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 10:17-24 (ESV): Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.” 20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin nearby its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

Most of the lessons that we learn from the life of Saul are of the negative type—meaning, things that we should avoid doing. However, as we read the account of his coronation, it seems evident that Saul was thrust into the kingship almost against his will. When given an opportunity to share about what happened between him and Samuel with his uncle, Saul leaves out the “minor” detail that he would be chosen to be the first king of Israel. And when in accordance with the prophecy, his name is chosen by lottery, instead of welcoming the chance to be king, Saul is nowhere to be found and the people literally had to take him out of his hiding spot.

At first glance, this reluctance to take the mantle of kingship may appear to be a sign of humility, but there is a clear distinction between modesty and a lack of courage. Saul suffered greatly from the latter because of his inability to conquer his insecurities. Perhaps a clue to Saul’s inner demon is found in the preceding chapter when he responds to Samuel by saying, “Am I not a Benjamite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the smallest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” In certain ways, Saul is paralyzed by his own negative self-perception and he is unable to respond to the call of God in a healthy manner. Later on, in his relationship with David, Saul’s insecurities would drive him into murderous fits of jealousy when the people begin to give greater praise to David.

In the course of doing ministry, I have met many people who struggle with this very issue; and to a degree, it plagues all of us. There are some who refuse to serve or take greater responsibility in leadership because of their insecurities. There are some who cannot rejoice over the success of others because it is perceived as a threat to their own sense of worth. Still others cannot take criticism and correction, even when it is constructive, because it threatens their ego. Sadly, even as God gives us everything that is needed to succeed, if we don’t deal with our personal insecurities, we will find a way to ruin the opportunity that God lays before us. If Saul would have simply cast his eyes away from his own deficiencies and placed his trust in the sovereign choice of God, the result of his life may have been different. In our own struggle against our insecurities, the fact that God has chosen us to be his children has to be the source of our security.

Prayer

Father, You have chosen us before the beginning of time to be co-heirs with Your Son. This is an honor and a privilege that is beyond our scope of understanding. And though we are not fit to be called to such a noble position, in Your grace and wisdom, You have found us to be worthy through Your Son.  Help us to realize that our sense of security doesn’t come because of what is or is not on our resume, but ultimately, our security comes from your great love for us.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 12:3-6 (ESV): For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Questions to Consider

1. How can we learn to be objective in our self-evaluation of the gifts God has assigned to us?
2. Why is this important to the healthy functioning of the church?
3. Is there a ministry that God is calling you to? How are you using your spiritual gifts?

Notes

1. In evaluating what we can contribute to the kingdom of God, it is vitally important to be sober in our judgment of ourselves. Literally, we have to be careful not to be intoxicated by our own egos and become “egoholics.”   However, this does not mean that we have to be somber in our self-judgment, because by God’s grace, everyone has been assigned to do something worthy for the glory of God.
2. This proper self-evaluation is important because it allows people to find their right place in ministry, and not be caught up in comparing themselves with other members of the church. Many times, we forget to honor the parts of the body of Christ that are not as visible and end up only applauding what is on the surface. For the church to be healthy, each member has to play their part.
3. This passage is a wonderful reminder that we are all responsible for honing and developing the spiritual gifts that God has graciously given to us.

 Evening Reflection

It has been said that God equips those whom He calls. Think of God’s call on your life. If you are unsure, ask the Lord to clarify it. If it is more certain, ask God to develop both your character and your gifts to fulfill His purpose.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

1 Samuel 9:1-27: There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. 3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” 4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them.

15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” 17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.”

One of the questions that have always come to my mind in reading 1 Samuel 9 is: “Why did God direct Samuel the prophet to choose Saul as the first king of Israel?”  For those who know the story, Saul was a horrible king who rejected God’s commands and was self-serving, murderous, and insane towards the end of his life.  God certainly could have kept this man from the throne, yet not only does He permit Saul to become king, but He is the active agent in the process of bringing Saul to power.  Was this simply a case of not reading Saul’s resume carefully and making an unfortunate hiring blunder?

