Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals from Jan. 1-15 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 1:3

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Atheist Sam Harris, in his book The End of Faith (2004), writes, “Religion preaches the truth of proposition for which it has no evidence.  In fact… no evidence is even conceivable.”  A demand for evidence before believing an extraordinary claim is fair, and Harris would find Christ’s disciples in agreement.  After all, upon being told by some women that they saw the resurrected Christ, “they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (Lk. 24:11).  What they demanded was “proof” as Thomas said, “Unless I . . . put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it” (Jn. 20:25).  And Luke the physician states that that’s exactly what they got: “Many convincing proofs that he was alive.”

However, unfortunately for us, what were empirical evidences (i.e., based on sensual experience) for the disciples are now nothing more than a historical narrative to us, and in the hands of skeptics like Harris, mere myth or fable.  So then, what makes resurrection, a scientific impossibility, a plausible event to us without having to check out our brains at the door before entering the sanctuary?

British historian and theologian N. T. Wright puts it like this (1999, pp. 138-9):  “The crucifixion of a Messiah did not say to a first-century Jew that he was the true Messiah. . . . It said exactly the opposite.”  Then “why [did] this group of first-century Jews . . . not only continued to believe that he was the Messiah after his death . . . but actively announced him as such in the Jewish as well as the pagan world, cheerfully redrawing the picture of Messiahship around him but refusing to abandon it[?]”  Wright’s unequivocal answer: They saw a physically-resurrected Jesus!

If you, too, believe in the resurrected Christ, you need to live a radically different life than what middle-class Americans typically go after: comfort, security and wealth.  Ask the Lord what small changes you need to start making in order to look like someone who believes that Christ triumphed over death.

Prayer

Dear God, I thank You this wonderful morning for another day in which I can live in your presence.   Once again I am reminded of the certainty of what I believe since my faith is centered on the historical death and resurrection of Christ.  Help me, O Lord, to live a life that befits You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Peter 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Eph. 1:18-21: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Question to Consider

1. Proving the resurrection of Christ is a great topic for apologetics (See “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell) but for those who already believe it, our focus on this extraordinary event must be placed elsewhere. Based on the above passage, what should be that focus?
2. What does it mean that this resurrected power resides in us? What are we supposed to do with it?
3. Is there anything in your life that is so dead that it needs resurrective power? Identify it then pray over that situation with the prayer of Paul found above.

Notes

1. It is truly amazing to find that God’s “incomparably great power” that was utilized in raising Jesus from the dead resides in those who believe. Wow!  Christ’s resurrection is not only a historical fact but a transformative power that can raise dead situations and relationships back to life again.
2. The “application” of the resurrection in our lives is predicated upon problems and impasses that we cannot overcome humanly; in fact, these situations are dead. We should, first, pray over that situation with faith that the resurrection resides in us.  Then, get up and do the things that we need to do within our control, whether it be filling out an application, making a call or going out for a run.
3. For some pastors, it could be their ministry; for spouse, their marriage; for parents, relationship with their children; for businessmen, their sagging sales.  But the approach is the same (See 2.).

Evening Reflection

Are you facing a dead situation?  Or perhaps your loved ones or friends are facing it?  You might pray for them by remembering the prayer of Paul in Eph. 1:18-21.  I memorized it many years ago and have used it daily whenever I pray for each member of my family. You could find the same comfort in it.

The AMI QT devotionals from Jan. 1-15 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.

Editor’s Note: 

• First, the AMI devotions over the next several months will be on Acts.
• Second, this year we are sharing a little bit more about our writers.
• Third, the AMI QT blog, consisting of five parts, is not short, but each section is there for a reason. But if it feels too much, then read just the morning devotional and prayer.  Also, note that you can arrange 2 or 3 related lunch break studies and use it to lead a small Bible study at work or school.   The QT files can be sent to you on demand (Cryun2@yahoo.com).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 1:1-2

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Eph. 4:11-12

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

Today spectator sports aren’t limited to watching ball games while sipping beer and munching on popcorn; now they can go to church every Sunday, to be entertained by one talented individual who can do it all: sing, dance and even preach!   A while back, a professional wrestler, standing at 6 ft 9 in and weighing at 450 lb, called himself, “The One Man Gang.”  While the moniker might fit for him, it’s unequivocally unbiblical for us!   That’s like saying, “The One Man Church.”  Whether it’s a gang or church, no one single individual, however great he may be, should be its entire: it’s a recipe for an eventual defeat.

