February 7, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 12, 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning:

“A Pastor’s Story of Redemption from Mexico to America”

Hebrews 11:34(NIV): . . . whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Psalms 126:4-5 (ESV): Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

It wasn’t long after I began to attend a church in Juarez, Mexico in 2000, (while attending a language school) did I realize how uninformed I was of what God was doing among the Mexican churches—they were sending out missionaries. While the number of Mexican missionaries continues to grow, 75 percent go to just two countries: Spain and USA (David Markham). Going to Spain is certainly understandable, since evangelicals make up only 1 percent of the population—but to America?

According to a 2013 Times cover story (“Evangélicos”), “Latinos are pouring into Protestant churches across the U.S.”, and that a shortage of trained pastors to lead what are mostly Charismatic congregations continues to be an issue. So it makes sense that pastors trained in Mexico are going to the States as missionaries. Among the many pastors whom I was privileged to train, five of them currently pastor a Hispanic congregation in cities like Dallas, Nashville, and Porterville. Meet one of them, Pastor Jonathan, who pastors a congregation in New Mexico.

When Jonathan, a German-descent Mexican in his late 20s, came to my class in 2004, he was a youth pastor at a nearby Assembly of God congregation—and he was eager to learn. In his teens, he ran away from an abusive father, who forced him to sell things on the street, to live with a relative; there, he worked to support himself and finish high school. And it was during this time of “weakness” that he came to know the Lord; God’s call to ministry came a little later.

After studying diligently with me for three years, he had progressed enough so that his superior allowed him to train other pastors with my courses. Jonathan was happy for the opportunity but also nervous, since his students were older and more experienced pastors. Working hard and praying even harder to prepare himself, he did great. Therefore, I was so disappointed when Jonathan informed me in 2006 that he was moving to New Mexico to take on a small pastorate; I was really hoping he would become a main instructor of the course being developed.

Soon after we moved back to the states in 2011, Jonathan invited me to offer a course to his leaders and to preach. Oh, how pleased I was to find that a church of 30 had grown to a congregation of over 200 adults and 100 kids! Though the numbers do not always tell the right story, in this case, it did. Pastor Jonathan, who could have easily given up, didn’t; instead, he worked and studied hard and prayed even harder to be the right spiritual leader for his people, many of whom have led a hard life economically (e.g., working on the farm) and personally (e.g., family separation). His radio and video ministry (“Practical Faith”) continues to impact many in the Hispanic community searching for answers.

The story of Pastor Jonathan reminds us that God is in the redemptive business of turning our sorrow and weakness into joy and strength, respectively, so that we can be useful for His kingdom work. Trust God; work hard; pray harder. That is always the “winning” formula.

Prayer: Lord, how I exalt You for your steadfast love towards me. Although I have given up on myself many times, You have always stayed close to encourage me. Lord, although I cannot offer much, if at all, use me for Your Kingdom work. Cleanse me, train me, and equip me so that I can be useful for You. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 27

Lunch Break Study

Read Phil. 1:6, 2:13 (ESV): And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ . . . for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

2 Tim. 2:6 (NIV): The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

1 Peter 2:11 (ESV): . . . whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Questions to Consider

1. What should be the basis of our confidence? How is this fundamentally different from humanism?

2. What is the relationship between God strengthening us and us working hard?

3. Ultimately, what are we trying to demonstrate by trying to be successful in the Lord?

Notes

1. Our confidence stems from what God has promised. He promises to strengthen our will in order to produce the work that would please Him; on top of that, He is going to ensure that we finish what we have begun. Humanism is relying on personal resources, without acknowledging or depending on God.

2. Among several variables, one tangible connection is motivation. God’s strength motivates us to discipline ourselves to work hard and to yield the fruits desired by the Lord.

3. We aren’t trying to tell the world how great and smart we are; instead, we want the world to know how great and awesome God’s power is to transform broken lives, thereby glorifying Him.

Evening Reflection

How would you describe the day you had? Was it another mundane day? Be silent before God and think through all that has happened today. Perhaps you missed an encouraging voice from the Lord or a desperate cry of help from someone nearby. Pray. Are you down? Remember the story of Pastor Jonathan and choose not to give in to your circumstances. Remember Proverb 24:16b: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Si, se puede en Cristo! (Yes, it can be done in Christ!)

