REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 21, 2018, is provided by Joshua Chzen. Joshua has been leading worship at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, California, for many years. He and his wife, Sandra, were married in 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“Self-Less Love”

Ephesians 5:22-27

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

My wife Sandra and I celebrated our first anniversary last month. Upon reflecting on the past year, I thought I had been doing my best to love my wife. I would go out of my way to take care of chores and errands knowing that my schedule had more flexibility than hers. I learned to adjust my expectations of my wife considering her busy season of balancing ministry, school and work. The past year has been fun, but not without struggles and disagreements—much of which stemming from my self-centeredness.   

Christ’s love is selfless. Not once did he struggle to consider the needs of those whom God called into His service. He gave himself up completely so that his church could be redeemed into something radiant, holy and righteous. It was with a complete regard for the well-being of his people that Jesus completely disregarded his own well-being, suffering and dying on the cross. In this passage, Paul calls on the married men in the Ephesian church to love their wives in that same way—to love those God has called them to love, with complete selflessness, so that they might be built up in holiness and righteousness. 

I thought I had been doing a good job of loving my wife; nevertheless, being married for a year has revealed to me how natural it is for me to consider my needs first. Even though I’ve grown in my tendency to think about my wife’s perspective, desires and needs, I’m still infinitely far away from the bar of selfless love that Jesus sets. It’s only through being filled with that love, through the Holy Spirit, that I can hope to do an adequate job of giving that same love to my wife.

Although Paul directs this passage at husbands and wives specifically, we know that as Christians our call is to extend this Christlike love to everyone around us (Matt. 22:39), even our enemies (Luke 6:27). There are likely people we’ll be seeing during the Christmas season who we know we’re supposed to love. We may feel like we’re doing an adequate job of loving them already. Or we may not want to love them at all. Regardless, let’s take the time to ask for the love of Christ to fill us and the Holy Spirit to transform us, so that the conversations, interactions, and thoughts we have will radiate the love of Christ to our friends and family (as well as neighbors and enemies!).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the selfless love you demonstrated when you gave yourself up completely for our sins. Sometimes I take that love for granted, but I pray that you would remind me specifically of the people in my life I know you’ve called me to give that same love to. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and change my heart so that I can demonstrate that same selfless love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 7

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Lunch Break Study

Read John 15:9-17 (NIV): “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Questions to Consider

1. What does Jesus say about keeping his commands?
2. What is Jesus’ command?
3. Whose love does Jesus demonstrate?

Notes

1. If we keep Jesus’ commands, not only will we remain in his love, but he will call us friends instead of servants.
2. Jesus’ command is to love each other, which he reiterates twice in this passage. He gives more details the first time: we are to love each other as he loved us, exemplified in laying down one’s life for one’s friends.
3. Jesus himself refers to being loved by the Father as his model for loving us. Ultimately, in demonstrating the love of Christ, we also demonstrate the love of the Father.

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Evening Reflection

Ask God who (specifically) He’s challenging you to love during this Christmas season. Spend some time reflecting on your heart toward this person and pray that the Holy Spirit would fill your heart with more of the love of Christ to soften, restore, and radiate this same love.

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 17, 2017, is provided by Jasmin Izumikawa. Jasmin, a longtime member of the Church of Southland, is a high school teacher. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Flower of Hope”

Psalm 62:5

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my Hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” 

There are times when everything looks very grim to me—so withered and dead that I have to remind myself what the garden looked like during the peak seasons.  In the winter, we see very little growth, but to have a thriving garden in the spring and summer, it is necessary to wait with hope. When we see no bud of growth, we trust knowing what it will become, for a garden is built from hope. This empty lot of soil will be full of blue Hyacinth and yellow Ranunculus in the Spring, and in the warm summer, full of heirloom tomatoes and crisp cucumbers. In my waiting, that is what I hope for. 

There is a delicate flower that grows in late winter snow at the first sign of spring. They are called Snowdrops for they look as though they are shaking off drops of snow from small bright green stems. Did you know that many types of Spring flowers need to encounter cold months and frost in order to bloom in Spring? Planting bulbs such as hyacinth and tulip may look silly to others because we plant hundreds of them below the soil and for months, we go out to the patch of dirt, waiting and hoping for the first pop of green to emerge from a sea of brown. 

