REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on November 6, 2016.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Looking Back on 2024: The Election (as Someone Looked Forward to the 2016 Election)

—Just as Relevant Today as Back Then”

Hebrews 6:13-20

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

This Tuesday, we will head to the polls and elect a new president to the White House. With any presidential election, there is great hope for the nation to grow and prosper. But there’s also a great deal of skepticism because of the way politicians have failed to come through on the promises made on the campaign trail. We can sometimes become jaded and begin to think they will say just about anything to get our votes. 

It’s not just our politicians, but it’s also the media, the advertising companies, and even our own friends and family who break promises. It’s so pervasive that we are tempted to think this is just the reality of life. And this mindset begins to affect our relationship with God and the way we think about the promises He has made. But there is a distinction between the promises of man and the promises of God: While man’s promises have many varied reasons for not coming to pass, God’s promises are as certain as the morning sun, as He has decreed it to be fulfilled tomorrow. He will carry His Word to fulfillment by the strength of His character and power of His love. 

The author of Hebrews ends chapter 6 by calling us to hold fast to the promises of God because they are true. He reminds us of God’s promise to Abraham, that he would become the father of many nations.  Though at times this appeared to be impossible, Abraham held on to God’s promise, and soon he was rewarded with a sound of an infant crying in his own home. This child would be part of the way God kept His promise to make Abraham a father of many nations. 

Just as Abraham held fast to the promises of God, we too must hold fast. As we do, we will discover that the promises of God begin to change us and give us new motivation for living. We will no longer have such strong ties to the things of this world, for God’s promises are better than anything the world has to offer. We become strangers and aliens, as Peter says (1 Peter 2:11), and our lives will be filled all the more with contentment.  Meanwhile, we become attractive to the watching world. Let us hold fast to the promises of God, which culminates in His Son Jesus Christ. Let us trust in the work of the Lord on the cross to save us and sustain us, until our faith become sight! 

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 20

Prayer: Lord, regardless of who wins the election, help me to live out my faith boldly today. May I never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation.  And may You guide the next president to lead our country, according to your righteousness and compassion. Amen.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 9, 2017, is provided by Andy Kim who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.  Andy is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend 

Genesis 26:18-25

And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. 19 But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. 23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.

Moving is stressful because it means finding a place to live in a crazy housing market, adjusting to different cultures, and embracing a new community. In the midst of this chaos, what we deem as non-negotiable keeps us sane: For some it’s an in-unit washer/dryer; the school district; bathroom water pressure; the type of people; nearby friends; etc. The general rule of thumb is that if you can secure what is non-negotiable to you, then you should sign the papers—or else you might lose it. And in the Mosaic period, the most important non-negotiable was a source of water.

Our passage today shows Isaac’s journey of searching for a well in hopes of settling down. Unfortunately, every time he finds one, the Philistines feel threatened and force him to leave. But as Isaac continues to wander, he finally finds a well unchallenged in Rehoboth; but rather than settling there, Isaac continues onto Beersheba— Beersheba was the first place Abraham and Isaac set out for after Isaac’s life is spared on Mt. Moriah. It most likely reminded Isaac of the traumatic memories of when his father almost sacrificed him, but the Lord provided. And yet, Isaac decides to settle down here. Why?

Notice how the sequence is reversed: (1) Isaac hears from the Lord and is reminded of the promise given to him; (2) he responds by building a place of worship; (3) he settles his tent there;   (4) finally, he digs the well. In other words, Isaac’s reason for settling there was that he encountered the Lord—not merely because of a water source. He prioritized his spiritual needs before his physical needs, because he knew the Lord would provide. May this be a good reminder for our lives. Whether it is moving to a new place, starting a new career, or even transitioning into a new season, may our non-negotiable be first and foremost His presence and His word. Let us take hope in that as we seek after Him, He is a good Father who will provide. 