Now listen to what Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (Jn. 17:4).  How can Christ say he finished the work when his disciples, the very people whom he entrusted to spread the gospel, still acted like clowns? “Isn’t that too harsh of an assessment?” you might ask.  Well, you be the judge: an hour or two before, these men were still arguing over “which of them was considered to be the greatest” (Lk. 22:24).

Then why was Jesus so confident about the work he had done despite the seemingly unimpressive result; after all, it quickly got worse: upon seeing Jesus arrested, “everyone deserted him and fled” (Mk. 14:52).   It’s because he knew his role and limitations while on earth.   As far as preparing the apostles was concerned, Jesus limited himself, as Luke says, “to do and to teach”: first, to teach God’s truth, then second, to demonstrate it through actions, both miraculous and benevolent.    Christ knew all along that it was not enough; he knew that his men lacked the power to live out the truth in a radical and authentic manner.  Inasmuch as Christ was great, he was never a one-man gang or church; he needed the Holy Spirit to come and be our counselor (Jn. 14:25) and empowerer (Acts 1:8).

The church should be no different: it is neither meant to be singularly led by a charismatic, dynamic person, nor simply to entertain a bunch of spectators.   God appointed five distinctive ministerial offices for the sake of equipping the believers for works of service.   In light of this, one great task facing evangelical churches is transforming spiritual consumers and spectators into people who are committed to get into spiritual shape so that they can do some heavy lifting for God.  How about it?  That should be your goal for 2016.

Prayer

Father in heaven, I exalt your glorious name this morning.  How awesome it is to be called your child.  Lord, give me wisdom and know-how’s to disciple someone so that that person can also produce good fruits for You.  Help me to leave behind something lasting before I die.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Peter 4

 

The AMI QT devotionals from Jan. 1-15 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.

Editor’s Note: 

• First, the AMI devotions over the next several months will be on Acts.
• Second, this year we are sharing a little bit more about our writers.
• Third, the AMI QT blog, consisting of five parts, is not short, but each section is there for a reason. But if it feels too much, then read just the morning devotional and prayer.  Also, note that you can arrange 2 or 3 related lunch break studies and use it to lead a small Bible study at work or school.   The QT files can be sent to you on demand (Cryun2@yahoo.com).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Luke 1:3-4b

With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Acts 1:1

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach…

Certainly when religion is done wrong, Karl Marx is absolutely correct in saying that “religion is the opium of the masses.”  Marx’s premise, of course, is that people in power manipulate religion to keep the people in line, so that the structure continues to sustain their advantage while the masses hold out for the pie in the sky.  Thus, the flow of religion goes downward from the top.  But that’s not how God designed it.

Theophilus, meaning, “One who loves God,” was likely “a high official in the Roman government” (Barclay); he, as a man of wealth, “was possibly Luke’s patron” (NIVSB, p. 1532) who saw to it that his writing was completed.

Now, it was asserted yesterday that Luke might have been a slave.  While no biblical text actually says so, “the ‘doctors’ in ancient Rome were not nearly as highly regarded as the doctors in Greece. The profession itself, outside of the legions, was considered a low social position, fit for slaves.”[1]  Even if Luke wasn’t a slave, his socioeconomic status was such that he needed a wealthy sponsor in order to focus on his writing.  And he found such an individual in Theophilus, a wealthy and powerful man, who, despite having already learned the story and teachings of Jesus, wanted to make sure that he had it right.  While it is likely that Theophilus had it in his mind to make copies of the book and later distribute them to others, Luke left no doubt as to whom the book was for: Theophilus (“an orderly account for you . . .  so that you may know”).

Contrary to Marx’s assertion, then, the flow of religion goes upward from the bottom.  1 Cor. 1:27 reads, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”  No example better illustrates this truth than Daniel, a Jew exiled in Babylonia, whose bold testimony moved the hearts of King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:34-5) and King Darius (6:25-7); ironically, the political conquerors became spiritually conquered.

