August 30, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 24, 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 This Morning

“The Teleological Suspension of the Ethical”

Genesis 22.1-3

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

There is a particular moment that has defined the faith of my family. To condense it for the sake of time, my life changed dramatically at the age of thirteen. My parents had gone through a lot of transition in ministry that year where we witnessed how broken people can be even in the church. In this season of desperation, my parents sought the Lord. And through revelation and divine appointments, my parents believed that the Lord was calling them back to a church in Korea. What this meant was that they would leave my 16-year-old sister and me to live on our own in an apartment in Utah.

In today’s passage, we see one of these defining moments (perhaps the most famous one) in Abraham’s life. What’s interesting is that when we isolate the act of killing his son, it is clearly an immoral act, that is, it is a clear violation of not only human ethics but the ways of God. Yet God commands him. How do we make sense of this?

Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher and theologian, writes about this very event. He introduces something called the teleological suspension of the ethical. It is this notion where what is ethical is suspended because obedience to a unique calling of God for a purpose (telos) trumps what is considered moral. To overly simplify this, because God is God, obedience to Him is higher than even the moral laws.

Now, it is very dangerous to extract just this notion and apply it generally. In fact, Kierkegaard goes to great lengths to explain the kind of faith journey that leads to this unique understanding of calling. But what this story and Kierkegaard point to is not so much about this moment of decision to obey God; rather, it points to the spiritual journey that Abraham had been on with God. It is through his ongoing relationship with God that he was able to recognize this pivotal moment in his faith. This relationship that Abraham had built with God was what led him to the place where he could hear God’s voice calling out his name. And as others like Moses, Samuel, and Isaiah will later respond, Abraham was able to say, “Here I am” and obey.

Did it make sense for my parents to leave two teenagers alone in a different country? Was this the right thing to do? I can’t say for sure on a moral level, but I can confidently say that because my parents had been walking in a relationship with God and a lifestyle of honoring Him, they were able to obey. I pray that I too will be able to obey when these moments come. I pray that all of us would be in such an intimate, love relationship with God that when He speaks, we too may be able to lay it all down and say, “Here I am.”

Prayer: Father, thank You for this story. There are many things that’s hard to understand, but it points us to the kind of relationship You had built with Abraham that led him to this point. It was You who initiated it, and it was You who sustained it. And I believe You want that same kind of relationship with me. As I learn to walk with You, may the purposes of God be fulfilled in my life as I walk in intimate relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 23

Lunch Break Study

Read John 10.1-5: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Questions to Consider

How does the shepherd relate with the sheep? How do the sheep know him?
If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are the sheep, what does this passage teach us about our relationship with Him? How do we determine where we ought to go or what we need to do?
How does this passage challenge your notion of what is right or wrong? How does this change how you might view your life?

Notes

The key word here is voice. The shepherd is recognized by his voice, as he calls his own to him. He leads them out, and the sheep follow by his voice.
First thing is that this passage doesn’t limit us to the audible voice of God. It does point us to the fact that our Good Shepherd speaks to us, and when He speaks, He leads us and goes before us. To go deeper, what we consider right or wrong is no longer dictated by our own thoughts, but it is anchored on His voice. In other words, where we go, what we do is not in relation to Him who leads us.
Personal response. In what ways is the Good Shepherd speaking to you that you might be resisting because according to our determination of what is good or right doesn’t quite match how He is speaking to us?

Evening Reflection

The best life we can possibly live here on earth is to live in utter obedience and dependence on Him, even when it seems crazy or radical. Of course, there is wisdom and discernment that is involved, but what is clear is that all of this cannot be determined outside of an intimate relationship with Him. In what ways is God calling you to a deeper intimacy with Him? Respond to Him in prayer and commit yourself.

August 29, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 21, 2017.

Devotional Thought For This Morning

“Choices We Make Everyday”

1 John 3:18-20 (NIV 1984)

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

When facing a temptation—like looking at porn or spreading rumors—recognizing the choice between sinning and not sinning isn’t as hard as choosing not to sin. What’s difficult is having to choose between two seemingly valid options. Consider the following example which I wrote while attending seminary in Southern California in the 1980s.