Actually, God hired exactly who the people of Israel wanted.  They wanted a king just like the kings of the surrounding nations, and so they received the desires of their heart.  In the text, we are told that Saul was a head taller than any of the people.  From a human perspective, it would seem good for a king to, at least, look the part, but the problem is that in the Old Testament, descriptions of stature are only given to the villains (remember Goliath?).  In fact, the good guys are identified primarily by their ability to tend their flocks, like a good shepherd.  We read in the story that Saul falls woefully short in his capacity to find the animals in his care.  This is all a foreshadowing of the type of king that Saul would eventually become.

It is so easy to judge everything by its exterior appearance and forget about what truly matters.  Like the people of Israel, we too can become consumed by our desire to achieve the world’s standards of prestige, fame, good looks, and fortune.  A sobering thought is that God sometimes gives into our illegitimate demands in order to teach us the hard lesson of humility and to point us towards Christ.  Unlike Saul, Jesus, the true King, was lowly in stature and despised in the eyes of men.  Yet for those of us who believe, He is our Good Shepherd, who has come from heaven to earth to find us and to care for us.

Prayer

Father, help us to remember that You do not judge by the outward appearance, but by what is in the heart.  May we clothes ourselves in the humility of Christ and help us to reflect this attitude in the things that we desire and pray for.  Above everything else, purify our motives and give us pure hearts that yearn to do Your will.

Bible Reading for Today: Jeremiah 1

Lunch Break Study

Read James 4:1-6 (ESV): What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? ² You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. ⁴ You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ⁶ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is the main cause of fighting and quarrels among believers according to James?
2. Why are prayers not being answered by God?
3. What is the solution that is given for these problems that we find in the church?

Notes

1. The primary reason for quarreling among Christians is the spiritual war that is within each of us. All of us are a mixture of good and evil, and simultaneously both saint and sinner.  Much of our conflict with others is simply an overflow of the uncontrolled conflict that resides inside our own hearts.
2. The main cause of unanswered prayer is asking with the wrong motives. Even the most legitimate prayer request can be corrupted by our selfishness and desire to satisfy our own passions.
3. Simply put, we need more of the grace of God. If we continue to depend on our sense of self-sufficiency and pride, we compound the problem by facing the opposition of God.  Humility releases the grace of God into all of the relational issues that we face in the church.

 Evening Reflection

Is there someone that you have been fighting with recently, perhaps your wife/husband, children, friend, etc?  How did your pride make the problem worse?  How can humility bring reconciliation?  Pray to the Lord for more grace in the midst of conflict in your life.

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for February 28 and March 1 are provided by Mei Lan Thallman of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Col. 4:7-18 (NIV):  “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. [8] I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. [9] He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

[10] My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) [11] Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. [12] Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. [13] I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. [14] Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. [15] Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. [16] After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. [17] Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’ [18] I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”

It was a blessing for me to read about Billy Graham and his 3 decades of enduring lifelong partnership with his ministry teammates, of which the most familiar to the public are: Cliff Barrows, Grady Wilson, and George Beverly Shea. In this present age, we are bombarded and accustomed to hearing about the failures of leaders from all sectors of life.  So I found it refreshing, inspiring and hopeful in reading about modern day saints who have faithfully finished their God-given calling with such humility, grace, and integrity.  It’s no surprise to find that their personal and ministry success of serving together at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association were birthed out of the spirit, mind set, and effort of being a team.  Ruth Graham, Billy Graham’s daughter described her father’s ministry team in this way: “Not only has the ministry been a team effort, but what strikes me is that it has also been an effort made largely by the same team”.

