February 24, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on January 14, 2017, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman who was serving Grace Covenant Church at the time. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“An Antidote for “Me” Leadership: Waiting on Tables”

Acts 6:1-10 

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  8 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.

“What’s for dinner?” is one of the most repeated questions I hear from my kids.  Their response to my answer can either place a smile on my face—or drop an atomic bomb in my spirit.  After all the effort I put into making a meal, the last thing I want to hear is “Are you making that again?” or “I don’t like that.” So, at the dinner table, I often need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help me to maintain a loving attitude and to zip my mouth from unleashing well-deserved rebuke to my unappreciative, complaining, and expert food critiquing family. Ironically, this situation helps me to understand why the Holy Spirit impressed Luke to emphasize the leadership qualifications to care for the practical needs of a growing church family.  

Upon examining Acts 6, a few important spiritual principles stand out. First, there is no distinction in God’s eyes: one ministry is not more important than the other; both spiritual and practical needs of the church family are equally important.  Second, God’s criteria for leadership qualities to meet both needs are also the same. It’s very fascinating how the text repeatedly emphasizes the importance of choosing leaders who are known to be “full of the Spirit, wisdom, God’s grace and God’s power” (v.3, 5, 8).

The early church is experiencing growth explosion and increasing responsibilities to care for the diversifying needs of the congregation.  The twelve apostles recognized the need to expand their leadership team in order to adequately shepherd the young and fast growing flock. Seven men were appointed with the primary responsibility to wait on tables. The Greek word for “wait on” is the verb from which the noun “deacon” comes from. 

Acts 6 used to puzzle me, because I felt like these seven men were overqualified to wait on tables.  Anybody can wait on tables. When we are known to be full of the Spirit, wisdom, and God’s grace and power, we often think that we are suitable for more important tasks—like teacher, elder, worship leader, small group leader, etc.But having received from the Lord this awesome privilege of serving Him for past 20+ years, I understand that who we are is much more important than what we do. God always looks for leaders who lead out of who they are and not just what they do (title or position). I praise God for placing the priority on the quality of our heart and character over our natural ability and talents. I’m glad that none of the seven responded that they were too spiritual, too qualified, and too good to wait on tables; instead, they accepted the call with humility, availability, and deep gratitude for what Jesus had done for them.

Prayer: Lord, as we have begun 2024 it is our heart’s cry to become men and women who are characterized to be “full of Holy Spirit, godly wisdom, God’s grace and power.”  As we face the challenges of our time, we can all agree this world is in desperate need for more leaders with the spirit of Stephen in our homes, churches, schools, work places, country and world. The Holy Spirit who lived in and through Stephen is the same Person who indwells with all believers of Jesus Christ. Lord, empower us to take a bold and firm stand in our generation and to be a faithful steward of the influences you have entrusted to us.  In Christ Jesus’ overcoming name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Mark 6-7

February 23, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who is now a friend of AMI, was first posted on February 24, 2017. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Columbia International University where he studied Islam (M.A.). 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning 

“Orphans Through Our Judgment”

1 Timothy 1:8-11

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

In the X-Men universe, one of the main protagonists, Professor Xavier, has telepathic powers through mutation and lives to help fellow mutants. By using his machine Cerebro, Xavier can enhance his telepathic powers to locate and communicate with mutants in distress. However, in the movie X2, both human and mutant antagonists, William Stryker and Magneto, attempt to use Cerebro to kill all mutants and humans respectively. Thankfully, the X-Men come to the rescue and the crisis is averted.

As spiritual orphans, we too can use anything meant for good in the wrong way, including God’s law. There are many good uses of the law, as it reveals God’s character and restrains wickedness (1 Tim 1:8). However, we give the law power it does not have when we expect it to justify us and give us life. While the law shows us what Christ is like, we use it wrongly when we expect it to secure righteousness that only faith can secure. Ultimately, the law has no power to produce the heart obedience God is looking for.