In a similar way, there are times in difficult seasons of our lives that we must “trust also in Him; [for] He shall bring it to pass” (Ps. 37:5).  Hope implies that in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of death and grim seasons, we trust and believe that we will, in time, encounter renewal and abundance again. The ground will break open, the scenery will change, and the end result will be full of God’s love and peace for us.  Yes, “the hope of the righteous shall be gladness” (Prov. 10:28^a).

Prayer: Dear LORD, You have made even waiting beautiful and patience so sweet. You teach me that Your grace and Your plans are good. Give me strength to wait in hope-to look at my reality with peace and trust even when there are no flowers in bloom. Even when my joy seems to be buried deep, give me the strength to walk with You even in the darkest night and say, “In You, LORD, I can hope in the waiting.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 6

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 16, 2017, is provided by Claudia Robbie, who has been a longtime staff at JCA in Atlanta. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“What Sin Really Does to Us”

1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 

We are still facing the old power structures of the past—of powerful men using their positions to manipulate those who are vulnerable to do their bidding. This has been a story that has been perpetuated from generation to generation. It is the story of sin.  

Sin hurts people in ways that reach so deep that it hollows out the soul. God does not want us to suffer alone, because in that vacuum the enemy accuses and distorts everything. The enemy wants to leave everyone so debilitated that the thought of reaching for God would not happen. The enemy goes after those victimized and those who are carrying out the actions. 

An anger born out of helplessness. A need to be the center of attention born out of feeling worthless and ashamed. A belligerent voice born out of silence. A need for affirmation born out of being ignored. Who can bridge these things? Who can restore such deep seated beliefs and behaviors in a woman who had learned in childhood these things and truly believed these were personality flaws that would be the thorn in her side forever. Only God could cross that gap and reach her, telling her that her personality is one that only He can set and create. These flaws were not flaws but traits that had been warped and changed because of the horrific actions and sinful desires of one man. These “flaws” were a result of one girl trying the best she could to absorb this trauma.

God would restore these things so she could live in the fullness of who He created her to be. He would overcome her fears of intimacy and address her need for affirmation so that she could enter into marriage healed enough to enjoy the fullness of what marriage could be. He would use the ensuing years to temper her words and her anger into something that could be used to bring Him glory and restoration to those around her. Instead of speaking all the time in order to gain her worth, she would rest and listen for His leading and prompting because she finally knew her worth. In the days and times when she would forget all that she had learned and experienced in this restoration, He would gently remind her of how much she was loved and the dreams He had for her.

PRAYER: Father, as daughters of the living God, would You help us to find our worth and restoration in You alone. In our journey would You use our voice to restore those around us and change this world. As sons of the most High, would we aim to honor and protect those around us, seeking to live reflective of Christ’s strength and surrender. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 4-5

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 2, 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

“Don’t Waste Your Life”

Matthew 25:14-30 

 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Recently, I read the autobiography of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple. In the book he talks about the early days of Apple and how it got all started.  Now, once Jobs and his friend Steve Wozniak decided to start this revolutionary company in 1976, they realized quickly that they had no money. So, to generate about $1,300 to get going, Jobs sold his Volkswagen and Steve Wozniak sold his HP calculator—their most valued possessions. So this is how they were able to make their first Apple computer. In other words, these two young dreamers took everything they had and leveraged it to make their vision come to reality.  The rest as we all know is history.  Today, it’s estimated that Apple is about 1 trillion dollars.  This story is a great example of a great sacrifice and investment, which resulted in a great return. 

In today’s parable, we read about two men who made great investments and received a great reward in return; but we also see a man who made no effort to invest, and as a result, was punished for his laziness.  The point Jesus is making is this:  God has given us resources, talents and abilities to leverage and invest for His kingdom and for His purposes.  What are we doing with them?

Back then a talent was worth an extraordinary amount of money, and Jesus, the landowner in the story, gave talents to his servants according to their abilities.  Today, I believe that the talents Jesus has entrusted us with goes beyond money.  It could be our abilities, opportunities and responsibilities such as our education, careers, families, possessions and our money.  

Here are a few lessons we can apply from this passage:

• What has been placed in our hands belongs to the Master: This means everything we have is on loan from God.  Our talents, abilities and possessions are to be used for the Master’s work and not ours.  We are merely stewards and not owners.

• There are consequences for not leveraging what God has given to us: Notice that the last servant was called wicked and slothful.  He simply had no interest in the Master’s business.  I believe that when you look at this story closely, this man really never knew Jesus the Master, for he bore absolutely no fruits—a possessor of dead faith (James 2:24-26).  That could be the reason an allusion to hell is made here— “weeping and gnashing of teeth”.  The result of knowing Jesus is that we diligently go to work and invest our talents for Him, that is, bear fruits (Matt. 7:17-18). 

