Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-9 are provided by Joanna Tzen of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Jude 1:17

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Every fall at Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia), we have an event called Mini-Olympics. The event that everyone waits for is the tug of war. Participants are usually weary at this point, as it is about five hours in and is the last event. It is such an epic event because you can see large men digging their heels into the mud, grunting and straining not to go down. But sometimes even when they put in all their effort, it’s still not enough.

Jude knew about circumstances when human effort is not enough. This passage tells us it is certain that the church will face difficult times. There will be mockers and scoffers and those who seek to divide. However, Jude does not advise us to react with human wisdom or effort. Jude’s prescription is not active or passive or offensive; instead, I would call it defensive. Jude suggests we should build up our faith and rely on the Lord instead of ourselves. He exhorts readers to establish their faith in truth, pray in the Spirit, and keep themselves in the love of God. By no means does Jude suggest that we keep to ourselves in a holy huddle. After we are strengthened in Jesus, he commands that we look outward, showing mercy, compassion and humility as we share the salvation that comes through Jesus.

Isn’t this a tall order? How is this possible? This is only possible from the work of the Holy Spirit. Only when we are filled with the Spirit, can we be like Christ and offer Christ to others.  So, as we start each day, let’s earnestly ask the Lord to fill us with the same Spirit that was exerted in Christ when God raised him from the dead (Eph. 1:20).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me when I try to rely on my own efforts and think it is enough. Help me to humbly keep myself in the truth, love and mercy of Jesus. I know it is only when I sit at Your feet that I can be used for the kingdom of God. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 3

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals for August 8-9 are provided by Joanna Tzen of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Jude 1:12

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Charles Spurgeon, a British preacher in the 1800’s, describes those who are never content, in a funny and even slightly irreverent way: “They are discontented even with the gospel. The bread of heaven must be cut into three pieces, and served on dainty napkins, or else they cannot eat it; and very soon their soul hates even this light bread. There is no way by which a Christian man can serve God so as to please them. They will pick holes in every preacher’s coat; and if the great High Priest himself were here, they would find fault with the color of the stones of his breastplate.”

We probably can all think of someone like this in our lives and they are not much fun to be around. (No doubt this would include you and me at one time or another.) Jude is saying that discontent is just one way we can tell that we have begun to drift away from intimacy with the Lord and are more caught up in the motions of religion. This passage is directed to those who are already in the Church, not outside of it. He warns the early Church of those among them who only have a “form of godliness” (2 Tim 3:5). These people may have had a great walk with the Lord at one point but have come to a place of self-centeredness and entitlement, thereby not bearing fruit and not trusting the Lord, as reflected in their actions and their beliefs. Jude calls them “clouds without rain,” “trees without fruit,” and “stars that do not guide.”  What was once very promising at the outset ended up producing little or nothing.  Jude goes on to stress that the Lord will hold those who embody this kind of heart and attitude accountable.

Humbly examine your heart and ask if you are just going through the motions or have a genuine relationship with your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Does the way you live reflect that you put your trust in Jesus? Or does it not look much different from the rest of the world that relies on the self? It’s never too late to come humbly before the Father and ask that He help you stop doing religion and start abiding in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I only go through the motions of religion and am actually relying on myself. Help me to lay down my pride, fear, self-sufficiency and trust in you instead. I know you are a trustworthy Heavenly Father. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Titus 1-2

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time devotionals from August 6-7 are provided by Doug Tritton of Symphony Church in Boston.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Kings 5:25-27: He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

Yesterday, we looked at this story of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, who greedily took a gift from Naaman the Syrian, a gift that Elisha had first refused. He was unwilling to forego that gift; he felt they deserved it. Now, having taken the gift, Gehazi comes before Elisha. When asked where he had been, Gehazi lies to his master, but Elisha confronts Gehazi and calls him out for his greed. He saw through Gehazi’s lie and exposed the truth, that Gehazi had acted in self-centeredness.

