July 21, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 8, 2017. Andrew, a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Utopia on Earth … Are You Serious”

Revelation 7:13-17

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

In the early 1900’s, there was great optimism about where the world was headed. Many believed that through the ingenuity and creativity of human beings, it was only a matter of time before a utopian society would be ushered in. However, this optimism was short-lived. In a matter of a few decades, two world wars had devastated the world, leaving countries in ruins and people in a state of shock. Instead of seeing the human potential to cultivate a world defined by welfare, people experienced the human potential for destruction. With millions dead, it was clear that the world was not getting better. Ironically, humanity’s endeavor to resolve the world’s most profound issues led to the bloodiest century known to man. It seems that we have always attempted to usher in a perfect world, to find effective solutions to man’s ills, and bring lasting change. But because of sin, this has been an impossible task. All of man’s attempts have fallen short and the world is still filled with strife.

One of the most profound truths we find in the book of Revelation is that God is also at work to bring about lasting change. But unlike us, the promise of renewal is guaranteed to come to pass. It is not a matter of if but a matter of when. Here in Revelation 7, we see a glimpse of what the future holds for those who belong to God. There will be a day where there are no more tears and no more hunger. You see, this vision was a source of encouragement for the recipients of this letter. As the early church attempted to build a world reflecting the values of the kingdom, it was a difficult task. At times, it would have seemed pointless and too daunting to continue in this journey. However, the vision of Revelation promises that their work and perseverance will not be in vain; that not even death could undermine the value of their toil. In the end, they will be brought to a place where they will find true rest, where there will be no more thirst and be led to springs of living water. Let us take time to reflect on this vision and find a reenergizing hope to help us to continue to fight the good fight of faith, because in the end, it will not go in vain!

Prayer: Father, I confess that it is difficult to live out the calling you have given to all of us. At times, it seems that our hard work for your kingdom does not make a difference and it can be discouraging. But this morning, we invite You to fill our hearts with a future hope that gives us a renewed sense of energy for the work before us. May my life be marked by a perseverance and faithfulness when it comes to the work of your kingdom, knowing in the end, the world you desire will come to pass. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 9

July 20, Saturday

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on June 3, 2017, is provided by Jennifer Kim who served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Wasn’t It Supposed to Be the Land of Opportunity?”

Exodus 16:1-7

They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?”

Several years ago, while I was serving a one-year internship in Shanghai, I met a young college student who was enamored at the idea of living in America. She believed that the US had everything that China could not offer her, and her ultimate goal was to live and work in “the land of opportunity.” At the time, I let her know that America was not the perfect nation she imagined it to be, and that her hope should not be in this American ideal. Although nothing I said seemed to change her mind, in hindsight, I realized I couldn’t blame her for having such thoughts. This idea was precisely what brought America to be the nation that it is today—an immigrant nation filled with individuals who believed that the United States would provide the economic stability and educational resources they desired. This is precisely why my parents moved to the US as well. Despite the language barrier and their economic situation, their belief in a better life propelled them to leave everything they knew and everything that was comfortable in order to move to the land of opportunity.

Today’s passage tells about the Israelites’ journey to their land of opportunity, the Promised Land. After being set free from slavery, the Israelites begin their journey to a place described as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exod. 3:17) in pursuit of God’s call to reside in the land promised to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis. Yet along the way, the lack of water and food lead the Israelites to grumble and cry out that death in Egypt would have been better than their current circumstances. Ultimately, they forget why they are on this journey and wish to return to their former state of slavery.

While it may be easy to criticize the Israelites, I can’t help but relate to all the times I too received a specific message from the Lord and ran with such fervor, only to find myself complaining and forgetting the promise given to me because the journey became too difficult. Oftentimes in our pursuit we lose our way as we get caught up in our struggles, and even worse, we desire to go back to what we’re used to. My parents had their fair share of difficulties while living in America as well, but what helped them persevere was remembering why they moved to the US. We are all on a journey that God has set before us, whether it’s a specific calling, vocation, or mission. Let’s take time today to reflect on where you are in this journey. If you’re struggling, remember the promises God has given you and why you are on this path in the first place. Jesus was on a journey too. His journey was to leave His throne and come into this world to bring healing and salvation to all. Let’s thank Him and remember that His plans for us are always good.

