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.

Editor’s Note: This week, we take a brief break from the study of 2 Samuel. AMI Quiet Times from May 19-22 are written by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York. (The Lunch Break study is prepared by Pastor Ryun.)

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Ps. 16:11-11: Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”  3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Changes in our circumstances can often steal our joy.  One personal example: I moved to New York City last summer because of work, not necessarily by choice. I was comfortable in my previous city and the sudden change threw off the rhythm I was accustomed to. Thus, I internally complained about whatever I disliked; fixing my eyes on perceived shortcomings instead of on Christ. Needless to say, joy was hard to come by as a result.

In Psalm 16, King David outlines why we can have joy no matter the circumstance. One particular reason is God’s presence. When we turn our ears to God and willingly listen to Him, He will counsel and instruct us, even during unexpected times (v.7). Similarly, when we turn our eyes to God, the author and perfector of our faith (Heb. 12:2), we know that we will not be shaken (v.8).  Are we turning our ears and eyes to God today? Even if our circumstances are less than ideal?

Another reason why joy can be our reality is not only God’s presence, but His unwillingness to abandon us. Despite living before Jesus’ time, David rejoiced (v.9) because he knew that God would not abandon him to the realm of the dead (v.10). How much more joyful should we be, knowing fully the privileges of being God’s children. How much more should we rejoice, knowing that nothing will ever separate us from God’s love in Christ! (Rom 8:39).

Lastly, we can have joy because God has made known to us the path of life (v.11). He has not left us alone to fend for ourselves but has provided His Word as the lamp to our feet and the light to our path (Psalm 119:105). And ultimately, we know that Christ will bring about eternal pleasures (v.11), making all things new through His return (Rev 21:5).

Truly, the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18). Let’s come before the Lord and ask that His joy may be our strength today (Neh. 8:10).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You know the circumstance that I am in. Help me to find joy in You in this present situation. Give me strength to turn my ears and eyes to You—even when I don’t want to. Help me remember that You will not abandon me, and that You have made known to me the path of life. May Your joy be my strength from this day forward. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 24

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Cor. 10:12: We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Gal. 5:26:  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1 Thess. 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1. What is one thing that we do that can easily diminish our joy and happiness? Why is this not a wise thing to do?
2. What is one practical way to regain joy, especially when we are prone to complaining about our life?
3. What are you going through right now that is robbing you of your joy in the Lord? Perhaps recognizing the culprit is the first step toward its recovery.

Notes

1. Even in Paul’s days, people compared themselves with others to feel better about themselves. Today, we do the same by comparing our income, educational status, and/or the value of our house with those around us.   This isn’t very wise because there is bound to be someone who has more than you, which then leads to discontentment and lack of joy.
2. Instead of looking at all the things that we don’t have and then be discontent, we should focus on the things we do have from God, while remembering that the bad things that have happened here and there could easily have been infinitely more worse, thanks to God’s grace. Such a thankful heart is pivotal to attaining and maintaining a joyous heart.
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

On a typical day, we go through many emotions, some happy, some sad and frustrating.  How was your day today?  Or rather, how do you respond to your day?  What do you need to ask the Lord in order to have a more joyous disposition?  Ask Him for the right motivation and strength to do better tomorrow.

Editor’s Note: This week, we take a brief break from the study of 2 Samuel. AMI Quiet Times from May 19-22 are written by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York. (The Lunch Break study is prepared by Pastor Ryun.)

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Luke 5:1-11:  One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret; the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this; he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Jacob Riss was a famous 19^th century social reformer who was known for using photography to highlight the living conditions of the poor. Although Riss fought valiantly for a noble cause, he faced much opposition throughout his life. During a particularly hard time, Riss explained how he was able to persevere: “When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock a hundred times without as much as a crack showing. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

Like Riss, we too will face dry seasons in our lives. What’s even harder to accept is that living in accordance with God’s will does not necessarily exempt us from these hard times. Perhaps you have been actively looking for employment or have diligently studied for your exams but have not achieved success. Or maybe you are faithfully sharing the Gospel and ministering to others but do not witness any spiritual fruit. Like Peter, we may feel as if we have let down our nets all night but have no catch to show for our hard work (v.5).

Despite our setbacks, Christ’s call for us remains the same: to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). For many of us, that call might mean to continue persevering in our current situation. What will our response be? Will we obey like Peter and let down our nets one more time? Will we do so despite the hardships and merely because Christ has told us to?

As this passage shows, obedience to God will eventually bring privilege greater that we can ever imagine. Yes, Peter received the biggest catch of his life (v.6). But more importantly, he saw the power of God at work, realized his own inadequacy (v.8) and received the greatest call—to become a fisher of men (v.10). Thus, let’s continue to strive for daily obedience; we never know how God will use us as a result.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You know my desire to honor You with my life, You know the struggles I face while trying to obey You in all that I do. Help me each day to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You. Give me the strength to persevere and to let down the nets again when You say so. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 23

Lunch Break Study

Read Gal 6:9-10 (NIV): Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Heb. 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Prov. 24:16: For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Questions to Consider

1. Whether it be what we try to do in ministry, at work or with our wayward family members, what causes us to become weary to the point of quitting or no longer trying?
2. What is God’s admonition to us when we find ourselves in such predicament? What is its basis?
3. What situation has brought you down? Maybe this isn’t the first time.  Write about it and then ask the Lord to give you the strength to overcome and then grow from it.

Notes

1. We become weary for these reasons: first, we don’t see the “harvest” (i.e., result); and second, we feel as if God has forgotten about us. Of course, all this is compounded by ungrateful and unresponsive people who take you for granted.
2. In short, God wants us to continue, that is, rise again. Its basis is rooted in His promise made to us: first, the Lord ensures us that there will be a harvest, and second, He hasn’t forgotten about us—in fact, He will remember all that we have done in His name.
3. When we fall, we try to get up too soon as if we don’t want others to see us struggle. Are you down?  Stay down.  Allow others to come to heal and minister to you.  Stay down long enough to be refreshed and properly restored before you get up (e.g., serve again in the church, take on new projects, etc.).

 Evening Reflection

Probably more things happen each day that makes us feel discouraged than encouraged.  What happened today that made you feel like, “I give up.”  Take that to the Lord and ask Him to give you the motivation and encouragement not to become weary in doing good.  Reflect.  Meditate.  Pray.

Editor’s Note: This week, we take a brief break from the study of 2 Samuel. AMI Quiet Times from May 19-22 are written by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York. (The Lunch Break study is prepared by Pastor Ryun.)

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Luke 19:2-19: “And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  

As someone who works in business, it is a daily battle to fight the negative perceptions of my field and remember that everything can be done for Christ (Col. 3:17), including what goes on in the market place. In fact, business can bring great glory to God when it is used to bless the poor through the increase of living standards. Witnessing firsthand how initiatives such as microfinance and small business development have blessed others has played a substantial role in my conviction to use business as an avenue for missions.

Thankfully, Zacchaeus’ life serves as a personal reminder to not put the cart before the horse. While any industry can bring physical blessings, only Jesus can truly change lives. No economic incentive could have convinced Zacchaeus to pay back four times what he stole. Similarly, no medical missionary can completely heal one’s spirit and no lawyer’s advocacy against human trafficking can prevent it from happening again. It is only when people welcome Jesus into their homes and their hearts that true transformation occurs; just as it did for Zacchaeus.

Sadly, many people do not even have the chance to hear about Jesus. According to the Joshua Project, there are about 17,000 people groups around the world. About 7000 of them are considered “unreached”; which means that there is no indigenous church with enough resources to evangelize to them. Even if a dedicated team was sent daily to a different unreached people group, it would take 18 years before all the people groups could have a chance to hear about Christ.

Paul clearly wrote:  “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Rom. 10:14-15).

Let’s pray for God to send His workers into the harvest today (Matt. 9:38).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for changing my heart and my life. Only You can bring about true transformation. Thank You for using people in my life to bring me to You, and I pray that You may do the same for others, especially those who have never heard of Your name before. Wherever you send me, help me to share with others Your love and the joy of knowing You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 22

Lunch Break Study

Read John 2:24: But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people.

Jeremiah 17: 9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Mark 7:20-3: And [Jesus] said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

2 Cor. 1:21-2: And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, ²² and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Heb. 12:1-2b: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Questions to Consider

1. Why do you suppose Jesus wouldn’t entrust Himself to men?
2. We get surprised when some well-known pastors fall. While that is really sad and shocking, would that come as a surprise to the Lord?  What does that say about our God?
3. How we do change? How can we maintain that change, growing even deeper in our daily walk with the Lord?

Notes

1. Unlike the naiveté of social scientists, Jesus knew the corrupt constitution of men: at the core is found the vileness of self-centered, narcissistic, and deceptive human being who acts more like an instinct-driven animal.
2. We never catch God off-guard with our sins: He will never say, “I can’t believe you did that?” To love is to “always trust, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor. 13:7); and that’s what He does! The fact that God loves us, fully knowing that we may fail Him one too many time, only underscores His amazing love for us.
3. Our hearts must change, and that only happens when the Holy Spirit enters our hearts upon believing in the Person and the work of Christ. In order to maintain the change and to grow even further in Christ, we must constantly fix our eyes on the Lord, which means we must take our eyes off on things such as, other men or women, porn, your investment portfolio, GPA or body.  Get it?

 Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this day, what would you say is the condition of your heart?  Is it full of self-centeredness and deception?  Repent.  Get right with God before going to sleep tonight.  Then tomorrow, boldly share the Gospel of Christ with someone in desperate need of it.

Editor’s Note: This week, we take a brief break from the study of 2 Samuel. AMI Quiet Times from May 19-22 are written by Jabez Yeo of TRPC, New York. (The Lunch Break study is prepared by Pastor Ryun.)

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Revelation 7:9: After this I {John} looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Being a young person, I may sound quite naïve, but I have come to realize at least this much about the purpose of life: somewhere along the way, we must be involved in God’s mission to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Allow me to share an experience that really drove that point home.

Last year, I had the opportunity to meet Nancy, a Chinese student who began coming to our Bible study for international students. Like many Chinese students, Nancy grew up an atheist and had never heard about Jesus. Thankfully, we had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with Nancy, and a few months later, one of our leaders enthusiastically shared some great news: the night before, Jesus had appeared in Nancy’s dreams and assured her of His love. As our leader described the joy that Nancy now displayed, I was overwhelmed by God’s amazing grace and power.

Truly, Nancy’s testimony displays the biblical truth that God desires people from all nations to know and worship Him. God’s heart for the nations can be seen, not just in the Great Commission, but in the Abrahamic blessing (Gen. 12:1-3), and many of the Psalms (Psalm 67, 96, etc.). In His sovereignty, God has not only sent some to the ends of the earth to share His love but has also brought some who do not know Him, including many international students, right to our doorsteps. Thus, we have the incredible opportunity in today’s globalized world to bring the Gospel to those who have not heard it.

Furthermore, sharing Christ with international students can also be strategically important. According to Intervarsity, 40% of the world’s leaders have studied higher education in the U.S., including leaders such as Gandhi and Benjamin Netanyahu. Many international students also come from “closed” countries such as Saudi Arabia, where any non-Muslim activity, such as evangelism, is forbidden. Yet in 2014, there were over 111,000 Saudi students in the U.S. (!) with more expected in the coming years. Indeed, just as Jesus declared, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Matt. 9:37).

While some of us will not be called to leave our homes to share the Gospel, are we even sharing it to those God has brought to us? Let’s pray for courage as we embody Christ to those who have never heard of Him.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for blessing me with many things, but most of all, for blessing me with a relationship with You. Thank You for Your sovereignty in bringing many who do not know You into my midst. May Your love compel me to live for You and to share about You with others. In Your Name I pray, Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV): Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ² And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Gal. 3:7-8: Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham ⁸ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed. 

Questions to Consider

1. What is the part that God promises to do for Abraham’s descendants in the Abrahamic Covenant?
2. What is the part that Abraham’s descendents are expected to fulfill?
3. Ultimately, what does this mean to you and me? What is the ultimate blessing from God for the nations? Who is supposed to carry out that mission of God?

Notes

1. God promises to bless the descendants of Abraham, that is, the nation of Israel, by making it a great and prosperous nation.
2. Israel, having become prominent and prosperous by God, is to be the channel of His blessing among the nations.
3. The ultimate blessing is the hearing and then believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (i.e., being justified before God by believing in the person and work of Christ). The church, as the spiritual descendant of Abraham, is commissioned to carry out this task.

 Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, did you have an opportunity to share your faith with anyone? How did you handle that situation? Remember what Paul said in Philemon 1:6: “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” Pray for opportunity as well as boldness.

 

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!” Jeremiah 18:6 I would watch my children play with clay. The clay would get stretched, pulled, and dirtied. In other words, the clay would get abused, and eventually the poor clay would be thrown away because it cannot be used anymore. Clay in the hands of a child becomes a toy to be used and discarded; clay in the hands of a potter is similar yet very different in a profound way. This clay is also stretched and pulled, yet it is being stretched and pulled not to be discarded but to become something that is valued, useful, and beautiful. The greater the potter, greater the value of what the clay becomes.  A Ming Dynasty vase can cost over $10 million dollars today. You, in the hands of the Master, are worth infinitely more. Yet it is not easy to stay in the hands of the Master. Therefore, let’s cast off the things that make us move away from the Potter’s hand. I have learned that staying in the hands of God is not about being silent and just waiting; it is hard spiritual work. There are many different ways we knowingly and unknowingly move away from the hands of the Potter. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light on anything that makes us move away from the Potter’s hand. It might be worldly philosophies, wrong mindsets and belief system, lies, a temptation you are facing during this season, or it might be simple as a complaining spirit. As the Holy Spirit shines His light into your heart, turn away and renounce those things that hinder you from drawing close to God. And spend the rest of the day submitting yourself to the Lord. The world tempts us with comfort and riches, but God wants to do much more for you—a life that is much more worthwhile. But to do this work, He is looking for clay that is compliant and moldable—clay that trusts and is completely yielded to Jesus. Prayer:  You know my going in and my going out. You know my innermost thoughts. Sovereign Lord, You have the best plan for my life. I submit to your agenda and for you to shape me into the person You want me to be, for I am clay in Your hands. Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 20

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 139:1-8 ¹ You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. ⁵ You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. David mentions several areas of his personal life that God has “searched and known.” List many as you can where God has searched and known your life. Then meditate on how God knows about your life.

 Evening Reflection

We began the day reflecting on God’s sovereignty. Did you experience that today?  Share your story.

Editor’s Note: AMI Quiet Times from May 11-17 are written by pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Samuel 16:1-14

              [16:1] When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. [2] And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.” [3] And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’” [4] Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”

              [5] When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. [6] And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. [7] And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! [8] The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”

              [9] Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” [10] But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” [11] And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. [12] It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” [13] So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. [14] And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.

In February 2015, the world lost a great coach and man when legendary University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith passed away.  He coached many future legends—one of them being the great Michael Jordan.  As the media, players and colleagues were commemorating his life, one common attribute that was said about Coach Smith was his humility.  It was said that he never talked about his victories, but rather, he always talked about the joy of his players achieving great success.  He was known to be someone who did not want to be in the spotlight, but emphasized team first.  It was this humility that others cherished.

In this chapter, David is met with opposition, and his response is marked with great humility.  David is still running away from Absalom and encounters someone else from the house of Saul— Shimei, a man who continually curses him. As they are passing along, Shimei throws rocks at David and his entourage, calling David a man of blood and worthless. He accuses David of bloodguilt concerning the house of Saul, which was false. Abishai suggests that if someone were to cut off Shimei’s head, he would stop from talking so much (v. 9), but David rebukes Abishai, saying that the Lord is behind it.  Even though Shimei’s accusations and curses were not based on truth, David is totally surrendered in how he thinks he should be treated, trusting that whatever God chooses to do, he is willing to take it. David is not wrapped up in his own ego nor is he defending himself in any way.  So we see David’s humility even in the midst of false accusations and adversity.

How do we respond to criticisms or false accusations?  Do we respond with humility and even love for our enemies?  In these moments, I, personally, find myself being defensive and wanting to justify myself.  As we meditate on this passage, pray to the Lord for greater humility in our lives.

[3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:3-4                                                                                                                                      

Prayer

Lord, I want to imitate you in Your humility.  By your Spirit, may there be less of me and more of you in my daily life, especially in my interactions with others.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 19

Editor’s Note: AMI Quiet Times from May 11-17 are written by pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Samuel 15:13-37

 And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” [14] Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” [15] And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” [16] So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house. [17] And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house. [18] And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king. [19] Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. [20] You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.” [21] But Ittai answered the king, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” [22] And David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass on.” So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. [23] And all the land wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed the brook Kidron, and all the people passed on toward the wilderness. [24] And Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city. [25] Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. [26] But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” [27] The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. [28] See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” [29] So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there. [30] But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. [31] And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” [32] While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head. [33] David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. [34] But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. [35] Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. [36] Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear.” [37] So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

One of my favorite movies of all time is Rudy, an account of the life of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles.  Though he achieved some success in high school as a football player, he not only lacked the grades and money necessary to attend Notre Dame, but the talent and physical stature as well to play for a major intercollegiate program.  He was met with many obstacles in achieving his goal of playing football for Notre Dame: people telling him he was not good enough, his grade not being up to par, not having the physical stature, and his own parents not believing in him.  But despite the many hurdles, he had unwavering faith that one day his dream of playing Notre Dame football would come true.

In our Christian journey, our faith is often tested as well; and when it is, it often reveals our trust in the character and sovereignty of God.  In today’s reading, David is running away from his son Absalom who has won the heart of Israel, though there are a handful of people still loyal to David.  We first see David’s trust in the Lord when the Ark of the Covenant is brought to him by two priests, Abiathar and Zadok (v. 24).  David orders the priests to take the ark back to Jerusalem because he does not want to “use” God to his advantage.  It reveals David’s trust in God’s judgment and sovereignty, submitting himself to God.

David also prays and trusts God when he is in trouble.  In verse 30, we see one of his trusted counselors, Ahithophel, who was in on the Absalom conspiracy. One commentator writes, “Athithophel was sharp; he had no peer; savvy and success oozed from this advice (16:23).  Hence David met the dreaded report with instant prayer.” (2 Samuel – Dale Ralph Davis)

What do you do when your faith is tested?  Do you trust in God’s sovereignty and turn to Him in prayer?  We see that even when David is betrayed, his kingship is up in the air, and his life is threatened, he turns to the Lord in trust and confidence.   Maybe you are in a season where you are facing difficulties—turn to the One who has a purpose and plan for you.  Turn to the One who is faithful in every season of life.                                                                                                                                                                

Prayer

Lord, I turn to You today asking for unwavering faith in all the seasons of my life.  In hardship and in blessing, I want to trust that You know what’s best for me.  Whatever may be happening in my life, help me to depend on You in prayer.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 17-18