Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from Feb. 1-7 are provided by Cami King. Cami, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is about to complete her M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  She is currently serving as a staff at Journey Community Church in Raleigh. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:42-47

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

At our church’s weekly prayer meeting last week, we prayed for our church, as we always do, and my pastor reminded us of something very simple but important. As he often says, “We’re not a fancy church. We don’t have a lot of bells and whistles. We want to be a group of people who truly love God and love others.” And as I prayed this simple prayer for my church, “God please teach us to love you with our whole hearts and love the people in the world whom you love so much,” I recalled our passage for today which describes the nature and growth of the early church. As the gospel went forth and the power of the Holy Spirit came, our brothers and sisters responded by devoting themselves completely to God and to one another.

In our sophisticated, technological word, we often fix our attention on fancy programs and initiatives to grow, strengthen, and renew the church. And while vision is imperative and innovation is necessary, it’s important to remember what should always remain at the foundation of it all – a group of people persuaded of the Gospel and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love God and love others. Now that is a powerful combination. The church didn’t start out with a lot of fancy programs, but they impacted the world in amazing ways. Their conviction by the gospel (as we read earlier this week), and empowering by the Holy Spirit, led them to complete devotion – to the Word, community, worship, and prayer. Through this devotion, the Holy Spirit brought into being, from this small group of people, the Church we know it today. As we continue to do life together in the body of Christ, may we never lose sight of our heritage. May we challenge ourselves daily to greater devotion to God’s Word, God’s people, worship and prayer. And may we add to it (not replace it with) innovative and creative programs and initiatives that spread the Gospel further and grow the Church wider.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, thank you for the Gospel – your salvation plan for me and for the world. Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to empower me to live the life Christ died to give. Make me a devoted follower of Jesus. Teach me to love your word, and your people. Teach me to pray and to live a life of worship. And through me and my local church community, may you expand your kingdom exponentially. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 31

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 5:15-20

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions to Consider:

1. How would you summarize (or paraphrase) verse 15? How does this help you understand what Paul is saying?
2. How can we avoid being foolish? What are some practical ways we come to “understand what the Lord’s will is”?
3. What are some “opportunities” in your life right now? What are some ways you can be intentional about making the most of them?

Notes:

1. Paul is essentially saying – be intentional (paraphrase – “be intentional about what you do from day to day, exercising sound wisdom, not silly foolishness.”) Paul isn’t telling us to be on edge or walk on eggshells because we don’t want to “mess up.” What he is encouraging is intentionality and forethought into how we will spend each day.
2. Instead of lending ourselves to foolishness, we are encouraged to understand God’s will. We can do this in a few important ways – first through God’s word and prayer. As we read God’s word and commune with Him in prayer we come to know his will more. Also, as we see in the text, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and spend time in community, we also come to know God and His will more fully. Community is a huge part of coming to know the will of God, as the Spirit-filled believer is a powerful way God makes Himself know to the world.
3. Spend time in personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

Missionary and minister Andrew Murray once said, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” While we began today considering the ways we’re called to devotion to God and His people, let us end it in reflection on God’s devotion to us. Devotion is defined as both “adherence to and constancy in a thing” and “steadfast attentiveness and unremitting care for a thing.” How have you experienced God’s steadfast attentiveness and unremitting care? Spend some time in thanksgiving.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from Feb. 1-7 are provided by Cami King. Cami, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is about to complete her M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  She is currently serving as a staff at Journey Community Church in Raleigh. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:37-41

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The late great preacher S.M. Lockridge once said, “A sermon should do at least four things for you. One, a sermon should stretch your mind… You ought to be able to learn something from a sermon. Two, a sermon should tan your hide. A sermon should correct you. Three, a sermon should warm your heart. It should inspire you. Four, a sermon should provoke the will. It should challenge you to do what the Lord would have you do.”

Whenever we receive God’s word, be it preached from a pulpit or studied in the privacy of our homes, there are a few things that happen. In our post-enlightenment, post-modern world, many approach God’s word expecting primarily to learn something. Be it learning something new, being reminded of something old, or gaining deeper insight into something familiar, we are ready and willing to engage our minds. With the dawn of the modern-worship movement, Western Christianity has begun anew to engage the heart. As a result, we also expect to feel – usually to feel encouraged and uplifted.  For many of us, God’s word functions like a motivational speaker or a morning cup of coffee, preparing us to face a new day. And with the basic formula of the expository sermon now-a-days, which always ends in application (“how do I apply what I learned”), most of us are trained to draw from God’s word practical life applications. All of these are immensely important, but one thing is missing.

