March 13, Wednesday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Doug Tritton, was first posted on March 29, 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

“Patient Love”

1 Corinthians 13:4

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant“

I remember when I first became a Christian and was reading through 1 Corinthians 13, thinking, “Why is ‘patient’ the first description of love?” Most of the descriptions are negatives (e.g., love does NOT envy or boast), and the other positive description that is paired with patient is “kind,” which makes a lot of sense for describing love. If you are a loving person, that simply means you are kind and nice, right? That’s often what we are taught by the world, where love is defined more by action.

But when you think about it, patience captures that quality of love that is so often forgotten or underappreciated—the idea of enduring, committed love – agape love in Greek, or hesed love in Hebrew. When we are younger, it can be easy to underappreciate the patience of love, but as we get older—get married, have children—the power and endurance of love is most often shown in patience. Even in the past few months, as a new father, my patience has at times been tested with my daughter Audrey: Why won’t she eat? Why won’t she stop crying? Out of impatience I get angry and frustrated with her. But love shows a different way. Love is patient. And so I am stretched to love, to love her like my Heavenly Father loves me.

Ultimately, God’s patience with us was the highest mark of His love. He was patient with us, despite our sins, to the point of dying on the cross for us. That is the patient love of our God. Likewise, He calls us to show this same type of patient love in all our relationships—whether in family, church, or elsewhere. As Jesus says, by this love, all people will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35).

Prayer: Lord, thank You for your patience towards us. Though we have wronged You time and time again, Your love stays the same. So just as You’ve been patient with us, help us to be patient with those around us. We know we will be wronged, but help us to still love, with committed, unchanging love, just as Your love for us is committed and unchanging. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 11

Lunch Break Study  

Read Romans 12:9-10: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Questions to Consider

  1. What do you think it means for love to be genuine?
  2. How do you outdo others in showing honor?
  3. How can you better love those around you today?

Notes

  1. This is tricky to really grasp. In some ways, being patient, as talked about this morning, does not feel genuine at times. Sometimes it feels like we are faking it. But genuine love is really admitting that the love we give is flawed, and that we need God’s love to work through us. His is the real steadfast, patient love, and it’s His love we need to give to others, not our flawed love.
  2. I love this verse. If only we actually tried to outdo one another in showing honor, we’d see an end to broken relationships. Instead, we often try to outdo one another in revenge and hostility! How can you outdo others in your life at showing honor and patient love?
  3. Look back at your morning – have you been patient in love? Or has love been a distant afterthought? After lunch today, let’s try to show true brotherly affection to those we encounter, showing the patient, enduring love to those around us.

Evening Reflection

Ask God for more patience. If you have been impatient with anyone today, take time to ask God for forgiveness and grace to rebuild that relationship. Reflect upon God’s patient love to you, and ask God for the power to love others in the same way.

March 12, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on February 7, 2017.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Practicing God’s Presence through Thanksgiving”

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Practice of the Presence of God is a collection of the writings and philosophies of Brother Lawrence (a 17th century monk) that teaches Christ-followers how to be constantly aware of God’s presence. I recently revisited this volume, hungering for a greater sense of the presence of God in my own life.  David Santistevan, a Christian blogger, summarizes what he learned from the book as follows, “Practicing the presence of God is about turning all of your life experience into a prayer. Nothing you face in life is exempt from surrender to Jesus. Every victory, every trial, every annoyance, every disagreement. Turn it around. Bring it into the presence of God.” 

One of the practical ways to do this is to actively and intentionally praise the Lord throughout the day. Santistevan integrated the practice of praise into his day by intentionally adding to every complaint (stated or unstated) one word of thanksgiving. Why? Because on this side of heaven, in our fallen world, there is always going to be something to complain about (something is always going wrong). But – as a familiar placard in my parents’ home often reminds me – in Christ, “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” When we spend our time complaining we find ourselves turning inward – to our unmet needs, unmet desires, unfair treatment, etc. But when we begin to thank God (and to do so sincerely – not half-heartedly saying thank you for things we’re not really thankful for) we turn our hearts to the Lord and find ourselves more aware of Him and just what He’s up to in His redemptive work in the brokenness around us.

