August 16, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 5, 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.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Chase”

Genesis 25:29-34

 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted.30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.”32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Every year, America witnesses the inner savage in all humans—we call it Black Friday shopping. In the past, shoppers have actually pulled out guns but people still refused to let go of televisions and computers even as they were getting shot at. This year, a shopper threw a shoe at a poor innocent baby while trying to beat the rush.  Suffice it to say, we can all agree that Black Friday shopping has taken over and destroyed the meaning of Thanksgiving. Rather than celebrating with families and friends and thinking of the years’ past blessings, people sit in tents waiting in lines, fighting one another. Over what? Just to save some money on items that will soon be outdated. 

In our passage today, Esau trades his birthright for a lousy bowl of soup because of his physical hunger. During the Mosaic times, the birthright, especially of the first child, meant a double portion of the family inheritance. It was their identity as the one to carry on the family line. Growing up, I always thought that Jacob was the conniving villain and Esau was just a naïve victim. But as I read this passage carefully I realized that, although Jacob deceived his brother, Esau had a great fault of his own. He failed to recognize the value and importance of his birthright; he did not fully understand the depth of the inheritance promised to him. As a result,  Esau traded away something valuable for that which would only satisfy his immediate physical need, only to regret it forever.

The stories of Black Friday may seem comical, but the reality is, how often have we fallen into the same trap? How often do we chase after things of the world, putting our value and identity in them only to be disappointed?  Sure, we can say that’s life and we are simply victims of it, but at what cost? May we never lose sight of our true identity and the inheritance that awaits all those who believe in the eternal value of salvation. It’s not to say other things are not important and that we shouldn’t pursue them; but it is to pursue them in light of our eternal inheritance. We all have been given something far greater than what this world could ever offer. May we never trade our identities as co-heirs to His kingdom for the fading temporary pleasures of this world. 

Prayer: Father, we confess that many times we put things before You because we think it will satisfy us. However, we know that all these are temporary pleasures, for only You can truly satisfy us. Would You strengthen us in times when we are tempted to forget this truth? Help us to live our lives in light of our eternal inheritance. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 7

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:14-17: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God? How does this change our relationship with God?
  2. What does it mean for us to be adopted? What are the implications of this?
  3. What is the inheritance given to us as sons and daughters?

Notes

  1. Paul states that only those who are led by the spirit can come into a new relationship as sons of God. He contrasts this with the relationship between slaves and their masters. Slaves have no authority in their lives and must listen to their masters. Paul is referring to our state prior to salvation when we were slaves to the flesh under the law. Slaves serve their masters out of fear of being punished; but as sons, we no longer serve out of such fear. Instead, as sons, we have a lasting relationship where we address God as “Father”. 
  2. In our modern context, the word adoption brings up images of legal papers and processes. However, commentator Warren Wiersbe writes: “The literal meaning of the Greel
  3. word is “son-placing”—the taking of a minor (whether in the family or outside) and making him or her the rightful heir.  As heirs, we are then given an inheritance to His kingdom. We have been adopted into God’s family by the Spirit, and not by our own merit.
  4. Paul is talking about an eternal inheritance that awaits us—the glory that we will share with Christ! Note, Paul makes a distinction that such glory comes with some suffering along the way. This suffering refers to the discipline that, as believers, we are to live by (Paul speaks of such disciplined life in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  But such discipline pales in comparison to “what is in store for us is so grand and glorious that it will be, and will feel, as though we each had alone gotten most of the glory of God” (Timothy Keller). 

Evening Reflection

The 1980’s American classic Annie is a film about an orphan girl who lives under the mistreatment of Miss Hannigan, an abusive alcoholic. The story takes a turn when a billionaire decides to adopt an orphan for a week to boost his public image. Annie is chosen and her life is forever changed as she lives in a lavish house with everything at her fingertips. The story ends with the billionaire eventually adopting Annie as his own daughter. Her life is forever changed from living in a broken run down house under a terrible caretaker, to a lavish mansion under the love and care of her new father. 