“Last Wednesday, I was once again fighting the traffic to get to my 8 am class. The ride to the school, located about 30 miles from my home, usually takes anywhere from 45 minutes to one and a half hours. I try to be on time out of respect for my professor and to avoid my grade being docked for tardiness. That morning, as I was cruising fast, I saw an elderly man pushing his stalled car off the road; I continued to drive. Immediately, however, my conscience began to bother me: Well, what is more important: my grade or helping that man out? So, I made a Uturn to return to him, only to find that he was already being helped. Although I was late to my class, again, I didn’t feel as bad as other times because I felt like I had made the right decision (though a tad late).”

After citing this incidence that happened some 30 years ago, I began to feel that perhaps I had patted myself on the back for no good reason, and as a result, my readers would frown on me. But then I realized that that is my point: as believers, we should cultivate a sensitive conscience so that we don’t feel totally satisfied with the good that we’ve done, either because we could’ve done it better (e.g., stopping for the elderly man right away) or chosen another action that is better.

Facing such situation, John tells us to find rest for our condemned hearts in God who is greater than our hearts—meaning, don’t seek satisfaction or escape from guilt by justifying our actions, however good or almost good they may be, but throw yourself at God’s mercy. John says that God knows everything—meaning, He knows you tried, He knows you feel bad, and He knows you love Him. With that in mind, “let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth” today.

Prayer: Dear God, I’ve failed to reflect Your light to the world so many times. At the same time, I’ve tried to justify my standing before You with good deeds, which shows how deficient my understanding of Your grace and mercy is. Thank You for being always being gracious and merciful towards me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 22

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:9-14: To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Questions to Consider

1. In light of 1 John 3:18-20, how would you advise the Pharisee who was quite confident of his own “Christian” performance?

2. In light of 1 John 3:18-20, how would you advise the tax collector who felt so miserable over what he failed to carry out?

3. What is your main struggle? Is it more like that of the Pharisee or the tax collector? Pray about what action to take in order to find peace for your troubled heart.

Notes

1. An example of an advice: “Mr. Pharisee, while ‘you give a tenth of your spices . . . you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness’ (Mt. 23:23). Therefore, don’t feel too good about yourself by selectively appraising your life; instead, throw yourself at God’s mercy.”

2. An example of an advice: “Mr. tax collector, you did the wise thing by throwing yourself at God’s grace and mercy since you’ve done little to please Him. Now that you have been ‘justified before God’, I urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain’ (2 Cor. 6:1). From now on, ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance’ (Mt. 3:8)—‘not with words or tongues but with actions and in truth’.”

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Looking back to your entire day, did you experience feeling guilty or ashamed? Was it over a sin or genuine mistake on your part, or something good that you could have done better or should have done? Before vowing to do better tomorrow, thereby feeling better about yourself by your deed, let’s find our rest in God. Throw yourself at God’s mercy and repeat what the tax collector told God: “‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner and someone who doesn’t produce as good a fruit as I should.”

August 28, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 29, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Faith for the Next Generation”

Genesis 23:17-20

So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most influential painters in the Western history of art. But during his life, he was never a successful artist and never made it big. His paintings were never highly regarded. He struggled with depression and psychosis. In fact, most people thought of Van Gogh as a miserable failure. It was only until after his tragic death that people began to take note of his mastery in painting. Generations later, Van Gogh’s masterpieces have become some of the most iconic and inspiring works known to man. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Van Gogh’s life was that he had no idea of the impact he would have on future generations to come.

At first glance, one might make the mistake of likening Abraham’s life to that of Van Gogh’s. After all, Abraham didn’t live the most glamorous life: He lived as a sojourner, a foreigner in the land of Canaan. Furthermore, although he was promised descendants as numerous as the stars, he only really had one heir (Isaac). And although God had promised him a land with vast borders, this little plot of land, the field of Machpelah, was all that he had to his name. In fact, the only manifestations of God’s promises that Abraham ever got to see were his son (Isaac) and this field of Machpelah, where Sarah was buried. You might be thinking, “Abraham gave up everything, and left his home in Ur to end up with only that?!” Yes, but here is where Abraham was completely different from Mr. Van Gogh: Abraham’s faith gave him a vision for the future generations. Regardless of his accomplishments (or lack thereof), Abraham knew that none of his sacrifice or obedience would go to waste because God’s plan was bigger than himself. Abraham wasn’t a failure for not realizing God’s promises in his lifetime; Abraham became the father of faith, because he lived for the next generation.

