November 17, Sunday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, 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

“Friend Of God”

Genesis 6:13, 17-19a

Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.

17 Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you;

John 15:13-16

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Who are your favorite famous friends? Batman and Robin? Bonnie and Clyde (for the dangerous among us)? David and Jonathan (for the extra holy among us)? Woody & Buzz? (“You’ve got a friend in me!”)

Friendship is a precious thing. Thirteenth-century theologian Thomas Aquinas once said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” The Bible affirms this and is full of proverbs about it. I’m sure you could easily bring to mind the special people you call friend and the things that make that friendship delightful.  

In Genesis 6, we see that God and Noah were friends. How do we know this? Because God shared His heart with Noah (a broken heart in Gen. 6) and even shared what He was up to (bringing a flood – Gen. 6:17). Many generations later God would come even closer in the person of Jesus and the disciples would enjoy friendship with God as well. And later still, Jesus would extend that friendship to all who would receive it through the Holy Spirit living within them. Of all the things we are privileged to call God – parent, savior, shepherd, teacher – I find it special that God also chooses us as friends. In God, we find the greatest friend imaginable (beyond what we can imagine, even). 

I once read of a middle school teacher who asked her students to define friend. Their responses: “A friend is a pair of open arms in a society of armless people.” / “A friend is a warm bedroll on a cold and frosty night.” / “A friend is a mug of hot cocoa on a damp cloudy day.” / “A friend is a beautiful orchard in the middle of the desert.” / “A friend is a hot bath after you have walked 20 miles on a dusty road.” (Some pretty deep middle schoolers!)

Sometimes I find that I’m too busy and too self-absorbed to notice God’s gestures of friendship in my life. Maybe you can relate. But when I stop to remember, I know God is the greatest friend I’ve ever had. And I wonder too if those same traits keep us from being good friends to God in turn – sharing our heart and plans with Him, partnering with Him in His dreams – the way He does for us. Let us not forsake today the gift of friendship with God! And let us not only be partakers of God’s friendship, but may we also offer our friendship to Him as well.  

Prayer: God, You are my friend. That is an amazing truth. Thank You for choosing to share Your heart and Your life with me. Forgive me for the times I’ve not been a very good friend to You. Help me not to take our friendship for granted, but to offer You my time and affections, inviting You into all the parts of my life because that’s what friends do. Help me to experience the reality of friendship with You today.  In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 1

November 16, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on October 21, 2017, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is the Lead Pastor of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Countering the Disease of More”

Genesis 14:17-20

After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Riley talked about what he called “the disease of more.”  He proposed that “success is often the first step towards disaster,” because once people ( a sports team especially) have experienced success, they start thinking selfishly and catching the disease of more—wanting  more money, more playing time, more benefits, more recognition, etc.  This is why sports dynasties are hard to come by because teams can so easily be infected by the disease of more and start clamoring for more.

If we think about how much success and wealth we have in our society, it’s pretty clear that we suffer from a severe case of the disease of more. Everyone is striving for more income, more social status, more affirmation, more recognition, etc.  If we can be honest with ourselves, we can probably see disease of more in our own hearts.  Especially when we experience success and achievement, we are rarely content but only have a craving for more.

Abram was a prime patient for the disease of more in Genesis 14. He had just achieved great victory, handily defeating his overwhelming numerous enemies with great courage and tact.  At this point, he should have been basking in the glow of such great success.  But thankfully, Abram did not succumb to the disease of more.  Instead, he encountered this mysterious man named Melchizedek, a priest of God, who we meet only this one time in the Bible.  Regardless of who he is, Melchizedek came to Abram in the afterglow of his victories, blessed him, and told him that God himself—the possessor or creator of heaven and earth—is the one who had delivered him, bringing him victory.  We’re not told of any conversation between Abram and Melchizedek, but what we do see is that Abram proceeded to give Melchizedek a tenth of everything. 

