April 18, Thursday

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

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?

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.

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.”

April 17, Wednesday

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

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.

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.

April 16, Tuesday

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

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

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?
What is the inevitable reality of this passage?
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

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.
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.
Personal response.

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.

April 15, Monday

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

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

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

Notes

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.
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.
Personal response.

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.

April 14, Sunday

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

April 13, Saturday

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

April 12, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on July 21, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought For This Morning

“For Freedom Christ has Set Us Free”

Galatians 4:8-9

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

In our passage today, Paul articulates one of the most frustrating realities of our human condition: the tendency to turn back to old habits. I had a powerful encounter with Jesus during the summer of my freshman year of college. It was the turning point of my life, when I decided to live my life for God.

But old habits die hard. For years, before walking with God, I had been addicted to pornography. And while I had heard of some people cutting off addictions cold-turkey when coming to Christ, my experience was not quite as clean-cut. Even after committing my life to Jesus at age 19, it took me four more years to break off my addiction. Those four years were some of the most frustrating, confusing, and trying years of my life.

When I read through Galatians, I resonate with the frustration of Paul because I see the same foolishness of the Galatian believers in myself as well. Perhaps you can resonate with this as well. Maybe you didn’t have the same struggle as I did, but I’m sure there is at least one area in your life where you think to yourself, “Why do I keep doing this, when I know that I have something better in Christ?” If that’s you, let this be your encouragement for today: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1).

The truth is that freedom from these things is possible by the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit! This morning, may we take steps towards that freedom that is already ours in Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that there is no condemnation for those who are in You. Help us to live out the freedom that You have purchased for us on the cross. Give us strength for the times that we are weak, tired, vulnerable, and help us to trust in You instead of turning to the habits of our former lives. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 13

Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 5:20-6:2: Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Questions to Consider

According to this passage, for what purpose did the law come in?
In Christ, what is the relationship between sin and grace?
What clarification does Paul give regarding living in the grace of God?

Notes

According to Paul, in Romans, the law came in to “increase the trespass.” In other words, the law increases our awareness of the devastating power that sin has in our lives.
The good news is that where sin increases, grace abounds all the more. If you are in Christ Jesus, there is always enough grace to cover and forgive each and every sin!
Paul gives us an important clarification in order that we might not be tempted to take advantage of the grace of God. If we have truly died to our sins, and been made alive again in Christ, then it makes no sense for us to go back to our old habits, armed with a theological doctrine that says God’s grace will cover any and all sins.

Evening Reflection

Spend some time this evening praying for yourself, especially if you have some old habits that you’d like to be rid of but have very little hope for overcoming them. Ask the Lord for grace and strength in the Holy Spirit to live out the freedom that is yours in Christ.

April 11, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 6, 2017. Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Your Labor is NOT in Vain”

1 Cor. 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Dear co-laborer in the Lord,

As you’ve been serving the Lord over the years, most definitely you’ve experienced joy, passion, growth, and a sense of satisfaction. As a pastor, I love hearing from our church members that “so-and-so” just accepted Christ. The news brings so many people so much joy. At the same time, it’s very likely you’ve also had a fair share of fatigue, disappointment, failure, perhaps even betrayal. I’m sure you are battling against the cynical spirit that wants to devour you. That cynicism wants you to buffer yourself from taking risks once again, actively serving the Lord’s purposes.

I want you to know that Paul could have been cynical in his dealing with the Corinthian church. The church where he had spent more than a year ministering and teaching had become divisive, spiritually proud and abusive, stingy, flat out questioning Paul’s legitimacy of leadership, and making a mockery of the sacred Lord’s Supper, just to name a few of its dysfunctions. I suppose if anyone deserved to be cynical, it was Paul. Yet, this servant of God remained just as devoted to the gospel and to the Corinthian family of God as he had been on day one. The key: Paul understood that his labor in the Lord was not in vain. It’s never in vain.

Let Paul’s letter be an encouragement to you today. Allow his words to hold you steadfast. Let the words of Paul reaffirm to your vulnerable heart that your labor is not in vain. Whether you’ve been showing hospitality, serving young children, tirelessly setting up for worship services and ministry events, coordinating many of the unseen details in the background, teaching God’s word faithfully, laboring in prayer, ministering the sacraments, whatever you have been doing, remember that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Continue to give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.

I know that soon you will receive praise: “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come and share the Master’s happiness.”

Sincerely,

Your co-laborer.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as I serve You, help me to serve You with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Guard my heart from an attitude of cynicism. In Your Name, Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 12

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt 28:16-20: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Questions to Consider

What is surprising about some of the disciples’ responses to Jesus?
There are four verbs in the Great Commission (vv. 19-20): 1) go, 2) make disciples, 3) baptizing, and 4) teaching. Of these four verbs, only one of them in the Greek takes the imperative (command) form. Which do you think is the main verb in Jesus’ command?
In what ways are you growing in the disciple-making process? Are you being discipled? Are you helping another person grow as a disciple of Jesus?

Notes

Strangely, some doubted. While we do not know the exact nature of this doubt, what is clear is that the majority did worship Him. Matthew firmly believes this was the right reaction.
Make disciples. Making disciples is the great imperative (command) of the Great Commission.
“Disciple” means not just head-learners, not just heart-learners, but life-learners (N.T. Wright).

Evening Reflection

Spend some time thanking the Lord for the ministry opportunity that’s been given to you. While ministry can be burdensome at times, it is always a privilege.

April 10, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on Mary 31, 2017, is provided by Joanna Tzen, a friend of AMI, who attended and served at Grace Covenant Church (UC) for a long time.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Falling Back”

Hebrews 9:23

It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.