So, don’t be afraid to share your faith with the rich and the intellectuals; inasmuch as Theophilus was hungry for spiritual truth, many of them still are.  “Celsus, a great opponent of the faith (of the 2^nd century) . . . mentions how even Christians with little or no education seized opportunity to witness to people, and when confronted by educated pagans they still would not stop pushing their opinions” (Neill).  While attending UCLA graduate school, I judiciously shared my faith with the professors.  While none of them told me to get lost, there is one drawback: I had to keep my grade up so as to not lose my credibility!  At any rate, make 2016 a year in which you share the gospel with more people than you ever have.

Prayer

Father, I exalt You this morning.  I admit that in the midst of pouting about all the things I don’t have, I constantly forget what I do from you.  Convict me to use what I have to do good and mission-minded work in your Son’s name so that unbelieving co-workers and neighbors may thirst for Christ.  Amen.

[1] UNRV History: Roman Empire.  Retrieved December 11, 2015, from http://www.unrv.com/culture/ancient-roman-doctors.php

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Peter 2-3

The AMI QT devotionals from Jan. 1-15 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.

Editor’s Note: 

• First, the AMI devotions over the next several months will be on Acts.
• Second, this year we are sharing a little bit more about our writers.
• Third, the AMI QT blog, consisting of five parts, is not short, but each section is there for a reason. But if it feels too much, then read just the morning devotional and prayer.  Also, note that you can arrange 2 or 3 related lunch break studies and use it to lead a small Bible study at work or school.   The QT files can be sent to you on demand (Cryun2@yahoo.com).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Acts 1:1-1[1]

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.

Luke 1:1-3

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account . . .

Thomas Sowell never knew his father who died before his birth; he grew up in the South, where his encounters with Caucasians were so rare that “he did not know that blond was a hair color.”  After dropping out of high school, it seemed very unlikely that he would one day become a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and author of 30 books.

Luke the Gospel writer was just as unlikely to have become one of the authors who penned the bestselling book of all time. In fact, he is the only Gentile among the forty whose writing was included.  Furthermore, he is the second leading contributor to the New Testament after Paul: the Gospel of Luke and Acts combine for fifty-two chapters.

So, just how improbable was his success?  First, as a non-Jew, Luke was an unlikely candidate to tell the gospel story that originated from Jewish Scripture and culture.  Second, unlike John and Matthew, he wasn’t an eyewitness to the events he described.   Third, as for his training, Luke was a physician (Col. 4:10), not groomed to be a writer.  Also, it’s also possible that Luke was even a slave, since according to Commentator William Barclay, “even doctors and teachers . . . were slaves” in the Roman Empire.

When given a challenge or difficult task, the first thing we often say is, “I can’t; it’s too hard.”  The outcome of Sowell and Luke’s life suggests otherwise.  While hard work (Prov. 14:23) and determination (24:16) led to Sowell’s rise, Luke presents an additional component: God equips and empowers those who obey His call.  In that context, we can proclaim, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).

In 2016, for what challenging task will you trust God: a new business, degree program, or even forgiveness?  Whatever it is, do all things in obedience to God’s general will, clearly spelled out in the Scripture: for instance, eschew greed (Col. 3:5), selfish ambition (Phil. 2:3) and bitterness (Heb. 12:15).  As you do so, God will strengthen you to succeed in and for Him.  May this year be like no other year!

Prayer

Father, as the New Year commences, I praise You for all that happened in 2015—both good and bad—and thank You in advance for a wonderful journey of faith that the new year will bring.  Help me never to forget how unlikely it was for You to save me; but You did because of your immense love.  May I live for You the fullest in 2016.  Amen.

[1] All scriptures are cited from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Peter 1

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Kings 5:1-3: Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

John 6:8-9: Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Question to Consider

1. What ties the Jewish servant girl in Syria and the boy together?
2. What feeling or thought needs to be overcome in order to live like these individuals?
3. Close your eyes and ask the Lord as to what hurtful past event can be redeemed to help others?

