Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals for today are provided by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Sam 22:31-37

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. 32 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 33 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. 35 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 You make your saving help my shield; your help has made me great.

37 You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.

For all intents and purposes, I consider myself a Philadelphian.  One of the unique traits of Philly folks is that not only do we not mind being booed, we actually thrive on it.  Now when you combine this trait with my Asian cultural upbringing of deferring compliments, you get a pretty quirky personality trait.  Not only am I uncomfortable with compliments, I enjoy being criticized; and if no one is there to criticize me, I’ll put myself down.  For example, the other day I fixed something in our house.  My wife said to me something to the effect, “You did a really nice job fixing that. Thank you for doing it.”  I responded with, “Well, it took me three tries, three hours, and $50, all of which I could have saved if I wasn’t so dumb to break it to begin with.”

I used to think that self-deprecation was a noble trait as it seems like a variant of humility, but I have come to realize that humility entails understanding what God is doing in you, and acknowledging Him for that—simply put, giving credit where credit is due, namely to God.  Think about David’s life: We are introduced to the youngest son of Jesse as a shepherd who also serves as the family’s delivery boy.  We watch this teenager kill a giant; then as a young man, he leads armies, and ascends to the throne.  If anyone had a reason to become proud, it was he.  However, instead of trivializing his accomplishments, David acknowledges that it was the Lord who “arms [him] with strength, causes [him] to stand on the heights, and trains [his] hands for battle.”

My guess is that there are many of you reading today’s devotional who have accomplished well for yourselves and your families.  In light of all this, I hope that you have a proper perspective of your life, not trivializing the ways that God has blessed you and worked through you.  But I also hope that you do not fall into the trap of believing that it was all your hard work and talents that got you to where you are.  Let’s acknowledge as David did: “You make your saving help my shield; your help has made me great.  You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.”

Prayer

Lord, help me to see and acknowledge what you are doing in my life, and how you are using me.  Help me to be sober-minded and humble, and also to be bold to know that there will be times when You want to use me.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 36

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Questions to Consider

1. What do you think Peter means when he says “love covers over a multitude of sins”?
2. How are stewarded gifts a demonstration of God’s grace (v. 10)?
3. What gifts are specified in this passage? And are any of these gifts you should develop for your personal ministry?

Notes

1. In this context, it would seem that the attribute of love that covers over a multitude of sins is forgiveness. In other words, by forgiving we can “cover” wrongs done to us and vice versa.
2. When gifts such as hospitality and service are administered, we see and feel God’s love and grace demonstrated through his church. Anyone who has ever been in need of help can attest to this.
3. Hospitality, speaking (probably teaching or prophesy), and serving are specifically mentioned here, but all of your God given gifts should be used to build up the church.

 Evening Reflection

Did you serve anyone today in the grace of the Lord, through his power?  Did you acknowledge or feel the Lord’s power on you?  Even in your job, did you thank the Lord because it is He who enables you to work and gain wealth (Deut. 8:17-18).  Take time to thank Him for your life.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from May 29-31 are provided by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York.  Once again, we are taking a detour from the study of 2 Sam.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

The Crusades were one of the most tragic events committed in the name of Christ, mainly because many of its participants didn’t really know Christ.

In response to the destruction of the Holy Sepulchre by Caliph Al-Hakim (985-1021) and increasing interference of Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land, the crusaders came to  reclaim it, oblivious to the fact that “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world” (2 Cor. 10:4).  As a result, many were slaughtered, including Muslims, Jews, and Christians among the Arabs, as well as those belonging to the Eastern Orthodox Church.   Although centuries have passed since the last Crusade, its after-effects, such as fractured relations between Muslims and Christians, are still present to this day.

While little violence in the name of Christ occurs today, there are still many who use the name of Christ for evil purposes. They may cry “Lord, Lord” (v. 21), but in reality they are not doing the will of our heavenly Father (v. 21) nor are known by Christ because they do not have His authority (v. 23). One good example is prosperity theology. I remember as a freshman in college going to an event held by a very famous prosperity preacher, trying my best to have an open mind. I was a new Christian, but even I felt something was off when the preacher implored everyone to sow a $1000 seed, promising that God would later bless them with greater wealth and health.