When the word of God goes forth, there should be repentance – this is the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. When truly understood and received by a broken and sinful people (which all of us are), God’s word convicts and the only proper response is to repent and surrender to Him. May we seek God in His word, not only to strengthen our minds, or to comfort our hearts, or even to guide us in a specific situation, but may it transform us as we turn from our ways and yield to His.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please “search me and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 30

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Questions to Consider:

1. Why is it important for Timothy to remember from whom he learned God’s word? How are Paul’s words to him relevant for us today?
2. According to this passage, why is knowledge of God’s word so important?
3. What are the reasons Paul says God’s word is useful? Why is this the case? How have you experienced the profitability of God’s word in your life?

Notes:

1. The truth of God is demonstrated in the lives of the people who follow Him. It’s important for Timothy to remember what He learned, not only from childhood, but from Paul, because he’s seen God’s truth at work in Paul’s life (a testament to the truth of the message). In a similar way, our lives should bear witness to the truth of God’s word and we should serve as witnesses or proofs to its genuineness to an on-looking world.
2. It is important to know God’s word because it is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” It is through the Scripture that we come to know God and gain wisdom. And, ultimately, the Scriptures are our avenue to salvation in Christ as we come to know the Gospel and put our trust in God’s salvation.
3. Paul gives a list – doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness. Through knowing and yielding to God’s word, we are equipped to do good works in the world. Scripture has this effect because, although written by human agents, it is inspired by God and is ultimately a revelation of God Himself to us – and He is what we need to be complete.

Evening Reflection

What are some ways God has called you to repentance through His word recently? Think back to Sunday’s sermon, small group Bible study, or your personal time in the word. Spend some time in repentance. Offer those areas to God, acknowledging your error, receiving His forgiveness, and surrendering your ways to His ways.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from Feb. 1-7 are provided by Cami King.  Cami, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is about to complete her M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Seminary.  She is currently serving as a staff at Journey Community Church in Raleigh. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:31-36

31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Joshua 21:45

Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

My journey into Christian faith consisted largely of wrestling with the truth and trustworthiness of Scripture. One of my dearest resources during that time was my dad who graciously spent inordinate amounts of time answering my questions and helping me process my thoughts. One phrase I’d constantly repeat in our conversations was, “Yes, but how do you know that?” I wanted to understand how he had become so persuaded that what Scripture was saying was true. How could he be certain? Among the slew of things that bolstered his assurance were the prophesies. I remember reading a compilation of promises and prophesies of God from the Old Testament listed beside accounts of their fulfillment (both in Scripture and in the life of the Church). It didn’t convince me at the time, but I remember one day when it clicked. I was amazed. One prophesy come true I could chalk up to coincidence, maybe even two or three. But after a while, it would have taken more blind faith to believe it was mere coincidence that aligned so many Old Testament prophesies with New Testament realities.

It’s not often as modern day Christians that we appeal to the Old Testament the way Peter did in the passage above. We, after all, are much more familiar with New Testament Scripture than the Old Testament stories Peter’s listeners would have know so well. But through the power and insight of the Holy Spirit, Peter is able to make connections between the words of David centuries prior and the events they’d themselves witnessed in the person of Jesus – and through this his listeners could “know for certain” that Jesus was the Christ. The Jesus Storybook Bible (a retelling of the Biblical narrative for children) explains well that the Bible is ultimately a Story – a story of a God of love and how He rescues His people. As we search pages of Scripture for truth for the day and insight for living, let us do so remembering the whole story, and may it (as a collective witness) grant us certainty of God’s love and salvation.

Prayer: “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;” (Psalm 119:90) As I read and internalize your word today, may your Holy Spirit grant me confidence in your faithfulness and certainty of your love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 29

Lunch Break Study

Hebrews 12:1-2

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

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the object of the great cloud’s witness? (In other words, what is it that the saints of old bear witness to?) How does this encourage you?
2. Re-read the latter portion of verse 1 with emphasis added – “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (emphasis mine). How does that influence the way we understand what the Hebrew writer is saying to us.
3. Why is it so important to look to Jesus in the context of the Hebrew writer’s exhortation to the Church?

