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

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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

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

Notes

1. 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.
2. 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.  
3. Personal reflection question.

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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.

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

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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.  

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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?  

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

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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.

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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 

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

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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

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

Notes

1. The disciples remember that Jesus was recently tortured and murdered.  They may be excited but afraid of what might happen to them.
2. Jesus declares His authority over all heaven and earth.  He also promises to be with the disciples “to the end of the age.”
3. 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.

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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. 

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

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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.  

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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. 

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on October 30, 2016, is provided by Andy Kim who is the Lead Pastor of Radiance Christian Church in San Francisco.  Andy is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“How Shark Tank and God Are Different”

Hebrews 4:16

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. 

The hit TV show “Shark Tank” has tested the confidence and abilities of many entrepreneurs. The premise of the show is that individuals would pitch their ideas and business models to a group of successful investors. Many of these individuals have prepared their entire lives for this moment, hoping that their innovation will impress the investors.  They are then questioned, tested, and scrutinized—but afterwards, many are left with their dreams shattered (probably the reason for the show’s name). It is a brutal process, but this is work. For us students, it’s a lot like taking a test. The amount you prepare and study will determine your confidence going into the test; but even then, you may not get the results you want. Regardless of how much effort you put into it, the output or the product is how we are measured. 

Thankfully, this is not the case when it comes to approaching God. The writer in this passage speaks to a confidence that the believer holds when approaching God’s throne. Contrary to the world, our confidence does not lie in our work or even our abilities. Rather, our confidence stems from the finished work of Christ; and upon Christ’s finished work we are judged. This attitude is not one of pride but of humble reverence for God, for we are able to enter His presence with freedom and without the fear of condemnation. For many of us, approaching God is difficult because we feel unworthy or even unprepared to come to Him. At the core of these excuses are two misunderstandings: First, that we can approach Him based on our works; or second, that Christ’ work is not sufficient for us. The throne that God chooses to sit on is not of just power and glory but of grace. It is in this grace that we are accepted into His chambers, where God provides for even our smallest needs. May we not be deceived by the enemy by turning to our own abilities and effort or think that we are not worthy enough to come to Him. Instead, through the dwelling of Christ in our hearts, may we receive the measure of all the fullness of God! (Eph 3:19). 

Spend some time reflecting on your attitude when you enter into His presence. Do you go straight into a laundry list of items to pray about? Do you feel disconnected from Him at times? If so, may this passage remind us that we come to the Father through Christ alone, and we can come to Him in complete freedom without fear.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your grace. We confess that we are unworthy, and many times we come to You with wrong motivations. Yet we look to Jesus Christ who made a way for us. Help us to never depend on our abilities but to fully trust in You. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 16

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on October 16, 2016. Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“God Is Better!”

John 20:30-31

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

I recently read a statement in a book that said, “The God who created you is better than the god you created.” I thought it was catchy. Definitely true! 

There are many topics that float around in our minds all day long; I’m certain that “God” is one of those topics.  But have you ever wondered how well-informed you are about who God really is? Do you ever wonder if any of our thoughts, opinions, and even conclusions about God are consistent to the Bible?

One common misconception has been mentioned by preachers in jest: “Please turn to Hezekiah 6:5 – God helps those who help themselves.” Of course, we know that there is no “Book of Hezekiah” in the Bible; nor does the Bible paint a picture of a God who only helps those who make efforts to help themselves. Perhaps, such thoughts and other views like it have found their way into our private theological systems. While they do not serve us in our faith, they can certainly impede our spiritual growth. 

The apostle John writes that he took the time to carefully author his gospel (inspired by the Holy Spirit) so that the readers may believe that Jesus is the Messiah and gain life in His name. John, along with the many disciples, had found life in recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Savior of the World. They discovered that everything he did and taught changed and transformed their perception of the reality: individuals were healed, families were restored, new communities lived according to a new set of values, and the gospel continued to extend to the nations. 

It is a remarkable statement to believe that faith in a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago would be the only source of true life for all people. But the testimonies of Jesus, as it has been faithfully preached and taught, continues to give life to people today. 

If you haven’t already done so, consider downloading an app on your phone that allows you to read God’s word throughout the year. Here’s my favorite: 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bible-in-one-year/id504133402?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.multipie.bibleinoneyear&hl=en_GB

And may the words captured in our Bible guide you toward faith in Jesus that leads you to attain life that only He can impart: a meaningful life in the present and eternal life thereafter.    

Prayer: Lord, help me to discard the god I have made; instead, help me to worship and obey the God who created me. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 14-15

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 16, 2017.  Andrew is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“What Will Make Us Stand Before God?” 

