REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 25, 2018, is written by Phillip Chen, who has been serving as the associate pastor of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego for many years. He and several like-minded people are planting, the Lord willing, a new AMI church in Houston this summer. Please pray for them.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God Removing His Hands of Protection”

Jeremiah 15:1-2 (ESV)

Then the Lord said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go! 2 And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “‘Those who are for pestilence, to pestilence, and those who are for the sword, to the sword; those who are for famine, to famine, and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’

Hollywood movies are typically characterized by a happy ending, where all loose ends are tied up, the villains are destroyed, and the hero or heroine of the film is victorious—usually, life is good again after a season of conflict. We are used to the harmonious and joyful end. This passage in Jeremiah 15 can be hard to read if we treat it as a stand alone text, because it is a clear description of the coming destruction of Judah. There is no happy end here. However, if we read this with the understanding that this is not the ending, but rather a chapter in the ongoing saga of Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord, then we can understand the nature of God. 

What has been happening? Israel had long fallen and taken into captivity by the Assyrians, and Judah—though spared by the mercy of God—has continued in a long lasting unfaithful nature. Again and again God has delivered His people, but again and again they continue to be unfaithful. There was hope with King Josiah’s reforms, but the sinfulness and wickedness of the people continue to drive this nation into committing wicked and atrocious acts against God. 

Though God has already told Jeremiah to stop praying for the people several times, he still continues to plead with God for mercy upon Judah. Yet the reality is that the nation of Judah has broken their covenant with the Lord countless times and has become even more wicked than the nations that occupied that land prior to them. God finally tells Jeremiah that even if Moses and Samuel, two premier leaders of Israel, were to stand before God and intercede for these people, He still would not listen. If you will recall, Moses and Samuel actually did intercede for Israel and God listened and relented of His anger. There is no happy end because Judah has chosen its destiny. They have chosen to walk away from God, and in a sense, God is telling Jeremiah, “Let them go.” God doesn’t necessarily have to destroy them Himself, but by lifting His hand of protection from them, when they blatantly choose to leave Him, is pretty much the same thing.

Did you know that as children of God, we have God’s hand of protection upon us? But if we continue to reject Him and walk away from Him, He will let us walk away from Him. Perhaps you are in a season where you have found yourself continually turning away from God; it’s not too late to turn back to Him and receive His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and protection! But if you choose to continue turning away, know that you will also be walking away from His hand of protection over your life. 

Prayer: Father God, help me to draw near to You and stay within Your hands of protection. I repent of the ways I have turned away from You and been unfaithful in my relationship with You. Yet Your mercies are new every single day. Your love and grace is beyond my comprehension. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 31

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV):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.

Question to Consider

1. What does John say about walking in the light?

2. What is the power of confession pointed out here?

3. Are you currently walking in the light? If no, why not? 

Notes

1. John says that if we walk in the light, God is that light, and therefore we are walking with Him. When we walk with Him, we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. We must walk intimately with Him so that we are under the protective covering of the light (and stay out of the harm of darkness).  

2. John says that God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. He is able to forgive us of our sins because of what Jesus Christ has done for us – that speaks of His justice. He is willing to forgive us of our sins – that speaks of His faithfulness. Not only that, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He is in the process of making us more like Him. Though we fall again and again, we simply have to turn back to Him, confess our sins, and continue walking in the light. There’s a difference between falling down in the light and turning away from the light into darkness.

3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

What are ways that you need to turn back to the Lord? Identify those places in your life that you are intentionally rejecting God and invite Him to touch those places. Humble yourself and receive His forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 17, 2018, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Thy Loving Kindness”

Jeremiah 12:14-17

This is what the Lord says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. 15 But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. 16 And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. 17 But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.

The other day I was at a playground with my five-year old twins.  They had just received some bubbles as a goodbye present from their preschool teacher and were eager to take these puppies out for a ride.  As they started blowing bubbles, a crowd of children began to gather around them hoping to pop some bubbles.  (For the life of me, I don’t understand why children have this rabid love for bubbles.)  Anyway, one of these kids was a girl who was probably about three years old and, not being satisfied with merely popping bubbles, she wanted to be the bubble maker—so she tried to take the bubble wand from my daughter’s hand.  Now, this is where parenting gets kind of awkward, because my daughter Abbie is just looking at this girl like, “Back up, I’m bigger than you.  You can’t have my bubbles, and if my dad weren’t right there, I’d hammer you.”  Meanwhile, this other girl is kind of throwing a fit, and her dad seemed to not really know how to handle her when she gets this way.  So I suggest, “Abbie, maybe you can let that little girl have a turn.  Let her blow bubbles two times.”  I kid you not, Abbie looks at me like I sold her to a band of gypsies or something; I could tell she was thinking something like, “Dad, I thought I was your daughter!  Why are you being so nice to her?”  For whatever reason my kindness to this other girl, felt like meanness to my daughter.  