Are you living for the next generation? Or are you defining the successfulness of God’s plan for you by looking only at your own accomplishments. Spend some time today asking God how He might be using you to build up the next generation, in faith.

Prayer: God, You are a God who is faithful from generation to generation. Help us to have faith beyond ourselves. Help us to walk in obedience, even if it may mean that we don’t get to see the fruit of it immediately, or ever. We believe that You are a sovereign God and we trust in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 21

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Chronicles 22:6-19: Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’ “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”

Questions to Consider

What task is King David handing off to his son, Solomon?
In what ways did David empower the next generation to accomplish this task?
What can we learn from David’s example in this passage?

Notes

It had been David’s personal desire to build a magnificent temple for God. But God indicated that David had shed too much blood, and therefore, the task would be given to David’s son, Solomon. In this passage, David is imparting this task onto his son.
David is very intentional about setting Solomon up for success. He sets aside gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, and stone. He rallies workmen and leaders and commands them to help his son, Solomon. He encourages them in the Lord, reminding them that God was with them. And finally, he gives them clear instructions to help them begin this task.
David never got to see his dream come true. He never got to see the completion of this glorious temple. Yet, he didn’t despair; he didn’t consider himself a failure. He knew that he was called to be faithful in setting up the next generation for success. Although David had many accomplishments of his own during his lifetime. David’s faith also empowered him to finish strong, doing everything he possibly could to raise up the next generation. In what ways are you raising up those who are younger than you?

Evening Reflection

“The true meaning of life is to plant tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson.

I don’t know if Mr. Henderson knew the Lord, but in some ways his quote captures a key aspect of what it means to be a servant of God. When we look at Scripture, many of the great men and women of faith never saw the complete fruition of the promises that God had for them. Abraham only had one child and a small piece of land, David never got to see the Temple of Jerusalem, Moses never entered the Promised Land. Yet each of them lived a fulfilled life because they knew that what they had accomplished was in God’s hands.

August 27, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 29, 2017, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“No More Barriers”

Genesis 32:13-21 (ESV)

So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau, 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty milking camels and their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 These he handed over to his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass on ahead of me and put a space between drove and drove.” 17 He instructed the first, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’ 18 then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’” 19 He likewise instructed the second and the third and all who followed the droves, “You shall say the same thing to Esau when you find him, 20 and you shall say, ‘Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he thought, “I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”21 So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.

Over the course of two decades, Jacob accumulated much wealth, power, and status: innumerable livestock, a large family and many servants. When he was fleeing from Esau’s presence, he left only with the clothes on his back; but now, in his return to meeting Esau, he is a wealthy man. In case Esau came as an enemy, Jacob’s plan is to split up the camp into different groups, so that if one group was attacked, the others have a chance to get away. He sends these groups out to meet his brother in different waves. And then finally, he is left all by himself in the camp. Tactically, this seems like a great idea—a very strategic and well thought move. However, I wonder if God intentionally planted this idea in Jacob’s mind so that he would be all alone that night, because we read in the subsequent verses of Jacob’s wrestling match with God.

God could have wrestled with Jacob at any given point and time, but perhaps it was in this moment—when everything has been sent away—that God chooses to show up to Jacob in a powerful way. Maybe before this, Jacob had become dependent upon the things that he has acquired over the years for his confidence and security. Who knows? He might have even missed this opportunity if the things that he had used as a defense mechanism had not been taken away.

We all have our own defense mechanisms, which we use as walls to protect ourselves. We all have layers that need to be peeled off. It is only human nature for us to discern whether we can trust others before letting them into the deeper layers of our lives. We all have built-in barriers which we set up to protect us from harm. While not necessarily a bad thing, we don’t realize that we do this with God as well. We have all these things in place that actually end up becoming obstacles for intimacy with God.

