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.

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 7:2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother, Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

People trust and follow spiritual leaders with integrity. Here, we see that Nehemiah places a “man of integrity” into leadership in Jerusalem.  Years ago, a retail electronic store partnered with an online company enticing consumers with $200 gift card for anyone who signed up on an annual contract. I don’t know whether it was someone’s oversight or not, but consumers soon figured out a way to cancel the annual contract without any penalties, while being able to keep the $200 gift card. As you can imagine, a line formed at the retail store with customers ready to take full advantage of the generous offer.

So I asked my spiritual leader if he also would like to take advantage of the offer. Technically, no law would be broken, and after all, it was the mistake of the retail and the online company. But fully aware of the chance for a nice gift, he said, “No thanks.” Like anyone else, he could have purchased a new flat-screen monitor or an appliance for the home or video games for the kids or even all three. Yet he chose integrity—the type of integrity that goes beyond the letter of the law.

God places such people into leadership and entrusts them to serve His purposes. Such people not only become familiar with God’s commands, but they truly live to honor the Lord who gives them. Nehemiah noted that Hananiah “feared God more than most people do” before placing him in charge of God’s city.

Will you also seek to fear the Lord and honor Him so that God can use you for His purposes?

Prayer

Lord, help me to fear you and honor you. Allow me to live a life of integrity that goes beyond the minimum requirements. Please reveal Your glory in my life more fully, so that I will respond with honor to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: Zech. 13

Lunch Break Study

1 Samuel 2:27-30

Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor’s family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? 28 I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites. 29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’ 30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

 Questions to Consider

1. According to verse 29, how did Eli dishonor and despise God?
2. What is promised to those who choose to honor the Lord? And what is the inevitable outcome for those who choose to despise Him?

Notes 

1. The fuller context is found in 1 Sam. 2:12-17: Eli’s two sons were treating the Lord’s offering with great contempt. They were also sleeping with the women who were serving at the temple. It was Eli’s responsibility to bring discipline and correction; however he failed to do so.
2. Consider the two outcomes: What will it look like in life to be honored by God? What will it look like in life to be disdained by Him?

Evening Reflection

Think of tangible ways in which you can show honor to the Lord. Write some applications on your journal and ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow through in honoring Him.

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 3-9 are written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church (S. F.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 6:10-13

Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me.

Back in the late-1990s, it was revealed that President Bill Clinton was having an affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was eventually impeached and then acquitted, not for the affair itself, but rather for lying about it. Eventually, the biggest question that came out of this whole scandal was, “Does the American public care what the president does in his personal life, as long he is running our country efficiently?” By in-large, most Americans answered that question with a “no”; and Clinton’s term in office has generally been regarded as a success.

Having said all that, I think having a good reputation still matters. While many respect Clinton for the things he accomplished in office, how many of even his staunchest followers would put a lot of stock in any marriage advice he could possibly give? You see, one of the more difficult things about being in ministry (all those in ministry, not just pastors) is maintaining, not just a good reputation, but a reputation that makes your voice matter to others. For example, let’s say you are a small group leader; and while playing golf with a few of your members, you lose your temper and become childishly irritable (breaking clubs, yelling at the ball, crashing the cart, etc.), because you haven’t been able to hit a decent tee shot all day. Do you think you will have the platform to lead these people and speak with them about their anger issues? Same with things like drinking: Would you want to be told to curb your drinking by your small group leader who just went bar-hopping with you two weeks ago? And this applies in the area of giving, honesty and integrity, as well as having daily devotions. In the end, if you want to be an influencer in the kingdom of God, then you have to be careful to make sure your life and words are consistent, keeping an upright and respectable reputation.

At first, you may look at today’s Bible passage, and ask, what’s was the big deal? It appears that the issue involved one of two possible things: First, Nehemiah was not a priest, so he was not allowed in the temple, even to save his own life. Or two, running into the temple would have made Nehemiah look like a coward, especially since everyone working on the wall was, to a certain extent, in danger. Either way, Nehemiah found it more important to risk his own life than to discredit his own name with the people (see 6:13). Today, let me ask you this: What are the things you have to “risk” to keep a good reputation among others? Most of us don’t have to risk our lives like Nehemiah did, but I am guessing that we will have to sacrifice some forms of “fun.” Is it worth to deny yourself in some way for the kingdom of God?