As I read about Billy Graham’s team, I began to yearn prayerfully about being part of a dream team like what they had.  Through a deeper look at Colossians 4:7-18, I got a glimpse of apostle Paul’s missionary team, and how God powerfully used their team efforts to reach the lost, as well as to plant and nurture the young churches.  In the meantime, God began to shift my mindset to prayerfully work on becoming the kind of teammate it takes to make the dream team; that is, what I can do or contribute to have that team building attitude.

My prayer is that God would help me to be like these men: a faithful and encouraging teammate like Tychicus and Onesimus; a courageous and loyal teammate like Aristarchus, who when the ships are down one can count on him to be there even in suffering; a comforting teammate like Justus; a prayer warrior and pastor teammate like Epaphras; a single- minded, passionate, and daring teammate like Paul, who is not afraid to challenge others to fulfill their God- given potentials and hold them accountable; a brave, yet  a tender-hearted teammate like Barnabas, who is not afraid to come along side to work through conflicts, in order to make a stronger team (i.e., Paul and John Mark).  I want to imitate these people in becoming a better teammate in my family, small group, Sunday School, and church.

Our God is glorified and we are sanctified when with one Spirit, heart and mind, we work together as a team (Jn. 17:20-25).  Let’s take time to thank God for the teammates He has already blessed us with, as well as boldly asking Him to continue to grow and use us as a team builder in running the great adventure of faith.

Bible Reading for Today: Obadiah 1

Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for February 28 and March 1 are provided by Mei Lan Thallman of GCC.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Isaiah 55:8-13: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. [10] As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,[11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. [12] You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.[13] Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign that will endure forever.”

As a first generation Christian in my family, I have been praying for the salvation of my family members for a long time. And I am so grateful to experience firsthand how God has used the intercessory prayers of the body of Christ to bring salvation to my beloved mother. When she passed away unexpectedly three years ago, my greatest comfort was the assurance of knowing that she was with Jesus. But the process of praying for her salvation took more than 10 years.

Recently, I was feeling discouraged by the lack of visible breakthroughs in the ongoing 18 plus years of interceding for my siblings’ salvation and the heart wrenching circumstances that they are in. A thought of, “What’s the use, you might as well give up praying for them,” came to my mind. Just then, I felt the tugging of the Holy Spirit, reminding me of several prayers that were prayed over me: The first prayer was a prophetic word from a pastor that God has called me to be a spiritual pillar for my family. The second prayer was that God was teaching me a new way to see, to respond, and to pray for my dysfunctional family through His perspective and not my own.

The above Isaiah passage reminds me that part of praying is yielding my thoughts and understanding to God’s thoughts and understanding. My focus must to be on God, His character, His ongoing eternal redemptive plan, and not on the lack of results and the circumstances. On this side of heaven, 10 and 18 years seem like a long time, but from the perspective of eternity, they are like a blink of an eye or a drop in the bucket.

When I realign my thoughts and prayers according to the lordship and anointing of the Holy Spirit, God not only hears all my prayers, but He is faithful and able to accomplish His redemptive plan for the people He has laid on my heart to pray for; that is, in His timing and ways. My job is to keep on praying in cooperating with the Holy Spirit without ceasing.

For whom and what have you been burdened to intercede for lately? Please don’t give up and never lose hope. Your prayers are making all the difference in people’s eternal destinies and in God’s kingdom. God can use our prayers to equip us to co-labor with the Holy Spirit and empower us to make an eternal difference in people’s lives. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him (through intercession), so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 66

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Under the same subject (denying oneself to be a Christ’s disciple), two parables with different emphasis are given.

Lk 14:26-33 (NIV): “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. [27] And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. [28] Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? [29] For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, [30] saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ [31] Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? [32] If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. [33] In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

During a service many years ago, the pastor of my church asked that if anyone was willing to foot the large bill for something the church needed, to raise their hands.  After a few seconds of uneasiness, especially among the elders, several people complied.   While that’s a commitment, they likely didn’t have enough time to “calculate the cost to see if [they had] enough to complete” what was promised.   Some who could not give may have left the church, not wanting to be ridiculed.

