REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 18, 2017, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children (Jonah, Lily, and Ayla), serves in Japan as an AMI missionary. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is currently in the process of planting a church in Tokyo. Please pray for this work.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Fellowship Meals”

1 Corinthians 10:16-22 (ESV)

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? [17] Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. [18] Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? [19] What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20] No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. [21] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. [22] Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  Whether this is sound dating advice or not, we understand that sharing a meal is about much more than counting calories or satisfying hunger.  Birthday parties, weddings, and many other events are purposely scheduled at meal times because food is intimately connected with relationships.  

Now, meals are important not only to humans, but also to God.  In our passage this morning, the apostle Paul explains that the Lord’s Supper is not simply a ritual or a memorial service for our Savior who is far away in heaven.  It is an active participation in the body and blood of Jesus.  The Lord’s Supper involves real, immediate communion or fellowship with God Himself.

Sharing a meal with God is not a new idea; it is found throughout the Scriptures.  In Leviticus, the Israelites are given instructions for five major types of offerings.  One of these, the peace offering, involves a fellowship meal.  The offeror invites his friends and family to join him in eating the peace offering in the temple.  In this way, the people of God not only eat in God’s house but, in effect, also enjoy a meal with God Himself.

In the New Testament, Jesus is always eating: he goes to weddings, eats with tax collectors and sinners, and miraculously feeds the 5,000.   Shortly after resurrecting, the Lord appears to his disciples and asks for something to eat.  Later, near the sea of Tiberius, we find him preparing breakfast for his men.  

God loves to eat with His people because meals are a means of connection and relationship.  This is why eating in pagan temples is so serious.  The Lord has abolished all food restrictions.  Idols are nothing.  Thus, Paul is gravely concerned that the Corinthians might have fellowship with some spirit other than the Spirit of Christ.

We may not be tempted to participate in pagan feasts, but morning by morning do we fellowship with Jesus or with “spirits” of social media and careerism (e.g., checking daily planner, not God’s Word)?  During our lunch breaks, do we eat with Jesus or with spirits of entitlement and envy?  In the evenings, do we feast with Jesus or with spirits of sensuality and more social media?  Throughout the day, Jesus is calling us to connect with Him—to hear Him speak and rest in His presence.  May we hear the invitation of the Lord and feast at His table alone.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You love to fellowship with Your children.  There is no reason that the Maker of Heaven and Earth would delight in me, yet You constantly call me to Yourself.  May I delight in the table of Jesus alone. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 30-31

UPDATED Today’s AMI QT blog, written by Pastor Mark Chun, was originally posted on March 29, 2013. Mark, a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.), presently serves as a staff at Radiance Christian Church in S.F.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Good Friday”

Psalm 31:3-5 (NIV)

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.  5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. 

When Jesus spoke the words of this psalm on the cross, it was at the very end of his suffering.  Imagine the events preceding this statement: an evening of torturous prayer, betrayed by a friend in the dark of the night, questioned and beaten by religious leaders deep into the morning hours of the next day, and then stand trial before Pilate at dawn.  

In less than two hours, Jesus would be tried and sentenced to carry his cross up to Mt. Calvary.  By 9 am, the soldiers would have nailed his hands and feet, and lifted him up on that cross.  For the next six hours, Jesus would not only suffer the physical pain of the crucifixion, but more importantly, he would endure the spiritual agony of God’s wrath and abandonment.  

This is what makes this statement so amazing, that even after enduring such despair, Jesus was still able to entrust his spirit into the hands of God.  It was and is the greatest proclamation of trust in the sovereign will of God; even unto death he was the perfect model for his followers.  It is easy to trust God when things are going well but the cross reminds us that the real trust is forged through the dark nights of our soul.  

As you come to Easter weekend, are you praying for anyone in particular to hear the Gospel?  Pray about opportunities to bring someone to church to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that it is difficult to entrust my life completely into Your hands. Help me to follow the example of Your Son who lived his life in complete dependence upon Your will.  Even when I cannot understand the circumstances surrounding my life, teach me how to trust You instead of leaning on my own strength and understanding.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 29 and Mark 15

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Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV): “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Questions to Consider

1. What is the basis of our trust in God’s provision for our daily needs (Matt. 6:26)?
2. Why is it pointless to worry (Matt. 6:27)?
3. What is God’s promise to those who put their trust in Him (Matt. 6:33)?