Small children always seem to want to do what their parents are doing, following them into the kitchen or the yard; that’s why toy manufacturers make kitchen and tool play sets. My friends tell me that their toddlers will mimic cleaning up or beg to help out mom and dad in the kitchen counter—even if they’re not all that helpful.

This passage in Hebrews addresses how the Israelites worshipped a shadow or a copy of reality through the tabernacle and the practices within. The tabernacle was a place set aside for holy worship as ordained by the Lord (Exodus 40). It was the place where Moses met God; and for generations this was the holy and set apart place where the Lord met with His people. However, the author of Hebrews tells us Jesus as the Son of God was allowed to enter directly into God’s presence to intercede or make a way for us. Thus, the tabernacle and the practices are no longer needed for atonement, since Jesus is the final sacrifice—no atonement can compare and no atonement is needed again. Jesus’ sacrifice allows us to come into God’s presence as children of God, since Jesus’ blood is now applied to us and we can approach God with Jesus’ righteousness.

Yet, the Christian Jews—the audience of the book of Hebrews—were tempted to fall back into the sacrificial system. We might ask, “Why would they go back and settle for a copy when the reality had already come?” But even today, many of us can fall back into practices that we think can earn our salvation. We may not be returning to a physical tabernacle and the practices within, but we can return to other things in hopes it will bring salvation; it can be our work, school, or even church, performance. We may not realize that we’ve been unconsciously attributing our worth to our performance in these areas, instead of depending on salvation that comes from the finished work on the cross. What practices do you find yourself falling back into instead of resting in Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, show me the areas where I have returned to my ways in the past of self-sufficiency. Help me to trust You because of who You are—a gracious, compassionate and just God. I give you lordship of these areas and know that You are in control. The gospel shows me You are a good and loving Father who gave Your one and only Son for me. I trust in the sufficiency of Jesus’ blood and sacrifice and rejoice in His resurrection that gives me new life and a new identity as a child of God. Amen.”

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 11

Lunch Break Study

Read Isaiah 30:15: This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.16 You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

Questions to consider

What does this passage say is the source of salvation and strength?
How do the Israelites respond to what God says in v.16?
Verse 18 states: “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” What does this tell you about God’s character?”

Notes

Repentance and rest is the source of salvation; quietness and trust is the source of strength.
Instead of trusting in the Lord by being quiet and hearing from the Him, they make their own plans in human wisdom to flee.
God is gracious, compassionate, just and desires to bless us. He is not a vengeful God, giving us what we deserve—even when we disobey. He welcomes us with grace, even after our mistakes. God’s character is trustworthy.

Evening Reflection

Meditate on God’s character in quietness and trust. Thank Him for being a Father who longs to be gracious to you! Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things.”

April 9, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 23, 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

“Our Eternal God”

Revelation 1:4-8 (ESV):

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

When I was in college, I loved to plan for the future. Rather than just thinking about it, I took it to another level: I made an Excel sheet with major milestones that I would accomplish as I reached certain ages—such as when I would get married and when I would have my first child. Whereas most people try to have a 5-year plan or a 10-year plan, I decided to—just for fun—plan the rest of my life out. I look back and chuckle at my naïve and immature self because I understand now that I can’t plan out my life so neatly— it won’t ever work out the way I plan it. As I came to this realization, another realization came to mind – God has a plan, and His plan always comes to fruition.

Ithink we often forget that God is eternal, and with His eternal nature, there is an eternal plan. He is not subject to random chance—things don’t happen sporadically without purpose. During the time when apostle John and many Christians were undergoing intense persecution, I’m sure they often wondered, Is there a purpose, is there a reason for all of this suffering? Is there hope for the future?

When we stop to think about the eternal nature of God, what significance should that have in our lives? Personally, I am reminded that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves; and that I am a minor character in a story that is still continuing to unfold in the way that the Author of this story has determined. It’s easy for us to forget that there is a plan set in motion from the beginning. Sometimes we just feel like life is the way it is because it’s by random chance or by coincidence, thinking that we do things as a reaction to others and circumstances. Yet we must remember that the eternal nature of our God (who is not created but the Creator) means that He has dominion and control over all. There is a God-ordained progression that human history is following: Things aren’t just happening randomly, but things are falling into place. Political leaders are not vying for power and bringing empires into prominence, but God’s plans and purposes are coming into place.

As we read through the book of Revelation, may we take comfort in the fact that our God is an eternal God. Not only has He shown us what has happened from the beginning, but He has told us what will happen in the end. As we go through joyful seasons and painful seasons, we can be rest assured that He has promised a wonderful end. He will make all things new. He will wipe away every tear. He will remove every form of mourning, crying, and pain. Sin and death shall be no more!

Prayer: Father God, though life may seem so volatile at times, thank You that You have reassured us that You are sovereign. We might not understand what You are doing at times, but we trust in your faithfulness and in your goodness. Thank you that you have already promised that you will be making all things new. Thank you for the hope that we have in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Job 38:4-7 (ESV): Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? **For better context, read Job 38-41

Question to Consider

1. What is the context of this passage?

2. How does God choose to respond to Job?

3. What is your response as you think of God’s eternal nature?

Notes

1. Job has been going through intense suffering—losing all of his wealth, his relationships, and his health. He questions why God allows this evil to happen in his life, but God is silent for most of this book, until the very end when He responds to Job.

2. God never answers why all of this happened has to Job, but He does remind Job that He is eternal and His ways are higher than Job’s ways, His thoughts are higher than Job’s thoughts. He doesn’t explain Himself, but rather points Job to the understanding of God’s eternal nature.

3. Personal reflection.

Evening Reflection

When was the last time you thought about how your life fits into God’s plan, rather than how your life fits into your own plans? Tonight, spend some time asking God how you are to fit into His eternal plan.