Prayer: Father, we confess that oftentimes we are driven by our material needs rather than our spiritual ones. Help us to set our priorities according to Your Word, for You are a good Father who will always provide. May we not worry about our lives, but help us to always seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness (Matt. 6:25-34).  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 18-19

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 16, 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

“Changing”

Ephesians 5:1-8

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.  8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 

For the last year or so, my wife has been a changed person.  She went from a relatively normal person into a fitness nut (maybe semi-nut is more accurate).  Whereas before she didn’t regularly workout, now she spends several hours a week in studio doing classes like cycling, bar, and body pump.  Sometimes she takes three classes back-to-back-to-back in a single day.  It’s kind of humbling because I used to always be the most fit person in my house; now I have to hang my head in shame and admit that my wife is in better shape than me (unless, of course, you consider “round” a shape).  Here’s the thing that I know because I’ve been around people who exercise a lot—I can tell that my wife is genuinely changed.  She’s not going to be one of those people who hits the gym hard in January only to lose the love in February.  I can see that exercising is in her blood, and it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for her to go back to an inactive lifestyle.  

In our passage, we get a picture of an even more dramatic change than even any fitness plan can put us on.  It’s what you see when darkness becomes light (vs. 8).  We see that the early Christians once walked in varying degrees of immorality but were now called to walk in love because we are God’s holy people.  So this morning, let our passage remind you of who you really are in Christ and the implications of your changed identity.  

Of course, like anyone who is committed to physical fitness, there are going to missed workouts and occasional snacking, you aren’t going to be perfect and you’re gonna mess up, but generally are you living like a genuinely changed son or daughter of the Holy God?  Do you represent him well?  Are you becoming more like Jesus?  Are you changed?  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that because the Holy Spirit lives in me, I am genuinely being changed.  I am no longer darkness, but I live in Your light!  Help me to live this day as a child of light.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 17

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Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 26:17-22: Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. 18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death 19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. 21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

Questions to Consider

1. What does the Proverbs say about quarreling words?
2. What are the dangers of gossip?
3. Do any of these speech problems plague you?

Notes

1. Quarrelsome words can get you or others hurt or bit (vs. 17), and they are the fuel for long-term feuds (vs. 21). 
2. We often forget how harmful gossip is as it also prolongs and fuels quarrels (vs. 20).  But we also see that gossip, if we are honest, is kind of tasty (in a bad way – vs. 22).  
3. Application question for children of light.

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Evening Reflection

Today’s theme was being a child of light and living like we are truly transformed.  In the afternoon, we talked about speech patterns that we may still struggle with.  Are there other areas in your life that you feel like the Lord wants to refine in you?  

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 12, 2018, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Child-like Faith”

Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. 

I LOVE to do this to my 2-year-old nephew: I would play music via a Bluetooth speaker, but whenever he touches the speaker, I pulse the music from my phone; when he moves his hands away, music will continue. I explained to him that this speaker can sense his touch and only he can stop the music (of course!). Without doubting for a second, he believed me. He would put his hand on and off the speaker over and over again, just to test his “power” and then laugh so happily every time the music stops.  (Poor kid! Aunt is so sorry!) 

In today’s message, Jesus tells the disciples to receive the kingdom of God like a little child. So what is so special about receiving like a child? From my little nephew’s example, can you imagine how these children would react after Jesus told them about the kingdom of God? They probably jumped up and down and shouted with joy, just as if they were told that they could eat ice cream all day long. And what would happen after Jesus placed His hands and blessed them? They probably would all cling onto Him, pleading for more—just as how they would beg their parents for more bed-time stories. 

As we grow up, all of us have to get on a roller coaster called “life”—the drudgery of work, the loss of good health, unbearable hurts and betrayals which has led to great fear and uncertainties; all these things which can hinder us from believing without questioning that our Heavenly Father desires to greatly bless us. Jesus’ version of the kingdom of God—where there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain—can sound too good to be true, when we look at our version of the “kingdom of reality.” 

However, God is not like the naughty aunt playing tricks to a two-year-old kid. He asks His children to trust in a hope that does not put us to shame. He desires to see us trusting Him like a child, so He can reveal to us how He protects His children: “He who did not spare His own son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). The question is, are we willing to receive this good news as simply as a child? 

