REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 22, 2017, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Listen and Obey”

Revelation 1:1-3 (ESV)

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

As a teenager, I had a bad habit of leaving the lights on when I left a room—and my mom would constantly remind me of this. I certainly heard her say it—in fact, I can still hear it in the back of my head—and definitely understood why it was important to do so. But for some reason, it was in one ear and out the other, and I continued to forget to turn the lights off. In our passage today, John is writing this letter to the seven churches in Asia with specific instructions from the Lord. He starts out by reminding them that it’s not only important to hear these instructions, but to keep them. On a larger scale, we also must be reminded that it’s not only important to hear God’s Word, but also to earnestly obey what He has commanded us. 

For the Jewish mind, there is no differentiation between listening and obeying. The Hebrew word Shema means to listen, but it could also mean to obey. However, as the Jews were scattered in the Greco-Roman world, they began to further divorce the abstract from the practical. The conceptual was split from day-to-day living so that they could mentally assent to something and yet disobey. Isn’t that why James has to remind us that faith without works is dead? If we’re honest, we can often read the Bible and hear God’s word, but we don’t really listen; we don’t obey—in fact, it has become natural for us to do so. We can agree that we shouldn’t gossip or slander, yet we still talk about others behind their back. We can believe that sharing the gospel is important, but we just don’t feel like doing it. We all struggle with this, and it’s not a problem that will disappear, but I believe that we can take steps towards bringing the abstract and reality closer together. We can choose to listen and obey, and experience the blessings God has for us. Furthermore, the phrase “The time is near” or “The Day of the Lord is near” is used both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is a well-known phrase that is used to command obedience from the listeners and to awaken those who were slumbering. John must have really wanted his listeners to pay heed to the Word of God!

Today, we are reminded that we shouldn’t just hear, but we need to keep what is written in it as well. Let’s ask ourselves this: How do we approach the Word of God? Do we read it and keep what is written? Let’s remember that the time is near, and so we should not only hear the word of God but seek earnestly to obey what is written in it.

** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KQLOuIKaRA << Helpful word study on “Shema”

Prayer: Father God, help me to not only hear Your word but also to obey them. Soften my heart so that my life is daily renewed by Your very word. I desire to live a blessed life, walking in faith as Your word guides me. Help me in my weakness. In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 9

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Lunch Break Study

Read James 1:22-25 (ESV): 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.

Question to Consider

1. What does James compare a person who hears the word only but does not do it?

2. Why does James use the mirror and the law of God interchangeably in this passage? 

3. What is one thing that you have recently heard and been convicted of but have not yet done anything about it?

Notes

1. He compares it to a person who looks intently into a mirror and notices his or her unkemptness but walks away forgetting and doing nothing about it.  

2. Simply put, the Word of God is a mirror to our soul. Through the word, we see all of the imperfections and the ways we fall short of the glory of God. We see our true self as we look into the Word of God.  

3. Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

In a society that places a high premium on knowledge and intellectual pursuits, perhaps we have spent too much of our energy in trying to know more and hear more. We can spend so much time reading different articles and listening to different sermons, but maybe we need to spend more time just being obedient in the simple things. Write down a few things that you want to be obedient in and start there.

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on April 2, 2017.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God is Really Among You!”

1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

The past two days we’ve been looking at the gifts of prophecy and tongues. We talked about how both are to be desired, but prophecy even more so. Today, we will explore in a little more depth why prophecy is to be desired above tongues. At first glance, it seems fairly obvious why prophecy is to be desired over tongues – prophecy is understood by all who are around, while tongues are understood only by God.

But there is a theological reason as well, which is mentioned in this passage. In v.21 Paul quotes a passage of Isaiah, and looking directly at this passage, this is what Isaiah 28:11 says, “For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people.” This passage is from a judgment God proclaimed against His people Israel, that because they did not listen to Him, He would speak through a different people, with a different language (think Pentecost, when the church spoke in many languages which outsiders could understand yet the Jews in Jerusalem could not understand). 