There are two components to “giving up everything to be a Christ’s disciple”: rationality and faith.

First, be rational by committing to something “according to what one has,” whether it be money and/or time, “not according to what he does not have” (2 Cor. 8:12).  This, however, is not necessarily borne of faith, which is “being . . . certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1).  Therefore, we must up the “ante” (i.e., commitment) so that “your faith grows” (2 Cor. 10:15).  The increase in the commitment level must be incremental—a result of “sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Rom. 12:3) at that moment in life.  Some people, pressured by those who appear more committed, who try to jump several hurdles all at once, are likely to become bitter and complain later on.

As our commitment level grows, we’ll reach a point where we may be ready to surrender all aspects of our lives to the “King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:15), which is what the second parable shows.   The “kings” refer to us who are in charge of our own lives, but upon seeing that the KING, who comes to conquer, is stronger than us, then, instead of fighting, we’ll surrender.  Those who haven’t added faith to their rationality will put up a losing fight; those who have will yield, allowing the KING to rule them wherein they encounter righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17).

How is your commitment level with God?  Are you making the right calculation?  If so, are you adding faith thereafter to ensure that you grow?  Think about it and make changes.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 65

Lunch Break Study

Read Lk. 9:57-62 (NASB): “As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, ‘I will follow You wherever You go.’ [58] And Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’  [59] And He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.’  [60] But He said to him, ‘Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.’ [61] Another also said, ‘I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.’ [62] But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

Lk. 16:13 (ESV): “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Question to Consider

1. The first layer of commitment is developing a sense of detachment from certain good things, but nonetheless, can pull us away from God. What are these “certain good things”?
2. In these two passages, is Jesus asking us to merely have a sense of detachment or act upon it? How are they responding?
3. What are you struggling with at the moment? A better question is, “What is God telling you to act upon (based on your calculation+faith) to take you to the next level of commitment for Him?”

Notes

1. A desire to have a nice place to lay one’s head; family relationships; economic success (the plowing); having enough money (however that is constituted in one’s mind).
2. Jesus is asking those who said they wanted to follow him to act up on their sense of detachment from these good things. Understandably, they were struggling with what was asked of them.  And if we are not in the habit of adding faith to our rationality, this will always be a big struggle.
3. If it is money, while you don’t have to give a big chunk every time you offer (tithing will do most of the times), you may need to offer an amount that strongly symbolizes a sense detachment from it. If it is family ties, you should practice being away from them for the sake of God’s work, whether it be one day or week, or more.

 Evening Reflection

Did you encounter opportunities to deny yourself to follow Christ today?  It doesn’t have to be an earthshaking event.  How did you handle it?  Review your day; reflect and pray.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matt. 20:1-16 (NIV): “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. [2] He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. [3] About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. [4] He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ [5] So they went.  He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. [6] About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ [7] ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.  He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ [8] When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ [9] The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. [10] So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. [11] When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. [12] ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ [13] But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? [14] Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. [15] Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ [16] So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

A large freshmen class was told by the professor to submit their monthly assignments on the last day of the month—from September to November.  The fifty students who missed the first deadline were given a failing grade, but the professor showed them mercy when they pleaded for leniency on account of not yet being acclimated to college life.   Later, hundred students missed the second deadline, but the professor again showed them mercy on account that midterm exams were too much for them.   Once the word got around about the professor’s leniency, almost everyone missed the final deadline.   When told that they will all get an “F,” they yelled “Unjust!” to which the professor asked, “Do you want me to be just?”  When they said “Yes,” he declared, “Everyone who missed the deadline for previous assignments all get an ‘F’.”

This story and the parable above are very similar except for the people involved.  The landlord goes out to the market place on several occasions to hire men for his vineyard.  Like the day laborers of today, these are desperate men in need of work.  The earliest hired laborers probably worked for twelve hours; the last hired, only one.  Those who worked the longest, after seeing that the last hired received a denarius (a day’s wage), expected more; they were disappointed.   Then the landlord, like the professor, was accused of being unjust.  In response, he pointedly said to his accusers, “I’m not being unfair; I can do whatever I want with my money.  You received the agreed amount; with others I’m being generous.”