Prayer: God, thank You that Your love compelled Jesus on His journey to the cross that I may receive love and forgiveness. During the difficult times, help me to remember why I am on this journey and the promises You have declared over my life. I want to worship You in all circumstances! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 7-8

July 19, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on August 18, 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 Thoughts for Today

John 15: 4-6

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

In an effort to live a healthier lifestyle, Christina and I recently subscribed to Blue Apron—a meal delivery service that provides all the ingredients you need to make several meals throughout the week, all shipped in this refrigerated box. The only issue is figuring out a way to preserve your ingredients, the trickiest ingredient in my recent order being basil. You can’t just stick basil in the fridge. What I learned online is that you have to put the stem of the basil leaves in a cup of water, cover the top with a plastic bag to sustain it. But even with this type of complex storage method, we noticed that some of the leaves started to brown before we could use it.

Today’s passage is probably familiar to many of us. It is a source of encouragement to those who feel powerless; it is a call to intimacy, clinging to the true Vine of our lives, the source of everlasting spring of life. But despite our familiarity with the passage, I wonder if we miss out on the full weightiness of Jesus’ words.

I think part of the reason for that is because when Jesus says apart from Me you can do nothing, we see in this world and even in our own lives plenty of time where we are not only able but able to do a lot and succeed in life apart from Christ. It doesn’t appear to us that we really can’t do anything apart from Christ.

But what does it mean to live by faith? Hebrews 11 teaches us that faith is believing in the things that we hope for and certain of what we do not see. In other words, if we are to live by faith, we not only trust and hope for the positive things that Jesus promises us, but we also have to seriously heed the warnings as well. Often we focus on the promises of blessing but can soften the warnings of disobedience. And here, Jesus teaches us that a life lived apart from Him equates to nothing: no fruit. Just like the basil in my Blue Apron kit, it looks as if it is being sustained, but unless it is still attached to the vine, it ultimately shrivels up and becomes unusable.

Brothers and sisters, we must take Jesus’ words seriously: apart from Me you can do nothing. This means that whatever we think we have accomplished on our own means nothing in eternity. And if we do not bear fruit by being attached to the true Vine, then we will be cut off and cast into the fire. May we be a people whose primary concern of life be our intimate love relationship with the true Vine.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for giving people like us—worthless, sinful people—an opportunity to be grafted into Your Vine so that we may bear fruit. Thank You for the opportunity to find true meaning in life. Forgive us for softening Your words; may we not only believe in faith the promise of fruit but heed the warning of a life apart from You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 6

Lunch Break Study

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10: For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Questions to Consider

What comes to mind when you consider the difference between at tent and a house? How does this help you to understand what Paul is talking about in verse 1-5?
In verses 6-10, Paul discusses what it’s like to live in the body versus what it will be like to be with the Lord. What will not change in terms of the purpose of our lives according to Paul?
Upon reflection and study of this passage, what does it mean for you to live by faith and not by sight?

Notes

When you consider a tent, you know that it is only a temporary shelter, and thus, the discomforts of a tent is more manageable because you know it is only temporary. Versus a house, which signifies a permanence, comfort, a place of belonging. Paul is contrasting the necessary yet temporary part of our life here on earth. But what allows us to always be of good courage (v.6) is that we know it is only temporary. God has promised us an eternal, heavenly dwelling.
There is a sense of incompleteness. I don’t think Paul is saying that when we are in the body, we are cut off from God; the rest of scripture teaches us the opposite. But there is a sense where we have yet to experience while we are in the body, the fullness of God. In other words, there is more we can expect in faith. Of course the preference is that we are with the Lord, but we also trust that God has a perfect timing for this. No matter what condition we are in, Paul teaches us that our aim, our purpose in life is to please the Lord. In other words, our life is meant to be in relation with God, whether here on earth or in heaven.
Personal response. Try to be specific – in what areas of your life are you relying more on what you see than what our faith testifies.

