our hearts be crying out for Him—crying out to meet the One who freely gave it all for us: “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Let us wait with joy, for our Savior is coming!

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You offered Yourself once for all. You took the full burden of our salvation; You took it all upon Yourself. Thank You for Your eternal saving power. Let me not ever feel like there is any burden on me, because You said, “It is finished.” Though the world oftentimes feels heavy to me, help me to know that You carry my burdens. And help me to have hope, because You are coming!

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 5

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:5-10: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Questions to Consider

1. What do you think it means to walk in the light?
2. What happens if we confess our sins?
3. What is the consequence of denying or ignoring our sin?

Notes

1. It can be easy to think that walking in the light means we have to live without sin. But this passage also says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves….” So walking in the light is more about walking in relationship with God, knowing that He is the One who forgives us.
2. God shows us His faithfulness by forgiving us. And more than that, He cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness. Remember, repentance is not only about receiving forgiveness for each sin, but about receiving forgiveness for all sins, and acknowledging that God alone can save.
3. We make ourselves liars and the word of God is not in us. We are all sinners – this passage is clear about that. God is now calling us to bring our sin to Him, knowing that He alone is the source of forgiveness and new life.

Evening Reflection

Tonight, let’s spend some time in repentance. But let this repentance bring freedom and joy, because Christ saves, once for all. From repentance, let’s go to sleep in the relief that Christ is the One who carried, still carries, and will always carry our burdens.

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for November 17-18 are provided by Doug Tritton, who is now a full-time staff at Symphony Church in Boston.  Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  He is married to Cindy; in fact, they just became parents!

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 9:15-22

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Now that we have a daughter, my wife Cindy and I were thinking recently: Do we need to make a will? It felt a bit weird (the prospect of your own death!), but then I got to thinking that this probably does not matter too much – we don’t have that much anyway! If I were a millionaire or had lots or property or possessions that would be one thing, but nope, my will would be quite small!

In this passage, we also read about a will that God has made. But the difference is, unlike me, He has glorious riches beyond all measure. And more than that, He greatly desires for us, His people, to share in this wealth—He wants to distribute graciously! There is an inheritance waiting for all of us, as it says in this passage – “those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” God made a will declaring that those who believe in the name of His Son Jesus may receive His inheritance and share in His glory. But rather than putting any burden on us to meet the requirements to receive this inheritance, He sent His own Son to die for us, thus allowing this will to be executed. Praise God for His love for us, His heirs!

This is very humbling. We are inheriting great, great riches—and this has nothing to do with anything we have done. God gave this freely. But remember, like the saying goes, “there is no such thing as a free lunch”; so while free for us, this inheritance was very costly—it cost the precious blood of Jesus. Though we live in the reality of receiving this inheritance, let’s not forget the price. Let’s worship our God who died freely so that we may live freely!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for shedding Your own blood for me. Thank You for writing this will before time, a will that You knew You’d carry out on Your own, at the cost of Your blood. Thank You that now I can share in Your eternal wealth and glory. Help me to never to forget this cost that You paid for me. Help me to honor You as You rightly deserve! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 5:6-8: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Questions to Consider

1. What was our state when Christ died for us?
2. What was God’s response to our current state?

Notes

1. This passage makes it clear – we were weak when Christ died for us: “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” That’s us. We were the ungodly, the ones undeserving of the riches of heaven.
2. God’s response to our weak state was to die for us! He knew we could not earn our way to His inheritance, so He paid the price Himself. Praise God!

Evening Reflection

As you go to sleep tonight, remind yourself that you are an heir to God. How amazing is that!  He is giving us riches beyond measure – all the riches of heaven! Remind yourself of this hope we have in Christ, and let this give you peace that God our Father, who wrote us into His will, is taking care of us.

Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from November 15-16 are provided by Emerson Lin.  Emerson, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, serves as a staff at Kairos Christian Church, while studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He and Annie got married earlier this year.

Devotional Thought for Today

Hebrews 9:12-14

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

I grew up always loving the game of tennis that I probably spent more time on the tennis court than I did anywhere else. Every day I would train with my coach three to four hours—hitting ball after ball. If there were any issues with my strokes or footwork, my coach would correct me, and we would work on one motion for an hour straight. The goal for all of this training, conditioning, and lifting wasn’t so that I could be healthy, but so I could optimally perform in my tennis tournaments.

In this passage, the author describes how the blood of goats and calves can only ceremonially clean a person on the outside. But it is only through the blood of Jesus that we may truly be clean on the inside. However, the author shares that Christ did not come to simply redeem us so we could enjoy this just for ourselves; but he inserts the word “so” (v. 14) to indicate that there is a greater purpose to our redemption—“so that we may serve the living God!”

Many of us—including myself—struggle with a consumer mentality when it comes to our faith. While we may not actively want to become consumers, we naturally default to that state because of our consumer culture: For example, “If I don’t get anything out of small group, it is a waste of time,” or “If the preacher is not intellectual stimulating, then I’m looking for a different one.”

Please understand that it is good to receive from the church and the Lord and grow in our personal faith. But the author of Hebrews states that Christ cleared our conscience so that we may serve the living God! Our goal is not to just build ourselves up but ultimately to make sure that God’s kingdom is being built up.

I encourage you to examine yourself: Are there areas in your Christian walk where you consume more than contribute? Do you feel that you’ve been too focused on growing inwardly? When was the last time you contributed to your small group, large group, prayer meeting, and to the growth of the church? Ask the Lord to help you become a better contributor to His Kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for redeeming me and washing my sins away. Your love for me wasn’t so that I just stand on the sidelines to enjoy this wonderful gift myself. I want to serve You and contribute more to the growth of Your Kingdom. Help me to be less inward focused and more outward focused. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 3

Lunch Break Study

Read James 2:14-26: What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Questions to Consider

1. Why does James encourage his readers to have works with their faith?
2. How does James’ example of Abraham reveal the importance of works and faith working together?

Notes

1. Because faith alone without works is dead. The word for dead, in this context, means “fruitless” or “useless.” God is calling us to be effective ministers in different areas of our lives.
2. The Bible says that Abraham believed in God, but it wasn’t just through belief. God tested Abraham’s loyalties through the sacrifice of his most precious thing – Isaac. Faith alone is dead, but when coupled with works, it is obedience.

Evening Reflection

In view of the theme of being a contributor rather than a consumer, how has this spurred you on to serve the Lord more? Are there areas in church or even in your community that you feel God is calling you to serve? Small group? Worship? Boys and Girls club? Ask the Lord the open doors for you.