One of the toughest questions, usually raised by Christians, is, “Would God send those who never heard the gospel to hell?”  This may seem unfair, but it’s not for those who are already saved to say since God was never obligated to save anyone; the fact that He saved us from our misery certainly doesn’t give us the right to accuse him on account that not everyone receives an equal chance of being saved.  People are going to hell because of their sins, not because they haven’t heard the gospel.  Now that we’re saved by grace, we should be active in sharing the good news.

Prayer

O God, how I see the reality from my perspective and then accuse you of being unfair.  Amend my viewpoint; transform my worldview; change my opinion according to how it really is from your standpoint so that I may remain grateful and thankful to You for saving me from the pit of hell.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 64

Lunch Break Study

Read Ps. 103:9-10 (NIV): “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; [10] he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”

Lam. 3:22-3 (ESV): “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Ez. 18:23 (NASB): “Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?”

2 Pet. 3:9 (NASB): “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Question to Consider

1. The New Atheists, such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, love to portray God in the worst possible light, calling Him all kinds of terrible names. What do these passages reveal about the true nature of God?
2. Do Ps. 103:9-10 and Lam. 3:22-3 suggest that God doesn’t punish sin? What is that called?
3. If someone says that God is eager to send people to hell, how would you personally respond?

Notes

1. Contrary to the assertions of the New Atheists, God is gracious towards us by giving gifts that we don’t deserve and merciful by not punishing us in proportion to what we have done against Him.
2. It does suggest that the God of justice will punish us when we sin and remain unrepentant, but not to its fullest measure or extent: this is called God’s mercy.
3. On the contrary, God doesn’t take any pleasure in anyone perishing in hell; instead, He wants everyone to turn from their wicked ways and find God. In fact, hell was created with the devil in mind, not us (Matt. 25:42: “The eternal fire prepared for the devil”).

 Evening Reflection

As you reflect on this day, was there a moment in which you encountered God’s amazing grace poured out for you?  This past Sunday, I went to help my daughter whose car had veered off the icy road.  I was thinking of God’s grace because neither she was hurt nor her car was damaged.  I thanked Him.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Lk. 21:27-31 (NIV): “‘At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ [29] He told them this parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees. [30] When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. [31] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’”

Some say that Jesus was wrong since he didn’t return in the first century even though “all these things” happened during “this generation.” This misunderstanding stems from what constitutes “the end of age,” which, according to end times Bible prophesy, likely began with the restoration of Israel in 1948.  However, Peter, quoting Joel, proclaimed that the “last days” were inaugurated when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost: “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people’” (Acts 2:17).

So, we’ve been living in the end of age since the first century.  And Jesus certainly didn’t expect to return around then. Do you honestly believe that Jesus who said in the same discourse (Matt. 24), “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,” expected that to happen within the lifetime of his listeners?  He even added, “These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away” (Lk. 21:9).

A largely forgotten doctrine called the “imminent return of Christ” postulates that Jesus can return at any time.  But once end-times prophecy became popular, it was believed that Jesus wouldn’t return until certain events took place beforehand.  However, the fig tree sprouting its leaves (vv.29-30), an annual event, doesn’t refer to specific events that will happen during a specific period; rather, it points to wars and natural disasters that are always happening in every generation.  And “these things” are to remind the people of every generation that Christ’s return is imminent; so be ready for it. One of these days, the last of these wars and disasters will precede Christ’s coming, but we aren’t to accentuate that; instead, we “ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of [the Lord]” (2 Pet. 3:12).