Abram didn’t fall prey to the disease of more because he knew where his success came from.  He knew that neither his victory over the kings nor his wealth was because of himself, but it was all from God Most High.  Abram knew he was blessed by the grace of God.  Because of this, he doesn’t succumb to the disease of more, but instead, he willingly gave away a tenth of everything as a tithe.

How can we cure the disease of more within ourselves?  By acknowledging the true source of success and victory.  When we experience success and victory, we are tempted to credit ourselves, but instead, we must fight to know the truth and credit God alone.  For people who are infected with the disease of more, the idea of tithing is preposterous, but for those who know where their success comes from, giving away a tenth of everything is easy, because they know it’s not theirs to keep anyways.

Let us seek healing from the disease of more and give God the credit and the glory!

Prayer: Jesus, I thank You for all that You have given me, and I pray that I will not give credit to myself, but always give You the glory.  You are the giver of every good and perfect gift, and You deserve all of the credit and glory.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Daniel 12, Obadiah 1

November 15, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Quiet Time, first posted on September 14, 2018, is provided by Pastor David Yoon of Tapestry Church (L.A.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Stand in the Gap”

Ezekiel 22:30-31

“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.31 Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”

When I was a youth pastor, I led a team on a short-term mission trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. For two weeks we partnered with local churches and organizations and helped host several Vacation Bible Schools. One day the pastor we were working with requested our team to do a one-day VBS program for a group of 30 orphaned and abandoned children. When it was time for lunch, each of the children received a small Styrofoam box with rice and one piece of fried chicken—each boxed meal was less than 25 cents. 

After we prayed for the food we told them to start eating, but none of them would open their box. Confused, we asked a child why he wasn’t eating. He replied to the pastor’s wife, “Auntie, can we eat all of this? Will we get food later?” She assured the children that there would be more food later and the children began to eat. Our team learned that there were times when the children would receive only one meal a day so they wanted to save it. Our hearts broke and I left the room to pray. In tears, I asked God why these children had to suffer, and deep inside my heart, I felt the Holy Spirit convict me, “David, this is why I brought you here. Will you love these children?” Have you ever experienced a tremendous burden for the lost?

In today’s passage, Israel’s reputation has become “an infamous city full of turmoil” (22:5). They were worshipping false gods, defiling the name of God, and the cities were full of violence and idolatry. God sought for an individual who would be willing to stand in the breach when the nation was in moral and spiritual crises. In the past, He found Moses, Deborah and Daniel who were willing to stand in the breach; but here in this passage, we see that God couldn’t find anyone. The word “breach” can be translated as an act of breaking a law, an agreement, or code of conduct, as well as a hole that has been made in the walls. If you stepped into the breach, you stood in front of the hole in order to stop enemies from entering. God’s plan for reaching ungodly people and nations is still the same today. He is looking for godly men and women to stand in the gap: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

In light of this, let us pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give us the strength and boldness to stand in the gap today. Whether it’s in our workplace, home or nation, may we have the heart of apostle Paul who said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers….” Let us look to Christ who stood in the gap, demonstrating His love towards us through His death and resurrection. 

Prayer: Father God, Your mercies are new every morning. Will You forgive me for the wickedness in my heart. Open my eyes and heart to see the brokenness around me. Give me the boldness to live out my faith and shine the light of the gospel. I pray for those who have yet to hear of Your Name. Allow me to be Your hands and feet wherever I am. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does Isaiah remind us that one day our human strength will fail?
  2. What does it mean to wait for the Lord?

Notes

  1. This is a time when the Jews have been exiled in Babylon. They have lost their home and have been in captivity for many decades and are living in despair. They believed that God had abandoned them and have lost sight of hope. At this time Isaiah prophesizes and reminds them to not doubt but to trust in God and redirects the people of Israel toward renewal in hope. Isaiah reminds us that we are no match for the demands of life but God will renew our strength.
  2. To wait on the Lord is not a matter of willpower but of expectancy. There are times when God will delay His answer and we wonder why He is slow in intervening. But waiting on the Lord means that we trust that He will come at the perfect moment. 

