Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for March 2-8 are provided by Doug Tritton.  Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary while working fulltime.  Doug is married to Cindy and they serve at Symphony Church in Boston. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 22:21-22

“And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

When I was much younger, I used to get very upset when people would not believe me about something I knew was true. I recall a time I was playing a board game with my family, and they thought I cheated because they refused to believe I could have made this one particular move. But I did not cheat! Being young, I threw a temper tantrum and stormed to my room in righteous indignation.

In this passage in Acts, Paul is in a similar but much more severe circumstance. He explained his calling from God, but the Jews absolutely did not believe that he was really called to be a minister to the Gentiles, for this did not fit in with the “truth” about God that the Jews believed. They were so against what Paul said that they even called for his death! Paul, though, did not storm away in a temper tantrum; rather, he endured the indictments and endured the resultant flogging.

In our Christian lives, there will be many times when the world will question our faith, our convictions, our pursuits; we may be called ridiculous or senseless or deluded. How will we react? Will we storm away from the world in anger, or will we turn back with love, knowing that Christ endured an even greater hardship? Will we be patient, trusting that God is in control?

We are called to be witnesses; we are called to be image-bearers of Christ. Though this is not an easy calling, we know that we have the power of God on our side. Let’s not turn from the world in anger or fear, but rather embrace the suffering and embrace this world in love.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You have overcome the world. As You have overcome, give us the strength to overcome. Though hardship and persecution may come, may our love and patience simply grow in the face of adversity. This is only possible by Your strength, so come once again and empower us for Your ways.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:11-12: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Questions to Consider

1. Is there a contradiction in being considered “blessed” while being persecuted?
2. What do you think persecution looks like in our culture?
3. What should our reaction to persecution be?

Notes

1. I don’t think many people would post #blessed while suffering. Yet this passage tells us that there is blessing in being persecuted. We are blessed because persecution is the best means of preparing us for the reality that we have a better home (see Hebrews 11).
2. This passage speaks of reviling and uttering evil against us. Those are likely the most common forms of persecution we may face in our culture, since, God-willing, we will not likely endure any physical suffering in our culture. Still, persecution is a reality in our day and we need to be prepared, or else we may be overcome or turn bitterly away from the world.
3. As crazy as it sounds, this passage tells us to “rejoice and be glad” while suffering in persecution. We rejoice because we are blessed. So how can we best endure suffering? We worship and praise our great God who has overcome the world!

Evening Reflection

Reflect back on today. Did you encounter any antagonism towards your faith or any opposition to your convictions, whether minor or major? How did you react? Take some time to thank God that He is the only One who can give us strength to overcome.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for March 2-8 are provided by Doug Tritton.  Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary while working fulltime.  Doug is married to Cindy and they serve at Symphony Church in Boston. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 22:8-10

“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’”

In the movie The Princess Bride, the male protagonist Westley is in love with the female protagonist Buttercup. Whenever Buttercup asks Westley to do anything, his immediate response is: “as you wish”; this line becomes a theme throughout the story as Westley shows his devotion and love to Buttercup.

Though Paul does not say “as you wish” to Jesus in this testimony Paul is sharing, he does say something that expresses a similar attitude: Paul asks, “What shall I do, Lord?” Just like “as you wish,” this line expresses devotion and a desire to please the other. Paul was basically saying to the Lord, “Have Your way with my life.”

Ultimately, these two expressions “as you wish” and “What shall I do, Lord?” express obedience – an obedience and commitment to the one being spoken to. And obedience is ultimately a reflection of love: 1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” You cannot love God but not be obedient—that’s a contradiction.

In your own life, are you feeling a lack of love for God? Or perhaps dryness in your faith? Check your obedience, your willingness to say “as you wish” to God when He speaks to You. Oftentimes our love runs dry when we say “as I wish” instead of “as You wish” to God. Perhaps there is no day better than today to say to God “as you wish.”

Prayer

What shall I do, Lord? Today, help me to hear Your voice and follow You as You lead me. Give me the strength to say “as you wish” and to be obedient to all Your ways. Forgive me for my disobedience and have Your way in me.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 26

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 5:2-3: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, what does it mean to love God?
2. Why does John mention that God’s commands should not be burdensome?
3. What areas of disobedience do you need to bring to God today?