Prayer

Lord, help me to see the beauty and worth of doing Your work and paying the price in order to keep a good reputation with others. If I have already broken that record, please give me the fortitude to win it back. Ultimately, make me a person of true character—make me more like Jesus.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 12

 

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 3-9 are written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church (S. F.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 6:1-8

Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.”

Recently, my two-year-old son has been getting out of bed at night looking for any and every excuse to not sleep—this habit is killing my wife and me! The other night we had this interaction:

My wife: “Jonny, why aren’t you in bed?”

Jon: “I can’t sleep. There’s a (hard to distinguish) in my bed.”

My wife: “There’s a lion in your bed?”

Jon: (contemplating if this is believable) “Yes.”

My wife: “Well, I’ll go see and chase the lion away.”

My wife then proceeded to “look for” and “chase” the lion away so that my son could go back to sleep. Great parenting, right? Wrong. Within five minutes, my son got up again—this time claiming thirst; then five minutes after that, he was afraid of the dark. Finally, after a few of these incidents, we had to talk straight to our son: “Jon, if you get out of bed again, you are going to get spanked. And that is going to hurt.” The message was sent—he did not come out again.

Sometimes, in order to cut through the baloney and the silly excuses, we need to talk straight and make some difficult call outs. Look at today’s passage: When Sanballat and Tobiah hear that the wall of Jerusalem is almost done, they invite Nehemiah for a visit with the hopes of harming him and halting its completion (v. 2). At first, Nehemiah tries to redirect them by saying that he is “too busy” (v. 3), but after four more similar attempts, Sanballat comes back with this fictitious treason accusation (vv. 6-7). Finally, Nehemiah is forced to shoot straight and calls out Sanballat’s baloney: “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind” (v.8).

Now how does this apply to us today? Let me share something: Whether they are two, thirty-two, and presumably seventy-two years old, people will still come up with elaborate excuses as to why they are not doing what they should be doing (or doing what they shouldn’t be doing). Of course, as they grow older, the excuses become more reasonable than having a “lion in the bed,” but they are nevertheless excuses. So you may have heard of the following: “Everyone else does it”; “I’m just trying to be real or true to myself”; “I’m not hurting anyone”; or “I have unresolved daddy issues,” etc. As a community in Christ, it is probably most loving to start subtly in helping another get past the elaborate excuses. However, there may come a time when we must be willing to cut through the baloney and shoot straight with our friends and call out sinful behavior, misguided thinking, or selfish hearts.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the community I have. Help me to be wise and bold to share the truth in love. Also, let me see what excuses or stories I am using to disobey You.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 10-11

 

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 3-9 are written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church (S. F.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 5:14-16

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

When I worked as an engineer, the company that employed me had a multi-service contract with the county. This basically meant that for smaller jobs, the county would simply hire us to do the work, without putting the job out to be bid on by other firms—this contract was like a license to print money! As the lead engineer for this one particular project, I put the proposal together and submitted it to the VP for approval, only to have it come back for almost double the amount of what I had calculated it would take to get done. I remember feeling that had if we had to compete for this project, this proposal would have been more reasonable, but my boss was using the multi-service contract to milk the county. What made it worse for me was that we were essentially stealing public money; I felt like such a dirty politician. Now to be clear, I was too wimpy to flat out call out the higher-ups about the situation; however, I did subtly express my concerns. I could tell that my boss didn’t believe his numbers to be true either, but because he’d been inflating numbers on these contracts for so long, it really didn’t bother him. Plus, these types of benefits are why you want to win multi-service contracts in the first place.

What this encounter illustrated to me was that when it comes to money, benefits, and “skimming off the top,” there is often a deeply ingrained culture of wrong practice that is not easy to break. People almost see it as a birthright—you pay your dues, you win the contract, you get to the kickbacks. If I were Nehemiah, and the practice of gouging the people had for a long time been widely accepted (v. 15), I wonder how I would have responded? I would like to believe that I would have had the integrity to not even eat the governor’s allotment (v. 14), but knowing me, I think I would have rationalized the whole ordeal, saying, “The previous establishment taxed 40 shekels. I will slash taxes in half, and only take 20.”