Paul reminds us that, as members of Christian community, one thing for which we can almost always thank God is one another.  Read the passage above again – Paul is pretty specific about why He’s thankful for his friends. What about you? What relationships in your life fill you with thanksgiving? Friends supporting you through tough times, sharing inside jokes, and building memories are precious treasures and gifts from God for which we can always give thanks.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of friendship and partnership in the Gospel. I am particularly thankful for [name your friends] today for these reasons [be specific]. Help me to see you at work in all the brokenness around me and help me to be more aware of You throughout my day today – to the glory of Your name and furtherance of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 10

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 100:1-5: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Questions to Consider

  1. What are some reasons the psalmist give for praising and thanking God? How does he encourage us to do this? 
  2. What are some specific things you’re thankful to God for today? Spend sometime articulating your thanks to Him. 

Notes

  1. We praise God and give Him thanks because of who He is (He is God and He is good), because He made us, because has called us His own people and cares for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep, and because He is steadfast in His love and faithfulness to us. We do this by making a joyful noise and singing, by coming into His presence (spending time before Him), by knowing who He is (intentionally remembering and allowing ourselves to forget) and verbally declaring the thanksgiving in our hearts. 
  2. Spend sometime in personal reflection. 

Evening Reflection

Give thanks to the God of heaven,for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

(Psalm 136:26)


There are countless verses in Scripture that remind us to praise the Lord. Find one of your own and spend a few moments meditating on it this evening (allow the significance of every word to hit your heart). Then write it down and stick somewhere you’ll see it everyday (e.g. your bathroom mirror or car visor) to help you cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. Our God is great and worthy of praise! 

March 11, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on May 1, 2017.  Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Live a Holy Life. Why Should I?”

2 Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 

Whenever I find myself wearing a shirt with a Bible verse or a church logo, I must admit, I am quite conscious of it. I am aware that when I go to play basketball or go to the mall with the church shirt on my back, whether I like it or not, I am advertising my faith or my church. I would like to think that I am going about my day in a way that can be a blessing to others, not a stumbling block.

Paul says, in our text, that we should think like this all the time, whether we are wearing a shirt with a church name on it or not. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Paul says we need to separate ourselves from worldly influences. It’s this act of separating from the world that makes us holy and not wearing a shirt or a necklace with a cross on it. 

But God doesn’t just command this for the sake of commanding. This commandment to live holy lives is then coupled with a promise: I will receive you, I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters (v. 18). If we strive to live holy lives, we are assured that God will draw nigh, and that we will experience true fellowship with the Lord.

In a day and age when we don’t speak much about holiness—partly because we don’t want to be thought of as holier-than-thou—Paul continues to insist that we put holiness front and center. Instead of using Christian paraphernalia to show how we are different, “let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit.” In other words, we are to be the same when we engage in spiritual matters at church, as well as when we deal with matters at work or in a relationship with the opposite sex. 

We need to strive to be set apart in every respect. Jesus demands it and He will not rest until He has claim over every part of our lives and make it part of His Kingdom. Jesus deserves all of our lives!

Prayer: Forgive me, heavenly Father, for my sins. Purify my heart and cast out any foothold the devil may have in me because of my sin. Empower me to live a life of holiness, and accept my life as an offering of praise and thanks to You. In the name of Jesus, I offer You my heart, my life, and my all. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 9

Lunch Break Study  

Read 1 Peter 1:14-16: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Questions to Consider 

1. What is Peter’s call to holiness based on?  

2. What are we to be holy in?  

3. What area in your life do you need to strive for the holiness of God today?     

Notes

1. We should be holy because God commands it. To do otherwise is to be disobedient.

2. We are to be holy in our conduct. If we want to be holy, it is reflected in the way we live.   

3. Personal reflection. 

Evening Reflection

“If you don’t delight in the fact that your Father is holy, holy, holy, then you are spiritually dead. You may be in a church. You may go to a Christian school. But if there is no delight in your soul for the holiness of God, you don’t know God. You don’t love God. You’re out of touch with God. You’re asleep to his character.”  – R.C Sproul 

March 10, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on January 15, 2017, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman who was serving Grace Covenant Church at the time. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Be Bold for Christ”

Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Sontephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

We saw yesterday how the early church was growing rapidly and thriving.  In the midst of exciting growth they also faced increasing challenges, obstacles and oppositions from both inside and outside the church. The church struggled with disunity due to conflicts and complains about unequal food distribution among the widows.  God’s solution was to appoint Spirit filled leaders to meet practical needs while modeling and teaching godly principals and attitudes. Wisely instructing the young flock as a follower of Christ, their objective in life is not only to look out for their own interest but to consider the welfare of others in God’s family, the church.  