Notes

1. According to John in this passage, loving God means obeying His commands. Though loving God is not only about obeying His commands, but we can easily tell if we do not love God if we are not obeying Him.
2. Love gives no room for bitterness. But when we allow God’s commands to become burdensome, bitterness sets in. Eventually, though we may be “obedient” to the letter of the law, our hearts will drift from God. This is what legalism is: when we obey commands without love.
3. Has God been calling you to do something that you have pushed off, or something you have said to God, “Not now”? Perhaps write these things down and ask God for the strength to say “yes” to Him today.

Evening Reflection

Reflect back on your obedience today. Were you saying “as you wish” or “as I wish”? Repent of the ways you have been disobedient and ask God for strength to always say “yes” to Him.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for March 2-8 are provided by Doug Tritton.  Doug, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently pursuing a M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary while working fulltime.  Doug is married to Cindy and they serve at Symphony Church in Boston. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 22:3-5

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.”

I did not grow up as a Christian but became one during my college years. But when I first became a Christian, I was quite ashamed of myself and my past; I was reluctant to share with anyone about who I had been, because I was afraid I would be considered a phony or not fit in to the church community. Though I felt forgiven, there was a sense in which I was not yet set free from my past. It was quite some time later when I came to have a more holistic understanding of my identity in Christ.

Here in Acts, Paul was addressing the Jews and he brought up his past. Though his past was marred by sin – he persecuted Christians and had a role in the execution of Stephen – he was not ashamed to use it to make his point. He was not ashamed to show the power of the grace of God in His life. That’s what a personal testimony is all about – testifying to the power of grace in your life.

Perhaps there is shame in your life which you are afraid to confront and you feel uncomfortable sharing with others. Maybe not now, but perhaps at some point God will bring up your past experiences—whether good or bad—for the purposes of His kingdom. Our God, the great Redeemer, can redeem our broken pasts for His Kingdom work. Remember Paul, who having a broken past said that he’d “boast in all the more gladly about [his] weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on [him]” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Our life in Christ does not involve sweeping our past, our sin, our shame under the rug. Rather, our life in Christ is about letting the grace of God come into every area of our life—even the darkest and dirtiest corners—so that the grace of God may bring redemption.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that when You came to die on the cross, You did not die so that our sins may be hidden; You died so that our sins may be fully redeemed. Help us to embrace Your grace in every area of our lives so that shame may have no place in us. Help us to see that Your power is made perfect in weakness and that in our weakness, Your power is more fully known. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 25

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: But [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Questions to Consider

1. How is Christ’s power made perfect in weakness?
2. Why did Paul boast about His weaknesses?
3. Do you think you could delight in your weaknesses?

Notes

1. If were perfect people, there would be no need for grace, no need for Christ’s power. But since we are broken and sinful, we need the power of Christ to bring freedom. And only when we embrace our brokenness and confess our utter need for Christ can the power of grace come into our lives. This is why Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness; because in embracing our weakness, we give room for God to have His way in our lives.
2. In boasting about his weaknesses, Paul was giving room for the power of Christ in His life. If he rather boasted about his strengths, he would be trusting in his own abilities and there would be no power of God in his life.
3. Think honestly about this. We cannot easily delight in our weaknesses because we want to be self-reliant, to prove ourselves. But remember, Christ is the One we need to trust and not ourselves.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time reflecting on your past. Is there any shame in your life that you’ve been afraid to bring to God?  Use this time to let the power of God rest over your weaknesses.

Editor’s Note:  Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Doug Triton (Symphony Church).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 22:1-3

“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.”

In thinking about public speaking, I came up with a framework of three levels: The first level is to know your content; a presentation needs content or else there really isn’t anything to present. The second level is to know your audience and tailoring your message to them; a message could have great content but if it’s not relatable, it will fall flat. The third and final level is to enter into the lives of the audience; great speakers are not great just because they have great content or have great personalities, but they can actually enter into our reality and speak as if they know us—there is something powerful when people speak as if they are one of us.

In this passage, Paul addresses a group of Jews concerning his calling to the Gentiles. However, he first explains who he is, but more than just explaining with content, he meets them where they are, in the language they speak—Aramaic. And what happened when the Jews heard Paul speaking in Aramaic? The passage tells us that “they became very quiet.” He got their attention.