Notes

1. From the human standpoint, they weren’t very impressive people, who certainly didn’t possess anything worthwhile.   But what little they had was used by God to leave a tremendous spiritual legacy: without the information provided by the servant girl, there would be no story of Naaman, mentioned even in the gospel (Lk. 4:27); without the boy’s lunch, there is no feeding of the 5,000 depicted in all four gospels.
2. We need to stop focusing on what we lack, thereby turning them into excuses that justifies our inaction,  but offer what we do have (even simple but correct knowledge and a few dollars) to help those in need.
3. As for me, getting a terrible SAT score and then being suspended from college for poor grades have helped me encourage young people who don’t  have it all together.  Praise God!

Evening Reflection

As we complete the first day of the year, did you help anyone today?  Maybe you’ve had no such opportunity, or perhaps you did but failed to reach out.  Why didn’t you?  Have some fun tomorrow by reaching out to someone with what little you may have:  May the Lord surprise you by multiplying your little effort with an amazing outcome both for you and others.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time Devotionals from December 27-31 are provided by Pastor (intern) Andrew Kim who serves at Tapestry Church (Los Angeles).

*The 2016 AMI QT Devotionals will begin tomorrow with a series of reflections based on Acts. See you then!  Pastor Ryun

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Psalm 25:4-5

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 

With the end of the year quickly approaching, many of us have already begun making resolutions. Whether it’s to hit the gym or do more for our careers, we’re all eager to make good on our new commitments. But I want to encourage you to slow down, because too many of us are quick to plan out our lives on our own. We only seem to invite God to bless our new plans rather than to shape them. But this shouldn’t surprise us. We live in a time where the self is king. It is the self who possesses all authority to determine its own path; and to suggest otherwise is an affront to the unspoken laws of our culture. For this reason, we’ve grown accustomed to planning our lives however we see fit. But the psalmist shows us a better way.

What I love most about this passage is the psalmist’s hunger for guidance. It’s almost as if he refuses to act or plan until God provides the next steps. In other words, it’s not about setting forth his own agendas but more about receiving them from God. He humbly recognizes that his own wisdom is not enough; that he desperately needs God to lead him to the right paths.

I pray that we would all take on this posture. It’s imperative that we recognize our lack of wisdom, and allow God to shape our goals and ambitions for the New Year. If living for the kingdom is our main objective in life, we must go before the King to receive His guidance. If our desire is to follow Christ, let us ask Him where He’s going so that we’re on the same path. I believe that beginning the year in this manner will lead us to be more like Jesus by the end of it!

Prayer 

God, just like the psalmist, this is also my prayer: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me.” I want this New Year to be shaped and led by You. Allow my heart to desire the things of You, rather than seeking out my own wants and needs, so that this year would be all about You and what You’re doing in the world around me!

Bible Reading for Today: Philippians 4

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Peter 1:3-7: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 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. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 

Questions to consider 

1. What has God granted to us?
2. Why should we make every effort?
3. How can this passage shape your goals for the New Year?

Notes

1. God has granted to us everything that we need to live a life of godliness. Many of us feel as though we lack so much when it comes to working on our character. However, Peter says that God have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Here, he’s alluding to the Holy Spirit, for he says that we “become partakers of the divine nature.” And what else do we need than the power that raised Christ from the dead?
2. We should make every effort to supplement our faith with the characteristics listed above. We should desire things like virtue, knowledge, and self-control. Peter says that we should strive after these things, even though it seems difficult, because God has equipped us with everything we need to succeed. Hopefully, this encourages you!
3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

I remember one pastor telling us that the one question he frequently asks himself is, “What does faithfulness to God look like for me?” He wrestles with this question in regards to the present and the future. Take some time to pray through this question. What does it look like to be faithful to God in your life, especially in the upcoming year?

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time Devotionals from December 27-31 are provided by Pastor (intern) Andrew Kim who serves at Tapestry Church (Los Angeles).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Hosea 13:1-4

When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died. And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, “Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves! Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window. But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.”

Growing up, there was no one I idolized more than Michael Jordan, who played with a certain type of artistry that separated him from the rest.  This made him arguably the greatest basketball player of all time (sorry, Kobe fans!).  One reason for his success was his otherworldly work ethic. Although he was naturally gifted, he practiced as if he had to earn every ounce of it. And this obsession made it apparent to everyone that he lived for basketball. But here’s the depressing part: according to an ESPN article, even with all the accolades and success, Michael Jordan still remains dissatisfied and restless about his life. What he believed would one day bring him fulfillment failed to deliver—and now at the age of 52, he’s still searching. In other words, the idol he set up for himself had only brought profound disappointment.