What do you use as a barrier in your life? Is it your education? Is it your career? Is it your relationship with your family, friends, or spouse? What are things that you need to set aside so that God can encounter you in a powerful way? If you are going through a season of stripping away – where it seems like everything you had put your confidence in is being taken away, pay close attention. Many times, God allows or even orchestrates this as preparation for a powerful encounter with Him.

Prayer: Father God, I desire to place my confidence and security in you. I confess there are so many other things that I have looked to for confidence and stability, but I remember that you strip those things away because you love me and care for me. Help me to look to you in those moments. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 12:7-11 (ESV):It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Question to Consider

Why do we have to endure discipline?
What is the best attitude towards God’s discipline?
What are some ways that God is disciplining us for our good?

Notes

God disciplines us because we are His sons and daughters. Every parent that loves their children must discipline their children so that they may grow up in a healthy manner. In hindsight, we look at the discipline of our parents as one that might not have been fun, but was necessary to mold us into who we are today. In the same way, we look at the discipline of our Heavenly Father as one that might not always be enjoyable in the moment, but is necessary to produce the fruit of righteousness within us.

The best attitude towards God’s discipline is one that is founded in trust. Because we trust God is looking out for our good, it shouldn’t matter too much if he takes things away from us or gives us certain burdens to carry. Though we may have questions and become frustrated, if our baseline attitude is trust, we are able to respond to our Heavenly Father with respect and faith.
Personal Response

Evening Reflection

When you think of the Israelites, who had to wander in the wilderness for forty years for their lack of faith, what feelings does that bring up? God is greatly interested in maturing our faith in Him, and He will do whatever it takes to reach out to us. For the Israelites as a nation, it took forty years. For us, I hope it doesn’t take nearly as long. As we end the day, let’s yield ourselves to God and let go of any barriers that prevents us from placing our trust in Him.

August 26, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional, which was first posted on July 28, 2017, is written by a seminarian.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Theologizing Through the Lense of Rabbit or and Duck”

The word “compromise” probably isn’t popular among some believers who see themselves as committed to Scripture. To them, the compromisers lack the backbone to uphold their convictions. While that may be true in some cases, it isn’t always so. Now, upon seeing this image, some will see either a duck or a rabbit, initially. But, unless a person is dogmatically committed to his/her preferred position regardless of evidence, most people will see that the image contains both animals.

While studying theology in seminary, I became aware of the longstanding feud between Arminians, who focus on freewill that enables people to choose salvation, and Calvinists, who see salvation as the outcome of God’s sovereign election/predestination to save some. But, I believe that Arminianism and Calvinism can be considered two sides of the same coin; that is, free will and sovereign election need not be considered mutually exclusive.

First, Calvin’s (1509-64) central belief was in “the absolute sovereignty of God” and God’s position as “governor of all things” (Shelley 261). Subsequently, He must be sovereign over and always initiate the work of salvation. According to Romans 8:30, God is the one who predestines, calls, and then sanctifies all believers. Second, Arminianism, originating from Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) and popularized by John Wesley, looks at salvation through the believer’s perspective. Wesley taught that “men had enough freedom of will to choose or refuse divine grace” (Shelley 338). In Luke 1:15, consider how Jesus invites people to engage their free will and repent because the Kingdom of God is near.

This implies that we must see both the “rabbit” and the “duck” in Scripture. Is it not possible that God’s sovereign plan is playing out perfectly through the free will of believers? Although we may feel uncertain of our choices, is it not possible that God is not? I would agree with Spurgeon that we cannot understand election now, but we ought to preach so others freely accept Christ.

The orientation needed to resolve theological polemics is also applicable to our relationship conflicts. In most cases, the key is compromise based on recognizing that “now we see but a poor reflection. . . in part” (1 Cor. 13:12), meaning while I may see some things better than others, others may see what I fail to see. This recognition, I believe, is the key to maintain unity, whether theological or relational. So today, let’s try to learn some things from others.

