January 8, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on January 17, 2018.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Expect The Unexpected” 

Genesis 37:23-28

When Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the special tunic that he wore. 24 Then they took him and threw him into the cistern. (Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.) 25 When they sat down to eat their food, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let’s not lay a hand on him, for after all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. 28 So when the Midianite merchants passed by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites then took Joseph to Egypt.

Have you ever received a word from God—an incredible promise of something God is going to do in your life? First comes the disbelief (not a lack of faith, but shock that God would speak to you and make such an awesome promise). Then comes the joyful anticipation of God bringing it to pass. Then comes the waiting, the living in the in-between, the waiting for God to do what was promised. And if you’ve ever made it to the end of a season of waiting and experienced God’s long-anticipated fulfillment of a promise, then you know that the journey never looks as we anticipate. It’s full of twists, turns, and unexpected moments—many of them difficult. Moments when we are sure we misheard God, or that we’ve somehow disqualified ourselves from the promise, or that God has changed His mind (or worse is some sort of menacing deity and the whole thing was a ruse). 

Joseph finds himself in such a moment. Things are not going well for him (understatement of the century!). Instead of rising to the place of supremacy over his family, he is descending into servitude in a foreign land. 

My favorite story of such a journey is found in George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin (forgive me in advance if I’ve already told this story). In it, MacDonald tells of a little girl sent on a journey by her grandmother. All she is told is whenever she is in trouble to follow a thread (too thin to be seen, it can only be felt) attached to the end of a ring given her by her grandmother. The grandmother promises to hold the other end no matter what, but also warns that “it may seem to you a very roundabout way indeed, and you must not doubt the thread. Of one thing you may be sure, that while you hold it, I hold it too.” 

And so it is with the promises of God. While we hold them in all the ups and especially the downs of waiting, hallelujah, God holds them too. 

Prayer: Sovereign God, who am I that You are mindful of me? Thank You for Your good plans for my life. You are the Great Promise Keeper and, because I am in Christ, all Your promises to me are truly yes and amen. Give me faith to trust You today in the areas where I am losing heart. You are trustworthy. You have proven that in the life of Your Son. And it is in His name I ask these things. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 11:2-11: Now when John heard in prison about the deeds Christ had done, he sent his disciples to ask a question: 3 “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. 6 Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me. 7 While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes are in the homes of kings! 9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 “I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. 

Questions to Consider: 

Stop: If you are not familiar with the story of John the Baptist, quickly read about him in Matthew chapter 3 for context to today’s Lunch Break Study. 

  • What does John’s question in vv.2-3 suggest he was feeling? Why might he have been feeling this way? 
  • What does Jesus say about John the Baptist in these verses? How might a man like John the Baptist struggling with doubts as he waits for God to fulfill promises encourage you as we wait?
  • How does Jesus answer John’s doubts? How might we apply this advice to our lives when we struggle with doubts? 

Notes

  • John is feeling doubt. His entire life was lived in commitment to God, and his entire ministry was to prepare God’s people for Jesus’ arrival. Although Jesus was on the scene, things were not going as John expected—and he began to doubt. John had good reason to feel this way—he was in jail (soon to be executed)—and things were not going as anyone expected they would once the Messiah arrived. 
  • Jesus speaks extremely highly of John. He doesn’t condemn John for his doubts; He praises him for being the greatest person to ever live! (see v. 11) If God’s ways could stumble even a faithful follower like John into doubt, we, too, will likely experience doubts along the way. It’s human! But, like John, we can continue to come to Jesus in the midst of our doubts and find hope to hold on. 
  • Jesus reminds John of the things He’s done and is doing. Similarly, when we face doubts, we can turn to God’s track record—the ways we’ve seen God move already in our lives and in the world around us. This will give us hope and courage in the face of doubts. 

Evening Reflection

What are some promises God has given you—in the Scriptures, through the words of others, during times of prayer, through a sense of deep conviction, maybe even in a dream? Take some time to write them down this evening. In what, if any, areas of your life are you losing heart and doubting the promises of God? What are some ways you’ve seen God move (in your life or in the lives of others)? Spend some time reflecting on God’s track record. Allow it to encourage you and renew your trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness! 