Revelation 7:1-4 

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” 

Throughout the book of Revelation, there are interludes that occur between descriptions of God’s judgment that are meant to console the persecuted Christians. Here in our passage for today, we find ourselves at the first interlude. As the opened seals reveal the wrath of God, chapter 6 ends with a piercing question that chapter 7 answers: “Who can stand before the divine judgment?” We find the answer in verse 3. The only ones who will not be harmed will be those who are sealed by God. In ancient times, seals were used by kings to designate those who belonged to them. Other religions used seals as a marker of devotion to their gods. Similarly, those who are sealed by God are those who belong to Him. Later on we find out that the seal is given to those who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. In other words, those who have believed upon the gospel are the only ones who are able to withstand the judgment of God. 

This is good news for all of us. It won’t be our track record, our good works, or how much time we’ve spent at church that will determine whether or not we are able to stand before God. What will allow us to stand confidently in the period of judgment is the assurance we’ve received from the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this reason, we do not have to be afraid of God’s wrath or where our eternal destiny will be. God has sealed us by the blood of the Lamb. We bear the mark that proclaims that we belong to His kingdom- protected by His grace and mercy. Nothing will be able to remove God’s seal over us. Today, let us reflect on this marvelous truth, walking confidently in our relationship with God! 

Prayer: Father, thank you for your gospel and the assurance it gives me. Help me to walk securely and confidently in your love! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 13

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Lunch Break Study 

Read Ephesians 2:1-10: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Questions to Consider

1. What was the state of our being before Christ? 
2. On what basis are we saved? 
3. Do you feel secure in God’s love for you? 

Notes 

1. We were dead in our sins and trespasses. It is important to recognize that we were not simply neutral towards God, but it says that we followed the prince of the power of the air and that we were children of wrath. In other words, we were against God and His ways. Our goal was simply to fulfill the desires of our flesh. 
2. We are saved by grace through faith- not by the works we do. The faith that we received is not something we work towards but a gift from God. 
3. Personal response 

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Evening Reflection 

Oftentimes we revert back to basing our relationship with God on our performance. We feel secure in God’s love when we are doing well, but not so much when we fall into sin. Take some time before going to sleep to reflect on your relationship with God. Are you living your life in response to God’s grace or are you working to be loved by God? 

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Christine Li, was first posted on February 16, 2017. Christine, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, serves as a deaconess at Remnant Church in Manhattan, New York.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“An Antidote for the Daily Grind”

1 Corinthians 3:16 

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

How much money are you willing to spend on an article of clothing? I know people who will spend only $10, to others who are willing to spend hundreds at a time. How about $4.8 million? That’s how much one of Marilyn Monroe’s dresses auctioned off for last fall. When asked whether the price was justified, the representative of the buying company answered that they did believe the dress to be so valuable – it was the “most iconic piece of pop culture.” At the end of the day, it is only a dress, but its brief encounter with splendor and fame made it so much more valuable and special.

There is an idea here from Paul: God, the most wonderful and beautiful entity the world has ever known, has chosen to make His dwelling place among us. He does not just choose to be among the people with exciting jobs, celebrity friends, and nice vacations. Instead, God, who dwells in Heaven, willingly sends His Spirit to all believers – yes, us! Us with our common, normal, sometimes-boring habits. 

To be honest, the more days I work, the more often I have found myself falling into the trap of the “daily grind” mentality, ending my evenings wondering, Lord, was that really Your best plan for me today? There are days that seem to lack something meaningful. Perhaps, it would do me (and all of us) well to reflect seriously on the truth that God’s Spirit is being carried by me all the day long. Indeed, God spends the entire day with me, from reading Excel spreadsheets, to eating lunch at the desk, to riding the bus home. 

Do you also have trouble getting through the long stretch? Let’s not settle for passing excitement that comes from the next episode of a show, the upcoming weekend, or fun plans that would liven up our days. We have the privilege of hosting the Lord of hosts—all the day long! Every moment and action could be filled with the potential of something exciting simply because He is now on the scene. So let’s ask to become more sensitive to His presence and that we will find His glory all around us. He is always listening and always with us, so even today we may discover something new in our routines.

Prayer: Father, remind me once again that this life with You is an excellent and exciting one. Don’t let me limit what I can experience of You in my daily living. Won’t you give me freshness and newness in my daily life so I can honor You fully and be aware of what You are doing? Give me eyes to truly see how You are working all around me. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverbs 12

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Lunch Break Study

Read Romans 8:6-11: The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Questions to Consider

1. Paul writes about the difference between those of the flesh and those of the Spirit. What are the marks of believers? 
2. What are the “powers” that we gain through the Spirit of God? 
3. This passage puts very little emphasis on what we are able to do; everything is governed and done by the Spirit. What does that say about our role in our spiritual life?

