May 17, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on March 31, 2017.  A graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), Doug is the Lead Pastor of Grace Covenant Church Philadelphia. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Earnestly Desire to Prophesy”

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

 Early in his prophetic career, Isaiah had a powerful encounter with God. He says this: “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew” (Isaiah 6:1-2). Basically, Isaiah saw what was going on in heaven.

Sometimes, we can forget that heaven is a place of much activity and think of God as a distant person, who set everything in motion and let it all play out. But no, heaven is a busy place and God is working and His angels are working. So, what does this have to do with today’s passage? Well, prophecy is basically seeing into the heavenly realm and seeing what God and His angels are doing or will do. The truth is, God is at work, even though we may not see this.

Often people will ask, isn’t prophecy about seeing the future? Well, sometimes – but biblical prophecy more often concerns things happening here and now. As have I said, prophecy is seeing into the heavenly realm. This is why Paul urged everyone to desire prophecy. When we prophesy, we essentially open up heaven for others to see. We open up God’s workings so that the whole church can be encouraged at what God is doing. 

Today, let’s ask for the gift of prophecy. Though not all have this gift, Scripture tells us to earnestly desire prophecy. And with this gift, there is a special way we can bless the church – for its “up building, encouragement, and consolation.”

Prayer: Lord, Your word tells us to earnestly seek the gift of prophecy, so today we ask that we may prophesy. You are at work and You are inviting us to join You, so help us to see You, to know what You are doing. Give us spiritual eyes to see You. Use us to build up Your church. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 20

Lunch Break Study  

Read Luke 11:9-13: 3 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Questions to Consider

  1. What happens when we seek, ask, and knock?
  2. What can we learn about God from this passage?
  3. How can we receive more of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Notes

  1. Verse 10 says, “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” There is power in asking God, because as Scripture tells us, our God is a God who loves to give! James 1:5 says that God “gives generously to all without reproach.” Thinking about this morning’s passage, let’s ask for the gift of prophecy!
  2. Our God loves to give to us, His children. If even earthly fathers give good gifts to their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give good gifts to us. And moreover, He gives the greatest gift – the Holy Spirit! Today, let’s ask for more of the Spirit in our lives!
  3. ASK! Perhaps we have been struggling in faith because we simply haven’t asked for more of the Spirit recently. Ephesians 5:18 tells us to “be filled with the Spirit”—and this filling comes through asking.

Evening Reflection

Take time to ask God again for the gift of prophecy. As we studied at lunchtime, there is power in asking; so let’s bring our request to God, having faith that He is a good Father who loves to give generously to His children without reproach. And if not prophecy, let’s ask Him to show us the gifting He has given us.

May 16, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 8, 2017, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. Tina is a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Incomparable and Personal Love of God”

Revelation 3:10-11 (ESV) 

“Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

One thing I enjoy doing in my church community is listening to older women of faith share about their spiritual markers in life. Their testimonies show me how God met them in a personal and intimate way when they faced trials and seasons of wilderness. I would also hear some share about their thoughts during seasons of waiting: “I know God will do so and so because He told me… He promised me…” I was always really encouraged and challenged by how close they were to God and how God spoke to them in such a personal way—like a father to a child. It made me desire all the more to draw close to God to hear His words and promises for my life. This is the same theme I see in the relationship between the Philadelphia church and God. 

God dearly loves this church because they display enduring faithfulness to His name in the midst of persecution, seizing opportunities to proclaim His name. They are small in number but their tenacity of faith is great. God personally promises the church that He will preserve them during the hour of trial that everyone on earth will face at the end times. He will do it because He is so pleased with their faithfulness to Him. God exhorts them to finish the unique path that they have been given – “hold fast what you have” – and they will receive a crown that is specifically prepared for them.

In the Bible, there are promises of God that extend to all children of God, but there are also promises that God gives personally to certain people or a certain church—and this displays how personal our God is. His personal promise gives the hearer hope to finish well. God’s love is not likened to a loving parent who cuts a cake into equal slices so that no child will feel partiality. His love is not distributed into small pieces for each child or church; rather, His love is whole, infinite, and unique towards each person, spurring each person on to live according His perfect will and plan.  What would it look like for you to pursue a relationship with God similar to that of the Philadelphians? 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I praise You and thank You for Your faithfulness to me! Teach me and strengthen me to have patience endurance, that I may express my love to You through the act of perseverance. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 19

Lunch Break Study

Read Jeremiah 31:1-3: “At that time, declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord, ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is the historical context of this passage?