When Paul is saying in v.22 that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, he is saying that tongues are a sign that unbelievers are outside of God’s covenant. Basically, tongues demonstrate to outsiders that they do not belong to God. Imagine a non-Christian coming to service and people are speaking in tongues for all to hear but there is no interpretation; this will not draw that person to God. In fact, Paul even says that person will think this church is out of their minds! (v. 23)

However, when prophecy is spoken, all can understand, even non-Christians. Thus, prophecy is a sign for believers – it demonstrates the availability of God’s voice to His people and His faithfulness to His people, that they are His covenantal people. So, if a non-believer comes to service and hears prophecy, that person will know that God is there and they will be convicted (v.24-25). This is why prophecy is to be desired above tongues – prophecy demonstrates the reality of the church being His people and opens up the heavens to even those who do not yet believe.

In summary, tongues in a sense closes the door of the Kingdom on unbelievers while prophecy opens up the Kingdom to all. Though this passage is specific to tongues and prophecy, there are many ways that we either close or open the door of the kingdom to outsiders. Let’s reflect on our lives, on our interactions with unbelievers. Are we living in a way that invites others in, or are we living in a way that pushes people out? This is a great question to always keep in mind in all areas of our lives – in church, at home, at work, in school, at the coffee shop…anywhere.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have remained faithful to us, Your people. Though we do not deserve to be Your people, still You have called us Yours. Help us to live in a way that makes the reality of Your Kingdom open to all people, for we know that You desire all to be saved. Help us to demonstrate that truth in the way we interact with others. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 8

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 4, 2017, is provided by Jasmin Izumikawa who attends the Church of Southland in Anaheim, California.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

Psalm 77:6

I will remember my song in the night. 

Waking up in the mornings was easy to do when I was home recovering from chemo, because I barely slept at all. Those days of silence were spent in countless sleepless hours late into the night and into the early morning. Although I was finally finished with treatments, I had little to celebrate in my heart. Sorrow had silenced me for many months. So in the days and weeks to come, I spent my sleepless nights staring at the ceiling and watching the light from passing cars sweep across my dark room until it was morning again.

I remember one early morning while I lay in bed, a song broke the silence. This wasn’t a quiet Moonlight Sonata rising with the morning sun. It was a song boldly sung by a bird outside my window. The tenacity of this bird to rehearse its long-winded aria at my dark and silent hour was striking to me. The next morning, she arrived again, breaking the silence with the same piercing tune. In that very early morning, while it was still dark, I began to envy a bird that was able to sing even in the dimness of night.

This caused me to think, Had I forgotten what the LORD has done? His healing and grace had rested on me, and yet, why could I not praise Him? Why could I not speak thankful words to Him? As I began to cry out to the LORD, I believe my true healing began. 

Many times, when we find ourselves trapped in our fears and doubt, we begin to question God’s love and acceptance for us. Remember that even in your darkest hours, God is boldly rich in love for you. His heart aims to serenade you at times when there is pain and loneliness. Be comforted and remember your song in the night. 

I will remember my song in the night;

I will meditate with my heart

I will meditate on all Your work

And muse on Your deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy;

What god is great like our God? 

(Ps. 77:6, 12-3)

Prayer: LORD, thank You for the gift of life and for meeting me in my darkest hours. Heal my heart and strengthen me. You humble my heart with Your loving kindness; how could I keep my joy silent? I want to draw nearer to You and rest in Your loving arms. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Romans 6-7

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on February 17, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Stewardship in Our Daily Lives”

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 

“Now it requires that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

Once, I had a friend who was going on a trip, who needed to borrow a point-and-shoot camera. I agreed, since I wasn’t in need of mine. I thought I was so cool to be so generous, but I am embarrassed to admit that I ended up extremely anxious and on-edge for the duration of her trip. I was so relieved when it was returned to me, though I really should have been more trusting and known that my friend, who was extremely careful by nature, would have taken care of it on my behalf.

This is stewardship – taking care of what does not belong to you until it is returned to the original owner. And stewardship should be the theme of our lives on earth. We believe that God has gifted us with everything in our lives. But these resources, objects, and people are not for our own taking – they are our responsibility to guard and treasure for the day that He returns. 