February 6, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 16, 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

“There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch!”

2 Corinthians 11:7-11

Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

“There is no such things as a free lunch,” my high school economics teacher loved to tell us. Many of us, over the years, have learned to become skeptical of anyone who will offer to give us something for free. “What’s the catch?” we wonder. The Corinthians, under the influence of “super-apostles,” were wondering why Paul labored as a tent-maker if this message he had was so valuable. If what is being offered is truly valuable, then it ought to cost something to the receiver.

And of course it does. But we understand the gospel is not for sale—it’s a gift. And when a gift is given, the giver takes on the cost. Paul accepted support from the church in Macedonia and worked as a tent-maker in Corinth during his time there, so that Corinthians would not have to pay anything for the gospel. Paul’s determination was this: he was going to disadvantage himself so that the Corinthians could be advantaged. In this, he was showing the nature of the gospel. The gospel is free to us, but costly to the giver. Christ paid the price so that we could receive forgiveness “free of charge”!

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your incredible grace. Forgive us that we often think that we have to pay something in return, as though our efforts could compare to the value of the gift. We want to receive this grace freely; and in return, find our hearts transformed so that like Paul, we are willing to give freely so that others would also receive. We take a moment to pray for all the bi-vocational pastors and missionaries who labor so that the gospel may come free of charge, and ask that You bless their labor. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 26

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 2:3-5 (NIV): Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Questions to Consider

What did the paralyzed man do in this story?
Whose faith amazed Jesus in this story?
What does this passage teach us about carrying others’ burdens?

Notes

The paralyzed man simply was carried by his friends to Jesus. He did not earn Jesus’ forgiveness, he did not earn the healing that Jesus would give him; rather, he was brought to Jesus by his friends, carried along by their strength and determination. He had a “free” trip to Jesus.
The faith of the friends is what amazed Jesus. After Jesus saw what these friends went through to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, He then forgave the sins of the paralyzed man and also healed him of his paralysis.
Oftentimes when we think of carrying others’ burdens, we think in physical or emotional terms. But there is a spiritual dimension as well. Just as the faith of those men had an impact on their friend, our faith and our prayers for others can have a spiritual impact on them as well. Let’s be burdened for the sake of others’ in our lives!

Evening Reflection

Is there someone in your life going through a difficult season or maybe someone who is in need of God’s love, presence, and healing? Spend some time praying for that person, and thus carry their burden. Just as Paul was burdened for the Corinthians, let’s be burdened for those God has brought into our lives!

February 5, Monday

REPOSTToday’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

“Teachings of Demons”

1 Timothy 4:1-5

…who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3 ESV)

It’s no coincidence that some of the most infamous cults in history have forbidden marriages or in the case of David Koresh, that all women belong to him. Most cults have dietary restrictions, not out of common sense or health reasons, but out of desire to be favored by the Lord.

Paul pulls no punches in calling the commands to abstain from marriage or certain foods “the teachings of demons” (v. 1). Why such harsh language? Because the root of avoiding sex in marriage and certain foods for holiness puts the Gospel message in reverse. It is no longer the grace of God that saves and sanctifies us, but it is now my ascetic practices, my self-denial that pleases God. These practices, which in themselves are not wrong, nevertheless become wrong because their motive (that of gaining God’s favor by self-denial) is wrong.

This is a good example of the subtlety by which error begins. When a deviation enters a stream of truth, at the first point of deviation, error looks like truth; it is very hard to see it as error. This is what has misled so many people. They never recognize error until they become engrossed in it.

Here’s the point. There is a distinction between self-denial and denying self. Jesus said, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23). That is denying self. But that is easily confused with self-denial, which says, I will give up this and that, so I can gain a special favor from God, so I can get something in return. When our motivation ultimately is to achieve something for ourselves by our actions, we are no longer denying self but practicing self-denial. How subtle the differences are! This is dangerous. This is what Paul cautions us on. Live a life of self-denial! If you deny yourself of anything, do not do it to gain God’s favor, but because it’s a response to God’s favor in your life.

As yourself this question: What is the difference between self-denial and denying self? Are we careful not to let subtle religious error lead us into a duplicitous faith apart from Christ’s righteousness?