Evening Reflection

One of the greatest challenges of walking by faith and not by sight is that what we see is unavoidable—it’s right there in front of us. This is why prayer is so important. Prayer is how we see a perspective greater than our own. As you prepare for the end of your day, spend some time with the Lord and commit a specific way of how you will start the next day that will help you to walk by faith. Ask for His help to fight the temptation of relying on our own sight.

July 18, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional Spiritual, first posted on August 28, 2017, is provided by Hee Jung Lee. Hee Jung, a graduate of Biblical Theological Seminary, serves at Catalyst Agape Church (New Jersey) along with her husband Pastor Sam Lee.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Remember Who You Are”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

I remember when I was growing up, teachers would take roll call before each class. Being that my last name (at that time) began with a Y followed by a u, I was always last—if not second to last—to be called. But this was not only the case in school, but in any situations where names were called by alphabetical order. However, to my delight, this changed when I got married and my last name was changed to begin with L. I had moved up to the middle of the alphabet and was relieved not to have to wait until last all the time. My marriage, the union of myself with my husband, not only sanctioned me this small convenience, but I inherited the rights to his family line, his bank account, his secrets, and in essence—all of him.

In a greater sense, there is a spiritual union with Jesus that we believers have inherited. This union with Jesus where He took upon Himself all of our sins once for all, entitled us to become God’s righteousness. Yes, His righteousness—“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). This means that when God relates with us, He doesn’t see our faults, shortcomings, or sins anymore. Rather, He sees His own righteousness, which has been accredited to us through Jesus’ death on the cross. This is excellent news because this means that when God looks at us, He always sees hope, potential, and in essence, His Son Jesus.

In the light of this truth, we should feel free in many regards: free to take our eyes off of ourselves from introspection and fix them upon Jesus so that we can invest our energy to serving others; free to receive the amazing grace of what God has done and live in the joy of this inconceivable gift; free to see ourselves not as sinners but saints of God and engage life from this perspective that God has established. So, today, let’s live in accordance to our wonderful spiritual heritage, freely given to us by God through Christ!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the incredible work on the cross that has brought me such freedom to enjoy my relationship with You. Please help me to take my eyes off of myself and onto You in order that I might embrace the truth of who I am in You, Your righteousness, and be a blessing to others as such. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 5

Lunch Break Study

Read: Romans 6:10-11: The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Questions to consider

1. In what ways are you hard on yourself?

2. What are some things that God says about you as His righteousness?

3. How does this truth of who you are in God’s eyes empower you in your daily choices?

Notes

1. God holds nothing against us and simply enjoys us in the satisfaction of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Perhaps you need to meditate on the depth of the love God has for you. Meditate on Ephesians 3: 12-19. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas that you might need to forgive yourself or ways you may be measuring your worth in vanity.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how God sees you. Write down whatever He says and seek out verses that confirm that.

3. If you see yourself as a sinner, you will tend to focus on your wrongdoings and can feel helpless. You may fall into condemnation. But if you see yourself as a saint of God, redeemed and set free from sin, regardless of yourself, you will be empowered to make daily choices centered with Jesus and in His love (because you know what God has done and who He says you are).

Evening Reflection

The day started with you meditating on the truth that you have become God’s righteousness through Jesus. How did you fare today in living from that mindset?

July 17, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 22, 2017, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Importance of Communion”

1 Corinthians 11:17-32

But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

A few weeks ago, my oldest daughter asked me, “What’s the purpose of daylight savings time?” At first, I gave her a general answer, but after doing some research, I came back and told her the history, rationale, and purpose of daylight savings. I’m not sure it actually satisfied her question, but at least she has a better understanding of it!

Similarly in today’s text, Paul is giving the church in Corinth the purpose and importance of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is the sign of Christ’s presence among His people and of their unity in Him. As Paul called out the Corinthians for their divisions and factions, he points attention to the fact that by warring with one another, they are abusing the meaning of the central ritual of the church. He is reminding them that we should united as a body, and the Lord’s supper should remind the believers of that.