It is a good thing that the law convicts us of sin; it was not made for the righteous but for the unrighteous (1 Tim. 1:9-11). However, instead of running to Jesus for rescue, we gain relief from the law’s burden by not only trying to follow it but then also using it to compare ourselves with others who are “worse” than us. Even small things such as coming to church on time (which is a good thing in itself!) can be abused when we use it to feel more righteous than someone who is late. And by taking the position of being right and strong, we actually distance ourselves from our communities. 

As God’s children, we have to remind ourselves that we are free from any condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Through Christ, our sins are paid for and His righteousness and perfect obedience is ours. Knowing that the law does not determine our acceptance with God allows us to extend that same acceptance to other lawbreakers like ourselves. Let’s do so today. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your many gifts, including Your Law. Thank You that it shows me how worthy You are of worship and how short I fall of Your standards. Instead of trying to justify myself, help me to run to You, my rock and my Redeemer. Help me to serve and love through the Law instead of judging and condemning others. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 5

Lunch Break Study 

Read Galatians 6:12-16: Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. 

Questions to Consider

  1. What were the intentions of those who were advocating circumcision?
  2. What instead does Paul boast about?
  3. What are you using as your “circumcision”?

Notes

1. They wanted to impress others by means of the flesh (Gal. 6:12) rather than accepting their identity in Christ. Even those who had never been circumcised were pushing for it so that they may boast (Gal. 6:13).

2. Paul, instead, boasts in the cross of Jesus Christ. At the cross is where we gain true knowledge of God and ourselves. At the cross we see God’s perfect love displayed for sinners and holy wrath against sin. At the cross we see our unworthiness and utter hopelessness without our Savior. 

3. Personal response (e.g. our degrees, our glorious past, our possessions, etc.)

Evening Reflection 

Reflect on the past day. Were there times when you acted in the flesh to protect your reputation and righteousness? Praise God that who we are is not dependent on what we have done, but what He has done for us. Let’s ask God to let that truth sink deeper into our hearts. 

February 22, Thursday 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 15, 2017.  Andrew, who is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal, was recently ordained by AMI. Congratulations.   

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Persecuted for Christ . . . Not Me!”

Revelation 6:9-11

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; 10 they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” 11 They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.”

Recently, a bus full of Coptic Christians were killed for their faith as they were on their way to a monastery. At least 28 died and 25 wounded. Among the dead were two small girls who were 2 and 4. This is just one tragic example of the persecution that many Christians face throughout the world. In fact, 900,000 Christians have been martyred for their faith in the last 10 year, making it one of the most violent eras for the church. It is a sobering reminder that following Christ is not for the fainthearted—there is a cost to be paid, sometimes even with our very lives. Many of us in the West are often shielded from this reality, since the worst thing that can happen to us is a moment of embarrassment. Sometimes we think that violent persecutions are a thing of the past, but many of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are paying tremendous cost for their testimony to God. 

The recipients of the letter understood the cost well. When the fifth seal had opened, John saw “those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given.” In other words, he saw Christians who had been martyred for their faith under the altar. What’s interesting is that in verse 11, they are given a white robe, which symbolized purity and victory. Just like John redefined what power looks like (weakness rather than a show of force) in chapter 5, he is also reminding those who are suffering that true victory is in remaining faithful to God, even in the face of death—not in conforming or violently rebelling against their persecutors. God declares that it is He who will avenge them in due time. In other words, all their sacrifice will be worth it, and in the end they will be true victors. Let us take time to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters, and pray that God will strengthen their resolve, fortify their faith, and provide them with an unrelenting hope! 

Prayer: Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted at this moment. We ask that You might alleviate their pain, but if not, provide them with strength to remain steadfast and faithful to the word of God! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 4

Lunch Break Study 

Read Mark 8:31-38: And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Questions to Consider 

  1. Why did Peter take Jesus aside after he heard that Jesus would be killed, and why did Jesus rebuke Peter for his actions? 
  2. What is the call to discipleship that Jesus gives in this passage? 
  3. What areas of your life do you need to deny? 

Notes 

  1. Many Jews at the time were waiting for a Messiah who would come in power and overthrow the Roman Empire, giving back the people of Israel their Promised Land. A dead messiah did not fit into Peter’s expectations. However, Jesus reminds him that Peter did not have the things of God in mind. God’s way of life is different—it is one of weakness, loving one’s enemies, and dying to oneself. 
  2. The call to discipleship is to deny oneself and take up the cross and follow Jesus. It is not an easy way to live but it requires much sacrifice and self-death. 
  3. Personal response.