Notes

1. Jesus points out that the birds of the sky are well taken care of and compares their worth to ours.  Clearly, we are worth more to God than a sparrow since we are the only creatures under heaven that bear His image.  Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that God is concerned deeply about our daily needs.  
2. From a pragmatic sense, it is pointless to worry because there is nothing that anxiety can do about the circumstances of tomorrow.  In addition, worrying doesn’t make the quality of our lives better, but in reality, diminishes it.    
3. God’s promise is a simple one for those who put their trust in Him and seek first the kingdom of God: Everything we need for life eternal will be provided for us.  

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Evening Reflection

Are you growing in terms of your level of trust?  For some, the command not to worry is about as difficult to follow as an instruction to stop breathing.  Anxiety seems to be such a natural part of our lives that we forget that it is a symptom of our lack of trust in God.  

That said, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that the post-COVID 19 world renders trusting in God a necessity for our survival, spiritual and otherwise.  Prayer is one of the ways we can learn to put our trust into God during difficult times.  Pray.   

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on March 28, 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

“Love Does Not Rejoice at Wrongdoing”

1 Corinthians 13:6-7

[love] does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

“Loves does not rejoice at wrongdoing.” It can be easy to read this and breeze right by, thinking, Of course, love does not rejoice at wrongdoing!  But let me you ask this: How often do you get excited when you see “justice” being served where you think it’s due?

For example, sometimes while driving down the highway, someone will speed by me or cut me off or drive in a way that bothers me, so I’ll think, “I hope they get pulled over.” I am rejoicing at the potential for their downfall. And then, let’s imagine that I see those blue lights appear and pull that car over – it would be pure glee. 

But no, God’s word says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This means we give the benefit of the doubt; we wish what is best for others, even if we feel they deserve “justice.” To rejoice at the downfall of others is not love – in fact it’s the opposite of love. Remember what Jesus said in His great kingdom sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

One area in particular I think many of us can be in danger of this is in the arena of politics. I know many people who follow the headlines with glee every time there is bad news about the President. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with policies, but to rejoice when bad things happen, to actually wish for impeachment, as I’ve heard several people say, that goes against love as described in 1 Corinthians. That’s rejoicing with wrongdoing. No, “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 

God calls us to love—and love is not easy. But Jesus says that by loving others, even those we call enemies, we will be children of our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:45). To live out our identity as children of God, love is a necessity, and this means we do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoice with the truth. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rather, you love us unconditionally. You loved us even when we were against You. Help us to love as You do, to love even those who we find most difficult to love. Help us to obey Jesus’ commands to love and pray for our enemies. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 28

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Matthew 5:43-8: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, who are we to love?
2. How do we show that we are “sons of your Father who is in heaven” if we love our enemies?
3. Is there any “enemy” in your life you need to love and pray for? 

Notes

1. This passage lists several groups of people – our neighbors, our enemies, those who love us, those who do not love us. Basically, we are to love all people, regardless of our relational position or feelings towards them.
2. By loving our enemies, we are reflecting the character of God, just as a son or daughter is a reflection of sorts of their parents. This passage tells us that God makes His sun rise on all people and sends rain on all people – these are symbols of God’s blessings. Through His common grace, God blesses all people; likewise, we are called to love and pray for the blessing of all people, even our enemies.
3. Let’s apply Jesus’ commands! Write down the names of people you encountered today that you need to love.

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Evening Reflection

Pray now for those in your life you have trouble loving. Pray for those with whom you disagree – including any politicians you may disagree with. If you are holding any unforgiveness towards anyone, perhaps now is the time to pray for that person and ask God for the strength to love them.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 27, 2017, is provided by Jabez Yeo who had attended and served at Grace Covenant Church (UC) in Philadelphia and Remnant Church in New York.  His devotional is based off material from Serge’s Sonship program. You can click here for more information.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Empowerment by the Spirit as God’s Children”

John 14:15-8

If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 

An inspiring hero of the faith for me is Corrie ten Boom, who was imprisoned for helping over 800 Jews escape the Holocaust. After the war, Corrie repeatedly preached about forgiveness, and after one talk, one of her prison guards, who did not recognize her, thanked her and held out his hand. Crying to God for help, Corrie shook his hand and declared that she forgave him. She then wrote in The Hiding Place, “I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness…that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself.” 