Oftentimes when I read the OT, I feel like the other nations like the Philistines, or the Edomites, or the Amorites, or in this case, the Babylonians, are like extras or worse, villains in a movie where God and his people are supposed to be stars. Who cares what happens to the extras, and we certainly don’t hope for good outcomes for the villains, right?  But I forget that these surrounding nations were filled with real people, also made in the image of God.  And so sometimes, when I read passages like today’s, I’m like my daughter, I look at the Lord’s kindness to these pagan nations and think, “Why are you being so nice to them?  Why are you promising to restore them and give them a chance?  The Hebrews are your people.”  In other words, I mistake his kindness to them as meanness to us.

When Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt 5:44), who do you think of?  Perhaps it’s Islamic terrorists, especially in the Middle-east.  Perhaps Communist regimes in China or North Korea.  Maybe it’s not that extreme, perhaps it’s that selfish co-worker who’s willing to throw everyone under the bus so that he doesn’t look bad in any situation, or your next-door neighbor who always calls the city on you if small group is going too long or too late, or the car mechanic who you felt like just ripped you off?  I don’t know, but let me ask you this: If the Lord showed kindness to them, would it feel like meanness to you?  

Prayer: Lord this morning, I want to pray for ____________; he/she has been making life difficult for me.  I pray that you would enter their life and bless them.  Also help me to see people the way you see them. 

Bible Reading for Today:  Ezekiel 30

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 10, 2018, is provided by Pastor Doug Tritton. Doug has been pastoring Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia since 2021

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Falling Before Him”

Genesis 44:14

When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground.

I became a Christian in college and I remember at my very first college retreat, during the response time to one of the messages, we spent a considerable amount of time in individual prayer. I was still a new believer, just learning how to pray, so my prayers were often very formal, even forced, since I felt like my prayers needed to be polished, like a well-written piece of literature! However, at this retreat, I was struck by many people around me who fell on their knees in prayer and were screaming in repentance before the Lord. What struck me was the freedom they showed in their prayers despite (or because of) this sense of unworthiness before God. They simply bowed before Him, desperate for His grace. This left a profound impact on me: realizing that I did not need to be so formal in my prayer, realizing that God was so much greater than me, I similarly fell before God and experienced a powerful sense of grace as I unashamedly expressed my desperation for God.

Obviously, Joseph is not God, but Judah and his brothers had a similar sentiment. They were stricken with a sense of unworthiness before Joseph given his position of power and given the appearance of guilt. (Benjamin was found with Joseph’s silver cup.) They were utterly desperate due to Judah’s promise to keep Benjamin safe – they did not want to fail their father, Jacob (again). They knew there was nothing they could do except come before Joseph, pleading for him to show mercy to Benjamin and to the brothers.

Though the brothers were left to wonder what Joseph’s response would be, we know that God welcomes us in our desperation for Him. Today, let’s set aside time to bow before our God in desperation, knowing just how unworthy we are. Yet, despite our unworthiness, in this posture of need and repentance, He comes to us and gives us grace. May we unashamedly fall before our Lord this day, holding nothing back before Him!

Prayer: Lord, I come to You with nothing to offer except my life. May I bow down before You, not just with my body, but with my heart as well, as I recognize my utter need of You in my life. I know I fall short of You again and again, so I need Your grace. Come, Lord, I need You this day!

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 28-20

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 18, 2018, is provided by Ulysses Wang who pastors Renewal Church in Sunnyvale, California. Pastor Ulysses is a graduate of New York University (BA) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Day of Reckoning”

Jeremiah 4:9-10

“In that day,” declares the Lord, “courage shall fail both king and officials. The priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded.” 10 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God, surely you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘It shall be well with you,’ whereas the sword has reached their very life.”

Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s I used to watch a TV show called Colombo. If you’re a millennial or younger you probably haven’t heard of it, but it was great TV for its time. Peter Falk played Colombo, a homicide detective with the LAPD. Colombo was assigned to investigate lots of crimes where the persons of interest were rich, Beverly Hills types—the kind of people who had enough money to cover their tracks and enough education to make them think that they could get away with what they did. In many episodes, the perpetrators were so confident during Colombo’s initial meeting with them that it seemed like they really did believe that their heinous crimes would never be found out. It was only a matter of time, however, before the excessively-clever-as-compared-to-the-way-he-dressed-and-groomed-himself Colombo started to sniff out clues that led to the unraveling of the perpetrators’ alibis and their eventual arrests. They were so sure that they had gotten away with it, that they were almost boasting, but the day of reckoning caught them unaware.

Similarly, the Israelites in Jeremiah’s day thought that they had gotten away with it. They were committing spiritual crimes against God left and right, but judgment never seemed to come. Their false prophets were even proclaiming messages of peace, declaring that war would not reach the city, that “it shall be well with you”—but they were deceived. The Babylonians were on their way and death would shortly be upon their doorstep. The people, however, went about their business, committing brazen acts of idolatry without any fear of consequences. It is not that God “deceived this people,” but rather, that they deceived themselves. Their misplaced sense of security would be their doom. Rather than repent for their sins because the God of the covenant promised both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, they walked straight into judgment completely unaware.

There are many sins that we put off dealing with because we seem to be getting away with it. Maybe you’re being less than honest on your tax returns, but the IRS has never come knocking. Maybe you’re sleeping with your boyfriend or your girlfriend, but no one’s gotten pregnant. Maybe you’re secretly watching porn at night, but you’re still serving at church and everyone still respects you. Maybe your mind races constantly with thoughts of anger, jealousy, lust, or vengeance, but no one knows what’s happening in your head and it hasn’t affected your work or schooling. We can deceive ourselves into thinking that these sins don’t have any material impact on our lives or our service to God, that “all shall be well”—but we’re wrong. Sin always takes its toll. And sooner or later it will catch up to us, maybe not in the form of an attacking army, but in lost intimacy with God, marital problems, or ministry without power. We do, however, have a choice. We don’t have to wait until the Babylonians are on our doorstep before we realize that we need to get right with God. We can take seriously whatever sin we are aware of, even those that “don’t seem to be hurting anyone,” and take proactive steps toward holiness.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me not to ignore any sin in my life. Forgive me for minimizing in my eyes what is detestable in Yours. Grant me the conviction to deal with sin that I seem to be getting away with, knowing that I always walk before the face of God. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 27

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Joshua 7:1-6:But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

Questions to Consider

1. How formidable was the city of Ai?

2. Why did the Israelites lose the battle?

3. What effect did Achan’s sin have on the rest of the people? What does this tell you about the nature and impact of sin?

Notes

1. Ai was puny, especially compared to Israel’s army.

2. The Israelites lost because Achan broke covenant with God. God had been fighting for Israel and now His favor was removed.

3. Even though Achan did not involve other Israelites in his sin, nevertheless the entire nation was affected. The effects of sin go beyond what the eye can see and can affect the entire community.

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Evening Reflection

What’s something in your life that you know isn’t right and need to begin taking it more seriously? What’s one step, no matter how small, that you can take to begin addressing it?

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 10, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Yoon. David, a graduate of California Baptist University and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is serving at Tapestry LA Church as its executive pastor. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Trade that Makes No Sense Whatsoever”

Jeremiah 2:9-13

“Therefore I still contend with you, declares the Lord, and with your children’s children I will  contend. 10 For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing.  11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

 There’s a story about an eight-year-old boy who wanted a wristwatch for his birthday. This wasn’t just any watch – it was a watch that would play a melody when you opened the cap. As his birthday was approaching, he asked his mother if she could buy him the watch for his birthday present. Sadly, the mom would tell her son that they could not afford it. She was a single parent mother, working multiple jobs to pay rent and bills. This made the boy really sad and eventually he gave up. However, to his surprise, on the day of his birthday he found a small gift-wrapped box next to his bed. It was the wristwatch he wanted! He wore the watch everywhere; at school, he would show it to his friends and play the melody for everyone to listen. 