May we be reminded that we too were once orphans in this world. And in our hopelessness, God has adopted us as his sons and daughters. Remember we are heirs to His kingdom and we now have full access to all that is His. Spend some time reflecting on this truth.  

August 15, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 15, 2017, is provided by Jennifer Kim who, at the time of writing, was serving at the Church of Southland, Anaheim, California. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Great Lesson Learned from My Lost Key”

Luke 15:4-7

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Upon returning from our church retreat a couple months ago, I discovered that I had lost my car keys.  Immediately, I went into a panic mode and began searching everything around me.  I frantically checked all of my belongings, every vehicle I had entered, and every room I set my foot in.  When some of the church members noticed my predicament, they quickly jumped in and helped me search for my keys as well.  One of my friends even went as far as to call the retreat site and ask about any lost items.  After a couple hours passed by, I came to the unfortunate reality that my keys were officially lost.

Throughout the following weeks, not a day went by without me thinking about my keys.  I found myself constantly retracing my steps, forwards and backwards, in hopes that I may have overlooked a spot where I could have misplaced them.  I called the retreat site again multiple times and searched our entire church building with a sense of determination.  However, after two full weeks of incessant searching, I was left disappointed and ready to give up.  As I reluctantly made the decision to move forward and make the necessary replacements, I received an unexpected text from one of our staff members.  To my surprise, my keys had been discovered in the back crevice of one of the church vans.  I literally leapt to my feet and was filled with an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness.  My keys were finally found!

As silly as this story may be, I am reminded of the relentless love of our God.  If we, being merely men, have such concern for a couple scraps of metal, how much more does our Heavenly Father have concern for those who are completely lost and without hope? Here, we see a God who actively pursues us in our desperate need.  He does not leave us to fend for ourselves, but His eyes watch over us with careful attention.

As we reflect on this short passage this morning, let us be reminded of God’s great love for us.  That no matter where we have been or what we have done, God never rejects a heart that is broken and contrite before Him (Ps. 51:17).  He opposes the proud, but rejoices over a heart of humility.  Let us give thanks to God for how far He has carried us up until this point.  But not only that, as we have been recipients of God’s undeserving grace, may we also seek to exemplify the heart of our Father and become a channel of God’s blessing to those around us.  Perhaps God is nudging you to be the very display of His care to another.  Whether this is to extend a helping hand or a listening ear to a friend, family member, or co-worker, may you be used by God to be a source of fresh hope and encouragement today!

Prayer: God, thank You for being a Father who never gives up on me.  Help me to have a heart that is tender before You and actively seek to be an extension of Your love and care to others.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 6

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:9-14: And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Questions to Consider

  1. How did the Pharisee measure his standing and righteousness before God?
  2. What was the tax collector’s posture before God?
  3. Why was the tax collector’s prayer to God more justified than the Pharisee?

Notes

  1. The Pharisee depended upon his own religious works and performance.  He thought himself to be more superior to others because of how much he fasted and tithed to God (v.12).
  2. The tax collector was aware of his sinfulness and desperately pleaded for God’s mercy (v. 13).
  3. The Pharisee was full of pride and was impressed with his own ability to perform religious works.  He was completely unaware of His desperate need for God and thought he was better than the tax collector.  On the other hand, the tax collector understood the gravity of his sin and felt unworthy to approach a holy God.  He knew that only God could ultimately save him from his sinful condition.  He humbled himself before God’s saving mercy rather than relying on his own righteousness.

Evening Reflection

Take some time to reflect on everything that happened today.  In what ways were you a channel of God’s blessing to those around you?  In what ways did you struggle to be a display of God’s love?  Pray for strength and ask God to fill you with His love and compassion.

August 14, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 22, 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

“‘Marriage is Hard.’ Why?”

Genesis 21.8-14 (ESV)

And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Someone once told me marriage is hard because it is the first time that you are forced to truly live with yourself. And this realization of who we truly are is not always a fun experience. For me, I didn’t realize how much I had tailored my life to fit my needs and desires until this “customized” life began conflicting with my wife’s way of doing things. My preferences on where shoes are stored to how certain chores are done were different from my wife’s. And through this conflict of preferences, I came to realize how particular I could be and how deep my selfishness goes. 

