Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from Aug. 15-21 are provided by Cami King.  Cami, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is about to complete her M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  She is currently serving as a staff at Journey Community Church in Raleigh. 

Devotional Thought for Today

John 7:3-5

3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For not even His brothers believed in him.

The impulse to be known is undeniable in every person. And most of us not only want to be known, but we’d love to be known and adored by a lot of people – the more the better. If you told the average person that tomorrow (s)he could be famous for being great at something, it would take a lot of discipline not to jump at the opportunity—oftentimes, regardless of the cost. While fame is an unrealistic aspiration for most, the desire still exists within us. We see it in little ways when we insist on getting credit for something we did, unnecessarily mention our connections/ talents/ accomplishments (or those of our kids) in conversation, acquiesce to our environment so we can get ahead with the “in” crowd (whomever they may be), compare ourselves to show how we’re stacking up against others, or put on labels and brand names just to “stunt” (as they say where I come from) or show off. In all of these we feed this desire. A little while back I started to feel really ordinary, I guess, and I found myself, subconsciously, sharing about how not-so-ordinary I was during my high school days. Reliving the glory days of juvenile popularity… I caught myself, eventually, and shook my head at how silly it all was.

One thing I learned quickly when I became a Christian in college is that my mission in this world is to make God famous… not me, but God. Our fame and popularity are willingly submitted to the greater mission of making God’s name known. That’s a pretty humbling reality. And not in the fake way – you know when people give God credit for things they really feel like they did themselves as they soak in all the accolades – but in a genuine way, leveraging all we have, even at the expense of our own reputation, our own opportunities to shine, for God’s mission and God’s fame.

Who are you making famous through your life? Jesus chose to make His Heavenly Father famous and as a result was greatly exalted. What will we choose?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for all the gifts, talents, and opportunities you have given me. Help me choose today to leverage all I have to make You famous. Help me surrender my reputation and my opportunities to be known to You. Use all I am for Your glory. In Jesus’ name.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 143

Lunch Break Study 

Read Matthew 6:1-6: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the danger of practicing righteousness before men?
2. What is the promise that Jesus gives to those who give in secret? How does this encourage us?
3. What are some ways you’re tempted to practice righteousness before men (do good for the praise of others)? What are some specific ways Jesus’ teaching can help you combat that temptation? What’s one practical step you can take to that end?

Notes:

1. Jesus warns us not against all public expressions of righteousness, but against expressions of righteousness motivated by a desire to be seen and praised by others. If we do good solely to garner the praise of other people, that praise will be our full reward. But if we do good to please our Heavenly Father, He himself will reward us greatly.
2. Jesus promises that God sees and will reward. This encourages us because we know that nothing done is done in vain because God, the giver of all good gifts, is watching and responding to all that we do for Him.
3. Spend some time in personal reflection.

Evening Reflection  

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:10)

²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, ³⁰ but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)

Spend some time reflecting on the promises from Scripture above. In light of our time in the Word today, how do these verses challenge and encourage you to leverage your life for God’s fame? Spend some time praying about these things with the Lord.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 6:27 “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

One of my favorite stories from my mom’s college days was when she moved into a high-rise apartment with a bakery on the ground floor. She had never eaten bread so delicious before, she claims, so she would visit every single day on the way home from classes. At one point, she even wondered if she should try marrying the master baker. Then, she reasoned, she would have an endless supply of tasty breads – not a bad life!

How silly it would have been if my mother actually pursued that in order to meet her goal of eating delicious bread. That temporary pleasure would hardly be worth the commitment and cost of marriage. This, of course, is a very extreme example, but if we assess the way we live, don’t we also tire ourselves by spending needless effort on something that passes away quickly?

Our precious resources – time, energy, money, ability – are what we trade away each day to get something else. What are you spending your efforts on? Is it to get food, which you will be hungry for again in a few hours? Is it an appearance, which will change with the fashions of the next season? Is it respect and fame, which fades when the next admirable person passes by?

