Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from February 29 to March 6 are provided by Pastor Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church in S. F.  Mark, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), has been married to Mira for 20 years; they have two children, Jeremiah and Carissa.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 5:1-6

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. [1]

I realize that this passage is probably not the easiest one to start your Monday with, since very rarely do we like to look at difficult subjects like God’s judgment.  But the obvious question here is this: “Why did God deal so severely with Ananias and Sapphira?”   In short, the answer could be found in what follows.

There were two ideals that the Holy Spirit empowered the early believers to fulfill.  The first was a fulfillment of the Greek ideal of friendship.  For the Greeks, true friendship meant holding everything in common and to be of one mind.  Aristotle has been reputed to having defined friendship as “two bodies with one soul.”   This ideal became a reality in the life of the early church, and for that reason, it attracted those looking for authentic friendship.

The second ideal that was fulfilled by the early church was the Old Testament promise that in a society that followed the commands of God, God would bless them by eradicating poverty.  Again, the early church realized this ideal and drew those who were looking for a just and fair society.  It’s no wonder that Christianity had such an overwhelming power of attraction in the book of Acts.

Ultimately, this explains why God dealt so severely with Ananias and Sapphira.  What seems unfair to us and overly severe is perfect and righteous in the hands of God.  For this special period of time where Christianity was just taking root, it was imperative that the church be established in purity.  Unfortunately, Ananias and Sapphira were in the wrong place at the wrong time; but because of the fate of this couple, no pretenders, or those with a half-hearted commitment or mixed motives dared to join the group of disciples.  Amazingly, later in the chapter, we see an unexpected result of God’s judgment—a multitude of new believers were added to the church.  The warning and the lesson to be taken from this story this: the purity of the church is vitally important and well worth guarding, if we are to be light in our world. 

Prayer

Lord, we pray for the church today—both our local church and the universal body.  Help us to desire purity and power in our congregations so that we might serve as Your witnesses in a darkened world.  We pray for the pouring out of Your Spirit and true revival to sweep through the hearts of believers across our cities, nation, and world.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Acts 5:1–6). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 8

Lunch Break Study

Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. [1]

Questions to Consider:

1. What does it mean for Christians to be the salt of the earth?
2. Why are Christians the light of the world?

Notes:

1. The duty of the Christian in the world is two-fold: First, as salt of the earth, we are called to arrest and prevent the moral decay and corruption of the world.  The main purpose of salt in the days before refrigeration was its utility as a preservative and a disinfectant.  If you cure a piece of meat properly with salt, it will stay good for a long time.  If you rub salt in a wound, it will keep it from being infected.  In this way, Christians are meant to permeate the whole of society so that even though we are few, we hold the world accountable to what is true, just, fair, and good.
2. Second, we are the light of the world because the light of Christ dwells within us. We not only play a preventive role against decay and corruption, Christians are the only ones that can bring light into the darkness, life to the dead, and real change in the heart. The church is only as bright as the indwelling presence of Christ and the fullness of His Holy Spirit in each believer.  As a biblical metaphor, light encompasses more than the idea of truth but it is not less than that.  And in Luke’s account of this subject of light, Jesus tells Christians, “Be careful lest the light in you be darkness.”

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Mt. 5:13–16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Evening Reflection

How have you been a witness for Christ today?  When is the last time you prayed for a non-believer or shared the gospel with someone who was seeking?  As we approach Easter Sunday in a few weeks, pray that God would give you opportunities to share your faith and invite someone to church.

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

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. 18For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Have you ever sought meaning in life’s philosophies or in the world’s wisdom? One person who did but was eventually disillusioned by his search was Justin Martyr. Justin, born in the early 2^nd century A.D., attempted to find fulfillment in the Greek philosophy of Stoicism. Unconvinced, he then cycled through the teachings of different philosophers but was never completely satisfied. Around A.D. 130, conversations with an elderly believer led Justin Martyr to surrender his life to Jesus—and he experienced a powerful life transformation!