Also, each time we take communion we are remembering what Christ has done for us, but also it means that we feast spiritually. Pastor John Piper put it like this, “‘This is my body,’ and ‘This is my blood,’ mean eat spiritually, that is, eat by faith. That is, feed your soul on all that I am for you. Nourish your heart on all the blessings that I bought for you with my body and blood. That is what faith is: faith is a being satisfied in all that God is for us in Christ. Christ has given us the Lord’s Supper to feed us spiritually with himself.”

We are reminded that because of the broken body and shed blood, we can have access to God and be satisfied in him here and now – not only during communion. Through prayer and the word, we can draw closer to God and be spiritually satisfied.

Take some time this morning to remember the sacrifice of Christ. Spend time in His Word and prayer. May we find our delight in Him alone.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the Lord’s Supper. It’s a reminder of all that You have done for us. May we never take it for granted and during this Easter season, may we hunger for more of You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 4

Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:22-25: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Questions to Consider

What does James emphasize when it comes to the Word?
What is the result of being a doer of the Word?
James uses a brilliant illustration of a mirror showing what it is like when we are not doers of the Word. What areas in our life are we just being listeners and not doers?

Notes

James points out that it is not enough simply to know Scripture or godly teaching. Knowledge alone is useless. It is even worse than useless, for the person who thinks that knowing the Bible makes one godly is self-deceived.
The contrast here between the hearer and the doer is that the doer remembers the “law of liberty.” The one who obeys the Word finds greater freedom and blessing.
Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Thank God for what He’s done for you. His promises and His Word are true, and we can put our hope in them today.

July 16, Tuesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on August 8, 2017.

Devotional Thought For This Morning

How Did That Happen in Cuba?

Mark 4:26-29 (ESV)

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

In chaper 2 of my book on missions published in Mexico, while writing about the impressive growth of Christian faith in closed countries, I talked about Cuba without actually seeing what God was doing there. I finally had that opportunity during my recent teaching trip to Cuba for a week, taking back with me the reminder that “seeing is believing.”

In 2005, I wrote: “For over 40 years, Cuba was the only country in the Western Hemisphere that had embraced atheism publicly. Many believers were imprisoned because of their faith. But Castro could not kill the church of God. In early 1994, after 35 years of persecution, the Protestants in Cuba began to experience a renaissance. In 1998, six percent of Cubans (700,000) continued to attend church, of which 57 percent were Protestant. For instance, the Methodist congregants grew from 6,000 members in 1959 to 50,000 by 1994. Despite almost no help from outside for 30+ years, it is believed that there are 4,000 churches in Cuba.”

And the first thing I experienced in Cuba, before my first class began, was worshiping in one of these churches on Monday morning (as if Sunday wasn’t enough). Now, this was no ordinary service: over 200 seminarians and local church leaders singing praise to the Lord at the top of their lungs, moving and dancing in the Spirit, and crying out to God in desperate pleas (for most Cubans are in need economically). And what went on in the classroom was no different: 71 seminarians intently studying in a crammed space, praising and crying out to God just as sincerely. Their days began at 5:30 AM to get ready for morning prayers at 6, followed by a time of Bible reading. Only then the first of daily five classes would begin, totaling six hours of classroom instructions.

So, how can we account for this impressive growth without the help of Western missionaries? According to Mark 4:14, the seed in today’s parable can also represent God’s Word; and once it is planted in the soil of human heart, its inherent power does the rest in expanding in God’s Kingdom on earth, through the sharing of God’s Word by ordinary people of faith empowered by the Spirit. That’s what happened in Cuba and can also happen in our country. Are you up for it?

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil. 1:15-16 (written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome):Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Heb. 4:12: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Questions to Consider

1. Briefly describe what was going with some of Paul’s colleagues in ministry while the apostle was imprisoned in Rome.

2. Did Paul think that God’s Word proclaimed by those with wrong motives could not bear any fruit? If the answer is no, then what does this say about God’s Word?

3. What does God’s Word intend to accomplish—that is, what does it do for us?

Notes

1. Apparently, some of Paul’s ministry colleagues, given to envy and rivalry, were glad that the apostle was imprisoned so that they could shine before men through the preaching of God’s Word. In other words, their ministry was not discharged out of good will but in pretense.

2. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul felt that as long as these men preached Jesus correctly, God would honor His Word despite the impurity of their motives. This underscores the inherent power of God’s Word that supersedes the flaws of imperfect vessels. Nevertheless, James 3:1 assures that God will judge these types of teachers.

3. Everything: God’s Word intends to challenge our values and worldview, to heal us physically, and to disclose what is really in our hearts to transform us (Rom. 12:1).

Evening Reflection

We began the day reflecting on what God had been doing in Cuba without much help from Western missionaries. We noted how this shows the inherent power of God’s Word to build His kingdom on earth with our minimal participation. Yet I hope that this doesn’t discourage you from being proactive in serving the Lord. So, what can you learn from passionate Cuban believers? Would you spend a moment to allow the Spirit to speak to you about it?

July 15, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on August 25, 2017, is provided by Jonathan Moon who is an AMI missionary serving in Coban, Guatemala. Jonathan, who was born and grew up in Bolivia, is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He and his wife Stephanie are proud parents of three children.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Portrait of Dedicated Missionaries”

1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:29

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God; for this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me

As my wife and I pray about going to the mission field, we’re trying to figure out what it means to be a missionary and what missionary work looks like. Being in Cuba and staying in Pastor Gustavo and Angela’s home (with their two young daughters) gave me a glimpse of what that looks like.

First, what stands out about them is their love for God and the Cubans. This was readily visible in the way they talked about their ministry and how they desire to glorify God in all things with thankfulness; as they shared, they constantly had smiles on their faces, even though life in Cuba isn’t easy for foreigners. To give you an idea, these are a few examples: they were using a dial-up connection since Wi-Fi is not allowed inside; supply of certain foods is inconsistent (milk, for instance, may not be available for months); then there is a constant security concern due to government monitoring.

But none of this seems to affect this missionary couple who is obviously overworked: Gustavo, who heads the seminary, oversees all the operations, including leading worship and prayer meetings, and disciples and cares for 71 seminary students. Angela wakes up early to prepare breakfast and lunch, takes care of the girls, and she is constantly translating materials from Korean to Spanish for the next teacher who will come the following week, as well as interpret for the current teacher!

So often, we grumble when we have to serve the church. We feel that after having served once or twice a week, we have done our “duty” and no one should dare to ask us to do more. We have a hard time letting go of our free time or saying no to fun events in order to serve the church or attend a church event. But what if we realize that NONE of that is more important than God? What if we realize that our friends can wait, our free time is not that precious, work is work, and God will take care of us? What if we live our lives wholly and completely devoted to Him, where we give Him everything and not just the small moments that we spare for Him? What impact would that make? What would we be able to do for the Kingdom? I guess we won’t know it until we actually dare to live it.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ who left the glory of heaven to dwell among men to save them. I also thank You for people like Pastor Gustavo and Angela for their dedication, sacrifice, passion, and obedience to God. Help me to let go of my sense of entitlement to live more fully for You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Isaiah 1 Samuel 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Philippians 3:4-11: If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Questions to Consider

1. Would you say that the apostle Paul had a lot to give up in order to “take up his cross and follow” Christ (Lk. 9:23)? What were some of his credentials (cf. Gal. 1:13-14)?

2. In what sense does Gustavo and Angela capture Philippians 3:8 in which Paul talks about counting everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus?

3. What is the ultimate goal of giving up that which was beneficial to me before: to produce more fruits for Christ or to know Him better.

Notes

1. Paul had many things going for him: he was a leading Pharisee, an immaculate keeper of the law, And a true Jew who was also very well-educated (Acts 22:3).

2. There is something to be said about Pastor Gustavo and Angela’s dedication, sacrifice, passion, and obedience to God. They have embodied Philippians 3:8 and have counted all as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus, for whose sake they have lost all things.

3. The ultimate goal is to know Christ better by a way of identifying with His great suffering through our small suffering for His sake.

Evening Reflection

Though we are not all called to be missionaries overseas, we are all called to be missionaries where we are. Before we go to bed tonight, let’s ask ourselves these questions: What am I doing to expand God’s Kingdom where I am? Am I serving as little as I can or want, or is God’s work my main priority? Am I ready to count it all as loss for Christ? Spend some time in a reflective prayer.

