Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Sam. 20:34:

34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.

For both the good and bad, this generation of young people is a lot different from my generation. A positive example is that kids today don’t seem to be as easily embarrassed by their parents as we were. In fact, kids today want or expect their parents to chauffeur them to and from school; back in my day, I would have rather died than to be caught getting a ride to school from my mom. Now as a somewhat needy and smothering dad, I am hoping that this trend will continue, so that I can walk my kids, hand-in-hand, all the way to their first class when they are seniors in high school.

So when I was a kid, my mom did a ton of things that embarrassed me. We were poor immigrants, and my mom did not know that “American” children didn’t wear the same outfit every day. We never spent money on brown paper lunch bags, so my lunch was either in a large paper shopping bag or a plastic grocery bag—consisting of the “wrong” kinds of food. And of course, we didn’t spend money on haircuts, so thanks to mom, my face was an embarrassment. (Growing up in the 80’s was rough if you were not normal, because outward appearances were so important.)

As I get older, I laugh at those embarrassing things and realize that in the grand scheme of life, I can get over them. Looking back, I had a great mom, who worked hard for me, loved me, and prayed earnestly for me; in other words, I had a respectable mom. Now, let’s just imagine that I had a mother who dressed me like Miami Vice, put the best sandwiches in the right sized bags, and paid for the sweetest feathered haircut. But if she was lazy, selfish, and disinterested, would I be looking back so fondly of her and have respect for her?

You have to feel for Jonathan, because I see this man who was trying to do right by himself, for his friends, and his God; but he had a father who constantly did things to bring shame upon himself and his family. Jonathan was the prince, so Saul could have given him whatever he wanted, except for things that cannot be purchased—like respectability. In the end, what is true for the king is true for the street sweeper: respectability (or shame) is won by character and right actions. Let me ask you this question: Do your children, spouse, or friends see in you a person who is respectable, honest, consistent, etc.? Or do you just have really cool stuff and a lot of money to buy them things? When my children get older, I don’t think I’ll mind if they say, “My dad used to embarrass me in front of my friends with his corny jokes and poor fashion sense.” On the other hand, it would break my heart if they say, “My dad was an embarrassment because he always talked about Christ, but never followed him.” This day, live a faith that your children (even if you don’t have kids) can respect. Know that if you have not been living a life of integrity, it is never too late to start.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to be a person whom my children, my parents, my spouse, my friends can be proud. Help me to make good choices and have blameless actions; simply put, let me live a life worthy of the calling that I have received.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 18

 

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:22-25

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (NIV)

Questions to Consider

1. Why do you think James equates self-deceit with “merely listening to the word”?
2. What is the importance of obeying the word?
3. Are you a doer of the word or merely a listener?

Notes:

1. Especially for those of us who are in the church (a lot), there is a tendency to think that listening to messages and going to many meetings makes us obedient and pleasing to God. However, there is no substitute for obedience: To obey is better than the sacrificing of time or resources.
2. Obedience leads to God’s blessing; disobedience amounts to foolishness. Although God’s grace is upon all who believe, it is also fair to say that God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience.
3. Please be truthful with yourself; do not deceive yourself.

Evening Reflection

Did you live a life of integrity today? Did you do your best to obey God in matters of thought and action? Do you generally strive to obey Christ because He has purchased your life with His blood?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Sam. 19:9-10:

9 Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. 10 And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

Concerning my first job out of college, I like to make the joke that it felt like a bunch of frat boys somehow got their hands on a company and were running it. I do not say this to intimate that our company was poorly run; on the contrary, it was easily the best run company for which I ever worked. What I mean by the comment was that my bosses and just about every male (and some of the females) in the company were these overly aggressive, testosterone-filled party animals. There was no regard for politically corrected speech. If you made a mistake, the boss would let you have it with words that cannot be printed in a devotional. And every time we’d go out, it felt like these guys wanted to get drunk like they were in a college party.