A few years after Buster Douglass knocked out Mike Tyson, his weight ballooned to 400 pounds.  It isn’t uncommon for professional athletes to experience substantial weight gain during the off-season or after retiring.  But for us, there is no off-season or retiring because “by standing firm you will gain life” (Lk. 21:19).

Prayer

God, help me to hear the internal clock in my heart that tells me what time this should be in my life. While I may need to take care of many earthly things at the moment, remind me that “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), which tells me that I need to always share the good news.  Help me, Lord.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 63

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Chron. 12:32 (ESV): “Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.”

1 Sam 11:1-4 (NIV): “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. [2] One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, [3] and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ [4] Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.”

Hag. 1:4 (ESV): “‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?’ [5] Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways. [6] You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.’”

Question to Consider

1. What do you think 1 Chronicles 12:32 (“understanding of the times”) means?
2. Do you think David and the Israelites who received the letter from Haggai had the understanding of their times? What went wrong for them?
3. Looking at the “fig tree” in your life, what time is it for you? (You may consult the list in Eccles. 3:18.)

Notes

1. Understanding of the times is always connected to something that ought to be done at that moment. While the Chronicler doesn’t provide more details, it appears that this involved some type of military campaign in which timing was everything. Folks, “seize the moment” (carpe diem)!
2. In the spring, kings would go off to wars; David didn’t. Instead, he was where he wasn’t supposed to be and this led to his great demise.  Likewise, for the people to whom Haggai wrote, it was their time to rebuild the Lord’s temple, but they were too busy enlarging their own homes. This sort of thing doesn’t go unnoticed by God who is displeased when He is not our top priority.
3. While my wife and I foresee returning to the mission field in the future, for now, we see ourselves being faithful to the AMI ministry, as well as praying for opportunities to serve the Hispanics in America. God has already opened one door this year, in Fresno, California.  ¡Gloria a Dios!

 Evening Reflection

A mom asked her young son why he threw the clock out the window.  His answer: “Since you always say, ‘Time flies,’ I wanted to see it for myself.”  As we get older, we can see that time flies very quickly.  How did you spend your time today?  It’s not too late to make this day count: spend this moment talking to the infinite and personal God of this universe who loves you very much.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matt. 25:1-13 (NIV):  “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were foolish and five were wise. [3] The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. [4] The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. [5] The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. [6] At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ [7] Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. [8] The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ [9] ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ [10] But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut. [11] Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ [12] But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ [13] Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but in college, I once opened the class syllabus for the first time the day before the final exam to see what I needed to study.  So, the one change I made after becoming a Christian was getting things done early; that is, not procrastinating.

This parable, about the ancient Jewish wedding day, has the bridegroom arrive at the house of his bride’s father at midnight for the ceremony.   Upon his sudden arrival, the door is closed and the late comers aren’t admitted.   Afterwards, the husband would take his wife home in a wedding procession, and then celebrate the banquet that lasts for a week.  Since the procession typically occurs in darkness, the guests would bring lamps to light the way; and those without it are prohibited to be on the street.

Now, the wedding represents “the wedding of the Lamb” in which Christ will officially unite with “his bride,” that is, the church (Rev. 19:7); this occurs just prior to the ushering in of eternity.  Not being “invited to the wedding . . . of the Lamb” (9), therefore, would mean you’re neither a believer nor going to heaven.  In the parable, the virgins who show up to the wedding unprepared end up missing the entire ceremony.  What’s worse, the bride’s father claims not to know them.

So, who are these foolish virgins?  They’re the great pretenders, like Judas, Demas (2 Tim. 4:10) and many who ate the loaves (Jn. 6:11, 64-6), “whose going showed that none of them belonged to [church]” (1 Jn. 2:19).  They’re the weeds that are allowed to grow together with wheat until the harvest (Matt. 13:30).  They’re the possessors of “faith” that even “demons [have] . . . and shudder” (James 2:19), but ultimately doesn’t save because “faith without deeds” is “dead” (v.25).