Unfortunately, we tend to live as spiritual orphans, cutting ourselves from God’s power. Our orphan-like tendencies are revealed in how we maliciously use our tongues, revealing whom we are truly committed to: ourselves. We also operate out of a self-righteous heart, steering away from self-examination for fear of being exposed. Furthermore, as our self-righteousness distances us from God, we forget that our spiritual brokenness cuts ourselves off from Christ’s power, which is made perfect only in weakness. We then distance ourselves from community by using the law to judge and compare ourselves to others.  

The full implications of our orphan-like tendencies are enormous. Thankfully, our merciful God gives us the power to be like Him. In John 14, Jesus first comforts His disciples over His impending departure but then gives them an impossible task: “If you love me, keep my commands.” Fortunately, Jesus then provides the means to the task’s fulfillment – the Spirit of truth who will “help you and be with your forever.” Furthermore, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will live “with you,” and that He will come to them so that they will not be left as orphans. 

As adopted children of God, Jesus’ promises stand true for us today. Our Father knows that we cannot live lives for Him alone; thus, He gives us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, convict us of sin, and reassure us of God’s love. Let’s bask in that truth today.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You have not left me alone on this earth. I know that without You, I cannot live for You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who lives in me and guides me to Your truth. Help me to hear Your still small voice today, and give me the courage to heed Your guidance. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 27

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Galatians 5:19-26: The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

Questions to Consider

1. Is there anything described in the list of the acts of the flesh that seem striking to you?

2. How are God’s children described in this passage?

3. What habits in your life is the Holy Spirit bringing to light today?

Notes

1. Because of our self-righteousness, we tend to exonerate ourselves of the “obvious” sins (i.e. sexual immorality, debauchery, witchcraft, drunkenness and orgies). What is particularly striking is that the Bible lists other sins, which we often ignore in ourselves but are considered just as obvious acts of the flesh: hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. And the result of all these sins is the same: “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

2. They are described as belonging to Christ Jesus and have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. They also are described as living by the Spirit, and as a result, the fruit of the Spirit has manifested in their lives.

3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

No matter how well or poorly your day went today, praise God that your status as His child has not changed. Praise Him that the same power that conquered the grave lives in us. Let’s continually ask God for help that our lives would reflect this reality. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 13, 2017, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children (Jonah, Lily, and Ayla), serves in Japan as an AMI missionary. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is currently in the process of planting a church in Tokyo. Please pray for this work.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Right to Surrender Our Rights”

1 Corinthians 9:7-12 (ESV)

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? [8] Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. [11] If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? [12] If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?  Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Some of America’s most celebrated heroes are those who stood up for their rights and the rights of others: Cesar Chavez fought for migrant workers’ rights; Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights; Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights.  They were courageous and inspirational. They are still admired today and rightly so.

But the heroes of the Christian faith are surprisingly different.  They did not fight for their rights but willingly surrendered them: Abraham surrendered his home and even his son, Isaac; the apostle Paul surrendered his bright future, his right to be paid for his labors and his safety; and of course, Jesus surrendered His glory and even His life.

Yes, the American heroes mentioned earlier made great sacrifices as well.  But the heroes of the faith did not surrender their rights to further the rights of others, knowing that rights are important but not ultimate.  Their rights became disposable in light of their greatest treasure; they laid down their rights to invite all people to receive King Jesus.

According to the Declaration of Independence, all men possess the unalienable rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  Is it possible that there is something more important than the safety and livelihoods of our families?  Is it possible that there is something more important than our freedom to control our own futures?  Is it possible that there is something more important than the happiness that the things of this world can bring?

According to the Word of God, the answer is “yes,” and that “thing” is the Good News of Jesus Christ going forth to every nation, bringing eternal salvation to the world.