As a 22-year old, who had just spent the last four years in a great, but somewhat insulated, Christian community, I was at a loss to figure out how to deal with my boss. Sure, my then pastors and church leaders yelled at me, but not with the anger that my boss expressed and certainly not the vulgarity with which he expressed it. At the end of the day, I guess I was just too young and too “green” for that style of leadership.

As I talk with more and more people about their jobs, I’ve come to realize that many people struggle with their bosses. Some people work for bad-tempered yellers; others have cutthroat and dishonest bosses; and others have incompetent people above them. In my estimation, less than 20% of people feel like they have talented bosses who are good at what they do. I’m sure one can easily make a comedy movie about horrible bosses; who knows, you might even be able to squeeze out a sequel.

All that being said, for all of you reading today’s devotional, I don’t think your boss could have been as bad as David’s boss. Imagine making millions of dollars for your company (or winning countless battles, 1 Sam. 18:5), marrying the boss’ daughter (1 Sam. 18:20-29), singing your boss lullabies when he gets headaches (1 Sam. 16:14-23), and then having him repay your accomplishments and service by trying to turn you into a human dartboard!

Yet, if you read the account of 1 Samuel, for all the wrong that Saul did David, David never retaliated, spoke a slanderous word, or sinned against the king. In fact, David considered it a sin to do anything harmful to the “Lord’s anointed” (1 Sam. 26:9). As you go out this Monday morning to work, consider your attitude toward your boss and people in authority at your company. Are you able to honor even those who dishonor you, because this is what God would have you do?

Prayer

Lord, help me to be faithful at work and to work hard today. Help me to honor those I work with, and to remember that it is ultimately You whom I serve.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 17

Lunch Break Study

Read Rom. 13:1-7

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, if God places authority, what is the implication of resisting authority?
2. What is the duty of authority (v. 3-4)?
3. To whom do you owe respect and/or honor?

Notes:

1. If we resist authority who is placed by God, then that is tantamount to resisting God, or at least, “resisting what God has appointed” (v. 2). Such actions leave us open to God’s judgment.
2. The duty of this authority is to reward good and punish wrongdoing.
3. Personal application question.

 Evening Reflection

Did you work hard and faithfully? Did you show proper respect to your boss and everyone else in authority? Do you feel that you are growing in your fear and respect for the Lord?

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 18:20-21:

20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.”

It’s Sunday, you are getting ready to go to church; I hate to write such a dark quiet time, so I apologize in advance. They say that the greatest love in the world (outside of God’s love) is the love parents have for their children. (Technically, they say a mother’s love is greatest, but I’m working with Saul here, so give me some leeway.) This is why when we read a story about a mother killing her children, we find it incredibly disturbing. Such stories attract huge amounts of national media attention because they defy sensibilities and shake what we think we know about love. Of course, most of us would agree that people who do these things to their children are the exception, not the norm. Most parents would rather die than let harm come to their children.

Unfortunately, I have heard about one too many stories of filicide (when parents kill their kids) to universally accept the axiom that the greatest human love is the one parents have for their children. Although it is true for most people, I think there is one human love that can even trump a parent’s love; namely, the love a person has for him/herself.

When we read about Saul giving his daughter to David in marriage, we are cushioned by the facts that David is a righteous man and Michal loves him. But make no mistake, Saul’s motivation in blessing this marriage was not his daughter’s happiness; rather, he was hoping that Michal would be a “snare” to David. In other words, Saul was using his daughter to secure his own kingdom; sure, not as bad as killing his daughter, but in the general ballpark. For Saul, Michal ceased to be his daughter; she became an asset to him. It’s pretty cold if you think about it.

Let me ask you a question: Are people assets to be used and discarded, or do you genuinely care about them? Is self-love the strongest love in your life right now? If you answered yes to either of these questions, let me remind you this morning of the love of our Lord, who placed the needs of the world over His own and died on the cross for us. Let me also remind you of the love of the Father who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all (Rom. 8:32). Lastly, let me remind you of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to love others (all others) more than we love ourselves, which can truly be the greatest human love in the world.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 16

Editor’s Note: Today’s QT is written by RCC intern pastor Andrew Kim.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 18:6-9:

6 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. 7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” 8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.