• When we use what is given to us, we will be rewarded:  We will all have to give an account before Jesus and the greatest reward we can receive is to hear these words, “Well done good and faithful servant”.  Let’s live in such a way where we will hear those words when we see Him.  

So, the question for us today is this: If Jesus returns today, would he be pleased with your investment of your time, your talent, and treasure that he has entrusted to your stewardship?

Prayer:  Lord, may we long to here those words “Well done good and faithful servant.”  May we leverage our lives for the Master’s business and keep us faithful till the end. Amen!

Bible Reading: Luke 3

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 4:13-16: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 

Questions to Consider

1. What’s the main point James wants to get across to his readers?
2. How should we view at our lives from what the passage says?
3. What do you think it means to live the life of “if the Lord wills”?

Notes

1. We are not in control of our own lives and if we think we are—we are being prideful.  To think, “I am the ruler of my life, I am the king of my own life, I will be sovereign in my own life” means that we are being arrogant in the eyes of God.  
2. We should view our own lives with humility, knowing that God is in control and He determines how long we have on this earth.  Our lives are just like a mist—here one minute and gone the next.  It should lead us to a state of surrender, knowing that every detail of our lives are under His sovereignty.  
3. It means to have God in the picture in every facet of our lives.  Our decisions and choices should always have God at the center, knowing it is ultimately up to the Lord if our plans come to fruition.  

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Evening Reflection

Take some time reflecting on the passages you read today.  What challenged you? Ask the Lord to search your heart and make specific applications to live out.  

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, first posted on December 17, 2018, is written by Jin Ha Lee. Jin, a graduate of Drexel University, had served at Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia for many years.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Holding onto Jesus”

1 Peter 1:3-7

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

As the year comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect on the Lord. For some, it’s been a great year of spiritual growth, while for others, it’s been a slow or even discouraging year—in every case, all of our faith has been tested in some way. But what’s most likely been tested isn’t something vague about God, but very simple, clear, and powerful truths: “Does God really care about me? Is He really faithful to take care of my family? Is God’s presence really with me?”

Several years ago, I was studying for a licensing exam: I went to work, came home, ate dinner, and then studied. Rinse and repeat. Day after day. It felt so monotonous. During this time, I was also serving at our church. Remembering Matthew 6:33, I believed that if I sought God’s kingdom first, He would take care of the rest—meaning, He would allow me to pass the licensing exam. But behold, after months of studying I did not pass! 

When I looked up that dreadful test result, I brushed it off at first; but as time passed, different thoughts and feelings crept in. At the heart of it, I honestly felt disappointed and almost embarrassed that I trusted in God’s promise in Matthew 6:33. Seeking God’s kingdom first didn’t mean that everything I want will fall into place. But I really wanted to pass that exam and I felt that I was doing my best to seek His kingdom first. Through this experience, I learned that I need to seek Him first and that His provisions are exactly what I need.

For the recipients of Peter’s letter, they faced intense persecution. However, Peter reminded them to hold onto the hope they had in Jesus. With faith, they were called to hold onto an imperishable heavenly inheritance when their earthly possessions were taken away.

We are called to hold onto Jesus. Growing is not just learning new things about Him, but it includes holding onto what we already know about Him. Through trials, His promises go from words we simply know, to words we live by. It will all be worth it as one day, the tested genuineness of our faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”!

Prayer: Thank You Lord for both good and trying circumstances in my life. While I covet the good times, I also know that it is through difficult and hard times that I am reminded of my weakness and the need to truly depend on You. “In wrath remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2).

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 2

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Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 3:16-19:“. . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” 

Question to Consider

1. What does Paul desire for the Ephesian church?
2. What is one result of being strengthened by the Holy Spirit?
3. How does this passage encourage you to hold onto Him?

Note

1. He desires the Ephesian church to be strengthened through the Holy Spirit
2. Being strengthened through the Holy Spirit gives us strength to understand with our brothers and sisters the greatness of His love.
3. Personal response. For me, His love is my comfort in trials. There is so much more to His love than what I know now. Holding onto Jesus isn’t about the strength of my grip; it’s about being rooted, grounded, and strengthened through the Holy Spirit in His incredible love!
    