Prayer: Father, often my desires and rights hinder me from spreading your Good News.  Give me Your strength that I may hold these gifts from You with open hands.  May all things find their proper place in Your purposes and not my own.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 26

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 12:13-15 (ESV):  Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” [14] But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” [15] And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Question to Consider

1. Is it possible that the man in the crowd who called out to Jesus had a legal claim on the inheritance?
2. Why does Jesus reject the role of judge in this matter?
3. What sin lies underneath this man’s “rights”?
   
   

Notes

1. Yes, in the Ancient Near East, the eldest son received a double portion of the inheritance but the other children received their shares over what’s left.
2. While God is a God of justice, Jesus didn’t come to earth solely to make the world an economically equitable place (“the poor you have with you  always”).
3. The sin of covetousness.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day.  What rights did God invite you to surrender to Him for a gospel purpose?  Pray for grace and strength to put His purposes before your rights and needs. 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 30, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning 

“Hooray to Social Justice, but Whose Social Justice?”

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Leviticus 19:15

You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

Proverbs 28:5; 29

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

In our world, there seems to be a new name above all names, the purpose above all purposes—the almighty ideal of social justice.  It would be troublesome, however, if social justice is viewed in the same light as the saying, “One man’s art is another man’s pornography.”  Yet there have been many different conceptions of justice throughout the ages. Thrasymachus in Plato’s Republic says that justice is simply whatever the strongest in society have deemed to be just (“Might makes right”). The 18^th century philosopher David Hume said that justice is a human convention invented for the collective self-interest. Popular, contemporary theories of social justice revolve around ending the oppression of identity-categorized minorities based on race, gender, and sexuality.

A passion for social justice is good, but if it has no answer to the question, “Whose social justice?” it can be a great force for error and evil. Take abortion as an example: both sides of the debate think that they are champions of social justice—pro-choicers see themselves as defenders of women’s rights and pro-lifers as protectors of unborn human dignity. But they can’t both be supporters of justice. If pro-choicers are correct, then pro-lifers are seeking to repressively withhold from millions of women their basic bodily autonomy, a grievous injustice. But if pro-lifers are right, then abortion is literally the mass genocide of children—dwarfing the total number of deaths in the history of the U.S., caused by notable ills like war, lynchings, or police shootings. 

Somebody is terribly mistaken here! As Isaiah 1:17 indicates, a desire for justice is good, but if predicated on a reckless theory of justice, such passion can be a great force for injustice. We can have all the fervor of a patriotic warrior as we march off to the grand, glorious war for social justice, but if we have pledged allegiance to the wrong ideological king, we may find ourselves making the nations much worse off. An earnest search for wisdom, knowledge, and God’s justice can go a long way toward making sure our social justice arrows hit the right targets. 

One man’s justice is another’s injustice. It is a reality that there are many good, reasonable people who radically differ on the nature of justice. Spiritual discernment is needed to prudently sift through the various claims and mandates concerning things like racial fairness, sexual oppression, human rights, socio-economic opportunity, and religious freedom.  

Here, we, as believers, must allow God’s Word to guide us during the formation of our views.  Today’s Scriptures remind us, first, to seek a justice that shows no favoritism to anyone: whether white or black, rich or poor, traditionally marginalized or historically privileged, for to do otherwise is to dishonor God; second, to seek a justice that looks out for those who are weak and easy to overlook, showing no partiality but making sure that they are included as part of justice for all; and finally, to seek a justice that obeys God, no matter how counter-cultural, unpopular, or unpalatable it might be (2 Cor. 10:5), for our God is a good God and in His social justice alone do we place our hope!

Prayer: God, before Your mighty and holy presence, I ought to tremble, for I’m weak and unholy.  But in Your justice and love, You had your Son to die to atone for my sins, so that I can be Your child who need not fear.  Help me to be just and loving, so that I can be Your witness in this hopeless world.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 25 

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Lunch Break Study

Read Col. 2:16-7: Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Jn. 8:11:  And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Gal. 6:2: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Questions to Consider

1. Is it true that God’s Word itself has undergone changes?  For instance, Paul says here that it is okay to eat the kind of food that was prohibited in the OT (1 Tim. 4:4-5). How do you explain that? 