Prayer: Father, I praise and thank You for Your eternal word encased in Scripture that has been freely given to us. How amazing that we have access to Your infinite wisdom and unfathomable thoughts in a book! Give us the insights and humility to properly understand Your word and then obey it. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 19

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Pet. 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance; John 6:65: And [Jesus] said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father”; Acts 13:48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed;Jn. 6:40: For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day”.

2 Pet. 3:15-6: Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Questions to Consider

1. Which of these verses appears to back Calvin’s view of salvation?

2. Which of these verses appears to back Arminianism?

3. What is one outlook that can really help us to have a healthy attitude toward matters like this?

Note

1. John 6:65 and Acts 13:48, respectively, seem to back Calvin’s view on salvation. While the Acts passage says that only those who were appointed to eternal life believed, the John passage asserts that only those whom the Father granted can come to Christ.

2. 2 Peter 3:9 and John 6:40 back Arminianism since both use inclusive language (“any,” “all,” and “everyone”). It is hard to dispute the meaning of “all should reach repentance.”

3. I think this seemingly antithetical teaching on salvation found in Scripture qualifies as “hard to understand.” The worst thing we can do to this scriptural reality is to distort it. It is better to uphold the stance of “both/and” at best, and “not sure” at worst, rather than choose a side.

Evening Reflection

How did you feel while reading something quite theological for your morning devotional? Did you have a hard time finishing it? Before you give upon anything theological or doctrinal, consider what the apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Most of us understand the critical nature of leading a life free from sin, but I am not sure whether we take doctrines, some of which are the foundation upon which our beliefs are anchored, all that seriously. Before you turn in tonight, pray that your approach to doctrinal matters is serious, loving, and humble. Also, consider reading some good books on basic doctrines (e.g., Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Wayne Grudem).

August 25, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on January 22, 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

“Friendship with God”

John 15:15:

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

There was a time in elementary school when my classmates and I would feel insecure about our friendships. The only way to definitively confirm whether we were friends with someone was by way of a note with checkboxes for “Yes” or “No” and the question, “Dear so-and-so, are you my friend?” Once we were assured of our friend status, we could begin freely sharing our lives – snacks, jokes, toys, secrets, etc. – and trust that our friends would reciprocate.

I would say that grown-up friendships are not so different. They start out a little uncertain, but once we confirm that we’ve passed a threshold from “acquaintances” to “friends,” we begin to open our lives to each other. Our conversations become more frequent and more comfortable. We begin to tell them all our thoughts and ideas, and we begin to care about and remember things that others share with us – their likes, dislikes, schedules, funny habits, goals, dreams, etc.

When Christ walked on earth, He not only taught us about the new, righteous lives we could have through Him, but He also redefined our relationships with God. Though He already revealed Himself to be God Almighty, He left his disciples with a new status. They were not servants, but friends. God had shared His life, His thoughts, His habits, and His will with them. He had walked with them and was their constant companion.

What the disciples received is for us as well. To call ourselves friends of God might sound overly audacious and bold, but it is a relationship He has invited us into. So, why don’t we take advantage of the opportunity to take Him at His word?

Today, as we enter the house of God, let’s approach Him with the same expectation and familiarity of being with a friend. We can be assured that we belong in His presence and that we can ask for His attention to listen to our troubles and joys. As our relationship with God grows, we will surely find that it is a two-way street – the more we draw near and become closer to Him, the more He will also reveal Himself to us, too.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have first loved us and chosen us to be with You. Thank You for the privilege to know You as a friend and to be intimate with You. Help us to freely come to You so that we can walk in step with You and know You better. Teach us to listen to You and to become more attuned to Your guidance and will. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 18

August 24, Saturday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on July 8, 2017, is provided by Andy Kim who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco. Andy is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Memorizing God’s Word”

Revelation 14:12

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Our church has recently wrapped up another successful summer VBS, and despite all the crying, the endless chaotic bundles of energy, unintentional food fights, and the over-tired/over-hyped volunteers, it’s one of my favorite programs at our church. Every year I walk away with another special memory of our time together which blesses me until the next summer. This year, my new moment involves a little girl from the community who had been dropped off by her grandma. Once her grandma had left, the girl cried for at least an hour, begging us to go home to her mommy. I tried to cheer her up, but the moment she saw me approaching, her crying worsened! I helplessly walked away and returned about fifteen minutes later to see her in the arms of one of our volunteers, reciting the memory verse for the day. What a miracle! But the happiest moment was to see her actively participating in the Bible lessons, and later dancing and singing to the songs of worship. She left the church that day with a big smile on her face.