As Christians today, we may not be involved in deceptive practices, but how can we be sure that we have Christ’s authority as we do things in His name? Matthew 28:18-20 is a good start. In verse 18, Jesus establishes that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Therefore, followers of Christ are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Trinity, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

Thus, are we involved with God’s movement of discipleship? Are we engaged in evangelism? Shepherding believers? Teaching to our small groups? All of these and more are part of God’s will for us to make Him known and to be a blessing to others (Gen. 12:1-3). And as we engage in this Kingdom work, we know through Jesus’ promise that His authority will be with us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for bringing me from darkness into light. I pray that during my life, You would enable me to do our Father’s will through Your authority and the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for not only giving me the privilege of being saved, but also the privilege of being used by You in Your saving work to others. Help me to know You more and more each day. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 35

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from May 29-31 are provided by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York.  Once again, we are taking a detour from the study of 2 Sam.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master answered him, “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

During my college years, God blessed me through my parents who promised to financially support me. Knowing how hard my parents worked to provide for my education, I was careful of how I spent the money they gave me.  At times this meant making some tough decisions, but realizing that the money was ultimately not mine but theirs made the decisions easier as time progressed.

Oftentimes, we unconsciously act as if the blessings in our lives are our possessions and for us only. In contrast, King David describes reality when he declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). Thus, we are not actually the true owners of what we possess. Rather, we are stewards and caretakers of the blessings and resources that God, the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), has graciously provided.

Like any good owner, God wants to see His resources being put to good use. He wants to see a return; a multiplication of His Kingdom as a result of His gifts. But like the servant, we can be afraid to step out in faith and use our talents for His glory. For some of us, this could manifest in not tithing and choosing to use “our” money solely for ourselves. For others, it could be not serving in certain ministries despite brothers and sisters affirming the fit based on God-given abilities. Whatever the situation may be, it can be easy for us to be like the servant and hide our talent in the ground, ignoring the day that God will hold us accountable for what He gave us.

While others may have more talent or more resources, all of us have the privilege of furthering God’s kingdom through what He has given us. Let’s pray that God would give us the strength to step out in faith and use His blessings to bless others (Gen. 12:1-3). And let’s live in light of the fact that God is holding us accountable.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, it’s easy for me to be selfish with what You have given me. At times, I may feel afraid of stepping out in faith and using Your blessings for Your glory. Please help me to be a good steward and to further Your Kingdom through Your gifts. May You increase and I decrease as a result. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 33-34

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT devotionals from May 29-31 are provided by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York.  Once again, we are taking a detour from the study of 2 Sam.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Deut. 30:19-20:  This day I (Moses) call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In J.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, the protagonist, Frodo Baggins, is given the unenviable task of destroying the One Ring.  At first, Frodo is intrigued by the Ring, as it gives him much power. But as his journey progresses, Frodo feels the burden of the Ring grow heavier and longs to get rid of it. In the climactic scene, Frodo is faced with the obvious choice: throwing the Ring into Mount Doom. But instead, he chooses to keep the Ring and the Ring is only destroyed because of intervention from his friend, Samwise Gamgee.

Like Frodo, we, too, can refuse to make even the most obvious of choices. In this passage, the Israelites had just experienced God’s awesome power through the Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea. With their own eyes, they had personally seen Him overcome humanly impossible barriers. So why does Moses implore them to choose life over death (v.19)? Doesn’t choosing the Lord make sense in light of the promises He gives (v.20)? Sadly, the Israelites later rebelled many times, choosing death and facing several calamities as a result.

As Christians today, our own faithlessness and inner rebellion hinder us from also choosing life. As Paul clearly wrote, “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:21-24)

Because of our brokenness, we need to cry out to God for strength to make the most obvious of choices: choosing Him. We know through experience that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life,” but we cannot turn to Him without His help. God can’t make the decision for us, but He will give us the strength if we ask. Let’s pray for that today.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me remember Your goodness and Your mercy that You have shown towards me. Even though You promised and have given me life to the full, I often find myself choosing death and destruction through sin. Please give me the strength to make the obvious choice of choosing You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 32

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 16:11: You make known to me the path of life, in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Questions to Consider

1. How has God made known to You the path of life?
2. What does the path of life imply?
3. How have you experienced His presence and His joy? Be sure to write it down.

Notes

1. He has given us His Word, which declares how life can be found through His Son, Jesus Christ. He has also give us His Holy Spirit, who is our Counselor, and our respective communities to sharpen and encourage us
2. Our lives are a journey! We may stumble and fall several times but we can continually fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

How did you choose to follow God in the several decisions you made today? No matter how things may have gone wrong today, let’s thank God that His love and mercy never end (Lamentations 3:22-23). Let’s remember that so that we can make the obvious choices tomorrow.