So true are those words spoken by God long ago, “If you do not do well, sin is crouching out the door.” (Gen. 4:7) When we give room for sin, we just open the door for more and more sin. This is evident in the story woven by Gehazi, a story meant to deceive his master. When sin gets a hold of us, sometimes we do anything to keep it hidden, to keep up a good image.

What is the solution? Repentance! When sin gets into our hearts, it festers and breeds more sin. But when we allow the grace of God to enter, sin is plucked out like an unwanted weed. But the more we let the sin fester and grow, the deeper the root springs in our hearts and the more difficult it is to remove it. So today, let’s spend some time searching our hearts. Allow the Spirit of God to search through your heart, exposing any unconfessed sin and let’s bring all our sin to the only One who forgives.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace, your mercy that covers over every sin. Let my heart today be cleansed again in You. Help me to trust in Your forgiveness rather than trying to lie and deceive to keep sin hidden. Lord, let Your light expose and remove the darkness in my heart. Come and minister to my heart today, Lord.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 5:13-16: But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Questions to Consider

1. What should we allow to be exposed by the light?
2. How do we let the darkness in our hearts be exposed by the light?
3. How can we walk as wise in this world?

Notes

1. Darkness is overcome when exposed by the light. There is darkness in our hearts, darkness that has sprouted from sin, but when we bring our sin to God, bring it to the light, we find forgiveness and the darkness is immediately cast away.
2. Through repentance! When we awake from the sleep of sin and open our hearts to God’s merciful light, Christ shines on us with His amazing grace. Repentance often may feel heavy, feel difficult, but once we repent, there is light and joy as Christ’s love more deeply enters our hearts.
3. Walking as wise means trusting in Christ and His forgiveness. Wisdom is shown most clearly in a humble heart that is willing to confess. This is true wisdom, humbly trusting in the grace of God. And the best use of our time is spending it with Jesus! So let’s come to Him, knowing that He is the provider of all we need.

 Evening Reflection

Tonight, bring to the light any darkness that has remained hidden in your heart. Spend some time allowing God to search your heart, even the darkest corners and depths, so that His light may penetrate more fully. As you repent, allow the joy of the Lord to come and lift your soul in worship.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time devotionals from August 6-7 are provided by Doug Tritton of Symphony Church in Boston.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Kings 5:19-23: He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi.

In this passage, Elisha had just healed the Syrian man Naaman of leprosy. Upon being healed, Naaman requested to give a gift to Elisha, but Elisha refused. But Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, was not so willing to say no to a gift. More than likely Gehazi was thinking, Elisha spared this Syrian man, this oppressor of Israel, so of course we deserve a gift from him! Gehazi then proceeds to tell a story of the family of prophets in need of silver and clothes, and Naaman quickly agrees to provide. Gehazi, taking advantage of Naaman’s generosity, receives the gift for himself.

On the surface, we may look at this and think, Wow, what greed! But remember, Gehazi was traveling with Elisha, a man who did not live an easy life. They likely had very little possessions as well as their lives being quite tiring and difficult. For once, someone was willing to give to them, to provide some much needed resources—but Elisha refused. Gehazi, eyes wide with anticipation, found disappointment once again. Yet, this time, he would take matters into his own hands because, as Gehazi likely believed, they deserved this gift.

Have you ever had a long battle, whether a season of emotional struggle or a period of difficult circumstances? In those seasons, we often can justify giving into temptation, giving into self-centeredness. We may think, Just this one time, it is ok for me to feed my desires. I deserve this. Self-justification is much easier in a time of struggle. But remember, our whole lives are a battle. This world is a battle and when we give in, we give room for the enemy. We are called to stand firm in all seasons, to stand firm without ever giving in, regardless of circumstances.

Today, let’s search ourselves. Are we facing any struggles that we use to justify greed, to justify selfishness, to justify self-centeredness? Let’s release those to God and pray for the strength to, again, stand firm in Him.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being the giver of all strength. I know You always fight for me. Help me to stand firm, knowing that You are my shield and my strength. Let me be girded in the full armor of God that I may stand strong until I see You face to face. May temptation and selfishness have no way in me, for my heart is Yours.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 6

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 6:10-13: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Questions to Consider

1. What does it mean to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might”?
2. What do we fight against? What does this mean?
3. What will enable us to stand firm?

