REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 5, 2018, is provided by Andy Kim who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.  Andy is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Peer Pressure for Adults”

Jeremiah 9:4-5 (ESV)

Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. ⁵ Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.

Growing up, our schools taught us the dangers of peer pressure, often in the context of substance abuse and other unwanted behaviors. Sigmund Freud studied how an individual succumbs to the peer pressure of a group: his research showed that as individuals feel a sense of worth and belonging to the larger group entity, they will forego their own conscious personalities for the sake of the group. Surprisingly, much of this happens at the sub-conscious level, which makes it difficult to realize the influences of peer pressure; and so this is why peer pressure can be so dangerous—who you surround yourself with is who you will become. 

In the context of our passage today, Jeremiah mourns over the influence the people of God have over one another. These are not just outsiders, but fellow believers who are deceiving each other to fall away from the Lord. This is the power we have over one another: we can either influence for the better, or in this case, for worse. For this reason, the author of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us consider how we may stir one another to love and toward good deeds.” To understand the word stir here is to imagine the spurs of a horse rider’s boots to keep the horse under its control. And so to love is more than simply to encourage one another and get along; it is also to correct and teach when necessary, even at the cost of awkward confrontations. 

As we understand the power of influence, take a moment to ask yourself this: Who are the people I am influencing?  Who am I being influenced by? Jeremiah clearly warns us to be wise in the people that we surround ourselves with. Are we accountable to a greater body that stirs us toward love and good deeds? May there be people in our lives who will not be afraid to gently rebuke us, to show grace in our failures, and to exhort us in love. Wherever we are, may we seek to be a body of believers who can influence one another to be more like Christ. Take a few moments to pray for our communities and the people in our lives. 

Prayer: Father, I thank You for the people You’ve provided in my life. I pray You will use the people around me to speak truth into my life. Give me a humble heart to receive correction when needed. I also pray I can be a godly brother/sister to the people around me and that I may be a light to them. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 19 

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Lunch Break Study

Read Galatians 2:11-14 “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Questions to consider

1. On what grounds does Paul condemn Peter?
2. What does it mean to “be in step with the truth of the gospel?”
3. What can we learn about Paul’s confrontation with Peter?

Notes

1. Paul accuses Peter of allowing the fear of man (the circumcision party) to influence him, thereby separating himself from the Gentile believers. Commentator George points out, “They were acting as if their Gentile Christian brothers and sisters were still sinners while they, because of their ritual purity and obedience of the law, stood in a different, more favorable relationship to God.” 
2. Later in verses 15-16, Paul establishes the basis for his accusation against Peter. He reminds the believers that we are justified not based on the law or even our cultural upbringing, but Christ alone justifies us. The truth of the gospel is that ALL have been justified, both Jew and Gentile, so we are to welcome and love all. 
3. At a glance, it may seem as though Paul is out of line in speaking to Peter, the well-respected leader among the apostles. If I were Peter, I may have been a little embarrassed and offended for confronting me in front of others. But we see later in 2 Peter 2:14-17, Peter continues to be in good relations with Paul referring to him as his “beloved brother.” Peter is able to receive correction with humility while Paul corrects for the sake of the gospel. 

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Evening Reflection

Consider the people Jesus chose to surround himself with—uneducated fisherman, hated tax collectors, society-rejected women, and a bunch of nobodies. In a world that tells us to be affiliated with successful and like-minded people, may we be able to see people as Christ did. May we surround ourselves with brothers and sisters who will keep us accountable to the gospel. Spend a few moments to think about the people in your life— it can be a close family member or somebody you see on the way to work. May we be Christ to them. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional Spiritual, first posted on August 30, 2017, is provided by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) along with her husband Pastor Sam Lee. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“You First”

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

About eleven years ago at which time my husband and I were pastoring a different church, we had various missionaries and ministers from around the world come through our church. Those were equipping years and I learned so much during that season. I learned not necessarily intellectual or theological things, but what “the culture of God’s Kingdom” really looks like. 