2. What is the law of Christ?  What relationship does it have with the laws found in the OT?

3. Based on the findings from questions 1 & 2, would it be reasonable to include that God’s Word continues to be authoritative in all matters, including social justice? 

Note

1. Yes and no—the form has changed but not the meaning. The strict dietary laws were given to the Jews in antiquity to distinguish Israel from the surrounding pagans.  Maintaining the ethnic purity of the Jews was important, since God had preordained Jesus to come from the lineage of David, the tribe of Judah of Israel.  Today, such dietary injunction has no value to the NT believers, who are, nonetheless, expected to distinguish themselves from their surroundings through holy living (i.e., not living according to the norms and values of the world). 

2. The law of Christ refers to all ethical, moral and theological teachings recorded in the NT.  There are many OT laws that are no longer relevant in the NT in a literal sense (e.g., Heb. 10:18).  For instance, stoning a sinner is not part of the law of Christ.  But, most moral commands in the OT have been transferred to the law of Christ, such as injunction against adultery, stealing, love of money, etc.

3. Yes, God’s Word continues to be authoritative because the meaning has not changed—and that’s what matters the most! 

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Evening Reflection

We began the day talking about social justice and the need to base it on the unchanging Word of God, which is “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).  

So, how is your attitude toward the Scripture?  Can you really say you cannot live without it (Mt. 4:4)?  Regardless of how you respond, a better barometer is what you actually do with your Bible: Do you read it?  How often?  Do you study it?  How seriously?  Meditate on the godly habit of the Berean Christians and pray for God’s strength to imitate them.

Acts 17:11: Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on March 5, 2017, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee.  He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Presentation Matters”

1 Cor. 6:19-20: 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

I am generally not strong with presentation, nor do I much care about it.  So when I give presents, they will often come in the retailer’s bag where I purchased it (sometimes with the receipt still in it).  When I cook dinner, it will generally have a bachelor’s meal look to it (think Denny’s, not fine dining).  As a practical person, I’ll give myself the excuse that I’m more concerned with the quality of the gift, taste of the meal, or heart of the man than I am with the externals.  

That being said, sometimes presentation makes a difference, doesn’t it?  I have heard rumors that there’s a magic turquoise-colored box that can make women euphoric: It doesn’t even matter if the jewelry inside is of any quality whatsoever, you could put a rock in this box, but the simple sight of it will make the woman in your life weep, laugh, blush, and sing, all at the same.  

Now, in all seriousness, I didn’t get my wife’s engagement ring at Tiffany’s, but I got it online.  But, from the moment I clicked “purchase,” I was so worried that I had either been ripped off or that whatever I just bought was going to look horrible.  But when it came after two agonizing weeks, I cannot express how relieved I was, simply because it came in this fancy cherry box.  Maybe I thought that if the manufacturer went through the trouble of packaging it well, something even more valuable must be inside.  It makes little sense I know, but the presentation made all the difference in this case.  

In the Christian life, we emphasize the heart of a person above the externals (e.g. jars of clay in 1 Cor. 4 or cleaning the inside of the cup in Matt. 23); however, as I read today’s passage, I realize sometimes the external presentation is important as well.  Believers have the Holy Spirit living inside of them, and our bodies are called the external “temple” (v.19), so we see that to mean that in some sense, external presentation is also important.  Question: What kind of package are you presenting for the world to see?  Do people get a sense that because your manufacturer spent so much time on presentation that something of immeasurable value must be on the inside?  Or to put it another way, “a good tree bears good fruit” (Matt 7:17).  What type of fruit are you bearing in your life?  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You first and foremost that of all the places in the universe You could dwell in, You have chosen to dwell in my heart.  Help my external behavior to start to match the internal truth of my being.  I surrender my body to be Your temple. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 24

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 25, 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

“Faith and Work: Abundant Life” (In Reality, Abundance vs. Scarcity)”

John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

We have all been victims of the enemy stealing from us, killing us, and destroying us. When we finally hear the gospel, we meet a God who doesn’t want to take from us but rather wants to give to us. For most of us, though, that’s where the gospel of God’s generosity stops. We’re glad that our God isn’t out to steal from, kill, or destroy us, and we hope He sticks to that hands-off approach, like the mob boss you pay protection money to and hope he doesn’t change his mind about looting your convenience store.