Notes:

1. Ultimately, they are witnesses of the faithfulness of God. If we turn back to chapter 11 (affectionately known as the “Hall of Faith”), we are confronted with story after story of people who put their faith in a God who we’ve now seen fulfill His words of promise to them. We should be stirred by their faith, yes, but all the more by the object of their faith – the God who kept His word.
2. It’s easy to focus on the cloud of witnesses and marvel at the great things God has done in the past. But one important portion of this text is the exhortation to run with faithful endurance because there is a race set before us. The saints gone before us ran their race, and now we have to run ours. God is still at work, writing His story of faithfulness. We have a specific work to do in our specific time and place in history. The question, then, is, are we willing to join the cloud and complete our leg of the race?
3. Jesus is the ultimate word on God’s faithfulness. Not only is He the fulfillment of so many of God’s promises from the Old Testament, but His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate expression of God’s love for us. As we join the cloud of witnesses, we do so with a greater revelation of just how trustworthy God is and with a greater certainty because of all He has done than those who went before us.

Evening Reflection

What are the specific promises of God that you’ve seen fulfilled in your life? Can you recall specific prayers that He’s answered? Spend time thanking God for His faithfulness. Are there promises you’re still waiting to see fulfilled? Are there areas in your life where you are still awaiting the salvation of the Lord? Offer those to God anew, declaring your trust in His faithfulness as demonstrated throughout history.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Mei Lan Thallman.  Mei Lan Thallman is originally from Taiwan and a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A.) in Kentucky.  She is the wife of Pastor Kirt, who serves at Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia).  They have two children, Nate (13) and Naomi (11).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Exodus 17:8-16

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

War Room is one of my favorite movies of 2015.  What I love the most is its portrayal to the audience of this essential, foundational truth that: prayer is the battleground on which we wage and win wars.  If you have not seen it, please make a point to watch it with your family, friends and small group. It will open your eyes to see prayer in a new way.

In this passage, I see this truth lived out in Moses’ leadership.  When the Amalekites attacked the Israelites in the desert, Moses had the foresight to devise a warfare strategy to combat the enemies on two dimensional battlegrounds: He ordered Joshua to lead a group of men to fight off the physical enemies.  Meanwhile, he appointed core leaders Aaron and Hur to join him to battle the spiritual forces on the top of the hill, with the staff of God lifted high. The Scripture points out an interesting dynamic in this strategic strategy: First, they must take both battlegrounds seriously and fight in unity against the enemy.   Second, even though the battles were fought in different dimensions, they were intricately interrelated. The writer of Exodus points out in verse 11, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.”  Third, they persevered as a team and overcame the enemy.

Jesus warns us in John 16:33 that we will face life’s many battles.  In order to have victory, we must remember not only to focus our attention and energy on the physical battleground of circumstances, relationships and people, but also to be alert and mindful of the unseen spiritual battleground:  Ephesians 6:12 says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

As we start this New Year, let us strive to form a new habit of calling upon God in prayer as our first response to all things.  Let’s have the wisdom of Moses to overcome life’s challenges by praying on our knees and praying with others as a team until victory is at hand!

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, stir in me a deeper understanding and desire to begin each day by taking the time to be plugged into the Power Source – which is You.  Thank you, Lord, for modeling for us an intimate prayer life with the Father, for the gift of prayer as a means to know and be known by You, and for the powerful weapon of prayer to overcome the Enemy, and advance God’s kingdom on earth. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 28

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Mei Lan Thallman.  Mei Lan Thallman is originally from Taiwan and a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A.) in Kentucky.  She is the wife of Pastor Kirt, who serves at Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia).  They have two children, Nate (13) and Naomi (11).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Genesis 37:2-11

These are the generations of Jacob.  Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.  4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Several years ago, while we were serving in South Carolina, we took the kids on a family vacation to Disney World in Florida.  We thought we were making Nathan and Naomi’s childhood dreams become a reality—they would remember Disney as the magical place.  But we were shocked to hear Naomi make the declaration upon arriving home, “It’s so good to be home; I love my home better than Disney.”  In our sincere effort to give them a magical experience, we had pushed ourselves over the limit by doing too much with too little time.

