Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from March 14-20 are provided by Pastor Charles Choe of Tapestry Church, Los Angeles.  Charles, a graduate of UC Riverside and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, and they have three children: Chloe, Noah, and Camden, who was recently born.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 10:9-33

10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.

Having served a number of churches, I’ve come to see that every church has its traditions. Everything from cultural to denominational, I have seen people have strong feelings for certain forms of spirituality or church practices that they are even willing to fight and divide over them.

Traditions are not bad; they can be very good and be a way to remember what God has done in the past—a way to relive those important moments. But we can also become enslaved to them. Instead of serving as a bridge to lead to truth and life, it can also be used to build a box to keep God inside and others out.

In our passage, Peter is with Simon the tanner in the city of Joppa. But while Peter was praying on the rooftop, where meals were often served, he enters into a trance and sees a vision of a sheet descending from the heavens with all kinds of animals on it and an accompanying voice with the words “kill and eat.” Peter refused to violate the dietary laws as prescribed in Deuteronomy 14, where ceremonially unclean animals—like pigs and birds—were forbidden for consumption. But the clear message for Peter, and for all Jews thereafter, was to partake of it, because “what God has made clean, do not call common.”

Consider why it was so difficult for Peter to comprehend God’s message. It comes down to building a life on traditions. The Jews were defined by the traditions of their dietary restrictions, and of course, it served its purpose for its time. But when God was ready to do a new thing, Peter found himself initially unwilling to believe—the old wineskin was keeping him from the new wine.

God speaks through the ordinary things of life as well as through the great visions of the heavens. We are called today to pay attention to see how God is doing a new thing in our lives. Am I listening? Am I paying attention? Consider what traditions, habits or past teachings that might be keeping you from hearing afresh the voice of God in your life today.

Prayer

God, help me to see You today. Help me not to take for granted how You speak through ordinary things in life. Allow my ears to listen attentively to Your voice. Don’t allow distractions or traditions to keep me from loving You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 5:16-26 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Questions to Consider

1. What are the works of the flesh? According to Paul, what will keep us from gratifying the desires of the flesh?
2. What is the fruit of the Spirit?
3. What particular fruit of the Spirit do you need to work on?

Notes

1. “The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (verses 19-21). When we allow the Spirit to lead us, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
2. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (verses 22-23).
3. Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

“Fruit is always the miraculous, the created; it is never the result of willing, but always a growth. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift of God, and only He can produce it. They who bear it know as little about it as the tree knows of its fruit. They know only the power of Him on whom their life depends” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from March 14-20 are provided by Pastor Charles Choe of Tapestry Church, Los Angeles.  Charles, a graduate of UC Riverside and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, and they have three children: Chloe, Noah, and Camden, who was recently born.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 10:1-8

A devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

As far as anyone could tell, the young man looked like he was a brilliant doctor, with all the right certifications indicating that he had fulfilled the rigorous requirements necessary to practice his medicine. Each day he went to work in a lab coat and a stethoscope around his neck, ready to assist anyone who happened to cross his path—but appearances can be deceiving. This was no doctor at all, but he was an 18-year-old Florida teen pretending to be a doctor. Just last month, Malachi Love-Robinson of the state of Florida was arrested for practicing medicine without a license.

Appearance can be deceiving indeed. And its danger lies in the deception of confusing form for substance. We find this to be true in the story of Cornelius, a Gentile who served as a centurion in the city of Caesarea for the Roman Empire. But we also learn that he was a man who feared God. Of all the deities in this Roman city, he chose to have a deep respect and reverence for the God of Israel. Not only that, Cornelius gave generously to the people who were in need, and he was also said to be a man of prayer.

By all appearances, Cornelius was a man of God who had the characteristics of true faith. But the truth is, Cornelius fell short; and apart from the gracious visitation of an angel and the timely visit of Peter, Cornelius would still be lost to the world and his religion.

In a sense, Cornelius represents the best of what religion has to offer, but it can only take us so far. Cornelius shows us how apart from an encounter with the living God and receiving the grace of God, all of our doings are ultimately useless and unsatisfying. We need to meet Jesus, as this is how we begin a relationship with God. It is also how we continue to sustain ourselves in our faith. We are to meet the Lord again and again.