Prayer: Lord, thank You that I can enjoy the things You have created. Teach me the difference between self-denial and denying self.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 25

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew16:24-28: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. [28] Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Questions to Consider

1. Could you say considering this passage that you are following Christ?

2. What is the one thing you have tangibly denied following Christ today?

3. What is the one thing you must deny yourself in for the rest of this day? How are you doing with this? Convicted, ambivalent or different?

Notes

1. Following Christ is the death of the self, and the rise of the new self. You can truly say you have come to follow Christ until you have come to the end of yourself.

2. Perhaps you resisted the urge to be right in a petty argument or you gave into your roommate’s preference. Whatever may be the case, dying to self is not a matter of theory, but practice.

3. It’s so easy to read through this famous passage dismissively, but the call to follow Christ is startling and radical. We need to sense its impact anew today.

Evening Reflection

Were you able to deny yourself today? Reflect on how you can mark your life with self-denial.

February 4, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on November 6, 2017, is written by Tina Pham who, along with her family, is serving in E. Asia as a missionary. Tina is a graduate of Biola University (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Fasting Anyone?”

Luke 5:33-35 (NASB)

And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.

Isaiah 58:6 (NASB)

“Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?”

Every new year, I look forward to fasting and praying with my church for the first several days of January as a way to seek the Lord. What frightens me, though, as the new year approaches is that when the fast begins, I will have to temporarily separate myself from coffee, which I have grown to rely on too much on a daily basis. However, I can count this challenge a blessing, for it pushes me to rely on God and to consider the rich purpose of this spiritual practice.

Having criticized Jesus and His disciples for dining with “tax collectors and sinners,” the Pharisees now criticize Jesus for the lack of spiritual practices that he teaches his disciples, judging them as unholy and less righteous than the disciples of other teachers.

Jesus’ response implies that they have actually misunderstood the appropriate season for fasting. In addition, they have fasted for the sake of appearing holy, while missing the real essence of fasting.

Because Jesus’ appearance marks the arrival of God’s kingdom, Jesus is calling it a time of feasting and joy, similar to the sounds of joy and celebration at wedding feasts. But when Jesus is “taken away,” through the cross, resurrection, and ascension, then it will be appropriate to fast regularly as an expression of hope and anticipation.

Regular fasting is an expression unto God of our anticipation for the second coming of Jesus Christ, and for focusing our bodies, mind, and heart to remain faithful and to be found faithful when Christ appears. It helps us focus on eternal things and gives us a chance us shed off the temporary things we have learned to rely on or chase after.

Fasting is pleasing to God, when we attach it with daily reliance on God (Lk. 4:4: “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.”) and acts of justice and mercy (Is. 58:6). But if it is a way to claim self-righteousness or to build our outward appearance of holiness, it is an empty act and not a pleasing act unto God. (Lk. 18:11-12 “The Pharisee standing by himself prayed thus…I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I get”). However, as you begin this new year by engaging in spiritual disciplines, I pray and hope that your prayers and fasting will not be an end in itself but a means to meet with the Lord and to draw close to Him.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me not to pray and fast for the sake of doing spiritual things, but for the sake of yielding and relying on You as the Lord of my life. I anticipate the day when I will celebrate with joy with brothers and sisters at Your glorious coming, when we see You face to face. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 24

February 3, Saturday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on November 12, 2016. Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Missing the Point”

Hebrews 8:9-11
Not like the covenant that I made with their fatherson the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.For they did not continue in my covenant,and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israelafter those days, declares the Lord:I will put my laws into their minds,and write them on their hearts,and I will be their God,and they shall be my people.11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighborand each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’for they shall all know me,from the least of them to the greatest.

A minister determined a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. For this demonstration, he watered his lawn in the evening, then when night time approached, he visited his back yard with flashlight in hand. He carefully selected four worms, night-crawlers to be exact.

The four worms were placed into four separate jars: the FIRST WORM was put into a container of alcohol; the SECOND WORM was put into a container of cigarette smoke; the THIRD WORM was put into a container of chocolate; the FOURTH WORM was put into a container of good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results: the FIRST WORM in the jar with alcohol – was DEAD; the SECOND WORM in the jar with cigarette smoke – was DEAD; the THIRD WORM in the jar with chocolate – was DEAD; the FOURTH WORM in the jar of good clean soil – was ALIVE!