Jesus said that His food was to do the will of God. His life was spent so that we might gain eternal life. Before we plunge again into another week or work and school, let’s take some time today to reconsider where our efforts are spent. Is it for food that spoils in these hundred years, or will it be for food that endures for thousands of millennia? May God give us the desire and the wisdom to work for His heavenly storehouses rather than those on Earth.

Prayer: Father, I confess that I spend too much of my life in search of fleeting things, using my precious resources to gain things that bring me momentary happiness. I want to gain what gives me eternal delight, Your kingdom that will never fade or perish. Give me a heart that truly treasures the things of Heaven so that I can spend my life appropriately.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 142

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 6:24

“So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus.”

Recently, I met a visitor to our church, a lady from Belgium in town for the weekend.  As I chatted with her, I learned that she and her husband had specifically planned their vacation to attend Chris Tomlin’s Worship Night concert. Incredulous, I asked whether the concert was worth the trip. She affirmed that the trip was definitely worth it, as the concert was “very encouraging.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never planned any international trip for a mere weekend, let alone to just attend a concert! This couple came to the United States, traveling at least eight hours, to gather with other believers for a 1-2 hour concert. But to them, this was enough encouragement and blessing to warrant all that effort.

After Jesus’ miracle with the fish and loaves, the crowds were eager to see Jesus and more signs and wonders that He would perform. They were so interested to see more of Him that they could not just stay on the mountain and talk about yesterday’s miracles. They had to follow Him across the sea just for another taste of His glory.  While their motives turned out to be somewhat mixed (Jn. 6:26-30), we cannot help but marvel at their efforts to see Jesus.

I felt challenged after conversing with this sister in Christ to re-evaluate how I seek the Lord.  When I approach Him, does it happen conveniently between my habits and in my schedule? And do I wholeheartedly leave my world behind to know Him a little better?

To follow Him means that we will do whatever it takes to learn more about Him, see Him, and know Him. Let’s encourage each other to go meet Jesus with diligent and eager attention. We will never be disappointed when we draw near to Him.

Prayer: Lord, You are worthy of my best efforts. I confess that I do not always approach You with my full attention or a willingness to disrupt my schedule to be with You. Help me be hungrier for You, Lord, so that I will seek You with all my heart and find You.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 140-141

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 6:14-15

“After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”

The world’s third tallest garden gnome is located in upstate New York. According to one of my colleagues, he (the gnome) had held the record of “World’s Largest Gnome” for years until he was finally out-done by others around the world. But instead of quietly lapsing into anonymity, this gnome is still used as a tourist attraction and is billed by his owners sometimes as the “First World’s Largest Gnome.”

Humans are too susceptible to praise; we constantly create opportunities to receive others’ appreciation. Whether it is in demonstrating our expertise, slipping in humblebrags here and there, or creating strange achievements to celebrate, we are always trying to inflate our worth in others’ eyes.

Jesus, who was and is worthy of all honor and adulation, was completely uninterested in all of that. He did not need people to make Him a king; He was already a King. Because God the Father had the final word on His identity, He was free to step away from fawning crowds. By this, Jesus demonstrated who He was ultimately working to please –the Father.

When you do something successfully, do you keep it to yourself, or do you want to somehow tell others about it afterwards? Let’s challenge each other to strive for the humility of Christ. This is certainly not an easy task, but we can start by basking in the work He has done for us and asking Him to dissociate us from the works of our hands. We might find that, as we are more satisfied in our God-given identities, we will no longer need the world’s applause. We will be free from bondage to others’ praise and free to devote ourselves fully to God’s work.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 139

Lunch Break Study 

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-7: You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Questions to Consider

1. Paul starts this section recounting his difficulties from ministry. What are potential areas of compromise for Paul?
2. What would have been the effects of trying to “please people” rather than pleasing God?
3. What keeps Paul faithful to the message and able to reject these temptations?