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Evening Reflection

How have you been holding onto Jesus and abiding in Him? Let’s pray for times of great rest in Him the rest of this year. Let’s pray that God would use us and the brothers and sisters around us to encourage one another.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 12, 2018, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“Beyond Our Imagination”

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I recently decided to restudy Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby for my own personal realignment. One major theme that the author tries to get across is that after seeing where God is working, we need to join in with what He is doing. Blackaby points out that our best effort does not even come close to what God can do; in fact, it would be naïve to think that we are able to dictate our future. Sure, we might be able to control a few factors in our lives, but the truth is that millions of variables are completely out of our control. For instance, consider the following factors that we don’t control: who our parents are and what they are like, our upbringing, the neighborhood in which we grow up, the education opportunities we have, the health factors, even the political landscape of the area where we live. All this to say: We may want to do many things, but ultimately, it is God who is able to do far more in and through our lives than we are able to imagine.

Paul continues with this letter by letting the church know that it is our Father in heaven who strengthens and sustains us, and He is the one who actually shows us the fullness of the love of Christ. Paul may be the one teaching and instructing, but ultimately, he prays on behalf of the Ephesian believers that God would help them to understand this glorious love. No doubt Paul is a great apostle, but, as a mere man, he can only take them so far; it is God who is going to reveal the fullness of His presence and His love to the church. Paul knows this, and therefore, he is confident that the church in God’s hand will prevail. 

When you think about the struggles in your life, are you quick to pray and bring it into God’s hands? Or are you quick to turn to others for advice? Do you acknowledge God’s presence and His activity, or are you trying to make things right by yourself? May this passage serve as a reminder that we have a God who is able to do far more than we can think or do, and may it cause us to draw near to Him, especially in times of struggle, so that we may remain in His perfect peace and love.

Prayer: Father God, I want to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge. Though I am quick to take matters into my own hands, help me to be one that trusts that You are a God who is able to do far more than I could ever imagine. Give me the faith to live out my life with that understanding. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Luke 1

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 81:10-12 (ESV): “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.”

Question to Consider

1. What did the Lord do for Israel in the past? What was He promising to do for them now?

2. How did Israel respond to the Lord’s offer of granting them great favors?

3. What was the consequences of Israel’s response?

Notes

1. God already had miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt without their help. Not only that, the LORD allowed Israel to plunder the Egyptians on their way out to enrich them. Moreover, God promises to continue to bless them, filling their mouths and providing for them.   

2. Inexplicably, Israel refused to listen to God’s voice and would not submit to His leadership.  That’s human nature—we quickly forget all that God has done for us.   

3. God gave them over to their stubborn hearts, and as they followed their own counsels, we see how it led to aimless wandering and death in the wilderness.

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Evening Reflection

What is one thing you innately believe you can do by your own strength? Perhaps it is dealing with your finances, or maybe it’s a relationship in your life that you need to give up to God. Whatever it is, surrender it to the Lord and trust that He can do far better with it than you can by yourself. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 18, 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.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Fasting That Produces Hope”

Luke 2:36-38 

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary brought their child Jesus to Jerusalem to fulfill the required offering to the Lord, Anna, the prophetess, recognized the significance of this child, and perceived that he was central to the redemption of Jerusalem. Having been at the right place in the temple at the right time, and without any former announcement to her, Anna was under God’s divine orchestration to witness the arrival of the Messiah in the child, Jesus Christ. Thus, she praised God and shared about the child to those around her. 

Whenever I read through the Gospel of Luke, I am always amazed at these few verses, and how three sentences speak volumes about Anna’s character and focus. As a person who faced heartache and loss, she didn’t live a life of regret; instead, she looked forward to God’s promises and lived richly in hope. In this short passage, we can see Anna’s single-minded devotion to the Lord in her many years of widowhood. Fasting and prayer had been a regular focus. The beginning of her fasting may have stemmed from facing the loss of her spouse and navigating the path of widowhood. It may have been an act of mourning and the pouring out of her soul to God. However, it didn’t end in her own life circumstances, but her expression of piety through fasting and prayer was larger than herself. It was a way of accessing hope and practicing patient waiting for Israel’s salvation. Considering that meals were of social significance in her time and culture, regular fasting meant a departure from the norms, a way of asserting that something is not yet complete and to hope in God to bring about His redemption. 