Editor’s Note:  AMI QT devotionals from June 26-28 are written by Christine Li of TRPC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Samuel 20: 4-10

Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.” 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.     

Matthew 25: 24-30

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master answered him, “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Prior to this passage, King David has asked Amasa to become the commander of his army, replacing Joab. Shortly afterwards, King David asks his newly-minted general to stir up Judah within three days in response to a new rebellion. However, the allotted time passes, and Amasa has failed to bring the people as requested. From what we know of King David, he was not an unreasonable man, but while it is difficult to know why Amasa could not fulfill the king’s expectations, ex-commander Joab seems to find this failure reprehensible and takes matters into this own hands with Amasa. Here, he sends a clear message: disobedience is costly.

This reminds me of a well-known passage, the parable of the talents. The master, before going away, entrusts his wealth with a number of servants. While some of them put the investment to work, one servant hides the money in a field, doing absolutely nothing in response. When the master returns, he is angered by the squandered opportunity, takes away the investment he entrusted, and throws out the servant! The message is echoed here: disobedience is costly.

Few of us have responsibilities on seemingly grand scales, but our relationship with God is a serious matter. Living in accordance with God’s standards is extremely difficult; although we can pretend that some of our sins are less egregious, Jesus warned us that even sinning in our thoughts is as answerable as committing the crimes (Matthew 5:12, 28). Living in accordance with God’s standards seems near impossible.

However, what drives us to obedience should not be a fear of costly consequences. Because of the cross, our prior offenses are covered over by God’s grace, and the costly penalties of our disobedience have already been paid (which, of course, doesn’t mean that God won’t discipline His children [Heb. 12:5-11]). Now, our motivation has been transformed out of fear into a great love for God and a desire to be made like Him.

For this reason, let us be devoted to His Word, learning to understand what pleases God and urging one another to seriously live as new creations. Thankfully, we are not left alone in this journey; we have a community of believers to point us to Him, and the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit equips us with the power to live as God calls us to.

Prayer: Father, without Your help, I cannot remain obedient to You. However, although it can seem tempting to live apart from Your standards, I know that fullness of life comes from an obedient life. Help me to abide in You so that I may produce good fruit in keeping with this faith and so that I can spur others on to you.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 31

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Questions to Consider

1. Why would Paul’s preaching and faith be in vain if Christ has not been raised, and why should people be pitied if Christ has not been raised?
2. What’s another danger of being incorrect about Christ’s resurrection?
3. Because we know that Christ has risen, how should this truth affect our lives? Are you banking all you have on His resurrection?

Notes   

1. Believers ought to live in this world in a way that would be pitied if Christianity were not real. The end goal is not to have created “nicer people” for this world – the end goal is to have set all of our hopes and bets on an unseen world that we have not taken hold of yet.
2. If Paul and the other believers were wrong about Christ’s resurrection from the dead, then they are guilty of blasphemy when it comes to the nature of God and for teaching others about Him falsely.
3. Christ’s resurrection gives us joy – we are no longer in sin, and death is destroyed. Because we no longer have to be in bondage to sin, we can live freely and give up all things for Him.

 Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, did you face any decisions that were clearly between pleasing and obeying God or man?  How did you fare?  We are told to count the cost before walking with Christ?  What is that you need to give up in order to obey God more readily?  Ask the Lord for more wisdom and conviction?

Editor’s Note:  AMI QT devotionals from June 26-28 are written by Christine Li of TRPC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Samuel 19: 7-8: “Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.” So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.

Prov. 12:1b, 27:5: He who hates reproof is stupid. . . . Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Yesterday, we looked at this passage with the focus on King David’s willingness to accepting rebuke. Today, we will talk briefly about delivering rebuke (a touchy subject!). Though Joab spoke harshly, his bold statements against King David were not driven by a desire to elevate himself or a desire to tear down the King. He brings up the reasons for his harsh words: the feelings of the people who had been dedicated to David, and David’s safety.

In our modern church, we rarely engage in rebuke. While some hesitation is borne out of wise caution (because we have seen abuse), most of us demure out of an attempt to appear tolerant and understanding. We are content to live and let live because this method saves us the time, work, and heartache of being intimately involved with someone else’s life.