Have you ever had a friend or knew somebody who was always good at everything? Smarter, funnier, better looking, more social, more successful, etc. When I was growing up, I had a friend who fit this description, and as much as I cherished our friendship, I couldn’t help but feel jealous. I grew up in a culture where comparing yourself to others was something innate within us. Mothers would always compare their children to other children like trophies to be bragged about at their next hangout.

This culture doesn’t stop there, but I see it as I walk through San Francisco today where you can feel the competition. It’s almost as if no one can actually be genuinely happy for someone’s success without a part of them feeling, “Where’s mine?” Charles Spurgeon describes this reality as “the depravity of our nature that we do not readily rejoice in the progress of others if they leave us behind; but we must school ourselves to this.” Everything we do is relative to what the person next to us does, and as we compare ourselves to each other, jealousy is inevitable. We’ve all seen it, been a part of it, guilty of it, and we all know the dangers of it.

Here in this passage, we see that jealousy takes root in the heart of Saul. Any victory that Saul took pride in, David accomplished more. Saul was king by title, but it seemed like David was king in the hearts of the people. Saul compares his worth to that of David’s achievements and forgets that it was God who had ordained Saul as king. Jealousy leads to Saul’s unexplainable feelings of anger, discontentment, and threat as he is now crippled with fear and insecurity. It not only destroys Saul’s calling over his life and his heart, but also the work that God is doing through David.

It’s easy to dismiss such an account because maybe we have not let our jealousy lead to murder. However, how many times has jealousy robbed us of our own calling and anointing over our lives? Rather than understanding and living in the identity that God has called us in, we see others and can’t help but feel less competent, and it’s hard to feel genuinely happy for them. Thus, we strive to be more like them, to be better than them, and create expectations that only leave us emptier. Essentially, when we are being jealous, we discredit the unique gift and calling God has over our lives. As D.L Moody said, “My friend, if you are jealous, the only man you can hurt is yourself.”

Take some time to reflect on areas in your life where you find feelings of jealousy that have led to feelings of bitterness and insecurity. Maybe you feel like you’re not good enough and you’re asking, “Where’s mine?” Remember God the Father, His name is Jealous and unlike people, His jealousy is rooted in an unexplainable love for you. He loves you for who you are and not for what you can offer or for your achievements but simply as His child. Remind yourself and believe that He has a special calling over your life tailored to who you are. Remember all the things He has done and thank Him. Let us strive to not be like others, but to be more like Christ.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 14-15

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 17:38-40:

38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

I probably overestimate my courage and commitment to the Lord, but in my younger years, I am convinced that if given the opportunity, I would have gone anywhere for Christ, gone through any type of suffering, even died for Him. Hey, as a cheap, fresh-out-of-college bachelor, my living conditions approached prison-like anyway (dirty, overcrowded, rodent-infested, no food anywhere, etc.)

Something dramatically happened to me between then and now. Now, I am obviously older and certainly more rooted; I have a wife and kids, and I live in a beautiful city, which will one day be the future home of Starfleet Academy. Now, if God asked me to give up seat warmers in my minivan, or cable television, or move to the suburbs, there would be a struggle in my heart to obey. On a more serious note, if I felt the call to serve God in the developing world, my thoughts would immediately jump to the safety and the well-being of my wife and young children.

What happened to me? Did I get soft? Yes, no doubt about it. Is it also true that my life got more complicated and the stakes got higher? Sure. But here is the biggest difference, I like my life now more than I did back then. I like being a dad, a husband, a pastor, where I live, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I liked life in my 20’s, but it doesn’t compare to what I have now.

I think the Bible sets up the David and Goliath narrative to imply that Saul should have fought Goliath, not David. Logically, the only person who would have had a chance against a giant would have been the guy who stood a head taller than everyone else in Israel (1 Sam. 9:2); in fact, David even goes out and fights in Saul’s armor! But before we are quick to label Saul a coward, think about all he had to lose, and ask yourself if you would have fought the nine-foot Goliath.