Prayer: Dear Lord, please grant us a child-like heart today. We want to be more excited about Your Kingdom like a little child, and trust that You desire to bless us more than we can imagine. We place all the uncertainties and fear before Your feet and we say goodbye to all the “what-ifs” that hinder us from trusting You completely. Bless us today as we eagerly plead like a child; place Your hands on us so that all can see Your good deeds and praise Your Name on high. In Your Name we pray. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 16

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Lunch Break Study  

ReadRomans 8:14-16: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Questions to Consider

1. What changes take place after we receive the Spirit of God? 

2. What does it mean for us to be called “children of God”? 

3. Is it difficult for you to cry out “Abba, Father!” when facing difficult moments in your life? If so, what do you think hinders you?

Notes

1. The Spirit of God reminds us of who we are—that we are no longer slaves to fear but children of God. 

2. The book of Romans reminds us that if we are God’s children, we are granted the “quick-pass” to the Almighty God and His Kingdom. Even better: we are heirs of God! We get to share the eternal glory together with our Abba Father.   

3. Personal response. 

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Evening Reflection

Did you encounter a moment where you just chose to simply trust God like a little child today? Did you feel the joy coming out of trusting Him?  Review your day here.  

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on December 25, 2016. Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Devotional Thought for the Day of Christmas 

“Immanuel”

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”

Recently, I noticed while reading through my Facebook feed that many were calling 2016 one of the worst years in recent memory. And once you begin reflecting back, it’s not surprising that many have come to this conclusion: police brutality, racial divide, Aleppo, numerous shootings/bombings around the world, and the election (to half of the nation). Yes, it’s been a terrible year for many. In light of this, many of the comments expressed confusion. Others offered their own well-intentioned solutions in the form of new political policies and strategies. But most were resigned to a loss of hope. What can be done when the issues seem so much bigger than us? 

It was a similar situation around the time of the birth of Christ. The people of Israel had been in exile for many years and even as they returned to the promised land, they were met by Grecian, Ptolemaic, Seleucid and Roman oppressions. They had become foreigners in their own land. As a result, many Jews attempted to resolve the situation by means of violent revolution or by colluding with the Roman authorities for more power. But none of it brought the liberation they had been longing for, which led to a profound sense of hopelessness. But little did they know, that true freedom had come in the form of a baby, who was called Immanuel, “God with us.” This baby would go on to bring about a type of liberation that they could have never imagined; one that gave them freedom from their greatest oppressor: the power of sin. 

As we go about our Christmas, let us rejoice in the hope found only in Jesus, who is Immanuel. He is the embodied presence of God. He is the true hope of the world. In the midst of darkness and pain, both globally and personally, He is the only answer. This Christmas morning, let us be reminded that our ultimate hope does not lay in politics or human ingenuity but in a baby named Jesus. 

Bible Reading for Today: Matthew 2

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Lunch Break Study

(By Kate Moon—first posted on 12.25.14)

Read Psalm 144:9-15: “I will sing a new song to you, my God;on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,10 to the One who gives victory to kings,who delivers his servant David.

From the deadly sword 11 deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. 12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. 13 Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; 14 our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls,

no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. 15 Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is David’s situation in Psalm 143?  What about in Psalm 144?

2. What story do these two psalms tell when they are read side by side?

3. What are his main concerns in Psalm 143 versus in Psalm 144?  

4. As we see God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his promise and call on David’s life, what hope can we have for our own?

Notes

1. Where Psalm 143 is the desperate cry of a man on the run, Psalm 144 is the battle cry of the leader of a nation.  

2. Taken from two very different periods of David’s life and here juxtaposed, these two psalms tell the story of how after all the hard times, King David finally comes into his own.  He has gone from being a fugitive to being a king, and this is evidence of God’s personal goodness and faithfulness to David in his life.

 3. In Psalm 144, David is no longer asking for God’s deliverance as one being hunted down; instead, he is now calling on the Lord for victory over foreign nations (v. 11) and blessings for an entire people (vv. 12-15) from the position of being their king (v. 10).  Though there are different seasons we go through in life, once we get through difficult stages, our prayers can be less focused on personal struggles and turn more towards establishing God’s kingdom and bringing its benefits to others. 

