REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on January 29, 2017, is provided by Joanna Tzen, a friend of AMI, who attended and served at Grace Covenant Church (UC) for a long time.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“Sabbath, Anyone”
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Yesterday, we talked about Sabbath, but maybe there is the question of whether this is even necessary, practical, or applicable in today’s world. I know that in my own life, there were instances where I misinterpreted the need for Sabbath as a weakness. Clearly, I was equating my worth to my productivity. So if I saw a need or an opportunity was presented, I quickly accepted. Though some good still came out of those decisions, it often came at the greater expense of my relationship with God or others, or other priorities to which I was committed.
Perhaps you can relate and ask yourself when new opportunities are presented in the new year, Am I adding one more thing because I have equated my worth to my work? Or, How might this impact my relationships or other priorities God has made clear in this season?
Let’s humbly approach the Lord and ask that He remind us of how our worth is rooted in who we are and not what we do. We are not defined by the number of activities on our calendars or tasks accomplished for school, church or work. Let’s not do many things for Jesus to earn salvation that has already been secured for us, but instead draw near to be with Jesus first.
Prayer: Lord, if I have placed my worth in my doing, may You remind me that it is not my works that will save me, but I am saved by grace, through faith (Eph 2:8-9). You are not a means to an end, but the end itself. In the security of the Lord’s truth of who I am as a child of God, I ask for wisdom and discernment as to how You are calling me to build up Your kingdom in the season in which You have uniquely placed me. Amen.
REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on March 4, 2017, is provided by Pastor Yohan Lee. He is a friend of AMI who in the past has served as a staff at several AMI churches. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Cairn University (MA).
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“Freedom”
1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.
My oldest son has a unique gift: he can watch anything—and I mean anything—on television. Obviously, he has his favorites—like cartoons and all things related to Star Wars—but I could be watching a home improvement show, nature show, sitcom, drama, he’ll come, sit on the couch, and watch attentively with me. I kid you not, after the election, I watched lots of news, and he was all over that as well. You know where he gets this gift? From his old man. You see, I understand my son because he is just like me—I too can watch anything on TV. The other day I was watching Avatar, and my wife looked at me, laughed and asked, “Why are you watching that stupid movie? You hate it.” (Sorry, if you liked that movie, but she’s right, I do hate it.) I had no good explanation, so I think I said, “Because it’s on.” Perhaps there is something in our DNA that is attracted to the movements, flickering lights and sounds of the TV, but we are like moths drawn to the flame.
So when it comes to TV, I have to be very careful, because I know myself, and I can get hooked into a show very quickly. And if that show is on Netflix, I have to be especially careful because I know I’m going to binge watch until I’ve completed it. My addictive personality is why I won’t even start an episode of Breaking Bad because if I start watching it, just like Walter White, I’ll get lost in this world I don’t want to be in.
So is there anything sinful about television? Generally speaking, no. Television is just another form of entertainment. But am I in danger of becoming “dominated” or “mastered” by it? Yes. So I choose to stay away from highly addictive shows. Is there anything unlawful about television? No, but is watching that much TV “helpful”? Probably not, I could be using all those hours to love my kids, talk to my wife, serve in some ministry, or simply pray or read the Bible.
When it comes to how we spend our time or money, how we entertain ourselves, or how we exercise our Christian liberties, let’s stop simply asking whether it is “lawful” or not, but let’s begin by asking, “Is it helpful to my life in Christ?” Let’s also ask, “Will I be able to control myself or master this?” If the answer to either of those questions is no, then let’s examine why we want to do them in the first place.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let my heart’s desire be to honor You. Please help me to overcome the temptation to make faith about the “minimum things I need to do to keep You happy.” Also, keep me from legalism and grant me wisdom in all things. Amen.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 26, 2017, is provided by Phillip Chen who is associate pastor at Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Phil is a graduate of University of California, San Diego (BS) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Faithfulness in the Midst of Persecution”
Revelation 2:8-11 (ESV)
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
The church in Smyrna was going through tribulation and poverty, yet God recognized how spiritually rich this church was—in fact, no indictment was given towards this church. The Greek word Smyrna can be derived from the Hebrew word marar, which means “to be bitter.” One commentator writes that “the trials in life can make one bitter or better.” Oftentimes, persecution and poverty act as the tipping point for us, causing us to become bitter at God or to better appreciate God. As this church went through trials and tribulations, Jesus’ encouragement to them is this: “Be faithful unto death.”
As a North-American Christian, I have not faced much (if any) persecution for my faith. Although many of us probably feel very sheltered and distant from persecution, it is not a guarantee that we will live the rest of our lives without persecution. In fact, Paul mentions in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Though we may not experience intense persecution right now, we know that there are many Christians around the world who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus. As brothers and sisters, fellow heirs in God’s kingdom, we are called upon to pray for these persecuted brothers and sisters.