Evening reflection 

“To take up your cross is to consider it better to die than to live for something other than Jesus.”

-Richard Chin 

February 21, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 17, 2017, is provided by Pastor Barry Kang, who heads Symphony Church in Boston.  Barry is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Gordon Conwell Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought For This Morning

“Paul’s Ironic Boast”

2 Corinthians 11:24-29

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

 Let’s begin this morning by making sure that we not miss Paul’s main point: he is not trying to inform the Corinthian church about how much he has suffered for the gospel.  Rather, he is using ironic rhetoric to demonstrate the absurdity of boasting.   In verses 30-33, he will cap this remarkable litany of sufferings with a boast of how he once ran away from potential persecution!

Of course, Paul hopes that this litany of boasts will also shock the Corinthians back to their senses. He is not lying about the ways that he has suffered, and this passage makes sober reading.  Who would want to live like this? Recently, I have had the opportunity to talk to some Vietnamese pastors about their experiences in ministry: suffering, persecution, and financial struggles are common themes to their stories.  Yet not a single one spoke without smiling. Paul’s use of irony is remarkably multi-layered.  Because in the end, Paul knows that all of his sufferings really don’t compare to what he’s been given.  There can be joy in suffering. Hebrews 12:2 tells us about the One we follow: “for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross.”  There is joy set before us, so let us endure!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we remind ourselves that there is no suffering we can endure that can compare to what we’ve been given because of Your suffering on the cross.  Thank You for Your passion for us. We lift up a prayer for persecuted Christians everywhere, that You would protect them if possible, but most of all, that You would show them Your great love and glory.  We thank You for their steadfastness and faithfulness.  Help us also to be faithful.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 3

Lunch Break Study

Read John 16:20-24: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Jesus say will happen to our sorrow?
  2. According to Jesus, when will our hearts rejoice?
  3. How can we face the sorrow and struggles of this life?

Notes

  1. He tells us that our sorrow will turn to joy! Though in this life, we can expect weeping and lamenting, we know that this sorrow will indeed turn to joy. This is the power of the hope we have in Jesus!
  2. In v.22 Jesus says—again acknowledging the sorrow we may face in this life—that this present sorrow will turn to joy and our hearts will rejoice when He returns. Jesus’ disciples were not thrilled with the prospect of Jesus leaving them, but He says, “Do not worry – I will come back!” And that same hope is for us as well.
  3. Ask Jesus for help! V.24 says, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” When we face trials, let us not be scared to bring them to Jesus and ask for His help to persevere. Remember, He is the One who endured and now gives us the strength to endure through Him!

Evening Reflection  

If you are currently going through any sort of trial, take this time to ask Jesus for His strength to keep on running. If you are not currently experiencing a trial, pray for someone you know who is, or lift up a prayer for our brothers and sisters being persecuted in other nations.

February 20, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 11, 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“What Life is Like for the Families Left Behind in Mexico” 

Rom. 12:16

Be willing to associate with people of low position.

Ps. 146:9b

The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless.

Before leaving for Mexico in 2001, I had lived in Southern California for nearly 20 years, during which time I encountered many Mexican men working as farm hands or day-laborers, who regularly sent money to support their families in Mexico.  Though I never thought about it then, I would’ve guessed that these families were quite elated upon receiving the money.  But a visit to Nealtican, Puebla (near the active volcano “Popocatēpetl”), a small city of 25,000 habitants, forever changed my perception. 

  I visited Nealtican three times to teach a week-long course to train missionary candidates—the first time being 2003, when I stayed at Juanita’s three-story brick house.   A mother of three children, her husband was working in the States as an illegal alien.  And I quickly learned why: there were no jobs there.  In fact, the mayor, speaking briefly at the inaugural service, asked us to pray for his city because of rampant juvenile delinquency, exacerbated by absent fathers. 