Today’s texts offer us a few snap shots of how the same powerful Holy Spirit strengthened Stephen to face the fierce opposition from outside the church.  Perhaps it started out as a friendly conversation about faith that quickly turned into a heated debate. These men formed a vendetta against Stephen to prove him wrong at any cost.  He did not flinch one bit from his conviction as he faced escalating pressures of accusations, condemnations, false witnesses and indictment that resulted in mob execution of stoning.  The same evil forces that nailed Jesus on the cross came upon Stephen in full force.  Stephen faced the opposition in the fullness of the Holy Spirt, grace and power (Acts 6:15; 7:1-60) and became the first martyr of NT era.

In the modern age of relativism and political correctness, we as followers of Christ Jesus must prepare and brace ourselves for increasing opposition and persecution as we stand up and stand firm in our belief, conviction and obedience to the gospel in all areas of our lives.  We must seek and rely on God’s supernatural anointing and empowerment to embrace the impending hostility with His agape love and grace. 

As we set out the New Year to follow and serve Jesus wholeheartedly may we be reminded that apart from Him we can do nothing, with Him we can do all things through His love, grace and strength. May we aspire to have a humble servant heart of Stephen to serve and love the family of Christ in the unseen practical needs as unto the Lord. May we have the courage to speak up for Jesus and defend our faith at the risk of being ridiculed and rejected by the popular view in our sphere of influence. May we extend God’s agape love and forgiveness to those who are hostile toward us like Stephen did (Acts7:60).

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, as we ponder on the life of Stephen, there are no logical reason other than he was a man completely captured by the fullness of Christ. He was so filled with you that there was nothing he is not willing to do from serving tables to defend the gospel to dying for His beloved Jesus.  He lived his life with such reckless devotion, grace and humility. May you captivate our generation and fill us as you did in Stephen’s life that we may truly make an eternal impact on this world as Stephen did in his for your glory.  Our church and world is in desperate need for more of Jesus.  In your matchless name, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  1 Samuel 8

March 9, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on January 21, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Cleaning the Lenses of Our Hearts”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs

John 13:35 

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

Every so often, I need to be reminded to clean my glasses. I frequently forget to do this, because it seems unnecessary— my glasses don’t look dirty. However, every time I wipe down the lenses, seeing becomes a whole new experience. I realize that over time, the small and steady accumulation of dust and dirt slowly built up and made everything unclear.  

Imagine if I never cleaned my glasses but allowed dirt, dust, mud, splashes of food, etc., to cake onto my glasses. Not only would this be incredibly unhygienic, but I’d also never be able to see anything properly. There would always be something obstructing my line of vision, or everything would be colored wrongly. 

This is the kind of consequence I imagine for when we are unloving – particularly when we keep records of wrongs for each other. If we do not keep our lenses clean, so to speak, when we look at the people around us, we will be clouded by residue from unhappy reminders of the past: unkind words, disappointments, hurt feelings, etc. Because our registry of people is tinged with something negative, our desire to love each other will also be hindered.

One of Jesus’s commands is for us to love each other in a supernatural way. Let’s consider whether we truly apply ourselves to this work. Do others know that we are Christ’s disciples because we merely profess to be so, or are we distinguished by the way we treat others around us? Is there something special about the way we forgive, restore, and serve others? Do we perceive others as blameless and beloved sons and daughters of God, or do we use our grievances to paint a different opinion of them? 