January 7, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, first posted on February 6, 2018, is provided by Pastor Doug Tritton. Doug has been pastoring Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia since 2021.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“You Shall Not See My Face”

Genesis 43:3

But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

I am sure many of us have had times where we have gotten into arguments with friends or family. This seems to be a way of life. Put two or more sinners together, and there is sure to be conflict at times! A common expression people will use when in periods of conflict is this: “I do not want to see you right now!” Have you ever said that or something similar before? I know I have!

As we know from the story of Joseph, there was certainly reason for him to be upset with his brothers. Because of them, he ended up as a slave in Egypt! Yet, as Joseph’s brothers came for grain during the famine, you can sense there was an eagerness for Joseph to be reconciled to them; however, before doing that he wanted them to bring Benjamin. In some way, this was how Joseph believed they would demonstrate their repentance for what they had done. But until then, his brothers wouldn’t see his face again.

Unfortunately, in our relationship with God, many times we project a similar sentiment onto God. Sometimes we think to ourselves, “God must be angry with me because I messed up. He probably does not want to see me right now.” Yet, the amazing truth is that, despite our brokenness, God wants us to be with Him! Though we do not see Him face to face yet, we can be in His presence!

Romans 5:2 says, “Through [Jesus] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Because of Jesus we can come to God and be reconciled to Him. He will never say to you, “I do not want to see you right now.” Rather, He says to us, “Nothing can separate you from my love.” May we rejoice in this amazing love of our Father, knowing that He is eager for us to be with Him—no matter what.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that you made a way for me to come to You. May I love to be in Your presence. Help me to not shrink back in fear when I feel I messed up. But may I come to You, continually knowing that You are the source of grace. Thank You for this great love You have always shown me; thank You that nothing can separate me from this love. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 8

Lunch Break Study  

Read Romans 5:1-2: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Questions to Consider

  • Why do we have peace with God?
  • To what have we obtained access? What does this mean?
  • What keeps you from recognizing God’s presence in Your life?

Notes

  • We have peace with God because “we have been justified by faith”! This means that we have been forgiven of our sins – everything that would have made us not be able to be in God’s presence has been removed so that we can be with Him! What’s amazing is that this is not a one-time thing. We are forever forgiven and even though we still feel unworthy to be with God, this forgiveness is does not go away
  • V.2 says that we have obtained access by faith into God’s grace. This peace and this grace that we received means we can be reconciled with God and actually be with Him. May that encourage us each day, that no matter where we are, no matter how we feel, we can be with God in His presence.
  • Perhaps there is a feeling that some sin is keeping you from being with God. Do not let that hold you back from Him! Ask God for forgiveness that you may receive grace upon grace, a grace that is bigger than our sins. Let’s rejoice in the love of God that draws us to continually to Him!

Evening Reflection

As you get ready for sleep, invite the presence of God over your life. Ask Him to be with you as you sleep, that you may not just get physical rest tonight but spiritual rest as you rest in His love.

January 6, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on January 29, 2018. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Sharing (Stories) is Caring”

Genesis 41:9-10 

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 

 When I was in college, my servant’s team decided we would start sharing our testimonies during small group. I recounted an experience of healing that God had miraculously worked in my life. Later, to my surprise, four people approached me independently, all sharing how they were going through similar hardships and, through my story, had been encouraged to believe that God could heal and restore them. Afterwards, I began to see that all experiences God puts into my life (both miracles and hardships) are not just for my own benefit, but for others as well.

Here in this passage, we see that the cupbearer has finally broken his silence after two years and now shares about his experience of God through Joseph’s interpretation of dreams. No one knew that dreams could be divinely interpreted, but because the cupbearer testified, Pharaoh and all the listeners learned what God is able to do. From one man’s testimony, God’s might was displayed! 

As people of God, we can practice testifying of the work God can do. Not only will we be reminded of His faithfulness in our lives, but we can help others understand more of the ways He moves around us. Some people might read the Bible and think that God’s works were for another people of another time; however, when they hear us witness about His hand in our lives, they will be reminded that He is present and active in our world. 

Today, let’s be on the lookout for an opportunity to testify of what God has done (or is doing) in our lives. It does not have to be a grand story; sometimes, the smallest movements of God will be a great encouragement for others to know Him better. Let us cultivate a habit of praising Him for every big and small work so that our communities will ascribe to Him all the honor due His name!