4. God is mindful of us.  Though our lives are like a mere breath or shadow compared to His eternal existence, His desire is for us to live it in a significant way.  In addition to being thankful for what He has done in the past, let’s continue to hope in God for his future goodness towards us, His faithfulness to fulfill his promise in us.

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Evening Reflection

As I celebrated Christmas today, was it a busy day?  Was there a moment that I had with the Lord where I felt true joy and celebration in my heart over who he is, what he has done and what he will do?  If not, it’s not too late – take a moment in quiet celebration with him even now. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 24, 2017, 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 the Eve of Christmas

“They Came”

Luke 2:8-12

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Good morning!  Since it is Christmas Eve, I thought I’d break from our Genesis study to give us a little Christmas devotional.  But a little warning—this might seem like a series of random thoughts, but it’ll come together in the end. 

I think we are all familiar with the term FOMO (fear of missing out).  I have the opposite problem: At my old church, people would often make a joke that I had JOMO (joy of missing out), because I never wanted to go anywhere or do anything.  I never feared missing out on something potentially amazing, because I’m not easily awed, and I’d probably be more content having a relaxing evening at home—I know, it’s like I’m 70 already!   

As I was writing this morning’s devotional, I asked my wife why, of all the people in Bethlehem, God would choose to tell these shepherds about the birth of his Son.  My wife jokingly commented that this is what God told the shepherds: “Hey, you guys with the sheep, you don’t seem so busy, so why don’t you go visit that manger over there—there is something cool inside.”  But it got me thinking…perhaps my wife was on to something.  Perhaps, the reason God invited these shepherds is that He knew they would actually come and celebrate the birth of His Son.  As I thought about it more, I wondered if I would have come.  I’d like to believe that if angels came and lit up the sky, I’d be prone to listen to them.  But at the same time, my JOMO might start to kick in, or I’d be like, I’m already in my pajamas, I’m settled for the night.  Perhaps I would have missed out.  

Before I had kids, I wondered why in the world parents would want visitors right after their new baby was born.  I mean, come on, mom just gave birth: she’s tired, hasn’t really cleaned herself up, they are just learning to take care of this new life, etc. So why would you want guests?  But after having kids, I realized how proud parents are to show off their new baby—to any and everyone who would want to come.  Now, visiting newborns is one of my favorite aspects of being a pastor; I love blessing the baby and the new parents.  And most of the times, the parents are so thankful to have me come by—you can see the excitement as they show off their new child. Perhaps the reason God invited the shepherds that evening is because He wanted to share His Son and His joy with them, knowing that they would not turn down His invitation.  As we head into Christmas (and really all of Christian life), do you see how God invites you to share His Son and His joy with you?  Let’s thankfully accept this invitation and not miss out on what God has for us!  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world to save us.  Thank You that You also want to share Your joy with us.  Help me to see and respond to Your invitation, so that I can share in Your joy and Your presence.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Luke 2

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Lunch Break Study

(By Kate Moon—first posted on 12.24.14)

Read Luke 2:15-18: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Questions to Consider

1. After hearing the angel’s message, what did the shepherds want to do (v. 15)? 

2. What happened when they got to Bethlehem (v. 16)? 

3. What did they do afterwards (v. 17)? Why do you think they did this?  From where do get our motivation to share the good news?

Notes

1. They wanted to see for themselves what had happened.

2. When they saw Mary, Joseph and the baby, they experienced for themselves the truth of the message from God, and they could believe their Messiah had truly come into the world.

3. They spread the word.  They did this because of what they had heard but also experienced; they believed that this was truly good news.  We are most motivated to share when we have experienced the truth of God’s message for ourselves and really come to believe it is good news. 

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Evening Reflection

Did I have a tangible, personal experience of God and the truth of his word today?  Who will I tell

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on November 12, 2018.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“The God Who Hears”

Exodus 2:23-25 (NET)

During that long period of time the king of Egypt died, and the Israelites groaned because of the slave labor. They cried out, and their desperate cry because of their slave labor went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, God remembered God’s covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, 25 God saw the Israelites, and God understood….