The Bible frequently mentions the task of believers to teach and admonish one another in the setting of the church (Rom. 15, Col. 3, 1 Thess. 5). However, I believe we rarely model this Biblical principle because of two reasons: (1) We do not care deeply enough about our brothers and sisters to speak into their lives, (2) We do not care enough about God’s standard of holiness for the church. Without aspiration to be pure, holy, and set apart from this world as He commands, we neglect true accountability and candidness in our relationships.

I am not suggesting that we suddenly go around and bring up every last thing we might dislike about the people around us. The purpose is to exhort the believers around us to turn away from anything that leads away from God towards fullness of life. Rebuke should be humbly, wisely, and lovingly administered; when well-delivered and well-accepted, it is life-giving and an immense blessing (Proverbs 15:31, Psalm 141:5).

If you are very uncomfortable with the idea of offering correction, do not worry. Ask God to give you wisdom and also love for members of your community so that you can also be used as His instrument. And if you have a reputation for being harsh, now is the time to ask God for greater compassion and humility in approaching others. A house divided against itself cannot stand, but if the community is devoted to loving God and become more like Christ, teaching and submitting to one another will bring us joy.

Prayer: Father, give me greater love for You and greater love for others. Let Your holiness be the bar I aspire to and also what I desire for others. Do not let any fear of man or lack of confidence keep me from speaking openly and honestly to those around me. May Your wisdom and a desire to bless others guide the words we speak to one another.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 30

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.   6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Questions to Consider

1. Why is love an important component to the tasks mentioned in v. 1-3?
2. Why does Paul deliberately place v.9-12 within this section on love?
3. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” How can we really live up to exhibiting these qualities of love in our lives as a testimony of our faith?

Notes

1. Speaking, fathoming, acting, and showing compassion do not require love to be done. Because love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres, without it, we will quickly lose our purpose and motivations for these actions.
2. While we can learn many attributes of love from the first seven verses or even believe that we exemplify them, our understanding of love will not be truly complete until we experience the fullness of God in heaven.
3. Take some time to reflect on your life and how you can demonstrate the love of Christ more.

 Evening Reflection

Were there any moments today when you should have spoken up but felt unable to? What held you back?  One prerequisite before correcting anyone is whether we have been praying for the individual?  If you feel like you have something to say, please pray for a while before doing so.

Editor’s Note:  AMI QT devotionals from June 26-28 are written by Christine Li of TRPC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Samuel 19: 7-8: “Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.” So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.

Even though David was a man after God’s own heart, he was not immune to moments of weakness. After hearing that Absalom, his son who had betrayed him, was killed by the army, David began to mourn in a way that made all his people uncomfortable. Joab, David’s commander of the army, rebuked him sharply for an inappropriate display of grief. Though Joab’s tirade was extremely harsh, David’s meek response showed that he was humble enough to accept correction.

When I began a new job last summer, I had only 10% of the skills and knowledge to complete my tasks each day. In addition, I didn’t know anyone’s name, where to get lunch, or even where the restroom was – needless to say, I made quite a few mistakes in my first few weeks on the job. However, because I was open to learning and began to ask others for feedback, I grew in my ability to do my work and to take on more difficult tasks.

Unfortunately, even though I know that my relationship with God is a journey of continuous learning, I must admit that I do not similarly invite correction and teaching. In fact, I try to present myself as not needing anybody’s rebuke! But Scripture is full of the reminder that the wise man not only responds to rebuke but is thankful for it (Psalm 94:12-13, Psalm 141:5, Proverbs 9:8, for some examples). It seems that by avoiding correction, I only relegate myself to foolishness.

Do you invite correction into your life, and do you gladly accept the words that others offer? It can be very difficult to accept rebuke, and certainly very few people are keen on being criticized or told that we are wrong. Our pride will certainly blind us to our own faults and keep us from respecting the opinions and words of others.

It is not easy to cultivate a humble heart, but God is the one who can transform us. I urge us to pray for three things: (1) vulnerability to let others into our lives, (2) recognition of someone whose guidance and correction we can accept, and (3) the humility to accept correction when it is delivered. I am sure that as God changes our hearts, we will find ourselves open to correction and reacting with grace and wisdom just as David did.

Prayer: Father, You know that I can be too prideful to let others into my life. Give me eyes to see that You have placed me in a community so that I can be correctly taught. Give the people around me wisdom and love to speak into my life, and give me humility to learn their well-intentioned corrections.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 29

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, 14-26

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . . . ¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Questions to Consider

1. What does Paul say about the distribution of gifts?
2. What does Paul say about the body having many parts?
3. What is the significance of sandwiching the passage about “many parts” within this passage of spiritual gifts? How can this be practically applied in our lives?

Notes

1. One, gifts are distributed individually, meaning that each believer is important and has individual work to do for the Lord. Second, distribution comes from the Spirit- therefore, no one can boast of any gift or any work, because it has all been distributed out of the grace of God.
2. As a body, each part is significant and needed. Although others may be completely different in skill or gifting, they should not be rejected as a result of their differences. As God is triune but one, so the church should be of many parts but wholly united.
3. We are called to honor all others in the body; this respect and love will guide our ability to work in harmony and also accept one another’s gifts. We must ourselves also discern what our spiritual gifts are as our contribution to the body of Christ.

 Evening Reflection

Did you discover anything new about yourself that you weren’t aware of before?  How did you respond to someone who criticized you today?  How did you handle a situation in which you didn’t really know what you were doing?  How did you react when someone shared a nasty gossip about a mutual friend?  How can your faith in God be relevant in such situations?  Ask the Lord for wisdom and boldness to live the life of faith in where you work, study and live.

Editor’s Note: Today’s devotion is written by Pastor Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Sam. 18:32-33 (If you are unfamiliar with the story, it is helpful to read the entire chapter).

“The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” 33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

In the 2008 cinematographic masterpiece, Kung Fu Panda, it is revealed to the audience that the antagonist—Tai Lung, the ferocious snow leopard—was actually trained by Master Shifu (the red panda) in the Jade Palace, the home of China’s greatest heroes!  In fact, it was Shifu himself who raised Tai Lung from infancy and loved him like his very own son.  And this love ultimately became his undoing, for Shifu was blind to the fact that Tai Lung’s heart was evil, and he was not worthy to open the dragon scroll.

Do you ever notice how often movies play off the theme of love blinding one party to the evils of the other?  It’s a prevalent theme because it happens in real life all the time.  How many of your friends have fallen for guys or girls that were clearly no good for them?  In every group, there is that “jerk” whom everyone in the group must concede, “He may be a jerk, but he’s our jerk.”  Similarly, parents are often the last ones to see just how misbehaved their children are.

David’s conflict over his son Absalom is very understandable.  On one hand, Absalom was clearly evil, and it would have been an utter tragedy to allow Absalom to rule Israel (could you imagine the type of king he would have made?).  But on the other hand, Absalom was still the king’s son, and was still loved by his father.  Sometimes standing for the Lord will mean that you will have to stand against loved ones.  This is why Christ says that the Gospel may bring a sword and pit a man against his father or a daughter against her mother (Matt. 10:32-37).  We must not make the mistake of Eli, who honored his sons more than the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29).  This day, ask yourself: What does it mean to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength?  Can you put him above your most beloved people, and will you do what is right no matter the consequences?

Prayer

Lord, help me this day to set You apart in my heart as Lord and to love You more than all others.  Give me the character to do what is right no matter the cost, whether in family, career, finances, etc.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 28

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 25:19-23: Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, “Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.” 21 His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, “Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.” 23 His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Question to Consider

1. What happens to the two servants who multiplied their master’s talents?
2. Was the master’s reaction any different between the two servants? What does this imply?
3. What does good stewardship mean for you in your workplace? Your church? Your finances?

Notes

1. They were commended, given more as a result, and entered into the joy of their master
2. The master did not commend the servant with a return of five talents any more than the servant with a return of two talents. The absolute return is not as important to God as much as good stewardship with what was given.
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

We began the day being reminded of putting God ahead of everything else, even our beloved family.  In the afternoon, we were challenged to serve the Lord, yielding much fruits for the Lord.  In light of that, review your day.  Did you put God ahead of other important and perhaps urgent matters of your life?  Did you bear any fruits for God today?

Editor’s Note: AMI Quiet Times for May 23-24 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Mark 8:36: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Yesterday’s story of greedy Pohom, who died of exhaustion from trying to get just a little more land, reminds us of the parable of the rich fool (Lk. 12:15-21).  Perhaps Tolstoy was inspired by it since in “his middle years, after many painful struggles . . ., accepted the Jesus Christ of the Gospels” (R. Niebuhr 1951:57).

In the parable, Jesus says: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.  And he told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’  But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21).