When we can speak someone’s language, know their culture and their ways, we can speak into their lives more effectively and be heard, rather than seeming like some distant outsider. This gets people’s attention and opens the door to real impact and influence. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in a public speaking setting; this can be in everyday conversations as well. And, really, isn’t that what God did for us in Jesus? He is Immanuel—God with us! And more than just being with us, He became like one of us—taking on our flesh and blood—and lived like us and among us.

There is something powerful about meeting someone where they are. You become more relatable, more real, just like what Jesus did for us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Heb. 4:15).  As Christians, we are called to be in the world as God’s ambassadors. However, if we speak down to people or speak only “Christianese” or do not relate in any way, how can we make an impact? However, if we “take on the flesh” of those whom we are trying to reach and understand, we can become powerful influencers for Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You took on our flesh so that we could be set free. Thank You for taking our burdens and our sins so that we no longer need to bear it. Help us to be ambassadors of You to this broken world, to not take ourselves out of the world but rather be used by You to be salt and light. Use us where we are for Your Kingdom’s sake.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 24

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21: From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the ministry of reconciliation?
2. What does it mean to be an “ambassador for Christ”?
3. How can you be an ambassador in your own life and context?

Notes

1. The ministry of reconciliation is pointing to the truth that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself.” Ministers of reconciliation are not the ones who do the reconciliation, but rather they point to the truth that reconciliation with God is possible and available through Christ.
2. Being an ambassador for Christ means we allow God to make “his appeal through us.” I like the use of the word “allow”; this is a passive word, meaning we simply allow ourselves to be used by God to reconcile others to Himself. We are not the reconcilers—only God is. Also, the use of the word “ambassador” is key to understanding our role. Ambassadors represent their country to a foreign nation; likewise, our home is with God, but we live in the world as His image, pointing others to Him.
3. Think about your workplace, where you go to school, the people you interact with, or any other context you are currently in: how can you “take on their flesh” so that you can relate effectively with them, all the while pointing back to your true home in God?

Evening Reflection

Tonight, thank God for being the true Reconciler. Also, invite His Spirit to give you the strength to be His ambassador, so that through us others may be reconciled to Him. Perhaps you can pray for one or two people whom you are currently trying to reach for Jesus.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from April 27-May 1 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Peter, a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Talbot.  He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 20:22-24

 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

In today’s passage, we see that Paul is “compelled” by the Spirit of God. For most of us, this is when our hearts pause to say, “Uh oh…what if one day the Holy Spirit forces me to do something that I really don’t want to do?”

One reason that often challenges people from wanting to grow spiritually is this kind of thinking:  “I don’t want God to send me to India for the rest of my life.” There’s an assumption that if you mature spiritually, then God will take away everything you currently have and enjoy, and then, send you out to a needy mission field with nothing but a backpack full of evangelism tracts.

Another reason is this: According to the Barna Group (a Christian polling group), they found that the number one challenge to helping people grow spiritually is that most people equate spiritual maturity with trying hard to follow the rules in the Bible (https://www.barna.org/barna-update/faith-spirituality/264-many-churchgoers-and-faith-leaders-struggle-to-define-spiritual-maturity#.VyO6UvkrLIU). It’s no wonder that many people are not motivated to grow spiritually. Who wants to become a self-righteous rule-follower?

If you hold to either of these ideas—first of all, YES, you are right! Yes, Jesus does invite us to go to all nations preaching the gospel. And yes, following Jesus does involve obedience to His commands. But if that’s what’s really keeping you from diving deeper in your faith, perhaps you may have a short-sighted view of God’s commands and God’s mission to the world.

Certainly a wise and loving God isn’t merely interested in creating a community of rigid rule-followers, or is He? Or that His mission is only accomplished by “compelling” stubborn people to go to places they don’t really want to travel to?

Today, I want to introduce you to a video put forth by the Bible Project. (I suggest that you subscribe to their youtube channel, if you haven’t already.) Hope this video will help in breaking down some assumptions and but will highlight God’s love for His children.  Just in case you aren’t able to view it, let me give you the short version:  nothing worthwhile doing in life is ever easy, including following God’s call.  What the Lord guarantees, however, is that the life we live in and through Him is far more meaningful than anything else we might have done.  Paul, as he
was facing his last days, declared, ^“ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BGO9Mmd_cU&list=PLH0Szn1yYNec-HZjVHooeb4BSDSeHhEoh&index=6

For reflection:

After watching the video, how does that shape your view of Scripture, especially the Law and the Prophets? How do you see Jesus as One who came to fulfill the law?