What stops you from taking risks for the Kingdom? Do you think about all you have to lose? Do you like the life you’ve built up or are building up for yourself? I’m not saying it’s wrong to enjoy life, but at the end of the day, would you rather be a lowly shepherd with God or a king without him?

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to hold loosely to the things that I have so that I may cling tightly to You. Thank you for the life and existence that I have, but never let these things become an idol for me or a reason to not pursue Your Kingdom.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Joshua 1:6-9

6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Right after Moses dies, God commissions Joshua to take his place and to conquer the land God is about to give the Israelites, but before letting him go, he gives the above instructions.

Questions to Consider

1. What do you think Joshua had to fear?
2. Why do you think the Lord chooses this place to insert instructions to keep the law in Joshua’s mind and heart?
3. How does the Lord finally encourage Joshua? (v. 9).

Notes:

1. Joshua succeeded Moses, the founder of Judaism. He is also charged, after 40 years of wandering the desert, to conquer enemy land–pretty intimidating charge.
2. Israel’s success, in fact, its existence is owed to God and God alone. God did not want His people to forget who they were, from where they came, and their charge to be a holy people, during this crowning moment. Also, focusing on God tends to help us forget less fearful things.
3. The last encouragement is God’s promise of His presence.

 Evening Reflection

What are the things that you fear to lose? Do you fear life without the Lord’s presence and power more? Does the Lord’s presence bring you the daily encouragement it is supposed to bring?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

I Sam. 15: 24-31: Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.”26 And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. 29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” 30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the Lord.

About a month ago, my wife asked me my thoughts on the Brian Williams’ scandal, to which I responded with a blank, inquisitive, and ultimately clueless look.  My wife then rebuked me, telling me, “You’ve got to look at more than just sports on the Internet.”  She then proceeded to fill me in on the details of how Williams claimed to have been in a helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2003, but over ten years later it was reported that he was not on that helicopter.  He then claimed to be foggy on the details, and how embarrassing this incident was looking for him.

My response after hearing all of this was something to the effect, “Wow, that is unbelievable, but hey, I’ve been there before.”  No, I’ve never been to Iraq or got shot down in a helicopter, but I am ashamed to admit that there have been several times in my life where I have lied to save face.  What’s worse, even when everyone knew I was lying, I continued to lie because perpetuating the lie felt less embarrassing than revealing the truth at that moment.  For example, has your boss ever asked you to do something, but you totally forgot to do it?  Then when she asks if you did it, you respond with a false yes.  Then when she proceeds by asking how it went, you perpetuate the lie by just making stuff up.  Why did you do this?  Because at that moment, the truth now entails not only admitting that you forgot in the first place, but that you just lied to her to save face.  (For the record, I never lie to my current boss.)

When I look at Saul in 1 Sam. 15, I see this guy who is so concerned about saving face that he will say and do just about anything.  When Samuel asks, “Why didn’t you obey the Lord?”  Saul responds, “I have obeyed” (v. 20).  But as Samuel rebukes him for not fully obeying (vv. 22-23), Saul says that “he feared the people” (v. 24). Finally, when Samuel proclaims that the Lord will replace him as king (vv. 28-29), Saul seems more concerned that Samuel attend the feast to “honor him before the elders” (v. 30).  At this point, Saul seems misguided in his priorities, wouldn’t you say?  Instead of being right before the Lord, he wants to look good in front of people.

How about you?  Do you ever fear the thoughts and judgments of people more than you fear the Lord?  Does that fear cause you to act with less than 100% integrity at times?  Today, let’s determine to be people who live in fear of the Lord (not fear of man) and act righteously and blamelessly in what we say and do.

Prayer

Lord, help me to fear You more than I fear people.  Give me integrity of word and deed to speak only truths, even if that means embarrassment to me.  Thank you that You are the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:16).

