Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals from Nov. 16-22 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato of Over the-Rhine Church (Cincinnati).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 12:44-47 (ESV)

On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered. [45] And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and his son Solomon. [46] For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. [47] And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading several mission teams to places all over the world. I’ve yet to have team members who were not blessed in some way, and more often than not, the brothers and sisters I served with had powerful encounters with God. Yet, what I have noticed is that a remarkable experience does not always lead to actual life transformation.

In today’s passage, the people of God have just experienced something like a corporate revival. God has met them powerfully, and their first order of business is to…assign people to the temple accounting department?

We don’t often associate life transformation with the creation of institutions or the development of disciplines. Isn’t revival more about spontaneity and powerful experiences? Doesn’t structure quench the Holy Spirit? Perhaps, at times it can, but the people are in fact doing one of the most important things they can. Israel is being spiritually renewed and the people’s greatest desire is that this renewal might continue and be passed on to future generations.

Therefore, faithful men are needed to gather the offerings and tithes that the people give and distribute them appropriately to the Levites. If the Levites are not provided for, priests, singers, and gatekeepers may leave their posts to find other work to feed their families, and there would be no one to continue ministering to God and to His people.

What kinds of habits do you need to establish to continue worshiping God? What kinds of disciplines are necessary for you to participate in passing on true worship to future generations?

Prayer

Oh Lord, I desire more than a fleeting spiritual experience! May I dwell in Your house and daily hear Your voice. Lord, open my eyes to see the simple, daily ways I can be faithful and put You first.

 Bible Reading for Today: Malachi 4

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (ESV):

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. [2] On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Question to Consider

1. Apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian church to set aside an offering regularly on behalf of the Jerusalem church that is enduring a famine. What does regular giving cultivate?
2. Why might it be best to do the collections prior to Paul’s arrival?
3. Often we are more aware of the money we give than what we are invited to contribute toward. In this passage, what was the collection for?

Notes

1. Regular giving cultivates a lifestyle of generosity, self-denial, and sacrificial love.
2. Such an arrangement may avoid logistical problems, but it also prevents giving out of guilt, or in this case, giving in order to impress the apostle Paul. God desires deliberate, thoughtful giving.
3. The collection was for the saints in Jerusalem who were in great need. This collection would also free the leaders and apostles in the Jerusalem church from needing to attend to the physical needs of their people so they could continue to minister the Word of God and spread the gospel throughout the earth.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day. Did a lack of planning or setting aside the appropriate resources (time, money, etc.) hinder your ability to worship God today? What kind of planning might help you in the future?

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals from Nov. 16-22 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato of Over the-Rhine Church (Cincinnati).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 12:27-31^a (ESV):

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. [28] And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; [29] also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. [30] And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

[31] Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks.

When was the last time in your life that singing was the most appropriate response to an event?  At a wedding?  After the birth of a child?  In the car on the way to work?  Now life may not be one long Disney musical (thankfully? ha ha), but the Lord can and does give us a reason to sing.  In our passage, God fills the hearts of His people with praise.  Despite all the obstacles, the wall is rebuilt in a mere 52 days.  The threats of their enemies are harmless.  The promises of God are being fulfilled right before their eyes, and the only appropriate response is to have a worship celebration.

There is great gladness, thanksgiving, and singing; musical worship includes cymbals, harps and lyres (12:27).  Leaders of Israel and two choirs walk on top of the wall that was built (12:31)—the very wall that Tobiah said a fox could break down (4:3) supports dozens of people.

One choir sings from the north side of the city while the other sings from the south (12:31, 38).  Worship can be heard throughout the city as the two congregations meet at the temple (12:40).  Great sacrifices are made and all the people—men, women and children—rejoice with such a loud voice that worship can be heard from far off (12:43).

As the people consider the faithfulness of God, they are blessed with both thankful hearts and great hope.  On the one hand, God is present and active today in blessing His people; and on the other, He is not done and the best is certainly yet to come.