The truth is, the people in our lives are often the best reflections of our true character, especially those that we live in close proximity. Spouses are good examples, but so are co-workers, classmates, and even our friendships. Relationships become strained because they often show us the realest—and often darkest—parts of our character. 

We see a true glimpse of who Sarah is in the passage by how she deals with Hagar. What triggers Sarah this time is the sight of Ishmael doing something in particular—laughing (v. 9). Now it’s not clear what the purpose of including this detail might be, but this act of laughing has a long history with Sarah. As we discussed in yesterday’s QT, laughing was one of the things that describe Sarah’s transformation from disbelief into faith. Commentators note that the kind of laughing Ishmael does is much like the mocking, incredulous laughter of Sarah in Genesis 18.

And when you consider who Hagar is, her history with Sarah and Abraham, who Ishmael is, and what God has done by giving Isaac to Sarah, you start to wonder about the nature of Sarah’s disdain towards Hagar. Could it be the Hagar is a reminder of Sarah’s lack of faith? Is Hagar visual proof of Sarah’s past mistakes, of when she tried to take things into her own hands and not trusting in the Lord? Sometimes those that we dislike the most are the most accurate reflections of our true selves. In most cases, our lack of grace towards them is not so much about the other person; it’s our lack of grace towards ourselves. It’s our unwillingness to face and deal with our true selves with the living God. So we rather send our Hagars away. 

But we know that unless we deal with these things, they will keep coming back as we are often the source of these things, not the other individuals. In what ways are we pushing away the Hagars in our lives?  Something to think about!  

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your constant work in us. We believe that the blood of Jesus covers us, that we are justified in Him. But we also recognize that the Holy Spirit is daily changing our character to become more like Your Son. We often resist this change; we ask for the grace to trust You through the pruning process so that we may bear much fruit. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 (ESV): 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. . .. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Questions to Consider

  1. In considering the first part of this psalm (you may consider reading the whole psalm if time permits), what is the picture the of God’s knowledge and understanding that the psalmist paints?
  2. In verse 6, the psalmist writes that such knowledge is too wonderful for me. When considering such wonderful knowledge, how should we response when these things are revealed to us by the Lord? 
  3. In verses 23-24, what does the psalmist pray? Does this reflect the heart you have towards the Lord? Why or why not?

Notes

  1. The picture that the psalmist paints of God’s knowledge is all encompassing. Consider the words that he uses—God’s knowledge encompasses time and inner thoughts, our future and our ways (v.3), our inner most thoughts before they are spoken (v.4), He surrounds you all around (v.5). God’s understanding and presence in our lives is not merely one-dimensional.
  2. It is a fearful thing to be known by such an extraordinary God. He sees and knows all thing, a knowledge indeed too wonderful for us to hold. And yet in His perfect wisdom, out of His perfect love, God chooses to reveal certain things to us. Particularly, He reveals the things that are keeping us from Him. This knowledge is indeed wonderful though often painful to acknowledge. Yet when we consider the opposite of not knowing, might our response to this revelation be different?
  3. The words here are the same as the beginning but different. There is a sense of invitation here. The psalmist is inviting God to search him. It is not permissive (as God already has and knows) but rather relational. The prayer is that God would reveal to him anything grievous so that he may walk in the ways of everlasting God.

Evening Reflection

We have spent the day reflecting upon how God may be revealing things about our character through those that we may have the hardest time with. One reality we must not neglect in this is that although these things are often more about us than about the other person, it nevertheless has consequences for that person as well. There was real rejection and exiling of Hagar in the passage, not just mentally or emotionally. As you pray about these relationships and what it might reveal about your character, spend some time praying for the Hagars in our lives, that God might bring reconciliation and healing to these relationships. 