Around the same time, the heresy of Gnosticism was becoming rampant in the early church. In a nutshell, the Gnostics believed that the material world was unimportant, and that physical bodies were prisons trapping the human spirit, which they considered to be the “spark of God.” Thus, they proposed that Christ had not become incarnate but had only appeared to be human in order to rescue stray “sparks” of God’s being that were trapped in human bodies. Since its inception, Gnosticism has spawned heretical beliefs, including the elevation of the soul to divinity that have echoed throughout history, especially in the recent New Age movement.

Utilizing his past experience in Greek philosophy, Justin Martyr countered the claims of Gnosticism thoroughly in his writings. In particular, Justin Martyr delved into the concept of the Logos—God’s pre-existent spirit who became incarnate in Jesus Christ. He explained, “just as fire comes from fire without diminishing the original source, so Christ as the universal Logos pre-existed as God’s Son.”[1] Justin Martyr then wrote Syntagma, which established him as the most important 2^nd century apologist in the eyes of many, as it was the first major anti-Gnostic writing by an orthodox Christian.

Ultimately, Justin was arrested for his faith and was ordered by Roman authorities to denounce his belief in God. Refusing to do so, Justin was then executed and surnamed “Martyr,” as he gave his life for what he considered to be “true philosophy.” As Christians today, may we also find our true satisfaction, not in the world’s wisdom, but in God’s eternal truth.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help me to find ultimate meaning in Your Word, and may it spur me to lead a life that is pleasing to You. May I not trust in my own intellect or in the world’s wisdom, but help me to place my hope in Your truth, even though my mind cannot completely comprehend it. Lord Jesus, as my Good Shepherd, lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

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

Bible Reading for Today: Revelations 7

Editor’s Note: Today’s AMI Devotional QT is written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.  

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Philippians 2:1-8 (ESV): So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

There is a Jewish prayer that men would pray. It goes like this: “Blessed are you, Hashem (which is a title for God), King of the Universe, for not having made me a Gentile, a slave, a woman.”  This reflects the social structure that considered Gentiles, slaves, and women as second class citizen. The funny thing is that the inauguration of the Philippian church started with Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and the demonized slave girl. If you look carefully, you notice that these are the exact people that Jews considered as second-class citizens. Truly, God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the strong, the least expected people to shake society.

However, what is most shocking is how different these three people must have been. Can you imagine what it must have been like for these three people to be a part of the church-planting team in Philippi? It must have been difficult, as Paul writes this encouragement to the church, to pursue unity by having the mind of Christ. He is not denying the individuality or uniqueness of each person. Rather, he is encouraging the body to submit to the head, which is Christ, by having the same mindset. Paul says that we are to look not only to our own interests, but to the interests of others. What a difficult command this is, particularly as our sinful tendencies cause us to be naturally self-centered. It is not easy, but it is not impossible.

Brothers and Sisters, we are all part of local churches that are composed of different people. We all have different upbringings, different ways of doing things, different cultures and backgrounds, but we are to be in unity, in one accord by having this mind of Christ – to consider the interests of others more significant than our own. God will use whomever He wishes, and as He used the ‘weakest’ and most ‘diverse’ group of people in Philippi to impact their community, let’s pray that God would also give us a spirit of unity so that we might be healthy churches used by God for His purposes.

Prayer

Father, particularly as I relate to my church, help me to die to my flesh so that I might submit to the head of my church. Give me and my church a spirit of unity so that we would be a healthy church that can fulfill Your purposes for our church, as well as to bless and impact our immediate and surrounding communities. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we can walk in step with the exciting things that You are doing. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelations 5-6

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for February 25-6 are provided by Tina Hsu.  Tina, a graduate of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), currently serves in E. Asia as a preaching intern. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Joshua 2:1-3, 8-14, 23-24 (NASB)

Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there. 2 It was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you. 23 Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”

The story of Rahab and the two spies displays God at work in two significant ways. First, God uses Rahab, an unlikely heroine, to play a part in God’s purpose for Israel. Through a Gentile harlot, the two spies learn that Jericho is melting in fear at the thought of the sons of Israel. Jericho had heard about how the God of Israel split the Red Sea and also gave Israel victory over the Amorites. Rahab’s report is a sign for the two spies, and later for Joshua, that God has paved the way for Israel to successfully enter and possess the land.