Have you had an encounter with God? Are you making an effort to continue meeting Him this day? As you take time to examine Cornelius’ life, look at the depths of your own heart this morning and earnestly seek to meet the living God.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, come and meet me this hour! I want to experience You anew. Remind me again how apart from Your gracious visit, I am lost in my own goodness. Come and meet me today! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1

[1] Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

[2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

[3] He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

[4] The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

[5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

[6] for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions to Consider

1. According to the first two verses, what makes for a truly happy person?
2. In this short Psalm, there is a clear contrast between the one who follows God and the wicked who do not? What is the consequence of the wicked?
3. The one who meets the Lord “is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (verse 3). In what way will you meet the Lord today aside from doing this Quiet Time Devotional?

Notes

1. The one who walks in the way of God and delights in Him.
2. The wicked stands to be judged and will ultimately perish.
3. Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” – Francis Chan

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from March 14-20 are provided by Pastor Charles Choe of Tapestry Church, Los Angeles.  Charles, a graduate of UC Riverside and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, and they have three children: Chloe, Noah, and Camden, who was recently born.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 9:32-42

But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

In the 2002 movie Like Mike, Calvin and his friends who all live in an orphanage, find some old shoes with the faded letters “MJ”. These shoes are somehow tied to a power line; and on one stormy night, they go to retrieve the shoes when Calvin and the shoes are struck by lightning. Calvin now has fantastic basketball powers and eventually plays for the NBA where he dominates fellow NBA stars with his new found shoes.

In the same way, the story of the Bible is the ability of God to take ordinary people to do extraordinary things through them. We see again and again when God’s Spirit takes hold of an individual, astonishing things can happen. We see in our story today, God working powerfully through Peter, an uneducated fisherman from small town Galilee. First, he heals the man Aeneas from paralysis. Then immediately after, he resurrects Dorcas.

Jesus can use anyone who is obedient and willing to be used by Him. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead and saved our soul is now in us to do God’s works. But the truth is, we often find ourselves defeated by Satan’s lies—the most effective one being low self-esteem. That’s Satan’s greatest weapon. He renders us powerless by giving us a sense of inferiority, inadequacy, and low self-worth—this is what shackles many of us. And in spite of amazing spiritual experiences and knowledge of God’s Word, we find ourselves not fully living up to our potentials.

God calls us to an extraordinary life. And for God to use us, we must humbly make ourselves available. Then we must obediently use the gifts and opportunities God gives us to usher the presence of God wherever we find ourselves. This act of surrender is precisely the power of God in us. God will only do great things through us when we surrender to His kingdom and His priorities. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, let us remember the power of God in us this day!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to realize the potential I have in You. I want to be an agent of change. Help me to join You in all the work You are doing in and around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 6:12-20

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Questions to Consider

1. If we are to realize the potential for great power we have in Jesus, we must also realize who our enemy is and what our battle is. According to Paul, who is our enemy and what is our battle?
2. What are we commended to do to prepare for this heavenly battle?
3. As you read through the section on the armor of God, what is one particular area you have to strengthen in your life?

Notes

1. The enemy is the Devil and the battle is against the cosmic powers of darkness.
2. We are to put on the armor of God.
3. Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

“Take God at His Word – because winning the battle doesn’t require physical brawn, but spiritual brains!” – Pedro Okoro

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from March 14-20 are provided by Pastor Charles Choe of Tapestry Church, Los Angeles.  Charles, a graduate of UC Riverside and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, and they have three children: Chloe, Noah, and Camden, who was recently born.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 9:10-19

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Doing ministry for over two decades, I’ve had my share of disagreements and aggrieved relationships. The temptation to do away with people who are difficult always seems so easy to give into. Yet I have found that some of my most prized relationships today are the result of persisting in difficult relationships and reconciling over broken ones.

Paul—still known as Saul—begins his journey from persecutor of the church to apostle, after he is memorably blinded on the Damascus road by the Lord Jesus himself. Ananias, a disciple from Damascus, is called upon by God to intercede on behalf of the still blinded Saul. But Ananias is initially reluctant for good reason: Paul is a terror to the early church, and it’s possible that Ananias is on the persecutors’ list. He, nonetheless, obeys God and finds himself before Saul, saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, Saul regains his sight, he gets up and is baptized.

This event would become Ananias’ greatest test of faith. Remarkably, the dutiful disciple not only follows orders but seemingly does so ungrudgingly. Ananias’ words match his actions, as he not only touches Saul but establishes rapport by receiving him as a “brother.” These gestures add up to a warm welcome, demonstrating genuine love and kindness, and more importantly acceptance as a part of the community. At no point does Ananias reproach Saul. No longer does Ananias speak about “this man” (Acts 9:13), but as “Brother Saul.” The despised enemy, the alien, has become a brother.