Imagine the people walking on the wall, their city still in need of restoration, singing of the day that the nations would gather at Zion to bring their offerings to the Lord.  May the acts of God in the past and the promises of God for the future give to us great joy and courage in the present!

Prayer

Father, put praises on the lips of your people!  May thanksgiving rise up in my heart for You have given me countless evidences of Your loving-kindness.  In times of trial, fix my eyes on Your coming kingdom that I might sing of my certain hope to come.

 Bible Reading for Today: Malachi 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 150 (ESV):

Let Everything Praise the Lord

            [1] Praise the LORD!

            Praise God in his sanctuary;

                        praise him in his mighty heavens!

            [2] Praise him for his mighty deeds;

                        praise him according to his excellent greatness!

            [3] Praise him with trumpet sound;

                        praise him with lute and harp!

            [4] Praise him with tambourine and dance;

                        praise him with strings and pipe!

            [5] Praise him with sounding cymbals;

                        praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

            [6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

            Praise the LORD!

Question to Consider

1. Why should we praise the Lord?
2. Where should the Lord be praised?
3. Who should praise the Lord?

Notes

1. For who He is (“his excellent greatness”), and what He has done (“his mighty deeds”).
2. God should be praised in the sanctuary (the church as well as the heart of every believer), but He should also be praised in the heavens (in every corner of creation).
3. Everyone! Everything that has the breath of life ought to praise its Maker, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord.

Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect.  What things in your life make it difficult to sing the praises of God?  How can the great works that God has done in the past help encourage you?  How can the great promises He has for the future give you hope?

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals from Nov. 16-22 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato of Over the-Rhine Church (Cincinnati).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 11:1-2 (ESV)

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. [2] And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.

When you consider where to live, what factors are important?  A good school system?  A hip restaurant scene?  Plentiful job prospects?  I would imagine that an abandoned ruin destroyed by war would not be high on your list of options—but this is the state of Jerusalem.  Imagine a war torn city in Syria or Yemen and you’ll get the idea.  Now Jerusalem is not experiencing active war, but the enemies of Israel are waiting for an opportunity to strike, the city itself is in great need of repair, and the people are still struggling to provide basic necessities for their families.  Yet the city must be repopulated at great cost and great risk to the families who participate.  Why?

More is at stake than the glory of a capital city—God is fulfilling His promises to His people.  After enduring a devastating exile, the people have returned with the hope of a restored relationship with God.  In the Old Testament, the temple is the center of worship and God’s presence.  An empty Jerusalem—and thus an empty temple—is a sign of a curse, not a blessing.  Therefore, the Israelites must repopulate the city.

Leading from the front rather than the rear, the leaders of the people commit to live in Jerusalem (v.1).  The rest of the people remain reluctant, so lots are cast and one of every ten are called to live in the city.  How would you feel if your family was called to move into Jerusalem?  What would you have to risk?  Safety?  Comfort?         Finances?

But what would you have to gain?  The people called to live in the city have a front row seat to the promises of God being fulfilled.  They live in the place in which God’s presence particularly dwells.  They can see with their own eyes whether God’s Word is sentimental, wishful thinking—or rock-solid, certain truth.  Would we all be so blessed!

Prayer

Father, You have blessed me so abundantly.  May I never be afraid of what I might lose when I risk for You, but give to me faith that gaining You is better than gaining the whole world.  Help me to not give in to my fears that I might follow You and know from experience that every promise in Your Word is true.

 Bible Reading for Today: Malachi 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 10:29-31 (ESV)

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, [30] who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Question to Consider

1. What types of things may we need to leave for the sake of Jesus and the gospel?
2. What rewards are received by those who leave such things behind?
3. According to v. 31, “many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Considering what Jesus has said in our passage, why might that be?

Notes

1. Good things – homes, family members, and land.
2. Jesus promises a hundredfold return in this time of homes, family members, and lands. In addition, the faithful will receive persecutions in this life, but they can look forward to eternal life in the age to come.
3. The end of v. 29 indicates that sacrifice in and of itself is not what Jesus is looking for but sacrifice for His sake. We may gain the respect of our peers, as well as other rewards in this life for self-centered sacrifice, but in the age to come, only that which is done for Jesus will matter.

Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect.  What priorities have guided your decision to live in your particular nation, city, or neighborhood?  How does Jesus provide those things for you in a way that a physical location never can?

Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals from Nov. 16-22 are provided by Pastor Jason Sato of Over the-Rhine Church (Cincinnati).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 10:28-29 (ESV)

The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, [29] join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes.         

Love can be measured a number of ways–the depth of emotion, the extravagance of gifts, or the romantic eloquence of words, to name a few.  But the biblical measure of love is simpler and more meaningful–commitment.

Prior to our passage, the people of God gather to celebrate the completion of the wall of Jerusalem.  Against all odds, the people of God have returned from exile and rebuilt the wall in the midst of poverty and the active opposition of their local enemies.  The rebuilt wall reminds the people of God’s promise to bring restoration and renewal after the humiliating exile.

Also at this time, the people celebrate the Feast of Booths, one of Israel’s annual feasts.  In the Feast of Booths, the people spend a week living in tents and celebrating God’s faithfulness in the wilderness.  While it may seem odd to commemorate the time Israel spent wandering in the desert with no permanent home, the feast reminds the people that God has loved them and provided for them even in the midst of their constant complaining, doubting, and rebellion.  The feast declares the steadfast love and provision of God.

As the people experience and remember the faithful love of God for them, they are moved to love Him in return, to commit themselves to Him anew.  Like the love of God, the love of the people is not flashy but simple: They commit to walk in God’s law and to observe His commandments.  The greatest desire of their hearts is simply to be faithful to the God who has always been faithful to them.

Prayer

Father, there is no love like Yours.  You have seen me at my worst, but You have never left me nor forsaken me.  You have always kept Your promises.  Though You discipline me, You are quick to restore and encourage me.  Give me more of Your Holy Spirit so that I can love You and walk faithfully in Your ways.

 Bible Reading for Today: Malachi 1

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV):

 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Question to Consider

1. When we doubt the faithfulness of God, what sorts of idols are we tempted to turn to?
2. What produces lasting contentedness?
3. According to v. 6, what does the promise of God in v. 5 produce in us?

Notes

1. The passage explicitly references money, but we might turn to a variety of idols when we doubt whether God will take care of us.  We may assume power, worldly pleasure, other people, or a good reputation is what really will satisfy and provide for us.
2. Only the promises of God can produce lasting contentedness because only the promises of God are certain.
3. The promise of God’s faithfulness produces a confident boldness. The readers of the book of Hebrews faced persecution, yet they could be confident that no man and no circumstance could harm their eternal life and joy.

Evening Reflection

Take a moment to reflect.  In what areas of your day-to-day life do you see a pattern of consistent faithfulness to the Lord?  In what areas of your day-to-day life do you see your obedience less consistent and more dependent on your mood for the day?  Praise God for the steadfastness He has produced in your life thus far, and pray for the grace and power of the Holy Spirit in areas of weakness.

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals for November 14-15 are prepared by Christine Li of TRPC (NYC).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Corinthians 4:5-7

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Have you ever started a special collection of items? For a brief period, my mother was very interested in collecting different types of teapots. However, even though the collection was very precious to her, the teapots lay wrapped up in storage for years and years. When a neighboring family moved away and gifted us their china cabinet, the teapots finally came out of hiding. Now that they had a proper setting, they could be put on display for houseguests to see and admire.

When we have something to show off, don’t we all try to find a special platform or exhibition place for it? After all, this is why we frame academic diplomas and buy gift wrap; we believe that the outer wrapping should at least match the quality of what is inside.

If we projected our tendencies onto God, we would expect Him to only use the most glorious and terrific settings or people to showcase His glory; however, as apostle Paul says, God has chosen to display His light in us, these “jars of clay.”