Second, this story reveals a glimpse of God reaching the Gentiles, which was His heart for Abraham as He said in Gen. 12:3, “And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” God delivers Rahab and her family from the judgment He was about to bring about by His holy nation, Israel. Rahab was probably confused that the two spies sought to lodge at her place, whereas most men seek her out for her business as a harlot. It was not until the servants of Jericho’s king knocked on her door that she found that these men were actually the sons of Israel. In her heart, she thought to herself, “The God of these men who are lodging in my home is the God who did mighty wonders for His people. He is God of heaven and earth. I want a future with the God of Israel. If I have favor from them, my family and I could have a hope and a future.” Rahab was not only God’s instrument to speak to Joshua and the two spies, but she was the key instrument for her family’s redemption and future with God’s people. In the eyes of the world and in the eyes of her family, Rahab is an unlikely heroine, but God chose to touch her life in this transformative way and to use her to bring about His purposes for Israel.

God uses average people who are precious in His eyes to accomplish His extraordinary plans. Today, spend some time thanking the Lord that He has called average people like us to be blessed and to be a blessing.

Prayer: Dear God, I echo Psalm 20:7 as my prayer this morning, “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God.” I desire for Your glory and honor to shine in and through my life. Continue to use an ordinary person like me for Your extraordinary purpose. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 4

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31: For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is the situation of Paul’s audience, the Corinthian church?
2. What does Paul exhort the Corinthians to consider?
3. What do you usually boast about to feel valued and significant? Consider your calling – how your value and worth are found in Christ Jesus – and boast in Him today.

Notes

1. There was internal division and quarreling in the church body. People were also troubled and felt inferior to the world’s standard of wisdom because their faith was centered on a crucified Messiah, which is foolishness in the eyes of the world.
2. Paul exhorts them to be empowered by that truth that they are God’s chosen ones. They are “in Christ Jesus, who became to [them] wisdom from God.” God did not base His choosing upon human wisdom, power, or ancestry. God chose them by His wisdom and power, so that they may only boast in God.
3. Personal Reflection.

Evening Reflection

Consider your personal testimony of salvation and transformation. How does your life testimony highlight the goodness and power of God? Ask God for an opportunity this weekend to boast about His goodness and power to someone.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT Devotionals for February 25-6 are provided by Tina Hsu.  Tina, a graduate of Biola University and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), currently serves in E. Asia as a preaching intern. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Joshua 1:1-9 (NASB)

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2“Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the laws which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

In preparing to serve at a new AMI church in Asia, a close sister from California asked me, “What’s your ammo?” She said “ammo” is the spiritual ammunition or weapon I need to overcome spiritual obstacles and to combat the attacks of the enemy. Knowing that I would be facing a significant change by leaving California to live and serve in a different country, she wanted me to be aware of the ways I might be vulnerable to Satan’s attacks, and thus, prepare my ammo. Why is it important to prepare ammo? The reason is, as God’s masterpieces, we are all Satan’s targets. While God has appointed us to bear lasting fruit and to experience His promises, Satan aims to deceive us, confuse us, and rob us of what God has in store.

When God called Joshua to lead Israel to inherit the Promised Land, God prepared Joshua with “ammo.” God called Joshua and Israel to inherit His promise of land, but they would need to overcome many obstacles in order to walk into God’s promise. First, Joshua faced a daunting change as his mentor, Moses, passed away and he is Israel’s new young leader. Second, the Israelites were weak in military strength compared to the nations that were occupying the land of Canaan. Fear and intimidation could cripple and defeat them. God called Joshua to be armed with the “ammo” of His Word and His presence. The strength of the Canaanites would cause Joshua and the Israelites to melt in fear, but the truth of God’s Word and His presence would enable Joshua to courageously lead Israel to inherit God’s promise.