After Joseph received two prophetic dreams from God during his teen years, life took on a series of dramatic downturn for 13 long years.  And when things couldn’t seem to get any worse, they dipped deeper into the bottomless spiral: Young Joseph first survived an attempted murder; then he was sold into slavery by his jealous half-brothers; next, he was sexually harassed and falsely accused by his master’s seductive and manipulative wife, which led him into imprisonment.  Finally, he saw a flicker of hope of overturning his case of injustice through a returned favor for helping the cupbearer; instead, after waiting for two years, he was forced to face the reality that the grateful cupbearer had completely forgotten about him.

Yet, through it all, Joseph refused to compromise his hope and faith in God and his integrity to become a bitter victim of life’s cruel punches. Even when the people in his life turned their backs against him, Yahweh was with him and caused him to prosper through the worst of circumstances (Gen 39:2, 21).

His difficult, outward circumstances only solidified his inward identity, over time, as a beloved child of God.  That identity was so powerful and real that wherever he went, unbelievers could not help but notice and be drawn to Joseph because of God’s strong and undeniable presence in his life.

If you are currently facing life’s overwhelming, contradicting circumstances and you are wondering, This is not at all what I expected from life, take heart and be of courage, because God’s eyes are on you and His presence is with you.  Just as He was with Joseph, He is now with you.

He will not only see you through this challenging time, but He will use it to prepare you for His glorious plan. God used Joseph’s adversities to prove His faithfulness and redemptive plan, and used him to be a channel of blessing that extended into the whole world.

Prayer:  Lord, we thank You that Christ in us is the hope of glory.  This indwelling hope is greater and stronger than he that is in the world.  Though in this world all of us will face life’s difficulties, thank You that we are never alone; and Your presence in our lives empowers us to become “overcomers” instead of “victims”!

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 26-27

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (Ph.D.) who is the AMI Teaching Pastor.  He and Insil have been married for 28+ years and they have three children: Christy (teacher), Joshua (grad student) and Justin (college freshman).  They live in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:29-30

[Apostle Peter’s sermon] Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Jeremiah 36:29-30

Also tell Jehoiakim king of Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You burned that scroll and said, ‘Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and wipe from it both man and beast?’” 30 Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: “He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night.”

What’s the point of the virgin birth?  Some say that since the original sin is transmitted through the father, if Jesus had been conceived in a natural manner, He could’ve been neither perfect nor sinless.  Paul probably would have disagreed since he wrote, “Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner” (1 Tim. 2:14).  While we can debate this point to no end, there is another compelling reason why the virgin birth was absolutely necessary.

God’s promise to place one of David’s descendants on his throne—that is, Jesus, the final king of Israel—meant that Christ had to come from the royal lineage of David; King Jehoiakim, who came later, bore that lineage.  Now, when Jehoiakim burned the scroll containing God’s word (Jer. 36:27), God swore that none of his descendents “will sit on the throne of David.”  The problem with that is, while Jesus, the king of Israel, must come from the royal linage of David, He cannot come from Jehoiakim, who is part of that royal lineage.

God resolved that quandary in the following manner.  Evidently, the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew and Luke are different.  Matthew states that Jacob was the father of Joseph (1:16), while Luke says that it was Heli (Lk. 3:23).  Actually, both genealogies are similar up to David.  Matthew lists Solomon after David after which all the succeeding kings of Judah are mentioned; Joseph is of this royal line.  Luke, on the other hand, mentions Nathan after David, who was Solomon’s brother; this is Mary’s line.   So, through Matthew’s royal genealogy, Jesus is declared as the legal heir of David; but since it was a virgin birth, Jesus was not a literal descendent of David or Jehoiakim.  In that manner, God’s curse against Jehoiakim was kept.  But by making Mary—a descendent of David—the mother of Jesus, God made sure that Jesus is from David’s line.  That’s how God kept both promises at the same time—through the virgin birth.

Remember, God is faithful and His words and promises are to be trusted.  If you have been discouraged, the road to recovery begins with recognizing this very truth.  Be patient and trust in our God.

