REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on August 13 2018, is provided by Pastor Barry Kang, who heads Symphony Church in Boston.  Barry is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Gordon Conwell Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought For This Morning

“Are You Living Like a Renter or an Owner?”

Jeremiah 29:1-6

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.

Do you currently rent or own your home?  Does it matter?  Of course!  No matter how considerate and responsible you may be, you probably won’t care as much about your home as you would if you owned it.  Here’s the thing: whether we own or rent, spiritually speaking, all of us are actually exiles in a foreign land (1 Peter 2:11). We live here, but this isn’t truly our home—which naturally leads to the question: if this is all temporary, why should we care about where we live?  

To the exiles in Babylon who were yearning to return home, God is about to give some extraordinary instructions: build houses and live in them—in other words, don’t rent, but buy.  Make an investment! Plant gardens and eat their fruits. Marry and have sons and daughters, that they may have children too. Stick around in one place for a while. Perhaps you might wait to see your children to grow up and have grandchildren. You may recall in Genesis 1, God created humanity with a purpose—to be fruitful and multiply.  

While the world we live in is temporary, God does not want us to consider it to be disposable.  Rather than escaping to heaven, our goal is to invest in such a way that the kingdom of heaven comes to earth.  So here’s the question:  how are you investing?

Prayer: Lord, we know that we are spiritual exiles, and that this world is not our true home.  At the same time, we want to see Your kingdom come to earth.  Help me to know how to invest in Your kingdom, to store my treasures in heaven.  Give me eyes to see how I can use my resources for Your purposes.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 15

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 14:25-33: Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Questions to Consider

• What is Jesus asking of the crowd?
• What two examples/illustrations does He use?  What is the point? 
• Have you counted the cost of following Jesus?  What is He asking you to surrender?

Notes

• Jesus is asking that the crowd be willing to sacrifice everything they have in order to follow Jesus.
• The two examples Jesus uses here are: (1) someone who began building a tower before calculating if they had the resources to complete it; and (2) a king who surveys whether he can actually win a battle before fighting it.  Jesus’ point is that the crowd needs to know whether they are able to pay the cost of following Jesus before they actually do so.
• Please pray and supply your own answer.  

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Evening Reflection 

While we are spiritual exiles in the land, we are still ordered to care and invest in those around us.  Spend some time reflecting and journaling upon the ways that the Lord is asking you to invest for His Kingdom.  

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on November 19, 2017, is provided by Jennifer Kim. Jennifer, at the time, was serving at the Church of Southland, Anaheim, California.   

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“True Devotion”

Matthew 6:25-33

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clotheyou? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Acts 2:42

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

About two weeks ago, the LA Dodgers competed against the Houston Astros in the 2017 MLB World Series.  Of course, living in Southern California, this was a big deal and would frequently be the main topic of conversation among my friends.  These two teams rivaled against each other in a long 7-game stretch—ultimately leading to the Astro’s first championship title in its franchise history. I am not much of a baseball fan (so there is no bias here), but I would have to say that for the Astros, winning the World Series was quite a notable accomplishment despite their many years of losses and setbacks.

But more than the games themselves, it has always been interesting watching… the fans.  I remember on the day of the final game, I ventured to buy some snacks; so I dropped by the grocery store only to find it completely empty and desolate.  There was no one there.  As I continued to watch the games unfold, the fans were ready.  The cheering and the screaming enthusiasm, all the matching sports paraphernalia, the occasional rioting, the air of pride that the fans hold and display for their beloved teams.  In the midst of all the pandemonium, you can’t help but notice their devotion.  

We are not unfamiliar with this.  Whether it is our loved ones, career, dreams/passions, or even certain social causes, we are all devoted to something or someone.  It is easy to identify what we are devoted to by simply looking at how we spend the bulk of our time, energy, and our resources.  Andy Stanley, the senior pastor of North Point Community Church says, “The things that we worry about reflect our core devotions.”  In other words, we worry about the things we really care about.  These are the things that probably fill our minds throughout the day.  However, many times these are good things in our lives, but it is only when they become the main thing at the expense of our devotion to God, our foundation becomes unstable.  Our culture is becoming increasingly inundated with information that has little or no bearing in our spiritual life.  The Enemy so wants us to become distracted and disengaged with the purposes of God.  But in Acts 2:42 above, we see the apostles continuously devoting themselves to the Word, prayer, and fellowship with the saints.