Prayer: Father, help us to be a thankful people who testify about Your work in our lives. May we attribute every single thing to Your hand – not our own work, cleverness, or luck. Let our witnessing be an encouragement to one another to see You clearly and praise You together. Use our stories to showcase Your work so that others may come to glorify You. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 7

Lunch Break Study

Read John 4:1-7, 28-30, 39-42 (In spirit of sharing testimony, we’ll make some observations about encountering Jesus. We will focus on selected verses from the entire passage in Chapter 4)

Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.[a]7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” …

28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him. …

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Questions to Consider

  • Describe the nature of the circumstances when the woman encountered Jesus. 
  • Describe how the Samaritan woman told others about Jesus. 
  • Describe how the other Samaritans came to know Jesus. What hand does she have in their relationship with Jesus?

Notes

  • The Samaritan woman wasn’t looking to meet Jesus or encounter Him that day. But God came to meet her exactly where she knew she would be (in that location, in her shamefulness during the heat of the day when she avoided society). While she knew not what she was going to ask for, He was ready to give her more than she knew.
  • We can note some observations on witnessing based on how she described her encounter with Jesus: she merely told others about her experience with Him. She did not rely on any reputation or clout to draw others to Him; she did not have to embellish her stories. By being faithful to proclaim what God had done, she drew others to Him. We may find that we, too, are surprised by the outcome when we share with others.
  • At first, the Samaritans had only heard about Him from the woman. But they acted on their curiosity and came to know Him. By encountering the living Christ for themselves, they heard Him and eventually followed Him. For us, let us be faithful to proclaim what good news we know and remember that, for others to believe, God Himself will draw them in and meet with them personally. 

Evening Reflection

During the course of the day, did God bring up anything to mind to share with others about God or someone to share it with? Ask Him to give you the faith that the prompting comes from Him as well as the courage to act on it. 

January 5, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on October 22, 2017, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is the Lead Pastor of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“To the Victor Goes the…”

Genesis 14:21-24

And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

In Genesis 14, Abram proved himself to be a hero. He learned that his nephew Lot had been kidnapped by the armies of an alliance of kings, so he gathered a relatively small force of men, pursued his enemies and defeated them, thus rescuing his nephew and saving the day.  Abram was a hero.  But it didn’t even end there.  Not only did he achieve this great military victory, Abram also proved himself to be pious by tithing and giving a tenth of all of the plunder and spoils his small army had amassed.  Abram had had a good day; he had accomplished so much.

When the king of Sodom says to Abram that he can “take the goods for yourself,” he’s basically saying “to the victor go the spoils,” that since Abram won, he gets to reap all of the benefits.  Abram, though, does something that I’m sure would have been surprising to the king of Sodom and anyone else who was there; he refuses to take any of it.  

If you think about it, there would have been nothing really wrong about taking all of the goods—Abram had earned it and he had every right to it because of his accomplishments.  But Abram willingly surrendered his right to the spoils of war, because he knew this victory was not about him but about the glory of God.   

In our society, it feels like everything is about our rights, what we deserve, what we have earned.  We feel like we have the right to do whatever we want because we have worked hard.  We feel entitled to having nice things because of our achievements.  And we even think we deserve a break because of the good Christian things we have already done.  In the example of Abram, though, we see someone who doesn’t seek the accolades or the benefits of his achievements, because he did not want anyone to think that his wealth or success was about anyone other than the God Most High.  If he had taken the plunder, he or others could have thought that his success in life was about Abram’s abilities or another king’s generosity—and for him, that would compromise the glory due to God.

In a culture that is always craving recognition or glory, we must vigilantly seek to give no one else glory besides God Himself.  We can be tempted or deluded to think that we are where we are because of what we have done, but like Abram, let us decide to surrender our rights to recognition and glory in order to give God glory, for He is the one who has made us rich and blessed us with His presence and glory. 

Prayer: Jesus, to You be all glory and honor and praise.  I pray that my life will be a reflection not of my own successes or victories, but of Your ultimate victory on the cross.  On your Lord’s day, may You be glorified in my life.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Genesis 6

January 4, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on January 13, 2018, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. Tina is a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Your Chinese Is Not That Good But …”

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

While serving in China, I was given the daunting—yet privileged—task of preaching on Sundays on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Before going to China, I remember God telling me that His call for me to serve overseas is an invitation to serve Him in my weakness; and if I was willing to dive into this discomfort, then I could go ahead and commit to going.  Though I didn’t know specifically what I would dive myself into, His voice gave me the strength to trust that He would be with me in my discomfort. 