Prayer

Lord, I sing praises unto Your holy and wonderful Name.  How marvelous are the precious words and promises of God!  They never fail.  I put my trust and hope in You and Your eternal truth.  May I never depart from reading, studying and meditating on the Scripture!  I love You Lord.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 25

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil. 1:21-6:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know  which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

2 Cor. 1:8: For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

Read 1 Cor. 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

2 Thess. 3:2-4: “And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

2 Cor. 5:7: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

Question to Consider

1. In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness toward us?
2. What is the biggest obstacle that keeps us from trusting God?
3. If we really believe in God’s faithfulness (I hope so), then, how would we live differently?

Notes

1. God shows his faithfulness by providing the means so that we do not fall into temptations. Whether we take advantage of it is up to us.  The Lord also promises to strengthen and protect us when the enemy and his cohorts attack us.
2. I think one critical factor is our unwillingness to be patient and allow God to move according to His time. Since we want something instantaneous and quick, we move by sight, not by faith.
3. We would be more daring and risk-taking (i.e., Peter walking out of the boat while the rest stayed in it). We would patiently wait until God moves according to His time instead of us taking actions.

Evening Reflection

We learned this morning that the virgin birth is really about God’s faithfulness to His promises.  Often we find ourselves in difficult situations where we desperately need hope.  But instead of turning to God, we turn to people, substances and/or mindless entertainment.  Before we wrap up this day, let us turn to the Lord.  Be silent and meditate on His goodness, faithfulness and amazing love towards us.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (Ph.D.) who is the AMI Teaching Pastor.  He and Insil have been married for 28+ years and they have three children: Christy (teacher), Joshua (grad student) and Justin (college freshman).  They live in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:24-8

[Apostle Peter’s sermon] But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’” 29 “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

Perhaps no one ever feared death quite like Thomas Donaldson, then 46, who was afflicted with brain cancer in 1990.   Hoping that someday science would provide a cure for cancer, he sought for cryogenic (science of the effects of low temperature) specialists to freeze him, and then sever his frozen head to store it for the future.  At $35,000, freezing a head was cheaper than the cost of freezing an entire body for $100,000.   Wishing also for the development of brain transplantation, the plan called for his head to be implanted to another body.  “I am dying,” Donaldson said, adding, “I might later be revived and continue to live.”  Ironically, he beat the disease until finally succumbing to it in 2006.

Today’s psalm, which Peter attributes to Jesus, was actually written by King David regarding himself (Ps. 16:9-11).  We can see that David not only thought about death (who doesn’t?) but was terrified by it (like Donaldson).  The thought of being abandoned in the grave and left to decay certainly is not a pleasant thought.

I disagree with most of what Richard Dawkins wrote in The God Delusion but not the following story.  He cites a clergy who told his dying colleague, “Congratulations! I wish I was coming with you.”  Noting that this clergy seemed like a sincere believer, the famed atheist says, “It is precisely because it’s so rare that his story catches our attention.  Could it be that [religious people] don’t believe all that stuff they pretend to believe?”  To some extent, this is true.  One reason is that believers are more enamored by the men of this world who are getting all their “rewards” now, than the rewards of being with God.

But King David shows another way: Because Christ defeated death at resurrection, we can now look forward to “waking up” in heaven and being filled with joy in God’s presence.   In the meantime, we don’t need to be “shaken”; instead, our “heart is glad and [our] tongue rejoices; [our] body also will rest in hope.”

So let’s be active in sharing the good news—that can “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:15).  But, let’s do it tactfully, lovingly and prayerfully.

Prayer

Dear God, I praise and honor You today.  Of all the things I need to be thankful for, not having to fear death certainly ranks on top.  Recalling the time when I was afflicted with the misery of dying without any hope for afterlife, I am truly blessed to no longer bear that burden—thank You , Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 24

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil. 1:21-6:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know  which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

2 Cor. 1:8: For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

Question to Consider

1. How would you summarize Paul’s take on death?  Why do think he felt that way?
2. Why did Paul feel that his continued stay on earth was justified or validated?
3. What was the tension Paul felt while living and serving the Lord on earth? In light of that, what is suggested by its complete absence in our lives?