Notes

1. Paul mentions a number of pitfalls for what could detract from ministry: deceitfulness, flattering speech, seeking glory from others, manipulating others with authority.
2. Seeking to ’please men’ with the preaching would perhaps increase the popularity of Paul’s message. Given that Paul (and team) had suffered in Philippi, there would be temptation to compromise on boldness so the message could be accepted by others (i.e. no more beatings). However, the truth would have been compromised.
3. What keeps Paul true to his preaching is the knowledge that God is the witness that examines our hearts. This kind of fear and reverence for God’s holiness and presence keep Paul focused on the mission. He has a task, and he cannot swerve from it, for God is ever-present.

Evening Reflection  

Seeking affirmation from others is an instinct of ours. Is there one particular area of your life that you find is harder to surrender praise for? Let’s ask God to help us in our weaknesses and for security that overrides our weakness.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 6:5-6

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

George Mueller, the evangelist famous for his ministry to orphans, left a legacy of hundreds of recorded answers to prayer. One story in particular sticks out: On a morning after being informed that there was no breakfast food available, Mueller had the three hundred orphans take their seats at the dining tables. He led them to say grace, believing that even though there was nothing available, God would not let His children go hungry that morning.

Soon after, a baker came by, having been woken up in the middle of the night and feeling convicted that God wanted him to send bread that morning. Not long after, a milkman knocked; his cart had broken down in front of the orphanage, and he thought he should send in cans of milk to lighten the load while his cart was being fixed.

Oftentimes, God will present us with an impossible task; we will lack the resources, the ability, the time, the energy. This happens, even as we are going around doing work that we believe God has called us to do. The disciples must have felt frequently frustrated as they followed Jesus. Wherever they went, they seemed to always lack resources for the jobs they were responsible for.

What do we do when we feel like we are being overwhelmed with an impossible task in front of us? It is tempting to throw in the towel, despair, and give up altogether. But, let’s not give up hope when faced with the impossible. God Himself is asking us where we will turn to.

Let’s remember that our Father commands the entire world and lacks nothing. God is intending to show us how He will provide. As we are faced with our limitations and confess that we do not have a way out, He who loves us will surely send us what we need.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust You even when it feels like an impossible task is in front of me. Thank You for reminding me that I am wholly dependent on You. Help me to trust that all the resources of the world are at Your fingertips. Please show me again that Your provision is not only timely but also abundant.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 138

Lunch Break Study 

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Questions to Consider

1. This passage is an exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church to give generously. Paul addresses one of the reasons the church may be tempted to not give. What is it, and what is his response?
2. Here, God’s provision and our generosity seem to be linked. How could this be the case?
3. Paul encourages the church to give, but he also reminds them that God supplies the seed and increases the harvest. Why then, do we continue to give? Let’s reflect on our reason for giving, and whether we are being as generous as we can.

Notes

1. One hindrance to generous giving is the fear that we will ultimately end up lacking. Paul reminds the church that God is able to bless them abundantly, so that, at all times, the church will be able to give generously.
2. It is important to remember that the favor we receive in this life is not meant to be a harvest reaped for ourselves. Instead, God blesses us abundantly so that we may be generous with our lives.
3. God does not need our help in creating any harvest, but He gives us the opportunity to join us in His work. Although Paul says initially that those who sow sparingly reap sparingly, he also hints that our giving does not dictate the harvest. God can increase and multiply the harvest – our limitations are never His limitations. What we get is a front row seat to seeing how God can do much out of the very little we bring.

Evening Reflection  

Are there places where you can be more generous but are too fearful to give? Let’s approach Him and ask to be reminded that He is the one who gives abundantly so that we can freely give to others.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

Parents know that, for better or for worse, kids adopt their characteristics. (Actually, you don’t even have to be a parent to have learned this.) I have a distinct memory of channeling my parents. I was six years old, helping my brother wash his hands in the church restroom. I got so upset at him for being heavy to carry, squirming, and splashing water on me, that I did what I thought my mom would do at the end of her rope: I chastised and lightly spanked him.

The best part of this was that a number of church aunties were standing behind us and thought this was a “precious” scene they had to relay to my embarrassed parents. Guess who got in trouble that day? Unfortunately for me, I hadn’t been able to help but imitate what I had seen my parents do before.