One day, during lunch his friend brought a box of donuts. The boy asked his friend if he could have a donut. His friend asked what he would give in return. The boy thought for a moment and replied that he would give him his watch. The friend agreed and gave him not just one but two donuts. The boy was elated. He took off the watch and had a donut in each hand. But as he began to eat his second donut, the weight of his decision weighed down his shoulders. What had he just done? How could he give away something so precious? How will his mother react when she hears about what happened?

Does this story resonate with you? In today’s passage, the people of Judah, who God demonstrated His love for by bringing them into the Promised Land, had abandoned God and embraced worthless idols. Jeremiah compares their decision to commit these two sins to choosing a cracked cistern that could not hold water, over the fountain of living waters. His listeners understood how foolish it was for anyone to exchange a well of flowing water for a broken cistern—indeed, it was a trade that made no sense whatsoever. Unfortunately, many of us can still relate with Judah. We are quick to turn our hearts away from God’s goodness and faithfulness. Today’s broken cisterns are the pursuit of pleasure, wealth, and the idols in our hearts. God desires for His people to return to Him, and He desires for you to return to Him today. Apostle Paul writes in Romans 2:4 (ESV): “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” In light of this, examine your heart today and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the idols in your heart. Turn your heart back to God, and receive from Him the fountain of living water. 

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness. Forgive me for turning to the idols of my heart and this world – forsaking the love and grace You demonstrated for me on the cross through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me today to turn my heart back to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 26

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Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Questions to Consider

• Who is the “cloud of witnesses” that surrounds you? 
• What does it mean to run the race with endurance?
• How does considering the persecution Jesus faced help you not to grow weary?

Notes

• Believers find encouragement in being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—these witnesses are the saints mentioned in Hebrews 11.
• As these men and women in the “Hall of Faith” encourage us – we need to reject sin’s entanglement, letting us run our race with power, perseverance, and joy.
• Athletes must keep their eyes fixed on the goal, for where you look is where you will go. The writer of Hebrews is telling his readers that as we run this race, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ who, in His steadfast obedience, provided a perfect example of commitment.

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Evening Reflection

Become aware of God’s presence throughout the day. Be reminded that God brings structure out of the chaos of our day. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Pay attention to small things—God is in the details.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 2, 2018, is provided by Jabez Yeo.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Shattered Body”

Mark 15:16-32

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. 27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

In Where is God When It Hurts? (1997), Philip Yancey describes pain as the “gift nobody wants.” To prove his point, Yancey describes a world without physical pain through the eyes of lepers. As leprosy numbs the extremities, lepers are unaware of any accidental cuts or burns, eventually leading to loss of their limbs. Indeed, our body contains “a remarkable network of pain sensors” that keep us from injury. But what if you are exposed to pain and cannot do anything to change your situation? What if pain was not a warning signal but a reminder of your helplessness? 

In one of the most famous biblical prophecies, it was foretold that the Savior would “be pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities, upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Reading through today’s passage, we see that Jesus endured tremendous physical suffering. He was scourged (v.15), which involved a whip containing pieces of bone and metal. His head was fitted with a crown of thorns (v.17) and He was further struck and spat on (v.19). Finally, He carried His heavy cross and was later crucified on it, with nails protruding through His hands and feet.

Through no fault of our own, some of us endure excruciating physical pain today. Perhaps it was inflicted through a freak accident or through abuse of another. Some of us may have been born with physical conditions that prevent us from full health, while others have never fully recovered from injuries. And for those with no present ailments, the pains of attrition and aging eventually catch up to us.

For those of us suffering physically, we can take comfort that the King of Kings, who could have stayed away from all pain, endured the most excruciating death for us. God Himself bore our sins in His body on a tree (1 Peter 2:24).  Let us go to the One who is familiar with pain on an unimaginable scale.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You lived the life I should have lived and died the death I should have died. What a horrible and painful death it was!  Whenever I doubt that You understand my ailments, may I look upon the cross and remember Your nail-pierced hands and feet, Your pierced side and Your crown of thorns. May I never forget the pain You endured so that I may have life and life to the full. In Your name I pray. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 25

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 20:24-9:  Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

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

Questions to Consider

• It is certainly in God’s power to resurrect Jesus in a new body, and yet, Jesus is resurrected in His original body. What could be some reasons?
• Jesus calls those who have not seen and yet have believed “blessed.” While Jesus has ascended, how may unbelievers still see glimpses of Christ?
• How may Jesus use your ailments for His kingdom?   