In the same way, the people of Israel worked hard and skillfully to fashion together their own idols. Maybe they put so much effort and time because they believed that it would someday bring what they had hoped for. But just like Jordan, they found out the hard way that all idols fail to deliver and are full of empty promises. Instead of finding peace and joy, they found themselves sinning more than ever and on the brink of destruction.

Many of us need to pay close attention to these cautionary tales. Although we don’t worship literal statues, there are many of us who have set up our own idols in the form of relationships or jobs.  Maybe we’ve worked our entire lives to skillfully craft a certain kind of marriage or to build ourselves a name—all in an effort to find that elusive sense of fulfillment. If there is anything we can learn from the story of Hosea, it is that only God can bring to fruition all our hopes and dreams. Hosea 13:4 says, “Besides me there is no Savior”—meaning, only He can save us from the emptiness of our hearts. I encourage you today to assess your lives. What are you living for? Where have you placed your hopes? If it’s not in God, I pray that you would begin the journey back to Him today!

Prayer

God, I pray that You would help me to place my hopes and desires in You. Help me to trust that what You have for my life is indeed the very thing my heart is looking for. Give me the strength to keep my heart and eyes focused on You alone!

Bible Reading for Today: Philippians 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Questions to Consider

1. What type of people is Jesus inviting to come to Him?
2. What does He offer these people?
3. Do you find yourself tired and burdened by life?

Notes

1. Jesus is inviting those who have labored and are tired from life’s burdens. I love that there are no qualifications for approaching Him. Anyone who is hurting, burdened, and tired is invited to His presence. It almost seems like this invitation is for those who’ve tried to find rest and happiness in other things but have found it only to be tiring and unfulfilling.
2. He offers them true rest that’s not found in the cessation of work but in receiving the proper yoke. The metaphor of a yoke was used by the rabbis to speak of the expectations of the law. Although they spoke of this yoke as one of delight, it was something that no single person could bear—just like the yoke that our society places on us. Jesus offers another type of yoke, one of grace. Grace is the only thing that can provide true rest because it depends on the person of Christ and not ourselves.
3. Personal  response.

Evening Reflection

How we live our lives reveals to us what we place our hope in, and what we truly live for. Take some time to review how you have spent your time. What preoccupies your thoughts? What takes up the most time in your schedules? Where does most of your money go? If someone examined your life, would they believe you if you told them that you live for God and put your hopes in Him?

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time Devotionals from December 27-31 are provided by Pastor (intern) Andrew Kim who serves at Tapestry Church (Los Angeles).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Hosea 11:8-12

“How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not destroy Ephraim; For I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. They shall go after the Lord; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt; and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord. Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of the Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God.” 

In my early 20’s, I was going through a very difficult season while dealing with depression. Although I was attending church, I wasn’t necessarily looking for God. Instead, I sought comfort in all the wrong places; in fact, I rebelled against God in every way imaginable. But one Sunday, I found myself at a prayer meeting and God met me in a way that left no part of me untouched. And for the first time in many years I felt whole again. This was the beginning of a journey that continues even to this day. You see, this is a picture of grace—God’s undeserved favor bestowed upon someone who not only didn’t deserve it but wasn’t even looking for it!

In Hosea 11, we find a similar story. The chapter begins with a heartbreaking depiction of God’s relationship to Israel. He likens it to a son dismissing his own father through a series of betrayal and rebellion. And like many fathers would, God responds with judgment and discipline: the Assyrians will be sent to destroy Israel. If this were the end of the story, we would say, “What a fitting end; they deserve it!” However, in a surprising turn of events God does the unimaginable: He promises a day when they will be called back and be made His own forever. This is a perfect picture of grace—God saving a people who deserved nothing less than to be eternally exiled.

It bears repeating: God’s grace can reach anyone.  Many feel as though their sins are too great for God to love them. Some of us struggle with an immense amount of guilt and believe that God has given up on us. But understand that no sin is too grievous or disturbing that God will forsake us. Just as He said to Israel, “How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel?” He says to us, “How can I give YOU up?” The rest of the Bible tells the same story of God’s relentless love bestowed on us in His Son Jesus. Through the outstretched arms of Christ, God’s grace reaches out to even the most distant sinners. So let us approach the throne of God with boldness today because we can trust that His grace is greater than our sins, and that we are never too far from His love!