This little girl had walked in feeling abandoned by her grandmother and thrown into an unfamiliar setting. Yet she left the church that day with a verse memorized in her head and a melody to hum about the love that God has for her. The simple truth of knowing God’s Word and putting her faith in Him had ingrained itself in her head, at least for that day. And this is what the writer tells us regarding the key behind the endurance of these saints. The ‘secret’ condenses down to two things: keeping God’s commandments and sustaining your faith in Christ. The same simple lesson that we teach at VBS, is the same lesson that helps us endure to the end. Let us hold fast to the Scriptures knowing that even if heaven and earth pass away, His words will remain forever (Matthew 24:35). May we respond to the Scriptures in a faith that is lived out.

Spend a moment to memorize a verse or two that you can recite to yourself throughout the day. Here’s one from our past VBS: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us” (Romans 8:31). Note: Please make sure to read/pray them in proper context! May His word encourage and strengthen you throughout this day.

Prayer: Lord, we confess that many times we can complicate the Christian faith. Jesus, just as you depended on the Scriptures when you were tempted in the desert, may we also turn to your Word. Help us not to put our faith in other things or people, but to only put them in you. Father, allow your word to strengthen our feeble hearts and become living and active in our lives.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 16-17

August 23, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on November 27, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thoughts for Today

“I Am a Sojourner”

Genesis 23:1-6

Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” The Hittites answered Abraham, “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.”

In 2010, Lebron James made a shocking announcement to the NBA world: he would be taking his talents to South Beach, Miami. For the next four years, Lebron made his home in Miami and thrived during his time there. He won two NBA championship titles for the city of Miami, became one of its most beloved citizens, and he was even called “King James.” But Lebron (and most discerning fans) knew that Lebron’s home wasn’t really in Miami. He was a sojourner there. Lebron was always destined to return to his true home. Sure enough, in 2014, Lebron made his way back home to Cleveland. But his time in Miami will always be one for the (NBA) history books.

Our passage today begins with the death of Sarah. As Abraham grieves for her, he searches for a proper burial place for his beloved wife. Approaching the Hittites, the natives of the land, he begins his request for a burial plot by saying, “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you…” Now, there are a few reasons why Abraham might have introduced himself in this way. Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldeans, and so he was literally a foreigner. But we must consider that by this time, Abraham had been in the land of Canaan for around 50 years already (he was 75 when God first called him). He had raised children, won several military battles, and became one of the most recognized citizens in the area. In fact, he is even called “prince” by the Hittites! It seems that Abraham’s self-identification as a “sojourner and foreigner” is not so much due to the novelty of his stay in Canaan, but rather because he knew that his true home was in heaven. So, although Abraham lived and thrived in various cities, he knew that he was a sojourner until he arrived at home. Perhaps this is why Abraham was able respond to God’s commands with such profound obedience.

Today, let’s be reminded that we are also sojourners in this city. This doesn’t mean we stop putting effort into our roles and responsibilities here. In fact, we ought to do our best to be excellent citizens and loving neighbors wherever we live. Nevertheless, it should be clear to us that we are sojourners and there is only one home to which we belong—and that is with God, in heaven.

Prayer: God, help us to live in this world/city without forgetting that we are just passing through. May you use every moment of our time here for Your glory. And may we respond to Your call with unhindered obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 15

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:17-20: Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions to Consider

In this passage, what is Paul’s primary command to the Christians in Philippi?
Who might these “enemies of the cross of Christ” be?
What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven?