I am not suggesting that forgiveness and reconciliation are simple tasks. But thankfully, we know that they are not impossible, for we have a God who has succeeded in modeling this love for us. Through His sacrifice, He equips us each day to do the same. In 2024, may our churches seek to be filled with the kind of loving witness that God desires us to have. Let’s keep asking Him to fill us with His power to refresh our hearts and eyes for one another.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the love You have demonstrated for us. Teach us to be people who truly love with Your love. Won’t You remind us that we are new creations along with our brothers and sisters each day? Give us eyes to see what You see in others, and please equip us to love one another, not with the capacity of our hearts, but with Yours. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 6-7

March 8, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 7, 2017.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Emotionally Healthy Follower”

1 Cor. 16:10-11

 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

I think almost everyone would agree that the role of a spiritual leader (e.g., pastor, small group leader, or ministry leader) is critical to God’s family. With this understanding, the topic of leadership has been studied in seminaries, churches, conferences, etc. We hold the view that the heathier the leader, the healthier the church or the small group. It is most likely with this assumption that the book Emotionally Healthy Leader has been read by hundreds and thousands of spiritual leaders. 

But could this inadvertently place too much pressure or perhaps all the pressure solely upon the leadership? 

I agree that it is absolutely important for the spiritual leader to grow in character, self-awareness, wisdom, and emotional and spiritual health in order to lead effectively. However, there is more. I’ve come to understand that good “followership” is just as crucial for a healthy body of Christ or a small group or a ministry. 

I believe Paul is encouraging the Corinthian church to display this character. He reminds the Corinthian believers to receive Timothy (a young, growing pastor) with the kind of reception so that he has nothing to fear. Timothy is not to be treated contemptuously, and when he departs, he is to leave in peace. Could you imagine what Timothy would have reported to Paul upon his return had this been carried through?   Could you imagine the effect you might have upon your leaders should he/she experience your support and encouragement rather than contempt?

I remember two of our church members asking one day if they could meet with me. When that happens, for some reason I expect something negative. Typically, I assume that there is a problem in the church that needs my attention. As I sat down with them, they asked, “Can we just spend some time praying for you?” So we spent some time as they ministered to me. Afterwards, I asked, “Is there anything else?” I assumed that since they opened up the meeting by first praying for me, whatever would come up next was going to be really bad. But that was it. There was no other agenda than to simply pray for me, their pastor. I was moved. 

Paul understood that it could have gone horribly for young Timothy. He asked for good followership. Timothy must have been moved by their reception and love. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, this morning I pray for my __________ (pastor, small group leader, ministry leader) and ask that you bless them with your love and your strength. If there is any contempt in my heart towards them, please forgive me and cleanse me. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 5

Lunch Break Study  

Read 2 Tim 1:15-18: You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Questions to Consider

  1. Having been deserted by “everyone” in the province of Asia, what do you suppose is going on in Paul’s mind? 
  2. What qualities does Onesiphorus show in these few verses? 
  3. What is the reward of Onesiphorus’ ministry to Paul?

Notes

  1. Paul must have felt like a colossal failure. He had spent a lot of time in the province of Asia, particularly in Ephesus. He had preached the gospel to them, taught them, lived alongside them, wept and laughed and prayed with them. They had been dear to him and he to them. And now he says they’ve turned away from him.
  2. Onesiphorus was “not ashamed” of Paul’s chains, something he urged Timothy to do earlier in 2 Tim 1. Onesiphorus doesn’t just stumble upon Paul in Rome. Rather he takes initiative to search for him and does not give up until he finds Paul. Finally, Onesiphorus brings Paul true refreshment. 
  3. Paul prays for Onesiphorus to receive mercy from the Lord. 

Evening Reflection

Spend some time thinking about the spiritual leaders you have or have had. Pray for them and their families and bless them for their work in the Lord. 

March 7, Thursday

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 11, 2017, is provided by Emerson Lin. Emerson, who serves in E. Asia as a missionary, is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Gift Giving”

2 Corinthians 9:14-15

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 

In my family, gifts have always been an essential part of a celebration; whether it be Christmas, birthdays, or anniversaries, my wife and I make sure to put lots of thought into what kind of gifts we get each other. However, between the two of us, my wife is much better at choosing gifts; she can figure out what I like and do not like, without making it very obvious that she is asking. Since we have been dating, I’ve never been disappointed in the gifts she has given me—I can’t say the same for her. 