While staying there, I got to see what life was like for the families in Mexico of illegal aliens in the States. The children desperately missed their father.  Once a week, the family would walk to the nearest public phone and would wait for a call from the States that may not come.  During dinner, they would talk about their conversations with their dad, or if he hadn’t called, how they missed him. Listening to this and eating the meals especially prepared for their Korean guest for a week, I thought to myself, “I may not agree with illegal immigration, but I must empathize and show compassion to illegal immigrants.”  Wanting to show my appreciation for Juanita, I took the whole family out for a nice dinner before leaving.  

By the time I returned to Nealtican in 2007 to teach again, Juanita and the boys had long gone to the States—presumably without proper documents—to join her husband.  I was told that the oldest child, a teenage girl when I first met her, married a 40-year-old man because he promised her love and security.  I felt sad upon hearing that.  So it goes in Mexico among the families left behind.  

People without proper documents may be illegal before the law, but they are people whom God loves.  

While the law must do what it is called to do, we ought to be willing to associate with people of low position, such as illegal aliens, tangibly showing them compassion and encouragement. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for choosing the way of the incarnation to save us, where Jesus became like us in every aspect. You did that not only to save us, but so that we can be assured that Jesus is able to empathize with us, and therefore, go to Him.  Thank you!  

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 2:17-8: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-6: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

1. In what sense did Christ empathize with us?

2. How does that help our confidence in Christ’s capacity to really help us?

3. Think about a person in your life to whom you need to show empathy.

Notes

1. By becoming a real human, Christ went through all the experiences encountered by every human being. Though never ceasing to be God at any moment, Jesus underwent hunger, fatigue (Jn. 4:6), disappointment (Matt. 26:40; Jn. 14:9), and even anguish (Matt. 26:38).  Consequently, Christ, in His humanity, has personal knowledge of what we go through.

2. Of course, Christ didn’t have be a human being to know what we go through, since He is an all-knowing God. Ultimately, then, Christ underwent human experiences so that we can have more confidence in His capacity to really help us. 

3. What was the last painful experience you went through?  Look around to see who is going through the same thing.   You can empathize with that person better than others.  

Evening Reflection

Did you run into anyone who was going through a difficult moment today?  Perhaps, you are that person.  Before we seek empathy from man, let’s first go to Christ, for He truly understands us.  Pray to Him, casting all your cares upon Him. 

February 19, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 4, 2017.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Saved a Wretch Like Me”

1 Cor 15:9-10

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 

 “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” John Newton, a former slave trader, penned these words into a hymn titled, “Amazing Grace” back in 1773. He probably never would have guessed that this hymn would be sung by millions of worshippers in so many languages. One biographer of John Newton estimates that this hymn is performed 10 million times annually, reminding the singers of the greatness of God’s grace over the wretchedness of our sins. 

Do you at times struggle with a sense of guilt for the sins you have committed in your past? Although you know in your thought-life that you’ve been forgiven, the painful and shameful memories of your past still drag you towards the lies of low self-worth and a negative view of yourself. This can often hold you back from serving joyfully in the Lord’s gospel work. 

Steve Arterburn, the author of Walking into Walls, has observed that many people today are still hurting over something that may have happened years ago. Unfortunately, it has become a wall they cannot get past. Rather than resolve the pain and move on, they continue to judge themselves as well as others. This then leads the wretched person to go on facing life in a negative, self-defeating way. Yet the good news of God’s grace shatters this wall. 

Apostle Paul lived in the certainty of God’s grace. He understood that in the past, he had committed some of the most dreadful acts against God and God’s people. The very first Christian martyr was stoned while Paul (formerly Saul) stood over the dead corpse with satisfying approval (Acts 8:1). Could you imagine the immense guilt that must have burdened Paul’s heart after he became a Christ follower? In this brief statement, Paul reveals that of all people, he was the worst. But rather than wallowing in shame and guilt, he moved forward. Paul understood that God’s grace had enabled him to now serve God’s purposes. 

You may have some skeletons in the closet. However, God’s grace fills us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Yes, we were all wretches at one point. Yet, God gives us the grace to move from our past sins into a new life in His Spirit. 