Notes

Paul’s primary command for the believers is for them to imitate him (Paul), and keep their eyes on those who walk faithful to Christ.
Paul isn’t explicit here about who these people are, but he has given us enough clues here (and in other parts of this letter) for us to have a good idea of whom he is talking about. Paul is urging the believers to be careful of those who call themselves “Christians” but choose to lead others to focus on earthly things. Whether enforcing circumcision, or diet restrictions (“god is their belly”), these people made earthly things the focal point of their faith. Paul says, with tears, that their end is destruction.
In contrast with having a mind set on earthly things, Paul calls us “citizens of heaven.” Citizenship implies many things on earth: For example, there are many perks, privileges, and responsibilities of being a citizen of the United States. Among the countless blessings/perks of being a citizen of heaven, Paul highlights one specific aspect: we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evening Reflection

This evening, spend some time reflecting on what it means to be a sojourner in your city, at your job, on your campus. What are some ways that you could live increasingly as a citizen of heaven?

August 22, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 27, 2017, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Keeping Our Promises”

Genesis 31:43-50 (ESV):

Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day for these my daughters or for their children whom they have borne? 44 Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I. And let it be a witness between you and me.” 45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 And Jacob said to his kinsmen, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha,but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore, he named it Galeed, 49 and Mizpah, for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. 50 If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.”

Our church is notorious for having a lot of leftover snacks—from the leftover snacks of different retreats to the snacks that each of our ministries buy for future events, there is always food lying around somewhere. And what I’ve learned is to make sure to label everything, if I am saving it for something—otherwise, it will most definitely get eaten. Sometimes, even the snacks that are labeled get taken! So recently, I’ve started labeling our snacks with our ministry name, and then adding the line: “Please do not take, God is watching you.” Hopefully, this will deter whoever has been taking my snacks. I might not be there to protect these snacks from being stolen, but God is watching. The funny thing is, more often than not, this is a great deterrent.

In this passage, we see that Laban and Jacob are getting ready to part ways. If you remember, Jacob had fled, with his wives and his flock, but Laban had caught up to him. He accused Jacob of stealing his household gods, but they were nowhere to be found. As Laban is about to leave to return home, they take a bunch of stones and make a tower with it, calling it Galeed, which means “a heap of witness,” and Mizpah, which means “watchtower.” This heap of stones is to act as a watchtower to watch over both sides of the family, when they cannot see one another.

If you google Mizpah, you’ll see pendants that sell pretty well. Apparently, people have monetized it and made it into a romantic item, where “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight,” is a symbolic token of God watching over their love for one another. However, in the context of this passage, Mizpah is more of a warning—that God is watching whatever they do in the dark, and that God will be the final judge in these matters.

Sometimes we forget the fact that God is always watching—whether it’s the business deals or in our dealing with the different relationships that we have. Do we do things with the understanding that God is watching our every move? In Luke 12:3, Jesus says that whatever is said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what is whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Sometimes we may get freaked out that we are being watched (especially with the NSA surveillance leak), but we should actually be comforted by the fact that our God is the ultimate watchtower of our lives, watching us for our well-being. May we live our lives with integrity and purity in light of this reminder that our God is the ultimate watchtower of our lives.

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for being the watchtower in our lives. Thank You that Your loving eyes are upon us, both in the good times and in the bad times. We ask for Your eyes of love and hand of protection to be upon us. May we live our lives in a way that is godly and honoring to You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 14

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 139:1-12 (ESV): O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Question to Consider

1. What is the psalmist trying to communicate?

2. What patterns do you notice in this psalm?

3. Read this psalm in its entirety twice, then pause and ask God to speak to you through this psalm. What is He saying?

Notes

1. The psalmist is communicating that God is always with him. The key verse is verse 7, where David says that he cannot run away from God’s presence. Whether he goes down to Sheol, or if he ascends up to the heavens, God’s presence is always with him. His eyes are always upon him.

2. David uses contrasts (opposite ends of the spectrum) to explain this idea that God is always with him. Whether he is in the heavens or in the pits of Sheol, God is with him. Whether he is taken up in the wings of the morning or in the uttermost parts of the sea, God is there leading him. Whether he is in darkness or light, God is there with him. Whether he is laying down or rising, God is with him.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

How do you react to the fact that God is a watchtower in your life? Does it bring you comfort? Does it bring you peace? Does it bring you anxiety or fear? Bring this up to the Lord and allow Him to minister to you tonight.