One key thing I observed was the importance of honor. A lot of these people had incredible stories of amazing things they had seen God do, and as such, they brought an air of authority.  Yet, one common characteristic I noticed about them was that they knew how to honor others, especially those engaged in the advancement of the gospel. They were reverent toward others; they elevated others above themselves; and they understood the importance of submitting to those whom God had placed as authority above them.  This “consider[ing] others better than yourselves” (Phi. 2:3), to the point of submitting to them, was ultimately honoring God, as the apostle Paul says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” 

There is beauty in a culture that is built on the heart of submission in which brothers and sisters honor one another. Hearts are enlarged for God in such an atmosphere and there is harmony. So, every time we speak generously of others rather than fault-finding, elevate others above ourselves rather than competing to win, we cultivate an atmosphere of honor. As one pastor put it, honor is a royal attribute of who we are as citizens of heaven. This means that we regard and think of others more highly than ourselves. 

There is, however, another component to honoring. We are to also abide respectfully of the institutions/authorities that have been placed above us.  Our citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20) does not equate to defying what is required of us as citizens here on earth.  We respect the authorities and laws that “have been established by God” (Rom. 13:1) for the common good as well as for the sake of Christ; thus, we pray for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2) rather than criticizing them.  This, then, allows us to be model citizens (i.e., a city on a hill—Mt. 5:14), and as God’s people whose lifestyle bestows respect and honor, we are kept blameless and pure in a society that needs the light of Jesus to guide its path.  Something to think about in our deeply divided nation.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank You for such a great privilege as Your daughter and a royal citizen of Your kingdom. Thank You that every time I honor another and respect the authorities You have placed above me, it advances Your purpose and sustains the culture by which we are called to live. I pray let Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 18

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

Questions to consider

1. How is God speaking to you personally about honor today?

2. What is one thing you can do to honor another person in your life who has been difficult for you to like, much less honor?

3. What are some things you could be praying over the President and leaders in our government?

Notes

1. If you have trouble honoring others, what may be lying deep down in your heart that is blocking your ability to do so? You may have been hurt by someone in authority, abused while growing up, etc. Ask the Lord to show you any blocks, vows, or determinations (e.g., “I will never . . .”) that you may have made that keeps your heart from honoring.

2. Sometimes the first step to honoring someone with whom you have had difficulty is forgiving that person.  Speak out prayers of forgiveness; let go the grudge you have been holding against that individual in Jesus’ name.  This will begin to release you from the attitude of resentment and bitterness (a.k.a., ungodly soul ties) that always cripples the desire and ability to honor those whom we dislike for whatever reasons. 

3. Read over 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and Romans 13:1.

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Evening Reflection

In light of what we meditated on this morning, how did you fare in terms of honoring others and your authorities today?  Remember Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 11, is provided by Christine Wang who, along with her husband Pastor Ulysses, serves the Renewal Church in Sunnyvale, California.  A graduate of New York University, Christine is a proud mother of Audrey and Noah. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Cultivating Obedience” (Part 2)

Jonah 3:1-3

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth

In my previous devotional (9.1.24), I shared how God didn’t relinquish my husband Ulysses and me from the call to China after we had run from it. Instead, He relentlessly pursued us and allowed us time in the “belly of the fish” to experience Him. 

RETURN: While God never relinquished us, it was us who, under the Lord’s tender guidance, were finally able to relinquish all of our weak reasons for disobeying and returned to His calling on our lives. Praise God for giving us second chances and not passing us over when we initially refuse! In September 2012, our family went back to China. We spent the next two years there ministering to a local church and learning so much about ourselves. We were stretched and challenged—it was so difficult but so good. It began to work in me a faith to obey Him who is trustworthy. It was a critical refining period and little did we know it would prepare us for what was to come…

REVELATION: The story of Jonah seems like it could have ended at chapter 3 with Jonah’s obedience to return to Nineveh. Amazingly, it doesn’t. Chapter 4 shows the very real and raw emotions Jonah feels after obeying God. Our obedience could easily be just about performing the task given to us. But we need to remember, God doesn’t need us to do anything. I am reminded of that fact from seeing Jonah’s rather insincere preaching (he hoped that the Ninevites wouldn’t repent and be destroyed as a result—Jonah 4:5-9) resulted in the repentance of an entire nation: “The Ninevites believed God.  They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth” (Jonan 3:5).

So then why does He choose to partner with us to carry out His will on earth? It is an incredible truth that God loves us so much that He wants to transform us and reveal His heart to us in this process. Learning to obey God has fundamentally transformed me and given me a bigger heart for others. When He called us to SF last year to plant a new church, we went through a similar process, but this time, rather than two years, it took a little over two months to say “yes” again!