There are many who are suffering economically because of their faith, since government restrictions or unfair practices are imposed upon them. Others are suffering socially because of their faith, being ostracized in their communities, shunned, and even ripped apart from their families. Many are suffering physically because of their faith—being beaten, tortured, and even murdered for their faith. Let’s not turn a blind eye to the persecuted church. Let’s pray fervently for God’s intervention and protection, but more importantly, for God to help them to persevere until the end—that they can stay faithful in the midst of the persecution. Let us learn from the persecuted church—how we need to persevere when things get difficult or even monotonous, and also to prepare ourselves for the future persecution.
Prayer: Father God, we lift up the persecuted church this morning, and ask for Your protection for those who are being persecuted for the faith. Not only that, we pray for those who are undergoing continuous persecution, that You would give them the power to remain faithful in the midst of persecution. May they fix their eyes on the crown of life that awaits them! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 13
Lunch Break Study
Read Hebrews 11:32-40 (ESV): And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Question to Consider
1. What does this passage tell us about the people of faith?
2. How were these men and women able to endure through so much persecution?
3. Have you prayed for the persecuted church? Spend some time to pray for the persecuted church.
Notes
1. Hebrews 11 is called the “Hall of Faith,” and these men and women were commended for their faith. This passage shows us is that there were many people throughout the ages who have endured persecution in many various forms for their faith.
2. Many chose to endure persecution and intense suffering because they believed that there was something greater to preserve than life itself; they believed in God’s promise that there was something greater for them.
3. Personal reflection.
Evening Reflection
Spend some time praying once again for the persecuted Christians around the world. Many times the only thing we can do is pray, but prayer has great power because we pray to a God who is all-powerful. As you pray for the persecuted church, make a plan to remember them and to routinely pray for them.
REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 14, 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
“What’s Your Thorn in the Flesh?”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Everybody has a thorn. Your thorn is that place in your life where you feel most vulnerable or broken or defeated. You don’t want to talk about it; you’d like to pretend it’s not there. Paul says that he pleaded with God three times to take his thorn away. This was not a casual request. Paul poured his heart out before God, but the heavens were silent. We’ve all been there.
But then God speaks. He says, “Paul, I have something for you better than pain removal. It’s grace, and it’s sufficient for you.” This doesn’t sound like a great deal—until we remember what grace is. Grace is the offer of God’s ceaseless presence and wasteful love. Grace is God’s active, seeking, reaching, stretching presence in your life, enabling you to live as God wants you to. When Paul encountered grace, he stopped asking for thorn-removal! Instead, his thorns became a reason to boast because it had led him to grace. May the sufficient grace of God pour into our lives!
Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for your sufficient grace. There is nothing like it! We know we don’t deserve it (almost by definition), but we still try to earn it. Please forgive us for doing that. May Your grace become more and more of a reality in our hearts and lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 12
Lunch Break Study
Read Hebrews 10:12-14-31: But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Questions to Consider
How far-reaching was the effect of Christ’s sacrifice?
What does v.14 tell us about ourselves as believers?
In what ways can the sufficiency of God’s grace give you comfort today?
Notes
Christ’s sacrifice is “for all time.” This means, once and for all, Christ has paid the penalty for our sin. This is grace—grace that brings forgiveness, once and for all, for all time.
V.14 tells us that through Christ’s offering of Himself, we have been “perfected for all time.” This is the sufficiency of the grace of God—that though we are still “being sanctified” we are also perfected. God’s sufficient grace is the power behind our growth and the power behind the righteousness given to us through Christ.
Sometimes, guilt can pile on so strongly. The enemy will tell us that we are not good enough, or too sinful, or unworthy of God’s grace. But His grace is not about us— it’s an unconditionally-given grace that perfects us. In our weakness, let’s remember the strength and sufficiency of God’s grace for us!
Evening Reflection
Tonight, let’s say this over our lives: “God’s grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness.” Let’s lay down our weaknesses before Christ, acknowledging that His power is what matters, because His grace is sufficient.
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
What do you think it means for love to be genuine?
How do you outdo others in showing honor?
How can you better love those around you today?
Notes
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.
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?
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.
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
What are some reasons the psalmist give for praising and thanking God? How does he encourage us to do this?
What are some specific things you’re thankful to God for today? Spend sometime articulating your thanks to Him.
Notes
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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
Having been deserted by “everyone” in the province of Asia, what do you suppose is going on in Paul’s mind?
What qualities does Onesiphorus show in these few verses?
What is the reward of Onesiphorus’ ministry to Paul?
Notes
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.
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.
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.