So the Minister asked the congregation: What can you learn from this demonstration?

From the back of the church came the response: “As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!” That pretty much ended the service…

Aside from some questions I found myself asking about this story (e.g. how did he fill a jar with cigarette smoke… what did those worms ever do to deserve such a fate… why is chocolate even in this conversation… I had a few more, but I digress…), it was a funny reminder that two people can look at the exact same information and yet walk away with radically different conclusions.

The Hebrew’s writer has spent the last two chapters explaining, amongst other things, how God’s people totally missed the point of the Old Covenant and why it failed. It failed because they were unable in and of themselves to keep God’s commands; its point, therefore, was to show them that they needed a Savior, God Himself, to help them. Although as Christians we have entered into a New Covenant based not on our works but on the finished work of Jesus on our behalf, we can still find ourselves slipping into Old Covenant mentality. We can read the commands listed all throughout the New Testament and, like many who went before us, try to live them out in our own strength and abilities.

May we remember today that we ourselves are not able to be and do as we should. We must daily remain dependent on the grace and mercy of the Gospel that saved us and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit within us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I prepare for another day, help me to remember Your grace and mercy towards me. Remind me anew of my own deficiencies and dependency upon You. Thank You for my salvation through Jesus and for Your daily provision of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 22-23

February 2, Friday

REPOSTToday’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on April 28, 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

“No Obstacles or Stumbling Blocks”

2 Corinthians 6:3

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry

When I was a junior in college, I became a Christian while attending Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia). One of the important factors that led me to Christ was the community—especially the family group that I was a part of that year. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people my age, who were passionately pursuing growth in their relationship with God—and that was inspiring to me. I saw brothers and sisters praying with fervor, reading the Bible, and attending church in various forms—three times a week—because they wanted to encounter God. Not only that, they were meeting with me and investing into my life so that I could grow too. I really thought that I had found a church “full of angels.”

Well, that thought unfortunately did not last. One day that year, there was a group of us from the church, sitting and hanging out, when one person got up and left to head to a meeting. Then one of these “supposed angels” who was still there said something derogatory and gossipy about the person who had just left. I was appalled. I doubt anyone noticed, but I was in shock that a Christian could speak that way about another—especially when I thought they were the angel-type Christians.

Of course we are not perfect angels, but we are sinners saved by the grace of God. Nevertheless, as Christians and as ambassadors of Christ, we represent Jesus; and if we’re not careful, we can unwittingly put obstacles and barriers for others that could hinder them from growing in their relationship with Jesus. For that reason, it was apostle Paul’s ambition to not stumble anyone—and that should be ours as well. We should strive for holiness, be wise with our words, and be aware of how our actions and choices are perceived by others.

This can easily feel like a burden or works-based righteousness for us. But our motive for striving to put no obstacles for others is because of our love for them and for their growth —not for our salvation. If we have experienced the grace of God and have been compelled by the love of Jesus, then with the power of His love, we can minister to others without stumbling them—we can be ambassadors for Christ!

Prayer

Jesus, I pray that the way I live my life will be a reflection of Your love. I pray for wisdom with my words and actions this day, not for my personal righteousness, but for the sake of those around me. Help me so that I would put no obstacles in their way, but instead, may I embody Your love to them. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 21

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 39:1-6: Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Questions to Consider

Why did Potiphar find Joseph so trustworthy?
What do you think Potiphar’s opinion of God was?
What would someone learn about God from the way you live your life?

Notes

Joseph was so trustworthy because he was faithful and successful in all that he did. Though it was evident that God’s blessing was with him, it’s also safe to say that Joseph was really good at his job as well. It seemed like Potiphar trusted Joseph’s ability and his integrity so much so that he let Joseph makes all of the decisions and handle all of his finances.
Potiphar likely had a high opinion of God because of Joseph. He could see Joseph’s integrity and success in his work, and knew that it was because the Lord was with him. We can assume Potiphar knew that it was the Lord, because Joseph told him it was so.
Personal reflection question.