In view of this, the best sign indicating one’s true Christian faith is a life lived out in anticipation of Christ’s coming (or our going).  Does your lifestyle suggest that this world is your destination or a place to prepare for your eternity?  Give it a thought; make adjustments if feel convicted.

Prayer

O Lord, I lift Your name on high!  I love to sing your praises, and I’m so glad You are in my life.  Cause me  not to forget that I’ll soon see You.  Perhaps You’ll return during my time, or I will pass from this earthly existence into heaven, but help me always to be ready.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 62

Lunch Break Study

Read Rev. 19:6-8 (NASB): “Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” [8] It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Rev. 2:9-10 (NIV): “I know your afflictions (Philadelphia Church) and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

2 Pet. 3:3-4 (NIV): Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

Question to Consider

1. How does the bride look on the wedding day? What does that mean for the church?
2. What is one of the ways through which God prepares the bride? What’s its purpose?
3. In the parable of the virgins, they all fell asleep. What does that mean spiritually?  Are you awake or asleep spiritually?

Notes

1. She is ready in her splendid outfit of fine linen. That means that the church is not only righteous because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed on her, but she is also righteous inside  (ontologically) which produces “the righteous acts of the saints.”
2. There is nothing like tribulation and persecution that remove the pretenders from the true church of Christ. The “foolish virgins” will be the first ones to bail out of the church when it becomes inconvenient and not cost-effective to stay.
3. If we talk too much about the second coming of Christ without also focusing on the church’s current responsibility, then the talk of his imminent return can get redundant and passé if he doesn’t come as expected. That gives the scoffers more ammunition to criticize our hope in Christ’s return.  Thus, our hope for his return and our responsibility to the world should be held in a fine balance.

 Evening Reflection

We are always getting ready for something—a meeting, gathering, or trip.  How are you getting ready for that day when you will meet the Lord?  Reflect on how you lived today; does it look like you were getting ready?  What needs to change so that when your time to depart comes, you will be ready?

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Lk. 11:5-9 (ESV): Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; [6] for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; [7] and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. [9] So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”

When my basset hound thinks it’s time to walk, she whimpers without ceasing.  This annoys me a lot when I am busy, but I still walk her so that she won’t bother me with her persistent whimpering.  And once we’re out, I make sure she has a good walk.

So, do we get anything we want from God as long we pray persistently?  No.  Paul, while suffering from “a thorn in the flesh”—likely a physical illness (Gal. 4:14-6)—“pleaded with the Lord to take it away from [him]” three times (2 Cor. 12:8).  God said, “No.”  David “fasted and . . . and spent the nights lying on the ground” for his sick child.  “The child died” (2 Sam. 12:16, 18).

Keep this in mind before praying: “If you remain in [Christ] and [his] words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (Jn. 15:7).  Those abiding in Christ won’t ask for things that contradict God’s general will revealed in the Scripture.  In Mexico where Catholicism reigns, it isn’t uncommon for drug cartels to demand that a priest bless them.  God will never answer prayers that go contrary to His general will; some may experience what may look like an answered prayer, but God has nothing to do with it.

The prayers of deliverance by Paul and David were according to God’s general will (James 5:15); unbeknownst to them, however, they were praying earnestly against God’s specific will.  There is no shame in that; in fact, we should pray like this persistently.  If we happen to be praying according to God’s specific will, then, in time, we’ll see it answered.   Even if our prayer isn’t answered according to how we prayed, we might still encounter God in a special way: a disappointed Paul heard God say, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9); a sad David “went into the house of the LORD and worshiped” (2 Sam. 12:20).

Before you pray, make sure your petitions align with God’s general will and that you abide in Christ.  Then pray, persistently!  If it is answered, praise God; if he doesn’t, the consolation prize isn’t bad!