Note

• While the scars serve as proof that this was really Jesus (and not some imposter), they also symbolize a deeper truth—that God can redeem even the most painful of experiences for His glory and for our lives. 
• Through His church as she bears her cross. That is why Paul is able to say, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church” (Col. 1:24). As much as suffering is difficult, how we handle suffering can provide a tremendous witness to the watching world. For some proof, find out more about Joni Erickson Tada or Vaneetha Rendall. 
• Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

The apostle Paul spoke about “a thorn in the flesh” that God used to prove the sufficiency of His grace and power (2 Cor. 12:9). How is God making this reality known to you today? Take some time to pray and reflect.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on July 17, 2018.  Cami served faithfully as a staff member at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Is God Punishing Me?” 

Jeremiah 21:3-7 (NRSV)

Then Jeremiah said to them: 4 Thus you shall say to Zedekiah: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I am going to turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands and with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and against the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls; and I will bring them together into the center of this city. 5 I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and mighty arm, in anger, in fury, and in great wrath. 6 And I will strike down the inhabitants of this city, both human beings and animals; they shall die of a great pestilence. 7 Afterward, says the Lord, I will give King Zedekiah of Judah, and his servants, and the people in this city—those who survive the pestilence, sword, and famine—into the hands of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, into the hands of their enemies, into the hands of those who seek their lives. He shall strike them down with the edge of the sword; he shall not pity them, or spare them, or have compassion.

As has been fairly consistent throughout this book, the people of God are in trouble (to say the least). They failed to uphold their end of their covenant (promise/contract) with God. Like disobedient children to a parent or defiant subjects to a good king, the people rebelled and went their own way. As a result, instead of enjoying covenant blessings (what God promised to do for them) of protection and prosperity, they faced covenant curses (how God promised to punish them). The Babylonians were coming, and it wouldn’t be pretty. One commentator keenly noted: “The Lord promised that not only the Babylonians but He, too, would fight against the city. He would bring His strong arm against Jerusalem in anger and would strike down its inhabitants. Normally the Divine Warrior fought for His people, but now He would fight against them.” (Constable)

So, they not only faced the full brunt of the Babylonian army—and the Babylonians were ruthless—without the protection of God (covenant blessing), they were doing so with God’s own hand against them (covenant curse). Yikes!

God outlined clearly what was required for relationship with God and the people agreed. But they fell short (sometimes it seems to me like they weren’t even trying!). Yet many years later, God would come in the person of Jesus and fulfill those requirements on their behalf. In fact, He’d do so on behalf of the whole world! Jesus took upon Himself the full brunt of the curse, so that the people of God would never find themselves in a situation such as we read in today’s passage. 

There are many reasons why things go wrong in our lives—oftentimes we’re experiencing the natural outworking of the sinful choices we made or that others have made against us. And unfortunately that’s just life—Scripture tells us God is making all things new, but they aren’t new just yet (the world is still a hot mess!). But one thing we know for sure is this: as those who’ve placed ourselves in Christ, none of the calamity we face is ever God punishing us. Never! Praise be to God that, because of Jesus, God never fights against—only for us, working all things for good.     

Prayer: Almighty God, I acknowledge Your holiness and the righteousness You require, Your 

power and Your condemnation of sin. And today I thank You for Jesus, who took the full weight of condemnation for my sin so there is none left for me. There is therefore now no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus! May that truth be the lens through which I interpret whatever I am facing. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 24

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV):Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[k] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Questions to Consider

• What does the lawyer ask Jesus and how does Jesus respond? 
• Oftentimes, we focus on the lawyer “testing” Jesus as where he errs in this passage. But, if we set that aside, where does the lawyer go wrong in this text as it relates to his quest for eternal life? (Look closely at these key verses: 25b & 29a)
• What would have been the natural response of the lawyer to Jesus’ story and teaching in vv. 30-37? How might this exchange have eventually led the lawyer to eternal life? 
• What are the ways you fall short of the “Great Commandment” (v. 27) in your daily life? How does the gospel both free you from the weight of the “Great Commandment” and empower you to live it out? 