He found the feared persecutor alone, blind, and helpless. All the hurt and fear Ananias had felt drained away. The same Lord who called Ananias to go to Saul also filled him with His love and forgiveness. The deep compassion and acceptance that Ananias offers Saul was not his to give: It represents the forgiveness possible through Christ, a reconciliation that would shape Paul’s ministry.

Often the believers are called to respond counter-intuitively to the world, and when we do, we can experience the dramatic reconciling power of the risen Christ. The persecuted Ananias, in the power of the risen Christ, calls his former persecutor “brother.” In Jesus, that kind of reconciled community is possible. Paul’s ministry would come to be defined by this reconciliation, between “Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female.” Paul’s life was changed by the encounter with the risen Christ, but through Paul, the very character of the early church will begin to be transformed.

Bible Reading for Today: Nahum 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 3:23-9: Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. [24] So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Questions to Consider

1. In verse 24, Paul says that “the law was our guardian until Christ came.” In what sense is this true?
2. According to verse 28, what distinction has been removed in the New Covenant that once existed in the Old Covenant.
3. In what way is the New Covenant of neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, no male or female, most evident in your life?

Notes

1. The Law serves as a guardian, because it highlights and restrains sin, and it also foretells the coming of Christ.
2. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female.
3. Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

“God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.” – Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals from March 14-20 are provided by Pastor Charles Choe of Tapestry Church, Los Angeles.  Charles, a graduate of UC Riverside and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Grace, and they have three children: Chloe, Noah, and Camden, who was recently born.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 9:1-9

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

I was arrested once in my lifetime. Before I knew Christ, I was in the throes of my youthful rebellion when I was picked up by the police for shoplifting at the local mall. I had been stealing for a long time, so when I was finally arrested, it was definitely “a long time coming.”

On his way to Damascus, Saul too, was apprehended by God. A great light from heaven, which Saul would have recognized as the glory of God, accompanied the words of Jesus. Jesus told Saul that persecuting the church was tantamount to fighting God himself. Saul thought he was doing the will of God, but God in His mercy, stopped him from continuing down that destructive path.

Do you remember when you were stopped by the Lord? He does it in a lot of different ways for different people. Some are overcome by the guilt of sin, and they call on the Lord, asking Him to save them from it, while with others, God allows them to smash into a brick wall in life before they see the light and call on the Lord for help. Very often, God will show us through failures and disappointments that we need correction in our life course.

This is because we do not very often call on God when things are going well in our lives. We usually have to hit rock bottom before we are willing to look up for help. It’s only when we humbly acknowledge we cannot do it on our own that God is able to come and help us. If it takes several hard knocks in life to produce humility, then God will allow that to happen for the greater good!

Paul saw the light, and He saw the errors of his way. How about you today? Do you sense God is trying to get your attention? Do you feel the Lord is trying to change the direction you are going? If so, turn to Him in repentance today!

Bible Reading for Today: Nahum 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:12-21 (ESV): Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

[17] Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. [18] For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Questions to Consider

1. Paul’s life is purposeful, for he constantly aims toward a heavenly goal, but in verse 14, says he has not reached that goal. What is the prize of reaching that goal?
2. Paul calls the Philippians to imitate him. What does this mean?
3. Are you able to say “imitate me as I imitate Christ” to somebody today?

Notes

1. The prize is the fullness of blessings and rewards in the age to come, more specifically, being in perfect fellowship with Christ forever.
2. Paul is not saying the Philippians are to focus on him per se but rather for them to join him in humble, radical dependence on Christ.
3. Personal Response.

Evening Reflection

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” –C.S. Lewis

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from March 7-13 are provided by Kate Moon.  Kate has been serving the Lord in E. Asia for nearly 15 years. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 8:29-36

The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him . . . 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.  36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”

In a remote rain forest jungle part of the world, there were once two villages separated by a large mountain.  One village had received the gospel, built a rough structure with a cross on top, started gathering regularly for meetings, and wonderful and amazing things happened there.  News of these goings on reached the other village, but only in bits and pieces because of the whole mountain separating the two.  They heard that this first village had built this structure, that they gathered there, that amazing things were happening.  So they decided to try the same.  They built a rough structure with a cross on top, started gathering there regularly, and they would sit in this structure and wait—wait to see what would happen next. The documentary that recorded this true story ended something like this: “At the time the editing of this film was completed, there was as of yet still no missionary working among the people of the second village.”