I believe that the ammo I need is daily surrender of my own control and trust in God’s control. Being quick to control situations in the midst of uncertainties is my weakness that Satan could target. By meditating on God’s Word day and night, I desire to surrender my control and to genuinely trust that the Lord is with me and will help me succeed.

You are God’s masterpiece, and also Satan’s target. What weaknesses or obstacles do you have in your marriage, relationships, family, workplace, and ministry that Satan might target? Ask the Lord to equip you with “ammo” so that you may live victoriously today.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to see that the obstacles that I face before walking into Your promise and blessings are opportunities to exercise my faith in You. Help me to be strong, to be courageous and to meditate on your Word day and night, so that I may hear Your voice and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 3

Lunch Break Study

Read John 10:7-10 (NASB): Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.?

Questions to Consider

1. Why does Jesus use the pasture and sheep metaphor?
2. What is Jesus’ desire for His disciples/sheep?
3. How do you see Satan trying to snatch the joy of the Lord and love for the Lord away from you? What would it look like to live out Jesus’ promise of having life to the full?

Notes

1. Sheep belong in their shepherd’s pasture and are fully under their shepherd’s care. Yet sheep are defenseless and prone to wander, so shepherds protect sheep from being harassed or snatched away from thieves and robbers. Sheep are also trained to listen to their shepherd’s voice. In the same way, disciples are in the care of our Master and Shepherd, Jesus. Being the Good Shepherd, Jesus protects and leads His disciples so that we learn to listen to His voice of truth.
2. Jesus desires that through His sacrificial love displayed on the cross, we would be restored and have an abundant life in Him.
3. Personal Reflection.

Evening Reflection

Christ did not redeem us to live a defeated or mediocre life. He chose us and redeemed us so that we may live an abundant life, bearing lasting fruit. Reflect on this verse tonight from John 15:16: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from February 22 to 24 are provided by Pastor Yohan of Radiance Christian Church, San Francisco.  Yohan graduated from University of Pennsylvania and Cairn University, where he studied theology.  He is married to Mandie, and they have four small children.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 4:33-37

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

I have this friend who is a very gifted athlete; in college he played Division I baseball.  But sometime in his mid/late 20’s, after years of working and not training, his wife challenged him to run a 10k with/against her.  Over the next six months, the wife trained pretty diligently for this race, while the husband made absolutely no changes to his life.  Of course, we were all confident that the wife was going to win.  When the day of the race came, this guy literally rolled out of bed, slapped on sneakers—and convincingly beat his wife.  She was furious!  From this, I realized that when it comes to things like athletics, intelligence, musicality, etc., some people just have naturally high baselines—one might call it talent or gifting—and even if the rest of us try hard, we may never exceed their baselines.

When it comes to the generosity and the community of the early church, I think most people make the mistake of thinking that this level of care, generosity, and sacrifice was the baseline level of commitment for the early church, and that selling your house was the norm for everyone who converted to Christianity.  But I think verse 33 indicates why some people in the church were able to make such incredible sacrifices and give as they did: “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”  People like Barnabas were able to sell everything for the ministry, because the power of God moved in their hearts and great grace was upon them.  Ordinary giving became empowered giving.

Where am I going with this? Too many of us make the mistake of thinking that having high baselines mean we are moving in the power of God, when this may not be the case.  For example (and I am not trying to brag), my family has always given a “healthy tithe” to church and ministry.  It was just something that my wife and I were both raised to do, so we barely give it a second thought.  Now, most people may assume that we have the gift of generosity or are generous people, but when a special need arises or someone wants support to go on missions, I am ashamed to admit that I struggle with this, wondering whether there is room in our budget for this.  I start looking at my checkbook and give reasons to not give, etc.  On the surface, my giving looks good because my baseline is high, but I wonder if I am really giving in the power of God.  Most times not.  Similarly, some of you may consider yourselves loving people, but are you just naturally inclined to be empathetic or do you really love in the power of God?  Same may go with teaching, leading praise, or administering, etc.  At the end of the day, we want AMI to be a “power community”—meaning, we want to give, minister, work, evangelize, pray—in the power of the Spirit; this is more valuable than having a bunch of talented people with really high baselines.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the ways you have gifted and blessed me.  But please help me to be a person who ministers in Your power.  Help me to get into situations that are beyond me, so that I can see You moving and be used by You.  Give me the power that comes from Your Spirit!