Evening Reflection

Find a place suited for silence and solitude. Acknowledge the presence of God. Read and reflect on Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

November 14, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on August 16, 2018, is provided by Pastor Barry Kang, who heads Symphony Church in Boston.  Barry is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Gordon Conwell Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“God is in control: in His timing”

Jeremiah 29:7

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.

During my senior year in college, I was in the throes of looking for a job after graduation.  My recruitment had not been going well relative to many of my peers who already had offers, when I received an unusual offer.  The recruiter called and explained that the company had already completed its recruitment and all of their offers had been accepted for the year, but they really liked me and wanted me for the following year. She light-heartedly suggested that I could go back-packing in Europe while I waited.  I was flattered but quickly and firmly told her no.  One year was far too long to wait; I wanted to get started on my career now.

The exiles in Babylon had been hoping to get back to Jerusalem within a couple of years.  They grasped unto prophets who declared such things (cf. Jeremiah 28).  Instead, God told them to get comfortable in Babylon and actually start investing in Babylon!  Now the news was going to get worse.  Seventy years!  As a 21-year old, I didn’t like the idea of waiting one year.  For the exiles, it would take seventy years before God would bring them home. 

God’s plans run on God’s timing.  We have to know that.  His timing is not the same as our timing.  Because his perspective is different than our perspective.  Now that I’ve doubled my age from when I was in college, I have a very different perspective on that one year I declined to take off.  Seventy years may seem like a long time, but not when we view it from the lens of eternity (which we will have).  This morning, let us seek to trust in God’s timing for His plans!

Prayer: Father, with my finite perspective, I can be so impatient.  I ask for Your forgiveness for that impatience.  I want to trust in Your timing because I know You have a perfect perspective.  As I understand this more and more, help me to be faithful today and tomorrow and every day after that, because no matter how long I wait, I know that Your timing is best!   In Jesus name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 10

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 is the fallacy that James is warning us against?  Why is this foolishness (the opposite of wisdom)?
  2. What, instead, should be our approach?
  3. To what extent are you living for your own plans and timing versus the plans and the timing of God?

Notes

  1. James warns us against the foolishness of making plans apart from God.  This is foolishness since even tomorrow is not promised to us.  We are not in control of our futures and we are not even ultimately in control of our lives.  To live as though we can be fully in control is to ignore the reality that we are actually not in control.
  2. Our approach, instead, should be to trust in God who is in control, and seek His will to be done rather than our own.  In the end, this is the wise and sensible approach to life. 
  3. Please take some time to reflect upon these questions.

Evening Reflection  

To what extent are you submitting to the plans and timing of God versus your own?  What is God asking you to surrender?  Where is He asking you to be patient?  Please journal your meditations.

November 13, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 7, 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

“Faithful Messenger”

Jeremiah 51:59-64

The word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon, in the fourth year of his reign. Seraiah was the quartermaster. Jeremiah wrote in a book all the disaster that should come upon Babylon, all these words that are written concerning Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah: “When you come to Babylon, see that you read all these words, and say, ‘O Lord, you have said concerning this place that you will cut it off, so that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be desolate forever.’ When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted.’”

Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

In Japan, in the 1600-1800’s, there was a little-known class of messengers known as Hikyaku. Because of the mountainous terrain of Japan, the quickest way to send messages and/or small parcels across the country was to send it on foot. And so, the Hikyaku were actually an elite group of mountain runners who, according to 19th century records by British diplomats, could run up to 850 miles in 9 days! During the Feudal ages of Japan, the Hikyaku played an important role in carrying critical messages from city to city. It’s easy to see why these running messengers had to be faithful, perseverant, trustworthy, and determined in order to do their job, especially since not every message they carried would necessarily be well-received.