In the end, you see why Nehemiah was able to act without any corruption: “But out of reverence for God I did not act like that” (v.15). This morning, ask yourself: Do you act in complete integrity out of reverence for God, or are you stuck in the hamster wheel of a culture of wrong practice? Understand this: getting off is going to be difficult, and it is probably going to cost you some money (as it did Nehemiah). But in the end, I hope that you will choose the difficult path that honors our Lord.

Prayer

Lord, help me to revere and love You more than worldly gain. Also give me eyes to see blind spots or areas where I have allowed time and culture to adversely impact me. Give me courage and boldness to act with complete integrity.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 9

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 1

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.

5 Therefore 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. Follow the progression of a soul in trouble in verse 1. Do you feel like you’ve subtly gotten in a bad spot?
2. Compare and contrast the righteous and the wicked.
3. Where are you in life?

Notes

1. The subtle nature of sin is, metaphorically speaking, that at first you are walking along with it, then you stop your motion and are standing in it; finally, you are sitting in it. All this can happen very gradually or subtly, if you are not aware.
2. The righteous delight in and meditate on God’s Word; they are steady and fruitful. The wicked, in contrast, waver and are on shaky footing.
3. This is a self-reflective question, but if it is the latter, remember the righteous person is rooted in God’s Word.

Evening Reflection

Are you stuck in a culture or in a pattern of behavior that does not honor God? Is God calling you to make a change? Do you feel like a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit (Ps. 1:3). On the flip side, are there good habits you feel God calling you toward?

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 3-9 are written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church (S. F.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 5:1-8

Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.”3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.” 6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say.

What are the things that make you angry? Here is my list: having to repeat instructions to my children multiple times, rude or incompetent customer service, spending money at those uppity brunch spots that don’t take reservations but makes you wait for like 90 minutes before seating you (especially when my wife makes me go there when IHOP is right around the corner). The list goes on to overregulation and overspending by our government, taxes—and I haven’t even gotten started on people at church (just kidding).

Notice what is not on that list: when people get taken advantage of, homelessness, poverty, human rights violations in other countries (and ours), terrorism, etc. Okay, it’s not that these things don’t get me angry—when I think about them, they truly do upset me—but the truth is, it’s the trivial things—like why my favorite football team cannot play defense—which upsets me more often than real injustice in the world. In fact, I would say that 90% of my angry time is spent on unimportant things versus real issues. Normally, I’d be ashamed to admit this, but I know that most of us are like me.

In today’s Bible passage, we see that Nehemiah was angry because the poor and underserved Jews were being exploited by the nobles. This is what I would consider righteous or justified anger; in fact, I would call it a godly anger. Ultimately, loving the things that God loves and hating the things He hates (like injustice) is one of the tell tale signs that we are becoming more and more like Him. I know that this is might sound unnatural, but let’s be conscientious and try to “feel” the things that God feels in appropriate measure, knowing that as we do so, the Holy Spirit will change us from the inside out.

Prayer

Lord, give me a heart to love the things You love and to hate the things You hate. Give me eyes to see the world around me the way You do and to emote accordingly.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 8

Lunch Break Study

1 John 3:11-24

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers,[c] that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God,[d] and God[e] in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Questions to Consider

1. John says that if you do not love, you abide in death (v.14). What does it mean to “not love”?
2. What are some signs that we do love (vv. 16-18)?
3. What is the correlation between obeying and loving God? How are you doing in this area?

Notes

1. Many of us know that hating or being angry at another is akin to murder (Matt. 5:21-26). But the Christian call is higher—we are called to the highest calling of love. Thus, John says that not abiding in love (general apathy) is abiding in death. It’s a sobering thought.
2. Sacrificing or laying down your life for others. This could and often presents itself in the form of giving material possessions.
3. You cannot say you love God if you do not obey His commands; thus, obedience is love. Therefore, we must evaluate if we are truly following God in obedience in order to assess our spiritual well- being.