July 14, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on May 21, 2017, is provided by Pastor Barry Kang, who heads Symphony Church in Boston. Barry is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Gordon Conwell Seminary (D.Min.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Beginning and Ending in Grace”

2 Corinthians 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Paul began his letter to the Corinthians with a benediction (literally means “a good word”) of grace: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 1:2); and now ends with a benediction of grace. His message begins with grace, the middle is full of grace, and again ends with grace.

Before he met Jesus, Paul was not a man known for grace. He was known for his zeal for God and his knowledge of the Scriptures. He was also known for persecuting the sect of Jewish believers known as Christ followers. But after he met Christ, he became a man full of grace. Grace was the most important thing he had received and the most important thing he had to offer.

As we follow Jesus, many of us begin with grace, but at some point, we can be tempted to replace the grace of God with our human works. But the thing is, we never graduate from the Gospel of grace. Our Christian lives begin with grace, sustained by grace, and end with the grace of God.

Paul had many reasons to be angry with the church in Corinth, but he never forgot grace. His pain and anger was tempered by love, and he ends with a sincere blessing over them. I pray that we would never forget grace, and that it would overflow in our lives.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your amazing grace. Your grace saved me, forgave my sins, brought me into a relationship with you, sustains me and leads me into holiness. Forgive me for any ways that I’ve been trying to earn Your love or any ways that I’ve sought a righteousness of our own. Help me to never forget grace. May Your grace, love and fellowship sustain and lead me throughout my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 1

July 13, Saturday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 29, 2017, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian. Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is the Lead Pastor of Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Commending Ourselves in Christ”

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

As a pastor and probably also as an Asian, I feel somewhat awkward when I receive a compliment about a sermon I preached or some other ministry responsibilities that I carried out. The Asian side of me simply isn’t used to receiving compliments, but the Christian/pastor side of me feels awkward about them because I’m supposed to strive for humility and not let myself get “proud” about what I have done. Because of this, I find it interesting that Paul is willing to say in 2 Corinthians that “as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way.”

Since it seems strange that any servant would try to commend or prove himself to others, we should be mindful of the context of 2 Corinthians. Here, Paul tried to establish that he was a servant of God to the Corinthian congregants who were rumblings about whether he was worthy to be considered as an apostle or someone with spiritual authority over them. Paul certainly was not trying to boast or show off, but even if he was, he had a funny way of doing it. If Christians were required to apply for a position as God’s servant, having to submit a resume that shows why they should be selected for the position, Paul probably wouldn’t have gotten an interview! Now, while the approval by the Holy Spirit and the power of God certainly would’ve worked to his advantage, experiences such as afflictions, hardships, and poverty wouldn’t have; that is, these don’t seem like the kind of stuff that anyone should be boasting about. So why would Paul boast about these things?

Paul commended himself because all that he had on his resume, including the trials and struggles he had gone through as someone striving to serve God, pointed to something beyond him. The apostle was able to endure all of the hardship and boast about it because he was empowered by the love of Jesus to love the church. Because Paul so intimately knew the love of God, he could declare that he was sorrowful but always rejoicing, that he was poor or having nothing but really possessing everything. He was so in love with Jesus that he knew that all he had was in Christ and that no afflictions or calamities or hunger or anything could hinder him from displaying that love to the church and to the world.

As we all strive to be servants of God in this world, let us commend ourselves to this world by displaying that all we have is in Christ. We may face hardships, trials, and persecution, but we can always be rejoicing in the midst of them as we have been deeply touched by God’s immense love expressed through His Son Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your love for me. I pray that as I know you more and more, that I can be empowered to be your servant in this world. Help me to remember that all I have is in you, and give me strength to endure anything that comes my way. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Haggai 1-2

July 12, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 27, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Our Brothers Who are Easily Forgotten in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”

Hebrews 11:10 (NIV)

For [Abraham] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

The recent United Nations Security Council’s resolution to condemn Israeli settlement in territories taken during the Six-Day War (1967) continues to stir passion on both sides. While U.S. support for Israel may not be what it used to be, Christians who believe in the literal fulfillment of end-time prophecies are squarely on the side of Israel. Yet, in the midst of this bitter conflict, we have forgotten a people whom the believers have more in common with than the Israelis.