In Matthew 12:40 says, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Ultimately, Jesus empowers us to say yes because He obeyed the Father and said yes to the Cross. He relinquished all of His rights as the Son of God to save us. Because of that and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can also relinquish and obey!

Do you believe God wants to reveal and transform you – not just get you to perform a task? He cares about you, not just what you do. Wherever you are in the process of turning that NO to a YES, remember that He seeks to work in you! 

Prayer:  Lord, I thank You for Your sacrifice that you made on the cross.  Transform me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can surrender and obey You completely and wholeheartedly.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 17

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on November 5, 2017, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Proclaim His Compassion”

Genesis 18:26-33

The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” 29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” 33 When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

During World War II, some soldiers serving in France wanted to bury a friend and fellow soldier who had been killed. Being in a foreign country, they wanted to ensure their fallen comrade had a proper burial. They found a well-kept cemetery with a low stone wall around it by a beautiful Catholic church and a peaceful outlook—this was just the place to bury their friend. But when they approached the priest, he answered that unless their friend was a baptized Catholic he could not be buried in the cemetery. The fallen soldier wasn’t. Sensing the soldier’s disappointment, the priest showed them a spot outside the walls where they could bury their friend. Reluctantly, they did so.

The next day the soldiers returned to pay their final respects to their fallen friend but could not find the grave. “Surely we can’t be mistaken. It was right here!” they said. Confused, they approached the priest who took them to a spot inside the cemetery walls. “Last night I couldn’t sleep,” said the priest, “I was troubled that your friend had to be buried outside the cemetery walls, so I got up and moved the fence.”  This story has more than one lesson; I’m opting for compassion, that is, the priest’s action was prompted by his compassion for the fallen soldier. 

In this passage, the Lord had explained to Abraham what He was about to do to the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Knowing that his nephew Lot resided in that city, he persistently begged the Lord for His mercy upon these two cities. He was so persistent that the Lord was willing to spare the cities if 10 righteous people were there.

While this passage can be focused on the power of prayer, I believe our focus should be on the compassion of God. The Lord’s willingness to bring down the number of righteous people reveals His longing to spare the city. Lot’s family, alone, should have covered 10 righteous people; yet, we learn that this was not the case.

Our society may see a God who is quick to judge cities, however we believe in a God who is merciful and compassionate to all His creation, not just to believers. Psalm 145:8-12 says, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made…so that all people may know of your might acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.”

Our God is persistent in showing mercy because He desires for all of creation to turn back to Him. It is our job, as believers, to proclaim the splendor of His compassion and share His goodness with all peoples. 

What are some areas of your life where you can proclaim His good news? What hinders you from doing so? As His church, we are called to be the loudest voice of His mercy.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that You are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Because of Your goodness, I am saved. Help me not to be afraid to proclaim Your goodness to my family members, coworkers, and strangers. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 15-16

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 9, 2018, 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/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Pillars and Pomegranates”

Jeremiah 52:17-23

And the pillars of bronze that were in the house of the Lord, and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of the Lord, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried all the bronze to Babylon. And they took away the pots and the shovels and the snuffers and the basins and the dishes for incense and all the vessels of bronze used in the temple service; also the small bowls and the fire pans and the basins and the pots and the lampstands and the dishes for incense and the bowls for drink offerings. What was of gold the captain of the guard took away as gold, and what was of silver, as silver. As for the two pillars, the one sea, the twelve bronze bulls that were under the sea, and the stands, which Solomon the king had made for the house of the Lord, the bronze of all these things was beyond weight. As for the pillars, the height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, its circumference was twelve cubits, and its thickness was four fingers, and it was hollow. On it was a capital of bronze. The height of the one capital was five cubits. A network and pomegranates, all of bronze, were around the capital. And the second pillar had the same, with pomegranates. There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; all the pomegranates were a hundred upon the network all around.

One of the most frustrating things is to do a lot of work, and never be recognized for it. I remember one time when I came early to a Friday night worship at my church. And out of the “kindness” of my heart, I decided to vacuum all the floors and set up all the chairs before anyone else got there. I did it joyfully, whistling praise songs the whole time. And when it was all done, I looked upon my work and let out a sigh of contentment as I thought of all the wonderful things people would say, such as, “Wow, who set up all these chairs? That person is so servant-like! And wow, the floor is so clean! Certainly, a Jesus-centered person did all of this!” But no such comments were made. And as the night progressed, my joy began to turn into frustration. The worst part was the aftermath. When the night was over, the chairs were scattered in disarray. Trash and empty boba cups littered the floor. All my work was not only unremembered but trashed upon. Or so I thought.