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 9:14-29: When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Questions to Consider

1. According to Christ, what did the boy’s father lack?
2. According to Christ, what did the disciples lack?
3. Which of these do you lack?

Notes

1. The boy’s father lacked faith (9:23).
2. The disciples lacked prayer (9:29).
3. Both prayer and faith are essential to accessing the power of the Spirit. That being said, Christ was still gracious to the boy, despite his father’s lack of faith and the disciple’s lack of prayer. He is gracious to us as well. Remember, the most important thing to understand is that God’s power is really accessed by His kindness toward us.

Evening Reflection

Have you fallen into the status quo in ministry?  Even if your baseline is high and you are serving a lot, are you doing it in God’s power, or your own ability?  How has your prayer life been lately?  Do you connect to the “vine” and access His power?  Are you growing in faith?  Do you take risks that make you depend on God?  Ask God to help you grow.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from February 22 to 24 are provided by Pastor Yohan of Radiance Christian Church, San Francisco.  Yohan graduated from University of Pennsylvania and Cairn University, where he studied theology.  He is married to Mandie, and they have four small children.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 4:29-30

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Do you ever play armchair quarterback when you read the Bible?  So, this is when you read something, you start second guessing the character’s actions and/or choices.  For example, in 1 Kings 3, God tells Solomon in a dream that he can ask for anything he wants; and Solomon chooses… wisdom.  God considered it a great choice (I would have probably asked for something more “shiny”).  Anyway, we see here that after Peter and John get out of jail, they start praying; and after thanking the Lord for His sovereignty, they make their supplications.  Now, what did Peter and John ask for?  Protection from their persecutors?  Nope.  Favor from the Jews?  Nope?  Effectiveness in preaching?  Nope.  They asked for more boldness to preach God’s Word (while God performs signs and wonders).

As I read this account, I realized how much I underestimate the value of certain things that God values—such as wisdom and boldness. From the beatitudes alone, we see all the qualities that God values: meekness, poverty of spirit, purity of heart, merciful spirit, etc.  Going back to boldness, isn’t fear the real reason we don’t share the gospel as much as we should?  We don’t want others to think we are religious fanatics, fundamentalists, or intellectually lacking.  Isn’t fear the reason why we don’t speak into other people’s lives?  We don’t want to offend or damage the relationship.  For you singles, isn’t fear the reason you don’t ask out that girl (or say yes to that guy)?  Low blow, I know, but let’s face it—we are going to face rejection or heartbreak.  But think about how awesome your Christian life would be if you were bold and feared only God.  You could share the gospel with that friend, correct that brother with love—or even get that girl.  Do not underestimate the value of boldness.  Let’s ask for the boldness that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Let me close with one quick story.  I had this neighbor who many would call her “shameless,” but quite frankly—she was bold.  Within two minutes of meeting a person, she would ask questions like, “Why aren’t you serving in church now?” or “Why aren’t you tithing?”  She would also ask people outside the church, whom she’d just met, “Will you visit our church?” or “What do you think about Jesus?”  She inspired me to desire to be more bold.

Prayer

Lord, give me boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Help me to fear You, not people.  Let me stand up for what You think is right today, and give me an opportunity to share about You to someone—even if it makes me feel uncomfortable.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 10:24-33: A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.  26 So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Questions to Consider:

1. Based on this passage, how should a follower of Christ expect to be treated?
2. In vv. 28-30, Christ gives us some reasons why we shouldn’t fear people. What are they?
3. What are the rewards for those who stand up for the Lord?

Notes:

1. Christ tells the Twelve that people have accused Him of working for Satan and maligned Him as such. Therefore, His followers should expect similar or worse treatment.  A disciple is not greater than a teacher, nor a slave is greater than his master.  They hated Christ; they will hate us too.
2. First, fear of man is irrational because man can only harm our physical bodies; God can destroy both the body and the soul (v. 28). Ultimately, Christ points us to the love and care that the Father has for us as the reason to not fear people.
3. The one who acknowledges God before mankind will be acknowledged by God in heaven (v. 32). This is our reward.