The “jars of clay” term is hardly a compliment – it drives home the reminder that our human bodies are frail and temporary. Clay jars, disposable and made of base material, would be too banal for noble purposes; it would be like recycling cardboard boxes to store previous gold jewelry in. But this is exactly what God has done – He has chosen our human impermanence and brokenness to carry and reveal the knowledge of who He is.

As we draw near to Him today, let’s regain the wonder that God would commission us to be His vessels. Though our bodies are limited in time and physical capacity, He will use our lives to contain and showcase His glory and goodness. However He chooses to use us– whether it be by overflowing, being poured out, or even broken to release the contents – let us be humble and available for His purposes.
Prayer

Father, thank You for loving us and giving us the knowledge of who You are. Thank You for the privilege that we may be used to show others Your glory. We offer up our lives, Lord, use our lives as vessels filled with You.

 Bible Reading for Today: 2 John 1

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals for November 14-15 are prepared by Christine Li of TRPC (NYC).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 5:13:  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

When my parents entrusted me and my brother with personal computers for our schoolwork, they gave us very strict admonitions about being responsible and disciplined with schoolwork. We were supposed to do all of our work first, then play. Despite all their warnings, I still spent a great amount of concentration and efforts in multitasking with Facebook, TV miniseries, and college admission essays.

Maybe because I did not experience great repercussions then, I still have some poor habits – staying up late, forgoing exercise, frittering away my time on a smartphone, etc. The consequences are immediate: I cannot perform well during the workweek, and I am exhausted on the weekend before engaging in community. Chasing trivial joys in my life comes at a great cost to the more important and meaningful aspects of my life.

If we believe and remember that God’s spirit resides within us and that He has called us in advance for good work, then we should reflect on whether our lifestyles are glorifying to God: do I live in a way that prioritizes serving God and others firstly? We must remember that the call to be self-controlled is not just a friendly suggestion from Paul; it is a command. Because our lives are not our own – we were purchased at a great price – we must aim to lay down our lives and our desires in order to glorify God.

Let’s assess our lives and whether our indulgence weakens our ability to serve others. Are there things we need to let go of so our energy and focus can be better placed? Let us ask Him to renew our hearts with joy, self-control, and the desire to live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Prayer: Father, I admit that I am not a great steward of this life that You have purchased and redeemed. Open my eyes to the ways in which I am being selfish with my living and how it hinders my ability to worship You and serve You. Thank You for Your gentle grace that can help me change the way I live.

 Bible Reading for Today: 1 John 4-5

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals for today are provided by Doug Tritton of Symphony Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 9:9-17

And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters. By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go. You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them. But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them.

A common trope used in media is the story of an individual being removed from his or her true belongings (i.e., home) and not remembering where he or she came from. The animated movie Anastasia comes to mind, or more recently, Tangled. In Tangled, the main character Rapunzel is born a princess, but as an infant, she is kidnapped by an evil witch and grows up in the witch’s home, not knowing where she actually came from (confession: I listened to some Tangled songs after writing this).

What these stories show us is that not knowing where we come from can have serious consequences on our lives. The Israelites often reminded themselves where they came from. They were slaves in Egypt, afflicted by Pharaoh, but God heard their cries and rescued them from their captivity. God then brought them to the land of Israel, giving them the land as their own.

But when the Israelites forgot where they came from, they “acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck.” Having forgotten what God had done for them, they turned away from Him and tried to live on their own. In this passage, the Israelites are turning back to God, having now completed the walls of Jerusalem. In confessing their national sins, they reminded themselves from where they came – slavery in Egypt.

Today, let’s reflect back on where we come from. Let’s remind ourselves how God has worked in our lives and remind ourselves of His enduring faithfulness to us. As we remember all that He has done in our lives, we may find renewed desire to love and worship Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your great faithfulness to us. We confess that we are so often not faithful, yet You always remain faithful to us. Remind us again of what You have done in our lives and let these memories draw us even closer to You.

 Bible Reading for Today: 1 John 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 3:1-2

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Questions to Consider

1. What kind of love has the Father given to us?
2. Why is John reminding us that we are God’s children in this passage?
3. How does reminding yourself of your identity as God’s child impact your life?