When I first read this passage in Jeremiah, I thought to myself, “Why on earth is the Bible talking about pots, small bowls, and lampstands right now?!” I mean, this is an account of the devastating destruction of Jerusalem, and here the author is writing about the ninety-six pomegranates that were on the side of some pillar? None of it matters! It’s all being trashed upon anyway! Or so I thought.

What I now understand is that the Lord sees and remembers every work that is done unto Him. Whether it is setting up chairs or making decorative pomegranates, when we do it as unto the Lord, it doesn’t even matter if it ends up being taken for granted or taken for loot . . . because God sees, remembers, and ultimately redeems (and rewards).

Today, perhaps you are involved in tasks that seem meaningless to you. Or maybe you’re struggling to get appreciated for the work that you do. Either way, let’s do our tasks, our ministry, and our careers as unto the Lord. When we hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” may that be more than enough for us.

Prayer: Lord, may we not seek the applause of man, or find our worth in the approval of others. Instead, would You speak truth over us, that we are Your children, and that before we did anything for anyone, You are already pleased with us. May we carry this truth with us wherever we go, and may it free us to truly excel in our work. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 14

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9: What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Questions to Consider

1. In this passage, what title does Paul give to himself and Apollos?
2. According to the passage, what was Paul’s role in building the church in Corinth?
3. What can we learn from Paul’s attitude towards his own ministry in Corinth?

Notes

1. In this passage, Paul calls both himself and Apollos, “servants”. Later he also says they are God’s fellow workers. Earlier in the chapter, Paul identifies himself as “an apostle, called by the will of God”. But here, he reminds the Corinthians that even though he is an apostle, he is still just a servant.
2. Acts 18 tells us that Paul is the one who planted this church in Corinth. But here, he seems to take almost no credit for that. He says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
3. It is true that Paul was instrumental in setting up the foundations of the early Gentile church. (He even says so himself, later in 1 Corinthians.) However, his attitude is that he is merely a servant, a fellow worker of God. In regard to the work he does, it’s God who gives the growth. And in regard to ownership of the ministry, it’s God’s field and God’s building. In other words, everything belongs to God. We must learn how to serve and work as excellently as Paul did, while reminding ourselves that it’s God who gives the growth, and that it all belongs to God.

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Evening Reflection

In Luke chapter 3, when Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove and a voice calls out from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Take note that this was before Jesus began His ministry, before He gave a teaching, before He performed a miracle, and before He died on the cross. God was already pleased. In the same way, He is already pleased with you, His child. Let’s meditate on this as we finish out our day tonight.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 20, 2018, is provided by Jennifer Kim who served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thoughts for Today

(Happy Thanksgiving)

“Greater Are His Ways”

James 1:22-25

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Today’s passage is one that I used to hear every youth pastor speak on, yet I always had difficulty understanding it as a young believer. I didn’t necessarily have trouble understanding the meaning of the passage, but I couldn’t seem to understand the analogy associated with the verse. I mean how ridiculous is it for any person to forget what they look like after staring at the mirror. Isn’t the very point of staring at a mirror to see what you look like? It would take me a long time to realize that the absurdity of the analogy was precisely why it was used in this context. In the same way it is ridiculous for any person to forget what they look like after staring at an object for the sole purpose of looking at themselves, it is foolish for a person to stare at a Bible and walk away with the heart of disobedience. Why read the Word then?

Today’s passage highlights the truth that we are called to read the Word with the heart to obey. Anything other than a desire towards obedience to the Word is deception in James’s eyes, and as absurd as forgetting how you look like while staring at a mirror. But more than that, we read that obedience to the will of God is what leads to true blessings. So often we believe our ways are better than God’s way because we want to see our own type of fruit, but James shows us that true blessing comes in walking in alignment with the Father. 

Stickered on the front page of my Bible is a post-it that says, “If we read with the will to obey, He by His Spirit will show us His way.” Let us be people who open our Bibles every day, not just for the sake of reading the Word, but with the will to obey. When we come with this heart of obedience it is God’s promise that He will show us a way to submit to His will. Take some time now to reflect on any areas of your life that you are struggling to obey God. Be encouraged by today’s passage that it is in the perfect law that there is freedom, and thus, you can release your plans for His as God’s desire is to bring blessings upon your life.