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 11

Lunch Break Study

Eph. 4:25-32

25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Questions to Consider

1. Concerning words, what are the things Paul tells us not to do?
2. Concerning words, what are the things Paul tells us to do?
3. Who are some people you could “build up” (v. 29) with your words or deeds?

Notes:

1. Paul tells us to put away falsehood/lies (4:25), corrupting talk (4:29), and slander (4:31). These are the specific verbal sins, but of course, there is more than just verbal sin mentioned.
2. Positive words include, speaking the truth (4:25) and building each other up (4:29). And likewise, there are many positive actions and emotions mentioned.
3. Personal application, but please try to think of a specific person.

 Evening Reflection

Where you completely honest and forthright today?  On the positive side, did you have an opportunity to build someone up?  If so, did you take that opportunity?  Has Christ sanctified your pattern of speech, thought, and/or personal integrity in the last few years?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Sam. 15:12: And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.”

Every time I read this passage I think, “What is wrong with Saul? He totally fell off the wagon and is setting up idolatrous images of himself,” similar to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Dan. 3) or the golden calf (Ex. 33). In other words, I start to self-righteously judge Saul, thinking, “I could never do such an idolatrous thing like that.” But as I read this passage more carefully, I realize that the Bible never says that this monument was supposed to function as a center of idolatry, worshiping Saul. It simply says a “monument for himself.” It could have simply been a pile of rocks celebrating his victory over the Amalekites. In that light, I realized that not only do I set up monuments for myself, but our society is preoccupied with self-monuments. Think about it: Why do people write their names in wet concrete? Why do teenagers who are “in love” carve their names together in trees? Why are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. so popular? Why does every architect dream of designing a New York skyscraper? I could go on and on.

Maybe I am being too philosophical, but I think our fascination with building monuments has something to do with man’s inner desire to last forever. We know we are mortal, but we don’t want to be forgotten after we leave this world. This is not all bad either. I believe that our desire to last forever stems from the fact that we are made in the image of God who is, among many other things, eternal. But in the end, I see two shortcomings in Saul in 1 Sam. 15: First, Saul’s desire to build a monument for himself was based on vanity. You see this by the way Samuel rebukes him in 15:17: “Though you were once little in your own eyes…”—implication being that Saul was once humble but became self-centered. Second, Saul wasn’t building an eternal monument. I challenge anyone to find this monument that Saul set up; you won’t, because it’s long been destroyed. Of course, we know that there is a place where we can build up treasures or monuments, if you will, that will last forever (Matt. 6), but in order to set up a storehouse there, we cannot think vainly of ourselves.

This morning ask yourself, am I building up monuments for myself? If so, how long do you want or think these monuments will last? Are there monuments that you could be building that will last forever? Are you willing to give up vain glory to build up these eternal monuments?

Prayer

Lord, please give me humility of mind and heart, so that I would think of others over myself. Also, please guard my heart and help me to invest in things that will last forever, namely your kingdom and the souls of men.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil. 2:3-11

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. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Questions to Consider

1. Based on this passage, how would you define humility?
2. How did Christ model humility for us?
3. How did God respond?

Notes:

1. We see that humility includes thinking of others more significantly than ourselves and considering other’s needs above our own.
2. Christ demonstrated humility by taking the form of man and then letting mankind put him on a cross.
3. God lifted Christ up. Now, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the Lord.

 Evening Reflection

How much did you think of yourself today? Did you put the interests and desires of others above yourself? Did you think about God and did you try to invest in heavenly monuments today?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 10th-18th are provided by P. Yohan Lee of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 15:20-21

And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.

I cannot prove this scientifically, but I think “Saul” lives at my house in the form of a five-year old boy. I tell my son, “Saul (not his real name), clean up your room.” When I come back five minutes later, I see him in the middle of his still messy room, playing with legos or whatever toy he is into this month. Again, I tell him, “Saul, I told you to clean up your room!” Saul replies, “I did clean up my room. Look, I put the books away.” Sure, the lad has put the books away, but there are still a ton of legos, action figures, and craft supplies out all over the place.