Prayer: Sing the hymn: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see.”  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 1

Lunch Break Study  

Read Matt 26:6-13: While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What does the unnamed woman’s action reveal about her understanding of Jesus? 
  2. How would you have responded to the woman’s “waste” of the expensive perfume?
  3. How does this narrative challenge us to think about our own finances, time, and talents?   

Notes

  1. In the context of Matt. 26, Jesus is anointed by this unnamed woman in preparation for His death. She understood this. Unfortunately, the disciples were more concerned with money, even if it was truly for the poor. Jesus had to remind them that they “would not always have” Him, as He would soon go to the cross.   
  2. We might criticize the disciples for their judgmental comment, but self-righteousness tempts all of us. 
  3. Loving Jesus may seem to be a waste of time and other resources in the eyes of the world. However, Jesus considers our devotion to be a beautiful thing. 

Evening Reflection

How have you seen God’s grace work in your life today? Spend some time thanking the Lord for His Grace. From Evangelism Explosion: 

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

February 18, Sunday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 5, 2017, is provided by Jasmin Izumikawa who attends the Church of Southland in Anaheim, California.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Trusting God in the Midst of Storm”

Psalm 77:19

Your way was in the sea and Your paths in the mighty waters. 

Recently, our drought in California had been broken for a few gloriously rainy days. As nice as it was to have the rain, driving on the road was dangerous. Roads were flooded and my windshield wipers were not doing much to clear my view from the penetrating rain.  Larger vehicles would splash waves of water onto my windshield, blocking my vision for a few seconds at a time. It felt like being in a carwash but at 45 miles an hour!  It occurred to me that the most frightening thing about driving in the rain was not so much sliding around but the lack of peripheral vision around me. 

Sometimes, when we do not have excuses or complaints to hide behind anymore, and the only way out is through the stormy sea, we begin to learn how to trust in the LORD. Maybe you can relate to this now in your job, relationship, or lack thereof that has you feeling doubtful of God’s favor or direction in your life. 

Is there someone you need to forgive and show grace to at this time? Perhaps we need to start by asking, What is the LORD strengthening me to do now? LORD, will you give me eyes to see Your handiwork today? What will you show me today?  Wherever we are, let us not lose sight of where God leads us this year.  

Your way was in the sea

And Your paths in the mighty waters,

And Your footprints may not be known. . ..

You led Your people like a flock

By the hand of Moses and Aaron 

(Ps. 77:19-20).

Prayer: LORD, Your way sometimes looks like a challenging journey, but I know Your way is right—Your way is forgiveness, humility, grace, and hope. Give me sight to see where You want to lead me. I place my trust and faith in You, LORD. Amen.


Bible Reading for Today:  Song of Songs 8

February 17, Saturday 

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on January 7, 2017, is written by Tina Pham who (along with her husband Anthony and son), serves as a missionary in E. Asia. Tina is a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“A Heart Opened for Christ after Making all the Wrong Choices” 

Luke 5:27-32 (NASB)

After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered and said to them, ” It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

This short account of Levi’s calling (also known as Matthew) and life after responding to Jesus shows us that Levi had a genuine encounter with grace, leading him to true repentance and transformation.  When Jesus personally approached Levi at his tax booth, Levi encountered someone who was ready to embrace him and to give him a chance to start new again. 

Prior to this encounter, Levi made a decision that consequently led the Jews to alienate and despise him. He had become a tax collector, working on behalf of the Roman Empire. We don’t know what drove him to do this. He could’ve been driven by greed, or perhaps he had lost hope and grew impatient with God because although the Jews were living in the Promised Land, they were still a powerless vassal state under Roman rule. While some Jews continued to worship God and to patiently wait for the Messiah to restore Israel, Levi and many others decided to pursue a more gratifying life in their eyes. For this reason, the religious leaders, though having heart issues of their own, saw people like Levi as unholy and displeasing to God. 