When we became believers, we became children of God. We are no longer just the products of the families we grew up in, with the same the habits, philosophies, and characteristics. Instead, our new identity through Christ allows us to be like our Heavenly Father. Our redeemed selves can be “holy as He is Holy,” and we can learn to love one another in the same complete ways that He demonstrates.

People can recognize whose parents children belong to by their looks and mannerisms. If we are God’s children, do we emulate Him? Do His character, His words, and His actions really come through in our lives?

Don’t be discouraged if you feel that His character seems far from yours today. Just as many of our human mannerisms and tendencies are “caught” from the time we spend in contact with one another, so it will also be with God. As the Spirit dwells within us, and we surround ourselves with His words and His presence, He will shine forth!

Prayer: Father, I want to be a child who reflects You! Make me like You so that others will look on and know without a doubt who I belong to. Today, let Your character blossom and bear fruit in my life as part of my witness to the world.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 137

Lunch Break Study 

Read Matthew 5:38-48:  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Questions to Consider

1. Matthew 5 is full of Jesus’ instruction on righteous character we should aim for. What are certain qualities outlined here about the man/woman of God?
2. Verse 44 says that we should follow these guidelines so that we “may be children of [our] Father in Heaven.” What about these qualities would confirm our son -/daughter-ship?
3. Jesus ends this section commanding us to “Be perfect.” Why is that the theme of this section? What will it mean for you to seek God’s perfection in this area?

Notes

1. Qualities found in the man/woman of God are the following: meekness, forgiveness, extraordinary generosity, love for those who show us no love.
2. These qualities are significant because they are directly opposite of the decisions this world teaches. Revenge is our world’s modus operandi, but God’s path has mercy and grace. Showing love demonstrates God’s nature in us, because that is not our natural instinct.
3. Striving to ”be perfect” seems impossible, but because Jesus came to impart the power and life of God in us, living in accordance with God’s nature is not unattainable. The theme to be perfect is a reminder that only one – God Himself –lives and loves in the most perfect manner. All we can do is be wholly dependent on Him to make any of this extraordinary power manifest in our lives.

Evening Reflection  

No man has ever seen God, but we know His character and His habits, and all we have to do is simply carry His presence wherever we are. Are there places and opportunities in your life to demonstrate the Father’s character? Let’s pray that God will make Himself evident in our words and actions.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 5:7 “’Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

One of my favorite books growing up was Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. If you’ve never read it (and I highly recommend you do), it tells the story of a pig, Wilbur, and how his spider friend Charlotte helps him avoid getting turned into bacon. When Wilbur first finds out what he is doomed for, he goes into a series of hysterics and is utterly helpless. If not for the calm and steady intervention of Charlotte and other friends, he would have had no fighting chance.

I find it very interesting that one of the reasons (or excuses) made by the man at the pool is that there has been no one around to help him. It might make you wonder whether this man was truly desperate to be healed. After all, with thirty-eight years in this condition and these stakes, one might expect him to take a little more initiative. He could have stayed closer to the pool and clambered in as soon as there was a chance to get healed.

But on the other hand, we can also identify strongly with his condition. When we are stuck in our weaknesses or completely helpless, what we want more than anything is for a friend to be right there alongside us. Whether or not that friend can actually restore us, we receive comfort and strengthening from others who wait along with us in our condition.

One purpose of living in community is so that we can carry each other to places of healing. If you’re currently waiting for the Lord to answer, don’t be ashamed to place yourself in a position of needing others. And if you are well, pray for God to open your eyes to opportunities to help others along.

Prayer: Father, thank You that we have communities to bear burdens with. Help us to be people who are present in each another’s sufferings. Teach us to bring others to You, for You are our greatest and ultimate source of healing.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 136

Lunch Break Study 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26:  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, God has created individuals in different capacities. Why should the members bother getting along in the first place?
2. What is significant that God Himself put “presentable” and “unpresentable” parts together to form the body?
3. Many parts in the body can function independently of one another (think: your left foot doesn’t need your ear to work). Why then, should each part have “concern for one another”? What would it look like for us to take this to heart?