2. What is evident about God’s love in this passage?

3. In what circumstances have you experienced God’s everlasting and tangible love? Do you hunger to experience God’s everlasting love today? What hinders you?

Notes

1. God is speaking to Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. The people of Israel and Judah had been in exile for many years as a result of their unfaithfulness to God during the years of living in the Promised Land. God is speaking to them about His enduring faithfulness to those who looked to Him during the years of exile.

2. Israel experienced a greater depth of God’s love during the times of wilderness and mistakes. God’s love is unwavering and everlasting. His faithfulness is enduring because of who He is and is not shaken by our actions, whether good or bad. 

3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

Before going to sleep, be reminded of this truth about our awesome and unfathomable God: “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you (Isaiah 54:10).   Now, sleep on that!

May 15, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 20, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Are You Keeping Scores?  It’s Tied”

Mathew 5:43-4

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

On the web, I found this statement: “Christians have invaded and colonized a dozen Muslim countries in the past 100 years.”  My response: Why start the discussion from such an arbitrary point; why not begin from the very outset of their clash at the geopolitical level?  Those who want to lay all the blame on the church may not want to go there, because it will not fit their revisionist and selective history.  

The first clash between these two groups occurred in the 8th century, when the Moors from North Africa, who had been conquered and converted to Islam by the Saracen Empire (from Middle East), successfully attacked Spain.  They then penetrated as far as central France (Tours) to subject the entire Europe to Islam. 

The next major clash was the infamous Crusades, beginning from 1095, for which the Roman Catholic Church owes a major apology to the Muslims, Jews and believers of the Eastern Church, since they all fell victims to these misguided and radicalized Christians from Europe.   If you are keeping scores, it is 1:1.

Now, here is how I became aware of the third clash.  In 1992, after Bosnia—as part of former Yugoslavia—declared its independence, the Serbs began the campaign to “cleanse” much of the Bosnian territory contiguous with Serbia.  Subsequently, as many as 2 million Bosnians (about 44% being Muslims) were displaced out of Bosnia.  While reading about this, I began wondering how these Eastern Europeans became Muslims in the first place.  It was because after the Ottoman Turks conquered the Serbs (including Bosnia in 1463), they forced the conversions of the Bosnian nobility, which one author described as “unusually harsh.”  Over the years, while one group of Serbs became Muslims, the rest continued to be part of the Orthodox Church.  

The 4th round of their conflict occurred when European countries such as England and France occupied Iraq and Syria, respectively, at the behest of the League of Nations after World War I.  This event and the Crusades, then, are selectively cited by the critics of the church to present Christianity in its worst light.  

Presently, the 5th round of their ongoing conflict (including the 9/11 and the military response thereafter by America) is played out on the soils of Europe and America through terrorism carried out by radicalized Muslims.   

No, don’t keep scores—that’s foolishness.  Instead, since we claim to follow Christ who taught us to “love your enemies,” let us love Muslims, most of whom are our neighbors, not enemies.  

Prayer: Lord, help me open my spiritual and theological eyes to understand that Your common grace is given to all, including Muslims.  Give me humility and soundness of mind not to paint all Muslims with a broad brush based on terroristic acts committed by radicalized Muslims.  Give me courage to love them. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 18

Lunch Break Study 

Read Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV): The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord

Questions to Consider

1. Based on the prior (before the time of Jonah around 760 B.C.) and on-going conflict between Israel and Assyria (known for their cruelty), can you understand why Jonah did not want to preach in Nineveh?

2. What is one similarity between how Jonah felt toward the Assyrians and how some Christians in the West feel toward radicalized Muslims and their sympathizers?

3. The Assyrians worshipped many gods, including Tammuz (Ez. 8:14).  What is suggested by God’s call to Jonah to preach the message of repentance in Nineveh (the capital of the Assyrian Empire)?  How should that realization change us?

Notes

1. Yes, we can sympathize with Jonah.  Understandably, Jonah wanted to see the Assyrians pay for their ruthlessness and cruelty meted out against his people.  