When I started to preach, I felt like all my weaknesses were on display, because my Mandarin level at that time was equivalent to an elementary school kid: I would repeat the same four phrases during prayer and ministry time because I was very limited in my vocabulary. But through this season of my life, I learned to battle against obsessing what others may think of me and to pray that I would simply speak what God wants to say. 

On one Sunday afternoon, two members from the welcoming team shared that the message I spoke that morning was very helpful to the non-Christian newcomers who attended our church that day, and that it opened them up to conversations about faith. Among the two members who encouraged me was a brother who added, “It is because your Chinese is not that good, but your simplified language and phrasing seemed just right for hearers who are new to faith and the Bible.” For public speakers, it is never sweet to hear that our speech has deficiencies, but under God’s grace, I received the brother’s words as encouragement from God; and the three of us just enjoyed recapping how that Sunday’s ministry went. I knew I was exactly where God wanted me to be—in my weakness, and I was immensely blessed that He used me for His works. In light of Paul’s testimony in this morning’s passage, let us reflect what areas of “being used in our weakness” God is inviting us into, and ask the Lord to work mightily through our obedience.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for choosing a weak and ordinary vessel like me for Your kingdom work. I pray that You would continue to shine Your light and touch other people’s lives through me. Help me to remain in You and continue to cultivate a servant’s heart. In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 4-5

January 3, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 25, 2017, is provided by Lily Jang who served at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia for many years.    

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God builds up Our Faith”

Mark 11:12-14, 20-22

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if He could find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And His disciples heard it. . ..As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.”

How does our faith grow? Among other things (Rom. 10:17), it grows when we experience God’s power, particularly as it relates to our own lives. In today’s passage, we see that Jesus uses the fig tree as an object lesson to show His disciples that ‘with God all things are possible’ (Mt. 19:26). That’s the lesson I learned in searching for jobs in Boston and Philadelphia.

Three years ago, I was looking for a teaching job in the Boston Public School district. But with the school year about to start in a week and still without a job, I found myself questioning God’s love for me and was resigned to working odd jobs. That’s when a local high school principal called me about a recently opened position. I was interviewed, offered the job, and began teaching all within a matter of few days. Through this experience, I felt that God was doing something in my heart, although I didn’t want to go through that “11th hour miracle” again.

It was after this and another similar experience following a job loss that I moved down to Philadelphia last year, again without a job. And once more, the week before school started, I found one: Monday someone told me about a job; Tuesday I was interviewed; Wednesday the job was offered; and by Monday again I was teaching.

So, what was the lesson learned through all this? As I wrote then, “Each encounter with God with regards to job provision in previous years was the Lord building my faith in Him, each time trusting that He would deliver. Growing in faith through job loss and search was uncomfortable and far from perfect, but with each cycle my understanding of God only strengthened. Faith takes time: like a parent who faithfully provides their child food, giving the child trust in their provision, so too will we have greater faith as God’s testimony is built through our experience in His love. The question is whether we are open, ready, and willing to step out.”

How about you? Realize that God wants you to embody a faith that can move mountains (Mk 11:23), and for that He may wither a tree or allow you to lose a job; but sometimes, perhaps at the 11th hour, He will provide for you. Trust Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith through which I can experience Your great love toward me.  When tough times come, help me to see that You have given me an opportunity to embody a greater faith, through which I can experience Your timely provision.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 3

Lunch Break Study 

Read 1 Sam. 17:36-7: “Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Questions to Consider

1. What is this story trying to tell us? 

2. David said this before he was about to battle Goliath, a man two times bigger than him.  Did God prepare him for this day?  If so, how?

3. What are you facing now that requires you to have faith in God?  Would you take a moment to give that concern to God, so that you may do what you need to do but with the assurance that He is in control?  

Notes

1. The story of David is familiar to many and his story is one that has been told over and over again, as an example of courage and an unwavering faith in God.

2. This faith and confidence, however, had been built up by God way before he stepped out to meet Goliath. David’s faith grew in the Lord even as he faithfully shepherded in the pastures, all in preparation for an epic battle that would bring God glory! 

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

This morning, I shared my experience with God through which I learned to put my trust in the Lord; as a result, my faith was strengthened and grown.  So, how does this faith journey start?  That’s an easy question to answer, for Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  So, are you consistently reading and hearing God’s word?  Without that, having faith in God is as unlikely as rain falling from a blue sky.  Why not then read another chapter of Scripture before calling it a day?  May I suggest Hebrews 11, along with today’s Bible reading? 