Evening Reflection

Spend a few minutes praying for something in this world that is important, but that you know you don’t pray nearly enough about. Additionally, did you have an opportunity to obey God today? Did you take that opportunity? Did you feel God’s love in that moment of obedience?

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 3-9 are written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church (S. F.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 4:15-20

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

Metaphorically speaking, how do you eat an elephant?  The correct answer is: one bite at a time.  The point of this metaphor (or is it a joke?) is that in order to tackle seemingly overwhelming projects, the best and only strategy is to take many, small manageable bites until the project is complete.  I know many of you have real, overwhelming problems: stress at work, financial struggles, marital difficulties, troublesome children, aging and sick parents, etc.  And on top of it, you may feel like God is distant, and your spiritual life is in neutral or even reverse.  As you look at life as a whole, life may seem as impossible as trying to eat an elephant.

Even if you feel this way only sometimes, today’s passage has some wisdom for you.  Nehemiah and the Jews were on a mission to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem; however, Sanballat and Tobiah were not only were ridiculing them, but they were now threatening physical harm in opposing this project. Additionally, in Neh.10:11, we see that the labor force was getting discouraged: “Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.’”  Many in Nehemiah’s shoes would have fallen into stress, panic, self-pity, or maybe even minor depression.  But what Nehemiah ended up doing was quite ordinary and practical—he simply told some of his men to strap on swords while others worked the wall.  So everyone worked with tools in one hand and a sword in the other.  As far I can see, God did not give this plan in any special revelation, but Nehemiah just went about his work and used some practical wisdom.

Where I am going with this? Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves spiritually is to be faithful and diligent in practical ways. For example, if you are running yourself ragged at work because deadlines are coming up, then get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy meal, get some exercise.  If you haven’t had QT in weeks, and you feel like God is far, sit down tonight and read one chapter of the Bible or pray for 10 minutes.  You do not have to solve every problem immediately, all at once—just like you don’t have to swallow the whole elephant.  Take small bites.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be responsible and do what is assigned to me faithfully, to work hard, but also to have the understanding that I have limitations.  Give me peace of heart and trust in You.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 7

Lunch Break Study

1 Thess. 5:12-22

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies,21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Questions to Consider

1. Why does Paul ask the Thessalonians to esteem those who labor in the Lord?
2. In v. 14, Paul gives specific instructions for dealing with different people. What principles in ministry can we gather from this?
3. In your life, how can you be better at rejoicing always and praying continuously?

Notes

1. Obviously, Paul wants us to respect our church leaders, but it’s just a reminder that those who labor in the Lord serve God and His people.
2. What I find most interesting about these instructions is that they are very appropriate for each person: The lazy ones need to be warned, the timid need encouragement, and the weak need help. People have different problems and need different methods of support; we can’t take a cookie cutter approach to all.

Evening Reflection

How did you handle the stress and difficulties of the day?  Did you waste time and energy fretting about things that you could not control?  Were you willing to work hard and be satisfied with the results?  Ultimately, are you growing in your trust of God?

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotionals from Nov. 3-9 are written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church (S. F.).

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 4:4-5

Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

We have all had those days at work that were irritatingly stressful, frustratingly unproductive, and/or mind-numbingly tedious.  After such days, most of us feel the need to “unwind”—and how we do so depend on the person: Some of us eat comforting foods, others veg out in front of the TV for a couple of hours, or others work out.  One pastor shared how he would sometimes have to go walk the aisles of his local grocery story or toy store, not buying anything, but allow the time to clear away the frustration.  I suppose each of these methods has a way of calming our nerves and relaxing us a bit, but I wonder whether these forms of unwinding are ultimately beneficial to us, or if they act as just band aids.  Honestly, how much can television help us overcome work and family issues?  And when we “unwind,” are we seeking resolution or escape?

Yesterday, we read about how Sanballat and Tobiah both tried to discourage the Jews from rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.  I’m sure their words caused Nehemiah and the people much grief.  In today’s excerpt, Nehemiah gives us the time honored Christian method of dealing with stress: prayer.  He prayed to the One who was able to fix their situation and avenge His people.  Enough of us have adequate theologies when it comes to prayer—we know God hears and answers prayer.  We also know it is a powerful force in the advancement in God’s kingdom.  In fact, many of us have experienced the Lord’s comfort, direction, power, and love through prayer.  However, not enough of us have practically gotten into the habit of taking things to the Lord before it becomes a crisis.