Our passage today comes towards the very end of the book of Jeremiah. And for the past couple chapters, Jeremiah had been declaring all sorts of prophetic words of destruction against the nation of Babylon. Here, we discover that Jeremiah gives a copy of these words to Seraiah (who is being taken to Babylon) and commands him to read it aloud when he gets to Babylon. Can you imagine being in Seraiah’s shoes? How would you feel about being the messenger of this kind of news?

There’s something that the Hikyaku, Seraiah, and we all have in common: we are all messengers of a sort. And like any messenger, our duty is to be faithful, perseverant, trustworthy, and determined, especially since not every part of our message will be well-received. 

The message that Seraiah was carrying was essentially the words of God, given through the prophet Jeremiah. And the message was actually good news for those trusted in God. It meant that God was indeed greater than Babylon. It also meant that the prisoners and the oppressed in Babylon would be set free, and that salvation was on its way. But for the fans of Babylon, it was an incredibly offensive piece of news. Nevertheless, Seraiah’s job was to faithfully deliver this message. In a similar way, the message of the gospel is an offense to those who are fans of this world. Yet, to the believers, it is the hope of salvation. How faithful of a messenger are you?

Prayer: Lord, forgive us, remind us, and strengthen us this morning. Forgive us for the times when we have not been faithful messengers of the gospel, opting to fear man rather than obeying You. Remind us that the message that we carry is the greatest news ever, and the harvest of those who need to hear it is plentiful. Strengthen us by your Holy Spirit, that we might have the courage, the wisdom, and the love to be more faithful messengers of this gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 9

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Questions to Consider

  1. When Paul came to Corinth, in what manner did he proclaim God’s Word?
  2. Why did Paul decide to do it this way?
  3. What does this say about the way we ought to share the Gospel?

Notes

  1. According to the passage, when Paul arrived in Corinth, he decided not to rely on lofty (eloquent) speech or wisdom (in the human sense) to share the message of God. Instead, he decided only to rely on power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  2. To fully answer this question, it’s helpful to read Acts 17 & 18. In the aforementioned chapters, it seems that Paul observed the Greek culture, which highly valued eloquent words of wisdom. But Paul is making a point to the church in Corinth (a Greek city), that the gospel is not really about human wisdom and fancy wordplay, but rather about the power of what Jesus did. And in order to make this point clear, he came to Corinth resolving not to rely on eloquent words when communicating the power of the gospel.
  3. First off, Paul isn’t condemning education, or eloquent speech. In fact, in Acts 17, just before he arrives in Corinth, he preaches the gospel with great eloquence to the Athenians. What we CAN draw from this passage is that when our words are devoid of the actual gospel message, it doesn’t actually matter how fancy or wise or palatable our message sounds—there is no power. In short, we can apply eloquence where it is appropriate, but we must never leave out the gospel.

Evening Reflection

Today we talked about being a faithful messenger of the gospel. Spend some time thinking and praying for the people whom God has placed around you. What is one step you can take towards sharing the message of the gospel with them?

November 12, Tuesday

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 Thought for This Morning

“The God of Every Good and Perfect Gift”

James 1:12-18

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Back in 2016, I fell into a deep state of depression that shook every foundation in my life. I had hit such a low point that I became adamant about changing every routine in my life just to see healing. One of those changes was running regularly. It was about three weeks into my new routine, however, when I went out for my run and I clumsily stepped hard into a ditch. I heard a pop in my hip and I was immediately on the floor in pain. (Later, I was diagnosed with a hip labral tear that would require surgery.) My honest thought at the moment was, “Really God?! I’m already in emotional pain. Now this!” 

When trials come our way, one of the last things on our mind is to remain faithful and believe that at the end of it, we “will receive the crown of life” (v.12). Instead, we focus on our problems, we wonder why God would bring us pain, and we blame God, actively choosing sin as we try to make our own way. While exercising is not sin, I later realized that my decision to go running was my own; and in my distraction, I did not see the ditch that was right in front of me.