In 2015, while attending a conference on theological education in Turkey, I befriended a theological educator named Jiries from Jordan. He is a Palestinian. Never having met a Palestinian Christian before, I cautiously asked, “How do you feel about American Christians unilaterally supporting Israel?” Jiries answered, “It’s a matter of human interpretation of the Bible on the one hand, and God’s justice on the other.” I understood what he meant by “human interpretation,” but since I didn’t get the justice part, I asked for an explanation. The following is his story.

“I was born in Lydda (Lod) near Tel Aviv in 1944—four years before the establishment of Israel as a state in Palestine. In Nov. 1947, the United Nations divided Palestine into Arab state and Jewish state; Lydda was in the part allocated to the Palestinian Arab state. In July 1948, because the Israelis took control of Lydda and expelled its population, my family, including my pregnant mother and three children under the age of four, left home on foot. Walking several hours and spending the night in the open air, we met Jordanian soldiers, who took us to a small town in the remaining part of Palestine. Since then, I’ve lived in Jordan—and I can’t go back to my home and my land. Where is justice in that?”

I had no response; in fact, moved by what this brother said, I promised to share the plight of Palestinian Christians in an ensuing conference in Hong Kong, where I was scheduled to speak. But while preparing for the message, I suddenly felt this urge to share what I believed the Spirit placed in my heart. So, in an email I wrote: “Jiries, ultimately you know that this is not our home, for we are ‘aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one’ (Heb. 11:13-6). Of all people, you must know this better than anyone else.” Jiries later wrote me back, saying, “Thank you for your interest and being fair. Blessings.”

This blog isn’t about political policy but spiritual tension that demands Christ’s followers to move from either/or to both/and. First, the needs of the Palestinian brothers in Christ shouldn’t be ignored, since we are commanded to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10). So, while they wait for “a better country—a heavenly one,” we pray that safe places are found for them to raise their families.

What about Israel? Jiries, in a later communication, wrote, “When we think of the present situation, we pray for three issues: justice, peace and mercy of God for all, including Israel whose existence I validate according to all United Nations’ resolutions.” While I understand Jiries’ position, I find myself increasingly frustrated with the UN’s overall mission in the world. My support for Israel’s right to exist, therefore, doesn’t stem from any UN resolution but God’s Word, “for if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings” (Rom. 15:27). Thus, at the very least, we should support Israel’s need for safe places—free from terror—to raise their families; we also pray that they come to a saving knowledge of Yeshua, and enter one day “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Prayer: Lord, we pray for the governing bodies represented at the United Nations to treat the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with fairness for all. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6) and that many Israelis will come to believe in Jesus. We also pray for the well-being of Palestinian Christians. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: John 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Gal. 3:28-9 (ESV): There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Gal. 6:5: For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

2 Cor. 5:27a: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the basis for Christian brotherhood?

2. What does it mean that there is neither Jews nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female in Christ Jesus?

3. If we truly understand Christian brotherhood, then what kind of church should we strive to be?

Notes

1. Regardless of our ethnicity, class or gender identity, once we believe in Jesus, we all belong to Christ—we are all one in Him.

2. When we are in Christ, all ethnic, class and gender differences are melted into a new creation. “In Christ” is a spiritual melting pot in which all our sins are washed away (i.e., forgiven) by the atoning blood of Jesus.

3. A church that doesn’t discriminate based on ethnicity, class and gender; a church where everyone is welcomed whether they are white, yellow, black, rich, poor, educated, not educated, etc.

Evening Reflection

Before it was called Palestine, the place where Israelis and Palestinians live today was called Canaan. It was to this place—a land of milk and honey—that God had called the enslaved Jews in Egypt to enter. The Jews’ claim to this land is based on the Old Testament, but while they were absent from Canaan for nearly 2,000 years, the Palestinians have lived there for centuries. Certainly, they both have a compelling case for having a stake in the land. I share this so that you can pray for these people, that there will be prosperity (milk and money) for all, and a genuine revival among them so that the dividing wall of hostility would be finally demolished.

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14).