There’s an old story around the origins of the hymn “Amazing Grace.” The song is credited to John Newton, Anglican clergyman and slave ship captain (yea, let that sink in for a moment). As the story goes, while at sea, Newton awoke to a storm that threatened certain death. He called out to God, the storm ceased, and thus began Newton’s conversion to Christianity (after which, he continued to traffic Africans in slave ships… just to be clear). This experience marked the pinning of the famous hymn. 

But there is a parallel story in the Black Church Imagination. “Amazing Grace” is unique because, although the words are likely Newtons, the melody is unlike other hymns—it’s African, written in the pentatonic scale (the same scale in which African-American Spirituals are written (if you don’t know what African-American Spirituals are, look them up!). And so the story goes, in the womb of that same ship, were the Africans, groaning under the weight of captivity. And, it was because of their groaning that God quieted heaven, silenced the storm, to hear them. The words may be Newton’s, but the melody was theirs. 

As a Black American woman well acquainted with the marginalizing effects the racist and patriarchal history (and present) of the Church, I remember this quote from a foremother in the faith (the late great Dr. Katie G. Cannon): “I wanted to know about a God who would treat [people like me] so terribly… And the liberation to me was knowing that it was a sin [for] anyone to depreciate the image of God that’s in me.”

There are moments in history and in my life that cause me to scream, “Where are you, God!?” in anger and frustration, in oppression and loneliness, in apparent abandonment, in injustice and hurt all kinds. But it’s stories like the one above and in our passage for today, that remind me that even when I don’t understand God’s ways, I know exactly where God is when I’m hurting and in trouble: God is near. Although I am yet to receive answers to many of my “why” questions, I have received answers to the critical “who” question—I know who God is. God is One who hears, sees, and is with us—even when we find ourselves in the womb of the ship. 

Take heart! “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Prayer: Almighty God, I declare in faith today that You are mindful of me. You care for and tend to me no matter what circumstances suggest. Even in the darkest valley You are with me. In the face of any present and future struggles in my life, may I take comfort in knowing You are near. For the people in my life and those around the world who are held captive in various ways, please make Yourself known to them today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 15

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Lunch Break Study

Read Jonah 1:12-2:10 (NIV): Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” 10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Question to Consider

1. From what you already know of the story of Jonah, how did he end up in the situation in the verses above? (See also Jonah 1:1-4, 14-15) 
2. Why does God send a fish to swallow Jonah? 
3. What does Jonah do in the fish? What is the end result? 
4. Spend a few moments reading Jonah’s prayer (vv.2-9). What parts stand out most for you? Why? Spend time reflecting on this with the Lord. 

Notes

1. Jonah was disobedient to God (albeit with good reason). God called Jonah to go and prophesy (a negative prophesy of damnation and destruction) to violent and racists enemies of the people of God, the Ninevites. Jonah, understandably, did not want to go. So he was disobedient and went the other way. God had a plan to bring Nineveh to repentance, but Jonah didn’t want any part of it. 
2. It’s easy to think the fish was punishment, when in fact it was protection. God protected Jonah from death by sending a fish. Otherwise, Jonah would have drowned. Oftentimes the very things that feel like punishment from the Lord, are God’s protection of us. 
3. Jonah prays. Jonah’s prayer requires repentance because he’s running away from God, but the points is that he turns to God, leans into God, and prays. The end result is that Jonah is released from the fish onto dry ground. Jonah is free. But not just from the fish, but from a path of disobedience. Jonah’s heart begins (and I say begins because the following chapters reveal that he still has a long way to go) to be changed. 
4. Spend time in personal reflection. 

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Evening Reflection

If you didn’t do the lunch break study today… go back and read the passage.

My favorite part of Jonah’s story is one that can only be seen in the Hebrew version of the text. The fish is described differently in 1:17 and 2:1. In the first instance, it’s male. And in the second instance it’s female. Why the difference? Did the writer make a mistake? Furthermore, the word for “belly” or “inside” of the fish can mean two things – stomach (where things are devoured) or womb (where things are nurtured). Context determines the meaning. I think (and others agree) that God is teaching us something about suffering. Whether it’s the inside of a fish (where Jonah found himself because of his sin) or the inside of a slave ship (where the Africans found themselves because of the sins of others), the very situations that should mean our devouring, God can turn into something altogether different and birth in us something amazing when we lean into God. I do not say this lightly, suffering is real and far from easy. But in all things, God is at work for good and for glory (Romans 8:23).