When Levi realized that the life he had chosen left him empty, he had no social avenue to return back to the Lord. If he went to the temple, synagogue, or a table to dine with the Jews, the religious leaders in particular would not receive him well. When Jesus approached him at the tax booth and said, “Follow Me,” Levi knew that the God of Israel had personally reached out His hand to him. Jesus accepted Levi and gave him an opportunity to return back to God. Being touched by grace, Levi later became an avenue for many other socially alienated tax collectors to encounter Jesus, as he opened his home to host Jesus and those who needed Jesus’ love and forgiveness. 

Oftentimes, when I am doing ministry or praying for a non-believing family member or friend, I become weary and impatient if I don’t see change or growth after a span of time. But I am reminded through Levi’s transformation that only the grace of Jesus brings about a genuine change in people—a transformation that is not man-made, but Spirit-led, that reveals God’s glory. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your passion for the lost and for convicting me to have the same heart as Yours. You not only have the desire, but You also have the power and grace to draw people to Yourself. As I serve You, please help me to rely on You and to boast in Your ability and power, and not in my own. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 6-7

February 16, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 3, 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).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“For All Have Sinned”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

When I was living in Philadelphia, to save money on rent, let’s just say that I didn’t live in the cleanest of places—that is, I’ve had my share of cockroaches.  Now, if you’ve ever had roaches in your place, then you’ve probably learned the phenomenon of being “afraid of the lights”: it’s when you enter a room and turn on the lights and see several cockroaches scurry away to hide, you become a little disturbed and you almost don’t want to turn on the lights again.  You’ve become afraid of the lights.  Many will overcome this by turning on the lights before physically entering the room.  Almost everyone I know thinks that roaches are disgusting, ugly, vile creatures, and when we see one, our instinct is to kill it immediately.  

Now let’s imagine a scene where two cockroaches are talking to each other about which one is better looking.  So one roach says to the other, “I’m way better looking than you; my antennas are so much longer and fuller than yours.”  The other responds, “Well, my back and wings (yes, I’ve seen roaches with wings) are more shiny than yours.”  Now imagine that instead of scurrying away when I turn the lights on, these two roaches are too engaged in their argument to run away.  Do you think that I, as a human, care about the minute differences between roaches and decide to spare the better looking one?  Of course not!  I crush them both because they are both vile, even if one thinks he is slightly less vile than the other.  So while in the roach world, one might be “better” than another, in the human world, it doesn’t make an iota of a difference.  

When I look at today’s passage, my first instinct is to think that this doesn’t apply to me—I’m good: I’m not sexually immoral, or an idolater, or adulterer, or homosexual, or a thief, or greedy, etc.  So when Paul says, “And such were some of you” (v. 11), I want to respond, “You mean ‘you’ as in ‘them’, right?”  But perhaps I’m thinking about sin like a roach thinks about their beauty.  Sure, I may not be as “bad” as others, but the truth is, the difference between me and God is infinitely greater than the difference between roaches and people.  So maybe we should expand this list to include the ill-tempered, the proud, the white-liars, etc., so that when Paul says, “That is what you were,” we can all say, “Amen. I’ve offended our Holy God.”

Of course, we are not going to stay there, but no matter our grievances, “we have been washed, we have been sanctified, we have been justified in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.”  God doesn’t see us a roaches; He sees us as His children. 

* In full disclosure, the roach illustration is not mine, it was taken from Pastor Young at GCC (who borrowed it from someone else).  I repurposed it and told it in the first person.  So maybe I am a “thief” after all!  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Your Son.  Thank You that His blood washes away all my guilt, shame, and sin.  Help me never to see myself as okay but to live thankfully that I am genuinely a redeemed sinner.  Help me to love others as You have loved me.  Keep my heart from being like that of a Pharisee’s heart. Amen.  

Bible Reading for Today:  Song of Songs 5

Lunch Break Study

Read Roman 7:14-8:4: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Questions to Consider

1.  What was Paul describing in 7:14-25?  Have you ever felt this dynamic in your life?

2.  What can we specifically be thankful for?  

3.  Are you generally disposed to being thankful and full of grace? 

Notes

1.  Paul was describing the dynamic between living, but at the same time, slowly dying to the sinful nature and being alive in Christ.  There will always be times when the Holy Spirit living in us desires to do good, while our flesh will fight that desire.  