August 13, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on November 14, 2017, is provided by Jennifer Kim who served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Saving Friendship”

Mark 2:1-5

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

During my senior year in college, I started experiencing these awful “night terrors”, in which I would wake up in sheer panic and fear. It was a very bizarre experience, but as a result I actually became afraid to go to bed. After a few weeks of dealing with this, I became desperate for healing and I knew I had to share with my roommates. That very night, as I mustered up the courage to share, they decided to tuck me into bed and pray over me. In my exhaustion I fell asleep as they were praying, but in the middle of the night I startled myself awake, not out of fear or panic, but to use the restroom, completely unaware that I had gone almost the entire night without a single nightmare. But as I was getting out of bed I noticed all three of my roommates huddled together sleeping on the floor of my 80 square feet room. As a matter of fact, because they could not all fit in my room, one of them was sleeping in the hallway of our apartment. From that night on, I never woke up in panic or fear again—I was completely healed.

In today’s passage we read a similar story of four friends who carried a paralytic to Jesus to be healed, but seeing that they could not get to Jesus, they climbed the roof and made a hole to lower him down. For these men, what mattered most was not what others would think, or the inconvenience of having to carry the paralytic up a roof and make a hole to lower him down; it didn’t even matter to them what the cost would be in damaging the roof of this home. How easy it would have been for the friends to have given up or to make excuses, but instead they went out of their way to see the one they love be healed. As Jesus witnessed the sacrificial act of the four friends, he states that it was the faith of these men that healed the paralytic.

It was the prayers of my roommates that healed me that day; and the love I witnessed through my friends as they laid on my bedroom floor showed me the love the Father. Friendship is one of the greatest gifts God has given us, and we learn through today’s story that a good friend is someone who is able to go above and beyond for the ones they love, and point you to Jesus our healer. A good friend is able to lift up those in need of healing and recognize that your faith can make a difference in their lives. 

Today I want to ask you whether you are being a good friend. Are you available and willing to inconvenience yourself to point the ones you love to Jesus? Are you encouraging others in faith or are your ways hurting the ones you care about? We are called to act in God’s love to the people God has entrusted us with, may we live our lives like the four friends whose faith healed the paralytic.

Prayer: God, thank You for the gift of friendship. I ask that You help me to be like the four friends in demonstrating sacrificial love. Help me to be someone that others can go to when they need to be pointed to Jesus. 

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 4

Lunch Break Study

Read John 15:15-17: I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Questions to Consider

  1. Jesus states that we are no longer servants but friends. What distinguishes a servant of Jesus from a friend of Jesus? 
  2. While Jesus tells us that he is the initiator of this friendship, what does he say is the reason we are called into this friendship?
  3. Personal question: What stands in the way of deepening your friendship with Jesus?

Note

  1. Servants do not know the ways of their master, while friends share in all the knowledge that they have with one another.
  2. We are called to bear lasting fruit through the love of the Father in us. 
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

We learned from today’s morning devotional and lunch break study that the friendship we enjoy with Jesus is meant to be shared by loving others. Let’s reflect on our friendships and ask ourselves whether we are sharing the love of Jesus by loving the ones God has entrusted us with. Write down specific ways you can reach out to others in friendship and let’s put them to action!

August 12, Monday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on October 27, 2017.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“At What Price?”

Genesis 16:3-4

So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

In a Saturday Night Live commercial spoof, a woman discusses taking Chantix to end her smoking addiction. While the benefits of the drug may have helped her to quit smoking, the unintended side effects— which is listed between nausea and her desire to kill her own husband— is rather comical. The spoof seems to be saying, “The goal to quit smoking is met, but at what price?”  

Sin is not that different from these drug commercials you see on television. The thirty second commercial spends five seconds telling you what benefit this new wonder drug will have for you, and then the next twenty-five seconds explaining all the adverse side effects—including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, heart attack, and even bugs nesting in your ears. The only difference between these commercials and sin is that sin never tells you what the negative side effects are until after you’ve committed the sin. Then it says, “Oh yeah, here’s the fine print I forgot to tell you about. You got what you wanted, but your life is now going to be miserable. Enjoy!”

At first, things seem to work out just fine for Abram and Sarai. It looked as though everything was going according to plan. Hagar conceived their long-awaited child, and now Sarai and Abram had the baby they were so desperate for. But, as with all sin, there were unexpected, negative consequences. Sarai was not any happier than when she was without a child; having exactly what she thought she wanted did nothing for her—it only brought her even more discontent.  