Notes

1. He has given us love that calls us children of God! This is a truth we so often forget, that we are His children, but this identity is ours because God has given it to us.
2. There seem to be two reasons. One, John wants us to know that the world will try to diminish our true identity as God’s children since the world does not even know that we are His children. Two, John wants to give us hope that, as God’s children, we will one day be like Jesus when we see Him as He truly is.
3. When we remember our true identity as God’s children, we suddenly see life differently. Take time to reflect on how this identity changes the way you see your life.

Evening Reflection

As you get ready to sleep, remind yourself how God has worked in your life up to this point. Allow Him to bring to your mind ways He has been faithful. Let these memories remind you that you are His child and He is your loving Father.

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals for today are provided by Doug Tritton of Symphony Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 9:1-5

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God. Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the Lord their God. And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.”

Have you ever dealt with stress by going on some form of “therapy”? I do not mean clinical therapy; I am referring to things like retail therapy, chocolate therapy, ice cream therapy, media therapy, or any other ______ therapy (insert your own guilty pleasure). One of my most recent binges was history podcasts (yeah, yeah, nerdy, right?)

These sorts of binges can potentially make us feel good for a short burst of time, but will it solve our problems? Will they provide long term relief? Probably not. The Israelites in this passage, having finally completed the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls, went on a different type of binge. They took part in Bible, confession, and worship therapy; they gave a quarter of the day to each of those activities. Can you think of anything better to binge on?

When going through a tough time, or maybe dealing with a big transition in your life, just as the Israelites did, perhaps the best thing you can do is binge on the Bible, binge on prayer, binge on worship. These things will certainly satisfy in much greater ways than ice cream, shopping, or anything else. These things will nourish our souls and draw us closer to our loving Father.

Today, rather than other forms of fake therapy, let’s have some Bible, confession, and worship therapy. Let’s spend focused time in Scripture, focused time humbling ourselves before God, and focused time praising Him. There is no better use of our time than that.

Prayer: Lord, help us this day to satisfy our souls with You and Your Word. Let us delight in fellowship with You over other things. Help us to devote time in communion with You today. We need more of You in our lives; come and fill us, Lord.

 Bible Reading for Today: 1 John 2

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Questions to Consider

1. What do we miss out on when we love the world?
2. What will happen to the world and the desires of the world?
3. In what ways are you valuing the things of the world over the things of God?

Notes

1. The passage tells us that if we love the world, love for the Father is not in us. This means we miss out on the great joy that comes from having a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. There is nothing this world offers that comes close to that!
2. This world and the things of it will pass away. This is why we should seek to love God rather than the world, because God is eternal while the world is fading away. Isn’t it better to love Someone who is eternal rather than something that will soon disappear?
3. Take some time to think about how you may be valuing your “binge” activities over time in Scripture, confession, and worship.

Evening Reflection

Tonight, before going to sleep, spend some time in confession, just as the Israelites did. Confess to God the ways in which you have found comfort in things apart from God. Ask Him to comfort your soul tonight.

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 9-11 are written by Pastor Peter Yoon  of Kairos Christian Church (S. D.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 8:13  

On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law. 

Whose voice is the most important voice in your life that you’d actually give attention to the person’s words?

My 7-year-old son is playing in his first season of flag-football, and he plays the safety position. As soon as the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, he makes a beeline to the ball carrier and goes hard after the flag. Almost always, he comes up with the flag. Last week, he made a play for the running back but missed the flag; instead, he ended up grabbing at the shorts of the running back, inadvertently tripping him on the play. No one was hurt. Now mind you, these are 6 and 7- year-olds, so any type of fall by the kids is deemed as rough play by the officials. So the referee threw the yellow flag and assessed the penalized yardage for “rough play.” The coach of the other team starts yelling from the sidelines, “Is that how you teach your players to play? Then I’m going to teach my players to start tackling!!”