As we mentioned in yesterday’s devotion, the Corinthians were preparing a monetary gift for the Jerusalem Church. Paul uses different ways to exhort them to give generously, such as sharing the testimony of the Philippian church, using an illustration on sowing seeds, and teaching that it leads to worship. In the latter part of this passage, Paul finalizes his teaching on generosity with a reminder about God’s greatest gift to us—Jesus. In verse 15, Paul says, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 

Like the Corinthians, we have many different reasons why we serve others. We serve because God has blessed us with much financial resources, or because we can spiritually grow in our righteousness. While all of these things are very important, the real reason we should bless people is because God has extended His grace to us through Jesus Christ—He is our indescribable gift!  We serve and generously give because God has given us His greatest gift.


When you think of Jesus, do you see Him as an indescribable gift? Do you treasure Him? I want to encourage you to spend some time giving thanks to God for sending Jesus to redeem us. Without Him, we would be stuck in death, fear, and shame. But in Him we have life, joy, and peace! 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for giving me the greatest gift of all. Help me to treasure this gift in my heart and not be distracted by the busyness of ministry. I understand I have to be a good steward of the spiritual gifts You have given to me, but help me to treasure You above all things. Amen!  

Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 4

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 2:1-8: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Questions to Consider

  1. Why is it impossible to save ourselves (v. 3)?
  2. What is the purpose for the Ephesians to be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (v.7)?
  3. Why are we not saved by our own works (v. 9)?

Notes

  1. We cannot save ourselves because we have an innate desire to gratify our own flesh—we are the problem. It is only through Christ’s work on the cross that we can be saved.
  2. It is important that the Ephesians be seated with Christ so that they can be testimony for future Christians. Their salvation will be a testimony of Christ’s grace and mercy.
  3. So that we cannot boast in our own strength.

Evening Reflection

In light of today’s devotion on God’s gift to us, have you given thanks to Him? Are you more focused on the gifts you receive from Jesus, rather than the gift Himself? Please take some personal time to worship Jesus for who He is.

March 6, Wednesday

REPOSTToday’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on April 16, 2017, is provided by Pastor Shan Gian who leads Remnant Westside Church in Manhattan.  Shan is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“According to the Flesh”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

Rightly or wrongly, in any news story in the United States, it is incredibly easy for people to point their fingers and claim that race was a major factor. We see this in major issues like elections, laws, and systems of government, as well as in minor issues, such as the skin color of the actors cast in a movie or TV show.  A couple of weeks ago, there was a shocking video of a man being dragged off of an airplane, and it took no time for people to wonder if the fact that the man was Asian had anything to do with it.  

Racism in our day is terrible—and it should be a concern for everyone. However, what I’ve noticed is that it’s really easy to point our fingers at someone else and declare, “Racism! You’re a racist!” but it’s much harder to turn that finger around, point at ourselves and confess, “I am racist!” If all of us, people of any color, culture or backgrounds, were to be honest with ourselves, and to reflect on our own thoughts and patterns, I think we would discover the truth that, as apostle Paul would say, we regard people according to the flesh, or as we would say in our culture, “We are racists.”  

This is an uncomfortable but unavoidable truth. When we walk down a street and see someone of a certain culture dressed a certain way, we cannot help but make a snap judgment in our minds about what kind of person he or she is. When we look at people around us, we cannot help but think about their potential, based on how they look or how they act. We all are wired to see others “according to the flesh.”

There are many potential solutions that are promoted in our day to recognize and overcome our biases, whether it’s better laws, better education, more exposure to different cultures and people groups, etc. But the only way for any one of us to overcome our own racist tendencies is to become new creations in Christ. We have to be born again in order to see others rightly.  Paul says that we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, meaning that he and others saw Jesus either as a teacher, an instigator, a heretic, or a terrible man who died shamefully on a cross.  But then he says, “…we regard him thus no longer.”  Instead, he and others saw Him as a risen Savior and King.  The only way Paul could overcome his bias and discrimination was that he had to become a new creation.  If we become new creations in Christ, we, then, have the power to regard no one according to the flesh, but see others through God’s eyes.

Prayer: Jesus, I pray that in You I can be and live like a new creation. Forgive me for how I view others according to the flesh, but help me to see people as You see them.  Overcome my bias and discrimination, and may my life be a reflection of Your love. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 3

Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 18:9-14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What did the Pharisee think about the tax collector? Put yourself in the Pharisee’s shoes.  What would you think about this tax collector?
  2. How did the tax collector see himself?  How did God see the tax collector?  
  3. What is the root of regarding others according to the flesh?  How can we overcome this way of “regarding” others?