And we see this in the way Sarai despises Hagar. Perhaps Sarai is reminded of the feeling of being “cursed” (not to be able to herself bear a child), or maybe Abram had surprised her with affections for Hagar—as it would not be unimaginable for a father and mother of the same child to share. Whatever may have been the case, things became increasingly difficult in Abram’s household. This didn’t feel like a blessing at all, but more like a curse, as envy, anger and mistreatment was the new norm for Sarai and Abram. 

This is what sin does to us. It promises so much, but it never tells us about the problems that is sure to follow. Sin will never make us happy. It will only lead to heartache and disappointment. The momentary pleasure is fleeting, but the assurance of God’s presence is satisfying for all times. Let us strive to be holy and without sin. When we fail, let us trust God to forgive us through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Prayer:  God, help me to take sin seriously. Help me to hate it and not believe in the promises it makes to me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 40:28-31: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 

29 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. When waiting on the Lord, we may grow weary and be tempted to go our own way. Why does Isaiah insist we remain?  

2. Compared to an older person, youth is seen as a symbol of strength and virility. When we feel weak and unable, what is a clear way of being replenished?   

3. What mistakes and sins have you committed because you are not waiting on the Lord?    

Notes

1. The Lord, by the strength of His character, will keep us from growing weary and exhausted. We can trust Him for sustaining strength.  

2. We are replenished in strength by waiting on the Lord. 

3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

We began the day thinking about the deceptive nature of sin: it seems and feels so promising at first, but before we know it we find ourselves in “hell” on earth.  There are stages to the progression of sin.  James put it like this: 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. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (1:14-15).  Before going to sleep tonight, examine yourself whether you are caught in the web of deception of sin.  If so, consider what stage you are in based on James’ word; but, regardless of where you are at, know that the best measure is to turn away from it: consider repenting. 

August 11, Sunday

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on June 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.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“The Day When All Our Questions Will Be Answered”

Revelation 10:5-7

Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that there will be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

Over the last few years, I have been attending a lot of weddings. Watching this couple whom I’ve known since their freshmen year, thinking about all the things that they struggled through and overcome, how they have grown in faith, and how they continue to fight the good fight even now, has been such a blessing. It has reminded me of so many good times we’ve shared, but also, the dark times we treaded together, trusting in the Lord. This is one of my favorite parts of pastoring—walking through the different seasons of life together. But as many of you can probably relate, this also means confronting many situations where we are left thinking, “Why did this happen, Lord?” or “I believe You are good no matter what, but why is this really necessary?” And unfortunately, there is no cleanly packaged answer to these questions. 

We see in the passage this grand angel of the Lord that we are introduced to at the beginning of this chapter, and He who lives forever and ever makes an oath. The angel declares that there will be no more delay, that the mystery of God is finished. Commentators note that when we read mystery of God, it doesn’t primarily mean something hidden or kept secret, but rather it means act of divine knowledge being revealed to man. Paul similarly talks about the mystery of God in Ephesians as the revelation that Jews and Gentiles are now fellow heirs and members of the same body. The angel declares in the Name of the Lord that these things will come to a finish, that is, to completion.

Brothers and sisters, take heart, for there will come a day where all the questions of your heart will be answered. There will come a day where all the things you have been through, including all that you have suffered and endured, will find its answer. There is a finality to these things. And although that ending should cause the unrepentant to fear, for those who are in Christ, it is the moment that we have been longing for. 

Prayer: Father, thank You that not only my life, but all of history has been in Your hands. Thank You that all that has happened and will happen has been according to Your perfect plan. Help me to live not as one bogged down by what I see right before me but live with the hope of what is to come in mind. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 2 Samuel 2 

August 10, Saturday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on September 2, 2017, is provided by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) along with her husband Pastor Sam Lee. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Enduring in Prayer”

Psalm 40:1

 “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined to me and heard my cry.”