2. The similarity is obvious: inasmuch as Jonah disliked the Assyrians, some Christians in the West dislike the Muslims because of terroristic acts committed by some radicalized Muslims. 

3. It shows clearly the heart of God for all nations, which is aptly summarized by the apostle Peter: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).  We should all be dedicated to world missions, which, at its center, is bringing the gospel to the nations. 

Evening Reflection

When was the last time you read a book that deals with church history?  What was presented in the morning devotional came from the study of church history.  We must know it because the enemy is using revisionist history to debunk our faith (e.g., The Da Vinci Code).  Try Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley (Thomas Nelson 2013).  Also, familiarize yourself with the kings of Israel by reading 1 & 2 Samuel; 1 & 2 Kings; and 1 & 2 Chronicles. 

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity” –Roman historian Cicero (106-43 B.C.) 

May 14, Tuesday 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 13, 2017.  Andrew, a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Can Singing Worship Songs be a Powerful Experience?” 

Revelation 5:9-10

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

During one of the most challenging times of my life, I discovered that singing worship songs could be a powerful exercise of faith.  As I struggled to remain steadfast with my heart full of doubts, it was difficult to sing lyrics that proclaimed the hope of God. Everything around me just seemed like evidence that proved my doubts, making it almost impossible to sing the words on the screen with full conviction. Yet as I worshipped and praised God with words that I did not fully believe, God began to turn my heart towards His hope. I found that in the simple act of bringing my doubts before Him and singing with the small amount of conviction I possessed, He met me where I was, helping me to believe in the words before me. Singing worship songs became a new reservoir of strength and power that I could now draw from. I would not have persevered without it. 

Similarly, the recipients of the letter of Revelation were going through trying times.  Under the Roman Empire, being faithful to the ways of God was not an easy task for them. Rome’s manner of life was attractive and the pressure to conform was crushing. The difficulty was experienced on many levels: they were socially marginalized, economically disadvantaged, and culturally isolated. For these reasons, the temptation to succumb was incredibly powerful. However, in Revelation 5:9-10, they were given a new song to sing—a song proclaiming the victory of their King and the hope of a future kingdom where they will reign with God. They would one day experience a new world where there will be no more pain or suffering. Although it might have been difficult to believe in these words, this new song was to function as a source of hope, helping the believers to overcome and remain steadfast until the end. 

In the same way, many of us are having difficulty remaining hopeful in God. However, let us not distance ourselves away from His presence but sing songs that proclaim His hope. He will meet us in His grace, giving us what we do not possess and providing all that we need to be victorious! 

Prayer: Father, thank You that even in our weakness and lack of faith, You still meet us. I pray that especially in times of difficulty, You would provide me with the strength and perseverance to remain faithful to Your cause. Give me the type of faith that praises You in every circumstance and situation. Amen! 

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 17

Lunch Break Study 

Read Psalm 103:1-5: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.


Questions to Consider 

  1. What is the crucial step that the psalmist takes in verse 2, which leads him to bless God? 
  2. What are the benefits that the psalmist blesses the Lord for?
  3. How have worship songs played a role in your relationship with God? Take some time to reflect. 

Notes 

  1. The psalmist does “not forget all His benefits.” The first step in blessing and praising God is learning to frequently remember His goodness towards us, especially when it’s difficult to see it.  
  2. The psalmist blesses the Lord for God’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, steadfast love, and the satisfying of his soul. 
  3. Personal response. 

Evening Reflection 

Before going to sleep, take some time to reflect on your life and give thanks for God’s faithfulness, goodness, and grace. 

Psalm 77:11-12: “I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;I will remember your wonders of old.12 I will meditate on all your work,and muse on your mighty deeds.”

May 13, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who is now a friend of AMI, was first posted on February 20, 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 

“Orphans or Children of God?”

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 

If any group of sports fans understood the misery of losing, it was fans of the Chicago Cubs. Leading up to the 2016 season, the Cubs had not won the World Series—baseball’s ultimate prize—in 108 years. Furthermore, the Cubs would fall short in the most agonizing ways whenever they made the playoffs, leading some to believe that the team was cursed. Thankfully, on November 2nd 2016, the Cubs finally won the World Series—and Chicago exploded with joy. At the victory parade, there were over five million fans celebrating, the 7th largest gathering in human history.