August 21, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on June 28, 2017. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“It’s Not Over Until God Says It’s Over”

Revelation 11:7-14

When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

I’ve spent much of my time studying Revelation in preparation for these quiet times in worship and adoration of God. His power and majesty are just so evident in John’s visions (even as I struggle to fully interpret the particulars of the events). Today’s passage is no different. God’s prophets, with all the power and authority that we talked about yesterday, complete the mission God has given them. But then something unexpected (to me at least) happens—they die. God allows their lives to be taken and the wicked to rejoice over them. It’s a terrible scene. But, as is always the case with God, death isn’t the end of the story. God breathes life back into them—just to show off, it seems, since their work is already done—and brings them up to heaven with Him while the world watches.

The older I get and the longer I walk with God (and get to know those who’ve walked with Him a long time), the more I encounter seasons of unexpected disappointments. In devotion to God, we find ourselves thirsty in the wilderness. In obedience to Him, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a storm on the sea where death seems imminent and all seems lost. In those times I am reminded of the saints who have gone before and the end of their stories. No matter how dark the clouds and even when death itself comes knocking at our door, we know who has the last word. We will not be taken out of the game before our job is done, and we won’t stay down forever because when the time is right, God’s people will absolutely get up and rise to abundant life with Him.

I am reminded of an oft-quoted dialogue at the end of The Lord of the Rings, where Sam asks Gandalf if everything sad is going to come untrue. We can take heart, no matter what twists and turns our journey brings, because we know Who sits on the throne, the good work He is accomplishing, and the end of the story He’s writing—an end where all the sad things do indeed come untrue.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit and Your power at work in me. Thank You for calling me Your child and friend and making me Your ambassador in the world. May I not squander the authority and power You’ve given me to accomplish Your purposes (even in small ways) as I go throughout my day today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 16:24-28: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. 28 “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Questions to Consider:

What do Jesus’ words in verse 24 remind us about the nature of discipleship (or following Jesus)?
What promise are we given in these verses if we choose the tough road of discipleship? How does this encourage you in your walk with God today (in light of the specific things you’re facing)?
What are some ways God is calling you deeper into genuine discipleship? What, if anything, is holding you back from the kind of pursuit of Jesus that we read about in the verses above?

Notes:

Discipleship is costly. We offer our whole lives (Romans 12:1-2) to the Lord and that offering is often painful and difficult (because of the nature of our fallen hearts and this fallen world). Discipleship in this verse has four components: we come after Jesus (surrender), deny ourselves (saying no to what we want), take up our cross (willingly participate in the work God has for us to do—even the costly kind), and follow Him (take our direction and cues for Christ through His word and Spirit). There is nothing easy about it!
We are promised that if we choose to lose our lives (literally and figuratively) for the sake of Christ (or in pursuit of Him), we will be granted life—a true and abundant life. And we know from other passages that we taste that life even now, while we’re still on this side of heaven (Mark 10:29-30). Spend time considering what specific ways that promise encourages you today.
Spend some time in personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, graduated from a Chicago high school a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world. Traveling through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe gave Borden a burden for the world’s hurting people. Writing home, he said, “I’m going to give my life to prepare for the mission field.” When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible two words: No Reserves. Turning down high paying job offers after graduation from Yale University, he entered two more words in his Bible: No Retreats. Completing studies at Princeton Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with Muslims, stopping first at Egypt for some preparation. While there he was stricken with cerebral meningitis and died within a month. A waste, you say! Not in God’s plan. In his Bible underneath the words No Reserves and No Retreats, he had written the words No Regrets. (Dec 31, 1988 Daily Bread)

I first read this story as I prepared for a short-term missions trip and have returned to it often as a reminder that there is nothing wasted in God’s economy. Are you living with no reserves, retreats, and regrets? If no, why not? What are the areas in your life that you are keeping reserves? When are the moments when you tend to retreat? Spend some time offering those areas to God so that when it’s all said and done you too can say you have no regrets!