Prayer

Father, how I adore You and delight myself in Your presence.  Thank You that you want me to be persistent in prayer so that I can experience answered prayers; better yet, thank You that you want me to pray persistently so that even if my prayer will not be answered in the way I expect it, I’ll still encounter You in a special way.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 61

Lunch Break Study

Read Lk. 5:16, 9:18 (NASB): But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness* and pray. . . .

[18] And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?”                                    *Desolate (ESV)

Mk. 1:35 (ESV): And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Acts 10:9 (NIV), 16:13 (ESV): About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. . . . [13] And on the Sabbath day [Paul and Luke] went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.

Question to Consider

1. What common practice did Jesus, Paul and Peter share with respect to praying?
2. Why is that so important?
3. What adjustment s do you need to make in order to pray instead of talking about praying?

Notes

1. They all sought out a quiet place to pray alone, whether it be the wilderness (or perhaps the desert), beach or rooftop. When I am travelling and have to share a room with someone, I get up early and pray in the bathroom.  (Hey, some hotel bathrooms are cleaner than my living room.)
2. Have you tried communicating on the phone when there you’re in a room with a lot of people talking? Likewise, if anyone who is serious about praying to God, one must find a quiet place where there won’t be any distractions during this prayer time.
3. Is there something you usually do, that if you don’t it, you don’t feel as good? Make praying a habit until it feels like something is missing when you don’t pray. I feel that way toward the following three things that I do every morning after I get up: pray at least an hour, read 5 chapters of the Bible, and then go jogging!

 Evening Reflection

“Pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17).  Pray for yourself, your family, friends and coworkers.  Pray that America’s moral slide will hit a bump so that it will, at least, slow down.  Pray for AMI to prosper so that God’s kingdom will continue to expand around the globe.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Lk. 18:9-14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: [10] “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Some comedians make fun of personal injury lawyers, usually capitalizing on their reputation as an “ambulance chaser.”  But during Jesus’ time, the tax collectors were held in even lower regard because they, while collecting taxes for the hated Romans, extorted money from people.  For instance, Zacchaeus, “a chief tax collector,” was wealthy because he was very good at it.

On the opposite side of the moral spectrum were the Pharisees, Israel’s religious and civil leaders, whose very name means the “separated ones,” but from what?  They not only separated themselves from “sins,” but even those who committed them because the Pharisees’ impeccable compliance to God’s laws made them feel superior.  As a result, anyone trying to speak into their lives was categorically rejected.   They said to the temple guards, who were impressed by the way Jesus spoke, “Has any of . . . the Pharisees believed in him?  No!  But this mob knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them” (Jn. 7:49).  When the formerly blind man insisted that the one who healed him had to be from God, the Pharisees replied, “‘How dare you lecture us!’  And they threw him out” (9:34).

Now, Jesus was a problem to both groups: to the formally trained Pharisees, hearing people say, “No one ever spoke the way [Jesus] does” (46), was threatening since he had “never studied” (7:15 NKJV) formally.  The tax collectors were threatened by Jesus because he agreed with John the Baptist who once said to them, “Don’t collect any more than you are required to” (Lk. 3:13).  So, to accept Jesus and His teaching, the Pharisees first had to swallow their pride; but instead, they tried to impugn his character (by saying he was “of Beelzebub”).   The tax collectors, on the other hand, had to repent of their greed, meaning no longer extort people.  And some did, like Zacchaeus who declared, “Now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and . . .  I will pay back four times the amount” (Lk. 19:8).  In response, Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this man. . . . For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (9-10).

Generally, it isn’t too hard for the impious to see how far they’ve veered off from God; but the real challenge comes thereafter because while we don’t need to change ourselves to be saved, a changed life must proceed after encountering Christ.   And there is also hope for people like the Pharisees: Joseph of Arimathea (Mk. 15:43) and Nicodemus (Jn. 3:1), both members of the powerful Jewish ruling council, saw that they were no different from the tax collectors; as a result, they embraced Jesus as the One who came to save the lost.  So, which one of these two do you identify with? It doesn’t matter because the way to Christ is the same: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 60