For the Cubs fans, they knew what the appropriate reaction was to their long-awaited victory: joy, freedom from anxiety, gratitude, etc. While we may not all be Cubs fans, as Christians, we have received the ultimate victory through Jesus: victory over death, sin and Satan. We were condemned by the law and its burden was too great for us to carry; but through Jesus, who was born under the law (Gal. 4:4), we have been redeemed under the law and by faith and are now adopted as sons and daughters (Gal. 4:5).

If such an amazing victory is ours, where is our joy and freedom? More often than not, such lack reveals the fact that we live as spiritual orphans instead of God’s children. Instead of walking in faith and living according to God’s promises, we live on a succeed/fail basis, using our accomplishments to compare ourselves to others, which leads to either pride or depression. Instead of remembering that there is no striving in love, we labor under a sense of unlimited obligation, believing that everything depends on us. 

Instead of finding satisfaction in God alone, we look for satisfaction in our idols, “drinking from other cisterns” instead of the living water (Jeremiah 2:13).

For the next two weeks, we will be going through how our orphan-like tendencies can creep into our everyday lives. But thankfully, we will also be going through how we can experience the new life promised to us as God’s children. Let’s pray that God would reveal more of Himself.

Prayer: Father, thank You that I can call You exactly that: Father. I am not alone but I have You as my Father, 

Friend and Lover. Yet, I confess that I live as if You do not exist. I confess that I do not live in freedom or joy but in self-righteousness and fear. I confess that my life does not reflect the promises You have given me. Bring me back to You again. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Lunch Break Study 

Read Romans 8:14-5: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 16

Questions to Consider

1. How do these verses describe those who are living under fear?

2. We are no longer slaves to fear but children of God. How then should we live?

3. What fears do you need to surrender to God today?

Notes

1. Those who live in fear are described as slaves. They are not free to live in power and joy but are chained to their own anxieties. 

2. As children of God, we should be led by the Spirit who reminds us of our adoption to sonship. As children, we can continually cry out to our Father for His help in the midst of our helplessness. 

3. Personal response (e.g., fear of failure, fear of being abandoned, fear of death, etc.)

Evening Reflection

What other truths of being a child of God did He reveal to you today? If He hasn’t, take some time and ask Him to speak to You. Once He does, thank Him and ask Him for faith to live that truth out.

May 12, Sunday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 26, 2017, is provided by Jane Oak, who serves at Tapestry Church, Los Angeles. Jane is an immigration lawyer.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Marriage is Good!”

Genesis 2:18, 1:28 

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper fit for him.” And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply.”

After my parents’ divorce when I was 9 years old, I quickly had to grow up and take on adult responsibilities, such as caring for my little brother, comforting my depressed mother, and figuring out ways to reduce the utility bills. With many years of carrying these burdens, I really enjoyed the freedom I experienced after graduating high school and leaving home. I would play and stay out late, but I also became very involved in church and ministry, investing a lot of time into my younger sisters. I enjoyed this lifestyle so much that the idea of marriage and having a man to take care of was not appealing to me. I wanted to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, with whomever I wanted. For the next 20 years, I went into and out of many relationships. And, in my explanation to others as to why I broke up with my boyfriend/fiancé, I used the noble excuse of, “Oh, I wanted to have more impact for the Kingdom of God. I need my freedom to give more time to the church and to my sisters. Marriage will reduce my impact because I would have to worry about my husband and domestic responsibilities.” 

Everyone who heard this would agree with me, except for this one deaconess.  Her response to me was, “If it’s all about greater impact for the Kingdom of God, you are limiting yourself by staying single. Right now, you can mainly impact women. But, if you get married, through your influence on your husband, you can impact many men. And, if you have children, you will impact many children. Also, it is through marriage that your character will become more like Christ. You really need to think again about your excuse for not getting married.” I was cut to the heart.

I decided to read the Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller, which completely changed my perspective on marriage. And, by God’s grace and orchestration, I met Harry Yoon three years ago. I knew he had not been in the church for 20 years, but I could clearly see that he was falling in love with God and the community (if you haven’t already, you need to read Harry’s testimony on the Tapestry website).  Now, we have co-led three cell groups and I hear numerous stories of how the men are growing and maturing because of Harry’s wisdom, humility, honesty, and leadership. We decided not to have biological children, but together, we care for many spiritual children at Tapestry. It is such a joy to constantly talk about our spiritual children, to pray for them, and to serve them as a couple. Indeed, my view on marriage has changed. Marriage with God at the center results in an even greater impact for the Kingdom. Therefore, marriage is good!