Presumably, it was because the village was too remote – if I remember correctly, for all practical intents and purposes, only reachable by helicopter or a very long trip up a river by boat – but after watching this documentary, I remember having these thoughts:  Here were these people who were sitting around in this (unbeknownst to them) “church” building they had built themselves, waiting for someone to come tell them about Jesus.  People in America had many chances to hear and the luxury to refuse time and again, but there were people in the world who had not yet heard even once and were just waiting for someone to come and tell them.  To me, the obstacles of physical distance or discomfort seemed more surmountable than that of a hardened heart.  If the only reason some people weren’t saved was for lack of hearing because they lived in too remote a place, I thought, heck, I’d go.

The Ethiopian eunuch, like the villagers above, was someone who also just needed a little help.  The Holy Spirit had already done all the work in his heart, even had him start reading the Scriptures; he was just having some trouble understanding what he was reading and needed someone to explain.  Living in certain environments where people are generally not so open to hearing the gospel, we can feel that evangelism is so hard.  But sometimes, it can be as easy as this.  There are people in the world who are reading, searching, wondering, questioning – wishing there were someone they could ask so that they could understand.  Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to bring us to them that we might lend a helping hand.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me to be willing to make myself available to help someone in spiritual need.  Open my spiritual eyes that I may see who those people are, whether they are in my immediate context or somewhere farther away that I need to go.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Nahum 1

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from March 7-13 are provided by Kate Moon.  Kate has been serving the Lord in E. Asia for nearly 15 years. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 8:9-13; 18-24

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention . . . . 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”  24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

What can we tell about someone who chooses sorcery as his occupation in life?  At the very least, he isn’t normal.  In Acts chapter 8, we see an interesting portrait of this funny, unusual man.  He enjoyed the attention of people, boasted that he was someone great, but when someone greater came along, he fell into line and started following this person everywhere.  His character seems almost recognizable, like the man in the movies who boasts in a bar of his arm-wrestling ability only to make a quick about-face when the real champion walks in.  The comedy is in how shamelessly he humbles himself in the blink of an eye – a seeming defeat – but in that moment, if he does it charmingly enough, he wins over the heart of the audience.

Ego larger than life on the one hand, able to follow someone around like a devoted fan on the other, Simon could have been one such person.  Despite all the outrageous things he says and does, we can still somehow see the humanity of the new believer and former sorcerer.  Because of his newfound faith, he’d had to abandon the career which had been his whole identity and source of affirmation.  As he tries to figure out a new life for himself, all he knows is that this ministry of the Holy Spirit attracts him; it seems similar to but at the same time so much better than what he’d been doing in the past.  He had a heart that longed for more and the faith to believe in God for the extraordinary, but in seeking to gain some kind of access to all this himself, he goes about things in a clumsy way, offering money, and his request is denied.

Peter says that his heart wasn’t right before God, that it was full of bitterness and captive to sin. Was it out of bitterness that he had worked all his life in the past?  A desire to make people recognize him born out of past experiences of their rejection or disrespect?  If Simon wanted to engage in God’s work, he needed to have his heart renewed; he couldn’t bring the same heart he’d done sorcery and magic with before into the Holy Spirit ministry now.  If he truly wanted to engage in this ministry, he needed to be operating from a deep love for people and a desire to see Jesus glorified, not himself.

It is admirable to seek the power of the Holy Spirit in ministry; it means we’re not content with life as usual when we know we serve an extraordinary God.  As we seek God’s power, however, let us also pursue purity of heart.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, what is in my heart today?  Do I desire people’s attention or affirmation?  Am I motivated at all by any bitterness that I am nursing in my heart?  Help me to lay all less than noble motives down.  This day, as I seek Your power to serve Your people, would You purify my heart?  For Your glory, in Your name I pray.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 21-22

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from March 7-13 are provided by Kate Moon.  Kate has been serving the Lord in E. Asia for nearly 15 years. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 7:59-60, 8:4-8:  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

I didn’t understand the hurry many Asian parents seemed to be in to get their children married off until someone explained to me that in this culture, parents don’t feel like their job is done until they see their children married and settled down.  A majority of American parents may feel it their responsibility to get their children through high school at least; for Asian parents, getting their children married was the stage they were responsible for seeing through.  Once they did, they could say, “It is finished,” (i.e., be “done” with parenting).