Notes

• The lawyer asks Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. He wants to know what is required to be in right relationship with God and living abundantly eternally. // Jesus answers with a question – What does the law say? In this response, Jesus is basically saying, “What do you know?” or “You already know what’s required.” The same is often true for us. Like the people of God in our passage this morning, we often know what to do but fail to do it (because we are rebellious or because we literally can’t—the righteous requirement is too high and we are broken and sinful). 
• A little close reading reveals that the lawyer is relying on his own works and ability to inherit eternal life. He asks, “what must I do…” (when he really should have asked, “What can be done for me?”). And he was “seeking to justify himself” (when he should have been seeking justification for himself). Once we realize how wretched we are and how far short we fall of the glory of God, only then can we, to paraphrase one of my favorite preachers, leave a contract of earning and enter a relationship of receiving (God’s free gift of grace). 
• There are a ton of ways the lawyer could have responded. He was likely offended by the juxtaposition of the actions of religious leaders to those of a Samaritan, a people group Jews despised at that time. But if he stayed focused on his quest for eternal life, a natural response would have been something akin to – “That’s impossible!” If a neighbor is anyone in our path, who can effectively keep the command?! And that’s the point! // That realization was what the lawyer needed to inherit eternal life—realizing he couldn’t do it. He needed a Savior.
• Personal reflection. 

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Evening Reflection

Freedom from condemnation doesn’t mean we never feel guilty when we do wrong. I like to think of guilt like our nervous system—if our hand is on a hot stove, our body naturally alerts us to the danger (It hurts!) and triggers a change in our course of action (Move that hand!). Otherwise, we’d lose our hand. Similarly, feelings of guilt (and the sorrow that accompanies them) are natural and good, alerting us to danger and triggering a change. But as people not condemned, we aren’t immobilized under the weight of guilt! We can turn to Jesus, thankful for the alert, receive forgiveness through the cross and empowerment through the Spirit to change course. 

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.  (2 Corinthians 7:10)

How do you respond to guilt? Do you allow it to propel you to repentance (and change your course of action) and salvation (from death that accompanies sin) and freedom from regret? Or do you respond as a person condemned—allowing it to suffocate you under the weight of your brokenness or even ignoring it because it’s just too much to sort out (and no one’s perfect, right)? Spend some time reflecting on these things with God. Ask the Lord to help you have a proper posture toward feelings of guilt. Ask God to help you respond appropriately to any guilt you are feeling today. 

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 12, 2018, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman—now a friend of AMI—who had served at Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia for a long time.   

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Underdog Champions”

Hebrews 12:1-3 

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

Super Bowl 2018 marked the history of Philadelphia for winning its very first Super Bowl championship. This memorable win had a dramatic story of its own.  The Philadelphia Eagles was the underdog team who fought their way up as the season progressed. Two games prior to the NFL championship, their star quarterback, Carson Wentz, tore his ACL and joined mounting casualties of injured key players out of the season.  At the Super Bowl, they played against the legendary five-time reigning Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots and their super undefeated quarterback, Tom Brady. The Eagles’ backup quarterback, Nick Foles, faced the pressure calmly and courageously led the team with undaunted grit toward the epic win of 44 to 33. 

The city of Philadelphia was ecstatic over the Eagles victory.  An estimated number of 700,000 fans—including people I know—traveled near and far to stand in the bitter cold, just to take part of the historical victory parade. People had a genuine personal identification with the team’s unrelenting tenacity to overcome setbacks, doubts, and obstacles. They were all so proud of their team.    

All of us can relate with feeling like an underdog, facing life’s many challenges, unexpected turns, adversities, losses, and failures. The Philadelphia Eagles showed us there is great power when people pull together as a unified team to overcome the insurmountable odds against them. 

In Hebrews 12:1-3, I envision a long parade lined up with heaven’s great hall of famers, the unsung champions of faith, along with our loved ones or mentors who have gone before us, cheering us on from heavenlies to not give in to the temptation of giving up—especially when life’s obstacles make us feel like an underdog.   They tell us to keep pressing on for Jesus with tenacity and live a life worthy of the gospel, one moment at a time, one day at a time, and to confidently trust in God’s ability and faithfulness to help us become the champions of faith that He desires us to be.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Savior, Redeemer and Lord.  Thank You that I am saved to participate and partner with You in the ongoing redemptive work of the Father. Empower me to keep standing firm in faith and in Your truth so that I may not be given to fear.  Thank You that I am already a winner in Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 23

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Hebrews 11:1-7: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 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. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Questions to Consider

1. What is one common characteristic that the people listed in Hebrews 11 shared?

2. Read Hebrews 11:6. In what areas of your life do you need to apply more faith?

3.  How does faith in God change your perspective on life?

Notes

1. These were ordinary underdogs of the world, empowered by faith in God to conquer staggering circumstances.

2.  We need to daily put on the glasses of faith to have the right perception and interaction with the world around us.

3. Life does not center around me but on God.  The main purpose of my life is to know Him and glorify Him with my being and doing.