Notes

1. Because the church is made up of brothers and sisters with different giftings and purposes, we understand that each person is significant in the eyes of God. While the ”eye” is very distinct from the ”ear,” brothers and sisters in the church teach us different facets of God’s grace and His character. They also fill up what is lacking with our blind spots and weaknesses.
2. “Presentability” is a value that we have made up with our own human frame of reference – we lift up or downplay certain parts, depending on whether we want them to attract attention. However, even if we deemed gifts or others “less honorable,” God has a special care for the overlooked. He puts them in the body so that they will all share in the honor that He bestows.
3. Even though the members can work independently, God made all essential to completing the body – the overall health of the body is the most important consideration. If one part is unhealthy, it affects the quality of life for all the other members.

Evening Reflection  

What are your feelings about caring for others in the community? Has God opened your heart to certain individuals that you could take an active role in loving? Let’s pray for God to show us how we can be sources of encouragement and life to one another.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-14 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

John 5:2-6 “Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

The last time I was at a basketball game, my family and I had a good time laughing at the Dance Cams and Kiss Cams. Part of the fun comes from watching the people on the big screen; another part is half-hoping and half-dreading that you might get picked. There are always people wildly participating, all with hopes that the cameraman will notice and broadcast them. But in a crowd of so many people, chances are that they will slip his notice.

Shifting now to a completely different environment, we might be able to imagine the same type of chaos at Bethesda. Can you imagine dozens of people showing up day after day, publicly acknowledging their needs? Not only would someone have to find some personal space in that kind of crowd, they would have had to jostle for attention to get a shot at healing. How discouraging it would be to get passed over day after day. When would it finally be their turn?

Sometimes it seems like we are similarly lost in a crowd of many people. Even among Christians, we might feel that our concerns are overlooked or on-hold. We know with our minds that God is with us, but it feels as though He is busy with everybody else’s lives. We tend to project human limitations onto God and live as if He’s passed over or lost track of us.

As this story shows us, our God is neither short-sighted nor unaware. Instead, our God sees us even when we are in a throng of people. He knows our condition and comes to meet us directly! No matter what type of chaos you find yourself starting off with this week, let’s remind ourselves that He is near. His eye is on you, He is wholly attentive to what you are going through, and He Himself draws near to you.

Prayer: Father, I know You are with me. You do not pass over or forget me, even if I am one of billions on this Earth. Remind me that You are a perfect shepherd with an eye on me. Help me to trust and see that You are present in every circumstance I face.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 135

Lunch Break Study 

Read Genesis 28:10-17:  Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Questions to Consider

1. Jacob encounters God on this journey fleeing from home. What type of encounter did Jacob have (versus one he may have expected)?
2. What is the significance of God’s blessing for Jacob in verses 13-14?
3. In addition to the blessing of abundance, what are the additional promises God gives Jacob? Is this a promise that we can partake in?

Notes

1. Jacob, as a fugitive and having stolen the blessing from Esau, might have dreaded punishment in the presence of God. However, God does not condemn him but, in mercy, reveals Himself to Jacob.
2. Jacob receives promises for future hope: numerous descendants, land for those descendants, and the opportunity to be a source of blessing to the earth. This is the favor that he tried to secure through deception; however, God Himself now confers the blessing onto Jacob. God has confirmed that it belongs to him.
3. Isaac could only bless Jacob’s propserity and future descendants. However, God ups the ante by promising His continued presence through the fulfilling of the the blessing. God’s promise extends through generations. Since we are spiritual descendants of Jacob, we get to partake in the promises of God’s provision and presence.

Evening Reflection  

Today’s passages were about trusting that God is present in (and attentive to) our lives. Did you sense His presence or His hand in your daily living? Look towards tomorrow – let’s ask that He will impress upon us greater awareness of where He is.

Editor’s Note: Today’s AMI QT Devotional is written by Pastor Ulysses Wang.