What is there that He has entrusted to us? Stewardship not only covers traditional resources we think of (time, money, etc.), but also other gifts: relationships, intellect, opportunity, etc. Do we see the people around us as gifts to be treasured and taken care of on behalf of God? When God gives us understanding, are we using that knowledge to benefit others or to just elevate ourselves? When He gives us opportunity, do we take it so that we can further His name, or are we using it to build our own kingdoms?

At the end of our lives, we will be giving an account to God of how faithful we have been with what He entrusted to us. So, how are we doing with stewardship? If the Master came back to visit today, would we have good reports for Him? Or would we have to make some changes so that we could, in good conscience, let Him know that we are being responsible? 

To be clear – fear should not be our motivation to steward well; instead, stewardship is best an expression of love and affection for God. He has been so generous to give us so much each day, so let’s ask to be in-sync with Him. We want it to be our joy to take care of His work and His resources while we are on this earth. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your many gifts in our lives. Teach us how to steward Your gifts and Your people wisely, Lord. Let us not use them for our own selfish gain, but give us hearts that will rightly protect and grow the things and people You’ve entrusted us with. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 5

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 25:14-25: For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’”

Questions to Consider

1. It is interesting that the master gives such different amounts to the servants. Do you think the master entrusted his property to the servants fairly?
2. What do the responses from the account settling reveal about the first two servants?
3. What motivates the third servant to hide his talent in the ground? Since we are cautioned away from his example, let’s reflect on which things we must steward better so we do not make the same mistake.

Notes

1. It is interesting to note that God has given each person a different amount to be responsible for. However, the text says that the master distributed according to the servants’ abilities. He already knew their capacity. There is not a distinction at the moment of the worth of the servant; each one has a specific task he is appointed for. 
2. The first two were diligent in carrying out how to steward the money, and both were honest with the master about their earnings. Also, neither concealed any of their earnings for personal gain, showing that they fully trusted their master would take good care of them. 
3. The third servant’s decision to not work with the talent showed that he had little affecton for the master. As a result, he had no motivation to do something good with the investment since he had no personal care for the master.
   

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Evening Reflection 

As you went through the day, were you able to identify things or people that God has called you to faithfully steward? Let’s ask Him for the integrity and strength to be faithful to the task tomorrow as well.

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 31, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning  

“The Gospel of Justice and Social Justice: Cousins, Not Identical Twins”

2 Cor. 5:21 (ESV)For our sake [God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

One can be tempted to think that justice is synonymous with “social justice,” that it is all about maintaining fair social and political relations. But in Christianity, the primary aspect of justice is about how the individual relates to God; the word “justification,” which is at the heart of salvation, is just another form of the Greek word for “justice.” Christian justice is mainly about how a person can be made right before God, which is through faith in divine grace and exemplified by good works. 

Justice is inherently and ultimately centered on God, not human rights or identity politics, although these may indeed be helpful concepts in implementing justice. In fact, virtually all Bible verses on doing justice are somehow based on God’s vision for how we ought to live. This means that for the Christian wanting to work for a more just society, the main part of this project will be focused on how to create a world that is right before God’s eyes. This can create tricky issues: do we work to eliminate all sin or is it better for justice’s sake to not let all immorality be illegal? Although sorting through problems like these require much spiritual wisdom and discernment, one thing is for certain—our vision for social justice must be about how to create a world that God desires. 

But justice is not only about public policy or laws—it is also about how we personally relate to God. Commands on doing justice are often paired with a call to righteousness, as the two are closely related, even perhaps identical concepts, sometimes translated interchangeably. This means that our personal moral lives are a matter of justice before God. The fight for justice inevitably involves our struggle for righteousness. One can be a noble crusader for economic rights for the marginalized or against human trafficking, but if he rebels against God in his personal life by committing adultery or telling falsehoods, he is not a complete man of justice—in public justice, he is perhaps a hero but in private justice, an abject failure, and God does not fail to look at both spheres when contemplating his justice. 