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on February 4, 2018. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Change is Possible on This Resurrection Sunday!”

Genesis 42:33-38 

“Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’” 35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.” 37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.”

One of the most interesting lessons I had in elementary school was about metamorphosis. Every single classroom in my grade level adopted a house of caterpillars. We would watch the caterpillars wriggle about, eat plants, and even begin to create cocoons. What was incredible was that, one day, butterflies emerged. It was hard to believe that once they had been fat caterpillars! 

The Bible is full of similarly fascinating stories of redemption and transformation. These brothers of Joseph once sold their brother into slavery and covered up their treachery; now, they have committed themselves to bringing back Simeon. They could have backed out in cowardice after arriving safely home with grain and silver; however, they are resolved to take the journey back to Egypt. How God has shaped them: men who profited off one another are now willing to put their lives on the line for one another! 

If you are a believer, have you paused recently to take note of how God has changed you? Let us take time to think about who we were when we first received His grace, and consider how God has changed us along the way. Our personal transformation gives us sure evidence that God is miraculously at work in us. This fuels our hope that God will continue to mold us on our way to Heaven. 

Today, as we draw near to worship Him on this Resurrection Sunday, let’s marvel at the change He has worked in us. Let’s thank Him for giving us new hearts that want to honor Him, and thank Him in advance for how He will continue to work in us! Our past no longer dictates who we will become in the future, and in Christ, we can expect that we will not stay the same. We can rejoice that, by His power, He works miraculous things to make us more like Him. That’s the power that raised Jesus from the dead, which also dwells in us (Eph. 1:19-20), assuring us that we can be transformed in Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace in our lives, that You accept us as we are but never leave us in our current state. Give us eyes to see Your patience and miraculous work in us, and give us faith that no quality of ours is too hard for You to mold.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 22 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on January 27, 2018.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Life of Joseph Revisited”

Genesis 40:9-15

So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” 12 “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”

“I know I’m supposed to be here for and ministering to Marybelle, but when I pray, why do I keep feeling that God is speaking to me about my own issues?  I seem to be getting distracted.”  While we are right to feel we shouldn’t be allowing ourselves to become the center of things when we’re supposed to be serving others, at the same time, should it be surprising that when we are serving others, God does a work in and for us as well?

“Remember me and get me out of here.” (v. 14, paraphrased) 

Looking at Joseph’s success in prison, one can sometimes forget that it wasn’t easy for him to be there.  He wanted out. Though he was staying at the home of a master who still seemed to view him with favor, even after a major crisis had threatened their relationship (Gen 39:19-20; 40:3-4, 7), his room at that home was still just a dungeon, his position still that of a slave. As prison manager, Joseph had risen in position as far as he could go under the circumstances, but what he was in charge of was still just a jail.  His life was not at all going according to plan (as a young man wired as an administrator, no doubt he had had a plan).  Though up to this point, the author has mainly been highlighting Joseph’s prosperity in adversity, here he reminds us of truly how adverse Joseph’s circumstances were: far from his own real home and family, forced to work as a slave, wrongly accused and misunderstood (=unhappy home life, work life and emotional/social life).

“This is what it means . . .” (v. 12)

Yet when Joseph receives the interpretation of the dream, hope arises.  The reminder of the sorry state of his life (v. 15) appears in the context of his sharing it with someone who would soon be in a position to deliver him from it (v. 14).  Though the dream was for the cupbearer, when Joseph interprets it, it also becomes a dream for him (i.e., having bearing on his life).  When we exercise our gifts in service to others, we often think at first that we are just coming alongside to help, only to realize later that God had a reason for choosing us to be the very person to serve that other in this matter.  Our well-beings are all connected; this is the beauty of God’s design for humanity.  So whether it be in prayer, teaching, counseling, or other kind of serving, let us embrace ministering to one another today, trusting God’s love is expansive enough to cover us all, even at the same time.

Prayer:Lord God, help me to die to myself today and simply serve others, remembering that this can be the very way You release blessing in my own life, remembering that serving others is not in conflict with having my own needs met.  I take you at Your word, that the one who loses their life for You will find it. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 20-21