Evening Reflection

In general, do you fear looking silly in front of others or being rejected?  Do you lack boldness?  Were there ways in which you were given the chance to grow in boldness today?  Did you take them?

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from February 22 to 24 are provided by Pastor Yohan of Radiance Christian Church, San Francisco.  Yohan graduated from University of Pennsylvania and Cairn University, where he studied theology.  He is married to Mandie, and they have four small children.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 4:23-28

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

[P. Yohan takes a different look at this passage previously covered by P. Ryun.]

Let me make a stereotypical statement to start this morning:  “Women hate sci-fi, and only men—but not all men— like sci-fi movies.”  So in logic terms, the conditional statement, “If you like sci-fi, then you are a man” holds true; however, the converse does not: “If you are a man, then you like sci-fi.”  I bring this up because one of the more popular themes in sci-fi is time travel.  Now when Hollywood gets its hands on time travel, they generally go one of two ways:  Option 1:  Fate is set, and all your actions will inevitably lead you to the one destined path.  For example, in The Time Traveler’s Wife (do you see how I got the ladies back into this conversation by connecting sci-fi and romance movies?), despite her best efforts, Rachel McAdams cannot stop her husband from being shot in a freak hunting accident.  Option 2:  There is no fate—and people have the power to change their future (e.g., Back to the Future).

When it comes to the sovereignty of God, unfortunately, I think too many people are stuck in one of the Hollywood models.  We either think our fate is set, and we are destined to fulfill God’s plan, whether we like it or not; or we react negatively to the idea that God controls anything, so we reject the notion of His sovereignty.

First, I want to affirm that human beings have choices—and we will be held accountable for our choices and actions.  In the Bible, we are constantly told to believe, obey, or do right and resist evil—these commands imply that we have the power to choose, and that we are not mindless robots.  But second, I want us to see that God’s sovereignty was meant to be a great source of comfort for us.  After being released from prison, Peter and John were able to see that the worst event they had witnessed, the death of their Lord Jesus, was not something that was out of God’s control; in fact, God was using Christ’s betrayal for greater purposes—the redemption of creation.

How do you see God in your difficult situations?  Do you think He is helpless or just as confused as you are?  Or do you believe that God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).  Does God’s sovereignty bring you comfort, knowing that you are not out of His plan, grasp, or power?  I hope it does.

Prayer

Oh Sovereign Lord, give me perspective to see that You are in control.  Give me peace in my heart, knowing that I can trust a good, fair, loving, and just God. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Peter 1:3-11: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities[f] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Questions to Consider

1. As Peter discusses our calling, what are the things that God has done?
2. What are the things that He commands us to do?
3. When it comes to your growth in Christ (sanctification), what is the relationship between God’s working and your personal responsibility?

Notes

1. God has granted us all things pertaining to life and godliness and called us to the knowledge of Jesus (1:3). He has given us a new nature, which frees us from corruption and our sinful desires (1:4).  All this is summed up as faith (1:5).
2. We are called to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
3. Growing in Christ is a joint venture between us and God. God provides the power and faith for true change; however, we are responsible to keep His commands and to strive for godliness.

Evening Reflection

Did you receive some bad news today?  Or has something been going on in your life or your loved ones?  If so, did you struggle to find comfort in God’s sovereign hands?  Did you choose to be obedient or to strive for godliness, knowing that God has given you the power to obey and follow after Him?

Editor’s Note:  Today’s devotion is provided by Pastor Shan Gian, who serves at Symphony Church in Boston.  Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, just completed the Master of Divinity program at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  He is married to Jenny, who is almost 8 months pregnant with their first baby.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Psalm 131

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

Amazon Prime has been among the greatest technological advances of the 21st century.  It’s amazing to be able to go online, look for something you want, buy it—and it shows up at your door in two days.  We don’t even need to leave our houses.  But have you ever bought something on Amazon Prime, and it didn’t get to you in time?  It’s happened to me before.  I bought a shiny new book, and instead of the expected two days, it took a FULL THREE DAYS to get to me.  Oh, the outrage that I felt at this injustice!