Here’s the deal: for the life of me, I don’t know if my son really thinks his room is clean and has fulfilled my wishes, or if he is giving me that lame explanation hoping it will simply appease me. Similarly, when I read Saul’s explanation (15:20-21) as to why he did not carry out the Lord’s instruction to totally wipe out the Amalekites (15:1-3), I do not know if Saul really thought he was obeying, or if he was just hoping this lame explanation would appease Samuel and/or God. Here’s the real point: partial obedience is not the same as obedience; in fact, partial obedience is just another form of disobedience.

What are the things in which you know you are only giving partial obedience (or total disobedience)? In my experience, the two most common areas of partial obedience are: forgiving/loving and giving. I know so many people who do not forgive, but carry grudges. In better cases, they are certainly not loving their neighbor, but they live in a state of toleration with estranged brothers/sisters in Christ. Sure, estranged toleration is better than loathing, but it is not love. In terms of giving, many people know they need to give and have a genuine conviction about tithing; but they partially obey, rationalizing that some is better than none. Of course, in your life, there are probably other examples. What are the things you need to fix in obedience (total or genuine) to Christ? Let’s take steps today to live in genuine obedience to God.

Prayer

Lord, show me areas in my life where I am only living in partial obedience.   Give me an opportunity this day to obey you, even in small areas. And give me courage and wherewithal to fix these areas, as well as the power to change.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 1

1 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.

4 The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Questions to Consider

1. By implication, verse 1 shows the progression of a wicked man. What is it, and have you seen this slide in your life or another’s?
2. How does this Psalm describe the righteous person?
3. How does this Psalm describe the wicked person?

Notes:

1. The progression goes from active to inactive: The wicked man will first walk with wicked counsel, and then he will stand with sinners; finally, he gets comfortable and sits with scoffers. Most will not fall into great sin in one day, but rather a series of compromises and apathy to God will eventually lead into major trouble.
2. The righteous delight in and take to heart God’s word. They will be fruitful (grow) in the faith and ministry. They will be secure because they are firmly rooted in God.
3. The wicked are instable (blown away by chaff) and will eventually face the Lord’s judgment.

 Evening Reflection

Did you have an opportunity to obey the Lord today? Did you take that opportunity? Remember the Gospel is not, “Obey and you will be justified” but rather, “Because we are justified, we obey.” Is obedience to God a way you want to live because you are so thankful that He died for you? What is your motivation for living in obedience?

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 2nd-8th are provided by P. Mark Chun of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 14:24-30

24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. 25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.” 29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

When we think about growing in godliness, there are many factors that we can attribute to positive spiritual growth. We think about dedication to reading God’s word, faithfulness in prayer, serving, attending small group, and the list goes on. But one important thing that we often neglect in our pursuit of godliness is watching how we speak. With the exception of the heart and the mind, the tongue is probably the most sinful part of the body. Think of all the sin that comes out of our mouths: lying, slandering, gossip, put downs, cursing, boasting, just to mention a few.

From this story, we can add to that long list, the sin of making rash vows. Saul was an impatient man, and that lack of prudence can be seen in the words that spill out of his mouth with damaging effects. In the end, his oath becomes a curse on his own son. So often, we underestimate how much our words impact the lives of other people. Our words have incredible power, and a misspoken vow, an untimely oath, a passing curse, or even a flippant promise can cause great hurt and damage. How many families, friendships, and congregations have been undone by thoughtless words?

Personally, I didn’t realize how much my speech affected others until my son, Jeremiah, started speaking. When he was just a toddler learning how to talk, we were at home playing with his toys. But when one of them broke, he looked at me, looked at the toy, and then he said, “What a piece of crap!” Now, this might be a humorous example, but it revealed to me how much my words impact what my children say and believe. As we get older, we might think that our words don’t impact people very much; but personally, I believe our words carry more weight with age. If a child says something hurtful, it is easy to dismiss, but when an adult or someone in power misspeaks, it can cause a great deal of pain. Because our words can make such an impact, the Bible is clear that we should watch every word and that all our conversations should be seasoned with grace.