Evening Reflection

Even when we know that we have the grace of God, it can still feel like a burden when we strive to be good witnesses to the world. All the more, we need to remember that God doesn’t require or expect perfection from us in our relationship with Him. Take some time to remember God’s love for you, and pray that God will strengthen you to continue to be an ambassador for Him.

February 1, Thursday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 2, 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

“Fooled for Christ”

1 Corinthians 6:6-8

But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

I didn’t realize it until this winter that I don’t like travelling to other countries—especially if I can’t speak the language. Don’t get me wrong, I like visiting new places and experiencing new cultures, but what I hate is not knowing if I’m have been taken advantage of when it comes to money. I always feel like the souvenir vendor is overcharging me, the cab driver got me for like five times what he charges locals, or that I paid for beef but what I really got was squirrel—basically, I hate getting taken advantage of. Now my wife, who has to deal with my poutiness after I make a bad deal, will often try to cheer me up with things like, “You would’ve paid more for that in the States,” or “Think of that guy, he probably has a family, and you just made his week.” That silly talk never brings me any comfort since money is only about 25% of the issue. The rest of the issue is that when I have been taken advantage of—I feel powerless and stupid. I imagine the guy who just ripped me off bragging to his friend, “See that chump over there? I just traded him these five ‘magic’ beans for his last cow and he gave me $100. Americans are so stupid! Hahaha.”

Look, when it comes to being wronged or defrauded, nobody likes it. But there’s more to it than money: it’s often an issue of feeling powerless, or when the crook is a friend, it’s a matter of broken trust or betrayal. When such things happen to you, what do you do? Do you plan your revenge? Do you intend to fight fire with fire? Or in very rare cases, do you trust God to set things straight.

Now, today’s passage is interesting, because in its context, Paul was addressing two believers who were bringing their dispute to civil court and thus ruining their witness to the outside world. So you could make the case that the weight of the chapter is on being an effective witness, which I wouldn’t argue. But might I suggest that the issue of faith undergirds this passage? Meaning, we need faith that the name and witness of Jesus is far more important than our rights, even for civil justice. And we need faith to forgive another person (especially another believer) who cheats us or pulls one over on us, making us feel powerless or stupid, because we have a God who not only judges all wrongs but rewards all good actions, like forgiving. Ultimately, we need to have faith that we can follow the example of Christ who was wronged to the utmost degree but had the grace to forgive.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to forgive when I am wronged so that You would be honored. Help me to be less concerned about my rights than I am about Your name and reputation. Help me to lay down my feelings of embarrassment and helplessness and to trust in You, not only as the justifier but the rewarder. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 20

Lunch Break Study

Read Matt. 6:9-15: This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come,your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Questions to Consider

1. In the Lord’s Prayer, what is the first request Jesus makes? What is the first thing you say to God in prayer?

2. What are some observations we can make about forgiveness from this passage?

3. Is there someone who you need to forgive?

Notes

1. Christ’s first request is for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done. Continuing on this morning’s theme, ideally, it’s the Lord’s purpose and renown that should have priority in our hearts and prayers.

2. In verse 12, our forgiveness is assumed before we ask for forgiveness from the Lord. We also see this idea furthered in vv. 14-15, as Jesus says we should not expect the Lord’s grace if we are unwilling to show the same.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

Today’s main theme was about forgiveness and trusting/honoring Christ. How are you when it comes to forgiving people when you have been wronged? Are you generally gracious? Are you willing to endure ill treatment if it honors Christ? Are there habits that you need to cut out to represent Christ well in the world? How important is it for you to represent Him well?

January 31, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI Devotional QT, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on May 3, 2017. Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Rebuking Someone, Like a Congregant”

2 Corinthians 7:11-16

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

As a pastor who loves his church, I find that the most unpleasant thing about my job is having to rebuke a congregant who is in sin. I don’t like to do it, and trust me, no one likes to receive it. But as I have gotten more mature in my faith, I’ve come to realize that rebuking someone in sin—with the right motive and the right approach— is one of the most loving things anyone can do. It’s often our cowardice or fear that keeps us from pointing out the erroneous way of our brother or sister.