Prayer: God I thank you for Your saving grace that has made me a new creation. Help me to read the Word every day with the heart of obedience. I pray that You would make a way in times when my heart desires to go astray. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 13

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Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 19:7-11:The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Questions to Consider: 

1. What does this passage say about the commandment of the Lord (i.e., descriptors)?
2. What does this passage list as the benefits of keeping God’s commandments?
3. Take some time to reflect on ways you can obey the Lord today. It can be as simple as taking the time to pray for your neighbors or maybe it’s something God has been asking you to do for a while, but you have been hesitant to obey. May you find that the Word is sweater than honey as you obey His call.

Notes:

1. The law is perfect, right, pure, clean, true, righteous, precious, and sweet.
2. The law will revive one’s soul, rejoice one’s heart, and enlighten one’s eyes.
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

Today we discussed our call to not only read the Word but to obey His Word. So how did you do? Were you able to read the Word with the will to obey? If you are struggling with obedience in a particular area can I encourage you to share with a trusted friend. Some of the greatest breakthroughs come in vulnerability and prayer, and it may just be the encouragement you need. Tomorrow is a new day, may your prayer be that you would begin each day with a heart of obedience to the King!

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 23, 2017, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for Today

“The Day Before Thanksgiving”

Genesis 21:22-34

At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.” 25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our AMI family! I pray that wherever you are, your heart is full of gratitude because of God’s faithfulness in your life. It was almost 400 years ago when the first US Thanksgiving was celebrated by a fraction of the surviving pilgrims who came to the New World. It had been the first successful harvest after much suffering and loss. And on this day, alongside Native American friends who had greatly assisted the Pilgrims in settling in their new homes, they got together for three days of feasting and fellowship. Literary Critic Kathleen Donegan in a PBS special on the First Thanksgiving recounts the following: Part of the reason why they were grateful was because they had been in such misery… so in some way, that day of thanksgiving is coming out of mourning. It’s also coming out of grief. And this abundance that is a relief from that loss… but we don’t think about the loss; we think about the abundance.

Today’s passage can easily be overlooked. But upon further investigation, this part of the story  actually has a lot of connections to the first observance of Thanksgiving. Commentators note the significance of this covenant made between Abraham and Abimelech as Abraham’s first steps of leaving the nomadic way of life and establishing himself in the land where God had promised to make him a great nation—Canaan. What may not be apparent especially to modern-day readers is this dispute over a well.  Scholars note that in such arid climates, the securing of a water source is of greatest importance when it comes to establishing a settlement. By having Abimelech guarantee the ownership of the well at Beersheba as belonging to Abraham, he had now secured his water source. And much like the Pilgrims who celebrated God’s provision in helping them settle in their new home, Abraham begin to establish roots into the promised land of God. 

As you take this day to remember all the ways the Lord has been faithful to you, how He has established your ways through His blessings, is your heart overflowing with gratitude? Or are we too consumed by the things that we do not have or, as Donegan put it, are we focused on the miseries and the loss? Not that those things are insignificant, but because God is so much more significant, we are able to focus on His goodness. May God bring to remembrance today all that He has done for us, starting with the cross of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank You! Thank You for who You are! Thank You for all that You have done! You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. You are Jehovah Shalom, the God of my peace. Everything I have in life is because of Your grace. And on this day, I choose to look to Your goodness. Help me to make this the posture in which I live every day of my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 12

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, what is rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks a summation of? What allows you to do this?
2. What is the relationship between rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving? How do you see these things playing a role in your life?
3. As you take a moment to reflect, is there an example of a hardship in your life where in Christ, you were able to or you could have given thanks in even that circumstance? How so?

Notes

1. The passage shows that rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks is the will of God for us—this is what He wants for our lives. When so many of us ask about the will of God in terms of direction or decisions, this passage points to the posture in which we are called to live. And this is possible all because of what Christ has done and accomplished on our behalf. 
2. It is often explained that these three things are three aspects of the same experience. Rejoicing is the inward experiencing of God; thanksgiving is the outward expression of that rejoicing toward God; prayer is the process through which we come to understand and experience from God’s perspective. The psalms are an expression of these three things at play. Therefore, it (singular) is the will of God for us—you cannot truly have one without the other. 
3. Personal reflection. Really spend some time thinking through this—go deeper with the Spirit rather than giving a “Sunday school” response. Taste and see that it is possible to give thanks in all circumstances. 