Notes

1. In short, Paul didn’t fear death; rather, he welcomed it because he longed to be with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:1-3).  As to why he felt that way, one obvious reason seems to be that he was having a hard life caused by the very ministry he was carrying out for God against oppositions.
2. As long as he was in the world, Paul knew that it benefitted others by helping them to grow in faith. Among the reasons why we want to live, that one should be on top.  That means, those who aren’t doing anything to help others to grow spiritually can never quite feel content in life.
3. The tension was between wanting to be with the Lord in heaven and needing to stay on earth to minister to others. The fact that most of us in the West do not experience that tension means we love the world and the things of the world too much.   We need to let go of the world (1 Jn. 2:15-7).

Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this day, do you recall any opportunity in which you could’ve shared the good news?   If you didn’t, instead of being discouraged, imagine in your mind as to what you could’ve done differently so that the outcome would’ve been different.   Pray for another opportunity tomorrow.  As long as the world is clueless about dealing with death, we are in business.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (Ph.D.) who is the AMI Teaching Pastor.  He and Insil have been married for 28+ years and they have three children: Christy (teacher), Joshua (grad student) and Justin (college freshman).  They live in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:22-3 (NASB)

[Apostle Peter’s sermon] Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with^]miracles and wonders and  signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— ²³ this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of  godless men and put Him to death.

Which animal you see in the picture depends on where your focus is: a gaze to the left will show a duck, to the right, a rabbit; but as whole, this image contains both a duck and a rabbit.  I first saw this image in a book extolling postmodernism that, to ensure that Eurocentric thoughts no longer dominate the rest, has relativized all truth claims.  This is why religious pluralism— belief that all religions lead to the same God—emerges as a child of postmodernism.

So, should we eschew seeing our reality, including the Bible, in terms of either/or?   Again, it depends.  Some matters are quite clear as to which position the Bible advocates.  For instance, it doesn’t say “God exists” and “God doesn’t exist” at the same time.  Whereas the writer of Hebrews says, “He exists” (11:6), the psalmist calls those who say, “There is no God,” a “fool” (Ps. 14:1).  God’s existence, then, is a matter of either/or.

Now, in church history, one of the fiercest theological battles has been fought between the Calvinists and the Arminians.  Regarding God’s election (that God predestines some to be saved), whereas the Calvinists posit that its basis is His deliberative plan (Eph. 1:11) that has nothing to do men’s merit, the Arminians say that the basis is God’s foreknowledge (1 Pet. 1:2).  That is, God, “having foreseen men’s potential faith” chose “those who would turn to Him when they heard the gospel” (Hammond).   But they do agree on one thing: this is a matter of either/or, and that both positions cannot be right at the same time.  But Peter’s sermon suggests otherwise.  Talking about those who played a critical part in crucifying Jesus, he says that it was done based on God’s “predetermined plan” as well as His “foreknowledge” of men’s future action.

Folks, accept that God’s sovereignty and human responsibility is always a matter of both/and—not either/or.  God, having long worked out His plan, has revealed His general will to us in the Scripture; therefore, it is our responsibility to know it and then obey.  So today, instead of torturing yourself to make sense of this theological mystery with some logic, read the Scripture and pray to discern what God is saying to you.  Then just do it.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I magnify Your majestic Name.  I worship You with all my heart and mind.  Thanks for Your magnificent Word.  Forgive me for having such a cavalier attitude and the arrogance with which I handle Your Word.  May the Spirit continue to illuminate its deep truths throughout 2016.  May I obey it.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 23

Lunch Break Study

Read John 16:33^b: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.”

Matt. 19:34: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

Matt. 23:23: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

Question to Consider

1. What apparent problem emerges as a result of reading John 16:33 and Matt. 19:34?
2. What logic is found underneath what Jesus tells the Pharisees in Matt. 23:23?
3. So, should we choose between John 16:33 and Matt. 19:34? If not, then how can we reconcile these apparently contradicting verse?

Notes

1. The apparent problem is contradiction: Jesus seems to be talking from both sides of the mouth. He says He came to give peace, and then He says its exact opposite—not peace but a sword.
2. The logic found in Matt. 23:23 is both/and. Jesus tells the Pharisees to practice justice, mercy and faithfulness, something they had neglected for a long time. But they shouldn’t stop tithing, which they had been doing.  (Practice this and not neglect that, not practice this or not neglect that.)
3. We should accept the propositions of both John 16:33 and Matt. 19:34. As for reconciling this, Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins, broke the barrier standing between God and men.  So, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).  As for the sword, this happens when “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 5:6). This also occurs when our desire to obey God conflicts with the will of our loved ones (Mk. 3:33-4).