How is your prayer life?  What is your initial reaction to stressful or difficult times?  It would be amazing if the AMI community learned to turn to God and tell Him about our stressful days and the problems we face before or instead of looking to escape through other avenues.

Prayer

Lord, help me to cast my anxieties on You, knowing that You care for me (1 Pet. 5:7).  Help me to look to You first as Your child and friend.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 6

Lunch Break Study

James 5:13-18

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Questions to Consider

1. When did James exhort us to pray? Under what circumstances?
2. Why did James reference Elijah? What was he trying to show?
3. How are you doing when it comes to praying in faith?

Notes

1. Although the passage says that we should pray when suffering, in joyful circumstances, and when sick or under sin, the breadth of circumstances implies that we should always be praying (1 Thess. 5:17).
2. Verse 17 is interesting because the implication is that Elijah asked God to usher in the three year drought described in 1 Kings 17-18, as opposed to God telling Elijah to make the declaration. If this is true (and the 1 Kings account gives no reason to think otherwise), then think about the power that a man/woman of God has through prayer!

Evening Reflection

Instead of reflecting on your day, take 10 minutes to pray to the Lord.  If you’ve already prayed earlier today, sit and wait (or meditate) on Him to speak or give you an impression.  Let’s use this time to listen as well as to speak.

Editor’s Note: The AMI devotional for today is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Nehemiah 4:1-3

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”

When it comes to navigating the thin line between being genuinely critical in a constructive sense and being downright discouraging, we struggle (or know someone who struggles); and we probably have, on more than one occasion, erred on the side of insensitivity.  Recently, as we were evaluating a certain event in one of our staff meetings, one of the guys started sharing his honest criticisms as to how to make the event better.  As he was sharing, you could see the planner of the said event starting to well up with emotion.  Soon, tears came out, emotions got a little out of control, and everyone felt a little uncomfortable.  This happened because one party was genuinely trying to provide constructive criticism, while the other party only felt discouragement (remember how thin that line is).

Now, make no mistake about it: In today’s passage, Sanballat and Tobiah were the antagonists in Nehemiah’s life, so they were intentionally trying to discourage Nehemiah and the rest of the Jews from rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.  In fact, as you will see later in the chapter, they did more than discourage with words—they threatened with physical harm.  So it is a little unfair to compare them to a well-meaning critic, but here is the point: Often, those of you who have a critical mind (which is truly a gift) have to make sure that in your zeal for truth, maximum efficiency, or polished events, that you do not come off discouraging to others.

As we begin this day, let me ask you: How are you with your words?  We are told to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), but are you sometimes guilty of neglecting the “in love” use of words?  Better yet, can you make it a goal not only to be not discouraging, but to genuinely encourage another person?  Expressing a little faith in another person may go a long way.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be mindful not only of my words, but also the tone I speak in.  Give me wisdom to be honest without being discouraging.  Please allow me to encourage others this day.

Bible Reading for Today: Zechariah 5

Lunch Break Study

James 3:1-12

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Questions to Consider:

1. What damage can be done with the tongue?
2. How are our words supposed to glorify God?
3. Would you say that your mouth is more of a “fresh or salt water” spring? How have you experienced the truth that the tongue is a “fire” or untamed animal?

Notes:

1. The purpose of the bridle and rudder illustrations is that our mouths can impact the direction of our lives. In this case, the results are poor; often our tongues shipwreck our lives.  We can also curse others who have been made in the image of God.  Additionally, our words can discourage, belittle, curse, break promises, boast, slander, lie, etc.
2. First, we are to bless the Lord with our words (v. 9). On the positive side of the bridle and rudder illustrations, our can also powerfully guide our lives (if we have the integrity to follow through on our words).

Evening Reflection

Did you have an opportunity to be critical and truthful?  Were you discouraging in your words or tone, or did you do your best to encourage?  Did you honor God with praise and blessing today?  It’s still not too late.