Spend time reflecting on the ideas above with the Lord. Are there situations in which you’ve found yourself that threatened to destroy you? Have you experienced God using those very situations to birth good in you? Spend time thanking God. Are you in a situation like that right now? Pray for God’s presence and deliverance.  

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on October 27, 2017.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Beyond the Fifth Year of Marriage, It’s the Husband’s Fault!”

Genesis 16:5-11

Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.” 6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. 7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. 9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” 11 The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery.

In one of his books, author Gary Smalley says, “If a couple has been married for more than five years, any persistent disharmony in their marriage is usually attributable to the husband’s lack of understanding and applying genuine love.” He adds, “After five years of marriage if a husband has failed to understand or seek help for the major causes of disharmony, either he doesn’t understand what genuine love is, or has chosen to ignore God’s command to shepherd his family wisely.” In other words, initially, the wife can be responding and acting out of the way she was raised, but after some period of time, she is responding to how her husband treats her.

Abram and Sarai have been married a long time by now. After Hagar conceives, Sarai says, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The Lord judge between you and me” (Genesis 16:5). She is essentially saying, “Why did you listen to me? Why didn’t you stop me?” In some respects, she is right. Abram should have known better. He is the leader in the home. He is the one who is hearing from God and following him. He knew deep down that God intended to bear a child through Sarai, not Hagar. But he didn’t stop his wife from making a horrible mistake. 

This is strangely reminiscent of Adam and Eve: Eve may have eaten of the forbidden fruit first, but Adam was not helplessly standing by, unable to lead Eve. Likewise, Sarai did tempt Abram to this sin, but it was Abram who failed to lead his wife. Both are at fault, of course, but Abram’s failure to lead his wife prove to be disastrous, one in which humanity would have a difficult time recovering from, even now. 

When sin comes knocking on our doors, we are capable of not opening that door. The Holy Spirit who lives in us gives us power to overcome sin. We are told by the apostle Paul, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

And when we give into sin—whether it be lust, anger, or greed—we must not blame the tempter or the situation. Rather, we must own up to the sins we commit. We must stop blaming our bosses, our parents, our colleagues, our spouses, our kids, our roommates, and everyone else for the sins that we commit. Let us own up to our failures and turn them into acts of repentance. The Good News of Jesus Christ is that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This is the path of freedom the Lord intends for us. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for your Son’s blood. By His blood, and not by my deeds or misdeeds, I am made righteous this day!  Amen.

Bible Reading for today: Luke 14

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 12, 2017, 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).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God Remembers”

Genesis 30: 22 

“Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.”

Christmas, which is, of course, the day we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord and Savior, is only two days away.  For most families, this is a time to enjoy one another, and for most children, it’s a day when many wishes become reality.  In our household—at least for one four-year-old— Christmas is going to be a day of reckoning, and perhaps utter disappointment.  You see, about six months ago, whenever we’d go out on errands to places like Target, my youngest son Jon would find junk that interested him and would ask us to buy it for him.  Now a good parent would simply say no, and deal with the ensuing tantrum until the child has learned not to react so childishly.  However, my wife and I aren’t always good parents, so instead of just saying no, we’ve developed the habit of saying, “Maybe we’ll get that for your birthday or Christmas.”  After a few times, Jon’s picked up on this and just asks at stores, “Can we get this for my next birthday or Christmas?”

As Christmas approaches, a small part of me is a little nervous that after all the presents are opened, Jon will look at me and my wife and say something like, “Dude, you forgot the battery-operated Captain America fan that comes with a tube of M&Ms that we saw at Cracker Barrel!  Remember, you said you were gonna get that for me for Christmas!”  You see, we were kind of banking that Jon wouldn’t remember all or any of his inane requests over the last six months.  But what if he does?  Christmas would be ruined!!! (Are you sensing my sarcasm?)  