In his previous letter, Paul rebuked an individual engaged in an incestuous relationship (I Corinthians 5). Paul here explains why there was a need for that rebuke, that it wasn’t necessary for singling out the person committing the sin or the person the sin was being committed against. The ultimate reason why Paul felt the need to rebuke a congregant was because of love. This was what Paul hoped would be revealed in the sight of God—that love was what was motivating him.

God expects those who lead in His name to probe and address sinful situations that negatively affect His beloved church. Satan works to get into local churches and cause people to offend and be offended so that he might break up the unity and smother the church’s growth, both numerically and spiritually. Our Adversary looks for any opportunity to break down the unity and destroy the health of the church body. He will use the slightest misunderstanding, slightest miscommunication, and the slightest differences to cause divisiveness in the group.

Fortunately, in the case in the Corinthian church, the individual in the incestuous relationship apparently repented and turn his “earnestness” towards Paul, his spiritual leader. How I wish this is always the case! But even if this is not assured, even with the gentlest rebuke, if we find sin in our churches, we must rebuke one another, for the sake of love and unity.

Prayer: Father, no one likes to rebuke or be rebuked. But help us to see that we need brothers and sisters in our lives, who can help us see the errors of our ways. We all have blind spots, and that is why we need trusted friends to help us. Give us a desire for Your holiness so that we will receive rebukes with a humble heart. Give us Your love when we find ourselves needing to share a rebuke. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Proverb 19

Lunch Break Study

Read John 17:20-23: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

Questions to Consider

1. What is the basis for our unity according to verse 21?

2. What is the result of our unity?

3. How united do you feel to your church body? Is there anything you can do to promote a greater unity at your church?

Notes

1. As the Father and the Son are One, we are to be one with each other as followers of Christ.

2. The world will know that Jesus is God.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

“To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting, and precious; and, as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.” –A.T. Pierson

January 30, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 14, 2017, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children (Jonah, Lily, and Ayla), serves in Japan as an AMI missionary. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), is in the process of planting a church in Tokyo. Please pray for this work.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Ordinary Christianity”

1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

My daughter, around her second birthday, more or less potty-trained herself; my wife and I simply acted as cheerleaders. Now, when a toddler uses the toilet, you congratulate and celebrate; the child should feel proud and accomplished. However, when a forty-year-old man properly uses the toilet, it would be an odd moment to give hi-fives.

The apostle Paul declares that preaching the gospel gives him “no ground for boasting.” He is not doing anything noteworthy; this is not a spectacular achievement. He is simply doing his duty, fulfilling his ordinary responsibility as a Christian; in fact, to neglect preaching the gospel is not neutral but a warrant for being cursed! Of course, God does not judge us when we stumble through evangelism. He is not disappointed by our lack of skill or our growing pains, just as a parent knows that “accidents” are inevitable for a potty-training child.

At the same time, imagine a smug businessman in a well-tailored suit, who is wearing a diaper over his pants. Christian “maturity” without a growing ability to share our faith is, likewise, out of place, to say the least. There are many elements to a growing faith and we are not to neglect any them; and we cannot just grow only in the areas that are comfortable to us. A briefcase or a power tie cannot cover up a diaper forever.

Evangelism can be difficult. It is time-consuming since it’s relational; thus, it can be uncomfortable at first. But, this should be and is an ordinary part of being a child of God. Witnessing God raising the dead to life, up close and personal, is the extraordinary privilege of an ordinary child of God. Oh Lord, may our response be obedience and wonder.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that the harvest is plentiful and there are many people in our cities that belong to You. Give us courage that we may be good stewards of the Good News. Surprise us over and over again at the power of Your Gospel to transform lives and make people new. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 18

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV): Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Question to Consider

Jesus has risen from the dead. Why do some disciples doubt?
How does Jesus address their doubts?
According to the passage, what kind of life will people enter into when they believe in Jesus?

Notes

The disciples remember that Jesus was recently tortured and murdered. They may be excited but afraid of what might happen to them.
Jesus declares His authority over all heaven and earth. He also promises to be with the disciples “to the end of the age.”
When someone believes in Jesus, her old life will be over and a new life will begin (baptism). She will also be given freedom from slavery to sin and power to love and obey God.

Evening Reflection

Reflect on your day. Who did God place in your path who does not know Jesus? Did He give you any open doors to develop a friendship or share about Jesus with any of those people? Pray for open doors and boldness to get into the lives of those around you.