We can “remove all mountains” and deliver up the “body to be burned” in all our social justice zealotry, but if we are unrighteous by failing to love God through our personal lives, then have we indeed gained “nothing”?  (1 Corinthians 13:2-3). We may look upon the struggling single mother, the starving orphan, or the bullied transgender with sentimentality that pushes us to social justice fervor, but if we have no love for God in living righteously before him, how much do we really love justice? As James 1:27 says, let us fulfill the twin pillars of justice, that of protecting the weak and the oppressed but also of living righteously, all in the hope of building a better world that is right before God. 

Prayer: Above all, Father, we thank You for the greatest gift of salvation.  What a mind-boggling truth that a righteous God would justify us, miserable sinners, imputing His perfect righteousness on us through Christ.  Help us to honor You by declaring the gospel of justice as well as social justice.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 4

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Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Jn. 3:16-8 (ESV): By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Mt. 7:22-3: On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” 23 And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

Lk. 10:17, 19-20: The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’. . . [Jesus said] “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Questions to Consider

1. Unfortunately, Christians and their churches tend to privilege one justice over the other.  Which justice is privileged by the people described in 1 Jn. 3:17-8? 

2. Basically, the people described in the Matthew passage had done impressive works to help people (casting out demons certainly does that), but they were never known by God?  What does that mean?

3. While we shouldn’t privilege one justice over the other, what is Jesus warning against in the Luke passage?

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Note

1. These believers may have privileged the gospel of justice but not social justice, because they ignored the physical needs of the poor.  John reminds them to love both in deed (social justice) and in truth (the gospel of justice).

2. While something drove them (like humanitarian idealism) to engage in good works, no doubt including social actions, they personally never addressed their sin issue; in other words, they were never justified by God by way of believing Jesus as the perfect atonement for their sins.  

3. Jesus warns the Christian workers not to get too impressed by their own good works to help people.  After having done social justice, we should always be mindful of what the gospel of justice has done for us: our name written in heaven.  This will remind us to share the gospel of justice with those whose social needs are being addressed.  After all, what good is it to be free from all earthly oppressions, only to end up in eternal hell. 

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Evening Reflection

This morning we talked about the amazing gospel of justice; and no one knew that better than John Newton, a reckless and godless commandeer of a slave ship who, after coming to know the Lord, wrote the all-time favorite hymn, Amazing Grace.  I invite you to sing this hymn in honor of what God, in Christ, has done for us. Then, let us pray for friends and relatives who still haven’t experienced this grace. 

“Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like!  I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see; 2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed; 3. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. ‘Tis grace brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who is now a friend of AMI, was first posted on April 19, 2017. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Columbia International University where he studied Islam (M.A.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Repentance as God’s Children”

Hosea 6:1-6

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us; that we may live in His presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. 5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth—then my judgments go forth like the sun. 6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

My all-time favorite Disney movie is The Lion King, which centers around King Mufasa, his evil brother Scar, and his son Simba. In the opening scene, Scar pays lip service to Mufasa by acknowledging his kingship but plots behind closed doors to kill Mufasa in order to be king. When Scar is successful and becomes ruler, the kingdom of the Pride Lands turns into a wasteland.  Thankfully, the exiled Simba returns to defeat Scar, and the Pride Lands are eventually restored.

Like Scar, the Israelites in Hosea 6 were caught paying lip service to God. While they seem to be repentant through acknowledgement of God (Hos. 6:1) and His healing power (Hos. 6:2), yet God answers them with exasperation due to their unrepentance (as noted in the chapter title in the NIV). He remarks that their love for Him is like the “early dew that disappears” (Hos. 6:4) and discerns that their “returning” to Him is a form of pain relief. Sadly, the Israelites’ desire is not for God but for their suffering to be removed quickly, in two to three days no less! (Hos. 6:2-3). 

Sadly, our repentance does not differ much from Israel’s. For example, let’s say that I made a remark out of anger that hurt a close friend. To deal with the issue, I might say “I shouldn’t have said that and I’m sorry for hurting you. Will you forgive me?” If my friend responds by wanting to delve deeper into the issue that caused my anger, I might think to myself, I apologized. If you can’t forgive me, that’s your problem. Thus, while I may have apologized for my words, I have not repented of my resentment. The truth is that I am still unrepentant, since what I am after is quick “reconciliation.” 