What about for spiritual parenting?  When is a spiritual parent’s job “done?”  What would it mean to see spiritual parenting responsibly through to the end as we engage in this work that we are all called by Jesus to do, namely making disciples of all nations?

In today’s descriptions of Stephen and Philip, we see Jesus’ image.  Stephen died the way Jesus died: asking God to forgive those who persecuted him.  Philip worked the way Jesus worked: traveling, speaking, healing and driving out demons (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:39).  Yet neither Stephen nor Philip were one of the Twelve.  They were both, actually, among the Seven who had been chosen by the Twelve to help with the ministry to the widows (Acts 6:5); they were disciples of the Disciples.  The spiritual grandchildren of Jesus.  He must have been so proud.

Often when we think about mentoring others, we think about training them to do what we do, but our job is actually not really done until we see them reproducing, training others to do what they can now do.  These days, as I engage in this work, I find myself relating somewhat to those parents asking, “So, have you found anyone, yet?” as I ask people whether they’ve found anyone to love, even if it’s just one person, to love into the family of God and continue loving to the point of seeing them loving others.  I’m eager to see spiritual grandchildren.  How about you?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to be a good spiritual parent today, teaching Your children well, helping them learn to help others.  Help me to be faithful to the Jesus I’ve seen in my mentors, and may Your image be faithfully passed down to the next generations, that others may continue to see You in them.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 20

Lunch Break Study

Read and study the following passages:

Deuteronomy 4:9: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Deuteronomy 11:18-19: Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Joel 1:3-4: Tell your sons about it, And let your sons tell their sons, And their sons the next generation.  What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; And what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten; And what the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust has eaten . . . .

Psalms 78:4: We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

Questions to Consider

1. What did God command His people to pass on to their children in Deuteronomy?
2. What themes from Deuteronomy 4:9 are echoed in Joel 1:3? What is the specific context in Joel?
3. What element does Psalms 78:4 emphasize in terms of telling what God has done? What should be one focus when we are talking about God to the next generations?

Notes

1. Their experiences of God (“the things your eyes have seen” 4:9) and His words (including instructions and commands) (11:18).
2. They are to tell of what God has done and keep passing down the stories from one generation to the next. The context is God’s judgment (an invasion of locusts).  It is not only salvation that is to be remembered; God’s judgments are also to be remembered as warnings.
3. As they tell the stories, they are to be told from a perspective of praising God. As we tell the next generations of what God has done, one thing to be mindful of is that we are to be raising up the next generation of worshippers.

Evening Reflection

Is there any way in which I’ve experienced God today that I need to hold on to and remember? To pass down to the next generation to the praise and glory of His name?

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from March 7-13 are provided by Kate Moon.  Kate has been serving the Lord in E. Asia for nearly 15 years. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 7:51-54: “51 You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!  You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!  52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?  They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.  And now you have betrayed and murdered him –  53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”  54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

Have you ever found yourself angered by someone’s words or actions only to realize later that they were right and you were wrong?  If so, consider yourself fortunate as it is better than being insensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit to the end.

Soon after Stephen comes to the climax of his speech with these words, he himself joins the too-long line of prophets who, throughout Israel’s history, have been persecuted by their own countrymen.  Before the Sanhedrin, Stephen speaks of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers out of jealousy (v. 9), and Moses who was rejected by the Israelites, though he had performed miracles to prove he had been sent by God to deliver and govern them (vv. 35-36).  Through Holy Spirit-inspired wisdom, by reviewing these stories from their collective past, Stephen masterfully shows what is in the hearts of man and whose side, in the end, history ends up being on.  As they listened to Stephen speak, were the chief priests able to see the jealousy in their own hearts that had led them to crucify Jesus on the cross?  Could they see that in rejecting Jesus, who had been sent by God to be their Lord and Savior, they were rejecting the “prophet like [Moses]” (v. 37) whose office had been authenticated by miracles just as Moses’ was?

From their reaction, it is clear that they understood what Stephen was saying about them, but they were not able to receive it.  When earlier Peter preaches the same message, people are struck to the heart, and 3,000 people repent and turn to God (Acts 2:36-41).  When Stephen preaches, his audience continues to resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit and ends up persecuting, even unto death, yet another prophet sent to them by God.