Prayer 

Precious Savior, thank you for remaining faithful to me despite my sinful ways. Help me to understand more of your grace and love in a way that will bring transformation to my character and boldness in my relationship with You.

Bible Reading for Today: Philippians 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 5:8: “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  

Questions to Consider

1. Why is the word “while” very important to this verse?
2. How did God show us His love for us?

Notes 

1. The word “while” is important because it shows us that our salvation is never based on performance. God didn’t show us His love after we stopped being sinners but even as we were rebellious towards Him. This is an important point to understand. This is the crux of the Gospel message.
2. God shows us His love through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate demonstration of God’s grace, offering us eternal life and communion with Him in spite of our sinful ways.

Evening Reflection

Our culture is obsessed with performance. From the outset of our lives, we are taught that everything needs to be earned, whether it’s the relationships we want or the promotions we strive after. Many times this way of thinking bleeds into our relationship with God, where we feel the need to earn God’s love. Do you struggle with accepting God’s grace and love? Do you find it hard to approach God after you’ve sinned? Ask God to reveal His amazing grace to you, that you would be able to experience the freedom that only God’s grace can give!

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time Devotionals from December 27-31 are provided by Pastor (intern) Andrew Kim who serves at Tapestry Church (Los Angeles).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Hosea 10:1 

Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 

The conclusion of a nationwide survey conducted in the early 2000’s by sociologist Christian Smith, who attempted to gauge the spiritual DNA of Americans, was unsettling: Most Americans believed in what he coined as moralistic therapeutic deism, meaning the goal of life is to feel good about oneself and that God exists to serve us.  This shouldn’t surprise us since we live in a time when church services aim to entertain rather than to challenge; it’s more about keeping people in the pews happy, rather than challenging them to follow Christ regardless of the cost.  Consequently, we’ve produced consumers, not disciples.  So then, why did God save us?

Here, in Hosea 10, we find the prophet pronouncing a scathing judgment upon the nation of Israel for exactly the same reason—they were a self-serving people. At first glance, when Hosea writes that “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit,” it seems to be a compliment. However, in the original language it would be better translated as, “Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit for itself.” And this was a serious offense. God as the vinedresser had planted Israel as a vine that would one day bear fruit for others. But instead, they chose a self-centered path. It was all about them!

Israel failed to remember that when God had promised Abraham the nation of Israel in Genesis 12, its primary purpose was to bring blessing to all nations.  They were supposed to be a nation that shared God’s blessings with the surrounding Canaanites who served territorial gods that scorned other nations.  But unlike Israel, we must not forget why we exist as a community.

The church has been instituted, not as a means to primarily serve our own needs, but to be a conduit of God’s blessing to those around us. This means that God has given us the church, our jobs, finances, and abilities as a way to share God’s love and blessings with others. Consider today what God has given you, and begin wrestling with how you can use it all for His glory and for the building up of others. It’s when we live this out that we are most fulfilled and happy!

Prayer 

God, help me to see beyond my own needs and desires. Give me a heart full of love and generosity that will allow me to use the gifts and resources You’ve given me for the sake of others and ultimately for Your glory.

Bible Reading for Today: Philippians 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 28:16-20: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Questions to consider

1. What is the commission given to the disciples before Jesus ascends?
2. What does it mean that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus?
3. How have you done lately in regards to living this commission out? Do you share the love of Christ or keep it for yourself?

Notes 

1. He commissions us out to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This means that the church has the responsibility of sharing who Jesus is with the world around us. This prohibits us from making church all about us. It challenges us to look outside of our own spiritual state and to be broken for those who do not yet know Jesus.
2. Before His risen state, Jesus was a penniless preacher. But now, the situation was much different. No longer did the limitations of the incarnation apply to Him. He now possessed full authority in heaven and on earth. And this is good news because we would not be able to fulfill our commission unless the Jesus who promises to be with us until the end has all authority in heaven and earth. He is the only reason we can accomplish what we’ve been sent to do.
3. Personal.