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 23

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from April 27-May 1 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Peter, a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Talbot.  He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 20:25-35

“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

A month ago, an international student from Korea visited our church on a Friday evening. Our International Students Ministry was gathering for a casual, potluck dinner in order to introduce their ministry of studying God’s word with any international students who showed interest. Most of the international students in attendance were from China; and more or less, they were just looking to make some new friends while studying abroad.

Now, in my conversation with the student from Korea, I discovered that she had attended church while living in Korea. However, after some time of having been more involved in the church, she arrived at the conclusion that Christianity was basically a “man-made religion, out for people’s money.” So, once she made that claim to me, I just had to ask why she decided to join us for dinner.

Well, it turned out that she was invited by one of the Chinese international student—it was presented to her that it was a dinner party at a friends’ place (which was actually true). But the “place” just happened to be at a “church.” I’m sure she must have been surprised when the car parked in front of a church building. (She had even brought a bottle of apple cider for the host.) To her credit, she was cordial and friendly. While she was honest about her views, she was also willing to be a good sport for the evening, being fully engaged in the dinner and the introductions.

As the evening concluded, there were smiles on her face. And she commented that while she wouldn’t return for the follow-up gatherings, she genuinely had a nice time meeting some of the church members over dinner. Our church members knew to respect her views and not to be preachy, all the while offering our friendship.

Yet, I was saddened that she had arrived at wrong conclusions about God’s church. I think of the world when I think about the body of Christ. I don’t expect today’s readers to be naïve and assume that everything in all churches is honky dory. But wow, when I see the kind of person that Paul was, I’m inspired! As I meet pastors who live sacrificially and with integrity for the gospel, I grow in my confidence. And if that’s not enough, how about the fact that Jesus paid for the church with His own blood? And what organization can make that claim?

Prayer

Lord, reveal to us in a fresh manner the works that You are doing in Your church today. God, if I’ve been cynical about Your church, I ask that You renew my heart and passion for Your Son. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 21-22

 

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from April 27-May 1 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Peter, a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Talbot.  He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 20:7-12

⁷ On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. ⁹ Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” ¹¹ Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. ¹² The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Do you ever feel as though you just never have enough time to get to everything done throughout the day? Then tomorrow just brings another onslaught of demands and expectations? Don’t you wish you just had more TIME?

For many people, time is the most valuable commodity. If we just had more time, we’d feel as though we were more productive or accomplished. The truth is, time is the one commodity that all human beings have equally. That may not be the case with money or talent, but as for time, not one person has any more or any less. We say “24/7” because that is exactly what we have been given. So, how will you spend some of your precious time to grow in the Lord?

The early church came together on the first day of the week to celebrate the Lord and break bread together. In today’s passage, it looks as though, at least for this one day, the church spent all of their time hearing God’s teachings through Paul. Could you imagine spending the entire Sunday with your church engaging in the teachings of God?

NT Wright comments: “Many Christians will find, for all kinds of reasons, that Sunday is a difficult day to attend long church services. But we should remind ourselves that the earliest Christians lived in a world where Sunday was the first day of the working week, much like our Monday, and that they valued its symbolism so highly that they were prepared to get up extra early both to celebrate Easter once again and to anticipate the final Eighth Day of Creation, the start of the new week, the day when God will renew all things” (Surprised by Hope).

I’m not suggesting that we should turn our church services to 18 hour ordeals. But don’t you think that the more we spend time in the presence of the Lord and His Word, the more likely we will grow spiritually? And maybe, just maybe, we might even witness a supernatural miracle simply because we stayed long enough—imagine what that will do for our faith!

So the next time your church is inviting you to a weekend retreat, a 2-day conference, or even an hour-long prayer meeting, why not spend your valuable time in the presence of the Lord?

Prayer

Lord, I need Your help in prioritizing my time with You. All of my personal business and agendas demand my time, and I seem to give some leftover time to You. Help me in committing my best and my first day of the week to worship You and to learn from You. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 20

Lunch Break Study

James 4:13-16

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the stern warning that James delivers to his listeners?
2. Why does James warn the believers who are trying to make a profit?

Notes  

1. James warns the believers to not arrogantly assume that they will insulate themselves from difficulties by becoming rich.
2. James reminds the believers that there is no way to predict the future; God alone controls it.