Notes

  1. When the Pharisee saw this tax collector, he automatically judged him as a sinful and unrighteous man. Tax collectors in that time had a reputation of being corrupt men, who betrayed the Jewish people by working for the enemy (Rome), and making this worse, they were thought to be cheating the people of money for their own gain. 
  2. The tax collector saw himself as a sinner.  He knew his sinful state, and he humbled himself because he knew that he was unworthy to be before a holy God. God saw his humble state with love and justified him.
  3. The root of regarding others according to the flesh is pride and comparison.  The Pharisee saw himself as righteous in comparison to this tax collector—not comparing himself to the holy God.  In racism, and other forms of discrimination, the root of it is also pride, seeing oneself as superior over another in terms of race, gender, profession, status, etc.  The only way to overcome this is to view ourselves as the tax collector viewed himself—a wretched sinner in need of mercy from the holy God. 

Evening Reflection

Let’s pray for the issues of racism in this country. Pray that reconciliation will happen between different ethnic and cultural groups.  But let us first pray for ourselves that we may live as new creations and that the church will show the world what it means to regard others not according to the flesh but to see others as God sees them.

March 5, Tuesday 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 21, 2017, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  David is a graduate of Drexel University (B.S.) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Church Controversies”

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Today’s passage is difficult to interpret, and the temptation might be to look at what Paul says in the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 11 as entirely cultural, and as a result, dismiss what he is saying.  Without denying the text’s complexities, we can begin with what is clear in today’s passage. 

1.  First, on the basis of the creation account as well as the dynamic of the marriage relationship, Paul explains that gender distinction does in fact matter. And though men and women are different, they are still interdependent. Neither inherently occupies a more important role in the church. In fact, Paul does not challenge here the practice of women praying and prophesying in the church. He wants to ensure, however, that they do so in suitable and unique ways.

2.  Women whose heads are uncovered while they pray (the original Greek language here suggests not that she lacks an actual veil, but that her hair falls loosely on her shoulders) would resemble women praying in the pagan temples, where they did so with their hair unbound. This actually had serious implications, because women whose hair was not bound up might be mistaken for the equivalent of temple prostitutes. Thus, the discussion here about head coverings is consistent with the earlier exhortations regarding sexual immorality and Christian freedom in the earlier chapters of 1 Corinthians.  Just as he has in many other places in his letter, Paul is identifying the church as unique and separate from the world. Here is what one commentator says about these verses:

“Women’s hair was a common object of lust in antiquity, and in much of the eastern Mediterranean women were expected to cover their hair. To fail to cover their hair was thought to provoke male lust as a bathing suit is thought to provoke it in some cultures today. Head covering prevailed in Jewish Palestine (where it extended even to a face veil) and elsewhere, but upper-class women eager to show off their fashionable hairstyles did not practice it. Thus Paul must address a clash of culture in the church between upper-class fashion and lower-class concern that sexual propriety is being violated. (That Greeks bared their heads for worship and Romans covered them might also be significant, given the dual affiliation of Corinth as a Greek and Roman city. But because this custom was not divided along gender lines, it is probably irrelevant here.)” – Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (1 Co 11:2–16).

C. S. Lewis once noted that Christians need to distinguish between social and cultural norms that change in different times and places (he gave the example of modesty in Victorian England and the Polynesian Islands), and biblical principles that are true in all times and places (for example, chastity). 

Here is a challenge for us today: are you willing to give up a preference for the sake of church unity and the advancement of the gospel?  This morning, let’s pray that we would desire unity (over our own preferences) in our churches so that the gospel can be furthered advanced.  

Prayer: Lord, thank You for challenging texts, because they help us think deeper about our faith and what we believe.  May we set aside our differences and preferences for the sake of the advancement of the gospel.  Amen.    

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 2

Lunch Break Study 

Read: Acts 2:42-47:And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Questions to Consider

  1. How does Luke describe the early church?
  2. What were the components of unity amongst the believers?
  3. In looking at the early church, how should we pray for our respective churches today?