Prayer: Lord, I praise and glorify You this morning.  I pray that our marriages are being reoriented and shaped in accordance to Your original blue print for the institution of marriage.  Whether married or single, may we yield greater fruits for your Kingdom through serving You faithfully.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 15

May 11, Saturday

REPOST  Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on April 1, 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

“All Can Speak in Tongues”

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Today’s Bible passage is the same as yesterday’s, but we will focus on the gift of tongues. (If you did not read yesterday’s devotional, I encourage you to do so before reading today’s.)

Yesterday, I mentioned that prophecy is speaking about what is going on in the heavenly realm. God is always at work, so heaven is a busy place! We often do not see what is going on, what God is doing around us, but there is a spiritual realm where God and His angels are working. 

So, then, what is tongues? Well, tongues is in essence praying according to what is going on in the heavenly realm. This passage says that while praying in tongues, a person “speaks not to men but to God” (v.2). Only God hears these prayers, these “mysteries in the Spirit.” Though we may not know what we are praying, still, individually, we are built up by speaking in tongues (v.4).

But, as Paul encourages, we should not be satisfied with tongues alone: “Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret” (1 Cor. 14:13). When we can interpret tongues, that becomes prophecy, because through interpretation, the spiritual realities that are being prayed over are opened to the church, so that everyone can see what is happening in the spiritual realm. 

Do you speak in tongues? Today, let’s ask God for the gift of interpretation. If you do not speak in tongues, do not be afraid to ask God for this gift. As Paul said, he wants “all to speak in tongues” (v.4)—that includes us!

Prayer: Lord, thank You that you open up the heavens to us through tongues and prophecy. Help us to continue to desire these gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Lord, we want to build up Your church and You give us these gifts for that purpose. Help us to desire what You desire for us. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 13-14

May 10, Friday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 10, 2017, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun. Mark, after stepping down as its Lead Pastor in January of 2023, is now serving as a staff at Radiance. 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Christian Freedom and a License to Sin”

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (ESV)

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. 

One excuse that people make to avoid obeying the commands of God is the right for believers to exercise their Christian liberty. However, we need to understand that Christian freedom is not a license to do whatever we want to do.  You cannot make the Bible a book of mere suggestions when in fact, these are the very commands of God.  Therefore, the Scriptures give us wisdom on how to exercise our Christian liberties and outlines the limits of our freedom.     

The important point that we need to know is that Christian freedom can only be exercised in matters that are non-ethical in nature.  Here, in this passage, we have the question of whether to eat food offered to idols.  There were some dietary and religious limitations that particular Jewish Christians held onto.  Clearly, some old practices are hard to break.  In addition, there were other debates that the early Christians struggled with, such as the question of whether to mark off certain days as holy in terms of the traditional Jewish calendar (e.g. Yom Kippur and the feast of Purim).  And so along these non-ethical issues, where the Bible is largely silent, the Word teaches us to do as we are fully convinced in our minds (Romans 14:5). The key word here is fully.  In order to be thoroughly convinced, it means having studied the Bible on the subject and taking it up to the Lord in prayer before deciding to exercise your Christian freedom.  These decisions of liberty and conscience should not be made flippantly for the following two reasons:

First, in the case where Christian freedoms are debated, both parties share the blame.  Those of us who can exercise our freedom with a clear conscience often judge those who might have doubts and questions. Those of us who feel more comfortable in limiting Christian freedom often hold in contempt those who exercise their freedom.  No party is right here, and we will be held accountable to God for the attitudes that we hold against our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Second, in applying our Christian freedom, we must follow the law of love.  Paul places greater responsibility on the person who wants to exercise their freedom over the person who wants to limit freedom, because it is much easier to change one’s own behavior rather than asking someone else to change their attitudes and thoughts. If you stumble another Christian while exercising your freedom, you can possibly damage the faith of someone who Christ died for; and to do so over a trivial matter, such as the use of alcohol and food, is both unloving and unthinkable.  To show love for others is the highest Christian ethic, and this law of Christ mandates that love restrict even our freedom.  