January 2, Thursday 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on January 3, 2018, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato. Jason, along with his wife Jessica and their three young children, is serving in Japan as an AMI missionary.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning 

“From Negotiator to Worshiper”

Genesis 33:18–20 (ESV) 

And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. [19] And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. [20] There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel. 

When I proposed to my wife, I spoke about my love and commitment to her.  I did not take this time to hash out the details of our marriage, such as negotiating household chores.  Obviously this is appropriate, because marriage is not a business transaction. 

The first time Jacob hears from God, he is fleeing his brother Esau.  God declares,  “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring…and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed… (Genesis 28:13-14). Jacob’s response is to say: “…If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, [21] so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God…” (Genesis 28:20-21) 

God is giving Jacob His covenant promise to bless him, yet Jacob is in negotiation mode. He sees his relationship with God as a means to an end.  If the Lord will fulfill Jacob’s demands, then Jacob will follow the Lord in return. Even after fleeing his uncle Laban, Jacob still refers to God as “the Fear of his father Isaac” (Genesis 31:53).  But after wrestling with the Lord all night and seeing the face of God in his reconciliation with his brother, Jacob knows God in a different way.  He builds an altar and calls it “El-Elohe-Israel” (the God of Israel). 

Jacob’s life has been transformed in two ways.  First, Jacob becomes who God says he is. 

No longer is he Jacob (meaning “he cheats” in Hebrew); he is now Israel (meaning “he strives with God”).  Second, God is not merely the God of Abraham and Isaac; He is now the God of Jacob as well. As Jacob had asked, the Lord was with him, gave him bread to eat and clothing to wear, and brought him back to his father’s house in peace.  But the Lord has done far more than fulfill the bargain that Jacob proposed.  God has made Jacob a new man and shown him faithfulness and a love which amazed him.  Jacob’s desire is no longer to bargain with God, but to worship Him. 

Prayer:​ Father, You are greater and more wonderful than anything I can imagine or ask of You.  Thank You that You are not my business partner, but my generous Father.  You are not just the God of others but my God, and I am forever grateful. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 2

Lunch Break Study 

Read Philippians 3:8–11 (ESV): ​ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the​ surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—[10] that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Question to Consider 

  1. How much does Paul value Christ? 
  2. According to verse 9, what is needed to know Jesus? 
  3. According to verse 10, what does knowing Jesus involve? 

Notes 

  • He is willing to suffer the loss of all things in order to gain Christ. 
  • To know Jesus, we need a righteousness that is not our own, the very righteousness of God that comes by faith. 
  • To know Jesus is to know Him in the power of his resurrection and sharing in his sufferings and death. 

Evening Reflection 

Reflect upon your day.  How were you tempted to use God as a means to an end?  How did God invite you to know Him?  Spend some time enjoying the presence of God. 

January 1, Wednesday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 1, 2014.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Some Reflections for the New Year”

1 John 1:5 

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”

Of all the numerous New Year’s Eve services that I have attended, I do remember the very first one in 1981, about seven months after I became a believer. Actually, the only thing I remember is Isaiah 60:1-2 that someone read during the time of testimony: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” The interpretation of this passage, in the hands of some theologians, can get polemical (i.e., “Millennium Kingdom”), but for ordinary folks like us, it gives what we desperately need: HOPE! 

So, what can typically happen to an ordinary person in the course of any given year? Well in 1987, I got married! Had I read this passage that year, it perhaps wouldn’t have meant as much (too happy). But by the end of 1990 or 1999, it meant a lot: in 1990, because I was so exhausted from driving a shuttle van to make a living while pastoring a church that was going nowhere; in 1999, because that church, which eventually went somewhere, didn’t go far enough. Later, having left that congregation and feeling like a failure, I was wondering about my future as a minister as well as a father to three young children. 

Many things happened thereafter, but in due time I came to really see with my heart what I always knew in my head: that which all the light in the Old Testament had foreshadowed (Heb. 10:1) has indeed come and is always with me. Said Jesus, “I am the light of the world” (Jn. 9:5b) and “with you always” (Matt. 28:20b). I experienced that Christ, like a lighthouse to a lost ship at sea, drives out the darkness of hopelessness and despair from our lives. It is both instantaneous (Jn. 8:32) and a process (Phil. 1:6); either way, we need to stay close to him. And having a meaningful and consistent time with the Lord is part of that process. As we begin the New Year, consider taking a moment each day, however busy you might be, to converse with the LORD through His Scripture and unhurried prayer.