January 29, Monday

REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 10, 2017.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Two Mexican Amigos Who Found God After Being Deported”

2 Kings 24:15-17 (NIV)

Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land. 16 The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans.

Having lived in Mexico for many years, I have many friends there, including two men who were deported from the U.S. after living here for many years as illegal immigrants. One is “Javier” who had lived and worked in California long enough to buy a modest house and raise a family. The other is “Carlos,” a pastor who was held at a detention facility for undocumented aliens for several months before being deported—it was a nightmare for him. Overnight, they lost everything.

I consider them “buenos amigos” and I know how devastating the deportation was for both. Now, I understand that what I’m about to say would make zero sense, even be offensive, to those who don’t adhere to a biblical worldview; but for those who do, realize that deportation was the best thing that could have happened to Javier and Carlos from the standpoint of eternity. How? Javier came to believe in Jesus Christ during the aftermath of deportation and in the midst of a crumbing marriage at a retreat where I was the guest speaker. He would eventually enroll in a local Bible institute and become a leader in the church; once, he seriously considered dropping everything to go to China as a missionary.* As for Carlos, after initially taking a factory job to support his family, he met a boss who later helped him to join the largest Baptist church in the city that, in time, installed him as the pastor of its daughter church. (Once, a short-term team from Church of Southland worked with him.)

The Old Testament is not silent on this matter, for many Israelites in antiquity would readily empathize with the likes of Javier and Carlos, because they themselves were deported to Babylonia following its crushing invasions of Judah; most of them would never set foot again on their homeland. One such person was Daniel, who was forcibly taken when he was still a teen. While Javier and Carlos at least were never separated from their families, Daniel would never see his families again. How devastating this experience must have been for Daniel, but when seen through the lens of spirituality, deportation was God’s way of drawing Daniel near to him, so much so that he would later become a great prophet of God, while serving as a top official in three different administrations.

I write this neither to the advocates or denouncers of deportation, but to those who see the world through God’s Word. Jesus says that “in this world you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:32), and often it is through these trials that we learn “not to rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Cor. 1:9). I hope you would agree that being drawn to God (Jn. 6:44) is far better than anything material that America has to offer. Don’t get too enamored by America; instead, go where there is a real need and tell those who think that America is heaven that it isn’t so; then tell them about the mansion Jesus has been preparing (Jn. 14:1-3) for the past 2,000 years for those who has placed their trust in him. Go!

Prayer: Lord, I praise and glorify Your wonderful name. I pray for all the undocumented aliens held in detention centers in the U.S., that they would turn to You and trust Jesus for their salvation. Please remind those who work in these centers to be civil and decent toward those who are held up. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 17

Lunch Break Study

Read Daniel 9:7-8 (ESV): “To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.”

Psalm 137:1-6 (ESV): “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!”

Questions to Consider

1. According to Prophet Daniel, what is one key reason why God drove out the Israelites to all the lands (i.e., Babylonia)?

2. Psalm 137 is sung by these Israelites who were forcibly deported to Babylonia. What spiritual effect did this devastating experience have on this once rebellious Israelites? What does this suggest?

3. Are you going through a difficult moment in your life, like being on the verge of losing your job or marriage? The root (but not necessarily casual) problem may be vertical (you and God), not horizontal. Pray about it.

Note

1. Daniel minced no words here: the treachery (NIV: “unfaithfulness”) that the Israelites committed against God. In verse 5, Daniel adds, “We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name.”

2. This Psalm indicates that the Jewish deportees had repented: whereas before they drew away from God, now they longed to sing the LORD’s song in Babylonia. This suggests that trials and difficult moments can draw us nearer to God.

3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

We began the day talking about undocumented workers who occupy the low end of the social ladder. So, before you look for one to shower him or her with compassion, why not start with people in your life whose job is to serve you, like your employees or people who work in the service industry. Paul says, “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Rom. 12:16). How did you fare today? Were you proud and arrogant? Or were you humble and compassionate? Only you know—and God. Why not pray for a better living tomorrow.

* “Javier,” whose real name is Luis, is now with the Lord. He passed away in 2022 from complications arising from COVID. Carlos is still pastoring.