Notes

1. Being strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might means that we do not find strength in ourselves. How easy it is to try to take matters into our own hands and fight for ourselves. That is what culture tells us to do: be strong, be independent, and protect yourself. But true strength only comes when we see ourselves as wholly dependent on God
2. We fight against the powers of darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil. This means we do not fight against other people. Yes, confrontation is necessary with others; yes, people can hurt us. But we are all sinners in need of grace. Let us not make other people our enemies, but rather remember we have one Enemy who has already been conquered by Christ on the cross.
3. We stand firm when we put on the full armor of God! This requires surrender, letting go of our own strength and trusting in God’s strength and protection. Only He can truly protect us in the battles we face in our lives.

 Evening Reflection

Reflect on your current circumstances. Have your present circumstances made you more self-centered? Take some time to repent of any self-centeredness and pray for your heart to be reoriented to God.  Pray that God would provide His strength that you may stand firm in every trial.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time devotionals from August 3-5 are provided by Tina Hsu who is interning at Church of Southland.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Kings 5:1:1-5, 7-8, 14-15(NASB)

Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel  and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus spoke the girl who is from the land of Israel.” 5 Then the king of Aram said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel”… 7 “When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of leprosy? But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.” 8 It happened when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Now let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel”…14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. 15 When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel…”

Israel and Aram had been at war against one another. Because of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness, God gave them into the hands of Aram and caused Naaman, the captain of Aram’s army, to be successful. In the eyes of their enemies, Israel was weak and there was little evidence that God was among them. The king of Israel’s response to the king of Aram’s letter reflects Israel’s unbelief – “Do you think I am God? I am not able to heal leprosy!” He didn’t consider inquiring of Elisha, the prophet of Israel, but instead he worried that Aram was stirring up a fight against him. Though the king displayed a lack of faith in God, the author of 2 Kings highlights the faith of a young Israelite servant girl, who remembered Elisha and believed in God’s power in him. Furthermore, Naaman himself showed faith in the God. He asked his king to prepare a letter and a gift so he could go and meet Elisha. Though he was reluctant and prideful at first to wash seven times in the Jordan, he eventually listened to Elisha’s word, experienced complete healing, and declared, “I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel…”

Jesus spoke about the healing of Naaman to address Israel’s unbelief, “And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). During the time of Elisha, Israel was blind to the healing and power available in the God of Israel. Similarly, Israel was blind and the people’s hearts were hardened towards the salvation available in Jesus.

From this passage, we learn that hardness of heart blinds us from encountering Jesus. Unbelief prevents us from seeking the joy, freedom, renewal, healing, and truth that is available in Jesus. This passage also teaches us not to be so easily satisfied with our limited knowledge of God, but to be hungry to ask the Lord for eyes to see Him, ears to hear Him, and a heart to know and love Him.

Prayer

Dear God, I acknowledge that my faith wavers and I need the power of your Holy Spirit to heal my spiritual blindness. Help my unbelief and give me eyes to see and believe in You moment by moment! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 5

Lunch Break Study

Read John 8:12, 31-32 (NASB)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life”…So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 

Questions to Consider

1. When Jesus says, “I am the Light of the world,” who is Jesus speaking to?
2. How does Jesus’ message impact the Pharisees and the Jews in general who are Abraham’s descendants?
3. A mark of a true disciple is one who continues in Jesus’ word to know the truth. How are you doing as a disciple of Jesus?