 Prayer: Lord, as I start the New Year today, constantly remind me to stay close to your heart.  Help me to stay so close to you that I can hear your heart beat.   Dear Father, whenever a momentary darkness dampens my hope, especially because things do not go as I planned, remind me to center my life and plans from the standpoint of eternity.  May this year be a year in which my life truly glorifies you.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 1

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Jn. 1:5-9: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Questions to Consider

1. Positionally, the believers are always in the light but our actual life can get pretty dark sometimes.  What causes temporary spiritual darkness in our lives that sometimes lasts too long?

2. Why do we, from time to time, act like we are walking in the light when, in fact, we are in darkness, much like the Pharisees who claimed to see but were blind spiritually (Jn. 9:39-41)?

3. What is one sure and fast way to rid ourselves of temporary darkness so that we tangibly experience “righteousness (e.g., a clear conscience), peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17b)?   

Notes

1. In short, it is sin (in actions and attitude), which, when left unrepented for awhile, hardens the heart.  Once that happens, other more sinful things that we couldn’t fathom committing before become quite easy to do.      

2. Among several reasons, one is this: Looking good before the people.  Of the Pharisees who did many outwardly good things, Jesus said, “Everything they do is done for men to see” (Matt. 23:5a).  That leads to hypocrisy, which is leading a double life.   In other words, we care more about what men think than what God thinks.

3. An honest evaluation of ourselves followed by an authentic confession of our sins that ought to lead to a genuine repentance; that is, a concrete plan not to commit the same sin (Lk. 19:8).

Evening Reflection

As the first day of 2025 is about to be history, evaluate how the day went: Did someone say or do something that made you feel sad or mad? Stay close to Christ and hear his heartbeat; what is He saying to you?

December 31, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 28, 2018, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Confession of a Pastor”

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

This is not a devotional; this is a confession. 

I can genuinely say in all the ways that matter, I want my son to exceed me.  I want him to be more successful and smarter than me; I wish him to be a better athlete and educated than I am; I desire that he becomes a better friend, father, husband, and most important, a better follower of our Lord.  So when I think about my desires for my son, I know in my heart that I genuinely love him, not just a little, but tremendously. 

I can also genuinely say this: There is no one on earth who can infuriate me like my son can.  I can’t tell you how many times when we’re playing baseball in the backyard, he’ll give me a little bit of his attitude, and I’m so tempted to just chuck the ball at his stomach (hyperbolically speaking).  Or if I want to teach him something that will benefit him later on, and he blows me off as if Legos are more important than a life lesson.  Or after asking me how to do something that I’m more than capable of doing, he has the audacity to reject my wisdom in favor of doing it his way, only to then mess it up.  Those are times when I want to (or do) flip my lid!

I didn’t realize I had a bad temper until I had children; my son also has a temper.  In truth, we “exasperate” each other.  I love my son, and I’m very confident he loves me.  I think we have a good relationship, and so those incidents that I just described, while happening almost daily, haven’t had long term damaging effects on our relationship (or at least haven’t shown up yet). 

They say that in the brain, the amygdala controls emotions like love and anger, so love and anger are physically really close together.  Through having children (all four of them), I’ve realized it’s true.  However, spiritually speaking, I would say that love and anger are very far apart?  (See 1 Cor. 13:6).  It makes total sense to me that Paul would instruct father’s not to exasperate their children, but rather to raise them up in the Lord.  God help all parents.  Lord, give me patience—the sooner the better!  Lord, thanks for teaching me patience; thanks for being patient with me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to love my children (or future children, or any person really) as You love us.  If I struggle with anger, help me to replace it with love.  Help me to know that You gave me my children as well as my parents for a reason—to be more like You.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 29:22-27: An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. 23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. 24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify. 25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. 26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice. 27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.

Questions to Consider

  1. What are some of the character issues raised in this passage?
  2. What do you think the Proverbs writer means when he says the fear of man will be a snare?
  3. What do the righteous detest, and what do the wicked detest?

Notes

  1. Anger (vs. 22) which stirs up conflict and causes sin.  Pride is also mentioned in vs. 23, but ultimately pride brings us low, not lifts us up. 
  2. Fear of people is like a trap or snare that either slows us down terribly or stops us altogether from doing what God has in store for us. 
  3. While it stands to reason that the righteous hate dishonesty, it’s ironic, but also true that the wicked hate the upright.  People don’t like others that reveal our shortcomings. 