Prayer

Lord, we are a people with unclean lips and prone to hurt one another with the things we say. Help us to grow in this particular area so that our words build others up instead of tearing them down. Reveal to us the sin that comes from our mouths and lead us into repentance.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 8

Lunch Break Study

Ephesians 4:29-32 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the importance of saying things at the right time and place?
2. Who is ultimately grieved by our corrupt talk?
3. How can we put away the clamor, slander, and malice that pollute our speech?

Notes

1. Even words that are good in themselves can be injurious when spoken in the wrong circumstance or in the wrong moment. The apostle Paul reminds us that our words should fit the occasion and the person.   It takes a great deal of discernment to speak in a way that builds others up consistently.
2. In the end, our words prove most painful to the Spirit of God. As much as we may hurt the intended recipient of our sinful dialogue, it is ultimately God that grieves over our misspoken words
3. Perhaps, the most effective way to clean up the elements of sin in our speech is to remember to be kind to one another and to have a tender heart for those whom you are speaking with.

 Evening Reflection

Is there something you said today that was rash, hurtful, or downright mean? When was the last time you evaluated the content of your speech and confessed them before the Lord? Like the prophet Isaiah, ask the Lord to purify your lips.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for March 7th-8th are provided by Andrew Kim of Radiance Christian Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 14:4-7

4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. 6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

When I think of Jonathan, the first word that comes to my mind is “friendship.”  Biblically speaking, we know Jonathan was the best friend of David, but even in this passage, we see that friendship was a vital part of Jonathan’s leadership style.  It’s not difficult to get people to follow you using force, positional power, or even fear and intimidation, but it is entirely a different matter to have people give you their heart and soul.  Clearly, there was something special about Jonathan that attracted people’s undivided friendship and loyalty. Even when faced with an impossible situation where Jonathan’s life hung on the balance, his armor bearer was willing to go with him heart and soul, even to death.  Wouldn’t we all benefit from a friendship like this?

Though most people think that they have what it takes to be a good friend, often there is no objective basis for that judgment.  Certainly, the number of friends that you have on your Facebook account is not proof that you are a good friend.  C.S Lewis, in his book The Four Loves, talks about the fact that before Romanticism in the 18^th century, friendship was viewed as the happiest and most fully human of all loves—the crown of life and the school of virtue.  Lewis, an expert in ancient literature, saw that historically men have believed that it was in our friendships where we learned how to fully love and develop our virtues; the reason being that out of all the loves, friendship is the least natural and the least instinctive. It takes very little virtue to love someone romantically; it also doesn’t take much character to love your family.  Jesus points this out when He says, “Don’t the thieves and tax-collectors love those who love them?”  Friendship is the great test of our virtue and the true litmus test of our character, specifically because it is the least necessary of human relationships (although still vitally important).

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”   As you might expect, unconditional love has to lie at the root of our friendships; and from there comes the security that your friends will stick with you through the highs and lows of life, as much as your family, children, even your spouse.  Unfortunately, many of us are not accustomed to seeing friendships at this level because we view our friendships as largely peripheral to our other relationships—good if you have it, but okay if you don’t.  Yet when faced with difficult times, having authentic friendships gives you something to hold onto.

There is also a hidden side to friendship that draws out our virtue.  C.S. Lewis, when his friend Charles Williams died, wrote this to describe the loss that his group of friends felt:  “In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out.  By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity. I want other lights than my own to show all his facets.”  When his friend passed away, Lewis recognized that he would never see the unique reaction of his other friend Ronald to one of Charles’ jokes.  And instead of having more of Ronald to himself, he sadly realized that he had less.  From that observation, he makes the conclusion: “Two friends delight to be joined by a third, and three by a fourth, if only the newcomer is qualified to become a real friend.”  If we allow ourselves, the best of who we are can be drawn out as we expand our pool of genuine friends.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 7