Is there someone or a situation that is making you angry today?  Examine your heart carefully to see whether your anger is justified or whether the Holy Spirit is trying to speak to you about this situation.  If He is, listen.  If needed, repent.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, would You search my heart to see if there is any offensive way within me?  Especially if there is any anger and I am in the wrong, convict me.  I’ve seen in Your word today how scary a thing it is to have a hardened heart.  I don’t want to resist You; please help me not to resist.  In Jesus’ name.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 7:54-58 & 1 Timothy 1:13-17:

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56  ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’  57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Questions to Consider

1. How are the Sanhedrin described here?
2. How is Stephen described in contrast?
3. Paul, who witnessed this scene as Saul in Acts 7:58, later writes 1 Timothy 1:13-17.  In light of his transformation, what hope is there for our anger-filled society today?  What should we keep doing, no matter what the circumstances?

Notes

1. Gnashing teeth, yelling, throwing things – it is a picture of people turned almost inhuman as they are overcome by a violent anger – a picture, unfortunately, that we have seen one time too many, whether in tragic news reports or for some, in childhood memories growing up.
2. In this moment when people are furious with him, Stephen is looking up to heaven, seeing God, and pointing others to Him, still wanting them to see Him, too.
3. If he was the one who described the scene to Luke, his traveling companion and author of Acts, it means that even when Paul was not a sympathetic observer, Stephen’s witness had been burned in his memory, made an impact. We need to keep pointing people to Jesus.

Evening Reflection

As God’s kingdom advances, there is resistance, both from without and within.  Was I able to stand firm in my witness in an unsympathetic world today?  Was I able to stay soft in my heart and yield to the Holy Spirit today?

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from March 7-13 are provided by Kate Moon.  Kate has been serving the Lord in E. Asia for nearly 15 years. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 7:29-32a: 

“When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.  30 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.  31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight.  As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord’s voice: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’”

In some ways, all of the Kung Fu Panda movies are about the lead character Po’s search for identity.  In the first, we know from the moment he calls a goose “Dad” that he is going to have to deal with this question of where he “really” came from some day.  In the second, he begins to have flashbacks of seeing his panda mother, and in the third, he meets his biological father for the first time, and the recognition is immediate.  They have the same coloring, build and appetite, and as his panda dad takes him back to the village to meet more of his species, we can feel with Po his sense of wonder, happiness and joy at discovering there are others like him.

Moses, like Po, was adopted.  He had lived in his father’s house for only three months (v. 20) before he was set adrift in the river.  Moses grows up neither fully belonging to the Egyptian palace where he was raised nor to the enslaved race to whom he was related by blood.  As he flees from a major conflict where his two worlds would have collided, we can imagine him finding solace and a semblance of peace as a complete foreigner in the land of Midian.  Not having to be between two worlds was in some ways easier, but it also meant that he had given up on belonging anywhere at all.  It is in this place that God comes to look for him, finds him, and tells him who he is.  God tells him that his fathers were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and that He was their God.  Moses belonged to Him.

“Where did I come from?  Who is my father?”  Such questions are important to us because they have to do with our sense of identity, knowing who we are and where we belong, knowing that we are not alone and that our existence has some greater context and therefore meaning.  Do we have peace, joy and security in who we are today because we know full well who our Father is?

Prayer

God of heaven, thank you for being my Father.  Thank you for coming to find me to tell me who I am.  I am your beloved, your creation, your child.  Help me to live like a child of yours ought to live today.  In the name of Jesus through whom I’ve become your very own I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Acts 17:24-29: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why did God create the world and everything in it, including human beings (vv. 24-27)?
2. Who is God to us (vv. 28-29)?
3. What quality do we share with God and what is the significance of this fact (v. 29)? What are we treating as divine (i.e., worshipping or turning to as our source of help) today?

Notes

1. He created us so that we would seek him and find him. What does it mean to “find” God but to experience him, come to know him, and have a relationship with him?
2. God sustains our very existence, our every moment and every breath. He is the answer to our question, “Where did we come from?”
3. Both we and God are spiritual beings. Because we are spirit, in our search for God, we won’t be satisfied until we see someone else who is spirit like us.  Along the way, we may temporarily mistake created things for him, but because we are spirit, worship of created things will never truly satisfy.

Evening Reflection

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt?  Who am I, that the bright and morning star, would choose to light the way, for my ever wandering heart?  Not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done; not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are.  I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.  Still You hear me when I’m calling, Lord, You catch me when I’m falling, and You’ve told me who I am: I am Yours.”

~ Casting Crowns, “Who am I”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7k81rDx448