We live in such a fast-paced, I-want-it-and-I-want-it-NOW kind of culture that we hate it when we’re made to wait for anything.  Whether it’s waiting for a package to be delivered, waiting in line at the grocery store, or waiting for the traffic light to turn green—we don’t like waiting and the uncertainty it brings us.  It’s not even just the small, mundane things that make us feel impatient.  No one likes the uncertainty that life brings: waiting to find out where we’ll go to college, who we’ll marry, where we should live, what job we should take next, etc.

If David in Psalm 131 were to meet most of us, he would say that we are like “unweaned” children.  To wean a child means to gradually move him or her off the breast milk or off the bottle onto solid food.  The picture that David gives, though, is more than about food.  The weaned child is calm and quiet because he knows that his next meal is coming to him.  He’s content because he trusts in his mother or father to take care of him.  On the other hand, unweaned children are fussy and demanding; they kick and scream and cry, because they’re hungry and they want food now.

As David has learned to be like a weaned child, he encourages us to do the same.  He is able to be patient and say, “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me,” because he trusts in his Heavenly Father to take care of him.  We might not understand why or how or what is going on.  We might not even know what life brings in the near or distant future.  But we can be like a weaned child and be at peace as we trust in our loving Father.  As we worship on this Lord’s day, let us strive for this heart of patience and contentment, trusting that our Father will take care of us.

Prayer
Father, I pray that I will truly worship You and trust You this day.  I know I will not know or understand all that’s going on or all that is to come, but I pray that I will be content to know that you love me and will take care of me all of my days.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 2

Editor’s Note: Today’s devotional is written by Andy Kim.  Andy, a graduate of Northwestern University, is about to complete his M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is currently serving as a staff at Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco, CA.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 1:4-11

 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵ And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. ⁷ We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. ⁸ Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, ⁹ but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’…

I’m not the biggest fan of politics, but it’s hard not to see how much of it has taken over the news. Even in my limited understanding of the current events, I know that Donald Trump has said some ridiculous things—yet manages to have the support of many people. Many of us are concerned about a man like Donald Trump becoming president, because it would affect us—that’s how we’re trained to think. In any situation we may ask, How does this affect us, or what do I have to gain from this? But what about all the other things that are happening around the world?  For example, it is reported that there are over 10,000 refugee children missing in the past two years—some have been criminally exploited and others being unaccounted for. So how do we respond to such news? Maybe we can glean from Nehemiah’s experience.

Nehemiah hears that the people of God have been scattered, unaccounted, and without a wall—leaving them completely vulnerable to their enemies. Remember, he has a plush job as a cupbearer to the king, yet his immediate response is to weep, fast, and pray. My intention is not to make us feel guilty or simply invoke an emotional response; instead, we need to see that Nehemiah’s emotional response led him to a bold prayer. He boldly prays for what seems impossible, and it would eventually lead him to be the catalyst in restoring the people of God. Let’s look at such a prayer: He begins with an appeal to God’s character and authority; an understanding of man’s incapability in confession; an intercession for His people based on His promises; and a call to action.

I am not arguing that all our prayers must sound like this, but we need to be reminded that there is power in prayer that supersedes feelings. In the same way, when we hear or see the brokenness in our world, may we respond with bold prayers! Let us take this day to pray not only for ourselves but for the people in our communities, churches, and nations to do the impossible—in accordance with His Word. E.M. Bounds wrote: “We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. It surmounts or removes all obstacles, overcomes every resisting force and gains its ends in the face of invincible hindrances.”

Prayer

Lord, You are above all and knows all. We humbly trust in Your promises and believe that You care for the broken, the sick, and the lost. We want to intercede for these people, just as You, Jesus, intercede for us. Lord, teach us how to pray for others. Help us to be a generation that prays first, then acts.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 50 & Titus 1