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Evening Reflection

I hope your bellies are full at this point. We have spent the day reflecting upon the goodness of God that has established our lives to where it is now. As we prepare for tomorrow, take this moment to posture yourself to give thanks now for what will happen tomorrow. In what ways can you start tomorrow by giving thanks now?

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional Spiritual, first posted on August 11, 2018, is provided by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) along with her husband Pastor Sam Lee.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Thinking About the New Year (a Month Before)”

Jeremiah 31: 7-10

For thus says the Lord: ‘Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, together; a great throng shall return there. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn. ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’

There are various traditions around the world by which countries celebrate the ringing in of a new year. In China, people launch fireworks to drive away evil and celebrate the coming of a new time. In Australia, people have picnics and camp out on the beach on New Year’s Eve, and blow whistles, shake rattles, and press car horns to welcome a new year. Then, of course, in the US, we have our traditional ball dropping in NYC with a ball being slowly dropped down a pole a minute prior to midnight and people count-down to ring in a new year. These and many more other ways are traditions by which people around the world are recognizing and celebrating the faithful arriving of an expected promise—that is, a new start.

In Jeremiah 31:7 it says, “For thus says the Lord: ‘Sing with gladness for Jacob and shout among chief of the nations: proclaim, give praise, and say, “O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel!” The Lord welcomes the people of Israel to bear witness to God’s faithfulness to them as a nation with jubilant shouts. He promises them that His salvation and faithfulness will be made evident as they will be gathered together as one nation again; and they are to celebrate in advance as a declaration of what is coming. In a similar way, there are promises of God that are over your life that you can offer up thanksgiving and praises in advance, as a declaration of what is to come for you. It is fuel to your spirit and soul to consider what God has spoken in the Scriptures regarding all aspects of your life, including your direction of life, provisions, relationships, health, etc. These are promises that have been provided for you to boldly claim and take hold of.

The Lord has granted you answers and tokens of great hope in the Bible. You need only to expectantly celebrate them in advance, like the Israelites, and declare of every good thing that is coming to pass upon you. Your life will be evidence of God’s unrelenting faithfulness; so go ahead and thank Him in advance as a declaration of His goodness over you!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are so good and Your promises for me are real! You have promises to prosper me in every regard. Thank You for the great hope and anticipation that I can have regarding all areas of my concern, for Your faithfulness will be made evident to me. I celebrate my life that is completely in You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Lamentations 3:22-23: Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Questions to Consider

1. What are the areas of your life that you need the Lord’s promises for?
2. How can you adjust your thinking patterns and words to affirm God’s biblical promises for you?
3. What is the greatest testimony that you have regarding God’s faithfulness towards you?

Notes

1. Write down areas of your life that you need breakthrough in. Search the Scriptures and find God’s promises for you in these areas. Write them down along the sides of each area. Pray these promises into those areas of your life; and because it is in God’s Word, it means it is His will for you, so you can pray with expectancy.
2. In order to declare God’s promises over your life, you will need to adjust your thinking and speech according to what has been spoken for you in the Bible. This is part of how you thank the Lord in advance, as well as declare them over your life to see them into fruition.
3. You have a history with God that is personal to you, which also reveals the personal ways of how God interacts with you. Take time to reflect on what He has already done for you, so that your faith can again be strengthened and activated.

Evening Reflection

We began the day challenged to declare and thank God in advance for His promises over all areas of your life. In the light of this challenge, how did you fare in gratitude and declaration?

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 26, 2018, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Our Words Have Power”

James 3.1-7 (NASB)

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.  2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 

One of the few TV shows I’ve seen in its entirety is an early 2000s political drama called The West Wing. As the name suggests, it is a show about the inner workings of the White House, in particular, the relationship between the President and his most trusted advisors. There is a particular episode where the staff is preparing for the State of the Union Address—this speech can make or break the political agenda of the president. Therefore, an incredible amount of preparation goes into writing this speech.

There’s a scene where the staff brings together a group of people where they “test” or “poll” particular words/phrases to see how they respond. Even the intonation of how these words are said are polled. And the results from this polling impacted what or how something was said in the State of the Union. This is the power of words. 