Notes

1. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who are accusing Jesus of testifying about Himself and His relationship to the Father. The Pharisees claim that they know God the Father because they are Abraham’s descendants.
2. As the “light of the world,” Jesus makes God the Father known to the world and leads followers into the truth. Jesus teaches the Jews that if they believe in the Father, they should also believe in Him and follow Him because He is from the Father. However, their hearts are hard towards Jesus because they trust in their lineage with Abraham for their relationship to God.
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

In what area or situation in your life do you need God’s light and truth? Ask the Lord to lead you by His light and truth.  Psalm 36:9: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time devotionals from August 3-5 are provided by Tina Hsu who is interning at Church of Southland.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Kings 4:22-27 (NASB)

Then she called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and return.” He said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon or sabbath.” And she said, “It will be well.” Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.” So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. Please run now to meet her and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?’” And she answered, “It is well.” When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 

When I am going through a tough time, my natural tendency is to withdraw and isolate myself from people and from God. Usually it is because I’m afraid to face my troubled emotions or I turn to my own strength to deal with the matter.  The faith of the Shunammite woman encourages me to do the exact opposite. When I want to isolate myself, I should instead run with all my determination and might to the presence of God.

The book of 2 Kings begins with Ahaziah, the king of Israel, inquiring Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, for his illness. King Ahaziah does not give any regard to the God of Israel. He does not inquire of God’s word. In contrast, the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 determines to seek God and only God when she faces with troubling news. After offering hospitality to Elisha the prophet, the Lord blesses her with her first and only son. However, her son gets injured and dies in her arms. Though she is broken and troubled in her soul, she shows determination to find Elisha, the man of God. Instead of asking her husband to find Elisha, or sending her servant to find Elisha, she herself saddles a donkey and brought with her a servant to “run to the man of God.” She instructs her servant to lead her quickly and to not slow down until she reaches Elisha at Mount Carmel and appears before him to catch hold of his feet.

What stands out in this passage is the woman’s response to her husband and then to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant: “It will be well, and “it is well.” In her crisis and in her desperation to inquire of Elisha the prophet, she displays a steadiness of heart. Knowing that she could have access to inquire of the Lord gave her the steadiness of heart to say, “It is well.”

Knowing that God’s presence is a steady and constant shelter awakens my troubled soul to say “it is well” and to draw near to seek Him.

Prayer

Dear God, forgive me for isolating myself from You and trusting in myself or other means to find safety and shelter in times of trouble. Help me to seek Your presence and truly believe that You are my ever present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1)! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 5:25-29: A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse—after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Questions to Consider

1. What was this woman’s situation?
2. What did she see in Jesus that led her to approach Him in the crowd and to touch His cloak?
3. In light of the woman’s determination to touch Jesus’ cloak, how are you encouraged to seek the Lord today?

Notes

1. She suffered from bleeding for twelve years. After spending money to seek the help of physicians, she only grew worse. Because of the purity code in 1st century Israel, she was socially ostracized and had to identify herself as “unclean” in public so that people would stay away from her, or else they would become defiled if they came in contact with her.
2. She probably heard and saw that Jesus was not bound to the purity code. He approached and laid hands on lepers, paralytics, the blind, and the lame. His word and His touch made the unclean clean! She thought she could find healing and love in His presence.
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

Psalm 36:7 says, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Spend some time praising and thanking God for His steadfast love, even when circumstances are uncertain and unsteady.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Quiet Time devotionals from August 3-5 are provided by Tina Hsu who is interning at Church of Southland.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Kings 4:1-7 (NASB)

Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sins, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.”…When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is no one vessel more.” And the oil stopped.

In this story, we meet a widow in great distress. Her husband is dead and she is not able to pay off her family’s financial debt. Her creditor threatens to take her two sons as slaves. In the ancient world, a widow is vulnerable to poverty and social alienation. After her husband’s death, a widow’s security is her son’s ability to provide for her. To lose her sons to the creditor would be a tragic loss for her.  Here, she cries out to Elisha for survival and protection.

By obeying Elisha’s instructions regarding her small jar of oil, the widow and her sons experience God’s miracle. God takes her small amount of oil and multiplies it to fill several large empty vessels!

We can learn from this story that the experience of God’s miracles is directly related to our faith and obedience. We can’t work for or earn God’s miracles. However, as children of God, we are called to position ourselves to trust God and to readily receive His provision. The widow shamelessly asks her neighbors for vessels, shuts the door of her house, and begins to pour oil. She positioned herself to experience God’s miracle. Her neighbors might have wondered, “Why do you need all my jugs, buckets, and jars? Where will the oil come from?” By her obedience, she demonstrated her faith in what only God could do.