Oftentimes, when we wrong God or others, we are more interested in the removal of our guilt than the actual restoration of our relationships. We usually have worldly sorrow that brings death rather than godly sorrow which brings repentance and salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Let’s ask God to show us the difference today.

Prayer: Father, the pain of my sin is too much to bear. I have hurt You and others many times, and I desire the false relief from my quick apologies instead of genuine reconciliation. Give me insight to my brokenness that is fracturing my relationship with You and others. And give me the courage to surrender and admit that I cannot fix myself through my power or will. In Your Name I pray, Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 3

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Matthews 27:1-5: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Questions to Consider

1. How does Judas show that he’s sorry over his sin?

2. How does Judas display worldly sorrow instead of godly sorrow?

3. What are you displaying worldly sorrow over?

Notes

1. Judas is described as being “seized with remorse” (v. 3). He returns the money that he earned for betraying Jesus (v. 4) and even names his sin (v.4).

2. Judas doesn’t acknowledge the fact that his love for money and power was greater than his love for Jesus. The guilt of his sin becomes too much to bear, and he eventually hangs himself (v. 5) to his death. 

3. Personal response.

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Evening reflection

Ask God to reveal any broken relationships you may have that need repair. When someone comes to mind, ask God for the strength to address the person instead of running away. God will help you if you let Him. 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 16, 2017, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“‘The Judgment Day’ and This Is Coming from a Millennial!”

Revelation 8.6-13

And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them. 7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. 11 The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter. 12 The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way. 13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

I have a confession:  I’ve been taking this three-week intensive course on Jonathan Edwards (think Great Awakening time, where they spoke English in such a way that even people familiar with Old English wouldn’t have fully understood); lectures Monday through Thursday, 8:30-12:30PM, about 100 pages of reading every night. I promise I’m not sitting here complaining, but with ministry and what not, I got pretty behind on things. And when our midterm paper was due on Monday, I was nowhere close to being ready. So what did I do? I prepared a heartfelt, apologetic speech to ask my professor for an extension. And lo and behold, he granted it—what a nice guy!

I’m not sure where you were the last time you were in school, but in today’s sensibilities, it’s almost expected that these things happen; and it’s almost expected that we can ask and receive an extension (perhaps it’s more of a millennial mindset).  It’s almost shocking if an extension is not given. And I wonder if this kind of sensibility seeps into our spirituality as well.

If you remember from yesterday’s passage, we are introduced to this group of seven angels who are given trumpets. Then we see the angel pouring out the fire from the altar onto earth which results in thunder, rumbling, lightning and an earthquake. Now, the Scripture gives no reference to how long the interval between these events and the events of the passage we read today is, but we see that there is a time of preparation before the seven trumpets are blown. And what unfolds is horrific—an eagle that has a birds-eye view of all the events cries out, “Woe, woe, woe!” And this isn’t even the end of it. The eagle directs our attention to the three trumpets that have not been blown yet.

Foretelling of such events that points to the judgment and wrath that will come upon those who are unrepentant are probably parts of Scripture that we are tempted to skip over or not give too much thought. In fact, it is this very instinct that caused people to write off hell as a reality of those who do not repent. However, the Bible is very clear that there will come a judgment day, and some will face the wrath of a perfectly just God. But this also tells us of God’s perfect timing according to His perfect wisdom. And despite those of us who have assurance of salvation in Christ Jesus, passages like this must direct our attention to those around us who do not have the same kind of assurance. Brothers and sisters—there will be a judgment day. But until that happens, may your hearts be drawn to compassion for those who draws compassion from our Heavenly Father.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of salvation, freely given by grace. Thank You for the assurance I have in You. But Father, I recognize that there are many people around me who do not know You as their heavenly Father. I ask that You break my heart for them. Pour out Your Holy Spirit that I may have eyes to see and ears to hear how You are at work around me. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 2

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Matthew 25.1-13: Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Questions to Consider

1. Compare the virgins who are deemed as foolish and those that are deemed as prudent/wise. What do you think is the biggest difference between those who were foolish and those who were wise?
2. What is the inevitable reality of this passage?
3. Reflecting on this parable, how does this challenge your perception on life? How does it challenge your perception of those around you who do not know the Lord?