Evening Reflection

Did you spend time today in building up your relationship with God? To deepen your trust in Him? How do you plan to spend time tomorrow in order to see God at work around your life?

Reflect upon your day and seek God’s wisdom for tomorrow.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from April 27-May 1 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Peter, a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Talbot.  He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 20:4

He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

Now, be honest: Have you ever looked at someone on your Facebook friend’s list and decided that it was time to “unfollow” them? But given that you cannot just de-friend that person, since that would be perceived as immature, passive-aggressive behavior, Facebook has given you the wonderful option to “stay” friends—that way the other person assumes that the two of you still have a friendship.

Okay, maybe it’s not that complicated for you. Today, we live in an age where we actually think we have hundreds, if not thousands, of “friends” via social media. Unfortunately, research reveals something else: “According to data from the General Social Survey (GSS), the number of Americans who say they have no close friends has roughly tripled in recent decades. ‘Zero’ is also the most common response when people are asked how many confidants they have, the GSS data show. And adult men seem to be especially bad at keeping and cultivating friendships” (Time, Mar. 2015).

As Paul traveled from city to city preaching the gospel, he faced constant opposition and persecution. However, he also added friends and trusted companions who accompanied Paul on his mission. These are what one pastor calls “spiritual friends.” A spiritual friend is someone who deliberately helps you to pay attention to God. And because we are hugely shaped through relationships, a spiritual friend plays a vital role in our own spiritual growth.

One of the qualities of a spiritual friend is that you have an admiration or a sense of respect for the person’s relationship with God. Another quality is that he/she is willing to risk discomforts in your relationship to point you towards God (Proverbs 27:6: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses”).

In reality, you don’t need hundreds of these “spiritual friends,” but certainly you do need a few. Take a quick inventory of your life: Do you have a spiritual friend? If so, keep cultivating that relationship. If not, ask yourself why you don’t have one. Have you been purposefully keeping them away? Begin asking God for a few of these in your life.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for all of the friendships in my life. Teach me to cultivate spiritual friendships where we may be able to speak truthfully with love into each other’s lives. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 19

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Sam 18:1-4: After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

Questions to Consider

1. How does the author describe the friendship between David and Jonathan?
2. What does Jonathan do in making a covenant relationship with David as his true friend?

Notes 

1. In using the phrase, “loved him as himself,” we are reminded of Jesus’ second greatest commandment— to love our neighbor as ourselves.
2. By removing his robe, which was a royal robe (as a son of King Saul), and giving it to David, Jonathan was renouncing his claim to the throne. He also gave to David his daily warrior’s sword and bow. Jonathan’s gifts to David represent his willingness to give up and transfer his particular position as heir to the throne of Israel.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time praying for your friends. Perhaps you can reach out to them by asking how you can pray for them. Express your gratitude to them for their friendship.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from April 27-May 1 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego.  Peter, a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Talbot.  He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 20:1-3a

When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. ² He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, ³ where he stayed three months.

Who is your biggest encourager in your faith?

An uproar had just been quieted by a reasonable city clerk in Ephesus. This uproar had been caused by a crowd opposing the ministry of the gospel. Wherever Paul and his companions traveled, opposition and persecution often pursued. Yet what is amazing is that though Paul faced discouraging situations and circumstances, he pressed forward, even while encouraging the younger believers to remain faithful to the Lord.

We will consider where Paul received the constant drive to keep going later during the Lunch Break study. But for now, let us consider how encouragement helps us to remain faithful to the Lord and His ministry. Personally, some of the most meaningful encouragements have often come from testimonies of brothers and sisters in our church.  Recently, as I was listening to testimonies of spiritual growth and transformation that each person had experienced through God’s grace at our church, I was overwhelmed with encouragement of how God was at work in each person’s life— I realized how oblivious I had been to God’s work right under my nose.

At home, we placed a growth chart on the wall of our children’s bedroom. Each new season, we measure our children’s height. Most of the days, we are oblivious and unaware that our children are growing, but with each new measurement, we are always amazed at just how much they have grown in just a short time.

In the same way, I may not be always aware that spiritual growth and transformation are taking place right within our church family. But when I pause to hear a testimony, I am amazed at God’s work of growth and transformation, and that encourages me tremendously in the midst of trying and difficult challenges.

In your life, how do you receive encouragement from others as you serve in God’s Kingdom? It’s important that we be challenged, taught, and corrected, but at the same time, how are you being encouraged in your faith today? How are you encouraging others in their faith?