Second, in our distress, God invites us to offer to Him our “little jar of oil” or  “empty vessels.” This is an act of trust, which demonstrates our belief that nothing is too hard for God. Surely, God will provide in His way!

I am encouraged by the widow’s faith and desire to see my anxious thoughts as an opportunity to believe in God’s miracle. Is there anything causing you distress today? What is the “little jar of oil” or “empty vessel” you can entrust to God? Be encouraged by Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

Prayer

Dear God, I confess to You my fears, distress, and anxieties today. Help me to trust in You and Your ability to provide abundantly. Give me the courage to believe in Your miraculous power, and help me to honor You through steps of faith and obedience.

Bible Reading for Today: Micah 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NASB):

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” 

Questions to Consider

1. How did Apostle Paul respond to the affliction he faced?
2. How did Apostle Paul encounter God in and through his suffering?
3. In light of this, what does it look like to set your hope in God? How are you doing in trusting God as your hope?

Notes

1. Apostle Paul, speaking about Timothy and himself, acknowledged that the affliction they faced in Asia was beyond their strength. They saw clearly that they had no control of their own lives. They saw the purpose of suffering as an opportunity to trust not in themselves, but in God, who is their deliverer and hope.
2. Through his experience of suffering, he personally encountered God as the one who raises the dead. His encounter of God as deliverer enables him to declare in faith that God will continue to deliver him.
3. Personal Response.

 Evening Reflection

Did you recognize any fears, doubts or unbelief in your heart today? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you confess the distress in your heart and to fully set your hope in God. What characteristic or attribute of God do you think He wants to reveal to you through your current circumstances?

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from August 1-2 are provided by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Timothy 4:6-7

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

On June 15^th 2015, missionary Elisabeth Elliot passed away at age 88. Mrs. Elliot grew up in Philadelphia and studied classical Greek at Wheaton College, seeking to be equipped to translate the Bible into an unknown language. It was at Wheaton where she met her husband, Jim Elliot, who also had a heart to share Christ with the unreached. The Elliots went to serve amongst the Quichua Indians in Ecuador along with four other missionary families in the mid 1950’s. On Jan 8^th 1956, the five male missionaries attempted to make contact with the Hourani Indians but were killed by them during their attempts to communicate.

Though their lives vary greatly in length, Jim and Elisabeth provide two inspiring examples of finishing the race well. In regards to Jim, he passed away at age 28 and had seemingly nothing to show for his life other than a college degree and a small family. However, his journals were collected and later used by Elisabeth to write Through Gates of Splendor and Shadow of the Almighty. These two missionary accounts inspired thousands of Christians to become missionaries and serve among unreached peoples. One quote in his journal that still inspires many today is: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

In regards to Elisabeth, she ended up outliving Jim by almost 60 years! Yet her life, too, was used by God in extremely powerful ways. Elisabeth ended up serving amongst the Huaorani and Quecha Indians for several years, planting churches and raising disciples. Once back in the U.S., she wrote several more classics such as Passion and Purity and The Mark of a Man. She counseled thousands of people through mail correspondence and her radio program Gateway to Joy ministered to many believers.

Like Jim and Elisabeth, heroes of faith who have gone before us, let us fix our eyes on the crown of righteousness that the Lord has for us. We may not know how long our race may be, but let us run well to receive the prize (Phil 3:14).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I only have this one life to live. Help me not to throw it away aimlessly or to try and save it through my own means. Help me to lose my life for Your sake, for what good is it if I gain the whole world but lose my soul? By Your grace, help me to run this race well; may my life be used for Your glory. In Your Name I pray, Amen

 Bible Reading for Today: Micah 2

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from August 1-2 are provided by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York. 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Hebrews 5:7-9: During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him”

One of my favorite movies is the original Karate Kid. The main character, Daniel LaRusso, is the new kid who gets picked on by bullies who know karate. To learn how to fight back, Daniel asks his neighbor Mr. Miyagi to teach him karate. Mr. Miyagi agrees but immediately instructs Daniel to begin washing cars, polishing floors and painting fences. After a week of frustration, Daniel confronts Mr. Miyagi about the lack of training; but only after sparring with Mr. Miyagi does he realize that those exact chores were the means to develop his muscle memory for karate.