But today’s passage shows us that God does not tempt us, but we have a choice during our moments of trial to choose God or be tempted by sin. While it may be easier to be tempted by sin during our difficulties, we see that all sin leads to spiritual death, while our God offers every good and perfect gift. To receive the crown of life, we must choose every day and in every situation which master we will serve—God or sin.

There is more to this story (i.e., God’s healing) and I plan to share that tomorrow.  For now, remember that whatever you are going through in your life, may today’s passage be a reminder that every good and perfect gift is from above. God knows your pain, and your struggles are not in vain. Take heart for God has overcome to world, and He desires to lavish on you the crown of life!

Prayer: God, I thank You that every good and perfect gift is from You. Help me to see that in every trial and tribulation, that Your desire is not to harm me but to raise me up. Help me to choose You this day so that I may walk in faithfulness and away from sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 8

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 6:25-34:“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Questions to Consider

  1. Why does Jesus tell us not to worry?
  2. Who does Jesus associate worriers with?
  3. What are some of the things that worry you the most? Reflect on whether these worries come from desires that drive your life instead of faith in God.

Notes

  1. Because our Heavenly Father provides for all our needs.
  2. Jesus says that pagans worry about the needs of life, but as Christians, we are called to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
  3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

This morning we reflected on our Heavenly Father who provides every good and perfect gift; and in the afternoon, we looked at Jesus’ call to Christians to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness that it may go well with us.  The two are very much intertwined when we recognize that we are called to live a life of faith. Faith is what will allow us to endure trials, recognizing that it’s in our trials that God is doing a good work in us. And faith is what will allow us to recognize that God will provide for all of our needs. Take time to reflect on some areas that you are lacking faith, and ask God to fill you with hope and trust in this area. It is God’ desire that you would release the doubts, so that He may fill it with Truth. It all begins with a prayer of submission and release.

November 11, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional was first posted on August 22, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Joy of the Lord”

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

This summer, I was part of a short-term mission’s team to Vietnam with AMI and served under Pastor Phi and his wife, Mai, for about two weeks. It was an incredible experience in which I witnessed God moving powerfully during times of worship and speak supernaturally through the prophetic prayers of those who were then strangers.

I’m not sure whether I will always remember what types of breakthrough came during these powerful moments, but I will never forget Mai’s relentless and life-giving smile. During the last day of our youth camp, I was tasked with waking up the children who were napping in the auditorium during our lunch break. For a lack of a better illustration, the next scene felt like a zombie apocalypse of little children. In a matter of three seconds, the hundreds of children who were sleeping ever-so-peacefully on the auditorium floor, all jumped to their feet and began running around and screaming in excitement. I remember standing there with my mouth agape, looking at my team members who held very similar expressions on their faces, wondering if and how we were going to get through the day. However, when I looked up, I saw Mai walking onto the stage with a microphone in hand, a hop in her step, and a smile as big as the children’s.  In that moment, I felt the presence of God. I realized that it was not ministry experience, physical stamina, or even grit, which would get us through the day; it was going to be the joy of the Lord.

In today’s passage, Nehemiah addresses the Israelites who were mourning and repenting in response to the Word of God. He tells them to stop grieving and, instead, to worship and share their abundance with those in need. The fuel behind their worship and service was revealed to be the joy of the Lord.

I’m sure Mai was physically tired, probably more than we were; but, the same joy that fueled Nehemiah was empowering her love for these children, many who had travelled long distances to attend the camp. Even in the midst of tiredness and unexpected circumstances, she received excitement and energy from the heart of God, which became her strength.  So today, don’t get easily upset over small annoyances; instead, be joyful in the Lord and serve others.  

Prayer: Lord, I confess that I often forget to ask for the joy of the Lord to be my strength. Thank You for the reminder that the true source of strength, stamina, grit, and positivity is not found in myself but in my relationship with You. Please fill me with a greater measure of joy today. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 4:11-3: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Questions to consider

1. What are some seasons in Paul’s life in which he might’ve felt he was “abounding”? What are some seasons he was “brought low”?