Evening Reflection

How was your day?  The “both/and” paradigm is also very useful in reconciling relationship conflicts.  When we just interpret the conflict according “my” perspective, it actually gets worse.  Think of a relationship problem that you are experiencing presently.  Meditate on 1 John 1:8 (“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”) and ask the Lord to empower you to see the other person’s side as well.  Then, reconcile with that person by making that call or writing to him/her.

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (Ph.D.) who is the AMI Teaching Pastor.  He and Insil have been married for 28+ years and they have three children: Christy (teacher), Joshua (grad student) and Justin (college freshman).  They live in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:16-21

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

When my kids were little, I would remind them how it was going to ruin their vision whenever they would read in a moving vehicle.  It worked for awhile—until my oldest son showed me a research that disapproved it.  Similarly, some things told from the pulpit may just be urban theological legends.  Before proceeding, remember this: in order for the teachings in Acts to be deemed as valid for today, they need to be confirmed by the Epistles that delineate doctrines and practices normative for the church.

First, contrary to the doomsday prophets to whom no war is too small as a prop for their message of, “The last days are finally upon us,” it has been the “last days” since the 1^st century when Peter applied Joel’s prophecy (800 BC) to what occurred at Pentecost.   Later, the Hebrews writer confirmed this when he said, “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (1:2).  So live each day alertly!

Second, contrary to cessationism that posits that “the ministry of prophet . . .  gradually died out . . . and their place . . . was taken by the regular local ministry of pastor-teachers,” prophesy—speaking the words prompted by the Spirit—is still operative, as long as the Spirit is poured out on His people.  Later, Paul confirmed this when he distinguished between prophets and teachers (1 Cor. 12:29) and added, “Eagerly desire . . . the gift of prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:1).

Third, notice that the Spirit will be poured out on female servants who, as a result, will prophesy.  Contrary to some (but not all) complementarians who forbid women to speak in the church (1 Cor. 14:34), women can prophesy—even in the church.   Paul later confirmed this when he took it for granted that women would prophesy in the church while addressing a certain church matter (1 Cor. 14:5).

Folks, don’t just accept everything your favorite preacher tells you.   Rather, be like the Bereans who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts. 17:11).  On the flip side, though no one was better equipped to teach the Bible than Paul, he was okay being scrutinized—then so should we!  Just be fair and loving.

Prayer

Father, in awe of your Son Jesus, I praise and worship You this morning.  Thank You for your eternal word written in my language so that I can always be blessed by it.  Help me to be part of the effort to get the Bible translated so that those who still don’t have it in their own language, will soon have it.   Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 7:3, 5, 9-13: “(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. . . .) 5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” . . . . 9 [Jesus]said to them:  “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. . . .”

Question to Consider

1. In what ways are the erroneous teachings of the Pharisees similar to some teachings taught by, otherwise, good and sincere Christians today?
2. In light of what Jesus said to the Pharisees, what would Jesus say to the teachers of today?
3. What are some things that you used to believe sincerely but no longer (at least not that dogmatically) after discovering that they aren’t clearly spelled out in the Bible?

Notes

1. Inasmuch as “excessive ceremonial washing” and “corban” were not biblical, “equating prophesy with teaching” or seeing the last days as futuristic (instead having already come) are not biblical either. These are stuff made up by men with an ulterior motive or who lack biblical knowledge or love their theology too much.  (Complementarianism, however, is a result of genuine interpretative differences.)
2. There may not be a single message that would fit everyone. To the doomsday prophets: “Stop stirring fear in people; stop fleecing them”;  to some complementarians, “Several women have been featured in My Book: Judge Deborah; Priscilla who taught Apollos (Acts 18:26) and led a church along with her husband (1 Cor. 16:19); the following prophetesses: Huldah (1 Chron. 34:22), Mrs. Isaiah (Is. 8:3), Anna (Lk. 2:36) and four daughters of Phillip (Acts 21:9). So don’t be too shocked if I continue to use women in My work.”
3. Personally: rapture, some form of inner-healing (that is, not the way I used to), demons as the spirits of the deceased unbelievers (which my old pastor taught me), etc. We need to study the Bible on our own.