All of us, like Daniel, will go through seemingly fruitless life circumstances. Our Lord Jesus did so Himself. He who was omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent endured His own suffering by being made in human likeness (Phil. 2:7). Like us, Jesus was exposed to hunger, temptation and hard work.  And though He was able to discuss religion superbly at age 12 (Luke 2:41-52), He was raised as a carpenter and did not began preaching until age 30. Why was this?

Hebrews 5:7-9 answers by stating that Jesus had to be made perfect by learning obedience through suffering. “This does not mean that he was once disobedient and then became obedient,” as John Piper writes. Rather, “it means that Jesus moved from untested obedience into suffering and then through suffering into tested and proven obedience.” Piper then explains that “if Christ is going to lead us to glory, then He must succeed in sufferings where we failed.” Thankfully, Jesus did exactly that by becoming completely obedient, even to the point of death on a cross (Phil. 2:8).

If Jesus, who knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21), had to be perfected through life’s trials, how much more do we who are sinful need that perfection process? In our lives today, let us pray that we will have a willing heart to undergo challenges God has placed in our lives. Let’s pray that from those challenges, we may be perfected in order to do the good works God has prepared us to do (Eph. 2:10).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the example of complete obedience and submission. Thank You for being the High Priest who has been tempted in every way but did not sin; thank You for being able to empathize with my weaknesses. Lord, help me to confidently approach Your throne of grace, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Jonah 4; Micah 1

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals for July 30 and 31 are written by pastor-intern David Son at Symphony Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Kings 3:16-18

And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools. ’ For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals. ’ This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand.”

The first miracle I ever experienced was when I was 7 years old. I used to be a coin collector when I was in elementary school, and although most of my collection comprised of pennies and nickels, my prized possession was an old silver dollar coin. At least once a week, I’d open my little coin box and just gaze at each coin, especially at the silver dollar. But one evening, I took my coin box to church to show off to my friends, and as I was going through each of the coins, to my horror, the silver dollar was missing! I looked everywhere for it; I emptied the box, searched under the seat… nothing. It was gone! So, I got down on my knees and prayed the most sincere prayer I had ever prayed until that point in my life, “God, please help me find my coin!” And when I opened my eyes, I looked back into my box, and there it was—  shining like it had never left the box. I had never felt so much excitement and relief! That was my first taste of the power of God.

In 2 Kings 3, three kings are asking for God’s help in defeating the Moabites in battle. Although this is a much weightier prayer request than my plea for help in finding my lost coin, what God says in verse 18 gives us God’s perspective: “This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord.” A light thing! I wonder how many of our dire requests to God are actually light things to Him! Have you considered the incredible power of our God as you face today?

Prayer

Lord, You are above all things, and nothing is too difficult for You. Heaven is your throne and earth is your footstool, yet you hear even the lightest of our pleas. Increase our faith today as we take on the various challenges ahead of us.

Bible Reading for Today: Jonah 3

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does Paul describe our afflictions (hardships)?
2. Do you see your hardships in this way?
3. Why is Paul able to call our hardships “light and momentary”?

Notes:

1. Paul describes our affliction as “light and momentary.” In other words, he is saying that our hardships are easy and short.
2. Most people do not see their hardships this way… otherwise they wouldn’t be hardships, right?
3. Paul went through more affliction than most of us will ever go through in our lifetime. Yet he is able to call it “light and momentary” because he is looking at the eternal glory of being with Jesus. In light of that, every hard thing on this earth seems light in comparison, and short in comparison!

 Evening Reflection

An old hymnal goes like this:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face!

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

May we look upon Jesus each day and find that our affliction is but light and momentary in comparison to His glory and grace!