2.  In chapter 8, we are told there is no condemnation for the believer.  Praise God!  We have been freed from the law of sin and death!  Christ’s flesh condemned the sin of flesh and fulfilled the requirements of the law.  In other words, it’s not just Christ’s death that is atoned for us, but the rewards of His righteous obedient life become our righteousness.

3.  Personal application, but you should get the point.  

Evening Reflection

Are you genuinely thankful for the life you have in Christ?  And that you were infinitely far from God because of sin, but now you are closer to God than you realize?  Does your life reflect the joy that such a pardoned sinner should feel?  Take a few minutes this evening to truly reflect on what this salvation means.  

February 15, Thursday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 13, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“Wet Socks”

John 13:3-5

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

To be completely honest, when I first started serving on staff at my church, I had a hard time submitting to my lead pastor. Of course, I never did let it show on the outside; I did every task I was asked to do. But as the months went on, a grumbling spirit was taking hold of my heart; and as I continued to serve, it gradually grew into a root of bitterness. Perhaps you have experienced a similar rebellion of the flesh against submission to authority, whether at church or in the workplace. I felt trapped in this position, feeling obligated to serve, while at the same time unable to articulate the growing vexation within. But then something happened. 

It was January, a typical snowy Sunday in Boston. I had accidentally stepped into a puddle of slush on my way to Sunday morning service, and as a result, my shoes and socks were soaking wet. I took my shoes off and draped my dripping socks on the backseat of a chair as I helped setup for the worship service. A few minutes later, I went back to where I had put my socks, hoping to find them at least a little drier than they were before. To my surprise, they were gone! Just as I was about to accuse someone of stealing my socks, my lead pastor walked out of the bathroom, with my socks in his hands. He had taken them into the bathroom, washed them, and used the hand-dryer to blow dry my socks. He handed them to me and said, “I didn’t want you to get sick.” In that moment, as I was fighting back the tears, I felt God speak to me saying, “You’re struggling to submit to this man, but see how he is willing to serve you. So now, submit to him, joyfully.” From that day, the bitter root was gone, my grumbling spirit was broken off, and serving started becoming a joy.

I can imagine the shock of the disciples when Jesus began washing their feet. They probably never expected their Lord to serve them in such a way. Little did they know that He would give them so much more; He was going to lay down His life. 

Have you been grumbling? Do you recognize a bitter root taking hold of your heart? If so, know this: Jesus laid down His pride, honor, and even His life in order to serve us. Let us joyfully submit to Him, and lovingly serve one another.

Prayer: Lord, may everything we do, whether it’s submitting to authorities, serving people, or obeying your commands, may we do it from a place of joy. Remind us that You first loved us and served us, especially if we find ourselves growing weary or bitter. Thank You that You are a Servant King. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Song of Songs 4

Lunch Break Study

Read John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Questions to Consider

  1. In what manner are we commanded to love one another?
  2. According to Jesus, how will people recognize His disciples?
  3. What examples of Christ can we follow, as we strive to love one another?

Notes

  1. In this passage, when Jesus commands His disciples to love one another, He also includes this guideline to inform us of the manner in which we are to love: “just as I have loved you…” In other words, we don’t love based on how we feel like loving. Neither do we love based on whether or not the recipient deserves such love. Our love for one another is based on how Jesus loved us.
  2. Jesus says that people will recognize His disciples by the love they have for one another. In other words, the love that is displayed by the church should be so radical and so refreshingly different that it causes people to recognize that there is something special going on among the people of God. 
  3. So much of Jesus’ life is set as an example for us to follow. This passage comes right after Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. One way that we can follow this particular example is to willingly commit ourselves to do the “dirty work.” The kind of tasks that no one else really wants to do, but someone needs to do. Things like doing the dishes, vacuuming, laundry—menial tasks that include very little glory and require very little skill. When we do these out of love for one another, we are reflecting the servant heart of Christ.

Evening Reflection

Are you serving in your church? What is your heart’s attitude towards serving?

If you aren’t serving in some capacity, you should serve in some way! And if you are currently serving, spend some time reflecting on how your heart has been towards serving. If you find that there is some grumbling or bitterness growing within, bring it before Jesus our Servant King.