For people, memory can be a funny and torturous thing: Things we want to forget are often blazed into the center of our psyche, while things we desperately want to remember, we can’t help but to forget.  Sometimes memory can be used to hold us hostage (like if Jon remembers anything) or bring relief (like if he forgets).  Then there is God, who only chooses to “forget” things like our transgressions, and remembers everything—from our fleeting whims to our deepest desires.  Do you think Rachel, after watching 10 sons be born to her husband by three different women, had lost all hope for having her own children?  Do you think she felt forgotten by God?  What happened?  God remembered her deepest longing, and when the time was right, gave her Joseph.  Are there times you feel forgotten by God?  Don’t fret—God always remembers.  Have the courage to hope in your compassionate and loving Heavenly Father!  

Prayer: Lord, I’ve been praying for ________ for ______ years.  Remind me that You are a God who never forgets.  You have numbered every hair on my head.  Help me this day to trust in Your goodness, love, and compassion again.  Give me courage to wait on Your plan and serenity to accept it, no matter what.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 12-13

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on October 19, 2018.  Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“ The Foundation for our Identity”

Jeremiah 46:18-19 

“As I live, declares the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts, like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea, shall one come. 19 Prepare yourselves baggage for exile, O inhabitants of Egypt! For Memphis shall become a waste, a ruin, without inhabitant.”

In today’s passage, we continue in Jeremiah’s pronouncement of Egypt’s impending doom. It seems that throughout the history of Egypt, the Egyptians had always seen themselves as the super power of the world—towering over other nations as they showed their might in various ways. This was their national identity. However, Jeremiah declares that another empire will come and tower over them, eventually bringing them into exile—this nation we come to know as Babylonia that took the place of Egypt as the most powerful empire in the world. It seems that no matter how powerful you are, it is only a matter of time before someone bigger towers over you. 

Many of us build our identity on being the best (or simply really good) at something, whether it’s career success, the amount of money we have, or the skills we possess. For this reason, our sense of value and worth is directly tied to these things. And this leads to two destructive paths. If, on the one hand, we really are the wealthiest or the most skilled, it will likely lead to pride. We will see ourselves as better than others who are not as successful or wealthy. But, on the other hand, if we fail or if someone is more successful than we are (and there will always be someone who is better or more successful than you), our self-worth is crushed. We no longer feel significant and this is very fragile ground to stand on. Our sense of identity will fluctuate depending on these unstable factors. 

The gospel provides the firm foundation upon which we must build our identity. We find value not in what we’ve accomplished or the skills we possess but in what Christ Jesus has done for us on the cross. And this is unshakable ground. When we succeed, we are not puffed up with conceit but rather humbled knowing that we are sinners who have been saved by grace—that even the skills and circumstances necessary for success were not due to our own doing but simply a manifestation of God’s mercy in our lives. And even when we fail, we know that we are still loved and valued by the Father because of Christ’s righteousness imputed on us and not our own. Let us build our identity on the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is our firm foundation! 

Prayer: Father, it is so easy to find my identity and value in my performance and success. Instead, help me to build my identity on the firm foundation of the gospel. Help me to not only know the gospel in my mind, but for my heart to fully embrace the truths of the gospel into the depths of my identity. 

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 11

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Colossians 3:1-3: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Questions to Consider

1. What is Paul’s main command in this passage? 
2. What do you think it means to “set your minds on things that are above?” 
3. In what ways have you set your mind on things below? 

Notes

1. Paul wants them to seek and set their minds on the things above. This is because anyone who truly believes the gospel has died to their own self, and has been raised with Christ into a new identity, a new self. 
2. Since we have been saved and raised with Christ, we ought to deliberately commit ourselves to the values of the kingdom of God and then live out those values, including how we see ourselves. We have been called to put off our own (i.e., old) self, where our identity was built on things of this world leading to much sin. We are to put on our new self by living out our newly given identity we have found in the gospel. 
3. Personal response

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Evening Reflection 

Take some time before going to bed reflecting on the base upon which you have built your identity. How do you find value, significance and worth? Ask God to help you to find your identity in Christ alone!