Prayer

Lord, in my own weakness, I confess that I need encouragement from You and from others in the body of Christ. I ask also that I may be empowered by Your Spirit to bring encouragement to others. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil 1:3-6 (NIV): I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1. Why does Paul pray with joy as he prays for the Philippian church?
2. What is the basis of Paul’s confidence that God’s work will be completed in the lives of the Philippian church members?

Notes 

1. Paul’s joy resulted in his partnership with the Philippian church in the work of the gospel. One way in which they partnered with Paul was in giving financially (2 Cor. 8:3) even out of their poverty.
2. Paul was confident that God who initiated His good work would sovereignly and faithfully complete His work in the lives of the Philippians.

Evening Reflection

As you reflect back on today’s conversations with others, were you able to bring an encouragement to someone? As you look forward to tomorrow’s schedule, is there someone that you might be able to encourage?

Editor’s Note:  Today’s AMI QT Devotional is written by Jabez Yeo. Jabez, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is currently working in NYC and serving at TRPC-E. He hopes to become a missionary.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Ephesians 4:1-3

I (Paul) therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The media often portrays conservative Christians as being not too intelligent. A while back, a prominent writer for TIME magazine quipped that Christian conservatives are “poor, uneducated and easy to command.” While I hope that’s not the case today, I know for a fact that it wasn’t so in the early church when some of the best and brightest minds led the new faith.

The 2^nd century church spent much time combating Gnosticism, which proposed that Christ’s work on the cross was “purely spiritual…and that the human life and death of Jesus played no role in redemption.”[1] Irenaeus effectively refuted Gnosticism by using passages such as Romans 5. Olson writes, “Because Christ is the second Adam…; God reverses Adam’s life that resulted in corruption. For Irenaeus, Christ provided redemption by going through the entire scope of human life and…reversing the disobedience of Adam….” This was an essential point that Irenaeus emphasized, as it established redemption as a process of restoring creation rather than escaping creation, as in Gnostic heresy. Through Irenaeus, Christian theology became rooted in the truth that without Christ’s full divinity and humanity, salvation is impossible.

Because of his influence, Irenaeus was called upon to resolve all types of conflicts. One such non-essential conflict was the Quartodeciman controversy, which centered around whether Easter should be celebrated on Passover (the Quartodeciman position) or on Sunday[2]. After much debate, Victor, the bishop of Rome, was so fed up with the Quartodecimans that he excommunicated them from the church. Although Irenaeus believed that Easter should be celebrated on Sunday, he admonished Victor to preserve unity in the body of Christ. For Irenaeus, the fact that the Lord’s resurrection was being celebrated by both parties was sufficient.

As Christians, may we not only learn from Irenaeus’ writings but also from his eagerness to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Let’s pray for wisdom to engage in essential conflicts and to preserve unity otherwise.

Prayer: Lord, as I often engage in arguments and conflicts for the sake of doing so, give me the wisdom to fight over what is crucial and the discernment to look over non-essential issues. Help me to mediate the conflicts around me with Your peace and love. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

[1] Olson, Roger. The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform.

[2] https://www.gci.org/church/holidays/passover

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 17

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Cor. 1:10-12: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Questions to Consider

1. What appears to be the problem described in the above passage? What would be its modern equivalent?
2. What is so sad and tragic about this problem?
3. What realization is necessary in order to keep the believers with a strong conviction from beating each other up?

Notes

1. The Christians who favored or followed different Bible teachers became divisive probably because they insisted that their teacher was more biblical and spiritual than others. This would be equivalent to Calvinists and Arminians arguing over who is more faithful to the Scripture.
2. The believers, while arguing over matters relating to the Bible and God, end up losing their Christian testimony before the world. It shows that the Christians are no different than the feuding politicians and contentious businessmen.
3. They have to realize that Christ cannot be divided, that no human teacher can be placed above Him. Sometimes, the best policy is to agree to disagree, and leave it at that. As long as we agree on the essentials of our faith, we have reason to maintain the Christian unity in Christ.

Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this day, think about those situations that are slowly dividing your family and/or church: Are you part of the problem or solution? Please spend some time in prayer to ask God what to do. If you are the one causing the division, repent and ask for forgiveness; if not, then, ask God for boldness to address the divisive individual. Remember what Christ said: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity” (Jn. 17:22-3).