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to just think about myself and my own personal needs.  Yet You remind us that our highest calling is to love others as ourselves.   If this means sacrificing some of my rights as a Christian, help me to make those necessary changes in my life.  In all things, I pray that love would be the final standard for every decision that I make.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Deuteronomy 12

Lunch Break Study (ESV)

Read Romans 14:13-23: Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Questions to Consider

  1. Instead of judging each other, what should Christians resolve to do?
  2. How should my personal Christian freedom be exercised?
  3. What are the more important matters that need to be considered when deciding on debatable issues of Christian conduct?  

Notes

  1. Instead of judging one another, it is important that everyone resolves not to be a hindrance or to place a stumbling block to someone’s faith.   
  2. Personal Christian freedom should not be an on-going source of tension in the church.  Debatable matters should be resolved in such a way that peace is preserved and there is mutual edification.  I believe the one who is called to limit his Christian liberty is actually built up the most because he/she can grow in the areas of self-control, sacrifice, and humble submission.  
  3. Christians have incredible degrees of freedom in the Lord, unlike many of the other world religions.  But ultimately, our liberties are subordinate to the kingdom of God, which is characterized by joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.  Any Christian behavior that does not add to this is probably not beneficial in the long run.  

Evening Reflection

As you may know, Pastor Jack Hayford has a certain way with words.  As he prayed in front of the million men gathered in the National Mall in Washington DC, he said these words that have stayed with me all these years:  “For 200 years we have come here to declare our rights, today we come to confess our wrongs.”  It ushered in an atmosphere of repentance that was palpable.  We have many rights as Christians, rights that we vigorously defend, but we have forgotten how to confess our wrongs to God and one another.  Spend some time tonight confessing your sins and allowing the grace of God to cleanse and heal you.     

May 9, Thursday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on June 22, 2017, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“An Insight from the Theology of Jonathan Edwards”

Revelations 9.12- 21

The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things. 13 Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

Central to the theology of Jonathan Edwards, the revivalist pastor of the first Great Awakening, was this idea of beauty. For Edwards, we are created with an inclination toward beauty. Now this isn’t just physical beauty, but a spiritual beauty, one that comes from perfect harmony and love; the ultimate beauty being God. Edwards argues that we fall into sin because we find sin beautiful. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and illuminates our hearts, we are then able to see the One who is truly beautiful and to see sin for what it truly is. We become captivated by the beauty of God. But it doesn’t stop there. The Holy Spirit continues to work on our hearts so that our ability to see and understand the beauty of God grows as we continue to walk with Him. 

In Edwards, just like when we look directly at the sun, what we actually see is black—we see the dark fallenness of our souls, and yet we are captivated because of the love of God that is willing to love such fallen creatures. And we respond to this amazing God through obedience, worship, and our affections.

In Revelation, the intensity of the judgments that falls upon the world seems to intensify with every seal broken and trumpet blown. And it may be easy for us to start feeling like all of this is too much, but through it, we are able to see the magnitude of sin that elicits such a response from God. But what we also see in this passage is God’s desire for His people to repent; the judgments so far have been a warning to the people for the sake of repentance.  

We see that despite our fleshly response to such death and destruction, we see clearly that what God desires for His people is true repentance. He desires for people to come to realize their fallen ways that lead them away from the life abundant. Unfortunately, as John woefully records, the people do not repent. 

For those of us who have experienced the forgiveness of God, the weightiness of sin shouldn’t be any different. In fact, as we come to know the holiness and beauty of God more and more, the seriousness of sin should continue to grow alongside the greatness of God’s redemptive work in our lives. If our understanding of salvation becomes static, something that has happened in the past, our sensitivity to sin can easily become dull. Faith lived out is dynamic. 

Repentance should be the posture in which Christians live as we continue to see the depths of our sin, but also the greatness of God’s grace upon our lives. We wrestle with our fleshly self-dependence to replace it with utter dependence on God. We need the constant revelation of the Holy Spirit that calls us to worship and repentance. May we never become static in our relationship with God. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for revealing the depths of my sin. Although it is often uncomfortable, sometimes even unbearable to see how sinful I am, I thank You for Your Son who has overcome my sinfulness. May I never lose sight of Him. And if I do, may I never be too slow to fall on my knees in repentance. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 11

Lunch Break Study  

Read Hebrews 12:4-11: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

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

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Hebrews teach us in terms of those that experience the discipline of the Lord? 
  2. What does our experience of the discipline of the Lord reveal about who God is? What does the Hebrews writer teach us is the purpose for this?
  3. Jonathan Edwards writes that for those who have not accepted Jesus in this life, if they were to go to heaven and see God, it would be sheer agony to behold such beauty. What does it mean for you that even through hardships and discipline that God is giving you a foretaste of heaven?