Notes

1. The Sunday School answer would be that a believer has the Spirit of Christ. Paul says that those of the Spirit live in harmony with God, but those of the flesh are at odds with God, unable to please Him.
2. The benefits we receive in being a believer are the ability to be fully reconciled to God and to live eternally with Him. Paul says that the Spirit that raised the dead to life dwells within us – that is an immense amount of power residing within us that we have access to!
3. Everything is stated as a result of being ”governed by the Spirit” or because the Spirit is ”in you.” It emphasizes that we bring nothing to the table of our salvation and our sanctification; all of this is done and accomplished by the work of God in our lives. Because He is able and He makes His dwelling among us, this should fill us with confidence that He will carry out His transformative work in our lives!

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Evening Reflection 

How was your day? Did it help to become a little more aware of God’s presence around you? Or, maybe, if you were unaware, take some time to think about where He was throughout the day. Let’s ask Him to give us more sensitivity tomorrow and every other day to see what He is doing all around us.

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 12, 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 Thought for This Morning

“The Most ‘Wasteful’ Gift”

Mark 14:3-9

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Historians say the most expensive gift ever given in the history of mankind is the Taj Mahal. The Taj, located in India, was commissioned by Shah Jahan to be built in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years, 20,000 laborers, and 32 million rupees (that’s around 1 billion US dollars if you convert and factor in inflation) to construct this monumental project. As beautiful and inspiring as the Taj Majal is, most of us would agree that the gesture was extremely wasteful. Think about how much you could do with 20,000 laborers in 22 years, with 1 billion dollars. And the Shah used all that to express his love for his deceased wife by constructing a building that has very little functional value. What a waste! 

Those were the kinds of thoughts that enraged the onlookers of this dramatic scene from Mark 14. As the woman poured out 300 denarii (a year’s salary) worth of ointment upon Jesus’ feet, those who were nearby couldn’t help but be frustrated at the wasteful, inefficient nature of this woman’s offering. But what they failed to understand, and what we often forget, is that love is wasteful. When we genuinely express love to someone, it isn’t calculated, it isn’t necessarily efficient; in fact it’s often wasteful. No one understood this better than Jesus.

Historians got it wrong. The most expensive gift ever given in the history of mankind was not the Taj Majal; it was the life of Jesus Christ. A few days after the woman poured the ointment on Jesus’ feet, God paid our ransom by offering Jesus on the cross. He is the most wasteful giver of all time!

In your love for God, and your love for people, have you been wastefully loving? Or is your love always calculated and efficient? Today, let’s look for opportunities to love God and love one another genuinely, even wastefully.

Prayer: God, teach us how to give as You gave and to love as You loved—even if it means being inefficient for a time, or even being wasteful with our time, energy, and resources. Free us from anxieties and worries, which often inhibit us from loving wastefully. Thank You that You gave us the greatest gift of all in your Son, Jesus, and for sending Your Holy Spirit to be with us. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Bible Reading for Today: Proverb 11

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Lunch Break Study

Read Luke 11:9-13: And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, what must we do in order to receive from God?
2. How can we trust that God would so easily give us good gifts?
3. What gift is the heavenly Father so eager to give to us?

Notes

1. The passage makes it clear that all we must do is ask! “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find….” Even though we know this is in Scripture, we aren’t used to this because the world doesn’t really function this way. We usually have to work and earn every other good thing we have. Consequently, this promise is easy to learn but hard to practice! 
2. Simply asking and receiving seems like too good of an offer to be true. How can we know that this is true? To help us understand, Jesus points to our earthly fathers. Even though they aren’t perfect, we can trust that most fathers know how to take care of their children and give them good gifts. In the same way, God is our Heavenly Father, and we can trust Him (even more than our earthly fathers) to give us good gifts when we simply ask.
3. Some interpret this passage to mean that God would give us anything we ask for. And while we can certainly ask Him for anything, this passage is quite clear that the primary gift that God has in store for His children is the Holy Spirit. He knows that more than anything else, the Holy Spirit is the best and most crucial gift for us!

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Evening Reflection

The most famous passage about receiving the Holy Spirit is from Acts 2, when the disciples were waiting, longing for the Holy Spirit to come, and He indeed comes. Consequently, we often think that we have to be in a certain spiritual state in order to be filled with the Spirit. But the book of Acts is filled with other instances of people being filled with the Spirit: those who knew nothing about the Spirit but just asked (Acts 19:1-6), one who was hostile towards God (Acts 9:17-20), and even Gentiles (Acts 10)! 

Regardless of what “spiritual condition” you are in right now, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit!