Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 6-12 are provided by Cami King, who serves on the church staff of JCC, Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 14:1-6

At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what shall happen to the child.” 4 Jeroboam’s wife did so. She arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. 5 And the Lord said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her.” When she came, she pretended to be another woman. 6 But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with unbearable news for you. 

There are many examples in the Scripture of God striking people with blindness – usually these people are in some sort of sin and are not aware of their own spiritual blindness and so God uses physical blindness to illustrate in their bodies what’s going on in their hearts. Here we see the opposite going on: The prophet of God is physically blind but his spiritual sight couldn’t be clearer. Both of these examples of the symbolism of blindness found in the Scripture should help us see just how prone we are to over-value and over-emphasize that which is seen.

We are a people obsessed with appearances. We clothe ourselves meticulously, style our hair particularly, tweeze, clip, and spray ourselves into external presentability. And while I was raised in the South and indoctrinated with the familiar Bible Belt saying, “Look your best, do your best, be your best,” I do sometimes pause and wonder if too much emphasis is put on the first of those three.

Our passage for today reminds us of this tendency in our own heart to over-value external appearances. We spend more time beautifying our outside world (be it our physical bodies, our lifestyle, our possession, etc.) than we do our inside world. And we bring this tendency to our relationship with God as well. We come to Him with all types of posturing and disguising. But our story for today reminds us that God sees everything and knows us beyond our disguises. At first mention, this is a fearsome thought – there’s nowhere to run and nothing is hidden. But for those who’ve encountered the Gospel, we know that there couldn’t be better news. We are fully known and fully loved by Almighty God.

As we come to God today, may we come honestly – with our whole hearts, all our brokenness, all our confusion, all our sickness and need. And as we do so, may we find the peace and comfort that comes from being fully known and fully loved.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing me beyond my disguises. I am so prone to focusing on that which is seen, but You see and know all the unseen things. Sometimes I’m even able to fool myself. Help me to be honest today – about who I am, where I am, and what I need. Help me to come to You honestly today and experience the blessings of Your unconditional love.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 5

Lunch Break Study

Hebrews 14:16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Questions to Consider:

1. Why are we able to draw near to God with confidence?
2. Why do you think the writer of Hebrews needed to make these statements to the people of God?
3. Why is it important that we come to God confidently (and honestly)?

Notes:

1. We can confidently approach God because of Jesus. Jesus not only bridges the gap of separation making a relationship with God possible, but He sympathizes with us in our struggles because He can honestly say He’s been there. Although Jesus did not give way to temptation, He did experience the temptations we feel. And although He did not sin, He did feel the full weight of sin on the cross. So, more than anyone, He knows where we are coming from.
2. We are prone to conceal and to hide when we are in need and especially when we are in sin. Just like Adam and Eve after the fall (Gen. 3), we cover ourselves and conceal out of shame. But Scripture teaches us that those are the very moments when we need to expose our needs to God and invite Him to come in and meet them as only He can.
3. It is important that we come to God confidently because we desperately need His help. If we don’t come to Him, if we insist upon concealing and hiding, we will miss out on the mercy and grace He wants to give us as a help in our times of need.

 Evening Reflection

The old hymn “Just As I Am” describes the privilege we have to approach God in all honesty and transparency. Spend sometime meditating on the lyrics below. Ask the Lord to convince your heart of the truth of these lyrics so that you’ll come to Him in full transparency.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt;
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive;
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown
has broken every barrier down;
now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
here for a season, then above:
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 6-12 are provided by Cami King, who serves on the church staff of JCC, Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 13:26-34

26 And when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of the Lord; therefore the Lord has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word that the Lord spoke to him.” 27 And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And they saddled it.28 And he went and found his body thrown in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing beside the body. The lion had not eaten the body or torn the donkey. 29 And the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it on the donkey and brought it back to the city to mourn and to bury him. 30 And he laid the body in his own grave. And they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!” 31 And after he had buried him, he said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. 32 For the saying that he called out by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places that are in the cities of Samaria shall surely come to pass.” 33 After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people. Any who would, he ordained to be priests of the high places. 34 And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.

If I’m honest, passages like this always make me uncomfortable because of how harsh God seems. The man of God who we’ve read about for a few days now was disobedient to the strict command God gave him (to eat and drink nothing while on his journey). As a result God judged him and took his life. So accustomed to God’s grace, I often lose touch with His justice and am alarmed when I read about it. However, it is good to be reminded of the consequences of rebellion of any kind against God. This story serves as an object-lesson to us all of the destruction that sin inevitably accomplishes in our lives.

With that said, let us turn again to King Jeroboam. The man of God came to the king to warn him about his wicked deeds (building idols for God’s people to worship) and the judgment of the Lord that would come upon him as a result. Jeroboam refused to listen to the man, and so God supernaturally destroyed the altar Jeroboam had constructed right before his eyes. God also miraculously struck Jeroboam’s hand so that it withered when it was stretched out against the man of God. Two miraculous signs God had already done before the king to get him to listen—but he refused. Finally, the news of this prophet’s disobedience to God (to what seems like a much smaller degree than the king’s disobedience) and the punishment for his disobedience spread. But even after this, we find that King Jeroboam still refused to listen to the Lord.

From the outside looking in, it’s easy to grow frustrated with King Jeroboam. It is clear to us what he should do – turn away from the idols and worship the Lord properly. But the way that we should go, especially when our judgment is clouded by sinful desires, is often much more clear to others than to us. But God gives grace – in these moments He will often send warnings (through friends, through circumstances, through Scripture, even through signs and wonders) to help us choose His way. When this happens, may we have eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to respond to the Lord, lest we find ourselves devoured by our sinful ways.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have eyes to see You at work, ears to hear Your words, and a heart to respond to Your prompting. I believe that You, through Your Holy Spirit, are leading me and guiding me daily. Help me to listen and obey. May I not harden my heart and insist upon my own way and so suffer the consequences for disobedience.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 4

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 95:6-11
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Today, if you hear his voice,
8     do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 when your fathers put me to the test
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
10 For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways.”
11 Therefore I swore in my wrath,
“They shall not enter my rest.”

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the psalmist calling God’s people to do and why?
2. What is the warning the psalmist gives to those who hear God’s voice.
3. What example does he use to illustrate his point? Why do you think he makes this reference?

Notes:

1. The psalmist calls the people of God to worship Him and acknowledge who He is (kneel down before Him). We do this precisely because of who God is. The Bible tells us that once we see God and truly understand who He is, our only reasonable response is to bow down and worship Him – not just in songs or prayers on Sunday morning, but with our whole lives.
2. When God speaks, the people of God have to be careful to listen. The psalmist says not to “harden your hearts” – this is a warning not to be callous to God and His instructions. We want to have soft hearts that are convicted by the words of God, so moved internally by His voice that we act accordingly.
3. The psalmist uses an example from their own history to illustrate his point. In the wilderness, God’s people demanded that He provide for them on His own terms (see Exodus 17) – they did things their own way and did not trust God enough to soften their hearts toward Him. The psalmist mentions this to remind them just how prone they are to this kind of behavior. This should be a warning to us as well, for we are equally as prone to harden our hearts to God’s voice.

 Evening Reflection

Are you a person who struggles with a hardness of heart? Think back to the last time you heard God speak – as your read Scripture, spent time in prayer, listened to a sermon on Sunday, sang a worship song, received instruction or correction from a brother or sister in Christ. How did you respond? Was your heart moved with conviction? Or did you feel apathetic? Did you walk in obedience or did you continue in the same paths as before? Pray and ask God to give you a softened heart that is responsive to His voice.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 6-12 are provided by Cami King, who serves on the church staff of JCC, Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 13:11-19

Now there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel, whose sons came and told him all that the man of God had done there that day. They also told their father what he had said to the king. 12 Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken. 13 So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it 14 and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “I am,” he replied. 15 So the prophet said to him, “Come home with me and eat.” 16 The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”18 The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) 19 So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

George Washington once said, “Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.” I wonder if he learned this from the Apostle Paul who warned the Corinthian church that, “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Most of us can think of times when we foolishly or ignorantly listened to bad advice and of the calamity that ensued thereafter. In these moments, we quickly learn to be more selective about those from whom we receive counsel.

In our passage for today, the man of God (who, in his defense, had been doing a great job up to this point of following the Lord’s commands faithfully) takes some bad advice. A self-proclaimed prophet comes to him and lies, saying he’s received a word from the Lord that blatantly contradicted the word God had already spoken. The man of God listens and finds himself in trouble with God because of His disobedience. It may seem a bit like an unfair situation for the man of God. After all, how was he to know that the prophet was lying? It seems like an honest mistake.

Oftentimes in life, it is hard to tell the good advice from the bad. But there are a few clues that can usually help. In our story for today, the second prophet is living in an idolatrous land (where the king had erected idols to be worship in lieu of God). Most commentators say that this points to a compromise in the lifestyle of the prophet – for he remained among an idolatrous people. Furthermore, God had not chosen to use this second prophet to deliver His message (the reason why the man of God came to the land in the first place). Lastly, the prophet’s words were in direct contradiction to what the Lord had already said. All of these things should have been red flags for the man of God.

As we look at our own lives, we can learn much from this story. We must ask ourselves, “From whom am I receiving advice?” The character and life’s witness of a person deems him worthy to speak into our lives. We are always more likely to receive good advice from a person with life lived for God and a heart submitted to Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give me discernment as I listen to the advice of those around me. In every decision I make, give me a heart that is humble enough to hear from those walking faithfully with You as well as the conviction to resist the guidance of those speaking in contradiction to Your word.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 3

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

Questions to Consider:

1. Why do you think delighting in the law of the Lord helps us not to walk in the counsel of the wicked (or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers)?
2. Why do you think it’s important to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night?

Notes:

1. If our delight is in the law of the Lord, we will not find enjoyment in doing things contrary to his commands. Part of becoming like Jesus is allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate in us a heart that actually enjoys doing the things of God. The more this happens, the more likely we are to resist bad counsel and sinful paths.
2. Even though our goal is to have a transformed heart and to delight in that which is good, we know from experience that this is not always the case. Therefore, it is all the more important to meditate on (read and re-read, learn and recite) the law of the Lord. When we are tempted to turn to the left or the right of the narrow path, the practice will help keep us on track.

 Evening Reflection

When you have to make a decision, how do you go about receiving advice? Are there people in your life through whom you can hear from the Lord? Have you been receiving advice from others that contradicts the Word of God? Oftentimes, we seek the advice of people whose lives model whatever it is we desire. If we desire the things of God, we are much more likely to receive godly advice from godly people. But if we desire the things of this world (money, power, success, etc.), we are much more likely to take the advice from people who’ve achieved those things. Ultimately, it is God (through his Holy Spirit and His word) who gives the best counsel. Spend some time with the Wonderful Counselor, asking Him to lead you in any upcoming decisions you have to make.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 6-12 are provided by Cami King, who serves on the church staff of JCC, Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 13:7-10

 The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me for a meal, and I will give you a gift.”8 But the man of God answered the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here.9 For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’” 10 So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

Yesterday we reflected on those times in life when the instructions of the Lord conflict with our own way of doing things. When we find ourselves at the crossroad of God’s ways and our ways, which road will we choose? For most believers, the answer to that question is fairly easy – God’s way. Even though we don’t always follow right away, most of us know in our hearts that God’s ways are best. With this conviction, we are able to take the right turn at this crucial crossroad and follow the Lord’s ways over and against our own.

Unlike King Jeroboam, the prophet (“the man of God”) in this chapter has chosen to walk in obedience to the Lord. Instead of doing things his own way, he has instead followed God’s instructions (and brought God’s message to the king). But isn’t it true that as we walk in obedience to the Lord, we find temptations luring us to do the very thing about which God commanded us not to do? After his journey to meet the king and a successful delivery of the divine message, I’m sure this prophet was both hungry and thirsty. And he was not only given an opportunity to eat and drink at some random person’s home, but in the royal palace, at the table of the king – a feast of all feasts. But God had given instructions to neither eat nor drink. Although we don’t know exactly why God told him this, commentators point out that if onlookers had seen the prophet eating and drinking with the king, they would have likely seen it as the prophet giving the king his stamp of approval. Regardless of the reason why – the command was clear and the prophet had a choice to make.

These are the moments in life when our trust of the Lord is truly tested. Starting the race well is important and taking that initial step of obedience is crucial, but neither is as important as finishing well. You may have heard it said before that partial obedience is disobedience. On the path of following God, we will have to choose obedience again and again in the same area of our life, and often in the face of continual and escalating opposition.

Prayer: Lord, help me to resist the temptation toward partial obedience. Remind me daily through Your Holy Spirit of the things about which You’ve commanded me and help me to choose again and again to say “yes” to You and to Your ways. Give me eyes to see temptation as it comes and the conviction to be faithful no matter what.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 2

Lunch Break Study

Deuteronomy 28:1-2: If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

Luke 11:27-28:  As he [Jesus] said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him,“ Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said,“ Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Questions to Consider:

1. Notice the two qualifiers (the adverbs) of the two commands given in Deut. 28:1. Why are these qualifiers important?
2. How does Jesus’ words encourage you toward obedience to God?
3. What, if any, are the obstacles or temptations threatening to “move you” or making it difficult for you to “stand firm” in obedience to God?

Notes:

1. God didn’t call his people to simply obey and follow, but to do so “fully” and “carefully.” This is important because of our tendency toward partial obedience. Following God takes intentionality and commitment on our part.
2. The woman in the crowd was expressing her delight and blessing to have Jesus standing before her and doing miracles (casting out demons in the preceding verses). But Jesus said that those who obey God’s words are far more blessed. We should be encouraged because there is great blessing in the path of obedience!
3. It is important that we are aware of the things that threaten our full obedience. Whether they are things within us (wrong desires, lies we’ve believed, etc.) or things outside us (pressures from others, difficult circumstances, etc.), we want be aware and to remind ourselves that our labor is not in vain.

 Evening Reflection

Are there areas in your life where you’ve given way to partial obedience? Did you start out well by making choices to follow God, but now find yourself tempted to compromise? Spend some time offering these areas to the Lord. Reflect on the ways God has already called you to obey in these areas of your life (try to be specific) and recommit to following Him. Remember the Holy Spirit within give us the power to not only say “Yes!” to God once, but to choose daily to walk faithfully in obedience to Him and finish the race well.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 6-12 are provided by Cami King, who serves on the church staff of JCC, Raleigh.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Kings 13:1-6

¹ By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. ² By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’” ³ That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.”

⁴ When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. ⁵ Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.

⁶ Then the king said to the man of God, “Intercede with the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before.

God’s message through the prophet in this passage is one of judgment. He is rejecting the sacrificial system the king has put in place because it is wicked and idolatrous. Israel had been divided into a Northern and Southern Kingdom (as a result of sin of the former king), with Jerusalem (the place where God’s people worshiped Him) now located in the Southern Kingdom. In fear of losing the allegiance of the people and control over them whenever they went to the South to worship, King Jeroboam erected idols in the Northern Kingdom, called them god, and encouraged the people of God to worship them (in lieu of traveling to Jerusalem to worship). For this he was condemned.

But what exactly did King Jeroboam do wrong (other than the obvious idolatry of constructing golden calves)? He knew it was important to worship God, but he did it in his own way – ignoring the way and even the place God called His people to worship Him. It’s easy for us to think of wickedness as something malicious and sinister – an active and intentional rebelling against what we know to be right or an outright abandonment of the things of God. For most of us, however, wickedness is as simple as doing things our own way, instead of God’s way; that is, doing what seems good to us and right in our eyes, instead of conforming to the thoughts of God and trusting what He says is enough to follow in obedience. It is possible to try to do the “right” things the wrong way.

As we understand our lives as “worship” to God, we want to make sure we are doing things God’s way and not our own way. There are reasons God calls us to live in certain ways – He knows far more than we do and can see consequences and results of our actions that we can’t predict. He is also pure in heart; whereas we are not. When we do what we think is right in our own eyes (especially in opposition to what we know God would have us do), even if we are not outright rejecting God, we are certainly not pleasing Him and will often find ourselves in trouble. May we be eager to honor the Lord fully – doing things His way, because we trust that He truly knows what is best for us.

Prayer: Gracious Father, help me to do things Your way. Help me to know the ways You would have me to walk in any given situation and to trust You enough to obey fully. At work, in my family, in my leisure time, as I make plans for my future – through prayer and knowing Your word – help me to walk in the ways You would have me to go, not merely trying to do good things my way, but truly doing good as I follow You in obedience.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 1

Lunch Break Study

Proverbs 3:5-8

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the result of leaning on our own understanding?
2. What do you think it means to be “wise in your own eyes”?
3. Why is the fear of the Lord important in what Solomon calls us to do in these verses?

Notes:

1. Our paths will be crooked. We will not experience true success in our endeavors or the abundant life that God makes available to us when we lean on our own understanding. Because we are so limited in our vision and understanding, we have to completely trust God in our hearts and in our actions.
2. Solomon uses this phrase a lot through the book, and it points to our tendency to do things our own way, thinking that we know best. If we trust that our way is best, especially in opposition to what God prescribes, we will always find ourselves in a bad spot.
3. If we truly fear God – have complete reverence and awe for who He is – it will put us and our ways into perspective. It almost seems silly to rely on our own understanding and trust ourselves more so than we trust the all-knowing and all-powerful God who loves us and will good for us.

 Evening Reflection

Are you a person who understands what it means to fear the Lord? Do you see Him in His greatness and yourself in a proper perspective as a result? How does this reality of who God truly is affect your willingness to do things God’s way in your life? Reflect on the areas in your life where you really struggle to do things God’s way? Pray and ask the Lord to help you fully submit these areas to Him as you learn to fear Him and trust that He not only knows better than you, but only wants the best for you.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 4-5 are provided by Christine Chang of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matthew 6: 30-33 (ESV): But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

A while ago, my dad was away on a teaching trip, and the rest of the family was at home minding their individual affairs.  Suddenly, I heard a conversation occurring downstairs that sounded unusually stressful.  Apparently my brother had been notified that an important document hadn’t been correctly filled out, and the deadline was approaching within the next twelve hours.  The conversation involved my brother and mom frantically trying to figure out a solution, and this continued for several minutes to no avail.

A short while later, I returned to check on the situation, and the atmosphere totally confused me: my brother was watching a movie and my mom was getting ready for bed, as if the code red situation had never taken place.  When asked about whether they figured it out, my mom cheerfully said no.   But, she called my dad and explained the matter, after which it was assured that he would handle it.   The issue remained unresolved, but everyone slept well that night because they trusted that my dad had it under control.

This is an earthly representation of how our dependence on God should be.   Although there seems to always be a reason to worry (especially as adults who age, gain responsibilities, and become more aware of this world), our privilege through the Gospel is to be assured that God is in control and can handle any burden.

But a willing mind isn’t enough to make this happen; rather, true freedom comes from a deep, sustained relationship with Him.   The eastern religions emphasize meditation as the practice of repeating a word or phrase to enter an effortless state of mindlessness.   But Scripture clearly encourages us to actively ponder the works of the Lord, as it states in Matthew 6.  Tim Keller in his book Prayer describes biblical meditation as “spiritually tasting the Scripture–delighting in it, sensing the sweetness of the teaching, feeling the conviction of what it tells us about ourselves, and thanking God and praising God for what it shows us about Him.”   It is only when we discover the character of God in Scripture will we have the faith to trust Him with our burdens.  Today, instead of merely saying “I need more faith” or “I should stop worrying,” let’s spend some time meditating on the Word and seeking His face.  Faith in God will naturally arise from an intentional relationship with Him.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that I can absolutely trust in your care and concern for my life.  I love and I praise You for everything but most of all for your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Philemon 1

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from July 4-5 are provided by Christine Chang of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV): For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

At my brother’s recent college graduation ceremony, a student from his class was chosen to give a speech, and he cheekily compared their school to an assisted living facility: All of your friends are here, everything you need is within a seven minute walk, the food is prepared for you, and eventually, everybody leaves. Some of us are going to a better place, and some of us, myself included, are stepping into the unknown…

While the comparisons are superficially true, his remarks reminded me of when I recently visited a local nursing home, an experience that wildly clashed with my idealistic notions of life as a young adult.   Inside this facility, I encountered so many people whose former lives boasted of prestigious academic degrees and military adventures; calendars brimming with social events and exciting trips.   But now, at the final chapter of their lives, a communal schedule posted in the hallway suggested that the highlight of the day would be afternoon bingo and apple crisp for dessert.  I conversed with a few who could talk, and it was clear that relatives seldom made visits; most of the residents spent entire days planted in the same chair by the same TV screen. I was introduced to a man who was once a successful medical doctor, but could now hardly hold a spoon to his mouth.

As a young adult, it’s easy to dismiss mortality as a far off reality that doesn’t concern me yet.  There are too many personal and professional milestones that seem to separate me from old age and its accompanying side effects.  But rather than denying death until it comes, I’m starting to realize that a healthy acceptance of my earthly end strengthens my hope in the Father, who has promised eternal life for those who believe in His Son Jesus.  In his letter to Timothy, Paul had clearly lived his life with the end in mind; the faithfulness with which he lived his life belonged to someone who knew that his health would one day fail and his earthly accomplishments would fade, but in Christ he would have all that he needs to have true peace and joy beyond the very last day.  For Paul, there was no fear in death.  In fact, it was during his times of imprisonment, when death was a daily possibility, that he grew in boldness for the Gospel.

The college graduate who made that comparison, though meant to be humorous, identified a tendency as humans to obliviously enjoy lives that are artificially stable and predictable.  Instead, let’s follow Paul’s example and acknowledge that life on earth is fleeting but life in Christ is eternal.

Prayer

Lord, help me to count my days so that my remaining time here on earth can be used to extend your kingdom and glorify God.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 21-22

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 12:16, 25-31: And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. . . . 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. 31 He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites.

People used to like Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, and Miley Cyrus—especially when they, as young pups with major talents, broke into show business.  The young Jeroboam had some major talents as well—not in song and dance, but in military exercise. So, “when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force” (11:28).  Even God, through a prophet, told Jeroboam, “I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes” (31).

For Miley, opting for a bad girl image is a calculated career move.  The famed singer Dolly Parton said regarding her godchild, “[Miley] was very proud of the work she did as Hannah Montana, but people were gonna leave her there forever. And she was just smotherin’ and chokin’ in it.  So she felt she had to do something completely drastic.  And she did.”  Her makeover has been so successful that adding “See Miley Cyrus” next to the word “raunchy” in the new edition of Webster’s Dictionary wouldn’t be a surprise.

Jeroboam also made an “astute” career move.  Liking the feeling of being in charge, he completely destroyed the spiritual foundation of Israel by instituting a counterfeit religion; while doing so, he showed no fear of God.  After changing the place of worship from Jerusalem to Bethel and Dan, Jeroboam told the people to worship golden calves.  He then opened the priesthood to everyone even though God had limited that just to the Levites.

Miley Cyrus is purposely going “bad” so she can do anything that Hanna Montana wouldn’t do, but what about Jeroboam?  Fearing that he may lose his kingdom, Jeroboam went “bad” in order to keep his subjects from offering annual sacrifices in Jerusalem (i.e., enemy territory).  Displaying some talent in acting as well, Jeroboam, in pretense, said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.”

What about you?  Do you want God’s approval or man’s accolades?  For those who no longer fear God in order to go after their desires, one word of warning: it will not end well (14:12-3).  Repent and cease your reckless pursuit of your wanton desire.  Choose God.

Prayer

Father, the lure of the world is real and palpable; it’s everywhere!  Put the fear of God in me so that I would think twice before stepping into the traps of the enemy.  Help me to love You more.  May the Spirit fill me each day so that I have the power to love God and say no to sin.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 3:1-6: Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.  He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Question to Consider

1. Like all of us, Jeroboam was a son of Adam. What did he learn from the first man?  In what ways are their acts similar?
2. In what ways are the consequences of their actions similar (both personal and collective senses)?
3. Examine the manners in which you go about getting what you need or want. Are you more like “shameless” Cyrus Miley or “lawless” (breaking all rules) Jeroboam?

Notes

1. Both of them, in order to go after their desires, totally ignored God and His word. They couldn’t claim ignorance since they were well aware of God’s clear instructions.  In short, they had no fear of God.
2. At the personal level, their actions greatly injured them—Adam and Eve were banished from the garden while Jeroboam’s family paid a dear price for his sin. At the collective level, their sin affected the rest of the people in their world. Through Adam, sin entered the world, making everyone sinful from the outset; through Jeroboam (922-01), the Israelites in the Northern Kingdom were introduced to idolatry which would last until its eventual demise in 721 B.C.
3. Personal response.

 Evening Reflection

As you wrap up this busy day, reflect on how the day went.  Did you do anything “shameful” (thinking that it was funny or amusing) to get on the good side of the people?  Did you compromise your beliefs just so that you won’t be persecuted for what you believe?  Paul says in 2 Tim. 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  Pray for God’s strength to live a life worthy of the cross.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 12:3-7: Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. 6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?”

The oft-repeated saying, “He who thinketh he leadeth and has no one following him is only taking a walk,” is attributed to John Maxwell, the author of several books on leadership, such as Developing the Leader within You and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. His unmistakable assumption: a leader is the one who leads those who follow or serve him and his vision.

However, the advice given to King Rehoboam by those elders who had served his father Solomon, was antithetical to that thesis: “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever” (v.7). What a revolutionary concept— particularly in view of the fact that Israel was monarchy in which the kings held absolute power over everything!

In effect, the elders inverted Maxwell’s saying: “He who thinks he’s only taking a walk but has people following him, is leading.” Their advice was for Rehoboam to think less about leading but more on serving the people who, upon seeing his example, would then gladly follow him. It’s amazing that the concept of servant leadership, the one that Christ expounded on the night of his betrayal—“I have set you an example that you should de as I have done for you” (Jn. 13:15)—was ably articulated by the ancients operating under monarchy.

In response, Rehoboam, showing that he was more interested in being a leader than leading (through serving), “rejected the advice” (v.8). Opting to follow a different advice given by those “young men who had grown up with him” (v.10), the king said to the people, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions” (v.14). This didn’t end well: the nation of Israel was now irreparably divided.

How is your leadership at work, home or church? Don’t be like this elder whose opening remark to the youths at an informal meeting was, “Be quiet, I need respect right now.” Instead, serve the people first. Before telling others what to do, do it yourself. Some may take advantage of it, but others may want to imitate you.  Lead by examples of servanthood.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, how often I forget that You came to serve, not to be served. On the contrary, how often I seek to lead by words but rarely by my actions. Lord, please change me so that my lifestyle truly reflects the One who gave “his life as a ransom for many.”  Thank You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 20:20-8: Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Question to Consider

1. What do you think Mrs. Zebedee was thinking while making the request on her sons’ behalf?
2. Why do you think the rest of the disciples were upset upon finding out this request?
3. What is the unmistakable message of Jesus to his men? What about to you?

Notes

1. Like most mothers, she thought the world of her sons, which naturally led her to believe that John and James were best qualified for the top cabinet position in what she believed was going to be the restored and autonomous kingdom of Israel.
2. They were probably indignant for two reasons: first, feeling slighted that those three thought that they were somehow better than the rest; two, John and James might have gotten ahead of them in being considered for the top position.
3. Jesus’ message: “My kingdom, because it isn’t like that of the world, doesn’t operate by the same principles. The people of the world lead by power and authority; but in my kingdom, those who seek to lead do so through yielding, serving and self-sacrifice.