2. What is Paul’s secret of facing both types of seasons? 

3. Where are you finding your strength to get through the rest of your day?

Notes

1. Paul experienced great joy and satisfaction when the churches he planted bore great fruit (1 Thess. 2). At the same time, Paul was no stranger to being “brought low,” as he was heavily persecuted throughout his lifetime.

2. Paul’s secret was to focus not on himself, but in the Lord. He was not the creator nor the giver but the recipient of contentment and strength from the Lord.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

 When we think of joy, we are prone to focus solely on our own joy and contentment. However, we learned today that our joy in the Lord could be encouraging and contagious to others. Where is one area of your life where you can be less of a bystander and more of an agent of joy and hope? 

November 10, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on August 27, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Equipped for Battle”

Ephesians 6:13-17 

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

A coworker and I were recently chatting about his summer, which was mostly spent following his son’s traveling lacrosse team. I asked him how he liked having his son play at a high level; he said that he was proud of his son, but he was always annoyed at how expensive the sport’s gear was. Helmets, pads, gloves, shoes, the stick, etc. – all of these things added up quickly! However, being protected was a non-negotiable part of the experience. And it would also be impossible for the parents to buy some gear and not others: if the son went in with shoulder pads but no helmet, he could be seriously injured! 

We know that maintaining our Christian faith is often compared to war – the stakes and intensity of it is even greater than that of high school sports. But, so often, we begin our days completely unaware that we are going into battle and need to prepare. Paul’s exhortation here reminds us that there are many parts to the armor that we have to wear, and we also have to arm ourselves daily with it. If any part of our armor is weak or missing, then we must ask for it to be strengthened and become aware that we are vulnerable. 

So, let’s take Paul’s armor as a guideline for how to equip ourselves to maintain our faith each day. For example, we can daily refresh ourselves with the truths of God’s character and goodness that we can trust in. We can also be assured that God has given us righteousness and fight accusations of shame and guilt that would derail us. Let’s be sure to not just take a defensive stance but also be ready to engage: Are we equipped with the Word of God, ready to wield it in offense against the enemy? 

Today, as we come to God at church to worship, let’s ask Him to reveal to us where we need His strengthening. We can have faith that His power is already proved on this earth; we know that in the battles we face that we will be victorious in His power. Let’s not allow ourselves to go one more day without being strengthened by God. 

Prayer: Father, thank You that You do not leave us defenseless and unprepared for this life of battle. Would You draw our minds to know where we are weak, and where we can be strengthened by Your truths and Your presence? Help us with this armor so that we can stand firm in this life and also continue to work on behalf of Your kingdom. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 6

November 9, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on September 30, 2017, 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.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Power of Gratitude”

Genesis 8:20 -21

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma…

When Oprah Winfrey had her talk show many years ago, I remember watching one episode where she talked about the power of gratitude. (I confess I have watched a few episodes of Oprah but not enough to call myself a fan )  She talked about how she kept a gratitude journal and how every night she would write down five things she was grateful for that day.  She emphasized how much power it had over her life and how it could also help others as well through life. 

In the Christian life, gratitude is powerful.  In today’s passage, we read that the flood has ended and Noah and his family were saved.  The striking thing is that the first thing Noah does when he leaves the ark is to offer a burnt offering to the Lord.  

Any offering burned over an altar was a burnt offering, but in more specific terms, a burnt offering was the complete destruction of the animal in an effort to renew the relationship between a Holy God and sinful man.  It was a symbol of worship, but it also meant giving thanks to the Lord for who He was and the worship He deserved.  Noah gave thanks as a response of worship to the Lord and the Lord was pleased by it. What a scene, as they knelt down in the mud and gave thanks!  One commentator put it like this: “It is because, of course, giving thanks means we recognize reality. When you give thanks you are recognizing the undergirding of God, the presence of God, in the midst of life, and his control over the affairs of life. Thus you cannot give thanks without recognizing the situation as it really is.” The apostle Paul put it like this: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).  