Evening Reflection

We live in a culture where giving is not our default posture, and it’s easy to constantly think about ourselves more than ever. How can you work on becoming more other-centered? What are some areas of greed in your life? Do you reflect the generosity and the giving posture of the God we serve? Or do you reflect the self-serving pattern of our world? Take some time to assess the way you live your life in regards to these questions.

Editor’s Note: Today’s AMI QT devotional is written by Ryun Chang and Joshua Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Read John 17:14-7 (ESV)

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 

Leprosy causes the loss of all physical sensations, including pain. Even an open wound, infected and full of puss, doesn’t hurt; if left untreated, it will disfigure the entire body, limb by limb. At the risk of offending some, many evangelicals suffer from spiritual leprosy. Living in this world that is becoming increasingly militant against God’s truth, we feel no tension, no indignation, and certainly no desire to fight back (that is, not with the weapons of this world).

The fundamental tension for us is one between Christianity and the reigning paradigm of our time—secular ideology. But the thoughts and teachings of this world, of which we are a part, will never, ever be our highest authority—only Christ and His word is, no matter how alluring, appealing, or popular the dictates of secularism appear to us.

At the same time, we must learn to avoid the extremes of a hateful “us versus them” stance and a naïve lack of discernment in encountering the good, evil, and sometimes ambiguous influences upon our souls. For instance, even as we take on secularism or radicalized Islam, we do so respectfully, not hating the person and even learning a thing or two from those who oppose us.

But through it all, we must remember that we live by faith, not by sight. We live for Christ, and not for any person or nation. We live by evaluating human experience through Christ’s word, not primarily the word of this or that guru or intellectual elite. Nothing should become our ultimate foundation and measuring rod for right living and thought, whether our favorite political movement, secular ethic, ideal of social justice, life pleasure, human identity, technological advancement, or fashionable science.

As alluded earlier, that is not to deny there may be things of great value in the secular ideas and products I have just mentioned; on the contrary, we can welcome many of these to improve human living or enhance our intellectual and moral growth. But our ultimate hope and authority will never be to anything secularism has to offer, anything that comes out of the city of man. Our allegiance is to Christ alone. I leave you with Joshua’s call to the people of Israel as they started their existence as a nation in the Promised Land: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 12

Editor’s Note: Today’s AMI QT devotional is written by Ryun Chang and Joshua Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Philippians 3:20-2

 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Hebrews 11:10:

“For [Abraham] was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”

Let’s be honest: We say God’s word is the most important source of truth for us, but do our core beliefs and values really reflect that?  In the church we say, “Yes, that is a sin,” but as soon as we are out the door, we become politically correct.  We sing these great songs about the greatness of God, but are we really all that different from the world?  Are we not as selfish, insecure, and pleasure-driven as those who do not confess Christ?

Yes, there is no escaping the human confrontation with questions of how we are to live and think. We must commit to some course of action, an overarching worldview, a narrative of reality. We declare our answer by the actions and thoughts we enact every day, until our days eventually constitute our entire life, through responding to questions like, “How far are we willing to push our moral boundaries in order achieve our goals? What kind of persons are we becoming by our actions, big and small, from reliance on the latest technological achievement, to how we relate to others, to our career choice from a vast array of options given to us courtesy of our liberal democracy?”

Before our world got super complex and wired, St. Augustine, the great 5^th century Church Father, was already talking about the unbridgeable gap between the two cities: the city of God and the city of man.  The city of God stands for eternal and permanent truth that, when fully comprehended and embraced, results in “righteousness and peace and joy” (Rom. 14:17).

However, the city of man gives us different ideas, theories, and tools to respond to such questions. As Christians in the world, we listen to the answers given, sometimes unaware of their good/bad/neutral potential—power to corrupt our minds, strengthen our hearts for ethical action, or choke the life out of our loyalty to Christ through subtle, but deadly influences to commit to vice and viciousness.

My one advice to you as you encounter all the things the world has to offer you is this: do not forget your allegiance to the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. His story, His life, His teaching, His word, His person—here lays our foundation and encompassing narrative through which to understand and evaluate what the world has to offer us. We may be citizens of the city of man, but our ultimate and highest commitment is to Christ—the Ruler of the city of God.

Bible Reading for Today: Ecclesiastes 11