Devotional Thought for Today

Colossians 2:20-23

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

I once lived in an apartment with termites.  I didn’t know we had termites, until one day my foot suddenly stepped right through the wooden floor.  Up until that point everything looked normal – the wood was shiny and clean.  What I couldn’t see, however, was that everything below the shiny veneer had been slowly eaten away until the floor could no longer support my weight.  I think this is a good illustration of what Paul describes here in his letter to the Colossians.  They were impressed and taken in by folks who seemed spiritual because of their harsh treatment of the flesh.  The problem, however, was that such treatment was in no way indicative of true spirituality, which lies in the state of one’s heart.  I believe that the Colossian problem is not unfamiliar to us today.  Millennials are quick to pass on the heart-changing truth of the gospel for a soft-spoken “guru” dressed in eastern mystical garb.  What looks spiritual is oftentimes powerless to change our lives.  Simpson and Bruce explain what Paul means by “the flesh”:

“When they commended harsh usage of the body as a specific against fleshly indulgence, they thought in terms of the Greek antithesis between body and soul.  But this is not Paul’s thought.  When he speaks of ‘unsparing treatment of the body’ he means the body in its ordinary sense; but when he speaks of ‘indulgence of the flesh’ he means the old Adam-nature in its rebellion against God.”[1]

I think that as Christians, we, too, can be lulled by our own external appearance of spirituality into a false sense of security.  Whether due to a title, i.e. pastor, elder, leader, etc., church attendance or the collection of Christian books on our bookshelves, we let these superficial aspects of our faith become definitive.  But Jesus had only one criterion for real spirituality: the things that flow from our heart.  In Matthew 15, Jesus was confronted with similar hypocrisy in regards to the ceremonial washing of hands, to which He responded: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”  Going on, Jesus then declared, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

To guard against such error, it would be helpful to ask oneself these questions every once in a while: “Who would I be if my title were to be taken away?  Is God active in the areas of my life that others do not see, such as my thoughts?  What things do I do when no one is around?”  Such questions dig through the veneer and force us to confront the true state of our heart.

Prayer: God, help me to know that just because other people think I’m ok doesn’t necessarily mean that I am ok, because there’s so much that others do not see.  Help me to be brutally honest with myself and with You.  Challenge me in any area of my life where my heart has grown cold, hypocritical or complacent.  Help my lips to be in sync with my heart, so that my worship and lifestyle may be true.  Amen.

[1] E.K. Simpson, E.K. and F.F. Bruce, Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians (New International Commentary, Marshall, Morgan & Scott/Eerdmans, 1957) p.256

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 134

Editor’s Note: Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Joanna Tzen.  Joanna graduated from U. Penn and currently works in Philadelphia.  She is married Paul Tzen, and they attend Grace Covenant Church.

Devotional Thought for Today

John 6:5-9

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

This passage of Jesus feeding the five thousand is familiar to many of us, which is also chronicled in Matthew 14 and Mark 6. Matthew 14:14 tells us that Jesus had compassion for the crowd, but Mark 6:34 adds that it was because they were like sheep without a shepherd. From reading this chapter (John 10), we can see how the sheep responded to the teachings of the Good Shepherd. As a result of His compassion, Jesus stayed to teach the crowds, but at the end of a long day, He also wanted to provide for their physical needs. When He asks Philip to provide, Philip is incredulous and immediately calculates the cost—even though he knows Jesus is with him and is able to work miracles. However, a small boy pipes up that he has food, even though it can maybe feed only one small family.

I am the sort of person who worries often and calculates; so I can relate with Philip when he looks at the circumstances or mountains more than the One who moves the mountains (Matt. 17:20). It is not that counting the cost is bad, as Jesus does urge us to count the cost of being disciples (Luke 14:25-33). However, when we offer what we have, like the young boy did, we trust with a child-like dependence and faith that Jesus can make the impossible possible.

If you are like me and Philip, maybe you can ask the Lord to help you see which mountains He wants you to depend on Him to move. If you know a Philip, maybe you can pray and encourage that person to have a child-like faith and know that Jesus can be trusted.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for my lack of faith, and help me to see how You are trustworthy. As today is a new day, filled with new mercies (Lam. 3:22-23), I pray that Your Holy Spirit would enable me to better remember Your character and promises.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 132-133