As you examine your life, what are you thankful for?  Do you have a habit of gratitude that the Lord would be pleased with?  Take time this morning and give thanks to the Lord.  Even when we don’t feel like it, it is a great discipline to practice in our Christian lives.  May we live as people who are forever grateful unto the Lord.  Amen.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are always at work in my life even though I don’t clearly see that at times.  Help me to be grateful and faithful, and continue to trust Your plan for me.  Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Daniel 4-5

November 8, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 15, 2017, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

Jeremiah 12:4 (NIV)

“How long will the land lie parched

    and the grass in every field be withered?

Because those who live in it are wicked,

    the animals and birds have perished.

Moreover, the people are saying,

    “He will not see what happens to us.” 

I generally don’t believe in the idea of “victimless crimes.”  Wikipedia defines victimless crime as “an illegal act that typically either directly involves only the perpetrator, or occurs between consenting adults; because it is consensual in nature, there is arguably no true victim.”  Examples typically include drug abuse, gambling, and prostitution.  Yet, anyone who’s had a loved one involved in a drug, gambling, or sex addiction can tell you how damaging they are for the individuals directly involved.  We also know that the further you go up the “food chains” of these crime syndicates, we start talking about truly sinister actions like human trafficking and murder. 

Obviously, I described some of the worst sins in our society and their ripple effects.  But how about smaller areas of corruption?  A few months ago I was made aware how expensive construction in NYC is; I firmly believe that contributing to this cost are so called “expedition fees” that one has to pay in order to get permits issued in a timely manner.  Well, those fees eventually make their way down to every person working or living in the city by driving up mortgages, rent, and taxes.  My wife constantly laments the unnecessarily high cost of healthcare citing a variety of factors, including pharmaceutical kickbacks, bogus legal liability claims, uninsured patients, etc.  Here’s the point: we live in a society, and like it or not, what we do— somehow and to varying degrees—impacts others.  Corruption in one area trickles down to many areas of society.  

Jeremiah saw this truth in today’s passage, when he asked the Lord how long the land would lie parched as a result of wickedness in Jerusalem.  In the Old Testament, one of the common punishments God doled out for apostasy was to withhold rain and curse the land (Lev 26:18-20; Deut 28:23-24; Hag 1:8-11; etc.); in essence, the king’s idolatry made life miserable for every citizen.  As a New Covenant believer, I’d be hard pressed to attribute natural disasters to God’s judgment, but I would say that many (if not all) of the difficulties in our society are related to someone’s (or everyone’s) sinfulness and corruption.  

Here’s the take home: do your part.  We’ll never eliminate corruption on this side of heaven, but let’s not contribute to it; don’t let it beat you into participating with it.  Be a light; act as honestly as you can, train others to do the same, and trust our God to right all wrongs in His time. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give me the courage and faith to act with integrity at all times.  Let me be the salt and light You called me to be, and give me a heart to pray for our leaders and our society.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Daniel 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 10:19-25: Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Questions to Consider

  1. Before encouraging us to action, the writer of Hebrews gives us motivation for doing so in vv. 19-21.  What are they?
  2. Starting in v. 22 we are told to do three things (“let us…”).  What are they?
  3. How can you apply one or all of these to your life today?

Notes

  1. Our motivation for Christian action is that we can now have direct access to and draw right into the heart of the Most High God, because Jesus shed His blood for us.  We no longer have to stand behind a curtain, nor do we need a priest to intercede for us.  
  2. Therefore, we are told to draw near to God (v. 22), hope for a future kingdom (v. 32), and encourage and meet with one another in fellowship (vv. 24-25).
  3. Application question.

Evening Reflection

Today, I wanted you to consider what makes you different as a believer.  Is it the way you live your life with integrity and holiness?  Is it that you know and have a deep personal relationship with the Triune God, or that you genuinely hope and live as a citizen of another land?  Or perhaps, you love the family of God deeply.  Take a moment and ask the Lord to speak into your life about how you represent Him in this world.