When our oldest daughter Anna was two years old, I quit my job in hopes to have another child and be a stay-at-home mother. My husband and I thought that by the time we had our second, the kids would be three years apart which seemed ideal to us. However, things did not go as smoothly. I was unable to get pregnant as easily as we had anticipated or experienced with our first child. But, whether the enemy intends for harm or life brings us challenges to overcome, God will always use the situation for our good (Rom. 8:28). 

The waiting period of about one year was a wonderful time of discovery for me in my personal relationship with the Lord. One main thing I learned was the importance of persistent prayer. There is something about the process of persisting in prayer that God uses to develop maturity in us that cannot be obtained outside of enduring. Prayer is a learning place in itself, meaning it is a place of being taken deeper into God’s love, getting an inside scoop to God’s plans, His heart and likeness, revelations about ourselves, understanding the operations of spiritual realm, etc.  However, persistence in prayer seasons us and develops character that enables us to stand when uncertain times come. It deepens our spiritual endurance and perception, enabling us to know the Lord in stillness and in trust. The Lord has assured us that we shall reap in due time if we do not give up. 

In Luke 18, we see Jesus Himself teaching His disciples this principle of persisting in prayer by sharing a parable with them about a widow who kept coming to a judge. The judge ends up granting her what she wanted because of nothing else than her sheer persistence. Also, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, yielding, or giving up. When the Lord tells us to keep praying, He is assuring us that there is something to be gained in the process and in the end.  The process is just as important, if not more, to the Lord.  

In Beni Johnson’s book, The Happy Intercessor, she shares a story of a man who died for four minutes and returned to life. He testified that heaven was actually loud because of all the intercession taking place. Our intercession and what is the Lord’s will in heaven eventually coming together into one rhythm and heartbeat when we do not give up. And as we wait on the Lord, seeking Him without giving up on asking, we too will sing as David sang in Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined to me and heard my cry.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy of waiting on You in prayer. Thank You that the process will be used for my good as that is how you do things. I want to be still before you as I learn to endure and trust in Your faithfulness. I want more of You that is to be gained than anything else. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 31-2 Samuel 1

August 9, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotionals, first posted on November 17, 2017, is provided by Pastor Paul Liu who pastors the Grace Covenant Church Singapore. He is a graduate of University of Illinois (BA) and Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“The Blessing of Rebuke”

Genesis 20:8-18

So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.”’” 14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.


No one likes to hear the words, “I told you so,” even when we know we’re wrong—it just sounds annoying and reeks of condescension. Yet for all the ways we don’t like to have our faults pointed out to us, we usually won’t grow without it. In fact, the apostle Paul tells us: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Notice the functions of Scripture in these verses: teaching, reproof, correction, equipping and training. Yes, there’s a cognitive aspect in teaching, but there is also correction and reproof (NIV says, ‘”rebuking”), which means, if we are to grow in faith, we need the rebuke of Scripture, as well as others to rebuke us according to Scripture. It’s part of our training in faith.

When Abraham moves his family to the Philistine town of Gerar—thinking that nobody fears God there—he acts out of disbelief and fear. He lies that Sarah is his sister and not his wife—which leads to a world of trouble when King Abimelech claims Sarah for himself. So God continues Abraham’s training by using the words of a pagan king to rebuke His own prophet. Abimelech doesn’t say, “I told you so,” but he does question Abraham’s integrity in misleading him and bringing God’s anger against his household. It’s correction. It’s reproof. And like many of us, Abraham doesn’t respond well, becoming defensive and making excuses. He cannot deny his fault, but he doesn’t fully take responsibility for his failures either. It’s a lesson half-hearted learned, which might be why we revisit this same scenario in the life of Abraham’s son in Genesis 26 (same place: Gerar; same problem: fear; same failure: lying that his wife is his sister).

The end result in today’s passage is that God’s prophet blesses his new neighbors from a position of humility and grace. God still uses the trouble-making prophet and humbles him through truthful rebuke.