The real question for us this morning is… What are we really devoted to?  Is it God or something else?  If He isn’t, may this be a fresh reminder for us to re-align our devotion to God and acknowledge Him before anything else today.  Like the apostles, let us be greedy for the things of the Lord!  Let us center our lives on God and build our foundation on the things that will not fade away.

Prayer: God, I confess that all things come from You and through You.  Thank You for being the true source of everything that I need.  Help me not to be distracted by the things of the world, but to set my eyes on You alone.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 14

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, which was first posted on November 18, 2017, is provided by a writer who wants to remain anonymous. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Legacy full of Mistakes Testifying of God’s Faithfulness”

Romans 4-18-22 (ESV)

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promises of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.

A person’s legacy can be understood as the way people will remember that person after he or she has passed. It is the way the general public thinks about a person and his or her life, in retrospect. Many times, the way the public remembers someone is different from the way the public received the same person while he or she was alive. Consider how Vincent Van Gogh was only able to sell one piece of artwork in his lifetime, but he is now one of the most widely known artists of all time. The way biographers write about Van Gogh greatly differs from the way his peers talked about him (or rather, didn’t talk about him at all).

In the book of Genesis, God promises Abraham and Sarah a direct heir, or a son, and that eventually their descendants would as numerous as the stars in the sky. If we follow along in Abraham and Sarah’s faith journey, we read that they struggled to trust in that promise. When Sarah becomes of old age, she gives up on the idea of a direct heir and gives her Egyptian servant, Hagar, to Abraham to obtain children on Sarah’s behalf. During Abraham and Sarah’s lifetime, it would’ve been hard to believe that anyone would characterize them as particularly strong in faith. 

In our passage today, Paul leaves us with a personal legacy of Abraham. However, the way Paul writes about Abraham’s faith journey seems different than what we would expect. He writes that “no unbelief made him waver considering the promises of God,” but instead, Abraham “grew strong in his faith.” In light of the Hagar incident, what does Paul mean that they did not waver, but grew stronger in faith? 

What this passage teaches me is that God is gracious to our spiritual missteps and failures, and that He is mindful of our journey. There are consequences to Abraham and Sarah’s decision, but we read that God still chose to remind them of His promise, continue to walk with them, and eventually give them Isaac, at the right time. Abraham and Sarah’s mistakes and shortcomings do not become their legacies. Instead, they become the definitive moments in which they were being refined and strengthened in faith and opportunities to testify in God’s faithfulness. Likewise, our own shortcomings do not have to define us and our futures. Instead, God can use them. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t hold us to our worst. Instead, You are gracious to walk with us at our worst and use it to strengthen our faith in You. Help us to remember how faithful You are and walk in this truth. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 12-13

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on February 23, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Living By Faith”

Genesis 48:1-4

After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. 3 And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ 

Often, when people of faith come to confront death, they see life with a greater clarity.  Poet Edmund Waller writes: 

“The soul’s dark cottage, battered and decayed 

Lets in new light through chinks that time has made…”

We see this in an old barn whose roof and siding have begun to bow and sag, so that shafts of light beam come through like searchlights.  This was certainly true in the life of Jacob.  His believing eyes afforded him a clear vision of the future for both himself and his sons.  As death approached, Jacob was able to exercise faith so extraordinary that the New Testament’s “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 selected this singular event that characterized him as a man of faith: the blessing of Joseph’s son Ephraim and Manasseh. “By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff (Heb. 11:21).”  

I remember a preacher asking this question in a sermon: “Is there anything in your life right now that requires faith?”  If we are honest, maybe we have everything so controlled and planned out that our lives require very little faith.  As believers, we should always be challenged in areas of our life where apart from God’s mighty hand, it would be impossible to accomplish—that’s what faith is.      

Take some time to examine your life this morning.  Are you living by faith and not by sight?  Where does God need to challenge you in the area of faith?  It could be your money, time, future, provision, etc.  Let’s surrender to Him as we pray that He would increase our faith.  