So how much land (or big of a barn) does a man need?  Apparently, Tolstoy himself seemed to have struggled with this for a long time.  Before he became a Christian, Tolstoy described in a candid work entitled Confession (1882) “his growing spiritual turmoil, castigating himself and his class for leading a selfish, empty existence, and started his long quest for moral and social certitudes.”  He found them in two principles of the Christian Gospels: love for all human beings and nonresistance to the forces of evil.

However, at the age of 82, increasingly tormented by the disparity between his teachings and his personal wealth, and by endless quarrels with his wife, who resisted his attempts to renounce their material possessions, Tolstoy left his home one night. He fell ill three days later, and died at a remote railroad station.

Here are two practical reminders for us so that we don’t end up like Pohom or Tolstoy.  First, remember that one key to a successful Christian life may hinge on whom we marry (that is, if you decide to marry):  Find someone who is not greedy:  “Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife” (Prov. 21:19).

Second, it is crucial to develop a habit of giving up a portion of our wealth, that is, long before we reach the peak of our earning potential—even though it creates some discomfort when we do so.   All studies bear out the fact that the richer we become, the proportion of our giving to the risen income goes down.

Don’t be a fool by hoarding things on earth that you cannot take with you after you die (1 Tim. 6:7).  When you are generous toward God, you will truly become content.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for blessing me with all that I need.  Help me not to become attached to my possessions, but open my eyes to the needs around me so that I may share my blessings with others. May I truly find contentment in You alone. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 27

Editor’s Note: AMI Quiet Times for May 23-24 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Mark 8:36: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Phil. 4:11b-12: For I (Paul) have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Here is a story told by a great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) that succinctly captures the meaning of these two passages:  It is entitled, “How much land does a man need?”*

Pohom had great wealth and property but he wanted even more land.   One day, he learned from some travelling merchants about a rich land in some foreign distant land which can be bought for practically nothing from a nomadic people.  Wasting no time in going there, Pohom couldn’t believe what he saw: the soil was rich, flat and its green grass chest high.  So Pohom quickly asked the Chief what he needs to pay to buy piece of this land.  The Chief said, “Our price is always the same; a thousand rubles a day.”  Puzzled by this, Pohom asked, “What kind of measurement is that?  How many acres is a day?”

“We do not know,” the Chief answered, “How to reckon it out; we sell it by the day.  As much as you can go around on your feet in a day is yours and the price is a thousand rubles a day.”

Finally grasping the idea, Pohom said to himself:  “As much as I mark off with my feet and come back that’s what I will own.”  He said to the Chief, “In a day you can get around a large tract of land.”  Chief laughed: “It will all be yours but there is one condition: if you don’t return on the same day to the spot whence you started your money is lost.”  He meant that Pohom has to start in one place and circle a piece of land and come back to the same place.

The next day before the crack of the dawn, Pohom arose from his sleep and after placing his 1,000 rubles in the fur cap of the chief, he began his walk.  As he walked to the land, his strides quickened because the land seemed to be getting better and richer, and more fertile.   And to include a particularly inviting field, he went far, he went much too much before he set his marker and turn back.

He then hurried back even faster under the hot scorching sun of the day.  Exhausted after circling such a huge tract, Pohom turned back toward his starting hill.  Walking with greater difficulty as his legs began to wobble, his chest was breathing heavily, his heart was beating like a hammer, his legs sometimes failed him.  Pohom could see the hill with the Chief cheering him on.  Pohom looked at the sun which had reached the earth; one side of it already disappeared.  With all of his remaining strength he rushed on, bending his body forward but his legs could hardly follow faster enough to keep him from falling.  But just as he reached the bottom of the hill, it suddenly grew dark; he looked up and saw that the sun had already set.  And he gave out a cry, “All my labor has been in vain.”

He was about to stop but all of sudden he heard the Chief and his people still shouting.  Then Pohom remembered that to him, from below, the sun seems to have set but they, on the hill, still see the sun.  He took a long breath and ran up the hill—it was still light up there.  He reached the top and saw the fir cap.  Before the cap sat the chief laughing and holding his sides.   Pohom uttered the final cry; as his legs gave away beneath him, Pohom fell forward but managed to reach the cap with his hand just in time.  But he was no more!  Pohom’s servant picked up a shovel and dug a grave just long enough for him to lie in and be buried in it: 6 feet from his head to his heels—that was all Pohom needed from all the vast land that he had gained.

Prayer

“. . . I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: ⁸ . . . give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  ⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’  Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”  Amen (Prov. 30:7-9).

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 25-26

*I initially heard this from a pastor’s sermon.