Prayer: Lord, give me a teachable heart today, so that my pride would not keep me from facing the areas in my life that You want to change. Help me to recognize Your correction, no matter what form it comes in. And give me the strength to take responsibility for my sin so that I might experience the fullness of Your grace. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 30

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 4:14-16: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Questions to Consider

  1. How might “teaching,” “cunning,” “craftiness,” and “deceitful scheming” undermine genuine faith?
  2. Why do you think “speaking the truth in love” is important for the church?
  3. Is there a person in your life who needs to hear the truth in love? Take a moment to write down biblical truths that need to be incorporated into their life. Begin to pray about how you might share this truth in love. Pray also for opportunities in which you might do so.

Notes

  1. Paul is telling us that maturity inevitably involves discernment—that is, being able to identify what is not true, only partially true, and distortions of the truth. Because until and unless we can do this, we will always be susceptible to manipulation, like children struggling to tread water in the sea; this means, we must nurture an inquisitive mindset when approaching Scripture and seek understanding rather than just taking the word of our spiritual leaders. This does not mean that we are to be skeptical or judgmental; rather, we are to be teachable, eager to learn, and able to study the Bible for ourselves. 
  2. It is the means through which growth happens in the church. It’s truth in love; NOT JUST TRUTH: I’m sure we can all think of instances where someone “gave it to us straight,” and we could not stomach it because of how it was said. And NOT JUST LOVE: Most of us also know the “love” side, where we avoid telling the truth, even to the point of tolerating bad behavior—all in the name of being a good friend. Neither approaches are adequate in Jesus’ church. Telling the truth in love is a matter of attitude and care. Our goal is the growth of our brother and sister; our motive is caring concern; and our approach is truthful but gentle—not belligerent or vengeful. In truth, this approach is also a skill we need to develop, since so much of our previous experience emphasizes one to the neglect of the other (truth over love, or love over truth). 

Evening Reflection

Quote: “Too often, we say we are defeated by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated. We are simply disobedient. It might be good if we stop using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather, we should use the terms obedience and disobedience. When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may in fact be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey.

“We need to brace ourselves up and to realize that we are responsible for thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We need to reckon on the fact that we died to sin’s reign, that it no longer has any dominion over us, that God has united us with the risen Christ in all His power and has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us. Only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God’s provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.”
― Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness

We see in the life of Abraham that it’s one thing to be protected by God and another to be teachable. Abraham’s lying becomes a repeated pattern in his life and in the life of his descendants because he failed to receive the correction of God fully. What areas of weakness did the Holy Spirit bring to your awareness today? Pray that God may lead you in rejecting every impulse that comes from fear and insecurity. And ask for His strength to make you courageous, consistent and truthful. 

August 8, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on June 29, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Seeking Glory like Pokémon Go”

Genesis 28:16-19 

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel,[e] though the city used to be called Luz.

Last year around this time, the game Pokémon Go was released. It sent a flurry of students and working people exploring their neighborhoods, searching for Pokémon to collect. Wouldn’t you know—an empty park or hotel lobby in real life actually teeming with Pokémon! Who knew that a game could turn such common landmarks into places of treasure?

Somewhat similarly, we often go through our normal habits and spaces, thinking them commonplace and mundane. The work, circumstance, or environment we are in might seem so devoid of God’s presence. Just like it seems to be for Jacob, who is fleeing to his uncle Laban after outwitting Esau, the visible, physical world (and its troubles) are all there is. But because of his dream, Jacob awakens to realize that the God of his forefathers is present, and his primary response is to worship God.

I’m sure many of us woke up this morning to another routine-filled day, thinking that our reality is not quite as spectacular or as fun as we might hope. But if we know that God’s kingdom is on this earth, then we are never truly in a boring place—we are always in a place of worship. God is with us, and He is waiting to reveal Himself. 

Would that God open our eyes today to see this reality and for us to believe and sense that He is present! At every place, in every moment, His glory is waiting to be found. Let’s remind ourselves of the good news that God has broken the divide between us and Him–He is already near us, engineering our circumstances, keeping close watch. May we ask Him to awaken us to a renewed earth of wonder and worship once again.