Notes

  1. The Hebrews writer teaches us that our experience of discipline (and even the ability to recognize that it is the discipline of the Lord) reveals the greater truth that we are His sons and daughters. It is out of His love for us. This discipline will be short-lived(v. 10)and may not be joyful but sorrowful, but it will yield a greater fruit (v.11). 
  2. It reveals God as our Heavenly Father who disciplines us for something greater that is to come. We are called to be subject to God just like how we respect our earthly Father. The reason for all this is for training—so that we may share in His holiness (v.10). Through repentance and correction, we are being prepared for the greater glory that we will one day experience. 
  3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

As you have reflected upon a lifestyle of repentance and constantly coming back to the Lord, what has the Holy Spirit revealed to you today? Are there specific areas that you have come to realize or rediscover that needs to be made subject to the Lord? Spend a few moments thanking the Lord, that He reveals our sin to us, despite how painful it maybe. Trust His love for you.

May 8, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional was first posted on August 23, 2017, by an anonymous writer.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Rain Clouds” 

Acts 13:48-52 (ESV)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the youth camp in Vietnam, we took all of the children (the same ones from yesterday’s zombie apocalypse and more) to a large water park in a neighboring city of Ho Chi Minh City. The kids had been looking forward to it all week. As we rolled into the parking lot of the park that morning, we could see their cute faces brimming over with excitement.

And thankfully enough, the children got along well and were having a blast with their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The day ran swimmingly, all until about 1PM, when we noticed that the sky had turned an ominous shade of gray and felt the grumbling of a rain cloud from a distance. Rain was coming. Before we knew it, it began to downpour over the park. I turned to the local staff to watch for a cue, expecting them to signal for everyone to head indoors. Instead, I witnessed the leaders embrace the warm rainfall and head towards the biggest water slide in the park with the children. I followed their example and as I zipped down the slide, I realized that the rainfall was not harsh and cold, but surprisingly gentle, warm, and even enjoyable. At first, I thought the rain would be a setback and the cause of an early end to our perfect day. However, to our delight, it did not stop us from continuing in a memorable day of fellowship. 

In our passage today, Paul and Barnabus also face an unwelcome rain cloud. We read that the two had been running a fruitful ministry, through which many Gentiles (the very people they had journeyed to reach) were coming to faith. But, when the Jewish leaders caught wind of this, they ended Paul and Barnabus’ “successful” ministry and drove the two out of Pisidia. Instead of seeing this as a setback to their ministry, the two became filled with the Holy Spirit and continued onto Iconium and Lystra to preach the gospel. The persecution Paul and Barnabus faced was no gentle rain and a “setback,” at the least. However, we see that the filling of the Holy Spirit produced supernatural joy and perseverance in the midst of trial and suffering. Many times, when we feel hard-pressed, we are tempted to quit early. This morning, let’s recognize the unforeseen rain clouds in our lives and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to press on.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we not quit serving You at the first sign of some difficulty or  discomfort. Remind us of the price Christ paid to save us and the availability of the Holy Spirt to empower us to get through difficult moments and, ultimately, bear much fruit for You. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Deuteronomy 11

Lunch Break Study

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Questions to Consider

1. The writer is probably not prescribing blind happiness, which would be ignorance. What type

of joy is he talking about?

2. When I think about the “will of God,” I usually spend my time pondering what my next step in life is. However, what is the will of God for all believers in this passage?

Notes

1. The joy of the Lord comes from our intimate relationship with Him and the promises of God that He will never forsake us (Deut. 31:8). It takes active faith and trust to be joyful in suffering.

2. To choose to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances. If read quickly, this can seem overly simplistic and impossible. However, for a believer who is on the journey of faith, this is a beautiful calling that will bring glory to God. 

Evening Reflection

As you think about your day, did you experience God’s presence and promise over seemingly setbacks in life? Let’s ask the Lord to continue to build our faith in Him.