As we reflect through the book of James, we see that Scripture also testifies to the power of words. So powerful are the things that come out of our mouth that James goes as far as to say that it can defile the entire body or even set on fire the course of our life (v. 6). It is likened to a bit in the mouth of a horse or the small rudder of a boat—meaning, our words are able to steer the entire body. Especially for those of us who are in positions of leadership/teaching, we should use great caution in our speech.  

As a society, we have rejected (rightfully so) the age-old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Yet, we also live in a society where anonymity of online profiles is part of our everyday interactions. Sarcasm and irony is the tone of our sense of humor; comments can be just as easily edited and they are typed. In such a climate, it is so easy for us to not consider every day the words that emerge from our mouths. How often do we consider that what we speak comes from the same place from which we bless our Lord and Father ? (v. 9)

Today and tomorrow, we’ll be reflecting on what James teaches us on the words that we speak. Perhaps it is a timely reminder for all of us to reconsider not only what we say but how we say things as ones who are seeking the righteousness of God (1:19-20). 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we praise You for You have the words of life. And we take this moment to pause and reflect upon the words that we speak—to ourselves and to those around us. We repent not only for the words that were spoken but for our lack of mindfulness of those words. Purify our hearts so that the words that overflow may reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 10

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Lunch Break Study

Read Proverbs 10: 11, 19, 21, 31-32: The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence . . .  19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent . . . 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Questions to Consider

1. Proverbs are often structured into duplets—one in the positive, the other in the negative. Take a moment to weigh the two sides laid out in this proverb.
2. What are some themes you see throughout the proverb in relation to speech?
3. In what ways does this proverb speak to the way you use your speech?

Notes

1. v.11 righteous mouth gives life, wicked mouth covers wrong
   v.19 wisdom in restraining words, sin when words are many
   v.21 righteous mouth betters others, foolishness leads to destruction
   v.31 righteous mouth brings wisdom, perverse tongues leads to destruction
   v.32 righteous lips understands what is good, wicked mouth knows what is evil
2. General themes: those who are wise or have understanding are careful in how they use their words, which benefit not only themselves but those around them. Those who do not consider their words leads to destruction, perverseness, evil, and transgression.
3. Personal response. 

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Evening Reflection

You probably went throughout today speaking—whether verbally or through email/text—many words. Take a moment to pause and reflect on those words. Are they honoring to the Lord? Do they reflect the way of the wise or the perverse? Spend some time bringing your words and speech to the Lord; ask for His refinement. 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on October 29, 2017.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God Watches You”

Genesis 16:12-16

He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” 13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. 15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

I pastor a church in Los Angeles, and we recently had the privilege of moving into a larger building just a couple months ago. But with a new and bigger building, we’ve come to see unexpected needs rise, including the need to install a vastly improved and expensive surveillance system to monitor the spacious structure. We are hoping to have it up and running soon, because we’ve already had a few things go missing. At those very moments, I wish I was able to see what happened or who may have taken it. 

Sometimes we forget that God sees and knows everything. He is not blind or unknowing; but if He was, I wonder how we would conduct ourselves. Would it make a difference in the way we talk or behave, especially those moments when no one is looking? Often when we don’t give too much thought to God, it’s because we fail to treat Him as God. So when Hagar has been mistreated and abused, she recognizes that God does see all (Genesis 16:13). 

Do you know that God sees you? It is one thing to know that He loves you and hears your prayers, but it is quite another to know that His eyes are upon you—He is watching you.  But don’t compare His eyes to a surveillance camera, as though He is spying on you to chastise you when you fail. No, the concept of God seeing us is a loving concept. He watches us because He is concerned about us and loves to see us, similar to a parent who loves to watch his children sleep and play. It gives God joy to see us go through life and learn about Him and interact with other people. And He also keeps His eyes on us to shield us from harm. 

God watches you. Why? Because God loves you. This is what Hagar knew about her God. So she is able to return to Abram and Sarai, and she is received back into the home where Abram does better to take responsibility for his actions. It’s knowing that God was with her that gave her the confidence to come back to the father of her child. 

Today, be certain that God has not abandoned you. He watches over you. He can even look into your heart and know things that you don’t even understand about yourself. Allow God to search your heart and let Him refine you from the inside out. Trust that you are not alone—He is with you when you are awake, and He is with you when you are asleep. Take comfort and lift up your eyes and meet the eyes of God in Christ Jesus. 

Prayer: God, help me to know that You are with me. You have not forsaken me. Even when I feel utterly alone and abandoned, You have not left me. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 9