Notes

  1. Powerful and unified.  They were devoted to one another and the Holy Spirit was in the midst of their gathering.
  2. They were devoted to the Word, breaking of bread (communion), and one another.  These are the same components that make the church unified today.  
  3. We should pray for unity, power and evangelism in our churches today.  Pray that Holy Spirit’s power would be so evident, that even those who are outside of the faith would see the work of God in the midst of His people as they gather and worship.  

Evening Reflection

How has the Lord spoken to you today?  Take some time in quiet reflection.  With an open heart and attentive ears, ask Him to speak to you.  

March 4, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 18, 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“What a Muslim Told Me about Those Who Kill in Allah’s Name”

John 8:3-5 (NIV)

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 

A Turkish man sitting next to me in our flight from Istanbul to Antalya in 2015 bore a striking resemblance to Manu Ginobili, an Argentinian basketball player from San Antonio Spurs.  When I commented to him of this, he (who spoke some English) became quite pleased after seeing that Ginobili wasn’t bad looking.  This then led to a pleasant conversation about religion, including acts of terrorism committed by those who do so in the name of Allah.  In one poignant moment, the man said, “Had I seen these terrorists first, I wouldn’t be a Muslim, but I read the Koran first.”  I took that to mean, first, the Koran doesn’t advocate violence; and second, the terroristic Muslims do not accurately represent the sacred book. 

Is that correct?  Not according to Paul Johnson, an English historian trained at Oxford, who argues that Islam is inherently a violent and intolerant religion.  But Fareed Zakaria, a secular Muslim who once taught at Harvard, isn’t so sure, saying, “Nothing will be solved by quoting the Koran. You can find in it condemnations of war and incitements to struggle, beautiful expressions of tolerance and stern strictures against unbelievers.”  What Zakaria fails to note, however, is that “there are very few verses of tolerance and peace to balance out . . . at least 109 verses . . . that call for nonbelievers to be fought and subdued until they either accept humiliation, convert to Islam, or are killed.”  

For instance, Koran 2:191-193 states, “And kill them wherever you find them. . . Al-Fitnah (disbelief or unrest) is worse than killing . . . but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah) and worship is for Allah alone. . ..”  To be fair, the Old Testament has similar verses as well.  For instance, 2 Chronicle 15:13 records what King Asa did to unbelievers: “All who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.”  

But one substantial difference between the Bible and Koran is this: Whereas most of the laws taught in the Old Testament have been superseded by the New Testament, the Koran does not have its version of the New Testament.  Thus, whereas true Christians, taking their cues from Jesus who refused to stone a woman caught in adultery, wouldn’t physically harm unbelievers, the Muslims don’t have comparable verses in the Koran.  Of course, most Muslims are not given to violence, but those who are can easily find its justification in the Koran—and that is how Islam, in the hands of a few, may become radicalized and terroristic.  

Please don’t accuse me of Islamophobia.  The Ginobili look-alike Muslim certainly didn’t think so: He was so enamored with our conversation that he was willing to drive me to my hotel—despite being told, “You say Jesus is a prophet, but the Bible says He is the Son of God.” 

Prayer: Lord, help me to love the Muslims and to learn what they believe in so that I could engage in cogent discussions about faith.  Please open my eyes so that my beliefs are influenced by Scripture, Your eternal word—rather than the soundbites from the media. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 1

Lunch Break Study 

Read Colossian 4:5-6: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, . . .

Questions to Consider

1. Who are the “outsiders” in the Colossian passage, and “everyone” in the 1 Peter passage?

2. What kind of “opportunity” is the Colossian passage referring to?  Making money?

3. What does it mean that we know “how to answer everyone”?  How are you doing on that?

Notes

1. “Outsiders” or “everyone” refers to anyone who does not believe that Jesus is the Christ, who came to save the sinners.

2. The opportunity here means open occasions to share a prepared answer to those who ask us about our faith—in a non-abrasive manner (conversion full of grace with gentleness and respect).

3. It means that, having anticipated possible questions raised by skeptics or people other religions, we spend time preparing adequate answers to respond to them. 

Evening Reflection

As you look back to today, was there at least one opportunity to answer a question raised by someone at school or office?  If so, were you able to answer it?  Let’s take our faith seriously by adequately preparing ourselves to engage in stimulating and cogent discussions so that we can defend our faith—which has been under assault from all sides.  Pray for a passion to defend God’s truth and check out books like On Guard by William Lane Craig.