 

Evening Reflection

Every day, we are being confronted by many situations that call for leadership—including seeing trash on the side of road. What sort of situations did you face today? How did you respond? Did you heed to the advice of the “elders” or the “young men”? Wrap up this day through reflecting on the example set for us by Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to help you to emulate him daily.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI devotionals from June 29-July 3 are written by Pastor Ryun Chang.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 King 11:14, 23, 26, 40:  And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. . . . 23 God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. . . .  26Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. . . . 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam.  But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Larry Dean, having grown up poor, worked hard to build his own software company, but he later sold it for a cool $68 million.  With that, Dean built a 68 acre estate consisting of a Moroccan theater, a Hawaii-art gallery, 24-karat-gold sinks, 15 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces, a 24-seat dining room, and an 18-hole golf course worth $40 million. He wanted to establish a family compound where the Deans could watch their children and grandchildren grow up.  Nevertheless, Dean’s mansion paled in comparison to the magnificent palace that took King Solomon 13 years to build for himself (1 King 7:1).

To us, this is the dream life—a cavernous mansion with all the amenities at your finger tips.  But would you really want to trade your present life with theirs?  You might be tempted to say yes in a heartbeat, but upon a closer examination, making that deal is akin to trading away eating “a dry morsel with quiet,” with “a house full of feasting with strife” (Prov. 17:1); it is like trading away “a dinner of herbs where love is,” with “a fattened ox and hatred with it” (15:17).

Solomon always had plenty to eat but rarely got a good night’s rest.  How could he when adversaries—like Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam—constantly arose to take him out of the throne?  Even worse, God was allowing it to happen as a disciplinary measure against the profligate Solomon.   As for Dean, he didn’t fare too well either.  After only1½ years, a marital separation ensued, and Mrs. Dean and their four children left the estate.   Then, disliking living alone in a big house, Dean moved to an apartment above the garage.  He quipped, “I’d say this was a big mistake.”  The saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” seems true until you get closer to see that the grass is spray-painted green!

Even as you strive to be upwardly mobile, “learn[] the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil. 4:12).  How?  Cultivate such an intimate relationship with Christ that that becomes what truly matters in life.  When we live in His presence, our social status, the amount of our paycheck or the value of our house won’t matter as much.   Seek God.

Prayer

O the great and mighty God, I exalt and glorify You today.  There is no one like You in this universe, for You are magnificent and majestic.  It is You whom I need and I desire.  Lord, help me to put my gaze upon You instead of the fleeting and temporary things of the world.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Revelation 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Col. 3:2: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Phil. 4:19: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Tim. 5:6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Ps. 84:10: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Question to Consider

1. Ultimately, what causes us to feel that the grass is always greener on the other side?
2. I think the secret of being content begins with a certain mindset. Based on above passages, what are some building blocks for this attitude?
3. Being content doesn’t mean we stop striving to improve our situation. What is the key to maintaining a balance between these seemingly opposing forces?

Notes

1. Setting our minds on things that are on earth means that we continue to fix our eyes on what people in the media and Madison Avenue dictate what our needs are to be cool and successful. As long as we don’t have them, it becomes increasingly hard to be content with our present life.
2. First, God always provides to meet our needs; second, anything above food and clothing is a bonus. If we have these, then the minimum requirement for contentment has been met.
3. In our striving to move upward, if we become negligent in worshipping and desiring God, then being content in any and every situation will never materialize. It is the seeking of God during our striving to move upward that restrains its excess.

 Evening Reflection

As you look back to this day, did you experience a momentary discontentment because of what someone just bought, received or wore?  What does that say about you?  How is your worship of the Lord these days?  Reflect on these questions.  Even as you look to move upward, always take time each day to worship Jesus—at the very least, it will keep your priority in order.