Evening Reflection

The latter half of many New Testament epistles are practice-driven; in other words, it addresses how faith ought to impact our everyday life.  Today’s passage asks how Christ impacts your relationship with your children and parents?  This evening, take some time to reflect on other relationships (work, school, church, etc.) that need the grace of God in your life. 

December 30, Monday

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 31, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joe Suh. Joe became the Lead Pastor of Canvas City Church in Philadelphia in 2024 following the passing of its founding pastor Eddie Kim. 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“God’s Gift of Second Chance in Life”

As we close this year, it is a great time to reflect and take stock of what God is doing all around us.  As I look back on my life, I am reminded of a miracle and second chance I was given by God.  In 2009, just 3 weeks after our first child was born, I suddenly collapsed at my office.  The last thing I remembered was telling my secretary (I was a litigation attorney) that I was going to the restroom and then headed to my deposition for the day. I never made it.

To make a long story short I had suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm and was in an induced coma for 24 days.  The next thing I remembered was a nurse, who stood at the edge of my bed, asking me what had to be the scariest question for my wife Betty.  Pointing at her, the nurse asked, “Do you know who this is?” I said “yes,” and relief came over Betty.  The next question was, “Do you know where you are?” to which I responded, “Seems like a hospital.”  Correct! That was another good sign.  “Do you know how long you have been here?” was the final question and my answer of 3 days was about four weeks too short.  The nurse informed me that it had been a month.  That’s when I felt like I was smacked in the face and snapped out of the haze.  

This long hard month may have taken a toll on me physically, but for my wife, it was another story.  She was 3 weeks postpartum with our daughter and had a husband in the hospital with a dire prognosis.  At the time my doctors were not so sure I was going to make it, since I did not respond well each time they tried to wake me from the induced coma.  They first tried on the 7th days, then at the 14-day mark, and on the 21st day my surgeon informed my wife that he had not kept someone in a coma longer than 21 days.  My wife insisted that they do whatever they could to wake me. You see a couple of days into my ordeal, Betty’s friends came over to pray with her.  At that time Betty heard from God.  In a still small voice He let her know that He was not done with me yet.  So, in faith, she knew I would wake up; she was just not sure of what my condition would be.  Amazingly, by the grace of God I was miraculously healed with no known deficits.  

Fast forward to where I am now, I clearly see that God was truly not done with me.  Since that time, we added a second child to our family and, in February 2017, I transitioned from my career as an attorney to fulltime staff at the Church of Southland.  In reflection, this God-given opportunity to serve came at the right time and most definitely the right place.  With a lot of prayer, fasting, and faith, my wife and I obeyed the call God placed on my heart.  I am thankful every day for the miraculous healing, the second chance, and many opportunities to serve.  His fingerprints are all over our lives; we just have to open our eyes to see them.  Look and see what our God is doing.  In 2025, let’s join Him and His ongoing work more readily and joyfully.  

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the life I have received from you.  Forgive me not being grateful at times. Give me wisdom to seek You first during my journey on earth and not try to do things by my own strength.  I praise You and worship You for being a loving Father.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 21

Lunch Break Study

(By Joshua Chzen at Kairos Christian Church)

Read Colossians 3:5-8, 12-14 (NIV): Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips . . .12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Questions to Consider

  • What does Paul tell the Colossian church to put to death or get rid of? Why?
  • What does Paul tell the Colossian church to clothe themselves with or put on? Why?
  • How does love relate to the other virtues in this passage?

Notes

  • Paul tells the church to put off sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed/idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. These are part of the earthly nature and the old self that leads to incurring the wrath of God.
  • Paul tells the church to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He also instructs them to forgive one another. These are the virtues God’s chosen people, who are holy and dearly loved, are to demonstrate.
  • Love binds the rest of the virtues together in perfect unity. We can deduce from this that love plays a role in each of these qualities that we are to demonstrate as God’s beloved.

Evening Reflection

Oftentimes we are unaware of what’s going on in our own hearts. Who are the people you love the most? Does your love for them reflect the heart of Christ, and demonstrate the virtues of someone who is holy and dearly loved by God? Is your heart for them shaped more by your earthly nature or fleshly desire? Ask God to guide you through these questions of reflection, and to give you an openness to being changed by Him in 2025.