You can imagine: there was a bit of drama afterwards, but nothing terrible. On our way home from the game, my son starts crying, telling us that he wants to quit football because he felt so bad that he could have hurt another player; and he couldn’t understand why the other coach said those things and was yelling at him. We tried to tell him that the other coach was rather a poor sport and affirmed him that everyone noted that it was an accident. But given that he has a sensitive temperament, he continued to cry. So when we got home, his mom and I held him in our arms and firmly said to him, “The most important thing you need to hear is what your mom and dad are saying. We are proud of how hard you play. And your entire team and your coach are so proud of how hard you play.” He finally calmed down as he heard what I was saying.

That incident illustrates what often happens in our lives. We tend to pay much attention to the voice of the world that entices us or insults us; or we hear the voice of the enemy that lies to us, or even our own voice can be our own worst enemy where we criticize ourselves. In the meantime, sadly, we drown out the voice of our Father who sings over us (Zeph. 3:17).

Today, may you “give attention to the words” of the Father as He speak into your life.

Prayer

Lord, help me to hear Your voice over all of the voices that go through my ears. Teach me to distinguish Your voice so that I may live according to Your good and perfect will. Grant to me the ears to hear Your voice today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: 1 John 1

Lunch Break Study

1 Sam. 3:1-10

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why didn’t Samuel recognize the voice of the Lord immediately?
2. How was Eli able to help Samuel give attention to the voice of the Lord?
3. Do you have a person that is able to assist you in giving careful attention to the voice of the Lord?

Notes 

1. Not only was the word of the Lord rare in those days (v. 1), but the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to Samuel (v. 7).
2. Eli was a mentor to Samuel who recognized that the Lord was calling Samuel. Eli taught Samuel to respond appropriately to the Lord’s voice.
3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Have some things been spoken to you that have wounded you? Spend some time asking God to mend your heart. Ask God to speak His words into your heart.

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 9-11 are written by Pastor Peter Yoon  of Kairos Christian Church (S. D.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 8:2-3

So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. ³ He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

How important is the Bible to you? Before you give the quick “Christian” response, please pause for a moment and reflect honestly.

It was reported that Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish writer and poet, and a committed Christian, while on his deathbed, said to his secretary, “Bring me the book.” To this request, his secretary thought of the thousands of books in Scott’s library and asked, “Dr. Scott, which book?” “The book,” replied Scott, “the Bible – the only book for a dying man!”

Of course, the Bible isn’t just a book for a dying man, but for a living person as well. Jesus once said in the heat of spiritual battle: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matt. 4:4).

The Israelites had returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s supervision. And while the walls would provide some level of safety and protection from surrounding enemies, the leaders understood that unless the Lord watched over the city, the walls and the guards were only standing in vain (cf., Ps. 127:1). Thus, they gathered all of the citizens in one assembly under the ministry of the Word.

The scene depicted in these verses of Nehemiah reminds us to hunger for God’s word, for it is truth that will bring us true freedom.

Prayer

Lord, Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Please use it to guide my life. Help me to hunger for Your Word and to understand it; and help me to apply Your word into my everyday life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: Zech. 14

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,  and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,  which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Questions to Consider

1. In what ways do you personally meditate on the Law of the Lord?
2. What is the outcome of a person who meditates on the Law of the Lord, day and night? What is the outcome of a wicked person who neglects the Law of the Lord?

Notes 

1. To “meditate” means to “read carefully” or “pore over.” The Hebrew verb is defined as “read in an undertone”—meaning intensive, careful reading and study. One may say “they read it carefully day and night,” or “they read and think about its teachings all the time,” or “they are always reading and thinking about its teachings.”
2. Whose leaf does not wither. The withering of leaves is an indication that the tree is dying, or dead; so in some languages, it may be more effective to say “it stays strong and healthy.” In all that he does, he prospers. The verb “to prosper” includes all areas of life, not only spiritual but also financial and physical.

Evening Reflection

Meditate on the Word of God that you read through today. Re-read it once more carefully, and then think about why God wrote the verses/chapter.