However, Jesus said, “I came that [my people] may have life and have it ABUNDANTLY.” When we settle for simply escaping the wrath of God, we completely miss out on the goodness of the gospel, which is expressed in part through the lavish generosity of God. Jesus came so that we could experience abundance! The gospel is not about settling for a middle-class spiritual life. It’s about overflowing, stuffed-to-the-gills, holy “hedonistic” ABUNDANCE. 

Yet, since I resumed attending church, I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon: many of us seem to act like we’re poor. We often operate out of scarcity, not abundance. I’ve noticed this especially in the areas of money, time, esteem, and love. Faith-based living in God’s abundance has dramatically differentiated my professional approach from most attorneys.

Operating from monetary/material scarcity: greed, cutting corners, and self-protective deception.

Operating from monetary/material ABUNDANCE: generosity rather than greed, excellence rather than cutting corners, and integrity rather than self-protection.

Operating from temporal scarcity: reducing clients to numbers, cutting people off, making assumptions about people.

Operating from temporal ABUNDANCE: desiring to hear people’s stories/hearts, seeing people as individuals bearing the image of God, which allows me to give the best, holistic legal counsel.

Operating from a scarcity of esteem/value/acknowledgement: gossiping, backstabbing, need to prove your worth.

Operating from an ABUNDANCE of esteem: skyrockets my value because I was bought at the dearest price the universe could ask for—the life of Jesus, Son of God.

Operating from a scarcity of love: social desperation, settling for conditional affection, and people-pleasing.

Operating from an ABUNDANCE of love: gives me unshakeable security, true love, true wisdom, and the ability to say “no.”

In a practical way, ABUNDANT LIFE brings the Kingdom into the workplace. The Kingdom of God operates on the economy of abundance, so abundant living is essentially applying the Kingdom’s operations manual to our workplaces. This understanding makes me work and live differently than most other attorneys.

Prayer (and challenge): Do you notice character flaws/unhealthy behavior patterns that are not pleasing to God? Is the root of these a scarcity mentality? What do you feel that you’re lacking? Ask God to convict you of the truth of His abundance; ask the Lord for the strength and wisdom to work, serve and live accordingly. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 22-23

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on May 4, 2017.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“The Global Missionary Enterprise”

2 Corinthians 8:1-10

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

Many of us want to serve the Lord, but we don’t always know how. We want to do the work of God’s mission or be involved with our church in ministry, but we don’t always have the time. We are torn because we find it hard to extract ourselves from the responsibility of work and family duties. Fortunately, God is greater than our limitations and He has given us multiple platforms for us to help build his Kingdom.  

The Christians living in Judea had fallen on hard times. A famine that the prophet Agabus predicted (Acts 11) had come to pass and they were now living in the midst of it. Those who were suffering were not just random people from an unknown church, but the church in Jerusalem was, in fact, the very church that sent out the apostles to Corinth and to the rest of Asia Minor. Now they were in need of help, so Paul encourages the Corinthians to raise support to encourage the Jerusalem church, not only physically, but spiritually, so that they may continue to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Our focus often tends to be on daily circumstances or on our immediate needs, but we are called not be too parochial; we are to consider the bigger picture, as we see how God is at work in other places in the world. In fact, this is how the Kingdom of God is expanded. It happens through the concern and determination of believers to help and support the work of other Christians. Our motivation isn’t to receive gratitude, but it’s out of the gratitude of what Christ has done for us that we are to be generous with people who are in need. 

I am always so encouraged to see our AMI missionaries continue to work and thrive overseas as part and parcel of the global missionary enterprise. As they build their churches, they are on front lines of the Kingdom of God. But this is not possible apart from a fellowship of friends and family who continue to encourage and strengthen them through their many prayers and financial support. As the people of God, we must continue to send people out to various mission fields, but we must also continue to support their work by availing ourselves to prayer and supporting them financially. Is God calling you to pray and support a missionary in need? 