Notes

1.  Jesus compares the two by those who are prepared and those who are not. Despite how we may normally perceive this story, when you look closely at verse 3, it’s not so much that the foolish ran out of oil; they never brought any to begin with. The wise, however, knew exactly what they needed for this journey.
2. I think there are several inevitabilities that are at play here: (1) The virgins in the passage all have a lamp and are awaiting the bridegroom. In other words, when we extrapolate the parable, this passage teaches us that everybody is awaiting a savior, whether we recognize it or not. (2) The Bridegroom will come, that is, Jesus will return one day. And (3) there will come a moment where the door will be shut. Therefore, the warning for us is to be on the alert.
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

C.S. Lewis, in his sermon “The Weight of Glory,” reveals to the congregation the insurmountable glory that God has poured out upon us, the incredible beauty that we are to possess as His creation. The challenge given by Lewis is to not only see ourselves as these vessels, but to look upon others with the same kind of potential awe. Upon reflection today, how has the Holy Spirit challenged your perspective on those around you, especially those who may not know Christ? Spend some time covering each individual in prayer by name.

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 12, 2017.  Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Power That You Have” 

Revelation 5:1-8 

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” 

Power is a precious commodity, especially in these strange times. We live in a turbulent cultural climate where political extremism, terrorism, and ideological wars run rampant throughout the world. And as tensions rise across political and racial lines, various groups have attempted to push their agendas through a show of power—whether in the form of violence or by slandering the “other.” The more power you have, the more you’re able to undermine your enemies. Power is also used in a similar manner on a micro scale. We often use the power we’ve gained from our education, socioeconomic status, and experience in order to gain a step ahead of our competition—to build up our own resumes and get us one step closer to fulfilling the American Dream. We have images of powerful CEO’s, executives, and political figures who line their own pockets at the expense of those less fortunate. For these reasons, power is often associated with abuse. As a result, the idea of power comes with much baggage, since it often manifests itself in forms that leave at least one party broken and destroyed. 

We find a very different picture of power in our passage for today. Here in Revelation 5:1-8, John finds himself in the throne room where he sees a scroll in the right hand of God, but there is no one to open it. However, one of the elders proclaim that there is one who is worthy: The Lion of the tribe of Judah! This is where it gets interesting. In verse 5, John hears that it is the Lion of Judah who is worthy to open it, but he sees in verse 6 “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” In other words, he hears a title that exudes power but sees a slain Lamb who symbolizes death and weakness. It seems that God is redefining power. How do we know this? The slain Lamb is none other than Jesus Himself, who achieved victory over sin and death, not by a show of force but through weakness and death. In the gospel, we find power manifested through Jesus in a manner that brought life rather than destruction—it uplifted the broken and even His enemies. 

In similar ways, we all possess a certain degree of power. How do you use your education, your wealth, and your status? Do you use it to only further your own goals at the expense of others, or do you bring life? Let us use the power we have in a manner that reflects the slain Lamb whose power gave us life and joy! 

Prayer: Father, I have a propensity to use the resources and the power You’ve given me for my own selfish ambitions. Help me to use all that You have given me for the good of others and especially to bring about Your kingdom on this earth! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 1 

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Lunch Break Study 

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, calamities … for when I am weak, then I am strong” 

Questions to consider 

1. Why does Paul boast all the more gladly in his weaknesses?  
2. How can Paul be content with his weaknesses? 
3. Reflect on a time when God your weaknesses for His kingdom?

Notes 

1. He rejoices in his weaknesses because it allows the power of Christ to rest upon him. In some ways, God can use us more in our weaknesses because it causes us to depend on Christ more than our own strength and abilities. 
2. Paul understands that it is especially in his weakness that more of God’s power is manifested. Although difficult, he knows that true strength is experienced in coming face to face with his weakness. 
3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection 

So much of our day is spent on focusing on how to maximize our own welfare with the resources we have. However, God calls us to use all that we possess for the sake of others and especially those who are in need. Let us reflect on how we can use our God-given blessings for the sake of His kingdom. 

Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on June 4, 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

“Criteria for Measuring Success: What is Yours?”

Matthew 8:5-13

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

In today’s passage we come across a Roman centurion who pleads to Jesus to heal his servant.  While there are dozens of stories in the New Testament of Jesus healing the sick, this story comes as a bit of a shock due to Jesus’s reaction.   As Jesus begins to walk to the servant’s home, the centurion stops Jesus and says that he is not worthy of the Lord to come to his house, but by His words alone Jesus can heal his servant (v.8).  It states that Jesus marveled at this response and proceeds to declare that there is no man in Israel with greater faith than the centurion. 

After my one-year term in Shanghai, I remember returning home discouraged and defeated by what I felt like was a lack of fruit.  The ministries I had invested in did not continue after I had left, and I felt that I had nothing to show for my time overseas.  While we can often correlate visible fruit and sacrifice as success, in this story we see that faith and submission to the Lord is what leads Jesus to marvel. 

Centurions, which means “captain of 100,” would be promoted to this position by their dedication and courage as they worked their way up the ranks; thus they were highly respected.  Romans in general were known to place authority and power as a supreme virtue and would persecute anyone who would threaten their rule.  For this centurion to say he is not worthy to have Jesus in his home and proclaim that His words alone can heal, he had to lower himself and take off the helmet of authority and power embedded into him as a Roman and given to Him as a commander.  His faith and submission to Jesus turned him from the title of “captain of 100” to the greatest man of faith in all of Israel.

While I can assume that I would have received praises from people if I had accomplished something great in Shanghai, Jesus comforts us in saying that He has a different standard of success.  His standard looks at the heart.  While our culture glorifies visible fruit, let us remember that it was not the Israelites—the chosen people of God—who were deemed with great faith, but it was a soldier; and not just any soldier, but a Roman soldier, who had a faith greater than anybody in the entire nation of Israel.  I want to encourage you today to take time to reflect on what you are measuring your success with.  Our God is a God who honors a faithful heart.  Praise the Lord that Jesus doesn’t measure our faith by our works! Let us be people of faith whom God can marvel at.

Prayer: Lord, You are the giver and producer of all things. Help me to submit to Your authority and walk faithfully in all that You ask of me.  Help me to take my eyes off of visible fruit and the praises of man, and cultivate a faith that You can marvel in. Thank You for your work in my life! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Haggai 2

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on March 25, 2017, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“One Body, Many Parts”

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

If you are a college basketball fan, you probably followed the just concluded March madness. It is the biggest and greatest tournament in college sports where the top 64 teams compete to become college basketball champions.  Every year, without fail, there is always one team that surprises everyone – an underdog or unknown college team that somehow make it far in the tournament.  Often, the reason why these underdog teams do so well is because of how well they play as a unit.  What they lack in talent, they make up in playing as a unified team, which often brings success.

As we continue in our study of spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of unity within the Body of Christ.  Paul again uses the human body to illustrate the unity and interrelationship of the members of Christ’s body, the church.  He continues using the body illustration saying that even though unity is the most important characteristic, diversity is essential to that unity.  Paul reminds us that a body could not possibly function if it were all the same part.  “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing?” (v.17).  As a fellowship of believers, we operate more effectively with members performing different ministries.  

One danger we can fall into when it comes to spiritual gifts is envying other’s gifts.  That is one of the reason’s why Paul is addressing the church in Corinth.  How about you?  Do you tend to envy other people’s spiritual gifts to the point that it hinders you from serving wholehearted with the gifts God has given you?  Remember, we are all important and crucial to build up the body.  Serve, minister and bring unity to the body as the Word instructs us today.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the ways you have uniquely gifted each one of us in the body.  Help us to live in contentment and may it lead us to serve others in our respective churches today.  

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 14 and Haggai 1