The end of the year involves busyness, travel, holiday gatherings or much needed rest. While there are many praises to be sung, some of us may sense unease as we look back in 2018, and recognize goals that were not met, unfinished business, or expectation that ended in disappointment. This morning, allow God’s Word to invite you to access hope again in the Lord through setting apart time to pray and increments of time (or days) to fast. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You that You are the God of hope and You are the lifter of my head. Guide me to look at my circumstances through the eye of faith and renew my strength to wait upon You to reveal Your good and perfect plans. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 27

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 9:14-15: Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Questions to Consider

1. Why did the disciples of John approach Jesus with this question about fasting?

2. Who is the bridegroom and who are the attendants?

3. What is Jesus implying in his response? What does Jesus expect of His disciples?

Notes

1. During that time, a teacher (or rabbi) was responsible for the disciplines of his disciples. Religious groups such as the Pharisees commonly fasted twice a week, though the Law only required the Jews to fast on the Day of Atonement. The disciples of John were probably sincerely curious as to why Jesus, being a teacher, seemed to avoid this spiritual practice altogether for His disciples.

2. Jesus is referring to an analogy that He is the bridegroom, the attendants are His disciples, and the wedding feast (celebration) is the present time in which He has arrived as the Messiah.

3. Wedding feasts in the Jewish culture lasted several days, and it was crucial as part of the culture for rabbis to pause their instruction and acts of mourning to observe with joy the bridal processions. Jesus is defining the appropriateness of fasting for His disciples. Before He came, and after He is “taken away,” it is appropriate and expected to fast and devote time to prayer and waiting, but while He is with His disciples, He expects His disciples to take joy at the presence of the bridegroom. 

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Evening Reflection

Reflect on Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Tonight, as you reflect on God’s promise for those who wait patiently, write out or say a prayer expressing your desire for God’s answer to your hopes. Consider how you may position yourself to wait upon God with patience that honors Him and expect Him to reveal Himself to you in ways greater than you imagined.  

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, first posted on December 20, 2018, is provided by Pastor Doug Tritton. Doug has been pastoring Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia since 2021.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Who are You?”

Galatians 4:6-7

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Even though December is the Advent season, a season that is meant to be filled with joy, many people are quite stressed. I imagine some of you who are reading this are stressed right now. For those who are students, finals and papers are probably occupying all your thoughts. For those with families, there is the stress to complete all your Christmas shopping – gifts for the children, gifts for extended family, gift for children’s teachers, and so on. For others, you are just trying to get things done before the holidays come. Personally, I am a bit stressed as my family waits for our son to be born – any day now! 

In the midst of the stress and the craziness of life, it can be easy to forget who we are. We forget who we really are. We know we are employees and students, mothers and fathers. These are the responsibilities that are at the forefront of our minds right now and certainly we should not forget about them. But we can easily forget our true identity, our identity as children of God. This is the foundation of our lives – being daughters and sons of our Father in Heaven. Knowing this brings freedom. Knowing this means acknowledging we are not slaves to this world and its fears and troubles. We belong to our Heavenly Father, a Father who cares for us.

When we lose sight of our true identity, we ultimately grow deaf to God’s voice in our lives. Our passage says that God sent His Spirit into our hearts, the Spirit who speaks into our hearts and reminds us who we are. Forgetting our identity as God’s children means we are not listening to the voice of the Spirit within us. Can we pause for just a few moments in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season and just listen? Can you listen for God’s voice? Listen to Him crying out for you to come to Him. Listen for Him to remind you of your identity as His child. Listen to Him to remind you of His great, unchanging love for you. You are His child, you belong to Him. Knowing this reality enables us to truly enter into the joy and peace of this advent season.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for sending Your Spirit in our hearts to teach us who we are. May we not grow numb to Your Spirit and to Your voice. May we not grow numb to our true identity as Your child. Remind us again and again and may we not lose sight of this identity during this season. May we know Your love so that we can experience the joy of Advent.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 26

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1. What does it mean that “the Lord is at hand” (verse 5)? How is that connected to verse 6?
2. How do we receive the “peace of God”?
3. Are you in need of God’s peace right now? Spend time lifting up your burdens to God and invite His presence over you.

Notes

1. Many people know verse 6 and 7. These verses often appear as memory verses and verses we say to others in times of difficulty. Yet, we often leave out the best part! The Lord is at hand! This means He is near to us. He hears us and responds to us. We pray because God is near to us and listens.
2. There are two main exhortations here: rejoice and pray. Peace comes through doing both of these, by rejoicing and by praying. May we find peace this season through worship and through prayer!
3. Worship and pray in order to seek God’s peace!