Prayer: Father, I pray that we may not be a self-centered church, but one that reaches out continually to a lost world and lost people. I pray that we may have abundant resources in order to supply the needs of other Christians. I pray for God’s leading and help as we seek to impact our community and the wider world for Christ. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 21

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Lunch Break Study  

Read Ephesians 6:22-4: So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, 

Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Questions to Consider 

1. Paul refers to Tychicus as a “beloved brother.” Though he could have called him just a “brother,” Paul adds this word “beloved.” What are some ways we can be a “beloved brother”?  

2. Paul calls Tychicus a “faithful minister in the Lord.” How does one demonstrate faithfulness in ministry?  

3. Are you a faithful servant of the Lord whom others sense your love? 

Notes

1. Tychicus was a relational man. He wasn’t cold and aloof nor was he self-centered or insensitive to others. He wasn’t always about how he feels about things in the church, but he was concerned for the well-being of others.

2. You can be faithful by being trustworthy, by keeping your word, by striving to live with integrity, and finally, and by doing well with responsibilities entrusted to you. Tychius was entrusted to deliver safely the money entrusted to him. He did this task faithfully. 

3. Personal response.

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Evening Reflection

“Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service. Try to give unconditionally whatever a person needs in the moment. The point is to do something, however small, and show you care through your actions by giving your time. We are all God’s children so it is important to share His gifts. Do not worry about why problems exist in the world – just respond to people’s need. We feel what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but that ocean would be less without that drop.” Mother Teresa

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 24, 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

“Holy and Awesome is He”

Revelation 1:9-20 (ESV)

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see Jesus face to face? There was a popular song in the early 2000’s by MercyMe called “I Can Only Imagine” that poses this very question. What would it be like to see Jesus face to face? What would we do in His presence? In today’s passage, we see that John is terrified and falls at His feet as though dead. This is not a unique reaction, as many others who saw Jesus face to face on this earth fell down in fear and trembling. Take a moment to re-read the description that John gives Jesus. Imagine if you were in John’s shoes: how would you react? I believe the sheer vastness and awesomeness of our Lord would compel us to also fall down in fear. 

I’ve often wondered what it means to have an appropriate fear of God. In 1 John 4:18, he mentions that there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Shouldn’t we cast aside fear, then, when approaching God? Just as there is godly grief and worldly grief, I believe there is godly fear and worldly fear as well. Godly fear is reverence and awe, an understanding of His holiness, justice, and righteousness. Worldly fear is the fear that will be felt by those who have not chosen to repent, as this fear has to do with punishment. As believers, we know that we no longer need to be scared of punishment, because Jesus has taken our punishment on Himself. However, we are still to approach God with this godly fear—reverence and awe as we approach Him in worship.

When our Sunday corporate worship, do we come to church with that fear of the Lord? Or do we casually roll in late and give Him a time limit for how long we will pay attention? When we pray or attend prayer meetings, do we humbly approach Him with our petitions and our adoration? Or do we make demands and express our disappointments of “unanswered prayer requests”? Proverbs 9:10 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. May we be a people who are full of wisdom, approaching Him with awesome fear and reverence! 

Prayer: Father God, fill me with the holy fear that I ought to have while I live my life. As I bring true worship to You, may I do so with the right attitude and the right posture. You are mighty, glorious, and worthy to be praised. Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 20

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Lunch Break Study

Read Daniel 10:2-9 (ESV): In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed,[b] and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

Question to Consider

1. What is the description of the man? How is it similar to John’s vision of Jesus?

2. What was the reaction of Daniel and the men who were with him?

3. How do we react when we are in the presence of God?

Notes

1. The man was clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold. His body was like beryl (a certain emerald-like gem). His face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. This was identical to what John saw (although described slightly differently). 

2. The men went to go hide themselves, even though they didn’t see the vision, but there was a great fear that came upon them. As for Daniel, he fell to the ground face down as one who had lost all strength within him.

3. Personal reflection.

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Evening Reflection

“God is not now any holier than He ever was. And He never was holier than now. He did not get His holiness from anyone nor from anywhere. He is Himself the Holiness. He is the All-Holy, the Holy One; He is holiness itself, beyond the power of thought to grasp or of word to express, beyond the power of all praise.” – A. W. Tozer. What does God’s holiness mean to you?