Prayer:  Lord, help us to live by faith and not by sight.  By Your strength give us the courage to take steps of faith in our everyday life.  Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 11

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 7:24-27: Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Questions to Consider

• What are the characteristics of a wise person?  How about a foolish person?
• What will ultimately determine where your foundation is according to this passage?
• Which person do you resemble?  Why?  How can you be more like the wise person?

Notes

• He builds his life on the foundation of Jesus by obeying His Word.  Jesus wants to us to see that total surrender to Him is living wisely.  A foolish person builds his life on things other than Jesus and His word.
• Everyone will face storms and hardships; and when they come, it will determine which foundation you are building your life on.
• Reflect and pray that your life would be built on the foundation of Christ.

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Evening Reflection

Take some time in personal worship through prayer, song or the Word.  Meditate on the promises and truths of God.  As you do, ask Him to give you courageous faith.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional is a reprint of Kate Moon’s blog originally posted on January 25, 2018.  Kate continues to serve the Lord in E. Asia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Being Prepared for Greatness”

Genesis 39:20-23 

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Pat and Lorraine meet up every so often for dinner with a group of their friends from college. As they commiserate about the challenges of their respective work situations, some because of their bosses and co-workers, others because of the seeming meaninglessness of their jobs, none are fully aware, but each is being prepared for greatness.

Sometimes situations in life can feel like prison.  Dark, with limitations all around, not much room for hope or dreaming.  What can happen in a prison?  At the end of chapter 39, Joseph goes from working as a slave to being imprisoned as a criminal slave—as if being a slave were not a huge enough restraint already on one’s freedom…

Yet as before, Joseph prospers in this latest of a series of increasingly unfavorable situations, because the Lord is with him.  He gains the favor of people in important positions and is given an extraordinary level of responsibility, with opportunities to exercise and develop his administrative skills.  Those giving him responsibilities trust him, a criminal slave, wholly and completely (=minimal management).  All this would prepare him for the role God had created and placed him in Egypt for: to become a great administrator in a position to save not only his family but a nation of God’s people.  At the time of his imprisonment, did he realize what a miracle he was experiencing?  Or was he depressed because he was incarcerated and his job was to attend to the needs of criminals?

God is able to shine His light into the dark; the greater the darkness, the greater His glory in overcoming it. His power can break through the seeming limitations, giving us an unusually free reign; He can continue to do all that He wants to do, in and through us.  Whatever darkness may come, God will come with us into it and can enable us to flourish in it.  

So let us not be disheartened at or fear such situations, especially if they arise because of what we do for the sake of righteousness, our faith, and His glory.  

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for the encouragement of how You worked in Joseph’s life.  Whether in a current, limit-full situation or at the prospect of what darkness could come, help me not to be dismayed but to seek Your kingdom first and your righteousness.  Help me to see Your light. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 10

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Lunch Break Study 

The end of Chapter 39 echoes the way it begins.  Compare the two passages below:

Read Genesis 39:1-6a: Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.  

Genesis 39:20-23: Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Questions to Consider

1. What are some of the repeated words and phrases in the two passages?

2. What do you think is the author’s purpose in such intentional repetition?

3. What happens when the Lord is with someone?  (vv. 2-6, 21-23) Which of these manifestations of God’s presence and faithfulness do you feel most in need of today?

Notes

1. a) “had been taken,” “had taken him there,” “took him” (vv.1, 20)

b) “the Lord was with Joseph,” “success in everything,” “found favor” (vv. 2-5, 21-23)

c) “put him in charge [of everything],” “did not concern himself” (vv. 4-6, 22-23)

2. To highlight how God remains the same, even though circumstances change, even going from bad to worse.

3. That person can receive provision and kindness, succeed, prosper, find favor with people, come into a position of unusually great influence – all this, in circumstances that may seem extremely limiting and not of one’s own choosing.  So take heart and have hope in him.

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on the day, looking for manifestations of God’s favor on your life, and then thank Him. 

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

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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. 

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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! 

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

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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!

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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.

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

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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. 

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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. 

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

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