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Evening Reflection

Before going to sleep this evening, take some time to listen for the Spirit speaking within you. Hear His voice as you go to bed this evening. May His voice bring you comfort, peace, and restful sleep!

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on September 24, 2017.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Battle is Fierce, But The Victory Is Sure!”

Revelation 13:11-18

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

A saying I heard often in my church culture growing up was, “Sometimes you just have to go through!”—meaning, there are times when you have to walk through a tough situation because there is no way around it. You have to go to through the wilderness to get to the Promised Land. It isn’t fun, but it’s a necessary part of the journey. But whenever this saying was offered, there was always an understanding behind it that God is still in control and is working things for good and for His ultimate end. 

In today’s passage, we see a scary scene. John gives us a look into the Beast’s (Satan) efforts to thwart the work of the Lord and pursue his own ends (in opposition to the Kingdom of God). It isn’t fun, but it is part of what will come, even as God is working things out for His good purposes. One thing John is told (and that we are told by extension) is that wisdom will be required for God’s people to discern what’s going on in the midst of the Enemy’s schemes (v. 18). That’s an important reminder for us today! 

There have been many times throughout the history of God’s work in this world where God’s people had to walk through a dark and confusing time in order to get to the good ends God had in store. All looks lost in the middle, but the end always brings a joy and glory far beyond what could have been imagined. The most notable of these moments, of course, is the cross. Friday night seemed like all was lost (the Enemy himself was even rejoicing), but we know the end of the story. It was just something we had to go through in the war to walk into the victory. 

S.M. Lockridge’s Easter sermon is famous for his portrayal of this truth as he recounts the darkness of Friday (the crucifixion) with the hope of Sunday (the resurrection) in view. May this brief excerpt remind us that even when the Enemy is raging war, we know that our victory is sure! 

It’s Friday –

He’s hanging on the cross feeling forsaken by his Father. 

Left alone and dying. 

Can nobody save him? 

Ohhhh!

It’s Friday but Sunday’s comin’. 

It’s Friday – 

Hope is lost. 

Death has won. 

Sin has conquered and Satan’s just a laughing’

It’s Friday – 

Jesus is buried. 

A soldier stands guard and a rock is rolled in its place. 

But it’s Friday. It is only Friday. 

[AND WE KNOW] Sunday is a comin’!

Prayer: Almighty God, no matter how fierce the battle, help me to remember my victory in You. Help me to stand firm in every battle that comes my way today. Give me wisdom to discern beyond my own understanding. To the glory of Your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 25

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on December 2, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Asking for Confirmation”

Genesis 24:10-14

Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

Growing up, I always believed it was utterly wrong to ask God for a sign, and not without good reason! There are many examples from Scripture where it was clearly wrong to ask for a sign: For example, when the Israelites tested God at Massah (Ex. 17), or when Jesus was tempted by Satan to throw himself down from the temple (Matt. 4), and also when Jesus rebukes an “evil generation” that seeks for a sign (Luke 11). But on the other hand, there are also some examples where it was right for people to ask God for a sign: When Gideon received his call, he asked for several consecutive signs to confirm his anointing as a judge over Israel. In 2 Kings 20, Hezekiah asks for a sign to confirm that he would indeed be healed of his deathly illness. Furthermore, in the book of Malachi, God even invites His people to put Him to the test when it comes to tithing! 

In our passage today, Abraham’s servant asks God for a sign, that the woman he asks to give him a drink would also extend herself to water his camels as well. Lo and behold, God grants him the sign, and he ends up meeting Rebekah. But what made this servant’s request appropriate? It was because he was acting within the realm of God’s will. He had already taken ten camels, all sorts of gifts, and had traveled an incredibly long distance, for no other reason than out of obedience. In other words, asking God for a sign of confirmation becomes appropriate when we are in the context of God’s will, and we are walking in obedience. 

Of course, there is a point where asking for signs can become dangerous, not only to ourselves but to others as well. (An easy way to tell this is if the sign itself becomes more desirable than the actual obedience to God. This can be called “testing”.) But I believe that when we ask God for confirmation of His will, and we have the heart to obey, He will respond. It may be through Scripture, through the wise words of a friend/mentor, through prayer, or even our circumstances. Let us not be afraid to ask our Heavenly Father to speak to us!

Prayer: Lord, we desire to hear from You, because we want to walk with You. Open our eyes to be able to see Your hand at work around us. Help us to sense Your presence, even in the unlikeliest of places. Our desire is to be able to join You in Your Kingdom work each day. Help us to do so. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 23-24