Evening Reflection

How often do you read the Bible?  What my old pastor taught me was a mixture of much good and some bad.  One good thing he taught me was reading the Bible every day (that’s how I found out that his teaching on the origin of demons was unbiblical).  Did you read Genesis 22 yet?  Read it now.  Also, read Palm 118. Remember John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (Ph.D.) who is the AMI Teaching Pastor.  He and Insil have been married for 28+ years and they have three children: Christy (teacher), Joshua (grad student) and Justin (college freshman).  They live in Philadelphia.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 2:13-4

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose.  It’s only nine in the morning!

1 Sam. 1:10-5

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.”

The word “formalism” conjures up images of liturgical church (e.g., Lutheran, Episcopalian); but it can also be found in emotion-filled Pentecostal churches.   Once, as my wife and I were returning home from a Charismatic meeting where I spoke, she told me that someone had asked her whether she was a Christian.  During the prayer time when everyone prayed out really loud, the sight of my wife praying quietly was a dead giveaway to this person that she wasn’t saved: that’s formalism, which is a strict adherence to some behavior arbitrarily selected as most pleasing to God and then judging those who fall short.

To those who saw the 120 praying out loud in tongues, they seemed drunk; Hanna seemed drunk to Eli because she wasn’t praying audibly.  In both incidents, the accused had to defend themselves: Peter said, “It’s only nine in the morning”; Hannah said, “I have not been drinking wine or beer.”   Were these good enough reasons to those who judged people based on some arbitrary criteria, supposedly more pleasing to God?  It appeared to be so for the Pentecost crowd and Eli, but for the hardcore formalists, such as the Pharisees, they wouldn’t back down: it was either their way or the highway.   After seeing Jesus heal a blind man, “some of the Pharisees,” who arbitrarily decided that that constituted work, said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath” (Jn. 9:16).

What the formalists refused to understand was this: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).  Sometimes we pray out loud; sometimes we don’t.  Sometimes we raise our hands while worshiping; sometimes we don’t.  Sometimes we cry; sometimes we laugh!  But as long as we have the right heart, God doesn’t care.

A renowned Bible teacher told a story of being offended by a man sitting in the front pew who kept falling asleep while he was preaching.  Later, the pastor learned that the man and his wife had driven from another city just to listen to him, but he suffered from a rare condition that made him suddenly fall asleep.  Ouch! Folks, avoid formalism!

Prayer

Father in heaven, I praise You and honor You today.  I thank You that I don’t need to shout to be heard, but at the same time, thank You for the freedom to shout and cry out, particularly when walls are caving in and I feel so desperate.  Thank You for always being there for me—always.  I love You, Lord.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 37:7^a: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him . . .

Heb. 5:7 (ESV): In the days of his flesh, Jesus  offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

1 Cor. 13:12-3: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Question to Consider

1. In what way is the prayer of Psalm 37 different from the prayer of Jesus mentioned in Hebrews 5:7?
2. In what way is the emotion felt by Hannah and that of Jesus similar? What was ironic about how they prayed in response to how they felt?
3. Ultimately, what does formalism and judging people based on some arbitrary criteria tell about us?

Notes

1. The prayer of Psalm 37 is a quiet, meditative prayer; the prayer of Jesus, referred in Heb. 5:7, is just the opposite—very loud.
2. They both felt anguish in their hearts. Who can forget Jesus telling his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matt. 26:38)?  Hannah said, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled.”  But they prayed quite differently: one cried out while the other hardly made any sound.  Either way is okay.
3. It means two things: First, those who judge people based on formalism are acting like they see everything when, in truth, they see only parts; second, judging others out of an assumption that they have the clearest vision is really because they lack love.

Evening Reflection

Writing out a prayer can be a helpful aid if you don’t know what to say to God once you close your eyes.   I used to carry a prayer list to remind myself to pray for certain people on specific days of the week.  Now, I just memorize them as I add more people to it.  How is your prayer life?   Do you have one?  Whether you prefer to pray quietly or to cry out, just pray, but do prepare yourself beforehand.  Perhaps reading a Psalm may help or making a list.  You need to pray.