Prayer: Father, You are indeed the Lord over all the earth! Help me to be more aware of Your presence, and open my eyes to see the spiritual reality beyond the physical world. Every inch of ground belongs to You, and because You are near, I am on holy ground. Make every place of my life a place of worship. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 29

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Kings 6:13-20: “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Elisha use the strength of the angel army against the army of Aram?
  2. In what ways does Elisha demonstrate faith in God’s power?
  3. There are spiritual and physical visions turned on and off throughout the passage. How does Elisha cause this to happen? How can we get them in our lives?

Notes

  1. Strangely, Elisha does not. The spiritual army is still only a sign of God’s might and power, which is what Elisha fully relies on. Notice that He calls on God directly to blind the eyes of the army from Aram.
  2. Not only has Elisha prayed for God to directly blind the eyes of the enemy, but he himself goes out to meet them. He personally leads the entire army, all the way to Samaria (sources indicate this is a distance of 10-13 miles). In these ways, he demonstrates faith in God’s power.
  3. Each time that vision is changed—to see the army, for them to be blinded to the truth, for their eyes to be opened—occurs after Elisha prays. Corrected vision, one that sees spiritual and physical realities, comes only from God. It is not something we can do ourselves, but is something we must pray for Him to do. 

Evening Reflection

Were you able to discover God’s presence and glory where you were today? Let’s reflect on where it was easy to see God working and where it was hard to find His presence. Let’s continue to ask Him to increase our sensitivity to His presence and His work so that we may worship Him continuously. 

August 7, Wednesday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on October 4, 2017.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Yes and Amen”

Genesis 9:8-11

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

Recently, I have come to really enjoy this song called “Yes and Amen” by Housefires. The chorus speaks of the faithfulness of God, that all His promises are Yes and Amen (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). Every time I sing this song, I just want to shout the chorus – I love singing of God’s faithfulness because truly our God is faithful!  

This passage for today in Genesis is one of those promises to which God is faithful. Noah and his family had just gotten off the ark after the flood waters had receded, so God promised Noah that there never again would be such a catastrophic flood. God was faithful to Noah through the storm, to save him and his family. He was faithful to maintain His creation in order that that the earth would be repopulated. This promise of God to Noah was not a “maybe”; it was a mighty “YES”. God’s promises are not something to doubt; they are the basis for our faith in Him! I’m sure Noah and His family found comfort in this promise of God as they began to rebuild their lives outside of the ark.

God makes many promises throughout the Bible, and He is faithful to each and every one of them. Let us hang on to the promises of God, knowing that He is faithful. Oftentimes, when we think of promises, we can remember people in the past who have broken promises with us. But let us find peace knowing that God absolutely will not break His promises to us. He is faithful to us and always will be.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being so faithful to us, Your children. There are so many things in this life that can cause us to worry and fear, but may we find peace in the surety of Your promises to us. Let Your faithfulness bring us comfort this day. Help us to find true rest in Your promises.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 28

Lunch Break Study  

Read 2 Corinthians 1:19-22: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does it mean that Jesus Christ “was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’”?
  2. Why does Paul say that all of God’s promises are ‘yes’ in Christ?
  3. What sign do we have now of God’s continual faithfulness to us?

Notes

  1. Some may fear that Jesus may be faithful at some times, but not at others. But Paul here is saying that this is not true. Jesus is always YES to us, because He is always faithful. This means we can trust Him and the truth of His gospel.
  2. Jesus Christ was the culmination of all God’s promises. Through Jesus we see the fullness of God’s faithfulness to us, that He was willing to be true to us even at the cost of His beloved Son. May we never take for granted the cost of God’s promises, that Jesus had to pay the ultimate price to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to us! 
  3. The Holy Spirit! One of the reasons God sent His Spirit into us was to seal us in Him. Because of the Spirit in us, we can trust that God is not letting go of us, no matter what. The Spirit signals that we belong to God, and since we are God’s, we are fully secure.

Evening Reflection

Take some time this evening to reflect on God’s faithfulness to you. Perhaps there is some particular worry on your mind. Surrender that to God and allow His faithfulness to bring you comfort, that you may rest easy in Him tonight.